One of the crucial challenges in the present power distribution system is the conversion loss phenomenon. Modern microgrid integrates various converters for varieties of applications, such as distributed power generation interconnection, energy storage management system, grid integration, demand management, etc. The increased usages of power converters further worsen the existing situation. Any initiatives taken towards energy conservation go in vain due to the excessive conversion loss phenomenon in the present distribution schemes. In this regard, a novel microgrid energy management scheme is proposed and developed to reduce the conversion losses in the residential distribution system. It uses a new control algorithm that finds the strength of power available in the DC side before being transferred. The conversion process is invoked only if the power is adequate, and if found feeble, then the conversion process is withdrawn and stored in an auxiliary battery. Conversion of feeble power would result in high loss across the converters and transformers. In this scheme, the AC loads are supplied by the utility grid, and the DC loads are fed by a solar PV and an auxiliary battery bank. The power conversion is done only during unavoidable circumstances. A prototype hardware setup has been developed, and the objective of the proposed research task has been validated. Further, the proposed scheme would gain importance in reducing the cost of the electricity for a time-of-use tariff system by optimization. A genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize the energy management of the microgrid system.


Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are a type of deep neural network which have performed well at image and audio classification. One approach to understanding the success of CNNs is Mallat's scattering transform, which formalizes the observation that the filters learned by a CNN have wavelet-like structure. The resulting transform generates a representation that is approximately translation invariant and slowly varying to a wide class of deformations of the input patterns. These features are then used by a linear classifier to perform classification. In this talk, we will explore the application of the scattering transform and a new variant to understanding the classification of objects using sonar. As we have an explicit model with a fast simulator for this problem, it provides a good test problem for understanding the properties of the scattering transform in the object domain. We obtain over 95% classification accuracy on binary discrimintating shape and speed in the case of synthetic data generated by the fast simulator, and a 95% detection rate for unexploded ordinance, with a false positive of 25% in the case of real data. We construct a new variant of the scattering transform, the shearlet scattering transform (shattering transform), using the shearlet frame instead of Morlet wavelets that are often used in the standard scattering transform. This 2D transform has the advantage of sparsifying the signals containing curvilinear singularities rather than point singularities.


Objective: To investigate the etiology,clinical characteristics and management of spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon in elderly patients.Methods: e clinical data of 21 elderly patients with de nite diagnosis of spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon from November 2007 to October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Of the patients,12 cases were males and 9 were females with an average age of 47(62–73) years.e majority of these patients were admi ed for acute abdominal pain,all of them had experienced habitual constipation of varying degrees,and 3 cases developed septic shock before surgery.In the entire group of 21 patients,only 4 cases were diagnosed as sigmoid colonic perforation,and the misdiagnosis rate was 80.95%.All of the 21 patients underwent Hartmann's procedure and,a er surgery,there were still 3 cases who developed septic shock that was resolved after aggressive anti-infective and anti-shock supportive therapies;wound infection and pulmonary infection occurred in 8 and 6 cases respectively,which were cured by anti-infective and symptomatic treatment;3 cases were complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS),and one of them was cured a er emergent care,while the other 2 cases died from perforation of the retroperitoneal sigmoid colon.Nineteen patients were cured and discharged from the hospital,and their sigmoid colostomy was closed 3–6 months later.Conclusion: e clinical manifestations of spontaneous perforation of the sigmoid colon in old patients are not speci c,and abdominal paracentesis,X-ray,and digital anorectal examination are helpful for the diagnosis.Increased understanding of this condition,early diagnosis and intervention including aggressive anti-shock and anti-infective therapy,maintenance of water-electrolyte and acid-base balance,and early surgical and symptomatic treatment,as well as prophylaxis of complications are important to ensure the recovery of these patients.


............................................................................................................................. ii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..........................................................................................................iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................ix LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... xii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ xiii LIST OF PLATES ................................................................................................................... xiv LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... xv CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 1.3 Justification ....................................................................................................................3 1.4 Objectives ......................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 6 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................6 2.1 Biology, Origin and Distribution of Maize .....................................................................6 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh


On 30 January 1972, British soldiers shot dead 13 unarmed civilians (another dying of wounds weeks later) during a Civil Rights Association march in Derry. 17-years old Jackie Duddy was the first fatality, shot in the back while fleeing. Father Edward Daly was running beside him, and used his handkerchief as a 'truce flag' to allow removal of the corpse as shooting continued. In that place, in "unjustified and unjustifiable" circumstances [David Cameron, 2010], a humble hankie became an historical, locational, cultural and political artefact, preserved in the iconic, much reproduced, photographic image, and protected in Duddy's family home and subsequently in the Free Derry Museum's archives of Bloody Sunday. That artefact embodies both personal tragedy and political transformation in the social imagination of Northern Ireland, a flag of humanity providing an alternative to those traditional flags marking sectarian affiliation or heraldic triumphalism. When we accept that Ireland herself is a stained and bloodied cloth, marked irreversibly by history, conflict, denial and abuse, stained by repression and denial of all her people's rights and needs, bloodied by the haemorrhage of her people, then – with empathy, humility and heart – we just might make peace with our past. Authors: Rian Rezende, Sabrina Araújo and Denise Portinari, PUC-Rio Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Abstract This article explores the relationship between design, imagination, senses, places and objects. It was based on Richard Holmes' theoretical concepts, particularly on the period designated "Age of Wonder", Robert Silverman and Thomas Hankins theories on "Instruments and the Imagination" about the parallel of imagination and the real world, the ideas of Juhani Pallasmaa on senses and architecture, and the Design Fiction theories of Stuart Candy. A conceptual survey of the correlation between imagination and the senses makes us wonder how objects/spaces present themselves to men and how men perceive them. Which senses rules this communication? We examine the relevance


New bainite steel with high strength and good loughness is one of the suitable materials for crossing nose.A bult-up crossing is fabricated by SMAW process using the new granular bainite steel and U74 rail steel.The welding joint is examined and tested.The results show that the microstructure of the HAZ adjacent to bainite steel is bainite,but the HAZ adjacent to U74 rail steel with poor ductility becomes the weakest area in the weld.


To investigate the distribution and source of plutonium in the northern South China Sea, surface sediments, including samples from the shore, shelf, slope, and Pearl River estuary, were collected to analyze plutonium (Pu) isotopes with sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS). In this study, we demonstrate that the distributions of 239+240Pu activities and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios both showed an increasing trend from the shore to the inner shelf and a decreasing trend from the inner shelf toward the outer shelf and slope. This variation trend was different from those observed in previous studies in the same study area, and the obvious dividing line was the vicinity of the 50 m isobath. All of the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in the studied surface sediments were higher than the global fallout value (0.178 ± 0.019), which might indicate that the Pu in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) was a mixture of global fallout Pu and Pacific Proving Ground (PPG) Pu. Using a simple two end-mem...


The objective of this study was to investigate sensibility images of Korean traditional motifs cognized by college students in U.S.A. The subjects consisted of 217 male and 351 female undergraduate students. The experimental materials used in this study were 48 stimuli and questionnaires, composed of 7-point semantic differential scales of 15 bipolar adjectives. Twelve motifs selected from 3 groups of Korean motifs were used as motif stimuli. Twelve repeated patterns were constructed from them to be applied on a CAD-simulated dress. The data were analyzed by factor analysis, ANOVA, Duncan s multiple range best The major findings were as follows: 1. Four dimensions were emerged accounting for the dimensional structure of the images of Korean traditional motifs. These dimensions were `quality` , `simplicity` , `cheerfulness`, and `modernity` . Among them, `quality` and `simplicity` were the major dimensions. 2. Category, interpretation type, composition type, and application object had significant effects on the images of above-mentioned dimensions. The interpretation type had a significant effect on `quality` image, the composition type on `cheerful` image, and the application object on modernity image.


Anthropocene on the National Stage: Maaseudun tulevaisuus ("Future of the Countryside", The Finnish National Theatre 2014) and the Interregnum We Live in The article argues that entering the Anthropocene has pushed us into a cultural interregnum. However, the discussions of the Anthropocene and the concept of interregnum seldom meet. In this article it is assumed that this stems from the fact that the concept of interregnum pertains to the 20th century critical episteme and as such, it is a mismatch with the current theoretical impulse of turning toward affects, ontology and becoming. However, the case is made that we should not let go of the critical legacy altogether: to analyse struggle over and between epistemologies, we need critical concepts. Research material in the article consists of the manuscript of Leea Klemola's 2014 Finnish National theatre production "The Future of the Countryside", and nine articles from the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat's digital archive, published during the play's opening week. "The Future of the Countryside" asks what could the relationship between humans and their companion species be like, were it not based on the idea that it is legitimate for humans to treat the rest of the world as resources. However, the media brouhaha surrounding the play's opening night hardly touches upon this theme at all. Instead, the nation and the limits of national culture are repeatedly evoked as the primary explanatory framework. In this way, the "Future of the Countryside" provides an illustrative case of the interregnum we live in, understood as old epistemologies losing ground but still keeping the new from emerging.


Conformal symmetries appear in many parts of physics and play a unique role in exploring the Universe. We consider the possibility of constructing conformal theories of gravity in the symmetric teleparallel gravity framework, where gravitation is expressed through nonmetricity rather than curvature or torsion. We demonstrate that it is possible to formulate a family of conformal theories with second-order field equations and have the metric tensor as the fundamental variable. Moreover, we consider the addition of a scalar field to the theory, and compare the results to the teleparallel gravity setting. Finally, we present the scalar-tensor representation of modified symmetric teleparallel theories, and among others we show that there is an interesting subcase that has the possibility of playing the role of dark energy.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using hooked-end steel fibers as additional transverse reinforcements such as cross ties and leg bars for diagonally reinforced concrete (DRC) coupling beams aligned vertically over coupled special structural walls. Three 1/3-scale short beams were made and tested under cyclic shear in a double curvature condition. All specimens have the same reinforcement configuration except for transverse reinforcing details and the clear span length-to-section depth ratio ( l n /h ) of 2.0. Reinforced concrete (RC) coupling beam (RC-CB) was designed with full confinement of diagonally reinforced concrete beam section based on the seismic design provisions of the ACI 318-14 Code. To improve the constructability without sacrificing strength and ductility, the fiber contents in the FRC0.75-CB and FRC1.50-CB specimens replacing additional transverse bars with steel fibers were 0.75% and 1.50% at volume fraction, respectively. Test results revealed that additional transverse reinforcement in the diagonally reinforced coupling beams have a significant effect on the cracking and structural behaviors. For diagonally reinforced coupling beams with only hoops and without crossties and legs of hoop, the addition of steel fiber at volume fraction of more than 0.75% to concrete provides equal cracking and structural behaviors as compared to those of diagonally reinforced coupling beam with full confinement details.


Investors are expected to be guided through investment performance measurement and analysis in order to safeguard against potential loss of investment returns or the capital invested. Whereas residential real estate (RRE) constitutes a significant part of the portfolios of individual and institutional investors across the globe, the assessment of risk-return performance of RRE investment in Nigeria generally has not been well researched. Investors in real estate (RE) in the Lafia city of Nasarawa State, like other cities in Nigeria, still rely on mere intuition, sales comparison and the rule of thumb in real estate investment decisions-making. Consequently, these ill-informed investors often venture into poorly conceived and subsequently financially disastrous real estate investment projects thereby failing to achieve their desired investment objectives. Hence, this research was conducted to evaluate the performances of RRE investment in Lafia metropolis of north-central Nigeria with a view to guiding existing and potential real estate investors and practitioners in the region in making informed property investment decision. A survey research design was adopted to collect transacted residential property value data from estate surveying and valuation firms as well as reputable estate agent offices in the study area. Mean scores, property value index and holding period return model were used to analyse the rental/capital value indices and total return performance respectively. The modified value-at-risk model was used to assess risk while the modified Sharpe ratio was used to evaluate the risk-return performance of RRE investment performance in the study area. The research findings revealed, among others, a progressive increase in rental and capital values of RRE within the study period. RRE investment showed an average rental growth of 6.8% per annum and capital value growth of 9.4% per annum. On the basis of investment returns, it was found that Angwan Doka outperformed other selected neighbourhoods in the study area with an average mean total return and risk-adjusted return of 13.76% and 0.80% per annum respectively while Shabu underperformed other locations with average mean total return and risk-adjusted return of 12.17% and 0.55% per annum. The study recommended, among others, that potential real estate investors should consider investing in residential real estate in Angwan Doka since this location gives higher total and risk-adjusted returns on residential property investment relative to other locations in the city.


In our work, electrical and optoelectronic properties of P-type porous silicon (PSi) prepared using chemical etching method are studied, specifically capacitancevoltage (C-V), current-voltage (I-V), responsivity and detectivity severally are analyzed. It had been found that electrical characteristics of porous Si samples measured in dark (Id) and below illumination (IPh) will be fitted well by the equations of thermal emission. From this point of view, Schottky barrier height (ɸB) and ideality factor (n) of made-up photodetectors were calculated. The I-V characteristics of dark and illuminations that passes current through the PSi layer reduced by increasing the etching current, as a result of increasing the electrical resistance of PSi layer and therefore the optimum value of ideality factor is (2.7), whereas from C-V characteristic determined that in-built potential accumulated with increasing etching current. The results show that there are clear results for better performance of photodetectors.


To replace chlorofluorocarbons such as refrigerants, the invention proposes to use mixtures mass containing about 25 to 65% of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, 1 to 70% of perfluoropropane and 5 to 34% of propane. The mixtures according to the invention can also be used as aerosol propellants or as blowing agents for plastic foams.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the decision to discharge from judgement for continuing hospitalization in order to provide implications for the establishment of health policy related to mental illness and to provide basic data for helping the return of people with mental illness. The study subjects were 259 patients who requested a judgment for continuing hospitalization of the Basic Mental Health Examination Committee. The results of the study showed that factors affecting the decision to discharge were the total number of hospitalizations(p=.006), possibility of self-harm and harm(p<.001), bizarre behavior and regression(p<.001).


The present paper introduces a new algorithm for the elimination of arcs in road maps. The algorithm is based on information theory. A case study illustrates how the algorithm works. The perceptual properties of the map reader and the resolution of the display unit are brought into the algorithm by a similarity function.


Lipid A is the most chemically invariant part of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Both lipid A and LPS constitute the external layer of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. E. coli-specific hexacyl lipid A (ECLA) forms stable bilayers in the presence of sodium or magnesium cations. To characterize biologically relevant properties of the ECLA bilayer, and in particular its water/membrane interface, 800 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of fully hydrated bilayers made of ECLA at 50 °C (i.e., 6 °C above the main phase transition) were performed. The validation of the computer model for the ECLA bilayer was performed using available experimental data. The overall good agreement with the data was found. An ECLA molecule makes on average ∼1.3 ion-mediated bridges with neighboring lipid molecules. The average number of interlipid hydrogen bonds is 2.7. The abundance of such intermolecular links results in tight packing of ECLA molecules in the bilayer and explains the relatively small value of the surface area per lipid (1.515 nm(2)).


Actinide chemistry in natural environments is of great interest to predict radionuclide migration from possible radioactive waste repositories. In particular Am(III) aqueous speciation in groundwaters can be dominated by carbonate complexes [1]. The solubility of Am(III) solid compounds, and the stoichiometries and thermodynamic stabilities of its aqueous complexes have been critically reviewed by the NEA-TDB (Thermodynamic Data Base project of the OECD) [2]. The NEA-TDB have pointed out (i) that the species AmCO3, Am(CO3)2 and Am(CO3)3 have been well established, but other carbonate complexes may be stable under environmental conditions, particularly hydroxo-carbonate mixed complexes ; (ii) a lack of available data at temperatures above 25°C ; (iii) discrepancies in the literature, so that it has not been possible to determine the ion interaction coefficients, ε, for ionic strength corrections with the specific ion interaction theory : the NEA-TDB has reported values among which many estimated coefficients. Lundqvist et al. determined lg β1 = 5.81 ± 0.04 and 5.91 ± 0.05, and lg β2 = 9.72 ± 0.10 and 10.72 ± 0.08 for Am(III) and Eu(III) respectively for in 1M NaClO4 [3] ; Kim et al. have proposed lg β1 of 6.65 ± 0.07 and 6.57 ± 0.08 for Cm(III) and Eu(III) respectively in 0.1M NaClO4 [4]. The comparison of lg βi values for Am, Cm, and Eu measured by the same author suggests that they are good chemical analogues. Thus we have chosen to study Eu(III) and Cm(III) by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Thanks to its high sensitivity [5], TRLFS enables the detection of metal ion species below solubility limits, so that there is no ambiguous interpretations due to the nature of the solid phases [6]. This technique has already been used to determine stabilities of Cm(CO3)i (i = 1-4) and CmHCO3 in NaCl media [7] ; the bicarbonate complex has also been proposed at higher CO2(g) pressure [8]. However the analogous AmHCO3 has not been observed even under up to 1-atm CO2(g) pressure [1]. Moreover both M(CO3)3 [1,4,9] and M(CO3)4 [7,10] have been proposed for the stoichiometries of lanthanides and actinides limiting carbonate complexes, which also affects the determination of other complexation constants in data treatments. We will present our experimental data on Eu(III) and Cm(III) using TRLFS. Our experimental conditions have been chosen on the basis of Am(III) data. Quantitative results on Eu(III) carbonate complexation are obtained and speciation models considering Eu(CO3)3 or Eu(CO3)4 as the limiting complex are tested. This study has been extended to Cm(III) at temperatures from 10 to 50°C.


Aim: The study was aimed at comparison of a lingual triangular flap with the routinely used triangular flap in the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Material and method: 10 patients with impacted bilateral mandibular third molars that were symmetrically positioned, mesially angulated, and retained in bone were included.The impacted third molars were removed in two sittings (removal of impacted tooth in the subsequent session was done three months after the first session to remove post antibiotic effect of first surgery), using two different flap designs: the new lingual based triangular flap and the traditional triangular flap. Postoperative complications (pain, swelling, trismus, alveolar osteitis, and wound dehiscence) were recorded on days 2, 7, 14, and 21. The data obtained were analyzed using the Chi square test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and Pearson's correlation test.SPSS IBM Software version 20 was applied to analyze the data. Result: The pain level in this study was measured by VAS scale, it came out to be less in the lingually based triangular flap as compared to buccally based flap and was statistically significant at 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 st day,4 th day,5 th day and 6 th day(P< 0.05). There was a better recovery in mouth opening in the lingually based flap, but it was not statistically significant. Also, the reduction in facial swelling in lingually based flap was slightly better than the other and was statistically significant at 2 nd day (P< 0.05). Wound dehiscence was less in both the group but was slightly more in the buccally based flap which was statistically significant at 14 th and 21 st day (P< 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results show that this new flap design is preferable to the routinely used buccal triangular flap for impacted third molar surgery.


Today, the process of reforming the teaching of foreign languages has intensified due to the globalization of social, economic and political problems around the world. Teaching and learning foreign languages is becoming a vital necessity for every nation. In modern Uzbekistan, the role of teaching and developing foreign languages, especially English, is currently of great value. Learning English is a necessity of life and is one of the basic requirements of modern society.  In this article, the author addresses the problem of the professional competence of foreign language teachers which are necessary for successful pedagogical activity.


In his consideration of the developmental consequences of education, Cole (2005) takes a cross-cultural and historical perspective that leads him back to the earliest classrooms of Indo-European civilization. To consider the historical depth of educational traditions, he infers great stability based on his consideration of the arrangement of a Sumerian classroom in the ancient city of Mari, Syria.1 This classroom likely originated in the city's second golden age under the Amorite dynasty that lasted from roughly 1,900 BCE through 1759 BCE, when the city was sacked by Hammurabi, sixth king of Babylon. Cole surmises that the last 4,000 years have seen great continuity in educational practice in a number of regards. As the photograph reveals, students sat in rows--here, fixed in stone--facing the teacher. This template, in spite of other developments in teaching practice, has served to guide instruction in most Western educational settings from Sumerian civilization through the present. Students occupied its seats 1,400 years before Nebuchadnezzar II is believed to have built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is as old as the idea of formal teaching and learning in the history of human social life. Other ways of teaching and learning have been developed over the millennia. Over 1,500 years after students nodded through their teacher's Sumerian lessons, Socrates stepped out from behind the lectern and taught by means of cross-examining and typically refuting his students' assumptions, revealing their sophistical reasoning through the dialogues that he manipulated. Whether he did so as a means of inquiry or as a bully remains open to question (see White, 2001). In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi formulated educational visions that centered on the learner. Rousseau pioneered the Romantic conception of the (male) child as learner and the adult as guide and companion in educational experiences rather than director and authority, an idea that has endured in many forms in Western education, if largely on the margins of the pursuit. In his history of English education, Applebee (1974) notes that a number of pedagogical traditions are available to teachers, including those that center on the learner, yet most rely on a teacher-and-text-centered approach that could easily have found its home in ancient Mesopotamian classroom spaces (cf. Cuban, 1993). While the students' seats are no longer made of stone and only rarely remain bolted to the floor, they typically stay fixed in one location, facing forward so that students may concentrate on the teacher undistracted by the chatter and shenanigans of their classmates. The image presented in Figure 1 of my aunt's elementary school classroom in Brooklyn in around 1920 shares similarities with both the Sumerian classroom described by Cole (2005) and the University of California, San Diego classroom in which I presented a version of this paper (Smagorinsky, 2008) in which the chairs were indeed bolted to the floor. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Alternative pedagogies originating in the 20th Century, while often aligned with the views of Socrates, Rousseau, and a handful of others, tend to be based in some way on Dewey's progressive views, which generally emerge from the following tenets: [D]emocracy means active participation by all citizens in social, political and economic decisions that will affect their lives. The education of engaged citizens, according to this perspective, involves two essential elements: (1). Respect for diversity, meaning that each individual should be recognized for his or her own abilities, interests, ideas, needs, and cultural identity, and (2). the development of critical, socially engaged intelligence, which enables individuals to understand and participate effectively in the affairs of their community in a collaborative effort to achieve a common good. These elements of progressive education have been termed "child-centered" and "social reconstructionist" approaches, and while in extreme forms they have sometimes been separated, in the thought of John Dewey and other major theorists they are seen as being necessarily related to each other. …


Fisher vector coding methods have been demonstrated to be effective for image classification. With the help of convolutional neural networks (CNN), several Fisher vector coding methods have shown state-of-the-art performance by adopting the activations of a single fully-connected layer as region features. These methods generally exploit a diagonal Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to describe the generative process of region features. However, it is difficult to model the complex distribution of high-dimensional feature space with a limited number of Gaussians obtained by unsupervised learning. Simply increasing the number of Gaussians turns out to be inefficient and computationally impractical. To address this issue, we re-interpret a pre-trained CNN as the probabilistic discriminative model, and present a CNN based Fisher vector coding method, termed CNN-FVC. Specifically, activations of the intermediate fully-connected and output soft-max layers are exploited to derive the posteriors, mean and covariance parameters for Fisher vector coding implicitly. To further improve the efficiency, we convert the pre-trained CNN to a fully convolutional one to extract the region features. Extensive experiments have been conducted on two standard scene benchmarks (i.e. SUN397 and MIT67) to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Classification accuracies of 60.7% and 82.1% are achieved on the SUN397 and MIT67 benchmarks respectively, outperforming previous state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, the method is complementary to GMM-FVC methods, allowing a simple fusion scheme to further improve performance to 61.1% and 83.1% respectively.


With the help of finite-difference acoustic wave equation modeling and scale-model analysis, we study the kinematic and dynamic characteristics of strong scattering from inclusions with small radii of curvature compared to a wavelength. For an inclusion with a smooth (relative to a wavelength) curved surface, both grazing-incident and critically-incident elastic waves excite creeping waves that propagate along the inclusion surface. These results are used to formulate an elastic ray-tracing method that can be used to describe scattered waves from inclusions whose size is close to a wavelength. For all inclusion geometries modeled, including irregular inclusions, we discovered a large-amplitude arrival that was not predicted by traditional ray-theory. The raypath and traveltime of this arrival, which we term an inclusion wave, can be predicted by our ray theory.


Application of genetic programming approach in automated design of artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic controllers is described. Examples of real world problems solving from wide area of decision support are given.


Keywords: [HPR-MR] ; Lab-in-SEM ; Piezo positioning ; micro handling ; nano-materials testing ; SEM Reference LSRO2-CONF-2006-006 Record created on 2006-02-02, modified on 2017-05-10


A survey analysis was made on the status quo of soccer in elementary and high schools in Qinhuangdao using documentation,survey and talk interview;some countermeasures were given as to the existent problems.


Ann Turner's 1988 film Celia is set amongst the suburbs of Melbourne in the 1950s during the "Red scare" of the Menzies administration. When 9-year-old Celia's grandma dies, Celia finds emotional solace in the company of her next door neighbours, the Tanners. Celia's conservative father, Ray, attends to stop his daughter from associating with the communist-sympathising Tanners through the gift of a rabbit. In the 1950s attempts to cull Australia's "rabbit plague" involved the widespread banning of rabbits as household pets. When Celia's pet rabbit is taken from her she seeks retribution against the forces of patriarchal domination in her life, including her father and uncle. This retribution involves stylised magick rituals, staged judicial "performances" and acts of direct violence.

This paper argues, after Foucault, that, divested of political power as a girl and a child, Celia establishes a phantastical heterotopia that sits radically outside of the hegemonic power structures of conservative Australia. This opens a radical potential for a judicial approach that reflects a child's experiential understanding of the world. Tragically Celia's imitation modelling ensures her replication of the retributive model of punishment of her adult milieu (both in its treatment of communists and rabbits), albeit with a degree of public spectacle repressed by the private space of the adult penal system. More optimistically, Celia's stagings also contain elements of restorative justice. The paper concludes with a consideration of how a penal model based upon restorative justice for under 18s would better serve children's development and rehabilitation.


Urgency of the research. In the present paper, the questions of synthesis and application of the mathematical model of a boost-type DC converter, which has found widespread application in modern electrical devices and complexes, are considered. Target setting. Modeling of electrical complexes, which include semiconductor converters together with electromechanical, thermodynamic and other relatively slow processes, is faces the problem of a significant increase in simulation time. One way to solve this problem is to use the mathematical description of the semiconductor converter in the values averaged
over the period of operation of the semiconductor switch. Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. In publications on this topic over the past few years, averaged models of DC converters of all basic types have been proposed. Both continuous and intermittent current modes are considered. Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. In the models described in the publications, the continuous and intermittent
current modes are considered as separate models in which ideal semiconductor switches are used. In addition, the adequacy of the models used is not given enough attention. The research objective. The objective of this work is to synthesize an averaged mathematical model of a boost-type DC converter, which would take into account the effect of direct voltage drops on the circuit elements in continuous and intermittent
current modes, as well as assess the adequacy of applying the averaged approach.
The statement of basic materials. In the article a description of an averaged mathematical model of a boost-type DC converter, which takes into account direct drops on the circuit elements and provides simulation both in continuous and intermittent current mode, is given. To confirm the performance and assess the adequacy of the proposed model, a joint simulation was performed using the proposed and reference (circuit) model, and its comparative analysis is given. Conclusions. The results of the comparative analysis confirmed the adequacy of the proposed model and revealed the occurrence of an error in the intermittent current mode, and also determined its cause.


Copyright protection of plain text while traveling over the internet is very crucial. Dig ital watermarking provides the complete copyright protection solution for this problem. Text being the most dominant medium t ravelling over the internet needs absolu te protection. Text watermarking techniques have been developed in past to protect the text from illegal copying, redistribution and to prevent copyright violations. This paper presents a review of some of the recent research in watermarking techniques for p lain text documents. This is one of the most effective ways to safeguards the digital properties of our object.


Objective To investigate the relationship among level of acceptance of disability(AOD),self-esteem and coping style in permanent colostomy patients.Methods A total of 124 colostomy patients were recruited and investigated by Acceptance of Disability Scale(AODS),Self-Esteem Scale(SES) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire(MCMQ).Results The overall score of AOD was(82.10 ± 8.86),which showed a medium level.Moreover,patients ' AOD was positively correlated with their self-esteem and confronce,while negatively correlated with resignation and avoidance(P 0.01 or P 0.05).Conclusion The level of AOD in permanent colostomy patients need to be further improved.Nurses should explore effective psychological intervention mode to improve the patients' psychological level according to their level of self-esteem and coping styles.


Experiments are described in which the phenomenon of stimulated emission with a delayed maximum of power is observed in a hydrogen maser and is studied in some detail. The results are coupled to measurements of relaxation rates made through a pulse technique in which the hydrogen beam is modulated. A solution of the rate equations describing the phenomenon for a two-level model is obtained on an analog computer and is compared with the experimental data. From the comparison, we conclude that the phenomenon is explained by the assumed theoretical model. It is found also that the published values of the spin-exchange cross section of hydrogen are consistent with our experimental data.


Methanol is currently being evaluated as a promising alternative fuel for internal combustion engines, due to being attainable by carbon neutral or negative pathways (renewable energy and carbon capture technology). The low ignitability of methanol has made it attractive mostly as a fuel for spark ignition engines, however the low sooting properties of the fuel could potentially reduce the NOx-soot tradeoff present in compression ignition engines. In this work, using a 4-cylinder engine with compression ratio modified from 16:1 to 19:1, methanol combustion is evaluated under five operating conditions in terms of fuel consumption, criteria pollutants, CO2 emissions and engine efficiency in addition to the qualitative assessment of the combustion stability. It was found that combustion is stable at medium to high loads, with medium load NOx emissions levels at least 30% lower than the original diesel engine and comparable emissions at maximum load conditions. The measured soot showed negligible levels; however, HC and CO emissions were exceedingly high. In particular, the lowest load condition had HC and CO values that surpassed 10 g/kWh.


The interactions between axial wave propagation and transient cavitation in a closed pipe are studied. Definitive experimental results of the phenomenon are produced in a novel apparatus. The apparatus is characterized by its simplicity and its capability of studying transient phenomena in a predictable sequence. The influence due to friction is small and the representations of the boundary conditions are straightforward. Measurements with different severity of cavitation are provided to enable other researchers in the area to compare with their theoretical models. A new cavitating fluid/structure interaction cavitation model is proposed. The measurements are compared with the column separation model of Tijsseling and Lavooij (1989) and the new model to validate the experimental results.


This paper studies the characteristics of equilibrium states in the steady flight of an aircraft, analyzes the existing trimmed-method and presents a general method of solving the various equilibrium states of any aircraft. It does work only through aircraft model input and output signals with restrictive condition. Mixture genetic algorithm combined with the genetic algorithm and the simplex algorithm is used to improve the searching process and precision. The result shows that the algorithm has good convergence and steadiness.


A theoretical background of process of changing hydro-meteorological conditions impact on oil spill trajectory is presented. A probabilistic procedure to oil spill domain movement modelling is proposed considering the impact of hydro-meteorological factors. The procedure is practically applied to prediction of oil spill domain movement at Karlskrona seaport water area.


Only gradually did I realize how much I learned from Edwin Denby and Willem de Kooning, neither of them a teacher.How did Edwin and I meet Bill? In 1935 we lived in a loft on Twenty-First between Sixth and Seventh and one day a black-and-white kitten came through the fire escape. It turned out to belong to Bill and Juliet, who lived next door. Before that, we'd been hearing loud hi-fi music drifting over: Flamenco, Louis Armstrong, Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. We began visiting. A former girl friend, Nini, came around, too, and they all seemed to get along. I remember Bill saying once, No, he wasn't going to marry Juliet; if he was going to marry anybody it would be Nini.


This paper makes three contributions: (1) A competitive revelation principle for contracting games in which several principals compete for one privately informed agent. Specifically, given any profile of incentive compatible indirect contracting mechanisms, there exists an incentive compatible direct contracting mechanism that, in all circumstances, generates the same contract selection as the profile of indirect mechanisms. (2) A competitive taxation principle. That is, given any incentive compatible direct contracting mechanism, there exists a unique profile of nonlinear pricing schedules that implements the mechanism and the converse. (3) Existence of Nash equilibrium for the mixed extension of the nonlinear pricing game. This is proven using the taxation principle (2 above) and a result due to Reny, Econometrica 1999. To appear as a CERMSEM, Paris 1, Working Paper and also on http://www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/Economics/research/twerps.html.


Recent developments in the construction sector in the Asian region demonstrate three trends: (1) larger private sector participation in infrastructure projects, (2) increasing vertical integration in the packaging of construction projects, and (3) increased foreign participation in domestic construction. This paper attributes the trends to the globalization and deregulation of markets necessitated by fiscal, technological and managerial constraints. Although these trends present intra-Asian opportunities, there are also areas of concern. The trends have helped polarize the financial and technical superiority of the developed countries and the corresponding inferiority of the developed countries in the region of the developing ones. In the long term, this gap could be filled through technology transfer. In the short term, however, there are concerns that imported construction services could grow at the expense of the indigenous sectors of the developing countries. This paper illustrates this dilemma with the case of Japan as a world leader in international construction services. Its dominance has apparently come through the orchestration of industrial and corporate policies, implemented in a highly regulated and protected domestic market. However, construction industries in other Asian economies (such as China) will have to leapfrog in technology, finance and management know-how (e.g. through joint ventures with developed countries' construction companies) before they can become formidable powers in an environment that has become much more global, more de-regulated, more open and more competitive than before.


The article is devoted to the analysis of the sanctions policy of the Russian Empire towards the countries that were its opponents in the First World War. Such states included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, which joined forces in the military bloc of the Central Powers to fight the Allies.
 The victories of the member states of the Entente bloc were forged not only on the fronts, but also achieved through the partial or complete abolition of trade, financial and economic relations with the countries of the Fourth Bloc. The aim of this paper is to study and comprehend the experience of imposing sanctions by the Russian Empire against states that participated in the war against it during the war of 1914-1918. , which is waging a long-running hybrid war with Ukraine. The article demonstrates an example of an adequate response of state institutions to encroachment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. It has been proved that immediately after the start of hostilities, measures were taken against the subjects of the states fighting against Russia to limit their legal capacity and legal capacity. They could be deported both outside the country and outside its individual localities.
These people were allowed to enter Russia only with the permission of the relevant authorities. Merchant ships of countries fighting against Russia, seized in Russian ports, were detained. Merchant ships built for foreign countries were confiscated and converted for military purposes.
Investment policy has also been revised. This is confirmed by the approval by the Russian emperor in 1915 of the Regulations on the Liquidation of Trade Enterprises Belonging to Enemy Citizens, which referred to the liquidation of enterprises and joint-stock companies that co-owned with Russian nationals. It is noteworthy that only those enterprises that operated at the expense of German, Austrian, Hungarian or Turkish investments were subject to liquidation. Other normative legal acts abolished the right of ownership of land of the same group of foreign citizens.
The result of the scientific article was the conclusion that by applying the emergency legislation, the Russian government did everything possible to prevent national security from financing the citizens of those countries that were at war with it.


The aim of this research were to determine the effect of temperature (45°C, 55°C, 65°C) and pH (5.0; 6.0; 7.0) on the increase of total cell count and polygalacturonase enzyme activity produced from raja nangka banana (Musa paradisiaca var. formatypica) peel waste by pectinolytic bacterial Bacillus licheniformis strain GD2a. This research applied two sample repetition and one analysis repetition. The result showed temperature and pH affect total cell count. The total cell count on 45°C and pH 7 recorded the highest number at 9.469 log cell/ml. Temperature and pH also affected pectin concentration at the end of fermentation. The lowest pectin concentration recorded at 45°C and pH 7 was 0.425 %. The highest enzyme activity recorded at 65°C and pH 7 was 0.204 U/ml. The highest enzyme protein concentration was recorded at 65°C and resulted as 0.310 mg/ml on pH 6. The highest specific activity was 19.527 U/mg at 65°C and pH 7. By this result, could be concluded that optimum condition process on polygalacturonase production was at 65°C and pH 7 because it gave highest enzyme activity result (0,204 U/ml).


This paper focuses on controlling adsorption of gold nanoparticles onto polymer nanosheets. Amphiphilic copolymers, poly(N-dodecyl acrylamide-co-4-vinyl pyridine)s (p(DDA/VPy)s), were synthesized and the ultrathin p(DDA/VPy) films were prepared by the Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) technique. Gold nanoparticles were immobilized onto p(DDA/VPy) LB films through the dipping method and took a uniformly distributed monolayer formation. The amount of gold nanopariticle in the monolayer strongly depended on the VPy content. A patterned gold nanoparticle monolayer was obtained with photopatterned p(DDA/VPy) LB films. These findings suggest that p(DDA/VPy) LB films act as a good template for gold nanoparticle arrays.


A dichotomy of government and society in the exploration of the State's transition from Medieval to Ētat modern opens new opportunities to understand the Kingdom of England's history on the eve of the early modern period. On the one hand, gentry remained its importance under unstable political authority, arbitrariness and lawlessness from country's nobility. On the other hand, political evolution of power was determined by growing role of king's prerogative. The development of ideas about the function of serving the authority was reflected in a number of anonymous tractates of that time and isolated events. Government used a figure of wise and righteous monarch against the background of serious political-military failures of the 30s in Hundred Years' War. One of the tractate states that the King and his Council assumed the burden of service and responsibility in difficult time for the kingdom with minimal focus on commons. The other one of that time has the phenomenon of publicity filled with nostalgia, represented through discourses of historic memory. An anonymous author from the king's inner circle describes an alternative of country's political course of Anglo-French opposition. The author calls for the restoration of kingdom's past glory as strong military Power, above all, at sea, rather than the war on the mainland. He brings back the reader images of famous monarchs, where sea power guaranteed prosperity of the realm and its subjects. An understanding of a new place and the role of England in the last phase of Hundred Years' War, somehow, that favoured public interests and expectations, is formed. An understanding of monarch's duty and responsibility underwent significant changes in anonymous tractate of the late 40s. The ruler must promote well-being and prosperity of his nationals, know their needs and requirements, listen for their opinion, which is the wisdom and justice of the monarch. Dialogue between government and society developed by participants' demands of Jack Cade rebellion. King cannot be above the law and commons are always ready to support him. England's socio-political processes of that time are characterized by the increase of publicity, strengthening of authority's representation. Nevertheless, keeping faith with the figure of wise and righteous monarch, the patron and protector of his subjects could not stop impending socio-political crisis of the second part of the century.


In a dilute H 2SO 4 medium , the oxidation of Safranin T Water Soluble by hydrogen peroxide is catalyzed by trace iron(Ⅲ).a new method of determination of trace amounts of iron is founded. The detection limit is 8.5×10 -2 μg·mL -1 .The linear range of iron(Ⅲ) is 0~1.4 μg·mL -1. The method has been applied to the analysis of tap water and well water.


An optimal allocation mathematic model of water resources in Taizi River basin is developed based on the objective of equilibrium of economy, society and environment. The model is solved by use of the multi-objective successive dynamic programming method in order to get the best allocation of water resources.


The global organic food market has expanded substantially as growing and going organic has widely been perceived as being good for soils, ecosystems and people. Also considering the history of the organic movements, this study investigates the contemporary perceptions and consumption of organic foods in Germany and South Korea. This study concludes that given the historically different commitments to organic farming and marketing, organic foods in Germany have gone main-stream whilst in South Korea organic foods are essentially still much of a niche market. In Germany an organic industry has evolved and organic food awareness and consumption are strong.Most consumers are above average income and education, and driven by ethical values for people, environment and animals. Many consumers also go organic because of a holistic healthy life style, trends and convenience. South Koreans, on a smaller scale - in particular mothers of young children, elders and high income groups – also purchase organic food mostly for health reasons. Here knowledge about organic food and intentions to go organic appear limited due to deficiencies in marketing and labelling, resulting in a lack of product distinction and trust in the quality of organic foods. To popularize organic foods in South Korea, greater efforts should be made to improve cost effectiveness, product transparency and reliability of organic foods, and understanding of consumer behaviour.


We have studied CuLi0.08Mg1.92 and determined that the compound reacts with hydrogen to form CuLi0.08Mg1.92H5 [1]. Additionally, we have proposed the compound as a negative electrode material which is the main purpose of the present study. Moreover, we have observed that the latter compound acts as a catalyst in the formation of MgH2, LiH, TiH2 [2] and hydrogen desorption. In this work, first principles and phonon calculations were performed in order to establish the reactions occurring at the negative electrode of a Li conversion battery in presence of CuLi0.08Mg1.92H5 and (Li) – solid solution of Mg in Li – approximately Li2Mg3. We have calculated the minimum theoretical specific capacity to be 1156 mAh/g (for an anode with 100% of CuLi0.08Mg1.92H5) and the △Eeq = 0.81 V (vs. Li + /Li) at 298 K. Furthermore, we have determined all the reactions occurring in the referred system and its sequence using Inelastic Incoherent Neutron Scattering (IINS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD).


RESULTS. LPLA2 activity was detected in the AH obtained from pig eyes. Consistent with the known properties of LPLA2, the activity was heat-labile and undetectable at neutral pH. The immunoblot of pig AH showed the anti-LPLA2 antibody–reactive protein band. In addition, the specific activity of the enzyme, when normalized to volume, was higher in pig AH than in pig serum. Individual tissue extracts obtained from pig ocular tissues showed different specific activity of LPLA2. In particular, the extract prepared from the trabecular meshwork provided the highest specific activity. CONCLUSIONS. The present findings suggest that the phospholipase A2 activity found in pig AH under acidic conditions is due to LPLA2 and that it originates from ocular tissues surrounding the anterior chamber as well as plasma. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:152–156) DOI:10.1167/iovs.11-7891


Soil viscosity provide as a newparameter formeasuring the improvement of calcareous soils those treated with several samples of plant residues compost. The aim of this paper is to study the soil viscosity and its relations with some soil properties as affected by twenty four compost samples of rice and corn wastes. The samples prepared by two different composting methods with some additional treatments through composting process, so that used in ameliorating Maryut calcareous soil. The data indicate good response of treated soils, referring to viscosity values, due to either kind or amount of compost samples. Furthermore, the degree of effectiveness correlated significantly with many of compost characters either as internal structure likemolecular weight (M.wt) and thermal index (RI) or as physicochemical properties like heat capacity (Cp), water holding capacity (WHC), moisture content, organic matter content (OM%) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil viscosity in relation with treated calcareous soil has significant negative correlations with CP and WHC, while have significant positive correlationswith bulk density and EC. Finally, we provide this new aspect to be considered with the classic soil measurements as it may need more investigations to apply with different soil types.


The benthic macro invertebrates are good indicators of localized conditions, as many of the benthic macro invertebrates have limited migration patterns or a sessile mode of life. Most species have a complex life cycle of one year or more. Sensitive life stages will respond quickly to stress; the overall community will respond more slowly. The structure and distribution of the different benthonic macro-invertebrates communities is considered to be one of the important indicators of the surface waters' quality . In November 2014, were collected 20 quantitative samples of benthic zones, in the Bega River in order to highlight the links between pollution degree and the saprobionte organisms community. The aim of this paper is to show the effects of human impact (Ghiroda village, potable water treatment station, sewage water treatment station of Timisoara, SA¢nmihaiu Roman village) on benthic community structure and dynamics of different ecosystems from Bega River water. After the laboratory work was carried out, it was identified ten groups of benthic macro invertebrates: Oligochaeta subclass Hirudin class, Lamelibranchiata class, Gastropoda class, Nematoda phylum, Diptera order (larvae of the families Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae and Tipulidae ), Isopoda order, Trichoptera order, Odonata order, Coleoptera order).


Plants have some specific chemicals called phytochemicals in them which may not have nutritional property as such, but they can work towards the deterance of diseases. As they can be absorbed by the human body, they can minimize the free radical damage caused to the cells, as a result of oxidative stress. Lemon is a citrus fruit considered to be rich in phytochemicals. This study provides an explicit perception about the Citrus limonum portion (pulp or peel), as to which one has more number of phytochemicals. The aqueous extracts of the pulp revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, fixed oils, reducing sugars, proteins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phytosterols, phenols and flavonoids, whereas the ethanolic pulp extracts showed only the presence of fixed oils, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phytosterols, flavonoids and amino acids. On the other hand, the aqueous peel extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, fixed oils, proteins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phenols and flavonoids and amino acids, whereas the ethanolic peel extracts revealed that they contained carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, fixed oils, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phytosterols, phenols and flavonoids.


We analyze the action of fire, causing degradation in a concrete cantilever beam using dynamic testing. The structure is instrumented with two fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) sensors. One of them is used to measure vibration and another one is used to measure temperature inside of the cantilever beam, while the beam is exposed to fire. The temperature in the cantilever beam increased until 150°C and a reduction in the strength of concrete can be observed through the modal analysis. A fiber Bragg grating interrogation system, based on tunable filter method, is used for the static and dynamic measurements during the experiments. That system has low cost and it is easy to assemble and maintain when compared to other available instruments.


Rituximab (Mabthera® , Rituxan® ) is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen found on the surface of normal and malignant B lymphocytes; it has recently been licensed in the United States and Europe as a novel antibody therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular, CD20 positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Preclinical studies have shown that rituximab specifically recognizes the CD20 antigen, can induce human effector mechanisms in vitro, and effectively depletes B cells in cynomolgus monkeys with limited toxicity. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated that 4 infusions of 375 mg/m2 rituximab given over a 22-day period in patients with low-grade NHL is effective, with an overall response rate of 50%. Adverse events associated with treatment are primarily mild and are most frequent with the first infusion, decreasing with subsequent infusions. B cells are effectively depleted during treatment: Levels return to normal ranges between 9 and 12 months post-treatment. Immunoglobulin levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA remain within the normal range. A human anti-chimeric antibody response has been detected in only less than 1% of patients treated and has not interfered with treatment. Rituximab offers a novel, effective, well-tolerated alternative treatment for NHL compared with existing therapies. The clinic al success of rituximab reinforces the promising potential of antibody therapy.


Critics of the #MeToo movement claim that it has gone too far, that not enough hierarchies of abuse have been created to distinguish between the worst kinds of behaviors and those that are problematic but not criminal. The contention is that the #MeToo movement casts too wide a net. In this paper, I make an argument to the contrary: the #MeToo movement has not gone far enough in calling out the totality of abuse women, and some men, face daily. Left outside of the sexual harassment paradigm is gender-based sexual harassment that is not imbued with sexuality but nonetheless happens because of a person's sex. I advance two related claims. First, the history of how we came to our current understanding of sexual harassment shows the sexualization of sexual harassment occurred because of political, legal, and practical reasons. Nothing confines us to our current view. Second, I argue against the position that sexual harassment is sui generis from gender-based harassment; rather, both emanate from the same psychological states and are thus on a continuum. I conclude by connecting the prevalence of quid pro quo forms of harassment to gender-based harassment to show that if we do not expose and attempt to end the latter, it is unlikely we will make inroads in preventing the former. It is incumbent upon proponents of the #MeToo movement to use a more expansive definition of this phenomenon.


The utility model provides a cross hole distance gauge. The cross hole distance gauge is simple and convenient to use, can rapidly detect a distance of parts with a cross hole from one hole end face to a cross center of two holes, improves detection efficiency and is characterized by comprising a measuring standard structure and a measuring structure. The measuring standard structure comprises a positioning pin, a positioning sleeve and a positioning screw, the positioning sleeve is inserted on the end portion of a standard hole of the parts to be detected, a positioning hole is arranged in the center of the positioning sleeve, the positioning screw is installed on a longitudinal upper side of the positioning sleeve, and the positioning pin is installed in the positioning hole and fastened through the positioning screw. The measuring structure comprises a dial indicator.


L'Abate Introduction. Part I: Foundations. Scabini, Cigoli, The Role of Theory in the Study of Family Psychopathology. Loukas, Twitchell, Piejak, Fitzgerald, Zucker, The Family as a Unity of Interacting Personalities. Petzold, The Concept of "the Family" in Family Psychopathology. Brunner, Family Interaction and Family Psychopathology. Gargano, Risk and Resiliency Factors among Culturally Diverse Families: Implications for Family Psychopathology. Part II: Dimensions of Family Structure. Davila, Bradbury, Psychopathology and the Marital Dyad. Cusinato, Parenting Styles and Psychopathology. Cicirelli, Intergenerational Relationships in Modern Families. Heffer, Snyder, Comprehensive Assessment of Family Functioning. Part III: Varieties of Individual and Family Psychopathology. Jurkovic, Destructive Parentification in Families: Causes and Consequences. Beach, Fincham, Marital Processes and Depression. Nicholson, Schizophrenia and the Family. Cierpka, Reich, Kraul, Psychosomatic Illness and the Family. Rosen, The Family Roots of Aggression and Violence: A Life Span Perspective. Trepper, Dankoski, Substance Abuse and Dependence. Part IV. Helping Families at Risk, in Need, and in Crisis. Tolan, Quintana, Gorman-Smith Prevention Approaches for Families. Gerris, Van As, Wels, Janssens, From Parent Education to Family Empowerment Programs. Sanders, The Empirical Status of Psychological Interventions


— 35 — "Slavery," as M. I. Finley noted, is an institution aught with ambiguity and contradiction. How does one define a female slave, as opposed, for instance, to a wife, a servant (indentured or otherwise), an employee, a dependent relative or hanger-on, a nursemaid, a lady-in-waiting, a concubine, a mistress? In fact, a female slave may have partaken of all these roles. There is much literature on the origins and definitions of slavery in both ancient and modern slave systems. As we have noted in the introductory chapter: 1) in the case of the ancient Near East, such theories oen depend on the particular economic or political ideology assumed by the scholar; 2) definitions of slavery in Mesopotamia are also complicated by the theory that dependence, versus "eedom", was the ideal state; and 3) finally, female slaves tend to be either simply assimilated with male slaves, or assumed to have been only concubines or breeders. I shall argue that a contextual and etymological analysis of the terms for female slaves assign them to the same continuum of dependence which wives inhabited. Their reproductive capabilities were certainly valued, but with a role sought for them within a family or kinship structure. There is nothing biblically to indicate that marriage with female slaves was prohibited, or that the children of female slaves were automatically slaves. Finally it will be argued that it was actually the concubine, the pilegesh, who was the "other" who, outside the dependence continuum, constituted danger.


A microscopic magnetic model of the low-pressure modification of CdVO${}_{3}$ is established, based on density functional theory (DFT) band-structure calculations, magnetization measurements, and quantum Monte Carlo simulations. This compound is a rare example of a quasi-one-dimensional spin-1/2 system showing exclusively ferromagnetic exchange. The spin lattice of CdVO${}_{3}$ entails zigzag chains with an effective intrachain coupling $J\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{-}90$ K and interchain couplings of ${J}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{-}18$ K and ${J}_{a}\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{-}3$ K. Quantum fluctuations are partially suppressed by the sizable interchain coupling ${J}_{c}$ that leads to an intermediate regime between one-dimensional and two-dimensional ferromagnetic systems. Apart from the peculiar spin model, CdVO${}_{3}$ features an unusual mechanism of ferromagnetic superexchange. The couplings largely originate from Cd $5s$ states mediating hoppings between half-filled and empty $3d$ states of V${}^{+4}$.


Almost all studies of national parks, game reserves or wilderness areas in Africa have concentrated upon their use by wealthy European or American visitors. The African experience of these spaces has been overlooked. This article focuses on a South African state-run game reserve on the western fringes of the Kruger National Park, which opened in 1967 for the exclusive use of African visitors. The Manyeleti game reserve became one of very few resorts available to black South Africans that could afford to take a holiday during the apartheid period. While initially established to encourage conservationist ideals within the growing black middle class, the game reserve had to adapt to the preferences of its visitors in order to make the project a paying concern. As such, alternative means of enjoying nature began to evolve that ran counter to initial expectations and intentions. This article explores the objectives and ideas of the venture's originators and managers, and then compares those expectations with the actual experiences of the visitors to the game reserve. By being open to both the official and unofficial means of engaging with nature, activities such as eating, drinking and football become as important to the story as the nature trails, film shows and game drives. The article makes use of Michel de Certeau's theory of 'strategy' and 'tactics' to argue that while a moralised ideal of Manyeleti was formulated at its genesis, the practicality of running the reserve created a space for urban Africans to temporarily escape many aspects of apartheid oppression. To contextualise this development, Manyeleti is contrasted with the other state-managed holiday resort at Umgababa, 40 km south of Durban.


An experiment was carried out to evaluate total solar radiation and photosynthetic active radiation reflectivity and absorptivity in three plant densities (6.9, 8.9, and 12.5 plants m−2) of CAFIME variety corn (Zea mays L.) and their relations with plant growth and yield. Reflectivity and absorptivity of the crop canopy in the plant densities was evaluated by the index of reflectivity and absorptivity to total solar radiation (Rsw) and photosynthetic active radiation (RFA), using silicon pyranometers and quantum sensors. In the three plant densities, Rsw absorbed was 75% and RFA 95%. As plant density was increased, absorbed RFA slightly increased, but absorptivity to Rsw showed a decrease. Reflectivity and absorptivity indexes to RFA at the three plant densities were more uniform than those observed for Rsw. Carbon dioxide fixation was higher at low plant densities, which corresponds to a lower stomatal resistance to CO2 flux. However, grain yield (kg ha−1) was higher at greater plant density, which indicates that grain productivity of the CAFIME variety can be increased by increasing plant density, which is due to higher RFA absorptivity per unit area.


Alginates with excellent film‐forming ability have a promising potential as a safe and biodegradable food packaging material, but as a hydrophilic biopolymer, its general weakness against water has limited its applications. To surpass this weakness, in this study, coating of calcium alginate films with linseed or sunflower oils in micrometric (about 4.55 μm) and submicrometric (about 0.45 μm) thickness was performed, and the characteristics of the films were evaluated. All of the films were homogeneous, transparent and almost colourless. Micro‐coated films presented improved ultraviolet absorbing spectra. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images proved the formation of homogeneous and continuous submicron‐coated oil layers for both types of the oils, while some inhomogeneity and defects were observed in the micro‐coated films. Oxidative polymerization of linseed oil was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analyses. The mechanical strength of the films micro‐coated with linseed oil increased. Submicron coating improved water vapour barrier properties (from 2.20 to 2.92 g/mm/m2/day/kPa) as well as water vapour absorption of the alginate film compared to other films. This result was confirmed by thermogravimetric analyses. The increase in surface hydrophobicity of the films by coating resulted in a significant increase in contact angle (from 46.3° to 89.9° in maximum) and reduction of wettability. The film submicron coated with linseed oil showed the best performance with the least water vapour permeability, water vapour absorption and wettability.


AbstractClose interorganizational collaboration plays a crucial role in achieving the sustainable goals of green building projects. Therefore, it is imperative to optimize interorganizational colla...


Incremental ecological service value is an important assessment indicator for ecosystem restoration projects, such as the interconnected river system network project in western Jilin Province, China. In this paper, a fuzzy two-stage chance-constrained stochastic programming (FTSCCP) model is proposed for the optimization of regional incremental ecological service value through adjustments to the original water diversions and ecological water supplement schemes for ecosystem restoration under different management requirements and scenarios. The proposed method can effectively address uncertainties such as fuzzy parameters, probability distributions, and random variables in optimizing processes simultaneously. The results reveal that, under the requirement of meeting the original plan, a decrease in restoration scale would mainly appear under low-flow scenarios, and for the other scenarios, the original plan would be fully realized with an increase in flood utilization and a decrease in normal water supplementation. For the requirement of maximizing the incremental ecological service value, the adjustments would mainly be increases in water supplementation for reed wetlands and marsh wetlands and decreases in water surface area, including fish ponds and crab ponds. The ecological service values would be 11,256.79 million CNY (Chinese Yuan), 16,465.11 million CNY and 17,639.59 million CNY under low-, normal- and high-flow scenarios, respectively, with increases of 3.2%, 6.9% and 14.5% compared to the values based on the requirement of meeting the original plan. The results would be helpful for guiding regional ecosystem restoration and water resource management in the western Jilin Province.


Zeolites are a class of microporous materials that exhibit high external surface area, extraordinary molecular sieving capacity and microporous structure with selective pore sizes. Control of zeolite external surface properties, in particular hydrophobicity, is desirable for many applications in catalysis and separations. To control the hydrophobicity of zeolite surface, we modified the outer surfaces of four types of zeolites by covalently bonding organosilane molecules of varying alkyl chain length. We then characterized the hydrophobicity of the external surfaces by measurement of static contact angle, finding that zeolite hydrophobicity increased after silanization. To quantify the effect, we then performed gravimetric measurements to estimate the mass of coating acquired by the zeolites during silanization. When combined with external surface area measurements, the coating mass measurement allowed estimation of the surface density of the silane coating. We found that even modest coatings (>10 mg/cm2) transformed the zeolite surface hydrophobic; increasing the coating density beyond this critical loading had little effect. This work provides a rational basis for determining the optimal coating density required for a given application.


Slow fading or shadowing on a wireless channel is commonly modeled by stochastically independent, log-normally distributed random variables. However, as slow fading is caused by buildings and large size obstacles, spatial correlations occur. In this paper, Gaussian random fields are used as a model for correlated slow fading in urban environments. An exponential correlation function is employed. The according parameters are estimated from path gain predictions by an accurate ray-optical propagation algorithm, named CORLA. Furthermore, a multidimensional model is suggested to describe correlated shadowing of the path gains from different base stations to a single receiver.


This diploma thesis concentrated on the utilisation of modern technologies used for design, development and construction of the products. The theoretical part describes the general utilisation of CAD technologies followed by a brief introduction of CATIA V5 being the construction software as well as its modules creating the mold cavities. Next, there are descriptions of Autodesk Moldflow software as well as the theoretical knowledge of the construction of injection mold. At the end of this part the theory of Rapid Prototyping technology is shortly described. The practical part explains why the new construction of the control Handle is performed. There is detailed description of the 3D scanning of the Branchpipe followed by the adjust-ment of the data obtained. The main part of this thesis concentrates on in-depth description of the new construction of the control Handle with its further possible modifications. There are also the description and evaluation of the flow analyses as well as the construc-tion of the mold cavities for the control Handle suggested. The thesis results in a manufac-turing of a new model by Rapid Prototyping technology.


A diagnostic for visible light tomography is being prepared for the Rijnhuizen Tokamak Project (RTP). Light emitted in the range of 200 to 1100 nm will be detected by five cameras positioned around the plasma in one poloidal plane. Each camera has 16 detector elements. The 80 channels are provided with parallel electronics with a bandwidth of 200 kHz. Imaging systems are used to collect the light on the detector elements. The resolution of this system is of the order of 1 cm. Optical filters in front of the detectors can select interesting wavelength ranges, such as spectral lines or a line-free part of the continuum radiation


Despite Former External Affairs Minister Donald Jamieson's claim that Canada had "been the Number One peace-keeping country in the world," Canadian participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (U.N.I.F.I.L.) in 1978 was limited to the initial period of six months and solely for logistic support. The cautious position taken by the Liberal government is understandable in view of the volatile situation prevailing in Lebanon for a number of years and the many uncertainties confronting U.N.I.F.I.L., which since its inception has been called "the most difficult peace-keeping operation ever launched by the Organization."


Several potential valve closures for the space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system (SS/APS) were investigated analytically and experimentally in a modeling program. The most promising of these were analyzed and experimentally evaluated in a full-size functional valve test fixture of novel design. The engineering investigations conducted for both model and scale evaluations of the SS/APS valve closures and functional valve fixture are described. Preliminary designs, laboratory tests, and overall valve test fixture designs are presented, and a final recommended flightweight SS/APS valve design is presented.


AIM: To study if the routine use of combined Forced Alkaline Diuresis (FAD) and Hemodialysis (HD), confers any advantage in terms of quicker drug elimination, reduced ICU stay or lower costs, among patients with moderate Phenobarbitone overdose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all available records of patients admitted with phenobarbitone overdose between March 1995 and September 2002, was carried out. RESULTS: 42 records could be analysed. Fourteen patients each had drug levels above 100 mg/L and between 60 -100 mg/L. Out of the fourteen with drug levels between 60-100 mg/L, 9 were treated with FAD alone and the rest with combined FAD + HD. The parameter, which influenced the modality of drug elimination, was the GCS, which correlated neither with the dose consumed, nor the drug levels at admission. Those treated with FAD alone stayed in the ICU a shorter while needed fewer cycles of FAD for detoxification and ultimately spent significantly less for their treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of combined FAD and HD confers no advantage when used among patients with moderate phenobarbitone overdose whose GCS is more than 8 and are hemodynamically stable.


This paper is a contribution to our understanding of the intertwined economic and political crises in Zimbabwe and the crisis of xenophobia in South Africa. There have been few studies to date specifically examining the impact of xenophobic violence on Zimbabweans trying to make a living in the South African informal economy. The paper first provides a picture of Zimbabwean migrant entrepreneurship using survey data from a 2015 study of migrants in the informal economy. All of the Zimbabwean entrepreneurs interviewed in depth for the study in 2016 had either witnessed or been the victims of xenophobic violence or both. The interviews focused on the experience and impact of xenophobic violence on personal safety and business operations. The migrant accounts clearly demonstrate that they see xenophobia as a key driver of the hostility, looting and violence that they experience. The paper argues that the deep-rooted crisis in Zimbabwe, which has driven many to South Africa in the first place, makes return home in the face of xenophobia a non-viable option. Zimbabweans are forced to adopt a number of self-protection strategies, none of which ultimately provide insurance against future attack.


The synthesis of 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline hydrate 2 derivatives from 1,10-phenanthroline monohydrate as starting material has been carried out. The 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline hydrate 2 was obtained through nitration reaction using H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 as catalyst and reagent, respectively. Synthesis of (1)-N-alkyl-6-nitro- and (1)-N-benzyl-6-nitro-1,10-phenanthrolinium have been prepared using dimethyl sulphate (DMS), diethyl sulphate (DES), benzyl chloride, benzyl bromine, and benzyl iodide. The reagents of benzyl bromine, and benzyl iodide were synthesized from benzyl chloride using NaBr in ethanol absolute and NaI in acetone, respectively. The five compounds of 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline hydrate 2 derivatives were conducted to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity. The in vitro antiplasmodial was evaluated on strains of Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3 resistant chloroquine and D10 sensitive chloroquine. The 50% inhibition concentration (IC 50 ) of the five compounds ranged from 2.41±1.41 to 0.07±0.01 μM. The results showed that the (1)-N-benzyl-6-nitro-1,10-phenanthrolinium iodide had highest antiplasmodial activity.


The article discusses the phenomenon of radicalization, which becomes a source of danger for the individual and the security of the state. At the beginning the article discusses the essence and causes of the phenomenon, and then refers to the Polish and German strategies in the field of security. The documents identify radicalization and extremism as a contemporary threat to national security, which is confirmed by numerous attacks in Europe. Examples of attacks involving radicalized individuals are discussed in this paper in the article. The discussion ends with conclusions emphasizing that in the process of radicalization the
information provided to individuals and communication between government institutions and society are extremely important.


The present invention provides an illumination apparatus and an image display device, the lighting device comprising: an excitation light source emitting excitation light having a first wavelength; and a fluorescent member includes a fluorescent substance, when excited by optical radiation, the emission wavelength of the fluorescent substance is greater than the second wavelength of light of a first wavelength, a portion of the excitation light and the reflection and transmission of another portion of the excitation light and the fluorescent member comprises a first reflective film, a reflection film provided on the first fluorescent substance and the excitation light incident side side opposite to the fluorescent member emit light composite, the composite optical component comprising a fluorescent substance and the excitation light reflecting film and the first light component emitted from the fluorescent substance.


PURPOSE: A concrete tensile testing device using an SHTB(Split Hopkinson Tension Bar) and a method thereof are provided to effectively obtain a stress-strain curve of a concrete sample according to the temperature and the transforming speed. CONSTITUTION: A concrete tensile testing device using an SHTB comprises a fixed bar, an extending bar, a sample(500), a first grip(300), and a second grip(400). The fixed bar fixes one side of the sample. The extending bar applies tensile force to the sample while fixing the other side of the sample. Placing protrusions(510) are formed in both end portions of the sample. The first grip is joined to an end portion of the fixed bar with a joining member and includes a placing groove to receive the placing protrusion of the one side of the sample. The first grip is joined to an end portion of the extending bar with a joining member, and includes a placing groove to receive the placing protrusion of the other side of the sample.


Sri Lanka is in a post-conflict transformative state. The challenge is to maximize economic opportunities presented by the end of 30-year war ensuring a sustainable economic growth. This necessary transition requires active participation of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) that would address and meet the needs of war-affected micro-entrepreneurs; and aspirations of all of citizens of Sri Lanka. This paper outlines a brief but in-depth overview of conducting marketing audits for MFIs in Sri Lanka by particularly under the following key sections: (1) Marketing environment audit; (2) Marketing strategy audit; (3) Marketing organization audit; and (4) Marketing systems audit. Furthermore, this paper addresses main key challenges in post-conflict Sri Lanka that a typical MFI may need to address and lists research findings sequentially, leading to constructive recommendations.


The author has made an intensive study of the early literature of the Pacific. In this book his purpose is to establish the true title to the discovery of the various islands of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia by abstracting from the original records the relevant topographical, nautical, and other clues and comparing them with the modern data.


In this paper we present an incremental formulation of the phase field model for a fluid filled crack in a poroelastic medium. The mathematical model represents a linear elasticity system with fading elastic moduli as the crack grows that is coupled with an elliptic variational inequality for the phase field variable. The convex constraint of the variational inequality assures the irreversibility and entropy compatibility of the crack formation. We establish existence of a minimizer of an energy functional of an incremental problem and convergence of a finite dimensional approximation. Computational results of benchmark problems are provided that demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in treating fracture propagation.


IN THEIR 100 000 Lives Campaign, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement recommended implementation of rapid response teams (RRTs) as a strategy to reduce the number of preventable in-hospital deaths.1 Rapid response teams have been associated with a reduction in mortality and cardiac arrest rates.2 In 2005, with the goal of improving patient outcomes, the hospital developed and implemented a RRT program. This specific program was launched with the expectation that any staff member would be able to activate an RRT call. During times of deteriorating conditions, RRT activation would quickly bring critical care expertise to the patient's


The vagaries inherent in the operation of special conditions in land sale contracts have commonly required judicial interpretation. A further illustration is provided by the recent decision of the Queensland Court of Appeal (Jerrard, Keane JJA and Philip McMurdo J) in Donaldson and Donaldson v Bexton and Bexton [2006] QCA 559.


Federal and regional approaches to the implementation of cultural and educational policy in the South of Russia in conditions of multinational region are analyzed. Strategic purposes, tendencies and achievements of regionalization of the cultural and educational sphere in Krasnodar Krai are shown.


The negative translation provides a general way to make constructive sense of some non effective reasoning. However this method has some limitations. It does not work in presence of the axiom of description/choice. In this note, we analyse the interaction of classical logic with generalised inductive definition. In the metatheory, we allow generalised inductive definitions, but with an intuitionistic logic. Actually, we can take as our metatheory a system like Martin-Löf type theory. The starting motivation of this work was a comparison between the work of Tait/Schütte and the work of Lorenzen/Novikov on cut-elimination. From a constructive perspective, the analysis of sequent calculus is most elegantly expressed in Lorenzen/Novikov's way, as the admissibility of the cut rule [2, 3]. Tait/Schütte's approach introduces two extra parameters `ρ Γ which measures the depth of the proof tree and the maximal degree of the cut in the proof (see for instance [1]). While this may be extremely interesting for an evaluation of the complexity of the cut-elimination processes, if the goal is only to give a constructive explanation of some classical reasoning, these extra parameters should be irrelevant. Looking at the presentation of local predicativity in [1, 4], one may wonder if this is indeed the case. We present a Lorenzen/Novikov version of two methods of analysis of inductive definitions with classical logic. One is local predicativity due to W. Pohlers, and the other uses the so called Ω-rule and is due to W. Bucccholz . Like in the book [4], we limit ourselves to the simplest case of classical system of generalised inductive definitions. We are aware that we loose some of the detailed informations that we can get by this method . The hope is however that this note will make these methods more accessible, especially to people familiar with type theory and inductive definitions.


Autumn applications of sulphur – a new approach to control the pear leaf blister mite Eriophyes pyri.
Abstract: The pear leaf blister mite can cause severe damage to pear leaves and young fruits in some regions. Due to hidden living inside leaf blisters, the mites are largely protected against the impact of plant protecting agents. Until now, treatments with mineral oil or rape oil in early spring, during the time when the mites leave their hibernation sites under the bud scales to invade the young leaves and blossoms, are the only possibility to control these mites in Swiss organic fruit growing. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of sulphur, mineral oil and Surround®WP applied after harvest during the time, when the mites leave their blisters and migrate to their hibernation sites. The different treatments were applied shortly after harvest to benefit from the mild temperatures in September. Counting the number of mites after dissection of the buds in laboratory in autumn and spring showed a good efficacy for all treatments. But the visual control in spring during bloom could not verify these results for all treatments. Only the sulphur-treated trees were virtually free of blisters in spring. With a corrected efficacy (Abbott's formula) of 95% (one application in autumn) or 100% (three applications), respectively, even a cleaning-up of heavily infested orchards is possible.


Objective To study expression of Izumo mRNA in testis and epididymis of Inner Mongolian white cashmere goats.Methods Part of the Izumo gene fragment was recloned by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Then another pair of primers were designed.Digoxigeninlabeled DNA probes were prepared and hybridized with total RNA extracted from tissues of testis and head,body and tail of epididymis by Northern blotting.Results The size of the amplified fragment by RT-PCR was 788 bp as expected.The concentration of the labeled DNA probe was 100 pg/μl and expression of Izumo mRNA was identified in tissues of testis and head,body and tail of epididymis.Conclusion The testis and epididymis of Inner Mongolian white cashmere goats can express Izumo mRNA,which lays foundation for further study of roles of Izumo in human sperm-egg fusion.

Key words:
Izumo gene;  Inner Mongolian white cashmere goat;  Testis;  Epididymis;  Blotting, Northern


A printer having a direct printing function and a printing method thereof are provided to reduce time and complexity needed for changing font information in direct printing of a PDF(Portable Document Format) file. A memory(23) stores the font information for loaded font types. A font processor(15) compares the font information included in the PDF file with the font information stored in the memory and determines the information to be converted into PS(PostScript) among the font information included in the PDF file depending on a comparison result. A PDF converter(17) converts the information selected from the font processor and a resource of the PDF file into the PS. A PS interpreter(19) converts a font of the PDF file into a bitmap by applying one of the font information stored in the memory or the font information included in the PDF file converted into the PS by the PDF converter. The font information includes a font name and font encoding information which is the information for implementing the font.


The New York Academy of Medicine recently set up a committee to study the economic and social changes of the present time and how 'these are likely to affect medicine. The committee includes many prominent medical men in New York and also representatives of labour, industry, law, and the Church. It has set about its objectives by a series of conferences held every week, at which economists, sociologists, historians, publicists, bankers, industrialists, and others, as well as doctors, deliver addresses on subjects on which they are expert. Already 54 such weekly conferences have been held. The subjects have included the Beveridge plan, the public's attitude towards the medical profession, the general problems of social change, medical education, health insurance plans, the problems of rural mddicine, what labour wants in the way of medical care, the problems of the negro physician, the prospects of psychiatry, public health nursing, and many others. Only one of the speakers so far has been from this side of the AtlanticProf. J. M. Mackintosh, who addressed a conference on problems of rural medicine. It will be some time before the committee is able to put forward any final recommendations, but with such a background they should be weighty when they do appear.