The graph isomorphism problem (GI) plays a central role in the theory of computational complexity and has importance in physics and chemistry as well [1, 2]. No polynomial-time algorithm for solving GI is knowm We investigate classical and quantum physics-based polynomial-time algorithms for solving the graph isomorphism problem in which the graph structure is reflected in the behavior of a dynamical system. We show that a classical dynamical algorithm proposed by Gudkov and Nussinov [25] as well as its simplest quantum generalization fail to distinguish pairs of non-isomorphlc strongly regular graphs. However, by combining the algorithm of Gudkov and Nussinov with a construction proposed by Rudolph [26] in which one examines a graph describing the dynamics of two particles on the original graph, we find an algorithm that successfully distinguishes all pairs of non-isomorphic strongly regular graphs that we tested with up to 29 vertices.


Based on the generalized 3S technique of surveying and mapping industry,this article conducts a research focused on the highway operation safety.It established a security space transportation database,a dynamic information acquisition technology,and a dynamic traffic operation safety evaluation system according to the generalized 3S technique.


This report describes the development and testing of a safety climate evaluation tool for use in community pharmacies. The final tool comprises 30 items within 5 factors: Leadership, Teamwork, Safety Systems, Communication and Working Conditions. Future direction includes using the tool as part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) in Primary Care for Pharmacy, to promote the safe and effective use of medicines through promoting a positive safety climate within primary care pharmacy.


There is a multitude of licenses out there for a software developer to choose from, but a lot of programmers would prefer to not have to have a legal degree in order to understand them and would rather just have their code out in the public being used. This paper examines a few of the more popular and common software licenses available and compares their conditions from the perspective that a developer wanted to scratch their proverbial itch, have their code be used and maybe even get credit for it. This paper attempts to clarify which license a developer would benefit from the most if they just want to have their code used, have their name out there and not be sued if anything breaks.


The luminescence properties of Cr3+ ions in powdered Na2MgAlF7 multicrystal were studied experimentally. The fluorescent emission from 4T2 covers a wide region of 700 nm-1050 nm in the near-infrared. At 77 K, the fluorescence lifetime is about 310μs and the decay curve deviates slightly from single expenential form Temperature quenching occurs at above 200K. Several structures on the spectra are discussed.


Moleculer variance is very important. Information was resulted from analysis in moleculer level can to adventadge as a first step to manage of breeding programs. The aim of this research was to determine moleculer variance in palm oil based on SSR primer using FR0465, FR391, FR304, FR0350 and FR3693 primers. The research was conducted at Terpadu Laboratory, Faculty of Medicines, North Sumatera University from September 2015 to February 2016. Gen Alex ver. 6.501, Power Marker 3.25 and software DARwin Softwere Versi 6 were used to calculate and analysis. The result of this research showed that value of moleculer varians of Palm Oil (E. guineensis) was 62.43%, polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.338. Measure of fragment about 120 bp – 496 bp. FR02350 has a highest number of alel and value of expected heterozygote (He) was 0.685.


This paper explores the interrelationship between patients' exercise of will to make advances in an analysis and their readiness to forgive their analysts for their human limitations. There is a thin line between idealization of the analyst, probably a necessary component of the process, and resentment of the analyst for his or her privileged position in the world and in the analytic situation itself. The patient's "progress" emerges as a kind of reparative gift, one that implicitly overcomes the patient's tendency to withhold such change out a sense of chronic, malignant envy. Particularly poignant in terms of its potential to elicit the patient's reparative concern is the situation in which the analyst is struggling with his or her mortality because of aging or life-threatening illness. In this essay two clinical vignettes are presented to illustrate some of the issues that this situation poses. One begins with an elderly patient appearing at the door of the analyst's (the author's) home the day of his return from the hospital after coronary bypass surgery. The other begins with an analyst who is terminally ill appearing at the door of a patient who is threatening suicide. The two stories are compared in terms of their implications for human agency, the exercise of will, and the coconstruction of meaning in the face of mortality in the analytic process.


Microscopic examinations of CCA-treated Pinus radiata D.Don timbers in an industrial cooling tower in New Zealand showed bacteria and soft-rot fungi to be primarily responsible for the decay of these timbers. Of these micro-organisms, erosion bacteria appeared to be most widespread, attacking wood cell walls independently as well as in combination with tunnelling bacteria and soft-rot fungi. Tunnelling bacteria attacked wood often with soft-rot fungi, and less commonly with erosion bacteria. Wood samples were taken from various locations in the cooling tower, including spray line support, panelling above the spray drift eliminators, and from spray drift elimination slats. Examination of these samples indicated that, among the microorganisms which attacked the wood, erosion bacteria were most tolerant of oxygenlimiting conditions as bacterial erosion was the only type of decay present in wood constantly saturated with water. The evidence provided of the presence of widespread bacterial attacks in an industrial cooling tower timbers is the basis for recognising that bacteria may play an important role in the deterioration of cooling tower timbers.


The present paper deals with problems of linking catenaries for 25 kV, 50 c/s a.c. and for 3 kV d.c., respectively, and discusses the question whether, under the operating conditions prevailing on the Soviet railways, it is preferable to separate the traction systems by switching over the catenary voltages at the stations or to use electric locomotives equipped for dual traction voltages. Each of these methods has its applications. A more detailed description is given of the method of alternative voltage feed to the catenary which has already been introduced at 17 stations and found to be fully practicable and reliable for the heavy train services largely concentrated on the principal railway arteries of the USSR.


A hand-held kitchen utensil having a manually operable rotary drive mechanism including a helical grooved spindle housed within a tubular protective sleeve. The drive mechanism is actuated by the alternate application of a substantially vertically directed downward force which slidably displaces the sleeve. Upon removal of said force, a restoring spring force returns the protective sleeve to its initial position. This reciprocal sleeve movement is effective for rotating the spindle and an attached circular blade in respective clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A plurality of arcuate support bands extend from the circular blade and form auxiliary food mixing elements. The invention also encompasses the selective utilization of interchangeable blades which can be attached for specific food processing requirements.


Subjectivism states that meaning in life is determined by what subjects regard as meaningful. Objectivism denies this. The main argument against subjectivism is that it allows for seemingly worthless, or even immoral, sources of meaning. Objectivism, on the other hand, does not do justice to the role of subjective perspectives in the quest for meaning. This paper addresses the shortcomings of both positions by referring to the objective value of 'meaning autonomy', defined here as the freedom to determine for oneself what is meaningful in life. While the notion of meaning autonomy is compatible with realist objectivism, objectivity is understood in a non-realist sense in this paper, as being based on cultural standards of meaningfulness. Subjective meaning may be attached to 'worthless' activities, but it cannot contradict the moral norms of the society that grants its members meaning autonomy.


Canadian English has been called "a blend of British and American English," but one may postulate that the English language spoken in Canada exhibits enough differences in vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation to distinguish it from both American and British English. Although it has much in common ...


The paper overviews and analyses the current status of the development and research of active hydro-pneumatic dampers, which are used in rehabilitation equipment, where vortex jet devices can be applied as control valves. The study focuses on a vortex jet device whose distinctive feature is the absence of mechanically moving parts, describes the principle of its operation, and gives the rationale for using it in the active hydro-pneumatic damper of the knee module prosthesis. From a review of scientific and technical literature, a conclusion is drawn that active hydro-pneumatic dampers are used not only in rehabilitation equipment but also in vehicle shock absorbers. The experience gained in the design and development of active hydro-pneumatic dampers for vehicle shock absorbers was applied in the design and development of an active hydro-pneumatic damper for the knee module. In order to identify the advantages and disadvantages, we examined some designs of active hydro-pneumatic dampers for vehicle shock absorbers. Analysis of technical solutions showed the advantage of vortex jet devices, e.g. high reliability, the ability to work with various working environments, low manufacturing and operating costs; enabled us to recommend a vortex jet device to be used as an actuator, i.e., a vortex valve, in the valve assembly of an active hydro-pneumatic damper. The use of a vortex jet device increases the reliability of the structure and reduces the energy consumption for the control of the structure. The proposed design of the hydro-pneumatic damper allows the use of interactive damping control. The study is the first to introduce the concept and describe the principle of operation of an active hydro-pneumatic damper using a vortex jet device


Abstract We present numerical studies on the light transport properties which are tuned by the disorder strength in quasi-one-dimensional disordered waveguides consisting of periodically arranged scatterers with random dielectric constant. The transport mean free path is found to be inversely proportional to the square of the relative fluctuation of the dielectric constant as in the 1D and 2D cases but the proportionality coefficient is between those of 1D and 2D. The transport properties of light through a sample with a fixed size can be tuned from ballistic to localized regime as well, and a generalized scaling function is introduced to determine the light transport status in such a sample. The calculation of the energy density profile of the most transmitted eigenchannel clearly exhibits the transition of transport behaviour from diffusion to localization.


As historic bridges age, they are often rendered useless by modern load requirements and codes. Many had been abandoned or demolished. In 1991, however, the ISTEA created new provisions for restoration, and since then, old bridges have been turning into parks and pedestrian walks.


Objective and Methods: This study includes a comprehensive review of the critical literature on the most relevant and current position in the evolution and the different strategies in neonatal resuscitation research. Results: It is necessary to establish a transitional support the infant in the adaptation period, the delay in cord clamping should be at least 1 minute, optimal temperature ranges from 36,5-37,5oC neonate. Ventilatory support in preterm infants, should initially either air or low oxygen concentrations used (up 30%). If despite effective ventilation oxygenation remained unacceptable, it should be considered the use of higher concentrations of oxygen. Conclusions: Efforts to improve the performance sequence to a revival in different hospitals consensual and reducing the incidence of perinatal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity and mortality.


The molecular scale understanding of electrode-electrolyte interfaces is significant, as interfacial molecular structures play a critical role in determining various properties such as capacitance and catalytic activity. However, the limited understanding exists on the interfaces, especially at a molecular level, due to difficulties to selectively probe the interfaces without an interference from the bulk. In this talk, I will present our recent observations on molecular configurations at electrified interfaces using in-situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). To be specific, we study interfaces of ionic liquids and aqueous electrolytes, considering they are promising candidates for various electrochemical applications. Our SERS spectra display a strong enough interface-sensitivity providing comprehensive information on a potential-dependence of ion configurations such as molecular position and orientation. We expect the molecular scale understandings provided by our studies are beneficial to a wide range of electrochemical applications including supercapacitors, batteries, and electrocatalysts.


Abstract : Optimally designed composite materials offer the best material systems to achieve the many demands that are being placed on structures and components in Air Force applications. We have adapted the topology optimization method to design three-dimensional composite microstructures with multi functional characteristics. These include optimal multifunctional materials with optimal electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, elastic moduli, dielectric constant, and fluid permeability. In many instances, the optimal microstructures were entirely new, and in all instances the designed materials are manufacturable.


The lack of fresh water and energy independence in remote islands leads to the investigation of Hybrid Systems (HS). In this paper, the implementation of wind energy for meeting energy, water, and electromobility demands on a Greek island is examined. The stochastic nature of wind potential leads to the introduction of energy storage units. Energy storage can be achieved through the HS, which utilizes the rich wind potential of the island of Kos, stores excess energy through pumping to an upper reservoir, and produces hydropower in order to cover the energy deficit. The HS in this study consists of a wind farm with a total capacity of 9.4 MW, which is composed of 4 wind turbines of 2.35 MW, two desalination units with a total capacity of 2275 m3/day a 10 kW power pump for pumping the desalinated water to the drinking water reservoir with a capacity of 180000 m3. It also consists of a hydro turbine of 5 m3/s and an upper reservoir with a capacity of 400000 m3 at a height of 176 m above the hydroelectric station. The first operated scenario aims to meet the energy and water needs of Pyli (3500 inhabitants). The second scenario aims to cover the electromobility and water needs of 20000 inhabitants, which is equivalent to the entire city of Kos. The simulation models operate with hourly meteorological and demand data for the period 2016-2020, results about CO2 emissions, before and after the integration of the HS are presented, and a cost-benefit analysis is performed for the first scenario.


This article deals on the problems related to the involvement of subordinate sectors in the Praiera Insurrection (184849) and the street demonstrations that precede. It tries to appraise this participation and investigate the probable motivations. Fifteen low and medium rank workers of the state apparatus and twenty-two craft workers were charged in the inquest. Among them, there were "persuasive elements" that lead meetings in their shops. The boldest ones even shot at the imperial troops in the Recife combat. The Praieira serves as the angle to study the client's compliance to the ruling network and the forming of grassroot leaderships able to mediate the relationship between the haute politique and the immediate interests of free deprived urban workers.


Review(s) of: Womens waterworks - curing incontinence, by Prof Pauline Chiarelli, (64 pages), Published by Chiarelli Health Care, More than 350,000 sold worldwide, $15 for one, $7 each for five or more.


Response of rooting attributes of peppermint ( Mentha piperita L.) stem cuttings to natural rooting stimulators Vanajah Thuraisingham 1 * , Thayamini H. Seran 2 1 Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka 2  Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka *firstname.lastname@example.com , email@example.com ABSTRACT Mentha piperita L is a hybrid plant derived from the crossing of Mentha aquatic and Mentha spicata . The plant is not able  to reproduce seeds. The present study was aimed to determine the most suitable liquid medium for better rooting and survival. Healthy immature stem cuttings of peppermint with two pairs of leaf were placed in 5% vermiwash, 5% honey, 5% coconut water and pure water. The results revealed that there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in rooting percentage of stem cuttings among the tested treatments. The stem cuttings of peppermint plant dipped in 5% vermiwash showed remarkably higher rooting percentage and lower rooting percentage was observed in pure water after 72 hours. Further, experiment was done to optimize the concentration of vermiwash liquid medium for better rooting and survival of peppermint stem cuttings Healthy stem cuttings were placed in liquid media of different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of vermiwash. The result indicated that the stem cuttings dipped in 10% vermiwash had higher rooting percentage (98%) and growth of shoots within a week of period. Furthermore, an experiment was done to determine the rooting of stem cuttings on sand medium by applying the different concentrations (0%, 3%, 4%, 5%) of vermiwash instead of watering. R esults recorded the growth performance of peppermint stem cuttings ie; number of suckers, shoot length, root length, fresh shoot and root weight were increased gradually with increase in vermiwash concentration from 3% to 5%. The vermiwash has a significant effect on rooting of peppermint cuttings.  Key words: Coconut water, honey, peppermint, stem cutting, vermiwash [*] Corresponding author: e-mail


We report on the preparation and characterization of the planar and ridge waveguides in TGG crystals. The planar waveguide was formed by the 6.0-MeV Si-ion implantation with a dose of 2.0 × 1015 ions/cm2 and the precise diamond blade dicing technique was applied to manufacture the surface of the planar waveguide to construct the ridge structure. The images of planar and ridge cross-sections were photographed by a metallographic microscope. The SRIM 2013 was utilized to achieve the energy loss profiles of electrons and nuclei. The dark-mode spectra and the guiding properties were separately measured by the prism coupling and end-face coupling methods. The simulation processing on the refractive index profile and the near-field mode distribution were operated by the RCM and the BPM software, respectively. In consideration of the high-quality optical propagation performances, the TGG planar and ridge waveguides can serve as superior candidates in the magneto-optical devices.


The encryption algorithm for data encryption is proposed,which is based on chaotic map system.In the encryption process,we take the sine chaotic map and Chebyshev-map together that the structure is relative simple and generate a relatively complex sequence.Sensitivity and random testing of two chaotic mapping,two chaotic maps obtained with better cryptographic properties,and verify obtained the encryption system has better encrypted performance.Which makes constructing algorithm more complex,key space of algorithm will be bigger and it's harder to break into this cryptosystem.As a result,the goods processes of commodity circulation have a stronger function of anti-counterfeiting.


An analytical method for finding the optimal route to be followed by an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) is proposed. The proposed algorithm aims to generate a collision-free route with minimum travel time in reaching some given waypoints. The method comprises of two algorithms. First, a grid map-based algorithm for static obstacle avoidance by forming sub-waypoints at the tangent angle of the obstacle using the weight of each obstacle to generate feasible paths. The obstacle weights are determined based on whether the neighboring cells are also obstacles or not. Second, the dynamic programming-based path planning optimization to find several shortest paths among those feasible paths. The USV is modeled in a Six-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DOF) equations of motion whose parameters are determined based on a physical model USV. Simulation results are presented to show the method successfully guides the USV without crashing into obstacles. As shown, due to the USV's limited maneuverability, the shortest path obtained using dynamic programming is not always the path with the shortest travel distance, and the shortest travel distance does not guarantee the shortest travel time either. As a comparison, a genetic algorithm has been conducted to produce the optimal route. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm produces an 11.6% reduction in travel time and a 99.55% reduction in computing time than the genetic algorithm.


Structural and thermal data were obtained for a novel hemihydrate of 6-mercaptopurine. The hemihydrate shows increased solubility and bioavailability when compared to the monohydrate form, better stability against conversion in aqueous media than the anhydrate form, and a dehydration temperature of 240 °C, the highest of any known hydrate crystal.


This study assesses the utility of Bannatyne's recategorization of subtest scaled scores on the WISC-R (Wechsler 1974). The WISC-R was administered to 208 school-verified learning disabled (LD) children. The obtained subtest scaled scores were recategorized in the manner suggested by Bannatyne (1974) into Spatial, Conceptual, Sequential, and Acquired Knowledge categories. The mean Spatial score was significantly greater than the mean Conceptual score, which, in turn, exceeded the Sequential and Acquired Knowledge scores. The total sample was also subdivided Into high and low IQ subgroups to determine if the Spatiaf>Con-ceptual>Sequential pattern was affected by or independent of the level of intellectual functioning. Relatively high and low IQ subgroups exhibited similar patterns of recategorized scores. The relationship did not hold true, however, when the recategorized scores of children who obtained Full Scale IQs of 75 or less (N=26) were examined. The implications for educational practice and future research are discussed in a final section.


Purpose:The purpose of this paper was to review the research literature in physical education to establish what is currently known about the extent to which the national outcome goals have been achieved.Method:Papers were selected through an initial search of the EBSCO database, with main identifiers included being physical education, physical activity, and physical fitness, combined with the descriptors that represented the key idea of each of the give content standards. Further journal articles were then obtained through the citations and references in the original documents.Results:While there is a dearth of results that directly accounts for the accomplishment of the standards, the research suggests that the expectations of performance, as outlined in the standards, are being realized by less than half of all students participating in physical education.Discussion:The discussion presents a model for moving research in the field forward, and suggests there is a need for descriptive studies which provid...


© 2020 African Journal of Biological Sciences.This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Abstract Potassium bromate (KBrO3) used widely in foods have been classified as known human carcinogen with various complications associated with its use. Telfairia occidentalis is a medicinal plant with a number of pharmacological activities attributed to its extracts. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Aqueous Extract of Telfairia occidentalis (AETO) on potassium bromateinduced hepatotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. 20 Wistar rats obtained from the Animal House of the Biochemistry Department, FUTA, were acclimatized for one week. They were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group A received distilled water, Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of KBrO3, Group C received 100 mg/kg b.w. of KBrO3 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of AETO, and Group D received 100 mg/kg b.w. of KBrO3 with 500 mg/kg b.w. of AETO concomitantly for 21 days. Results obtained revealed that exposure of rats to KBrO3 caused loss of normal histoarchitecture, hepatocellular injury and degeneration as well as decreasing hematological parameters. However, administration of AETO with KBrO3 ameliorated the induced-hepatic injury at the same time increasing the hematological parameters. Conclusively, AETO offer protective effects by restoring the structural integrity of the liver and increasing the level of blood parameters which was initially decreased by KBrO3.


During the Republic of China period, the marriage customs of Henan province has turn out a new tendency: the marriage ceremony etiquette being from over elaborate to simple, the independence concept of marriage litigant being strengthen, the age of marriage litigant being raised, the superstitious color of marriage custom being faint. During this period, marriage customs in Henan province has presented the new appearance: the new marriage ceremony has developed out of balance; the new and old style marriage custom has been co-existed; the new marriage custom still has serious disadvantages; the new marriage custom has advocated lately-marriage.


53 Gene therapy may be described as the use of genes as medicines to treat disease, or more precisely as the delivery of nucleic acids by means of a vector to patients for some therapeutic purpose. Gene therapy has enormous promise but clinical trials have failed to deliver. The primary reason is the inadequacy of the vectors used. Researchers have driven for clinical applications long before vector technologies have been adequately developed or understood. Predictably, there has been a significant decline in scientific and public perceptions of gene therapy. This trend is unhelpful but can be reversed by a period of patient, logical, technical and scientific development of new vector systems, prior to any major second round of clinical trial activity. But which type of new vector system would be most appropriate to develop: viral or nonviral, synthetic or physical? Opinions may vary, but a balanced assessment suggests that synthetic nonviral vectors should be the main vector systems of choice for routine gene therapy in the future. Synthetic nonviral vector systems have many potential advantages compared with viral systems, including significantly lower toxicity/immunogenicity and potential for oncogenicity, size-independent delivery of nucleic acids (from oligonucleotides to artificial chromosomes), simpler quality control, and substantially easier pharmaceutical and regulatory requirements. Increasing public alarm, particularly with the toxic side effects of virus use, is also strengthening these significant advantages. So what is holding us back? Quite simply, synthetic nonviral vector systems do not appear to be stable enough in biological fluids, neither are they sufficiently reproducible or efficient enough at mediating transfection (i.e. , gene delivery and expression). There is a clear need for technical breakthroughs. The recent paper by Aoyama et al. may represent one such breakthrough. While many synthetic nonviral vector


The mutagenic mechanism,mutagenic technology,molecular mark technology and identification and screening techniques of mutagenesis were summarized according to the research progress of mutation breeding in recent years.The main developing direction was analyzed,and the prospects of the mutation breeding was put forward.


pharmacy under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. 2 Pharmacy assistants, after one year of expertise. If failing in their chosen level, they would be placed into the next lower level for one year until they could again apply for re-licensure. practice, may apply for entrance to a two-year scientific and clinical program leading to the decision-making Pharm.D. pharmacist who will be capable of directing pharmaceutical care in all settings. Surely, the above provides one possible solution and there hopefully will be more. However, this approach should increase access, develops a new market for education and thereby provides needed revenue, Drovides more Dersonnel in the field to All of the above would require re-licensure every five years in order to maintain their practice satisfy customer needs, and it should improve the quality of the three levels of educational programs.


This project involves the chapel itself, and the entrance. From the latter there is direct access to the sacristy, the heating room and the choir.
The visitor is strongly moved by the formal sincerity and the effectiveness of the materials employed in the construction of the chapel: he is placed in the most favourable mood to seek communication with his Creator.
The structure is wholly reinforced concrete, and it is surprising to find how pleasant is both the texture, colour and external plasticity of this material when employed skillfully.


The object of this paper is to establish an Eulerian integral and a main theorem based upon the fractional operator associated with H-function of several complex variables and multivariable I-function which provide unification and extension of numerous results in the theory of fractional calculus and hitherto lying scattered in the literature. Certain interesting special cases have also been discussed.


Interested in the collapse of a radiating star, we study the temporal evolution of a fluid with heat flux and bulk viscosity, including anisotropic pressure. As a starting point, we adopt an initial configuration that satisfies the regularities conditions as well as the energy conditions to a certain range of the mass–radius ratio for the star, defining acceptable models. For this set of models, we verify that the energy conditions remain satisfied until the black hole formation. Astrophysically relevant quantities, such as the luminosity perceived by an observer at infinity, the time of event horizon formation and the loss of mass during the collapse, are presented.


Stephen Wangh's insightful article, "Revenge and Forgiveness in Laramie, Wyoming" invites a psychoanalytic contribution to interdisciplinary dialogue on violence, revenge, and forgiveness. This author suggests that one strength of Wangh's perspective is his attention to the interplay of systemic and intrapsychic dynamics, which offers a needed corrective to dominant individualistic perspective in psychological and clinical literatures on forgiveness. He notes that Wangh does not clarify a particular definition of forgiveness or an approach to interdisciplinary dialogue. This commentary outlines a linguistic approach to the definition of forgiveness by drawing on three semantic domains of meaning (forensic, therapeutic, and redemptive or sacred). The author suggests some areas of rapprochement between the construct of forgiveness and psychoanalytical theory across each of these semantic domains and briefly illustrates the role of hermeneutics in interdisciplinary dialogue.


Recently, there has been little research published on overview and scrutiny. This article revisits the early literature. By restating and developing six conditions for the effectiveness of overview and scrutiny set out in UK government guidance in 2002, it demonstrates why success has been patchy but that scrutiny can work well when the conditions are met. The system exemplifies the doctrine of the separation of powers, in that the politicians who sit on overview and scrutiny committees are charged with holding to account another group of elected politicians who form the executive or cabinet. The practice of scrutiny could be strengthened if it was embedded as part of a wider process in which the full council holds the executive to account.


Review(s) of: Te Aoturoa Tataki. Inclusive early childhood education: Perspectives on inclusion, social justice and equity from Aotearoa New Zealand, by Diane Gordon-Burns, Alexandra Gunn, Kerry Purdue and Nicola Surtees (Eds.), Wellington, NZ, NZCER Press, 2012, ISBN 978-1-927151-43-3, Retail $39.95, 206 pp.


This paper starts with the importance of public resource transaction, enumerates the current situation of large data application in the field of public resource transaction, analyzes the significance and function of big data application in this field, gives the big data application prospect of public resource transaction, proposes the general framework and technology overview of large data application based on public resource transaction management, and points out that the public resource transaction based on big data is the future direction of development.


Abstract Tourism development in the greater Yellowstone region is examined using the tourism life cycle concept. This concept postulates that, over time, tourism destinations experience known and ordered stages of development. The stages include exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and then a series of choices ranging from rejuvenating to decline. Few empirical assessments of the tourism life cycle concept exist for federally managed resources. Four dimensions provided data for monitoring the tourism life cycle. They are visitation trends, growth of the service economy in the region, host residents' perceptions of current tourism development, and current biological indicators of the ecosystem. These four sources of information indicate that tourism development in the greater Yellowstone region is more intricate than the life cycle concept would suggest. The information reveals that development is not at a specific stage in the cycle. Development and its attendant impacts on th...


Recent prevalence of progressive scan display such as LCD TV demands the quality improvement of existing deinterlacing techniques that convert interlaced scan images including HDTV broadcasting to progressive scan images. In this paper, we propose a motion adaptive deinterlacing technique which can be used for spatial methods, temporal methods, and the spatial-temporal methods can be used for the deinterlacing techniques selectively based on the threshold values calculated by the statistics of motion in the video contents. We also propose an improved spatial deinterlacing technique that adaptively use M-ELA and DOI based on the slant of edges that are obtained by Sobel operation. The improved picture quality of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by objective and subjective quality tests on many test image sequences.


Written from the perspective of public policy the paper explores issues and problems of decison-making in a social system in terms of innovation diffusion. It examines the key areas in decision-making such as communication model, process of innovation diffusion, and the role of circulate system. To make innovation policy more effective, the article proposes a solid understanding of the power and transaction of circulate system.


The central and south German Variscian crystalline basement is considered to be the largest geothermal resource of Germany. The southern Black Forest is a representative example of this basement and has thus been selected for the investigation of exploration tools.


In this study, rat kaolin ingestion (pica) and serial urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretions were determined for three days after a single administration of low-dose cisplatin (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal, i.p.). We found that cisplatin induced acute (first 24 hours after chemotherapy) and delayed phases (24-72 hours after chemotherapy) of kaolin ingestion in rats. An increase in urinary 5-HIAA excretion was also observed in the cisplatin-administered group. These results suggest that 5-HT is involved in delayed emesis, and that urinary 5-HIAA excretion can be used as a marker in the study of delayed emesis.


Not so long ago, Australia's educational publishing industry was seen as an excellent investment. Nowadays a vastly changed international market has rendered its future uncertain, writes Greg Browne.


Climate change is expected to have serious environmental, economic and social impacts on Nigeria, particularly on rural farmers whose livelihoods depend largely on rainfall. This study therefore investigated the factors responsible for the choices of adaptation employed by cassava farmers in the study area. The study examined the adaptation choices of respondents from the two agro-ecological zones in Ekiti State. Data were collected and analyzed from a total of 40 respondents from each agro-ecological zone. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logit regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data. The study examines how cassava farmer perceptions correspond with climate data recorded at meteorological stations of Ekiti State. The statistical analysis of the climate data reveals that temperature and rainfall are increasing. The perceptions of farmer on temperature were in line with recorded climate data but contrary with that of rainfall which were perceived to be decreasing by the farmers. The respondents identified inadequate funds and climate information as the major constraints to adaptation. The study therefore concluded that educational level, farming experience, access to extension services, household size, access to climate information and household farm income are major factors statistically affecting choice of climate adaptation using multinomial logit regression. Government policies and investment strategies must support the factors highlighted above in order to rescue the poor cassava farmers from the danger of climate change.


since it converts a function of a real variable t (often representing the time) to a function of a complex variable s (complex frequency). This transform is used for solving differential equations, since it transforms differential into algebraic equations and convolution into multiplication. It can be applied to local integrable functions on [0,+∞) and it converges in each half plane Re(s)> a, the constant a, also known as the convergece abscissa, depends on the growth behavior of f (t). A large number of LT can be found in the literature and, together with the respective antitransforms, are usually used in the solution of the most diverse differential problems. The numerical computation of the link between transforms and antitransforms was considered, for example, by F.G. Tricomi [22, 23], which highlighted the link with the series expansions in Laguerre polynomials. These results have been extended to more general expansions [17], however the results of Tricomi have been proven numerically more convenient by the point of view of numerical complexity. Recently, extensions of the LT have been considered in [16] and in [6] the numerical computation was carried out by approximating the respective kernels by means of expansions in a general Dirichlet series. Extensions of LT (called Laguerre-Laplace transforms) have been obtained in the first place [6] by replacing the exponential with the Laguerre-type exponentials, introduced in [8] and previously studied in [10], [11], [13]. Subsequently the kernel was replaced by an expansion whose coefficients are combination of Bell polynomials, exploiting a transformation, introduced in [16], which uses the Blissard formula, a typical tool of the umbral calculus [19, 20]. In order to validate the computational methods, some examples were taken into consideration, by the first author, with the aid of the computer algebra program Mathematica©. The rapid decay of the considered kernels allows to extend the integration interval to a right neighborhood of the origin. However, the higher computational complexity using the theoretical approach based on the generating function of the generalized Lucas polynomials suggested to approximate the original kernel by a truncation of a general Dirichlet's series, and to use the matrix pencil method for evaluating the best coefficients. The results obtained confirm the correctness of the procedure introduced.


The experiments of nutrition made through introduction of the vegetal lecithin contained by the residue from the processing of the soy and sunflower in the fodder ratio of sheep and goats determined the elaboration of a technological solution in order to increase and improve the milk production of sheep/goats, of the quality of the sheep/goats milk. By introducing the vegetal lecithin in the fodder ratio of the sheep and goats during lactation period it was made an increased production of milk, an increase of the total production with 39.38% at the Merinos de Palas sheep, with 10% at the sheep from milk population of Palas and with 14% at the goats of Carpathian breed and an increase of the production of merchandise milk with 49% at the Merinos de Palas sheep, with 13% at the sheep from milk population of Palas and with 16% at the goats of Carpathian breed. The introduction of a daily quantity of 100 g of raw lecithin in the food of sheep and goats has generated the nutritive modifications of the fodder ratios. The vegetal lecithin administrated in the ratios of sheep and goats during lactation is a technological solution of increasing and improving the milk production, at the experimental lots being noticed an increase of the percents of dry substance, fat and protein. The experiments made to verify the technological parameters at the processing of cheese emphasized an improvement of the technological characteristics of the milk, contributing to the increase of the yield with 20 % at the goat milk from the experimental lot, and at sheep with 7%.


Aim: Impaction bone grafting is an established technique for the restoration of bone loss at revision hip surgery. Preformed stainless steel meshes have been recently introduced to augment graft containment. We present our results of acetabular impaction grafting at a mean of 4 years, with particular reference to the use of preformed steel meshes. Methods: 72 consecutive total hip replacements (7 primary and 65 revision) in 69 patients underwent acetabular impaction grafting with morsellised fresh frozen allograft through a posterior approach. In 47 cases there were uncontained defects (46 segmental or combined deficiencies, one pelvic discontinuity) necessitating the use of a preformed steel mesh, secured with multiple small fragment screws to contain the impacted bone graft. All the operations were done by the senior author in a district general hospital. Results: At mean follow-up of 4 years (range 18 to 92 months), no case has been lost to follow up. The Merle d'Aubigne Postel hip scores averaged 5.3 (pain), 4.2 (walking ability), and 5.3 (range of movement). (Charnley group A -26 patients, group B -19, group C -24). There were no peri-operative deaths or deep infections. There have been no revisions for septic or aseptic loosening. There were 2 cases of early post operative dislocation which stabilised after closed reduction. One case of recurrent disclocation required cup revision. There was one case of radiographic loosening without cup migration. This patient remains pain free and there are no plans for revision. In all other cases, radiographs suggest graft incorporation, with no significant radiolucent lines, acetabular component or mesh migration. There have been no complications relating to the use of the preformed mesh. Conclusion: The results of this study are encouraging. By using preformed metallic meshes it is possible to manage all cases of acetabular loss, irrespective of severity, encountered during total hip replacement with acetabular impaction grafting.


We collect some basic properties of NSP constants of a matrix, discuss an additive behavior of the spark, and prove two theorems characterizing linear endomorphisms which preserve the NSP constants.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate for symmetries – in sign and size – between spot and futures prices in the markets of energy commodities.

Design/methodology/approach
The aforementioned objective is pursued using daily observations of spot and futures prices for the commodities of crude oil, Brent, heating oil, gasoline and natural gas, along with local nonlinear regression.

Findings
Symmetry in sign and size cannot be rejected. This means that, shocks of the same absolute magnitude, but of different sign, are transmitted from futures prices to spot prices with the same intensity. In addition, larger absolute value price shocks in the futures are transmitted to the spot markets with the same intensity compared with smaller ones. The findings of symmetry in the comovements among prices reveal a lack of those commodities on diversifying the investors' investment risk.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to use local nonlinear regression to test for sign and size symmetry between futures and spot prices in the energy commodities markets.


The experimental growth kinetics of bainitic plates in a series of Fe-6 mass%Ni-0.290.71mass%C alloys were compared with the calculation from Zener-Hillert, Trivedi and Atkinson's edgewise growth theories. All theories can account well for the reported lengthening rates in the temperature range between 230 and 500°C except in the 0.29 mass%C alloy. In this alloy, it may become necessary to consider the carbon-partitionless growth (massive transformation) and the interfacial reaction etc., although the carbon content exceeds the solubility limit in ferrite. The reason why morphological difference between upper and lower bainite does not affect the edgewise growth kinetics is considered.


As the 2.4 billion Muslim consumers around the world want more halal cosmetics, Malaysia is creating many cosmetics founders, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who push cosmetics with halal certification to help educate consumers about halal cosmetics. With an Original Equipment Manufacturer(OEM)manufacturing business, the business founder can have their own brand of cosmetics even they do not have a factory. OEM is a business that makes products based on what the founders desired. The OEM manufacturer will manage every procedure involved in producing a cosmetic product, including for getting halal certification. For the cosmetics to be halal certified, most OEM manufacturing companies will face a variety of procedures, one of them is due to the involvement of different cosmetics products thus, different requirement involved. It will not be easy, and the manufacturer must face a lot of challenges during the application process. The aim of this research is to explore about the problems faced by the OEM manufacturer, Anjung Skincare Solution SdnBhd, during the halal cosmetics certification process and how the problems have beensolvedthroughout the process. This study adopts a qualitative method where semi structured interview has been conducted to selected representatives who are the workers at the cosmetics company to identifythe application process that theyexperienced, problems faced and the solution taken. The data collected through interview has been analysed using thematic analysis. The finding shows that the staff who made the application understand exactly which references and criteris thatneeded to be used for halal certification of cosmetics products. Based on the analysis, Anjung Skincare Solution SdnBhds solutions and strategies are working well to help them deal with the problems. Each employee plays an important part as an agent in spreading the use of halal cosmetics. This research is expected to guide more cosmetics manufacturers to understand the challenges in getting halal certifications, besides the solutions to solve the issues.


With recent progress in the development of medical devices, functional movements of the mandible chewing can be examined easily, even in daily clinical conditions. When the author studied gnathology several years ago, patients were treated using articulators, though that method could not be utilized in all cases. One of the major reasons is because of varying masticatory processes in patients and the rigid function of the articulator. In actual mastication, chewing is not performed by border movement and chewing movements follow a track that is different from that of border movement. Thus, chewing movements are greatly affected by occlusal table morphology. In the present study, problems of occlusal analysis were investigated by reviewing cases that had undergone treatment mainly with an articulator when images of mandibular movement during actual chewing movements were not available. In addition, occlusal treatment procedures used in a comprehensive dental clinical practice are presented.


OBJECTIVE: To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the cell influx (CI) and the articular incapacitation (AI) in the zymosan induced-arthritis (ZyA). METHODS: Wistar rats received 1 mg of zymosan (Zy) into the right knee joint, and controls received saline. The AI was evaluated by the Test for AI in rats. After sacrifice, the CI and the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were assessed in the joint exudate. The joint edema was measured by the wet/dry weight ratio of the articular tissue. Groups were treated i.p. with L-NAME - NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor (LN = 30-300 mg/kg) or aminoguanidine (AG = 30-300 mg/kg) - selective iNOS inhibitor - 30 minutes before or 2 hours after the Zy. RESULTS: Pretreatment with L-NAME or AG dose-dependently inhibited the AI and the CI, but not altering edema or PGE2 release, being maximal for the 100 mg/kg doses of L-N and AG. Coinjection of L-arginine (1g/kg) and LN (100 mg/kg) reversed the inhibition of the AI and of the CI. D-NAME (100 mg/kg) had no effect. Coinjection of naloxone (opioid antagonist) reversed LN or AG effect on the AI. Mean arterial pressure increased (p<0,01) with LN (100 mg/kg), but not with AG (100 mg/ kg). LN and AG (100 mg/kg) given 2 hours after the Zy had no effect. Methylene blue (GMPc inhibitor), but not hemoglobin (NO scavenger) reversed AI and CI (p<0,01). Sodium nitroprusside (NO donor) given 2 hours after Zy reduced significantly AI, but not CI (p<0,01). CONCLUSIONS: The antinociceptive effect of iNOS inhibition in ZyA happens only with a prophylactic administration, due to an anti-inflammatory effect via GMPc, independently of exogenous NO or PGE2 release, but is associated to endogenous opioid release. The administration of an NO donor produces analgesia in ZyA.


Introduction: The growing of mortality and morbidity that are related to orthopaedic cases have contributed to the development and innovation of technology which actively seeks for the best treatment options. In order to achieve the goal, animal models have been used as a bridge from in vitro to the clinical study to provide insights both as a precursor and beneficial to human-based research. Many animal models have been developed to investigate bone regeneration, pathological changes and reparation. Besides, animal models are used more commonly in orthopaedic innovation and development. Through the practical application of the 5Rs (reduction, refinement, replacement, reproducibility and responsibility) principles that correlate with the Islamic ethics in this research, this study aimed to provide an ultimate ethical standard on animal use in orthopaedic research. Besides the texts of the Qur'an and the prophetic narrations (hadith), both Muslim jurists (fuqaha) and ethicists' relevant opinion on these matters would be unveiled. As from the Islamic viewpoints, the usage of animal is permittable for scientific research purposed within the permissible limits described by the  Shari'ah  and guided by ethical values derived from the Divine Revelations (al-wahy al-Ilahyi). By practising the guidelines, it is hoped that these ethical guidelines will help to educate the Muslim scholars and researchers to substantive improvements in terms of quality and the ethical standards of animal studies in orthopaedic research.


data latch means setting a predetermined delay time to latch input data synchronizing with the clock; latch control means latching a predetermined enable control signal synchronizing with the clock during predetermined time; data output driver means inputting the output signal from the data latch means and being controlled by the output signal of the latch control means; and output means outputting the data to be connected to the data output driver means. The data output buffer uses the clock of regular period received from exterior.


Shadow removal has always been one of the research hot topics in the field of computer vision. Recently, more and more attention was paid on the ViBe (Visual background extraction) foreground extraction algorithm for its simplicity and high speed. However, for the videos with moving cast shadows, the detection performance is not satisfactory. In this paper, a new shadow removal algorithm for ViBe in HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color space is proposed. The ratio of H, S and V components between foreground and background is used to determine whether the interest pixels detected by ViBe are shadows or not. For indoor and outdoor videos with moving cast shadows, ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve is used to evaluate the proposed approach. Experimental results show that the performance has been improved greatly with the proposed shadow removal approach: for the given TPR (True Positive Rate), FPR (False Positive Rate) is improved even by 11 percentages (for video cubicle).


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting retinal detachment (RD) in eyes filled with silicone oil, and to determine the MRI characteristics of silicone oil in vivo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Seven eyes of seven patients with RD and eight eyes of eight patients without RD after silicone oil surgery were included in the study. All of the patients had clear media. MRI was performed in these patients. The results of ophthalmic examinations were compared with MRI findings.

RESULTS
MRI detected six of the seven detached retinas. The multiplanar imaging capability of MRI helped in showing the RDs in various locations. The chemical shift artifact exaggerated the retinal thickness and made the detached retina visible. Fat suppressed images showed the silicone oil-corneal contact clearly.

CONCLUSION
MRI is an effective technique for demonstrating RD in eyes filled with silicone oil and can be used successfully in eyes with opaque media.


Herein a method that uses acoustically resonating glass capillaries and enables non-contact capture of micron-sized bioparticles, i.e. acoustic trapping, is described. A miniaturized ultrasonic transducer is used to locally actuate a cross-sectional resonance in the capillary. A 2000×200 µm2 capillary is typically operated around a resonance frequency of 4-MHz. Optimal design of the transducer for this purpose is investigated in detail, showing that mode-control in the transducer results in a more efficient device, and makes automatic frequency tracking possible. A system design that allows easy assembly and disassembly of the transducer and the capillary also demonstrates how a single-use device can be accomplished.
A breakthrough for the presented acoustic trapping technology is the introduction of seed-particles. These enable trapping of submicron particles that would otherwise be impossible to capture in this kind of system. It is shown how controlled interaction with the larger seed particles can circumvent this limitation. Using this approach capture of 110 nm particles and Escherichia coli bacteria is demonstrated with 95% capture efficiency.
The usefulness of the acoustic trapping device in biomedical research is demonstrated in applications such as; efficient washing of functionalised beads for biomarker detection in blood plasma, dynamic studies of cell-drug interactions, and purification and identification of microbes from infected blood. To enable these applications the acoustic trap an interface to a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS) instrument has been devised. This is facilitated by designing the acoustic trap to operate in aspirate/dispense mode (like a pipette) depositing liquids in a microchip for solid phase extraction and subsequent MALDI MS analysis.
Tracking and logging the system resonance frequency provides a new way to measure the amount of captured material as well as continuously adjusting the driving frequency to changes in the infused samples. Apart from providing a new measurement method, continuously adapting the resonance frequency enables samples with a wider range of acoustic properties to be processed. This is demonstrated in an assay for bacteria typing with MALDI MS in blood cultures. Here, acoustic trapping provides a faster and more automatable sample preparation method as compared to the one currently used in the clinical assay.


The mechanism of decays of the superdeformed rotational bands is studied as a barrier penetration problem by making use of microscopically calculated potential energy surfaces in the (e2, γ)‐plane. The transmission coefficients extracted by a recently proposed model of the decay out of superdeformed bands are compared with the results of calculation which are obtained by the semiclassical method of an ''invariant adiabatic path.'' It is found that the effect of pairing correlations on the potential energy and the mass tensor is essential in order to account for the rapid depopulation of superdeformed rotational bands.


The construction of social credit system is a complicated systematic project,including construction of laws and regulations,credit reference industry regulation,and local credit creation etc.With the steady improvement of the national credit reference system,under the PBC Yinchuan Sub-branch' s active promotion,great progress has been made in Ningxia provincial credit system construction,and the financial ecological environment has significantly improved.However,there exist such crucial problems as credit information has not yet been effectively integrated,the coordination among various sectors is difficult,and there is no economic support for credit project construction.Therefore,the functions of local government and the PBC should be coordinated so as to promote in depth the construction of social credit system in Ningxia province.


We use multi-scale simulation strategy to understand, improve and rationally design novel materials with desired properties in molecular nanotechnology. The areas we have studied cover from molecular electronics, nano-structured materials to carbon nanotube technology.

In term of molecular and nano-electronics, first we used quantum mechanics to characterize the structure and current-voltage (I-V) performance of the Stoddart-Heath rotaxane-based programmable electronic switch. This methodology established a basis for iterative experimental-theoretical efforts to optimize systems for molecule-based electronics. We extended this switch principle and rationally designed an ultrafast molecular switch, proton-hopping molecular switch. Second we developed a kinetic model to study the hole mobility in organic semiconductor. After screening several designs, we presented a nano-bracelet as a competitive organic semiconductor.

We studied several topics related to the applications of nano-structured materials in fuel cell technology. Based on our simulation, we proposed a new kind of carbon-based materials for hydrogen storage. It can satisfy the target set up by the Department of Energy, USA. We develop a kinetic model to study the proton diffusion in proton exchange membrane of hydrogen fuel cell. We validated our proposed system, fluorinated imidazole impregnated nafion, as the candidate that can transfer proton above 100 0C at water-free media.

In term of carbon nanotube technology, we explored the reason why bimetallic catalysts are 10-100 times better than mono-metals at assisting single wall carbon nanotube growth. Based on our proposed two-stage growth mechanism, we screened and designed a better catalysis.


The nitrogen enriched phosphocompost was prepared utilizing the abundantly available green biomass of Lantana camara and supplemented with 12.5 and 25.0 per cent levels of rock phosphate, 1.0 % fertilizer nitrogen (urea), 5.0 and 10.0 per cent pyrite or by inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Aspergillus awamori. The compost mix-up was decomposed for 90 days and analyzed for its quality parameters like organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonical & nitrate nitrogen, citrate soluble & total phosphorous, pH. Enrichment of green biomass of lantana with rock phosphate (12.5 %), fertilizer N (1 %) and pyrite (10 %) produced high quality of phosphocompost with higher citric acid soluble P and N content and lower C: N ratio. Inoculation of phosphocompost with A. awamori and A. chroococcum proved equally beneficial in improving quality parameters of compost. Its performance was then evaluated in wheat crop in various combinations with farmyard manure (FYM) and recommended fertilizer dose. The application of this compost in wheat crop along with 75 per cent recommended fertilizer N recorded higher crop yield and nutrient uptake, which was statistically at par with 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK, showing thereby a net saving of 25 per cent N fertilizer use with 100 per cent substitution of phosphatic fertilizer.


In recent years Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) techniques have increasingly been used in low-cost communication systems. Associated with new frequency and bandwidth characteristics there appear new challenges in regard to electromagnetic susceptibility that have to be solved. By the example of an OFDM data link with bandwidth 32 kHz and center frequency 900 kHz this paper gives a detailed view on the effects of out-of-band interferences and their harmonics, the effect of impulsive noise, the influence of analog discrete filters followed by digital filters in the digital domain, and the number of bits in the analog to digital converter (ADC). These aspects are discussed both in frequency and in time domain and various aspects are discussed using the symbol error rate (SER). To exclude influences of imperfect frequency synchronization multipath propagation and synchronization techniques will not be considered and the state of synchronization will be regarded as ideal. With these prerequisites this paper shows the need for a discrete analog filter to protect the ADC. Furthermore, it turns out that the number of bits of the ADC is of minor importance.


Abstract In this paper, we present a new fifth-order three-step iterative method for solving non-linear systems and prove the local convergence order of the new method. The new method requires the evaluations of two functions, two first derivatives and one matrix inversion in per iteration. The computational efficiency index for nonlinear systems is used to compare the efficiency of different methods. It is proved that the new method is more efficient. Numerical experiments are performed, which support the theoretical results. Numerical experiments show that the new method remarkably saves the computational time for solving large nonlinear systems.


Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is a technique that is commonly used to remove volatile organic compounds from the vadose zone. Recent research has demonstrated that rate-limited sorption and desorption of these compounds can have a profound impact on the concentration reductions achievable by SVE. In this note, one-dimensional equations presented by Brusseau (1991), which describe rate-limited transport of sorbing organic compounds in the vadose zone, are modified to model a SVE remediation at an idealized site and analytically solved. The analytical model presented herein describes transport of a sorbing organic contaminant in a converging radial flow field in the vadose zone, with sorption rate limitations described by first-order rate expressions. The model equations are solved in the Laplace domain and numerically inverted to simulate contaminant concentrations at an extraction well. A Laplace domain solution for the total contaminant mass remaining in the vadose zone is also derived. It is shown that under certain conditions, rate-limited sorption can have a significant impact upon SVE remediation in the vadose zone. The solutions presented in this note may be useful in verifying numerical codes which are being developed to model organic transport in the vadose zone under conditions of rate-limited sorption.


Objective:To investigate the effects of the ability of transferring calcium ion by ion exchange resin after airpolishing technique on the enamel surface .Methods:Immerse the pieces of enamel ,which had just been pulled out from the oral cavity, into the 45Ca ion exchange resin and CaCl 2 solutions after airpolishing on the enamel surface (control group not treated),After 0.5 hour,2 hours and 12hours,the counts of radiation from samples were measured.Results:Before and after 0.5hour,there was a great mass of 45Catransferred into the enamel for the experimental group, and the counts of radiation were 9.350 and 10.925 / mm 2, respectively; the peak of transferring occurred after 2 hours, and the counts were 17.199 and 23.725 mm 2 ;after 12 hours,the amount decreased,and the counts were 15.675 and 17.837/ mm 2. There was statistically significant difference between experimental and control group, proved by paired t-test (P0.005).Conclusions:The acquired pellicle covered on the enamel surface was one of the important factors which resisted transferring calcium ion into the enamel by ion exchange resin, and it was effective to remove the acquired pellicle by airpolishing technique.


To study the distribution of residual stress within high strength steel welded I-sections for various steel grades,three specimens made of 960 MPa high strength steel are measured using the sectioning method.By comparing current experimental results with a large quantity of existing test data,including those of 235 MPa,345 MPa,460 MPa and 690 MPa steels,the tensile and compressive residual stress are investigated.It is found that the effect of geometry on the tensile residual stress(i.e.the width to thickness ratio and thickness of sectional component plate) is not obvious,whereas the effect is significant on the compressive residual stress.With an increase in the steel strength,the tensile residual stress increases but is always less than the steel strength,whilst the compressive residual stress has hardly any correlation with the steel strength.On the basis of this research,the calculation formulae of both tensile and compressive residual stress of welded I-sections for various steel grades are proposed.The unified model of the residual stress distribution for such sections is established,and it is expected to provide valuable information and fundamental knowledge for further research into high strength steel structures.


As an important carrier of tourism development, tourism highway also develops rapidly, and the construction of service facilities also rises gradually. The research on the slow travel system of tourism highway service facilities will help to achieve the coordinated development of eco-tourism and green development. Based on the concept of tourism highway service facilities, this paper defines and classifies the slow traffic system of tourism highway service facilities, and studies the slow traffic system of tourism highway service facilities from three aspects of slow traffic line design, safety facilities design and sign system design, and puts forward relevant design suggestions. Finally, through the field investigation of Yanming Lake Wetland Park in Jilin province, the slow system design is carried out, and the overall design drawing is proposed. Through the analysis and research of this paper, it can improve Chinese design system of slow traffic under the service facilities of tourism highway, and has the corresponding guiding role for the design of different slow traffic systems.


Sludge is generated in all methods of sewage treatment. Choosing a sewage treating technology is necessary to analyse simultaneously the possibilities of sludge management. The methods of sludge management, generated in the industrial sewage treatment processes, besides technological conditions, meet also law restrictions. In this paper, the possibilities of sludge management, generated in the industrial-laundry sewage treatment process in the Fliegel Textilservice laundry in Nowe Czarnowo are presented. Because of location factor (the closed vicinity of Dolna Odra Power Plant in Nowe Czarnowo), it seems that the best method of sludge disposal is the nature sludge utilisation.


man's vulnerability to both violence and pathologization as hypermasculinized perpetrator any less valid. Nor does it mean that Black male vulnerability should not be discussed in terms of sexual vulnerability due to a specific maleness. When it comes to the importance of death in the presentation of the Black male subject today, and the reality of premature deaths among Black men, Curry's main thesis of a specific Black male vulnerability is hard to argue against. The death of Black men at the hands of the police in the USA has been, and continues to be, a major topic for discussion, specifically in relation to racial profiling. These deaths are understood as an institutionalized criminalization of Black men and boys, a criminalization that justifies their deaths and rejects their subjectivity through dehumanization. Alongside demography of death including homicide and suicide rates and socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, poverty and level of education this positions the Black male corps as a present part in understandings of Black masculinity. Whereof in the memorialization of Black men, death is partly understood as an escape from dehumanization (140). Black men can, on a symbolic level, transgress this dehumanization but this does not change the demography of dying. Curry's style of writing and the occasional boldness of his assertions make the book well worth reading. The overall aims of the book are highlighted through mapping the vulnerability which makes the genre theory of Man-Not(ness) a useful framework for further theorizations that consider the presence of the Black male corpse and sexual vulnerability in conceptualizations of Black maleness. Curry's revising of Black masculinity highlights the need to theorize Black masculinity without using white masculinity as a benchmark.


Consider uncertain alternatives for which an event has two consequences (binary gambles, ``gambles'' for short) and over them an operation of joint receipt which need not be closed and may be non-commutative. The two structures are linked by a distributivity property called segregation and a preference order. Utility functions order nonnegative numbers to consequences and gambles. Utility representations describe how the utility of a gamble depends on the utilities of consequences and on thè`weight'' of the event (a number in [0,1], depending on the event). Functional characterizations give necessary and suf®cient conditions, often in form of functional equations, for certain properties of representations. We ®rst give a functional characterization of the often postulated event commutativity stating that two events can be interchanged in special composite gambles where one outcome is a consequence but the other is itself a gamble. A utility representation is separable if it is multiplicative for gambles with one consequence having 0 utility. We give three more speci®c characterizations of separable representations by segregation, by homogeneity and event commutativity, and by homo-geneity and segregation, and show that in the last case event commutativity follows. 1. Origins of the Problem Consider the following problem that arises in the theory of utility representations. It is stated brie¯y so as to get rapidly to the problems at hand, which will be reduced to some functional equations. (For a more leisurely presentation of the utility problem, see [4].) Let X denote a set of valued consequences, ``goods'' or``bads'' (gains or losses), that have no uncertainty associated with them. Let typical elements be x; y P X. Let E E be an algebra of events arising from an``experiment'' or``chance phenomenon'' E with the universal event denoted by and a typical event being denoted by C P E E. Let …x; C; y† denote a binary gamble, or for short in this paper``gamble,'' in which the holder of the gamble receives x if C occurs when


A system and a method for interworking between a cellular network and a WLAN are provided to provide a data service of a cellular network to subscribers although they are connected with a WLAN. IES(Interworking Entry Server)(422) provides a double-selected IP address among a PCF(Packet Control Function) and an I-PCF(Interworking PCF)(404) that will provide a packet data service to mobile terminals(428,432) according to the type of a network to which the mobile terminals(428,432) are connected. The I-PCF(404) establishes a GRE(Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel between a PDSN(Packet Data Serving Node)(406) that provides the packet data service and the mobile terminals(428,432). The mobile terminals(428,432) transmit a session request message to the IES(422) and establishes the GRE tunnel with the I-PCF(404).


Serum total homocysteine (tHcy) has been implicated in promoting venous thromboembolic events and athero- sclerosis, manifested as coronary heart disease, stroke or peripheral arterial disease. Dietary supplementation with B vita- mins that lower tHcy concentrations was expected to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, recent meta- analyses of prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials failed to show a role of tHcy in the patho- genesis of vascular disease or a benefit of B vitamins in CVD events. This review analyzes recent data on the potential of tHcy to cause health problems (if any) and the role of vitamin B supplementation in preventing them.


Reliable operation of 930 nm broad area diode lasers with a vertical far field angle below 20/spl deg/ (FWHM) at a facet load of about 100 mW//spl mu/m stripe width over 2000 h will be demonstrated.


By employing the same assumption regarding interslice forces as that used in the Morgenstern-Price method, two concise recurrence relations between interslice forces and interslice moments are derived which satisfy both force and moment equilibrium conditions. The Newton-Raphson method is used for determining the factor of safety and the associated scaling parameter of the interslice force function. Algebraic derivatives required in the solution process are evolved in a recursive manner which can be easily implemented in a computer program. The choices of initial values of safety factor and scaling parameter are suggested. The procedure proposed in this paper proves to be efficient and solutions converge rapidly.Key words: slope, stability, factor of safety, limit equilibrium method.


Two experiments, (one at Vancouver, British Columbia, and one at the Experimental Farm, Lethbridge, Alberta), involving 44 yearling steers, were conducted to determine whether feeding refuse screenings with a high proportion of stinkweed seeds to fattening beef cattle would result in objectionable odours or off-flavours in the meat. Nine of 12 steers slaughtered immediately off screenings had a slight to strong objectionable odour in their carcasses. There were no objectionable odours in the carcasses of animals that were held off screenings for 24, 48, or 96 hours before slaughter. Two animals slaughtered immediately off screenings, and one animal held off screenings for 48 hours before slaughter had off-flavours in the meat when cooked.


This paper is a non-peer reviewed preprint submitted to EarthArXiv. Subsequent versions of this manuscript may have slightly different content. IF accepted by a journal, the final version of this manuscript will be available through the 'Peer-reviewed Publication DOI' link. Please feel free to contact the author for questions or comments. All feedback is welcome. Abstract Earth's geosphere and biosphere have coevolved over time, influencing each other's stability and keeping our planet habitable for most of its 4.543 billion years of history. Biogeochemical cycles play a key role in controlling this interaction, connecting long-term geological cycles and the much faster evolution of the Earth's outer biologically dominated envelopes. A small set of microbial-encoded proteins containing redox-sensitive transition metals as their core catalytic center carry out the majority of the key biogeochemical reactions. Metals such as Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, W, V, and Cu are used in these proteins to access diverse redox couples as a function of the changing planetary availability of these elements over time. Despite the importance of this process, the relationship between metal availability and metabolism evolution and diversity has not been investigated in detail. I pose that elucidating the impact of transition metal availability on microbial functional diversity holds the key to understanding the co-evolution of life and our planet, potentially unlocking a number of important discoveries at the core of diverse fields such as earth sciences, astrobiology, microbial ecology, and biotechnology.


BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) designed by Altschul and coworkers has become one of the most, if not the most, popular bioinformatics tools in the world. As amount of molecular data grows exponentially, refinements in the BLAST programs as well as data filtration at pre- or post-database search have been implemented with the BLAST server at NCBI (National Center of Biotechnology Information, http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/). However, such refinements with the BLAST programs at NCBI still do not satisfy all users at specific circumstances. Here we designed BLASTextend, a web-based tool, to help users to further "mine" the data in a lengthy BLAST outcome and furthermore, to be able to enhance BLAST searching efficiency with a custom database. This tool, powered by the BLAST programs downloaded from NCBI, consists of three major parts: (1) a database management system for users to upload or to delete a custom database for BLAST searching, (2) a BLAST result parsing tool to tabulate the resulted alignment information and (3) an integrated system to provide a single entry to run BLAST analysis, to manage custom database and to parse the BLAST results in one streamline. BLASTextend is made freely available to users at http://abrc.sinica.edu.tw:218/blast/.


The optimal control of discrete-time, linear-quadratic-Gaussian systems with one-step-delay sharing information pattern is considered. The optimal controller is shown to obey a certain "separation" property. Furthermore explicit discrete-time equations are derived whose solutions are the gains of the optimal controller.


Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine grassland ecological environment is an important part of the ecological environment.In recent years,the ecological environment of grassland is deteriorating because of the human and natural factors.The ecological compensation is one of the effective means to restore degraded grasslands to the natural balance.This paper,based on the existing research results,proposed "six in one" combination of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine grassland ecosystem compensation system concept which is a way to combine government compensation,market compensation and community compensation.


The report presents the results of a study of algae in forest soils in the Cat Tien National Park (South Vietnam) using 7 model sites as an example. The species composition of algae and their vertical distribution in the soil horizons have been characterized.


Copolymers of acrylamide (AM) and perfluoroalkyl acrylates and -methacrylates were synthesized in aqueous media containing perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and acetone as surfactants and dispersing agents, respectively and persulfates as initiators. The copolymers, especially those with 2(Nethylperfluoro octane sulfoamido)acrylate (RFA) as comonomers were extremely effective at associating, giving much higher Brookfield viscosities compared to simple laurylacrylates (LA). Also, the molar contents of the RF A copolymers were generally much lower compared with LA copolymers. Addition of salts or increasing the temperature resulted in sharp viscosity increases in many cases. Viscosity decreases were observed with increasing shear, consistent with copolymer association through the perfluorocarbon groups. The Brookfield viscosity of a series of RF A containing copolymers measured at constant copolymer concentration showed a maximum as a function of RF A molar content. This indicated competing intraand intermolecular hydrophobic association. Similar results were obtained with hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) modified with perfluorocarbon chains attached to the HEC backbone through oligoethyleneoxide spacers. Only the HEC derivatives containing two ethyleneoxide spacer units were effective viscosifiers. Again, a sharp maximum in Brookfield viscosity as a function of modifier content is observed, in accordance with earlier results of Landoll in the corresponding HEC alkyl derivatives.


FROM JUNE 1968 TO AUGUST 1968, AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE OF THE "BUMPS" IN THE PAVEMENT ON INTERSTATE 90 IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PAVEMENT DISTRESS TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PIERRE SHALE. ALTHOUGH BUMPS OCCUR AT CUT-TO-FILL TRANSITION SECTIONS THE MOST SEVERE BUMPS ALONG THE HIGHWAY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OLD FAULT PLANES. THE "FAULT GOUGE" IN THE FAULT IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE SURROUNDING SHALE, BUT IT IS GROUND UP AND APPARENTLY MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SWELL UPON WETTING THAN THE INTACT SHALE. THE BUMPS ARE CAUSED BY DIFFERENTIAL UPLIFT--THE GOUGE EXPANDS MORE AND FASTER THAN THE SURROUNDING SHALE. /AUTHOR/


Propagation of UWB Gaussian signal in a model of automated collaborative warehouse is analyzed using ray tracing method. The transmitting antenna is placed on the human body while the received power profiles in warehouse containing empty racks and racks filled with different loads are calculated. This gives rise to estimation of safe communication range between humans and robots.


Oral anticoagulant therapy is widely used in different patients for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic events: in atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, in the early postoperative period after orthopedic surgery. Nowadays it is possible to use vitamin K antagonists (warfarin) as well as direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC): dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban. The mai complication of any anticoagulant therapy is bleeding (gastrointestinal, intracranial, etc.), which seriously limits its usage. In this review the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) associated with oral anticoagulants intake was analyzed according to the results of both large randomized and postregistration trials. Furthermore, the effect of age on the risk of GIB development is discussed, and also aspects of the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal mucosa lesions in patients taking DOAC are considered.


The symbol of artistic design is the medium for the dissemination of artistic design information and is the direct carrier for the effective display of design culture. This paper studies the application of semiotics of art design in environmental art. Based on the analysis of the meaning of traditional cultural symbolic forms, it systematically studies the forms of artistic design symbols and applies semiotic principles to the field of environmental art design. Modern art design art symbol has certain reference value for environmental art design.


The worldwide prevalence of diabetes is reported as 463 million (substantially exceeding the US population) and it is projected to rise to 700 million by 2045 [1]. Specifically, in the United States, 1 in 5 diabetics remain undiagnosed, which can only increase the current estimate on number of cases and also the scope to its management [2]. It has been well established that a longstanding history of uncontrolled diabetes can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, such as nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetic retinopathy (DR).


Summary- Ektaphelenchoides winten' n. sp., adults and juveniles, were found arrached by their stylet to the integument of wood-fly larvae (Xylodiplosis sp.) that had emerged from freshly cut timber. Males have prominent spicules in which the apex to rosrrum distance is greater than from the rosrrum [0 the distal tip; the tail has an offset terminal, rubular shaped, mucro 4-11 fLm long. Males are 540-764 fLm long and females 993-1350 fLm longj their stylet is without basal knobs, 19-26 fLm long. The nematode intestine contents, particLUarly in the posterior intestinal sac of the female, were pink in colour corresponding with the pink haemolymph of the fly larvae.


Entrepreneurship "is a role that individuals undertake to create organizations" and entrepreneurial activity has been related to organizational leadership. We propose defining entrepreneur in a probabilistic way. In our view, a person can be classified as an entrepreneur depending on the probability s/he shows a set of traits. To test this hypothesis we have concentrated on the definition of potential entrepreneurs: undergraduate students who think they might be entrepreneurs in the future but have not yet owned and managed a business. We asked a sample of undergraduate students (n = 1,111; age average = 23.37, SD = 4.28, range = 17-56; male = 35%, female = 64.6%) to fill a questionnaire on attitudes towards entrepreneurship. The test had ten dimensions. We built a Naive Bayes Net Classifier and a convergent Bayesian network in order to assess the influence of the test dimensions on the attitude towards organizations creation. Our results show that the convergent model is able to predict more than the 87% of the entrepreneurial tendency. We conclude that our probabilistic model is highly efficient predicting entrepreneurship. As a result, our framework considering entrepreneurship as a matter of probabilistic nature has been reinforced.


The study assessed the levels of Job burnout and examined the extent to which pay satisfaction predicted job burnout among Osun State civil servants. It also investigated the extent to which role ambiguity predicted job burnout and determined whether there is a joint prediction of pay satisfaction and role ambiguity on job burnout. These were with a view to understanding the factors that predict job burnout among Osun State civil servants. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire on a sample of the study population. The study adopted multi-stage sampling technique. Purposive sampling technique was used to select eight ministries and stratified sampling technique was used to select 354 respondents comprising 214 males and 140 females with mean age of 43.39 years and standard deviation of 9.09. Three standardized psychological instruments namely: Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ), Role Ambiguity Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were used to collect the data for the study. The data generated was subjected to linear and multiple regression analyses.  The results revealed that civil servants exhibited a moderate level of job burnout (44.70%). The results also showed that pay satisfaction significantly predicted job burnout among civil servants (β= 0.21, t = 3.53,P< .05). The results further revealed that role ambiguity significantly predicted job burnout among the respondents (β= 0.71, t = 8.37,P<.05). Finally, the results indicated that pay satisfaction and role ambiguity jointly predicted job burnout among civil servants (β= 28.13, t = 9.39,P< .05). The study concluded that job burnout was moderate among Osun State civil servants, while pay satisfaction and role ambiguity independently and jointly predicted job burnout among respondents.


This study has been planned and carried out with a view to discover whether or not those synthetic dyes which are not allowed to be added into the jarns, have already been added into the jarns and also the quantities of synthetic dyes existing in the puddings, candies and granulated · powder drinks which are perrnitted to be added with such dyes, are also compatible with the quantities specified by the Food Additives Regulation in Turkey. Ali samples used during !his study, have been obtained from sources of Ankara market and totally 263 samples have been analysed. The extraction process of all sarnples, has been performed through the wool coloring method. The extracted dyes have been subjected to the qualitative analysis through the TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) Method. At the end of qualitative analysis performed on the jams and puddings, it has not been possible to hancile the quantitative determinations since no synthetic dye has been found. The samples of candy and granulated powder drinks, in the contents of synthetic dyes, have determined the use of a single C18 Sep-pak Cartridge and alsa the spectrophotometric methods. Among these synthetic dyes, the average !eve! of Ponceau 4R has been found as 117.45±19.37 mg/kg, in the candies, 294.79±26.21 mg/kg for the granulated powder drinks. The values were not suitable by the Food Additives Regulation. The average !eve! of tartrazine has been determined as 147.77±20.51 mg/kg and 201.19±37.16 mg/kg respectively for candies and granulated powder drinks. The level of tartrazine were in maximum values. The average ]evels of Sunset Yellow F.C.F. have been found as 174.58±31.54 mg/kg and 293.31±24.19 mg/kg respectively granulated powder drinks. The values also had been found over dose. The average !eve! of azorubine, has been determined as 181.22±20.22 mg/kg for candies and found compatible with those specified by the Food Additives Regulations. The average va]ue of mixed dyes existing in the granulated powder drinks, has been determined as 241.44 mg/kg. This value was over the value specified by the Food Additives Regulation. A STUDY OF LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA SEROGRUBl ANTIGEN IN DETECTION THE URINE OF LOWER RESPİRATORY TRACT INFECTED PATIENTS USING ENZYME IMMUNO ASSAY METHOD


One of the interesting features in a semiconductor laser with two closely arranged waveguides is the crosscoupled-mode operation, where the light is coupled from one waveguide to the other resulting in an asymmetric output. In the operation, the laser has bistable characteristic which is similar to a set-reset flip-flop in electronics, and hence, useful for optical switching and logic operations. The characteristic has so far been observed with around 500-micrometer long twin-stripe lasers, which is rather long from the viewpoint of integration. Here, the means for shortening the laser is proposed, the theoretical limit of shortening the cavity of AlGaAs lasers is derived, and practical issues for shortening the laser cavity are discussed.


This volume traces the challenge posed to the academic canon by the emergent avant-garde of the early and mid-19th century. It considers the shifts in its development through the later 19th and 20th century and its eventual incorporation as a form of modern canon by the eve of World War II.


Young university teachers' occupational pressure is much more serious than other groups,thus job burnout is prone to produce,and improper handling will seriously affect young teachers' efficiency.To alleviate young university teachers'occupational pressure,schools need to create conditions actively for them and young teachers themselves also need to take measures,such as reasonable scientific career orientation,body care,good interpersonal relationship,positive mood,psychological adjustment and so on to keep healthy and effective work.


Private universities and colleges in Japan have played a crucial role in higher education popularization. In view of such important role,the Japanese government officially started to provide subsidies including personnel expenditure for private higher education institutions,which was further legalized in 1975. This paper focuses on the several important changes of government subsidies in Japan since its establishment,and analyzes the tendency of Japanese private education policy through analyzing government subsidies and its internal structure. It intends to obtain some enlightenment for implementing government subsidies of Chinese non-governmental higher education.


The Dutch Government have recognised the tension between the economic benefits of continued growth at Schiphol and the environmental consequences particularly in terms of noise should this growth be permitted. During the past decade there has been on-going assessments of this issue and the associated development of government policy regarding the expansion of the airport. This paper includes a brief review of the development of government policy regarding Schiphol airport and the associated model forecasts. The paper concentrates on the fleet planning module and explains the methods employed. The paper concludes by illustrating the effects of different potential developments at Schiphol airport on the fleet operating. For the covering abstract see ITRD E115303.


(Palabras clave: sustentabilidad, agricultura, deterioro, exergia) ABSTRACT. Exergy efficiency assessment of corn-based ethanol production: a case study in the Pampas region (Argentina): Natural ecosystems transformation in agroecosystems not only alters its structure but also its functionality. The need to evaluate and monitor these functional changes has led to the development and implementation of a large number of indicators of human impact due to agricultural activities. This paper develops a theoretical framework for the assessment of agroecosystems through the analysis of energy flows. In particular, the approach is based on the use of energy or useful exergy. Also, the calculation methodology is applied to a corn-based ethanol farming system located in the Pampa Region. Results indicate that although the potential impact in terms of resource extraction from the environment, in the form of exergy consumed, is highest in the industrial stage, the inefficiencies in the agricultural phase are much more pronounced. As for the internal cycling of exergy, the results of this study indicate that 41% of the exergy used to get 1 MJ of exergy comes from non-renewable sources, rising to 71% when you take into account the contribution of net exergy fuel. These results indicate that the crop-based system analyzed for ethanol production partially meets the desirable conditions of low resource extraction from the environment and high renewability of production.


Landfill gas(LFG) is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of buried organic waste which has a methane content of about 40 to 60 percent. Since the heating value of LFG is lower than natural gas, more fuel is required to reach the same electrical power but the increased gas flow rate contributes to increasing turbine power and thermal efficiency. In this paper, the influence of using this LFG in the gas turbine performance is investigated and fundamental aspects of each component are highlighted in order to operate gas turbine in an efficient, safe and environmental friendly manner utilizing LFG from biomass.


A decade of controversy surrounding the fair-value accounting of derivatives suggests that firms may change or, ultimately, abandon their hedging programs because fair-value accounting can potentially increase earnings volatility and misrepresent the underlying economic performance. The alternative to fair-value accounting offered by the FASB to firms with hedging programs, hedge accounting, is allowed only if the designated hedge passes a prospective test for hedge effectiveness. We derive a closed-form solution for prospective hedge effectiveness in an established model of how firms should hedge and find systematic cross-sectional variation in firms' ability to meet the "highly effective" criterion under SFAS 133. Because hedging programs that fail to jump the highly effective bar can be valuable from an economic perspective, the bar on hedge effectiveness can be value destroying if firms that fail to qualify for hedge accounting give up cash-flow hedging. The cross-sectional variation in prospective hedge effectiveness implies that these potential accounting distortions are not uniform across firm types. We also show that prospective hedge effectiveness is not a reliable signal of a large speculative component in a derivative portfolio, which is the prime motivation for the current hedge accounting regulations. These findings suggest that prospective hedge effectiveness testing with an across-the-board threshold may not serve its purpose well.