The structural properties, elastic properties, mechanical stability, and phase transition of equiatomic Al-Fe-Ti-Cr-Zn-Cu high entropy solid solutions from binary (Al-Fe) to hexanary (Al-Fe-Ti-Cr-Zn-Cu) composition with pressure-induced have been analyzed using density functional theory calculations. The results indicate that the lattice parameters decrease, the mass densities increase with the pressure-increased. The mechanically stability may improve with the pressure increased appropriately for ternary Al-Fe-Ti and quaternary Al-Fe-Ti-Cr. The Young's modulus has nothing to do with the pressure-induced, but the bulk modulus increases with the pressure increased. The elastic properties were also calculated using Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approximations. The brittle and ductile properties were studied by Poisson's ratios and the ratios of shear modulus to bulk modulus. The calculated results of the enthalpy indicate that the binary to hexanary high entropy solid solutions transform the FCC structure to the BCC structure at a certain pressure.


The article presents the results of stand tests and numerical analyses conducted in order to determine the working characteristic of a friction joint used in yielding supports and in friction props. A functional model was used to determine analytically the working of the friction joint. A physical model and mathematical model of the joint was developed for this purpose. A stick-slip model of intermittent motion and a dry friction model were used to model the joint's yield capacity. The friction joint's working characteristic at axial compression and its yield capacity (i.e. joint tensile force) was determined as a result of the analysis. The effect of the friction coefficient between the interworking shaped sections on the joint's yield capacity has been determined. The results of friction joint stand tests at axial compression have also been presented in the paper and compared to the results of numerical analysis. The results obtained in stand tests and numerical analyses reveal high quantitative and qualitative consistency. The model developed may be used for optimising the working of friction joints in yielding supports.


Summary 4-Cyclohexyl-4-[(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]piperidine was introduced intostepwise peptide synthesis procedures using Boc chemistry and derivativesof d-4-iodophenylalanine and d-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylicacid. A halogen replacement analogue (I-Mex2) of a known high affinitymelanocortin-4 receptor selective compound resulted. It showed a subnano-molar affinity when evaluated on the melanocortin-4 receptor in competi-tion with the a-MSH peptide analogue 125 I-NDP-MSH. By treatmentwith hexamethylditin and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium I-Mex2was converted to the corresponding trimethylstannyl derivative. In thenext step, Na 125 I was oxidized by an iodobead. Iododestannylationproceeded in the presence of 1M phosphate buffer, pH 2.5, and the radio-active derivative 125 I-Mex2 formed was separated by HPLC at 40%radiochemical yield. Preliminary investigation showed that 125 I-Mex2Copyright # 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 20 January 2003Revised 22 May 2003Accepted 26 May 2003*Correspondence to: J.E.S. Wikberg, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division ofPharmacology, Uppsala University, Box 591, Biomedicum, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden. E-mail:firstname.lastname@example.com/grant sponsor: Swedish Research Council; contract/grant number: 04X-05957 and 230-2000-291Contract/grant sponsor: Melacure Therapeutics AB


Chikungunya fever is an arboviral disease caused by chikungunya virus. A 37-year-old Japanese male visited India and developed fever, myalgia, rash, and persisting systemic arthralgia, the latter of which persisted for more than 2 months. The patient was diagnosed with chikungunya fever by virological and serological examinations. In the present study, we followed specific antibody responses over a 6-month period after the onset of the disease. IgM antibody was detected on days 58 and 108, but not on day 137, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies were detected as late as day 192. The results indicate that specific IgM lasts for 3 to 4 months from the onset of the disease, and that IgG lasts more than 6 months.


A model scheme for spectral visualization of biological media macrostructure is presented. Superficial tissue with heterogeneities was chosen as a basic investigation object. Realization of the task is performed with 3D Monte Carlo simulation of laser radiation propagation in multiple scattered media. Back scattering differential scheme is the technique in operation for numerical calculations results analysis. Used method adds up to compute a differential value of spectral backscattering density which may characterize a state of the irradiated tissue. In the paper we investigate the differential scheme opportunities. Results allow to determine differential backscattering intensity as the multiparametric function of media and heterogeneities features. The data are basic for diagnostic scheme software implementation.


In increasingly challenging fiscal times, practitioner's workloads are ever increasing, with work becoming more and more
complex as thresholds for services become higher. There is a threat therefore, that the supply of willing, able and
motivated practice educators/supervisors may dry up, as practitioners struggle to find adequate time and support within
agencies, to support and assess students in practice. I start by considering the multifaceted tasks inherent in supervising,
assessing and supporting students from a range of professions, in clinical or practice placements. Further, the complexities
of the practice educator role will be explored, by thinking about the highs, lows, dilemmas, challenges but also the joys that
can occur when working with students in practice settings. I lastly consider how standards in practice education can be
further developed and improved, and how practice educators/supervisors will remain motivated to carry on training a
new generation of practitioners, given such challenging financial times.


To illustrate the practical and technical challenges along with the safety aspects when performing MRI‐guided electrophysiological procedures in a pre‐existing diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment.


Since the initiation of Three Gorge Construction Project,the spatial distribution and landscape pattern of forests in the areas have changed significantly,which is worthy of major concerns.In order to monitor the dynamics and fragmentation of forest landscape pattern in the area,based on the remote sensing interpretation data of forests in the years of 1990,2002 and 2011,the appreciate landscape pattern indexes were selected to build the models for forest fragmentation by using the software ArcGIS10.0 and Fragstats4.0.The results are shown as followings.From 1990 to 2011,with the increases of patch area in size,number,aggregation and dominance,the heterogeneity and fragmentation decreased on the contrary.The stability of forest ecosystem in the studied area was enhanced significantly.By the year of 2011,the grid cells of forest area proportion over 70% was up to 40 percent,higher 15% than that in 1990.It is concluded that,in order to relieve the fragmentation of forest landscape,it is an effective way to promote the improvement of forest landscape pattern by developing long-term planning of reforestation planting and vegetation construction,so that to enhance the complexity and stability of forest ecosystem.


. In this article I review my interpretation of the development of a skeptical life-view in Machado de Assis' fiction. This view is presented as originating and developing within the fictional framework of Machado's work, though some of its relations to ancient and modern skeptical philosophers are also remarked. I also react to some reviews of my work and briefly discuss some aspects of the relation between philosophy and literature in the specific case of Machado's work.


Many breast cancers have estrogen receptors (ER), and the growth of these tumors can be stimulated by estrogen. Fulvestrant down regulates the ER protein in human breast cancer cells. Fulvestrant is an ideal candidate for transdermal drug delivery because of it has a low oral bioavailability and suitable partition coefficient value (1.99) for a drug to be eligible for transdermal delivery systems, i.e. value is in the range of 1-3 and this is an important prerequisite for any product to be administered through transdermal drug delivery system, for its therapeutic applications. In this study, it has been demonstrated that fulvestrant can be administered through transdermal application with predetermined targeted release. Formulations have been characterized by FTIR to evaluate any interaction of the drug with the vehicles or inactive ingredients used in the preparation of patches. Transdermal patches were prepared, using reservoir concept and were subjected to in-vitro skin permeability studies. The data obtained from invitro skin permeability studies is fitted with kinetic models to determine drug release mechanism, and it was found that the drug release pattern follows zero order kinetics. Also it has been demonstrated that targeted concentration has been achieved in the in one of the formulations tested. These preliminary studies can lead to further studies to evaluate the formulations to achieve therapeutic levels by conducting in in-vivo also. Fulvestrant transdermal patch provides ease of application over the current marketed formulation which is given by intramuscular route which is a painful for the patients due to its composition.


Although advances in computational techniques have led to extensive numerical and analytical tunnelling research, geotechnical engineering researchers depend heavily on physical modelling to understand different phenomena related to tunnelling, such as deformation patterns and failure mechanisms. Tests are usually conducted under 1g conditions or in a centrifuge. In the first part of this paper a variety of modelling techniques of tunnelling have been proposed.


The theory of solvatochromism based on a dielectric continuum description of the solvent and the classical Onsager cavity model is revisited and extended to include the effect of an added 1:1 salt. An expression is derived for the reaction field inside the solute cavity, which is applicable in the limit of low salt concentrations. Using this result, expressions are obtained for the shifts in the (0-0) absorption and fluorescence maxima on the basis of Marcus' approach to the calculation of the medium reorganization free energy in the ground state and excited (Franck-Condon) state of the solute molecule. The lifetime of the excited state is assumed to exceed the longest relaxation time characteristic of the medium. For the salt-free case, our equations differ markedly from several others reported in the literature dealing with the pure solvent effect, and the origin of the discrepancy is clarified. Finally, it is shown how the new equations can be used, in principle, to obtain estimates for the Onsager radius, polarizability, and dipole moments in the ground state and the lowest excited state of a solute molecule from a simple analysis of absorption and fluorescence data only, except in cases where the dipole moments are noncollinear. Completion of the analysis then requires an independent measurement of the ground-state dipole moment.


Goal. Database formation of innovations in the scientific support of plant breeding for resistance against pathogens and pests — grounds for creating sustainable varieties.
Methods. Analysis of innovative development of the Institute of Plant Protection of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and other institutions of the Scientific and Methodological Center «Protection of Plants» for 2006—2020. Isolation of those relating to the problem of plants' resistance against pests and pathogens.
Results. Methods of plant selection for resistance against the main pathogens and methods of evaluation of resistance of winter wheat, potatoes, clover and alfalfa to pests to create complex resistant varieties have been developed. Donors of potato resistance to canker, alternariosis, phomosis and cyst-forming nematodes were identified. Methods for determining the resistance of cereals to high and low temperatures have been developed. A collection of samples of wild relative of wheat Aegilops biuncilais L. — sources of new genes for plant resistance to diseases and pests. Genes of resistance of soft winter wheat to diseases by DNA markers have been identified. A set of varieties of winter wheat with group and complex resistance against diseases and pests has been formed. Physiological and biochemical mechanisms of resistance of sunflower, soybean, flax oil against pathogens have been established. Collections of sunflower lines based on complex resistance to sunflower broomrape, dry rot, powdery mildew and soybean lines based on complex resistance to white rot and anthracnose have been created. The resistance of forage lupines against the most important pathogens has been studied. Varieties and selection numbers of spring barley, oats, rape, oilseed flax, resistant to major diseases, as well as rice varieties resistant against pathogens and pests were identified. The resistance of modern genotypes of sown hemp, fiber flax and oilseed flax to the main phytophagous insects was evaluated. A method for estimating the selection value of the source material of the main vegetable plants on the basis of disease resistance has been developed. Resistance to viral diseases has been found in cucumber and barley plants.
Conclusions. The established innovations can be widely used by breeding centers and other scientific institutions of the agrarian profile when creating sustainable grain, oilseed, vegetable, fodder and leguminous grain crops. In this case, the timing of the selection process can be accelerated by 40—60%.


This case series follows up previous reports that lesions of the cerebellum may be associated with a "cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome" -- a


The process of transportation and degradation of COD in the Bohai Bay is studied in the paper. Water quality model for COD, especially for the shallow bay with a mild slope, is established based on the bio-chemical experiment of seawater from the Bohai Bay. The model is tested and verified by the field data.


Abstract There is a need for more information on the relationship between diseases and fluctuations of wild populations of marine animals. In the case of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1, also known as RLV), there is a lack of baseline information on range, prevalence and outbreaks, from which to develop an understanding of population‐level impacts. An RT‐qPCR assay was developed that is capable of detecting 10 copies of the CsRV1 genome. In collaboration with state, federal and academic partners, blue crabs were collected from sites throughout the north‐eastern United States to assess the northern range of this pathogen. In addition, archived crab samples from the Chesapeake Bay were assessed for CsRV1 by RT‐qPCR and histology. PCR‐based assessments indicate that CsRV1 was present at all but one site. Prevalence of CsRV1 as assessed by RT‐qPCR was highly variable between locations, and CsRV1 prevalence varied between years at a given location. Mean CsRV1 prevalence as assessed by RT‐qPCR was >15% each year, and peak prevalence was 79%. The wide geographic range and highly variable prevalence of CsRV1 indicate that more study is needed to understand CsRV1 dynamics and the role the virus plays in blue crab natural mortality.


Introduction: Breast augmentation remains one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. It is a surgery of breast in order to increase its size by placing breast implants under breast tissue or chest muscles. Silicon implant is used for both cosmetic and reconstructive reasons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of primary breast augmentation with silicon implant. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent silicon based breast augmentation through inframammary in submuscular dual plane, between February 2017 and January 2019. Surgical outcomes were evaluated and Patient satisfaction was measured using the BREAST-Q Augmentation Module.Result: This study involved a total of 32 patients (i.e. 64 breasts),19 patients were mongoloid and 12 were non mongoloid. The average age was 32.25 years (range: 20-45 years) between a follow up period of 24 months.The size of breast implant ranged from 240-340 cc. Thirty-one patients were satisfied with the outcome. Seroma was noted in two patients. One of the patients was not satisfied and was noted with capsular contracture within follow-up period. Fifteen patients were used with implant size 280 cc. All patients were able to go to normal daily activity after seventh post-operative day. Conclusion: Breast augmentation with silicon implant have potential to produce more satisfactory and aesthetically pleasing results with low revision rates. Eventhough various techniques are existing in breast augmentation but still universal standard technique is controversial.


66 of 79 questionnaires sent to determine attitudinal stances concerning breast feeding among a physicians practice population (middle class mothers with children at least 2 years old) were returned. Mothers were asked if they had breast fed and for how long (and why stopped) if the gynecologists attitude had been motivating and any advantages or disadvantages the mothers could determine regarding breast feeding. Actual comments by the respondents are reproduced tabularly. 72% of mothers had breast fed for an average of 14 weeks. Reasons for ceasing breast feeding ranged from milk drying up (17) to womens convenience (2). Reasons for never breast feeding ranged from personal revulsion (1) to physiological difficulties (inverted nipples 2). 35% stated that their gynecologists had not discussed breast feeding with them and 58% found their gynecologists encouraging. 33% of mothers reported indifference on the part of pediatricians. The majority of mothers expressed the view that doctors attending them antenatally and postnatally should be more encouraging in the advocation of breast feeding; they also felt more emphasis on positive aspects was in order. Community-based programs designed to help the nursing mother were also suggested.


The larvae of the palm beetle Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is known as "suri" in the Peruvian Amazon. The larvae, either raw or fried in its own oil, are an important food source for several groups of Amazon natives. The larvae are very appreciated by its taste and can be found in several local markets. On spite of its relevance on human food, little is known on the proximate composition of the palm beetle larvae consumed in Amazonian Peru. In the present article, we report the fatty acids profile from the oils separately obtained from the skin and digestive fat of the larvae as well as the proximate analysis of the skin and aminoacid profile of the insect protein. The high total protein content of the skin (45.82% on a dry weight basis), the oil content in the digestive fat and the aminoacid composition of the protein suggest that suri is a good source of nutrients, low usable responsible consumption.


In this paper, using the fundamental theorems about the existence of the characteristic value of the symmetric integral equation, we prove another two important theorems.


The applications operating in the Internet of Things environment need event detection and reporting in a timely manner. The reporting of these events must adhere to the real time processing. The event driven system is influenced by the amount of sensing, querying and reporting of the sensed activity to the application server. There is a possibility of multiple events occurring simultaneously in the network. These events may require services either at the same time or in frequent intervals of time, subsequently. Additionally, the events may be reported from any where and at any place in the Internet of Things scenario, which needs a coordination among the devices operating in the environment. In this view, this paper proposes a graph-based communication algorithm using collaborative computing model for Internet of Things. The proposed algorithm is implemented using IoT-based database application on Cooja emulation engine and compared with existing approaches to validate its efficacy.


Objective:To study the change and clinical significance in the concentration of thyroxin in blood of patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF).Method:Applying radioimmunoassay,50 patients with CHF and 100 normal adults were determined.Results:Levels of serum T 3 and FT 3 in patients with CHF was lower those in healthy controls ( P 0.001)but TSH was raised. Comparison between CHF patients with various degrees of cardiac function showed the worse the cardiac function the more evident reduction of T 3 and FT 3,and paetients with class Ⅳ cardiac function were accompanied by reduction of T 4 and FT 4 .Comparison between CHF patients with different kinds of cardiac diseases, the most prominent reduction of T 3 and FT 3 was found in those with pulmonary heart disease.Conclusion:The level of thyroxin can be used as an indication of cardiac function and has instructive value for the prognosis of heart failure.


In this paper, a new interaction prediction Riccati differential (or difference) equation. Another approach is presented for optimal control of nonlinear large-successful method for optimization of nonlinear systems, scale systems. The proposed approach uses a new gradient-type which is clamed as the fastest classical hierarchical method, coordination scheme which has a larger convergence region is presented by Mahmoud [8]. In this approach, which is with respect to the parameters' variation, and also has a good named as the "Costate Prediction Method", the costate convergence rate. In this approach, the coordination vector is vector is updated in the second level and as a result, there is updated using the gradient of coordination error. This type of iteatins. no need for solving TPBV problems in the first level. coordination considerably reduces the number of iteratAons The robustness and the convergence rate of the proposed Although, in the mentioned methods, considering the approach against the best classical interaction prediction simplicity of the first and second level problems, the approaches are shown through simulations of a benchmark computational efforts are reduced and as a result they have a problem. good convergence rate, but their convergence regions are limited and they may diverge by parameters' variation or I. INTRODUCTION weak initial guess of the coordination vector [8]. This TTIERARCHICAL structures are feasible structures that limitation does not exist in the gradient-type coordination 1 reduce the complexity of large-scale systems through schemes, where by using small enough step sizes, the decomposition and parallel processing [1]-[4]. In coordination algorithms always converge. optimization of large-scale problems using hierarchical In this paper, a gradient-type coordination scheme with a structures, the overall system is first decomposed into larger convergence region is proposed. In order to increase several interactive subsystems , where the optimization the convergence rate, the coordination vector is updated in problem redefines for each subsystem. For dynamic the direction of its error gradient. The proposed method is optimization, like optimal control problems, two main based on Sadati's novel approaches to model and goal methods are presented; the "Goal Coordination Method" and coordination methods [9]-[1 1]. For this purpose, a new cost the "Interaction Prediction Approach" [1]. In this paper, the function, based on the norm of coordination errors, is interaction prediction approach is discussed and defined. By computing the differential of the cost function substantially improved through a new coordination scheme. with respect to the coordination vector, modification …


Ho-Jun Jung·Eun-Ju Do·Jin-Sang Lee·Hyun-Jin Park·Gyue-Seok Oh·Mi-Ryeo Kim·Il-Do Ha·Yong-Ha Jeong·Seon-Young Jee Objective : The purpose of this clinical research was to investigate the ef fects of herbal cosmetics containing Momordica charntia L. extracts on the anti-wrinkle and whitenin g effects. Methods : A total of 25 subjects who visited Daegu Hanny Oriental Medical Center from November 1st, 2010 to December 31th, 2010 were included in this study. In this stu dy, we observed change of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 for using products, change of average melanin content and pigme ntal area, analysis results of subjective wrinkle improvement, Analysis results of subjective whitening improveme nt. Statistical analysis was performed by using paired t-test and wilcoxon signed ranks test. Statistical signi ficance was achieved if the probability was less than 5%(p<0.05) Results : Statistically, herbal cosmetics containing Momordica charntia L . extracts showed siginificant effect on change of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 for using products, change of aver age melanin content and pigmental area, analysis results of subjective wrinkle improvement, Analysis re sults of subjective whitening improvement(p<0.05). And satisfaction after using herbal cosmetics was near good. Conclusions : Considering the above results, we have concluded that herbal co smetics containing Momordica charntia L. extracts have the remarkable effects on the anti-wr inkle and whitening effects. Key words : anti-wrinkle, whitening, herbal cosmetics, Momordica charntia L. extracts


The competitive industries play the leading role in the regional economic development.Using sky-line analysis method and considering the new perspective of internal and external demands,we identify and analyze the competitive industries in Beijing.The results indicate that from 1997 to 2007 the capital and technology-intensive manufacturing industries and the knowledge-intensive producer's services become the competitive industries while the resource and labor-intensive industries the inferior-position industries.


Questions about cognitive aging are inherent questions about why individuals of different ages or from different subpopulations differ from each other and how these differences change over time. One of the main goals of cognitive gerontology is to describe how cognitive abilities change over time and to link these changes with brain aging. When we talk about the cognitive deterioration in the elderly, we have to consider great individual differences in cognitive functioning, that are greater than in the earlier period of life. In neurophysiology, significant progress has been made in mapping the brain areas responsible for changes in cognitive functioning; whether biological weakening will manifest in our behavior is greatly determined by life experiences and habits. Emotional stability, openness to experience, higher level of education, higher socioeconomic status, enjoyment in intellectual activities through the lifespan, and better physical and mental health are positively correlated with preserved cognitive abilities among older adults.


The approaches biomedical engineering programs use to meet ABET criteria related to physiology vary. This study will test approaches to teaching physiology based on mathematical approach (quantitative vs. qualitative) and the way the content is structured (concepts-based vs. systems-based). After completing a physiology learning module presented in one of four ways: Quantitative, Concepts-based; Quantitative, Systems-based; Qualitative, Concepts-based; or Qualitative, Systems-based, participants will be observed collaborating on a challenge-based learning module centered on a topic in biofluids. Adaptive expertise in physiology will be assessed by observing how participants transfer the physiology content they have acquired. The learning management system Moodle™ and online virtual world Second Life™ are used to create a rich environment for data collection.


If you're a woman aged 40 or older, you may be aware that recommendations about when and how often to have a mammogram have changed over the years. The most recent recommendations come from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a well-respected panel of experts in prevention, evidence-based medicine, and primary care.

We all want to prevent breast cancer or find it in the earliest, most treatable stage. We'd like to think that mammograms can accomplish that — but mammograms are screening tests, and no screening test is perfect. Mammograms reveal signs of disease before you have any symptoms. But they might not detect disease in some women who have it, or might indicate disease in women who don't (false positive), leading to unnecessary further testing and treatment. Mammograms can also lead to overdiagnosis: finding and treating a condition that you and your clinician (doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, physician assistant) would not …


Human natural killer cell diversity is a metric of immune function associated with less effective antiviral response. The downside of diversity The adaptive immune system exemplifies the benefits of diversity, allowing for individual responses to specific pathogens. Natural killer (NK) cells are diverse at the single-cell level, but the contribution of this diversity to NK cell–mediated immunity has been unclear. Strauss-Albee et al. found that contrary to adaptive immune cells, human NK cell diversity is lower at birth than in adults. Moreover, diversification as a result of antiviral response decreases the flexibility of future antiviral responses. Indeed, high NK cell diversity was associated with increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition in African women. These data suggest that preexisting NK cell diversity should be considered in the context of viral infections. Innate natural killer (NK) cells are diverse at the single-cell level because of variegated expressions of activating and inhibitory receptors, yet the developmental roots and functional consequences of this diversity remain unknown. Because NK cells are critical for antiviral and antitumor responses, a better understanding of their diversity could lead to an improved ability to harness them therapeutically. We found that NK diversity is lower at birth than in adults. During an antiviral response to either HIV-1 or West Nile virus, NK diversity increases, resulting in terminal differentiation and cytokine production at the cost of cell division and degranulation. In African women matched for HIV-1 exposure risk, high NK diversity is associated with increased risk of HIV-1 acquisition. Existing diversity may therefore decrease the flexibility of the antiviral response. Collectively, the data reveal that human NK diversity is a previously undefined metric of immune history and function that may be clinically useful in forecasting the outcomes of infection and malignancy.


This study aims to investigate the reasons for the fluctuation of the inflows of direct foreign investment into Myanmar. Employing the data on the influx of foreign direct investment into the country from 1989/90 to 2016/17, the possible causes of increasing and decreasing inflows of FDI into Myanmar are observed. According to this study, the factors such as Asian economic crisis, U.S federal sanctions, lack of infrastructure (particularly poor electric power condition), weak telecommunication services and expensive charges, unstable macroeconomic environment, frequent changes of rules and regulations and lack of transparency in its administration over the study period may be the reasons for the fluctuation of FDI inflows into the country. The existence of such factors may be difficult to encourage the willingness of foreign entrepreneurs to invest. If these factors fade, therefore, the inflows of direct foreign investment into Myanmar are likely to improve. The volume of FDI into Myanmar enormously increased in 2010/11; the reason may be the removal of economic sanctions at that time. The findings of the paper suggest that the authorities should strive to sign a large number of bilateral investment treaties (BITs), and the country should consider giving more priority to cooperative frameworks, encourage inter-regional trade and investment linkages instead of attracting FDI individually and competitively. Keywards: FDI, Market Size, Exchange Rate, Inflation Rate, Openness -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 03-01-2018 Date of acceptance: 11-01-2018 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


We investigate a variation of the graph coloring game, as studied in [2]. In the original coloring game, two players, Alice and Bob, alternate coloring vertices on a graph with legal colors from a fixed color set, where a color {\alpha} is legal for a vertex if said vertex has no neighbors colored {\alpha}. Other variations of the game change this definition of a legal color. For a fixed color set, Alice wins the game if all vertices are colored when the game ends, while Bob wins if there is a point in the game in which a vertex cannot be assigned a legal color. The least number of colors needed for Alice to have a winning strategy on a graph G is called the game chromatic number of G, and is denoted \c{hi}g(G). A well studied variation is the d-relaxed coloring game [5] in which a legal coloring of a graph G is defined as any assignment of colors to V (G) such that the subgraph of G induced by any color class has maximum degree d. We focus on the k-clique-relaxed n-coloring game. A k-clique-relaxed n-coloring of a graph G is an n-coloring in which the subgraph of G induced by any color class has maximum clique size k or less. In other words, a k-clique-relaxed n-coloring of G is an assignment of n colors to V (G) in which there are no monochromatic (k + 1)-cliques.


A low speed wind tunnel evaluation was conducted of passive and active techniques proposed as a means to impede the interaction of forebody chine and delta wing vortices, when such interaction leads to undesirable aerodynamic characteristics particularly in the post stall regime. The passive method was based on physically disconnecting the chine/wing junction; the active technique employed deflection of inboard leading edge flaps. In either case, the intent was to forcibly shed the chine vortices before they encountered the downwash of wing vortices. Flow visualizations, wing pressures, and six component force/moment measurements confirmed the benefits of forced vortex de-coupling at post stall angles of attack and in sideslip, viz., alleviation of post stall zero beta asymmetry, lateral instability and twin tail buffet, with insignificant loss of maximum lift.


【Objective】The genetic diversity, genetic relationship and classification characteristics of agronomic traits in different yam germplasm resources collected from different regions of China were analyzed in order to provide references for variety breeding and production utilization of yam. 【Method】The 19 agronomic traits of 44 collected yam germplasm resources were investigated to conduct genetic diversity analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis for exploring their genetic diversity, genetic relationship and classification characteristics. 【Result 】The results showed that different morphological traits of 44 collected yam germplasm resources presented higher diversity. Amongst 12 qualitative traits, the genetic diversity index of leaf shape was the highest(1.53), followed by tuber skin color(1.51). The frequency distribution of tuber shape was the highest(93.18%), followed by tuber flesh color(90.91%) and stem shape(81.82%). Amongst 7 quantitative traits, the genetic diversity index of tuber length was the highest(1.89), followed by growth duration(1.84) and tuber diameter(1.77). Among different traits, the variation coefficient of yield per plant was the highest(79.25%), followed by tuber diameter(42.21%) and tubers per plant(35.62%), the lowest was found to be growth period(17.57%). According to genetic differences of different agronomic traits, 44 yam germplasm resources could be clustered into 4 groups. All the materials of the first and second groups were derived from Guangxi, and could be used as processing parent materials with potential of increasing yield, and high-yield variety breeding parents, respectively. The third group materials were mainly derived from southern China, which was artificial cultivation wild species and could be used as general parent. And the fourth group materials were derived from north provinces of China and could be used as common early-maturing variety breeding parents. The principal component analysis results indicated that the contribution rate of the first 6 principal components accounted for 83.73%. The first principal component reflected comprehensive factors of high-yield plant type, the second one reflected processing plant type factors, and the third one reflected plant tuberization factors. The fourth, fifth and sixth principal components reflected tuber factor, tuber skin and stem skin color, respectively.【Conclusion 】The agronomic traits amongst landraces of yam cultivars germplasm resources in China presented significant differences and abundant genetic diversity, and their genetic relationship showed certain regional ecotope law. The first two principal components should be paid more attention to select in variety breeding in southern China.


The Coal Authority's passive coal mine water treatment scheme (MWTS) at Tan-y-Garn in Wales incorporates a Reducing Alkalinity Producing System (RAPS). A long-term performance review has been undertaken after 10 years of continuous operation without any major maintenance. Over the life of the MWTS, raw mine water quality has gradually improved due to flushing. Tan-y-Garn RAPS continues to generate alkalinity and raise mine water pH but the alkalinity generation efficiency has declined over time. Alkalinity generation within the RAPS is predominantly due to limestone dissolution. Sulfate-reducing bacteria are present in the RAPS but net redox transformations of sulfur are interpreted to be of minor significance to the current mine water treatment process. The RAPS removes a significant proportion of iron from the mine water. Short-term variations in iron removal efficiency reflect variations in flow rate and iron loading. Longer-term decline in iron removal efficiency is also occurring despite decreasing iron concentrations in the raw mine water. The performance of the Tan-y-Garn RAPS has declined over the past decade but the system continues to achieve the desired treatment goals. RAPS technology is considered a viable option for the long-term passive treatment of coal mine waters.


Objective To explore the effect of working process-based practice teaching reform in Fundamentals of Nursing.Methods A convenience sample was used to select two classes in 2008,and the students were divided into experimental group and control group according to their classes.The experimental group used the working process-based practice teaching method,and the control group used traditional teaching method.Results The average scores of two fulfillment operation tests and nursing practice theory examination in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P0.001).Conclusions The working process-based practice teaching contributes to stimulating nursing students' interests to improve teaching effect,cultivating their abilities to analyze problems and problemsolving skills,strengthening their application ability,and improving their professional quality.


Cotton cellulose with different % NaOH treatments and graft copolymers of cellulose prepared with vinyl acetate (AV) and methyl acrylate (MA), and Ce(IV) ion as an initiator were submitted to biodegradation conditions. Cellulose is a biopolymer consisting solely of glucose units, and, consequently, is also easily biodegradable. Nevertheless, modified cellulose, for example, by graft copolymerization, shows an increased resistance to biodegradation. The aim of this work was to study by calorimetric and dynamic-mechanical analysis how the chemical modification of cellulose affects its biodegradability. From the obtained results some information has also been deduced about the composition and mechanical behavior of the vinylic grafted chains.


With the advances in the network technology and the development of the network market, more and more sports enterprises compete with each other through network advertising. In this paper, the basic forms of network advertising have been demonstrated. And its fundamental values include brand promotion, website promotion, sales promotion, online survey, customer relations and information issue. Based on the comparative analysis on network advertising of Li Ning, Nike, Adidas and other well-known sports enterprises, it is aimed to present the prospects of online advertising of China's sports enterprises.


AbstractUnconfined compressive strength (UCS) of synthetic biochar mixed clays (BMC) treated with lime-GGBS has been investigated. Biochar utilized in this study was produced from the slow pyrolysis of green waste residue. Treated biochar mixed clays have also been tested for microstructural and mineralogical developments. Results of this study showed that a lime content of 2 wt%, which is much lower than the conventionally used 10 wt% lime for synthetic clay, can be effectively incorporated to improve BMCs. X-ray Diffraction analysis carried out on treated BMCs showed the development of cementitious minerals (C─S─H, ettringite). Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectrum (EDS) enabled identification of three separate types of microstructural interactions between biochar and soil particles, namely interface cementation, surface deposition and pore space filling by cementitious minerals, all of which are responsible for the enhancement of UCS with curing.


The Na‐dependent phosphate (NaPi) transporters NaPi‐2a and NaPi‐2c play a major role in the renal reabsorption of Pi and maintenance of Pi homeostasis. The transporters show differential regulation under dietary and hormonal stimuli suggesting different regulatory pathways controlling the endocytosis, stability, or functionality of the transporters. The scaffolding NHERF family of PDZ proteins has been involved in the regulation of NaPi‐2a and NaPi‐2c. We propose that differences in the molecular interaction with these PDZ proteins are related with the differential adaptation of the transporters. We studied the specific interaction of NaPi‐2a and NaPi‐2c with NHERF‐1 and −3 in the OKP cells by FLIM‐FRET lifetime measurements. Results showed a direct interaction of NaPi‐2a with NHERF‐1 (FRET occurrence), while there was no interaction between NaPi‐2c and NHERF‐1. In contrast NaPi‐2c showed significant FRET with NHERF‐3 protein. According with these results, adaptation of the NHERF‐3 KO mouse to chronic low Pi diets was impaired in the case of NaPi‐2c but not in NaPi‐2a. In response to a low Pi diet NHERF‐3 KO mice showed robust upregulation of NaPi‐2a but decreased adaptive response of NaPi‐2c. These results indicate that differential affinity of the NaPi transporters for NHERF‐1 and −3 proteins could partially explain their differential regulation. Interaction between NaPi‐2c and NHERF‐3 seems to play an important role in the physiological regulation of NaPi‐2c.


Pooling publicly-available MRI data from multiple sites allows to assemble extensive groups of subjects, increase statistical power, and promote data reuse with machine learning techniques. The harmonization of multicenter data is necessary to reduce the confounding effect associated with non-biological sources of variability in the data. However, when applied to the entire dataset before machine learning, the harmonization leads to data leakage, because information outside the training set may affect model building, and potentially falsely overestimate performance. We propose a 1) measurement of the efficacy of data harmonization; 2) harmonizer transformer, i.e., an implementation of the ComBat harmonization allowing its encapsulation among the preprocessing steps of a machine learning pipeline, avoiding data leakage. We tested these tools using brain T1-weighted MRI data from 1740 healthy subjects acquired at 36 sites. After harmonization, the site effect was removed or reduced, and we showed the data leakage effect in predicting individual age from MRI data, highlighting that introducing the harmonizer transformer into a machine learning pipeline allows for avoiding data leakage.


1 2 Contralateral-noise effects on cochlear responses in anesthetized mice are 3 dominated by feedback from an unknown pathway 4 5 6 7 8 Stéphane F. Maison, Hajime Usubuchi, Douglas E. Vetter, A. Bélen Elgoyhen, 9 Steven A. Thomas and M. Charles Liberman 10 11 12 13 Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School and Eaton-Peabody 14 Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Boston, MA 15 Program in Speech and Hearing Biosciences and Technology, Harvard-MIT, Cambridge, MA 16 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Science, University of Mississippi Medical 17 Center, Jackson, MS 18 Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingenería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de 19 Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina 20 Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 21 22 23 24 Running title: Contralateral-noise suppression of DPOAEs 25 26 Abstract: 228 words 27 Introduction: 764 words 28 Discussion: 1997 words 29 Figures: 10 30 31 32


Impact of negative capacitance dielectric material on the device performance of UTB-SOI MOS transistor is investigated with the help of extensive numerical simulation. The negative capacitance characteristics of the dielectric material is modeled by charge dependent ferroelectric polarization effect. With the increase in thickness of ferroelectric material, improvement in sub-threshold characteristics is observed. The sub-threshold swing value goes below Boltzmann limit of 60mV/decade, which is the minimum value of sub-threshold swing for conventional FETs. Internal gate voltage amplification found to be proportional with the thickness of ferroelectric region.


A new pitch estimation algorithm is presented in this paper, based on the sinusoidal analysis of speech signals. The speech signal is processed first and then the pitch is estimated by introducing the cost function in the algorithm. Experimental results show that the method has a high accuracy and a wide application in speech analysis and synthesis.


An erroneously cited text of Wason by subsequent authors has led to the assumption that Hipposideros lankadiva was first recorded in Rajasthan in the Bhim Bharak caves of Jodhpur. A careful review of Wason's note revealed that it in fact mentioned another species from the genus, H. fulvus. This erroneous citation has led to several research articles published on the ecological aspects of this species to be misinformed. The authors discovered a small population of H. lankadiva in eastern Rajasthan and have monitored this new population since 2010. Since the Bhim Bharak cave location is erroneous, Kased Cave (26.2209N, 77.1024E) is the only location of H. lankadiva for Rajasthan and is therefore the first record of the species from the state.


We have investigated the ambipolar transport of electrons and holes by electrically generated surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on silicon wafers coated with a piezoelectric ZnO film. The transport experiments were carried out by using a focused laser beam to optically excite carriers. The carriers are then captured by the moving SAW piezoelectric field and then transported towards a lateral p-i-n junction, where they are electrically detected. The piezoelectric modulation modifies the current vs. voltage characteristics of the lateral p-i-n junction. This behavior is accounted for by a simple model for the change of the junction potential by the SAW fields. We demonstrate that electrons and holes can be acoustically transported over distances approaching 100 μm, the transport efficiency being limited by the low mobility of holes in the material. These results open the way for silicon-based acousto-electric devices using ambipolar transport such as photo-detectors and solar cells.


Introduction: This is a prospective study to determine the effectiveness of artificial disc replacements in the treatment of discogenic low back pain. There has been increasing interest in the possibility of preserving the motion of a diseased vertebral motion segment by various biomechanical designs. Preserving the motion of the segment, rather than opting for arthrodesis seems intuitively to be a more favourable treatment for several spine disorders. Up until now most spine surgery has been salvage (correcting the effects of trauma, stabilising correcting deformity, fusing degenerative segments) not restoration of normal function. As new alternatives to fusion come to fruition, we now have the ability to truly restore the spine to normal function. Spinal arthroplasty is a new concept and includes total disc replacement, nuclear replacement and there are efforts by investigators looking at posterior element reconstruction or facet replacement. Methods: The data have been collected from the surgical experience of one surgeon since commencement of this procedure in 1996. Data were collected from pre-operative, post-operative clinical and patient questionnaires (both pre- and post-operative) and radiological assessment.Patient questionnaires include Roland-Morris Questionnaire, Oswestry Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scores, and SF36 Data. Results: 86 Patients have had implantation of the Charite artificial disc prosthesis "Link"; 113 levels have been instrumented; 42 males, 44 females; follow-up two months to five years, average follow-up 20 months. The results so far indicate good to excellent in 84% of cases. Complications have the potential to be catastrophic but attention to surgical detail results in minimal complications which will be discussed in the body of the presentation. Discussion: This paper is a prospective study. It also represents a personal surgical evolution and understanding of the role disc replacement plays in the treatment of discogenic low back pain. Disc replacement should be used as part of the armamentarium a spine surgeon can utilise in his practice. There are strict guidelines and criteria that need to be adhered to if optimal results are to be obtained. The artificial disc which has been most extensively used in the world is the Link SB Intervertebral Prosthesis. To date, over 2000 cases have been performed worldwide. The study is not intended to suggest that routine or indiscriminate use of the artificial disc replacement is warranted, but rather serves to provide a framework for further investigation to the utility of spinal arthroplasty with function intervertebral replacements.


To make urban transport sustainable, effective and efficient, first and foremost, there is a need for capacity development in developing countries. Apart from many important capacity related problems such as lack of adequate infrastructure, older vehicle population, etc., policy makers in developing countries have to consider changing individual behavior to realize sustainable urban transportation policies. Assuming individual capacity as the effect of attitudes—personal ideas and opinions—on the travel behavior, we incorporate individual capacity into a travel demand model—Bivariate Binary Probit model of private car ownership and its use for commute trip in Jabotabek metropolitan area (Indonesia). To do so, we make use of three individual capacity related factor variables, i.e., Factor 1: transport sensitive, Factor 2: attentive citizen, Factor 3: selective citizen, obtained by Factor analytic methods from thirteen attitudinal variables—individual importance ratings on general and transportation related issues. Underlying variables for both transport sensitive and attentive citizens receive positive weights from their respective factor variables; for selective citizens, five out of nine underlying variables received negative factor weights. We find significant effects of individual capacity on private car ownership and its usage for commute trips. However, the results are mixed for sustainable urban transportation policies. Transport sensitive and selective citizens are more inclined to own private cars, and use them (at least) for commute trips; only attentive citizens are found to have negative effects on both. These results are further discussed within the context of persuasive communication for capacity development in urban transportation.


Purpose – The aim of this paper is to report results of the impact of the information and communication technology (ICT) platform and telecare services developed by the MonAMI consortium on the quality of life (QOL) of older people in three European communities.Design/methodology/approach – In a three‐month trial, the MonAMI technology was installed in the homes of older people with various needs, in the cities of Stockholm, Sweden; Zaragoza, Spain; and Kosice, Slovakia. Evaluation criteria and instrumentation were developed to assess the effects of the services on users' perceived QOL in the domains of independence, physical health, psychological wellbeing, social networking, and physical environment.Findings – A total of 62 users, with a mean age of 79 years, participated in the trial. Results demonstrate that the MonAMI services had some positive, significant effects on users' QOL. For instance, users with a higher number of disabilities at baseline reported greater confidence in keeping intruders from...


Despite India being a multilingual nation, Hindi cinema (also known as Bollywood) has traditionally served as a representative of that industry (Thussu, 2016). It can be partly because most films in Indian languages are made for regional audience. This situation has changed with recent advances in dubbing in multiple languages. Also, Bollywood is copying commercially successful non-Hindi movies and remaking them with exorbitant budgets. However, dubbed versions of southern Indian movies, primarily from Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, have recently generated better revenues. The year 2022 saw the release of the Telugu movie RRR which refers to Raudram, Ranam, Rudhiram or Rage, War, and Blood (Rajamouli, 2022). This significantly altered how people view Indian films. With almost $72 million, it is the costliest Indian film ever made. With approximately $160 million in earnings as of October 2022 (Jain, 2022), it is the second-most profitable Indian film and still reaches more audiences through over the top (OTT) platforms. RRR was distributed in five Indian languages, including Hindi, and six foreign languages, including English while being primarily developed for the Telugu audience. RRR's popularity sparked a discussion on whether Hindi films or Bollywood had lost their allure due to the poor reception of high-budget Hindi productions in recent times. At the same time, regional films are thriving and breaking records at the national level. Hence, it is essential to evaluate what makes India's most well-liked movies successful.


The term Software Reuse can be defined as a process of developing software systems from existing ones, instead of creating them from scratch [2, 3, 4, 5]. In many software engineering disciplines, systems are designed by recomposing existing software components that have been used in other systems. It has become a topic of renewed interest in the software community because of its potential benefits, which include increased product quality, decreased product cost and schedule. Software is rarely built completely from scratch. To a great extent, existing software documents (source code, design documents, etc.) are copied and adapted to fit new requirements. Software engineering is focused more on original development. However, it is now recognized that to create better software in a time efficient and cost effective way, we may need to adopt a design process that is based on systematic software reuse factors.

This paper aims at applying Software Stability Model (SSM) approach towards creating a model for Unified Software Reuse that is applicable in all scenarios and diverse domains. The software stability notion ensures high reuse ability, stability and a more design efficient model, which is domain independent too. The key contribution of this Paper is to present an idea of having a stable analysis pattern listing the Enduring business themes (EBTs) and Business Objectives (BOs) involved in the area of Unified Software Reuse. Such a generic model can further be applied to any possible scenario.
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Since the advent of the constitutional era, the law of contract and the maxim pacta sunt servanda have been the subject of much jurisprudential discourse. Restraint of trade agreements have, on occasion, been regarded by our courts as distinct from other contracts, with some judges believing that such contracts should be treated with more circumspection and outside the confines of the principles applicable in our law of contract. In Magna Alloys the Appellate Division laid down the general principle that, prima facie, contracts in restraint of trade are valid and enforceable. The employee bears the onus of showing that the restraint is unreasonable and contrary to public policy. Some jurists believe, however, that the application of constitutional principles requires a revision of our jurisprudence in relation to contracts in restraint of trade. This article analyses some of the judgments dealing with the concept of pacta sunt servanda and the application of constitutional values in the decision-making process, and shows that there is no need to cavil against the existing jurisprudence and to treat contracts in restraint of trade as sui generis or more stringently. Although most of the authorities quoted in this article deal with our law of contract in general, such principles have been held by the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court to apply equally to contracts in restraint of trade.


Virtuality, as virtual reality or virtual architecture, is the tool of choice for architects in computation, and it suits their requirements perfectly well. Even though architecture could be totally virtual, absolutely pure virtual architecture is uncommon. Even as virtual, architecture has to happen on a specific location. This is already reflected by the fact that almost every project in architecture is somehow attached to a building site. It is not likely that an architectural project is created without an associated site. At least in part virtual worlds as models presented by architects are reproductions of the real world, and these parts are real or derived from real sources. Therefor architecture is part of the real world. It is conclusive that composite images as combination of an existing and a virtual scene are one of the most desired form of visualization. Therefor augmented reality rather than virtuality should be the tool of choice in architectural computation.Generally an augmented reality system generates a composite view in real time. The composition is a combination of a real scene viewed by a user and a virtual scene generated by a computer, where the real scene is submerged with additional information in order to enhance the perception of the user. To generate the Augmented Reality


Combined microwave-eonvective drying of 24mm-thick radiata pine veneer grown in New Zealand was conducted to investigate drying characteristics. The veneers could be dried from 160% to 0% moisture content in 7.5 min by microwave drying combined with hot-air of 100. This drying rate is about three times higher than that of conventional convective drying with only hot air of 100. However there remained charred spots when too high microwave power was applied. Therefore investigations of the microwave-drying characteristics of veneer of various sizes and species are needed to determine the optimal drying conditions


A method for highly sensitive detection of the presence of macromolecules having a molecular weight of at least 1000 g / mol, which are present in an aqueous medium, comprising the steps of a) introducing the aqueous medium, wherein the macro-molecules present in a sample volume, b) decomposing the macromolecules in the aqueous medium into fragments, wherein the decomposing means of an energy input takes place in the sample volume or by means of a treatment of the macromolecules with a chemical agent to fragment molecules c) introducing the aqueous medium, wherein the decomposed macromolecules present in fragments in a measurement volume of 10 fl to 1 ul, d) applying the measurement volume with a first electromagnetic wave having a fixed frequency of 10 kHz to 10 MHz, at least a pair of electrodes disposed through an insulating layer separated from the aqueous medium, and e) receiving the impedance, characterized in that the sample volume simultaneously serves as measuring volume.


Plants play a vital role in climate change, Agriculture industries, and a country's economy. Thereby taking care of plants is very decisive. Not only human beings but crops/plants are also carried out by several diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Pinpointing these diseases are take so much time and curing them is essential to prevent the whole crop from being devastated. This paper is focused on a deep learning model to dig out diseases on plant leaves. But, In the future model can be combined with a drone or any other system to live to detect diseases from plants and report these diseased plants' location to farmers so that they can cure appropriately. All-important steps which are required to carry out disease recognition on plant leaves are explained in the paper. Healthy crop leaves and background images of corps are present in different classes, enabling the model to differentiate between not healthy leaves and healthy leaves from the environment by using the Convolution neural network.


ABSTRACT
The 4-OH-chalcone was suspected to absorb and reduce ultraviolet radiation intensity that exposed to the skin. The 4-OH-chalcone was formulated as gel dosage form using combination of carbopol in content of 0.50-1.00% w/w; propylene glycol in content of 19-20% w/w; and CMC-Na in content of 0.50-1.00% w/w. This study's purpose was to optimize the three gel bases, evaluate physical properties, physical stability, and activity of 4-OH-chalcone gel as sunscreen by in vitro method. Simplex Lattice Design (SLD) method was used to optimize gel base with Design Expert software version 10.0. Activity of 4-OH-chalcone gel as sunscreen was determined spectrophotometrically by determining Sun Protecting Factor (SPF) value, percent transmission of erythema (% TE), and percent transmission of pigmentation (% TP). Data were analyzed statistically with SPSS Statistic software. Optimum formula of 4-OH-chalcone gel with 0.50% w/w carbopol content, 0.50% w/w carboxymethylcellulose sodium content, and 20,0% w/w propylene glycol content has pH of 5.59, viscosity of 37.4 dPa.s, spreadability of 28.8 cm2, adhesive time of 1.28 seconds, SPF value of 28.65, %, TE value of 16.44%, %TP value of 0.24%, and relatively stable physical properties.


Platelet function tests prior to and post intravenous gammaglobulin infusions (i.v. IgG) were performed in 20 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under conventional maintainance therapy. Platelet function was not influenced in 8 patients with decreased preinfusion IgG-levels. Severe platelet function defects, resembling an acquired storage pool disease, post i.v. IgG-infusion, however, were observed in 2 of 12 patients with normal preinfusion IgG-levels.


The provision of testing accommodations for examinees with disabling conditions has become an important topic in recent years. This review presents a summary of the relevant issues. The first section traces the history of legislation related to the testing of individuals with disabilities and presents a brief summary of guidelines issued by relevant testing organizations. The second section provides a description of disabilities typically accommodated in large-scale examinations and highlights the ever-increasing role of learning disabilities in testing practice. Summaries of legal cases concerning testing accommodations are then presented. Next, psychometric issues are described, and results and ideas for future research are presented. The review also examines the emerging role of learning disabilities in the area of testing accommodations and addresses the intensely debated social policy questions related to equity and fairness in educational assessment.


The appearance of microgrids created challenges such as microgrid protection and due to the presence distributed generation in microgrid network fault currents basically are variable.protection projects based on constant current must be upgraded.one of the major challenges, changes of microgrid frequency in islanded mode.in this paper a new protection system have provided to monitor microgrids and update current errors use extensive communication network. This system has been designed to respond to the dynamic changes in the system like connection/disconnection DG sources and changing microgrid user condition from connected network mode to islanded mode. the protection system Provided takes over control frequency microgrid in islanded mode and prevents microgrid instability. To control frequency central protection unit changes one of the distributed generators to busbar slack. Studies for the provided network sample have been done and show how the proposed protection system can run these models.


In this paper, we analyse the Tangle structure, we will present a multi-agents model, study some properties and define two algorithms to compress in an optimal way the Tangle. Intership done from May 22 to July 2


Background: Hydatid disease is the parasitic infestation which is endemic in many sheep and cattle raising area of India. Previously open surgical treatment with albendazole remains the mainstay for treatment. But in the recent era of minimal invasive surgery and its advantages give privilege to laparoscopic surgery to become one of better option for the treatment of the liver hydatid disease. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of incidence of post-operative complications, operative duration, length of hospital stay, duration of return to work, and recurrence in patients undergoing laparoscopic or open surgery for the liver hydatid disease. Materials and methods: The present study was a multicenter study which had been carried out at the tertiary care centre. Total numbers of 36 cases were studied and were followed up for the period of 6 months to 30 months (mean 15 months). All the patients were operated either by laparoscopy or open surgery by the same surgical team depending on below mentioned criteria. Inclusion criteria for laparoscopy surgery were cyst in the segments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of liver, cyst over the anterior surface of liver, cyst more than 6 cm. Inclusion criteria for open surgery were cyst in communication with the biliary tree, intra parenchymal and posterior cyst, cyst in the segment 7, 8 of liver, cyst lying in relation to the vital structure, infected cyst, cyst with thick or calcified wall. Results: Out of total 36 patients, 20 (55.55%) were male and the 16 (44.45%) were females. The predominant chief complain of presentation was abdominal pain in 14 (38.89%) patients followed by abdominal lump in the 13 (36.11%) patients followed by other complains. The right lobe of the liver Patel NJ, Khandra HP, Chhabra SR, Singh CBP. Evaluation and comparison of the outcomes of open and laparoscopic surgery of liver hydatid cyst. IAIM, 2016; 3(4): 118-124. Page 119 was involved in the 20 (55.55%) patients, left lobe in 14 (38.89%) patients and both lobes involved in the 2 (5.56%) patients. The single cyst were seen in 33 (91.66%) patients and the more than one in 3 (8.34%) patients. 16 patient underwent laparoscopic surgery while 20 patient underwent open surgery. The mean operating time for the laparoscopy group was 110.0 min compare to 137.5 min for the open group ( p value <0.0001 ,which was statistically significant). The post-operative analgesic requirement was much less in the laparoscopy group (mean 2.37 days) than in the open group (mean 6.85 days; p value <0.0001, which is statistically significant). The drain was removed in the laparoscopy on an average of 4.56 days compared to the average 4.75 days for the open group; (p value = 0.36, which was >0.05; was statistically insignificant). The mean hospital stay in the laparoscopy group was 5.87 days compared to 10.85 days in the open group (p value <0.0001, which was statistically significant). Patients in the laparoscopy group resumed routine activities earlier (11.56 days) than those in the open group (27.8 days; p value=0.0006, which was statistically significant). We found no statistical significant difference in post-operative complications in the two groups except perhaps slightly higher rate in the open group than the laparoscopy group. Conclusion: Laparoscopy management of liver hydatid cyst is feasible, safe and effective provided that surgeon has good knowledge of basic laparoscopic surgery and proper selection of the patient is


Two concrete structures with AAR have been investigated. The structures are a dam and a bridge, both approximately 30 years old. Both structures have a characteristic crack pattern on the surface of the concrete. Thin section analysis showed clear signs of AAR around aggregate particles consisting of quartzite, sandstone, and mehta rhyolite. To assess the remaining reaction potential of the concrete, expansion measurements were performed on drilled cores from the structures. The cores were stored in 40 degrees C and 100% relative humidity. The results showed an initial swelling due to increased moisture content, but after that no expansion was measured up to 16 months. The implication of these results is that there is no more expansion potential in the concrete and consequently that repairs can be carried out. However, because of little experience with this method in Norway, it is felt that there is a need for investigations with other methods as a supplement to these results. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 851601.


To suppress the overshoots and undershoots in the envelope fitting for empirical mode decomposition (EMD), an alternative cubic spline interpolation method without overshooting and undershooting is proposed. On the basis of the derived slope constraints of knots of a non-overshooting and non-undershooting cubic interpolant, together with "not-a-knot" conditions the cubic spline interpolants are constructed by replacing the requirement for equal second order derivatives at every knot with Brodlie's derivative formula. Analysis and simulation experiments show that this approach can effectively avoid generating new extrema, shifting or exaggerating the existing ones in a signal, and thus significantly improve the decomposition performance of EMD.


Abstract : This report describes research and testing carried out as the voice of the offense in the HACMS program, ensuring that the development and verification tasks undertaken by the Blue Teams focused on preventing realistic attacks on the demonstration systems. To this end, this effort (a) conducted extensive penetration testing of original and secured demonstration platforms and (b) developed novel formal methods-based tools to directly analyze software produced by Blue Team performers. This report describes how this approach resulted in the detection of numerous vulnerabilities over the course of the program and explains the research contributions made by the formal methods team in the development of a collection of new static analysis tools.


. This study aimed to determine if the adoption and diffusion of urban policy innovations in the Kepulauan Riau were appropriate public policy innovations to solve the problem. The Kepulauan Riau states have adopted the concept of the smart province to solve urban problems when implementing policy innovation. However, the application of smart cities in the mainland and island regions certainly has different implementations. Therefore, adopting a mature policy for innovation must be executed effectively and efficiently. This survey uses a qualitative research method that uses a descriptive analysis method. The government has not effectively implemented urban policy innovations in the Kepulauan Riau to solve public problems. The author analyzes policy innovation adoption and diffusion from a Rogers perspective. Policy innovation must-have steps to know, persuade, make decisions, implement, and confirm. This study recommends the need for roadmaps and guidelines for implementing innovative states for this innovation to solve the archipelago problem.


The functional network of the brain continually adapts to changing environmental demands. The environmental changes closely connect with changes of active cognitive processes. In recent years, the network approach has emerged as a promising method for analyzing the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie psychological functions. The present study examines topological characteristics of functional brain networks in resting state and in cognitive load, provided by the execution of the Sternberg Item Recognition Paradigm (SIRP) based on electroencephalographic data. We propose that the topological properties of the functional networks in the human brain are distinct between cognitive load and resting state with higher integration in the networks during cognitive load. It was shown that topological features of functional connectomes strongly depend on the type of cognitive process performed by the subject and change in accordance with task change. The analysis also demonstrated that functional connectivity during working memory tasks showed a faster emergence of homology groups generators, supporting the idea of a relationship between the initial stages of working memory execution and an increase in faster network integration, with connector hubs playing a crucial role.


This study examined the influences of rheological properties on mastication in eight healthy male subjects by recording an electromyogram (EMG) of the masseter (MS) muscle during chewing. Four different agars were tested: 0.5 and 1.5% ordinary agars (0.5OA and 1.5OA), and 2.5 and 4.0% Ina-agar (2.5IA and 4.0IA). The hardness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness differed among the four agars, which is most likely because of the differences in the concentrations and constituents of the agars. Mastication time and the average amplitude of the MS EMG during chewing were longest and largest, respectively, with the 1.5OA followed by the 4.0IA. The activity pattern of the MS EMG differed between the first and last cycles of chewing sequences in each of the agars used; there were no differences between the first cycle activity patterns or the last cycle activity patterns when comparisons were made between the four agars. These results suggest that the rheological properties of the agars modify mastication and that the activity patterns of the MS muscle change during chewing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The present findings obtained by the analyses of rheological properties and physiological parameters, especially by the "TP" technique, suggest the following possible uses: (1) the TP technique can analyze foods at different angles from analysis by rheological properties; (2) a combination of rheological properties and physiological parameters (sensory evaluation as well) can lead more diversified analysis of foods in normal adults and (3) the combinational analysis of foods may be more useful in very young and disabled people who have difficulty of expressing impressions and experiences because of the objectiveness of the TP technique. The combinational analysis contributes to development of foods especially for very young and disabled people.


We study the realization of quantum logic gates in the interacting system of a two-dimensional trapped ion and two laser beams. We simplify the Hamiltonian of the system by Choosing the frequency detuning of laser fields and the transition frequency between the internal states of the ion, and furthermore,we describe the realization of a C-NOT gate, a swap gate and a phase gate. During these processes, the system needs to meet the Lamb-Dicke limit, and the Rabi oscillation frequency should be far smaller than the phonon frequency.


The invention belongs to the technical field of cigarette tobacco blends, and particularly relates to an expanded cut tobacco composition of fluecured tobacco and yellow sun-cured tobacco and a low-tar cigarette added with the expanded cut tobacco composition. The expanded cut tobacco composition of the fluecured tobacco and the yellow sun-cured tobacco is blended expanded cut tobacco which is made of the fluecured tobacco and the yellow sun-cured tobacco according to the weight proportion of 5.5 to 6.5:4.5 to 3.5 by the carbon dioxide expansion technology. The delicacy of tobacco aroma can be slightly increased, the richness can be slightly decreased, aftertaste residue can be slightly reduced, the cut tobacco composition of the fluecured tobacco and the yellow sun-cured tobacco can manifest the characteristic of high characteristic tobacco aroma richness of the yellow sun-cured tobacco under low concentration and also partially improve the defects of the yellow sun-cured tobacco, such as slightly rough tobacco aroma, slightly high irritation, dry aftertaste and residue, and is blended in low-tar products according to a certain proportion in order to achieve the effect of improving taste intensity, and moreover, the intrinsic quality meets the requirement on rich, harmonious aroma, moderate tobacco aroma richness, high satisfiability, pure taste and no irritation.


11 Biochars have potential value for greenhouse nurseries as a potting amendment, reducing the need for 12 environmentally costly products currently in use. The onsite manufacture of biochars by pyrolysis of 13 woody waste offers additional greenhouse value as a source of clean heat. However, recent work 14 observed that some biochars may evolve ethylene gas, a plant hormone that has adverse effects on many 15 nursery crops. We hypothesize that suitable post-production handling techniques would eliminate 16 ethylene emissions. 17 We monitored for six months ethylene emissions from four fresh biochars made from two feedstocks 18 at two temperatures. We also monitored samples of expanded vermiculite for comparison. We then 19 repeated the same testing on the same batches of biochars after they had been stored in the open for 90 20 days. 21 Ethylene can affect plant development in greenhouses at concentrations as low as 10 ppb. Biochars 22 sampled that were made from hazelnut shells at 370°C emitted 161 to 183 μg ethylene kg biochar on the 23 first day of incubation and then tapered down slowly. Hazelnut shell biochars prepared at 620°C emitted 24 37 to 43 μg ethylene kg -1 biochar the first day of incubation, but then increased slightly on the second day 25 and did not begin to taper off until after day 14. Biochars made from Douglas fir wastes released small 26 amounts of ethylene beginning on the second day, but ceased doing so after the first week. 27 None of the biochars stored in the open for 90 days following manufacture emitted any ethylene. We 28 conclude that this simple post-production handling technique renders biochars safe for use as nursery and 29 greenhouse potting amendments, possibly replacing environmentally expensive expanded vermiculite 30 and/or peat. 31 32


Abstract : During the week April 9-13, 1984 test excavation were conducted at Reaves Point, N.C. Historical sources (Sprunt 1896) had named Reaves Point as the site of the Robert Howe plantation and described earthen mounds on the point as the remnants of a Revolutionary War battle fought between British soldiers under Cornwallis and local defenders of the How plantation. Harbor improvement plans for the Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point (MOTSU) call for the removal of Reaves Point, so archaeological and archival investigations became necessary to determine the presence or absence of significant remains in the project area. Tests of the mounds showed no signs that they were built or used as fortifications. Tests of the two older ramps at the Point showed a buried level of burned coal and wood, possibly traces of a steamboat refueling stop. Archival research failed either to prove or disprove Howe's ownership of Reaves Point, but demonstrated that Howe owned Kendall plantation at the time of the Revolution. The contractor does not recommend additional archaeological work within the Reaves Point project area.


The biological apatites in the mineral phases of fish enameloids, and in some species of shells were identified as carbonate apatite. In the present study, specimens of modem and fossil shark's teeth and of gar fish scale were characterized using x-ray diffraction, infrared absorption spectroscopy and chemical analyses for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), carbonate (CO 3 ) and fluoride (F) concentrations. Results showed that the mineral phases of all the calcified tissues investigated are apatites containing different levels of CO 3 , Mg and F. The calcified scale of gar fish was principally dentin with a thin layer of enamel. The dentin specimens contained significantly more CO 3 and Mg and significantly less F compared to their corresponding enameloid


Carbon based sorbents for adsorption were prepared by impregnation with alkali metals (, ) and alkaline earth metals (, ). BET surface area of test sorbents was lower than the intrinsic activated carbon. In particular, impregnation of or resulted in lower surface area of specific adsorption sites than that of or . While the adsorption capacity for was high in the sorbents containing and , strong interaction with would cause to drop the capacity after regeneration. The adsorption was found high relatively in the flow with a high concentration of and in a low flow rate. The adsorption isotherm for the present modified AC sorbents fits well with the Freundlich model.


Conventional high‐explosive techniques have been used to determine the principal Hugoniots of two graphite foams for stresses up to about 190 kbar. The initial densities of the foams were 0.55 and 0.68 gm/cm3. Hugoniot data for each foam fall into two distinct domains, depending on the amplitude of the input shock wave. Continuous free‐surface velocity measurements on the foam surfaces indicate that shock waves in the lower stress domains have two‐wave structures. The inherent irregularity of the surfaces of the foams, however, prevented exact measurement of the properties of these two‐wave structures. Results of further experiments which were designed to study loading and unloading from shocked states in the foam are consistent with the two‐wave picture in the lower stress domains and also show that single shock waves exist in the higher stress domains. Data in the higher stress domains show an increase in specific volume with increasing stress. This ``bending back'' of the Hugoniot is attributed to incr...


Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604 (Z.C., H.Y.); State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China (H.C., Y.Z., Z.Z., N.Z., B.Y., Q.X.); State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China (L.Z., M.Y.); College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian City, Shandong 271018, China (X. Zhao, X. Zhang); and Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China (H.C., Y.Z., Z.Z., B.Y.)


The Isocrop project has obtained near simultaneous L and X band SAR data, superspectral data and in situ ground truth data at two winter wheat test sites over several growing seasons using airborne DLR E-SAR and Specim AISA sensors. This paper describes the development of retrieval algorithms and information products based on the SAR data which are capable of providing useful information for the management of winter wheat crops. These algorithms are based on exploiting the correlation between biophysical parameters including mean backscatter, ratios of backscatter and components derived form a range of polarimetric scattering models. These algorithms and products are intended to support the application of X and L band data from the proposed satellite borne TerraSAR system.


PURPOSE: To increase the specific surface area by reacting an aqueous solution of a salt of Ce(IV) with a base, treating the resultant colloidal dispersion of Ce(IV) compound under specified conditions, separating the resultant precipitate, and then burning it. CONSTITUTION: An aqueous solution of ceric nitrate or cerium ammonium nitrate or an electrochemically oxidized aqueous solution of cerium nitrate and a 0.1 to 5 N basic aqueous solution such as aqueous ammonia are mixed, and these are reacted with each other so that a neutralization rate of the equation [where n 1 is the molar number of cerium (IV), n 2 is the molar number of OH - necessary for neutralization, and n 3 is the molar number of OH - by a base] becomes ≤4, by which a colloidal dispersion of Ce(IV) compound in an amount of (0.1 to 2) moles/l expressed in terms of CeO 2 is obtained. This dispersion is treated in an autoclave for about 30 min to 6 hr at a temp. and pressure not higher than the critical temp. and pressure, respectively, of the medium, that is, 100 to 350°C and 1 to 165 bars. Then, cooling is done to form atmospheric pressure, and the resultant precipitate is separated, washed, dried under reduced pressure at room temp. to 100°C, and burned at a temp. of 300 to 1000°C for 30 min to 10 hr. By this method, ceric oxide of ≥15 m 2 /g specific surface area is obtained. COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO


a pre-nineteenth-century or fabulous age, a Victorian heroic era and a modern age of triumph. Unlike Conrad who saw "geography triumphant" as cause for melancholy, the doctors perceived modem medicine as a source of celebration. Like geography too, nineteenth-century medicine was riven by arguments about where medical knowledge was to be made: was it in the ward, the museum or the laboratory? Similarly, medicine was torn by debates about expertise and gentility. That collection and display were central to nineteenth-century medicine needs no further comment here. And just as explorers developed paternalist and disciplinary ideologies in the midst of indigenous peoples so did doctors in the hospitals and the slum. The similarities go on and on. It is time someone explored them. In this volume, Matthew H Kaufman takes an overview of British military and naval medicine during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The two longest chapters focus on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and the Crimean War, with the remainder of the book serving as a prelude and epilogue to these conflicts. We learn about the recruitment of surgeons to the armed forces, the burdens of disease and the difficulties of evacuating casualties, and about changing methods of treatment (although the book has more to say about surgery than physic). The book also provides a useful account of the education and training of military and naval surgeons, and some reflections on the status of medical practitioners in both services. One thing that comes across strongly in the chapters on military campaigns is the importance of close communcation between commanding officers and medical men. Throughout this period, there was a social gulf between combatant officers and surgeons: the former of gentle or aristocratic descent, the latter of relatively humble origins. This gulf was bridged only rarely, and seldom by younger officers, who possessed little or no military experience. There were exceptions though, most notably Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, who listened attentively to James (later Sir James) McGrigor, the Principal Medical Officer during the Peninsular War. After reorganizing the regimental hospital system in the peninsula, McGrigor went on to enjoy a long and successful career as head of the military medical department. During the Crimean War, however, such cooperation was sadly lacking, at least in the first phase of the campaign. The then Director-General of the Army Medical Service, Sir Andrew Smith, was poorly informed about the …


In recent years, there has been a renewed interest on the part of both scholars and practitioners in theatrical practices that challenge conventional uses of the stage and the auditorium. There has also been a growing attention to situated visual art practices, be they contextualized in a given site, and/or created as an encounter with site. Mike Pearson's new book, Site-Specific Performance, is a welcome contribution to the expanding field of site-specificity in performance scholarship, and Pearson's intentions are clearly delineated in the book's prologue: "My ambitions are pedagogical: I aim to encourage further initiatives in performance" (2). Indeed, his monograph is primarily a practical handbook for performance making, and its insights seem geared toward students and teachers of this genre, as well as professional artists wishing to delve further into rigorous site-oriented work; it "is a book about practice: concept, process and exposition" (1; his italics) that addresses these forms of performance making as praxis from the firsthand knowledge of one who has created "site-specifically" for more than three decades. As the codirector of the Cardiff Laboratory Theatre, Brith Gof, and now Pearson/Brookes, as well as the author, director, and performer of numerous solo pieces, Pearson has conceived and collaborated on over forty site-specific works, ranging from "large-scale events devised for special locations" (such as unused factories and shipyards, an ice hockey stadium, a barn, a railway station, and a car factory) (108), to intimate audio journeys, walking tours, and solo storytelling in the woods and on the streets of his native Wales. His book therefore encompasses a wide array of methodologies for the creation of site-specific performance; it includes as well personal memories and performance descriptions, and considerations of the dramaturgical possibilities and pragmatic circumstances of producing this kind of work (including discussion of such details as dealing with permits, heating, and fixed conditions at site). Pearson locates site-specific performance making as both materially and theoretically beyond "the conventions and techniques of the auditorium"; he chooses instead to embrace "practices originating in [both] theatre and visual art" (1). Much of the material in Site-Specific Performance is taken from previous publications by the author, including Theatre/Archaeology (coauthored with Michael Shanks, Routledge, 2001) and In Comes I: Performance, Memory and Landscape (University of Exeter Press, 2007), as well as from unpublished performance notes, all of which are interspersed as lengthy quotations throughout the book's Introduction and five subsequent chapters. Although I read these chapters in chronological order, the book is more effective as a reference source, where readers can access the Exercises and Projects sections of Chapters 3 through 5 "independently," as Pearson himself notes, "without further reference to the text" (xiv). The chapters do not necessarily build off each other but instead


Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common severe recessive disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. About 1000 sequence alterations have been detected in the CFTR gene, most presumed to be disease-causing.


This study aims to obtain a description of the concept of local culinary-based tourism typical of Betawi, especially Pletok Beer. As a tourism product, a series of strategies and promotions should be prepared so that traditional drinks made from healthy spice extracts are worthy of being ambassadors representing Betawi culinary riches as well as having consistent standards of taste and optimal organoleptic quality. In addition, it is also designed to make factual and accurate description and description of historical facts related to Pletok Beer as one of Betawi local wisdom. The selection of Pletok Beer producers was conducted in 5 administrative areas, namely East Jakarta, South Jakarta, West Jakarta, Central Jakarta and North Jakarta. Jakarta is a city that has many functions and roles. Status as a modern city with a massive wave of development invasion also played a role to wipe out the existence of ethnic Betawi, the native inhabitants of Jakarta who deservedly welcome the presence of the immigrants. As one of the tourist destinations in Indonesia, quite a lot of Jakarta's local culture can be developed and promoted, including culinary riches. There are a line of delicious and unique dishes that are very potent Betawi so the appeal of the culinary tourist, either because of taste, health benefits, or the value of philosophy and history that accompany it. Unfortunately until now the Betawi culinary wealth has not become a reason for tourists to come to Jakarta. The results showed that Pletok Beer as a part of Betawi culinary wealth got support and positive appreciation if presented as welcome drink. Making Concentrate Beer Pletok be one way that can facilitate the storage and presentation so that more practical and efficient. Preparation of concentrate with concentration of 1/4 times and boiling time for 60 minutes in the research scale (1/2 recipe), proven to produce Pletok Beer Concentrate with taste and aroma quality that is not different from fresh Pletok beer without concentration.


This paper argues that quantitative science studies should frame their data and analyses with middle-range sociological theories and concepts. We illustrate this argument with reference to the "sociology of professions," a middle-range theoretical framework developed by Chicago sociologist Andrew Abbott. Using this framework, we counter the claim that the use of bibliometric indicators in research assessment is pervasive in all advanced economies. Rather, our comparison between the Netherlands and Italy reveals major differences in the national design of bibliometric research assessment: The Netherlands follows a model of bibliometric professionalism, whereas Italy follows a centralized bureaucratic model that co-opts academic elites. We conclude that applying the sociology of professions framework to a broader set of countries would be worthwhile, allowing the emerging bibliometric profession to be charted in a comprehensive, and preferably quantitative, fashion. We also briefly discuss other sociological middle-range concepts that could potentially guide empirical analyses in quantitative science studies.


This paper is concerned with the problem of delay-dependent robust fault-tolerant control for delta operator formulated uncertain systems with time-varying delays and regional pole assignment constraints.Based on Lyapunov stability theory and linear matrix inequality(LMI) approach,a sufficient condition of delay-dependent robust fault-tolerant D-stabilization for delta operator systems with time-delay and actuator failure is provided.When LMI is feasible,the state feedback control law of the delay-dependent systems is also obtained.A numerical simulation shows the advantages of delta operator approach and the effectiveness of the proposed method.


The article is devoted to the process of formation and development of conciliatory procedures in Russia of the prerevolutionary period, and to their regulation.


To determine the differential pressure accurately, the measurement method using a precise pressure transducer and two air-operated constant volume valves is proposed in this paper. The advantages of the proposed methods are as follows: (1) By the usage of two air-operated constant volume valves, the pressure generated by the pressure balance can be connected and disconnected quickly to the transducer without no volume change in the hydraulic circuit and no heat transfer from human body. (2) By managing the time intervals between measurements equally using the program developed, the method proposed can generally remove the effect of the drift component in the successive values measured by the transducer used. (3) The short time stability of the pressure generated by each pressure balance used can be evaluated quantitatively at each pressure. From the measurement results, it was revealed that the differential pressure could be determined accurately using the convenient method proposed, and the differences between this method and the conventional fall-rate method were sufficiently small.


Mangano-Manganese oxide is synthesized by chemical-precipitating and aging,which is used as the precursor of micron grade and single crystal of LiMn2O4via solid-state reaction.The samples are characterized by XRD,SEM.The results indicate that the size of the prepared LiMn2O4particles is uniform,whose diameter is about 2μm in average and the particles are all made of well-distributed octahedron-like spinel single crystals.The electrochemical test results reveal that the prepared LiMn2O4possess much better specific capacity,rate capability and cycle stability with respect to LiMn2O4synthesized by EMD.


What are the three best popular-science books? The Silent Springby Rachel Carson. An account ofthe effects ofthe overuse ofDDT, this is a classic story ofanunfolding environmental disaster.


The authors hold that the frequently occurring campus accidents indicate the serious defects of student management, inadequate organizational work, and lack of the security awareness on the part of students themselves, and therefore, a demarcation of responsibilities for campus accidents, in addition to the legal education of the students, is essential to ensure reduction of such accidents.