Academic literature on the topic 'IDEAL-method'

We provide a proposed methodology for characterizing and reconstructing the 3D structure of biological plywoods from 2D experimental observations by considering the periodicity of the observed arcs and its intrinsic curvature, allowing the determination of p₀ and h.

By comparing several typical multi-objective decision-making methods, an ideal objective method is proposed, which combines Similarity to Ideal Solution Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). After validation, this ideal objective method is both scientific and accurate in the process of target key decision.

Though it is possible to see numerous researches on the so-called language teaching methods, there is still a pressing need to study them comparatively and from different angles. The article studies some specific methods with regard to covering language skills, mother tongue usage, usage of cutting-edge technological devices, comprehensibility gain. Besides, there is a strong focus on the conduction of the lesson regarding whether the lesson is student-centered, teacher-centered or self-centered. The aim of the article is to reveal the best language learning method combining the positive features of all language learning criteria. In the study, 20 local and foreign non-English speaking students with B1 level were involved in the experiment. They were divided into four groups which learnt English through a specific method. Most of the participants were locals except 6 who were of Turkish and Iranian origins. Speaking skill of the Iranian students was relatively better in comparison with others. At the end of the experiment, the comprehensibility gain of each group was graded accordingly. The Uniskills method proved to be the most effective and qualitative method compared to other methods in terms of coverage of language skills. The second effective method was CLT which also encompassed all four skills. It was revealed that the usage of mother tongue in English language learning is better than not using it. Since language input makes progress while using native language. Comparing the source and target languages makes a clear picture of language structure in the brain. Operation function is activated and cognitive skills develop significantly. It turned out that the usage of mother tongue in language learning is more effective and the students find the meanings of some unknown words obscure when they don’t use the native language. It became obvious that teacher-centered lesson is more efficient than the student-centered education.

Multi-criteria decision-making methods based on reference points and distances from them are essential for evaluating alternatives across multiple criteria. These methods provide structured approaches to comparing and ranking alternatives relative to specified reference points. The main objective of this paper is to present the Multi-Criteria Method Integrating Distances to Ideal and Anti-ideal Points (MIDIA), which, through a weighted system, allows for the consideration of balance and asymmetry in assessing alternatives based on their distances from the ideal and anti-ideal points. As a multi-criteria algorithm, MIDIA is user-friendly and reflects the human mind’s natural tendency to assess objects based on fundamental concepts—comparison with the ideal solution and the anti-ideal solution—that are familiar from everyday experiences and provide valuable insights from a behavioral perspective. Moreover, the proposed method can be seen as an extension of Hellwig’s approach, designed to facilitate the ranking of alternatives based on two reference points: the ideal point and the anti-ideal point, measuring the distance between the alternative and the ideal point and the distance between the ideal and anti-ideal points. The MIDIA method integrates elements from both TOPSIS and VIKOR, by incorporating the structure of TOPSIS and the compromise perspective of VIKOR, offering a balanced approach to multi-criteria decision-making by focusing on the distances from ideal and anti-ideal points. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the usability of the proposed tool in situations where the decision-maker has asymmetrical preferences concerning the importance of ideal and anti-ideal points in ranking alternatives. Moreover, the MIDIA method is applied to one of the Sustainable Development Goals, in the area of education (SDG4), to obtain the rankings of EU member countries in 2022. The results obtained using the MIDIA method were compared with those obtained using the TOPSIS and VIKOR approaches. The study concludes that the ranking of alternatives depends on the coefficients of the importance of the distances to reference points and the data setup.

A new model is introduced in the process of evaluating efficiency value of decision making units (DMUs) through data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Two virtual DMUs called ideal point DMU and anti-ideal point DMU are combined to form a comprehensive model based on the DEA method. The ideal point DMU is taking self-assessment system according to efficiency concept. The anti-ideal point DMU is taking other-assessment system according to fairness concept. The two distinctive ideal point models are introduced to the DEA method and combined through using variance ration. From the new model, a reasonable result can be obtained. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the new constructed model and certify the rationality of the constructed model through relevant analysis with the traditional DEA model.

Boltzmann’s integration method may prove to be a very powerful tool to study the transport diffusion of guest molecules in nanoporous host systems. In many cases, however, the prerequisites for applying this method are not completely fulfilled. In the following, the consequences of these deviations on the accuracy of the obtained results are discussed. It is found that the results of Boltzmann’s integration method can be corrected by different considerations. The discussion is focussed on the concentration profiles observed during the adsorption and desorption of methanol in ferrierite-type crystals as observable by interference microscopy.

Boltzmann’s integration method may prove to be a very powerful tool to study the transport diffusion of guest molecules in nanoporous host systems. In many cases, however, the prerequisites for applying this method are not completely fulfilled. In the following, the consequences of these deviations on the accuracy of the obtained results are discussed. It is found that the results of Boltzmann’s integration method can be corrected by different considerations. The discussion is focussed on the concentration profiles observed during the adsorption and desorption of methanol in ferrierite-type crystals as observable by interference microscopy.

In this thesis, an adaptive method for eliminating intersymbol interference (ISI) using multirate techniques, is presented. This is inspired by the work of Chevillat and Ungerboeck on the design of finite impulse response (FIR) 'multirate zero ISI filters' for data transmission over a band limited ideal channel. Their analysis is extended to the case when the channel is non-ideal. It is shown that there are infinitely many multi rate filters (dependent of the upsampling/downsampling factor Mc) that can eliminate ISI. As an illustration, two simple adaptive algorithms for computing the zero ISI filters are presented and applied to discrete multitone transmission (DMT) and discrete wavelet multitone transmission (DWMT) systems. It is found that even the minimum length, multirate zero ISI filters compare favourably (in terms of reduced complexity and performance) with other techniques, such as the cyclic prefix method.

Investigation of dynamic properties of non-ideal one-component plasmas by the method of moments Dynamic characteristics of strongly coupled one-component plasmas are studied within the moment approach with local constraints by an algorithm similar to that of Schur. Some simulations of two-component plasmas are analyzed using sum rules and other exact relations. One of the main problems of plasma physics is to obtain an expression for the dielectric function determining screening effects, dispersion relations and other dynamic characteristics, such as conductivity, reflectivity, etc. The dielectric function can be derived from the linear-response theory, using the methods of the kinetic theory or hydrodynamics and by means of perturbation expansion of the Kubo formula. On the other hand, the dielectric function can be deduced on the basis of the method of moments. All methods mentioned above are mostly applicable in a limited range of variation of plasma parameters where some perturbation expansion can be used. There are no such restrictions on the plasma parameters in the method of moments which permit to reconstruct any Nevanlinna class function by its convergent power moments. In Physics these functions are called response functions which due to the causality principle satisfy the Kramers-Kronig relations, e.g., the plasma inverse dielectric function. Another dynamic characteristic, i.e. the dynamic structure factor which is related, via the fluctuation dissipation theorem, to the imaginary part of the inverse dielectric function, can be extracted from the experimental data. Thus, from both the practical and mathematical points of view, the study of the dynamic structure factor is important. There exist several approaches to the investigation of the dynamic structure factor. Beyond experimental and theoretical methods, some simulation techniques based on the first principles of mechanics and statistical physics, can be applied.<br>Askaruly, A. (2011). Investigation of dynamic properties of non-ideal one component plasmas by the method of moments [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/9474<br>Palancia

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No. of bitstreams: 1 dorigam_jcp_dr_jabo.pdf: 1417249 bytes, checksum: daa9830f113e4e5b6e1457a8d00e5535 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26<br>Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)<br>O tradicional método dose-resposta usado para determinar a relação ideal dos aminoácidos essenciais (IAAR) tem sido considerado muito oneroso, principalmente quando reprodutores são usados, pois é necessário um ensaio para cada aminoácido essencial (EAA). Por outro lado, o método da deleção tem sido considerado um meio rápido e prático para determinar a IAAR, pois apenas um ensaio é necessário. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta tese foi determinar a relação ideal dos aminoácidos essenciais para reprodutores (matrizes e galos) e frangos de corte utilizando o método da deleção. O primeiro estudo teve como objetivo estimar o perfil de aminoácidos essenciais e a relação ideal para a mantença de aves pelo método da deleção. Um ensaio de balanço de nitrogênio foi realizado utilizando 198 galos adultos, alojados individualmente em gaiolas metabólicas. Os tratamentos foram 33 dietas purificadas sendo 11 dietas com uma mistura de aminoácidos que fornecem alto consumo de proteínas de 500 mg N /BWkg0.75 por dia, 11 dietas que fornecem a ingestão média de proteína de 250 mg N /BWkg0.75 por dia (em cada dieta um aminoácido testado foi reduzido a 50%) e 11 dietas proporcionando baixa ingestão de proteína de 125 mg de N /BWkg0.75 por dia (formulada omitindo o aminoácido testado). Cada tratamento teve seis repetições. Após 48 h de jejum, recebendo água mais sacarose, os galos foram alimentados com 40 g das dietas por tubo, uma vez por dia, durante três dias. As excretas foram coletadas no prazo de 72 horas após a primeira ingestão. As dietas e as excretas foram analisadas quanto ao teor de nitrogênio. Para cada um dos aminoácidos estudados, uma regressão linear foi ajustada entre balanço de nitrogênio e ingestão do aminoácido. As exigências de mantença foram estimadas como a ingestão de aminoácidos para manter o equilíbrio de nitrogênio igual a zero. As exigências diárias dos aminoácidos para mantença foram estimadas em: Lys 11, Met 29, Thr 23, Trp 5, Arg 50, Val 29, His 6, Gly 54, Phe 49, Leu 78 e Ile 21 mg /BWkg0.75 por dia. Portanto, concluiu-se que a proporção de aminoácidos para mantença seria Lys 100, Met 276, Thr 220, Trp 48, Arg 467, Val 275, His 60, Gly 511, Phe 467, Leu 735 e Ile 198% independente da unidade usada. O perfil de aminoácidos essenciais e a relação ideal para mantença das aves, estimado neste estudo, contribui para a melhoria do modelo fatorial para estimar exigências de aminoácidos essenciais para aves. No segundo estudo, duas abordagens utilizando o método da deleção dos aminoácidos (AA), um com abate comparativo e outro com balanço de nitrogênio, foram utilizados para reavaliar as pressupostas relações ideais entre os aminoácidos essenciais (EAA): lisina (Lys), metionina+cistina (Met+Cys), treonina (Thr), triptofano (Trp), arginina (Arg), valina (Val), isoleucina (Ile), leucina (Leu), fenilalanina + tirosina (Phe+Tyr), glicina + serina (Gly+Ser), e histidina (His) para o crescimento de frangos de corte do genótipo Cobb 500 durante três períodos (I: 6 a 21, II: 22 a 37, e III: 38-53 d). Por ensaio, 120 frangos, machos, foram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas para avaliação dos dados de balanço de nitrogênio e eficiência de utilização de cada AA. Uma dieta balanceada em AA (BD) foi formulada de acordo com as recomendações das tabelas brasileiras (Rostagno et al., 2011) para a proteína ideal de frangos de corte em crescimento. As dietas com diferentes AAs limitantes foram criadas pela deleção da BD com amido de milho para alcançar 0,70 do nível de AA como BD e resuplementado com AA cristalinos, exceto o AA em estudo. As dietas com a deleção de cada AA levaram a uma piora significativa na utilização da proteína e indicou posição limitante válida destes AA. Além disso, no início e no final do ensaio, um grupo de aves com peso médio de cada repetição foi abatida sem perda de sangue para determinar a deposição de nitrogênio pela técnica do abate comparativo. O valor médio das relações ideais dos onze EAA testados, determinadas pelo abate comparativo, nos três períodos foram: Lys 100, Met+Cys 65, Thr 66, Trp 17, Arg 108, Val 79, Ile 61, Leu 122, Phe+Tyr 128, Gly+Ser 155, e His 41. Com base nos dados de eficiência dos AA observados, as relações ideais determinadas pelo balanço de nitrogênio foram: Lys 100, Met+Cys 72, Thr 65, Trp 17, Arg 106, Val 76, Ile 67, Leu 107, Phe + Tyr 115, Gly+Ser 137, e His 35. Existem algumas diferenças entre os resultados obtidos pelos dois métodos (Louvain e Goettingen), mas o método de Goettingen apresentou resultados mais condizentes com a literatura e menor variação nos resultados. No terceiro estudo, o objetivo foi determinar os parâmetros do modelo para a máxima retenção de nitrogênio (NRmaxT), a exigência de mantença de nitrogênio (NMR) e a eficiência de utilização de lisina (bc-1) para determinar a exigência de lisina (Lys) de aves reprodutoras pesadas. Os ensaios de balanço de nitrogênio foram realizados em dois períodos (I: 31-35 semanas e II: 46-50 semanas). Foram utilizados sete tratamentos com oito repetições e uma ave por gaiola; os tratamentos consistiram de sete dietas com níveis de proteína variando de 58,8-311,9 g/kg de ração, com a Lys sendo limitante na proteína dietética (c = 3,91 g de Lys em 100 g de CP). Para cada período, os dados de nitrogênio ingerido (NI), nitrogênio excretado (NEX), nitrogênio na massa de ovos (NEM), nitrogênio depositado (ND, ND = NI-NEX) e nitrogênio retido (NR, NR = ND + NEM + NMR) foram obtidos num ensaio de balanço de nitrogênio de 25 dias. A NMR foi calculada pela relação exponencial entre NEX e NI. O NRmaxT e o b (inclinação relacionadas com a qualidade da proteína) foram estimados pelo ajuste exponencial entre NR e NI. Foi obtido o bc-1 dividindo b por c. Com base no teste da razão de verossimilhança para os parâmetros do modelo, os valores obtidos foram 255 mg /BWkg0.67 para NMR, 0,000117 para b e 1684 mg/BWkg0.67 (período I) e 1484 mg/BWkg0.67 (período II) para NRmaxT. As ingestões de Lys foram estimadas pela função Lys = (ln (NRmaxT) -ln (NRmaxT-NR)):(16 × bc-1)) função, que resultou nas ingestões de Lys de 915 e 876 mg/d para matrizes nos períodos I e II, respectivamente. O estudo conclui que a exigência Lys ideal esta de acordo com os dados da literatura, mas as recomendações podem ser adaptadas de acordo com o consumo de ração, a deposição de proteína desejada e a eficiência de utilização do AA na dieta. No quarto estudo, o objetivo foi aplicar os dados de eficiência (bc-1) dos AAs lisina (Lys), metionina+cistina (Met+Cys), treonina (Thr), triptofano (trp), arginina (Arg), valina (Val), isoleucina (Ile), leucina (Leu), fenilalanina+tirosina (Phe+Tyr), glicina + serina (Gli+Ser) e histidina (His) para obter uma relação ideal de AA (IAAR) para matrizes. Os ensaios de balanço de nitrogênio foram realizados de 31 a 35 semanas e de 46 a 50 semanas. Foram utilizados doze tratamentos com oito repetições e uma ave por gaiola. Uma dieta balanceada (BD) foi formulada para atender a IAAR e a exigência de outros nutrientes para matrizes. As dietas limitantes foram formuladas diluindo BD com amido de milho e resuplementados com AAs cristalinos e outros ingredientes para alimentação animal, com exceção do AA em estudo. Em cada período, os dados de nitrogênio ingerido (NI), nitrogênio excretado (NEX), nitrogênio na massa de ovo (NEM), nitrogênio depositado (ND, ND = NI-NEX) e nitrogênio retido (NR, NR = ND + NEM + NMR) foram obtidos em um ensaio de 25 dias. Os valores de qualidade de proteínas (b) foram estimadas por b = (ln (NRmaxT) -ln (NRmaxT-NR)) : (NI)), onde NRmaxT é o potencial para a retenção máxima de nitrogênio de matrizes. Os valores de bc-1 foram obtidos dividindo b pela concentração do AA na dieta (c, g AA / 16 g de N). A posição limitante de cada AA foi confirmada e os valores de bc-1 foram usados para obter um IAAR média: Lys (100), Met + Cys (83), Trp (24), Thr (81), Arg (114), Val (90), Ile (93), Leu (105), Phe + Tyr (109), Gly + Ser (95), e His (35). A IAAR estava de acordo com a recomendação da literatura, validando este procedimento alternativo para a determinação da IAAR para aves reprodutoras pesadas. Finalmente, o objetivo deste quinto estudo foi aplicar o método da deleção para obter uma IAAR para aves reprodutoras pesadas. Os ensaios de balanço de nitrogênio foram realizados de 31 a 35 semanas e de 46 a 50 semanas. Foram utilizados doze tratamentos com oito repetições e uma ave por gaiola. Uma dieta balanceada (BD) foi formulada para atender rigorosamente a IAAR e a exigência de outros nutrientes. As dietas limitantes foram formuladas diluindo BD com amido de milho e resuplementados com aminoácidos cristalinos (EAA) e outros ingredientes para alimentação animal, com exceção do EAA em estudo. Cada ensaio durou 25 dias. As perdas de penas, a produção de ovos e o peso do ovo foram registrados diariamente e as amostras foram armazenadas para determinar NEM e o nitrogênio nas perdas de penas (NDFL), respectivamente. No início e no final de cada período, um grupo de matrizes foi abatido para determinar o nitrogênio depositado no corpo (NDB) e penas (NDF). A NR foi calculada como a soma de NDB, NDF, NDFL, NEM, e a exigência de nitrogênio para mantença (NMR = 255 mg /BWkg0.67 por dia). A redução percentual no NR resultante da deleção de cada EAA em relação à BD e o percentual do AA para excluir a partir da BD foram utilizados para calcular a exigência ótima do AA na dieta. A IAAR média determinada foi: Lis (100), Met + Cys (86), Trp (23), Thr (80), Arg (113), Vai (90), Ile (91), Leu (133), Phe + Tyr (108), Gly+Ser (94), e His (35). A IAAR determinada neste estudo estava de acordo com a recomendação da literatura para frangos de corte, especialmente usando o método de Goettingen, validando o método da deleção para determinar o IAAR. Além disso, o método foi padronizado para matrizes reprodutoras e os resultados deste estudo permitiram atualizar a relação ideal para estas aves. Da mesma forma, o método da deleção para determinar a IAAR de mantença também foi padronizado e o perfil ideal atualizado. Por fim, a padronização destes métodos vai permitir que a pesquisa brasileira usufrua de um procedimento rápido e de baixo custo para estimar e avaliar a IAAR.<br>The traditional dose-response method used to determine the ideal essential amino acid ratio (IAAR) has been considered too costly, especially when breeders are used, because an assay for each essential amino acid (EAA) is necessary. On the other hand, the deletion method has been considered a quick and practical way to determine the IAAR, because only one assay is required. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to determine the optimal ratio of essential amino acids for breeders (broiler breeder hens and roosters) and broilers using the deletion method. The first study aimed to estimate the essential amino acid profile and the ideal ratio for maintenance of poultry by deletion method. A nitrogen (N) balance trial was conducted using 198 adult roosters, housed individually in metabolic cages. The treatments were 33 purified diets being 11 diets with an EAA mixture providing high protein intake of 500 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day, 11 diets providing medium protein intake of 250 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day (in each diet one EAA tested was reduced 50%) and 11 diets providing low protein intake of 125 mg N/BWkg0.75 per day (made by omitting the EAA tested). Each treatment had six replicates. After 48 h of fasting receiving water plus sucrose, the roosters were fed 40 g of the diets by tube once a day for three days. The excreta were collected within 72 h after the first feeding. The diets and excreta were analyzed for nitrogen content. For each EAA studied, a linear regression was fitted by N balance and EAA intake. The maintenance requirements were estimated as the EAA intake to maintain the N balance equal to zero. The daily EAA requirements for maintenance were estimated to be: Lys 11, Met 29, Thr 23, Trp 5, Arg 50, Val 29, His 6, Gly 54, Phe 49, Leu 78 and Ile 21 mg/BWkg0.75 per day. Therefore, the EAA ratio for maintenance was concluded to be Lys 100, Met 276, Thr 220, Trp 48, Arg 467, Val 275, His 60, Gly 511, Phe 467, Leu 735 and Ile 198% independent of the scale. The EAA profile and the ideal ratio for maintenance of poultry estimated in this study contribute to improve factorial model for estimating EAA requirements for poultry. In the second study, two approaches using amino acid deletion method, one with comparative slaughter and another with N balance, were used to re-evaluate the actual assumptions of ideal ratios between the EAA: lysine (Lys), methionine+cystine (Met+Cys), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), arginine (Arg), valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine+tyrosine (Phe+Tyr), glycine+serine (Gly+Ser), and histidine (His) for growing broilers of Cobb 500 genotype during three periods (I: 6 to 21, II: 22 to 37, and III: 38 to 53 d). Per trial, 120 male chickens were housed in metabolic cages for assessment of individual N-balance and AA efficiency data. An AA balanced diet (BD) was formulated according to recommendations of Brazilian tables (Rostagno et al., 2011) for the ideal protein in growing broilers. The diets with different limiting AAs were created by dilution of BD with corn starch to achieve 0.70 of the AA level in BD and supplemented with crystalline AAs, except the AA under study. The AA diluted diets led to significant impairment of protein utilization and indicated valid limiting position of these AAs. Also, at start and the end of the trial a group of birds with mean body weight of each replicate was killed with no blood loss to determine nitrogen deposition by comparative slaughter technique. The mean value of the optimum ratios of the eleven tested EAAs determined by comparative slaughter in the three periods are: Lys100, Met+Cys 65, Thr 66, Trp 17, Arg 108, Val 79, Ile 61, Leu 122, Phe+Tyr 128, Gly+Ser 155, and His 41. Based on observed AA efficiency data, the optimum ratios determined by nitrogen balance are: Lys 100, Met+Cys 72, Thr 65, Trp 17, Arg 106, Val 76, Ile 67, Leu 107, Phe+Tyr 115, Gly+Ser 137, and His 35. There are some differences among the results obtained by the two methods (Louvain and Goettingen approach), but the Goettingen approach provided result in accordance with the literature and less variation in the results. The third study aimed to determine the model parameters for maximum nitrogen retention (NRmaxT), nitrogen maintenance requirement (NMR) and the efficiency of lysine utilization (bc-1) to determine the lysine (Lys) requirements of broiler breeder hens. The N balance trials were performed in two periods (I: 31-35 wks and II: 46-50 wks). Seven treatments were used with eight replicates and one hen per cage; the treatments consisted of seven diets with protein levels ranging from 58.8 to 311.9 g/kg of feed, with Lys being limiting in the dietary protein (c = 3.91 g of Lys in 100 g of CP). For each period, the data of nitrogen intake (NI), nitrogen excretion (NEX), nitrogen in egg mass (NEM), nitrogen deposition (ND, ND=NI-NEX) and nitrogen retention (NR, NR=ND+NEM+NMR) were obtained in a balance trial of 25 days. The NMR was calculated by the exponential relationship between NEX and NI. The NRmaxT and b (slope related to protein quality) were estimated by the exponential fit between NR and NI. The bc-1 was obtained dividing b by c. Based on the likelihood ratio test for the model parameters, the obtained values were 255 mg/BWkg0.67 for NMR, 0.000117 for b and 1684 mg/BWkg0.67 (period I) and 1484 mg/BWkg0.67 (period II) for NRmaxT. The Lys intakes were estimated by the function Lys = (ln(NRmaxT)-ln(NRmaxT-NR)):(16×bc-1)), which resulted in the Lys intakes of 915 and 876 mg/d for breeder hens in the periods I and II, respectively. The current study concludes that the optimal Lys requirement is in range with literature data, but the recommendations can be adapted according to feed intake, aimed protein deposition and dietary AA efficiency. The fourth study aimed to apply the individual AA efficiency data (bc-1) for lysine (Lys), methionine+cystine (Met+Cys), threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), arginine (Arg), valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine+tyrosine (Phe+Tyr), glycine+serine (Gly+Ser) and histidine (His) to derive an ideal AA ratio (IAAR) for breeder hens. N-balance trials were performed from 31 to 35 wks and from 46 to 50 wks. Twelve treatments with eight replicates and one hen per cage were used. A balanced diet (BD) was formulated to meet the IAAR and the requirement of other nutrients for breeder hens. The limiting diets were formulated diluting BD with corn starch and refilled with crystalline AAs and other feed ingredients, except for the AA under study. In each period, the data of N-intake (NI), N-excretion (NEX), N in egg mass (NEM), N-deposition (ND, ND=NI-NEX) and N-retention (NR, NR=ND+NEM+NMR) were obtained in a balance trial of 25 days. The b values (protein quality) were estimated by b = (ln(NRmaxT)-ln(NRmaxT-NR)):(NI)), where NRmaxT is the potential for maximum nitrogen retention of breeder hens. The bc-1 values were obtained dividing b by the dietary AA concentration (c, g AA/16g N). The limiting position of each AA was confirmed and the bc-1 values were used to obtain an average IAAR: Lys (100), Met+Cys (83), Trp (24), Thr (81), Arg (114), Val (90), Ile (93), Leu (105), Phe+Tyr (109), Gly+Ser (95), and His (35). The IAAR was in the line with the recommendation from the literature, validating this alternative procedure for predicting dietary IAAR for broiler breeder hens. Finally, the aim of the fifith study was to apply the deletion method to derive an IAAR for broiler breeder hens. The nitrogen balance trials were performed from 31 to 35 wks and from 46 to 50 wks. Twelve treatments with eight replicates and one hen per cage were used. A balanced diet (BD) was formulated to strictly meet the IAAR and the requirement of other nutrients. The limiting diets were formulated diluting BD with corn starch and refilled with crystalline amino acids (AA) and other feed ingredients, except for the AA under study. Each feeding trial lasted 25 days. The feather losses, egg production and egg weight were recorded daily and the samples were stored to further determine NEM and nitrogen in feather losses (NDFL), respectively. At the start and the end of each period, a group of breeder hens were slaughtered to further determine nitrogen deposition in the body (NDB) and feathers (NDF). The NR was calculated as the sum of NDB, NDF, NDFL, NEM, and the nitrogen maintenance requirement (NMR=255 mg/BWkg0.67 per day). The percent reduction in NR resulting from the individual AA deletions relative to BD and the percent of the AA to delete from the BD were used to calculate the optimum in-feed AA requirement. The average IAAR determined was: Lys (100), Met+Cys (86), Trp (23), Thr (80), Arg (113), Val (90), Ile (91), Leu (133), Phe+Tyr (108), Gly+Ser (94), and His (35). The IAAR determined in this study corroborate with the recommendations for broilers in the literature, particularly when using the Goettingen approach, validating the deletion method for determining the IAAR. In addition, the method has been standardized for broiler breeder hens and the results of this study allowed updating the ideal ratio for these birds. Likewise, the deletion method for determining the IAAR for maintenance was also standardized and the ideal profile updated. Finally, the standardization of these methods will allow Brazilian research enjoy a rapid and low-cost procedure to estimate and evaluate the IAARs.<br>FAPESP: 2013/07136-5

The purpose of the research presented herein was to gain a better understanding of male body image-related behaviors through a multi-phase mixed method approach. With research revealing a noted increase in muscularity in media representations of the male physique in the latter part of the twentieth century, context to the present day ideal male physique was first provided via the examination of sculptures and paintings from ancient Greece to the latter part of the 19th century (phase I). The ideal male physique was further examined in the qualitative phase of the research (phase II) where semi-structured interviews with 11 males were conducted. Data obtained from the interviews also aided in the construction of the Male Body Image Behavior Questionnaire (MBIBQ). The structure and length of the MBIBQ as well as its psychometric properties were next examined with a total of 550 participants in phases III and IV respectively. The examination of art representations of the male physique revealed varied depictions of a muscular ideal with interceding portrayals of thin or nonrealistic interpretations. A number of themes emerged from the qualitative data including the ideal physique and attributes, influences, psychosocial consequences, motivations, and behaviors. An interesting finding was that a few of the males expressed a preference for a female interviewer suggesting that cross-gender interviewing should be considered when examining body image in males. The results from the exploratory principal components and confirmatory factor analyses conducted in phase III revealed that the MBIBQ is comprised of four subscales; weight gain, weight loss, avoidance, and appearance. The more extreme behaviors on the preliminary version of the MBIBQ did not meet the criteria for item inclusion and were thus deleted, suggesting that although males may indicate knowledge of more extreme behaviors, their actual utilization may be limited. Phase IV of the research, conducted with 253 participants, showed preliminary evidence of convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity as well as test-retest validity for the MBIBQ. The MBIBQ is the first of its kind to address several dimensions of body image behaviors in males. The educational implications of the findings for school-based programs are discussed.

Cracking is a primary mode of failure for asphalt concrete (AC), resulting in road damage and deterioration, and leading to an increase in road hazards and fatalities. Studying the fracture behavior of AC is an effective way to learn how to best enhance their cracking resistance. To do this, the indirect tensile cracking laboratory test (IDEAL-CT) was developed and used to assess the AC cracking behavior by defining a unique index that allows the ranking of different mixes’ cracking resistance. The sensitivity of the test results to the test parameters is needed to monitor the test’s performance. Several parameters impact the result of the IDEAL-CT. This study focuses on the variation of air voids, loading rate, aggregate shape, bonding type, and gradation mix. Performing more than 450 test scenarios—varying multiple factors and conducting enough tests for each variation—would require considerable resources and time. To solve the issue, the Particle Flow Code in two-dimension software (PFC2D) using the discrete element method (DEM) is adapted to mitigate the need for actual laboratory tests. Initial findings yielded a better understanding of the micromechanical behavior of each mix, showing that air void content has more impact than loading rate; a decrease of 2% in air voids resulted in an increase of more than 50% in cracking resistance. Additionally, different aggregate sources and bonding strengths affected the cracking resistance. These results can inform further studies on AC cracking in order to reduce road damage and deterioration to keep roads safe.

Abstract. Research goals: the necessity of study in high school of the law of Hardy – Weinberg as one of the fundamental genetic laws was justified. The peculiarities of using the method of model experiment in the study of the genetic and evolutionary processes in populations with the use of computer technology. Object of research: computer simulation of population genetic structure. Subject of research: computer simulation of genetic and evolutionary processes in ideal and real populations. Research methods: pedagogical experiment (survey), analysis of scientific publications on the use of the high school method of modelling genetic and evolutionary processes in populations, computer simulation. Results of the research: a web page for processing by the pupils of the modelling results of genetic and evolutionary processes in populations was created.

Research goals: the necessity of study in high school of the law of Hardy – Weinberg as one of the fundamental genetic laws was justified. The peculiarities of using the method of model experiment in the study of the genetic and evolutionary processes in populations with the use of computer technology. Object of research: computer simulation of population genetic structure. Subject of research: computer simulation of genetic and evolutionary processes in ideal and real populations. Research methods: pedagogical experiment (survey), analysis of scientific publications on the use of the high school method of modelling genetic and evolutionary processes in populations, computer simulation. Results of the research: a web page for processing by the pupils of the modelling results of genetic and evolutionary processes in populations was created.

Review question / Objective: Single-port laparoscopy has been proposed as an ideal surgical method for treating uterine leiomyoma, which can effectively remove the lesion, reduce hemoglobin loss, and achieve good cosmetic results. Therefore, we retrieved related studies for a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of single-hole laparoscopic resection of uterine fibroids, haemoglobin loss, and scar cosmetic effect. Eligibility criteria: (1) the type of study should be a randomized controlled study; (2) the participants should be women receiving single-hole laparoscopic laparoscopy or conventional laparoscopy; (3) the type of intervention, which should compare single-hole laparoscopic laparoscopy with uterine leiomyoma, and excluding the study with conventional laparoscopy, and (4) regarding the type of outcome, the study should measure at least one outcome of interest mentioned below.

In order to increase the efficiency of the work of a medical organization, it is necessary to train medical workers, employees of medical organizations, students of educational organizations in the techniques and methods of lean production, followed by the application of the acquired skills directly at the workplace in a medical organization. The purpose of the training under the program is to acquire new competencies necessary to perform professional tasks using lean manufacturing tools - mapping the value stream to ensure maximum operational efficiency of production processes. The program provides for independent work: mapping the value stream of the current, ideal and target states of the process, analysis of the value stream of the current state of the process (problem identification: spaghetti method, pyramid of problems, graph-links, summary table of root causes and contribution of the solution), development of a plan measures to achieve the target state of the process.

This paper investigates trends in energy intensity in Latin American countries over the last 40 years. It applies the Fisher Ideal Index to decompose the energy intensity into the relative contributions of energy efficiency and the activity mix, and then analyzes the determinants of these energy indexes through panel data regression techniques. Finally, the paper compares the performance of Latin American countries to that of a similar set of countries chosen through the synthetic control method. The authors find that the energy intensity in Latin American countries has decreased about 20 percent, closing the gap with respect to its synthetic counterfactual. In both Latin American countries and its synthetic control, efficiency improvements drive these changes, while the activity mix component does not represent a clear source of change. The regression analysis shows that per capita income, petroleum prices, fuel-energy mix, and GDP growth are main determinants of energy intensity and efficiency, while there are no clear correlations with the activity component.

This study explores the economic impact of disability on households. Disabled people face a double economic penalty though lower average disposable income and higher average expenditure needs. Conventional measures of living standards do not reflect the latter. We employ two separate methods to estimate a range of disability-adjusted ‘at risk of poverty’ (AROP) rates for Ireland. We employ first the Standard of Living method (SoL) using the Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC) dataset for Ireland. Based on two indicators of SoL – a composite material deprivation indicator and a self-assessed financial difficulty indicator – we update findings on the cost of disability in Ireland and explore the differential impact across household composition and age groups. Secondly, we introduce a novel application of the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) method to directly estimate disability-adjusted equivalence scales, based on the Household Budget Survey (HBS) dataset for Ireland. These two methods allow us to estimate a range of disability-adjusted at risk of poverty (AROP) and poverty gap rates for Ireland. We estimate that the cost of disability is 52-59 per cent of the disposable income of households with disabled members, and that this cost varies with the severity of disability. Deriving a disability-adjusted equivalence scale, we estimate that the weight for a disabled additional adult should be 9 per cent higher than the weight for a non-disabled additional adult. Estimating AROP rates, we find that these increase substantially when the cost of disability is accounted for.

The feasibility of detecting stress-corrosion cracks (SCC) using the Remote Field Eddy Current (RFEC) technique was demonstrated. The RFEC technique interrogates the entire thickness of the pipe and is applicable for in-line inspection. If it can be shown that the RFEC technique is effective in detecting SCC, then the technique is an ideal method for detecting the defects of interest. A defect detection model is proposed for explaining the mechanism for crack detection. For axially orientated, closed cracks, such as SCC, the conventional defect detection model proved to be too simplistic and not applicable. Therefore, a new detection model that examines the flow of circumferential eddy currents was developed based on experimental results. This model, though not rigorous, provides a general understanding of the applicability of the RFEC technique for finding SCC. The data from the cracks and various artificial defects are presented in three formats: isometric projections, pseudocolor images, and line-of-sight data. Though only two cracks were found, the experimental results correlate well with the circumferential eddy current theory. A theoretical analysis of the effects of motion on the output signal of the receiver is presented. This analysis indicates that the inspection speed of simple implementations may be limited to a few miles per hour.

High-volume fly ash concrete (HVFAC) has improved durability and sustainability properties at a lower cost than conventional concrete, but its early-age properties like strength gain, setting time, and air entrainment can present challenges for application to concrete pavements. This research report helps with the implementation of HVFAC for pavement applications by providing guidelines for HVFAC mix design, testing protocols, and new tools for better quality control of HVFAC properties. Calorimeter tests were performed to evaluate the effects of fly ash sources, cement–fly ash interactions, chemical admixtures, and limestone replacement on the setting times and hydration reaction of HVFAC. To better target the initial air-entraining agent dosage for HVFAC, a calibration curve between air-entraining dosage for achieving 6% air content and fly ash foam index test has been developed. Further, a digital foam index test was developed to make this test more consistent across different labs and operators. For a more rapid prediction of hardened HVFAC properties, such as compressive strength, resistivity, and diffusion coefficient, an oxide-based particle model was developed. An HVFAC field test section was also constructed to demonstrate the implementation of a noncontact ultrasonic device for determining the final set time and ideal time to initiate saw cutting. Additionally, a maturity method was successfully implemented that estimates the in-place compressive strength of HVFAC through wireless thermal sensors. An HVFAC mix design procedure using the tools developed in this project such as the calorimeter test, foam index test, and particle-based model was proposed to assist engineers in implementing HVFAC pavements.