In subway engineering, artificial frozen soil wall is often used as temporary supporting curtain for underground connecting passage, which bears the effect of upper pressure and lateral earth pressure. In the actual subway tunnel project, artificial frozen soil is generally under both compression and bending. Therefore, to evaluate the soil strength, both compressive strength index and tensile and bending strength index of frozen soil are required. The tensile strength index of frozen soil has a great influence on the design and construction of frozen soil engineering, so it is of great significance to study the tensile strength by testing the flexural strength of frozen soil.


The availability and quality of transportation data is a cornerstone of any data-driven program. There is a continuous need to identify and develop alternative, reliable, and inexpensive sources of data and efficient and robust integration techniques. This research presents an innovative cost-effective application to collect geographic information system (GIS)–compatible data from image-based databases. Road inventory data on guardrail end-type locations along with other road features on more than 8,000 mi of Wisconsin State Trunk Network highways were collected. Data collected from image-based sources with Global Positioning System coordinates presented the familiar problem of spatial mismatch. A framework was developed based on the principles of dynamic segmentation to integrate the data and resolve the spatial mismatch problem. The principles of dynamic segmentation and route calibration are well established in literature. However, there were no specific examples of a framework that created a workable program and addressed issues pertaining to practical solutions for statewide data. The framework developed presents an efficient and automated solution for data integration, which is applicable to any relevant data set. A quantitative assessment of the performance of the data collection and map-matching procedures was conducted to assess the results. The results showed that road features collected from the image-based data sets were located within an average distance of 6 to 7 m of their location on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation GIS base maps, which were highly accurate, given the limitations of the data sets.


Significance How organisms adapt to the biotic and abiotic environment is a major question in evolutionary biology that addresses how natural selection shapes biodiversity. Using mass spectrometry, we characterized natural variation in major defense molecules, aliphatic glucosinolates, in hundreds of ecotypes of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, spanning the native range of the species. Using extensive genomic resources and field experiments, we provide strong evidence that populations are adapted to local herbivore communities along a striking longitudinal cline. In addition, we show that only a few genes of strong effect govern this natural variation and that alleles at these genes, located on different chromosomes, appear to have coevolved through epistatic selection. The "mustard oil bomb" is a major defense mechanism in the Brassicaceae, which includes crops such as canola and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. These plants produce and store blends of amino acid-derived secondary metabolites called glucosinolates. Upon tissue rupture by natural enemies, the myrosinase enzyme hydrolyses glucosinolates, releasing defense molecules. Brassicaceae display extensive variation in the mixture of glucosinolates that they produce. To investigate the genetics underlying natural variation in glucosinolate profiles, we conducted a large genome-wide association study of 22 methionine-derived glucosinolates using A. thaliana accessions from across Europe. We found that 36% of among accession variation in overall glucosinolate profile was explained by genetic differentiation at only three known loci from the glucosinolate pathway. Glucosinolate-related SNPs were up to 490-fold enriched in the extreme tail of the genome-wide FST scan, indicating strong selection on loci controlling this pathway. Glucosinolate profiles displayed a striking longitudinal gradient with alkenyl and hydroxyalkenyl glucosinolates enriched in the West. We detected a significant contribution of glucosinolate loci toward general herbivore resistance and lifetime fitness in common garden experiments conducted in France, where accessions are enriched in hydroxyalkenyls. In addition to demonstrating the adaptive value of glucosinolate profile variation, we also detected long-distance linkage disequilibrium at two underlying loci, GS-OH and GS-ELONG. Locally cooccurring alleles at these loci display epistatic effects on herbivore resistance and fitness in ecologically realistic conditions. Together, our results suggest that natural selection has favored a locally adaptive configuration of physically unlinked loci in Western Europe.


The tourism industry has been becoming the main business in Japan. In tourism industry, public relations from tourist areas is important to attract tourists, however, it has not been sufficiently performed in Japanese tourism industry. It is also common knowledge that tourism information systems with ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) are effective for such the activities. Therefore, we have proposed a tourism marketing technique utilizing ICT based on the concepts of service marketing. In the service marketing field, it is said that internal marketing to employees will be possible to provide high-quality services. Thus our tourism marketing technique electronically approaches local residents and local firms, which are the employees in the case of tourism.


We will prove Kakutani's fixed point theorem in an n-dimensional simplex for multi-functions which have uniformly closed graph and have uniformly locally at


[Objective] To observe the clinical efficacy of the treatment of lateral ventricular drainagecombiand acupuncture on early stage of intraventricul ar hemorrhage.[Methods]60 cases will be diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage,60 cases are randomly divided into treatment group and control group of 30 cases.Control group of 30 cases to lateral ventricular drainage with the Urokinase,Treatment group of 30 cases to lateral ventricular drainage with the Urokinase combined early stage of intraventricular hemorrhage acupuncture.Observe the improvement of clinical symptoms in two groups of patients after 10 days and 18 days evaluation Barthel score index.[Results] After treatment,the control group is better than the treatment group,the two groups the difference is significant(P0.05).[Conclusion] Lateral ventricular drainage combined acupuncture have a significant effect on early stage of intraventricular hemorrhage,can effectively reduce the disability rate,give patients a better life quality.


An observer is needed in field-oriented induction motor control as the phase angle of rotor magnetising current or m.m.f. vector in a standard induction motor cannot be measured by direct means. Two types of observers (linear and non-linear) are used in field-oriented induction motor control schemes as can be found in literature. The reduced-order linear model of the observer is easy to implement in real time, but it does not give an accurate estimation of m.m.f. vector angle, /spl beta/, since the induction motor operates in the region of saturation. The non-linear model which incorporates this effect of magnetic saturation of the induction motor cannot be practically implemented as it takes too long a time to estimate the angle /spl beta/. This paper presents a real-time computationally-efficient observer based on artificial neural networks (ANN) which takes into account the effect of saturation and estimates the angle /spl beta/ in a few microseconds which is well within the real time deadline.


The study investigated gender differences in self-construal and impulse buying among young Thai consumers. Contrary to expectations, findings indicated that Thai males were more likely to exhibit general impulse buying and mood management tendencies than females. A subsequent analysis of self-construal among the sample revealed that interdependent self-construals were more likely to report general impulse buying tendencies, while independent self-construals reported significantly higher levels of irresistible urge to buy. These results have broad implications for research and may indicate that global economic upheaval and cultural shifts may have caused traditional role shifts in Thai culture. Marketers must consider these environmental changes and strategize accordingly.


correlate the materials structure with the electrocatalytic activity, and to delineate their mechanistic contributions. Thus, development of effective protocols for high-yield, uniform production of


AbstractA three-dimensional discrete element model of an asphalt mixture is developed based on discrete element method (DEM) software to investigate the cracking mechanism of the asphalt mixture, w...


The terms superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity were introduced not very long ago, in 1996 and 2000, respectively. The former is used to describe exceptionally weak and the latter used to indicate strong interactions of materials and coatings with bulk water, controlled entirely by surface topography and material chemistry. An explosion of research on fabrication of superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces and coatings was noticed almost immediately after the concepts appeared in the technical literature, with hundreds of reports now published annually. The interest in this new class of surfaces/coatings is driven by an emerging market for water-repellant, snow- and ice-phobic products and formulations, water antifogging screens, windows and lenses, antifouling coatings, microfluidic devices, coatings for enhanced boiling heat transfer, foils for food packaging and many other products. The popularity of this emerging subdiscipline of surface chemistry can also be attributed to uncomplicated fa...


Recent observations with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) of two anomalous X-ray pulsars provided evidence that X-ray emission from magnetar sources is strongly polarized. Here we report on the joint IXPE and XMM-Newton observations of the soft γ-repeater SGR 1806–20. The spectral and timing properties of SGR 1806–20 derived from XMM-Newton data are in broad agreement with previous measurements; however, we found the source at an all-time low persistent flux level. No significant polarization was measured apart from the 4–5 keV energy range, where a probable detection with PD = 31.6% ± 10.5% and PA=−17.°6−15.°0+15.°5 was obtained. The resulting polarization signal, together with the upper limits we derive at lower and higher energies (2–4 and 5–8 keV, respectively), is compatible with a picture in which thermal radiation from the condensed star surface is reprocessed by resonant Compton scattering in the magnetosphere, similar to what was proposed for the bright magnetar 4U 0142+61.


The paper analyzes the effect of immersion in digital games using the theoretical apparatus of game theory. The paper illustrates interactive operations and the cause and effect relationship between player and designer, explaining the importance of strategic decision-making and pathing in player immersion. It considers the game function of creating a virtual world and proposes the idea that digital games are not just computer-mediated communication to the player. These games are games of "the moment", like the game Chicken, and played with apparently great emotion, intelligence, and physical dexterity, although represented in software form. The relationship between the player and the computer is one of sign exchange, precisely the one that semiotics calls semiosis . The paper concludes that the personal achievement of individual players (end-users) accounts for the phenomenon of deep immersion in digital games. Not virtuality, but virtuosity is the strong force in digital game playing.


Determination of construction firms' detection of project planning, understanding of deficiencies and necessities, taking the picture of today's situation and for making projection to future and taking steps are main purposes of this paper. Which planning techniques are using by construction firms and in which rates, differences in these rates inland and abroad projects, the ways of planning and controlling construction projects has been evaluated by a questionnaire. From these evaluation results, modern planning techniques are using in a big rate. But controlling these planning's regularly, monitoring knowledge flows, making revisitions in necessary cases are very important for successful projects. Construction firms have to use in more boosts the rates of Linear Planning, Simulations and Resource Balancing, have their own data banks about their works, have high quality technical and administrative members, and buy professional consultancy for complementation the projects in optimum time and cost.


In this dissertation, we present bromide and iodide scintillators which have been investigated for the past four years. Three major groups of compounds were studied; lanthanide trihalides LnX3, (pseudo)-elpasolites M2ALnX6 and ternary halides AmLnnXo where M and A are alkali cations, Ln is a rare earth cation and X is a halide anion. Some materials show interesting gamma-ray-scintillation properties. LuI3: Ce3+, one of lanthanide trihalides, has a record high light output of 98,000 photons/MeV and a fast response of 35 ns. Other two groups, (pseudo)-elpasolites and ternary halides, show relatively low light yields. For thermal neutron scintillator, we focused with (pseudo)-elpasolites M2LiLnX6 and ternary halides LimLnnXo groups. Rb2LiYBr6: Ce3+ shows an excellent neutron peak resolution of 3.6%. This is the best neutron peak resolution ever reported. Together with the large Alpha/Beta ratio of 0.74, Rb2LiYBr6: Ce3+ offers the possibility of excellent neutron/gamma-ray discrimination. The highest thermal neutron scintillation light yield of 83,000 photons/neutron is also reported for Rb2LiYBr6: Ce3+.


Larry, staged by Austin Clarke's Lyric Theatre at the Abbey in 1947, may have been poetic theatre, but not as W.B. Yeats would have known it. McDonagh's poetic drama was in a much more popular vein and drew on street ballads in its debunking of nationalist myth. He also confessedly drew on the anarchic comedy of the Marx Brothers as Una Troy did on the screwball romantic comedies of 1930s Hollywood for the radical feminist ending of An Apple a Day. Both plays acknowledge and make free play with a foreign artistic influence which the cultural and religious guardians routinely condemned. Maurice Meldon's three published and produced plays receive the most extensive treatment, ranging from the bringing of ghosts onstage through the lampooning of nationalist ideals to the notable fluidity of their stage space. Margaretta D'Arcy's memoir and Walsh's interview with director Barry Cassin make notable contributions. All three of Meldon's plays had for me striking parallels with those of Brian Friel: the Irish Chekhov of House Under Green Shadows (1951) with Aristocrats (1979); Aisling: A Dream Analysis (1953) and its satiric transformation of Cathleen ni0 Houlihan with The Loves of Cass McGuire (1966); and Purple Path to the Poppy Field (1953) with The Gentle Island (1971), both set on depopulated islands faced with sterility but wedded to destructive ideals. There is no doubt that the Abbey fire in 1951, which necessitated a move to the much larger house of the Queen's and the loss of the Peacock Theatre, finished off any theatrical experimentation at the National Theatre for over a decade. The gap was filled for the next number of years when Barry Cassin and Nora Lever founded their small basement theatre, the 37; this was where Meldon went for the staging of his second and third plays. The experiment did not last long, but it prepared the ground for the arrival of the Pike in 1953. The Pike's productions of Behan's The Quare Fellow and Beckett's Godot have been well documented; but Walsh builds on Lionel Pilkington's research to draw attention to the theatrically subversive nature of the Pike's late night revues. It was these, he suggests, rather than the staging of TennesseeWilliams' The Rose Tatoo, which determined the government of the day to shut down the Pike. Walsh concludes by showing how the experimental Irish theatre he discusses continues today in the practice of Thomas Kilroy and TomMac Intyre. (Mac Intyre wrote anMA thesis onMauriceMeldon at UCD in 1957.) But his closing pages also suggest that this radical counter-tradition to the theatrical mainstreammay even be the dominant tradition after all. This is an important study of Irish theatre for its sophisticated dramaturgic analysis and for its demythologising of received views of Irish theatre. In this he very much is true to the radical spirit of the playwrights he champions.


Traditional linear control strategies are usually straightforward and easy to implement, but they tend to be helpless when dealing with complex nonlinear problems, which drastically limit their scope of application. In order to find a way that can overcome their drawbacks while not giving up their main feature of simplicity, this paper introduces evolutionary programming as an optimization method, which tackles the difficulty by being integrated with conventional PID controllers to form self-adaptive control systems. This approach has both the advantages of flexibility and simplicity, without sacrificing accuracy. A CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactor) system is presented as a case in point to show its working principle and simulation results are also given to prove its efficiency. The last part of the paper gives some recommendations for future work and improvements.


The present study was conducted to investigate phosphate removal from aqueous solution using industrial wastes, red mud (RM), acid treated red mud (ATRM) and converter furnace steel slag (CFSS). The chemical composition of adsorbents was analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Batch experiments and elution experiments using water tank were performed to examine environmental factors that influences on phosphate removal. Kinetic sorption data of RM, ATRM, and CFSS were described well by the pseudo second-order kinetic sorption model, and equilibrium sorption data of all adsorbents obeyed Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacities of adsorbents followed order: ATRM (7.06 mg/g)>RM (4.34 mg/g)>CFSS (1.88 mg/g). Increasing pH from 3 to 11, the amount of adsorbed phosphate on all RM, ATRM, and CFSS were decreased. The presence of sulfate and carbonate decreased the phosphate removal of RM and ATRM but did not influence on the performance of CFSS. The phosphate removal of RM, ATRM, and CFSS was greater in seawater than deionized water, resulting from the presence of cations in seawater. The water tank elution experiments showed that RM capping blocked the elution of phosphate effectively. It was concluded that the adsorbents can be successfully used for the removal of the phosphate from the aqueous solutions.


In this paper, we present an application that can be used for assessing the contributions of participants to multiple chat conversations (that debate the same topics) according to different criteria, along with the ranking of the conversations considering a list of important concepts to be debated.


The research was based on the justification of understanding how school supervisors can enhance the didactic-pedagogical practice of these professionals when intentionally developing the thematic sexuality in schools and what legislation insures them by right. We have worked with the hypothesis of that the official documents of Education aim at formation of critical and reflective citizens, who including they portray the need for an emancipatory approach of topic sexuality in school environments, which was confirmed, given the analyzes carried out. The problematizing issues arose from the author's experience as a school supervisor and a Biology teacher at realizing, in her empirical action, the fear and insecurity of other professionals, especially those who teach Sciences, of working on sexuality topics in schools. In this context, it is questioned how the school supervisors can subsidize the critical education in sexual education of teachers/those who teach Sciences through the bibliographical and documentary study of the Curricular Proposal of Santa Catarina and of the Political-Pedagogical Project of a town of the Santa Catarina State. It has had as aim objective looking into how the school supervisor could guide the critical pedagogical practice in sexual education to the teachers/those who teach Sciences, through the referred documents, thus finally unveiling possible contributions of School Supervision in the critical formation of teachers/those who teach Sciences in emancipatory sexual education processes. The epistemological paradigm used was the Historical-Dialectical Materialism defined as the guiding principle of the research. Of qualitative nature, it has set up in a bibliographical and documentary research that it was used the dialectical method of reality analysis. The data collection was deemed on the steps of Lima and Mioto (2007). And the analysis was followed the steps of content analysis, guided by Trivinos (2012) and Bardin (2014). The elaboration of the indicators was made clear through the Declaration of Sexual Rights (WAS, 2014) and the FA2IA approach (VIEIRA; VIEIRA, 2005). It was selected two official documents: the Curricular Proposal of Santa Catarina (2014) and the Political-Pedagogical Project (2017) of a municipal school in the Santa Catarina State. The results obtained in the analysis of the excerpts indicate that sexual education can be worked out in an emancipatory perspective by the teachers in the classroom with the support of this document and that it can guide the (re)elaboration of the Political-Pedagogical Projects of the educational institutions, as well as strengthening and encouraging the supervisors, and teachers, to work, ensuring the students rights to have a democratic and quality education. The results of the Political-Pedagogical Project (2017) afford of possibilities of work in sexual education in an emancipatory perspective in Basic Schooling, especially in Early Childhood Education, where it was registered a bigger concern with the integral formation of the human being, in critical, and reflexive way. Investigated the legal aid and verified that School Supervision can develop pedagogical actions directed at promotion of critical thinking in processes of emancipatory sexual education, mainly in the continuing formation of teachers/those who teach science. Futheron, still, as a result the urgency and necessary continuing education of the school supervisors by themselves, and then they subsequently promote a continuous critical education for teachers/that in the face of the topic studied.


Background: currently in Cuba and around the world, the ovarian cancer represents the eighth most important cause of malignant neoplasia in women, but it is the fourth cause related with mortality. Objective: identifying behavior by histological types and by ovarian cancer treatment. Materials and methods: a descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in patients with ovarian cancer attended in the Hospital "Ramón González Coro", Havana, in the period between January 2001 and July 2013. The analysis units were the clinical records of the 98 studied patients. Outcomes: it was observed that 69.3 % were aged 31-60 years. The average age of the entire group was 48.2 years; half of the patients did not refer pathological antecedents. The average parity was 1.3. 3.1 % had antecedents of confirmed and treated malignant neoplasia; 14.3 % had maternal antecedents of malignant neoplasia, being the most frequent motive of consultation "pain in the low womb" (40.8 %). There was not significant association between the stages (FIGO) and the cancer type. Conclusions: the obtained results behave, in general, according to the epidemiological patterns internationally reported, though the frequency of the epithelial cancer was lower than the one referred in the consulted literature. Most of the studied cancers were in stages I and III.


In the present work an application of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique to detect and locate skin-stringer debonding, over stiffened composite panels, relaxing solicitation conditions for healthy and current structure states is presented. Herein the PCA-based algorithm has been implemented using R, the most widespread free programming environment for statistical computing. The algorithm calculates the most representative healthy system dynamics, then calculates the projections of the healthy and current observed data over a few of the healthy first principal components and compares the results to identify the most significant deviations. Outliers are sought using the box-and-whisker plots and are intended to be possibly failure warnings to be verified. Outliers are depicted on a graph to easily derive location information based on sensor position. The algorithm has been applied to experimental data collected from double stiffener composite panels. Basing on the skin-stringer debonding locations from NDI, algorithm effectiveness and robustness are shown to be satisfactory.


Introduction: Life satisfaction is an essential component of students' psychological health. Therefore, identifying the factors influencing students' life satisfaction is very important. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of basic needs and attachment styles in predicting life satisfaction of high school students. Method: The design of the present study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of this study includes all high school students during the academic year of 2016-2017. 459 students (299 boys and 160 girls) of the second-grade secondary school of District 2 of Qom were selected as the sample by convenience sampling. The instruments used included the Basic Psychological Needs Scales (PBNS), Attachment Styles Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The results of regression analysis showed that autonomy and competence with standard coefficient 0.21 (p<0.01) and 0.31(p<0.01) respectively, and secure and ambivalent attachment styles with standard coefficients 0.12 (p<0.05) and – 0.31 (p<0.01) respectively, have an effect on life satisfaction of students. The basic need for Relatedness and the Avoidant attachment style were not able to predict the life satisfaction. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the role of basic psychological needs and attachment styles in predicting the life satisfaction of high school students. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the role of factors of basic psychological needs and attachment styles in improve the life satisfaction of students.


This study investigates the relationship between social media platform usage to obtain product purchase information by prospective product purchasers and their intention to purchase products online. This study also examines the relative impact of friends' product purchase recommendations and social media platform usage by prospective product purchasers to obtain product information on their intentions to purchase products online. This research contributes to the marketing and purchase intention literature and practice by documenting the relationships that the extent to which the sampled individuals use various social media platforms to obtain product purchase information and the impact that friends' product recommendations have on the respondents' intentions to purchase products online.


The three configurations of long-distance monitor and control area protecting system was introduced.The actualization of communication module was discoursed,the module was divided into two parts,one was the Modem and COM communication actualization,the other was the monitor layer and measure layer communication actualization.


A waveguide circulator design is reported that has resulted in a structurally rugged, thermally stable circulator with exceptional RF performance. With this design, insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB, more than 2MB isolation, and VSWR less than 1.2:1 have been achieved, each over 7 GHz of bandwidth from 27 to 34 GHz and 31 to 38 GHz.


The expression profiles of cytokines and antioxidant genes were determined from an experimental infection with H. contortus in Pelibuey lambs. The infection was followed for 34 days (d) to determine the number of eggs per gram (epg) and the packed cell volume (PCV). Differential white cell counts and expression profile estimations of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐13, FCεR1A, GPX and SOD1 were determined at 0 hour, 4 hours, 2 days and 14 days post‐infection (PI) in infected and control groups. Comparison of the fold change between 0 and 4‐hours, 4‐hours and 2‐days and 2‐ and 14‐days periods was performed. Significant differences (P<.05) between epg (>2000) and PCV (>30%) were determined after 21 days and were also observed with regard to monocyte and lymphocyte cells after 2 and 7 days PI. At 0 hour and 14 days PI, the GPX and IL‐2 genes showed a 0.37‐ and 0.49‐fold decrease in expression, respectively. In contrast, upregulation was observed at 4 hours of IL‐8 (2.58) and FCεR1A (2.71), at 2 days for IL‐4 (2.14) and IL‐8 (4.02) and at 14 days for IL‐2 (0.41), IL‐10 (2.35) and FCεR1A (2.28). The comparison between the intervals of infection showed high expression values against H. contortus infection in Pelibuey sheep after the 2nd period of PI involving a dichotomy T cells.


This paper assesses the impact of reducing the pressure in the lubrication system on the failures of the crankshaft bearings. The method of adapting lubricating system of the diesel engine as the wear in operation and depending on the operation modes.


This tutorial provides an introduction to Tandem Repeats (TR) in proteins. This is an advanced course which requires familiarity with the Pfam [4] database and profile Hidden Markov Models, described here [5]. TRs are a distinct class of protein modules that are found in many natural proteins. This course offers a description of TRs and their importance in biology. Furthermore, we describe one method of TR detection which is based on sequence homology, as well as discussing the challenges in characterizing them. Learning objectives:


In this project, I conduct a research that strives to make a huge impact on the area of computer forensics. When performing various investigations the process of finding evidence can be a lengthy one in terms of time and resources. We felt it would be cool if we could somehow use a GPU to aid in computer forensic investigations, particularly searching for files. The objective of this research is to test the time efficiency of a standard search method, and compare the results with GPU multi-threading search method. My hypothesis is that the GPU multiprocessors will significantly reduce the time and resources it takes to go through with an investigation of searching for files. My hypothesis is that the GPU multiprocessors will significantly reduce the time and resources it takes to go through with an investigation of searching for files, rendering the time it takes obsolete so that the original, reliable evidence may be used for prosecutions, validation of misconduct, etc. The structure of the graphics processing unit is designed specifically for heavily, complex computations, compared to central processing units that are designed for memory and storage purposes.


Jordan B. Minov. Lung and Pleural Diseases Related to Occupational Exposures. Skopje: Pristop MK & Institute for Occupational Health of Republic of Macedonia; 2009. 247 pages; ISBN 978-9989-2713-2-8; price: MKD 600


Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need to adopt a restorative and regenerative model proposed by circular economy (CE). Methods: This article aims to identify the current status of packaging waste management in the CE context through an integrative literature review using Scopus and Web of Science databases. Using the Bibliometrix package, 162 articles were analyzed. Results: A bibliometric overview is presented, including the prominent authors and journals, and most cited articles, techniques and research methods used. Most of the analyzed articles are of the theoretical–empirical, quali–quantitative type, and plastic is the most studied material when a paper focused on one waste item. The contribution of packaging waste management for the transition to CE is discussed, highlighting important actions such as the replacement of materials to increase recyclability, the installation of voluntary delivery points associated with education programs focusing on the environment and support for cooperatives of waste pickers. In addition, a research agenda was developed that highlights the main gaps identified to guide future studies. Conclusion: Finally, the managerial contributions of the study are emphasized in particular by providing insight into the implementation of this model of growing international interest.


This final project research was conducted at the Kuala Pesilam Balai Gajah estate, Division I, PT. Bahruny, North Sumatra Province. This study took place from July to July 2021. This study aims to determine the pattern of weed control in the circle on production as well as rainfall and rainy days. This study uses a descriptive method by collecting secondary data from the garden: rainfall and production data. The results of this study can indicate that Indonesia's unstable palm oil production is caused by several factors, namely genetic factors, biotic factors (weeds) and abiotic factors (rainfall and rainy days). Production in 2020 is the highest production of oil palm for 4 years (2017-2020) with a total production of 5,971,760 Kilograms with an area of 336.96 hectares. The amount of rainfall is 2371 mm and rainy days is 117 days with weed control patterns on the disk carried out 4 times a year. Production in 2018 was the lowest production of oil palm for 4 years (2016-2020) with a total production of 4,032,338 kg, with an area of 267.96 Ha. The amount of rainfall is 1854 mm and rainy days is 112 rainy days with weed control patterns on the disc 2 times a year. The optimal rainfall for the growth and production of oil palm plants is 2,000 mm, but with 1846 mm of rainfall it does not mean it is not good for the growth and production of oil palm plants as long as there is no water deficit, so this rainfall is still included in the criteria for growing oil palm. Production in 2018 was the lowest production of oil palm for 4 years (2016-2020) with a total production of 4,032,338 kg, with an area of 267.96 Ha. The amount of rainfall is 1854 mm and rainy days is 112 rainy days with weed control patterns on the disc 2 times a year. The optimal rainfall for the growth and production of oil palm plants is 2,000 mm, but with 1846 mm of rainfall it does not mean it is not good for the growth and production of oil palm plants as long as there is no water deficit, so this rainfall is still included in the criteria for growing oil palm. Production in 2018 was the lowest production of oil palm for 4 years (2016-2020) with a total production of 4,032,338 kg, with an area of 267.96 Ha. The amount of rainfall is 1854 mm and rainy days is 112 rainy days with weed control patterns on the disc 2 times a year. The optimal rainfall for the growth and production of oil palm plants is 2,000 mm, but with 1846 mm of rainfall it does not mean it is not good for the growth and production of oil palm plants as long as there is no water deficit, so this rainfall is still included in the criteria for growing oil palm.


The time-frequency distribution (TFD) based on Cohen's (see Time-Frequency Analysis. Signal Processing Series. Prentice Hall PTR, New Jersey, 1995) class has significant potential for the analysis of a number of non-stationary signals. One of the discrete formulations is the recently introduced alias-free generalized discrete-time TFD (AF-GDTFD). The spectral decomposition of the kernel allows the computation of AF-GDTFD as a weighted sum of spectrograms. The partial sum has been shown to offer a vehicle to trade-off between exactness and computational load. This paper proposes a scheme which exploits local approximations by adapting dynamically the accuracy of spectrograms to the eigenvalue magnitudes. The approach employs the wavelet packet transform followed by a block-recursive Fourier transform and a compensation network. Adaptive selection of subbands for further processing reduces substantially the computational cost while still preserving an acceptable quality. The approach is attractive in terms of VLSI aspects due to the modular structure, local connections and stream processing.


To enhance the charge separation and kinetics of water oxidation using a BiVO4 photoanode, a BiVO4/ZnO nanowire heterostructure decorated with gold (Au) nanoparticles is fabricated as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The Au/BiVO4/ZnO nanowire photoanode exhibits improved photoactivity performance and visible light absorption due to its optimized nanowire length and loading of Au nanoparticles. The harvesting of visible light and charge separation are enhanced by the heterostructure with ZnO nanowires, providing a direct pathway for photogenerated electrons and inducing a morphological scattering effect. In addition, the kinetics of oxygen evolution and photoactivity are improved due to the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) and hot electron injection with Au nanoparticle oscillation. As a result, the photocurrent density of the Au/BiVO4/ZnO nanowire photoanode is 4.5 times higher than that of the pristine BiVO4 photoanode. The combination of the heterostructure and effective decoration of Au nanoparticles enables the expansion of the absorption region and increased photoactivity of the electrode for water oxidation.


Remote sensing techniques have proven successful for producing stem maps of forests in leaf-on condition from high-resolution imagery. This paper demonstrates how a mathematical model for the surface of a stem can be used to estimate the breast-height diameter of individual trees from aerial photographs to give information on basal area. The diameters are estimated by likelihood estimation from images of a forest in leaf-off condition where the stems and their shadows are visible. Applied to a homogeneous and monospecific oak ( Quercus robur L.) stand under standard silvicultural treatment in Denmark, the estimation was successful for 56 out of 60 trees. The root mean squared error on the diameter was 4.2 and 3.2 cm using three and five images, respectively. The key conclusion is that it is feasible to infer fairly accurate information about the diameters and three-dimensional positions of stems from aerial photographs.


The terminology precision is not the main topic of further considerations. On the contrary, the wealth of contents of model or modelling may be in many respects productive. This paper looked at how modelling could be used to enhance the teaching of mathematics in secondary and post-secondary schools in Nigeria. An attempt was also made to classify model or modelling in to different types with examples from natural Economics.


Background and purpose Validation of automatically derived acute ischemic volumes (AAIV) from e-ASPECTS on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT). Materials and methods Data from three studies were reanalyzed with e-ASPECTS Version 7. AAIV was calculated in milliliters (ml) in all scored ASPECTS regions of the hemisphere detected by e-ASPECTS. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) determined stroke severity at baseline and clinical outcome was measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) between 45 and 120 days. Spearman ranked correlation coefficients (R) of AAIV and e-ASPECTS scores with NIHSS and mRS as well as Pearson correlation of AAIV with diffusion-weighted imaging and CT perfusion-estimated ischemic "core" volumes were calculated. Multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, OR with 95% confidence intervals, CI) and Bland–Altman plots were performed. Results We included 388 patients. Mean AAIV was 11.6 ± 18.9 ml and e-ASPECTS was 9 (8–10: median and interquartile range). AAIV, respectively e-ASPECTS correlated with NIHSS at baseline (R = 0.35, p < 0.001; R = −0.36, p < 0.001) and follow-up mRS (R = 0.29, p < 0.001; R = −0.3, p < 0.001). In subsets of patients, AAIV correlated strongly with diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 37, R = 0.68, p < 0.001) and computed tomography perfusion-derived ischemic "core" (n = 41, R = 0.76, p < 0.001) lesion volume and Bland–Altman plots showed a bias close to zero (−2.65 ml for diffusion-weighted imaging and 0.45 ml forcomputed tomography perfusion "core"). Within the whole cohort, the AAIV (OR 0.98 per ml, 95% CI 0.96–0.99) and e-ASPECTS scores (OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.07–1.57) were independent predictors of good outcome Conclusion AAIV on NCCT correlated moderately with clinical severity but strongly with diffusion-weighted imaging lesion and computed tomography perfusion ischemic "core" volumes and predicted clinical outcome.


Emancipating the mind,seeking truth from facts and keeping pace with the times are the essence of the socialism with Chinese Characteristics,with emancipating the mind the trump to achieve development.The process of the reform and opening up over the past 30 years is the process of always upholding the essence and constantly emancipating the mind.At present,from a new historical starting point,we have to consistently stick to the essence of the socialism with Chinese characteristics,further the emancipation of the mind,cope with the major practical challenges actively in the process of the socialist modernization and building a well-off society in an all-round way,and move into a new realm of the socialism with Chinese characteristics.


The incidence of Breast cancer and its death rate are awfully high.Therefore,it's vey meaningful to diagnose this kind of malignancy.In this paper,we model the diagnosis of breast cancer by using SAS,and check this model with data.It demonstrates that this model is proper.


In this paper, we propose a novel anti-phase tremor compensation method using surface electromyography (SEMG) and accelerometer (ACC). The usefulness of the SEMG signal is that it precedes the generated joint movement by 20–100 ms (electromechanical delay, EMD). Hence by detecting the tremor in advance, there is enough time window to do the necessary computation and to actuate the antagonist muscle by Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). This is also possible because the time taken for FES to actuate the muscle is significantly less than that of the neural signal, as detected by SEMG. Specifically, what is proposed in this paper is algorithm to an estimate the EMD and to determine when to start/stop the FES such that anti-phase tremor cancellation. Experimental result from one Essential Tremor patient show 57% reduction in tremor power as measured by the ACC.


Topical drug delivery systems of Fluconazole, antifungal drug in the form of gels were formulated using polymers like HPMC, Carbopol 934, Methylcellulose and Sodium alginate. The gels were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters like pH, viscosity, rheology, drug content , spreadibilit y and skin irritation test. In addition, in vitro drug release by diffusion using cellophane membrane and permeation through hairless rat skin using modified Kiesery Chien Diffusion cell was performed. The rheological behaviour and apparent viscosity values for different gel bases were measured before and after storage under freezing condition at 2-8 0C and were taken as measure for stability of gel network structure. Also accelerated stability testing at 45±2 0C and 75%±5% R.H for 3 months were performed. Among the four formulat ions, gel prepared using HPMC shows desired propert ies and exhibit bet ter release pat tern when compared with other formulations prepared with Carbopol, Sodium alginate and Methylcellulose


Summary: Lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis are clinicopathologic entities that are distinct from other forms of inflammatory bowel disease. However, some of their histologic features may be seen in other forms of colitis. Adherence to the diagnostic clinicopathologic criteria for lymphocytic and collagenous colitis will help separate them from other forms of inflammatory bowel disease.


approach Probably the least effective form of poster was the abstract approach. With this approach, images, words and phrases were randomly dispersed across the poster with no apparent pattern or structure. It was unclear how the floating signs related to one another. An example of this type of approach can be seen in Figure 1. The intention may have been to create a gestalt impression, but it is difficult to interpret the key message. Very few students adopted this approach and these posters were graded very poorly. The approach is similar to the prestructural category of Biggs' (1999:46-48) SOLO taxonomy where student work is largely irrelevant or incorrect.


We present methods to extract the values of intercavity coupling constants for a biperiodic linac chain from the measured mode spectrum. By making use of the form of the dispersion relation and reformulating the problem, we manage to get analytically soluble equations. As a result, our solutions do not require guess values for initiation of iterations unlike in the case of numerical fitting, and we show that the least‐squares fitting gives more than one set of solutions.


The behaviors of heat‐induced translocation of cytoplasmic β‐galactosidase to periplasm across the inner membrane of Escherichia coli cells were investigated in order to apply such phenomena to the process for production and separation of intracellular biomolecules. The heat stress was found to induce translocation of cytoplasmic β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) together with reduction of the amounts of intracellular soluble proteins and formation of their inactive aggregates. The translocation of β‐gal was then analyzed using (a) the location factor of β‐gal (LFG), which meant enzyme location in the cells and could be determined from the kinetic analysis of enzyme release process, and (b) the percentage of β‐gal activity in periplasm after solublizing the outer membrane of E. coli cells by lysozyme/EDTA treatment. The LFG values were maximized when cells were stressed at the temperature of 42–47 °C. From the results on the surface properties of both β‐gal and cell membrane under the heat stress, it is suggested that (1) the conformational change of cytoplasmic oligomeric β‐gal to the partially dissociated and/or unfolded state with higher local hydrophobicity, (2) the increase in membrane fluidity of inner membrane, (3) the enhancement of hydrophobic interaction between lipid and protein, and (4) the inhibition of its translocation by GroEL restabilizing the proteins could underlie the heat‐induced translocation of β‐gal across the inner membrane. The possibility to apply the heat‐induced translocation of β‐gal for the enhancement of the target selectivity at the process upstream is finally presented.


The use of ICTs in the public sector has long been touted for its potential to transform the institutions that govern and provide social services. The focus, however, has largely been on systems that are used within particular scales of the public sector, such as at the scale of state or national government, the scale of regional or municipal entity, or at the scale of local service providers. The work presented here takes aim at examining ICT use that crosses these scales of influence and accountability. We report on a year long ethnographic investigation conducted at a variety of social service outlets to understand how a shared information system crosses the boundaries of these very distinct organizations. We put forward that such systems are central to the work done in the public sector and represent a class of collaborative work that has gone understudied.


The objective of this study is to estimate the proportion of the population in The Netherlands who receive long‐term care for chronic psychiatric problems. The care needs of this population are assessed in terms both of diagnosis and of specific impairments and disabilities. Data from three surveys and two psychiatric case registers in five different areas of The Netherlands provide an estimate of about 3.5 long‐term users of psychiatric care per 1000 members of the population aged 20 years or over. One‐third of them receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. Patients most frequently suffer from impairments of mood and affect, volition and drives. Nearly all patients are disabled in their occupational role (work), and about half of the population have problems with self‐care and household tasks. Long‐term care is to a large extent (40%) provided in hospitals and sheltered accommodation, and the role of day services is relatively insignificant.


In this era of technology, cloud computing technology has become essential part of the IT services used the daily life. In this regard, website hosting services are gradually moving to the cloud. This adds new valued feature to the cloud-based websites and at the same time introduces new threats for such services. DDoS attack is one such serious threat. Covariance matrix approach is used in this article to detect such attacks. The results were encouraging, according to confusion matrix and ROC descriptors.


Abstract Pronozelus schuhi gen. nov. and sp. nov. of Harpactorini is described from the eastern Colombian Andes. A dorsal habitus, photographs of male genitalia, and a key to distinguish Pronozelus from the most similar genera are provided.


Nonlocal interactions are an intrinsically quantum phenomenon. In this work we point out that, in the context of heavy ions, such interactions can be studied through the refractive elastic scattering of these systems at intermediate energies. We show that most of the observed energy dependence of the local equivalent bare potential arises from the exchange nonlocality. The nonlocality parameter extracted from the data was found to be very close to the one obtained from folding models. The effective mass of the colliding, heavy-ion, system was found to be close to the nucleon effective mass in nuclear matter.


Physics learning in high school is closely related to students' social attitudes in conducting cognitive engagement to achieve creative thinking. This study aims to analyze students' cognitive engagement and creative thinking using research-based e-learning (RBeL) and directed learning (DeL) about students' social attitudes. The samples were randomly selected from 4 classes (two experimental and two control classes). This study used a post-test-only control group design. Data on social attitudes and cognitive engagement were collected using questionnaires, and data on creative thinking using essay tests. Data were analyzed using a two-way Manova and hypothesis testing using a significance level of 5%. The results showed significant differences in the cognitive engagement of students who were intervened using RBeL and DeL. Intervention using RBeL was more effective than DeL in achieving cognitive engagement. There is a significant difference between the creative thinking of students who are intervened using RBeL and DeL. The RBeL intervention was more effective than DeL in achieving creative thinking. There are similarities in cognitive engagement and creative thinking among students with HSA and LSA. There was no interaction between learning models and social attitudes regarding cognitive engagement and creative thinking in students. The achievement of cognitive involvement and creative thinking of 10th-grade students in learning physics is more effective using research-based e-learning models.


The invention discloses a gas-phase SiO2 nanometer microporous thermal insulation material. Easily prepared gas-phase nanometer silicon dioxide powder is adopted to replace traditional carrier silicon dioxide aerogel; and infrared opacifying agent and a reinforcing material are added to obtain the gas-phase SiO2 nanometer microporous thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation material has excellent chemical stability and heat stability; and as the opacifying agent is added, the effective extinction coefficient of the material is remarkably improved (from 10.0 m /kg to maximum 61.2 m /kg), and the thermal insulation performance is modified.


Recently in the Vocalize-to-Localire framework (a functional stance just started in the Interaction Studies 2004-2005 issues we edited, Abry et al., 2004), we addressed the unification of two grounding attempts concerning the syllable and the foot in language ontogeny. Can the movement time of the pointing strokes of a child be predicted from her babbling rhythm? The answer for 6 babies (6-18 months) was a 2.1 pointing-to-syllable ratio. Implications for the grounding of the first words within this Pointing Frame will be examined. More tentatively we will suggest that babbling for protophonology together with pointing for protosyntax pave the way to language.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of pelvic exenteration in the treatment of advanced gynecological malignances.

METHODS
Eighteen patients with cervical cancer in 8, vulvar cancer in 8, and vaginal cancer in 2, who underwent pelvic exenteration at the Cancer Hospital of Shanghai Medical University between 1970 and 1990 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT
Median age was 52 years (range 27-65). One woman received surgery of total pelvic exenteration, 10 anterior and 7 posterior exenteration. The 3,5-year survival rates were 72%, 50%, respectively. Postoperative morbidity was 16%, and the surgical mortality was 0%. Bowel obstruction occurred in 2 of 18 cases, one of them was treated surgically.

CONCLUSIONS
(1) Patients with advanced central type pelvic neoplasms can be successfully treated with exenteration; (2) The patients should be properly selected prior to and in operation, and the procedures must be performed specifically, particularly in exploration stage.


Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterised as complete or partial upper airflow cessation during sleep. Although it has been widely accepted that OSA is a risk factor for the development of hypertension, the studies focusing on this topic revealed inconsistent results. We aimed to clarify the association between OSA and resistant hypertension among the population of Calicut district in the state of Kerala. The study was conducted using the STOPBANG questionnaire. All individuals included were between the ages of 35-65 and had previously documented resistant hypertension. The responses from 49 people that fit the inclusion criteria have been analysed. 16/49 of the participants were placed in scores of 0-2, 15/49 were placed in scores of 3-4 and 18/49 were placed in the scores of 5-8. Based on our study, we can conclude that OSA is related to an increased risk of resistant hypertension among the population studied.


This thesis is chiefly concerned with understanding the reasons behind British foreign policy towards Palestine between the invasion in December 1917 and final withdrawal in May 1948. It applies Poliheuristic Decision (Ph) Theory to British Cabinet decision-making at four critical junctures in foreign policy decision-making during this time period, arguing that contrary to the established literature on Mandate Palestine, British Cabinet policy reflected a stark lack of viable alternatives that left little room for consideration of personal biases, allegiances or sentimental attachment to either Zionism or Arab nationalism during the decision-making process. This reveals how crucial decisions concerning the future of Palestine were frequently more concerned with fighting narrow, domestic or broader, international political battles than preventing or dealing with a burgeoning conflict in a tiny strip of land on the Mediterranean. In so doing, this thesis aims to elucidate previously neglected areas of the British Mandate for Palestine as well as highlight some of the problems with Ph theory as a bridging framework between Rational Choice and cognitive models, while contributing new and innovative case studies to the field of Foreign Policy Analysis.


The camouflaged object detection (COD) task aims to find and segment objects that have a color or texture that is very similar to that of the background. Despite the difficulties of the task, COD is attracting attention in medical, lifesaving, and anti-military fields. To overcome the difficulties of COD, we propose a novel global-local aggregation architecture with a deformable point sampling method. Further, we propose a global-local aggregation transformer that integrates an object's global information, background, and boundary local information, which is important in COD tasks. The proposed transformer obtains global information from feature channels and effectively extracts important local information from the subdivided patch using the deformable point sampling method. Accordingly, the model effectively integrates global and local information for camouflaged objects and also shows that important boundary information in COD can be efficiently utilized. Our method is evaluated on three popular datasets and achieves state-of-the-art performance. We prove the effectiveness of the proposed method through comparative experiments.


By using one-dimensional (1-D) map methods, some lossless transmission line circuits with a short at one side terminal have been actively studied. Bifurcation results or chaotic states in the circuits have been reported. On the other hand, many weak or strong definitions such that a 1-D map is mathematically chaotic are still being studied. In such definitions, the definition of formal chaos is well known as being the most traditional and most definite. However, formal chaos existences have not been rigorously proven in such circuits. In this paper, a general lossless transmission circuit is considered first with a dc bias voltage source in series with a load resistor at one side terminal and with a three-segment piecewise linear resistor at another side terminal. Secondly, the method for deriving a 1-D map describing the behavior of the circuit is summarized. Thirdly, to provide a basis of chaotic application for the 1-D map, the mathematical definition of formal chaos and the sufficient conditions of the existence of formal chaos are discussed. Furthermore, by using Maple, formal chaos existences and bifurcation behavior of 1-D maps are presented. By using the Lyapunov exponent, the observability of formal chaos in such bifurcation processes is outlined. Finally, the principal results and the future works are summarized.


It is obvious that an illustration cited or provided in the protologue of a name can play vital role in typifying the name. In several cases it is observed that an illustration has been designated as lectotype. However, while selecting an illustration as lectotype it should be ensured that no cited isotype, syntype, isosyntype or paratype exists (which are to be given precedence), otherwise the lectotype designation will not be in conformity with Art. 9.12 of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012). If no cited specimens exist, the lectotype must be chosen from among the uncited specimens and then from the cited and uncited illustrations that comprise the remaining original material, if such exist. Clarke (1874) in the protologue of Championia multiflora Clarke (1874: 99) [currently accepted as Leptoboea multiflora (Clarke) Benth. ex Gamble (1881: 274)] cited " Hab . In collibus Khasia ad 500 – 5000 ped. alt. In Assam et Bhotan. In Sikkim ad 1000 – 5000 ped. alt. frequens". Hence, the relevant specimens from the cited localities, i.e. Assam, Bhotan and Sikkim, studied by Clarke qualify as syntypes. Sinha & Datta (2016: 30) designated the plate (t. 68) given in the protologue as the lectotype of C. multiflora, but this is also contradictory to Art. 9.12 (also see Ex. 13 of Art. 9.19) of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012) because the cited syntypes should get priority over illustration given in the protologue during lectotype designation. We searched for these type specimens at CAL, K and P, and found that six of these specimens [CAL0000027254!; CAL0000027256!; CAL0000027257! P03552784 (image!); P03552790 (image!); P03552791 (image!); P03552792 (image!)] are present at CAL and P, which completely agree with the protologue.


The transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa is often labeled a successful case of nation-building. The process was eased by the idea of a Rainbow Nation, encapsulating a recognition of diversity alongside a sense of colorblindness by envisioning the transformation of racial antagonism into harmonious and peaceful coexistence beyond race. This vision was first coined by Desmond Tutu, who spoke about South Africans as "the Rainbow Nation of God." His position as archbishop and chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee gave the Rainbow Nation, the imaginary new South Africa in the post-apartheid era, an overtone of religion and reconciliation. The rainbow had several positive connotations for South Africans, symbolizing God's forgiveness in the Old Testament, and signifying hope and a bright future in Xhosa traditional culture. The rainbow colors also avoid direct reference to color in the sense of race, while at the same time recognizing diversity and therefore serving as a strong metaphor for nation-building (Baines 1998). Nation-building is often seen as necessary for peace in countries divided by conflict. There are largely two competing approaches to nation-building advocated by scholars and practitioners alike for creating a common identity: civic and multicultural nation-building. Scholars within the first camp emphasize the mythical aspect of a nation. Modern nations are "imagined communities" in the sense that their members do not know each other personally (Anderson 1994). According to this civil or liberal approach, fluid and multiple identities are possible. This version of nation-building entails a social construction, an invention or even fabrication by which cultural and linguistic groups should be dissolved and replaced by a common culture. The end state of civic nationalism is meant to be achieved through processes of assimilation or integration (Gellner 1990; Hobsbawm 1990; Smith 1991). It was probably this approach to nation-building which inspired the idea of a Rainbow Nation, but as we shall see the contemporary political


Abstract The method of magnitude estimation was used to determine the brightness of areas presented adjacent to a doubly stimulated overlap region. Two variables were examined, the stimulus-onset-asynchrony, SOA, between the two stimuli forming the doubly stimulated region, and the luminance of these stimuli. Where a decrease in luminance summation was expected in this overlap region the adjacent flank increased in brightness with increasing SOA.


Speech emotion recognition (SER) is an important research topic. Image features like spectrograms are one of the common ways of extracting information from speech. In the area of image recognition, a relatively novel type of network called capsule networks has shown good and promising results. This study aims to use capsule networks to encode spatial information from spectrograms and analyse its performance when paired with different loss functions. Experiments comparing the capsule network with models from previous works show that the capsule network performs better than them.


Comments on "Predicting the Migration Rate of Dialkyl Organotins from PVC Pipe into Water" T recent paper by W. A. Adams et al. reports an impressive attempt to explore migration of alkyl groups dimethyl tin (DMT) and dibutyl tin (DBT) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe into drinking water in experimental and theoretical ways. In this correspondence, I would like to make a few comments on the mass transfer model used in their work. These remarks may contribute to a great simplification of the modeling and for a more thorough interpretation of the experimental data presented in. For clarity, their mathematical model is repeated below with the same nomenclature (see Figure 2 of ref 1):


This paper presents a novel single-phase ac-ac converter topology that is capable of creating voltage output to buck or boost mode. The structure of topology uses minimal switches controlled with the two-section overlap in each cycle of the ac input. The proposed topology is simple, low-cost, and contains minimum number of device. The control strategy can regulate a wide output voltage range with low harmonic distortion and improve the power factor. The closed-loop control is divided into two parts. The first part is the voltage control of dual dc-link capacitors, and the second part controls the ac output voltage. In the part of voltage control at the dc-link capacitors, the switches operate in the boost mode. The ac input current is controlled by PID control with the aim for power factor correction. The output voltage is also regulated by the PID control where the sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (sPWM) technique is chosen. The simulation results illustrate the regulated output ac voltage control, the control of the charging dual dc-link voltage capacitors, the response of the input voltage change and the response of the load change.


I Introduction "I was born a natural hater" writes Jeffrie Murphy in the final pages of Forgiveness and Mercy (1988). (1) That is only the most unadorned of the many confessional statements in Murphy's body of written work on the topics of retribution, vengeance, forgiveness, mercy, and hatred--topics which Murphy has fortunately returned to the limelight of philosophical exploration. In addition to the analytically incisive and plainly erudite aspects of Murphy's philosophical work on these topics, there is also something of a cathartic quality in them. From Forgiveness and Mercy, through several of his essays and Getting Even (2003), right to his 2006 presidential address at the American Philosophical Association, one has the sense that this body of work expresses a desire for self-purification. This self-reflective attribute was made famous by Augustine, and it is found in certain thoughtful writers throughout philosophical history. As the good cop member in an interrogation team might say, it expresses a desire to "come clean." What is it that Murphy wants to come clean on? (2) At the simplest level, as he suggests above, he sometimes feels passions like hatred and vindictiveness intensely and, more particularly, he knows what the passions to get even, to settle a score, to give a wrongdoer "what is coming to him" feel like because he sometimes has them. I am the kind of person who really desires revenge seems to be the secret he wants to let out. But it appears to be more than that, because accompanying these personal desires there seems to be a philosophical conviction as well. In this essay I entertain the conjecture that what Murphy wants to come clean on is the belief that perhaps these passions of hatred, vindictiveness, and resentment toward wrongdoers are genuinely justice-seeking passions. Perhaps these are not just feelings to be embarrassed about having and then to get over. On the contrary, what liberal thinkers usually dismiss as regrettable barbaric sentiments are not in fact those at all. Perhaps such passions even offer a glimpse of the moral truth: wrongdoers really should be getting the response that the vengeful victim in some sense wants to inflict. Perhaps the redneck's belief that his vengeful passions are passions to see that justice is done really are passions to see that justice is done (Murphy discusses the idea of "redneck revenge" in Getting Even). Worse yet, Murphy seems to harbor the suspicion that perhaps a legal system that in some sense acts upon these vengeful passions is a legal system that does justice. In the 1960s and '70s world of liberal moral and legal thought, the idea that state-enforced enactment of vengeful passion could be both understandable and legitimate--maybe even commendable or in some sense right--was almost unspeakable. Perhaps the suspicion that such an idea is partly true is the dark secret that Murphy has gradually tried to come clean on over the past thirty years. Of course, it is not a personal coming clean to which he seems to be aspiring--it is coming clean on behalf of those who engage in the enterprise of trying to explain and justify what our vocabulary and institutions of punishment and responsibility are all about. As we all know, there is often something at least partially illusory about the prospect of coming clean (as there is with getting even). The desirability of "having come clean" is frequently greater before than after the act. The criminal suspect, encouraged by the good cop to "come clean"--to confess it all--has a temporary feeling of relief, perhaps, but in the long term he may come to believe that it was not worth it. Coming clean in an interpersonal relationship is not necessarily all that it is cracked up to be, either. Of equal concern, one does not need to be an obsessive compulsive to feel the unattainability of true "cleanliness," an observation that of course runs very deep in both Christianity and Judaism. …


Recent progress on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) crack growth behavior of dissimilar metal welds between reactor pressure vessel and reactor coolant piping is reviewed in this paper. The worldwide studies concerning the effect of materials, stress and environmental conditions on SCC crack growth behavior are described. Meanwhile, the direction of further research is also forecasted.


Creep of clayey soils is defined as the time-dependent deformation under sustained stresses, due to viscous behavior of the soil skeletons. Creep behavior of soil depend upon main factors which include time, temperature, soil type, soil structure, stress history, stress state and drainage conditions. In this study, a series of one-dimensional oedometer laboratory creep tests were conducted on samples subjected to cyclic loading in order to study the effect of overconsolidation ratio (OCR) and duration of preloading on the secondary consolidation coefficient of the soft clay. Test results reveal that the secondary consolidation coefficient of theoverconsolidated samples are smaller than that of the normally consolidated samples, and decreases with increasing OCR with a drastic drop for OCR values close to 1. On the basis of the isotache model, an equation for secondary consolidation coefficient compression index is proposed as a function of OCR and duration of preloading. The laboratory tests show that the actual measured secondary consolidation coefficient is independent of time. Therefore, to comply with this reality, the proposed equation was modified to be independent of time and laboratory test results were used to calibrate parameters of the newly proposed equation.


• Global population 6 billion • Approx. half in economic poverty (US$2 per day) • 1 billion on < $1 per day, Extreme poverty • Approaching 1/6 chronically undernourished • Child poverty around 1 in 2 (1 billion/2) • Poverty levels dropping in South and East Asia • Poverty levels rising in sub-Saharan Africa • Half world's wealthiest bodies are: Corporations... (Source: Shah, 2006) Millennium Development Goals


1. Background 2. Genesis 3. Musical influences 4. Formal considerations: a synoptic overview 5. The Overture as programmatic music 6. Some thoughts on Mendelssohn's orchestration 7. Influence and reception of the overtures.


This paper recommends the traditional algorithm of Canny in image edge-detection,and gives the problems and the short-ages of the algorithm,based on this,the paper gives an improved algorithm. The improved algorithm adopts four-threshold value method to locate the edge,and at the same time,it can enhance the capability of suppressing noise. Experimental results indicate the feasibility and validity of the improved algorithm,and also it gives the study direction for the future.


Zhenghe's voyages to western ocean is a great eyent on the history of Chinese ancient navigation. To the emi--
graion from Fujian, Zhenghe's voyage not only helped the people from Fujian knew more about foreign countries, but also
created a kind of friendly circumstance in Southeast Asia for them, and made convenience for the followers from Fujian.


Extended Abstract 1Introduction Knowing climatic potentials as the background of human activities, constitutes the base for most of the environmental planning and logistics of land; therefore, the majority of the planning of urban development, construction, habitat, architectural, and tourism expansion is perfectly assured when it is accompanied by weather cognition and the use of its various potencies. The most ancient studies and models for knowing and for the degree of influence of climatic elements on human organism along with its bioclimatic diagrams have been done by Bogda in Nigeria (2003) who compared different indices with each other such as Mahani (Evanza) indices, bioclimatic diagram,


The profile of volatile compounds in huangjiu was elucidated by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The column combination was optimized and good separation and ordered chromatograms were achieved. An extracted ion trace method was established for the orderly separated categories to improve the identification accuracy. A total of 267 compounds were identified. Among them, 86 constituents were positively identified with authentic standards and other 181 components were tentatively identified. Esters were the most abundant class and ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, and acids occupied significant proportion in number. The extraction efficiency of liquid–liquid extraction and head space solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) on specific compounds was compared and HS‐SPME showed remarkable sensitive to most classes except furanones and lactones. Furthermore, some compounds that might have important contribution to huangjiu aroma were highlighted. This study could enrich our knowledge on huangjiu constituents and aroma. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The method present in this research is suitable to characterize the volatile constituents of huangjiu, and could also be used for component characterization of similar complex samples such as fermented alcoholic beverages and foods. Furthermore, the extraction efficiency of headspace solid‐phase microextraction and liquid–liquid extraction on specific compounds were compared. HS‐SPME showed remarkable sensitive to most classes except furanones and lactones. Liquid–liquid extraction could effectively make up the shortcoming of HS‐SPME. This could help us to choose suitable extraction methods for analysis of specific compounds in alcoholic beverages. Several important aroma compounds, such as linalool, nerolidol, geranyl acetone, 2‐pentyl‐furan, and methanethiol were quantified and their contribution to huangjiu aroma were studied. This offers theoretical and technological basis for flavor regulation and control of huangjiu.


In the past several years, metasurfaces have emerged as one of the rapidly growing research fields in optics. These ultrathin arrays composed of subwavelength meta-atoms enable precise control of t...


Analgesics and sedatives are universally administered in intensive care units (ICUs). Ideally, healthcare professionals must minimize sedative use (e.g. through protocolized sedation or daily sedation interruption) and assess pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD) to improve patient outcomes. However, putting knowledge into action is easier said than done. The objectives of this thesis are to describe knowledge use, challenges to its application, and improvement strategies pertaining to PAD management in ICUs. Using semi-structured interviews, the perspectives of physicians, nurses, and physiotherapists were explored. Different challenges to appropriate implementation of PAD recommendations were found with respect to profession, level of experience, and recommendation type, suggesting improvement strategies must be tailored to healthcare professional type. Using a nationwide survey of ICU physicians and nurses, PAD practices in Belgian ICUs were described. The results showed poor use of sedation minimization strategies, with only 31% of healthcare professionals using protocolized sedation, and 75% using DSI in fewer than 25% of their patients. Only 12% of healthcare professionals used validated pain scales for patients unable to self-report. Challenges to the use of sedation minimization strategies included negative attitudes of healthcare professionals caused by common misperceptions, knowledge issues, and staffing considerations. A systematic review identified various types of knowledge translation interventions (KT-Is) designed to enhance the use of ICU PAD recommendations internationally. The majority of these improved outcomes and process measurements. A secondary analysis, of a previous observational study in Canada, identified several PAD management components were associated with the use of physical restraints. The present thesis provides valuable information for key stakeholders, to inform the design of KT-Is aimed at adopting or enhancing the use of PAD recommendations, from a unique Belgian perspective. Now is the time to turn knowledge into action, in the context of the redesign of Belgian hospital financing and the pressure to improve quality and safety in healthcare.


We analyzed the potential value as forage of 11 native species (Bituminaria bituminosa, Rumex lunaria, Echium decaisnei, Patellifolia patellaris, Sonchus pinnatifidus, Lotus lancerottensis, Periploca laevigata, Asparagus nesiotes, Rubia fruticosa, Carlina salicifolia and Atriplex halimus) on the island of Lanzarote. These plants are easy to grow on the island. They also serve as a source of feed supply for small ruminants. For these animals, these newer feed resources native to the island of Lanzarote can substitute for Medicago sativa (alfalfa), the traditional imported forage for cattle production on the island. Analysis of plant nutrient contents has revealed several species native to the island of Lanzarote that can serve as possible substitutes for Medicago sativa. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis indicate that Echium decaisnei litter has proportions of nutrient and cell wall content similar to those of Medicago sativa and can therefore serve as a substitute when grown in natural habitats. Patellifolia patellaris is another species that offers possibilities as forage. Although further studies are required in order to understand the response of plants to grazing and the variability of forage properties over time and different weather conditions, the results suggest that these plants are adequate for extensive production as native forage resources.


In the title compound, C24H26N44+·4Cl−·2H2O, the cation possesses a crystallographically imposed centre of symmetry. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular N—H⋯Cl, N—H⋯O and O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, and by π–π stacking interactions.


Conflicts over the siting of locally unwanted facilities are so familiar to the service providers struggling with the location of regionally necessary, but locally unwanted, land uses. This paper addresses three important themes: the cause of conflicts or disputes over the siting of locally unwanted facilities ; traditional approaches for resolving local public conflicts or disputes ; and the significance of mediated negotiations as a conflict or dispute resolution process. The ultimate goal of this paper is to lay the foundation for understanding and studying the significance of mediated negotiation in minimizing local public conflicts or disputes. The results of this analysis are as follows : (ⅰ) the acceptability of locally unwanted facilities can depend significantly on the interaction mechanism of government sectors, community sectors, and environment sectors ; (ⅱ) strategies for overcoming community opposition can be approached by compensational context, institutional context, or perceptional context ; and (ⅲ) conflicts over the siting of locally unwanted facilities tend to be 'messy problems', which involve a complicated network of interests and a broad range of issues. So mediated negotiation can work with a neutral to negotiate voluntary agreements under the complex conflict situations. The mediators act as "go-betweens" between the service providers and the community representatives. In many cases, mediated negotiation process can be used to prevent conflicts over the siting of locally unwanted facilities which are likely to emerge.


By using fluorescence spectrophotometry method,a systematic study was conducted to determine the effect of cadmium and lead ion stress on reactive oxygen species(ROS) in creeping bent Agrotis stolonifera leaf tissue.All experimental numerical values were analyzed by using the ANOVA of the software SPSS 13.0.The results showed that the(antimycin) A and heavy metal ions stress could significantly effect the opposite contents of hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) in leaf tissue.The antimycin A,a coenzyme Q depressor at electronic pipeline in mitochondria,and heavy metal ions could prevail on enhancing of dichlorofluorescein(DCF) fluorescent value.This means that heavy metal ions indeed prevailed on producing ROS in plant cells.


Cremation pits were discovered in the Yakima and Snake River valleys and on the Columbia at Wahluke and at The Dalles before 1927. Recently one has been described from the John Day region in Oregon by Cressman (1950). The cremation complex which the pits represent appears in the late prehistoric period and was undoubtedly widespread and important in the cultural development of the region. In the Dalles-Arlington area, at least, it lasted into historic times. Recent evidence associates the cremation complex with Sahaptin groups inhabiting the region above The Dalles until late historic times. This new evidence controverts an earlier theory, largely based on ethnological traditions, that the Salish were the early inhabitants of the area. The finding of burials below the cremation level at Sheep Island (i.e., a stratified burial site) has particular bearing on the problem.


A 42-year-old previously healthy man presented to an outpatient clinic in India with a six-month history of cough, mucoid expectoration and hemoptysis. He had no history of fever or other constitutional symptoms. He was a nonsmoker and had no history of close contact with dogs or other animals. On


Direct deposition process of multilayer graphene (MLG) on n-GaN by solid phase reaction was demonstrated for the first time for the fabrication of Schottky diode. The growth conditions were optimized for deposition of the crystalline and uniform MLG films on n-GaN using heat sputtering. The characterizations made by Raman Spectroscopy, laser microscope and SEM revealed that the MLG films were crystalline and uniform. The MLG-GaN Schottky diode was fabricated with optimized deposition of MLG on GaN. The diode shows rectifying behavior with barrier height of 0.71 eV.


COPYRIGHT © 2023 Gueta and Ben-Porat. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Editorial: Men who experience interpersonal violence: perspectives from research to intervention


The effects of hybridization on heavy-duty vehicles are not well understood. Heavy vehicles represent a broader range of applications than light-duty vehicles, resulting in a wide variety of chassis and engine combinations, as well as diverse driving conditions. Thus, the strategies, incremental costs, and energy/emission benefits associated with hybridizing heavy vehicles could differ significantly from those for passenger cars. Using a modal energy and emissions model, they quantify the potential energy savings of hybridizing commercial Class 3-7 heavy vehicles, analyze hybrid configuration scenarios, and estimate the associated investment cost and payback time. From the analysis, they conclude that (1) hybridization can significantly reduce energy consumption of Class 3-7 heavy vehicles under urban driving conditions; (2) the grid-independent, conventional vehicle (CV)-like hybrid is more cost-effective than the grid-dependent, electric vehicle (EV)-like hybrid, and the parallel configuration is more cost-effective than the series configuration; (3) for CV-like hybridization, the on-board engine can be significantly downsized, with a gasoline or diesel engine used for SUVs perhaps being a good candidate for an on-board engine; (4) over the long term, the incremental cost of a CV-like, parallel-configured Class 3-4 hybrid heavy vehicle is about %5,800 in the year 2005 and $3,000 in 2020, while for a Class 6-7 truck, it is about $7,100 in 2005 and $3,300 in 2020; and (5) investment payback time, which depends on the specific type and application of the vehicle, averages about 6 years under urban driving conditions in 2005 and 2--3 years in 2020.


Christian List and Peter Menzies 2009 have looked to interventionist theories of causation for an answer to Jaegwon Kim's causal exclusion problem. Important to their response is the idea of realization-insensitivity. However, this idea becomes mired in issues concerning multiple realization, leaving it unable to fulfil its promise to block exclusion. After explaining why realization-insensitivity fails as a solution to Kim's problem, I look to interventionism to describe a different kind of solution.


The unprecedented technological and social changes, caused by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, demand that nobody be left behind and all learners be catered for equally, respecting the principles of inclusion (Collins & Halverson, 2018). However, worldwide, more than 700 million people with dyslexia and learning differences experience failure and marginalization due to standardized testing, which tends to devalue their out-of-the-box mindset (Washburn et al., 2011). According to the National Research Council (2001), an effective way to promote equity in education and optimize learning, as well as equip students for their future challenges, is to reflect on and restructure the assessment methods. In this vein, the purpose of the present research is to explore the impact of alternative assessment in the provision of holistic learning conditions. Therefore, e-portfolio was introduced as a research tool in an afternoon EFL class for students with learning differences (n=20 students) in Greece. The learners' active engagement in the self-evaluation processes, the ongoing conferences between the teacher and each student gave insight into the learning progress and the in-time, constructive feedback comprise the strategies followed in this pilot study, aiming at investigating the learners' emotional reinforcement, change of attitude towards learning English, as well as their improvement in the target language. Given the research findings, the e-portfolio enabled the students to employ both cognition and metacognition to prove their level of knowledge, adopt self-regulation strategies to boost their learning curves and enhance their self-development, indicating the efficiency of the tool.


At Kovalam bay (Madras) rafts made of casuarina poles have been used to suspend mussel seed transplanted ropes for culture.
An average growth of mussel at the rate of 12.8 mm per month is reported. Harvestable size of 75 mm is reported to have been
reached in 3 J months time. However similar experiments done at Kakinada (Andhra Coast) and Ennore (north of Madras) did
not yield conclusive results.


Based on his autobiography Curriculum Vitae as well as his diaries of the years 1918-1933, this essay ad dresses the question of sibling influence in the life of Victor Klemperer (1881-1960), Judaeo-German professor of Ro mance language and literature at the Dresden Institute of Technology. The case study focuses on the problem on which areas of Klemperer's life his sisters and especially his brothers had an impact and by which means they tried to achieve their ends. Moreover, it addresses the question which strategies Klemperer devised in order to defend his interests and make his way in life despite his siblings. For this examination has been essential, first, to reflect upon the fact that Victor was the youngest of all brothers and sisters in his family, and secondly, to consider his social position within the ambitious Judaeo-German bourgeoisie of the Weimar era. To conclude, Klemperer was above all influenced by his two eldest brothers, who tried to impose their will on their youngest brother in regard to such pivotal issues as the choice of his marriage partner and professional career. They did so in particular by giving him money for his mainte nance during his extended unpaid lectureship in literature. For a long time, Klemperer tried to resist this exertion of in fluence, thus causing repeated trouble and tensions between the siblings. It was not until his mature years that he was capable of reconciling himself with his family. Address all communications to: Claudia Margraf-Buhles, Institut f?r Europ?ische Kulturge schichte, Universit?t Augsburg, Eichleitnerstr. 30, D-86159 Augsburg, E-Mail: Clau firstname.lastname@example.com. Einige Teile dieses Aufsatzes wurden bereits Rahmen meiner Dissertation ver?ffentlicht, B?hles 2003.


Abstract From the perspective of the world of work, this article analyses the implications of current educational reforms in the development of pedagogical work in physical education in Novo Ensino Médio [New High School]. Data production was based on a descriptive study of recent educational policies, using dialectical analysis. The analysis is organized in two parts: the understanding of pedagogical work was presented and the pedagogical work in physical education was situated; the abandonment of pedagogical work in physical education in the new curriculum within the scope of the dominant project of society was prospected. It was concluded that pedagogical work in physical education in Novo Ensino Médio is compromised, and its causes are in the restructuring of the world of work with the mediations of educational reforms.


1. In order to clarify the effective selection method of the mutation breeding, this experiment investigated the relation between the order of tiller and the induction of the mutations in the rice varieties 'Towada' and 'Hattukoda' treated with the radioisotope 32P. 2. Generally, the main stems and each of the lower primary tillers were mutated independently. But, sometimes, these stems when induced to the same type of mutations, they were often sectorial chimeratic on the induction of the mutation. 3. It seemed that the frequencies of the visiblemutations in the lower tillers were comparatively higher than that in the higher ones. 4. The inductions of the mutation in the secon. dary tillers were similar with that in the primary ones from which they grow. 5. Relatively high correlation was found between R1 spike fertilities and R2 Iines fertilities, while there. was no difference in R2 mutation rates by the different fertilities of R1 spike.


Gel permeation chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were employed for separation and chemical characterization of products isolated from chrome shavings. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the products isolated were peptides of higher molecular weight. Peptides of lower molecular weight and free aminoacids were the main products using sulfuric acid in chrome shavings solubilization. Glycine (17%) , glutamic acid (10.6%) , alanine (9.2%) , and arginine (8.2%) were the principal amino acids found. Phenylalanine(1.8%) was the main aromatic amino acid , while tryptophane was completely absent.


This paper provides a new explanation for the use of convertible preferred equity in venture capital. It explains that the key feature of the convertible security is to create different cash flow rights for acquisitions and IPOs. It shows how the convertible security implements an optimal trade-off between the need to allocate cash flows to the venture capitalist and the desire to make efficient exit decisions. This approach also explains some puzzling contract features, such as automatic conversion in case of an IPO, or the use of participating preferred equity, where conversion never benefits the investors. for their valuable comments. All errors are mine.


A computational method has been proposed for solving optimal control problems of integral/differential-algebraic systems. The additional equality constraints for the initial condition of the problem and for enforcing the continuity of the state variables are not required in this study. The partial reduced gradient method is introduced towards determining the optimal control. The sensitivity matrix can be easily and recursively evaluate.


J gerelized or misrepresented. On the other hand, I appreciated the serious treatment of Spencer and Huxley, and I learned much from many of the passages of connective tissue. Too often, though, the thinker was forced to fit the thought, not too difficult if a dead man has left thousands of pages (published or otherwise) for selective appropriation. Mandelbaum's thesis is in part (if I have it correctly): Few theorists of the nineteenth century are methodologically above reproach, though some of their insights are most valuable. Development is an axiomatic trait of the human condition, and evolutionary theory (faithfully construed) is an intelligent guide. Psychological explanations of collective human events are probably paramount, but psychological reductionism is anathema. Reason is an operative human faculty (there is much sympathy for Kant). Revolts against reason, where something vaguely definable called "will" is given supremacy, are explicable but indefensible. To a large degree the twentieth century was an intellectual continuation of the nineteenth, with generally bad results. The abandonment of nineteenth-century presuppositions will in time lead to other relinquishments, but with results that one can scarcely foresee. I can neither contest nor support this view in the few words remaining. In some ways I believe it to be separable from parts of the textual analysis.


We study edge states in AB-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG) ribbon where the Chern number of the corresponding two-dimensional (2D) bulk Hamiltonian is zero. The existence and topological features of edge states when two layers ended with the same or different edge terminations (zigzag, bearded, armchair) are discussed. The edge states (non-dispersive bands near the Fermi level) are states localized at the edge of graphene nanoribbon that only exists in certain range of momentum $k_y$. Their existence near the Fermi level are protected by the chiral symmetry with topology well described by coupled Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chains model, i.e., SSH ladder, based on the bulk-edge correspondence of one-dimensional (1D) systems. These zero-energy edge states can exist in the whole $k_y$ region when two layers have zigzag and bearded edges, respectively. Winding number calculation shows a topological phase transition between two distinct non-trivial topological phases when crossing the Dirac points. Interestingly, we find the stacking configuration of BLG ribbon is important since they can lead to unexpected edge states without protection from the chiral symmetry both near the Fermi level in armchair-armchair case and in the gap within bulk bands that are away from Fermi level in the general case. The influence of interlayer next nearest neighbor (NNN) interaction and interlayer bias are also discussed to fit the realistic graphene materials, which suggest the robust topological features of edge states in BLG systems.


Compact, room temperature terahertz sources are much needed in the 1 to 3 THz band for developing multi-pixel heterodyne receivers for astrophysics and planetary science or for building short-range high spatial resolution THz imaging systems able to see through low water content and non metallic materials, smoke or dust for a variety of applications ranging from the inspection of art artifacts to the detection of masked or concealed objects. All solid-sate electronic sources based on a W-band synthesizer followed by a high-power W-band amplifier and a cascade of Schottky diode based THz frequency multipliers are now capable of producing more than 1 mW at 0.9THz, 50 μW at 2 THz and 18 μW at 2.6 THz without the need of any cryogenic system. These sources are frequency agile and have a relative bandwidth of 10 to 15%, limited by the high power W-band amplifiers. The paper will present the latest developments of this technology and its perspective in terms of frequency range, bandwidth and power.