Associative polynomial functions over bounded distributive lattices

The associativity property, usually defined for binary functions, can be generalized to functions of a given fixed arity n>=1 as well as to functions of multiple arities. In this paper, we investigate these two generalizations in the case of polynomial functions over bounded distributive lattices and present explicit descriptions of the corresponding associative functions. We also show that, in this case, both generalizations of associativity are essentially the same.Comment: Final versio

High resolution fourier domain optical coherence tomography at 2 microns for painted objects

Optical Coherence Tomography has been successfully applied to the non-invasive imaging of subsurface microstructure of a variety of materials from biological tissues to painted objects of art. One of the limitations of the technique is the low depth of penetration due to the strong scattering and absorption in the material. Previous studies found that for paint materials, the optimum window for large depth of penetration is around 2.2 microns. This is also true for many other materials with low water content. We have previously demonstrated OCT systems in this wavelength regime for imaging with improved depth of penetration. In this paper, we present an improved 2 micron high resolution Fourier domain OCT system using a broadband supercontinuum source. The system achieved a depth resolution of 9 microns in air (or 6 microns in paint or any polymer)

Long wavelength optical coherence tomography for painted objects

Optical Coherence Tomography has been successfully applied to the imaging of painted objects in recent years. However, a significant limitation is the low penetration depth of OCT in paint because of the high opacity of paint due to either scattering or absorption. It has been shown that the optimum spectral window for OCT imaging of paint layers is around 2.2μm in wavelength. In this paper, we demonstrate a 1950nm OCT for imaging painted objects using a superfluorescent fiber source at low power

Exogenous application of molybdenum affects the expression of CBF14 and the development of frost tolerance in wheat.

Wheat is able to cold acclimate in response to low temperatures and thereby increase its frost tolerance and the extent of this acclimation is greater in winter genotypes compared to spring genotypes. Such up-regulation of frost tolerance is controlled by Cbf transcription factors. Molybdenum (Mo) application has been shown to enhance frost tolerance of wheat and this study aimed to investigate the effect of Mo on the development of frost tolerance in winter and spring wheat. Results showed that Mo treatment increased the expression of Cbf14 in wheat under non-acclimating condition but did not alter frost tolerance. However, when Mo was applied in conjunction with exposure of plants to low temperature, Mo increased the expression of Cbf14 and enhanced frost tolerance in both spring and winter genotypes but the effect was more pronounced in the winter genotype. It was concluded that the application of Mo could be useful in situations where enhanced frost resistance is required. Further studies are proposed to elucidate the effect of exogenous of applications of Mo on frost resistance in spring and winter wheat at different growth stages

Relativistic Hydrodynamics with General Anomalous Charges

We consider the hydrodynamic regime of gauge theories with general triangle anomalies, where the participating currents may be global or gauged, abelian or non-abelian. We generalize the argument of arXiv:0906.5044, and construct at the viscous order the stress-energy tensor, the charge currents and the entropy current.Comment: 13 pages, Revte

Long-term effects of a weight loss intervention with or without exercise component in postmenopausal women: a randomized trial

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of a weight loss intervention with or without an exercise component on body weight and physical activity. Women were randomized to diet (n = 97) or exercise (N = 98) for 16 weeks. During the intervention, both groups had achieved the set goal of 5-6 kg weight loss. All women were re-contacted twelve months after study cessation for follow-up where body weight and physical activity were measured (PASE questionnaire and ActiGraph accelerometer). At follow-up, body weight and physical activity (measured by the PASE questionnaire and accelerometer) were measured again. At follow-up, both mainly exercise (- 4.3 kg, p < 0.001) and diet (- 3.4 kg, p < 0.001) showed significantly reduced body weight compared to baseline. Both the mainly exercise and diet group were significantly more physically active at one year follow-up compared to baseline (PASE: + 33%, p < 0.001 and + 12%, p = 0.040, respectively; ActiGraph: + 16%, p = 0.012. and + 2.2%, p = 0.695 moderate-to-vigorous activity, respectively). Moreover, the increase in physical activity was statistically significantly when comparing exercise to diet (+ 0.6%, p = 0.035). ActiGraph data also showed significantly less sedentary time in mainly exercise group compared to baseline (- 2.1%, p = 0.018) and when comparing exercise to diet (- 1.8%, p = 0.023). No significant within group differences were found for the diet group. This study shows largely sustained weight loss one year after completing a weight loss program with and without exercise in overweight postmenopausal women. Although the mainly exercise group maintained more physically active compared to the diet group, maintenance of weight loss did not differ between groups

Africa in 2108: A Strategic Plan

What will Africa look like in 2108? Following the present trend, four developments may be in place. First, given the rate of AIDS, conflict and starvation, the population (which is already very small) might be exterminated. Second, extermination of the African population will make room for other people to settle on the continent thus fulfilling Leonard Barnes’, Stanislave Andresky’s and Stephen Smith’s predictions. Third, resources will be exhausted which might mean the end of conflict. Fourth, ‘tribal clashes’ which result in genocide of threatening ethnic groups may become the norm. This paper argues that these four developments will not occur. Instead, neo-liberal policies which are forcing Africans to live in inhumane conditions will be so dehumanizing that in the end they will provoke Africans to search for genuine development alternatives, regardless of the cost (a process that is already in place). Similar to the days of slavery when conscious citizens throughout the world fought against it, in the age of technology these citizens will not sit by and allow any institutions to implement policies that relegate Africa to a ‘4th world’ where conflict, disease, starvation and undevelopment (loss of earlier economic development achievements, for example, education and healthcare as well as the rise of inequality, and moral decay) become the norm. While current trends tend to marginalize institutions, especially the state in development, we argue that for Africans to overcome the destiny carved for them by globalization – as labourers and bystanders in their own development – they have to reconstitute their institutions based on their culture and history. Only a united Africa can harness its resources for development and fair trade in an age of endemic exploitation and corruption. This paper argues that Africa’s future will depend on a revision of state borders, increase in population and the creation of a Federation of African States based on five states. In this article a strategic plan is presented by way of ‘Fundi wa Africa: Toward a New Paradigm of the African state’

CARA PENGENDALIAN ORGANISME PENGGANGU TANAMAN (OPT) TANAMAN SAYURAN DI KELURAHAN NGKARING-KARING

Organisme Pengganggu Tanaman (OPT) merupakan salah satu faktor kendala yang cukup sulit dalam usahatani pertanian di mana dapat menurunkan hasil panen. Pengendalian OPT secara terpadu merupakan salah satu konsepsi pengendalian hama yang ramah lingkungan, yang berusaha mendorong berperannya musuh alami dan merupakan cara pengendalian non kimia lainnya. Tujuan kegiatan Pengabdian Masayarakat ini adalah meningkatkan pengetahuan petani tentang cara Pengendalian OPT tanaman sayuran dan peningkatan hasil panen petani sayuran. Pelaksanaan kegiatan dilaksanakan pada tanggal 17 Desember 2019 bertempat di Kelurahan Ngkaring-karing Kecamatan Bungi Kota Baubau.&nbsp; Kesimpulan yang diperoleh petani dapat memahami tentang cara pengendaliuan OPT tanaman sayuran menggunakan pestisida nabati dan mengetahui cara pembuatan pestisida nabati. &nbsp

Phase transition in an O(N) gauge model in two dimensions

We study the phase transition properties of the nonlinear O(N) σ model in two dimensions when O(N) gauge interactions are included. With nonzero gauge coupling, this theory exhibits a first-order phase transition in the large-N limit. The broken-symmetry phase is stabilized by the Higgs mechanism and Goldstone bosons do not appear. © 1976 The American Physical Society

Risk Factors and Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Libyan Patients

Background: The prevalence and incidence of HCV infection varies geographically due to exposure to different risk factors. Identification of HCV genotype is important to defining the epidemiology of the disease. The objective of this study was to describe genotype distribution and its relation to risk factors among HCV infected patients attending virology clinic of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Tripoli Medical Centre. Methods: The medical records of 891 Libyan chronic HCV infected patients registered and followed up from January 2003 to January 2007 were reviewed. Data gathered includes patient\'s age, gender, risk factors and family history of HCV infection. Statistical analysis was performed using t, x2 and contingency coefficient tests. Results: The mean age was 40.22±13.09 years. Two thirds of patients were males. Normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at diagnosis was found in 62% of the patients. HCV RNA < 2 million copies at diagnosis was found among 54% of patients. HCV genotype 1 (G1) was the most frequent (30.9%), followed by G4 (29.2%). Genotype 2 affected 19.3% and G3 13.6%. No classification of HCV genotype was available for 2% of the patients. Many subtypes of HCV were detected with different frequencies (G1a and b, G2a, b, c and a/c, G3a and G4a and c/d). All genotypes of HCV were more common among males (