There is a ticklish and crucial problem of the optimization of information systems' operating income and cost facing to most global companies. In order to solve this issue,this paper focuses on the profit of interorganizational information systems based on operating cost of IOS. Firstly,designs the cost structure of interorganizational information systems operation cost,divided into structure cost and transaction cost. Secondly,builds the quantitative methods and models of cost and solves them. Finally,verifies the costs legitimacy by simulating. As a result,this paper extends a series of valuable conclusions.


Introduction. Appearance is an important element of both the physical and psychological spheres of a person. Clinicians are increasingly using platelet‑rich fibrin (PRF) in aesthetic medicine procedures. PRF can be used to improve the smile with great success. Aim. The aim of this study is to present the latest reports on the use of platelet‑rich fibrin in smile aesthetics from the last 5 years. Material and methods. Online databases were searched by typing the keyword platelet‑rich fibrin and adding words with treatments used in smile aesthetics. The time interval was defined as between 2017–2022. Results. Twelve scientific articles on the use of platelet‑rich fibrin in bone defect regeneration, gingival recession coverage, bifurcation regeneration and tissue regeneration after tooth extractions were used. Conclusions. Platelet‑rich fibrin is widely used in dentistry and has the added value of being autologous.


Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana), belongs to the of family Acanthaceae. It is native to Mexico but it has escaped cultivation and established in disturbed areas in the south eastern of the United States and can be found invading habitats across the state of Florida which is regarded as the second largest producer of ornamental plants in the United States (Hodges and Haydu, 2002). Water scarcity is the greatest crisis that humanity face in the 21st century (Singh, 2008). May be water is a renewable resource, but its availability is variable and limited. Nearly every country in the world experiences water shortages during certain periods of the year (Gleick, 1993) and more than 80 countries suffer from serious water deficiency (Jin et al., 2007). To face the deficiency of fresh water for the sustainable development of agriculture, there is increasing awareness among agricultural scientists and planners in the utilization of at least diluted seawater for irrigation of crops (Liu et al., 2003). A series pot of experiments were conducted at Kaferelsheikh University Farm during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 throughout the year. Seawater was diluted with freshwater to obtain the required percentages of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30%, in addition; the plants were foliar sprayed with organic or bio materials (humic acid, amino acids and active dry yeast). Each pot (20 cm diameter plastic pots) received 200 ml of the suitable diluted seawater every two days and foliar sprayed with organic materials fortnightly throughout the study course (Rahman et al., 2019). The obtained results showed that, plants treated with 5% seawater in combination with humic acid surpassed control one in all measured traits, namely plant height, shoot fresh and dry weights, as well as improved the root length and weight, increased the flowering number and duration, as well as total chlorophyll. All measured traits gradually declined as the seawater percentage increased in the irrigation water. Seawater at 20% in combination with amino acids treatment significantly increased plant proline content.


The authors demonstrate photoluminescence from a multilayer stack comprising of thin amorphous silicon/silicon nitride multilayer stack. The peak emission wavelength is in the visible wavelength range (λ=674–706nm). The authors show that emission originates from the quantum confinement of the amorphous silicon layers. They demonstrate the tunability of the peak emission wavelength by controlling the amorphous silicon layer thickness. Postdeposition annealing was carried out to enhance the photoluminescence without recrystallization of the amorphous silicon layers as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Such multilayer structure should be advantageous for electrical injection of carriers due to the thin dielectric layers


ABSTRACT This paper evaluates a long-standing question about how senators allocate their time to the task of governance across their lengthy, six-year term. I construct a new individual-level dataset that tracks a key component of a senator's governance responsibilities, participation in committee hearings. With this dataset, I explain variation in a senator's propensity to attend committee hearings with reference to the Senate election cycle, electoral competitiveness, cohort socialisation, and the permanent campaign. I find that senatorial policy activism surges in early non-election years – the first and third year of the senate term – but does not plummet until the sixth year, when a senator is up for re-election. In the domain of hearing attendance, I also show that the United States Senate's workhorses are those who hold marginal seats and come from relatively recent legislative cohorts. Thus, my results suggest that electoral competition and political ambition help promote good governance in the United States.


This article reflects the ways and methods of the development of the Russian, particularly Kaliningrad's, fishing industry aimed at economic growth. The fishing industry conditions and the analysis of the political factors such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) accession and the end of the customs period of the Special Economic Zone that influence on the development of the fishing industry were also analysed. There were developed the measures and proposals, which have to ensure growth of the fishing industry in the current situation.


Palladium complexes of polyvinyl pyridine coated silica gel have been prepared and used as hydrogenation catalysts for alkenes and alkynes under ambient conditions. The kinetics of hydrogenation for a few substrates have been studied and a possible mechanism proposed. The kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the hydrogenation of the substrates, effect of additives on the rate of hydrogenation, selectivity of the catalyst and recycling efficiency of the catalyst are presented in this paper.


The ontogenesis of digestive enzymes(proteases,α-amylases,lipases and phosphatases) in paddlefish Polyodon spathula was determined in larvae between 0-53 days after hatching(DAH).From initiation of exogenous feeding(3 DAH),larvae were fed Cladocera for 37 days in indoor cement pit,and then transferred to pond fed natural food.Fertilized eggs and larval fish samples day 3,6,12,20,30,40,44,47 and 53 after hatching were taken as the test materials.The results showed that most of the digestive enzymes activities could be detected before the onset of the exogenous feeding.Alkaline protease activity was detected at 3 DAH and acid protease activity was quantifiable from eggs.Alkaline protease activity reached to the maximum level at 44 DAH [(1.96±0.09) U/fish],followed by a decrease and then an increase on 47 DAH.The specific alkaline protease activity reached to the peak level at 53 DAH [(8.84±0.59) U/mg protein].Acid protease had its maximum activity at 44 DAH [(0.52±0.05) U/fish],its specific activity reached the first peak on 6 DAH [(2.08±0.09) U/mg protein],followed by the minimum on 30 DAH [(0.83±0.06) U/mg protein].Alkaline protease activity was consistently higher than acid protease activity.α-Amylases activity was relatively stable during incubation period in workshop(12 DAH-40 DAH) and reached to the maximum on 47 DAH [(0.42±0.03) U/fish].Two peaks were found about the specific α-amylase activity,a small one on 12 DAH [(1.18±0.12) U/mg protein] and the maximum peak on 47 DAH [(1.94±0.16) U/mg protein].Both lipase activity and specific lipase activity had one peak on 30 DAH [(0.20±0.02) U/fish] and 6 DAH [(2.28±0.22) U/mg protein] respectively.High lipase activity implied the importance of lipid utilization.The alkaline phosphatase activity and the specific phosphatase activity showed similar trends,with the exception of the maximum period,44 DAH [(0.08±0.00) U/fish] and 30 DAH [(1.96±0.15) U/mg protein] respectively.Acid phosphatase activity had one peak on 3 DAH [(0.01±0.00) U/fish],followed by a significant increase and reached maximum on 44 DAH [(0.05±0.00) U/fish].Two main peaks were detected about the specific of acid phosphatase activity,one on 30 DAH [(1.19±0.10) U/mg protein] and the other on 44 DAH [(1.10±0.08) U/mg protein].It suggested that protease,α-amylase and phosphatase activities increased with the ontogenesis of paddlefish,and alkaline protease was important to paddlefish larval.Acid protease,α-amylase,acid and alkaline phosphatase activities increased with growth decreasing and decreased with growth increasing when fish transferred to pond.


A precise and reliable high-frequency equivalent circuit model of SMT ferrite bead is reported up to 3 GHz. The proposed model is successfully verified with excellent agreement to experiment in terms of magnitude and phase of S-parameter. Two typical structures among a lot of applications using SMT ferrite bead are also studied for the verification of the proposed model. One is when SMT ferrite bead is used in Power Island for DC connection but highfrequency noise isolation. The other is when SMT ferrite bead is used in I/O line of signal and power for EMC purposes. Advanced design system (ADS) from Agilent Technologies and Ensemble from Ansoft are used for simulation.


Hardware reusability is a key aspect of behavioral synthesis which is mainly based on the possibility of implementing several operators with a single module. This shared use of resources is heavily dependent on the ability of the synthesis tool to identify candidate operators to be merged. Some ideas for the creation of a uniform framework where the semantics of hardware modules can be formally expressed are presented in this paper. The application to hardware allocation through symbolic manipulation is also addressed.


Great development of ethnic tourism brings economic benefits to ethnic regions,meanwhile brings itself crisis,for unsustainablity in ecological environment,ethnic culture and social-ecological system.By studying the theory of sustainable development and some related research,combined with the practice,the problem of ethnic tourism sustainable development can be reflected directly in sustainability of its basic elements,namely,the people,the things,the scenerys and the actions.So corresponding countermeasures safeguarding Ethnic tourism sustainable development Should be established


Over the years, wireless communication becomes most important communication type in the world because of its ability to evolve. Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) is located at front end of receiver system, which makes it one of the important parts to retrieve signals. Federal Communication Commission has licensing on the use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) frequency (ranging from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz) due to its benefits that are transmits information using very low power, short impulses thinly spreading over a wide bandwidth, high data rate and less multipath fading [1]. From statement above, this project is to design a LNA that will work on UWB spectrum using transistor pHEMT Mitsubishi Semiconductor MGF4941AL in AWR Microwave Office. Beginning from a sketch, this project will show steps to design using several methods, that is; Cascaded 3-Pin-Point Amplifier, 3-Stage Balance Amplifier and 3-Stage Feedback Amplifier, and analyze the LNA designed. The LNA designed operate in UWB spectrum, Noise Figure (NF) 15dB, and matched over the bandwidth. The best technique is 3-Stage Feedback Amplifier which gave S21 value as high as 39.93dB with fluctuation only 0.71dB, and NF as low as 1.647dB maximum.


The transformation of agricultural engineering into biological engineering is a larger change than meets the eye. First of all, agricultural engineering is an applications discipline, and biological engineering is a science-based discipline. Thus, the emphasis of the education must change from its specific uses to a more general utilization of biological systems. Second, any discipline must have a core set of technical materials and methods. In agricultural engineering, these were largely supplied by the Ferguson Foundation series of textbooks that were used very widely. A new agreement must be reached about how to supply these for biological engineering. Third, biological engineering is not likely to evolve only from agricultural engineering. chemical engineering, and to some extent biomedical engineering, also has designs on the discipline. Fourth, although the goal of biological engineering has been fairly clear since the early 1970's, the steps to reach the goal are not obvious to those who are trying to form the new discipline. The prospects for the new discipline of biological engineering are great, but much work remains to be done.


20 The high global burden of cryptococcosis has made development of a protective vaccine a 21 public health priority. We previously demonstrated that a vaccine composed of recombinant 22 Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylase 2 (Cda2) delivered in glucan particles (GPs) 23 protects BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice from an otherwise lethal challenge with a highly virulent C. 24 neoformans strain. An immunoinformatic analysis of Cda2 revealed a peptide sequence 25 predicted to have strong binding to the MHC Class II (MHC II) H2-IAd allele found in BALB/c 26 mice. BALB/c mice vaccinated with GPs containing a 32 amino acid peptide (Cda2-Pep1) that 27 included this strong binding region were protected from cryptococcosis. Protection was lost with 28 GP-based vaccines containing versions of recombinant Cda2 protein and Cda2-Pep1 with 29 mutations predicted to greatly diminish MHC II binding. Cda2 has homology to the three other 30 C. neoformans chitin deacetylases, Cda1, Cda3 and Fpd1, in the high MHC II binding region. 31 GPs loaded with homologous peptides of Cda1, Cda3 and Fpd1 protected BALB/c mice from 32 experimental cryptococcosis, albeit not as robustly as the Cda2-Pep1 vaccine. Finally, seven 33 other peptides were synthesized based on regions in Cda2 predicted to contain promising CD4 + 34 T cell epitopes in BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice. While five peptide vaccines significantly protected 35 BALB/c mice, only one protected C57BL/6 mice. Thus, GP-based vaccines containing a single 36 peptide can protect mice against cryptococcosis. However, given the diversity of human MHC II 37 alleles, a peptide-based Cryptococcus vaccine for use in humans would be challenging and 38 likely need to contain multiple peptide sequences.


Based on new characteristics of current theater PA systems in China and correct understanding of the PA(Public Address) system standards as well as the system functionality, a general solution on the current theater audio system with the reasonable speaker selection and arrangement, the suitable system structure and function configuration is persented. In addition, the further utilization of digitization and network in audio system is pointed.


Review(s) of: A woman in the wilderness: The story of Amalie Dietrich in Australia, by R. Sumner, New South Wales University Press, Kensington, 1993, ppl48.


━━ Background. The spontaneous regression of malignant tumors is rare. Notably, there have been very few reports of spontaneous regression in cases of primary lung cancer, and the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unknown. Case. A 77-year-old male visited the hospital with chief complaints of abdominal pain and constipation in the beginning of February 2011. Chest computed tomography showed a well-circumscribed tumorous lesion in the right S 3 a segment and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose posi-tron emission tomography (PET) demonstrated significant accumulation at the same site, and the patient was re-ferred to our department in the beginning of March 2011. Small cell carcinoma cells were detected on broncho-scopic exfoliative cytodiagnosis of the right lung tumor. During observation of the patient's clinical course for a poor performance status, the lung tumor and mediastinal lymphadenopathy showed a tendency toward spontaneous regression. However, the patient experienced progression of cognitive dysfunction and nerve disorders, which suggested the development of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE). In order to exclude other associated diseases, thoracoscopic mediastinal lymph node removal was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with metastasis of small cell carcinoma. An immunohistochemical investigation revealed a high expression of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-class IA, B and C in the carcinoma cells and severe infiltration of CD8-positive cells into the cancer nest with relatively dense cleaved caspase-3-positive tumor cells. Conclusions. We experienced a case of small cell lung cancer with PLE that exhibited a tendency toward spontaneous regression. Spontaneous regression is presumed to be associated with an immune response.


Categorization of facial wrinkles is used in dermatology studies to determine the efficacy of a certain treatment over a certain period of time. These studies, however, are limited by the fact that when dermatologists assign these categorizations, it is done so through qualitative, in-vivo observation. The objective of this study was to train a computer to categorize nasolabial wrinkles into one of four categories based on one image of the patients face. Preliminary results suggest that the computer will be able to correctly categorize category 1, 2, 3, and 4 wrinkles with 88.2%, 57.3%, 26.2%, and 80% success, respectively.


In the last three years (1999 to 2001), the gallium triple‐point cell has been successfully developed, and much corresponding research has been carried out at the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), Beijing, China. This paper presents the cell design, apparatus and procedure for realizing the gallium triple point, and presents studies on the different freezing methods. The reproducibility is 0.03 mK, and the expanded uncertainty of realization of the gallium triple point is evaluated to be 0.17 mK (p=0.99, k=2.9). Also, the reproducibility of the gallium triple point was compared with that of the triple point of water.


This contribution describes the Speulderbos fiducial reference site for biophysical variables with a focus on foliage variables and Leaf Area Index (LAI). The site implements Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)- and ground-based sensing systems that aim at high temporal resolution observations to capture fast canopy changes like spring leaf flush. It aims at validating decametre resolution satellite observations. The sensor systems and their respective sampling design are described. Opportunities and restrictions of the set up are discussed.


An efficient simultaneous sonophotocatalytic degradation of trypan blue (TB) and vesuvine (VS) using Ag 3 PO 4 /Bi 2 S 3 -HKUST-1-MOF as a novel visible light photocatalyst was carried out successfully in a continuous flow-loop reactor equipped to blue LED light. Ag 3 PO 4 /Bi 2 S 3 -HKUST-1-MOF with activation ability under blue light illumination was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), photoluminescence (PL) and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The effect of operational parameters such as the initial TB and VS concentration (5-45 mg/L), flow rate (30-110 mL/min), irradiation and sonication time (10-30 min), pH (3-11) and photocatalyst dosage (0.15-0.35 g/L) has been investigated and optimized using central composite design (CCD) combined with desirability function (DF). Maximum sonophotodegradation percentage (98.44% and 99.36% for TB and VS, respectively) was found at optimum condition set as: 25 mg/L of each dye, 70 mL/min of solution flow rate, 25 min of irradiation and sonication time, pH 6 and 0.25 g/L of photocatalyst dosage. At optimum conditions, synergistic index value was obtained 2.53 that indicated the hybrid systems including ultrasound irradiation and photocatalysis have higher efficiency compared with sum of the individual processes.


Automotive part and accessory manufacturers (APAMs) at the lower tiers of automotive vertical supply chains have been responding to major initiatives taken by leading vehicle assemblers in adopting RFID (radio frequency identification) and ubiquitous computing technologies to alleviate their manufacturing systems. RFID-enabled real-time traceability and visibility facilitate and enhance the implementation of advanced strategies such as just-in-time (JIT) lean/responsive manufacturing and mass customisation (MC). This paper reports on findings gained from a series of industrial field and pilot studies conducted within collaborating companies. Being typically small and medium sized, APAMs are faced with business and technical challenges that are summarised by the so-called 'three high problems', namely high cost, high risk and high level of technical skills. This research takes a more cost-effective pragmatic approach to overcome the 'three high problems' by sharing out the problems among APAMs while taking a longer-term, expensive and lengthy, approach to absolutely reduce the problems. The sharing approach requires the establishment of an innovative service-oriented framework, abbreviated AUTOPS, based on the Product Service Systems (PSS) business model. RFID hardware devices are innovated into gateways as hardcore products to formulate a PSS. RFID-enabled real-time services are deployed at a common platform across members of an APAMs alliance. AUTOPS facilities are shared by APAM alliance members to reduce the start-up investment costs, reduce the level of required specialist skills, speed up installation processes and streamline maintenance services, and improve the reliability of the RFID gateway services.


We have shown enhanced satiation with slow eating. However, subjects drank more water when eating slowly. Thus, we examined the influence of eating rate on satiation when a caloric beverage is offered. In a randomized design, quick (Q) and slow (S) eating rates were compared in 25 females (20.2±4.8y; BMI=21.3±2.2). After a morning of controlled food and beverage intake and activity, they consumed an ad libitum mixed‐macronutrient lunch and apple juice. Hunger (H), satiety, desire‐to‐eat (DTE), and thirst (T) were rated on visual analogue scales every 5min up to 30min, at 45 & 60min. Q and S conditions were compared by paired t‐tests. Meal durations and eating rates were 8±3min & 27±8min, 106±37Kcal/min & 30±9Kcal/min during the Q & S conditions, respectively (P<0.001 for both). S eating decreased food intake (Q=674±140Kcal; S=598±152Kcal; P<0.05) and increased beverage intake as compared to Q eating (Q=128±59Kcal; S=176±86Kcal; P<0.01). However, no differences occurred in total energy consumed at lunch (Q=802±177Kcal; S=774±195Kcal; P>0.05). At 45 & 60min H and DTE were higher in the Q condition (P<0.05). T was lower at 25, 30, 45 & 60min for the S condition (P<0.05). Regardless of the beverage served, eating slowly can effectively decrease food intake, but it tends to increase beverage consumption. Despite similar ad libitum total energy intake, lower H & DTE scores may support a role of slow eating in satiety.


This is a PhD thesis in the mathematical field of low-dimensional topology.

Its main purpose is to examine so-called tete-a-tete twists, which were defined by A'Campo. Tete-a-tete twists give an easy combinatorial description of certain mapping classes on surfaces with boundary. Whereas the well-known Dehn twists are twists around a simple closed curve, tete-a-tete twists are twists around a graph.

It is shown that tete-a-tete twists describe all the (freely) periodic mapping classes. This leads, among other things, to a stronger version of Wiman's 4g+2 theorem from 1895 for surfaces with boundary.

We also see for some tete-a-tete twists how they can be used to generate the mapping class group of closed surfaces.

Another main result is a simple criterion to decide whether a Seifert surface of a link is a fibre surface. This gives a short topological proof of the fact that a Murasugi sum is fibred if and only if its two summands are.


The purpose of this paper was to quantify the service satisfaction levels of hotel customers in Jammu region, India. The survey collected 162 questionnaires to provide the empirical dataset for the inquiry based on descriptive statistics, factor analysis and reliability analysis. Factor analysis extracted seven dimensions and conclusion summarizes the key influences that can shape the quality of service. Currently, business travellers rate low levels of satisfaction in 20 of the total 25 components presented in the questionnaire. This investigation can contribute to hotel sector research by highlighting elements which determine service quality, and help the industry stakeholders choose appropriate improvements to sustain a year-round tourism in Jammu and near adjoining places of Jammu & Kashmir.


Objective To compare the feasibility and safety of the transfemoral intervention(TFI) and coronary intervention treatment through radial artery(CIRA). Methods 150 cases of coronary angiography(CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) patients who were admitted into our hospital from Jun. 2009 to Jan. 2013were selected and treated with TFI and CIRA respectively. The first time success rate of puncture,postoperative complications and adverse situation of two groups were observed and compared. Results The time of getting out of bed,puncture sites,vascular complications,mental state and adverse situation of CIRA group were obviously superior to TFI group(P 0.05). Conclusion Compared with the TFI,the CIRA has the advantage of speedy recovery rate,less complications,short hospital stay,good operation compliance and high safety,it worth to be promoted in clinical.


Cytokine growth factor treatment of chronic wounds has met with mixed results. The chronic wound presents a hostile environment to peptides such as growth factors. Cytokine growth factors have not been studied extensively in acute wounds. However, incisional hernias are a major example of acute wound failure that has not been solved by various mechanical approaches. A biological approach to acute wound failure by use of cytokine growth factors may offer a new strategy. A rodent incisional hernia model was used. Seventy‐six rats underwent 3‐cm midline celiotomies and were closed with fine, fast‐absorbing sutures to induce intentional acute wound failure. Group 1 received no other treatment. The midline fascia in Groups 2–10 was infiltrated with 100 µl of vehicle alone or vehicle containing various test cytokine growth factors. Necropsy was performed on postoperative day 28 and the wounds were examined for herniation. Incisional hernias developed in 83 percent (13/16) of untreated incisional and 88 percent (7/8) and 83 percent (5/6) of the two vehicle‐treated incisions (PBS and carboxymethylcellulose). Hernia incidences were decreased by priming of the fascial incision with transforming growth factor‐β2 (12%, 1/8), basic fibroblast growth factor (25%, 2/8) and interleukin‐1β (50%, 3/6) (p < 0.05). Aqueous platelet‐derived growth factor, becaplermin, insulin‐like growth factor, and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor did not significantly decrease the incidence of acute wound failure (p > 0.05). A biological approach to acute wound failure as measured by incisional hernia formation can be useful in reducing the incidence of this complication. Transforming growth factor‐β2, basic fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin 1β all eliminated or significantly reduced the development of incisional hernias in the rat model.


: The most energy efficient motorized land transportation system known to man is the operation of trains on a railroad. In order to reduce the dependence on petroleum based energy in railway transport, Indian Railways have been progressively switching over to Electric Traction. Railway electric traction describes the various types of locomotives and multiple units that are used on electrification systems around the world. This paper considers the evolution of technology inlocomotive , how dc traction was replaced by single phase ac traction and further by three phase ac. It focuses on advent of electric traction in India, working principle of electric multiple unit (EMU). In India we have mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) train, a high speed electric train. And thereby this paper deals with the difference between EMU and MEMU trains .It also throws light on the progress of power electronics in the field of electric locos


"In the latest years, in Romania, including Szeklerland / Székely Land, an important number of support projects from the EU have been accomplished. Besides these, every year, application opportunities also emerge, as part of the programmes funded and approved by the State of Hungary. In the application cycle from 2014 to 2020, I have considered the programmes POR, PNDR, PNDL. Afterwards, I addressed the opportunities for start up support BGA and Proeconomica. Within this scope, I aggregated and then categorized the amounts granted for the three counties of Szeklerland / Székely Land (Mures, Harghita and Covasna). I have also drawn on several research themes, such as: the scale of the support granted to the three Székely counties as part of the Central Romania Region, for a given county; how many villages and cities/towns expected and were granted the support; the regional or local differences in the given area; how did Szeklerland / Székely Land evolve compared to the overall project approval in Romania."


Abstract: Materials fullness in the kneading portion of the upstream side to quickly perform so the flow path opening and closing operation as well as stable. The region corresponding to the gate portion B of A cylinder 2, the upper guide hole 10a and the lower guide hole 10b are formed respectively, both the guide holes 10a, fitted freely gate rod 7 is rotated in the 10b It has been inserted. The gate bar 7, the opening degree changes recess 11, Kiridoshi shaped to form a variable opening passage S of the annular between the variable opening channel-forming portion 14 of the screw 3 is axially adjacent It is formed Te. Each opening degree variation recess 11 has a first semicircular face 12, made from the second semicircular face 13. Excised shape upstream side edge portion of the first semicircular face 12 obliquely, the gate bar 7 the by forward and reverse rotation 1 half arcuate surface 12 and the variable opening channel-forming portion 14 and a second semicircular face 13 opening from is parallel fully open variable flow path forming unit 1 4 changes the opening degree between the at fully closed abutting the.


The introduction of lead-free solders resulted in a selection of different chemistries for solder pastes. The higher melting points of lead-free alloys required thermal heat resistant rosin systems and activators that are active at elevated temperatures. As a result, more frequent maintenance of the filtration systems is required and machine downtime is increased. Last year a different method of cleaning reflow ovens was introduced. Instead of cooling down the process gasses to condensate the residues, a catalyst was used to maintain the clean oven. Catalytic thermal oxidation of residues in the nitrogen atmosphere resulted in cleaner heating zones. The residues were transformed into carbon dioxide. This remaining small amount of char was collected in the catalyst. In air ovens the catalyst was not seen as a beneficial option because the air extracted out of the oven was immediately exhausted into the environment. When a catalyst is used in an air environment there is not only the carbon dioxide residues, but also water. When a catalyst is used in an air reflow oven the question is where the water is going to. Will it condensate in the process part of the oven or is the gas temperature high enough to keep it out of the process area? A major benefit of using a catalyst to clean the air before it is exhausted into the environment is that the air pollution is reduced dramatically. This will make environmental engineers happy and result in less pollution of our nature. Apart from this, the exhaust tubes remain clean which reduces the maintenance of air ovens. This paper will give more detailed information of catalyst systems during development and performance in production lines. Introduction A catalyst to clean a reflow oven is a unit that can be retrofitted on an existing oven in production or it can be installed in a new oven. The development and introduction of this new technology was a DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) project. This method is different from Six Sigma projects that are used for improvements of existing products and processes (continuous and incremental innovations). DFSS is used for new products and processes (non-continuous innovation). Catalytic thermal oxidation is a new process for cleaning reflow ovens. The project is divided into four blocks (IDOV): 1. Identify 2. Design 3. Optimize 4. Verify DFSS strategy is used to make new products that support customer success. It starts with the customer needs and ends with customer satisfaction. Commercial and product quality is needed. Continuous data collection is essential for reaching the improvement goals. Where Six Sigma is all about using statistics for data driven improvement. It focuses on process characterization and process optimization. Continuous data will be essential for reducing variation and centering the process. This document follows the DFSS project steps and describes what activities, experiments, prototyping and customer introductions were done to finalize a catalytic thermal oxidizer for reflow ovens. Phase 1: Identify – determine functional requirements For traditional ovens the cleaning of the heating zones is done using a so called "GRS" (Gas Recirculation System). The GRS takes the hot gases out of the process zones and guide them through three heat exchangers placed in serial. These heat exchangers cool down the gas, and the flux residues in this gas will condensate into the metal filters that are placed in between the heat exchangers. This process results in condensation of flux. The amount of condensed flux depends on the production volumes. Gasses from board material, solder paste and chain lubrication condensate and result in a tacky oily residue. The first part of this project was to identify these chemicals in order to understand what the final design would need to clean. This was done in two steps:  Analyze the residues that are found in the condensation unit  Define the chemistry in the solder paste The difference between the two is that the chemistry found in the GRS includes lubrication, outgassing of board material and components, where the second measurement only covers the flux. On the other hand, in the solder paste analyses, the focus was not only on one particular flux, but different chemistries were selected. From the fluxes, the selection included rosin and resin based, low and high activated fluxes, as well as leaded and lead free chemistries. The experiments tried to cover all varieties in the market. The elements that were found, ranked by percentage, are listed in table 1. Table 1: Chemistry in solder paste flux by amount [vol%] The final design of the unit should be able to get these elements out of the gas and return a clean gas into the oven. Since solder paste chemistry recipes are a supplier secret and there are thousands of pastes in the market, it is impossible to check them all out. The first step in this project is to define the stakeholders and their needs. The method to identify the stakeholders and their needs was to understand the "Voice of the Customer". Three methods were used to understand the customer's needs:  A survey  Interview with several customers  Brainstorm with customers and service engineers In order to quantify the performance of the design the stakeholder's needs should be able to be monitored. Customer's wishes should be able to been confirmed with data. Therefore a CTQ flow chart (Criteria to Quantify) is made: Figure 1: CTQ flow chart Phase 1: Identify – translate into technical requirements Three different methods are possible to filter chemistry residues out of the gas. The traditional method is listed more as reference for the new methods. This method cools the process gasses that have a temperature of 100 – 250 oC back to 40 oC or lower to let them condensate on metal and paper filters. This method requires quite a lot of maintenance since the flux that condensates is very tacky and filters may clog after a few weeks. Since the temperature of the gas cools down from over 100 oC the first filters are metals and only the last filter can be a paper/consumable one. The metal filters including the heat exchangers require cleaning. This can be done manually or in a cleaning machine. The temperature drop of the gas also requires quite a lot of energy. The alternative method is pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures (>500oC) in the absence of oxygen; it is an endothermic reaction. The process cracks larger molecules into smaller ones. Char is generated. Thermal catalytic oxidation converts organic vapors to carbon dioxide and water in the presence of oxygen; it is an exothermic reaction at 200 oC. Figure 2: Critical parameter management Phase 1: Identify – create a business case Basically two methods are interesting as an alternative for flux condensation. Pyrolysis is a method that is already introduced in reflow ovens. In this project pyrolysis is compared to thermal catalytic oxidation. Since it is a requirement to keep temperatures of the design close to reflow oven temperatures (minimize energy costs and waste) it was also investigated if pyrolysis could be done at lower temperatures with different granulates including zeolites and perlites. Phase 2: Design – develop concepts In this part of the design a number of brainstorm sessions were conducted to come up with different concepts and methods of measurement. A method called TRIZ was used. This looked into different processes in the industry where similar products and processes takes place. Catalytic thermal oxidation was found as a method that was used in the biochemical and petro chemical industries to clean gasses. The efficiency of catalysts to clean gasses at much lower temperatures and the long life cycle (up to 15 years) of this material makes it very interesting in a reflow application. In this phase of the DFSS, project experiments are done to define the performance of the different alternative solutions. One major experiment was to define the efficiency of cleaning nitrogen. The reason to do this experiment in nitrogen is because the majority of the nitrogen ovens have a cleaning system for the gas, where in air ovens, recycling is not common. A thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) was used to heat up a flux sample of solder paste. The gasses coming out of the paste, including the nitrogen gas from the TGA, were guided to a small cleaning device. After cleaned, a FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) was used to measure the amount of VOC still in the gas. Or in other words it was able to calculate the efficiency of the cleaning device. This experiment was done at a temperature of 225 oC on the cleaning device. The flow rate of the nitrogen was 50 ml/min. Table 2: cleaning capability different concepts for solder paste sample 1. For both catalysts no organics were present after the gas passed the catalyst. Further tests were done on both catalysts to identify if there was a performance difference between them. Absorbers (Pyrolysis) Catalytic thermal oxidation Granulate1 Zeolite 1 Granulate 2 Perlite Zeolite 2 Catalyst 1 Catalyst 2 Cleaning efficiency [%] 69 79 69 69 12 100 100 Table 3: Performance difference of the two catalysts Catalytic thermal oxidation Solder paste Temperature Catalyst 1 Catalyst 2 sample 1 225 oC Pass Pass 185 oC Pass Fails sample 2 225 oC Pass Fails sample 3 225 oC Pass Fails Catalyst 1 had a wider process window and was able to clean all of thepastes even at lower temperatures. The main difference between the two catalystswas that number 1 had a 5 times thicker nano coating. Phase 2: Design – establish a high level design Before building a prototype the right concept has to be chosen. A Pugh matrix method was used to weigh the alternatives. The alternatives are compared to a baseline which is todays GRS system. Table 4: Pugh matrix showing that Catalyst 1 is the favorite design A b so rb er G ra n u la te 1


A field study of supported employment for adults with mental illness (N=174) provided an experimental test of cognitive dissonance theory. We predicted that most work-interested individuals randomly assigned to a non-preferred program would reject services and lower their work aspirations. However, individuals who chose to pursue employment through a non-preferred program were expected to resolve this dissonance through favorable service evaluations and strong efforts to succeed at work. Significant work interest-by-service preference interactions supported these predictions. Over two years, participants interested in employment who obtained work through a non-preferred program stayed employed a median of 362 days versus 108 days for those assigned to a preferred program, and participants who obtained work through a non-preferred program had higher service satisfaction.


A simple, readily available tool and technique are presented for estimating the amount of skin to be resected during facelifts.


Northeastern B.C. has several trillion cubic feet of established gas reserve and estimates of ultimate potential are as high as 50 tcf. Westcoast's current deliverability of 1.9 bcf/d is expected to rise by 30% over the next five years. Through-put on Westcoast's pipeline system reached 0.5 bcf/d in 1992. The new role of natural gas in the energy mix will lead to greater consumption such as in gas-fired cogeneration. The price will be "right" when supply and demand are evenly balanced.


A number of biologic and technical factors were explored which may play a role in the demonstration of formation of antibodies in the popliteal lymph node of the rabbit. In a series of rabbits, some of which received 0.2 ml of a suspension of dysentery bacilli in one hind foot pad and others five times that amount, it was found that the popliteal lymph node of the injected leg contained relatively more antibody, in comparison with the opposite node, in the case of rabbits receiving the smaller dose. Extracts of these lymph nodes showed no difference in content of antibody to an antigen which had been injected subcutaneously elsewhere in the body. In the centrifugation of antibody-containing lymph certain technical precautions were indicated which can reduce the amount of lymph plasma in and about the lymph cells to a point where the plasma does not interfere with the demonstration of higher antibody titers in the lymph cells.
 Certain apparent discrepancies in data and interpretation of recent work on the formation of antibodies in lymphatic tissue are discussed in the light of the data presented here.


The piezoelectric vibrational amplitude of a granite sample was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a lock-in amplifier system. Other samples such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and quartz were used as piezoelectric standards, and soda glass was examined as a control to check the background noise level. The converse piezoelectric effect, in which the electric field induces the strain, gave an apparent piezoelectric coefficient of ∼7.0 (± 0.1)×10-13 C/N for granite. The relative dielectric constant of granite was also obtained by measuring the vibrational amplitude and the phase difference at different frequencies. The value was in the order of 1013 less than 1 Hz and decreased as a function of frequency.


Dynamical systems on networks with adaptive couplings appear naturally in real-world systems such as power grid networks, social networks as well as neuronal networks. We investigate a paradigmatic system of adaptively coupled phase oscillators inspired by neuronal networks with synaptic plasticity. One important behaviour of such systems reveals splitting of the network into clusters of oscillators with the same frequencies, where different clusters correspond to different frequencies. Starting from one-cluster states we prove under which conditions multi-cluster states exist. We also provide an explicit form of multi-cluster solutions using asymptotic expansions. The phases of the oscillators within one cluster can be organized in different patterns: antipodal type, splay type, as well as more complicated phase patterns. Interestingly, multi-cluster states are shown to exist where different clusters exhibit different patterns. For instance, an antipodal cluster can coexist with a splay cluster. We also provide conditions where the corresponding one- and multi-cluster states are stable. These conditions, in particular, reveal a high level of multistability of such states.


This article examines the mothering experiences of college educated Deaf women and connects this to their identities as part of the Deaf community. Using feminist life history interviews with ten Deaf women, the analysis focuses on their work as mothers and the connections with "maternal thinking," difference, and sameness. Findings include an analysis of the various strategies that these mothers used in their mothering, which include teaching the skills of lifetime educators and self-advocates to deaf children, sending their hearing children to Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) camps and incorporating their activism and volunteering in their mothering. The author argues that an analysis of ability along with gender is useful to further current theorizing about gender and mothering as a kind of work and that an analysis of the role of language allows us to question the idea that mothering is an innate quality of women. Instead, the author argues that, due to the social context of their life situations, "maternal thinking" and language choice are learned practices that these women negotiate in their work as mothers.


The assertion was ventured, in a recent published study, that the two more nearly unsolved problems in otolaryngology were chronic suppurative otitis media and progressive .deafness, Tinnitus aurium is an integral phase in each, its problem is a major one and it is timely to collaborate and balance the results of study in this and other countries. In Jones and Knudsen's' recent statistics, tinnitus was present in 59 per cent of 340 cases of hearing impairment analyzed, with a higher percentage in conductive than perceptive cases. To this conductive group must be added its presence in varying degree in suppurative cases.


Magnetic resonance spectra were recorded for two systems with fluorine bonded to an Sp/sup 2/ hybridized carbon atom: acetylfluoride and hexafluorobenzene. On both sides of the main fluorine resonance signal there were two weak incompletely resolved multiplets due to the C/sup 13/ splitting. The separation of these centers was measured and taken as the spin-spin coupling constant J/sub C//sup 13/-F. The value found was 362 cps. (M.C.G.)


Hepatic tumours located at the hepatocaval confluence or compromising the inferior vena cava (IVC) are not often resectable using conventional techniques. To overcome this problem, different surgical procedures have been described. Ex-vivo resection techniques provide excellent accessibility to tumours placed around the IVC that otherwise would be unresectable. These ex-vivo techniques include in-situ, ante-situm and ex-situ resections. The in-situ technique performs hypothermic perfusion of the liver, with cross-clamping but without sectioning of the vena cava and the hepatic pedicle. The ante-situm approach also includes hypothermic perfusion, with cross-clamping of the major vessels and division of the suprahepatic IVC for complete exposure of the liver, preserving the hepatic artery and biliary tree. And finally, the ex-situ technique requires cross-clamping and division of the major vessels for complete removal of the liver, allowing a bench procedure before re-implantation of the organ. The two main problems regarding ex-vivo procedures are the low hepatic tolerance to warm ischaemia and the splanchnic congestion secondary to vascular exclusion. Hypothermic hepatic perfusion and veno-venous bypasses, frequently used in classic ex-vivo resections, are two well-known strategies to avoid these complications. This report describes a novel technique of ante-situm resection using an in-vivo veno-venous bypass between the portal vein and the IVC with a cadaveric venous graft in a patient with IVC replacement. Case


The rapid growth in the use of wireless communication in mobile network devices has made many engineers and researchers delve into looking for better ways of enhancing data transmission, in form of voice, text, data, streaming multimedia, internet etc. Wireless services that occur in real world require very little or no bit error during transmission in order for the receiver to get intelligible information from the transmitting station. Whereas some services require more data to be transmitted per second, like streaming multimedia and internet services, some do not need all that high rate of data transmission. Adaptive Modulation and Diversity techniques are two methods used to ensure that the given frequency bandwidth for the wireless communication is effectively and efficiently utilize, and to ensure negligible bit error rate and higher throughput. This research focuses on how to simulate Adaptive Modulation to maintain steady low bit error rate, using MATLAB and Fuzzy Interface System. As the distance between the transmitting base station and the mobile receiver increases, the Signal-to-Noise ratio decreases and the order of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) selected decreases, to ensure a stabilized bit error rate.  As the mobile user comes nearer the transmitting base station, the order of QAM increases to ensure maximum use of available bandwidth for increased throughput and also stabilized bit error rate. This is clearly demonstrated in this article.


In femtosecond absorption spectroscopy, deconvolution of the measured kinetic traces is still an important issue as photochemical processes that may possess shorter characteristic times than the time resolution of the experiment are usually considered. In this work, we propose to perform deconvolution of the time‐dependent concentration profiles extracted from multivariate curve resolution (MCR) applied to spectrokinetic data. The profiles are fitted with a model function including a description of the instrumental response function (IRF) of the experiment. The method combines the potential benefits of soft‐modeling data analysis with the ones of hard‐modeling for parameter estimation. The potential of the method is demonstrated first analyzing five synthetic data sets for which IRF of different widths are simulated. It is then successfully applied to resolve femtosecond UV‐visible transient absorption spectroscopy data investigating the photodynamics of salicylidene aniline, a photochromic molecule of wide interest. Considering a time resolution of 150 fs for the IRF, a characteristic time of 45 fs is recovered for the first step of the photo‐induced process which consists of an ultrafast intramolecular proton transfer. Our results also confirm the existence of an intermediate species with a characteristic time of 240 fs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Several 2-mercapto-5-substituted-l,3,4-oxadiazoles, alkyl and aralkyl oxadiazolyl sulphides, disulphides and sulphones have been prepared. A representative number of these compounds have been tested against two fungal species.


The typical European energy company is a large-scal e oriented, autonomously operating concern, with an experimentally, emergent strategic de cision making style. This strategic behaviour is unlikely to create the kind of industrial struct re required to meet the significant challenges facing the industry, if it is supposed to serve the public goods of universal, cheap access to high quality energy. Furthermore, the overall regulatory tendency of European governmental and public institutions in charge of the energy industr y a e unlikely to induce a substantially different strategic behaviour, unless they focus on the s rategic dynamics of the industry. There is therefore a real danger that the public goods in qu estion for the European (and particularly) Dutch consumers and industrial customers, are not o ptimally served. An alternative course of regulatory action to achieve a vibrant, progressive and market leading Dutch energy industry, contributing to the overall competitiveness of the Dutch economy, could be one that stresses various ways of achieving innovation in the industr y. For that purpose this paper introduces a framework arranging what types of public policy par adigms for achieving macroeconomic growth are interacting with what types of company i novation strategies for achieving microeconomic growth. The challenges for the European energy industry Though the energy industry in Europe has largely be en liberalized and privatised, the special circumstances of complexity around production and c onsumption of energy that originally gave rise to its public administration have not gone awa y. Furthermore, new challenges have added to the complexity, such as medium term pending capacit y shortages, convergence with other infrastructure, alternative raw materials or environment al impact reduction. Translating the challenges and the expectation of society towards the e nergy industry yields a preferable profile of strategic behaviour: to be network-oriented, delibe rate-planning and locally focused. The needs of the energy industry are different from the publi c good, however, which is why their strategic behaviour is mostly the opposite of what that publi c preference should be. This will be explained in more detail in the first section on the pr ferred strategic profiles. ( A more in-depth analysis of these strategic profiles can be downloa ded from www.strategy-academy.org) The second section then shows that those preferred st ategic profiles are embedded in national heritage systems of industrial structures, which ke ep on influencing heavily the way companies operate in the different nations. The German, UK an d French energy industry structures are compared. In the third section, the framework for "Strategy D namics of Innovation" is introduced. The framework is suggested as a tool to think about str ategic ways for the energy company executive to embrace innovation in interaction with the public policy makers instruments for achieving macroeconomig growth.


In high-peak-power diode-pumped solid-state laser systems, diode chirp and sag during the pump pulse can play a major role in determining the pump energy absorbed in the laser medium. For pulse durations, 10 < τ < 1000 μs, typically used for diode-pumped solid-state lasers, we find that transient output power and wavelength chirp of high-peak-power laser-diode bars can be modeled assuming one-dimensional heat flow and linear temperature dependences for chirp and efficiency. The model is in good agreement with experimental data for Si heatsink mounted 940 nm laser-diode bars operating at an initial power of 100 W/cm. The figure-of-merit for a heatsink material in this application is (ρCpK)1/2 where ρCp is the volumetric heat capacity and K is the thermal conductivity. As an example of the utility of the derived expressions, we determine an effective absorption coefficient as a function of pump pulse duration for a diode-pumped solid-state laser utilizing Yb:Sr5(PO4)3F (Yb:S-FAP) as the gain medium.


Data packets directed to a mobile communication network (10) for transmitting real-time communication services call routing system of the present invention (1), comprising: a converter (2a, 2b), is configured to receive a media gateway control protocol encoded first control data, process the first control data to obtain a second control data, and is further configured to control based on the first data assigned to the first routing address is a first transmission port (20) for the input data packet and outputs the data for second routing a packet end (21) is assigned a second transmission address, a central control entity (3a, 3b), the central control unit controls the forwarding control entity (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g) of the network (11), wherein the central control entity (3a, 3b) configured to determine the second control data by forwarding path based on static unit (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g) of the network (11) ( 30), wherein the static path (30) with a first endpoint routing the first port (20) corresponds to, and the static path (30) and a second end a second routing port (21) corresponding to, and controls the direction the static data path (30) of the flow of data packets planar flow


The reaction of (PiPr3)2NiCl2 with the anthracene adduct (THF)3Mg(η2-C14H10) in THF provides the anthracene adduct (PiPr3)2Ni(η2-C14H10). In aromatic solvents (benzene, toluene, mesitylene) a thermal equilibrium exists between the bis(phosphine)nickel(0) anthracene adduct, (PiPr3)2Ni(η2-C14H10), and the monophosphine solvent adduct, (PiPr3)Ni(η6-solvent). The reaction of (PiPr3)2Ni(η2-C14H10) with 1,2,4,5-C6F4H2 affords the C−H activation product trans-(PiPr3)2NiH(2,3,5,6-C6F4H). The thermodynamic C−F activation product is not obtained even after hours of heating at 100 °C. Similar reactions with 1,2,3,5-C6F4H2 and pentafluorobenzene produce the desired C−H activation products, trans-(PiPr3)2NiH(2,3,4,6-C6F4H) and trans-(PiPr3)2NiH(C6F5), respectively, in >95% yield. The reaction with 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene did not produce an observable C−H activation product. Unlike previously reported analogous C−H activation products with Ni(PEt3)2 synthons, the bulkier Ni(PiPr3)2 moiety did not provide observable ...


The normality assumption for lightness matches was tested. A large number of observers were run on the well-known simultaneous lightness contrast illusion and the distribution of the obtained data was analysed. The lightness matches were gathered using the Munsell scale. The distribution testing was done both for the reflectance data and data transformed into log reflectance. The tests showed supporting evidence in the case of reflectance data. They could be treated as normally and double-exponentially (Laplace) distributed. However no such symmetrical distribution can be assumed for the log transformed reflectance values. Results strongly suggest that the use of standard statistical methods should be limited only to reflectance values. Some alternative methods are suitable in case of Laplace distribution and can be used as well.


Puccinellia arctica is a species of arctic grass that is unpalatable to Canada geese, Branta canadensis, and may be an effective and non-lethal means of controlling the growing populations of urban Canada geese that are problematic in many areas of North America. The secondary metabolite profile of P. arctica was compared to the metabolite profiles of three palatable grass species to determine the plausibility that P. arctica is chemically defended. The volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolite profiles of both P. arctica and the palatable grasses were the same. No alkaloids were detected in any of the grasses. Condensed tannin levels were similar in all of the grasses. Gallotannin levels were higher in the palatable grasses than in P. arctica. However, ellagitannin levels were higher in P. arctica than in the palatable grasses and may be responsible for its unpalatability to Canada geese. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The natural products chemist T. A. Geissman once said that "the future.. .is to use the chemical information as the starting point for enquiry into questions that lie in the realms of biology." This statement eloquently summarizes what has become the central theme of this thesis. For me, it also now embodies what is one of the most fascinating, promising, and important uses for the science of chemistry. I would like to start by thanking the members of my committee Dr. Tom Clausen, Dr. Cathy Cahill, Dr. John Keller, and Dr. Richard Stolzberg for their unwavering guidance, encouragement, and belief in me. I am especially grateful to Dr. Tom Clausen for giving me the opportunity to turn what started out as a ziplock bag full of grass clippings into an interesting and rewarding thesis project. I would also like to thank Dr. John Bryant for introducing me to the biological side of natural products chemistry. Together, both he and Dr. Clausen have opened my eyes to the intriguing world of chemical ecology/chemical defense and all of the important work that is being done by both chemists and biologists in this field. I would like to thank Peter Scorup of Northern Native Seeds for providing me with both the plant material and basis for my project. His encyclopedic knowledge and photographs of Puccinellia arctica have also been most helpful. I am eternally indebted to the true heart and soul of the chemistry department, Sheila Chapin and Marlys Schneider. Without their help, literally none of this work would have


Diffraction effects of secondary mirror spiders upon telescope image quality can be important in certain imaging applications. However, rigorous analytical calculations are often unwieldy and virtually all commercially available optical design and analysis codes that have a diffraction analysis capability are based upon numerical Fourier transform algorithms which lack adequate sampling density to model very narrow spiders. A simple empirical equation is developed that allows accurate engineering calculations of fractional encircled energy to be made for arbitrary spider configurations. Characteristic design and evaluation curves are provided for use with this equation for a variety of obscuration ratios and spider widths. The results of this empirical equation are compared to those of rigorous calculations to determine its range of validity. Finally, parametric encircled energy curves are presented that provide insight into the diffraction effects of secondary mirror spiders.


ABSTRACT Public transport services are often improved to decrease auto-related mobility. However, it remains unclear how the built environment influences auto ownership and commuting mode choice near public transit stations. Using 3318 individuals across China, this study contributes to investigating the relationship between the built environment, auto ownership and commuting mode choice simultaneously in neighborhoods near public transit stations by employing an integration of a structural equation model (SEM) and discrete choice model (DCM). The results indicate that the built environment exhibits significant impacts on auto-related mobility near public transit stations and auto ownership plays an intermediary role between the exogenous variables and commuting mode choice, thus it can moderate the influences of built environment attributes on commuting mode choice. The results suggest that increasing green coverage rates and promoting diverse land use development strategies in transit-oriented development (TOD) areas may make contributions to auto-related mobility reduction and low-carbon travel initiatives.


AIM
The determination of the influence of non-metallic posts on the stress distribution to the supporting tissues.

METHOD
Two 3D models were created: one intact maxillary incisor and one reconstructed with post (ceramic, carbon fiber and glass fiber). The compressive load (30daN) was applied to an angle of 45 degrees on the palatal surface of the crown. The Algor software computed the stress for each model comparing the maximum registered intensity, localization and concentration into the dento-periodontal complex.

RESULTS
The fiber reinforced posts induced lower stress peak inside the root, the von Mises stress in the teeth reconstructed with carbon and glass fiber post being similar to that recorded in a tooth without post. The ceramic post produced the greatest stress concentration in the middle third of the root, this behavior supporting the potential risk of the vertical root fractures registered "in vivo".

CONCLUSIONS
The fiber reinforced posts are more suitable for the clinical longevity of the tooth, representing the best choice to reconstruct an endodontically treated tooth.


(57) Abstract: an internal combustion engine (11), a cylinder (17) and the engine block has a (13) is fixed to the engine block combustion chamber and the cylinder head defining the (51) (21) includes a piston (31), the. Piston surface (37) has a cylinder axis (19) a recess with a cylindrical wall which extends around the tilt to which the shaft (43) (41) with respect to (39). Fuel injection nozzle (55) is provided in the cylinder axis (21) at an angle inclined to the cylinder axis (19), the spark plug (71) is from the fuel injection nozzle (55) of the cylinder (17) It is provided at an oblique angle with respect to the cylinder axis (19) on the opposite side. Fuel injected into the combustion chamber (51) is reflected by the recess in the direction of the spark plug (71) (39).


On the basis of our practical experience in applying the classroom game on rent seeking proposed by Goeree and Holt, we suggest two setup modifications and one extension to the original game. The modifications are intended to increase the teaching value of the classroom game by enlarging the choice space of the teams and further clarifying the welfare consequences of rent seeking. The extension is introduced to show that teams' high risk preference does not result from a misperception of the decision-making problem. Instead, this preference is argued to be the consequence of the rivalrous nature of the game.


The authors consider antiplane shearing motions of an incompressible viscoplastic solid. The particular constitutive equation employed assumes that the stress tensor has an "elastic" component and a component which can exhibit hysteresis. The model exhibits both "kinematic" and "isotropic" hardening. Our results consist of a set of energy type estimates for the resulting system, L2 contractivity estimates for the solution operator, and finally an analysis of the approach of our system to a "rate independent" model as a distinguished parameter describing our flow rule approaches zero. We also include some computational results for simple piecewise constant data.


Internal audit is an important part of corporate governance. Internal Audit as an independent and objective supervisor of operating processes, giving opinions to improve the efficiency of risk management processes, control processes and governance processes. Thereby, providing the Board of Directors and leaders with an independent view to promote cooperation, monitoring and early warning about new risks, improving the efficiency of business processes to add value and improve operations, while playing a catalytic role and fostering an internal corporate culture of risk management and compliance. In this article, the author mentions the three lines model and compares the three lines model with the previous three lines model of defense to identify challenges internal audit in joint stock companies. The research results make recommendations to enhance the role of internal audit in governance in order to minimize risks, fraud, and bring more value to businesses at Joint stock companies.


Inefficient compressed air systems in deep-level mines deteriorate energy performance and increase operational costs. Leaks, wastages, and misuse are common inefficiencies that necessitate an oversupply of compressed air. It is therefore important to identify where the opportunities for improvement are located. Underground mining equipment can be used to develop a zero-waste compressed air demand profile. This profile can then be simulated for the entire operation to determine a theoretical baseline. Noticeable inefficiencies are then identified by comparing the actual data with the zero-waste baselines. The results of this study showed that the surface operations oversupply compressed air by 15% (10 kg/s of air) per day. This requires an additional 80 MWh of electricity (14.5% of the total) and costs approximately R91 000 per day. The comparison with the zero-waste baselines showed that 7.9 kg/s of air is wasted at the underground levels during drilling periods, highlighting the areas that require mitigation projects to improve the performance while decreasing costs and wastages. Keywords zero-waste baseline; compressed air; deep-level mine


Constellations autonomous operation capability of the satellite navigation system is one of the primary ways for improving system's survivability. It is unrealistic obviously that the satellites do not update the data to test and verify the constellations autonomous operation capability under the condition of satellite navigation system can support by the ground-monitoring system. The study of measuring and estimating constellations autonomous operation time synchronization's accuracy in condition of the satellite navigation system operate normally is so little. This paper discusses the importance of testing and verification for diffident working mode, it provides one kinds of method of measuring and estimating the time synchronization accuracy under constellations autonomous operation based on the ground testing system. In the paper, it gives the basic principle and the computational model, verifying and analysing the method by simulation data. This method provides technical support for building global satellite navigation system's inter-satellite link.


Objective: Hypertension (HTN) is the worldwide leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As a modifiable risk factor, epidemiological measures derived from cohort studies are important to influence policymakers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the population attributable risk (PAR) for cardiovascular disease associated with hypertension. Design and method: We included 1244 subjects (mean age 52.3 y, 51% females), who participated in Hortega 13 years Follow-Up Study. HTN was defined as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure or the use of antihypertensive medication. We used Cox proportional hazard analysis adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors to determine the association of HTN with incident CVD cases. The primary endpoint was incidence of fatal and non-fatal CV events. Due to the presence of confounding factors, the PAR was calculated as pd*(HR-1)/HR and 95% confidence interval was calculated using Bonferroni inequality method. Hazard Ratio (HR) estimates and HTN prevalence among cases (pd) were used to calculate sex-specific PARs for heart failure (HF), coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Results: In our population, overall prevalence of hypertension was 34.7% (n = 211) and 34.1% (n = 217) for men and women, respectively. The HR for all CVD and the PAR associated with HTN was 1.89 (95% CI 1.63, 2.18) and 33.1 (95% CI 22.1, 43.8) respectively in men and 1.71 (95% CI 1.4, 2.09) and 33.8 (95% CI 19.4, 47) in women. The HR for CHD plus stroke and PAR associated with HTN was 1.7 (95% CI 1.42, 2.02) and 27.3 (95% CI 14.7, 40.6) in men and 1.91 (95% CI 1.48, 2.46) and 38.3 (95% CI 19.4, 54.6) in women. The HR for HF and PAR associated with HTN was 3.2 (95% CI 2.11, 4.83) and 57.4 (95% CI 31.3, 75) in men and 3.97 (95% CI 2.4, 6.56) and 69.4 (95% CI 41.6, 83.5) in women. Conclusions: In our population, approximately 33% of incident CVD is attributable to hypertension. This study emphasizes the role of hypertension as agent in different cardiovascular diseases, with a burden of up to 70% in women with heart failure.


The ability to model and predict pavement condition accurately is critical to the success of pavement management systems. This paper evaluates the applicability of three mathematical curve-fitting techniques for modeling pavement condition deterioration behavior. The mathematical models investigated are: stepwise regression, B-spline approximation, and constrained least-squares estimation. The best features of each are integrated into an interactive format capable of operating within the PAVER pavement management system. Pavement sections from a given location consisting of the same pavement type, use, and rank are grouped into families. Models that filter obvious errors and statistical outliers from the data are applied to the family data. Both the B-spline approximation and constrained least-squares techniques are used in the screening process. A constrained least-squares curve-fitting technique is used to fit a family prediction model curve to the filtered data. Pavement condition prediction at the section level is accomplished using the position of a section relative to the family prediction model curve. Extrapolation of pavement family condition values beyond the maximum age available in a family data base is accomplished using a backtracking method. These methods were determined to give the most consistent and believable results from among a number of possible methods considered. These procedures constitute a complete method to model and predict pavement family behavior and pavement section behavior accurately. The method is being integrated into the PAVER pavement management system to improve the pavement evaluation process.


This study aims to explore the senses and meanings of prison as a place of punishment in two women who are in pre - release in the prison and medium-security prison facility Buga. It is approached from a cultural historical perspective that places as central to analyze subjective processes. This research was qualitative, with exploratory design constructive- interpretative character, oriented from the Qualitative Epistemology Gonzalez Rey (2006). Life stories were performed in order to show feelings and meanings about life in prison two women in pre - release. The results show how shared meanings and also through economic, religious, historical and cultural factors evidence the sense that each gives to prison as punishment.


Objective: To define the contribution of platelets, specifically platelet‐associated P‐selectin, to the altered venular and arteriolar responses induced by hypercholesterolemia.


It is wonderful to see a number of new studies of Chronicles that break the stranglehold of more traditional historical-critical concerns. Not that long ago you had to search quite hard for something a little more interesting in that corner of the Hebrew Bible. No longer is that the case. Alongside a string of articles by Christine Mitchell and Julie Kelso's new book, O Mother, Where Art Thou? (Equinox 2008), comes Steven Schweitzer's Reading Utopia in Chronicles. This work is overdue for sure. Suddenly the Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah section at the annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting in North America, where in 2007 at San Diego, I was on a panel discussing Schweitzer's book, has become a whole lot more fascinating. As for Schweitzer's book, he argues that the substantial insights of utopian literary theory are able to make sense of many of the problems in Chronicles. Even more, the text itself becomes a series of utopian visions that turn around three key elements: the genealogies, the retelling of political history and the detailed attention to the cult, or the organisation of the temple and its worship. While the genealogies play with time, stretching it, collapsing it, moving from one type of genealogy to another, and connecting unexpected characters, the political history of the kings of Judah offer a very different picture from that other account in 1 and 2 Kings. In the Chronicler's political history we find, argues Schweitzer, a more hopeful picture than the fatalistic inevitability of the books of Kings. Finally, in its careful attention to the cult, Chronicles gives us a better world in which ritual and organisation are properly ordered. While Schweitzer defines 'utopia' as a 'better alternative reality' (a phrase you will find more than once in the book), it seems to me that a better insight into his whole argument is that the Chronicler (the name given the unknown author or group of authors) was an innovator and not a legislator (p. 136). That is, unlike the majority of commentators who seek out historical detail, or who see the Chronicler as one who wanted to lock in certain practices of his (or their) time, Schweitzer argues that the Chronicler is far more imaginative than that. BOOK REVIEW


192 Background: STAT3 transcription factor is a critical mediator of signaling by IL-6, a cytokine promoting aggressive, castration-resistant prostate cancers (CPRCs). Importantly, STAT3 activation propagates from cancer cells to the tumor-associated immune cells, thereby generating immunosuppressive and proangiogenic tumor microenvironment. Janus kinase inhibitors provide an attractive method for disrupting IL-6/Jak/STAT3 signaling in both cancer and immune cells to amplify therapeutic effects. Methods: We tested the effect of selective Jak2 inhibitor, SAR302503, in xenotransplanted DU145 CPRCs and the tumor-associated myeloid immune cells in NSG mice. Results: Our initial results confirmed verified that oral gavage of 75 to 100 mg/kg SAR302503 results in dose-dependent inhibition of Jak2 phosphorylation in lysates from whole s.c. growing DU145 tumors within 18 h after treatment. Repeated daily treatment using SAR302503 (75 mg/kg) reduced phosphorylation of both Jak2 and STAT3, induced cancer cell death ...


The paper discusses the ontological aspect of naturalism by recasting the debate between reductionist and functionalist views of organization. Crude naturalism advocates the reduction of organizational goals to the presumed preconstituted preferences of its members, while antinaturalism maintains that the organization has an individuality to the extent that the behavior of members is a function of organizational goals. The paper argues that both camps ignore complexity. The idea of complexity highlights the context-sensitivity of the action of agents. The idea promises to supersede the simplistic reductionism/functionalism dichotomy and, hence, to embrace naturalism without falling into reductionism.


Brain research is challenging. One of the standard research methods is electroencephalography (EEG). As a rule, this study is presented in the form of graphs. This article describes an approach in which this data is mapped onto a brain model generated from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This allows you to look at the EEG study from a different point of view. An MRI scan will also allow you to take into account some of the features of the brain. This is an advantage over mapping just to a brain template. This non-invasive system can be implemented to monitor the patient in real-time, for example, during space flight.


A process for recovering fine gold by the electrolytic refining of water contaminated with accompanying elements raw gold, wherein the electrolysis is carried out in a pan, the impermeable by containing gold anion membrane (3) in a first region (1) with the electrolyte solution (E1), which dissociated hydrochloric acid and a second region (2) with the electrolyte solution (E2), which contains dissociated sulfuric acid is divided. The raw gold is anodically dissolved in a first step, and deposited in a third step than simply refined Feingold cathodically. In a third step, the refined simply Feingold is anodically dissolved and refined cathodic than twofold fine gold (up to a strength of 99.999% purity) is deposited in a fourth step. The formation of a solid silver chloride coating on the anode in the electrolyte solution (E1) is prevented by adding of urea and subjecting the anode to ultrasonic or reduced.


Noise-resistance capability is a very important issue to signal processing systems as well as machine learning applications. In this work, we present a new kernel that is highly robust against outliers and random noises. By incorporating a robust ρ-function into the distance metric, the derived robust kernel was shown to be very insensitive to the influence of outlier elements. In the experiments, we show that the proposed kernel brought significant improvement to the support vector machines (SVM) classifier in face recognition accuracy and outperformed several traditional kernels for corrupted data. We also applied our kernel to the kernel principal component analysis (PCA) and evaluate the efficiency in recovering contaminated face images. Experiments show our robust kernel also brings benefits in noise-reduction applications.


This paper investigates user pairing algorithm in multiple-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) systems. Considering that users report Precoding Matrix Index (PMI) and Rank Indicator (RI) to indicate precoding matrix, multiple orthogonal PMI&RI clusters are designed to reduce the MU-channel state indicator (MU-CSI) feedback overhead. On the basis of such predefined orthogonal clusters, a novel user pairing algorithm is proposed to make the tradeoff between cell throughput and MU-CSI feedback overhead. To further simplify computational complexity, we propose a suboptimal algorithm. Unlike previous researches, the transmission data streams of paired users are adaptively adjusted according to the channel condition. Simulation results show that the cell throughput gain achieved by our proposed algorithms is close to that achieved by other user pairing algorithms, with less feedback overhead in Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) systems.


We consider a scalar field action for which the Lagrangian density is a power of the massless Klein-Gordon Lagrangian. The coupling of gravity to this matter action is considered. In this case, we show the existence of nontrivial scalar field configurations with vanishing energy-momentum tensor on any static, spherically symmetric vacuum solutions of the Einstein equations. These configurations in spite of being coupled to gravity do not affect the curvature of space-time. The properties of this particular matter action are also analyzed. For a particular value of the exponent, the extended Klein-Gordon action is shown to exhibit a conformal invariance without requiring the introduction of a nonminimal coupling. We also establish a correspondence between this action and a nonrelativistic isentropic fluid in one fewer dimension. This fluid can be identified with the (generalized) Chaplygin gas for a particular value of the power. It is also shown that the nonrelativistic fluid admits, apart from the Galileo symmetry, an additional symmetry whose action is a rescaling of the time.


Objective To analyze the categories of the low-polarity components in Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm.et Diels.Method GC-MS method was used to analyze the contents of the extract of Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm.et Diels.Mass spectrum bar graph analysis and NIST spectrum retrieval database were employed to determine the structures of the compounds.Results 42 kinds of lipophilic compounds were identified from the extract of Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm.et Diels.Conclusion The main lipophilic compounds were long-strain diolefines,long-strain fatty acids and steroids in the extract of Pteroxygonum giraldii Damm.et Diels.


by the suboccipital route with removal also of the posterior wall of the internal auditory meatus. The facial nerve was preserved. There was a facial paralysis post-operatively which improved in due course


BACKGROUND
The aim was to determine the effect of proximal gastric vagotomy on proximal gastric tone, distal gastric motility, and gastric emptying in seven conscious dogs.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Before vagotomy, insulin (1 unit/kg intravenously) caused a prompt decrease in proximal gastric tone measured with a barostat and a marked increase in distal gastric motility measured with a perfused, pressure-sensitive catheter, both of which were maximal at 30 minutes. Proximal gastric tone then returned to the control level during the ensuing 30 minutes, whereas the increase in distal gastric motility continued. Gastric emptying of an inert marker, polyethylene glycol, was unchanged by insulin. After vagotomy, insulin again caused a prompt decrease in proximal gastric tone, an increase in distal gastric motility, and no change in gastric emptying of marker, but the decrease in proximal gastric tone now persisted for the entire hour after administration of insulin.

CONCLUSIONS
Relaxation of the proximal stomach is mediated by pathways not solely dependent on the proximal gastric vagal nerves, but the ability to regain proximal gastric tone is impaired by proximal vagotomy. In contrast, vagal drive to distal gastric motility and gastric antral emptying are preserved after proximal gastric vagotomy.


The spin echo experiment is an important tool in magnetic resonance for exploring the coupling of spin systems to their local environment. The strong couplings in a typical Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) experiment lead to rapid relaxation effects that puts significant technical constraints on the kinds of time domain experiments that one can perform in ESR. Recent developments in high frequency ESR hardware have opened up new possibilities for utilizing phase-modulated or composite phase slice (CPS) pulses at 95 GHz and higher. In particular, we report preliminary results at 95 GHz on experiments performed with CPS pulses in studies of rapidly relaxing fluid state systems. In contemporary ESR, this has important consequences for the design of pulse sequences where, due to finite excitation bandwidths, contributions from the Hamiltonian dynamics and relaxation processes must be considered together in order to achieve a quantitative treatment of the effects of selective, finite bandwidth pulses on the spin system under study. The approach reported on here is generic and may be expected to be of use for solid state and fluid systems. In particular we indicate how our approach may be extended to higher frequencies, e.g., 240 GHz.


Background and aim. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer diagnosed worldwide. Deregulation of Wnt/ (cid:69) -catenin pathway has been associated with the development of HCC in a substantial number of cases in Europe and far less in Asia. Nothing is known about this pathway in HCC cases from South America. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of mutations in (cid:69) -catenin gene (CTNNB1) and the subcellular localization of (cid:69) -catenin in HCC cases from Colombia. Material and methods. We determine by direct sequencing the frequency of mutations in exon 3 of CTNNB1 gene and by immunohistochemistry the subcellular localization of (cid:69) -catenin in 54 samples of HCC obtained from three pathology units in Bogota and Medellin cities. Results. Only three HCC cases (5.6%) were found mutated at residues (G34E, S45P, P44S, T41I) important for phosphorylation and ubiquitination of (cid:69) -catenin protein. Strikingly, nuclear or cytoplasmic accumulation of (cid:69) -catenin, hallmark of Wnt pathway activation, was found in 42.6% HCC cases (23/54). Interestingly, (cid:69) -catenin accumulation was significantly more frequent in young patients and hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Conclusions. Although, CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations are not frequent in HCC from Colombian patients, our findings indicate that Wnt/ (cid:69) -catenin signaling is activated in 42.6% of HCC samples. Furthermore, Wnt signaling was demonstrated in HCC cases associated of HBV infection, one of the most important HCC risk factors in Colombia.


In contemporary cultural scenes saturated by 'intermediality' and 'transmediality', adaptation studies have challenged the distinction and hierarchy between the source and its adaptation, the author and the reader-spectator, and a variety of genres and media. While early critics of adaptation studies centred on fidelity criticism, recently Linda Hutcheon breaks free from literary elitism and emphasizes how stories, 'like genes', adapt to new environments 'by virtue of mutation'. Hutcheon argues, 'the fittest [stories] do more than survive; they flourish' in today's fierce competition for 'cultural selection'. This postmodernist notion of adaptation as proliferation, however, remains curiously reticent about the 'value' of such proliferation. My article argues that in the era of textual proliferation, adaptation has an ethical responsibility to voice the story of the socially and sexually 'unfit'. I then analyse The Handmaiden as a failed attempt at this ethical project. Directed by Chan-wook Park, a South Korean auteur, The Handmaiden borrows from Sarah Waters' Fingersmith (2002), a novel about female romantic friendship in nineteenth-century England. Although Park's visually stunning film epitomizes the indigenization of the 'fittest' story, its graphic portrayal of lesbian sex and change of setting leaves the question of sexual objectification of Asian women and Japanese colonization unanswered.


This book presents a reconstruction of Marx' moral theory. Marx held a moral theory as the basis of his condemnation of capitalism. His theory relies on a normative view of human nature. On this view, humans have the potential to become free, creative, truly social producers. For Marx, this is the highest good for humans. On this reconstruction, truly social gets explicated as humans acquiring through historical development the virtue of beneficence. This virtue eliminates the need for a theory of rights for communist society and finds its beginning in proletarian revolutionary motivation within capitalism. In addition, Marx held the communist distribution principle to be normative though non-juridical.


Based on harmonic superposition method (WAWS method) under the situation of multiple fluctuating wind speed, the spatial correlation of multi-point and Simiu spectrum were considered. Meanwhile decimation in time Fast Fourier Transform method (DIT-FFT method) was carried on optimizing the speed of wind. Then the fluctuating wind speed long direction of wind was simulated.


We compute the invariants of Weyl groups of type $A_n$, $B_n$, $D_n$, $E_6$, $E_7$, $E_8$, $F_4$ and $G_2$ in mod 2 Milnor $K$-theory and more general cycle modules, which are annihilated by 2. Over a base field of characteristic coprime to the group order and where $-1$ is a square, the invariants decompose as direct sums of the coefficient module. With the exception of invariants coming from $G_2$-components, all basis elements are induced either by Stiefel-Whitney classes or specific invariants in the Witt ring. The proof is based on Serre's splitting principle that guarantees detection of invariants on elementary abelian 2-subgroups generated by reflection.


Phase diagram of brine chemical composition in west Taijinar salt lakes was analyzed in the paper.Natural evaporation experimental data were obtained.It provided the basis for comprehensive utilization of brine in west Taijinar salt lake.


A founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)', Singapore like Hong Kong is a centre for trade and investment in Asia. As an entrapot economy, Singapore has found it to be in her interest to promote trade liberalisation and support the World Trade Organization (WTO)2 multilateral trading system. Singapore actively participated in the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)3 and the preparation of the Bogor Declaration of the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC).' Singapore has also entered into several bilateral investment agreements with states both within and outside ASEAN. 5 In recognition


A new type of road marking on residential roads outside built-up areas is emerging: a marked driving strip for motor vehicles. The border marking is situated several decimetres from the edge of the road surface. By this means there exists an outside edge strip between the marking and the road surface edge that could be used by cyclists (and the occasional pedestrian). Between the outside edge strips on either side of the carriageway, there exists a driving strip without an axis line. The driving strip aims to: (i) lower the driving speeds by means of a visual narrowing of the carriageway; (ii) provide the cyclists their own safe place on the carriageway by marking the driving strip; and (iii) to cause less damage by motor vehicles to the edges of the carriageway and shoulder. The question is whether the marked driving strip achieves these positive aims. An answer to this question was sought by means of inspections, observations, and measurements on a number of Dutch roads, with and without these driving strips. The new type appears to have only small effects. Based on the data in this study, it has not become clear that the introduction of outside edge strips, on its own, is a sufficiently effective means of achieving the goals aimed a


Abstract In this work, we studied the effects of the alcohol extract (AE) from Erythrina velutina. Willd (Fabaceae) leaves in animal models of anxiety (elevated plus maze; EPM), memory (inhibitory avoidance test), and epilepsy (pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions and pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling seizure). In the EPM test, at the dose of 20 mg/kg, the AE significantly increased the percentage of entries into the open arms (p = 0.03). In the inhibitory avoidance test, greater test than training latencies were observed for the control group but not for the AE (10 mg/kg) (p = 0.112) and diazepam (p = 0.331) treated groups during the acquisition phase of the test. During the consolidation and retrieval phases, there were differences between training and test latencies for all three groups. In the pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion test, the AE (100 mg/kg) increased the latency to death when compared with the control group (p < 0.05) and reduced the kindling behavior induced by low doses of pentylenetetrazol. Together, the effects described for the AE of E. velutina. leaves on rodent central nervous system resemble the profile of effects of benzodiazepines and could be interpreted as an interaction of the extract with GABAergic circuitries.


Since deformation of vehicle platform is a key factor to influence the precision of the theodolite tracking, a new method is presented to measure the deformation of vehicle platform using CCD laser collimation measurement system. The video signal of the deformation of vehicle platform is gathered by CCD system. The data of undershoot quantity is gotten through processing the video signal in computer and then the deformation quantity of vehicle platform is obtained. The experimental data shows that the deformation quantity of the vehicle platform varies in period with the speed and acceleration, and the trend of deformation curve is the same as the acceleration curve. Maximal deformation of azimuth is 12.57″ and maximal deformation of altitude is 5.98″ when theodolite guides at the speed of 60°/s. This test provides base for feedback and compensation to improve tracking precision of photoelectric theodolite.


Understanding the vertical distribution of large pelagic fish, swordfish in particular, could improve our knowledge on its fisheries strategy, management and resource conservation. However the methods often require expensive tools and resources, which probably most scientists from the development countries couldn't afford. Thus developing model on the diel vertical movement behavior of swordfish using number of hook between float (HBF) and complete-set temperature and depth recorder (TDR) data could be an alternative. In general context, capture depth distributions are a good indicator of the natural depth distribution of the fish if the entire depth range of the species is targeted by longline gear. The proposed sinusoidal model suggested that swordfish showed a diel pattern in depth distribution, marked by remained in the surface and mixed layer waters at night and dived into deeper waters during the day. Keywords: swordfish, behavior, HBF, TDR, sinusoidal model


Aim:  We describe the clinical presentation, evaluation, management and outcome of patients experiencing small bowel perforation following radiation therapy for cervical cancer.


This paper synthesizes the findings of published experimental studies (n = 18) that compared face-to-face (FTF) and computer-mediated communication (CMC). The literature is pulled together by way of ten propositions, each pre sented with the supporting evidence. In general, discussions on CMC take longer, produce more ideas, and have greater equality of participation. There is reduced normative pressure and poorer comprehension of the discussion in CMC. Findings regarding quality of performance, uninhibited behavior, choice shift, attitude change, and evaluation of communication partner are not defini tive. Factors limiting the internal and external validity of these studies are also discussed.