Volumetric mass‐transfer coefficients were measured in an 11‐L external‐loop airlift fermenter with deionized water, a fermentation medium, and during a fermentation. Both a Mackareth oxygen electrode and a novel rapid‐response probe were used. When the conventional step‐change dynamic method was used for water, the long, nonlinear response time of the Mackareth electrode made correction of its readings difficult; this problem did not occur when the rapid‐response probe was used. A comparison was made with a method of mass‐transfer coefficient determination which does not involve any assumptions about the gas residence time distribution. However, this method requires that the liquid phase is well‐mixed and this requirement was not met in the airlift fermenter. Comparison of the present results with other KL a determinations for airlift fermenters showed that KL a in water depends on the active gas holdup, the value of KL a/ϵ at 20°C being ca. 0.37 s−1. Although higher gas holdups were obtained with the fermentation medium than for water, the values of KL a/ϵ were lower, ca. 0.22 s−1 at 20°C.


Corporate Value Is the investor's perception of the level of success of the company which is reflected in the stock price. The higher the value of the company, the greater the prosperity received by shareholders. This study aims to determine the effect of Solvency, Liquidity and Profitability on the Company Value of the property and real estate sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2015-2019 Period. The population in this study are property and real estate sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2015-2019 period, amounting to 75 companies. Based on the sampling technique with purposive sampling obtained a sample of 16 companies. Data collection techniques use the documentation of financial statements published on the official website of the Indonesia Stock Exchange, www.idx.co.id. The analysis technique used is panel regression. The results of this study indicate that: (1) Solvency is not impacted on firm value, with a significance value of 0,1008>0.05 (2) Liquidity is not impacted on Firm Value, with a significance of 0,5810>0.05 (3) Profitability is not impacted on Firm Value, with significance of 0,3354>0.05 (4) Solvency, Liquidity, and Profitability affect the Value of the Company with a probability of 0,000 with an R2 of 85,90%.


-Top grafting is used to accelerate the breeding cycle of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L). Scions, collected from seedlings as young as 1 year from seed, are grafted onto mature interstocks of the same or a related species. Male and female strobili production often begins 1 or 2 years after grafting, thus potentially decreasing the generation time by several years over conventional accelerated breeding methods. We are interested in applying top grafting to our breeding program involving interspecific hybrids, in particular longleaf x slash pine (Pinus palustris Mill. x Pinus elliottii Englem. var. elliottii) hybrids and their backcross generations. Towards this end, we grafted scions from 16 longleaf x slash pine F1 selections onto two longleaf and two slash pine interstock trees of different genotype. The F1 selections were 6 years old and none showed any signs of strobili development prior to, or during the experiment. A total of 100 grafts were made on to each interstock species. Scion survival after the second year was significantly higher on slash (72%) pine interstocks than on longleaf pine (18%). However there were no differences in male or female strobili production per living scion between the interstock species. Scions grew longer and produced more branches on slash pine interstocks than they did on longleaf. Given the relatively poor survival of the scions grafted onto longleaf interstocks and the reasonably good strobili production of scions grafted onto slash, we recommend using slash pine as the interstock species for top grafting longleaf x slash F1 hybrids.


Despite the importance of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in reproductive research, no comprehensive account of the anatomical organization of the female reproductive tract is presently available.


We propose the determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{ub}|$ by the measurement of the spectrum of $B \to D_s^+ X_u$, dominated by the spectator quark model mechanism $\bar{b} \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{u}$. The interest of considering $B \to D_s^+X_u$ versus the semileptonic decay is that more than 50 % of the spectrum for $B \to D_s^+ X_u$ occurs above the kinematical limit for $B \to D_s^+ X_c$, while most of the spectrum $B \to l \nu X_u$ occurs below the $B \to l \nu X_c$ one. Furthermore, the measure of the hadronic mass $M_X$ is easier in the presence of an identified $D_s$ than when a $\nu$ has been produced. As a consistency check, we point out that the rate $\bar{b} \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{c}$ (including QCD corrections that we present elsewhere) is consistent with the measured $BR (B \to D_s^{\pm} X)$. Although the hadronic complications may be more severe in the mode that we propose than in the semileptonic inclusive decay, the end of the spectrum in $B \to l \nu X_u$ is not well understood on theoretical grounds. We argue that, in our case, the excited $D_s^{**}$, decaying into $D K$, do not contribute and, if there is tagging of the $B$ meson, the other mechanisms to produce a $D_s$ of the right sign are presumably small, of $O(10^{-2})$ relative to the spectator amplitude, or can be controlled by kinematical cuts. In the absence of tagging, other hadronic backgrounds deserve careful study. We present a feasability study with the BaBar detector.


With the increasing popularity of cloud computing, especially the emergence of Business Process as a Service (BPaaS), more and more enterprises construct their process collaborations based on BPaaS services. Indeed, the collaborative business process built by BPaaS services can be seen as a complex system, as it covers multiple business processes (i.e., BPaaS services) and they act independently. Since business processes corresponding to BPaaS services are usually provided by different cloud service providers, and their interactions are unforeseen in advance, in actual execution, some behavioral anomalies (e.g., deadlocks) may occur. To this end, based on BPaaS services, we propose an approach to build process collaborations in the cloud. In this approach, we first model collaborative business processes using open nets. Then, we check their correctness based on stubborn sets. Finally, in case they are partially correct, we generate reliable paths for the coordination execution between business processes. Our approach is implemented in the PIPE (an open tool for Petri nets) and evaluated on actual cases that show its effectiveness and efficiency.


In the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, the Irish government committed to incorporating the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ("ECHR") into Ireland's domestic law. Ireland's promise to promote human rights is consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. Although the government agreed to incorporate the ECHR by October 1999, it has yet to be incorporated because Attorney-General Michael McDowell and Minister of Justice John O'Donoghue could not decide how to do so. This Note examines the manner in which Ireland should incorporate the ECHR into Irish domestic law. Part I of this Note discusses background material related to the ECHR and the Irish Constitution of 1937. Part II evaluates disputed rights under the ECHR and the Irish Constitution and examines different methods of incorporation. Finally, Part III recommends constitutional incorporation of the ECHR, and concludes that incorporation would increase human rights protection in Ireland and would provide an objective source of unenumerated rights, subject to judicial review. In the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, the Irish government committed to incorporating the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ("ECHR") into Ireland's domestic law. Ireland's promise to promote human rights is consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. Although the government agreed to incorporate the ECHR by October 1999, it has yet to be incorporated because AttorneyGeneral Michael McDowell and Minister of Justice John O'Donoghue could not decide how to do so. This Note examines the manner in which Ireland should incorporate the ECHR into Irish domestic law. Part I of this Note discusses background material related to the ECHR and the Irish Constitution of 1937. Part II evaluates disputed rights under the ECHR and the Irish Constitution and examines different methods of incorporation. Finally, Part III recommends constitutional incorporation of the ECHR, and concludes that incorporation would increase human rights protection in Ireland and would provide an objective source of unenumerated rights, subject to judicial review.


A comparison of the classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of a simple harmonic oscillator is made with particular regard to its probability distribution function. A simple BASIC computer program is presented which gives students a clear understanding of the probability distribution and serves as an introductory example of the Monte Carlo method of numerical modelling.


We take a portfolio approach to analyze the investment strategy of a venture capitalist (VC) and show that portfolio size and scope affect both the entrepreneurs' and the VC's incentives to exert effort. A small portfolio improves entrepreneurial incentives because it allows the VC to concentrate the limited human capital on a smaller number of startups, adding more value. A large and focused portfolio is beneficial because it allows the VC to reallocate the limited resources and human capital in the case of startup failure and allows the VC to extract greater rents from the entrepreneurs. We show that the VC finds it optimal to limit portfolio size when startups have higher payoff potential--that is, when providing strong entrepreneurial incentives is most valuable. The VC expands portfolio size only when startup fundamentals are more moderate and when he can form a sufficiently focused portfolio. Finally, we show that the VC may find it optimal to engage in portfolio management by divesting some of the startups early since this strategy allows him to extract a greater surplus. The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: email@example.com., Oxford University Press.


The utility model discloses a water treatment facility, comprising a purifier and a drinking machine, wherein the purifier is arranged on the lower portion of the drinking machine. The utility model is characterized in that the purifier comprises a water inlet, pluralities of filter elements which are mutually in series connection and a water outlet. The filter elements mutually in series connection sequentially are a fibrous filter element, a high-density active carbon filter element, a high-energy bio-ceramic filter element, a copper-zinc alloy filtering medium filter element, a special-purpose novel crystallite carbon filter element and a hyper-filtration device. The purifier and the drinking machine are separable and combinative. Because the utility model is provided with the structure, the tap water after being filtered through such pluralities of layers of elements not only is capable of removing tiny foreign matters such as suspended matter, iron rust, hairlike pollutant, hairs and the like, but also is capable of removing metallic ions and radioactive materials. The water formed like that is approximately the pure water which has the advantages to human body, such as immunological enhancement, bacterial inhibition, metabolism improvement and the like.


The present study on population dynamics of gall insects infesting Som (Perseabombycina King) and Soalu (Litseamonopetala Roxb.) plant in relation to the weather factors was carried out in the experimental field of Department of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University and CMER&TI, Lahdoigarh during 2017-18. Results indicated that gall insects, Asphondylia spp. on som and Pauropsyllabeesoni on soalu are host and organ specific. Galls insects appear throughout the year; however, the incidence and population density of the pest variedand reached a peak in July. Correlation and regression studies were carried out between the incidence and population density of gall insects with the weather parameters viz., temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (maximum and minimum), total rainfall, number of rainy days and bright sunshine hours. Significant correlation was observed with temperature (maximum and minimum), relative humidity (minimum) and total rainfall with population buildup.


This paper presents a fully integrated optical receiver for On-Off-Keying (OOK) visible-light communication (VLC) links. The circuit is implemented in AMS 0.35μm technology, with the OPTO process option allowing for high-quality photo-detectors integration. The implemented receiver exhibits a low input referred noise density of 5 pA/VHz to meet the sensitivity requirements of free-space optical wireless links in the visible spectrum. The receiver is tested as a part of an optical setup at 46 cm distance from a 680-nm laser-diode source. A measured 1.8 Gb/s data-rate with a bit-error-rate of 5×10−5 is achieved through the use of high bandwidth circuit design techniques and a programmable integrated equalizer function. The receiver draws 65 mA from a 3.3 V DC voltage supply. The die size is 1 mm × 0.8 mm.


The well-known woolen textiles sold at vacation spots throughout Mexico and the American Southwest are commonly described as being made by Zapotec artisans in the home workshops of Teotitlan del Valle, a community located in the central valley of Oaxaca, one of Mexico's southernmost states. Such a characterization of the location of Zapotec textile production, however, limits our understanding of how this community (and Zapotec weavers) are immersed in transnational articulations and flows. This essay explores the translocal nature of Zapotec textile production by examining multiple versions of a tale about an elderly artisan's interaction with a tourist from the United States, introducing the people, places, and institutions involved in making Zapotec textiles beyond the bounds of Teotitlan del Valle. The multiple tellings of the story also serve to show how one moves through and articulates the translocal, blurring global/local distinctions to create a more nuanced account of Zapotec textile production. (Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, Zapotec textiles, B. Traven, "Canastitas en Serie," multisited ethnography, translocality) The Zapotec of Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico, are a well-known group of textile artisans and a frequent focus of the anthropologist's gaze. Since Elsie Clews Parsons's (1936) pioneering ethnography of the nearby community of Mitla, a stream of monographs (Cohen 1994; Cook and Binford 1991; Fitzsimmons 1974; Popelka 1989; Stephen 1987, 1992; Taylor 1960; Vargas-Baron 1968; Wood 1997) has been produced describing many aspects of life in Teotitlan and other nearby "Zapoteco-speaking pueblos" (Parsons 1936). Analyses of textile production have figured prominently in many of these works. Vargas-Baron's 1968 dissertation was the first of these to describe how several communities, including Teotitlan, are linked in a network of subcontracting relations, coining the phrase Tlacolula "weaving production complex" (WPC hereafter in the text) to describe this network.(2) Weavers and merchants in Teotitlan gained control over access to developing markets for Zapotec textiles in the first half of the twentieth century as new markets for Zapotec textiles developed first in Mexico and later in the United States. Vargas-Baron (1968) traced developing local, regional, national, and international markets; the steadily changing relations of production within and between the communities making up the WPC; and how Teotitecan weavers and merchants managed to garner control over them through a variety of economic, political, and cultural means. By asserting Teotitecan cultural patrimony over this textile art form and using economic and political leverage over nearby communities (as a consequence of Teotitlan's position as a colonial and pre-Hispanic administrative and commercial center), Teotitecan merchants were able to gain power over a complex characterized by piecework and subcontracting relations. These relations extended beyond weavers in Teotitlan to include artisans in the nearby communities of Santa Ana del Valle, Diaz Ordaz, and to a limited degree Macuilxochitl (Vargas-Baron 1968). Beginning in the 1940s, as U.S. tourism in Mexico increased (due to limited European travel as a consequence of World War II, as well as to the completion of the Pan American Highway which passes through Oaxaca), textile production intensified and Teotitecan merchants grew stronger as Teotitecan businesses became the major conduits through which nearly all Zapotec textiles passed on their way to market (Vargas-Baron 1968; Stephen 1987, 1992). During the postrevolutionary period in Mexico, as many Mexican intellectuals (including anthropologists), artists, and political thinkers worked to create a sense of Mexican national identity in which indigenous culture was a prominent feature, an ethnic tourism closely tied to state-sponsored promotion of Mexico's "archaeological heritage" developed (Novelo 1976; see also Delpar 1992; Errington 1998; Kaplan 1993; and Lomnitz-Adler 1992). …


This paper describes the motivation, architecture, initial applications, and objectives for LuckyNet, an AT&T Bell Labs gigabit research network. Building upon the B-ISDN infrastructure of SONET transport and the ATM packet protocol, LuckyNet will provide a fertile testbed for investigating: broadband applications, network architectures, gigabit packet switches and LANs, high-throughput protocols and interfaces, and network services and operations (including addressing, routing, signaling, control and security).LuckyNet is a heterogeneous network that has as one of its major objectives the demonstration that diverse classes of user traffic (i.e., video, voice, data, and image), as well as control and management information can efficiently utilize a single ATM infrastructure. Another goal is to provide users with gigabit-per-second network access. Initial applications provide 155 Mbps access and include video conferencing, document retrievaL low-latency processor-sharing, and Ethernet interconnection. We expect that this will be followed by FDDI interconnection and multimedia conferencing, with the long-range goal of identifying and supporting gigabit-per-second applications. Extensions to other locations and interworking with NREN sites (e.g., AT&T Bell Labs XUNET II) are anticipated. The network already links the Holmdel and Crawford Hill Laboratories (via optical fiber) and the Crawford Hill and Murray Hill Laboratories (via microwave radio) at 2.5 Gbps.


A new rubidium line (SRO) integrating timing functions and time interval measurements was developed using an auto-adaptive disciplining algorithm. This led to an ultra-stable time & frequency machine usable for many applications such as: synchronization of telecommunications systems (SOH, SONET, CDMA), militury communications, navigation, and instrumentation. The frequency and phase-time correction is calculated from an internal phase-time error signal measured within I ns resolution issued from an internal PPS signal (PPSINT) aligned to the PPS reference signal (PPSREF). Furthermore, the SRO itself analyzes the stability of the PPSREF s i g d Thanks to the very good mid-term frequency stability offered by the rubidium technology. The PPS reference of a GPS engine can be directly applied to the SRO without specifw analysis of the internal parameters of the engine (number of satellites in view, signal-to-noise ratio, etc.). When the "track" mode is selected, the PPSINT is aligned to the PPSREF. Then midterm frequency stability analysis of the PPSREF (learning phase) may start providing an internal crystal oscillator locked to the rubidium atomic resonance. Such analysis is performed continuously and the PPSINT will then be phase-locked to the PPSREF as long as the Allun variance of the PPSREF is lower than a pre-defined value stored in EEPROM memory. The phase-lock loop time constant t is automatically selected as a function of PPSREF short-term stability. When a standard GPS receiver is used, being affected by selective availabil&, the typical time constant will be 10,000 to 100,000 sec. Without SA, the typical selected time constant is 1,000 see. Details of the principles of the disciplining algorithm are presented as step response and holdover performance data. THE PRODUCT LINE Our SRO product line has been designed around two different rubidium cell sizes. The SRO-100 model uses a TNT standard cell size of 14 mm diameter and is able to achieve a very good short-term stability figure as well as a very low drift rate. The SRO-75 is based on the same electronics package, but uses a much smaller Rb cell size. Figure 2 shows the evolution of the size of the rubidium cells (left end: SRO-75; middle: SR0100; right end: LPFRS model). The SRO models include specific hardware and software for precise phase-time measurement and a phase frequency tracking loop. The time comparison unit consists of a free-running 16-bit counter driven by 7.5 MHz clock signal locked to rubidium atomic resonance. Such atomic resonance is interrogated by a microwave signal issued from the direct multiplication of a 60 MHz signal produced by a third overtone crystal-based oscillator. Two digital comparators are used to generate external events, such as pulse-per-second signals adjustable in position and width. Furthermore, two additional "time tagging" channels are available for the "time of arrival" of the pulse-per-second reference signal (PPSREF) and an internal pulse-per-


According to the characteristics of higher vocational and technical teacher education, this paper defined its students' core skills and constructed the corresponding analysis model for students' core vocational skills by the means of questionnaire. The model is consisted of 3 skill levels of key core vocational skills, middle core vocational skills and functional core vocational skills and 12 abilities. To effectively promote the cultivation of the abilities, it is vital to launch the reform in course system design, theoretic teaching, practice teaching, studetns' extracurricular activities, etc.


The decay of the ω meson in a heat bath of thermally excited pions is studied within the framework of real-time thermal field theory using an appropriate effective Lagrangian. We show that the ω meson spectrum broadens considerably at temperatures T > 100 MeV, primarily because of ωπ → ππ reactions in the thermal environment.


Precise temperature control of 0.001°C under noise-temperature change of 0.1°C is required in semiconductor manufacturing process. We made an experimental apparatus of a vertical steel plate placed in an atmosphere with a varying noise-heat-generation and a control-heater. The noise-heat-generation is that the heating-OFF and ON every 300 s, and it makes temperature change of 3°C at an object position in the plate without control. The control-heater is controlled with the model predictive control method of 5 s interval with two monitoring temperatures to minimize temperature change at the object position in the plate. In this work, we study the effect of the dynamic predictive model on the temperature change at the object position and examine how to make the best dynamic predictive model. Three methods to make the dynamic predictive model are examined: (1) dynamic step responses are obtained by experiment, (2) dynamic step responses are obtained by calculation with a network model of the object, and (3) both step response patterns are combined. When the step response patterns obtained by experiment and calculation are combined to use, the minimum temperature change at the object position is 0.06°C and 1/50 times smaller than that without control. Also, the effect of artificial error in the dynamic predictive model on temperature change at the object position is examined by numerical simulation.© 2011 ASME


Based on a complete investigation of GuanYinGe scenic region in Yiwulv Mountain and analysis of the domestic and international researches,this paper evaluates the 58 scenic spots with fuzzy mathematics method.The evaluation is done combined with the new development opportunities and under the guidance of ecological aesthetics,landscape ecology and sustainable development theory.The investigation object is the relatively well developed large GuanYinGe scenic region,and it is divided into 3 layers and 18 factors.The scenic spots are divided into 4 grades according to clutering methodology.This paper provides scientific basis for scenic location,decision of development scale and sequence and landscape resources protection and finishing.


It is common for a real-time process to consist of a nonterminating loop monitoring an input and controlling an output. Hence a real-time program development method needs to support nonterminating loops. Earlier work on real-time program development has produced a real-time reenement calculus that makes use of a novel deadline command which allows timing constraints to be embedded in real-time programs. The addition of the deadline command to the real-time programming language gives the signiicant advantage of having a real-time programming language that is machine independent. This allows a more abstract approach to the program development process. In this paper we add possibly nonterminating loops to the reenement calculus. First we examine the semantics of possibly nonterminating loops, and use them to reason directly about a simple example. Then we develop simpler reenement rules that make use of a loop invariant.


For the understanding of the bearing behavior of a loaded ground anchor, the measuring and monitoring of the stress distribution in the anchor tendon is essential. This paper proposes a novel monitoring ground anchor using embedded optical fibers for the continuous strain assessment along the anchor tendon. In a first step, optical sensors have been integrated into short tendons using different methods and laboratory strain testing was performed on these instrumented tendons. The evaluation of the laboratory testing enabled the design and development of an 8m long monitoring ground anchor for field application. In 2009, this anchor has been placed into a wall supporting an excavation pit and subsequently, anchor pullout test was carried out. The anchor was loaded stepwise up to 470kN, almost reaching its ultimate bearing capacity. Optical measurements were taken successfully at each load step. Comparison of the optical data with data acquired using conventional methods indicated good consistency of the results. To a geotechnical engineer, this proposed monitoring anchor provides a powerful tool for the measuring of the pullout load, the anchor head displacement and the load distribution in the anchor tendon.


In this paper, electrical conductive polymer composites for shielding electromagnetic interference have been prepared with ABS and PP as matrix resins and stainless steel fiber as conductive filler. The effects of surface modified and prepared technology on properties of composites were investigated. The result shows that resistivity of composites increases with surface tension of fiber. The conductivity and shielding effectiveness of composites can be raised due to the dispersion of the fibers in matrix has been improved by master pellet technique.


Recent decisions rendered by international courts and tribunals have prompted new interest in the legal profile of the precautionary principle. Among these decisions is the order on provisional measures rendered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the mixed oxide (MOX) plant case and in particular the Separate Opinion of Judge Tom Mensah. The precautionary principle triggers new reflections on the "social contract". It proves that all attempts of social constructivism (that is, of management of society according to a final and pre-ordained plan) is destined to failure, or at least to serious questioning. The precautionary principle also requires one to rethink the interaction between law and effectiveness. There is a need to arbitrate between contradictory interests, and a third party such as a court or a tribunal, through the objectivisation of the content of the precautionary principle, can contribute to this important task. Keywords: international courts; International Law; Law of the Sea; mixed oxide (MOX) plant case; social constructivism


We have observed the Meyer± Neldel rule and the inverted Meyer± Neldel rule for the ® rst time in YBa2Cu3Oy ® lms. The data are explained in terms of the statistical shift of the Fermi level, by assuming a proper density of state in the charge-transfer gap. In copper oxides, the metal± insulator (M± I) transition can be observed by removing oxygen atoms from the Cu± O planes (Aubin and Gagnon 1988). The cross-over from the metallic superconducting phase to an insulator occurs by shifting the Fermi energy through the mobility edge (Heeger and Yu 1993). In the insulating state, the temperature dependence of the dc conductivity is found to obey the Arrhenius relation. An extrapolation of a set of Arrhenius plots with di€ erent slopes shows a well de® ned common intersection point at a ® nite temperature TMN. If TMN > 0, this is known as the compensation law or the Meyer± Neldel (MN) (1937) rule, and, in the case when TMN < 0, this is called the inverted MN rule (Lucovsky and Overhof 1993). According to the MN rule, the dc conductivity is given by s (T) = s 0 exp D E kT ( ) , ( 1)


����� �� W . E. B. Du Bois's famous assertion in The Souls of Black Folk, "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line," has been taken up as a rallying point by activists and critics concerned with the sociopolitical and cultural effects of black racial oppression in the United States. A century later, in the midst of intense afWrmative action backlash and in a post–Rodney King world, we can say that the problem of the twenty-Wrst century is still the problem of the color line, Colin Powell notwithstanding. The complete sentence from which Du Bois's proverbial line is quoted is less well known. In its entirety it reads: "The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line—the relation of the darker to the lighter men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea" (54). Du Bois saw a continuity in the problems of racial oppression in the United States and the rest of the colonized world. Recognizing the strategic transnational discursive construction of the African-American in Du Bois, or much earlier in David Walker, means participating in a critical reconWguration of AfricanAmerican studies and in a broader trend in cultural studies—the move from the local to the global/transnational. Yet this move is neither unprecedented nor singular. From Lenin's explanation of imperialism as a prerequisite for capitalism, to world systems theorists who have demonstrated capitalism's reliance on the development of underdevelopment and unequal exchange in the world economy, the relevance of transnational analyses has been made clear (Lenin 1939, 10–11, 63–64; Wallerstein 1979,


The study examined the profitability of bee honey marketing in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of 45 bee farmers. The data, collected by means of a well structured questionnaire, was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage and frequency distribution table. Regression analysis was also used to determine the factors that influenced profitability of the bee honey marketing in the study area. The result showed that the business is male dominated. Net return analysis showed that honey bee production in the study area was profitable posting gross margin and net income of N131,033.28 and N125,512.12 respectively. The multiple regression analysis using linear functional form as the lead equation showed that the entire significant variables (variable cost, quantity of honey and price of production) had positive influence on the profitability of commercial honeybee production in the study area. The research highlighted some of the major problems which include pest attack, inefficient processing and storage system, small scale production and inadequate capital. It is recommended that government should encourage bee farming through the provision of incentives such as credits to enable the farmer expand production and serves as poverty alleviation outfit. Extension service agents can be used to create awareness and educate women on the benefit of engaging in bee honey business. Bee farmers can form cooperative society. The benefit of this is large scale production which will introduce wholesalers and retailers back in the system. It will also broaden farmers' capital based for business expansion.


Service delivery problems in South Africa's municipalities are currently one of the major hurdles the government of President Jacob Zuma has to grapple with. Complaints about water supply and sanitation often contribute as much as 60 percent to the discontent of urban residents with the lacklustre performance of local authorities. Many of these problems are directly related to a phase of unprecedented urbanisation in Africa, a continent which is currently urbanising faster than any other in the world.


The utility model discloses a novel antenna device. The novel antenna device comprises an antenna carrier, wherein the antenna carrier is provided with an antenna circuit, a surface of the antenna circuit is provided with a metal protection layer, a surface of the metal protection layer is provided with a non-ferrous metal layer, and the surface of the metal protection layer is not coated with a paint coating layer. Compared with the prior art, the novel antenna device is advantaged in that the surface of the metal protection layer is provided with the non-ferrous metal layer, the whole antenna device is not coated with the paint coating layer, so no unfavorable influence on the antenna performance is generated, and the novel antenna device further has properties of simple structure, easy manufacturing and low production cost.


Ensemble methods are learning algorithms that classify new data points by synthesizing the predictions of a set of classifiers. Many methods for constructing ensembles have been proposed such as weighted voting , manipulations of training samples, features, or labels. The paper proposes a novel e semble algorithm which constructs ensembles by manipulating the label set given to the learning algorithm and then classifies a new dataset by a voting algorithm specifically designed for sequential labelling task. The dataset released in th BioCreative V.5 CEMP (Chemical Entity Mention recognition) task was used to evaluate the performance of proposed algorithm. The results revea led th t the proposed algorithm can improve the precision and F-score.


This paper concerns a loading condition where a sheet of level ice drifts against a vertical offshore structure and fails by continuous crushing. The objective is to explore recently collected full scale data in order to find simplified formulas for the size effect, which influences the global ice pressure. The paper aims at creating discussion that would help the development of a forthcoming standard ISO 19906.


Abstract This study aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the financial performance of Vietnamese listed companies from 2012 to 2017. The study uses Fixed effects model and System Generalized Method of Moments to estimate models. The study contributes by analyzing the impact of social responsibility under three perspectives, namely economic, environmental and social responsibility in a developing country's setting. The results suggest that overall CSR disclosure has a negative impact on firm performance, but the perspectives provide a more complete view: environmental responsibility shows a clear negative influence, while social responsibility demonstrates a preferable but weak impact on financial performance. The economic aspect does not show a significant effect on firm performance. The most burdensome category of CSR is the environment-related one, which calls for more careful employment of this investment and governmental support to ensure that it is more efficient.


In a previous article I discussed the views of Montaigne on Cicero, for whom he had, as may be recalled, a lack of reverence most astonishing in that age of Ciceronimaniacs and Ciceronasters.It seems worth while to supplement that investigation by a short study of his classical bookshlelf in general; the idea is suggested particularly by his sixty-seventh essay, On Books, but must also be tracked through the whole range of his work. Such a study will as a matter of fact cover most of his reading; for the greater modern literatures had yet to be born. Montaigne read some French books, and also was competent in Spanish and Italian. He was not ill-disposed or supercilious towards works written in the Romance vernaculars; he thought,for example, that "Boccace his Decameron" and Rabelais were worth reading, though he could not find time for the chivalresque fantasies of the Amadis de Gaula. It was simply that he felt that time is the scarcest commodity of a thoughtful man, and that great writers of antiquity h...


Starting from an supersymmetric electric gauge theory with the gauge group with fundamentals for each gauge group, the bifundamentals, a symmetric flavor and a conjugate symmetric flavor for SU(Nc), we apply Seiberg dual to each gauge group, obtain the supersymmetric dual magnetic gauge theories with dual matters including the gauge singlets, and describe the intersecting brane configurations of type IIA string theory corresponding to the meta-stable nonsupersymmetric vacua of this gauge theory. We also discuss the case where a symmetric flavor is replaced by an antisymmetric flavor. Next we apply to the case for supersymmetric electric gauge theory with the gauge group with flavors for each gauge group and the bifundamentals. Finally, we describe the case where the orientifold 6-plane charge is reversed.


High temperature heating of experimental titanium samples using high frequency currents is studied. The velocity of heating is determined depending on the current value on the inductor. Experimental results are compared to the data of numerical modeling of heat transfer in metallic products. The peculiarities of the heating of cylindrical designs of two types: I (diameter - 3.75 mm, length - 10 mm) and II (diameter - 3.95 mm, length - 62 mm) implanted into the bone tissue were studied. The temperature of the constructional elements of different implant parts was calculated.


I have to make it clear from the outset that this book is not about near infrared imaging. The techniques discussed are mainly using visible radiation or are based on magnetic resonance in the form of MRI; the use of X-ray (CT) scanning is also mentioned. However, the possibility of NIR imaging is clearly in the authors' minds and the book will provide an excellent introduction to the chemometric analysis of images whether they come from microscopes or satellites at whatever wavelength is used for observation. Of the 13 chapters only about five of them are directly related to the method of acquiring the image, The rest are concerned.with the application of chemometrics which will sound familiar to NIR users: preprocessing and scaling, principal compo-


Originality is exclusively attributive to literary retranslation in that the evaluation of a text retranslated is for the most part conducted in light of its creativeness.When a translator as a latecomer is excessively attached to his predecessor or predecessors,the efforts he has made will tend to be reduced to nil.On top of that,retranslation further involves ethical abusiveness when it comes to the balance between reference and plagiarism.As an adequate discussion is supposed to be constructive,the present study will be pivoted on a detailed analysis and criticism of what pertains to abuse of ethics in literary retranslation with reference to the retranslation of Emily Bront?'s Wuthering Heights.


This paper investigates the problem of price and delivery time decisions when demand is sensitive to both the price and delivery time in duopoly market.A model is developed and the existence of the optimal solution is analyzed.Based on the analysis,an algorithms procedure is provided.Through a numerical study,we illustrate how the different firms and market characteristics would affect the competition results.Our conclusion is helpful to the firms in price and delivery time competition.


In this paper, we perform the experimental characterization of a distributed Raman amplifier (DRA) employing time division multiplexed (TDM) pumping. We measure the response of a commercially available laser diode controller (LDC) to typical pump modulation parameters used in a TDM pumping scheme. These parameters are then optimized for the restricted response of the LDC. Using the optimal parameters, we present the noise characterization of an 8-channel wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmission system, counter-pumped using four pulsed semiconductor laser diodes that are time division multiplexed. Specifically, we show that for similar gain profiles and a typical 75-km single mode fiber span, the effective noise figure variation of the WDM channels is lesser by 0.8 and 0.5 dB for TDM-pumped DRA compared with continuous-wave-pumped DRA for 5 and 9 dB on-off gain, respectively.


The synthesis of small spherical palladium(II) iodide nanoparticles is reported for the first time. The formation of the particles by ligand exchange, in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in aqueous medium at room temperature, was investigated by in situ time‐resolved synchrotron‐based SAXS and XANES/EXAFS analysis. These new nanomaterials exhibit a double catalytic role in an aryl alkenylation chemical reaction, working without a base or ligand, in aqueous milieu. There is strong experimental evidence to suggest that the mechanism follows a single‐electron transfer (SET) pathway with the participation of iodide as a radical promoter and the palladium atoms as activator of the alkene moiety. This new protocol could evolve into a broadly applicable radical reaction for the functionalization of alkenes.


BACKGROUND
Female inflorescences of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are wildly used in the brewing industry. Hops have been also used for ages in folk medicine. Xanthohumol (XN) is a most abundant prenylated flavonoid present in hops.

OBJECTIVES
To determine pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of pure XN and XN given in prenylflavonoid extract obtained from spent hops (HOP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Fifty-six Wistar rats (28 females and 28 males) were administered with XN or HOP. Xanthohumol was administered either intravenously (iv.) (10 mg/kg) or orally (per os (p.o.)) (40, 100 and 200 mg/kg). Extract obtained from spent hops was administered p.o. and its doses were based on XN content (doses were equivalent to XN dose of 40, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively). After administration of XN or HOP serum, XN concentration was measured at different time points (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h). Non-compartmental analysis was used to assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of XN in rats.

RESULTS
The XN PK in rats after intravenous administration is characterized by extensive distribution followed by delayed elimination from the body. Enterohepatic recirculation is likely to play a role in XN PK. Some fraction of the orally administered XN reaches central compartment rapidly; however, the overall absorption is very limited and probably saturable. The formulation-dependent factors also play an important role in the bioavailability of the drug. Although the CMAX concentration was higher in female rats receiving XN orally comparing to males, the other pharmacokinetic parameters were unaffected by the rats' sex.

CONCLUSIONS
The same doses of XN may be administered to male and female subjects, as its pharmacokinetics is not affected by sex.


In the development of mathematical simulation methods for engineering processes, it is essential to validate the mathematical models. Its results must be compared with results from other calculation methods or measurements. This is especially true in computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
It is essential that an engineer developing mathematical models in CFD works in a test environment that shows large similarit}' with the computer aided engineering (CAE) environment in industry. He will perform a lot of testruns, leading to enomous amounts of data elemerts (> 10 per testrun) not all valuable. For evaluation the conflicting claims of enabling a quick overview of the results (high performance speed) and storing valuable data in a flexible and structured way have to be handled.
Therefore the demand for a data management system arises. In this report a concept for data management for CFD methods will he given, applied for a boundary layer calculation method developed at NLR. It is shown that the required data management can be realised by using an exif-tlng data management and analysis system.


Abstract An up-to-date overview of the recent history is given, aiming is to present a helpful working guide to the literature and at the same time introduce key systems and observational results, starting from the Sun and going toward the Galactic Center and parts of the Zona Galactica Incognita, and beyond. We start by presenting an observational view of the Milky Way's disk plane (cartographic, dynamical, chemical cross-cut, magnetic). This included the four long spiral arms in the disk of the Milky Way galaxy, their geometry, components, velocity, their widths and internal layers as well as onion-like ordered offsets, the central galactic bars, arm tangents, arm pitch and arm shape, arm origins near the Galactic Center, and other possible players in the spiral arm, such as the magnetic field and the dark matter content. After, we present a basic analysis of some theoretical predictions from galactic arm formation: numerical simulations or analytical theories, and observations are checked against predictions from various numerical simulations and analytical (theoretical) models.


Channel variation plays a crucial role in data transmission. This variation may affect wireless network protocols like IEEE 802.11 and hence the throughput. We propose the combination of a simple channel estimation method based on basis expansion model with channel prediction to improve the performance of the IEEE 802.11 network's MAC protocols in a time-varying channel environment. When many users try to access the medium, the time separation (delay) between two successive transmissions belonging to the same user may vary due to the fairness mechanism used by the medium access protocols. During this delay, the channel may change and efficient channel modeling and estimation methods should be applied. Time varying channel's estimation and prediction have been proposed in order to mitigate the effect of channel variation on the system's throughput. This proposition mitigates also the impact of pilot signals loss, due to collisions, on the system's throughput. Pilot signals are known to the receiver and they are used to predict the future values of the timevarying channel for the following data reception period.


Geoffrey Day thinks eighteenth-century fiction is underappreciated because it is misread. He thinks that much of the misreading results from the application of nineteenth and twentieth-century templates for "the novel"; that is, eighteenth-century novels are judged by standards formulated by subsequent critics for more recent novels. The necessary corrective for Day is to return to the words of the practitioners of eighteenth-century fiction and criticism: for example, "Fielding provided a clear statement of the nature of his work. Unfortunately much contemporary and modem criticism, in attempts to categorize and rationalize, has chosen to ignore the signpost" (p. 21). Day's study surveys the major issues confronted by eighteenth-century critics of prose fiction: fable versus romance; history versus fiction; instruction versus veracity; the moral function of fiction; instruction versus pleasure; the importance of probability. Unusually generous quotations (twenty-four pages from James Beattie' s "On Fable and Romance" to note the extreme) illustrate accounts of the major positions organized chronologically and by issue, providing a useful outline of eighteenth-century criticism of fiction from Congreve to Barbauld. As the above quotation indicates, Day assumes that eighteenth-century pronouncements are largely self-explanatory, to be taken at face value. Occasionally he is forced to acknowledge that there are problems with his approach: "One difficulty with Defoe is deciding in what spirit to take some of his editorial assertions" (p. 1 14). The discussion that follows demonstrates that Defoe's texts are problematic, but it fails to force Day to challenge his faith in the transparency of the criticism he is presenting. And since he has refused to consider (consciously) any but eighteenth-century theories of fiction, he is unable even to attempt to resolve those problems he finds. Much of the strength of Day's study lies with its presentation of opposing positions that effectively highlight the many contentious issues for eighteenth-century critics of fiction. The most extensive treatment is given to the familiar debates between Richardson and Fielding and their respective followers, a focus that allows Day to bring together


A nonlinear model representing oxygen diffusion accompanied by the Michaelis–Menten consumption kinetics inside a spherical cell is solved analytically by the differential transform method (DTM) and the modified Adomian decomposition method (MADM). A perfect agreement between the literature data and the results from the proposed solutions is found. The advantages and drawbacks of the two approaches are discussed and their efficiencies are compared through a CPU-time analysis.


The measuring principle of alignment error based on laser collimator technique was introduced.The laser structure,the signal processing circuits and the data acquisition were proposed in detail.Two kinds of straightness measuring and evaluating methods were synthetically applied,so the measuring and evaluating software of linearity error can be applied to many measuring instruments such as laser collimator,electron leveler and so on.Using the two ideal contain consult straight line which satisfies the principle of the least condition,the calculated date of straight line error has features of high precision and high speed,the experiment shows that the system provides excellent stability and reliability,and it can be popularized easily.


Managing water at the landscape scale in the high rainfall zone (> 600 mm) requires strategies that maintain productivity, the diversity of enterprises, adequate supplies of good quality water for beneficial use, and minimize potential recharge to saline aquifers. This paper highlights the scope and limitations of herbaceous perennials in pasture for minimizing surplus water. In cool temperate climates, the reduction in surplus water achieved with 100% perennial pasture, relative to annuals, is approximately 40-50% (39-97 mm/yr, depending on the climate); whereas in Mediterranean-type climates and on soil types where deep-rooting perennials such as kikuyu, lucerne and tagasaste can be grown, the reduction can be up to 100%. Changing the grazing method and manipulating fertilizer inputs has little effect on the probable occurrence of surplus water and the size of that surplus; but soil type has a major influence on the partitioning of surplus water between superficial lateral flows and deep drainage. Plantation belts of trees such as blue gums are also able to consistently reduce surplus water, and hence deep drainage, to zero.


A method of determination of Cd in the paper used for contacting with foodstuffs by GF-AAS with standard addition was developed. The operation conditions including the digestion of samples,the influence of matrix,and coexisting elements were studied in detail.The expermiment results indicated that the method has the advantages of accuracy,efficiency and operatable.The detection limit is 0.02μg/L,the relative standard deviations of the method are 1.9%~4.8%,and recovery rates are 88%~ 110%.


If P has a prescribed sparsity and minimizes the Frobenius norm |I-PA|F, it is called a sparse approximate inverse of A. It is well known that the computation of such a matrix P is via the solution of independent linear least squares problems for the rows separately (and therefore in parallel). In this paper we consider the choice of other norms and introduce the idea of "target" matrices. A target matrix, T, is readily inverted and thus forms part of a preconditioner when |T-PA| is minimized over some appropriate sparse matrices P. The use of alternatives to the Frobenius norm which maintain parallelizability, while discussed in early literature, does not appear to have been exploited.


There are still considerable breaches between purely qualitative and quantitative approaches in many working models for group dynamics in psychology and social sciences. We argue that an interdisciplinary approach may help bridge these gaps towards more integrative models. We ran a discussion group based on the Operative Group Model (OGM), using a complex systems approach to reinterpret its dynamics, and applied network theory as well as thematic discourse analysis (DA). Finally, we consider the potential advantages of performing an acoustic analysis on the audio recordings from the group sessions. To our knowledge, this integrative approach has never been applied in the context of an OGM. In this study we provide two main levels of analysis: the participant's personal and group experience, and the experimentation and analysis methods' aspect. For the former, we gather data from group theory in psychology, psychoanalysis, the OGM, and the participants' feedback. We then use DA and a bipartite graph identifying weighted "thematic nodes" as a research framework. Finally we explore possible ways to incorporate an acoustic analysis, notably implementing a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The goal is to identify appropriate interdisciplinary models to analyze human group dynamics with both quantitative and qualitative methods. We present some preliminary results from overlapping data that might pinpoint movements towards group cohesion. We then discuss further considerations on the analysis framework and future applications. Finally we consider the advantages of implementing the OGM to foster meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue in research groups, notably to overcome communication difficulties between researchers and enhance collaboration.


Electromagnetic shielding (EMS) clothing is mainly studied for its shielding effectiveness (SE) through practical testing at present, which has many problems such as large experimental error and time and labor consumption. This paper proposes a method for constructing a simulation model of EMS clothing based on feature section replacement. Firstly, a human body model based on an elliptical truncated cone is established. A feature section of the key parts is built according to the morphological characteristics of the human body. Then a clothing structure model is established by replacing the corresponding sections in the elliptical truncated cone model with these feature sections. A digital description method for the model is given. The finite integral method is selected to calculate the SE of each test part when the clothing is completely closed, and the clothing contains holes and seams. By comparison with the measured value, it is concluded that the results of the constructed simulation model are in good agreement with the measured values. This paper establishes a new method to study the SE of EMS clothing, which provides a new approach for the design, production, evaluation and related research of EMS clothing.


Background Female condoms are the only currently available woman-initiated option that offers dual protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The Woman's Condom is a new female condom designed to provide dual protection and to be highly pleasurable and acceptable. Objective We sought to estimate the potential dual health impact and cost-effectiveness of a Woman's Condom distribution program in 13 sub-Saharan African countries with HIV prevalence rates >4% among adults aged 15–49 years. We used two separate, publicly available models for this analysis, the Impact 2 model developed by Marie Stopes International and the Population Services International disability-adjusted life years (DALY) calculator program. We estimated the potential numbers of pregnancies and DALYs averted when the Woman's Condom is used as a family planning method and the HIV infections and DALYs averted when it is used as an HIV prevention method. Results Programming 100,000 Woman's Condoms in each of 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa during a 1-year period could potentially prevent 194 pregnancies and an average of 21 HIV infections in each country. When using the World Health Organization CHOosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective (WHO-CHOICE) criteria as a threshold to infer the potential cost-effectiveness of the Woman's Condom, we found that the Woman's Condom would be considered cost-effective. Conclusion This was a first and successful attempt to estimate the impact of dual protection of female condoms. The health impact is greater for the use of the Woman's Condom as an HIV prevention method than for contraception. Dual use of the Woman's Condom increases the overall health impact. The Woman's Condom was found to be very cost-effective in all 13 countries in our sample.


The simulation of cloth is a demanding task that has become important throughout the past years. The importance of interactive environments for deformable objects like cloth or fabrics in general but also human skin has been increased as the entertainment industry is aiming for constantly improved realism. Also the cloth industry is starting to make product catalogues be available online in interactive ways. The only possibility to grant maximum freedom to the user (who is the customer) while exploring the fabric is to model products virtually. This imposes new challenges to preserve realistic and equally important accurate "look and feel". The mentioned domains have in common that collision detection is needed during the rendering phase. Fabrics might look perfectly realistic by utilizing modern texture functionalities but if the geometric modeling of collisions is messed up, i.e. the cloth intersects itself or the model it is fitted to, the impression is quickly destroyed. Collision detection of deformable objects is a demanding task, however, and interactivity is not easy to reach. In this paper I present some traditional and some new approaches to overcome the problem of complex deformable objects interacting with themselves or a virtual world. CR Categories: I.3.5 [Computational Geometry and Object Modeling]: ;— [I.3.7]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism— Animation


Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Xingshen Prescription on Severe Hypertensive Hemorrhage(SHH).Methods: 200 cases of SHH were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group and the control group.Both of them use minimally invasive removal of the hemetoma removal.The treatment group plus retention enema.200mL each,once a day.Oral or nasal feeding each 80mL,three daily for two weeks,Observe the therapeutic effect and complication.Results: ①The treatment group was superior to the other in efficient and significant efficiency and they had significant difference(P0.05,P0.01).②Survival of patients with daily capacity of the treatment group was superior to the other,and the time of awareness recovery shortened(P0.05).③The incident of complications was more recluced in the treatment group than the other(P0.05,P0.01).④The time that the hemetora removal completely disappear seems more shorten of the treatment group(P0.01).Conclusion: The treatment with chinese medicine and minimally invasive removal had better effect than the treatment with minimally invasive removal only.It can obviously improve efficiency redunce complications.It can improve the quality of life of patients.


The purpose of our study is to study the current approaches of radiation therapy at somatotropinomas and to evaluate neuroimaging indices in long term periods of therapy. The object of the study was 50 patients who underwent radiotherapy. The patients were divided into 3 groups: the 1st group a 1 year after the radiation therapy 7 persons, the 2nd group 1-5 years — 19, the 3rd group 5-10 years — 24 patients. The results of determining the average daily levels of growth hormone at various times after the radiation therapy show that at the time of the first examination, all patients had active acromegaly, which was estimated by the level of growth hormone. Evaluation of the condition of patients in all groups after radiation therapy showed a decrease in growth hormone levels (p<0,01). A significant decrease was observed in group III, the average level of growth hormone was 7,8±1,2 mMe/l. The result of the dynamics of neuroimaging studies at various times after radiation therapy showed a significant decrease in the size of pituitary adenomas in all respects. Conclusion. In the long-term period after radiation therapy, 10% of patients had a decrease in the size of the pituitary gland, 54% had normal pituitary sizes, 16% had no effect and in 20% of cases there was an empty turkish saddle. It has been established that radiation therapy, followed by medical treatment with dopamine agonists, both in the immediate and long term periods after it, contributes to the stabilization of the pathological process of acromegaly.


Titanium alloy with high specific strength,excellent corrosion resistance,stable performance at moderate temperatures etc advantage,has important applications in many fields,but it′s oxidation and oxygen embrittlement under high temperature serious impact on its thermal stability.The principle,characteristic and research results of chemical vapour deposition,physical vapour deposition,ion beam advanced deposition and enamel coating were introduced.The current problems and developing trends in the fields were also put forward.


AIM To investigate the expression of peripheral blood CD54 and its clinical implication in primary renal cell carcinoma(RCC). METHODS Peripheral blood CD54 contents in 30 patient with RCC were detected by flow-cytometry, and 20 patient with benign lesion and 20 normal donors served as controls. RESULTS The CD54 contents in peripheral blood lymphocyte with RCC were significantly higher than those in benign lesion and normal controls (231±10:218±7, 231±10:218± 1;P0.01). There is no distinct difference between CD54 in benign lesion and normal controls(218±7:218±l,P0.05). CD54 content in stage T3,T4 was higher than that in stage T1,T2. RCC with lymph node metastasis or distance metastasis had higher expression of CD54 than RCC without lymph metastasis or distance metastasis(235±10:226±9,P0.05;236±10:227±9,P0.05). No difference in CD54 contents was observed between different histopathological types of RCC(231±1: 231±8,231±1:226±1,231±8: 226±1;P0.05).CONCLUSION The assessment of CD54 in RCC and benign lesion might be an important means to differentiate benign from malignant renal tumor; and to detect the invasive or metastasis and estimate prognosis of RCC.


American political, military, economic, and financial relationships with Europe are reflected in our bal ance of payments. Surpluses were created after World War II when we gave and lent heavily for European recovery, but these have been replaced with deficits which, though they attract attention because they involve gold sales, are in a declining trend. Now that Western Europe is a potent eco nomic force, it can be expected increasingly to share the costs of defending and strengthening the free world, thus relieving some of the burden on the United States. The paradox of the situation in which the United States dollar is a "key" currency is that confidence in the dollar increases as we eliminate our deficits but the disappearance of our deficits will reduce the growth of international liquidity and could impair growth of trade and flow of capital. The present adjustment process for surpluses and deficits works slowly. To compensate, a more flexible international monetary system is required, toward which the United States has taken the initiative, chiefly with West European countries, in developing new techniques of co-operation and co-ordination. The United States welcomes European integration in the long view but anticipates mixed economic consequences in the short run because American sellers will be placed at a competitive disadvantage relative to insiders and possibly threatened competitively in third countries as well.—Ed.


A phylogeny is a tree that relates taxonomic units, based on their similarity over a set of characters. The phylogeny problem consists in finding a phylogeny with the minimum number of evolutionary steps. We propose a new neighborhood structure for the phylogeny problem. A greedy randomized adaptive search procedure heuristic based on this neighborhood structure and using variable neighborhood descent for local search is described. Computational results on randomly generated and benchmark instances are reported, showing that the new heuristic is quite robust and outperforms the other algorithms in the literature in terms of solution quality and time-to-target value.


The problems of the synthesis and analysis of discriminators under the influence non-Gaussian noise with a band-limited are considered. It is shown that in the above case, the discriminator is dual channel. Therefore the characteristics of the nonlinear transformation unit of the discriminator are determined by the Fisher information relative to the density of probability distribution of the amplitude of the mixture of non-Gaussian band-limited noise and mismatch errors. The ratios are obtained, that allow us to estimate the efficiency of the signal processing with mismatch errors taken into account. It is shown that when processing is non-linear, the power of the band-limited noise at the output of the discriminator is smaller than the power of the broadband noise.


Aims: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other related species. It typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can affect other sites (extra-pulmonary TB) . A profusion of articles have been published on the accuracy and uses of interferon-gamma releasing assays for detection of this disease. Experimental Design: A prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was done in Kirkuk city between November 2012 to February 2013. Methodology: The present study included 50 individuals (40 suspected tuberculosis patients and 10 healthy controls). The patient were examined for the presence of TB by using QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube(QFT-GIT) assay, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared them with certain new and routine tests like AFB smear, OnSite TB rapid test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and chest X-ray. Result: The present study showed a relation between QFT-GIT and OnSite TB rapid test, and they were positive in 25(86%) at the same time; QFT-GIT positive and OnSite TB rapid test were negative in 4(14%) of patients; QFT-GIT negative and OnSite TB rapid test positive were seen in 5(45%); while QFT-GIT and OnSite TB rapid test were negative in 6(55%) of patients. In the control group only one QFT-GIT positive but it was


Abstract We consider a two-person nonzero sum game of timing in which the stales of bullets possessed by both players shift stochastically from silent to noisy at random time T in [0, 1] with cdf H(t). The model is evidently an exlension of the classical games of timing to a nonzero sum version under an uncertain information structure. It is shown that the shift of information structure available to the both players yields interesting equilibrium strategies.


The conversion coating with golden color and improved corrosion resistance had been prepared by adding Mn2+ in the Ti/Zr conversion coating solution. Comparing with that of conversion coating without Mn2+, the optimal treatment time of this conversion coating was much shorter and the corrosion resistance was obviously improved. The effect of Mn2+ on the formation of golden Ti/Zr conversion coating was thoroughly investigated by means of energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, SEM, XPS, and Raman and electrochemical workstation. The results showed that the conversion coating had a double‐layer structure: the outer layer consisted of the metal‐organic complex and the inner layer was mainly made up of Na3AlF6. Mn2+ was oxidized into MnOOH in solution and precipitated on the substrate surface which provided the nucleus to Na3AlF6 crystal and accelerated Na3AlF6 crystal formation and also made the microstructure of conversion coating change to the cubic. The mechanism of the formation of the conversion coating can be deemed as nucleation, growth of Na3AlF6 crystal, and formation of metal‐organic complex. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The function of laser fuzes which are parts of certain weapon systems is to control the blasting height of warheads. Commonly the battle environment these weapon systems are confronted with is very complicated and the tactical demand for them is very rigor, so laser fuzes equipped for them must fulfill some special technical requirements, such as high repetition rate, long ranging scope, etc. Lasers are one of key components which constitute fuze systems. Whether designed lasers are advanced and reasonable will determine whether laser fuzes can be applied in these weapon systems or not. So we adopt the novel technology of diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) to design lasers applied in fuzes. Nd:YVO4 crystal is accepted as gain material, which has wide absorption band and large absorption efficient for 808nm pumping laser. As warhead's temperature is usually very high, wider absorption band is beneficial to reduce the influence of temperature fluctuation. Passive Q-switching with Cr4+:YAG is used to reduce the power consumption farthest. Design the end-pumped microchip sandwich-architecture to decrease lasers' size and increase the reliability, further it's advantageous to produce short pulses and increase peak power of lasers. The designed DPSSL features small size and weight, high repetition rate and peak power, robustness, etc. The repetition rate is expected to reach 1 kHz; peak power will exceed 300 kW; pulse width is only 5 ns; and divergence angle of laser beams is less than 5 mrad. So DPSSL is suitable for laser fuzes as an emitter.


PURPOSE: Mounting structure of a light emitting diode guide for a drum washing machine is provided to assemble and disassemble the light emitting diode guide easily, and to prevent failure from separation or installation by forming a fitting groove in the front of the control panel and a hook in the light emitting diode guide. CONSTITUTION: A display apparatus for a washing machine comprises a light emitting diode indicating the operation of the washing machine; a control panel having a hole for transmitting light from the light emitting diode; and a light emitting diode guide(26) having a projection part(27) for guiding light from the light emitting diode through the hole of the control panel. A hook(28) is formed in the light emitting diode guide and separably inserted to a fitting groove formed in the control panel. The light emitting diode guide is installed by inserting the fitting sill of the hook to the fitting groove of an operation cover(23) and fitting to an installation part(23c). Light from the light emitting diode is projected evenly and accurately with etching the surface of the light emitting diode guide and forming a screen hole.


The auditory brainstem response (ABR) by evoked potentials is a widespread auditory pathway assessment technique. This is largely applied due to its cost-effectiveness, practicality and ease of use. In contrast, it requires a trained professional to carry out the analysis of the results. This motivates several research efforts to increase the independence of the diagnostician. To this end, the present work shows the ability of three signal classification tools to differentiate ABR studies of normal hearing subjects from those who may have some pathology. As a starting point, the PhysioNet short term auditory evoked potentials databases are used to calculate the features later applied to construct the dataset. The features used are diverse classes of permutation entropy, fractal dimension, the Lyapunov exponent and the zero crossing rate. To ensure more accurate results, a Montecarlo simulation of one thousand trials is employed to train the classifiers and test the results. The goodness of the classification is performed upon the basis of the computation of quality parameters, such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the F1 score coefficient and the accuracy. In all the cases the methodology proposed gives high performance results that encourage the line of research of the present work.


In the late 2019, an epidemic of cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCov-2) has spread from China to the rest of the world, resulting in a global pandemic (COronaVIrus Disease 19, COVID-19 pandemic). Starting from the first months of 2020, several restrictions have been imposed by governments to face the public health threat, impacting the usual patterns of drug abuse throughout the world (1). The temporary border closure affected the usual illicit drug route of shipping from country to country, resulting in scarcity of classic street drugs (2). Moreover, restrictive measures internationally adopted by several countries made necessary to close all the usual recreational settings in which stimulants drugs are commonly abused. On the contrary, since in house drugs abuse became the most feasible option, other private encounters might have caught on, such as chemsex (3). In particular this phenomenon, which originated mainly in the large cities of Northern Europe, has gradually spread across the continent and is now a worrying reality in western European countries. Other rising trends of substance abuse include cognitive enhancers and new psychoactive substances (4, 5). Furthermore, the consequent social isolation and the likely limited access to detoxification centers caused additional psychological distress, pushing drug addicts toward alternative psychotropic drugs, possibly through illegal online marketplaces. An international overview of the new trends of drug abuse during the current COVID-19 pandemic and the related health risks are hereby discussed, taking into consideration different points of view.


The fluctuations in the zero‐field splitting (ZFS) of the electronic ground state of the Ni(II) ion in aqueous solution have been studied through a combination of ab initio quantum chemistry calculations, including spin–orbit coupling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The ab initio calculations for the hexa‐aquo Ni(II) complex have been used to generate an expression for the ZFS as a function of the distortions of the idealized Th symmetry of the complex along the normal modes of Eg and T2g symmetries. The MD simulations provide a 200 ps trajectory of motions in the system consisting of a Ni(II) ion and 255 water molecules, which is analyzed in detail in terms of both the structure and the dynamics in the solvation sphere around the ion. The time correlation function (TCF) for the ZFS interaction has been computed and analyzed. It is found that the mean square amplitude of the ZFS is about 5.2 cm−1, which is about twice the estimates based on the model‐dependent analysis of the proton spin relaxat...


In this paper we generalize examples of Hamiltonian stationary Lagrangian submanifolds constructed by Lee and Wang in $\mathbb{C}^m$ to toric almost Calabi-Yau manifolds. We construct examples of weighted Hamiltonian stationary Lagrangian submanifolds in toric almost Calabi-Yau manifolds and solutions of generalized Lagrangian mean curvature flows starting from these examples. We allow these flows to have some singularities and topological changes.


Introduction: It´s seen as a less harmful alternative for those who want to quit smoking, the use of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) has become increasingly common. Currently, the safety of this device has been questioned, because it can cause changes in organ systems, including dermatological manifestations. Aim: The aim of this paper is to review those dermatological manifestations associated with the use of e-cigarrete described in literature. Material: Scientific articles were selected using PubMed database, which evaluated the dermatological changes associated with e-cigarette. Results: Oral mucosal lesions as hairy black tongue and lichenoid reactions, beyond contact dermatitis were reported with e-cigarette use. Thermal injuries such as burns  may also occur. Conclusion: The use of e-cigarrete has increased among adults and teenagers since 2010. Adverse effects of e-cigarette are described in the literature, due to exposure to nicotine, chemical, thermal and explosive injuries, which can lead to burns. The oral mucosal and skin may be affected by the use of these devices. Dermatologists should be aware of the dermatological diseases associated with this device.


1. The sources of calves for rearing for beef are discussed and the dependence of the beef industry upon the dairy industry demonstrated. 2. An experiment designed to compare the effects of four levels of feeding on the growth rate, conformation, economy of food conversion and type of carcase produced, of three breeds of spring-born steers, Hereford, Dairy Shorthorn and Friesian, is described. The levels of feeding are high or moderate in the calf stage, each followed by high or moderate feeding in subsequent winters. 3. The results on growth and time of fattening are given and discussed. 4. The calves fed on a high level were almost twice the weight of those fed on a moderate level at 8 months old. 5. The well-reared calf had an advantage over the moderately reared calf for the rest of its life. 6. Although calves which had been reared moderately showed a marked improvement in growth rate when subsequently fed on a higher level they did not reach the weight of calves fed well throughout at 2 years old. 7. The level of feeding in the calf stage had little effect upon the time of fattening provided that the level of feeding in the winter periods of subsequent life was on a high level. 8. When subsequent feeding was on a moderate level in the winter months, the calf reared well initially fattened on grass a year earlier than the moderately reared animal. 9. The high-moderate treatment is shown to be the most satisfactory from many points of view. On this treatment a minimum of concentrates is used in the production of beef. 10. The moderate-moderate cattle may be too heavy for present-day requirements when finished off grass at 3½ years old. 11. Cattle which were fed on a high level in winter from 8 to 14 months put on less live weight in the following summer than those fed moderately. A live-weight gain of about 1 lb. a day in winter would appear to be satisfactory if the cattle are to make good use of grass in the following summer. 12. These main feeding treatment effects applied to the three breeds used. 13. The Friesians were heavier than Dairy Shorthorns or Herefords as calves, and the live weight at most ages was in descending order Friesians, Dairy Shorthorns, Herefords. 14. The growth rate of Friesian steers was higher than that of the other two breeds at most stages of life, but the difference between Dairy Shorthorns and Herefords was negligible. 15. The Herefords finished earlier than the Dairy Shorthorns and Friesians when fattened in yards or on grass. 16. There was some indication (Brookes, 1954) that husk and ringworm caused less trouble with cattle which had been well reared than with those moderately reared.


AbstractThe quantitative assessment of radionuclides transfer to non-human biota using their activity concentration ratios is required for models of predictive doses of ionizing radiation. Based on long-term data regarding activity concentration of radionuclides in the top soil layer of the entire territory of Lithuania, and with the help of ERICA Assessment Tool – a software application that calculates dose rates to selected biota, we estimated the radiological impact on the terrestrial non-human biota with special emphasis on the protected areas located in the vicinity of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). Estimated total dose rates of artificial radionuclides – after-Chernobyl 137Cs and 90Sr as well as discharged by INPP – and natural radionuclides, such as 238U and 232Th, were found to be less than ERICA screening value of 10 µGy h−1.


Embedding of useful information in a host signal without any loss of host information is need for copyrights protection. Customer identification can be embedded directly into multimedia files, this leads to a number of specific requirements with respect to robustness, transparency and complexity. In early data hiding can be done by difference expansion, histogram shifting, and Spatial-domain and frequency-domain techniques. Which lead to high PSNR values and more robust imperceptibility, avoid such a kind of issue this paper concentrate on vector quantization technique which can split and compress the data into smaller groups and are embedded into the multimedia pixels. This VQ method enables for effective pixel utilization and retrieves the content without any loss of original pixels. This kind of VQ is based on indices; the data content can be mapped into many to one form.


Given a query tree Q, the top-k subtree similarity query retrieves the k subtrees in a large document tree T that are closest to Q in terms of tree edit distance. The classical solution scans the entire document, which is slow. The state-of-the-art approach precomputes an index to reduce the query time. However, the index is large (quadratic in the document size), building the index is expensive, updates are not supported, and data-specific tuning is required. We present a scalable solution for the top-k subtree similarity problem that does not assume specific data types, nor does it require any tuning. The key idea is to process promising subtrees first. A subtree is promising if it shares many labels with the query. We develop a new technique based on inverted lists that efficiently retrieves subtrees in the required order and supports incremental updates of the document. To achieve linear space, we avoid full list materialization but build relevant parts of a list on the fly. In an extensive empirical evaluation on synthetic and real-world data, our technique consistently outperforms the state-of-the-art index w.r.t. memory usage, indexing time, and the number of candidates that must be verified. In terms of query time, we clearly outperform the state of the art and achieve runtime improvements of up to four orders of magnitude.


Process Algebras, PAs, are formalisms able to capture the behaviour of a computing system by, for example, giving the labelled transition system, LTS, where states are nodes and where all the possible evolutions of the system are arcs; The drawing of the complete LTS is a NP-hard task, so that, the reaching of a particular 'desired' state is a problem which deserves some heuristic for improving the amount resources to be carried out. Let's take a look to Artificial Intelligence: Genetic Algorithms, GA's are metaheuristic techniques that have obtained good results in problems in which exhaustive techniques fail due to the size of the search space. GA's (21, 11) have been widely used to solve problems in the fields of combinatorial and numerical optimization. Due to their stochastic nature, their behaviour when dealing with some problems is difficult to pre- dict. However, there have been many attempts to develop models related with some of their features. Thus, in their origin, Holland developed the Schemata Theory(21) which tried to demonstrate their functioning by assuming that those configurations of variables, schematas, which contribute to build a good solution, tend to spread through the population as generations pass. Later on, many other attempts have been carried out in order to model some features of these al- gorithms. Thus, statistical models to predict population sizing or time to convergence have been developed in (12), (16), (3). In other works, like (13) (3), Markov Chains have been used for the same purposes. In this paper, as first step to define a Genetic Process Algebra (a Process Algebra which uses GAs to only choose and unfold the more promising branches of the LTS), a basic GA is formally defined and specified by the Markovian Process Algebra ROSA.


Apparatus has been developed for calibration of vibration probes, analogous to that for reciprocity calibration of condenser microphones, except that a metallic rod instead of an air cavity couples the two transducers. The rod is assumed to act as a mechanical open circuit, whereas the air cavity is assumed to be an acoustic short circuit. The product of the sensitivities of the two transducers can be obtained from the current to the driving probe (A), the mass of the coupler, and the open circuit voltage of the pick‐up probe (B). The ratio of the sensitivities of A and B can be obtained as the ratio of their open‐circuit voltages when the coupler is driven by an auxiliary drive. From the product and the ratio, the two individual sensitivities can be calculated.


Integrating curriculum provides rich opportunities for students to focus on relevant applications to the real world and make meaningful connections across different disciplines. This article attempts to go beyond common discourse and platitudes by offering specific examples, showing we—an ethnomusicologist and a mathematics educator—attempted to integrate music and mathematics education curriculum in a graduate mathematics education classroom, with nonmusician graduate students. In our project, we designed and taught a group of graduate mathematics education students a lesson focused on mathematics and world music percussion to explore the ways that nonmusician preservice teachers might experience and use the specific connections between mathematics and music.


Abstract The article highlights the fact that numerous key decisions in temporary construction organisations are made as a result of informal, non-contractual relationships between organisation members that are not a result of formal organisational structures. These hidden relationships can be visualised in the form of social networks and Social Network Analysis methods (SNA) can be used to perform their structural analysis. In latest studies on self-organising networks in the construction sector, researchers have mostly focused on the design phase of large construction projects, e.g. infrastructural ones. Meanwhile, there exists a need for similar research to focus on temporary organisations created for the purpose of performing construction work. The authors took up this subject and examined a self-organising network of communication between the participants of the construction of a multi-family residential complex located in Katowice, Poland. The structural analysis of this network facilitated its in-depth understanding and identifying certain flaws and dysfunctions concerning individual participants of this project, which became a basis for further discussion. At the same time, the authors highlighted the benefits of managing such a self-organising network in the context of the effective achievement of project goals.


Considering that comfort and discomfort must be understood in the light of patients' interactions during illness and treatment- thus linked to institutions' objective factors, grounding rationale, and practices -, this study inquired on comfort and discom-fort such as experienced by men who had suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI). By resorting to the Symbolic Interactionismand to Grounded Theory methodology, data were collected by means of interviews with 13 men who had suffered AMI, at twohealth units in the city of Sao Paulo. The analysis led to building a theoretical model of such experience, made up by threephenomena and essentially pervaded by the discomfort of "undergoing loss of spontaneous action". This articles sums up thebasic psychosocial process that emerges from that experience, and discusses its implications to question the clinical model oftreatment, pointing to prevention as a further scope of action for nurses, besides raising issues to enhance nurse education.


A silica-based flux system was designed consisting of SiO2-Al2O3-CaO. Taguchi L 9 orthogonal array was used to design the flux system for submerged arc welding. Three constituents of flux were varied, with their three levels such as, NiO, MnO and MgO. Open circuit voltage was kept as 32V, nine experiments were performed for bead on plate arrangement. Element transfer study was analyzed for silicabased flux constituents. Weld carbon content increases because of low oxygen content. This happens due to presence of Mno in the flux. Silicon content decreases in weld metal because of CaF2 present in the flux. Copper content also decreases in the weld metal. Sulphur content increases, whereas phosphorus content decreases, because of transfer into the slag during slag metal reaction. Keywords— Element transfer, ∆ Quantity, SAW Flux Design ,Basicity Index,


An aptamer microarray was directly fabricated on a MALDI target plate for high-throughput insulin detection. High sensitivities were observed both in standard solutions (5 ng mL(-1), 0.86 nM) and serum sample (20 ng mL(-1), 3.4 nM). This method shows great promise in the field of biomarker detection.


The present invention discloses an adjustable mechanism of the seat back curve, comprising a back frame, a supporting frame, one pair of the reversing helical screw mechanism support two isosceles triangle curve, a circular arc-shaped top plate, two bevel gear on the screw, a cross-axis bevel gear, the two bevel gears, two horizontal bevel gear, four sets of springs such as patches, horizontal bevel gears driven rotary shaft up and down movement of the top plate, to achieve longitudinal adjustment of the seat back curve; double reversing helical screw rotation drive of the top plate moves back and forth, to achieve lateral adjustment of the seat back curve; force top plate, the spring deformation of the patch, the top plate having a certain degree of flexibility. The present invention meets the requirements of ergonomics, sedentary can reduce the harm to human body.


The computation of a state-space realization of a linear dynamical system. starting from a polynomial matrix description of it, is addressed. Simple procedures are given for obtaining its dynamic matrix (possibly in some canonical or block-companion form) through unimodular transformations, starting from a square diagonal polynomial matrix, obtained as an intermediate step of the overall realization algorithm. >


Acoustic sensing systems are critical elements in detection of sniper events. The microphones developed in this project enable unique sensing systems that benefit significantly from the enhanced sensitivity and extremely compact foot-print. Surface and bulk micromachining technologies developed at Sandia have allowed the design, fabrication and characterization of these unique sensors. We have demonstrated sensitivity that is only available in 1/2 inch to 1 inch studio reference microphones--with our devices that have only 1 to 2mm diameter membranes in a volume less than 1cm{sup 3}.


1. The force of meaning: cultural studies of law Sara L. Knox and Cristyn Davies 2. Memory and echo: pop cult, hi tech and the irony of tradition Desmond Manderson 3. Temporal horizons: On the possibilities of law and fatherhood in To Kill a Mockingbird Austin Sarat and Martha Merrill Umphrey 4. Entertaining torture, embodying law Peter J. Hutchings 5. Instrumental and gratuitous violence: The torture and death of Gul Rahman in the CIA Salt Pit Joseph Pugliese 6. Constructing 'decency': government subsidized cultural production during the culture wars Cristyn Davies 7. Weapons of sex, weapons of war: Feminisms, ethnic conflict and the rise of rape and sexual violence in public international law during the 1990s Rana Jaleel 8. Legitimating transphobia: the legal disavowal of transgender rights in prison John Nguyet Erni


Catalytic process of hydrogenation of gasoline after reforming as one of the methods to improve ecological properties of gasolines has been considered. It was studied the composition of initial raw materials, separated fraction i.b.p. - 90oC before and after  hydrogenation and the mixture of components for a preparation of high octane component for gasolines.


Mentoring program for misplacing workers at libraries dealts with the programs to to organize people in order to they can adjust of work  rhythm  in  the  library. This  study  is a part of human  resources management, making mentee (member of programs) to be independent, not dependent, and can contribute to the library. This program can be applied for same cases in the future.


Objective To establish a stable transplanted model of hypovascular rabbit VX2 liver tumor, and analyze the CT and MRI manifestation of the implanted tumor, then a comparative observation was performed in microscope photographs and CT imaging. Methods Thirty white rabbits of New Zealand were included in the study. We extracted the VX2 tumor strain from subcutaneous tumor, then cut it into 1-2 mm3 microblocks, a piece of tumor tissue were implanted into left or middle lobe of liver, CT and MRI were performed to distinguish the hypovascular liver tumor. And a comparative observation was performed in histopathology and imaging. Results The success rate of intrahepatic implantation of VX2 tumor was 73% (22/30), the tumor were not detected in three rabbits, five rabbits have died in 3 days after implantation. There was significant difference of tumor growth ratio in the second week and the third week. The tumor were shown to be hypointense by unenhanced CT and MRI, non-enhancement or peripheral rim enhancement were observe in 14 cases, the main bodies of tumor remained hypointense. Conclusion The means of tumor particle implantation to make model of liver cancer is convenient and feasible. The CT and MRI are accurate and non-invasive method to monitor the growth and blood vessels of tumor, we found rabbit VX2 liver tumors are hypovascular tumors.


A new Li2O–Nb2O5–TiO2 (LNT) ceramic with the Li2O:Nb2O5:TiO2 mole ratio of 5.5:1:7 was prepared by solid state reaction route. The phase and structure of the ceramic were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were studied using a network analyzer. The microwave dielectric ceramic has low sintering temperature (∼1075°C) and good microwave dielectric properties of εr = 42, Q × f = 16900 GHz (5.75 GHz), and τf = 63.7 ppm/°C. The addition of B2O3 can effectively lower the sintering temperature from 1075 to 875°C and does not induce degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Obviously, the LNT ceramics can be applied to microwave low temperature-cofired ceramics (LTCC) devices. PACS 61.05.Cp · 68.37.Hk · 77.22.-d · 84.40.-x · 81.05.Je


Abstract. It is known that the spatial rainfall pattern can mark landslide distribution across the landscape during extreme triggering events. However, the current knowledge of rainfall controls on this distribution remains limited. Here, to reveal what rainfall characteristics control landslide spatial distribution, we explore the spatiotemporal pattern of a rainfall event that triggered over 7500 landslides (area ≈ 100–104 m2) at a regional scale with an area of ≈400 km2 in Japan. Using a 5 km resolution radar-driven and gauge-adjusted hourly precipitation dataset with 32 years of records, we compared rainfall return levels for various time ranges from 1 to 72 h and landslide density in each grid cell of the precipitation dataset (≈25 km2). The results show that, even if local slope distributions within the grid cells are comparable, the number of landslides in a ≈25 km2 grid cell was substantially high when rainfall return levels exceeded the 100-year return period in all examined timespans (i.e., 1–72 h). In contrast, when only specific-duration rainfall intensities (e.g., 6–48 h) exceeded the 100-year return level, the landslide density in corresponding grid cells tended to be low. Consequently, the landslide density increased with the increase in rainfall return levels of various timespans rather than a specific rainfall intensity, such as downpours for a few hours or long-term cumulative rainfall for several days. Moreover, with the increase in the landslide density, the number of relatively large landslides exceeding ≈400 m2 increased. Therefore, the spatial differences in rainfall return levels potentially constrain the density of total landsliding and relatively large landslides. In this sense, whether rainfall intensities reach high return levels rarely experienced in a wide timespan ranging from a few hours to several days is one of the key
determinants of the spatial distribution of landslides and the extent of
related hazards.