Exposure to biofuels in China

Although global energy consumption from biomass fuels or biofuels is only a small part of the total (12%), the use is much more prevalent in developing countries than in developed countries (33% vs 3%).1 It is estimated that almost 3 billion people or 50% of households worldwide use biomass and coal as their main source of energy for cooking, heating and other household needs.2,3 Biofuels have higher emission factors for particulate matter and other pollutants, especially during incomplete combustion at lower temperatures,4 which generates indoor airborne particles at levels much higher than those for cleaner fuels5 or outdoors,3 and well above levels in most polluted cities.6 Such particles also have small aerodynamic diameters (ranging from 0.05 to 1 μm for wood smoke, for example)1 and can penetrate deep into the alveolar region to induce adverse pulmonary effects. Some of the earliest work concerned with respiratory health and the burning of biofuels in developing countries started with investigations into wood smoke exposure in the 1960s in Papua New Guinea.1,7,8 More studies on domestic smoke pollution and chronic bronchitis were conducted in rural Nepal.9,10 In the past two decades a number of epidemiological studies have been conducted specifically to evaluate the burning of solid biofuels as a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These studies, performed in various regions of the developing world such as Saudi Arabia,11 Columbia,12 Mexico,13 Turkey14 and Nepal,5 have shown a link between biofuel cooking and COPD in women. In addition, a link has also been found in developed countries.15 Little has been reported, however, …


This article examines the state of the facilities of the art market in Russia, the basic problems of investing in art objects and recommendations for the improvement of the art market. Also in the paper investigates the characteristics of consumer behavior when purchasing art objects.


The cultural encounters of counselors-counselees have great influence to the success of counseling services. Counseling services in Indonesia still use western theory, have not considered the value of eastern culture. One of the study of Indonesian culture, especially East Java contains uniqueness in presenting the process of counseling aid. East Java has seven ethnics namely Osing, Tengger, Madura, Java, Samin, Materaman, and Bawean. The study of the seven East Java ethnics will give birth to a new paradigm of eastern cultural counseling-local wisdom. The positive impact of counseling services cultural-based has strategic value: building internal and external counseling service imaging, facilitating counselors while serving counselees with culture diversity with appropriate change techniques, and Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling based on local wisdom becomes new counseling paradigms in Indonesia especially in East Java. CognitiveBehavioral Counseling framework is a form of counseling that incorporates the principles and procedures of Cognitive counseling and Behavioral counseling in an effort to help the counselee in achieving expected behavioral changes.


A Muller-C element is a fundamental building block of a handshake path in self-timed digital circuits. It is a basic event driven logic (EDL) gate, implementing the AND function for events. The authors present a new, improved design of the Muller-C element using GaAs MESFET technology. A static Muller-C gate is implemented that incorporates modifications of newly introduced, GaAs pseudodynamic latched logic family (PDLL) primitives. The circuit is characterised by very high speed and low power dissipation.


Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Food and nutrients have been linked to the promotion or prevention of CVD, but analyzing isolated dietary components generates partial results. Objective: To analyze the concept of dietary pattern (DP) as well as the scientific evidence about the relationship between different DP and promotion/protection of cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: A search of the publications listed in the electronic databases Medline, Embase, Lilacs and SciELO, between 2000-2016 was performed. Articles containing keywords or a combination of them were included. Results and Conclusions: Regardless of geographic region, healthy, prudent or Mediterranean DP, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fish, were associated with a lower risk of CVD. Westernized or processed food DP, characterized by red and processed meats, refined grains, fried foods and sweets were correlated positively with risk of mortality from CVD, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and ischemic heart disease. DP analysis is a tool that can be used for formulating dietary recommendations based on food culture.


Through simulated experiment of 6 runoff plots of barren hill and roadyard, the new material , technology and method are explored to provide technique for establishing rainwater catchment. In the three runoff plots on simulated barren hill, the rainwater harvesting efficiency is higher after inorganic waterproof agent No.1 and silane conpling agent has been sprayed on the ground; in the three runoff plots on simulated roadyard, after been mixed and treated with inorganic waterproof agent No.4+cement 5 kg/m2 and silane conpling agent + cement 5 kg/m2, the rainwater harvesting efficiency of the latter is higher than the contrast. Finally, three types of material are selected to apply to establishing rainwater catchment. The greater the rainfall and rainfall intensity is, the rainwater harvesting efficiency will be large ; the moisture of ground before rainfall is larger ,as well as the rainwater harvesting efficiency.


of the 26 forms (including the form zr(031) noted by Flink without measurement) known for tephroite are given in the preceding tabulation. The form (371) was given by Flink (18g7) withour letter. The letter t is here assigned to this form. These clear pink tephroite crystals represent very nearly the pure manganese silicate, as evidenced by the analysis given by palache,l and the various proper_ ties determined on this material are the best available for tephroite.


Media price is defined by the scope and amount of audience, and it is influenced by characteristics of the media, content of column, the attraction of program, the showing schedule, the competition situation, and so on. The defining of media price accorde with the economic law, i. e. the price of commodity is defined by the value and the relation between supply and demand.


Most recent accounts paint a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of global democracy. This is particularly so in Africa where the optimism of a democratic revival in the 1990s is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Using survey data compiled by well-established regional and global international organisations, this paper assesses the state of electoral democracy in Africa, reviews the challenges that have been encountered, and considers the prospects for the future. The trend in the evolution of electoral democracy on the continent in the last three decades points to an authoritarian mobilisation and resurgence. Although elections have become the norm, these elections are increasingly being used to disguise all forms of undemocratic governance. The major lesson to be drawn from the study is that there is no African country where democracy and constitutionalism can be thought of as firmly consolidated and secure. The number of countries which are declining due to failed or flawed electoral processes, or which show signs of stagnation, far exceed those that have improved to one degree or another. Current developments are not random ad hoc efforts to undermine the credibility of elections and democracy but rather, rational and well-calculated responses by ruling African elites who seek to perpetuate their rule. What this points to is the need to rethink strategies for promoting genuinely competitive elections, democracy, and constitutionalism.


We report on new measurements of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |Vcb| and |Vub| with inclusive and exclusive semileptonic B decays, highlighting the recent precision measurements with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the processes, tools and techniques of strategic asset information management (AIM) for built assets, and how the asset information content enhances the proficiency of asset managers to effectively manage their assets throughout their life cycle by utilising building information modelling (BIM) and asset management (AM) systems. For most asset managers, the problem is not the lack of information about their assets, but the abundance of it, and most especially the absence of established processes and protocols to effectively manage large sets of asset data. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a strategy to control and manage this information in order for asset managers to harness its potential and realise value from their organisation's information assets..

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study strategy was used to investigate the effective management of asset data in an AIM system. Seven sets of interviews were conducted and nine respondents were interviewed. These were analysed through qualitative thematic analysis using the NVivo software.

Findings
The paper identifies six dimensions of value that BIM contributes to AM, which are: management, commerce, efficiency, industry, user and technology value. Also, the paper demonstrates that there is real value to be derived by the asset owner from the effective management of asset information. The study highlights that the value of BIM is not inherent but would require many other processes to deliver value to the organisation.

Originality/value
The key value of the paper is that it identifies important techniques for managing asset data and how asset information is collected, organised, stored, controlled, analysed, secured, shared and reported within a virtual AIM system for strategic management-based decisions.


Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA; email firstname.lastname@example.com . Kong is an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his PhD degree from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan and Harvard University. His research is broadly focused on the design of biomaterials for cell culture and therapies, drug delivery, and bioimaging.


Seventy eight children with Henoch-Schonlein syndrome (HSP) admitted in our hospital from October 2013 to April 2015 were enrolled in this study, and 30 healthy children were also enrolled as controls. The serum S-100 protein levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in two groups; and electroencephalogram (EEG) examination was performed in HSP patients. The serum S-100 protein level of HSP group (0.206±0.101) μg/L was significantly higher than that in the normal control group [(0.060±0.042) μg/L, P<0.001]; and the serum S-100 protein levels in patients with kidney type (0.284±0.099) μg/L and mixed type [(0.284±0.043) μg/L, P<0.01] were higher than those in patients with skin type (0.151±0.098) μg/L, gastrointestinal type (0.138±0.036) μg/L and joint type [(0.117±0.065) μg/L, P<0.001]. Abnormal EEG findings were detected in 52 cases (66.7%), however, no clinical manifestations of nervous system were found in those patients. Serum S-100 protein levels were higher in patients with abnormal EEG than those with normal EEG [(0.223±0.099) μg/L vs. (0.173±0.096) μg/L, P<0.05]. The results suggest that the serum S-100 protein is associated with HSP disease severity, and children with HSP may have subclinical neurological damage.

Key words:
Schonlein-Henoch; S100 Protein; Child


The piperidine ring of the title molecule, C20H15Cl2N3, is in a chair form. The dihedral angle between the two chlorophenyl rings is 38.4 (1)°. The benzene rings are in equatorial orientations. The malononitrile group is planar. Intramolecular C—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds are found in the crystal structure.


This research was conducted with the aim of analyzing any errors made by students with the cognitive style of the Independent Field (FI) and Dependent Field (FD) in solving Algebraic questions in the form of stories based on the Polya Theory and what caused the error. The Polya theory consists of 4 stages, namely (1) Understanding the problem, (2) Planning the problem solving, (3) Carrying out the plan, and (4) Looking back. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The study was conducted on students of class VII A who took 4 students as research subjects, namely subject S-I, S-II, S-III, and S-IV. Data collection techniques used are: documentation, tests and interviews. the validity of the data using the technique triangulation method. Data analysis techniques use data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion / verification. The results of this study indicate that the errors of the Field Independent (FI) type students were conducted by S-I and S-II subjects, namely in stages: (1) Planning for problem solving, (2) Carrying out problem solving plans, and (3) Looking back. Whereas students' errors in the Field Dependent (FD) type were subjected to S-III and S-IV subjects, namely in stages (1) Understanding the problem, (2) Planning the problem solving, (3) Carrying out the planning, and (4) Looking back. It can be concluded that the mistakes made by the FI type students were less than the mistakes made by the FD type students.


This paper aims to: 1) to find out how the implementation of the development of teaching methods varies in SMA Muhammadiyah 11 Padangsidimpuan, 2) to find out whether there is an increase in student learning through the development of varied teaching methods on learning Islamic religious education in SMA Muhammadiyah 11 Padangsidimpuan.Untuk achieve goals this author uses qualitative research.  Data were collected through observation and interview techniques. Students are assessed based on observation and interview guidelines conducted by the author by collaborating and observing students' attitudes during the learning progress, while interviews are assessed based on the answers to questions with teachers and students. Data analysis is done through data reduction, data presentation and conclude. The results obtained through the technique is an increase in learning of Islamic Religious Education through the development of varied teaching methods that can be seen that before implementing the learning, teachers first make learning planning to create an atmosphere of learning in accordance with the purpose of learning and implementation of learning evaluation. Thus it can be concluded that the development of varied teaching methods can improve the learning of Islamic Religious Education students in class XI1 in SMA Muhammadiyah 11 Padangsidimpuan. Keywords: Teaching methods, varied, effort, development, learning outcomes, field of study, Islamic religious education.


In this paper, we present a system for Arabic semantic role labeling (SRL) based on SVMs and standard features. The system is evaluated on the released SEMEVAL 2007 development and test data. The results show an Fβ=1 score of 94.06 on argument boundary detection and an overall Fβ=1 score of 81.43 on the complete semantic role labeling task using gold parse trees.


This paper reviews the word of mouth literature in the context of tourism with specific focus on word of mouth at-destination. Firstly it outlines the significance of word of mouth and identifies forms of word of mouth. Then the sources of word of mouth that a traveler uses during travel are identified and, finally, the context of word of mouth exchanges are reviewed. The gaps in the literature relating to word of mouth during travel are discussed with respect to relationships with others and the implications for decision making. A framework offering a broad scope of theory and approaches is then proposed as a means of addressing these gaps and accommodating future research in this field.


Learning discrete dialog structure graph from human-human dialogs yields basic insights into the structure of conversation, and also provides background knowledge to facilitate dialog generation. However, this problem is less studied in open-domain dialogue. In this paper, we conduct unsupervised discovery of discrete dialog structure from chitchat corpora, and then leverage it to facilitate coherent dialog generation in downstream systems. To this end, we present an unsupervised model, Discrete Variational Auto-Encoder with Graph Neural Network (DVAE-GNN), to discover discrete hierarchical latent dialog states (at the level of both session and utterance) and their transitions from corpus as a dialog structure graph. Then we leverage it as background knowledge to facilitate dialog management in a RL based dialog system. Experimental results on two benchmark corpora confirm that DVAE-GNN can discover meaningful dialog structure graph, and the use of dialog structure as background knowledge can significantly improve multi-turn coherence.


The first stage in the purification of effluents at the biochemical facilities of carbonization plants is clarification, i.e., removal of insoluble impurities (suspended materials, tars, and oil). Radial above-ground settling tanks (of the horizontal type) are widely used for clarification at such facilities. The advantages of such settling tanks lie in the fact that the equipment is simple and reliable, while the above-ground location considerably simplifies repair. This article gives the results of an investigation of the operation of primary settling tanks functioning as components of biochemical purification facilities. It was shown that effluent clarification is affected by effluent composition and temperature, the composition and size of the tar and oil particles, and the settling time. The light-oil recovery unit has been modified to improve primary-settling-tank operation.


Considering the time-varying power consumption of users and cost of generation over a day, demand side management (DSM) has become essential to meet the excessive need of users with the limited source of power. In this paper, we propose a utility based optimal Real-Time Pricing (RTP) mechanism for the future smart grid communication systems such that the electricity price corresponds to the optimum system welfare. Here, we formulate a distributed algorithm which is based on the two-way communication among users, decision maker, and energy provider through the exchange of control messages, and determine the optimal price maintaining the equality between the total demand and the offered generation. We also propose a novel cost function for energy provider exhibiting how it reduces the impact of the change in user number to electricity price, unlike a previously proposed cost function. Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm is favorable for both the users and energy provider in terms of electricity price and generation cost respectively. It is also demonstrated that our new cost function makes the RTP algorithm user-adaptive and offers a better welfare to both the users and the energy provider.


The CAHRISMA project (Conservation of the Acoustical Heritage by the Revival and Identification of the Sinan's Mosques Acoustics) investigates, among other things, the acoustics in some of the old churches and mosques in Istanbul. The present paper deals with acoustic computer simulations and in particular comparison between In-situ recordings and auralization obtained from simulations carried out in the Odeon program. Three of the rooms in the project Sokullu, Suleymaniye and Saint Irene, were compared. Two types of In-situ recordings have been made, one directly recorded in the room with a person performing, and another where measured binaural room impulse responses (BRIR) have been convolved with anechoic recordings. These two types of recordings have been compared with simulated auralizations in selected positions. The rooms in the comparison vary in size and reverberation time.


Abstract Exotic small mammal species can pose interesting and unique challenges for drug delivery. Many species are inherently difficult to medicate, such as African pygmy hedgehogs ( Atelerix albiventris ). Options for drug administration may be limited by small patient size. This article will review commonly used routes of delivery for drug administration and discuss the advantages, limitations, and practical tips of each strategy.


Abstract : The shock layer about a blunt body in a hyper sonic flow field is studied considering both viscous and chemical nonequilibrium effects. An order of magnitude study is conducted to predict flight regimes for chemical equilibrium and for frozen flow. Conservation equations are formulated for the viscous, reacting flow in the shock layer about a sphere using a seven species, six reaction al model. A numerical method for solution of these equations is developed and the results of solution attempts discussed.


Abstract During May and June 2012, the question of abortion was hotly debated in Turkish public forums. This paper analyzes the main characteristics of this abortion debate using John Rawls's conception of public reason as a normative framework. In doing so, speeches and declarations on abortion made by legislators are critically evaluated. The arguments in the debate are examined with a view to interpret how the issue should be discussed as far as the demands of public reason are concerned. From a Rawlsian framework, it is observed that the pro-ban position (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi) is far from contributing to a reasonable balance of political values on abortion whereas the contra-ban position (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi) satisfies the demands of public reason. Moreover, it is argued that, the latest proposed legislation on abortion cannot be viewed as an outcome of a reasonable balance of political values but is rather an outcome of pragmatic compromise.


One major task in automated driving is the development of robust and safe visual perception modules. It is of utmost importance that visual perception reacts adequately to so-called corner cases, which range from overexposure of the image sensor to unexpected and potentially dangerous traffic situations. Their detection thus has high significance both as an online system in the intelligent vehicle, but also in the extraction of relevant training and test data for perception modules. In this paper, we provide a systematization of corner cases for visual perception in automated driving, with the categories being structured by detection complexity. Furthermore, we discuss existing metrics and datasets which can be used for the evaluation of corner case detection methods depending on their suitability to provide beneficial information for the various categories.


In this paper we consider squares of pseudo-bosonic ladder operators and we use them to produce explicit examples of eigenstates of certain operators satisfying a deformed su(1,1) Lie algebra. We show how these eigenstates may, or may not, be square-integrable. In both cases, a notion of biorthonormality can be introduced and analyzed. Some examples are discussed in details. We also propose some preliminary results on bi-squeezed states arising from our operators.


The computer graphics markets call for evermore complex 3D-scenes. The latest video card draws more triangles than the one you bought a year ago as memory bandwidth and chips' operating frequencies keep on rising. But that is only one part of the big picture. With clever algorithms one could achieve the same or even more than by just turbocharging the old hardware and relying on brute force. Occlusion culling deals with finding and discarding objects that are occluded. This paper briefly explains how object and image-space hierarchies can be used to enhance the process of finding occluded objects.


The utility model relates to the field of containers and provides a detachable bottom side beam locking device used for a container. The locking device comprises a bottom side beam, a locking rod, a handle and locking hook mechanisms. The locking rod is connected inside the bottom side beam in a penetrating mode and is in a rotatable state, and the handle is connected to one extending end of the locking rod. Detachable bottom side beam locking device is characterized in that the one or more locking hook mechanisms are connected to the locking rod, one or more bracket mechanisms are further connected to the locking rod, and the bracket mechanisms and the locking hook mechanisms are arranged alternately. When damaged, locking hooks or brackets can be detached and replaced, and therefore cost is saved; due to the multiple locking mechanisms, reliability of the locking device is improved.


Background: For decades, gender representation in advertising has occupied the attention of researchers, where especially advertising that depicts women sexually has been well examined. However, re ...


Although many important branding principles apply, retailer brands are sufficiently different from product brands and hence the application of the branding principles can vary. Retailer brands are typically more multi-sensory in nature than product brands and can rely on rich consumer experiences to impact their equity. This article tries to study the different aspects of retailer brand creation through literature survey and tries to take it forward in developing a conceptual model for building Retailer Brand Equity. This article will also try to focus on important areas where there is a further scope of some research especially in the Indian perspective.


The development of the modern world is inconceivable without migration of the population. Being one of the manifestations of globalization, migration generally has a positive impact on the socio-economic and political development of the States and facilitates the integration of the international community, cultural rapprochement of peoples, the development of the productive forces. However, if migration processes are unmanaged, the level of security of States is sharply reduced. Especially it is necessary to consider at this time when the world community is faced with an unprecedented scope of terrorist threats and violence.


Purpose - This study seeks to investigate the association between CEO compensation and dividend payout policy among listed firms in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach - The study used a sample of 40 firms listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange(NSE) over the period 2009-2019. Data was analysed using fixed and random effect models to test the research hypothesis. Findings - The empirical results show that CEO compensation is significantly and positively associated with dividend payout policy. Practical implications – The study indicates that CEO compensation can be used as a corporate governance mechanism to lower agency conflict. Therefore, the findings offer useful information for managers and regulators in evaluating the effect of CEO compensation on shareholder return. Research limitations/implications - Due to a lack of data on equity compensation, the study cannot conclusively determine the effect of CEO compensation on dividend payout policy. Originality/value - Unlike previous studies that focused on the relationship between CEO compensation and accounting-based measures such as firm performance, this study contributes to the literature by examining the relationship between CEO compensation and dividend payout policy.


It is argued that the smart cities model promise solutions to fuel sustainable development and a high quality of life with a wise management of natural resources, through participatory action and engagement. The paper provides a critical review of this model and application attempts of smart urban technologies in contemporary cities by particularly looking into emerging practices of ubiquitous eco-cities as exemplar smart cities initiatives. Through a thorough review of literature and best practices on the smart cities model, this paper attempts to address the research question of whether smart cities model is just another fashionable city brand or an effective urban development and management model to solve the problems of our cities. The findings shed light on urban planning and development considerations for the integration of smart urban technologies and their possible implications in shaping up of the built environment to produce prosperous and sustainable urban futures.


Coiled tubing is a practical technology and has been vastly used in foreign oil fields. Many large oil fields in China have imported coiled tubing and its operation vehicles and successfully solved some special difficulties in oil field production. This is safe, fast and protective to reservoir. These features are superior comparing with conventional operation. However, it is still a blank in China in the design and manufacturing of coiled tubing and operation vehicle. In accordance with the current status of coiled tubing operation and the requirement of oil field development in China, this paper analyzes the conditions of domestic metallurgy, mechanism and oil and gas recovery, and proposes a line for developing coiled tubing technology.


After a historical account of the evolution which led to the concept of Molecular Electronics, the "Hybrid Molecular Electronics" approach (that is, molecules connected to nanosized metallic electrodes) is discussed. The different types of transport (one-step, two-step with different forms of tunnelling) are described, including the case where the molecule is paramagnetic (Kondo resonance). Several molecular achievements are presented: wires, diodes, memory cells, field-effect transistors, switches, using molecules, but also carbon nanotubes. A spin-off result is the possibility of imaging Molecular Orbitals. The emerging field of molecular spintronics is presented. Besides hybrid devices, examples are given of electronic functionalities using ensembles of molecules, either in solution (logical functions) or in the solid state (memory elements). The relation with the domain of Quantum Computing is presented, including the particular domain of Quantum Hamiltonian Computing. The chapter finishes by an introduction to molecular machines, with the problem of the directional control of their motion.


Risk is an essential consideration in all commercial transactions. Risk determines whether a transaction is viable, and risk is an indispensable - albeit often overlooked - component of the transaction's total price. In the Commonwealth context, risk management is a key component of the Commonwealth financial management framework.


NEITHER of these editions can be called exactly new; the later of them, the Wasps, was first published forty-one years ago, while the earlier, the Clouds first saw the light before most of us could either read Greek or speak English, sixty-four years ago. However, they are none the less welcome on that account. Dr. Rogers has now given us a thoroughly revised edition of both; each has been decidedly enlarged, the Clouds from 131 pages to xliv and 230, the Wasps from xlvi and 291 to lii and 312. Though printed in two separate volumes, the two plays are described on the title-page at the end of the Clouds as Vol.-II.'of' The Comedies of Aristophanes in six volumes,' the Clouds being referred to as III., the Wasps as IV. Though in the revised edition the Clouds has been published after the Wasps, it will be most convenient to notice them in the original order of publication, especially as the editor dealt with the latter play many years later, and much more fully than the former.


Abstract The scientific knowledge available in many detailed studies needs, from time to time, some generalization that allows to provide a synthesis or at least presentation of certain problem to both, scientific community and wide public interested in the topic. This article presents evolution of the presentation style of spatial course of the passerine migration in the Western Palaearcic. According to developing knowledge in the topic the style of presentation of general migration pattern evolved from a "line–arrow " style suggesting that the birds use narrow "corridors" to more adequate to the phenomenon "carpet" style with called as "bottle-necks" concentrations being local and temporal effects of existing migratory barriers and guiding lines as maritime coasts, mountains and deserts. These details of migratory flyways are less visible in nocturnal passerine migrants than diurnal movements of both of passerines and gliding big birds. Generally, according to spatial relations between breeding and wintering areas of the bird populations living in Western Palaearctic four main flyways are defined and presented on maps: Western (Atlantic), Central (Apennine), South- Eastern (Balkan) and Eastern (Indian). Their background lies in the post-ice age history of distribution changes of the bird species, but details still evolve.


Xi A is an indica rice three-line male sterile line derived from backcrossing between Qiu A(female parent) and the crossing progeny between the crossing progeny of Bo B×Qiu B and self-bred middle materials ShuangboⅡQiu B and ShuangboⅡ/Qiu//Bo B,by Bobai Institute of Agricultural Sciences.Xi A showed stable agronomic traits of population,thorough abortion,better flowering habit and restorability,good grain quality and high combining ability,etc.It passed the field identification by Guangxi Department of Science and Technology in October,2008.The 12 grain quality indexes of Xi A reached the standard of good grain quality rice of the Ministry of Agriculture,and 9 indexes reached the first grade standard of good grain quality.Furthermore,the propagation and seed production technologies were introduced in the present study.


While the importance of detecting the global spectral signatures of the redshifted 21 cm line of atomic hydrogen from the very early epochs cannot be overstated, the associated challenges are not limited to isolating the weak signal of interest from the orders of magnitude brighter foregrounds, and extend equally to reliably establishing the origin of the apparent global signal to the very early epochs. This Letter proposes a critical dipole test that the measurements of the monopole component of the spectrum of interest should necessarily pass. Our criterion is based on a unique correspondence between the intrinsic monopole spectrum and the differential spectrum as an imprint of dipole anisotropy (DA) resulting from the motion of observer with respect to the rest frame of our source (such as that of our solar system, interpreted from the DA in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR)). More importantly, the spectral manifestation of the DA gets amplified by a significant factor, depending on the monopole spectral slopes, rendering it feasible to measure. We describe the details of such a test, and illustrate its application with the help of simulations. The Letter also alludes to a novel model-independent path toward isolating the foreground contribution, using the diurnal pattern readily apparent in drift-scan observations. Such a dipole qualifier for the monopole spectrum, when combined with reliable foreground estimation, is expected to pave way for in situ validation of spectral signatures from early epochs, which are important to presently reported and future detections of Epoch of Reionization (EoR) signal.


A overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with current methods and design, tissue oxygen saturation, oxygen delivery and oxygen extraction, requiring physiological evaluation in real time or near real time, shock patients and other patients and tissue hydration level of, to provide new tools and methods for evaluating the. The present invention includes an imaging device that performs real-time or near real-time assessment and monitoring of shock such as hemorrhagic-hypovolemic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, septic or burn shock, shock and resuscitation providing hyperspectral imaging system represents oxygen delivery, extraction and changing saturation of the tissue between. Information provided by the hyperspectral measurement, support early detection of shock, also provides information on promising results, it can be provided also physiological measurements. .BACKGROUND


SAN FRANCISCO—An experimental cancer therapy is expected to dramatically change the way clinicians treat patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), according to researchers presenting the latest findings from phase 2 trials involving more than 1000 patients with the disease. The new findings, as well as results from other studies reported here at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), reveal that an ever more sophisticated understanding of genetic and cellular mechanisms is beginning to bear fruit in the form of new therapeutic approaches for a wide range of disorders, from cancer to hemophilia to heart disease.


The City of Seattle's Sustainable Building Policy requires new City facilities to achieve LEED™ silver ratings. City policy makers commissioned a preliminary evaluation of the costeffectiveness of this policy for the first two buildings completed. The resultant life cycle cost analysis quantified costs and benefits for the projected LEED credits. It considered direct benefits, such as utility cost reductions, as well as indirect benefits, such as productivity gains, from LEED-influenced actions. Key data came from design teams and city project managers, as well as relevant literature. This study found that LEED substantially influenced building designs, thereby increasing first costs slightly, but also providing significant benefits over time, mainly in reduced energy use and improved productivity. City investments in LEED certification for these two buildings proved cost-effective, although this finding depends a great deal on the future effects of commissioning, measurement and verification, and measure persistence.


The plight of giving birth, raising healthy babies, and breastfeeding through infancy is a hardship in the United States. Both the national and global health of a nation are determined and measured by its infant mortality rate. A nation that cannot protect its babies from preventable death before age 1 is seriously flawed. The US infant mortality rate is the highest within the cohort of industrialized nations. In 2017, America's Health Rankings ranked the United States 32 out of the 35 Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) member countries [1]. Infant mortality is devasting on a family. It is what the poet Langston Hughes might have called "a dream deferred." A family has dreamt of their baby, planned for their baby, and birthed their baby with the dream of loving and raising their infant to adulthood. Instead they bury their baby before age 1. The CDC statistics show that infant mortality is declining for white babies but continues to climb for babies of color. The most blatant perinatal disparity in the United States is the Black infant mortality rate. It has the worst rate of any race in the nation. Eleven Black infants die per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.9 white infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016 [2]. Causes of Infant Mortality The physiological causes of infant mortality are genetic defects, premature birth, low birth weight, accidents, and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUID); and now racism has been determined to contribute as a cause: implicit…


An experimental study has been performed to measure local heat transfer coefficients and static well pressure drops in leading-edge triangular ducts cooled by wall/impinged jets. Coolant provided by an array of equally spaced wall jets is aimed at the leading-edge apex and exits from the radial outlet. Detailed heat transfer coefficients are measured for the two walls forming the apex using transient liquid crystal technique. Secondary-flow structures are visualized to realize the mechanism of heat transfer enhancement by wall/impinged jets. Three right-triangular ducts of the same altitude and different apex angles of β = 30 deg (Duct A), 45 deg (Duct B) and 60 deg (Duct C) are tested for various jet Reynolds numbers (3000≦Rej≦12600) and jet spacings (s/d = 3.0 and 6.0). Results show that an increase in Rej increases the heat transfer on both walls. Local heat transfer on both walls gradually decreases downstream due to the crossflow effect. At the same Rej, the Duct C has the highest wall-averaged heat transfer because of the highest jet center velocity as well as the smallest jet inclined angle. Moreover, the distribution of static pressure drop based on the local through flow rate in the present triangular duct is similar to that that of developing straight pipe flows. Average jet Nusselt numbers on the both walls have been correlated with jet Reynolds number for three different duct shapes.Copyright © 1999 by ASME


In this paper, we will describe a rare type of oil and gas reservoir, discovered by drilling in well TZx, Tarim basin, northwest China. It was formed in fluorite veins in Lower Ordovician limestones. The characteristics and origin of the reservoir are studied on the basis of interpretation of high resolution borehore electric images in combination with data from cores and thin section observations. Although the fluorite veins and their host limestones are shown as similar high resistive white or bright yellow colors, the images revealed that the veins with structureless features are generally oblique to or even perpendicular to the host limestones developed with horizontal stratification. Irregular dark patches or spots, centimeters to decimeters in size, on images are interpreted as caverns and vugs, which was confirmed by core observations. These vugs mainly occur in fluorite veins and at the contacts between veins and their host limestones. They are the major reservoir space for oil and gas. It is believed that the origin of those fluorite veins is related to the late Early Permian volcanism in the middle and western parts of Tarim basin. They were formed by low temperature postmagamatic hydrothermal fluids that intruded upward into the near surface limestones along pre existing fractures and faults. The oil and gas reservoir was generated after the formation of fluorite veins during the Permian volcanism. Caverns and vugs developed in fluorite veins and their vicinity provided space for the gathering of oil and gas. The Lower Ordovician carbonates, the good source rocks regionally, are proven to have reached their peak maturation after the Paleozoic matched well in time with the formation of caverns and vugs. With a total thickness of about 600 meters, the overlain Middle Upper Ordovician mudstones and marlites efficiently hindered the oil and gas gathered in caverns and vugs from escaping upward. A model on the formation of the oil and gas accumulation in fluorite veins is proposed. It consists of four stages as follows: (1) fractures and faults formed in the Lower Ordovician limestones due to the Caledonean regional compression; (2) fluorite deposited as veins in pre existing fractures and faults of the Lower Ordovician limestones as a result of the volcanism during the late Early Permian; (3) caverns and vugs formed in fluorite veins and their vicinity after the Permian by dissolution; (4) oil and gas accumulated in vugs in the MesozoicCenozoic.


Summary

Cloud point temperature measurements for linear polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene in 63 different solvents were used to identify solvents for polyolefins and determine the relative thermodynamic quality of these solvents. A comparison with other indicators of the solvents' thermodynamic quality shows that the approach is generally valid and offers a fast and easily applicable tool for characterizing solvents according to their thermodynamic quality. The results offer a multitude of new possibilities for the development of systems for chromatographic characterizations of polyolefins.


Fertilization by biological products is often reported as one of the most important factors for a modern and sustainable agricultural system. The scope of this study is to evaluate the effects on grape (Vitis labrusca cv. Isabel) and nutrients availability by application of biofertilizer (NPKB) enriched in N by inoculation with free living diazotrophic bacteria and Cunninghamella elegans a fungus that contains chitosan in the cell wall. The experiment was carried out in the Botticelli fine wine industry at San Francisco Valley grown for February 2010 to May 2012), comparing the biofertilizer (NPKB) and the mineral fertilizer (NPKF) applied in 50, 100 and 150 % recommended rate (RR), at two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm). A control treatment with grape waste compound (2.4 kg plant-1) was applied. Grape yield and soil attributes (pH, total N, soluble SO4-2; available P and K; exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+) were evaluated. The NPKB and NPKF increased up to 10 t ha-1grape yield compared to the control. The soil pH was reduced when NPKF applied in rate 100% RR. The NPKB influence positively on total N, available P, available K, soluble S-SO42-, exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ in soil especially when applied at 0-20 cm depth. The study focuses the potential of the biofertilizer inoculated with diazotrophic bacteria and C. elegans which may be an alternative for NPK fertilization favoring long-term soil fertility. The NPKB may be recommended for grape in rate 150% RR applied at 0-20 cm deep.


Current standardization activities in the navigation field in the aeronautical community are paving the way to using multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS as primary means of aircraft navigation in the next decades. The increase in the number of satellites from different constellations as well as the increasing use of multiple frequency GNSS receivers promise improvements in the achievable accuracy in GNSS positioning. In order to obtain improved performance, the effects of the receiver antennas shall be investigated, due to the stronger impact that possible imperfections might have in the overall error budget for multifrequency combinations.
This paper shows an analysis of antenna induced errors in pseudorange code measurements for different antenna feeding types tackling the problem both from an electromagnetic and a GNSS point of view. Electromagnetic simulations are used to understand the physics of the antenna induced error. Furthermore, the electromagnetic measurements and GNSS processing are then used to estimate the purely antenna induced GNSS pseudorange error and to compare them with results from GNSS field measurements.


Twenty-first century students live in an interconnected, diverse and intensively changing world. Developing intercultural and global competences is of major importance. In such a context this study comes to investigate global competence of 336 undergraduate and postgraduate students through a quantitative methodology. Convenient and snowball sampling techniques were followed, whereas the data were analyzed with the statistical software SPSS 27.0 for Windows. According to the findings, most of the students demonstrate high levels of competence and some variables, such as gender, age, study program and level of ICT knowledge seem to affect some of the sub-scales.


Wistar rats receiving intracerebroventricular infusion of the &bgr;-amyloid protein (A&bgr;1-42) or of the inactive fragment (A&bgr;1-42) were subjected to the cross-maze task. According to the standard protocol, rats were released from the south arm and trained to collect food at the end of the east arm. After a 5-day training period, they were given a probe trial during which they were released from the north arm and allowed to choose either the east arm (place learning) or the west arm (response learning). Control rats showed predominant place learning whereas all rats receiving (A&bgr;1-42) showed response learning. These data indicate that exposure to (A&bgr;1-42) does not only impair cognitive responding but elicits strong procedural (motor-based) responding.


Background In allergic individuals exposure to allergen leads to the induction of allergen‐specific IgE which, upon binding to its high affinity receptors on mast cells and basophils. primes these cells for degranulation. This degranulation. a result of specific IgE allergen‐interaction, initiates the debilitating symptoms of allergy and the potentially life‐threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis. The lack of symptoms following antigen encounter by non‐allergic individuals is probably due to the undetectable levels of allergen‐specific IgE in the plasma of non‐allergic individuals.


Objective To investigate the effects of the modified operation in patients with middle and lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods From Januanry 2006 to Januanry 2009,a total of 280 patients with middle and lower thoracic esophageal carsinoma were taken surgical operations in the department. The patients were divided into 2 groups by the different operation,and there were 140 patients in each group. In the modified group,the gasters were tubulated and then anastomosed to the esophagus from retro-aortic arch to supraaortic arch,and in the control group,the gaster were directly anastomosed to the esophagus from ante-aortic arch to supra-aortic arch. The clinic data of recovery and surgical complications were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results Compared to the patients in the control group,the patients in modified operation group took less time to recovery and had less rates of surgical complications,such as pneumonia(5. 0% vs 21. 43%) ,back flow(32. 86% vs 78. 57%) and gastric retention(0 vs 4. 29%) . Conclusion The modified operation was better for patients with middle and lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma and should be worthy of extended application.


1 Isoprenaline (0.01-1 IM) increased the amount of cyclic adrenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in rat isolated superior cervical ganglia by up to 10 times after 10 min application. Cyclic AMP levels returned to control values after 20 min washing. 2 Salbutamol, in concentrations (1-100 iM) that depolarized the ganglion and facilitated submaximal transmission, did not significantly raise ganglionic cyclic AMP levels. of plM isoprenaline (SQ


Objective: To know the care strategies for maintaining the lives of adolescents with special health needs from the discourse of family members/caregivers. Methodology: Qualitative, descriptive research with data collection carried out in medical records and semi-structured interviews with 35 family members/caregivers of adolescents using the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The interviews were subjected to double transcription and later discourse analysis in the Pecheutian current. Results: The family members' discourse emphasized the care demands required by the adolescents and the strategies for maintaining life. Many families needed to restructure themselves in favor of care, adapt the family's daily activities and travel a long itinerary in search of specialized care. Conclusions: Life-sustaining strategies refer to daily care, performing hygiene activities, using medicines correctly, taking care of food, clothing, performing blood tests and bladder catheterization. It is believed that the bond with professionals and health education are essential strategies for the continuity of care with a view to the integral care of these adolescents and their families.


Gaze density estimation has attracted many research efforts in the past years. The factors considered in the existing methods include low level feature saliency, spatial position, and objects. Emotion, as an important factor driving attention, has not been taken into account. In this paper, we are the first to estimate gaze density through incorporating emotion. To estimate the emotion intensity of each position in an image, we consider three aspects, generic emotional content, facial expression intensity, and emotional objects. Generic emotional content is estimated by using Multiple instance learning, which is employed to train an emotion detector from weakly labeled images. Facial expression intensity is estimated by using a ranking method. Emotional objects are detected, by taking blood/injury and worm/snake as examples. Finally, emotion intensity, low level feature saliency, and spatial position, are fused, through a linear support vector machine, to estimate gaze density. The performance is tested on public eye tracking dataset. Experimental results indicate that incorporating emotion does improve the performance of gaze density estimation.


This paper deals with mathematical justiflcation of the three non-traditional methods of multiplication. (A) The Urdhva Tiryakbhyam method. (B) The Ganesh method. (C) The Russian peasant multiplication method.


Phenobarbital and MK-801, but Not Phenytoin, Improve the Long-Term Outcome of Status Epilepticus Prasad A, Williamson JM, Bertram EH Ann Neurol 2002;51:175–181 To examine the effect of therapy on status epilepticus (SE) acutely and on long-term outcome, we compared three drugs with three different mechanisms. Phenobarbital, MK-801, and phenytoin were administered at 1, 2, and 4 hours after initiation of limbic status epilepticus by "continuous" hippocampal stimulation in rats. We evaluated the effects of these drugs on the course of SE and the subsequent development of chronic epilepsy. Phenobarbital and MK-801 were superior to phenytoin in suppressing SE and in preventing chronic epilepsy. There was no benefit if treatment was given 2 hours after the initiation of SE. Phenobarbital was most effective in suppressing electrographic seizure activity, but MK-801 had a slightly wider window for the prevention of chronic epilepsy. Early treatment, rather than electrographic suppression of SE, correlated with prevention of chronic epilepsy. This study shows that the drugs administered, which have different mechanisms of action, have clear differences in altering the outcomes. The findings suggest that studies of SE treatment should examine the effect of therapy on SE itself, as well as the long-term benefits of each treatment. The use of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists should be considered early in the treatment of SE. Seizure-Induced Memory Impairment is Reduced by Choline Supplementation Before or After Status Epilepticus Holmes GL, Yang Y, Liu Z, Cermak JM, Sarkisian MR, Stafstrom CE, Neill JC, Blusztajn JK Epilepsy Res 2002;48:3–13 Prenatal choline supplementation can protect rats against cognitive deficits induced by status epilepticus induced by the cholinergic agent pilocarpine [J. Neurosci. 20 (2000) 1]. In the present day, we have extended this novel finding by investigating the effects of pre- and postnatal choline supplementation in memory deficits associated with status epilepticus induced with kainic acid (KA). In the first experiment pregnant rats received a normal, choline-supplemented, or choline deficient diet starting on the 11th day of gestation and continuing until postnatal (P) 7. At P42, rats were given a convulsant dosage of KA. Two weeks following the KA-induced status epilepticus rats underwent testing of visual-spatial memory using the Morris water maze test. Rats receiving supplemental choline performed better in the water maze than the deficient and control groups. Moreover, the activity of hippocampal choline acetyltransferase was 18% lower in the choline deficient animals as compared with the other two groups. In the second experiment we administered KA to P35 rats that had been given a normal diet. Following the status epilepticus the rats were given a choline-supplemented or control diet for 4 weeks and then tested in the water maze. Rats receiving choline supplementation performed far better than rats receiving a regular diet. This study demonstrates that choline supplementation prior to or following KA-induced status epilepticus can protect rats from memory deficits induced by status epilepticus.


An intriguing study of the early evolution of human artistic endeavors focuses on recent discoveries in the Chauvet cave, Stone Age paintings and engravings of animals that are more than thirty thousand years old. BOMC Div. Natural Science Main.


An approach to line detection based on hierarchical stepwise segmentation is developed. Pixels are grouped into line support regions based on the criteria of spatial contiguity and similarity of average gradient orientation. Subpixel equations of the lines are computed from these line support region data through plane fitting and principal component analysis. Four methods of computing subpixel line equations from the detected line support regions are presented, and their performances are compared using both synthetic and real test images. The line support regions produced by the hierarchical segmentation are of good quality. The evaluation of the line estimation schemes shows that the summary statistics method provides excellent estimates of line equations in addition to the simply computed measure of line goodness.<<ETX>>


In order to benefit most from algorithm visualization (AV) technology students have to be meaningfully involved in the algorithm visualisation process. This may imply that they are invited to predict and implement (using an interactive visual learning environment) the operation-sequence of the studied algorithm. In such learning environments users become active players in the AV process. Students are invited to process algorithms (in terms of their high-level operations) created to be processed by computers. The study we have performed reveals latent deficiencies such AV systems might have. Compared to humans, computers are blind in many ways. Visualizing information that has extra meanings for human viewers can obstruct them in following strict computer algorithms. Research results show that wisely applied hiding may result in more effective algorithm visualization due to its higher epistemic fidelity.


Studies on whether alcohol consumption benefits or harms heart health have yielded inconsistent results. To examine how alcohol consumption affects


This paper reports experiments to demonstrate the effects of carbon dioxide on a Ni―P film obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO 2 ) emulsion. The Ni-P film obtained by electroless plating in sc-CO 2 emulsion was extremely uniform, conformal, and free from pinholes and nodules. Two features of the sc-CO 2 emulsion prevented defects: the stronger acidic solution attained via the dissolution of CO 2 and the transport properties with the diffusive dense CO 2 . The phosphorus concentration and film growth rate were compared between plating films fabricated by two electroless plating techniques, one in sc-CO 2 emulsion and one in Ni-P electroless solution alone. The phosphorus concentration of the film fabricated by electroless plating in sc-CO 2 emulsion (22.7 wt %) was far larger than that of the film fabricated by electroless plating in Ni-P solution alone at pH 4.0-5.3. The film growth rate was lower in the electroless plating technique carried out in sc-CO 2 emulsion than in that carried out in Ni-P solution alone at pH 5.3 and 4.0. On this basis, we conclude that the rate of film formation in electroless plating in the sc-CO 2 emulsion was strongly influenced by the high speed agitation and the decrease in the oxidation of the reducing agent due to the lower pH.


In this paper we report the soft magnetic properties of thin films of sputtered MnZn ferrite deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates. A high deposition temperature, 600 °C, together with the addition of water vapor to the sputtering gas was found to improve the initial ac permeability, μ. The highest value obtained was approximately 30. For MnZn-ferrite films with much larger grain sizes, as obtained by deposition on a polycrystalline Zn-ferrite substrate, a μ of 100 was obtained. The results are discussed in terms of the so-called nonmagnetic grain boundary model.


Thrombosis is the main pathophysiological mechanism in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), and involves the activation of platelets and of Tissue Factor (TF)-dependent extrinsic coagulation pathway. TF-mRNA and antigen are detectable in the adventitia of normal vessels. On the contrary, little TF immunoreactivity is measurable in the smooth muscle cells of uninjured vessels and unperturbed endothelial cells, being in contact with circulating blood, usually do not express TF activity. However, several stimuli are able to induce TF in endothelial cells, including thrombin. Thus in an acute "scenario", thrombin might be responsible for creating a prothombotic milieau. Bivalirudin (BIVA) is a synthetic, reversible direct thrombin inhibitor actually considered a valuable alternative to heparins in patients who need anticoagulation in the setting of ACS and percutaneous coronary intervention to avoid acute thrombotic events. In the present study we have investigated whether BIVA, by inhibiting thrombin, might have effects on TF expression and procoagulant activity in endothelial cells. Human Umbilical Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with thrombin or with the activated coagulation factors FVIIa/FXa for 2 hrs to evaluate TF-mRNA transcription by real-time PCR and for 6 hrs to measure TF expression/activity  on cell surface by FACs analysis and procoagulant activity. In additional experiments HUVEC were pre-treated with BIVA for 1 hr before being stimulated and processed as above. Thrombin induced TF-mRNA transcription as well TF expression/activity on HUVEC shifting them to a procoagulant phenotype. On the contrary, the activated coagulation factors FVIIa/FXa did not affect TF expression/activity, indicating that thrombin plays a pivotal role in mediating this phenomenon. BIVA was able to prevent these thrombin deleterious effects. Data of the present study, although in vitro, suggest that BIVA, in the context of ACS, might significantly reduce thrombogenicity not only by acting as direct thrombin inhibitor but through its effects on TF expression/activity too.


When spatial interpolation is carried out under a deterministic approach rather than according to the classical model-based approach known as kriging, the statistical properties of the predictor cannot be assessed. The aim of this work is to achieve these properties under a finite population design-based framework, that treats spatial locations as the outcome of a probabilistic sample.


The goal of this paper is to determine the character of surface pressure changes of surfactant monolayers at water-air interface in order to study its relation to dynamic surface properties, e.g., compressibility and relaxation parameters. The study was done using the Langmuir-Wilhelmy film balance for two types of surfactant: DPPC and CTAB. The π-A relationships during surface compression and relaxation curves π(t) at constant area were measured. The dependence of these characteristics on compression rate and surfactant concentration was determined and discussed.


Environmental education programmes in Malaysia have been successful in increasing students' knowledge but not so in changing attitudes. To design educational programmes that changes attitudes, we need to understand the underlying determinant of attitude. The purpose of the study was to explore and elicit rural secondary school students' attitudes towards the Malayan tapir through their salient beliefs. Focusing on the cognitive and affective components of the attitude model, eighty-one secondary school students were asked to elucidate what they knew about the Malayan tapir through pictorial stimulation in focus group discussion. Students were observed to be intrigued by the physical characteristics of the Malayan tapir but knew little about its ecological function, natural habitat and threats while displaying positive and negative emotions in reaction to the pictures. Future research implications include the designing of an environmental education programme based on the observations of this study and measuring the effectiveness of the programme in influencing behaviour.


DMR249A Medium strength (low carbon) Low-alloy steels are used as structural components in naval applications due to its low cost and high availability. An attempt has been made to weld the DMR 249A steel plates of 8mm thickness using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Welds were characterized for metallography to carry out the microstructural changes, mechanical properties were evaluated using vickers hardness tester and universal testing machine. Potentio-dynamic polarization tests were carried out to determine the pitting corrosion behaviour. Constant load type Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) testing was done to observe the cracking tendency of the joints in a 3.5%NaCl solution. Results of the present study established that SMA welds resulted in formation of relatively higher amount of martensite in ferrite matrix when compared to gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). It is attributed to faster cooling rates achieved due to high thermal efficiency. Improved mechanical properties were observed for the SMA welds and are due to higher amount of martensite. Pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking resistance of SMA welds were poor when compared to GTA welds.


The invention discloses a method of fault-striding buried pipeline in-situ test. The method comprises the following steps: selecting a test field, pouring a counter-force device (1), and arranging a horizontal moving device (5), a vertical moving device (6) and a displacement meter; arranging a test device on a test pipeline (14); connecting a data collecting device with a data collecting system; processing the test pipeline (14), placing the test pipeline (14) into an excavated ditch, and fixing the test pipeline (14) on the horizontal moving device (5); tamping backfilled soil in layers and measuring a displacing pointer, the planer coordinates and vertical elevation of a small wood pile; preloading and debugging the devices; and formally loading collected test data, and finally obtaining a test result after managing and analyzing the data. The invention provides a novel original-position original-type original-shape reverse fault dislocation quantity applying method. The method gives consideration to influence of factors such as connectors of the test pipeline and a load state, conforms to the actual stress state of the buried pipeline, and is more reliable and effective in analysis result.


This paper describes the necking phenomena of undrawn polyester fibers in stretching under various conditions in the vieinity of glass transition temperature. Neck ungle is used as a parameter whichexpresses the characteristics of the necking geometry. This parameter means the angle between the direction of the necking shoulder and the fiber axis. The neck angle is very sensitive to the temperature and propagation rate. The plots of necking angle against the propagation rate abtained at different temperatures cone be superimposed to a master curve by shibting the plot along the rate axis. The shift factor log aT-temperature relationship agrees quite well with the WLF equation, with exception at temperatures lower than the apparent Tg under external force.The necking phenomena are characterized by the necking draw ratio, the necking tension and the birefringence of the necking region. These factors depend a priori on the neck angle irrespective of the drawing condition.Finally, it must be recognized that the necking is a relaxation phenomena within a large wale of temperature and therefore the necking always occurs at temperatures lower than Tg even in the very low rate of stretching.


CADEN was developed to carry a set of chambers, loaded with Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), in microgravity environment. CNTs have unique electrical and mechanical properties that make them potential components for applications in catalysts, microelectronics, and others. The goal of this experiment is to obtain CNT homogeneous films on an aluminum substrate and different test conditions, to observe CNT behavior in microgravity and measure the real effect of this environment in the organization of deposits. CADEN device consists of twelve reaction chambers, with two different CNT concentrations and embedded electronics, responsible for the system control and for the electric current monitoring through each chamber. Upon detecting microgravity, reaction chambers are activated and the electric currents that flow through all chambers are measured periodically and stored in the processor memory. Subsequently, the experimental results will be compared with those obtained under the same conditions, in earth.


The utility model discloses a seamless inclined chain plate line. The seamless inclined chain plate line comprises a machine frame, wherein a conveying belt is arranged on the upper end surface of the machine frame and comprises a chain plate; a baffle plate is respectively arranged on each of the two sides of the upper end surface of the chain plate; a chain wheel is respectively arranged at each of the two ends of the chain plate and is arranged on the machine frame; one chain wheel is driven by a motor on the machine frame. In such a way, the seamless inclined chain plate line can prevent a product from falling from the conveying belt; meanwhile, a fine product can be effectively prevented from falling from a small seam of the chain plate, the seamless inclined chain plate line is suitable for conveying products with various specifications, and the working efficiency is improved.


The relationships between the microstructure,the composition,the friction temperature andthe form of a new kind of friction materialwhich is a glass fibre resin friction materials(GFRF)are studied through a series of testson machine as EPMA,STM,DTG-DTA,anoptical microscope and a friction testmachine.The tests show that the rising ratein temperature and the heat conductivity ofGFRF are lower than that of asbestos frictionmaterial.In GFRF,the heat-decline isslowed down or even eliminated.thedistribution of heat-stress is improved and thelife span is extended.Raising the temperatureof resin resolution and enhancing the sticknessbetween resin and glass fibre are the twoimportant procedures to improve the frictionand wear performance of GFRF.Adiscription about the friction and wearmechanism of GFRF is given in this paper.


1. The legibility of type.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Investigating legibility.- 1.2.1. The reading process.- 1.2.2. Methods of research.- 1.3. Type forms.- 1.3.1. The basic anatomy of type.- 1.3.2. Typeface.- 1.3.3. Type weight.- 1.3.4. Italics.- 1.3.5. Capitals versus lower case.- 1.3.6. Numerals.- 1.4. Type size.- 1.5. Line length.- 1.6. Line spacing.- 1.7. Letter and word spacing.- 1.8. Justified versus unjustified setting.- 1.9. Margins.- 1.10. Single- versus double-column layouts.- 1.11. Paper and ink.- 2. The presentation of text.- 2.1. The visual representation of information 'structure'.- 2.2. Continuous text.- 2.2.1. Headings.- 2.2.2. Paragraphs.- 2.3. Bibliographies and references.- 2.4. Indexes.- 3. The presentation of tables.- 3.1. Structure.- 3.2. Layout and typography.- 3.2.1. General principles.- 3.2.2. Horizontal emphasis.- 3.2.3. Vertical emphasis.- 3.2.4. Headings.- 3.2.5. Lettering.- 4. The presentation of graphs, charts and diagrams.- 4.1. The relative merits of different kinds of illustration.- 4.2. The content of illustrations.- 4.3. General principles of presentation.- 4.3.1. Layout.- 4.3.2. Framing.- 4.3.3. Visual emphasis.- 4.4. The presentation of graphs and charts.- 4.4.1. Data points.- 4.4.2. Standard errors.- 4.4.3. Lines linking data points.- 4.4.4. Scale calibrations.- 4.4.5. Axes.- 4.4.6. Labelling of axes.- 4.4.7. Keys.- 4.4.8. Headings.- 5. Printed publications.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Graphic standards for graphs, charts and diagrams in printed journals.- 5.2.1. Instructions to authors.- 5.2.2. Reproduction ratios.- 5.2.3. Size of drafts and artwork.- 5.2.4. Formulae.- A. Capital letter height.- B. Line thickness.- C. Space between ruled lines.- D. Dot diameter.- 5.2.5. Character style.- 5.2.6. Character spacing.- 5.2.7. Space between lines of text.- 5.2.8. Tones and shading.- 5.2.9. Positive versus negative images.- 5.2.10. Contrast.- 5.2.11. Oversize artwork for publication.- 5.2.12. Compatibility with standards for slides.- 5.3. Guide lines for camera-ready copy.- 5.3.1. Copy for journals or proceedings of meetings.- 5.3.2. Copy for reports.- 5.4. Original artwork versus copies.- 5.4.1. Reasons for copying artwork.- 5.4.2. Copying methods.- 5.5. Overlays and cover sheets.- 5.6. Marks of identification.- 5.7. Sending artwork to the publisher or printer.- 6. Slides.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Planning a slide presentation.- 6.2.1. The use of 'introduction' and 'conclusion'.- 2.2. Continuous text.- 2.2.1. Headings.- 2.2.2. Paragraphs.- 2.3. Bibliographies and references.- 2.4. Indexes.- 3. The presentation of tables.- 3.1. Structure.- 3.2. Layout and typography.- 3.2.1. General principles.- 3.2.2. Horizontal emphasis.- 3.2.3. Vertical emphasis.- 3.2.4. Headings.- 3.2.5. Lettering.- 4. The presentation of graphs, charts and diagrams.- 4.1. The relative merits of different kinds of illustration.- 4.2. The content of illustrations.- 4.3. General principles of presentation.- 4.3.1. Layout.- 4.3.2. Framing.- 4.3.3. Visual emphasis.- 4.4. The presentation of graphs and charts.- 4.4.1. Data points.- 4.4.2. Standard errors.- 4.4.3. Lines linking data points.- 4.4.4. Scale calibrations.- 4.4.5. Axes.- 4.4.6. Labelling of axes.- 4.4.7. Keys.- 4.4.8. Headings.- 5. Printed publications.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Graphic standards for graphs, charts and diagrams in printed journals.- 5.2.1. Instructions to authors.- 5.2.2. Reproduction ratios.- 5.2.3. Size of drafts and artwork.- 5.2.4. Formulae.- A. Capital letter height.- B. Line thickness.- C. Space between ruled lines.- D. Dot diameter.- 5.2.5. Character style.- 5.2.6. Character spacing.- 5.2.7. Space between lines of text.- 5.2.8. Tones and shading.- 5.2.9. Positive versus negative images.- 5.2.10. Contrast.- 5.2.11. Oversize artwork for publication.- 5.2.12. Compatibility with standards for slides.- 5.3. Guide lines for camera-ready copy.- 5.3.1. Copy for journals or proceedings of meetings.- 5.3.2. Copy for reports.- 5.4. Original artwork versus copies.- 5.4.1. Reasons for copying artwork.- 5.4.2. Copying methods.- 5.5. Overlays and cover sheets.- 5.6. Marks of identification.- 5.7. Sending artwork to the publisher or printer.- 6. Slides.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Planning a slide presentation.- 6.2.1. The use of 'introduction' and 'conclusion' slides.- 6.2.2. The body of the presentation.- 6.2.3. Constructing a story-board.- 6.2.4. Rehearsal.- 6.3. The content of slides.- 6.3.1. Word slides.- 6.3.2. Data slides.- 6.3.3. Headings for data slides.- 6.4. Graphic standards for slides.- 6.4.1. Originals.- 6.4.2. Slide formats.- 6.4.3. Size of drafts and artwork.- 6.4.4. Line thickness.- 6.4.5. Character height.- 6.4.6. Character style.- 6.4.7. Character spacing.- 6.4.8. Layout for word slides.- 6.4.9. Tones and shading.- 6.4.10. Positive versus negative images.- 6.4.11. Contrast.- 6.5. The use of colour.- 6.5.1. Black-and-white versus coloured artwork.- 6.5.2. The use of coloured images.- 6.5.3. The use of coloured backgrounds with black lettering.- 6.6. Testing slides.- 6.7. Projection of slides.- 6.8. The design of lecture theatres.- 7. Posters.- 7.1. Introduction.- 7.2. The content of posters.- 7.2.1. General principles.- 7.2.2. The structure of the poster.- 7.2.3. Headings.- 7.3. Useful equipment for poster production.- 7.4. Graphic standards for posters.- 7.4.1. Poster formats.- 7.4.2. Size of drafts and artwork.- 7.4.3. Character height.- 7.4.4. Character style.- 7.4.5. Layout for text.- 7.4.6. Illustrations.- 7.4.7. Poster layout.- 7.4.8. The use of colour.- 7.5. Packing and transporting poster displays.- 8. Overhead projection transparencies.- 8.1. Introduction.- 8.2. Graphic standards for transparencies.- 8.2.1. Originals.- 8.2.2. Format and size.- 8.2.3. Line thickness.- 8.2.4. Character height.- 8.2.5. Layout.- 8.2.6. The use of colour.- 8.3. Techniques in the use of OHP transparencies.- 8.3.1. Overlays.- 8.3.2. Reveals.- 8.3.3. Masking.- 8.4. Testing OHP transparencies.- 9. Tape-slide programmes.- 9.1. Introduction.- 9.2. Planning a tape-slide programme.- 9.3. Writing the script.- 9.4. Graphic standards.- 9.5. The recording.- 10. Television.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2. Graphic standards for television.- 10.2.1. Format.- 10.2.2. Size of drafts and artwork.- 10.2.3. Line thickness.- 10.2.4. Character height.- 10.2.5. Tones and shading.- 10.2.6. Contrast.- 10.2.7. The use of colour.- 11. Materials, equipment and working comfort.- 11.1. Introduction.- 11.2. Basic essentials for black-and-white artwork.- 11.2.1. Paper.- 11.2.2. Pencils.- 11.2.3. Inks.- 11.2.4. Pens.- 11.2.5. Rulers and set squares.- 11.2.6. Templates and stencils.- 11.2.7. Erasers.- 11.2.8. Scalpels.- 11.2.9. Burnishers.- 11.2.10. Adhesives.- 11.2.11. Drafting tape.- 11.2.12. Drawing boards.- 11.3. Other useful items for black-and-white artwork.- 11.3.1. Self-adhesive tapes.- 11.3.2. Dry-transfer symbols and lettering.- 11.3.3. Tone sheets.- 11.3.4. 'Pounce' powder.- 11.3.5. Fixatives and varnishes.- 11.4. Additional materials for colour and OHP work.- 11.4.1. Self-adhesive colour sheets.- 11.4.2. Paints.- 11.4.3. Brushes.- 11.4.4. Cells and foils (acetate sheets).- 11.5. Working comfort.- 11.5.1. Organisation.- 11.5.2. Furniture.- 11.5.3. Lighting.- 12. Basic techniques.- 12.1. Care and preparation of paper.- 12.2. Ink work.- 12.2.1. Use of technical drawing pens.- 12.2.2. Blotting.- 12.2.3. Drawing ink lines.- 12.2.4. Finishing-off ink lines.- 12.2.5. Use of templates and stencils.- 12.2.6. Short cuts.- 12.3. Correcting errors in ink work.- 12.3.1. General comments.- 12.3.2. Cut-and-stick corrections.- 12.3.3. Edge-crossing.- 12.3.4. Correcting with a knife.- 12.3.5. Correcting with paint.- 12.4. Use of dry-transfer materials.- 12.4.1. Lettering.- 12.4.2. Tones.- 12.4.3. Making corrections.- 12.5. Use of self-adhesive tones and colours.- 12.5.1. Methods of application.- 12.5.2. Trapped air bubbles.- 12.5.3. 'Windows'.- 12.6. Simple object drawing for line diagrams.- 12.6.1. General principles.- 12.6.2. Basic shapes.- 12.6.3. Lighting.- 12.6.4. Special effects.- 12.6.5. Making symmetrical shapes.- 12.6.6. Observation of objects.- 13. Working method.- 13.1. Planning the illustration.- 13.1.1. Choice of media.- 13.1.2. Summary of standards.- 13.2. Making the draft.- 13.2.1. Rough sketches.- 13.2.2. The use of graph paper for drafts.- 13.2.3. The use of typewriter grids.- 13.3. Using the draft.- 13.3.1. Fixing the draft to the artwork or drawing board.- 13.3.2. Transferring information from the draft to the final artwork.- 13.4. Making the final artwork.- 13.5. Making additions to the artwork.- Literature.


We explore the behavior of two different statistical models , one based on the beta-binomial distribution and another based o n simple unigrams. We show that tracking systems based on these mo d ls have complementary strengths and weaknesses: the Beta-Bin omial system yields high precision at high decision threshold, bu t performance quickly degrades as the threshold drops; the Unigram s ystem is not as strong at high decision threshold, but is very go od at suppressing false-alarms at lower threshold. We will descr ibe the features of these systems that give rise to this behavior, an d discuss ways that each system might be improved by borrowing from the other. We will also discuss our detection system, and how imp rovements in tracking can be carried over to improvements in dete ction. 1. OVERVIEW AND APPROACH The focus of our TDT research [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] is the probl em of modeling topical content, and our approach is to design, for a given topic, a statistical model of story generation within that t opic. Such a model can be used to evaluate the probability that a test sto ry i n the given topic.


This chapter explores forming the reed to fit on the bocal using a steaming method, which avoids cracks in the reed, and an ingenious beveling method to avoid leaking in the tube. Also covered are traditional and alternative methods to wrap the reed.


In the past decade, ensemble forecasting has developed into a major component of numerical weather prediction. With increases in computing resources, it is becoming more realistic to produce operational ensemble forecasts for compatible members with comparable resolutions in many numerical weather prediction centers around the world. Probabilistic forecasts based on a global ensemble prediction system, especially flow-dependent forecast probability distribution, which can be readily generated from an ensemble, allow for the identification of weather systems with high and low uncertainties. The potential economic benefit achieved by using ensemble probabilistic forecasts is significant when compared to that of a deterministic forecast. Among NCEP global ensemble-based applications, the relative measure of predictability is one of the excellent prediction tools used to estimate forecast uncertainty. Probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts can supplement short-/medium-range forecasts. However, the ensemble forecasts, like any numerical weather prediction system, are biased. The bias of ensemble forecasts is very similar to those of a deterministic forecast and comes from the imperfections of a numerical model such as initial conditions, physical parameterizations, numerical schemes, etc. The bias of ensemble forecasts can be removed, however, by applying a statistical calibration method. With the use of such a method, calibrated ensemble forecasts and ensemble-based, calibrated probabilistic forecasts can offer the possibility of bias-free products to the meteorological community and other users.


Abstract Ottelia fengshanensis, a new species (Hydrocharitaceae) from southwest China is here described and illustrated. Comparing its morphological features to putative close relatives O. guanyangensis, it has 3–4 flowers (vs. 2–5) each spathe, hexagonal-cylindric fruit, white styles (vs. yellow), green leaves (vs. dark green) and fruit tiny winged (vs. winged obviously). Molecular phylogenetic investigation of four DNA sequences (ITS, rbcL, trnK5' intron and trnS-trnG) and the Poisson Tree Processes model for species delimitation (PTP) analysis, further resolves O. fengshanensis as a new species that is close to O. guanyangensis with distinct support.


A 51-year-old man was referred for evaluation of obscure occult gastrointestinal bleeding. He experienced intermittent abdominal pain for months. A positive fecal occult blood test was found and both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were negative. Abdominal CT scan showed segmental wall thickening of the jejunum (Figure 1, arrow). Abdominal ultrasound revealed focal bowel wall …


Quasicrystals are metallic alloys in which the atoms exhibit a remarkable arrangement: They are well-ordered, but not in a periodic fashion. Even more interesting, these materials exhibit unusual combinations of physical properties–apparently linked to their atomic structure. The opportunity to use these materials as templates for growth is the topic of this talk. Specifically, we have studied metals deposited on quasicrystalline substrates in order to derive fundamental physical insights into the processes and energetics involved in formation of an aperiodic-periodic interface. In this talk, I will provide examples of three main types of information, which can be obtained from different coverage (thickness) regimes. With increasing coverage, they are: (i) nucleation; (ii) growth modes, reflecting surface and interface energies; and (iii) crystallographic orientations–specifically, relationships between high-symmetry zone axes of the quasicrystal and the thick crystalline film. To derive these types of information, we have measured film structures of Ag and Al, as probe metals, on a number of different substrates, including Al(111), the ' Al-Pd-Mn approximant, the fivefold surface of icosahedral Al-Pd-Mn, the fivefold surface of icosahedral Al-Pd-Mn, and the tenfold surface of decagonal Al-Ni-Co. Our observations include site-specific "heterogeneous" nucleation on the fivefold quasicrystalline surfaces; strong differences in growth modes for film-surface couples that are chemically similar; and interfacial crystallographic alignments that are different than those reported commonly for confined (bulk) interfaces. Where possible, comparisons are made between these observations, and those typical of single-element metal homoepitaxy. We will also review achievements from other laboratories on this topic.


ABSTRACT The advent of the Internet in China has broad implications for citizen participation in public life. To assess the impact of the Internet, we need to ask questions first about the basic structural patterns of participation among Chinese population and then on whether the Internet may provide new opportunities for disengaged people, or expand the scope of participation, or reinforce the existing structural conditions that hamper citizen participation. We address these questions with data from a nationally representative sample survey in China. Through a latent class analysis, we differentiate four types of participation. We conduct a multinomial analysis to show that the Internet recruits some disengaged, but capable participants into public life, but overall, it allots more opportunities for the socioeconomically advantaged segments of the population.


The expression "unfair competition", as it is used in this article, is restricted to a particular type of unfair competition; that is, the measures employed by individuals, firms, cartels,' and other combinations in the interest of their monopolistic aims, to combat open competition and to contravene the natural effects of the economic law of supply and demand. In the same way as the law of the various nations condemns certain kinds of open competition as unfair, it also forbid 'certain methods of eliminating free competition. The differences which exist between the laws of the various states in regard to this subject are considerable, and are a result of the different points of view which the statutes and the decisions take in regard to the problems arising' out of cartels, trusts, and monopolies. This article will discuss certain typical measures used by business concerns in their endeavor to restrain free competition, and will investigate and determine their legality or illegality from the A cartel is a combination of commercial concerns in a particular industry,


The utility model discloses a waterproof LED backlight module, comprising a circuit board, an LED chip and a lead. The LED chip and the lead are welded on the circuit board. The circuit board, the LED chip and the lead are provided with one layer of one-step sealing molding lens. The lens forms a protrusion on the circuit board on which the LED chip is arranged. The protrusion forms an LED chip matched mirror. After the LED chip penetrates through the matched mirror, a light distribution curve is formed and is of an asymmetrical shape. The LED light distribution curve can be controlled by changing the shape of the matched mirror which is formed by one-step sealing molding, thus improving the utilization rate of the light and having low cost. The circuit board and the electronic component are integrated into a whole body by being processed one-step sealing molding. The LED backlight module has good waterproof performance.


Past studies have established that the thickness of a vesicle bilayer formed from a mixture of conventional anionic and cationic surfactants is determined by a delicate balance of factors, including electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and chain packing constraints. This complex balance of factors means that the bilayer thickness is not easily predicted from knowledge of the structure of conventional surfactants. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a family of rigid, bolaform surfactants with the structure bis(trimethylammoniumalkyloxy)azobenzene dibromide, where the alkyl group was butyl, hexyl, or octyl. We used small angle neutron scattering and quasi-elastic light scattering to characterize the microstructures formed when the cationic bolaform surfactants were mixed with either sodium dodecylsulfate or sodium tetradecylsulfate in aqueous solutions. Small angle neutron scattering spectra interpreted using form factor fits indicate that the three rigid, bolaform surfactants span the bilayers of vesicles formed by these surfactant mixtures, thus constraining the bilayer thicknesses to the end-to-end lengths of the bolaform surfactants. We conclude that use of rigid, bolaform surfactants provides a simple means to design vesicles from anionic and cationic surfactants that form spontaneously and have predictable bilayer thicknesses. These results suggest some simple rules that enable the rational design of surfactant-based nanostructures.


(G. Indelli, V. Tsouna-McKirahan, edd., [1995]), is substantially weaker. Z. prints the relevant sentence as follows: 'Others held the view that what our school calls grief or joy are totally empty notions because of the manifest indeterminacy of things' (p. 93). In fact 'of things' is not in the Greek, which says οἰ δὲ διὰ τὴν ἐμφαινομένην ἀοριστίαν ἅπασαν κενὴν τὴν λύπην καὶ [τὴν χ]αράν, ἣν ἠμεῖς δὴ λέγο[μεν, ἐδογ]μάτισαν. It is unclear whether it is 'things' or 'pleasure and pain' which are 'indeterminate'. The first three columns of this papyrus appear to concern criteria for action rejected by the Epicureans. In the highly lacunose sentence following the one just printed, we can only read καὶ τὰς . . . πράξεις . . . εὐστάθεια[. . . Are these unnamed speakers proposing affective 'stability' rather than 'indeterminate pleasure and pain' as a criterion for action? If so, why? Are they Cyrenaics of some sort, like those earlier in column III, or philosophers of another movement? The answers are too uncertain for us to use this as a source for Cyrenaic metaphysics. If indeterminacy really did foundational work in Cyrenaic theory, wewould expect to find much stronger evidence. However, by way of conclusion I should emphasise that Z.'s hypothesis leads to fascinating discussions. For example, from his discussions of Plato (pp. 63–7), Colotes (pp. 94–8) and Aristocles (pp. 109–13) one accumulates an appreciation of the epistemic and linguistic challenges of a philosophy built on incorrigible perceptual affections such as 'I am whitened'. On the premise that the Cyrenaics believe in indeterminacy, he then puts them into dialogue with partners as diverse as Gorgias, Wittgenstein and Feyerabend in order to provide them with the rudiments of defensible theories of ontology, 'loose' selfhood and a behaviourist philosophy of language (esp. pp. 113–20, 131–47). Thus while specialists may reject Z.'s central argument and some of his exegetical claims, all readers should find this an accessible and enjoyable book and a welcome stimulus to further thinking about this relatively neglected philosophical movement.


A hierarchical structure of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(e-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) block copolymer (BCP) confined between crosslinked resin was patterned into Bragg volume gratings using a holographic polymerization (HP) process. The BCP formed a lamellar structure confined between the layers of the grating created by HP. The periods of the volume grating and the BCP were controlled to be ∼200 nm and 20 nm, respectively. These two different length scale layers were aligned parallel to one another yielding a polymeric film which exhibits distinct diffraction behavior due to a periodic refractive index variation. This system exhibits complex thermo-optical behavior during heating and cooling cycles with reversible changes in both the diffraction wavelength and efficiency induced by BCP melting and crystallization in the confined region. Transmission electron microscopy studies show reversible diffusion of PEO-b-PCL into and out of the crosslinked resin, indicating that the nanoconfinement imposed by the resin is soft and permeable for the BCP. The morphological changes in nanoconfinement with temperature account for the complex thermo-optical behavior of the grating and the system provides an interesting platform to investigate soft nanoconfinement of BCP materials.


Cambodia's population is 16,7 million people (2020). From 1975 to 1979, Cambodia experienced a horrendous genocide; therefore, the country started to reconstruct from beginning. Health is a significant topic and priority in development. The healthcare system in Cambodia is undergoing reform. Currently, only one large public university provides postgraduate training in critical care medicine as part of a residency in anesthesiology, critical care, and emergency medicine. The combination of three skills would enable the nation to achieve its requirements despite limited resources. National and international educational collaboration in Cambodia encourages greater treatment for the critically ill, often as part of emergency medicine or anesthetic programs. In order to handle the magnitude of critical care medical difficulties, Cambodia's critical care medicine requires undergo significant improvement. Education should be the primary emphasis of this area's growth.


Despite advances in in vitro manipulation of pre-implantation embryos, there is still a lag in the quality of embryos produced in vitro leading to lower pregnancy rates compared to embryos produced in vivo. Reducing the incidence of high-order multiple pregnancies while maintaining the overall in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rate is a holy grail of human IVF and would be greatly assisted by the ability to produce and identify the highest quality embryos. A promising new technology, microfluidics, does exist and is becoming increasingly studied. A challenge of studying embryo on microfluidic device is that preimplantation mouse embryos are highly sensitive cells and their development is affected greatly by osmolality shifts as will occur in devices with thin poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membranes even in typical humidified cell culture incubators. Here we characterized and resolved evaporation mediated osmolity shifts that constrained microfluidic cell culture in Poly(dimethylsiloxane) devices. Next, we developed a dynamic microfunnel embryo culture system would enhance outcomes by better mimicking the fluid mechanical stimulation and chemical agitation embryos experience in vivo from ciliary currents and oviductal contractions. Using a mouse embryo model, average cell counts for blastocysts after 96 hours of culture in dynamic microfunnel conditions increased 70% over that of conventional static cultures. Importantly, the dynamic microfunnel cultures significantly improved embryo implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates over static culture to a level that approached


The paper analyzes the current situation of Chinese textile industry and its management,discusses the connotation,meaning and tactics of logistics management of Chinese textile industry oriented to sustainable development strategy in order to find a balance between raising the competitiveness and protecting environment through optimizing logistics management in textile industry.


The dynamic behavior of a microhollow cathode sustained discharge with split third electrodes is experimentally investigated. The sustained discharge swells isotropically in the presence of a small amount of argon gas flow that is not clearly detectable with a conventional single third electrode. At high flow rates, the sustained discharge transitions to a fast-moving constricted discharge with an arc shape. The modified discharge structure causes a shift in current distribution over the third electrodes, and the current peak location varies linearly with the flow rate over a certain flow range. Such linear behavior may be applied to in situ flow velocity measurement.


Continued progress is reported toward development of a silicon on garnet technology which would allow fabrication of advanced detection and signal processing circuits on bubble memories. The first integrated detectors and propagation patterns have been designed and incorporated on a new mask set. In addition, annealing studies on spacer layers are performed. Based on those studies, a new double layer spacer is proposed which should reduce contamination of the silicon originating in the substrate. Finally, the magnetic sensitivity of uncontaminated detectors from the last lot of wafers is measured. The measured sensitivity is lower than anticipated but still higher than present magnetoresistive detectors.


We present a general formalism for studying the emission rate of an atom inside a high Q-factor quantum cylindrical resonator. The electromagnetic field structure inside such closed resonator is de- rived. Then the cavity modes are quantised, allowing the position- dependent atomic emission rate to be calculated. Depending on the circumstances, the atomic emission rate may be increased or reduced, and in extreme cases is completely suppressed. Especially, in the quantum size system, the atomic emission rate is possible only via a few cavity modes. The calculations are carried out for the sodium atoms immersed in an empty quantum size resonator.


Former ICAS President Professor Isobel Sharp CA has been appointed Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee of IMI plc – the specialist engineering group.