The invention discloses a steplessly adjustable electric control gas valve which comprises a valve body, a valve plug, and a motor for driving the valve plug, wherein a cock hole fitted with the valve plug is arranged in the valve body, and the inner wall of the cock hole is provided with air inlet holes; an axially-arranged center hole is arranged in the valve plug, and the circumferential surface of the valve plug is provided with at least two air outlet holes which correspond to the same air inlet hole and used for controlling the flow quantity of each section of gas flowing through the air inlet hole; the external wall surface of the valve plug at the height of the air outlet hole is provided with a vent groove which is arranged along the circumferential direction of the valve plug, the air outlet hole for controlling the maximum gas flow quantity of the air inlet hole is communicated with the vent groove, and the parts of the other air outlet holes close to the center hole are radially narrowed so as to form a gas control section. The electric control gas valve disclosed by the invention has the advantages that through setting the vent groove communicated with the air outlet hole for controlling the maximum air flow quantity of the air inlet hole on the external circumferential surface of the valve plug, the parts of the other air outlet holes close to the center hole areradially narrowed so as to form the gas control section, therefore, even if gaps exist between mechanisms, the firepower of stoves also can accurately be controlled.


Abstract: In this paper we study the effect of the packet drop process governed by (m,k)-firm constraint in the feedback loop of a control system. Our approach is to first analyse the stability and the optimality of such a system, then by considering the amplitude variance of the system state as the system performance, we propose a method to optimally distribute the packets to offer a better system performance. Copyright © 2005 IFAC


The result of digitization's rapid entry in all spheres of the entrepreneurship business is the change of the traditional business functionalities. Companies are starting to implement new business models inherent in the digital environment along with established ones. The digital transformation of the business increases its potential and opportunities for expanding the domestic and foreign markets, facilitates communication with customers, and creates prerequisites for business growth. Digital entrepreneurship is distinguished by some more essential characteristics that outline its essence and reveal its clear advantages. The article aims to reveal the characteristics of digital entrepreneurship in a theoretical and practical aspect.

Digital entrepreneurship is considered in terms of its relationship with the digital economy, the degree of digitization of processes, scope, growth opportunities and access to markets. It is also characterized by the implementation of business without space-time limitations, the continuous introduction of new digital means facilitating communications with customers and counterparties, various business activities and the implementation of new business models. Changes in competition and consumer behavior, as well as the opportunities this entrepreneurship provides for creativity and innovation, are also highlighted as important features. Competition and consumer behavior changes, as well as the opportunities this entrepreneurship provides for creativity and innovation, are also highlighted as important features. The importance of such features as the need to change the mindset of entrepreneurs and customers and special training of human resources to use digital technologies is emphasized.

In a practical aspect for the construction of digital entrepreneurship, the results of an approbation study of some aspects of digital entrepreneurship are presented.


In this study, a machine learning method, i.e., random forest (RF) model, was employed to assess post-fire debris flow (PFDF) susceptibility after the Xichang forest fire occurred on 30 March, 2020. First, we conducted a tracking survey in the rainy season, on-site tests, and remote sensing image interpretation and obtained 10 impacting factors, i.e., the basin area, relief ratio, basin shape coefficient, percentage of area with a slope greater than 50%, proportion of moderate or high severity burned areas, distribution of gravel in the basin, vegetation types and distribution in the basin, early cumulative erosion after fire, peak rainfall in a 1-h interval, and peak rainfall in a 24-h interval, after their correlation test to build a spatial database. Subsequently, a total of 181 PFDF events in the database were randomly divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) samples. Thereafter, the RF model was used to acquire the susceptibility of PFDF in the study area. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under curve (AUC) value, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were utilized to validate the predictive performance of the model. Results show that the RF model has good predictive ability with AUC of 93.4%, sensitivity of 88.3%, specificity of 99.3%, and accuracy of 97.8%. This study provides a scientific basis for PFDF disaster prevention and risk management in Xichang City and its surrounding areas.


AS FLU-EPIDEMIC patients pile up in A&E, we have been treated to yet another media debate on tire future of the NHS. The number of hospital admissions is set to rise steadily with the ageing of the population and with increasing expectations of health care. At the same time, NHS bed numbers are falling and Older hospitals are recording severe shortages of nursing staff.


With the rapid development of the national industry, the importance of electrical safety was recognized because of a lot of new electrical equipment are installing and the electrical accidents have been occurring annually. Today, the electrical equipments is inspect by using the portable Infrared thermal imaging camera. but the most negative element of using the camera is inspected for only state of heating, the reliable diagnosis is depended with inspector's knowledge, and real-time monitoring is impossible. This paper present the infrared thermal imaging safety diagnosis system. This system is able to monitor in real time, predict the state of fault, and diagnose the state with analysis of thermal and power data. The system consists of a main processor, an infrared camera module, the power data acquisition board, and a server. The diagnostic algorithm is based on a mathematical model designed by analyzing the Pearson's Correlation Coefficient between temperature and power data. To test the prediction algorithm, the simulations were performed by damaging the terminals or cables on the switchboard to generate a large amount of heat. Utilizing these simulations, the developed prediction algorithm was verified.


The aim of this note is to rebut some unsupported claims which cast suspicions on the results of the papers titled: "Extrinsic extinction cross-section in the multiple acoustic scattering by fluid particles," [J. Appl. Phys. 121, 144904 (2017)]; and "Intrinsic acoustical cross sections in the multiple scattering by a pair of rigid cylindrical particles in 2D," [J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 50, 325601 (2017)]. It is important to emphasize that the results presented in these works are entirely physical and valid, in complete agreement with the basic physical law of energy conservation. Moreover, scientific convincing results in peer-reviewed publications should be supported by illustrative examples using rigorous methods as well as computational analyses and solid conclusive evidence, instead of raising mere suspicions with baseless speculations.


Smart antenna systems plays an important role in wireless communications systems. This paper begins with a brief introduction about an Array correlation matrix in the wireless communication. After that, the goal of Direction Of Arrival (DOA) estimation with smart antennas in the wireless communications systems is described. The three different types of DOA estimation techniques Bartlett DOA estimation, Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) and Linear prediction DOA estimation techniques are described in the fourth part of this paper. In the last section of this paper comparison of their performance evaluation of these three methods and conclusion are made.


In this paper, we propose a p-weighted noise reduction algorithm to improve the accuracy of channel estimation in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. A SNR and speed adaptive weighting factor p is introduced, which can efficiently reduce the noise. After that, an exact expression of the optimal value of p under piecewise linear interpolation in time domain are derived, as well as a more practical near-optimization of p. Simulation results show that p-weighted algorithm obtains a SNR gain at low SNR and maintains the variation of channel at high SNR. It achieves the optimal tradeoff between noise reduction and maintenance of channel variation.


Aiming at the new requirements of MWIR (Medium Wave Infrared) photoelectric equipment for infrared continuous zoom system, such as large zoom ratio, light weight and fast switching, a new type of continuous zoom optical system with three-component structure is designed based on 1280×1024 MWIR staring focal plane array detector. The working band is 3.7μm~4.8μm, the relative aperture is F/4, and the entire zoom range of focal length is 19mm~760mm. By using three-component design, the optical system achieves 40 x zoom range in a relatively compact space. At the same time, a new focusing scheme is adopted, which realizes the focusing and continuous clear imaging of WFOV (wide field of view) and NFOV (narrow field of view) at the same distance. The MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) of the optical system is close to the diffraction limit, the zoom curves are smooth, the moving stroke of each moving lens group is short, and the entire zoom process can be switched within six seconds. It can meet 100% cold stop efficiency and has good imaging quality in the temperature range of -40°C ~70°C . It has the advantages of large zoom ratio, compact size, fast switching time, high resolution and good focusing consistency.


Previous studies of church dropouts and the reinvolvemnent of dropouts in church life are either qualitative in nature and/ or deal with relatively limited age groups or historical periods. The 1978 Gallup survey of unchurched Americans provides a unique opportunity to explore the phenomena of religious disengagement and re-entry in a quantitative manner that includes the entire spectrum of the life cycle and fifty years of historical change. This paper takes that opportunity as its point of departure, focusing on life cycle and historical variation in dropout and re-entry rates, and the reasons given by dropouts for their disengagement.


Objective: To evaluate the relationship of night-time blood pressure (BP) assessed by home (HBP) or ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring with preclinical target organ damage in adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Design and method: Hypertensive adults with DM2 or pre-diabetes on stable treatment were subjected to (i) 24 h ABP monitoring (20 min intervals, Microlife WatchBP O3), (ii) HBP monitoring (7 days with duplicate morning/evening measurements and 3 nights with 3 measurements/night, Microlife WatchBP Home-N), and measurement of (iii) echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI), (iv) carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), (v) aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), (Microlife PWV/ABI), (vi) urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) in 2 different morning samples. Results: Seventy individuals were analyzed (mean age 65.2 ± 9.7 years, 47 males, body mass index 31.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 59 with DM2 and 11 with pre-DM). Daytime HBP was slightly higher than daytime ABP (mean difference 2.4 ± 9.3/0.5 ± 4.9 mmHg, systolic/diastolic, p < 0.05/NS). Similarly, night-time HBP was slightly higher than night-time ABP (2.1 ± 6.5/0.8 ± 5.0 mmHg, p < 0.05/NS). There was strong correlation between ABP and HBP (daytime r = 0.77/0.77 and night-time 0.88/0.80, systolic/diastolic) (all p < 0.05). Night-time ambulatory/home pulse pressure presented the following correlation coefficients with indices of target organ damage: LVMI r = 0.23/0.15; cIMT 0.28/0.28; ABI -0.21/-0.23; PWV 0.04/0.05; ACR 0.57/0.50 (p = NS for HBP-ABP comparisons). The agreement between night-time HBP and ABP in identifying individuals with nocturnal hypertension was 81% (kappa statistic = 0.63) and in detection of non-dippers 73% (kappa = 0.44). Conclusions: Night-time HBP monitoring in hypertensive adults with DM2 is feasible, strongly associated with night-time ABP and gives similar correlations with preclinical target organ damage. These methods also present substantial agreement in identifying individuals with nocturnal hypertension.


The 5′UTR part of coronavirus genomes plays key roles in the viral replication cycle and translation of viral mRNAs. The first 75–80 nt, also called the leader sequence, are identical for genomic mRNA and subgenomic mRNAs. Recently, it was shown that cooperative actions of a 5′UTR segment and the nonstructural protein NSP1 are essential for both the inhibition of host mRNAs and for specific translation of viral mRNAs. Here, sequence analyses of both the 5′UTR RNA segment and the NSP1 protein have been done for several coronaviruses, with special attention to the betacoronaviruses. The conclusions are: (i) precise specific molecular signatures can be found in both the RNA and the NSP1 protein; (ii) both types of signatures correlate between each other. Indeed, definite sequence motifs in the RNA correlate with sequence motifs in the protein, indicating a coevolution between the 5′UTR and NSP1 in betacoronaviruses. Experimental mutational data on 5′UTR and NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 using cell-free translation extracts support these conclusions and show that some conserved key residues in the amino-terminal half of the NSP1 protein are essential for evasion to the inhibitory effect of NSP1 on translation.


Medi-Abstract TEE represents today a valuable and generally safe diagnostic tool for the diagnostic evaluation of structural heart disease and for guiding of structural interventional procedures. It can be performed at low risk. Alt-hough TEE is a semi-invasive method, complications are rare. TEE should be performed only by physicians who are familiar with endoscopic techniques and are aware of the contraindications. The benefit and risk ratio should be assessed in all patients before performing TEE


Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, which belongs to vibrational spectroscopy, detects the vibrations of molecules, for example, proteins. The absorption of the peptide group gives rise to 9 characteristic ...


Objective: Upper airway narrowing plays an important role in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) etiology. Computed tomography (CT) provides a three-dimensional image and can be obtained in the supine body position. The main objectives of this study were to determine the correlation between the dimensions of upper airway structures and OSAS by reconstructing the nasal, pharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway using CT. Methods: The study was carried out on a total of 95 consecutive subjects with maxillofacial CT, including 59 OSAS patients and 36 healthy participants. CT data of the study subjects were obtained in the supine position with the Philips Ingeniuty Core 2017 model CT device. Volumetric and cross-sectional area measurements of upper airway were obtained in three dimensions. Results: Retrolingual area and retrouvulal area were significantly lower in the patient group (p <0.001 for two). The mean values of soft palate volume, tongue volume and concha volumes of both sides were found to be significantly higher in the patient group (p = 0.005 for lower right turbinate, p <0.001 for others). Total nasal passage volume averages were significantly lower in the patient group, however naso-pharyngeal volume averages were significantly lower in the control group (p<0,001, p=0,004 respectively). Both uvula thickness and soft palate length averages were significantly higher in the patient group (p <0.001 for both). Conclusion: Cephalometric analysis of patients with OSAS with CT scans provides objective evaluation of skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities. We believe that all surgical procedures should follow precise cephalometric measurements, including detailed measurements.


In this paper, Ant Colony Method is combined with Artificial Potential Field Method, to propose a new optimization method to enhance the robustness of t original algorithm. The core of new algorithm is aim to improve original path planning of ant colony method by using artificial potential field method, and to complete the allocation of primary data of ant colony algorithm. And the optimization method is applied to 3D track planning of UAV, and it is proved to be effective by simulation.


The functions of agricultural holdings have been identified on the basis of identifying the main sources of income. As a result of the transformation of Polish economy and integration with the EU, the functions of agricultural holdings have to a large extent changed. Households and production holdings are now treated as two separate entities. At the same time polarization of farm households have emerged into agricultural holdings and subsistence farms. The number of holdings with mixed sources of income has also increased. Agricultural holdings and rural areas evolved from single-functional to multi-functional in nature.


The abelian sandpile model defines a Markov chain whose states are integer-valued functions on the vertices of a simple connected graph

 G
 G

. By viewing this chain as a (nonreversible) random walk on an abelian group, we give a formula for its eigenvalues and eigenvectors in terms of "multiplicative harmonic functions" on the vertices of

 G
 G

. We show that the spectral gap of the sandpile chain is within a constant factor of the length of the shortest noninteger vector in the dual Laplacian lattice, while the mixing time is at most a constant times the smoothing parameter of the Laplacian lattice. We find a surprising inverse relationship between the spectral gap of the sandpile chain and that of simple random walk on

 G
 G

: If the latter has a sufficiently large spectral gap, then the former has a small gap! In the case where

 G
 G

 is the complete graph on

 n
 n

 vertices, we show that the sandpile chain exhibits cutoff at time

 1

 4

 π

 2

 n

 3

 log

 n

 \frac {1}{4\pi ^{2}}n^{3}\log n

.


High resolution IR spectra of the linear HCCCN–HCCH and HCN–HCCCCH hydrogen bonded complexes have been obtained using optothermal detection molecular beam techniques. Two vibrational bands have been observed for each complex, which correspond to the terminal ''free'' C–H stretch vibrations (ν2) of the cyano units and the hydrogen bonded vibrations (ν3) of the acetylenic CH stretches. For both complexes, accurate molecular constants have been obtained. Furthermore, predissociation lifetimes for the ν3=1 states of the both complexes have been determined. The results are compared with those of the linear HCN–HCCH complex obtained by Block et al. [Chem. Phys. 139, 15 (1989)].


This contribution aspires to show one linguistic aspect of two
words: health (a noun) and healthy (an adjective), namely their
occurrence and usage in phraseological expressions. We will
focus on comparisons such as healthy as a beet, healthy as a
fish, healthy as a beech, and phraseological units adjective +
health, like iron health, strong health, robust health. We will
attempt to determine the frequency of these phraseological
connections in contemporary Czech writings within the Czech
National Corpus called SYN and we will consider the subject
matter of the texts that contain these phraseologisms. We will
also try to contemplate the ways of using phraseological
expressions with the words health and healthy in scholastic
practice intended to meet the objectives of the General
Educational Program for Basic Education.


This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a water extract of Sericea Lespedeza (SL), the lipid raft inhibitor NYS and known pathogen associated molecular patterns (LPS and PGN) on gene activation in ruminant (cow, sheep and goat) blood. Sericea Lespedeza, a high tannin containing legume has been shown to be a useful component of feed for control of gastro intestinal nematodes in ruminants. Blood was collected from four adult female Holstein Friesian cows (N=4), Spanish x Boer goats (N=4) and St Croix sheep (N=4) and incubated with 100 ng /mL of SL in the presence and absence of LPS, PGN or NYS. Whole blood was also incubated with 100 ng mL ng/ml of LPS, PGN or NYS without addition of SL. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) served as negative control. Total protein concentration, migration pattern, secretion of WNT5a, TLR2 and prostaglandin E2 alpha in plasma was also determined. Total RNA was isolated from cells using Trizol. Samples with RNA integrity number >7 were used for cDNA synthesis. Transcription of TLR2, TLR4, WNT, FZD, β catenin, TNFα and GAPDH was evaluated in cow, sheep and goat blood. The effect of Nystatin on expression of 84 genes on the cow WNT signaling pathway and human innate and adaptive immunity arrays was assessed in cow blood using real time PCR. Fold change in transcript abundance was calculated using the Livak method. Agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining was used to visualize amplicons. TLR2 and FZD were up regulated in response to PAMPS. Species specific gene expression and modulation by PAMPS was observed. Water extracts of SL reduced PGE2a in sheep and cows. Transcription and translation of genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity and the WNT signaling pathway in ruminant blood is responsive to diverse PAMPS and can be modulated by SL.


The potential protective and beneficial effect of rutin (RTN) against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal erosion (gastritis) in rats was evaluated. Fourty male albino rats were divided into four groups. Control group received no drugs, gastritis group administered with a single oral dose of 1 ml/rat of absolute ethanol, gastritis + RTN protected group received RTN (200 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for 14 days prior ethanol administration and gastritis + RTN treated group received RTN and the treatment was continued for 7 days later. Blood samples and gastric tissue were collected for determination of some serum and gastric tissues parameters and histopathological examination. The obtained results showed a significant decrease in serum nitric oxide (NO), sialic acid (SA), and gastric tissue GSH, vitamin C concentrations and GPX, SOD, GR and CAT activities in gastritis induced rats. However, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cyclooxygenase II (COX-2) activities, nuclear factor kappa B p65(NF-KB p65), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), LMalondialdehyde (L-MDA) and DNA-fragmentation were significantly increased. Administration of RTN was capable to alleviate gastritis induced by ethanol through increasing of NO, SA, GSH, vitamin C concentrations, GPx, SOD, GR, CAT activities in addition to reducing NF-KB p65, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, L-MDA, DNA-fragmentation concentrations and MPO, COX-2 activities. Additionally, several pathological variations were verified in gastric tissues of rats in group II. Remarkably, the severity of these alterations was reduced in both Group III and IV with variable degree. These results suggest the gastroprotective activity of RTN in ethanol gastric injury which were mediated via suppression of gastric inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis besides enhancing of the antioxidant and the cytoprotective defenses.


precapillary sphincters, so that peripheral tissue perfusion was markedly depressed. This was visualized and photographed through the exteriorized omental technique described in the aforementioned papers. Recent studies have revealed that there is a protective effect of vasodilators on the dogs in low flow states. This protective effect was postulated to be a dilation of the sphincters so that there would be a production of an increased peripheral perfusion. It is the purpose of this study to observe the microcirculation of the dog omentum while a vasodilator is being injected intravenously in order to determine if this increased peripheral perfusion is present.


The present invention includes the steps of forming a mask pattern to be on the electrode forming method of a touch screen panel that forms the sensor electrode and the lead electrodes and the like on a glass substrate or a film, a region except for the portion to be the electrode formed on the substrate; Forming an electrode of a thin film on the substrate a mask pattern is formed; And removing the mask pattern; that comprising the features.


Objective To study the absolute bioavailability(Fabs) of ferulic acid in rats and its absorption properties.Methods Based on the LC-MS/MS method,Caco-2(the human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines) cell monolayer model was applied to studying the absorption and transport of ferulic acid from apical(AP) to basolateral(BL) side and from BL to AP side;the in situ vascularly perfused intestine-liver preparation was used to investigate the intestinal absorption rate;the Fabs was calculated by measuring the plasma concentration after iv or ig administration of ferulic acid in rats.Results The apparent permeability coefficients of ferulic acid from AP to BL side(Papp AP→BL) and from BL to AP side(Papp BL→AP) were(10.24 ± 1.58) × 10 6 and(11.25 ± 1.45) × 10 6cm/s,respectively;the intestinal absorption rate in the in situ vascularly perfused intestine-liver preparation was 59.00%;the Fabs was 64.91% in rats.Conclusion LC-MS/MS method is a simple,sensitive,and specific approach for the quantitative analysis;ferulic acid shows a good permeability in Caco-2 cells;a fast absorption in vascularly perfused intestine-liver preparation with the small intestine as a main absorptive site,and shortly reaches tmaxwith rapid absorption,distribution,and elimination in rats in vivo after ig administration.


This study aimed to improve student achievement in social studies subjects for class VIII-5 social studies at SMP Negeri 1 Pringgasela through the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model. The type of research conducted by the researcher is Classroom Action Research. The researcher himself carried out this research as a teacher who was kept at SMP Negeri 1 Pringgasela. The main problem studied in this study is the learning outcomes of social studies lessons for class VIII-5 of SMP Negeri 1 Pringgasela for the 2018/20 academic year, which collected 32 students. Classroom Action Research using two cycles. Each cycle consists of two meetings. The findings of this study indicate an increase in social studies learning outcomes for class VIII-5 SMP Negeri 1 Pringgasela; this can be seen from the results of the implementation of the cycle I and cycle II. In the process I, the average score was 67.17, the lowest score was 50, and the highest score was 80. Of the 32 students who took the test, 24 reached the KKM and 8 had not completed with a proportion of completeness of 76.67%. In the second cycle, the average value was 74.38; the lowest score was 50, and the highest score was 90, which showed an increase which. Showed 29 students had reached the KKM of 32 students, and the remaining three students had not completed, with completeness criteria going 90.68%. It can be said that the application of Problem Based Learning mode can improve students' social studies learning outcomes.


The purpose of the present investigation is to determine the difference between the scattering effects from two types of supports on satellite antenna pattern measurements. The difference in scattering effects is estimated by comparing low-gain antenna patterns recorded when using a foam tower and a model tower.


The authors are grateful for the support in conducting the research to Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University (MADI), Moscow Metropolitan Governance University (MMGU), Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, and MIREA – Russian Technological University Institute of Educational Technologies and Humanities.


This article examines the creation of the 1857 Security Pact (ʿAhd al-amān) in the Regency of Tunis. This law is commonly viewed as having been drafted and imposed by the European powers as a replication of the Ottoman Tanẓīmāt and as having inaugurated an era of modernizing reforms that led to a secularized nation-state, notably due to the notions of equality it introduced. I show instead that this new law aimed to solve concrete problems in a context of severe fiscal crisis and that its creation was more a story of hard-fought diplomatic negotiations than of modernization and secularization. While the Security Pact was imposed by European pressures, and while the Ottoman Tanẓīmāt were invoked during the negotiations, Tunisian political elites shaped its content from the start, in an effort to defend the beylical state's legal sovereignty and affirm its Muslim character. It was these elites who introduced, against the wishes of the French government, equality for all inhabitants of the Regency (including foreigners) and the principle of a common jurisdiction for the bey's subjects and for foreigners. These legal changes must not be analyzed as an exceptional rupture (a claim made by those who view the nineteenth century reforms as having initiated a "modern" Tunisia) but as part of a long series of transformations. Although not everyone agreed about their legitimacy, these transformations were understood by reformers within the framework of a long-standing Islamic theory of the practice of change that was based, not on ijtihād, but on the widening of custom (ʿurf) and of the discretionary power of the ruler (siyāsa).


Due to the comparable size of the feeding cable to the original device and the induced current on the outer surface of the cable, the electrically small antenna (ESA) input impedance measurement using a network analyzer is a debatable technique. A remote impedance measurement technique is therefore implemented using an electrostatic discharge (ESD) to excite the ESA and remotely measure the ESA's terminated impulse response to three standard loads, short - open - matched load. The ESA's input impedance is evaluated based on three corresponding impulse responses, treating the measurement system as a three-port network and incorporating the advantage of microwave network analysis and the impulse responses resulting from the derived complex natural resonances (CNRs). To confirm the proposed technique, the input impedance of different antennas is directly measured via a network analyzer as well as a remote measurement technique, and the results are compared.


Crumpled nitrogen-doped graphene–ultrafine Mn3O4 nanohybrids (CNGMNs) were synthesized through a one-step strategy under hydrothermal conditions for promising application as supercapacitor materials. Doping of N atoms in the lattice of graphene and anchoring of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on graphene sheets were achieved concomitantly during the process under the assistance of aniline. The specific capacitance of this nanostructured hybrid was nearly six times that of the Mn3O4 counterpart. Additionally, enhanced rate capability and cycling stability (∼98.7% retention after 2000 cycles) were also obtained. The facile approach to prepare CNGMNs and exceptional electrochemical properties indicate that the CNGMNs could be a promising candidate material for supercapacitors.


This paper investigates the linear functional equation with constant coefficients , where both and are constants, f is a given continuous function on , and is unknown. We present all continuous solutions of this functional equation. We show that (i) if , then the equation has infinite many continuous solutions, which depends on arbitrary functions; (ii) if , then the equation has a unique continuous solution; and (iii) if , then the equation has a continuous solution depending on a single parameter under a suitable condition on f.


The optical rectification coefficient in electric-field biased hyperbolic quantum wells was studied. The analytic expression of optical rectification coefficient of this system is derived by means of density matrix approach and the iterative method. Finally, the numerical results were presented for a typical GaAs electric-field biased hyperbolic quantum wells. The results show that the optical rectification coefficient in this system is larger than that in bulk GaAs material and it will change with the change of the parameter a of the quantum well and the applied electric field F.


Buddha seated on a naga in the center flanked by Lokesvara and Prajnaparamita. Another favorite Angkor Wat type arranged multiple images of Buddha on one tablet. During the Bayon period, Tantric deities were frequently depicted. In chapter 5, Pattaratorn analyzes the votive tablets associated with the various Thai kingdoms: Sukhothai (thirteenth—fifteenth c) , Lanna (thirteenth—nineteenth c) , Ayutthaya (fifteenth-eighteenth c) , and Ratanakosin (eighteenth c, to the present). These societies all practiced Theravada Buddhism, a HTnayana sect which originated in Sri Lanka, and to this day is the prevalent form of Buddhism in Southeast Asia. The images emphasized the historical Buddha, who appeared in four forms: standing, walking, seated, or lying down. Also depicted were scenes from the Buddha's life. Chapter 6 concludes with a discussion of the modern use of votive tablets as amulets. This book ends with an excellent glossary, a select bibliography, and an index. Maps locating the various places mentioned in the text appear inside the two covers. Votive Tablets in Thailand would be useful in survey courses on the arts of Thailand, Southeast Asia, or Buddhism. The function of votive tablets is deftly handled as well as the various styles and iconographies. The discussion of amulets would also contribute to an anthropology course.


The present invention, for use as a light emitting nanosystems (luminescent Nanosystems), particularly for use as fluorescent nanosystems (fluorescent Nanosystems), inner diameter sized encapsulated in 10nm and equal to or less than a is the cavity nanosystems comprising at least two different metal atoms quantum clusters (AQC); and, for obtaining the same, and a method for detecting. The present invention also provides a light emitting nanosystems, also relates to the use as fluorescent probes, biomarkers or contrast agents.


As a bioactive signal, nitric oxide (NO) is involved in multiple plant physiological responses, especially under some abiotic stress. Here, we investigated the effects of exogenous nitric oxide on both the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging metabolism and regulating functions of plasma membrane and tonoplast in tomato plants treated with 50µM CuCl 2 . Copper stress induced significant accumulation of H 2 O 2 , led to serious lipid peroxidation, and finally markedly decreased shoot height and fresh weight of tomato plants. The application of 100µM sodium nitroprus side (SNP – NO donor) promoted some antioxidant enzymes, reduced accumulation of H 2 O 2 , and adjusted the activity of H + -ATPase and H + -PPase in plasma membrane or tonoplast, and significantly alleviated the growth inhibition induced by copper toxicity. On the other hand, the application of sodium ferrocyanide (an analog of SNP) and sodium nitrate or nitrite (the decomposition product of NO or its donor SNP) which did not release NO, did not show the effects of SNP. Furthermore, the effects of SNP were reverted by addition of hemoglobin (an NO scavenger). Therefore, these results indicated that exogenous NO could effectively assuage copper toxicity by physiological and biochemical response so as to maintain normal growth. Keyword: nitric oxide (NO); copper toxicity; tomato; enzyme activity; plasma membrane; tonoplast


<italic>Editor's notes:</italic> Neural network control systems are often at the heart of autonomous systems. The authors classify existing verification methods for these systems and advocate the necessity of integrating verification techniques in the training process to enhance robustness. —<italic>Selma Saidi, TU Dortmund</italic>


The potential association between a firm's strategic use of its degree of operating leverage (DOL) and its value premium has been a subject of considerable interest and debate among researchers in the past (Carlson, Fisher, & Giammarino, 2004; Garcia- Feijoo & Jorgensen, 2010). Existent finance literature also discusses the trade- off between DOL and degree of financial leverage (DFL) (Dugan & Shriver, 1992; Mandelker & Rhee, 1984). While most researchers focus on cross- sectional research in this area, Huffman (1989) further documented variation in the DOL and DFL across industries. The lodging sector of the hospitality industry is unique in many ways (Lee and Jang, 2007; Madan, 2007; Singal, 2015). This paper evaluates the impact of DOL on the value premium of lodging firms, the trade- off between DOL and DFL in these firms, and how this important lever can be used by manage- ment to make strategic business decisions.


Sulphur dioxide is a chemical additive used in fruit wine-making and fruit wine storage due to its good antimicrobial and antioxidant performance.However,plenty of scientific research indicated that sulphur dioxide was harmful to people's health.Accordingly,it was urgent to find measures to replace sulphur dioxide in fruit wine production.In this paper,some domestic and overseas progress in reducing or replacing sul-phur dioxide in fruit wine industry were reviewed from three aspects including chemical methods,fermentation methods,and physical methods.Finally,the development trend of replacing sulphur dioxide in fruit wine industry was put forward.


The present study was carried out on the phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial activities of the leaf extract of H. abyssinica, O. lamifolium, R. chalepensis and S. incanum because, the plants was used for traditional medicinal in Ethiopia specially in North Gondar zone as treatment for many ailments. The powdered leaf of H. abyssinica, O. lamifolium, R. chalepensis and S. incanum was sequentially extracted with organic solvents: petroleum ether and methanol respectively. The petroleum ether and methanol crude extracts was subjected to phytochemical screening to test the presence of steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenols, tannins and terpenoids compounds that has might be responsible for the claimed activities by local people. The crude extracts was tested against four bacterial species (Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Salmonela thyphei; Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureusand Streptococcus agalactiae) using paper disc diffusion method. The results showed that the methanol was the best solvent for extracting antimicrobial substances from those plant when compared to petroleum ether. This indicates that plants rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites such as tannins, alkaloids, tannin, flavonoids and terpenoids.


Abstract Obesity and undernutrition are manifestations of malnutrition that affect many people worldwide. A lack of access to food may explain the association of food insecurity (FI) with both undernutrition and obesity, but there are other factors that are specifically related to obesity. Studies have also found that FI is related to both overweight and obesity among women but not among men. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between FI and weight status among adults from a nationally representative sample of Brazil and to consider the impacts of sex. Data from the 2017–2018 Household Budget Survey (n 28 112), a national cross-sectional study, were analysed using the Brazilian Household FI Scale (EBIA) and BMI (measured in kg/m2) by individual self-reported weight and height. Associations were estimated by OR with 95 % CI considering a multinomial logistic regression model. Women with severe FI were more than twice (OR = 2·36) as likely to be underweight and had a higher frequency of obesity (OR = 1·39). Among men, severe FI status was a protective factor for overweight (OR = 0·58) and obesity (OR = 0·61). In conclusion, FI was a risk factor for underweight and obesity among women but not among men.


The joy of the occasion notwithstanding, the cold morning light of a New York Wednesday, the fourth of March 1789, exposed the truly ethereal nature of the federal government and of the American state itself. Soldiers fired celebratory volleys and musicians played ceremonial fanfares, but the United States Congress had nowhere to hold its first meeting. Its borrowed home was still undergoing renovation and expansion. With a sarcastic wit, Representative Frederick Muhlenberg described the recently re-dubbed Federal Hall as "elegant and well design[ed]—for a Trap." Weeks would pass before the Senate or House could establish a quorum. Although citizens had cast their votes to elect George Washington as president, the government could not convene electors and validate the results until that quorum was established. The executive-to-be would not be sworn into office—there was no oath of office as of yet—or even arrive in New York for more than a month. The executive departments of the Treasury, War, and State would not be established for another five months. A system of federal courts would not be established until the following fall. Although the general organizational structure of the new government was defined by the recently ratified Constitution, for those convening in New York, and for all citizens of the new United States of America, the federal state was merely a state of mind existing only on paper or in the imagination. Any evidence of its existence as a unified, sovereign entity was difficult to find in New York or anywhere else across the rest of the country. As a result, the elected and appointed officials gathering in the new federal capital over the weeks, months, and years to come would work diligently to create political institutions possessing widely acknowledged authority (as a demonstration of unity) and a recognizable state presence (the essence of sovereignty). Unfortunately, how they should go about doing so was largely undetermined. One of the few agreed-upon avenues for establishing authority and presence was federal regulation of commerce. Four of the first five items of legislation considered by the House of Representatives dealt with commerce, and more than 40 percent of all legislation introduced and considered during the first session of Congress dealt with this subject. Although most of these bills sought to promote American political and economic unity and sovereignty through a coordinated system of duties and imposts, one particular bill supported a far more tangible projection of federal presence: lighthouses. The initial mention of lighthouses in Congress occurred barely a month after its first meeting, during debate on the Tonnage Act (HR-5) on April 4, 1789. In part, this discussion occurred because the transfer of power for levying and collecting duties on shipping from state to federal authorities also removed the mechanism for funding lighthouses at the local level. Notwithstanding this financial reality, other factors played a role allen s . miller


In order to investigate dynamic crack propagation processes in thermally tempered glass, observation of shadow spots and evalution of the dynamic stress intensity factor K1D have been attempted using the method of caustics. Changes of the shadow spot diameter were studied at crack bifurcation in glass plates of 10mm thickness as a function of propagation distance before and after bifurcation, and also of the angle of bifurcation. It has been shown that values of K1D could be reduced to one half at the bifurcation.


This article discusses Hurricane Katrina's meteorological setting and history, surrounding evacuation issues, and aftermath. The author, who lived in New Orleans for more than three years, taught and researched climatic hazards at the University of New Orleans, and was no stranger to evacuations, began driving to Tucson 18 hours before Katrina's landfall and returned five months later. The article raises important considerations, including recommendations for the future. The results of flood-damage surveys conducted in Lakeview and the Lower Ninth Ward districts of New Orleans reveal an intriguing aspect: unlike in Lakeview, which filled with water over a period of hours, intense and widespread flash flooding occurred east of the Industrial Canal, yielding damage similar to that from an F4/F5 tornado. Perhaps more importantly, the article explores various reasons for why some people from these areas did not or will not evacuate when faced with imminent danger. Analyzing the events leading up to and following Katrina's landfall can help us understand how such senseless tragedy resulted from several fatal flaws: denial, woeful preparation, and poverty. Given that Gulf Coast residents now live within a climate pattern of enhanced hurricane frequency and intensity compared to the three-decade period pre-1995, the best advice for those asked to evacuate is to just say yes. While this piece reads as a more personal account than most on the subject, it is hoped that it offers an intriguing perspective on the cultural issues impacting evacuations.


It has recently been reported that measurements of bioassayable (B-)serum LH may be superior to those of immunoassayable (I-) LH in the detection of normal and precocious puberty. To examine the discriminating value of these two parameters, serum B- and I-LH were measured in 126 normal subjects (Tanner stages I-V), 8 infants, and 21 patients with delayed adolescence. B-LH was detectable i only 16% of prepubertal children, while I-LH was measurable in all such subjects Between puberty and adulthood, there was a 12- to 14- fold rise in B-LH, in contrast to only a 4-fold increment in I-LH. The resulting B to I ratio of LH also rose significantly in both sexes between prepubertal years and later stages of puberty. In the 21 patients with delayed adolescence, the B-LH was below the mean ± 2 SEM in all subjects, whereas the I-LH was outside these limits in 16 cases. In 1 patient with delayed adolescence, the B-LH and I-LH were comparabl during a 24- sampling period, except for the nocturnal peak during which th...


The detail design for a Cropped Pin Transfer System (CPTS) has recently been completed. Fabrication is now in progress and long-lead embedded components have already been procured and installed in the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF). The CPTS provides the capability to make alpha free transfers of irradiated cropped fuel pins and material specimens between the various FMEF Destructive Examination Cells and other on-site Hanford facilities. The CPTS is designed to meet stringent shielding and radioactive contamination containment criteria while at the same time making economical use of commercially available components.


Methods are suggested for studying the structure of particles. The nuclear structure, the electromagnetic structure, and the effects of nucleons on nuclear structure are analyzed. An analysis and critical remarks are presented on Hofstadter experiments, and an attempt is made to interpret the electromagnetic structure of central nucleon areas. The optical nucleon model is also discussed. 60 references. (R.V.J.)


Was society's response adequate in the cases of Mrs Pretty and Ms B?

On the 11th of May, less than two weeks after losing her final legal appeal, Mrs Diane Pretty died, under sedation and in the care of a hospice. It was not the end she had pursued through the English High Court, the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords, and the European Court of Human Rights. Paralysed by motor neurone disease and unable to take her own life, Mrs Pretty wanted her husband to be allowed to help her to die when they decided the time had come. But in England, assisting suicide is a crime, although suicide itself no longer is, and the English courts refused Mrs Pretty's request to grant her husband legal immunity. In turning to the European Court of Human Rights, Mrs Pretty argued that the English courts' refusal had violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

The European court, however, judged that there had been no violation. The right to life (article 2 of the convention) could not be construed as conferring a "right to die", and consequently the state could not be required to "sanction actions intended to terminate life" in order to protect Mrs Pretty from the "inhuman or degrading treatment" (prohibited by article 3) to which she claimed the law on assisted suicide subjected her. The right to respect for private life (article 8), moreover, had to be exercised "in accordance with the law" of the state concerned. "States were entitled to regulate through the operation of the general criminal law activities which were detrimental to the life and safety of other individuals"; and such activities were what the English law against assisting suicide was designed to prevent. Exceptions to this law could not be allowed without undermining the …


Background: Shared decision making requires evidence to be conveyed to the patient in a way they can easily understand and compare. Patient decision aids facilitate this process. This paper reviews current evidence for how to present numerical probabilities within patient decision aids. Methods: Following the 2013 review method, we assembled a group of 9 international experts on risk communication across Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. We expanded the topics covered in the first review to reflect emerging areas of research. Groups of 2-3 authors reviewed relevant literature based on their expertise and wrote each section before review by the full authorship team. Results: Of 10 topics identified, we present 5 fundamental issues in this paper. While some topics resulted in clear guidance (presenting the chance an event will occur, addressing numerical skills), other topics (context/evaluative labels, conveying uncertainty, risk over time) continue to have evolving knowledge bases. We recommend presenting numbers over a set time period with a clear denominator, using consistent formats between outcomes and interventions to enable unbiased comparisons, and interpreting the numbers for the reader to meet the needs of varying numeracy. Discussion: Understanding how different numerical formats can bias risk perception will help decision aid developers communicate risks in a balanced, comprehensible manner, and avoid accidental 'nudging' towards a particular option. Decisions between probability formats need to consider the available evidence and user skills. The review may be useful for other areas of science communication where unbiased presentation of probabilities is important.


Definition 2. Let Σ be a surface, G a graph, and ψ : G → Σ an embedding (not necessarily 2-cell). The representativity or face-width of ψ is the maximum integer k such that every non-null-homotopic closed curve intersects ψ(G) at least k times. Example. The 5-grid embedded in P has high representativity; precisely, its face-width is 5. See Figure 1. A cut along the dotted line pictured shows that f w(φ) ≤ 5. We will consider later the reverse inequality. We have shown that if G is 2-connected and G → Σ has face width at least 2 then every face is bounded by a cycle. This is a generalization of the fact that faces of 2-connected planar graphs are bounded by cycles. In the sphere, face width is infinity, so of course any 2-connected graph has satisfies f w(G) ≥ 2. Conjecture. Every 2-connected graph has a list of cycles (not necessarily distinct) such that every edge belongs to exactly 2 members of the list. Try the following easy exercise: It is enough to show the conjecture for cubic graphs. In fact, it is even enough to show for cubic graphs that are not 3-edge-colorable (" snarks "). Fact. A cycle-double cover C in a cubic graph defines an embedding in a surface: the members of C are precisely the facial cycles. Proof. Consider a vertex v. Each edge incident with v is in exactly two cycles C 1 , C 2. C 1 and C 2 can't both share another edge incident with v because then 1


The advanced process technologies have well known yield loss due to the degradation of pattern fidelity. The process to compensate for this problem is advanced resolution enhancement techniques (RET) and optical proximity correction (OPC). By design, the creation of RET/OPC recipes and the calibration of process models are done very early in the process development cycle with data that are not made of real designs since they are not yet available, but made of test structures that represent different sizes, distances and topologies. The process of improving the RET/OPC recipes and models is long and tedious, it is usually a key contributor to quick production ramp-up. It is very coverage limited by design. The authors will present a proposed system that, by design, is dynamic, and allows the RET/OPC production system to reach maturity faster through a detailed collection of hotspots identified at the design stage. The goal is to reduce the lapse of time required to get mature production RET/OPC recipes and models.


Universal designs begins from observing things. This paper understands contradiction and irrationality about drink bottle used unintentionally in our common life. Those have not found out until now. So an example observation about problem derivation and a practice method of Universal design is presented. People of various classes, such as a child, an old person and a woman, a male, the man in the street, and a disabled person, have been using drink bottle recently. However, the design of drink bottle has become on the basis of the fine and common man, so the other people, for example, children or handicapped persons experience many situations which cannot open cap or cannot be drunk without external help. This research posed questions from the children to the elders about drink bottle by the viewpoint of universal design paying attention to such problems. In the research result, the fixed quantity and qualitative quantity about problem are commented. And the fixed quantity utilized frequency analysis and chi-square verification () for the questionnaire result on the basis, and the qualitative quantity pointed out result in the universal design principle through the data of a precedence research result. An alternative plan for drink bottle's design is presented through case observation of conceptual approach to method of Universal design.


Objective To determine the bacterial composition and resistance of wound infections in China. Methods Disc diffusion test,MIC test and E-test were used to detect the antimicrohial resistance of bacterial isolates from wound secretions.WHONET 5.4 was applied for analysis of the bacterial sensitive data from 86 domestic tertiary hospitals from June 1,2006 to May 31,2007. Results (1)2125 bacterial strains were coileeted in the survey period,which included 994 strains (46.8%) of Gram positive and 1131 strains (53.2%) of Gram negative bacteria,Staphylococcus(780 strains,36.7%),E.coli(338 strains,15.9%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (231 strains,10.9%)were the most common isolates.(2)38.2% and 84.1% of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were methicillin-resistant.respectively.No Staphylococcus strain was resistant to vancomycin or teicoplanin.(3)ESBLs positive rate of E.coli was about 60%,while the resistant rate to quinolones Was about 70%.(4)The resistant rates of Staphylococci and E.coli isolated from adults to aminoglyeoside and quinolones were higher than those from children.(5)The resistant rates of Staphylococei to cephalosporin,aminoglyeoside and quinolones from inpatients were higher than those from out-patients. Conclusion Staphylococci,E.coli and Pseudomonas aeriginoso were among the most common organisms isolated from wound infections.The ESBLs positive rate of E.coli from wound infections was higher than that from all specimen bacteria found in other surveys performed during the same period and the methicillin resistant Staphylococci were less than that.

Key words:
Surgical wound infection;  Bacteria;  Antibacterial agents resistance


In Reply.— Two crucial points regarding the use and interpretation of estrogen receptor results should be brought up after reading Dr Tashima's letter: (1) one should not accept the receptor results readily without understanding the method of assays, and (2) one should not depend on estrogen receptor assay solely and neglect the importance of clinical information as a whole in the management of patients. In the quoted report of McClendon et al, 1 "estrogen receptor" in five colonic neoplasms were all less than 70 fmole/g of tissue. According to our experience and that of others, 2 a substantial 8 S receptor peak usually could not be identified with confidence by sucrose gradient method when the receptor level was below 3 fmole/mg cytosol protein, or equivalent to about 100 fmole/g of tissue. Any claim for the presence of estrogen receptors below this level should be supported by Scatchard analysis and K


In this paper we analyse the non-hyperelliptic Seiberg-Witten curves derived from M-theory that encode the low energy solution of = 2 supersymmetric theories with product gauge groups. We consider the case of a SU(N1) × SU(N2) gauge theory with a hypermultiplet in the bifundamental representation together with matter in the fundamental representations of SU(N1) and SU(N2). By means of the Riemann bilinear relations that hold on the Riemann surface defined by the Seiberg-Witten curve, we compute the logarithmic derivative of the prepotential with respect to the quantum scales of both gauge groups. As an application we develop a method to compute recursively the instanton corrections to the prepotential in a straightforward way. We present explicit formulas for up to third order on both quantum scales. Furthermore, we extend those results to SU(N) gauge theories with a matter hypermultiplet in the symmetric and antisymmetric representation. We also present some non-trivial checks of our results.


This article is aimed at exploring the relationship between physical asset management (PAM) practices and sustainability performance. A framework of interrelated constructs was developed based on the existing literature and consequently tested through empirical study. Survey data were collected from organizations operating in six European countries (i.e., Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Turkey) and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM). The results offer support for the proposed hypotheses, showing that PAM practices positively influence the sustainability performance outcomes, namely economic, environmental, and employee-related social performance. Overall, this study demonstrates that a PAM framework can be conceptualized by four sub-constructs, namely physical asset risk management, physical asset performance assessment, physical asset lifecycle management, and physical asset policy and strategy. Finally, this study brings to light some theoretical and managerial implications as well as directions for future research. The findings of the study underscore PAM areas in which managers should focus on in order to optimize costs, performance, and risk exposures concerning the physical assets, and therefore enhance sustainability performance.


Abstract The aim of this study was to produce epoxy composites highly filled with waste bulk molding compounds (BMC). The used amount of filler ranged from 30 wt% to 60 wt%. The influence of BMC on the epoxy resin curing process was monitored with the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the chemical structure of composites. The mechanical and thermal properties were examined by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), the Charpy method and the Shore D test. The fracture surface morphology of composites was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The storage modulus G′ of the epoxy composites with BMC was higher than the reference epoxy sample and significantly dependent on filler content. All investigated materials showed similar values of hardness, but at the same time low values of impact strength. Therefore, obtained composites can be used as low cost coating materials.


Federal Clean Water Act requires that states develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for water bodies. Once the state has developed an inventory of TMDLs, it is required to provide public notice of the report and have it approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is using the USDA's annualized Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Model to determine what land use changes are required to meet TMDL goals (South Dakota DENR, 2006). Of the approximately 450 parameters required for running the model, several are related to the condition of range and pasture sites and their respective management practices. Range condition is highly correlated with the nature of runoff occurring in a site. In addition to assisting the DENR, USGS is interested in improving its overall ability to monitor Northern Plains range condition with particular emphasis on the seven state study area (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) being addressed by the Drought Monitoring, Carbon Cycle Research, Phenological Trends and other projects. It is understood than no one project can develop tools that adequately characterize the dynamics of the region's rangelands, but by developing a suite of tools brought together from a number of projects there exists the opportunity to provide state, regional, and tribal land managers with the ability to address their particular needs.


Xenon or xenon-containing gases are used as medicaments, in particular as a cardiovascular preparation, hypertensive, sedative or analgetic. The medicament preferably contains sub-anaesthetic amounts of xenon.


A compendium of some of the most important thinking about art and technology to have taken place in the last few decades at the international level. Based on the research of the Banff New Media Institute from 1995 to 2005, these essays, transcripts and artists projects celebrate the belief that artists and cultural industries, in collaboration with scientists, social scientists and humanists, have a critical role to play in developing technologies that work for human betterment and allow for a more participatory culture. Each thematic chapter features an introduction, an original essay and carefully edited transcriptions drawn from thousands of hours of audio material with artists and theorists such as Laurie Anderson, Herve Fische, Kim Sawchuck, Zainub Verjee, Bill Vorn and many others. Also included is the catalogue of the exhibition, The Art Formerly Known As New Media, and a DVD based on the electronic journal, HorizonZero. Featured artists include Geoff Lillemon, Matthew Sloly, Maria Lantin, Shu Lea Cheang, Sara Diamond, Michael Naimark, Greg Niemeyer, Catherine Richards and Martin Wattenberg, Maciej Wisniewski. With a Forward by Kellogg Booth and an Afterword by Susan Kennard. Essays by Sandra Buckley, Steve Dietz, Jean Gagnon, N. Katherine Hayles, Eric Kluitenberg, Jeff Lieper and Allucquere Rosanne Stone.


Undergraduate persistence and retention are two measures widely used by institutions to measure student success. In 2020, the national rate at which newly enrolled full‐time students persisted decreased for the first time in 7 years with the largest decrease in persistence rates for Hispanic students. The recent declines in both persistence and retention are attributed to the global pandemic. The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), a Hispanic‐serving institution, is home to the Cardinal Chemistry Scholars (C2S) program that is supported by an NSF S‐STEM grant. The C2S program provides financial and academic support along with mentoring and career plan development to a financially disadvantaged cohort of chemistry and biochemistry majors. While over the last 20 years, most institutions have adopted first‐year seminars or experiences known to have positive impacts on both retention and persistence for first time freshman, we developed a series of engagement seminar courses that our C2S scholars take each semester until graduation. The engagements seminars include various activities that address the specific needs of students as they progress through their college years including skills development, career planning, academic engagement, and community building. Our preliminary data suggests that our continuous seminar series results in higher levels of persistence and retention among participating students compared to non‐participating students with no declines during the pandemic.


This paper describes the experimental method – using non-thermal plasma reactor to cleaning exhaust gases - focused on PM compound. The demonstrator NTP reactor assembly was built as the by-pass in the real exhaust gas after-treatment system, in marine diesel engine. The reactor used to experiment is called - DBD (dielectric barrier discharge) type. The main aim of investigation was to analyze exhaust gas PM compounds under steady load of the engine. Test bench construction enables direct exhaust stream (main exhaust duct by-pass) to plasma reactor exposure with no additional components (coolers, orifices) that can change the exhaust gas properties. A new monitoring PM analyzing system, which can measure soot and SOF in low mass level, has been engaged. It consist of a diffusion charging (DC) detector with a dilution device for soot measurement, and two differential flame ionization detection (FID) method, which uses two FID detectors with separate sample lines. Exhaust emission reduction strategy for ships, Particulate Matters - PM in exhaust gas, non-thermal plasma reactor, experimental test bed and procedure, an example of reactor power measurement, test results provided into seven stages are presented in the paper.


The utility model relates to a billet positioning control device in heating furnace. A camera [1] is arranged on the wall of a heating furnace [18], which is connected with an imagine collecting card [5] by a video cable; the imagine collecting card [5] is connected with a computer [6]. A photoelectric sensor [12], roll table selective buttons [9] and [10] and a roll action button[11] are connected to the input section point of an I/O board [7] by the contact point of an input relay [8]; the I/O board [7] is connected with the computer [6]; the output section point of the I/O board [7] is connected with an output relay [15]; the contact point of the output relay [15] is connected with a billet roll table motor [13] by a drive [14]. The utility model has the characteristics of low interference on environment, simple equipment, reliable performance, low cost , high billet positioning accuracy and convenient maintain by the operator, and is widely adaptable for the positioning of the moving object under similar environment and situation.


Introduction. One of the stages of the pathophysiological study of the parameters of mineral metabolism of alkaline (ALP) and acidic (AP) phosphatases – enzymes of bone tissue of osteoblast and osteoblast membranes in experimental periodontitis against the background of the use of bacterial lysate Respibron® was carried out. Materials and methods. Experimental periodontitis in rats was in the modification of O.I. Sukmansky. There were rats with experimental periodontitis and rats treated by Respibron (10 mg/kg 1 time per day) or Imudon for 30 days. Determination of alkaline (ALP) and acidic (AP) phosphatases activity (pH 4.8 and 10.5) was performed according to the methodological recommendations of AP Levitsky et al. Discussion of results. It was found that by the end of the 90-day period of the experiment, a statistically stable course of chronic damage to the periodontium was observed in terms of ALP and AP, which exceeded the intact ones by 1.93 and 1.4 times, respectively, which reflects the hypoergic state of chronic periodontal inflammation. A powerful corrective effect of the drugs Respibron® and Imudon® on markers of osteoblast and osteoblast activity in experimental periodontitis has been proven. Established a stimulating effect on osteoregeneration Respibron® in the hypoergic course of the inflammatory process. The therapeutic effect of Respibron® is more expressive and powerful compared to Imudon®. Conclusions.The results obtained make it possible to continue the study of the course of experimental periodontitis in order to establish the mechanisms of development, protection, and restoration of tissues under the conditions of the pharmacological correction Respibron®.


The paper introduces and reviews the retrospective bibliographic database construction work for western books in library of Dalian Medical University,including the preparatory work before construction,the whole working process and data maintenance after construction, etc.Then it points out that the retrospective bibliographic database construction has important significance in nowadays.


Tourism recovery after a natural disaster depends on the extent of damages, the efficiency with which facilities are brought back on-line, and the effectiveness of marketing to advertise the destination's status. Several valuable lessons can be learned from the way tourism partners reacted during the first critical months after Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii: be flexible; plan for action; see the big picture; get the word out as soon as possible when you're open and ready for business; install a telephone hot line; keep members of the media informed; update travel agents and other travel partners on the status of the recovery effort; and make sure travel agents and the media get to see the extent of the recovery.


Fitts' (1965) Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) has been a commonly used test of "self-concept" over the past 15 years. However, no studies have conducted a systematic evaluation of the empirical constructs inherent in the TSCS. This study analyzed self concept scores on the TSCS from three groups of subjects-one clinical sample and two college samples. Five separate arrangements of item pools were organized from the TSCS for assessing the validity and related issues directed at the instrument. A general pattern of results predominated all separate analyses: (a) almost all alpha coefficients were above .80, (b) low inter-item correlations were prevalent throughout the separate item pools, and (c) the empirical dimensions identified by factor analyses were incongruent with the theoretical dimensions of the test at all levels of analysis. Discussions were made regarding the utility of the TSCS in an applied setting.


For nearly 100 years, physicists have been trying to "understand" quantum physics. Up to today no satisfying answer could be given concerning the surprising behavior of nature, especially if looking into microscopic scales. This article identifies an approach towards an answer to the questions arising from the quantum physics effects, which are preposterous to common sense, by first going one-step back: "understanding" as a terminus is defined, as well as the terms analogy, model, concept and theory. In addition, the role of mathematics for the understanding of physics is addressed. This generates a more accurate basis. The limitations of our mind and senses due to the fact that we are living in a mesoscopic world are taken into account. This may lead to an identification of our limits of insight. As an outcome, models may have to be replaced by concepts to achieve a different level of understanding compared to the "classical" expectation.


Abstract This paper investigates the influence of isolation systems on the seismic behavior of urban reinforce concrete bridge. The performance of the Hesarak Bridge constructed in Karaj city, Iran with two isolation systems; i.e. the existing elastomeric rubber bearing (ERB) and a proposed lead rubber bearing (LRB) is discussed. The numerical model was implemented in the well-known FEM software CSIBridge. The isolated bridge has been analyzed using nonlinear time history analysis method with seven pairs of earthquake records and the results are compared for the two isolation systems. The LRB isolators are shown to have superior seismic performance in comparison with the existing ERB systems based on the response evaluation including force on the isolator, pier base shear, deck acceleration, bending moment, pier displacement, and energy dissipation.


OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the plasma concentration of paroxeine by RP- HPLC.METHODS Blcod plasma samples containing the drug were extracted with hexane for the removal of lipids and other interfering substances and thereafter extracted with ethyl acetate.The extract was then analyzed in a reverse phase HPLC system (C_(18) column,150mm×4.6mm,5μm);mobile phase consisted of 0.03mol·L~(-1)NH_4 AC-metha- no1(33:67);The detection wavelevgth was at 290nm.RESULTS The average recoveries of paroxetine in high, mediun and low concentrations (1000.0,400.0,10.0ng·mL~(-1)) werel04.28%、97.60%、98.40%,respectively. The within-day and between-day precision of variation was less than 7%.The calibration curves of paroxetine had good linearity,r=0.9993 (n=10),over the range of 10.0~1000.0μg·L~(1).The regression equation was C= 15.29F-1.21,r=0.9993 (n=10).The minumum detectable concentration of paroxetine was 5.0μg·L~(-1) .CONCLUSION The method provides a sensitive,accurate precise and reliable analytical procedure for clinical monitoring of paroxetine in plasma and its pharmaeokinetics studies.


In this study, investigation of transient knock characteristics in a spark-ignition engine has been carried out. The universal knock threshold values were found by a DFDD method and a NSDBP method which is a non-dimensional version of the SDBP method. Also modified NSDBP method could be used for transient knock detection.
In a commercial ECU, spark timing was retarded from the steady-state spark timing during rapid throttle opening to avoid uncomfortable feeling and knock. Knock usually occurred just after the start of rapid throttle opening when spark timing was set as values for the steady state condition. We found that air/fuel ratio deeply involved with the knock during transient condition. Due to the difference of initial heat release rate, knock occurred more easily at rich air/fuel ratio than at lean air/fuel ratio.


We examine how learning from colleagues affects security analyst forecast outcomes. We represent the brokerage house as an information network of analysts connected through industry overlaps in their coverage portfolios. Analysts who are more centrally connected in their brokerage network produce more accurate forecast estimates and generate more influential forecast revisions. Consistent with learning, more central analysts tend to unwind their colleagues' recent forecast errors in their forecast revisions. Learning appears to benefit all colleagues, as working at more interconnected brokerages (i.e., denser networks) improves forecast accuracy for all analysts. JEL Classification Code: D83, G17, G24


3D computer animated characters often lack the communicative power and the expressiveness of traditional animation, especially when used in non-photorealistic graphical representations. Inspired by a talk by Pixar Animation Studios at Animex 2005 [WR05] and based upon the animation and cartooning concepts of lines of action and motion, we present an expressive animation tool that emphasizes and accentuates the intentions of the animator derived from the skeleton-driven animation. Motion and pose-based shape deformations are automatically generated to quickly add an emotive layer to an animated character. This warping of the character geometry also provides a novel solution to the problem of implied motion in non-photorealistic still images. Categories Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CSS): I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Animation


You can't run away from 'search', from 'identity'... I don't think it's a conscious thing .... but there's always that layer that comes out, that sense of search.
(Haresh Sharma, 1996:107)

This thesis will examine English language theatre in Singapore and takes as its focus question: what are the important issues and concerns of the Singapore English language theatre as identified by its key practitioners and manifest through their work? Many of these issues are related to identity and language and Singapore's unique arts environment. This content will be examined for its contribution to the culture of Singapore and investigate whether English language theatre reflects and I or fosters national identifications in a rapidly evolving, multilingual, multi-ethnic society.


A packaged power source, specifically designed for remote location is presented, which can supply from 400 to 3,000 watts of continuous DC electric power for up to 20 years with minimum maintenance. The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a hermetically sealed system, furnished by Ormat Systems, Inc., and can be operated by almost any liquid or gaseous fuel. The reliability of a single thermoelectric generator has been stated as 100,000 hours MTBF by one manufacturer. However, assuming it takes seven 90-watt TEG units to produce a hypothetical 600 watts for cathodic protection applications, the overall power system reliability would be substantially lower. Basic planning and design considerations are presented.


Within this research project has as its theme: Project factibility for the creation of a company for production associations and marketing of nutritional drink - energy of quinoa in Quito, where five chapters containing what were developed next:
Chapter one: General theoretical foundations where the two variables of the thesis (factibility study and quinoa).
Chapter two: Market study where the essential characteristics of supply and demand data obtained through field research to a segment of people who consume energy drinks in Quito detailing was performed.
Chapter three: Is the technical study showing the exact location of the project is determined, the production capacity, the company processes and resources needed for the proper functioning of the company to be created.
Chapter four: Is the Organizational Study - Legal where all the business philosophy of the company and the legal steps for the proper establishment is analyzed.
Chapter five: All the investment needed for the launch of the company determine its feasibility through financial indicators (NPV, IRR and PRI) is detailed.
In the last part the conclusions and recommendations of the research conducted detailed, this is the essence of the statements and suggestions supported implementation of the studies.


ABSTRACT A dynamic source reversal method, based on potential theory, is developed to determine the parameters of the equivalent circuit for capacitive gaps in microstrip lines with anisotropic substrates. The open circuit end capacitance is found as a special case by letting the gap spacing go to infinity. It is also shown that since the discontinuity is essentially characterized by the excess charge in the vicinity of the gap an equivalent problem with an isotropic substrate and an effective substrate thickness can be formulated that gives accurate results for the equivalent circuit capacitances.


Much has been written about the ongoing legitimacy crisis of the global investment treaty regime and the system of investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS). In the European Union (EU), the proposed inclusion of investment protection provisions and ISDS in negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the United States triggered unprecedented levels of contestation. This article seeks to explain why EU responses to such contestation, in the form of an investment court system and a multilateral investment court, did not bring about a clear break away from the traditional ISDS model. Drawing on critical political economy perspectives, it regards the EU investment policy following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon as deeply embedded in a broader neoliberal project mediated by material, institutional, and ideological configurations. Several factors have inhibited possibilities for more fundamental changes. The European Commission construed the lack of legitimacy as stemming from ISDS' procedural features rather than questioning its social purpose. There has been no shift in the underlying social power balance, and no comprehensive counter-project has been proposed. The European Commission enjoys relative autonomy vis-à-vis other parts within the EU institutional ensembles and wider societal interests, allowing it to block more radical solutions. Finally, there were no clear signs of a fundamental departure from the neoliberal path in terms of wider EU economic regulation.


Research in intelligent music processing is experiencing an enormous boost these days due to the emergence of the new application and research field of Music Information Retrieval (MIR). The rapid growth of digital music collections and the concomitant shift of the music market towards digital music distribution urgently call for intelligent computational support in the automated handling of large amounts of digital music. Ideas for a large variety of content-based music services are currently being developed in music industry and in the research community. They range from content-based music search engines to automatic music recommendation services, from intuitive interfaces on portable music players to methods for the automatic structuring and visualisation of large digital music collections, and from personalised radio stations to tools that permit the listener to actively modify and 'play with' the music as it is being played. What all of these content-based services have in common is that they require the computer to be able to 'make sense of' and 'understand' the actual content of the music, in the sense of being able to recognise and extract musically, perceptually and contextually meaningful ('semantic') patterns from recordings, and to associate descriptors with the music that make sense to human listeners. There is a large variety of musical descriptors that are potentially of interest. They range from low-level features of the sound, such as its bass content or its harmonic richness, to high-level concepts such as "hip hop" or "sad music". Also, semantic descriptors may come in the form of atomic, discrete labels like "rhythmic" or "waltz", or they may be complex, structured entities such as harmony and rhythmic structure. As it is impossible to cover all of these in one coherent chapter, we will have to limit ourselves to a particular class of semantic desciptors. This chapter, then, focuses on methods for automatically extracting high-level atomic descriptors for the characterisation of music. It will be shown how high-level terms can be inferred via a combination of bottom-up audio descriptor extraction and the application of machine learning algorithms. Also, it will be shown that meaningful descriptors can be extracted not just from an analysis of the music (audio) itself, but also from extra-musical sources, such as the internet (via 'web mining').


: This study aims to determine the magnitude of the influence of providing incentives, motivation, work discipline and leadership performance of teachers and employees in Madrasah Aliyah Al Mukarrom Kauman Sumoroto Ponorogo. This research is quantitative research with data collection techniques through questionnaires. The sample of this study was randomly selected employees of Madrasah Aliyah Al Mukarrom Kauman Sumoroto Ponorogo. The collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression method with the help of SPSS program to test partially and simultaneously between independent variable and dependent variable. The results showed that all independent variables significantly influenced the dependent variable, but of the four independent variables that most dominantly affect the performance of teachers and employees is discipline.


As a solution to the problem of beach erosion, beach nourishment has been increasingly tested and practically implemented on many coastlines in the world. This communication highlights and compares synthetically various ways to improve it, from a purely technical point of view to considerations of coastal zone management and cost-benefit ratio. The use of numerical and physical models is also investigated. The results of that extensive literature review suggest a strategic approach for beach nourishment projects and underline the need for reliable coastal data such as beach profiles, wave and current data.


In this study, the nonlinear dynamic analysis of the motion and control of the lower limb exoskeleton using differential transform method is presented. Devices for medical processes are continuously undergoing improvement such as enhancing and assisting automatic therapies with flexible and configurable programs for treating people with partial disability in lower limbs as applied in lower-limb exoskeleton. The configurable programs in this exoskeleton can be applied to observe and control the motion of the exoskeleton for effective physiotherapy and reduced rehabilitation time for patients with such disability. Hence, a two degree of freedom nonlinear dynamic model for the motion and control of the lower limb exoskeletons was developed for two links. The nonlinear dynamic models are solved by applying the differential transform method (DTM) and verified with the forth order Runge-Kutta numerical method (RK4). The effects of the applied torque on the two links are investigated and it is observed that Link 1 has large negative deflection amplitude that drives link 2 towards the opposite positive direction. An increase in the applied torque resulted in increase in the amplitude of the system for all initial condition considered. This in turns increases the nonlinear dynamic behavior of link 2 due to its lower mass value. The speed of both links dampens out over the history due to the presence of damping term. At equilibrium, both links are in phase and have the same amplitude over the time history. This study provides an analytical tool for observing and controlling the motions of the lower limb exoskeleton and for improving the designs of the medical device.


The invention discloses an acrylic ester polymer emulsion and a preparation method thereof. The acrylic ester polymer emulsion comprises alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, hydroxy-alkyl ester, initiator, emulsifier and water, and alkyl carboxylic acid is prepared by emulsion polymerization. The preparation method comprises the following steps: mixing 30%-60% of the alkyl methacrylate, 50%-90% of the alkyl acrylate, 0-40% of the hydroxy-alkyl ester, 0-50% of the alkyl carboxylic acid to prepare a mixed monomer I; and then mixing rest of the alkyl methacrylate, the alkyl acrylate, the hydroxy-alkyl ester and the alkyl carboxylic acid to prepare a mixed monomer II; dropwise adding the mixed monomer II to rest of the mixed monomer I, and finally adding to a seed solution all together. Phase separation does not happen to the emulsion and emulsion powder prepared by using the same in film formation after redispersion, therefore, the emulsion and the emulsion powder prepared by using the same have good film formation and can meet all high-performance paintings on the film formation of emulsion.


In this paper, we study performance based maintenance contracts for dump trucks operated in a mining industry. The service contract is characterised by two dimensional limits - one limit representing age and the other limit usage. In a performance based service contract uses an attractive incentives to motivate the the agent to increase the equipment's performance beyond the target, and this in turn gives benefit for both the owner of the trucks and the Agent of service contract. In this paper, we study performance based maintenance service contracts for equipment used in a mining industry and the equipment is sold with two dimensional warranties and the perfomances considered includes availability and safety measures. We consider a situation where an agent offers several service contract options and the owner of equipment has to select the optimal option. We obtain the optimal strategy (pricing structure) for the agent and the optimal option for the owner using a stackelberg game formulation in which the agent is as a leader and the owner as a follower.


An in-depth investigation of a dual homogeneous catalyst system for the coupling of alkanes and alkenes based on an early-/late-transition-metal pairing is reported. The system is composed of Cp*TaCl2(alkene) for alkene dimerization and pincer-iridium hydrides for alkane/alkene transfer hydrogenation. Because there is no kinetically relevant interaction between the two catalysts, the tandem mechanism can be entirely described using the two independent catalytic cycles. The alkene dimerization mechanism is characterized by an entropically disfavored pre-equilibrium between Cp*TaCl2(1-hexene) + 1-hexene and Cp*TaCl2(metallacyclopentane) (ΔH° = −22(2) kcal/mol; ΔS° = −16(2) eu); thus, the overall rate of alkene dimerization is positive order in 1-hexene (exhibiting saturation kinetics), and increases only modestly with temperature. In contrast, the rate of 1-hexene/n-heptane transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by t-Bu[PCP]IrH4 is inverse order in 1-hexene and increases substantially with temperature. Styrene ha...


We show a possibility for a rapid measurement of the shape of objects using color coding by stochastically geneated fringe patterns.


Antioxidant applications are expected to reduce the adverse effects of soil saline. This research was conducted in plastic house, Plant Tissue Laboratory Faculty of Agriculture and Plant Physiology Laboratory Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Science, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan also in Research Centers and Industry Standardization, Medan from July-December 2016. The objective of the research was to know the effect of various antioxidant treatments with different concentrations (control, ascorbic acid 250, 500 and 750 ppm; salicylic acid 250, 500 and 750 ppm; α-tocopherol 250, 500 and 750 ppm) on fourth generation soybean physiology in saline condition (Electric Conductivity 5-6 dS/m). The results of this research showed that the antioxidant type and concentration affected not significantly to physiology of fourth generation soybean. Descriptively the highest average of superoxide dismutase and peroxide dismutase was showed on ascorbic acid 250 ppm. The highest average of ascorbate peroxidase was showed on α-tocopherol 750 ppm. The highest average of carotenoid content was showed on ascorbic acid 500 ppm. The highest average of chlorophyll content was showed on α-tocopherol 250 ppm. The highest average of ratio of K/Na was showed on salicylic acid 250 ppm.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mental health program utilizing Instagram for nursing students.Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Fifty-seven nursing students who enrolled in a university during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea participated in the study: 30 nursing students (26 females and 4 males) in the experimental group and 27 nursing students (21 females and 6 males) in the control group. The Instagram Program for mental health provided 8 sessions for each topic. The data collected via questionnaires were statistically analyzed.Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups in depression (t=-2.32, p=.024) and anxiety (t=-2.43, p=.018), but there was no significant difference in loneliness (t=0.64, p=.263).Conclusion: The Instagram program is accessible for incoming nursing students and effective in decreasing their depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 era. Therefore, this intervention could enhance the mental health of nursing students by allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings through mutual interaction on Instagram.


Summary An instrument developed for the rapid and accurate measurement of skin thickness is described. The equipment is accurate to 0.1 mm. Techniques adapted for the determination of the fat and protein contents of the skin of sheep are also described. Samples were taken from the pelts of three sheep of different live weights to determine the distribution of gradients in skin thickness over the body. A uniform sampling area has been defined. This is near the middle of the back, adjacent to the vertebral column.


We determine the Borel class of the image of a Polish space under a Borel measurable function of class q which maps open sets in the Polish space to Borel sets of additive class ( in the range, under a mild restriction on the inverse images of singleton sets. Our computation is based on a selection theorem proved in this article.


The complete tensor structure of the quark-gluon vertex in Landau gauge is determined at two kinematical points (`asymmetric' and `symmetric') from lattice QCD in the quenched approximation. The simulations are carried out at β = 6.0, using a mean-field improved Sheikholeslami-Wohlert fermion action, with two quark masses ~ 60 and 115 MeV. We find substantial deviations from the abelian form at the asymmetric point. The mass dependence is found to be negligible. At the symmetric point, the form factor related to the chromomagnetic moment is determined and found to contribute significantly to the infrared interaction strength.


Abstract The reduction of nitrile with alkali metal-ammonia is known to produce amine or hydrocarbon. Arapokos and coworkers1,2 had shown that such reduction of a tertiary nitrile gave exclusively the hydrocarbon resulting from decyanation, whereas primary and secondary nitrile gave both the amine and decyanation products. Such decyanation pathway can be suppressed in the presence of a proton source e.g. methanol3 and by the proper choice of metal4. It is assumed that the reduction of a primary or secondary nitrile to amine involves the intermediate anion (1).


In through-the-wall radar imaging and surveillance applications, it is important for the imaging system to be able to automatically quantify and detect the changes in the imaged scene without the need for operator interpretation. In previous work [1], we considered two information theoretic measures, entropy and divergence, for this purpose. Preliminary analysis of these measures revealed that they can provide reliable notifications of changes in the scene. In this paper, we expand on this work by introducing two different classes of measures, namely, complexity and difference measures. Complexity measures, which includes entropy, quantify the amount of activity in the given scene. Difference measures, on the other hand, are effective at detecting the changes in the imaged scene. Our results, based on experimental data, show that the ratio of the norms is the most sensitive complexity measure and is useful for discriminating between populated and unpopulated scenes, whereas the Jensen-Renyi divergence measure is the most sensitive difference measure and can be applied for change detection in the scene.


The current situation of the pesticide residues and the effect on food safety in China were dis-cussed and some countermeasures were proposed.


The major and, even in its earliest days, dominant Swedish film production company was called Svenska, Svenska Biografteater or Svenska Bio. It still exists as the company Svensk Filmindustri in Stockholm. All the classic Swedish films, among them all the films directed by Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjistr6m, were produced by this company. Today it consequently is the company of Ingmar Bergman's pictures. Up to September, 1941, all their negatives from the beginning of 1907 were preserved. But at that time a violent explosion and a terrible fire destroyed them all in a very short time. The whole Swedish film tradition blew up. Two people were killed. Seven years later, in July, 1948, in the middle of the night, lightning struck the great literary archives of the same company and nothing was saved. A complete series of shooting scripts, the whole correspondence with film directors, producers, exhibitors in Sweden or abroad, all reviews and commercial reports-everything was destroyed by fire. Suddenly all our continuing knowledge of how the producers, directors or authors estimated and discussed their production problems was gone. This accident was a new catastrophe. From the silent period only a few old, much-used prints remained and almost none of the negatives. No one could say if these remains were complete. The Swedish film archive tried to find prints of Swedish films all over the world, and some were collected. Other remains saved from the fire were stills, and their negatives, which were stored elsewhere. Also there were some scripts and a lot of title lists which, as duplicates, had been handed over to the Swedish film archive, and some odd material on loan or occasionally on deposition in the Swedish film archive or in private hands. Twenty years later, in 1967, I retired as a film director and film producer and went to the University of Stockholm. I had in mind to find a way to work with these few remaining fragments of the silent Swedish film period. Behind me I had a close knowledge of film production. I had 30 years of work as author, editor, producer and director. I had directed a great number of films, including documentaries, short films and seven feature films. Facing my new task, I knew that I had practical experience of how a story ought to be told in a film, how a sequence should be opened or finished,