A simple model of a composite nucleon is developed in which a fermion and a boson, representing quark and diquark constituents of the nucleon, form a bound state owing to a contact interaction. Photon and pion couplings to the quark provide vertex functions for the photon and pion interactions with the composite nucleon. By a suitable choice of cutoff parameters of the model, realistic electromagnetic form factors are obtained for the proton. When a pseudoscalar pion-quark coupling is used, the pion-nucleon coupling is predominantly pseudovector. A virtual photopion amplitude is considered in which there are two types of contributions: hadronic contributions where the photon and pion interactions have an intervening propagator of the nucleon or its excited states, and contactlike contributions where the photon and pion interactions occur within a single vertex. At large Q, the contactlike contributions are dominant. The model nucleon exhibits scaling behavior in deep-inelastic scattering and the normalization of the parton distribution provides a rough normalization of the contactlike contributions. Calculations for the virtual photopion amplitude are performed using kinematics appropriate to its occurrence as a meson-exchange current in electron-deuteron scattering. The results suggest that the contactlike terms can dominate the meson-exchange current for Q>1GeV/c. Theremore » is a direct connection of the contactlike terms to the off-forward parton distributions of the model nucleon.« less


Small molecule inhibitors of endothelial cell specific tyrosine kinases are currently under investigation as potential means to block tumor angiogenesis. We have investigated the utility of blocking Tie-2 signaling in endothelial cells as a potential anti-angiogenic strategy. We have found that interruption of Tie-2 signaling either via RNAi or overexpression of a kinase-dead Tie-2 led to loss of endothelial cell viability, even in the presence of serum. Mechanistically, this is linked to a block in Akt signaling and increased thrombospondin expression. Thrombospondins are endogenous anti-angiogenic matricellular proteins known to regulate tumor growth and angiogenesis. We observed that both Tie-2 and subsequent PI3Kinase signaling regulates thrombospondin-1 expression. These data have lead to the model that Angiopoietin signaling through Tie-2 activates PI3Kinase/Akt, which represses thrombospondin expression. Thus, targeting Tie-2 with small molecules maybe efficacious as an anti-angiogenic therapy.


The linkage between leaf‐litter and macroinvertebrate shredders is pivotal for stream food webs. Global change is predicted to decrease the nutritional quality of litter inputs to streams. However, little is known about shredder's ability to develop local interpopulation adaptations to face nutrient‐depleted leaf‐litter. We hypothesized that this adaptation could be present in populations receiving low‐quality leaf‐litter. We performed feeding tests on three abundant shredders species from lowland (a snail) and mountain (two insects) streams. Two populations of each species were derived from two subregions contrasting in average quality of litter inputs. Individuals were fed on four diets of contrasting quality: two leaf‐litter species with two qualities each, and their feeding rates, survivorship, growth, and energetic storage were evaluated. Results suggest that local population adaptation to low‐quality litters is not common, being essentially a fixed species trait that varies across species, in particular among snails and insects. The ability of the snail to cope with low‐quality litters suggests that ecosystem processes in lowland streams may resist reductions in litter quality. Conversely, potential alterations of riparian vegetation linked to global changes might disrupt mountain stream ecosystem functioning.


The purpose of this paper is to examine different communicative behaviors employees engage in according to their position level and the impacts of relationship they perceive. By comparing the behaviors and perceptions of low-, middle-, and high-level employees, the study investigates when and why employees become active in communicative behaviors about an organizational issue.,A quantitative online survey was conducted with 412 full-time employees in medium- and large-sized corporations with more than 300 employees in the USA.,Results show that those who are the most likely to be active not only in expressing ideas (i.e. voice) to solve an issue but also in forwarding positive information about their organization (i.e. megaphoning) are high-level employees. The findings also reveal distinct impacts of two types of relationship – communal and exchange relationship – on behaviors of employees in different positions.,The study extended the understanding of relational approach by exploring the consequences of two types of relationship in the context of employee relations, and filled the research gap on relationships and issue management studies in public relations from an internal perspective.,To encourage employees to engage actively in positive megaphoning and voice during issue periods and to minimize the threats by reducing employees' negative megaphoning behavior, the study suggested different relationship-building strategies based on employees' position levels.,The current work examined the distinct impacts of organization-employee relationships on employees' internal and external communicative behaviors based on their position level within an organization, especially focusing on employees' role as potential advocates or adversaries for an organization during periods of an organizational crisis.


The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product, comprising: - an application member (5), - a vibration source (20), means enabling the user to selectively orient the vibration of the vibration source relatively to the applicator member according to at least two different orientations, in one or more predefined locations.


Objectives: The global prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is between 1% and 14%, which is associated with adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcome. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with high GDM prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GDM using IADPSG and to investigate the associated risk factors that contribute to it. Methods: A cross-sectional study at King Salman Hospital was conducted from January 2014 to January 2015. A total number of 850 files of women who had undergone 75g glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were randomly selected. The information including maternal demographic, parity, maternal BMI, obstetric and medical history; previous diagnosis of GDM and family history of Diabetes mellitus was collected from these cases. Later, women were divided into two groups; those having GDM and other not having GDM. The research was approved by both the committees of King Salman Hospital and the University of Tabuk. Results: Overall prevalence for GDM using the IADPSG criteria among the 850 women was found to be 50.7%. The fasting plasma glucose was the most common abnormal value seen in OGTT among women diagnosed with GDM. High BMI, older age, high Parity, Previous history of GDM and family history of diabetes mellitus were observed among women with GDM group and not with those without GDM, especially when using fasting blood glucose criteria. Conclusion: High prevalence of GDM was observed by applying the IADPSG criteria. There was a significant difference among the risk factors for both groups like high BMI, older age, high Parity, Previous history of GDM and family history of diabetes millets.


Fonr minesoil profiles were sampled in Queensland and one in New South Wales, Australia, for chemical characterization. These sites represent minesoils from the upper and lower portions of the Bowen Basin, with overburden dominated by Permian sandstone and some mudstones. The objective of this study was to compare chemical properties to establish future land use _potential. Total dissolution analysis using a modified micro-wave technique included the following elements: Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, P, and Zn. Total C, N, and S were detennined using 60 mesh samples on the LECO CNS 2000. In addition, organic C was detennined using the Walkely-Black technique. Total P values were low in the Queensland minesoils. Organic C and total N values were higher in the New South Wales minesoil than those values found in the Queensland minesoils. This is primarily due to age of the minesoils. Sodium concentrations are high and may present special problems for plant establishment. Chemical measurements are a key component to assess future land use. Additional


The class of simplicial complexes representing triangulations and subdivisions of Lawrence polytopes is closed under Alexander duality. This gives a new geometric model for oriented matroid duality.


Objective To investigate the antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus species isolated from hospitals in several regions of China during 2010.Methods Twelve general hospitals and 2 children hospitals were involved in this program. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by means of Kirby-Bauer(K-B) according to the unified protocol.The data were analyzed by WHONET 5.4 software according to CLSI 2010 breakpoints.Results A total of 4 046 nonduplicate Enterococcus isolates were collected.The most common isolates were E.faecalis(1 829,45.2%).E.faecium (1 817,44.9%).E.gallinarum(78,1.9%),E.avium (54,1.3%) and E.casseli flavus(49,1.2%).The strains of Enterococcus were still highly susceptible to linezolid, vancomycin and teicoplanin.The overall resistance rates were4%.The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant E.faecalis and E.faecium was 0.6%and 3.6%,respectively. The percentage of E.faecalis resistant to nitrofurantoin,fos- fomycin and ampicillin was 3.2%.5.7%and 11.3%.respectively.About 44.0%of E.faecalis isolates were resistant to gentamicin (high level).The E.faecium strains were more resistant to most drugs tested than E.faecalis.Nearly 90%and 70%E. faecium strains were resistant to ampicillin and gentamicin(high level).respectively.But only 7.3%of these strains were resistant to chloramphenicol.Less than 10%of the E.faecium isolated from children were resistant to fosfomycin or nitrofurantoin. The resistance of Enterococcus varied widely with region or hospital.Conclusions The prevalence of E.faecium is increasing progressively.Linezolid,vancomycin and teicoplanin are still active against Enterococcus isolates.


Photocatalytic degradation kinetics of eleven azo dyes by TiO2/UV was studied using a Rayonet photoreactor. The degradation kinetics of azo dyes seems to be significantly influenced by their electrical nature, the number of azo bonds present in a dye molecule, and type of auxiliary groups attached to the azo bond. For example, trisazo dyes were the most difficult to degrade, and monoazo dyes were the most readily degradable, while the disazo dyes were in the middle range. The experimental results indicate that positive hole oxidation is the dominant mechanism contributing to the degradation of neutral or negatively charged dyes at pH 3. The degradation kinetics of positively charged basic dyes may be through reduction by electrons in the conduction bands of the excited TiO2 particles. On the other hand, hydroxyl radicals should be the major oxidation species at pH greater than 7. The pH effects on the degradation kinetics of different dyes may be due to the intrinsic reactivities of the neutral and ionize...


Extant theories of economic development and strategic management emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship in generating business profits and sustaining the industry toward achieving economic prosperity of a society. However, this domain of knowledge does not explicitly address the issues of social development and well-being in relations to innovation and entrepreneurship in the industries. This can mean neglecting social and moral development in the pursuit of economic development. To remedy this gap, this study brings in the Islamic worldview – an all-encompassing values-based view of life that embraces just economic and social development. The objective of this study is to provide a framework that conceptualizes innovation and entrepreneurship from an Islamic perspective. This study first discusses the concept of innovation and entrepreneurship from extant literature and then examines the concept from the Islamic perspective. In Islam, all conducts by members of organizations, including innovators and entrepreneurs, are tied to superordinate goals and conducted in accordance to the shariah and Islamic


Abstract Stability analysis of a levee made of the bottom sediments from Czorsztyn-Niedzica Reservoir is presented in the paper. These sediments were classified as silty sands and, based on the authors' own research, their geotechnical parameters were beneficial, so the possibility of using this material for the hydraulic embankments was considered. Stability and filtration calculations were carried out for a levee that had the same top width - 3 m, slope inclinations 1:2 and different heights: 4, 6 and 8 m. Two methods were used: analytical and numerical. Calculations were carried out without and with a steady and unsteady seepage filtration. Based on the analysis carried out it was stated that the levee made of the bottom sediments is stable even at the height of 8.0 m, although because of the seepage on the downstream side it is recommended to use a drainage at the toe of the slope.


The invention discloses a detachable thermal insulation air bag and a using method thereof and solves the problem that chemicals and water are frozen in the cold environment and consequently can not be used. The detachable thermal insulation air bag is an air bag body which is formed by successive butt joint of a plurality of unit air bags; one or more air inlets are formed in the air bag body; secondary buckles and primary buckles are arranged in the spliced positions of the adjacent unit air bags respectively; the adjacent unit air bags are rotationally connected through the secondary buckles and the primacy buckles; each unit air bag is formed by fused adhesion of a first seepage-proof material and a second seepage-proof material; tie pieces are arranged between the first seepage-proof materials and the second seepage-proof materials; air vent pipes are disposed between the adjacent unit air bags and used for communicating the adjacent unit air bags and stabilizing air pressure in the air bags. The detachable thermal insulation air bag can be rapidly disassembled and assembled and is convenient to transport, the materials of the detachable thermal insulation air bag are recyclable, and the cost is reduced.


Seaweed is a valuable coastal resource for its use in food, cosmetics, and other items. This study proposed new remote sensing based seaweed enhancing index (SEI) using spectral bands of near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) of Landsat 8 satellite data. Nine Landsat 8 satellite images of years 2014, 2016, and 2018 for the January, February, and March months were utilized to test the performance of SEI. The seaweed patches in the coastal waters of Karachi, Pakistan were mapped using the SEI, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and floating algae index (FAI). Seaweed locations recorded during a field survey on February 26, 2014, were used to determine threshold values for all three indices. The accuracy of SEI was compared with NDVI while placing FAI as the reference index. The accuracy of NDVI and SEI were assessed by matching their spatial extent of seaweed cover with FAI enhanced seaweed area. SEI images of January 2016, February 2018, and March 2018 enhanced less than 50 percent of the corresponding FAI total seaweed areas. However, on these dates the NDVI performed very well, matching more than 95 percent of FAI seaweed coverage. Except for these three times, the performance of SEI in the remaining six images was either similar to NDVI or even better than NDVI. SEI enhanced 99 percent of FAI seaweed cover on January 2018 image. Overall, seaweed area not covered by FAI was greater in SEI than NDVI in almost all images, which needs to be further explored in future studies by collecting extensive field information to validate SEI mapped additional area beyond the extent of FAI seaweed cover. Based on these results, in the majority of the satellite temporal images selected for this study, the performance of the newly proposed index—SEI, was found either better than or similar to NDVI.


The United States, just like many other countries of the world, uses the source of income, residence, citizenship, or a combination thereof as its bases of taxation. This makes double taxation, the result of a home and host countries both taxing the same income, an obstacle in the way of international investment and technology. Allowing a tax credit for certain taxes paid to foreign sovereigns is the American approach to help alleviate the double taxation problem. Special effort is taken to define foreign oil and gas extraction income (FOGEI) and foreign oil-related income (FORI) as they pertain to taxation. Several examples illustrate the latest means for calculating FOGEI and FORI taxable income based on the 1982 and 1983 limitations and provisions which were set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. 175 references.


Outer radiation belt electrons vary largely at the commencement of the magnetic storm. According to the JAXA satellite observations, followings have been identified; i.e. i) MeV electrons in the outer radiation belt disappear, ii) 300keV electrons disappear largely, iii) 30˜100keV electrons increase intensity, and iv) demarcation energy between increase and decrease may be in between 100keV and 300keV, depending on the individual magnetic storm. These observation results suggest that loss of highly energetic electrons occurs in a wide energy range together with a transportation of the intermediate energy electrons to the outer radiation belt zone. We have paid a particular attention to the very big magnetic storms to investigate a dynamical behavior of so-called slot region (L˜2.5). For the very large magnetic storm, 300keV electrons moved to the slot region and the injection of 30˜100keV electrons was also identified till the slot region. The movement of the electrons is likely caused by the terrible large electric field, which appears during the big magnetic storm. The electrons in the slot region, then, decrease their intensities, and some of them drifted inward to the inner radiation belt region. The inward motion is caused by the radial diffusion and we are trying to estimate time constant by investigating the electron pitch angle characteristics obtained by the JAXA satellite. Outer belt electrons, on the contrary, increase their intensities, which is very common during the normal magnetic storm.


Lu Xun's life is tightly bound to drawing and painting.He not only searches and collects drawings and paintings,edits and publishes a lot of Chinese-foreign picture albums,but also states his opinions on drawing and painting in articles,prefaces and letters.The "verity" concept,Lun Xun's essential view on drawing and painting,consists of three correlative sub-views—the "verity" concept of normality;the "verity" concept of speciality and the "verity" concept of spirit.Lun Xun puts forward these views on the basis of realism and of criticism of such drawing and painting that disobey the principles of realism.Therefore,they have their own qualitative prescription as well as the corresponding complicated contents,and need concretely differentiating and analyzing and studying.


In normal ocular development, the axial length of our eye is matched to the refractive power of the cornea and lens in a process known as emmetropisation, so that light rays emanating from objects viewed at a distance are focused clearly on the retina, rather than in front or behind it, with the accommodative system at rest. However, in the ocular disorder myopia (short-sightedness), a form of ametropia (refractive error), there is a mismatch between the axial length of the eye and the refractive power of the cornea and lens, so that now objects viewed at a distance are focused in front of the retina, instead of on it, causing the image to


The combustion character and reaction kinetics parameters of Hanyang coal was investigated study by using the method of non-isothermal burning.The effect of different influencing factors such as ignition temperature,temperature of maximum combustion rate,burndown temperature and maximum combustion rate with different ratio of Fe2O3 on combustion characteristic parameters of the sample was analyzed.And the activation energy of the combustion reactions was worked out.It is concluded that the shape of the activation energy of the combustion reactions look like a"V".Meanwhile,the catalysis is the most obvious when the ratio of Fe2O3 is three percent and then it weakens as the ratio of Fe2O3 increases.


The present paper is intended to explore the nature, origins and forms of adjustment of the Dalit diaspora in sociological literature. The ancient human migrations, the medieval resettlements of warring groups and the modern globalization are the different phases of human quest for the creation of new civilization and also their need for progress and development. Such human movements have generated the concept of diaspora which means human settlements away from their original home land. Today, human mobility has become an integral part of the global economy. For centuries Indians have been emigrating to different parts of the world, India has the second largest Diaspora next only to Chinese. Now a day it is so widespread that the sun never sets on the Indian Diaspora. Similarly Dalits of India form an important part of the global Indian diaspora. Although the story of Indian diaspora is being told and retold many times by several scholars all over the world, but very few have emphasised on the Dalit diaspora and it various aspect such as emigration, settlement and perpetuation of culture in the diaspora etc. Here an attempt is made to understand the presence of Dalits in different parts of the world by exploring the available sociological literature. The paper tries to highlight some important aspects of Dalit diaspora from India in the sociological literature with special reference to Punjabi Dalits diaspora.


Meeting the challenge of yellow rust in cereal crops: proceedings of the regional conference on Yellow Rust in the central and West Asia and North Africa region, 8-14 May 2001, Karaj, Iran , Meeting the challenge of yellow rust in cereal crops: proceedings of the regional conference on Yell... , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی


The upper arm of the shotcrete robot is a closed-chain mechanism.According to this structure,establishes the dynamic equations of its upper arm using the virtual spring approach and lagrange formulation.Through further analyzing of the track of the upper arm,its unique constraints have been given.With these constraints,the decoupled dynamic equations of the upper arm are derived.And these equations are fundamentals for the movement analysis and control of the upper arm.


Throughout the 1990s, US policymakers thought they could insulate the country from the collapse of distant states and the spread of war and disorder in some of the world's poorest regions. The attacks on September 11 2001, however, showed that dire conditions in seemingly isolated regions could become incubators for violence that hits America directly. This volume, based on Barnett R. Rubin's years of experience as director of the Center for Preventive Action (CPA) at the Council on Foreign Relations, argues that initiatives aimed at preventing regional crises must form a key part of the US global security strategy. Drawing on his experience leading CPA projects in the Balkans, Central Asia, Central Africa, and West Africa, as well as his extensive work on Afghanistan, Rubin illustrates how seemingly exotic and distant conflicts are deeply integrated into our international system through the effects of global strategies and markets. These conflicts, the author argues, are harder to contain once they flare into violence, and yet may be easier for global actors to prevent than common wisdom claims.


ABSTRACT Deepwater steel lazy-wave riser (SLWR) has won more and more applications in deepwater oil and gas resources development. The dynamic response induced by the wave, ocean current, ship motion, internal flow and other factors in operation phase has been highly concerned by researchers and engineers. A 2D nonlinear dynamic model for SLWR based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory with initial conditions and boundary conditions under top excitations considering the effect of ocean current and internal flow is proposed. Keller Box finite difference scheme is adopted to solve the partial differential equations. Numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the influences of tangential and normal excitations on the riser's dynamic response. The proposed model can be a basic reference for the design and analysis for deepwater SLWR.


The purposes of this mixed method study were (a) to gain an understanding of how background and educational experiences affect the college decision-making process of rural high school students, and (b) to identify barriers rural Latinos encounter when formulating their post-high school plans. A survey was used to collect data concerning high school experiences. A purposive sample of rural Latino high-school graduates was interviewed to gather perceptions of their educational and background experiences. The researcher employed a hypothetical logic model based on the college choice literature. The hypothesized model was used to examine how selected variables: background (mothers' educational attainment, residency, parents' view of education), educational environment (rigorous curriculum, gpa, students' perceptions of high school environment, engagement), and perceived barriers (work, financial aid information) affect students' college aspirations and enrollments, in particular, if there is a difference between Whites and Latinos. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and narrative inquiry were used to analyze the data. The results of this study suggested several factors which influence rural Latinos' aspirations and enrollments in college. Among the findings: (a) students' command of English affects whether or not they enroll and complete a rigorous high school curriculum; (b) U.S. residency status influences Latinos' decisions to enroll in college; and (c) teacher validation and encouragement has a positive affect on aspiration and college enrollment. The study should be replicated in other small rural communities with large ethnic growth. In addition, policy-making entities need to review legislative initiatives to make certain that they address the findings offered in this study.


Unauthorized copying of movies is a major concern for the motion picture industry. While unauthorized copies of movies have been distributed via portable physical media for some time, low-cost, high-bandwidth Internet connections and peer-to-peer file sharing networks provide highly efficient distribution media. Many movies are showing up on file sharing networks shortly after, and in some cases prior to, theatrical release. It has been argued that the availability of unauthorized copies directly affects theater attendance and DVD sales, and hence represents a major financial threat to the movie industry. Our research attempts to determine the source of unauthorized copies by studying the availability and characteristics of recent popular movies in file sharing networks. We developed a data set of 312 popular movies and located one or more samples of 183 of these movies on file sharing networks, for a total of 285 movie samples. 77% of these samples appear to have been leaked by industry insiders. Most of our samples appeared on file sharing networks prior to their official consumer DVD release date. Indeed, of the movies that had been released on DVD as of the time of our study, only 5% first appeared after their DVD release date on a web site that indexes file sharing networks, indicating that consumer DVD copying currently represents a relatively minor factor compared with insider leaks. We perform a brief analysis of the movie production and distribution process and identify potential security vulnerabilities that may lead to unauthorized copies becoming available to those who may wish to redistribute them. Finally, we offer recommendations for reducing security vulnerabilities in the movie production and distribution process.


Sexual life in prisons has not being a social concern. Sex abstention in the prison context is taken as a natural fact and part the punishment. This is clearly observed in female prisons. In Women's Penal Colony of Bom Pastor (CPF), in Recife, women are stuck living today without prospects for sexual relationship with their partners. The Institution is run by nuns and sexual repression is intense. Despite thorough control of the expressions of sexuality, women find alternative ways of experiencing it, primarily by masturbation and homosexuality. By these practices "flouts" and "deviant" of sexuality, inmates ascertain their subject claims. Sexual manifestations in CPF are a form of institutional standards challenging countervailing displeasure institutional rules.


T he physicianscientist workforce is vital to the advancement of biomedical research and the practice of medicine. Physicianscientists are a unique link between basic science research and clinical practice that facilitates new discoveries in the understanding and treatment of human disease. However, the number of physicians reporting science as a primary career activity in the United States has remained stagnant despite an increasing number of total practicing physicians. In 2014, just 1.5% of all practicing physicians reported research as their primary activity. In addition, there are concerns that women and minorities are disproportionately underrepresented in the physicianscientist workforce relative to the overall physician workforce. The present review synthesizes the trends and concerns of many prominent voices in the physicianscientist community. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for interventions aimed at repairing the "leaky" pipeline that recruits and trains medical students for careers in


In Japan, growing traffic demand is causing serious urban traffic congestion. Line buses, in particular, can no longer operate on schedule as a means of public transportation. To ensure scheduled bus service, the Saitama Prefectural Police Headquarters introduced Japan's first warning system to keep designated bus lanes clear of nonintended vehicles via visual and audible warnings to vehicles illegally using bus lanes. To keep bus lanes clear, traffic volume of any illegal vehicles running on the bus exclusive lane is counted for a fixed time by the vehicle detectors that have been arranged above the bus lane. During counting, if the previously set number of vehicles is reached, the loudspeakers and warning display boards installed downstream above the bus lane will give audible and visual warnings to the drivers of those illegal vehicles to leave the bus lane. After introducing the system, the travel time of the line buses and the illegal use of the bus exclusive lane by nonintended vehicles decreased by about 5 minutes and about 64 percent, respectively, on the average. This clearly demonstrates that the intended operation of buses on schedule is ensured and that the effectiveness of the system is significant.


We describe a metaphorical "toolbox" for innovatic s – a new set of skills for managers who specialize in innovation management an d in the study of innovations. We emphasize the importance of quantitative skills, mu ltidisciplinary inspirations and heuristic methods for generatig innovative solutions. Knowled g of organizational behavior is essential to create in the workplace environment co ducive to innovativeness.


CONVERSATIONS WITH GALILEO: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts by William R. Shea. London, UK: Watkins Media, 2019. xi + 115 pages, including notes and further reading. Hardcover; $14.95. ISBN: 9781786782496. *Have you ever wanted to engage in an extended conversation with a famous person whose work and historical milieu you have studied carefully for many years? William R. Shea, one of the world's leading Galileo scholars, invites you to sit down, relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, to engage in a conversation with Galileo. Conversations with Galileo: A Fictional Dialogue incorporates many of Galileo's own words taken from his works or letters. This slim book will allow you to experience how such a dialogue may have transpired. *Shea, a Canadian historian, was Galileo Professor of the History of Science at the University of Padua, Italy from 2003-2012, the very university where Galileo once taught. He has authored many books about Galileo and the Scientific Revolution. The latest, co-authored with Mariano Artigas, are Galileo in Rome: The Rise and Fall of a Troublesome Genius (2003) and Galileo Observed: Science and the Politics of Belief (2006). Conversations with Galileo is part of a series of books published by Watkins Media Ltd., offering conversations with luminaries such as JFK, Oscar Wilde, Casanova, Buddha, Charles Dickens and Isaac Newton. *First, a word about the format of Conversations with Galileo: A three-page introduction by Dava Sobel, author of Longitude (1995) and Galileo's Daughter (1999), is followed by a short (21-page) biography by Shea entitled "Galileo (1564-1642): His Life in Short." Then we are offered 13 chapters dealing with a vast range of topics. Each chapter then begins with Shea posing a leading personal question. These questions cover what, I suspect, most people would want to ask Galileo: questions about censorship, the earth as a planet, scientific failures, what do you take the Bible to say, relations with the Roman Catholic Church Congregation of the Holy Office, also known as the Roman Inquisition, and the Congregation of the Index, other church officials, and, perhaps a final question: what is your claim to fame? The Galileo I remember: the rebel, the seat-of-the-pants philosopher, the "heretic," the defender of the Copernican world-picture, and the creator of a "science of motion" (appearing in the last chapter, "His Claim to Fame") are all present. *So, what more would you want to ask? To me it was surprising to see what else Shea does in fact ask. There are conversations/chapters dealing with "Family Burdens," "Wine, Women and Song," "The Burdens of Teaching," "Moonlighting," "Mind your Horoscope," "The Plague," and "On Art and Literature." This is a Galileo with a human face, with human foibles, jealousies, amorous interests, financial pressures and responsibilities, work-load issues, social conventions, concerns about the plague and social distancing, and literary interests. These are subjects which are usually hidden or absent in many accounts of Galileo's exploits. For instance, we learn of Galileo the lutenist and of his musical family: his father Vincenzo, his brother Michelangelo (a court musician to the grand duke of Bavaria in Munich). We meet his children: his two daughters, Virginia and Livia, who both entered a convent, and his son Vincenzo who had no scientific interests. We also learn about Galileo's life as a student. At seventeen, Galileo attended the University of Pisa to study medicine and "natural philosophy" (science in our parlance). He attended lectures for four and one-half years without acquiring a degree (which was quite common at the time) but did develop his mathematical interests. These are only a few of the personal details in Galileo's life which Shea explores in this book. *All in all, this is a delightful and inviting book, carefully constructed, written in an engaging style, and easy to read. Don't let the poorly designed cover keep you from picking it up. This is a good read for anyone wanting to get a look behind the scenes and meet an illustrious natural philosopher as he lived his rich and complex life. *Reviewed by Arie Leegwater, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49456.


Objective To study the express of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-2 protein in human endometrial carcinoma. Methods The Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the MMP-2, TIMP-2 in endometrial carcinoma tissue of 40 patients, the atypical hyperplasia of 12 samples and the normal endometrium of 12 samples. Results The positive express of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the normal endometrium , atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma was increased gradually. In endometrial carcinoma, with progression of clinical stage and decrease of histological grade as well as deepening of cancer invasion, the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 was increased. Conclusions The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were connected with endometrial carcinoma. The imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 in the endometrial cancer might be one of the pathogenesis and development.


A braking force compensating system for hybrid electric vehicle comprises a braking pedal assembly (1), a brake master cylinder (2), a hydraulic pressure sensor (3), a braking management unit (BMU), and an energy compensating hydraulic cylinder (4) driven by a power driving device (5). The brake master cylinder (2) provides the braking force system with braking hydraulic pressure oil through main pipeline. When the hydraulic pressure value (P2) detected by said hydraulic pressure sensor (3) is less than the predetermined pressure value (P1), said braking management unit (BMU) sends a driving signal to the power driving device (5), and the energy compensating hydraulic cylinder (4) is driven to compensate said pipeline for hydraulic pressure oil by said power driving device (5); when the hydraulic pressure value (P2) detected by said hydraulic pressure sensor (3) is not less than the predetermined pressure value (P1), said braking management unit (BMU) sends a driving signal to the power driving device (5), and the power driving device (5) is stopped, which can assure the safety and reliability of the hybrid electric vehicle, and ensure the consistency of the braking pedal.


Moving objects tracking is
one of the most used categories in the realm of machine vision that has
attracted attention of so many researchers in recent decades. Video
tracking has various applications in military industries, protective systems
and machine vision. Target tracking algorithms vary according to their usages.
In this paper, it has
been attempted to discuss and analyze mobile target tracking techniques and algorithms in Marine.


The distribution of current‐use pesticides (CUPs) in seawater and their trophodynamics were investigated in 3 Canadian Arctic marine food chains. The greatest ranges of dissolved‐phase concentrations in seawater for each CUP were endosulfan sulfate (less than method detection limit (MDL) to 19 pg L−1) > dacthal (0.76–15 pg L−1) > chlorpyrifos (less than MDL to 8.1 pg L−1) > pentachloronitrobenzene (less than MDL to 2.6 pg L−1) > α‐endosulfan (0.20–2.3 pg L−1). Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs, water‐respiring organisms) were greatest in plankton, including chlorothalonil (log BAF = 7.4 ± 7.1 L kg−1, mean ± standard error), chlorpyrifos (log BAF = 6.9 ± 6.7 L kg−1), and α‐endosulfan (log BAF = 6.5 ± 6.0 L kg−1). The largest biomagnification factors (BMFs) were found for dacthal in the capelin:plankton trophic relationship (BMF = 13 ± 5.0) at Cumberland Sound (Nunvavut), and for β‐endosulfan (BMF = 16 ± 4.9) and α‐endosulfan (BMF = 9.3 ± 2.8) in the polar bear—ringed seal relationship at Barrow and Rae Strait (NU), respectively. Concentrations of endosulfan sulfate exhibited trophic magnification (increasing concentrations with increasing trophic level) in the poikilothermic portion of the food web (trophic magnification factor = 1.4), but all of the CUPs underwent trophic dilution in the marine mammal food web, despite some trophic level–specific biomagnification. Together, these observations are most likely indicative of metabolism of these CUPs in mammals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1695–1707. © 2016 SETAC


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and arthritic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization has reinforced its concerns regarding RA morbidity. Characterized by inflammation of the joints which can lead to the destruction of the periarticular tissue, causing pain and joint deformities. During the last four decades, scientific data has suggested that urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by Proteus spp. have a key role in the aetiopathogenesis of RA. Here, we performed a qualitative systematic review of the available literature regarding the association between RA and UTI caused by Proteus spp . in a worldwide perspective. We selected four studies that either show increased isolation of Proteus spp . in the urine of patients with RA or show elevated levels of anti- Proteus antibodies in the serum of RA patients, of the population of different countries from three continents, always comparing with healthy and/or non-RA disease controls. This work reinforces the evidence linking Proteus spp . to RA, from the recurrent sub-clinical Proteus UTIs to the full development of RA. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing guided therapy must be considered crucial to ensure therapeutic success and prevent or minimize the occurrence of RA associated with UTI and future research should be performed with the aim to access if the usage of antibiotics against Proteus spp. from the urinary tract could be implemented as adjuvant therapies to treat RA. Additionally, due to the fact that no research regarding the described association has been performed in Portugal, we suggest the development of a future research project, to access if the Portuguese population follows the trend of the countries referred to in this review.


A n effort was made to prepare thematic maps of fisheries resources from trawlers along Mumbai coast, Mah arashtra using Participatory GIS. Geospatial data on fishing, catch and samples of fish from commercial f ishing vessels was collected and processed in Arc GIS 10.2 to develop tools for fishery management and resou rce conservation of the region. It emerged that the trawlers from Mumbai carried out trawling operations between 20 0 22 '50''N to 18 0 1 2'20''N latitude and 72 0 2 1'50''E to 72 0 5 2'00''E longitude in depth range of 5 to 40 m. Catch percentage varied from 66% to 92% and 70% to 95% by multi-day and single-day trawlers respectively. Discard comprised juveniles of commercial species and adult fishes of low market value. In all, 121 species were caught by multi-day and single-day trawlers.


The various known methods intended for continuous analysis of uncorrelated source fields (MEM-AR, Capon, Borgiotti-Lagunas, Bienvenu-Schmidt) are shown to be based upon a unique conventional diagram, namely one of a spatial linear multiport filter followed by a variance estimator. This filter has K inputs corresponding to K sensors and a single output, and acts as a scalar product system. A fundamental property is then the possibility of having zero responses for the signals coming from K - 1 directions. Using the classical matched filter principle for minimization of undesirable signals (when looking in a given direction), a general class of data-adaptive spatial filters, from which all the above-mentioned methods can be derived with specific choices of parameters, is defined. These filters can be further submitted to normalizing constraints; two examples of this are discussed. This new interpretation leads to the consideration of the above-mentioned methods as special applications of the well-known adaptive array techniques to the estimation problem. Moreover, the asymptotic behaviors are examined when a noise subtraction technique based upon the reduction of the smallest cross-spectral matrix eigenvalue is applied. The convergence toward the Pisarenko solution is ascertained for the estimated directions of the sources, whereas it is not for their estimated intensities (except in the case of the Capon method). In the case of partially correlated sources, the above-mentioned methods are still valid for the localization of sources, but not for their intensities. Other appropriate techniques, such as those of Schmidt, Wax, Shan, and Kailath, must then be considered.


A second law analysis is carried out on convective heat transfer from a fluid flowing in a duct with constant heat flux. The entropy generated is expressed as a function of the initial temperature difference and the frictional pressure drop. Since the loss in available energy is directly proportional to the entropy generated, an optimum value of the initial temperature difference is found where the entropy generated is the minimum. A similar optimum is found for the ratio of heat transfer to pumping power. An optimum fluid velocity which corresponds to the minimum loss of available power is recommended.


The present invention constitutes a plurality of 'I' shape or 'U' shape, the present invention is coupled to the cross-section reinforcement in the mounting hole therein, while forming a rib in the upper current end of the inner branch section The truss structure corresponding to the secondary moment of the point that can increase the strength and stiffness of the axial force and the secondary moment by allowing the tensile strength of the steel to act by tensioning the steel during installation The present invention relates to a truss bridge using a truss structure corresponding to the secondary moment of the point and the construction method thereof.


Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcohol coating solvent ratio on the surface texture and lag time of porous theophylline osmotic tablet. Methods: Porous theophylline osmotic pump tablets were formulated by direct compression and coated by spraying with varying ratios of water-alcohol containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, 5 cps) as primary swelling layer and Eudragit ® RSPO and RLPO as porous layer. The viscosity of HPMC coating solution was determined using Brookfield viscometer. Surface morphology was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro drug release studies to assess lag time was performed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). Results: No significant change in the viscosity of HPMC coating solution was found when water-alcohol solvent ratio was varied. SEM revealed profound distortions in coating texture with a high proportion of either solvent in the coating solution. Increasing the amount of either water or alcohol in the coating solution increased the roughness of coated surface which contributed to a burst release of drug due to early opening of the tablet as a result of the high osmotic pressure and low mechanical strength of the coated layer. The optimum coating solvent ratio for spray-coating the osmotic tablets was water : alcohol (60:34) and it resulted in a coating with smooth texture and which successfully modulated drug release lag time of the coated tablets. Conclusion: The optimum ratio of water/alcohol (60:34) as coating solvent produced a smooth coated tablet surface texture and modulated the drug release lag time of the tablets.


The invention discloses a spraying paint organic exhaust gas purification recovery disposal method and a device. The method has the steps as follows: (1) the dust and paint mist of the spraying paint organic exhaust gas are removed by filtration, and high boiling point organic solvent component with the boiling point more than 110 DEG C is condensed; (2) a high boiling point solvent absorption recoverer is used for recovering the high boiling point organic solvent; (3) residual organic exhaust gas is sent into an adsorption tank, the organic solvent component in the exhaust gas is adsorbed, and the exhaust gas is exhausted after being adsorbed by the adsorption tank; (4) by adopting a vapour desorption method, the organic solvent adsorbed by the adsorption tank is desorbed; (5) the desorbed solvent steam and vapour are condensed as liquid; (6) the condensed mixed liquid is separated by the oil and water separator, the separated organic solvent can be used again, and the separated wastewater can be disposed separately. Therefore, precious resources can be recovered, secondary pollution can be reduced, the recovered solvent can be used again, and the consumption of energy source can be reduced.


High aluminum transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels offer a unique combination of high tensile strength and ductility, high impact energy absorption and good formability. The surface of the slab is prone to depressions and longitudinal cracks during continuous casting due to the high Al content in steels. Surface depressions of the 1.35 wt.% Al-TRIP steel slab in a steel works were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and mold fluxes with different Al2O3/SiO2 ratios were researched by thermodynamic calculations and high-temperature static balance experiments. The results show that some micro-cracks were distributed along the grain boundary in the surface depression of the slab. Inclusions containing K and Na, which were probably from mold flux, were found in the depression samples. Meanwhile, the components of reactive mold flux showed significant variation in their chemical composition during the continuous casting process of the Al-TRIP steel. A large number of depressions and irregular oscillation marks on the Al-TRIP steel slab surface were generated due to serious deterioration in the physical properties of the mold flux. Since the TRIP steel is a typical hypo-peritectic steel, the overly large thermal contraction and volume contraction during initial solidification is the intrinsic cause of surface depression. The change of mold flux properties during casting aggravates the formation of depressions.


Background: The human leukocyte antigens are genetically inherited proteins present on thesurface of the cells of
 the immune system. Cells of the immune system recognize antigens only when presented to them next to an MHC
 self-molecule. Three main types of HLA Class I namely, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C they are expressed by most
 human cells. Class I HLAs are involved in discriminating and presenting antigens to T-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes
 kill the cell presenting it. T-lymphocytes destroy cells infected together with viruses, including HIV. Developing
 a vaccine for HIV may be aided by a complete understanding of those rare cases in which some HIV-infected
 individuals control replication of the virus. Most of these elite controllers express the histocompatibility alleles
HLA-B57 or HLA-B27, these alleles remain the most robust associations with low concentrations of plasma virus.
Objectives: To evaluate the magnitude of Human leukocyte antigen production before and uponadministration of
multiclade, multigene HIV-1 DNA prime/MVA boost among healthy individuals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods: EDTA plasma samples collected at baseline and post DNA prime and MVA boostimmunizations and
 archived in HIV vaccine immunogenicity study (HIVIS03) was used for HLA typing whereby HLA-B7 and HLA-B27
 were determined using quantitative ELISA. Results were read and interpreted as per manufacturer's instructions
Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS software.
Results: A total of 42 samples from Police officers were tested at baseline and after HIV-1DNA MVA boost vaccine
 the mean age of tested subjects was 24 there were 34 males and 8 females,20 of them the vaccine was administered
 intradermally and 22 of them the vaccine was administered intramuscularly, educational level of participants was
 certificate of secondary education The mean, median and range of levels of HLA-B7 in males was Both HLA
 B7 andHLA B27 levels increased from baseline to vaccines group, but didn't show significant difference between
 placebo and vaccines. Moreover HLA B7 and HLA B27 didn't show association on mode of delivery of the vaccine,
sex and age.
Conclusions: Both HLA-B7 and HLA-B27 were detected No statistically significant differencein levels we recommend
further HLA typing using molecular or cellular methods.


In this contribution, we investigate the performance of downlink (DL) direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system with multi-user transmitter preprocessing (MUTP) based on noisy feedback of vector quantized (VQ) channel impulse responses (CIRs). Specifically, in this contribution, the channel impulse responses required to conceive the preprocessing matrix are estimated at each of the mobile stations (MSs) and conveyed to the base station (BS) with the aid of feedback channels that conflict noise. In particular, the CIRs are estimated with a known estimation technique, and the estimated CIRs are VQ and the magnitudes and phases are fed back through noisy feedback channels to the BS. At the BS, this noise infected VQ-CIRs are recovered using a linear detector and the recovered CIRs are then exploited to formulate the preprocessing matrix to mitigate the DL multi-user interference (MUI). Our simulation study shows that MUTP realized with perfect CIRs completely eliminates the DL MUI whereas, noise tainted VQ-CIRs based MUTP results in imperfect removal of MUI as the feedback channel induced errors play a domineering role in determining the performance of the system in the context of interference elimination. Further, the attainable bit error rate (BER) degrades when noise contaminated VQ-CIRs are invoked to realize the preprocessing matrix compared to its perfect CIRs counterpart. Nevertheless, from our simulation results it can be inferred that vector quantization can serve as an efficient approach to quantize the CIRs at the MSs and feedback them via ideal feedback channels to the BS to formulate the preprocessing matrix particularly in frequency division duplexing (FDD) type wireless systems.


The refining behavior of Al-5Ti-0.25C master alloy to Al-Si alloys with Si contents of 1%, 2%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 5%, respectively, was investigated. The experimental results showed that at the same Al-5Ti-0.25C addition level, the grain sizes become smaller with the increase of Si content when it is lower than 3%, and the fading observed is also weakened. However, when the Si content is higher than 3%, the grains are remarkably coarsened with the increase of Si content, especially with a longer holding time. The refining efficiency is the best when the content of Si is 3%.


In aged titanium tritide Ti 3 Hex thin films the 3He local critical concentration is slightly technology dependent and appears not to depend on the initial overall tritium concentration for x values lower than 1.5, which in fact results from a two‐phase system: Ti and Ti 3H1.5. As it is not possible to increase significantly the lifetime of titanium tritide films by simply lowering their tritium concentration, a different method is proposed, based on deutero‐tritide films. This method can be extended to other tritides. Experimental values of 3He critical concentration in aged Ti 3Hx thin films are also determined.


FIELD: chemistry. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of thermoplastic moulding compositions, in particular to a polyamide moulding material widely used for moulding industrial parts, pipes, containers. Polyamide moulding composition contains 40 to 99.9 wt% of components a) partly aromatic copolyamide, b) olefin copolymer and 0.01 to 60 wt% additives. Wherein a) contains 60 to 99 pts.wt of said copolyamide based on hexamethylenediamine, terephthalic acid and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 19 carbon atoms, b) contains from 40 to 1 pts.wt of an olefin copolymer containing monomers based on ethene, 1-alkene with 4 to 8 carbon atoms, anhydride of an aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and, optionally, based on another olefin. EFFECT: disclosed moulding composition provides moulded articles with an increased elongation at breakage after prolonged use at elevated temperatures while maintaining high performance properties. 9 cl, 1 tbl, 2 ex


*Glen H. Elder, Jr. is Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Richard Rockwell is a Fellow, Boys Town Research Center, Omaha, Nebraska. The authors gratefully acknowledge research support from grant MH-25834 (Glen H. Elder, Jr., principal investigator). The timing of first marriage is a watershed event for individuals. Its occurrence, whether &dquo;early,&dquo; &dquo;on time,&dquo; or &dquo;late&dquo; (in accordance with social norms) has well established consequences for the subsequent life course and family relationships.' I


Background: For maintaining the occlusion, screws to anchor bones are needed to be used in transalveolar manner to get the intermaxillary fixation in participants with no preoperative orthodontic treatment or participants with loose or broken appliances. Aims: The present clinical trial was hence aimed to assess the postoperative complications following orthognathic surgical repair of skeletal malocclusion. Materials and Methods: Forty-two participants were divided into two groups (n = 22). In Group I, predrill was done to create the holes in transalveolar position before screw insertion. For Group II, self-cutting screws were used without the drills. The radiographs were then taken to assess the associated root injuries. To evaluate the effect of different steroid doses on the pain, nerve healing, and swelling, the participants were divided into three groups (n = 14). Plate removal and associated factors were also evaluated. Collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: In Group where no predrill was done, no root injuries were seen. Considerably less facial edema was observed in Group II and III compared to control Group I. This difference was statistically significant with a P value of 0.2057. At 1 week, 3 months, and 6-month postoperatively in Group II and Group III, no significant difference was seen. No significant difference in the postoperative pain between the groups was seen (P = 0.85103). Neurosensory Visual Analog Score measurement revealed no significant difference between three groups at 6 months with the P value of 0.81821. Conclusion: The present study concludes that risk for the root injury is possessed by the screws that require predrill, whereas the self-drilling screws had no risk for root injury.


The invention firstly relates to a food processor (1) having a mixing vessel (7) and an agitator (8) in the mixing vessel (7), further comprising an electrically operated motor (9) for driving the agitator (8), (a as a chassis 19) formed, bearing housing part and the bottom (20) forming the housing trough (18), said feet (50) are further provided which are connected with weighing modules (43). For further improvement, particularly as regards a convenient assembly or disassembly, it is proposed that the weighing modules (43) to a common receiving member (13) are connected, comprising the necessary wiring (55) for the weighing modules (43), wherein the housing trough (18) is detachably mounted even with mounting feet (50) to the chassis (19) connectable to and / or from the chassis (19). Further, the invention relates to a method for assembling a food processor (1) having a mixing vessel (7) and an agitator (8) in the mixing vessel (7), further comprising an electrically operated motor (9) for driving the agitator (8), with formed as a chassis (19) bearing the housing part and the bottom (20) forming the housing trough (18), said feet (50) are further provided which are connected with weighing modules (43).


Toni Morrison's first novel, "The Bluest Eye" (1970) depicts the hideous effects of Euro-American discourse presented by various media on the life of African- Americans. In her agonizing narrative, she dramatizes the operation of white-dominated media especially Hollywood movies in reinforcing the discourse of the blue-eyed, and confirming their racial superiority by spreading the "sequences of signs" that signify their "modalities of existence." It is argued here that this process indicates the operation of a panoptic mechanism that controls blacks' mindset and behavior almost in the same way that the supervisor of Behtham's Panopticon's central tower does, according to Foucault, with the difference that the controlling agent of this system is set in the wide-spread American media. Morrison portrays in a touching way how that system molds blacks' state of mind, affects their feelings and induces a bitter sense of inferiority among them. Her novel relates the story of a poor black girl who suffers from the sense of ugliness and inferiority because of being black and finally goes mad, for the reason that American media permanently presents an image of beauty whose components are white skin, blue eyes and blonde hair - the very signs she lacks.


LTHOUGH it has long been known that the activity of endocrine systems is A important to growth, development, and behavior, and that deviation or imbalance beyond a threshold limit can cause various diseases or disorders, the mechanism of hormonal regulation involved in gene-controlled protein synthesis has been recognized only recently (KARLSON 1968). There is ample evidence that differences in endocrine funotioning vary between and within species, and between inbred strains of mice (CHAI and DICKIE 1967). This would suggest that hormoeal activity itself is also under gene control; but studies on the inheritance of hormonal activity in any endocrine system are lacking. A genetic approach encounters difficulties ordinarily nonexistent in studies dealing with morphologic and anatomic traits. First, hormone secretions are available in only minute amounts, and some are unstable, so that accurate quantitative determinaltion is difficult; secondly, endocrine activity varies in individuals of many animal species diurnally, seasonally, and cyclically; and thirdly, endocrine systems are interlocked, and the body tends to homeostasis through feedback mechanisms. As inherent trait characteristics, eaich or all of the above could contribute to experimental errors. We have undertaken to study the inheritance of thyroid activity in mice by selective breeding. We chose this endocrine system because the technique, u s i n g radioactive iodine as a tracer, provides relatively reliable quantitative determinations. Of the various methods of measuring thyroid activity we used the thyroid 1311 uptake because of its simplicity in determination without sacrifice of the animals used for breeding. Though the results reported here are preliminary, they show not only genetic influences but also a characteristic pattern of responses to selection and variations believed to be the consequences of genetic changes in thyroid functioning due to selection.


Laser-based displays and illumination systems are applications which can capitalize on the brightness and efficiency of semiconductor lasers, provided that there is a means for converting their output into the visible spectrum. Semiconductor laser manufacturers can adjust their processes to achieve desired wavelengths in several near-infrared bands; an equally agile conversion technology is needed to permit display and illumination system manufacturers to choose visible wavelengths appropriate to their products. Quasi- phasematched second harmonic generation has the potential to convert high-power semiconductor laser output to the visible with 50% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency in a single-pass bulk configuration, using electric-field-poled lithium niobate. Lithographically- defined electrode structures on the positive or negative polar faces of this crystal are used to control the formation of domains under the influence of electric fields applied using those electrode structures. The quality of the resulting domain patterns not only controls the efficiency of quasi-phasematched second harmonic generation, but also controls the degree of resistance to photorefractive damage. We present a model which is used to identify the optimum electrode duty cycle and applied poling field for domain patterning and compare the predicted domain duty cycle with experimental results. We discuss factors which contribute to inhomogeneous domain pattern quality for samples poled under otherwise ideal conditions and our progress in limiting their influence. Finally, we present optical characterization of a 2.4 mm long 500 micrometers thick sample which produced an average second harmonic power of 1.3 W of 532 nm green from a 9 W average power Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in a loose- focus single-pass configuration.


This paper works over the production craft of Cu/Al compound fin tube with rolling on details. To get the forming rule of the tube, we have tested a lot for some important factors which influence the fin and intenal rib of forming Cu/Al compound fin tube. At last, the best production craft was summarized.


ABSTRACT Modern glazing systems have historically developed in such a way that opportunities for user adaptation of the building envelope have slowly diminished. Design values such as consistency, automation, a homogenously maintained interior environment, and most recently energy efficiency have been systematically prioritized over other values. Individual control over the visual and thermal quality of the building envelope from the interior perspective is often overlooked. In this article, a historical overview of glazing systems highlights the simultaneous development of counter-technologies invented by occupants to customize the effects of modern glazing systems. It then critiques and revaluates design criteria for sustainable glazing technologies based on the individual's bioclimatic and sensorial experience of the interior environment. Currently existing and emerging technologies start to address heterogeneity and variability. In this article, examples of these contemporary glazing solutions are evaluated according to environmental performance, the degree of user engagement with the technology, and their effects on the interior space. It concludes by advocating a renewed and potentially empowering sense of user control as a prime design criterion for sustainable building envelopes.


In the present report, we describe vena cava filter placement in both common iliac veins, because of low insertion in the renal veins in a patient with recurrent venous thrombosis resulting from phospholipid antibody syndrome (PPAS) and failure of anticoagulation therapy. This technical variant may be a safe and effective option in cases where access or filter placement in the inferior vena cava is deemed hazardous or impossible.


The trends in food inflation over the past 60 years are given. Having thus set the context, the factors driving structural food inflation, which should give us a perspective of the underlying dynamics and the nature of the challenge are also brought out. The policy measures for addressing the challenge of food inflation on a durable basis are outlined. The role of monetary policy in the face of supply shocks are also described. [Presidential Address delivered at the 25th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Agricultural Marketing at Hyderabad]. URL:[http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Speeches/PDFs/FIS221111.pdf].


In order to investigate the effect of roof cover and location of feed on sheep's use of an outdoor yard under different weather conditions, we conducted a 2 x 2 factorial experiment with roof covering of outdoor yard (yes or no) and location of feed (indoors or outdoors) in four different combinations. The experiment was performed from November 2009 to March 2010, and twenty adult ewes of the Norwegian White breed were randomly allotted to 4 groups with 5 animals. Groups were rotated between treatment pens on a weekly basis and twenty-four hour video recordings were performed once a week. General behaviours (standing, feeding, resting) and location of animals (indoors or outdoors) were scored for each individual using instantaneous sampling. Weather factors affected resting behavior, but did not affect the proportion of time sheep spent in the outdoor yards, feeding or standing/walking. More sheep were resting in the outdoor yard in pens with a roof covering the yard (24.2 ± 1.4%) compared to in yards that did not have a roof cover (15.5 ± 1.2%; P<0.01). Locating the feed outdoors increased the time spent resting indoors (47.4 ± 1.5% vs. 31.6 ± 1.5%; P<0.0001), indicating that if a dry and comfortable resting area is offered indoors, the feed should be located in the outdoor yard. Utilizing an outdoor yard as part of the total area may be a cost effective way of meeting new space regulations for sheep production.


Who owns the traditional theater of mendu? This satire question is very intriguing considering that mendu is a typical art of West Kalimantan which originates from Malikian, Mempawah District. The people of West Kalimantan are the legal owners of the art. However, the rapid modernization has a negative impact on the sustainability of the mendu. Mendu slowly began to be abandoned by the community supporters. The question that arises then is whether mendu's traditional theater is seen as a memory or a legacy? If its only considered a memory, it is enough to be an archive stored in the museum. However, if there is still concern to regard it as an inheritance, it means that all parties must be responsible for preserving it. This study attempts to describe the factors causing the decline of the West Kalimantan mendu. The method used is descriptive qualitative form. Data collection techniques are done by studying the text (literature study), interviews, and observations. The study is done by classifying the parts that are the object of research. The results of the study revealed the factors that caused the loss of the glory of mendu which should have become a cultural treasure of West Kalimantan.


The northern region of Qinghai-Xizang plateau is divided into four separated seismicity areas according to the regional geological structures,stress field and dynamic environment,they are Qilian mountain seismic belt,southeastern Gansu province,Caidam-Gonghe block and Kuma seismic belt.The starting times for the minimum earthquake magnitude with complete recording catalogue in every areas are confirmed on the base of b-value and seismic frequency.The alternative characteristics of active and calm periods for moderate-strong earthquakes in each area are concluded.Finally,the quantitatively characteristic parameters of earthquakes activity which have magnitudes bigger than moderate-strong event in average,active and calm periods are calculated separately,and also the state parameters of small event activity in three periods are obtained for the four areas.


Understanding functional gene relationships is a challeng ing problem for biological applications. High-throughput technologies such as DNA micr oar ays have inundated biologists with a wealth of information, however, processing tha t information remains problematic. To help with this problem, researchers have begun appl ying text mining techniques to the biological literature. This work extends previous wo rk based on Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) by examining Nonnegative Matrix Factorizat on (NMF). Whereas LSI incorporates the singular value decomposition (SVD) to appro ximate data in a dense, mixedsign space, NMF produces a parts-based factorization that i s directly interpretable. This space can, in theory, be used to augment existing ontologies and annotations by identifying themes within the literature. Of course, performing NMF doe s not come without a price— namely, the large number of parameters. This work attempts t o analyze the effects of some of the NMF parameters on both convergence and labeling accur y. Since there is a dearth of automated label evaluation techniques as well as "gold st andard" hierarchies, a method to produce "correct" trees is proposed as well as a technique to label trees and to evaluate those labels.


(21) Appl. No.: 14/378,547 OTHER PUBLICATIONS (22) PCT Filed: Feb. 14, 2013 Bernabini et al. "Micro-impedance cytometry for detection and (86). PCT No.: PCT/US2O13/0261.38 analysis of micron-sized particles and bacteria." (2010) Lab on a Chip, vol. 11: 407-412.* S 371 (c)(1), International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application (2) Date: Aug. 13, 2014 No. PCT/US2013/026138 dated May 27, 2013. Puttaswamy, S., et al., "Novel Electrical Method for Early Detection (87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2013/123189 of Viable Bacteria in Blood Cultures," J. Clin. MicroBio., vol. 49 (6), pp. 2286-2289 (2011). PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 22, 2013 Sengupta, S, et al., "A micro-scale multifrequency reactance mea Surement technique to detect bacterial growth at low bio-particle (65) Prior Publication Data concentrations." Lab Chip, vol. 6, pp. 682-692 (2006). Sengupta, S., et al., "Rapid detection of bacterial proliferation in US 2015/OOO5196 A1 Jan. 1, 2015 food samples using microchannel impedance measurements at O O multiple frequencies," Scns. & Instrumen. Food Qual., vol. 4, pp. Related U.S. Application Data 108-118 (2010). (60) Provisional application No. 61/599,100, filed on Feb. Supplementary European Search Report for Application No. 15, 2012. EP13749418 dated Oct. 7, 2015. Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2014-557770 datedMar. (51) Int. Cl. 7, 2017.


Molecular dynamics simulations show that cavitation occurs when liquids flow over surfaces with sticking and slipping domains. Surfaces can be slippery or sticky depending on surface chemistry and roughness. We demonstrate in atomistic simulations that regular and random slip patterns on a surface lead to pressure excursions within a lubricated contact that increase quadratically with decreasing contact separation. This is captured well by a simple hydrodynamic model including wall slip. We predict with this model that pressure changes for larger length scales and realistic frictional conditions can easily reach cavitation thresholds and significantly change the load-bearing capacity of a contact. Cavitation may therefore be the norm, not the exception, under boundary lubrication conditions.


The relaxation of the domain structure of KH 2 PO 4 , CsH 2 PO 4 , and RbH 2 PO 4 ferroelectric crystals was studied by means of measurements of time dependences of the low frequency dielectric permittivity. Non-equilibrium state of the domain structure was induced by polarization reversal under the ac electric field.


This study is entitled 'Parent's Roles in Children Psychology Development as
Reflected in Jodi Picoults' My Sister's Keeper"'. The study is conducted to analyze
how parents try to look for ways to solve problems in their family and to discuss the
roles of parents in children psychology development.
This study analyzed the roles of parents in children psychology development,
the conflicts between the children and the parents in the novel, and the psychological
conditions of the children. I used Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper as the object of
this study. The data was analysed by using descriptive qualitative method. This study
was a descriptive qualitative study that the datas were analyzed by using
psychological approach. It was descriptive qualitative since the data of the study were
in the form of words, phrases, sentences, narrations, and dialogues.The data were
gained by reading the novel thoroughly, identifying, intventorizing, classifying,
selecting, and reporting. The analysis was done by several techniques
includingexposing, explaining, and interpreting
This investigation resulted in several findings. First, parents had significant
roles to nurture their children. Second, the existance of conflicts in a family were
caused by different opinion and disagreement among the members of family, And the
last, problems in Fitzgerald family affected the psychology of the children because
there was lack communication among each other.
Based on the result of the study, it could be concluded that parents should
have been wise in solving the problems in their family, since if they decided an
improper decision it would make another problem that could be be more difficult to
solve. The condition of a family affected the psychology of children. Finally, I do
hope that by reading the novel "My Sister's Keeper" we are able to decide which one
is better for our children, so we will never regret with what will happen in the future


There are many dangerous processes in cryogenic experiment. Cryogenic operators must understand cryogen characteristics and the structure and functions of basic cryogenic equipments, such as storage dewars, transfer tubes and compressed gas cylinders and some other useful instruments, such as level meters, manometers, flow meters, which are installed in the cryostat for safety and effective handling of cryogen. Precooling using liquid nitrogen is effective for liquid helium saving. But, according to circumstances, cool-down by making good use of gaseous helium would be a better selection from the view point of safety and experimental efficiency.


We demonstrate a sum frequency generation (SFG) holographic imaging method by integrating the capabilities of holography and SFG spectroscopy. SFG can probe the molecular vibrational resonance in non-centrosymmetric media. Holographic recording can capture both the amplitude and the phase of the SFG signal, thus leading to label-free spectroscopic three-dimensional imaging.


This paper studies the link in Canada between monetary policy, income inequality, and inflation. What are the effects of monetary policy on income inequality? and why and how does inflation play a role?

Income inequality largely increased from the time the Bank of Canada began targeting inflation, through the late 1990s to the early 2000s, and flattened or decreased after the 2008 financial crisis. On the whole, income inequality today is greater than it was when the Bank of Canada became an inflation-targeting central bank. Against this backdrop, our analysis shows that expansionary monetary policy shocks, triggered by a lower than expected bank rate, lead to increasing income inequality, while contractionary monetary policy shocks reduce income inequality. We then show that these effects are asymmetric with expansionary shocks having a greater impact on income inequality than contractionary shocks. Expansionary monetary policy shocks result in a higher share of national income shifting to higher income households, who consume less as a percentage of their income, dampening the increase in aggregate demand, and, therefore, inflation.

Our results lead to one particularly important conclusion for monetary policy: namely, that the Bank of Canada needs to account for the impact of income inequality when modeling how inflation will respond to a change in the overnight rate.


The article is devoted to the theme that used to be the focus point in the views of Slavophils and their discussion both with each other and with the opponents: the nature of Tsar power in Russia, its political continuity, psychological and political legitimization. What demands are put forward on the tsar power in general and the particular sovereign in Russian political culture? What authority image should the sovereign in Russia comply with personally? In what aspects the Russian Tsar authority preserves succession with its historic analogues – Roman and Byzantine empires, and in what aspects it was unique and inimitable in world practice? The author analyzes the background of the issue, – what the image of the sovereign was like in the works of the end of the 15th–17th centuries, i.e. in the post-Horde period of the consolidation and centralization of Russian State system, the prime of the Rurikovich dynasty, the Distemper period and accession to the throne of the Romanov dynasty.


a Department of Neurology, University of Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, and b Department of Clinical Therapeutics, University of Athens Medical School, Alexandra Hospital, Athens , Greece Case Description A 60-year-old man, with a history of hypercholesterolaemia and smoking, awakened with numbness on the right part of the inner mouth and the right arm and leg. Symptoms persisted over 3 days, when he consulted the family physician, who suspected stroke and referred him to our hospital for further evaluation. On examination the patient was alert, with normal and symmetrical tendon refl exes, while both plantar responses were fl exor. A right hemihypaesthesia involving the face, trunk, arm and leg was manifest. No ataxia, dysarthria, limb weakness, or ocular motor manifestations were present. MRI of the brain was than performed on the fourth day after ictus. A hyperintense lesion of ischaemic origin located in the left dorsal portion of the midbrain was demonstrated on fl uid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR, fi g. 1 a), T 2 -, as well as diffusionweighted images. The infarct was obviously affecting structures localised in the dorsal (superior colliculus, periaqueductal grey matter) and the dorsolateral (medial lemsiscus and lateral spinothalamic tract) midbrain territory, supplied by the superior cerebellar artery. MR angiographic images in the time-of-fl ight technique and ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries were normal. Transthoracic echocardiography, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and Holter electrocardiographic monitoring revealed no abnormalities. Visualand auditory-evoked potentials as well as extensive blood coagulation studies were unremarkable. The patient was diagnosed as having a brainstem lacunar stroke and was discharged on aspirin and lipid-lowering medication. A slight improvement of his sensory symptoms was reported at the follow-up evaluation 6 months later, while a new MRI revealed a substantial decrease in the extent of the hyperintense lesion on the FLAIR images ( fi g. 1 b). Introduction Occlusion of branches of the thalamogeniculate arteries supplying the thalamic somatosensory nuclei is responsible for the vast majority of strokes presenting with the clinical syndrome termed by Fisher as 'pure sensory stroke' (isolated hemihypaesthesia or paraesthesia involving the face, trunk, arm and leg) [1] . Occasionally, pure sensory stroke can be caused by a lateral tegmental pontine or medullary infarct [2] . Brain ischaemia limited to the mesencephalon is uncommon, accounting for 0.2–2.3% of total admitted ischaemic strokes [2–5] . The anteromedial territory, supplied by the direct perforators of the basilar artery, is most frequently affected in patients with isolated midbrain infarct, whose neurological picture is dominated by oculomotor disturbances [2–5] . We report the uncommon case of a patient presenting with the clinical syndrome of pure sensory stroke due to an infarction limited to the dorsal midbrain territory.


The Kyoto Protocol prioritizes equity in international climate control by exempting developing countries from compulsory emissions reductions, though at a loss to efficiency. Using game theoretic models, this paper demonstrates that an efficient climate treaty must provide side payments to countries with lower marginal abatement costs and (or) benefits to induce their cooperation. Therefore, if an efficient treaty directs side payments to developing countries to induce their participation, the treaty may also achieve equity in climate control. Policy makers should remember the equity and efficiency implications of side payments as extensions and/or alternatives to the Kyoto Protocol are considered.


The aim of this paper is to establish and prove some results on common fixed point for a pair of multi-valued mappings in complex valued $b$-metric spaces. Our results generalize and extend a few results in the literature.


This work presents a development kit to simulate the behavior of load flow an Voltage Stability of a power system. The network is designed and implemented to be useful as a tool in engineering studies and laboratory practices; also the measurement of steady state is compared with its digital behavior simulation using Power World software. The system configuration has been extracted from one similar typical network used in the literature of power systems. Basically it has an infinity bus, two generators, loads, six transmission lines that permit also synchronization tests and making digital and analog measurements. The generators, loads as a constant impedance (resistors, capacitors and reactors) and the infinity bus belong to a Lab-Volt commercial brand, transmission short line models are designed using easy acquisition materials. In addition the use of a digital instrument of AEMC series permits the capture of information.


THE BASIS OF AN ORGANIZED PROFESSION. The medical profession becomes organized, medical associations are formed, principally for these two purposes: to increase and diffuse medical knowledge and to elevate and maintain the ethical standards of the profession. Other important purposes may be served by our professional organizations. The guidance of the community in relation to matters of public health and hygiene is often, and properly, matter for consideration in medical societies; and special societies may be formed among the medical profession devoted to such particular purposes, as for the eradication of tuberculosis or trachoma. Again, medical societies sometimes act to protect the interests of the individual members of the profession; as by union for defense against suits for malpractice, or the relief of physicians who have been specially unfortunate, or their families. But this work, too, is taken up after the profession has been organized. Such objects do not primarily


In This article shows dramatical texts af actors estethetical character of using lingual – style. This article is considered the use of language in the speech of stylistic devices heroes of dramatic works. The article
discusses the role of dialogue in dramatic works as well as a comprehensive study. In dramatic works and shows their nature and images of the characters. A study is also regarded Russian – Kazakh linguistics. In the article attaches importance using of actor's stylistically literacy and dialogue, monologue, polylogue also dialecticism, barbarism of lexical elements. Only when the next conversation actor learned the culture of technics conversation on dramatic characters, and subordinate viewers. On stage, the actor tells the viewer down through the language of communication. Providence art word in a character deeply explores the scientific name of the lower classes flocks not only beautiful words, but in the future, should indicate.


On a compact Riemannian manifold with boundary, we study how Ricci curvature of the interior affects the geometry of the boundary. First we establish integral inequalities for functions defined solely on the boundary and apply them to obtain geometric inequalities involving the total mean curvature. Then we discuss related rigidity questions and prove Ricci curvature rigidity results for manifolds with boundary.


This paper reviews the nexus between corporate sustainability planning and sustainable development in an airport setting with reference to pathways taken by Brisbane Airport in Queensland, Australia. Brisbane Airport Corporation has a revised corporate vision and an action research and strategy agenda that will progressively embed and integrate sustainability across the corporate plan, airport master plan, organisational culture, management systems and decision processes. Among 'status quo', 'transformation' and 'reform' models of sustainability (Hopwood et al., 2005), the airport has adopted a model of working within the current system while optimising sector-wide partnerships to achieve change. However, the adoption of ACI-North America's (2009) four pillar approach of economic, operational, social and environmental sustainability takes the airport's approach beyond triple bottom line criteria. The model provides a platform for developing airport-specific sustainability indicators and the future option of comparing the model's implementation at airports on different continents.


This articles analyses the urbanization's process in our country and its present features.It concludes that our country's urbanization is processing healthily as a whole,but the structure unbalance still remains,and great distinction of scale and huge distinction of distribution still prevail.On the basis of analysis,this article points out a developing strategy.That is,according to different economic zone's features,based on the comparative advantages,and guided by the continuouly developing strategies,our country's urbanization is achieved.And some policy suggestions are also mentioned in this article.


We welcome this paper of Byrne and Girolami [BG]; it breathes even more life into the emerging area of hybrid Monte Carlo Markov chains by introducing original tools for dealing with Monte Carlo simulations on constrained spaces such as manifolds. We begin our comment with a bit of history. Using geodesics to sample from the uniform distribution on Stiefel manifolds was proposed by Asimov (Asimov, 1985) in his work on the Grand Tour for exploratory data analysis. For data x1; x2; : : : ; xn in R , it is natural to inspect low-dimensional projections x1; x2; : : : ; xn for W R ! R . In the BG paper, the authors have a space of k-frames in R , called Vk;p . If one chooses at random from this space, the views would be too 'disconnected' or 'jerky' for human observers. A better tactic turned out to be to choose a few i ; 1 i L, at random and then moving smoothly from i to j by available closed form geodesics. While in a historical mode, we point to the little known papers of McLachlan (McLachlan & Quispel, 2003) and more recent papers by Betancourt on hybrid Monte Carlo (Betancourt, 2013).


This paper was first presented at a conference sponsored by the MIF and the IDB to examine the impact of quality and the related issues of ISO management systems standards upon the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. A program of assistance to support SMEs in improving their competitiveness through continuous improvement and the cost-effective uses of the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards is introduced.


Undergraduate research is one of the best practices to improve student learning and has a positive lasting impact on students' career choices and success. Extensive literature review shows that the vast majority of undergraduate research programs focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplinary research. This work-in-progress paper presents a new Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site program that focuses on STEM education research rather than STEM disciplinary research. This work-in-progress paper describes the overall framework of our REU Site program, student recruitment and selection in our most recent Summer 2015 program, and four REU research projects that share a common intellectual focus on self-regulated learning in engineering education. Representative comments from undergraduate student participants are provided to demonstrate the positive impact of this REU Site program.


One of the main problems in the commercial use of lithium-ion batteries for high energy consumption is the heat problems associated with these batteries. Since many batteries are used together in order to generate higher power, it is important to predict their thermal performance. In this study, a heat management system of a lithium-ion battery equipped with a heat pipe is investigated. For this purpose, a part of a battery pack consisting of two batteries and a heat pipe is selected and its performance is experimentally investigated. These tests are performed at various ambient temperatures through a made test chamber with the ability to accurately control temperature. The experimental results show that although with increasing ambient temperature, the battery surface temperature increases, but due to the decrease in thermal resistance of the heat pipe, the effect of this temperature rise can be moderated and work as an active method. In addition, using forced convection in the condenser section, not only can the battery surface temperature be controlled below 40 ˚C, but it also distributes the temperature uniformly over the battery surface. The use of the heat pipe also helps to maintain more stable temperature conditions with lower temperature fluctuations in consecutive battery cycles.


This article examines contract negotiations in ancient China and then addresses how they have changed in modern China. First, the broad societal contexts of these two eras are examined and compared, as well as their legal systems. This is followed by a discussion of the court system and how middlemen can be leveraged as a "golden bridge" in forming agreements. The analysis contends that despite a comprehensive legal system, the best approach to negotiate with Chinese counterparts nowadays is to leverage its tradition of using middlemen to insert personal relationships that connect private agreements to public adherence. The role of the middlemen has neglected benefits that warrant reconceptualization as Chinese negotiation practices seep into modern international systems.


Nowadays, the emerging technology for video retrieval is mainly based on the semantic in the high-level. In the previous works, we proposed a novel approach for motion recognition from the aspect of semantic meaning. This issue can be addressed through a hierarchical model that explains how the human language interacts with motions. In this paper, we describe similarity measure with link type based on our proposed model. Specially, we focus on antonym relation except for basic relations (IS_A, PART_OF) in hierarchical model. And we got the most suitable weight value (0.7) through correlation coefficient. We experiment semantic based trajectory retrieval using the proposed similarity measure considering the weight value.


The Amazon has the world's largest tropical forest and about the half of all freshwater in the world. The construction of the wire guided communications systems is denied byinternational environment regulation because the Amazon is a worldwide protected area.Satellite communications systems represents the best option to provide communications services to the Amazonian region. However, the quality and availability of the signals in Ka band are seriously degraded by various climate phenomena, especially the rain [1]. The footprint of the Venezuelan Satellite has a large coverage service area over the Amazonian. The rain fade leads to the degradation of the link quality with unacceptable error rate and lower system capacities. In order to overcome this problem, and keep the link properties in normal conditions (clear sky conditions) the diversity concept can be used. The diversity principle is based on the transmission of multiple copies of the same signal. The copies of the signals can be combined at the receiver or be selected the best copy of the signal. The research aim is is modeling the channel attenuation for Ka band and simulate the performance of the Venezuelan Satellite with several receive antennas similar to a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) system. The main purpose, is to analyze the system capacity and bit error rate of BER with lower values of Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and compare the results with Single Input Single Output (SISO) performance.


The research on student rating scales and other measures of teaching effectiveness in face-to-face (F2F) courses has been accumulating for 90 years. With the burgeoning international development of online and blended/hybrid courses over the past decade, the question of what measures to use has challenged directors of distance education programs. Can the traditional F2F scales already in operation be applied to online courses or do all new scales have to be designed? Despite the increasing number of online courses, attention to their evaluation lags far behind that of F2F courses in terms of available measures, quality of measures, and delivery systems. The salient characteristics of F2F and online courses are compared to determine whether they are really different enough to justify separate scales and evaluation systems. Based on a review of the research and current practices, seven concrete measurement options were generated. They are proffered and critiqued as a state-of-the-art "consumer's guide" to the evaluation of online and blended courses and the faculty who teach them.


Objective To investigate the changes of denture restoration in Yantai Stomotological Hospital from 2005.01 to 2009.12.Methods The types of denture restoration in these 5 years were analysed.Results The annaul number of denture restoration was increased.The improvement of implant denture was evident.The proportion of denture made by precious metal was low though its number was increased.Conclusions The investigation suggests the dentists not only need to study specialized knowledge to raise medical ability,but also need to carry out the education for patients,which can increase the demands of them.


This article presents the main objections of Carl Schmitt to the political Liberalism and discusses his thesis with the despolitization promoted by liberalism. In our opinion, schmitt's critics can also be extended to the conception of deliberative democracy of Jurgen Habermas.