During the last years, virtual 3D city models have been widely used in application fields such as urban planning, environment simulations, and disaster management. With the development of high-rise buildings and the increasing densely built-up areas, an increasing number of authorities and companies have shown interest in integrating 3D city models with the cadastre. This is because on one hand, the integration can improve the visualization of cadastres and promote the cadastral management. On the other hand, it can enrich the cadastral information in 3D city models and further facilitate spatial analysis. As one of the important standards used in 3D city models, part of CityGML3.0 has been published so far; hence this study is one of the first to integrate CityGML3.0 with the cadastral data model.

Considering the challenges of cadastral management, the purpose of this study is threefold: (1) representing physical building objects in CityGML3.0, (2) visualizing legal spaces in 3D models, and (3) validating if it is viable to integrate CityGML3.0 with Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) effectively. For this purpose, an integrated approach was developed, which can also be separated into three parts. Since the format of original data is Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), converting physical building objects from IFC to CityGML3.0 was taken as the first step in this method. And then, legal boundaries were extruded into legal spaces by using a python script and built-in functions in FME Workbench. Lastly, the integration of CityGML3.0 and LADM was implemented. In this approach, a prerequisite was that legal boundaries in the Building Information Model (BIM) should have been connected with physical objects accurately.

Based on the proposed method, three results can be derived: (1) transformed building models in CityGML3.0, (2) extruded legal spaces, as well as (3) an attribute table integrated CityGML3.0 with LADM. Among them, the first result suggests that the differences of a building in LoD2 between CityGML2.0 and CityGML3.0 are the definition of feature types and the hierarchy of semantic structures other than the geometrical shapes. And the second result illustrates that it is possible to visualize legal spaces in 3D city models, as long as the legal boundaries can be combined with physical objects in the BIM model. As for the third result, it indicates that CityGML3.0 can be related to LADM without using any extension model. However some details still need to be validated in future as the final specification of CityGML3.0 has not been released.


This paper explores the creation, significance and progression of the licensing systems employed to regulate whale shark tourism at Ningaloo Marine Park. Since 1993 mandatory whale shark tour operator licences have been offered through an evolving competitive tender process. A content analysis of the evolution of licence requirements revealed a progression from a minimalist approach to one covering a full range of detailed and audited sustainability indicators. A tour operators' opinion survey was undertaken to understand industry issues and the impacts of the regulatory licensing system. Operators cited the need for business planning and offering a quality experience as their main challenges. Issues included cost pressures from local and global competitors. Few saw their own activities as being an environmental issue, and few saw regulation procedures as an issue. It is argued that further refinement of the licensing system is required to put its operations into a transparent, science-based context, and to offer incentives for improvements to rise above basic compliance. An explicit consideration of the balance between environmental regulation and commercial sustainability is needed to create a situation of perpetual improvement and provide best outcomes for all stakeholders, including operators, the local economy, the environment and guests.


* List of Illustrations* Preface/Acknowledgements* Introduction. Archaeologies of Art: time, place and identity in rock art, portable art and body. Ines Domingo, Danae Fiore and Sally May* Space and discourse as constituents of past identities - the case of Namibian rock art, Tilman Lenssen-Erz* Rocks of Ages: Petroglyphs, Pictographs and Identity in Puerto Rico, Peter G. Roe and Michele H. Hayward* Rock art, modes of production and social identities during the early formative period in the Atacama Desert (Northern Chile), Francisco Gallardo and Patricio De Souza* From the Form to the Artists: changing identities in Levantine rock art (Spain), Ines Domingo Sanz* Memoried Sacredness and International Elite Identities: the Late Postclassic at La Casa de las Golondrinas, Guatemala, Eugenia J. Robinson * Same tradition, different views: The Coa Valley rock art and social identity, Luis Luis and Marcos Garcia Diez* Learning Art, Learning Culture: Art, Education, and the Formation of New Artistic Identities in Arnhem Land, Australia, Sally K. May* Eagle's Reach: A focal point for past and present social identity within the northern Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Australia, Paul S.C. Tacon, Matthew Kelleher, Graham King, Wayne Brennan* Panache and Protocol in Australian Aboriginal Art, Claire Smith* Body Painting and Visual Practice: the creation of social identities through image making and display in Tierra del Fuego (Southern South America), Danae Fiore


The rapid advances in light-based information transfer have left many awed, both engineers and end users. Articles and books for the former are highly technical, while information for the latter discusses the results without an explanation of the principles. This paper seeks to bridge that gap.Examined first is the conceptual difference between the two primary transfer methods --- copper coaxial cable and fiber optic cable. Next, attenuation and noise are discussed as the primary factors encouraging the development of glass fibers. The following section uses this information to look at a few example systems (like Bell's transatlantic underwater system) and the benefits derived from the installation of fiber optic cable.The LED transmitter is examined, and particularly the special LED: the laser. The development and structure of injection lasers are described, from the simple diffused-junction lasers (like GaAs-GaAs lasers), to the complex double-heterojunction lasers (like AlGaAs-GaAs lasers). Examples are considered to see benefits brought by lasers.With the terms set, the paper delves into the technical specifications which might confront a decision maker, and concludes by listing the potential benefits and drawbacks of a light-based communication system.


Digital audio effects are usually controlled by certain parameters and the incoming audio signal. The combination of user defined parameters and signal adaptive parameters leads to more exciting audio effects where the main effect parameters change accordingly to the audio input. The paper will cover several pitch-based audio effects and will discuss pitch detection algorithms and special effect realizations.


Methods are presented for synthesizing delay-insensitive circuits whose behavior is specified by Petri net models of macromodular control elements. These control elements implement five natural functions used in asynchronous system design. Particular attention is paid to modules requiring mutual exclusion where metastability must be carefully controlled.


This present study investigates the performance and emission characteristics different injection pressure on variable compression ratio of a diesel engineusing cyanobacteria (greenalgae).In the Diesel Engine the experiments were controlled withvarious hole injection to study the effect onemission and performance by using conventional diesel future emission regulation will require substantial reductions of NOX and CO2 emissions from diesel engines. With cyanobacteria (green algae) as a biodiesel and diesel blends are prepared to use as fuel on variable compression ratio diesel engine.


Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic disease involving chronic inflammation and fibrosis of intra- and extra-hepatic ducts. Vitamin D is a secosteroid implicated in anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic pathways, and its deficiency has been associated with worse outcomes in chronic liver disease. Vitamin D status may also influence the course of PSC but studies evaluating this link are scarce.

 To determine the association of vitamin D deficiency with the development of cirrhosis, mortality, and need for liver transplantation in patients with PSC.

 Ninety-four patients with the diagnosis of PSC were evaluated and followed by the autoimmune liver disease clinic at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Clinical data were recovered from medical charts. Vitamin D status was defined by the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Patients with levels <50 nmol/L (10 ng/ml) were defined as deficient. Univariate and multivariate analyses were constructed using the Cox proportional hazards regression models. Event-free survival was defined as time from vitamin D assessment to the time of liver transplant or death.

 Mean age at PSC diagnosis was 32±14 years, with 67% of patients being male. The mean vitamin D level was 69±33 nmol/L (range, 4–163 nmol/L) and 26 patients (28%) had vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L). Among 85 patients without cirrhosis at diagnosis, 43 patients (51%) developed cirrhosis. By univariate Cox analysis, serum ALP, albumin, bilirubin and vitamin D deficiency were predictors of cirrhosis development. Vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with higher risk of developing cirrhosis (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.002–4.44, P=0.049) after adjusting for other predictors. Median time to develop cirrhosis was shorter in patients with vitamin D deficiency (6.8 years; 95% CI, 1.7–11.8) compared to those without (10.8 years; 95% CI, 9.2 -12.4; P=0.007). Over a median follow-up period of 5.6 years, adverse outcomes (liver transplant or death) were observed in 34 patients (36%). Serum levels of albumin, ALP, bilirubin, INR, platelet count, ascites, variceal bleeding and vitamin D deficiency were associated with adverse outcomes in univariate analysis. Vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with higher risk of adverse endpoints (HR 2.87, 95% CI, 1.16–7.12, P=0.02) after adjusting for confounding factors. Event-free survival was shorter in the patients with vitamin D deficiency compared to those without deficiency (7.1 years; 95% CI, 2.4–11.9 vs. 11.4 years; 95% CI, 8.9–13.9, P=0.03, Figure 1).

 Vitamin D deficiency was frequent in patients with PSC and was associated with higher risk of progression to cirrhosis, as well as decreased time to death and liver transplantation. The possibility of improving outcomes in PSC by vitamin D supplementation awaits further investigation.

 Food and Health Innovation Initiative (Vitamin Fund), University of Alberta


The paper compares the results of two musically sociological
empirical researches conducted by the Music Department of the
Faculty of Education, Masaryk University in Brno in 2012 and
2013, generalized into the form of a "typical listener" from
the Czech Republic with a "typical listener" from the European
Union in a category of musical preferences. In conclusion, it
also brings the new, tentative data of the research into young
music listeners in member countries of ISME.


Somatic embryogenesis as a propagation technology has been recognized by many authors as the future generation of plant regeneration on mass scale due to the advantages in production efficiency. However, specialized scientific literature has stated the problems faced by various experiences in the use of this technology. It highlights the presence of off-types plants and the few studies of plants in the field, which has limited its application in the in vitro plant production at a commercial scale. The Instituto de Biotecnologia de las Plantas (IBP) developed a strategy of technological innovation that has been used for the past three years in the production at commercial scale of more than 300 000 in vitro plants of plantains and bananas (`Grande naine', `Dwarf Cavendish','FHIA 18' and 'FHIA 21'). Based on that experience, this paper aimed to show the economic advantages using somatic embryogenesis for plantain and banana propagation in semisolid culture media. Comparative analysis of the main concepts of production cost in somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis werw used. Results demostrated that the use of somatic embryogenesis as a mass production of plants technology is viable, efficient and a key tool for food production. Keywords: banana and plantain, biofactory, scaling technology.


Objective To invastigate the multiple factors of axillary lymph node metastases (ALNM) in patients with breast cancer. Methods 120 cases of breast cancer were studied using control study, single and multi-factors logistic regression analysis. Results Multi-factors logistic regression analysis showed that 5 factors including sentinel lymph node metastases (SLNM), diameter of primary tumor, location of tumor, circumferential invasion and CA15-3 entered the logistic equation, the p values were 0, 0.0053, 0.021,0.0061, 0.0225 and 0.0301 respectively. Conclusion SLNM, diameter of primary tumor, location of tumor , circumferential invasion and CA15-3 were the risk factors of ALNM. Learning the risk factors might be good for clinic to predicate the status of ALNM more exactly.


Threshold voltage (VTH) is a prime device parameter to model on-off transition characteristics for MOSFETs. Accurate VTH of the device is evaluated by several estimation techniques reported in literature. However, these estimated values of VTH differ from the exact values due to various short channel effects (SCEs) and non-idealities present in the devices. VTH depends on various process parameters, device dimensions and also on the methodology used for extracting. With the technology scaling various effects come into picture while extracting VTH. This paper presents a comparative study of various threshold estimation techniques @ 16-nm technology node. Further, dependence of VTH on various design metrics and process parameter is also presented for different technology nodes. This work analyzes the effect of reduced process technology parameters on VTH. Results are verified by extensive simulation on SPICE.


Abstract : In addition to organizational issues, the military is concerned with individual and family welfare. To meet the needs of military members and their families, the Department of Defense has created a number of personnel support programs. Such programs help maintain a high quality of life within the military. One important aspect of quality of life is a sense of community. The social science literature has shown that a sense of community is positively associated with a number of important organizational outcomes, such as commitment, performance, retention, and readiness. This report reviews nine insights from the social science literature that can be used to strengthen a sense of community within an organization. Suggestions are provided on how personnel support programs can implement these principles. This report is part of a longer-term study of quality-of-life issues in the military. It is intended for military and civilian policymakers and decisionmakers with an interest in how quality of life bears on retention and readiness. The study is assessing the mix and scope of military support programs and will recommend policies to enhance the effectiveness of support programs. The work was sponsored by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Personnel Support, Families, and Education. This research was conducted in the Forces and Resources Policy Center, which is part of RAND's National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the unified commands, and the defense agencies.


In recent years, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have become a wide-spread and increasingly used technology in various domains. GIS have proven their strength in archaeological research applications, such as the analysis of spatial relations between excavation objects and predictive modeling. Besides the increasing attention to GIS, in diverse research areas much interest has aroused to explore the potentials of three and even four dimensionality (3D/4D). In cultural heritage, this has mainly resulted in a proliferation of 3D digital visualizations, predominantly virtual reality models. Notwithstanding their impressive appearance and great value for publication purposes, the analysis and data exchange capabilities are generally abandoned. Integrating these two research trends will bring benefits to a wide range of domains. Although a 4D GIS would facilitate better insights and more complex analyses, in archaeology, realizing this combination is challenged by the diversity of archaeological data and its inherent complexity. Fully exhausting the power of GIS is currently improbable because archaeological data are more complex than most of the regular geospatial data. Therefore, a specifically to archaeology tailored 4D GIS based on a customized data model proves to be necessary. This paper first tries to present the state-of-the-art of current 4D data modeling in archaeology. Second, points of attention for future research directions are geared to this overview. Accordingly, integrating an object-oriented and event-driven approach is brought forward to take into consideration.


Intensive use of phosphine for insect control in stored grains has resulted in high level resistance in major pests such as the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, and the rust-red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, in developing tropical and sub-tropical countries. Exposure periods not appropriate for temperatures or types of infestation, treatments under leaky conditions and management factors have contributed to higher failure rates and increased frequency of resistance.


The purpose of the study aims at investigating English learning strategies of college students in non-English majors and analyzing the differences between successful and less successful learners in terms of English learning strategies frequencies in their English learning. The study demonstrates that it is necessary for teachers to implement English learning strategy training in their instruction.


Introduction: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is a recognized risk factor for developing glaucoma, cataract and lens dislocation. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is also associated with increased risk of complications during cataract surgery due to poor mydriasis and zonular weakness. Objective: The aim is to find out the prevalence of glaucoma in Pseudoexfoliation syndrome patients attended to Shaheed Doctor Aso hospital, Sulaimaniya city, Kurdistan region of Iraq and Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk city Iraq. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study encompassed 378 patients (756 eyes) with whom the pseudoexfoliation syndrome was detected as an incidental finding aged 50 years or older. A detailed evaluation including general and ophthalmic history, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement (TOPCON computerized tonometer CT-80 and Goldmann Applanation tonometer), gonioscopy (Goldmann three mirrors goniolens) and dilated eye examination were performed. Oral informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: Out of the 378 patients who had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, 58 (15.3%) were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 34 patients (9%) with ocular hypertension. In the glaucomatous patients, men to women ratio was 2:1, this was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Most of patients in the age group (70-79) years of age, represent 23.3%. Bilateral Pseudoexfoliation syndrome was associated more with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (58.6%), while unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome was associated more with ocular hypertension (64.7%). The Kurdish race patients expressed the highest prevalence of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and ocular hypertension (31.5%) followed by the Arabic race (20%) and lastly the Turkmen (16%). Conclusion: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome showed to be a significant glaucoma risk factor locally, with a prevalence of (15.3%), and if we added the Ocular hypertension (9%), it will be (24.3%). Recommendation: Patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome should be informed and examined at least annually as the risk may be present throughout their life and increasing with age.


The problems of resource saving and environmental safety during the installation and operation of the underwater crossings are always relevant. The paper describes the existing methods of trenchless pipeline technology, the structure of multi-channel pipelines, the types of supporting and guiding systems. The rational design is suggested for the pipe-in-pipe system. The finite element model is presented for the most dangerous sections of the inner pipes, the optimum distance is detected between the roller supports.


When I was teaching calculus recently, an exercise in the textbook [1, p. 687, qn. 3] asked students to find the Taylor series of cosx centred at π/4. My students were able to find the series but wondered how to take care of the sign changes, in order to express the series in I.-notation. They were quite puzzled after finding that the answer given in [I] is The exponent n (n + 1)/2 seemed a rabbit out of the hat! This article is the result of trying to answer their question satisfactorily, and to have some serious fun. Readers are invited to try two teasers first before reading for their solutions.


The use of hands-on learning experience to teach robotics design techniques is well established. In light of this, a small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for use in the education of undergraduate students has been developed. The system builds on the LEGO NXT Mindstorms kit, maintaining interconnectivity between custom components and the NXT system, to provide an easily reconfigurable platform. The AUV illustrates the design process as well as many of the concepts required in submersible design such as buoyancy, trimming, passive stability, control, seals and propulsion methods. By keeping the cost of the system low, the ability to use the AUV for purely instructional purposes becomes feasible.


Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to explore how men with advanced lung cancer form perceptions of their illness in everyday life and how this influences perceptions about rehabilitation. Methods Constructivist grounded theory principles guided the collection and analysis of data from in‐depth interviews with 10 men with advanced lung cancer. Results The findings show that the men's illness perception was fluid, contextual and formed by interrelated factors. Engaging in daily activities and maintaining everyday life was a strong influence on their illness perception. Conclusion In order to make rehabilitation relevant to men with lung cancer, consideration should be given to how the men's everyday lives may be incorporated into the service provision.


The recent emergence of South-South Cooperation (S-SC) among the 'Global South' has resulted in mutually favourable partnerships that foster economic growth, poverty reduction, and holistic development among member nations. S-SC has played a pivotal role not only in the economic spheres, but also the political, sociocultural, environmental and technical domains. In India, S-SC is a manifestation of cohesion that promotes national well-being, collective self-reliance, as well as the realization of multiple internationally endorsed development schemes, including the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, this paper seeks to explain South-South Cooperation (S-SC) as a multi-faceted concept that enunciates the inherent development trajectory of India, while distinctly categorizing the varied gains absorbed as a result of this cooperation. The paper uses an empirical model to establish the large role assumed by S-SC in constructing and advancing prolonged, growth-conducive, and sustainable economic and social development in India in the long run.


Celite supported silver carbonate was prepared by the general procedure. 2,4,6trimethyl phenol was oxidized with silver carbonate by refluxing the mixture in benzene for 2h which ultimately formed 3,3' 5,5'tetramethyl stilbenequinone in 93% yield. After that stilbenequinone was reduced with zinc dust and acetic acid which ultimately formed 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethyl-4,4' dihydroxystilbene as yellow crystals. 3,3', 5,5'-tetramethyl dihydroxystilbene was then treated with methacryloyl chloride in THF solvent medium for 50h at room temperature which formed 3,3' 5,5'-tetramethyl -4,4'-dimethacryloyl oxy stilbene. Then the monomer 3,3' 5,5'tetramethyl-4,4'-dimethacryloyloxy stilbene was co-polymerized with methyl methacrylate in DMF solvent medium at 110 0 c for 80h by using free radical initiator benzoyl peroxide. All the monomers and co-polymer were investigated by studying UV,FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy.


1. Introdution Part I. The Family-Level Group: 2. The family level 3. Family-level foragers 4. Families with domestication Part II. The Local Group: 5. The local group 6. The family and the village 7. The village and the clan 8. The corporate group and the big man collectivity Part III. The Regional Polity: 9. The regional polity 10. The simple chiefdom 11. The complex chiefdom 12. The archaic state 13. The peasant economy 14. The evolution of global society.


Do we still need security strategies for the globalized 21st century? Are national strategies still compatible with this new world? Are the Westerners able to define a global, effective and common strategy, in order to consolidate their common interest? It is a real challenge, and the different and recent trials to address this sensitive question are questionable or unsuccessful. The Atlantic Alliance failed to revise the previous NATO strategic concept adopted in 1999, before 9/11, and finally chose to prepare only a single Comprehensive Political Guidance, that the next Riga Summit will endorse in late November. Instead of defining national or multinational strategies, should we start to think differently, to imagine a new approach of a


The Institute of Materials and Processes, IMP, of the University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe, Germany in cooperation with VDI Verein Deutscher Ingenieure e.V, AEN Automotive Engineering Network and their cooperation partners present their competences of AI-based solution approaches in the production engineering field. The online congress KI 4 Industry on November 12 and 13, 2020, showed what opportunities the use of artificial intelligence offers for medium-sized manufacturing companies, SMEs, and where potential fields of application lie. The main purpose of KI 4 Industry is to increase the transfer of knowledge, research and technology from universities to small and medium-sized enterprises, to demystify the term AI and to encourage companies to use AI-based solutions in their own value chain or in their products.


Laser-produced electron-positron pair production has been under discussion in the literature since 1969. Large numbers of positrons have been generated by lasers for a few years in studies which are also related to the studies of the physics of the fast ignitor laser fusion concept. For electron-positron pair production in vacuum due to vacuum polarization as predicted by Heisenberg (1934) with electrostatic fields, high-frequency laser fields with intensities around 10 28 W/cm 2 are necessary and may be available within a number of years. A similar electron acceleration by gravitation near black holes denoted as Hawking-Unruh radiation was discussed in 1985 by McDonald. The conditions are considered in view of the earlier work on pair production, change of statistics for electrons in relativistic black body radiation, and an Einstein recoil mechanism with a consequence of a physical foundation of the fine structure constant.


1 Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute Of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. 2 Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute Of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. 3 Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha institute of medical and technical sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Science (IJDOS) ISSN: 2377-8075


Data on female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) in India Bangladesh and Pakistan are scanty due to the agrarian economies and the traditions of purdah and Manu. Better data are available from India but figures underreport the substantial participation of women in productive work usually performed at home on family or tenant farms or in the informal sector in cities. In India FLFPR was reported as high as 33.0% in 1987; in Bangladesh 7.9% and in Pakistan 3.2-11% declining from 1961 to 1981. Indian women earn about 75% of the daily wage of men for example 1.9 to 2.6 Rupees for agricultural work compared to 3.1 to 3.7 Rupees for men. In cities 40% of paying jobs are taken by women usually light manufacturing or services. In Bangladesh micro-level studies find a much higher female involvement in production both in rural and urban areas than official statistics show. In urban settings women who work are discriminated against in terms of wages job opportunities job segregation and job conditions. In Pakistan the status symbol of purdah prohibits women from working or even to speak for themselves to an interviewer; men to save face underestimate work done by their wives. Women do work openly on farms by necessity particularly on tenant farms. Indirect evidence suggests that FLFPR is much higher than the official figures. The Fertility Survey estimates for 1975 report 17% in cities based on questions put directly to women. Pakistani women usually work on piecework in the informal sector as subcontractors and therefore have no access to collective bargaining or job training. These women are not respected by husbands and face open discrimination by employers. To get better data from these countries it will be necessary to ask women detailed questions about all their activities including agricultural work food processing textile and construction work. Women work in these fields out of poverty and necessity in India Bangladesh and Pakistan.


In order to investigate the status of phytoplankton community and water ecological environment of Mangshe River in Yancheng city,six sites were settled to monitor the species composition and community structure of phytoplankton in spring and autumn during 2012 to 2013. Diversity index was used to evaluate the water ecological status. The assessment results indicated that there were 64 taxa of phytoplankton were identified,with diatoms,chlorophyta and cyanophyta as the dominant species. The phytoplankton density in autumn was significantly higher than in spring. Succession and cross of dominant phytoplankton species were existent. A fair-good phytoplankton diversity level was showed,and indicated a light pollution of Mangshe River. Shannon-wiener diversity index,Margalef species richness index and Pielou evenness index values in spring appeared higher than in autumn,and the difference between upstream and downstream sites was insignificant.


In order to explore the feasibility of distant hybridization between Populus euphratica Oliv.and other Populus tree species,artificial pollination was performed using P.pseudo-simonii Kitag.as matenal parent and P.euphratica Oliv.as paternal parent.Pollen grains were able to germinate on the stigmas of P.(pseudo-simonii) Kitag.,and six individuals of hybrid were obtained.The growth rate of the hybrid varied significantly among each other.The leaves of all six hybrids were lanceolate,resembling the leaves of seedlings and coppice shoots of the paternal parent.Based on the molecular identification of SSR,analysis of AFLP and related statistics,both parent made equal genetic contribution to their progenies,and the cross progenies were true hybrids of P.pseudo(-)simonii×P.euphratica.


One of the tasks solved by terrestrial laser scanning data is three-dimensional modeling of territories. Due to the high density of the resulting point cloud, it is possible to create three-dimensional models of objects with a high level of detail. To date, a large number of models of laser scanners have been released, the technical characteristics of which can be significantly distinguished. To understand the possible accuracy of constructing three-dimensional modes based on the data of a certain laser scanner model and where the scan positions should be placed, a number of studies have to be preliminary performed. The accuracy analysis of the laser scanning data obtained using Geomax Zoom 300 and the results of three-dimensional modeling based on control measurements is carried out. Recommendations have been proposed for the use of this laser scanner model to construct 3D models of maximum possible accuracy and detail.


The present invention provides a method of extracting complex mixture, the nucleic acid of microorganisms especially in food mixture, at least the following steps: the step of holding step of purifying the mixture (10), the microorganisms in the filtration cartridge (12) , step (14) for dissolving the microorganism, nucleic acid was recovered (16), concentrated, which method comprises purifying (18) step. The present invention also relates to a filtration cartridge and apparatus used to implement the extraction method of the present invention. Is intended to also disclosed to extract the nucleic acids of microorganisms contained in a complex mixture, it detects, as appropriate, a device for quantification.


The success of matrix factorizations such as the singular value decomposition (SVD) has motivated the search for even more factorizations. We catalog 53 matrix factorizations, most of which we believe to be new. Our systematic approach, inspired by the generalized Cartan decomposition of Lie theory, also encompasses known factorizations such as the SVD, the symmetric eigendecomposition, the CS decomposition, the hyperbolic SVD, structured SVDs, the Takagi factorization, and others thereby covering familiar matrix factorizations as well as ones that were waiting to be discovered. We suggest that Lie theory has one way or another been lurking hidden in the foundations of the very successful field of matrix computations with applications routinely used in so many areas of computation. In this paper, we investigate consequences of the Cartan decomposition and the little known generalized Cartan decomposition for matrix factorizations. We believe that these factorizations once properly identified can lead to further work on algorithmic computations and applications.


Patients with schizophrenia have a lower than average life span, largely due to the increased prevalence of cardiometabolic co-morbidities. Identification of individuals with psychotic disorders with a high risk of rapid weight gain, and the associated development of metabolic complications, is an unmet need as regards public health. Here, we applied mass spectrometry-based lipidomics in a prospective study comprising 48 controls (CTR), 44 first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and 22 individuals at clinical-high-risk (CHR) for psychosis, from two study centers (Turku/Finland and London/UK). Baseline serum samples were analyzed by lipidomics, while body mass index (BMI) was assessed at baseline and after 12 months. We found that baseline triacylglycerols with low double bond counts and carbon numbers were positively associated with the change in BMI at follow-up. In addition, a molecular signature comprised of two triacylglycerols (TG(48:0) and TG(45:0)), was predictive of weight gain in individuals with a psychotic disorder, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.60–0.85). When independently tested in the CHR group, this molecular signature predicted said weight change with AUROC = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.61–0.83). We conclude that molecular lipids may serve as a predictor of weight gain in psychotic disorders in at-risk individuals, and may thus provide a useful marker for identifying individuals who are most prone to developing cardiometabolic co-morbidities.


In this essay I review the main features of neoclassical growth theory, with an eye to seeing what it has to say about the causes of wealth and poverty among nations. I argue that outside the OECD and a comparatively small circle of other countries, neoclassical models contribute little to identifying the deeper sources of cross-national patterns in growth and productivity. I then discuss recent advances in the empirical analysis of economic performance that feature the influence of politics, policy and institutional arrangements on entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and the efficiency with which factor inputs are transformed to output.


Abstract Antimony nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies in (NH4)6Sb4 (SO4)3 F12 crystals were measured as a function of temperature, and no evidence of phase transition was detected between 77 K and room temperature. However, the resonance frequencies do not follow the Bayer type exactly. Such an anomaly is attributed to the effect of rotation of ammonium ions which form hydrogen bonds of types N -H ···F and N -H ···O. In fact, the spin-lattice relaxation time of 1H and 19F has a minimum which is ascribed to the reorientation of NH+4 with an activation energy of 7.14 kJ mol -1. The switch model for the electric field gradient at Sb nuclei was examined.


A guard ring (GR) formed by nitrogen-ion implantation doping was employed to improve the breakdown voltage <tex>$(V_{\mathrm{br}})$</tex> of vertical Ga<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) by eliminating electric field concentration at the edges of anode and field-plate (FP) electrodes. Four types of vertical SBD structures with (a) neither a GR nor a FP, (b) a GR, (c) a FP, and (d) both a GR and a FP were fabricated on the same substrate. The SBDs with a GR [structures (b) and (d)] showed larger <tex>$V_{\mathrm{br}}$</tex> values than their GR-free counterparts [structures (a) and (c)], implying that the GR successfully redistributed the peak electric field at the anode and/or FP edges. Considering the trade-off relationship between <tex>$V_{\mathrm{br}}$</tex> and specific on-resistance <tex>$(R_{\mathrm{on}})$</tex>, a <tex>$V_{\mathrm{br}}/R_{\mathrm{on}}$</tex> combination of <tex>$1.43\ \mathrm{kV}/4.7\ \mathrm{m}\Omega \mathrm{cm}^{2}$</tex> for the GR/FP-SBD corresponds to one of the best balanced data for Ga<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> SBDs.


This paper illustrates a new way for teaching Thai primary school students with a hearing impairment in order to improve their English vocabulary learning abilities. A supplementary educational technology tool, known as the 'total communication with animation dictionary' (TCAD) has been proposed in this study. Since the TCAD had already been implemented in the experimental group we found that the tool supported vocabulary long-term memory retention. With the study extended to the set of population and number of vocabularies increased to these students. The results confirmed that the TCAD is an active supplementary vocabulary learning and a comprehensive instruction tool for the hearing impaired.


261Background: Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) is an evidence-based group program to help cancer survivors improve their physical functioning and quality of life through increasing physical activ...


The study aimed to investigate the levels of RRR-α-tocopherol and carotenoids in maternal blood, cord blood and breast milk samples of different lactation stages from healthy Chinese mothers and to explore their associations with social demographical characteristics.

 The study was part of a MUAI study (Maternal Nutrition and Infant Investigation, ChiCTR1800015387).

 Healthy lactating mothers (aged 20–35 year) with single, full-term delivery were recruited in Tianjin city. Maternal blood, cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk samples were collected.

 The levels of tocopherols and carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene,lycopene) were determined by HPLC. The compositions of α-tocopherol stereoisomers were determined by chiral HPLC.

 Maternal blood plasma contained higher α-tocopherol level than cord blood plasma and breast milk samples. In breast milk samples, the levels of α-tocopherol reduced with lactation stages for about three times. Even though the levels of α-tocopherol varied in plasma and breast milk, RRR-α-tocopherol (RRR) were predominant in all samples, accounting for 83%∼90% of α-tocopherol. The results suggestted RRR was preferred stereoisomers for maternal and newborn. Carotenoids were also more abundant in maternal blood plasma than in cord blood plasma and breast milk samples. The total carotenoids level in maternal blood plasma was about 8 times higher than cord blood plasma and 2.5 times of colostrum. The level of total carotenoids decreased with the lactation stages due to the dramatically dropped of lycopene and β-carotene. In contrast, lutein level remained stable in breast milk and was the most abundant carotenoids in transitional milk, mature milk and blood plasma, suggesting that fetus and infant had continuous demand for lutein. The levels of carotenoids and RRR in maternal and cord blood plasma were related to parity, pre-pregnancy and prenatal BMI. The levels of carotenoids and RRR in breast milk samples were correlated with cord plasma.

 RRR- α-tocopherol and lutein were the most abundant α-tocopherol and carotenoids in Chinese cord blood plasma and breast milk, suggesting that they may play more important roles in early life.

 This study was funded by Abbott Nutrition R&D Centre, Shanghai, China.


Using action research within a critical paradigm framework the author investigated young people's ability to develop a programme of work that raises awareness of bullying in schools. The research group was made up of six young people, to whom the author and other specialists offered anti-bullying and participatory training techniques. The group eventually designed their own anti-bullying activity programme, which they delivered in creative workshop style sessions to other young people in schools. The author located this research in critical enquiry, engaging the group in a self-reflective process that aimed to be democratic, equitable, liberating and life enhancing. This report is written in the form of a narrative and evaluates the author's practice as an educative theatre practitioner. Central themes to this research are bullying, power, creative activity and youth participation. Schools, teachers and adults are often described as sucking out the creativity of young people and thus not allowing many of them achieve their full potential. In this context young people are often powerless to deal with some of the difficult issues in their lives such as bullying. The author suggests that peer support is a key strategy to deal with bullying in schools. The author introduces a new concept of peer support called external peer support, which he has evaluated against the current literature. The definition of bullying is explored in depth, as is its relationship to power. The author suggests peer support to be a key strategy in youth participation and ultimately helping youth empowerment. List of contents Page Title page 1 Abstract 2 List of contents 3 List of tables 5 List of pictures 6 Acknowledgements 7 Abbreviations and key terms 8 Chapter


The influence of suction on the resilient modulus of a shale residual lateritic soil was analyzed. Laboratory tests were carried out to obtain the moisture content-suction relationship and determine the resilient moduli of specimens submitted to drying, wetting, or wetting-after-drying paths. A supplementary study on the effects of compaction method on soil resilient modulus was carried out. Soil suction was measured in situ, with jet-fill tensiometers installed along test sections built in a pavement testing facility. Test sections were loaded by a traffic simulator, and periodically deflections were measured for modulus backcalculation. Laboratory and in situ results confirmed the consensus that suction remarkably affects soil elastic deformability. Wetting-after-drying paths proved to be an extremely severe condition that may lower resilient modulus up to four times. Static compaction led to resilient moduli higher than those of specimens compacted dynamically or by kneading. In situ results matched reasonably well with laboratory moduli of specimens compacted by kneading and tested at optimum moisture content. In general, the importance of drainage design and maintenance was clearly confirmed. In well-drained pavements, subgrade soils will not be saturated for long periods. Suction will control stress state and soil deformability and guarantee that the pavement will carry the designed traffic before failure.


Glutamate is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, however, the molecular changes underlying abnormal glutamatergic signalling remain poorly understood. We sought to examine whether the expression of the non-NMDA, ionotropic glutamate receptors AMPA receptor and kainate receptor is altered in mood disorders. We used [H]AMPA, [H]kainate to measure the levels of AMPA receptor and kainate receptor, respectively, in BA 24, and BA 46 in the post-mortem CNS from 10 subjects with major depressive disorder, 10 subjects with bipolar disorder and 10 control subjects. [H]AMPA binding density was increased in BA 24 (p < 0.05) but not BA 46 (p > 0.05) in major depressive disorder compared to control levels. [H]AMPA binding density was not changed in bipolar disorder in either BA 24 or BA 46 (p > 0.05) compared to controls. [H]Kainate binding was not changed in either BA 24 or BA 46 in either disorder compared to controls (p > 0.05). Our data is novel in showing an increase in AMPA receptor binding in the anterior cingulate of subjects with major depressive disorder. There was no evidence of abnormal non-NMDA receptor ionotropic glutamate receptor expression associated with bipolar disorder.


Profiling the designers, radicals and change makers involved in the groundbreaking Fashioning the Future Summit, including the finalists of the Fashioning the Future 2008 Awards. Contributions from Lucy Orta, Nicole Hahn, Michael McDonough, Dr Frances Corner and Anthony Kleanthous.


The present paper is devoted to an analytic investigation of a three species syn-eco system comprising two mutually helping species, both amensol on a third species. All possible equilibrium points are identified and their stability criteria is discussed by using Routh- Hurwitz criteria. Further, the analytical results are supported by numerical simulation using Mat Lab.


The purpose of this paper is to find out which obstacles exist in the EU on the level of the
Member States for the development of a Common European External Energy Policy. Using
the example of the Nord Stream pipeline project the diverging interests of four countries
are studied and analyzed to show what the different interests mean for a common policy.
The paper argues that not only economic interests but to a high degree the securitization of
energy policy and historical experiences play an important role and make it difficult to
develop a common policy. Moreover it is shown that Liberal Intergovernmentalism can to a
certain degree explain non-integration in the European Union.


Analyzed the reasons of small particulate being separated from fine stone concrete slab surface,and pointed out the prevention according to the ready-mixed concrete produce and construction management.


A test model of cantilever beam for dynamic parameters identification of the joint surfaces was proposed with the frequency and damping ratio method.The corresponding dynamic model was established by means of finite element method.The normal stiffness and damping coefficients of the joint surfaces under the condition of dry friction and oiled were identified in the mode test,and optimized to approach the exact values.The varying rules between the dynamic parameters of the joint surfaces and the interface suffered pressure were fit out.The research results indicate that the test model of cantilever beam is suitable for identifying the dynamic parameters of the joint surfaces.The varying rules of dynamic parameters along with the interface suffered pressure get highly nonlinear.The dynamic parameters of oiled interface are greater than that of the dry friction interface.


Abstract. A microcapillary pumped loop (MCPL) utilizing a two-phase heat transport has been investigated extensively because of its high heat transmission ability. Although the MCPL has been started up successfully, the initial amount of working liquid required to fill the system is so hard to control that the repeat operation of MCPL is not easy to initiate. In addition, the issue of Newton ring often occurs in the thermal bonding process of the chip and even causes the device to crack. An innovative method of micromatrix posts is proposed and confirmed by experiment for eliminating the initial filling and Newton's ring effectively. This proposed method will be useful in the operation of MCPL and all thermal bonding of microchips.


Background: Shoulder taping is commonly used to improve muscular dysfunction and glenohumeral alignment in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). However, the implications of taping on the reduction of pain and increase in functional ability are yet to be established. Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to synthesise the current available evidence on the effectiveness of shoulder taping on pain and function in patients with SIS. Data sources: Medline, AMED, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched (April 2014) using keywords adapted for each database. Study selection: Three reviewers screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. Two reviewers independently selected relevant studies. Studies examining the effect of shoulder taping on pain and/or function in adults with SIS were reviewed. Data synthesis: Risk of bias was assessed using a 12-item quality scale. Qualitative synthesis was carried out using a 5-level rating system for best evidence synthesis. Results: Five studies were included (n = 98), three of high quality and two of low quality. One pilot randomised control trial (RCT) examined the effectiveness of rigid taping and found a short-term improvement in pain and function only. Three RCTs and one controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of kinesio taping and produced moderate evidence for short-term improvements in pain and function. Conclusions: There is limited, low-quality evidence for the effectiveness of rigid taping on pain and function in the short term. The application of kinesio taping using a variety of techniques has moderate evidence for reducing pain and improving function in the short term. Studies consistently found taping to be a useful adjunct to normal physiotherapy interventions in the short term. Further research is needed to compare types of tape and draw conclusions as to the long-term effects of shoulder taping.


The coherent propagation and amplification of high-power laser beams in a multicore fiber (MCF) of and lattices of weakly coupled cores is studied. Exact stable analytical nonlinear solutions are found in the form of the out-of-phase distribution that describe the coherent propagation of wave beams in such MCFs. The use of these distributions makes it possible to operate with laser radiation with a power of up to 2N times of the critical self-focusing power in homogeneous media. The analytical results are confirmed by the direct numerical simulation of the wave equation. The limitations on active fiber parameters for stable amplification of the found out-of-phase solution are determined.


We report on the findings from a mixed-methods user study that explores some of the less-studied challenges in designing personal visualizations. We implemented an interface presenting visualiza- tions of the personal data gathered as part of a prior study and conducted a think-aloud study (N=15) of participants' exploration of their respective data on the interface. We analyzed participant verbal reports and interactions to (i) corroborate the types of insights they gained with the insight types identified in the literature, (ii) identify contextual information recalled by the participants to interpret their data, and (iii) identify interface design choices that potentially hin-der insight discovery. Our findings complement prior work and we present design directions for visualizations of personal data, including guidelines for providing baselines for comparison, providing higher explorability for more data-savvy users, and minimizing the need for reading even in more exploratory interfaces.


Excerpt] When Ronald Knox, at the age of four, was asked what he did for his insomnia, he replied, "I lie awake and think about the past." I suspect that even the future celebrated biblical scholar did not, at the age of four, have much of a past to think about-unless, with Plato and Wordsworth, we believe that a child is not born in entire forgetfulness, but comes trailing clouds of glory. In my own case when I lie awake and think about the past, I do have a relatively long past to think about--it is thirty-eight years since I began my teaching career, and almost thirty years since I came to Cornell.


Let R be a commutative ring with identity. Let G be a graph with vertices as elements of R, where two distinct vertices a and b are adjacent if and only if there is a maximal ideal of R containing both. In this paper we show that a ring R is finite if and only if clique number of the graph G (associated with R as above) is finite. We also have shown that for a semilocal ring R, the chromatic number of the graph G is equals to the clique number of G which turns out to be the maximum of the cardinalities of all the maximal ideals in R. Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary 13C99, Secondary 05C99, 13M99


The present invention provides a method for screening a substance for cancer prevention or treatment using a novel molecular marker for cancer stem cells and cancer. The present invention provides a method for screening a substance for cancer prevention or treatment using a novel molecular marker for cancer stem cells and cancer. The cancer or pancreatic cancer therapeutic target of the present invention is very useful for screening candidates for therapeutic agents specifically acting on cancer stem cells or pancreatic cancer stem cells. Further, the present invention can accurately analyze the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer or pancreatic cancer.


The invention provides a preparation method of a metal ion-LiFePo4-C composite material, which belongs to the technical field of energy material preparation. According to the invention, ascorbic acid is taken as an optimum carbon source, a coprecipitation method is used for preparing a LiFePO4/C composite cathode material, and then a ball milling method is used for preparing the metal ion-LiFePo4-C composite material by using magnesium and aluminum to partially substitute the lithium bite, so that specific energy and cycle stability of the composite material can be greatly increased, and the conductive capability is improved.


Basic features for edge detection, such as derivatives, can be further manipulated to improve detection performance. How to effectively combine different local features to improve detection performance remains an open issue and needs to be investigated. Genetic Programming (GP) has been employed to construct composite features. However, the range of the observations of an evolved program might be sparse and large, which is not good to indicate different edge responses. In this study, GP is used to construct composite features for edge detection via estimating the observations of evolved programs as triangular distributions. The results of the experiments show that the evolved programs with a large range of observations are not good to construct composite features. A proposed restriction on the range of the observations of evolved programs improves the performance of edge detection.


MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) is a robotic sample return mission of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), CNES (Centre National d' Etudes Spatiales), and DLR (German Aerospace Center) with the launch planed for 2024. The mission aims to answer the question of the origin of Phobos and Deimos, which will also help to understand the material transport in the earliest period of our solar system, and of how was water brought to Earth. Besides JAXA's MMX mothership, which is responsible for sampling and sample return to Earth, a small rover which is built by CNES and DLR to land on Phobos for in-situ measurements, similar to MASCOT (Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout) on Ryugu. The MMX rover is a four-wheel driven autonomous system with a size of 41 cm × 37 cm × 30 cm and a weight of approximately 25 kg. Multiple science instruments and cameras are integrated in the rover body. The rover body has the form of a rectangular box. Attached at the sides are four legs with one wheel per leg. When the rover is detached from the mothership, the legs are folded together at the side of the rover body. When the rover has landed passively (no parachute or braking rockets) on Phobos, the legs are autonomously maneuvered to bring the rover in an upright orientation. One Phobos day lasts 7.65 earth hours, which yields about 300 extreme temperature cycles for the total mission time of three earth months. These cycles and the wide span of surface temperature between day and night are the main design drivers for the rover. This paper gives a detailed view on the development of the MMX rover locomotion subsystem.


Superconductor-Insulator-Normal metal Insulator-Superconductor (SINIS) structure with NIS tunnel junctions is a generic element for Andreev bolometers, normal metal hot electron bolometers, cold electron bolometers, electron coolers, cryogenic thermometers, etc. Past 30 years such devices intended mainly for microwave detection were developed both theoretically and experimentally. Some of results and conclusions are contradictive. Here we briefly review main experimental results and possible mechanisms of SINIS microwave detectors operation, influence of electron cooling, normal metal traps, nonequilibrium effects, quantum absorption and bolometric absorption, energy dissipation by phonons and electrons. Crucial issue for practical detector is proper integration with planar antenna array that determine coupling efficiency, beampattern, bandwidth. We compare two main approaches with modelling of infinite array with periodic boundary conditions and modelling of the entire moderate array. Comparison with experiments support the approach with modelling of the whole array and taking into account the different boundary conditions between adjacent antennas. Correct experimental study requires cryogenic bandpass filter and integrating cavity.


Resistin is a cysteine‐rich adipokine that promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), which are critical pro‐inflammatory mediators in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. We describe evidence of significantly higher levels of resistin, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α expression in OA knee synovial tissue compared with that from non‐OA knees. Resistin‐induced enhancement of IL‐1β and TNF‐α expression in human OA synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) were attenuated by MEK and ERK inhibitors, as well as their respective siRNAs. Our data reveal that resistin enhances the expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in OASFs by inhibiting miR‐149 expression via MEK and ERK signaling. Our findings elucidate the inter‐relationships between resistin and pro‐inflammatory mediators during OA pathogenesis and could help to facilitate the development of synovium‐targeted therapy in OA.


Artemisia gorgonum (Asteraceae) is a common traditional Cape Verde medicinal plant which has been used intensively to treat several inflammatory diseases. However, the most recent studies reported the antimalaria activity , antiviral, anti-tumoral, anti-pyretic, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-coagulant, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-malarial, anti-ulcerogenic and antispasmodic and hepatoprotective activities have been reported for the Artemisia genus . Therefore, our aim is to investigate the protective effect of aqueous extract of A. gorgonum (AEAG) against liver injury on rat model.


Title of Document: FABRICATION AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT FOR AN INTEGRATED OPTICAL MEMS MICROSYSTEM IN INDIUM PHOSPHIDE Nathan Paul Siwak, Doctor of Philosophy, 2013 Directed By: Professor Reza Ghodssi, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute for Systems Research This dissertation presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of the first monolithically integrated MEMS resonant sensor syst em realized in the InP-InGaAs material family. The integration of a MEMS sensor along with the facilitating optical interrogation platform provides for increased manuf cturing scalability, sensitivity, and reduced measurement noise and device cost. The MEMS device presented in this dissertation consists of an Indium Phosphide (InP) cantilever waveguide resonator whose displacement is measured optically via a vert ically integrated laser diode and waveguide photodetector. All three major component s of the sensor were integrated in a single 7.1 μm thick molecular beam epitaxy (MB E) epitaxial growth, lattice matched to an InP substrate. Full fabrication of t he integrated MEMS device utilizes 7 projection lithography masks, 4 nested inductivel y coupled plasma (ICP) etches, and over 60 discrete processing steps. This disser tation focuses on the integration design and the development of specific III-V semico nductor fabrication processes in order to completely fabricate and realize these dev ices, including specialized ICP etching steps and a MEMS undercutting release etch. The fabricated devices were tested and characterized by investigating the separ ate component subsystems as well as the total combined system performance. Investig ation of device failure and performance degradation is performed and related to non-idealities in the device fabrication and design. A discussion of future wor k to improve the performance of the system is presented. The work in this dissertat ion describing the successful fabrication process and analysis of such a complex system is a milestone for III-V based optical MEMS research and will serve as the g roundwork for future research in the area of optical MEMS microsystems. FABRICATION AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT FOR AN INTEGRAT ED OPTICAL MEMS MICROSYSTEM IN INDIUM PHOSPHIDE


This note exposes an oversight in the development of a decomposition approach to the shop scheduling problem reported previously. Included is a brief account of the original algorithm, exposure of its weakness via a small example and a suggested modification.


Split Vision Urbanism HK is a design research project located at the intersection of urban governance, architectural design, and media arts. It seeks to critically address the relationship between formal and informal structures in order to uncover the hidden potentials of porous urban space, extracting new territories for design practices to engage the generative aspects of high density. Drawing on landscape urbanism's critique on conventional urban planning, the project builds upon the tradition of exploring the potentials of places and spaces in urban culture through movement. The objective of Split Vision Urbanism HK is to detect, analyze, and evaluate the typological qualities of porous urban space, constructing a scenario framework for design intervention in high density. The project defines porous urban space as a spatial typology which tends to proliferate on an informal basis in high density, producing an interiorized environment of rhizomatic multiplicities that conflate the disciplinary differences between architecture and urbanism. Drawing on the hypothesis that porous urban space holds unexplored potentials for generative design practices, theproject takes a series of city blocks located in Hong Kong's Mong Kok district as subject matter of analysis to postulate a critique on the urban renewal processes that currently transforms Mong Kok from a porous and complex construct towards a deterministic constellation of figures and grounds. As urban renewal is orchestrated through the agencies that govern public space, low frequencyrecording of the discrepancies between the informal and the formal reveal differentiations between the outside and the inside of a city block. This split vision urbanism unfolds a territory for experimentation, where inconsistencies between formalized routines and site-specific potentialscan be detected through audio-visual recording, and processed through literature reviews and design experiments. Examining the intersection between collage and montage for data collection and visualization, the project explores combinations of quantitative and qualitative data to extrapolate the complexities of porous urban space.


Copper bromide vapor laser is the most successful sealed-off version of a plenty of copper vapor lasers launched, studied and produced for the last half of century. Being first reported in 1975, it became the leading and long-lasting RD comprehensive studies of energy dissipation and dynamics of the electric field of CuBr laser; achievement of high-brightness diffraction-limited throughout-pulse emission of master-oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) CuBr laser and high focusability of CuBr laser emission low-affected by beam profile intensity variations.


Summary

1. The unique aquatic fauna of the island-like groundwater springs of arid inland Australia raises important questions as to how aquatic species persist in very isolated and fragmented habitats and the role that dispersal may play in mitigating/mediating the influence of landscape structure and determining population structure. By determining the relationship between genetics and geography (i.e. phylogeography), the historical processes responsible for population structure can be determined.

2. We undertook comparative phylogeographic studies of invertebrates from springs south of Lake Eyre. Clusters of springs lying within and between surface drainage catchments (which provide a potential connection between springs) were sampled, and the phylogeographic structure of four coexisting species, an ostracod Ngarwa dirga, a snail Fonscochlea accepta, an isopod Phreatomerus latipes and an amphipod Wangiannachiltonia guzikae, was examined.

3. Clear differences in the geographic patterns of genetic structure were found amongst the four species. No discernable genetic structure was found in ostracod and snail populations, even amongst springs lying 20 km apart in separate surface catchments; isopod populations were highly genetically structured amongst springs located in separate catchments, but not within catchments, whilst amphipod populations were highly genetically structured amongst springs both within and between catchments.

4. The results suggest that differences in dispersal ability of each species, and not the overall fragmented nature of the springs, may have led to large differences in phylogeographic history. Interestingly, the relative dispersal ability of these species may be related to their vulnerability to and recovery from large-scale flood events. Therefore, despite the highly isolated and fragmented nature of the springs, the landscape has not strongly influenced the population structure of the aquatic invertebrate community as a whole nor has it led to the evolution of common life histories.


There is a growing belief in the industry that to be successful in today's competitive market is that companies and brands that are owned by the company should have a good impression or image in the eyes of customers. Corporate image and brand perception arises from external customers of the company and brand. This study focuses on the relationship between trust in the brand of standard enterprise in the automotive sector-based four-wheel drive roads and road transport rather than with corporate image and customer impression. Data were processed and analyzed using the methods Structured Equation Model (SEM). SEM is a multivariate statistical technique that uses a series of testing causal relationships among variables simultaneously. From the analysis undertaken of the first hypothesis of this study it was found that reputation and trust are interrelated entities. While the relationship between customer satisfaction with the purchase frequency was shown to be associated positively. Customers have a loyalty to the brand because of the high level of confidence, the level of customer satisfaction and corporate image conformity with the impression that arise.


Abstract Plasmonic phenomena in metals are commonly explored within the framework of classical electrodynamics and semiclassical models for the interactions of light with free-electron matter. The more detailed understanding of mesoscopic electrodynamics at metal surfaces is, however, becoming increasingly important for both fundamental developments in quantum plasmonics and potential applications in emerging light-based quantum technologies. The review offers a colloquial introduction to recent mesoscopic formalism, ranging from quantum-corrected hydrodynamics to microscopic surface-response formalism, offering also perspectives on possible future avenues.


Orthogonal polynomials appear in many areas of mathematics and have been the subject of interest of many mathematicians.The present study deals with some new properties for the Meixner - Pollaczek polynomials $P_{n}^{\left( \lambda \right) }\left( x;\phi \right) $ . The results obtained here include various families of multilinear and multilateral generating functions, miscellaneous properties and also some special cases for these polynomials.Relevant connections of some of these families of generating functions with various known results are also indicated.


This article is based on a survey of decisions by the European Commission of Human Rights regarding applications from former Communist countries which ratified the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (known as the European Convention on Human Rights, hereinafter 'the Convention') following the dramatic events in Europe in the fall of 1989. To date, eight new countries from Central and Eastern Europe have ratified the Convention: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia. The Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR) had ratified the Convention before it split into two States. The jurisdiction of the Convention was also extended to the former East Germany, as a result of its unification with the former West Germany. This article is a result, of a study of all the European Commission of Human Rights' decisions in applications from the new Member States. However, it does not include a discussion of cases summarily decided by the Commission, when all the decision concluded was that no violation of the Convention had been found. For these reasons, the article cannot be seen as an overview of all the complaints that


The production method of ecological food for health cultivation of prawn includes the following steps: Peruvian fish powder, puffed corn flour, peanut cake, soybean concented portein, beer yeast, shrimp peel powder (or shrimp head powder), sea arrow guts powder, mixed oil, composite inorganic salt, composite vitamin, soya lecithin, binding agent and beneficial microorganism are uniformly mixed according to a certain proportion, granulated in soft granular food granulating machine, and low-temp dried in low-temp. drying equipment to make its water content be less than 12%. The effective components of various vitamins, beneficial microorganism and lecithin being in the food produced by adopting said invented method can not be damaged by high-temp. influence, and its nutrient components are more balance.


There are many factors restrict the exploration and development of subtle reservoir in the deep lake area. The accurate description of reservoir distribution is the important factors of oil and gas exploration and development. Taking the exploration in Yingzijie area as an example, through the research of seismic facies division and sand body identification, we formed the"five steps"method for reservoir description of lithologic reservoirs in fan delta, which includes using seismic frequency extension to identify reservoir, using seismic response to show characteristics, using seismic facies to define zones, using muti-well joint constrained inversion to determine fine sand bodies and using frequency divider to interpret boundary. The exploration practice shows that this technology has good effect, and can be used to establish models of seismic wave form for different type of sand bodies, show the contact relationship of crosswise sand, confirm the facies configuration of delta front and prodelta, and predict favorable zones of lithologic reservoir.


Pharmaceutical companies are finally getting the supply chain swept most manufacturing industries in the 1990s. As a result, contract manutacturers will have to operate in a more demanding environment in the future.


A 54-year-old female was referred to our clinic for evaluation of an incidentally found splenic mass revealed during a routine abdominal ultrasound examination. The patient denied any abdominal trauma, complaints, or past surgical operations. His medical history was unremarkable. Baseline hematological and biochemical investigations as well as the tumor markers were all within the normal ranges. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hyperintense splenic lesion, of a total size of 5 cm, which corresponded to the splenic tumor. As the nature of the splenic mass could not be precisely determined by preoperative assessments nor malignancy could be excluded, we opted for laparoscopic splenectomy. The surgery was completed without complications and the postoperative course was entirely uneventful. The patient was discharged from the clinic 4 days later. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.


In the introduction to The World of Musicals the editor Mark Robinson gives quite a concise history of musicals focusing on America's contribution to the genre and giving context to this resource. This 2 volume set distinguishes itself from other reference sources by not only including musical theatre, but also having entries for musical films. From the introduction, Robinson argues that although "many critics have stated that the Broadway musical is a dying art form," American musicals are flourishing and there has definitely been an influx of new creators on the scene as well as a renewed interest through television and film (xxxviii).


Parenting comes with many responsibilities, one of which is making ongoing decisions affecting their child's health. While today's parents have access to an abundance of parenting advice and data-both offline and online-little is known about their lived experience with these resources and how it interacts with other aspects of decision-making like intuition. Drawing on a survey of 65 parents and interviews of 12 parents of children aged 0-5 in the U.S., we provide the following contributions: an analysis of parents' experiences and needs when using different resources to make health and wellbeing decisions for their child; a definition of parents' lived experiences with intuition throughout the decision-making process; and a discussion of tensions and opportunities for designing in this sensitive space. Our findings can inform new design directions for interactive technology-based parenting support, particularly the potential to consider intuition and make parenting information and data more socially oriented.


This paper proposes a newly doubly salient permanent magnet motor with external rotor regarding driving traits of electric vehicle.It analyze the operation principles of the motor by finite element method.It propose nonlinear dynamic analyzing model calculation method of the motor in the use of nonlinear magnetic path analysis and finite element calculation.


Optical and structural properties of thin porous silicon (PS) layers electrochemically formed in the outermost part of 0.3 μm thin emitters of commercial silicon shallow junctions were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The SE data were evaluated with a multiparameter fitting procedure based on the Bruggeman effective medium approximation by using a mixture of fine‐grain polycrystalline Si and voids. The fit results show that the thicknesses of PS films grown at a constant current density of in 30% hydrofluoric acid (HF) with etching times of 1.5 and 3.5 s are 54 and 105 nm, respectively. When the formation time is less than 2.5 s, the porosity is a constant 60% throughout the entire PS layer. A porosity gradient occurs across the layer for formation times greater than 2.5 s, resulting in a layer of up to 85% porosity near the surface after 3.5 s. This increasing porosity is due to chemical dissolution by the HF electrolyte, occurring as a simultaneous reaction to the electrochemical PS formation. All the PS layers grow at a rate of , which is independent of the PS formation time and is not affected by the phosphorus doping gradient in the emitter. The calculated number of elementary charges, z, needed to dissolve one Si atom from the bulk is 3.3. Comparison of the SE fit with total reflectance measurements confirms the validity of the SE modeling. PS layer thicknesses were measured independently of the SE experiments by combining secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements and surface profiling. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.


The engineering property of water-based epoxy resin mortar was investigated in this paper, the fluidity and pin performance are analyzed. Influence of water-based epoxy resin ratio on engineering property was discussed. As the results showed, the fluidity decreases with the increase of resin dosage(water-based epoxy resin on the percentage of total materials), and the best resin dosage is 9.7% around. The shear strength expression was nonlinear fitted, and the integration of shear strength and tensile strength was completed based on the experimental results to guide the engineering application.


Tyner and Tweeten's (1966) estimates of equilibrium factor shares were indirect estimates of the exponent parameters for Cobb-Douglas production functions. Given these production functions, they addressed the issue of resource missallocation in each of five decades. Subsequently, we solved for optimum input combinations using the decade averages of the same prices (including the labor wage rate) as those implicit in Tyner and Tweeten's factor share data and concluded there was no evidence that the use of any input was greatly out of equilibrium. This result was quite different than that offered by Tyner and Tweeten in their original article and in their reply to our comment. While they acknowledge in general (for eight of nine input categories) that inappropriate prices were used in their original work, Tyner and Tweeten do not acknowledge any error with regard to the labor price used. The upshot of their reply is that only minor differences in results occur when just the nonlabor prices are corrected, and the implications of their original article for resource misallocation in agriculture still hold. They further suggest that we erred in the labor price used in the analysis reported in our comment. We think not. Tyner and Tweeten used the hired farm labor wage rate to determine current expenditures on all farm labor, which in turn were used in the factor share adjustment model to estimate labor's production elasticity. They then suggest in their reply that "the appropriate 'prices' [for deriving economic implications such as resource misallocation, supply elasticity, etc.] are 85% of the average values for the index 'price of nonfarm labor, 1947-49 = 100' " [italics added] (fn. 2). In effect, their procedure means that one set of prices should be used to determine expenditures on the input and another to reflect its cost when calculating optimum input levels, etc. We contend that to use a nonfarm labor price in the derivations is inconsistent with their method for indirectly estimating labor's production elasticity, and this inconsistency is the cause of the large disequilibrium they found.' Perhaps there is justification for arguing that the appropriate shadow price for all farm labor is greater than the nominal price of hired farm labor because of nonpecuniary benefits accruing to both hired and family labor, quality improvements in labor over time, and management skill of operator labor. But if a price equal to 85% of the nonfarm wage rate is the appropriate one for deriving optimum input levels, it is also appropriate for determining the labor factor share in order to obtain a reliable indirect estimate of labor's production elasticity. It indeed may be that considerable disequilibrium existed in the agricultural sector during the period 1910-61, but the underlying properties of the Tyner and Tweeten model do not reveal it.2


This paper presents closed-loop motion control of a heavy-duty hydraulic manipulator using non-linear model-based Virtual Decomposition Control (VDC), where the motion feedback is estimated solely with low-cost micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors. By virtually decomposing the strongly non-linear and dynamically cross-coupled manipulator system into individually controlled subsystems, a significant improvement in overall control performance is achieved. The controller performance is analysed using planar Cartesian end-effector motion. The experiments show that the stability-guaranteed VDC approach based on low-cost MEMS sensor feedback yields a high-performance control solution: with a 0.85 m/s maximum velocity, the end-effector has a peak tracking error of 13 mm, which is a notable improvement by a factor of 3.6 compared to our previous work based on linear state feedback control.


In this paper, the spatial dynamic panel data (SDPD) model is extended to the single-index spatial dynamic panel data (Si-SDPD) model by introducing a nonlinear connection function to reflect the interaction between explanatory variables. The Si-SDPD model not only retains the advantages of the parametric SDPD model in dealing with spatial and temporal interaction effects and spatio-temporal dependencies, but also solves the limitations of the parametric SDPD model that may lead to missed bias. It reduces the data dimension of non-parametric models and enhances the practicability and explanatory power of parametric models. Since the parts of the model to be estimated contain unknown functions, we propose a new estimation method, a profile maximum likelihood (PML) method, to solve the problem of incidental parameters in the estimation. Under the assumption that the spatial coefficients are known, we preliminarily estimate the unknown function by carrying out local polynomial estimation, so as to transform the model into the parametric form for solving purposes. We then solve the dynamic panel parametric model via quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) estimation. We derive the asymptotic properties of profile maximum likelihood estimators (PMLEs) and find that, under certain regularity conditions, both parametric and non-parametric estimators are consistent. Monte Carlo results show that PMLEs have good finite sample performance.


Survivor guilt, a concept associated with the interpersonal process of "surviving" harm while others do not, increasingly appears in nursing, medicine, and psychology literature. Paradoxically, the phenomenon is rarely defined and often poorly described. Combining Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis with a comprehensive literature review, we explain the attributes, antecedents, consequences, related concepts, and surrogate terms of survivor guilt. A new definition emerged from the evolving use of the concept in new contexts. Survivor guilt is a valid form of suffering for which effective interventions need to be developed. This analysis extends the concept, laying the foundation for comprehensive treatment strategies.


With the emergence of clinical prototypes and first patient acquisitions for proton therapy, the research on prompt gamma imaging is aiming at making most use of the prompt gamma data for in vivo estimation of any shift from expected Bragg peak (BP). The simple problem of matching the measured prompt gamma profile of each pencil beam with a reference simulation from the treatment plan is actually made complex by uncertainties which can translate into distortions during treatment. We will illustrate this challenge and demonstrate the robustness of a predictive linear model we proposed for BP shift estimation based on principal component analysis (PCA) method. It considered the first clinical knife-edge slit camera design in use with anthropomorphic phantom CT data. Particularly, 4115 error scenarios were simulated for the learning model. PCA was applied to the training input randomly chosen from 500 scenarios for eliminating data collinearities. A total variance of 99.95% was used for representing the testing input from 3615 scenarios. This model improved the BP shift estimation by an average of 63±19% in a range between -2.5% and 86%, comparing to our previous profile shift (PS) method. The robustness of our method was demonstrated by a comparative study conducted by applying 1000 times Poisson noise to each profile. 67% cases obtained by the learning model had lower prediction errors than those obtained by PS method. The estimation accuracy ranged between 0.31 ± 0.22 mm and 1.84 ± 8.98 mm for the learning model, while for PS method it ranged between 0.3 ± 0.25 mm and 20.71 ± 8.38 mm.


QFD, as the main means of current demonstration, is widely used in product development and system demonstration. This paper first briefly introduces the basic analysis process of QFD, and then analyzes the research status of the mapping relationship between "customer demand and product characteristics". Aiming at the problem of qualitative index weighting, this paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of the subjective weighting method of AHP and G1 weighting method. Based on the analysis of the common objective weighting methods, this paper applies the principle of least mean square error to carry out objective weighting, and uses the idea of deviation and minimum to carry out combination weighting, and puts forward the combination weighting method based on G1-MSE. An example is given to verify that this method can reasonably solve the importance evaluation problem of qualitative indicators in QFD.


Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a huge impact on behaviour and learning. Darren Martindale advises how we can identify these problems and offer support


As interest develops in ecological engineering, there is a need for the development of projects suitable for teaching. Ecological engineers must learn how to deal with ecological relationships on both a quantitative and qualitative level. This paper describes a project that takes advantage of the synergy possible between graduate students and undergraduate students. The project focuses on the design and implementation of both physical and virtual models of a sealed aquatic microcosm.


ABSTRACT The 2008 financial crisis impacted international trade in part due to decreases in trade finance and export credit insurance. This article shows that Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states used their public Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) to supplement the lack of private short-term export credit insurance as a means to increase trade. All OECD states, except Greece and Estonia, either increased the capacity of their ECAs to provide short-term export credit insurance, or they developed new products for this purpose. More generally, states that changed their short-term export credit insurance programs had major trading partners with defaults.


In this study the milk components SCC,alcohol stability and heat stability were analysed for 200 milk samples from 30 Holstein cows and compared for different SCC groups.The results showed that the mean SCC was 870000 cells/mL and the stdev was 1470000 cells/mL.The milk SCC did not fit the normal distribution.The milk alcohol stability and heat stability decreased along with SCC increased.


Abstract Special collaboration structures (Gestalts) are studied on the basis of the publications data on papers published by the National Physical Laboratory, India, during 1997–2008. The corresponding three-dimensional distribution of the co-author pairs' frequencies is compared with the distribution of the National Physical Laboratory, UK, as well as with distributions of two journals. The regularities for these four three-dimensional distributions are described by the same mathematical model (Social Gestalts). The varying shapes of these distributions are probably caused by the different research conditions. These new empirical results should initiate future research about the corresponding theoretical background followed by further empirical studies.


The random intensity distribution observed due to the propagation of a coherent beam of light through a scattering medium is known as a speckle pattern. The interaction of speckles with a birefringent crystal, here, YVO4 results in the splitting of the speckles into e-ray and o-ray speckles. It is observed that the e-ray and o-ray speckles experience an angular shift with the rotation of the crystal and the amount of the shift depends on the rotation angle of the crystal. It is also found that the rate of the shift is different for e-ray and o-ray speckles, and is independent of the topological charge of the beam incident on the scattering medium. The observed rate of shift of the speckles is found to be same as that of the e-ray and o-ray beams. It is experimentally demonstrated that the rotation of a birefringent crystal can be tracked very accurately from the speckle correlation.


A method is proposed for indicating proper environmental conditions for fungus development in specification tests of materials in "tropical chambers."


The thematization of violence becomes even more relevant in times of violent demonstrations in different domains of human experience. Taking into account the World Health Organization's position – who characterizes violence as intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation - this paper presents conceptual distinctions that help to promote this agenda of reflection. We consider appropriate (i) to distinguish between violence and aggression, pointing out the link between aggression and aggressive intent; (ii) to locate violence regarding the dismiss of the notion of authority; (iii) to examine violence as a social symptom; (iv) to discuss the passage to the act, as well as the functioning of the perverse personality that, by its own characteristics, is often associated with violent demonstrations. Together, these considerations show that violence is a complex phenomenon that permeates the human condition.


We present a progress report on a new method to calculate positions and widths of two-electron atomic <molecular> resonances This procedure, based on a formal analogy between the Feshbach formalism and the Phillips-Kleinman pseudopotential approach, yields results in very good agreement with those obtained with the standard Feshbach formalism, but requires a considerably smaller computational effort in cases where the resonant states of interest lie above several ionization thresholds. This method can be very easily generalized to the treatment of doubly excited states of Belike systems, that is containing a closed shell 1s'" core. In our implementation of the method, the open channel wavefunction is obtained from using a discretization procedure, whose theoretical basis we present in some detail, and an inverse interpolation method to achieve the discrete-continuum degeneracy which is needed to aply the golden rule formula to calculate the width. We present some illustrations for He-like and Be-like resonances lying above one or several ionization thresholds, and for molecular resonances of homo and heteronuclear two-electron systems. Doubly excited states of atoms and molecules have received a great deal of attention because they are involved in a considerable number of experimental phenomena such as beam-f oil spectroscopy /l, 2/, electronimpact experiments /3/, atomic processes in fusion plasmas /4/, and siglecollision beam experiments /5-12/. One of the most powerful tools to obtain the positions and widths of this kind of resonances is the well known Feshbach formlism /13/, whose fundamental definitions are summarized in section 2. In this approach the Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:1989105


We study linear Fisher markets with satiation. In these markets, sellers have earning limits, and buyers have utility limits. Beyond applications in economics, they arise in the context of maximizing Nash social welfare when allocating indivisible items to agents. In contrast to markets with either earning or utility limits, markets with both limits have not been studied before. They turn out to have fundamentally different properties. In general, the existence of competitive equilibria is not guaranteed. We identify a natural property of markets (termed money clearing) that implies existence. We show that the set of equilibria is not always convex, answering a question posed in the literature. We design an FPTAS to compute an approximate equilibrium and prove that the problem of computing an exact equilibrium lies in the complexity class continuous local search ([Formula: see text]; i.e., the intersection of polynomial local search ([Formula: see text]) and polynomial parity arguments on directed graphs ([Formula: see text])). For a constant number of buyers or goods, we give a polynomial-time algorithm to compute an exact equilibrium. We show how (approximate) equilibria can be rounded and provide the first constant-factor approximation algorithm (with a factor of 2.404) for maximizing Nash social welfare when agents have capped linear (also known as budget-additive) valuations. Finally, we significantly improve the approximation hardness for additive valuations to [Formula: see text]. Funding: J. Garg was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CCF-1942321 (CAREER)]. M. Hoefer was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grants Ho 3831/5-1, Ho 3831/6-1, and Ho 3831/7-1].


The natural frequencies of simultaneously skewed and twisted cantilevered parallelepipeds are determined using the Ritz method. The present work is the first known three-dimensional study of the problem. Assumed displacement functions are in the form of algebraic polynomials which satisfy the fixed face conditions exactly, and which are mathematically complete. Reasonably accurate natural frequencies are calculated for low aspect ratio, thick parallelepipeds having arbitrary degrees of twist and skewness. Detailed numerical studies show that a three-dimensional analysis is essential in monitoring complicated coupled-mode sensitivities in the variation of non-dimensional natural frequencies with increasing skew and twist angles and thickness ratio. Results obtained using the present method are compared with those obtained in a detailed three-dimensional finite element analysis, where the suitability and limitations of s-version solid element discretizations are clearly brought out.


Gd-Zr-Mg master alloy was prepared by co-electrodeposition method using mixed Gd2O3-MgO-ZrO2 as raw materials and GdF3-LiF-BaF2 as molten salt system.Effects of electrolysis temperature,cathode current density and content of ZrO2 in raw materials on the current efficiency and alloy content of Zr in prepared master alloy were investgated.The results show that the current efficiency increased initially with electrolysis temperature and cathode current density then decreased,whereas decreased with increasing content of ZrO2 in raw materials.And the content of Zr in master alloy increased with increasing electrolysis temperature and content of ZrO2 in raw materials,whereas increased initially with cathode current density and then decreased.And the current efficiency was 57 % and content of Zr in master alloy amounted to 10 %~11 % under the optical electrolysis technique.