The objective of this work is to develop fluid dynamic model to simulate a high viscosity bubble column for CO2 absorption in Ionic Liquids (ILs). A very promising solvent for CO2 capture and conversion are ionic liquids (ILs); ILs consist of a wide group of salts, which are liquids at room temperature, have low vapor pressure, high ionic conductivity and thermal stability. However, the use of ILs for industrial CO2 depletion has a series of technical and economic issues that must be solved if this strategy is to be implemented. A very important drawback of ILs used for gas removal is its high viscosity, reaching values above 0.010 Pa·s which results in a decrease of the overall mass transfer rate and an increase in the power required for pumping and mixing. In order to elucidate the hydrodynamic behavior in a bubble column for CO2 absorption with one gas feed inlet, a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model was developed, which was experimentally validated through a laboratory scale bubble column. To simplify the calculations and increase the accuracy of the results, the system was modeled as a single rising bubble which permits the estimation of the bubble rising velocity and the change of the bubble shape and size during its displacement. The model approach consists in a simplified two-dimensional multiphase flow model which considers the liquid solvent as a Newtonian fluid. The laminar, isothermal, and non-stationary hypotheses for both phases is applied. To model the displacement of the gas-liquid interface, the Level Set method was used. The laboratory tests were carried out using water-glycerol mixtures (58 %, 78 %, 84 % and 88 % by weight) and two Imidazolium type ionic liquids (pure [bmim]BF4 and [bmim]PF6). To compare the results obtained from the laboratory and the simulations, the drag coefficient for gas bubbles in liquids was used which correlates the fluid physical properties of fluids and the bubble equivalent diameter and terminal velocity. The results were also compared with predicted values obtained through a new correlation for the drag coefficient of single rising bubbles in ILs proposed by Dong et al. (2010). The results indicated that the CFD model is in good agreement with the experimental results, particularly for bubble Reynolds numbers below 5. Above this value, the model tends to underestimate the bubble terminal velocity which can be explained by the effect of the high velocity gradients close to the gas-liquid interface. Future steps will involve improving of the computational mesh, a parametric analysis of the reintialization parameter and the parameter controlling the thickness at the interface transition zone. Acknowledgments. This work was supported by FONDECYT postdoc N°3120138 from CONICYT (Chile).


Avian community diversity of the forest-steppe ecotone in southeast edge of Innermongolia tableland was studied in summer seasons from 2004 to 2006.A total of 73 species was recorded,which belonged to 56 genuses,28 families and 13 orders.The avifanua had obvious character of the Palaeartic realm.The number of species and density of avian community among different years were not significantly different.The α diversity changed obviously with the variation of environment grades of forest-steppe ecotone.The number of species,densities,Shannon-Wiener indexes and Pielou indexes were different significantly between vegetation zones,but not for the diversity of family and genus.The character and change trend of all diversity indexes were as follows,forest zoneforest-meadow region of ecotonemeadow-steppe region of ecotonesteppe zone(the index of DG-F was meadow-steppe region of ecotoneforest zone).The avian species diversity increased significantly in the forest-meadow region of ecotone,and the number of species and densities were maximum in this region,which showed obviously the edge effect of the ecotone.The avian community changed significantly in the meadow-steppe region of ecotone,in which species diversity decreased decreased significantly.The β diversity changed significantly along the different vegetation zones.The β diversity and specie replacement rate of were maximum in the forest zone-forest-meadow region and the meadow-steppe region-steppe zone,which had the biggest environment difference.There was a close relationship between the specie replacement rate and the environment grades.The composition and density of dominant species changed obviously in different vegetation zones.The number of bird species,density,species diversity had significant positive relationship with the forest patch number.In the large-scale space,the forest patch number is the most important factor to affect the bird community diversity.


The Paraiba do Sul river lower reach was monitored monthly between August 1995 and July 1996. This study was aimed at evaluating the temporal dynamics of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus and its main controlling factors. Minimum and maximum observed values were as follows: N-NO2- - 0.08/0.51; N-NO3- - 21/57; N-NH4+ - 1.4/6.7; DON - 4.9/86.0; DIN -24.5/60.9; P-PO43- - 0.43/1.66; DOP - 0.05/0.92; pH - 6.2/7.8; Dissolved Oxygen - 6.4/10.1; Conductivity - 48/74; Temperature - 20.5/31.1 (Nutrients - µM; Dissolved Oxygen - mg/l; Conductivity - µS/cm; Temperature - °C). Discharge presented a characteristic seasonal variation, showing a peak in January. Increasing P-PO43-, DOP, N-NH4+ and N-NO2- concentrations with increasing discharges could be associated to the partial flooding of inumerous fluvial islands and floodplains and to the agricultural practices of sugar cane crops that during the wet season could transfer nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to the fluvial channel.


The aim of the research was to determine the microbiological quality of atmospheric air in the Tuchów Sewage Treatment Plant, based on the presence of mesophilic bacteria, αand β-hemolytic bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. Bioaerosol measurements were made at four points (raw sewage inlet, aeration chamber, purifi ed sewage outlet and 150 m from the treatment plant, at the background point) in the period from January to December 2018. Bioaerosol samples were collected using Andersen's 6-stage cascade impactor. The tested atmospheric air was characterized by a qualitatively and quantitatively diverse microfl ora. The highest amounts of all the studied groups of microorganisms were found at the raw sewage inlet, and in the case of actinomycetes, also twice in the place of biological purifi cation. However, there were analyzes in which a higher concentration of microorganisms was observed outside the treatment plant at the control point constituting the background. This applies to bacteria and fungi. The largest source of emission of microorganisms to the atmosphere was the mechanical part of the sewage treatment plant (raw sewage inlet). The tested treatment plant may therefore contribute to the deterioration of the quality of the atmospheric air. Archives vol 45 no 4 a4 srodki_kor 1.indd 6


To verify whether digestion kinetics influence the satiating effect of proteins, we measured digestive kinetics, hormonal secretions and satiety in humans after the ingestion of caseins or whey proteins. Satiety was studied in 37 overweight subjects. On the 1st day, they received a control liquid snack containing 60 g of carbohydrates. Satiety scores and the delay between the snack and the spontaneous demand for lunch were recorded. Subjects were then adapted to consume daily a protein liquid snack containing 30 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of caseins (n=18) or whey proteins (n=19) for 7 days. A 2nd satiety test was realized after the ingestion of the protein snack. Two days later, 15 of the subjects were equipped with a jejunal tube and a venous catheter. Digestive kinetics and plasma hormone concentrations were studied after the ingestion of their snack meal. Compared to the control snack, proteins tended to increase the delay between the snack and the lunch (+ 13±13min, p=0.06), without any difference between groups. The protein snack did not elicit significant secretion of PYY, GLP1 and glucagon from the baseline. Whey proteins were totally delivered to the intestine within 2 h after the meal whereas 5 h were required for caseins. Important modulations in digestive kinetics of dietary protein do not translate into satiety signals or intestinal hormone production in overweight subjects adapted to their protein snack.


Aiming at the problem of utilization efficiency of coal resource,combining with the char acteristic of the coal resource distribution in Ningxia area,from the aspects of clean coal power gener tation technology,introduces clean coal power genertation technology based on coal pyrolysis process.The analysis result shows that clean coal power genertation technology based on coal pyrolysis process adapted to apply in Ningxia area.The technology can not only improve the utilization efficiency of coal resource,but also realize the energy saving and emission reduction,bring a kind of new mode for the thermal power generation industry development.


This study aims to study the validity of evidence and evidence in the electronic trial. One of the stages in the examination of criminal cases is proof. Proof is a problem that plays a role in the examination process at a court hearing, because through the evidence of the defendant's fate is determined. Assessment of the validity of the evidence and evidence in the electronic trial must still be in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. This study uses secondary data in the form of laws and regulations, literature books related to research material. The data obtained was then analyzed using a qualitative analysis method presented in the form of description. The results of the study found that the existing laws and regulations were not sufficient because there were no detailed provisions regarding the validity of both physical and electronic evidence used in electronic trials. Criminal procedural law reforms need to be carried out in order to be a standard guideline for the implementation of electronic trials.


Objective Etiology study were conducted on 20 cases with acute respiratory disease (ARD). Methods 20 throat swab samples were collected and the virus isolation was engaged with MDCK, LLC-MK2, Vero, MRC-5 and Hep-2 cells. Bacterial isolation work was conducted at the same time, including legionella and blood plate culture. Results 13 ADV-like cytopathic effect were detected in Hep-2 cultures, and negative staining electron microscopy result typical ADV partials. IFA, PCR also gave out positive result. Conclusions Pathogen of this ARD outbreak in the north of Jiangsu province was adenovirus.


This work presents a review on solution methods and analysis of nanoplates structures with different boundary conditions and load cases, under some effects such as magnetic field and the effect of the different parametric study on the vibration and analysis. Moreover, it represents a review about the theories that are used to study these nanoplates structures such; the nonlocal elasticity theory by Eringen which is introduced to take into consideration the small scale effect of such nano-structure. The equation of motion of the nanoplate is derived then it used to study this type of nano-structures. Nanoplates are used in a lot of branches of life and in different applications because of the high and excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of these nanoplates. Applications of nanoplate structure are also introduced to show the importance of studying and getting a solution of such nanoplates. Also, some parametric studies are discussed to show the effect of the studied parameters on the dynamic behaviour and analysis of these nanoplates.


the 2012 pastoral letter of the Regional Episcopal Conference of Taiwan, signed on January 1, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. In the letter the bishops re-launch the preparation of the International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Dublin next June and the Pastoral Letter of the Pope "Porta Fidei" for the Year of Faith. Since in the world and society we live in today, faith is not enough, the Episcopal Conference has indicated 5 crucial points for pastoral commitment: the priests are invited to prepare and celebrate the Eucharist with care and zeal; the lay faithful are urged to participate actively in the celebration of the sacrament of thanksgiving and adoration of the Eucharist; the laity must learn, study and recite the Liturgy of the Hours; the laity are encouraged to renew their knowledge of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, since the Year of faith is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the II Vatican Council and 20 years of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to respond to the challenge of this world of weak faith; and finally the parishes are invited to develop and promote their project of evangelization. The Taiwanese bishops conclude their letter entrusting the pastoral work of the Church of Taiwan for the new year to the intercession of the Virgin, "so that the life of every believer is like Mary's life". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 03/01/2012)


The operator structure of the collective coordinate associated with extended objects in quantum field theory is discussed in the context of renormalized perturbation theory. The analysis of a quantum field theory with extended objects must take into account the presence of these position operators. Two methods have been proposed so far. One is the collective coordinate method,4) in which the Heisenberg field operator and its canonical conjugate are decomposed into a new set of Heisenberg operators, namely the collective coordinate operator X( t) and field operator x(x, t) and their conjugates p( t) and Jr(x, t), respectively. This decomposition is accompanied by certain constraints which define X( t) and p( t). It is required that X( t)--> X( t) + a induces the space translation of the Heisenberg operators and that X( t) and x(x, t) are independent as Heisenberg operators. The other method expresses the Heisenberg operators in terms of the physical operators or asymptotic fields which construct the physical Hilbert space. 3 ) This expression is called the dynamical map. In this method it has been shown that the set of physical operators consists of two mutually commuting sets (q, p) and ((l, (l t), where q is the quantum mechanical position-operator (quantum coordinate) and p is its canonical con jugate while (l and (l t stand for the annihilation and creation operators of particle-like modes respectively.3),5) Thus, the Hilbert space is found to be a


A syringe for a liquid crystal dropping apparatus is provided to prevent the liquid crystal stored in the syringe from being shaken, thereby preventing the bubbles from being mixed within the liquid crystal. A syringe body(110) stores the liquid crystal to be supplied to a nozzle. A baffle(120) is arranged within the syringe body and prevents the shaking of the liquid crystal stored in the syringe when the syringe is moved together with the nozzle. The baffle includes a baffle body member arranged on the upper portion of the liquid crystal in a floating state. A guide member is formed along the circumference of the baffle body member and guides the baffle body member so that the baffle body member is smoothly moved according to the level of the liquid crystal within the syringe body. A network member is arranged at the lower portion of the baffle body member and has a network structure. The baffle body member also has a vacant inside space.


A drive method of a light emitting diode that can prevent the luminance degradation, a backlight assembly and a display apparatus having the same to do this are provided. A method of driving a light emitting diode, each of the first sensing red, green, and blue light intensity of the red light, green light and blue light generated from the light emitting diode. Then, the comparison of the actual light amount ratio between red light, green light and blue light and a reference light quantity ratio, and if the actual light amount ratio is inconsistent with the reference light quantity ratio, the red, green and blue light emitting diodes to the actual light amount ratio is consistent with the reference light quantity ratio, respectively controls. Thus, as the comparison of the actual light amount ratio between red light, green light and blue light and a reference light quantity ratio, it is possible to prevent the red, green, and blue LEDs decrease in luminance of the light generated from. A light sensor, a light sensor amplification unit, the controller device


A relatively mature system of personal tourism management education has been built in China, but there is still a big gap in market demand. This paper lists the problems in the tourism management education in Chinese universities, including a poorly designed professional curriculum, obsolete pedagogy, with greater emphasis on theory not on practice in teaching content, simplistic teaching evaluation and the lack of doubleposition teachers. Based on the above problems, this paper proposes specific, innovative measures to promote the improvement of tourism management teaching in Chinese university focusing on adjusting curriculum, reforming pedagogy, strengthening practice teaching, cultivating students scientific research ability, increasing teachers' experience and rebuilding teaching evaluation. Keywords—University; Tourism management; Teaching innovation; Strategy


Nowadays, the increased use of Web services has resulted in a rise in the danger of web application attacks. These types of attacks are become more severe by the day. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are essential in proactively detecting Web threats. The network traffic contains a significant number of characteristics. Identification of irrelevant and essential features is a primary task in machine learning. Pre-processing, feature selection, and naive Bayes (NB) classifier proposed in this study as part of IDS for Web application attack. The system is evaluated on the CICIDS-2017 dataset and employs a random forest to select significant features for cross-site scripting (XSS) attack classification. Experimental results show that the feature selection using random forest enhanced the classifier's performance in terms of accuracy, detection rate and execution time, are also reducing false alarms.in comparison with using all features in the classification method.


Plants are important source for the discovery of new products of medicinal value for drug development and plants secondary metabolites are unique sources for pharmaceuticals food additives, flavors and others industrial values. Commercial importance of these secondary metabolites has resulted in a great interest in its production and in exploring possibilities of enhancing its production by means of tissue culture technology in the recent years. Plants cell culture technologies were introduced at the end of 1960 ' s as a possible tool for both studying and producing plant secondary metabolites. The focus of the present review is the application of tissue culture technology for the production of some others important plant secondary metabolites. The present communication deals the brief introduction, classification, recent improvements of production, anti microbial properties and importance of plant secondary metabolites.


Abstract A theoretical model based on a diffusional process is proposed for a better understanding of the migration phenomenon of mobile hydrogen species. The validity of the model is tested by theoretical simulation of the various parameters. The model is compared with kinetic experimental results of solid 4-ten-butylphenol hydrogenation.


Foreign-born persons diagnosed with HIV infection pose many challenges for HIV care and prevention. The CDC reported in 2010 that 16% of new U.S. HIV


Fowler's third edition of Cardiac Diagnosis and Treatment has the basic attributes of a great text: completeness, practicality, and proper attention to clinical and theoretical considerations. This book is unique in that it provides broad, unbiased data on controversial issues. Each chapter provides a brief review of the literature and the personal experience and insight of the authors, and each is written clearly. The illustrations and tables are done well. Dr Fowler is one of the few acknowledged master clinicians; the chapters on treatment of coronary artery disease (chapters 35, 36, and 37) and on treatment of acute myocardial infarction (chapter 38) represent a major contribution to the management of a common disease. There is an excellent, clearly reasoned chapter in which Pitt and Strauss discuss prudence and restraint in ordering myocardial imaging with radioactive tracers "to confirm what has already been determined by other less expensive or less invasive


OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of GM-CSF and alpha-INF joint treatment on chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS
GM-CSF treatment combined with alpha-INF was set up as experimental group and alpha-INF alone as the control. At the same time, we counted the blood leukocytes, monocytes and granulocytes of the patients.

RESULTS
The short-term and long-term effective rates of the experimental group were 61% (11/18) and 67% (12/18) respectively, while those of the control group were 44% (8/18) and 33% (6/18) respectively. The leukocyte, monocyte and granulocyte counting in blood of patients treated with GM-CSF and alpha-INF increased significantly.

CONCLUSION
GM-CSF and alpha-INF joint treatment is effective for chronic hepatitis B. The mechanism may be related with the increasing number of monocytes in blood, hence to improve the antigen delivering ability.


This presentation is to demonstrate how a ubiquitous database program (Microsoft Access) was utilized to collect data when individuals' symptoms, and the self-care strategies they implemented, changed on a week to week basis.


The Poems of Ossian were instrumental in putting the North in Europe into a new and elevated cultural perspective. The first part of this essay examines how the general aesthetic development in the North of Europe was in many ways determined by the paradigm shift ushered in by the poems, despite latter-day denials. Two case studies are briefly presented: the first is the modern denial of Ossianic influence on Danish arts, literature, music and visual art; the second the actual reception in Iceland, the country which, for some, represented the Northern 'counter example' to Ossian, with the manuscripts of Eddas and Sagas.


This work analyses how SMEs (as compared to large firms) endured the onset of the recent Great Recession through the engagement in internationalization and innovation strategies. We focus on the SMEs strategies of exporting and undertaking RD and, second, there is confirmation that R&D played an increasing role in protecting firms against a decrease in markups in the onset of the crisis.


We present a general computational scheme to extend the spinodal equation of state [Garc\'{\i}a Baonza et al., Phys. Rev. B 51, 28 (1995)] to the interpretation of the cell parameters response to hydrostatic pressure in orthogonal lattices. As an important example, we analyze the pressure $(p)$--volume $(V)$--temperature (T) data of the rutile phase of ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}.$ We show that results of ab initio perturbed ion calculations and very recent x-ray-diffraction experiments of isothermal compression on this system closely follow the spinodal conduct. The computational scheme permits the incorporation of temperature effects in the static calculation as well as in the room-temperature experimental data. Overall, we find highly consistent results and good theory-experiment agreement for a significant series of observables, including structural parameters, $p\ensuremath{-}V$ diagram, bulk modulus, linear compressibilities, and thermal-expansion coefficient. The observed discrepancies in the pressure first derivative of the bulk modulus can be traced back to the difference between the theoretical and the experimental spinodal pressure.


Phase-diverse speckle imaging is a novel imaging modality that makes use of both speckle-imaging and phase-diversity concepts. A phase- diverse speckle data set consists of one conventional image and at least one additional image with known phase diversity for each of multiple atmospheric phase realizations. We demonstrate the use of a phase-diverse speckle data set collected at the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope on La Palma to overcome the effects of atmospheric turbulence and to restore a fine-resolution image of solar granulation. We present preliminary results of simultaneously reconstructing an object and a sequence of atmospheric phase aberrations from these data using a maximum-likelihood parameter- estimation framework. The consistency of the reconstructions is demonstrated using subsets of the sequence of images pairs. The use of different phase-aberration parameterization schemes and their affect on parameter estimates are discussed. Insight into the desired number of atmospheric realizations is provided.


Recently we have been presented with computer based systems which the providers claim are so useful and universally desired that everyone needs and wants them. It is claimed to follow that these alleged values justify universally applying these systems without asking for your consent. Let those few people who are so foolish that they do not want these services opt-out of the system. When I moved to Tennessee I discovered that the state used personal driver's license information for bulk distribution of marketing information but I could 'opt-out' – have them not sell my information to marketersby filing a 2 page form with the state. Even-though opting-out would not remove me from exiting lists, it might reduce further marketing spam. Unfortunately, as technology develops and more information is available on-line, optingout is decreasingly useful. Sometimes claiming that opting out is effective can be deceitful. Many people have cell phones and they choose how to publish, make available, their cell phone numbers. A cell phone number is available to people who are called and people who receive the number from the phone owner. At least one company, Intelius, http://www.nbcaugusta.com /news/business/14492297.html, made an ON-LINE cell phone directory available with over 90 million numbers. They gathered the cell phone number and cell phone information from a variety of sources, but did not obtain permission from the owners of the numbers. The company sold the cell phone information, including unlisted information. The individual cell phone owners did not authorize the information to be sold for that purpose...they did not opt-in. Most did not even know about it. The company declared that the directory was such a valuable service that everyone would want to be listed. The alleged virtues justified this uncontrolled gathering and distribution of information on the Internet. If you decided you didn't want your number listed, you could "opt out." There are several problems with the 'opt-out' concept with respect to the Intelius directory. First, you needed to know that this directory system exists and that you are in it. Second, even if you knew about it, the Intelius opt-out process was not simple. It could not be done on line, but required the use of surface mail or fax, and sending copies of your driver's license. But more importantly, when talking of an online system, the meaning of 'opt-out' has changed. The original implication of opt-out is that we can choose not to be part of an event or avoid participating. The choice to opt-in or opt-out implies that we are somehow exercising informed consent. The use of opt-out on the Internet acts as if an event never happened, pretends that we can eliminate a record by simply erasing it from its original location on the Internet. Information on the Internet is persistent; eliminating one copy does not necessarily remove that piece of information everywhere. According to http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/5343 , after several months, and complaints and threats of litigation by Verizon, Intelius withdrew its cell phone directory service. So was no harm done? This is not clear since the phone numbers were available for several months. The unlisted phone numbers were on the Net and individual "data shadows" trackable datawas created simply by the use of technology. Furthermore, Intelius is still in existence, at this writing providing information attached to cell phone numbers to anyone for a fee. Information which I did not provide to them –my name, address, average income, house value, and non-published numbers – are all advertised for a price. This data was made accessible to them in part because of my technology use. You might want to try the Intelius website and find out what information about you they are selling. For $4.99 you, and anyone else with a credit card, can probably retrieve a great deal about you based on your cell phone number. If you want to opt out of the Intelius search engine, you are given the following instructions:


ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction (SHXD), consisting of Coptis chinensis Franch., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Rheum palmatum L., is traditionally used for relieving fever, purging fire for removing toxins, eliminating phlegm and haemostasis, eliminating the wetness-evil from the upper warmer, clearing away the heat-evil and expelling superficial evils. Each of the three herbs contained in SHXD has been indicated to have anti-inflammatory effects in vivo, but its effects on rat NK-cell phenotypes remain unexplored, and the comprehensive mechanism of this compound SHXD in curing the inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) remains to be revealed.

AIM OF THE STUDY
The study aim was to assess the effect of SHXD on LPS-induced fever and inflammation in a rat model, reduce NLRP3 activation in NK cells expressing specific cell phenotype antibodies and determine the therapeutic value of this approach in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
SHXD extract was prepared and analysed by the developed ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method for the simultaneous detection of 14 compounds. The main peaks were firstly identified on an Orbitrap via high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS). Then, the extract was used in the rat model of LPS-induced inflammation and fever for pharmacologically study the effects of drug treatment. Peripheral blood lymphocyte cells were isolated from the animals, including those subjected to the SHXD extract treatment, and the cell phenotype was determined prior to cell culture and after treating the cell cultures with the extract. The phenotypes of cells harvested using CD3, CD4, CD8a, CD81, CD161 and CD86 antibodies were used to verify the enhanced memory of the peripheral blood lymphocytes cells (PBMC) that were induced into nature killer (NK) cells.

RESULTS
The SHXD extract was prepared, analysed and identified via quality control equipment and was observed to have pharmacological effects that reduced NLRP3 activation and fever in rats. The production of NK cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes was induced by the SHXD extract, which manifested as increased levels of CD4+, CD8a+, CD81+, CD161+ and CD86+ cells. The levels of CD3+ cells were significantly different between the model group and the drug-treated or control groups (p < 0.01) with dose independence, while the levels of CD4+ cells were not significantly different between the drug-treated and control groups, with a trend towards lower levels in the model group with dose independence. The levels of CD4+ cells was significantly different between the drug-treated group and the model groups with dose independence (p < 0.05). The levels of CD86+ cells were not significantly different between the drug-treated group and the model and control groups. The levels of CD8a + cells was significantly different between the model group and the drug and control groups (p < 0.05, dose 2.0 μg/ml), with higher levels in the drug-treated group. The levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8a + cells in the drug treated group have dose dependence with SHXD.

CONCLUSIONS
This experiment revealed that SHXD reduced NLRP3 activation in the blood of LPS-treated rats, which occurred through the activation of NK cells that expressed CD3, CD8a and CD161. SHXD may possess anti-inflammatory effect via activacting the one of major pharmacology effcet of NK cells that expressed CD3, CD8a and CD161 phenotypes expression. This result demonstrates that SHXD may possess ability to enhance the memory of peripheral blood lymphocytes and natural killer cells.


Abstract At depths greater than about 3000 db and between latitudes 20° and 50° the northeast Atlantic has a remarkably uniform θ–S relationship. Measurements of salinity made by different laboratories can be compared without resorting to simultaneous observations. Systematic differences between "high quality" measurements are about 0.003, considerably exceeding in situ variations. The origin of the differences is principally, we believe, due to variations in standard sea water. The concentration of dissolved oxygen is also remarkably uniform throughout the same region and has a value of 247 μmol kg−1 (5.67 ml l−1). The rms deviation of the best observations is only 1 μmol kg−1 (0.02 ml l−1). The above figures are for very careful researchers: most do considerably less well and are urged to reconcile their data against values put forward in the text of this paper. Recognizing temperature change in the deep northeastern Atlantic also requires the highest quality data. Institute of Oceanographic Sciences (I...


Objective Laryngeal melanosis (LM) is an unusual condition. Little is known about its clinical significance. To learn more about this unusual disorder, we prospectively gathered data on a series of patients with LM and compared the data with the summarized findings from the cases currently available in the literature. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Setting Two hundred fifty-five–bed urban indigent care hospital located on a university medical center campus. Subjects and Methods Demographics, history, examination findings, and concurrent head and neck disorders were prospectively recorded for all patients with LM who presented to our institution between 2005 and 2012. Results Eighteen patients with laryngeal melanosis were enrolled. All patients are African American, and all have a history of chronic tobacco use. The most common presenting symptom was dysphonia, and examination most often revealed flat, pigmented lesions of the larynx. Nine patients (50%) had concomitant squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. There are 19 previous cases of laryngeal melanosis reported by 12 different authors, with a concomitant carcinoma rate of 26%. Our patients are similar in age and are all African American, with a greater percentage of women and greater rate of concomitant carcinoma. Our study represents the single largest case series of laryngeal melanosis and is more complete given the prospective nature of the data collection. Conclusion Laryngeal melanosis is an unusual disorder that is associated with chronic tobacco use. Clinicians should be aware of the association between laryngeal melanosis and squamous cell carcinoma and perform a thorough evaluation for concomitant carcinoma.


• Pericardial biopsy was performed in 16 patients, including 6 with hemorrhagic pericarditis. In one case of tuberculous pericarditis the duration of symptoms had been 60 months. The procedure permitted direct inspection of the pericardial sac, culture of fluid and tissue, and drainage of the effusion fluid into the left pleural cavity. Abrupt release of fluid in cases of pericardial tamponade caused no difficulties, and postoperative reactions were mild.


The increasing power of computers, increasing capacity of digital memory and wider availability of a great variety of input devices such as cameras and video recorders, has resulted in an astonishing growth in the use of multimedia and the production of user generated content. It's now becoming feasible to store a digital record of everything that a person sees and hears throughout their life, all using cheap and easily obtainable commodity hardware. Such possibilities have given rise to the idea of a digital human life memory, able to store all of the video, photographs, documents and communications that relate to us as we travel through our lives. We explore how networked systems can be used to extend the capabilities of digital human life memory stores. Not only through the networking of the memory stores themselves, but also through the use of networked appliances, networked virtual worlds and wireless sensors network technologies. As well as the benefits, the massive increase in multimedia networking also presents drawbacks that include the potential for breaches of privacy and the need for content protection. We will also therefore consider our work in the area of security that aims to address some of these challenges, and maintain a balance between the competing benefits of sharing and protection of multimedia and sensory data.


1285 October: a half-starved French army plods through the passes of the eastern Pyrenees, lashed by the first rains of autumn, harassed by the last raids of its victorious opponent, the king of Aragon. Ahead lies Perpignan not yet French, but at least the possession of an ally of France. Perpignan is food, shelter, safety for most of the army. But not for the commander, the soldier of God and the Pope, Philip III of France. Sick at heart over the failure of his crusade against Aragon, sick in body ever since the retreat began, Perpignan for him is the last stage of the earthly pilgiimage, the place where he can die quietly, decently and piously, as befits a prince of his house. There the end comes on 5 October Philip the Bold has died on crusade, as did his father and grandfather before him. As an episode in military history the crusade of 1285 is scarcely worth noticing. It produced no great battles, no innovations in strategy or tactics, no significant alteration of frontiers. The whole campaign could be summed up in a slightly modified version of the old nursery rhyme:


Correlation functions, first introduced by Glauber [1], are one way to characterize photon number statistics. For example, varieties of nonclassicality criteria can be constructed based on second and higher order moments of the electromagnetic field [2, 3]. Such criteria identify nonclassical fields directly from the measured statistics in a loss tolerant way without complicated analysis techniques and have been utilized with low order correlation functions [4, 5]. Having access to higher order correlation functions gives a more complete description of the underlying photon number statistics and increases the possibilities in characterizing quantum states. For example, exotic quantum states might only reveal their nonclassicality when higher order correlations are included. In this section we show that we are able to calculate these higher order correlation functions. We focus on correlation functions of the form g(n) = 〈a†nan〉 〈a†a〉n for one mode or g (m,n) = 〈a †mamb†nbn〉 〈a†a〉m〈b†b〉n for two modes, where a, a† and b, b† are the usual annihilation and creation operators. They can be calculated from photon number probabilities pk using 〈a†nan〉 = ∑


To address multi-sensor real-time track-to-track association problem of aircraft platforms in a complex environment, where sensor biases are time-varied, targets are distributed closely and different sensors report different targets, an anti-bias track-to-track association algorithm based on distance detection is proposed according to the statistical characteristics of Gaussian random vectors. First, a distance vector between homologous tracks is derived and its feature is analysed; second, the rough association based on minimum average and the refined association based on χ 2 distribution are illustrated according to the features of distance vectors. Adaptability experiments are established based on three factors including different target densities, random errors, and sensor biases. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the proposed algorithm has significant improvements of association accuracy and complex condition adaptability compared with the classical reference topology feature algorithm.


Evaluation of the deterioration of earthen sites is fundamental for the scientific protection,management and use of earthen sites;however no evaluation system has been established so far.Based on the analysis of specific earthen sites and using theories and methods of geological engineering and geotechnical engineering,the deterioration of the earthen site foundation and the earthen site itself were evaluated by sequential analysis.Deterioration of earthen sites can be evaluated based on measurements of geological destruction,stability and surface weathering.The relatively mature engineering approaches and theories for evaluating geological destruction and stability can be adopted.For surface weathering evaluation,the weathering erosion rate,the condition of the earthen site and the value of the site should be considered;the degree of weathering and the heritage site's value should be introduced into the model as a weighting coefficient.Using "fuzzy" mathematical theory,a new method was developed for systematically evaluating surface weathering.


Abstract : Application of the Realistic Mathematics Education Model to Increase the Motivation and Learning Outcomes of Class IV UPTD SDN 1 Tegalgirang, Bangodua District, Indramayu Regency. This study aims to increase the motivation and learning outcomes of class IV UPTD SDN 1 Tegalgirang, Bangodua District, Indramayu Regency by using a realistic mathematics education model. The type of method used in this research is the Classroom Action Research (CAR) method. The research subjects were class IV UPTD SDN 1 Tegalgirang with a total of 20 students. Data collection techniques using tests, observations, and learning motivation questionnaires. The research procedure was carried out in two cycles, each cycle covering four activities, namely planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting. Based on the research results obtained from cycle I and cycle II, it was found that student learning outcomes in cycle I completed 12 students with a percentage of 60%, in cycle II there was an increase of 17 students with a percentage of 85%. Observations on the application of the realistic mathematics education model in cycle I obtained an average value of 3.1 with a percentage of 77.5% and cycle II increased to 3.7 with a percentage of 92.5%. The results of the motivational questionnaire in cycle I obtained a percentage value of 78% in cycle II increased to 85%. So it can be concluded that the application of a realistic mathematics education model can increase motivation and student learning outcomes.


Background  Cognitive skills thought to be necessary to undertake cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) include the ability to recognize emotions, link events and emotions, and recognize cognitive mediation. These skills have been assessed in people with intellectual disabilities, but not in those who also have psychosis.

Materials and methods  Tasks assessing receptive language ability and cognitive skills including the ability to differentiate between behaviours, thoughts and feelings were administered to 50 participants who had intellectual disabilities and psychosis.

Results  The majority of participants were able to link events and emotions and differentiate behaviours and feelings. Participants found any task involving cognitions significantly more difficult. Performance on recognizing emotions, linking events and emotions and on some of the cognitive mediation and differentiation tasks was associated with receptive language ability.

Conclusions  People with intellectual disabilities and psychosis have some of the skills thought to be required to undertake cognitive behaviour therapy. Recognizing cognitions and cognitive mediation is particularly challenging. The differentiation task introduced in this study may usefully supplement existing assessments.


AbstractThis paper presents observations of structural dynamic characteristics and wind-induced responses of a 600-m-high skyscraper installed with an active tuned mass damper (ATMD) system during ...


Objectives To determine the long term effects of initial glucocorticoid therapy on joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Randomised controlled trials assessing the efficacy of glucocorticoid treatment during one or two years in RA including follow up measurements after the original study duration were identified. Lead authors of these studies were invited to provide data on patient characteristics, disease activity, co treatment, and (erosive) joint damage. A comprehensive dataset with individual patient data was created and used for analyses, and data up to five years after the start of trials was analysed. Results Original study data and follow up measurements after the trial duration were shared by authors from five studies. Of the 838 patients entering these studies, 413 had been allocated to a treatment strategy including glucocorticoids. In total, 79% percent of the patients had at least one follow up radiograph scored between 3 and 5 years follow up after start of the original trial. Radiological progression over five years was significantly lower in glucocorticoid users (p=0.001). When analysing exclusively the time period after trials, initial glucocorticoid users and controls showed similar radiological progression rates.Table 1 Dependent variable: percentage of maximal radiological Model 1 Model 2 damage score over time (n=637; 3103 radiographs) (n=600; 2926 radiographs) Beta (95% CI) p-value Beta (95% CI) p-value Intercept 0.20 (−0.15 to 0.54) 0.26 1.17 (−0.35 to 2.68) 0.13 Baseline radiological score (percentage of maximal) 1.08 (0.89 to 1.27) <0.001 0.99 (0.84 to 1.13) <0.001 Treatment incl. predniso(lo)ne −0.30 (−0.53 to −0.07) 0.01 −0.30 (−0.63 to 0.02) 0.07 Time in months 0.09 (0.07 to 0.10) <0.001 0.09 (0.07 to 0.11) <0.001 Treatment incl. predniso(lo)ne * time in months −0.03 (−0.05 to −0.01) 0.001 −0.03 (−0.05 to −0.01) <0.01 Male gender −0.05 (−0.51 to 0.40) 0.83 Age in years 0.01 (−0.01 to 0.03) 0.44 RF positive 0.85 (0.45 to 1.25) <0.001 Study  ARC study −1.21 (−2.63 to 0.21) 0.10  BARFOT study −2.44 (−3.46 to −1.43) <0.001  CAMERA study −3.55 (−4.58 to −2.52) <0.001  COBRA study −0.18 (−1.32 to 0.96) 0.76  UTRECHT study reference study – This table shows the influence of initial treatment including predniso(lo)ne on radiological joint damage with correction for baseline radiological joint damage in model 1, and additional correction for gender, age, RF status and study in model 2. The significant negative beta of "treatment incl. predniso(lo)ne * time in months" indicates decreased progression over time in the group who used predniso(lo)ne during the trials. Progression of joint damage was most in the UTRECHT study (used as reference study); the CAMERA study showed least progression. CI = confidence interval; RF = rheumatoid factor. Conclusions Addition of glucocorticoid therapy to treatment in early RA is effective in decreasing radiological damage. This beneficial effect can still be identified after five years of follow up, mainly reflecting the initially obtained advantage. Disclosure of Interest None declared


The acquisition of reading skills is decisive for the academic achievement of elementary school students. However, unlike other domains of human development, learning to read is a complex process. With this in mind, several attempts have been made to find new educational strategies to foster students reading motivation. That is the context in which Letrinhas appears. Considering the enormous potential of information and communication technologies for education and training, particularly mobile devices, we have developed a digital repository of teaching and learning materials and a multiplatform application that runs on mobile devices. This information system is designed to promote learning and the development of reading in students of the first and second cycles of elementary education and provide teachers with tools for monitoring and assessing reading skills against the curricular targets set by the Ministry of Education. This is no doubt a basic need that is not being met by the applications currently available in the market. The performance of Letrinhas was evaluated by specialists and users in a pilot group and a high level of satisfaction was observed among students and teachers as time and effort spent to consolidate reading is considerably reduced with this application.


Acid mine drainage is an important environmental risk linked to the surface storage of reactive mine tailings. To manage this problem, a cover with a capillary barrier effect (CCBE) can be used. This oxygen barrier cover relies on maintaining a fine-grained material layer (moisture-retaining layer, MRL) with a high degree of saturation. CCBEs can be colonized by surrounding plants. Plant roots pump water and could impact CCBE's performance. This performance is predicted with unsaturated water flow numerical models in which vegetation parameters can be included. Vegetation parameters may be specific in a CCBE environment. Therefore, analyzing and quantifying the vegetation that colonizes this type of cover is necessary. Plant colonization was investigated through cover and density surveys on 12 transects on a 17-year-old CCBE in the mixed forest of Quebec, Canada. Then, aboveground vegetation and root colonization intensity at three depths in the MRL were characterized on 25 plots of five dominant vegetation types (Salix, Populus, Alnus, Picea sp., and herbaceous species). The mean root length density under plots dominated by Salix sp. was higher than in the other plots. Root colonization of the MRL was concentrated in the first 10 cm and occurred under all woody and herbaceous species as well. This work quantitatively describes, for the first time, the vegetation colonizing a CCBE both at the above- and belowground levels. These data will be useful to better predict the long-term performance of this engineered reclamation cover.


It illustrates the importance of anticorrosion and fireproofing in steel structural,then,according to the classification of surface steel structures,summarize different measures of anticorrosion and fireproofing,in order to ensure the stable security of steel building structure,and to promote the smooth development of the mine construction.


We consider the computational complexity of the question whether a certain strategy can be removed from a game by means of iterated elimination of dominated strategies. In particular, we study the influence of different definitions of domination and of the number of different payoff values. In addition, the consequence of restriction to constant-sum games is shown.


Objective: This study was conducted to determine the views of fourth-year nursing students about the internship program.
Methods: The sample of the descriptive study was 96 nursing students. The data were collected Nightingale Intern Program Evaluation Scale (NIPES).
Results: In this study, nursing students' NIPES total scale score was 3.81±0.75, sub-dimension of the scale mean scores were 3.81±0.75 for "Professional Development", 3.83±0.78 for "Personal Development", and 3.96±0.89 for "Guidance/Counseling", 4.13±0.88 for "General Features of the Program", 4.03±0.87 for "Application Field Features", 3.80±0.97 for "Communication with Patients and their Relatives". According to the presence of nurses in their first-degree relatives, the mean scores of the sub-dimensions "Professional Development", "Personal Development", "Guidance / Counseling", "General Characteristics of the Program", "Patient and Relatives" and "Communication" of NIPES were were statistically significantly different between the groups (p


A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the fish and shellfish dishes of 171 households in Hiroshima prefecture. The total number of dishes that appeared on replies to the questionnaire was 4,551. Horse mackerel, squid, yellowtail, short-necked clam and mackerel were the most frequently used fish and shellfish species. Although oysters, black sea bream, hairtail, japanese anchovy and sea cucumber were the species of fish with the largest catch in Hiroshima, they were not the most frequently cooked. 75.1% of the fish and shellfish dishes were served uncooked or prepared by broiling, stewing or frying. Most were served in the Japanese style, 64.4% of the broiled fish being flavored with salt and 75.2% of the stewed fish being cooked in soy sauce. In contrast, western-style dishes with added pepper and butter were less frequently served. The fish species most characteristic of Hiroshima prefecture, Japanese anchovy was cooked as tempura or served as sashimi, black sea bream as shioyaki (broiled with salt), and small shrimp as soup and shioyude (boiled with salt).


This chapter discusses Norman Vincent Peale's early lessons on liberalism, focusing on the years 1921–1932. It first describes Peale's life and career at the Boston University seminary before considering his tenure as student pastor of the Methodist Church in Berkeley, Rhode Island. It then examines Peale's move to Brooklyn, New York, in 1924, and his tenure at the King's Highway Methodist Church; his appointment as minister of University Avenue Methodist Church in Syracuse in April 1927, and how his preaching was redesigned in Syracuse; how he coped with the Crash of 1929 that occurred midway through his tenure at University Church; and his partnership with Ruth Stafford, who became his wife in 1930. The chapter also recounts Peale's tenure as minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.


Combination of heater 10 and sensor 20, which comprises: (a) a heating layer, a sensor layer, or both; (B) one or more power supply parts 12, one or more sensors supply parts 12, or both; wherein the heating layer and the sensor layer are located within the same plane; and wherein the heating layer is a nonwoven fabric layer composed of a plurality of metallized fibers which are randomly oriented and form the heating layer so that upon power supply, the heating layer delivers heat.


Accident research is entering a phase of increasing sophistication. As has been true of research concerned with most subjects, it began with a period of oversimplification and methodologic crudity. This was followed by increasing emphasis on the apparent complexity of the problems of accident causation, and, concomitantly, by despair as to the possibility that a relatively simple, unifying conceptual framework might be developed. It is only now that it is beginning to progress beyond this point. Unfortunately, the recognition that multiple factors may be of relevance in the initiation of accidents has led to the erroneous assumption that therefore there cannot be common factors without which accidents cannot occur, and which might be susceptible to manipulation. Accident research is not alone, however, in the extent to which it is dominated by this type of assumption. It is also seen, for example, in some cardiovascular disease research. It is pertinent, however, that if such emphasis had been applied with similar exclusiveness to the more classical pathologies now understood it might have been concluded, for example, that tuberculosis could not be caused by a single organism or group of organisms because of the multiple socio-economic, nutritional, occupational, and other factors which also played a role. Yet in accident research today and probably in a number of other areas of present interest this one-sided emphasis on multiple causation has led to a very confused and lopsided research effort which is dominated both by trivia, rather than unifying principles, and by emphasis on variables which lack obvious biological relevance. Accidents, at least those of concern to the medical profession, are defined in effect by the unexpected occurrence of injury. It is appropriate therefore to ask whether there are common factors without which such injuries cannot occur, and which would correspond to the specific causes of the infections and other more classical results of insults to the body.


Objective To establish the continuous monitoring method for serum leucine aminopeptidase(LAP) activity using the substrate leucyl-pnitroaniline(Leu-pNA),and explore its clinical value in diagnosis of the liver diseases.Methods Based on the generation of color substance upon hydrolysis of the substrate into p-nitroanilin,we have studied the pH value,the substrate concentration and the reaction time et al.The serum LAP activities in different liver patients were determined by this spectrophotometric method.Results The enzyme optimum pH was 7.20,the optimal substrate concentration was 4.8 mmol/L,and the within-run and between-run CVs ranged from 3.68 to 5.91%.The serum LAP activities in patients with cirrhosis and active hepatitis were higher than the normal group,and there were significant differences compared with normal group(P0.05).Conclusion Its sensitivity,precision and simplicity make the proposed method very suitable for diagnosing of different liver diseases in clinics.


This paper focuses on the design of the fishing vessel management system, that is the application software for the ongoing project of China Fishery Administration System. The system design is based on the users demands for fishing vessel management. The system application can standardize vessels construction, approval, register and fishing license application procedure through its networks design, control fishery catching activities in order to protect the fishery resource in the China seas. The system is developed by Microsoft VB6.0 、Delphi6.0, running on MS Windows98/2000/XP. The system operating test has supported the evaluation of the system environment, and helped to provide experiences for the fishery administration information construction and served the system updating.


Peter Bond discusses the latest observations of the Sun and Mars and the possibilities for a Pluto mission, among other space news.


In this paper, we consider the possibility of utilizing the channel decoder output in the cancellation of multiuser interference. The paper contains a summary of our earlier numerical results followed by a discussion about some observations based on these simulations.


Purpose – To provide information on a small‐scale study that explores the impact on pupil performance of the recent significant government investment in school buildings in a single county of England.Design/methodology/approach – The design approach was to focus on the schools and those involved in teaching in order to explore their perspective of the link between investment and improved pupil performance. The methodology chosen was qualitative and consisted of questionnaires to a selected sample of state schools together with interviews with the Local Education Authority and a case study of a single school, all within Derbyshire.Findings – The results clearly indicate that although direct benefits are difficult to measure accurately, the schools perceive a benefit of investment which can be illustrated in pupil attainment, motivation and pupil behaviour, with an additional benefit to staff, who find that better environments improve teacher morale and motivation.Research limitations/implications – The stu...


Colo-rectal cancer (CRC) is the second-most-common cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. DNA-mismatch repair (MMR) genes regulate key cellular processes, including correction of DNA replication errors. Impaired functioning of MMR has been implicated in the aetiology of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer and in £15% of sporadic CRC. The C4 fatty acid, butyric acid, which is produced by bacterial fermentation of resistant starches in the large bowel, has potent anti-neoplastic effects on colon cancer cells. Recent in vitro studies have indicated that MMR status may modulate the anti-neoplastic effects of butyrate. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these differential effects of butyrate on colon cancer cells. SW48 colon cancer cells, in which the MMR gene MLH1 is silenced by promoter hypermethylation, were treated with the demethylating agent 5-aza 20deoxycytidine to partially demethylate and reactivate the MLH1 gene. The native SW48 cells and their demethylated counterparts were treated with butyrate (0–5 mM) for 8 d and the effects on cell proliferation, MLH1 gene promoter methylation (combined bisulfite restriction analysis assay) and expression of two butyrate-responsive genes, i.e. CDK4 and GADD45A, were assessed (real-time RT–PCR). Butyrate (0.5–5 mM) suppressed proliferation (P<0.001) and reduced MLH1 promoter methylation (P<0.05) in SW48 cells. However, in demethylated SW48 cells butyrate caused a small but significant increase in cell proliferation (P<0.05; Fig. 1) and promoter methylation (P<0.05). CDK4 expression was higher (P=0.02) in demethylated SW48 cells compared with native SW48 cells. There was little effect of butyrate on CDK4 expression in SW48 cells, but this was reduced markedly in the demethylated cells (P=0.025 for cell line · butyrate interaction; Fig: 2). Further there was more than two fold up regulation of GADD45A expression following butyrate (1 mM) treatment in native SW48 cells as compared with demethylated SW48 cells in which GADD45A expression was down regulated (P=0.045 for cell line · butyrate interaction; Fig: 2).


Selective contracting is an increasingly popular tool for reducing health care costs, but any savings must be weighed against consumer surplus losses from restricted access. Recently, many prescription drug plans (PDPs) utilize preferred pharmacy networks to reduce drug prices. Our results suggest that Medicare Part D plans with preferred pharmacy networks pay lower retail drug prices, while subsidized enrollees' insensitivity to preferred pharmacy cost-sharing discounts reduces these savings. We then estimate pharmacy demand models to quantify the costs and benefits of preferred pharmacy networks, finding that the average enrollee benefits from preferred pharmacy contracting due to reduced out-of-pocket (OOP) costs at preferred pharmacies. (JEL G22, H51, I13, I18, L65, L81)


Abstract This paper addresses both how best to incorporate forecasts of future excess market returns into a market-timing strategy and what additional return to expect as a consequence. In contrast to the work of Jensen [8] and Grant ([4], [5], and [6]), the results specifically consider and measure the attractiveness to a risk-averse investor of the positively skewed distribution of portfolio returns expected from a market-timed portfolio. The usual mean and variance characterization of a risky portfolio is not sufficient in the case of a markettimed portfolio, and a simple utility model is employed to measure the incremental value of a market-timing strategy. The results are given as a function of the relative volatility of the market, the quality of available forecasts, and the risk attitude of the investor.


Paper deals with the theoretical investigations of measurement accuracy of optical aberrations by Talbot wavefront sensor in the presence of random amplitude variations. Theoretical prediction of intensity distribution for gratings of any type based on their spatial spectrum is obtained, and it is shown that grating is fully restored in Talbot plane even for the high fraction of random amplitude. The possibilities of self-imaging phenomenon is investigated based on the simulation results. Simulation results show that pit displacement error increases when the correlation length decreases or when grating spatial spectrum increases. It is found that for defocus aberration intensity variations decrease measured defocus value and increment of aberrations of same order (oblique and vertical astigmatisms).


A method to synthesize the space dependent transfer functions of a class of dynamic systems from the frequency response data is presented. The systems that give rise to space dependent transfer functions are those which may be represented by partial differential equations in which the space and time dependences of the dependent variables are not separable. The method consists of representing the system transfer function as a series of suitable space modes with frequency dependent coefficients. The resulting synthesis procedure is straightforward and is applicable to many practical cases of interest. The method is applicable to both minimum and nonminimum phase transfer functions.


A Virginia school district is considering banning cross-dressing by students, out of what one board member called concerns for the safety of several male students who wear dresses and wigs to school.


Abstract: There is no doubt that many subjects of the Abbasid empire suffered from abuse by officials on a regular basis. However, they could file petitions, complaining about the misbehaviour of officials and the injustices caused by their actions through an institution which is generally, but inconsistently, referred to as maẓālim. This article will argue that in the Abbasid period, the functioning of maẓālim was much less well defined and probably also less well organized than later theorists such as al‑Māwardī claimed it to be. Most importantly, it lacked a clear definition of its jurisdiction. In practice it consisted of a process of hearing and responding by representatives of the state to complaints and requests filed by subjects of the state. As such, it not only served the aggrieved subject, but also provided the authorities with an instrument through which they could control and regulate their own officials.


Mathematical models of library operations are presented, allowing managers to estimate measures of effectiveness for a library. These models describe the amount of use made of resources by a user in a visit, the distribution of book circulation in a collection, the dependence of circulation on time, and the effect of multiple copies on user satisfaction. Predictions are made on the basis of the models of the consequences of breaking a central library into branch libraries. The effect, in terms of frustrated use, of removing the least-used books from a collection is discussed, as are strategies for for duplication. The emphasis is on facilitating getting results from models; for this purpose graphic techniques supplement the mathematical formulas.


Nutrition influences peak bone mass development in early adulthood. The effect of high dietary phosphate intake on the growing skeleton of 1‐month‐old male rats (n = 30) was assessed in an 8‐week intervention. High dietary phosphate intake increased bone remodeling and impaired bone material properties, diminishing bone mechanical strength.


Abstract Strong consumer demand for white grape juice has encouraged growers to plant significant new acreages of the variety 'Niagara'. However, the 4-year time period required to grow a newly-planted vineyard to its full productive capacity is a major factor influencing the profitability of new vineyards. Therefore, the influence of weed control under the trellis, nitrogen fertilization, irrigation and pruning severity on the development of newly-planted 'Niagara' grapevines was evaluated. Weed control had the greatest impact on the development of vine size. Without weed control under the trellis, no combination of nitrogen fertilization, irrigation and pruning severity was capable of producing acceptable vine size. Weed control under the trellis, followed by nitrogen fertilization, irrigation and pruning severity, exhibited a descending order of influence on vine size development. Therefore, growers should apply these practices in that order of priority when establishing new 'Niagara' vineyards.


Review Number: 2438 Publish date: Friday, 5 February, 2021 Author: Miri Rubin ISBN: 9781108481236 Date of Publication: 2020 Price: £57.99 Pages: 204pp. Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publisher url: https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/history/european-history-1000-1450/cities-strangersmaking-lives-medieval-europe?format=HB Place of Publication: Cambridge Reviewer: Sarah Rees Jones


The feminization of poverty a phenemenon that 1st came to attention in the 1970s is attributed by the authors of this paper to the rapid growth in the prevalence of single mothers and the decline in poverty rates among other population groups such as the aged. This approach contrasts with the popular interpretation that the feminization of poverty is due to declines in the standard of living of women as a group. Data are presented to show that during the late 1960s and early 1970s poverty increasingly became associated with female-headed families. By 1978 36% of the poor were living in female-headed households with children. The increase in poverty rates among male-headed families in 1979-83 has offset the trend toward the feminization of poverty although poverty continues to be widespread among female-headed families. Poverty among single mothers can be attributed to the low earnings capacity of these women the limited contributions that absent parents make to the households in which their children live and inadequate public transfers. In 1982 the average income of both black and white 2-parent families was 2.5 times as large as the average for female-headed families. Due to socialization and sex discrimination women earn an average of 60% of mens earnings. 75% of single mothers on welfare are unable to earn as much or much more than they receive in welfare benefits. Only half of women with children potentially eligible for child support receive payments. As a result single mothers are forced either to rely on welfare or work full-time for marginal economic gain. Needed is a program that will supplement rather than replace earnings. A new Child Support Assurance System would both increase contributions from absent parents and restructure public transfers to supplement the earnings of single mothers. This system would increase the economic well-being of children in single-parent households as well as reduce welfare costs.


Basel 2 has dominant role in redefining financial markets regulation after the crisis, for which it provides relevant proposals: new rules for banks' capital composition, measures to mitigate pro-cyclicality, the introduction of limits in the leverage ratio, measures to reduce systemic risk. In Italy, the transition to the new rules is important to achieve some fundamental legislative innovations, most notably the completion of the reform of bankruptcy law and a fairer tax treatment on loans losses.


Titanium alloy with high strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance and many other advantages has widely applications in aviation industry and the military-industrial complex. The market demand for titanium alloy increases year by year. However, the rolling technology for small size titanium rod is not mature due to its poor plasticity and difficult processing. In addition, current titanium alloy bar can not meet the high-end market requirements, it still largely dependents on imports now. Developing high-quality titanium bars is a major aim of titanium industry in our country in the future. Three-roll rolling is one of mature methods in current production of titanium alloy bars. Using this processing method for rolling titanium alloy bars, multi-standard, low-volume production requirements can be achieved.


This paper presents a concept of a micro thermal sensor to be used for defect inspection of a smoothly-finished surface such as a bare wafer or a hard disk. In the proposed concept, existences of the defects on a measurement surface will be detected by scanning the surface with the micro thermal sensor, which is utilized to detect the variation of the thermal flow in-between the sensor surface and the measurement surface. The proposed micro thermal sensor has a possibility of detecting various types of surface defects. An existence of the defect having a convex shape such as an asperity or a particle can be found by detecting a heat generated at the collision between the sensor surface and the tip of the defect. In addition, the thermal sensor is expected to be applied for the inspection of pits or scratches in a concave shape on the smooth surface. When the thermal sensor is placed with respect to the measurement surface with a tiny gap of less than 1 μm, a heat transfer system sensitive against the gap variation will be constructed at the interface between the thermal sensor and the measurement surface becomes a system.


Oxytocin, a hormone present in the mammalian brain, has been shown to be a vital component of social function in animals and may have a role in the social deficits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in humans. Based on previous studies from our lab, there are oxytocin receptors in the human substantia nigra, a basal ganglia structure in the midbrain that is important in both movement and reward pathways. The substantia nigra contains two subsections that are defined by the neurotransmitters they contain: the pars compacta, which is dopaminergic, and the pars reticulata, which is GABAergic. By localizing oxytocin receptors in either the pars compacta or pars reticulata, we can infer the role of that region as it relates to social function. We previously attempted to identify the pars compacta using immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase, but the background signal was too high to reliably be used to delineate the boundaries, so we are trying a new approach. We used Nissl staining, which has been shown to reveal dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and has been used to distinguish the pars compacta from the pars reticulata. Once identified, we used the borders of the pars compacta to quantify oxytocin receptors within the substantia nigra in a neuroanatomically informed way by overlaying microscope images of tissue (with the pars compacta outlined) with the receptor autoradiographs, which visualize oxytocin receptors in the substantia nigra. The tissue was acquired from four distinct groups: eight typically developing (TD) males, seven TD females, eight males with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and seven females with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We analyzed the oxytocin receptor binding to determine the effect of sex and autism on oxytocin receptor density in the pars compacta. Females with ASD exhibited significantly reduced OXTR density when compared to both males with ASD and TD females, which may be related to differences in expression of symptoms between males with ASD and females with ASD. Future


In this study, we perform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) on bi/tri-layered fluorinated graphene (FG) dielectrics, enabling investigation of the degradation and the breakdown phenomenon at the sub-nanometer scale. Our characterization results show that the energy gap can be tailored by surface functionalization of graphene with fluorine ions. Experimental evidence of electrical stress induced degradation and breakdown trends at localized spots across bi/tri-layered FG films is presented. Statistical analysis on bi-layered FG film breakdown voltage data reveals a tri-modal Weibull distribution trend possibly due to variations in the effective FG thickness due to imperfect fluorine incorporation at all C-sites during the fluorine diffusion process. Although preliminary, the results presented provide insight into the kinetics of degradation in graphene based 2-D dielectric materials.


For brevity, Algorithm 1 summarizes the forward pass of SUBGNN for a single subgraph S. While the algorithm demonstrates how to embed subgraph S, we want to emphasize that SUBGNN learns representations for every subgraph S 2 {S1, S2, . . . , Sn}. In practice, we extend Algorithm 1 to multiple subgraphs using mini-batching. Note that any aggregation function that operates over an unordered set of vectors can be used for AGGM , AGGC , AGGL, and/or READOUT. Our implementation leverages the sum operator for AGGM and READOUT and the concat operator for AGGC and AGGL. We empirically found that applying attention [72] over the individual subgraph component representations did not yield any performance gains over summation for READOUT.


We introduce an extremely simple transformation that allows composition of a more scalable concurrent blocking multiset, or bag, from multiple "lanes" of a potentially less scalable underlying multiset. Our design disperses accesses over the various lanes, reducing contention and memory coherence hot spots. Implemented in Java, for instance, we construct a multiset from multiple lanes of java.util.concurrent.SynchronousQueue that yields more than 8 times the aggregate throughput of a single instance of SynchronousQueue when run on a 64-way Sun Niagara-2 system with 16 producer threads and 16 consumer threads. We experimented with various queues from java.util.conconcurrent and found that in general a MultiLane form will outperform its underlying counterpart.


In this primarily methodological essay, several issues are explored. Among them are questions of starting point; the inclusiveness of the claims made in feminist ethics; the place of virtue, principles, and rules; and the relation of feminist ethics to Christian ethics. But methodological issues raise substantive ones. I suggest, therefore, that the concepts of friendship and nurture are normative starting points for the resolution of questions of both method and content.


Primary aromatic amides are valuable compounds, which are generally prepared via Beckmann rearrangement of oximes and the hydration of nitriles in organic solvents. We investigated the environmentally friendly catalytic aminocarbonylation in water. Thus, a novel heterogeneous transition-metal catalyst, a polymer-supported terpyridine–palladium(II) complex, was prepared and found to promote azidocarbonylation of aryl iodides with NaN3 and to reduce the generated benzoyl azides in water under CO gas to yield primary aryl amides with high to excellent yield in a one-pot reaction. The catalyst was recovered and reused several times with no loss of catalytic activity.


In the light of the general situation of the eutrophication, this paper probes into the pollutional ecological effect of the eutrophication including its influences on the quality of the water-body, the physiology of the aquatic organism, the community structure of the aquatic organism and the functions of the aquatic ecosystem.


In the method of this invention is that as, according to the present invention, the heat insulating material filling method on a building frame with heat insulating material is filled is produced by heat insulating material filling method and the method using the additional firing is to charge the insulating material in the interior of the frame, the insulation insulating material preparation step of preparing an insulator made of a foamed molded article is smaller in size than the hollow part of the frame to be charged; Water addition step of adding moisture to the surface of the insulating material; Insulation insertion step of inserting the insulation that the moisture added to the hollow portion of the frame; And by heating the inserted frame the heat insulating material, inside the frame more foam expansion step of expanding the insulating material to carry out additional foaming of the insulator made of the expanded molded article; insulation with more expanded, characterized in that comprises a charge this method is provided.


The present invention relates to an anode for electroplating, which comprises an anode base and a shield, and thereby characterized in that in their use in the electroplating of the additive degradation is reduced.


Hemangiomas are known as congenital vascular malformations that can affect almost any organ or tissue, with the liver being the most common intra-abdominal organ to be involved. It is well known that hemangiomas are the most common benign tumours of the liver, and develop in about 4-20% of people, mainly young adult females. Recently, due to the dramatic rise in the use of imaging studies for different purposes, a parallel increase in the incidence of these tumours has been noticed. Most liver hemangiomas are small (less than 4cm in diameter), asymptomatic and found incidentally during abdominal operation for other indication or on radiologic studies. Giant liver hemangioma is defi ned as hemangioma with a diameter of more than 5cm. This unique and uncommon type of haemangioma usually poses therapeutic challenges for the treating physician, especially hepatic surgeons, due to the unclear natural history, and due to the risk of life threatening complications is yet to be established. While it is already proved by several studies that conservative management of giant hepatic hemangioma is safe, it is not known whether observation of the extremely large hepatic hemangioma (tumours larger than 10cm) is safe as well.


Optical lithography is now preparing to meet the challenge of 250nm technology. Optical systems with very high numerical apertures and deep-UV (250nm) and VDUV (193nm) illumination systems are under development. Step and Scan DUV systems are in production, and prototype systems for VDUV already exist and are being used for process development at 193nm. At the heart of these technologies lies a process specification that must be achieved on the silicon wafers. This specification dictates the size and performance of the final semiconductor devices. All of the specification numbers such as line width control, resolution, overlay, and distortion must be shared between the etching technology, the exposure tool, and the reticle. The reticle is a very important component; for some 1X technologies such as X-ray proximity, it presents a major problem. This paper reviews the current fabrication of 4X reticles used on Micrascan systems for deep-UV lithography. The current specifications achieved on 4X reticles for 350nm lithography are studied. Results from distortion and line width measurements are presented and analyzed for both EBeam (MEBES) and Optically (CORE) generated reticles. The impact of the reticle specification budget is evaluated against measured performance from a Micrascan I1 deep-UV system. Line width control and overlay budgets are studied. Defect levels and reticle costs are also discussed. The extension of the reticle making technology to 250nm lithography is analyzed. In this context, the issue of 4X versus 5X is debated. 135 1993 IEEWSEMI Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference


Simple Summary A least 15% of cat owners lose their pet in a five-year period and some are never found. This paper reports on data gathered from an online questionnaire that asked questions regarding search methods used to locate missing cats and locations where missing cats were found. The most important finding from this retrospective case series was that approximately one third of cats were recovered within 7 days. Secondly, a physical search increased the chances of finding cats alive and 75% of cats were found within a 500 m radius of their point of escape. Thirdly, those cats that were indoor-outdoor and allowed outside unsupervised traveled longer distances compared with indoor cats that were never allowed outside. Lastly, cats considered to be highly curious in nature were more likely to be found inside someone else's house compared to other personality types. These findings suggest that a physical search within the first week of a cat going missing could be a useful strategy. In light of these findings, further research into this field may show whether programs such as shelter, neuter and return would improve the chances of owners searching and finding their missing cats as well as decreasing euthanasia rates in shelters. Abstract Missing pet cats are often not found by their owners, with many being euthanized at shelters. This study aimed to describe times that lost cats were missing for, search methods associated with their recovery, locations where found and distances travelled. A retrospective case series was conducted where self-selected participants whose cat had gone missing provided data in an online questionnaire. Of the 1210 study cats, only 61% were found within one year, with 34% recovered alive by the owner within 7 days. Few cats were found alive after 90 days. There was evidence that physical searching increased the chance of finding the cat alive (p = 0.073), and 75% of cats were found within 500 m of the point of escape. Up to 75% of cats with outdoor access traveled 1609 m, further than the distance traveled by indoor-only cats (137 m; p ≤ 0.001). Cats considered to be highly curious were more likely to be found inside someone else's house compared to other personality types. These findings suggest that thorough physical searching is a useful strategy, and should be conducted within the first week after cats go missing. They also support further investigation into whether shelter, neuter and return programs improve the chance of owners recovering missing cats and decrease numbers of cats euthanized in shelters.


Today, FPGA devices contain up to 10 million system gates [1] and within three to four years processing technology will allow us to build 50 million gate devices, i.e. enough logic to build very complex, high performance systems. In addition, these devices operate at internal clock speeds, the equal of most ASIC's. Although the opportunities for building complex systems with these FPGA platforms are unprecedented, new breakthroughs will be required to solve.


*1 Reprinted from "Persistent Quest Research Activities 2005" <http://inisjp.tokai.jaeri.go.jp/ACT05E/Frame03O3.htm>. Fig. 2 A typical calculated result. While most organs or tissues principally consist of hydrogen and oxygen, tooth enamel contains calcium and phosphorus. The probability of interaction with photons and increased dose are higher for elements with larger atomic numbers and for photons with energies below 100keV.


A microscopic model is used to analyze gain and loss properties of (GaIn)(NAs)∕GaAs quantum wells in the 1.3–1.55μm range, including Auger and radiative recombination. The calculations show that, as long as good material quality can be achieved, growing highly compressively strained samples is preferable due to their specific band structure properties. Optimum laser operation is possible slightly above a peak gain of 1000cm−1.


Research projects on the dynamics of South American ecosystems were realized in close cooperation between the Institute of Soil Science in Bayreuth and Latin American scientists. This article summarizes seven current geoecological projects in Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador. In the center of the research work are the climate history of the Argentine Pampa, the fertility of the Red Indian Black Earth, the interactions between different tree species in mixed tree plantations in the Amazon region, the influence of land use on water and nutrient availability for plants, the impact of the intensive use of pesticides in the Brazilian savanna, as well as the water and nutrient fluxes in the montane forests of Ecuador.


Translated by A. Weller. London and New York: Routledge. Levine, H. B. 2011. "Construction Then and now." In On Freud's "Constructions in Analysis", edited by S. Lewkowicz, T. Bokanowski, with G. Pragier, 87–100. London: Karnac/IPA. Levine, H. B. 2012. "The Colourless Canvas: Representation, Therapeutic Action, and the Creation of Mind." In Unrepresented States and the Creation of Meaning, edited by H. B. Levine, G. Reed, and D. Scarfone, 2013, 42–71. London: Karnac/IPA. Levine, H. B. 2015. "Myth, Dream and Meaning. Reflections on a Comment by Bion." In The W.R. Bion Tradition, edited by H. B. Levine, and G. Civitarese, 307–314. 2015, London: Karnac. Levine, H. B. 2016. "Psychoanalysis and the Problem of Truth." Psychoanalytic Quarterly 85: 391–409. Winnicott, D. W. 1974. "Fear of Breakdown." Int. Rev. Psa 1: 103–107.


The main objective of this article is to demonstrate the ability of our technique in estimating the probabilistic-based time-history to be used in dynamic analysis of structures. The result of using our technique is compared with that of traditional approach proposed by Cornell (Cornell, 1968), in the form of response spectrum through a case study. Good agreement of the two approaches confirms the applicability/reliability of our technique having the merit of being dynamic form to be used in recognizing the vulnerability as well as performance evaluation of exiting important structures particularly in regions with lack of destructive earthquake information such as the region under study, Arge-Bam which was highly damaged through the destructive Bam earthquake in 2003.


Objective To study the clinical effect of panipenem/betamipron on severe hospital acquired pneumonia (SHAP). Methods The clinical file of the SHAP patient with hepatocirrhosis, whose temperature and white blood cell counts were obtained as the index of treatment. Results It was proved that panipenem/betamipron was efficacious for severe hospital acquired pneumonia in patient with age over 65 years old and well tolerated with few adverse events for initial empirical therapy. Conclusions Panipenem/betamipron demonstrated good clinical and bacteriological efficacy in elderly patients with SHAP.

Key words:
Pneumonia ;  Hospital acquired pneumonia ;  Panipenem/Betamipron ;


In this paper, the design of high energy density dielectric capacitors for energy storage in vehicle, industrial, and electric utility applications have been considered in detail. The performance of these devices depends primarily on the dielectric constant and breakdown strength characteristics of the dielectric material used. A review of the literature on composite polymer materials to assess their present dielectric constants and the various approaches being pursued to increase energy density found that there are many papers in which materials having dielectric constants of 20–50 were reported, but only a few showing materials with very high dielectric constants of 500 and greater. The very high dielectric constants were usually achieved with nanoscale metallic or carbon particles embedded in a host polymer and the maximum dielectric constant occurred near the percolation threshold particle loading. In this study, an analytical method to calculate the dielectric constant of composite dielectric polymers with various types of nanoparticles embedded is presented. The method was applied using an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the characteristics of spiral wound battery cells using various composite polymers with embedded particles. The calculated energy densities were strong functions of the size of the particles and thickness of the dielectric layer in the cell. For a 1000 V cell, an energy density of 100–200 Wh/kg was calculated for 3–5 nm particles and 3–5 µ thick dielectric layers. The results of this study indicate that dielectric materials with an effective dielectric constant of 500–1000 are needed to develop dielectric capacitor cells with battery-like energy density. The breakdown strength would be 300–400 V/µ in a reverse sandwich multilayer dielectric arrangement. The leakage current of the cell would be determined from appropriate DC testing. These high energy density dielectric capacitors are very different from electrochemical capacitors that utilize conducting polymers and liquid electrolytes and are constructed much like batteries. The dielectric capacitors have a very high cell voltage and are constructed like conventional ceramic capacitors.


Background Children aged 2 months to 2 years with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) need special attention considering kidney complications, unspecified symptoms, and difficult urine sample collection. Urinalysis was the main supportive examination for UTI because of its immediate result and widespread availability. Objective To estimate urine nitrite, leukocyte esterase (LE), leucocyturia, bacteriuria, and their combinations as a diagnostic tool for febrile UTI in children aged 2 months to 2 years. Methods This is a diagnostic study held in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Tangerang General Hospital, Fatmawati Hospital, and Budhi Asih Hospital, involving 7 5 children aged 2 months to 2 years. Urine samples for urinalysis and urine culture were collected using urine collector in all subjects. Clinical pathologists who performed urine culture, did not know the results of urinalysis. Results By parallel test analyses, we found that the best diagnostic value was the combination of 3 tests (LE, leucocyturia, and bacteriuria). This combination test showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 69%, 95%, 85%, 88%, 13.1, and 0.3. Conclusion The combination test of LE, leucocyturia, and bacteriuria shows high specificity, NPV, and LR+ . Therefore, the negative results of these 3 tests in combination can be used to rule out UTI.


Treatment of macular degeneration, discloses the prevention and / or treatment methods. Certain embodiments, acceptable salts immunomodulatory compound or its pharmaceutically, solvate, hydrate, stereoisomer, clathrate, or prodrug alone or a second active agent and / or surgery comprising administering in combination with. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the method of the present invention also discloses a unit dosage form and kits.


Currently, most cement mills operate in a closed circuit. Installing a separator without a significant modernization of the mill allows to increase its productivity (by about 20 %) and improve the grain size distribution of the cement; therefore the improvement of the separation process, especially abroad, is of great importance. The advantage of converting a mill to a closed circuit is not limited to the above described positive sides. The separator allows to reduce the weighted average diameter of the ball and the degree of adhesion of the material, provides the ability to control the fineness of cement without changing the range of grinding bodies. As a result, the efforts of scientists are directed towards improving the design of separators, while they usually do not pay enough attention to the main characteristics of the grinding load and adjust them considering the presence of separation system. Many scientists have established the fact that the optimal composition and characteristics of the grinding load can increase the productivity of the ball mill by 10–20 % without reducing the fineness of the cement grinding. Switching the mill to a closed circuit while using a rational grinding load, both in the first and in the second chamber will achieve an additive effect of increasing the energy efficiency of the grinding unit. The authors of this article pay special attention to the packing density of grinding media in the second chamber, because the increase in the value of this indicator does not always lead to a positive effect. On the basis of experimental data, the article proves the absence of an unambiguous relationship between the porousness of the grinding load under equal conditions and the value of the parameters characterizing the fineness of grinding.


Won the Second Runner-Up in the ISACA Student Group Annual Case Competition 2016 organized by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) China HK Chapter, along with the ISACA Student Groups of HKUST and CityU.


In the future Intelligent Transportation Systems can be expected to be widespread and to be based on some synergistic integration of the 30 defined ITS applications. The fully integrated system will however be expensive and few, if any, regions will be able to embark upon the implementation of a full system in the immediate future. A piecemeal approach in which the system building blocks are selected to satisfy immediate local needs therefore seems inevitable. How then should we plan and select these building blocks to ensure that in the long term they will fit together into one seamless system accessible to all potential users? This paper discusses some of the issues that planners should address to ensure that the investment in piecemeal implementation can be applied towards the long term infrastructure so that the full benefits achievable from the integration of mutliple ITS applications will eventually be obtained. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 490001.


This paper explores recent developments in social auditing in Australia and considers what the future might hold for this emerging area of practice. The authors reflect on their own social audit experience with two organisations that are using social auditing to improve their corporate social responsibility performance. They consider inherent tensions of working with a 'hybrid' approach to social auditing that combines a subjective/narrative evidence base with the need for objective verifiable data. The aim of the article is to open up discussion about the legitimate place of social science thinking and research in the sustainability and social assurance process to ensure that social auditing continues to provide value to both corporate management and internal and external stakeholders. The authors encourage other social auditors to share their experiences. l Social auditing