abstract background: the current practice to measure rv is either by bpg or helium dilution methods which may not be available in all clinics due to their cost. methods: this paper outlines a method for both direct and indirect calculation of rv via pft with acceptable sensitivity (81 %, 60% ), specificity (71 %, 94%) and validity (76%, 78%) for obstructive and restrictive lung disease respecti...

We study the impact of transnational terrorism diffusion on security and trade. We set a simple theoretical model predicting that the closer a country to a source of terrorism, the higher the negative spillovers on its trade. The idea is that security measures, which impede trade, are directed both against the source country of terror and its neighbor countries where terrorism may diffuse. In c...

multistage and semi-mechanized harvesting of rice in khouzestan province, iran, causes much loss. depending on available facilities and conditions, either spike-tooth or rasp-bar cylinders are employed with either direct or indirect combine harvesting methods. the present research studied the effect of these different harvesting methods on the amount of losses in two rice varieties in 2001-2002...

Using empathic virtual agents for Personal and Social Education is a powerful and immersive way to sensitise students for the problems and dangers related to persistent aggressive behaviour among students, also known as bullying. The work reported here relates to the evaluation of applying such agents in schools in the UK, Portugal, and Germany as well as to consequences that can be drawn from ...

Both the minimum energy consumption and smoothness, which is quantified as a function of jerk, are generally needed in many dynamic systems such as the automobile and the pick-and-place robot manipulator that handles fragile equipments. Nevertheless, many researchers come up with either solely concerning on the minimum energy consumption or minimum jerk trajectory. This research paper proposes ...