Comparative law has a long history. Sometimes it is said to be as old as law itself, but, in looking for a precise origin, views range, for instance, from Aristotle's comparison of constitutions in the third century BC, to comparisons between Roman, canonical and customary sources in the sixteenth century, to Montesquieu's comparison of political systems in the eighteenth century. More narrowly, the development of comparative law as an academic discipline is somehow clearer, with 1861, 1869 and 1900 offered as possible dates of birth. The background of this development was that the emergence of nation-states and the enactment of codes in nineteenth-century Europe led to the initial need for legislative comparative law and, subsequently, to the opportunity of comparisons between these new national laws. Thus, what is often called 'traditional comparative law' started at the beginning of the twentieth century and has continued to be influential until now, as distinguished from postmodern and critical approaches. Using such a category does not mean that there are no differences within the group of traditional comparative lawyers. Every comparative lawyer is shaped by her background: by, for example, the legal systems she is trained in, or the domestic law of her main field of expertise. Still, there are a number of core themes that are typically seen as belonging to the main substance of traditional comparative law. For example, Ralf Michaels speaks about a focus on positive state law and a 'legal scientific approach to comparative law'; Reza Banakar sees as its central ideas the concept of legal families, harmonisation of laws, and the relationship between law and the state; and Pierre Legrand identifies its 'doxa' with the functional approach by Zweigert and Kotz. This part critically discusses the main elements of traditional comparative law. It starts with Chapter 2 on the established method of comparative law. Chapter 3 deals with the distinction between civil and common law countries, and Chapter 4 turns to the division of the world into legal families more generally. This structure follows a reasoning from 'micro-', to 'meso-', to 'macro-comparison'. Research using the established method of comparative law is typically a 'micro-comparison' as it focuses on specific legal topics (e.g. strict liability in English and German tort law).


Online reviews are important decision aids to consumers. Other than helping users to evaluate individual products, reviews also support comparison shopping by comparing two (or more) products based on a specific aspect. However, making a comparison across two different reviews, written by different authors, is not always equitable due to the different standards and preferences of authors. Therefore, we focus on comparative sentences, whereby two products are compared directly by a review author within a sentence. We study the problem of comparative relation mining. Given a set of comparative sentences, each relating a pair of entities, our objective is three-fold: to interpret the comparative direction in each sentence, to identify the aspect of each sentence, and to determine the relative merits of each entity with respect to that aspect. This requires mining comparative relations at two levels of resolution: at the sentence level, and at the entity level. Our insight is that there is a significant synergy between the two levels. We propose a generative model for comparative text, which jointly models comparative directions at the sentence level, and ranking at the entity level. This model is tested comprehensively on Amazon reviews dataset with good empirical outperformance over pipelined baselines.


Summary Introduction. Total knee replacement (TKR) is still a challenging procedure for severe gonarthrosis patients. Deformities of knee joint (varus, valgus - more than 30 degrees), insufficiency of collateral ligaments and extensive bone loss could be a difficult problem to solve with standard knee endoprosthesis. Also in cases of revision - TKR the restoration of bone loss and regaining of stability of the joint could be a problem. Aim of the Study. The aim of our study was to analyse the results with Rotating - Hinge prosthesis after severe primary and revision TKR. Materials and Methods. 34 patients (27 female, 7 male) were treated with Rotating - Hinge prosthesis during 12 years (first in 1997). Mean age of patients were 69 years. 17 operations were primary total knee arthroplasties and also 17 were revisions of the knee prosthesis. The Oxford Knee score was used for evaluation of patients satisfaction rate. The Knee Society Score was used to get objective functional results. For radiological analysis X-rays of knee joint in two projections were performed. Results. 34 Oxford Knee score questionnaires were sent to patients, response we got from 27 patients (79%). Mean result from Oxford Knee score was 32 which is good. The same number of patients (34) were invited for examination using Knee Society score. The response were from 20 patients (59%). Mean result from Knee Society score was 83, which means excellent. Conclusions. Rotating-Hinge prosthesis allows to achieve good and excellent functional results and high patients satisfaction rate after severe primary and revision TKR. The biological age, general health condition, insufficiency of ligaments and previous infection in patients history have to be considered for choosing the tactics for each case.


Researches across the globe have identified different factors responsible for the poor performance of school education."Quality" is one of the main concern.The concept of quality in education is elusive, however scholars have identified different variables of quality. The social political context greatly influence the quality of education.It is estimated that 78% of total out of school children belong to fragile zones. The book is quite sound in terms of coverage, analysis of data and research methodology.It thoroughly examines the formal education system in a fragile zone. It shows the influence of social, economic and political factors on formal education.The worth of the book lies in empirical data collected from a conflict zone. The book presents a new approach to study Quality in education. Many new concepts and terms have been introduced in the book. It has tried to connect theories with empirical data.


Behaviour of Concrete Filled Reinforced Steel Tubular Columns having rectangular Flutes have been investigated by conducting experiment on thirteen Columns having 2.5m length and different L/D ratios. Columns reinforced and filled with SCC were tested with three different L/D ratios of 15, 20 and 25 and varying the longitudinal reinforcements with 3,4,5 and 6 number of reinforcements. The columns were tested having its ends firmly held in position and analysed for its stiffness and strength. Though the columns were tested with L/D ratio of 25, columns did not buckle, failing at the ends showing failure is by local buckling. The results are compared with the existing empirical equations and have found that the secant equation compares comparatively well with 50 to 60 per cent. Increase in longitudinal reinforcement in the columns have shown a maximum of 32 % of increase in axial load in the case of Columns with L/D ratio of 25 with 4 number of bars.


Generation power determining unit based on the identification ID of each vehicle, and specifies the efficiency characteristic. Generation power determining unit, and determines a power generation mechanism or mechanisms to be operated, the fuel consumption amount consumed in the entire power generation mechanism so that at least on the basis of efficiency characteristics. That number of operating a required power (ΣPg Since η (1/2)> η (1/3), to the overall fuel consumption to a minimum, it can be seen that the need to operate the two power generation mechanisms. Generation power determining unit with respect to the vehicle corresponding to the determined two power generation mechanisms and transmits the power generation instruction.


A method based on solid phase extraction was developed for the determination of Garenoxacin in rat plasma after oral administration by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with PDA detection (HPLC–PDA). Variables parameter affecting the solid phase extraction efficiency were evaluated and optimized. Chromatography separation was performed on a THERMO, BDS HYERSIL C18 column (4.6 mm × 100mm, 5μ) by isocratic elution with PDA detection at 279 nm. The assay was linear over the range of 1544 μg/ml and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 15 μg/ml. The extraction recoveries were more than 77 %, the accuracies were within 3.97%, and the intraand inter-day precisions were less than 9.36% in all cases. After strict validation, the method indicated good performance in terms of reproducibility, specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy, and it was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of Garenoxacin in rats after oral administration.


This paper refers to facial multi-expression recognition as an element of human-computer interface. The discriminative features are extracted from each camera frame using Candide 3D model for human head. Namely, for the selected parts, including mouth, nose, eyes and eye brows areas, shape deformation units and animated motion units are specified. They are corrected versions of the units defined originally for Candide-3 model. By nonlinear least squared LM method scalar parameters for affine motion, the shape deformation, and the animated motion are identified. The error function is based on the orthographic projection of Candide 3D points corresponding to on-line detected 68 facial landmarks. The feature vectors are comprised of less than 10 coefficients for controlling the animated motion of Candide 3D model, only. The multiple expression classifier is based on the Structural Support Vector Machine linear model. The SSVM model is trained by few hundreds images for each of four expression classes: idle, smile, anger, and surprise. On-line experiments with web camera confirm high correlation of the proposed class with the subjective impression of face expression. Moreover, comparing to FP68/SSVM classifier our new proposal outperforms it by 3 × 15 rule: its success rate is about 15% higher while having more than 15 times shorter feature vector, and therefore 15 times shorter recognition time.


Perinatal iron deficiency (ID) has adverse programming effects in adult offspring manifested as alterations in cardiovascular function as well as glucose and lipid metabolism. Given the importance of increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a likely mediator of these sequalae, in the present study we determined the effect of perinatal ID on VAT in male wistar rats, and its association with other obesity‐related disturbances, such as salt sensitive arterial pressure (AP). Dams were fed a low iron diet (<10ppm Fe) prior to and throughout gestation. At delivery, dams were fed a normal iron diet (270ppm Fe). ID offspring had lower body weights (−11%) and markedly reduced hematocrits (−40%) at birth compared to controls. At 16 weeks of age, these animals had 20% more VAT (normalized to body weight) than controls. Furthermore, the elevation of AP (assessed by radiotelemetry) in response to increased sodium intake was 79% greater in the ID offspring compared to controls. In summary, perinatal ID resulted in a persistent increase in visceral adiposity associated with an enhanced hypertensive response to dietary salt. Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Bickell Foundation of Canada.


The PD1/PD-L1 pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of HIV/SIV infection. Expression of PD1 by HIV/SIV-specific CD8 T cells can limit antiviral responses and expression of checkpoint receptors including PD1 by HIV infected cells can contribute to maintenance of viral reservoirs. In addition, reports have shown that IL-15 induces the expansion of effector memory CD8 T and NK cells. In this study, we hypothesized that expansion of memory CD8 T cells in the context of PD1/PD-L1 blockade may lead to enhanced anti-SIV responses. We design a study in which we evaluated the effect of rhIL-15 administered in cycles of ten days by continuous infusion in combination with weekly administration of anti-PD-L1 (Avelumab) over 24 weeks. After seven doses of anti-PD-L1 and completion of two cycles of rhIL15, cART therapy was interrupted and anti-PD-L1 administration continued to complete 24 weeks treatment. We found that administration of rhIL-15 in combination with anti-PD-L1 treatment was well tolerated. rhIL-15 infusions were associated with transient increases in proliferation of NK cells and effector memory CD8 T cells. rhIL-15/anti-PD-L1 treatment led to a sustained expression of CXCR3+ with low to undetectable expression of PD1on CD8 T cells, suggesting potential of increased tissue trafficking. Multidimensional single cell analysis showed that CXCR3+PD1−/low CD8 T cells secrete cytokine in response to viral antigens. Despite these clear biological effects, no impact was observed on rebound plasma viremia after cART discontinuation and during anti-PD-L1 administration. Futures studies should characterize the CXCR3+PD1−/low CD8 T cell subset expanded by this treatment to understand the potential impact of this subset in viral control.


Summary Oxidative damage is known to cause deleterious effects on cellular function leading to a number of disease conditions. Involvement of oxygen radical has been suggested in many clinical conditions including Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). The present investigation describes the lipid profile, trace element profile, SOD, catalase activity and lipid peroxidation in CHD patients in the age group between 40-60 years. The concentration of cholesterol, LDL, TG, and VLDL were found to be increased when compared to the control, where as the levels of HDL decreased, when compared to the control. Concentration of Iron, Copper and Albumin Cobalt binding Absorbance (ABSU) were elevated in CHD as compared to the control. Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and Zn were found to be decreased in CHD. Lipid peroxidation as measured by the level of MDA was increased, where as SOD and catalase activities was decreased in CHD condition.


This paper comprehensively reviews transdisciplinary and critical perspectives on the employed maternal (pregnant and post-birth) body in the context of management studies. It highlights the disparities between equal opportunities policies and everyday management practices in relation to pregnancy and new motherhood. In so doing, the review examines the contradictions between equal opportunities policies aimed at protecting pregnant and newly maternal employees and the discouraging treatment that such women receive in practice at work. In analysing the disparity between policy and practice, the review identifies gaps within the field of research on the employed maternal body. It then shows how perceptions about the pregnant and newly maternal body are based more on myth than on evidence. In keeping with policies encouraging family friendly working practices and aimed at enhancing parental health, the paper argues that research on the maternal body is integral to management studies.


sacw.net As an independent observer of the Indian political scene and its ups and downs in the last four decades, and a journalist and an ex-Member of the Media Expert Committee of the Government…


During the last war the Trajan and Marcus Columns were both encased in massive splinterproof shelters, and while the scaffolding for these was up the opportunity was taken to photograph the reliefs of both columns in detail. In 1942 selections of these photographs were published by Romanelli, but they were never easily obtainable in this country. Now comes what may claim to be a complete photographic record of the Marcus Column, in a much more handy form than the German edition of. 1896, and at a not too prohibitive price. A companion volume for the Trajan Column is promised shortly. For all this we should feel duly grateful to the enterprise and enlightenment of the Comune di Roma. The present volume is not in every way an ideal edition of the column, but it is a very remarkable achievement to which scholarship and technical skill of a high order have contributed. The object, according to the preface, was to produce a new edition of a high cultural level without claiming to be either fundamental or original. Despite this, Gatti contrives to be both in a brief but authoritative essay on the construction and original setting of the column. (Note in particular his amendments to Calderini's reconstruction of the base and his demonstration, from the heights of near-by second-century street-levels, that the base itself must have been on a raised area some three metres high.) Pallottino's chapter also, on the art of the column, not only summarizes the present position but points the way ahead. (There are some points for historians here. First, if the column shows the influence of popular Italian, rather than provincial, taste, representing a reaction against the neo-classicist formulae of Hadrian's reign, and if it is the work of artists previously confined to side-shows but now favoured with imperial patronage, is this a line on the artistic taste of Marcus ? Or of his son ? The date at which the work was commissioned is not clear. Victor, de Caes. xvi, 12-3, and the Anon. Epit. de Caes, xvi, 12-4, do not really prove that this column was posthumous. If it be true, as Domaszewski argued, that neither Commodus nor Verus appears on the shaft, so that the reliefs should cover events within the period 169-75 only, this would suggest a date before Marcus' death. On the other hand it is not certain that Commodus is never represented, and he appears from Enea Vico's drawing to have figured on the pedestal frieze. Again ILS 5920 rather suggests that the work was only completed in or shortly before the autumn of 193. Second, if the artists employed, though working under a single director, had a comparatively free hand in applying the design to the stone, if each had a separate section of the shaft allotted to him, and if some of these sections can be distinguished, on stylistic grounds, with upright boundaries cutting across the turns of the spiral, is it possible that further research along these lines may reveal a systematic pattern for the division of labour, covering the whole shaft ? Only then, it would seem, can we be sure that a particular variation in the portrayal of captured barbarians, for example, indicates the presence of a certain enemy in the wars and not just of a certain sculptor on the scaffolding.)


The present invention provides an elastic multi-layer film including an oil-resistant layer consisting essentially of thermoplastic polyurethane; and a tie layer consisting essentially of a grafted polymer. The elastic multi-layer film is formed by co-extruding melted resins of the oil-resistant layer and the tie layer. The present invention further provides an elastic article including the elastic multi-layer film and thermoplastic elastomer gel, wherein the elastic article is formed by incorporation of the elastic multi-layer film and thermoplastic elastomer gel by using in-molding labeling and injection method.


Based on cognitive semantics,this paper studies the semantic obscurity and elevation mechanism in English euphemisms for occupations.By applying the cognitive metaphor and metonymy theory,we find that conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy both play an extremely important role in euphemisms for occupations.With a mapping between the whole and the parts within one domain metonymy mainly works to achieve semantic obscurity,while metaphor mainly serves to achieve semantic elevation with a cross-domain mapping.


Abstract There is compelling evidence supporting the protective effects that different leisure activities have on dementia. The focus of this study was to explore the degree to which leisure experiences that occur during the lifespan prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Greater protective effects against dementia were associated with engagement in a higher number of activities and greater frequency of participation. Leisure activities were divided into three main groupings: mental, social, and physical activities. All activity groups present positive effects separately; however, leisure activities involving these three components at the same time seem to be most beneficial for preventing or reducing the risk of dementia in later life.


The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of differences in self-control in adolescents in Kali Selatan Village, Kab. Minahasa Based on Gender Characteristics. The research method uses quantitative research methods with comparative methods. The subject of this study used 87 teenagers in Kali Selatan Village aged 12-15 years. The research instrument for the self-control scale is the research scale from Averill with 23 items. The research was tested using a comparative test. Based on the results of the study, it showed that there was no difference in self-control between male and female adolescents with a mean male sex of 71.8333 with an N of 36 and a mean female sex of 72.1569 with an N of 51 with a mean difference = -32353. This shows that Ho is accepted which reads "There is no difference in self-control in the social environment in adolescents in Kali Selatan Village, Kab. Minahasa Based on Gender Characteristics".


As the spectrum resource is in great shortage currently,cognitive radio has emerged to efficiently use the idle spectrum.As one of its applications,IEEE802.22 has opened the VHF/UHF TV band to cognitive radio users.In order to utilize the TV band properly,it needs to detect the signal first.With the popularity of digital TV,the spectrum sensing of digital television signal becomes particularly important.The sample rate of traditional Nyquist sampling is high,which wastes space and time.Since TV signal is sparse in the frequency domain,compressive sensing can perfectly recover the original signal with less points by random sampling.In view of this,compressive sensing and energy detection are applied to the spectrum sensing of digital TV signals,it improves spectrum efficiency.


Received: 04 April 2020 This study is aimed at obtaining expert consent and views on elements of the business course innovation learning activities for teacher trainee. This study uses the Fuzzy Delphi method using Likert 7 scale to collect feedback from 11 experts in various fields of education at public higher education in Malaysia. A total of 2 main elements and 10 sub items of the questionnaire were given to the experts for evaluation. The Fuzzy Delphi method has been used for data analysis. The data were analyzed using triangular fuzzy number and ranking with each model element determined using the 'defuzzification' process. The results of the analysis on consensus and expert consensus show that the value of the agreement is at a good level. This shows that elements of the business course learning activities have been well-received by experts. The elements agreed upon by the experts in consensus are arranged in order of priority namely place, price, product, people, process, physical evidence and promotion.


521 Background: Anthracycline-containing chemotherapy remains a standard treatment for MBC. We compared AC, single agent D and alternating AC-D as front-line chemotherapy for patients with MBC. Met...


Waste generated in Terban village located on the banks of the River Code, is very varied, including domestik and domestik waste. Things that lead to decreased quality of water resources in the area in which the E.coli bacteria content in the water source. Identify the distribution of microorganisms in the water source Terban residents is important to know the distribution and the number of bacteria and the factors that affect the ground water source Terban citizens to take measures of prevention and decision-making. E.coli and coliform testing is often used, there are two different units of the MPN and CFU two basic methods have different but both have the same goal. Comparing between MPN and CFU methods is essential to facilitate the relationship with the test results of MPN and CFU methods because many bacteriological testing tool that uses units of CFU, whereas the method used in Indonesia using MPN unit. MPN and CFU methods have a positive correlation but not strong, in this study the correlation between CFU and MPN obtained is 72% only. Thus the two units are not directly related, which means not always x CFU / ml is x MPN / ml although data between CFU / ml and MPN / ml indicates a positive correlation. Of the six tests of pathogenic bacteria identified three types of bacteria namely Psedomonasaeruginosa, E.coli and Klebsela Pneumoniase.


Traditional manual methods for hiPSC subcloning are time consuming and cannot ensure clonality. To improve hiPSC survival and cloning capacity during single cells seeding, we established an optimal workflow for hiPSC clone generation using cellenONE® F1.4 single-cell dispenser. We assessed several cell lines with varying survival rates and tested several culture conditions to identify the optimal workflow for hiPSC clone generation. Our results demonstrate that cellenONE® F1.4 automated platform is a reliable solution for accurate and efficient single hiPSC isolation that can easily be integrated as part of different workflows, such as gene editing. GFP BIHi250-A, hiPSC-1 and hiPSC-2. on growth factor reduced Geltrex (Gibco) in E8 media, which exchanged daily. Cells clump-passaged every 2–4 days when >70% confluency reached using 0.05mM EDTA (Thermo Fisher). Two or three days before the single cell seeding, hiPSC were dissociated using TrypLE (Gibco) and seeded at 2x10 5 cells per well (6 well plate, Geltrex coated) in StemFlex media (Gibco) supplemented with Clone R (Stem Cell Technologies). At day 0 (~70% confluence) cells dissociated using TrypLE. A suspension of 200 cells/µl was prepared in DPBS (Gibco) supplemented with 10µg/ml Y-27632 (Wako and 0.5µg/ml propidium Iodide (Thermo Fisher) and loaded into a well of a 384-wp (sciSOURCEPLATE 384 PS, SCIENION) inside cellenONE® F1.4. Single cells were seeded in destination plates (96 -Falcon or 384 wells-Greiner or PerkinElmer CellCarrier ultra imaging plates) containing 70 and 150µl, respectively, StemFlex medium supplemented with anti-apoptotic molecule (Y-27632; Clone R – Stem Cell Technologies or RevitaCell -Gibco). Clone R and RevitaCell were used in the dilution recommended by the Destination plates were coated with 5µg/ml Laminin (Biolamina) solution in PBS Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ , 5µg/ml Vitronectin (VTN-N, Thermo Fisher) in DPBS or Geltrex (Gibco) diluted to in DMEM-F12 (Gibco).


A computer program for the calculation of heaving and pitching motions of ships in regular waves, by the strip method, was developed by Fujii and other. The authors tried to extend the program to calculate longitudinal wave bending moments and shearing forces in regular waves, not only at midship but also various position along the ship length.The fundamental equation of motion is based on Watanabe's theory, and added mass coefficients and damping coefficients are obtained by the Tasai's method.The formulae of wave bending moments and shearing forces are those which are proposed by Fukuda.Some calculations on a gigantic tanker both in regular and irregular head waves are carried out and the results were compared with the requirement of a classification society.


Ritschl and Wolf (2003) rely on an unusual variable for currency unions in their empirical analysis. In particular, their data set indicates that all the country-pairs listed below were considered to be in currency unions in the interwar period. Thus, according to Ritschl and Wolf, Austria and Bulgaria were in a currency union. Indeed, Austria was also in currency union with Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Roman, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. And don't forget the monetary union between New Zealand and Germany! There are 267 pairings listed in all by them.


In modern Russia, as a result of the moral degradation of society, the problem of moral choice of the individual became acute. In the implementation of life plans, the individual has a divergence of moral attitudes that exist in the sphere of unconsciousness, consciousness, and their manifestation in behavior. The period of early adulthood, 17-25 years, is characterized by the self-organization dynamics of internal factors that determine the main results of the period under the specific influence of the social environment, all these influences the choice of profession, the creation of a family, the development of the emotional sphere. In this regard, there is a need to study the peculiarities and dynamics of moral choice in the period of early adulthood in modern Russia. The methods of the research are theoretical analysis and generalization, questionnaires, participant observation, survey, methods of qualitative data analysis, and statistical data manipulation. The researches were carried out in 2007, 2010, and 2019 in Penza. The sample number was 244 people, 110 people, 101 male and female people aged 17-22. The research works have shown that the increase in the crisis in society, from 2007 to 2019, negatively influenced the manifestation of high principles, moral qualities, the respect of moral traditions, the process of the achievement of the goal, and the confidence in the implementation of life plans. However, it was the crisis that made it possible to choose in favor of psycho-protective traditional foundations, specifically moral ideals, and values.


Abstract We describe a 4‐year‐old boy with delirium including somnolence, irritability, agitation and visual hallucination, associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) encephalitis. The MP encephalitis was diagnosed from increased MP‐antibody (> 1:1280). Electroencephalography during sleep revealed continuous 9 Hz fast wave activity over the bilateral frontocentral regions, which was thought to represent extreme spindles. These extreme spindles were in parallel with the degree of delirium. Transient extreme spindles have not previously been reported in MP or other encephalitis.


Abstract Enormous resources are currently invested in U.S. and European pension funds, and a growing proportion of these assets are in the stock market. Consequently, pension fund managers, with the support of sustainability investment consultants and researchers from the sustainability science community, have a unique opportunity to encourage sustainability in business practices. What tools are they using to influence corporate policies, and what can be done to foster this promising investment trend?


Governments have long recognized the vital role that modern infrastructure services play in economic growth and poverty alleviation. For much of the post-Second World War period, most governments entrusted delivery of these services to state-owned monopolies. But in many developing countries, the results were disappointing. Public sector monopolies were plagued by inefficiency. Many were strapped for resources because governments succumbed to populist pressures to hold prices below costs. Fiscal pressures, and the success of the pioneers of the privatization of infrastructure services, provided governments with a new paradigm. Many governments sought to involve the private sector in the provision and financing of infrastructure services. The shift to the private provision that occurred during the 1990s was much more rapid and widespread than had been anticipated at the start of the decade. By 2001, developing countries had seen over $755 billion of investment flows in nearly 2500 infrastructure projects. However, these flows peaked in 1997, and have fallen more or less steadily ever since. These declines have been accompanied by high profile cancellations or renegotiations of some projects, a reduction in investor appetite for these activities and, in some parts of the world, a shift in public opinion against the private provision of infrastructure services. The current sense of disillusionment stands in stark contrast to what should in retrospect be surprise at the spectacular growth of private infrastructure during the 1990s.


Catalytic antibodies: Like enzyme nomenclature, it is proposed that the nomenclature of catalytic antibodies should be based on the reaction catalysed, rather than on structural features. As more than one different 'abzyme' catalysing the same general reaction may be produced, there is clearly a possibility for confusion. However, the catalytic behaviour and specificities may not be identical. Several possibilities are under discussion: they may be included in the Comments section for existing enzymes where they catalyse similar reactions, they might be given EC numbers of they might be given an 'AB' numbering system in a separate list based on the enzyme nomenclature classes. Comments on these possibilities and on the general value of such a listing would be most welcome.


Purpose of reviewTo revise the family caregiver's burden concept and to understand the implications for the patient, family and healthcare system. We analyzed recent literature in three main areas: the role of family caregiver at the end of life, the family caregiver's burden and the involvement of social care networks. Recent findingsThe family caregiver often accepts the caring as a natural action, presumably imposed by the society. A recent review described seven main roles of care which, according to family system and society, consist of different tasks and activities. To assume this role is not stress free. It is likely to develop a 'burden' by the assumed task. SummaryFamily members who are close to the patient may play the role of caregiver, well-being enhancer, diversity of tasks fulfiller, minimizer and managing suffering, palliative care facilitator and responsible for the continuity of care, apprentice and participant of health teams. The family caregiver often gives priority to the problems of his dependent family member, becoming almost 'invisible' to the health system. It should also be consider the relevance of this issue into future bereavement process. Considering all these aspects, the family caregiver is often considered by the healthcare teams as 'overall tasks' performers'.


Terrain attributes based on upslope contributing area, A, are used widely in distributed hydrologic models. Several grid‐based algorithms are available for estimating A. In this study, five algorithms (D8, ρ8, MFD, DEMON, and D∞) were compared quantitatively on two undulating agricultural fields (63 and 109 ha) in northeastern Colorado. Global positioning system (GPS) data (0.02‐m accuracy) were used to generate grid digital elevation models (DEMs) at 5‐, 10‐, and 30‐m cell sizes. Relative differences between A values estimated using single‐ and multiple‐direction algorithms increased with decreasing grid cell size. Relative differences were greatest along ridges and side slopes, and differences decreased where the terrain became more convergent. Multiple‐direction algorithms (MFD, DEMON, and D∞), allowing for flow divergence, are recommended on these undulating terrains for 5‐ and 10‐m grids where A is most sensitive to the algorithm selection.


Objective To explore the best way of reducing the insoluble particles enter human body in PIVAS.Methods Taking ≥10μm and ≥25μm insoluble particles as indicator to measure particles in vialled liquid compound using different device in light-resistant way.Results There was significant difference(P0.001)in the test of adding drug in ≥10 μm insoluble particles.No difference in ≥25μm particles by adding one durg.But there was significant difference by adding six durgs.Conclusion The results show that the insoluble particles are reduced obviously by using the combined device and is of great clinical significance in PIVAS.


This paper has attempted to explore labours' complaints about who jobs informally the whole time and provisionally in some handicrafts industries in Kathmandu Valley. The technique of PCA method conducted to extract latent factors after loading 9 different observed issues at five-point Likert-scale variables. The outcome of the groups of 'change in the technology' rated best probably 3.25 out of a five-point Likert scale while groups of 'injury in work time' rated worst probably 3.17 out of a five-point Likert scale. Labours complained about the change in technology and facility work leave were strongly problems in the handicrafts society of labour in Kathmandu Valley.


Objective To evaluate the effects of comprehensive treatment to vertigo after traumatic brain injury.Methods 286 non-operated patients with the symptoms of vertigo after traumatic brain injury were treated by west medicine,Chinese medicine,the hyperbaric oxygen and the adaptable training.Other 107 cases with the same symptom were treated by only single medicine defenedol as the control.The effect was observed.Results During the periods of treatment,in comprehensive treatment group,231 cases were cured(80.8%),49 cases were improved significantly(17.1%),and 6 cases were invalid(2.1%).Meanwhile,in control group,63 cases were cured(58.9%), 35 cases were improved significantly(32.7%),and 9 cases were invalid(8.4%). There were significantly difference between the two groups in effects(P0.01).Conclusion Comprehensive using multiple methods to treat the vertigo has a high cure rate,and can improve the self-confidence and the quality of life to the patient.


In order to narrow the development gap among eastern,central and western regions in China,the central government has been increasing transfer payment to central and western regions.This paper attempts to analyze its effect on promoting the convergence of regional economic development and the equalization of regional finance from a new angle.With the large-scale cross-region population mobility since the reform and opening up,especially young labor workers in central and western regions moving to developed eastern regions,the regional population structure has changed,as well as general dependency rate,which affects the actual result of central government transfer payment.The result shows that,the central government relative transfer payment in western regions is below the one in eastern regions because the general dependency rate in western regions is greater than the one in eastern regions.Finally,it suggests that regional population burden should be introduced into the analysis of central government fiscal budget and the central government should increase transfer payment to backward regions in order to promote the convergence of regional economic growth and raise the effectiveness of regional fiscal aid.


An improved chaos genetic algorithm theory was proposed. The problem model was defined. The chromosome encoding was represented by a task sequence and a host sequence. The valid scheduling was assembled by randomly selecting host and task of each stage task set in turn. To ensure generate new valid scheduling, the crossover mechanism was improved. To balance load and increase solutions diversity, tasks balance mutation operator was designed. To use chaos advantage, crossover and mutation frequency were dynamically controlled by chaos iteration sequence. The simulation results showed that this algorithm always get the best solution.


CFD modeling is used to simulate the combustion and flashback behavior of H2 /CH4 fuel blends with air in a premixed swirl burner using a three dimensional–finite volume model. Preliminary work was performed to calculate the laminar flame speed for H2 /CH4 blends from pure methane up to pure hydrogen at various pressures, temperatures and equivalence ratios by using CHEMKIN, for pure fuels, and a new approximation based on the gravimetric mixture ratio, for the fuel blends. Then, the numerical values for laminar flame speed were fed to a FLUENT CFD model to create a PDF table for turbulent premixed combustion calculations and flashback studies. Flashback limits were defined and determined for H2 /CH4 blends ranging from 0% (pure methane) up to 100% (pure hydrogen) based on the volumetric composition at atmospheric pressure and 300K for various equivalence ratios. The simulations were compared with experimental measurements at atmospheric pressure for two fuel blends with γ of 0.15 and 0.3 and showed best fit for equivalence ratios less than 0.75 to 0.8. The work was then extended to include simulation studies to investigate the effect of operating pressure and raw gases temperature on flame stability and showed a high dependence on both operating pressure and raw gases temperature.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


The detailed mechanisms of n-heptane and n-butanol were reduced for the target condition of ignition delay time using the direct relationship diagram method based on error transfer, the direct relationship diagram method based on coupling error transfer and sensitivity analysis, and the total material sensitivity analysis method. The reduced n-heptane (132 species and 585 reactions) and n-butanol (82 species and 383 reactions) were used to verify the ignition delay time and concentrations of the major species, respectively. The results showed that the reduced mechanism has a good prediction ability for the ignition delay time. The predicted mole fraction results of the major species were in good agreement. These reduced mechanisms were combined to finally construct a reduced mechanism for the n-heptane/butanol fuel mixture, which included 166 species and 746 reactions. Finally, the reduced mechanism was used to simulate the HCCI combustion mode, and the results showed that the reduced mechanism can better predict the ignition and combustion timings of HCCI under different conditions and maintain the ignition and combustion characteristics of the detailed mechanism; this indicates that the mechanism model constructed in this study is reliable.


We present a 27-year-old female patient who developed a post-traumatic myositis ossifi cans with pain and restricted function after being operated on the A1-ligaments of the 3 rd fi nger. After tumour resection an early recurrence made a re-resection necessary, followed by radiothe- rapy. Three years postoperatively the patient is free of complaints.


AbstractMotion-onset visual evoked potentials (mVEPs) are time- and phase-locked brain responses to motion-related stimuli. An mVEP response provides robust features for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications and has the added benefit of being less visually fatiguing than other visual evoked potentials (VEPs). In this study an mVEP BCI that enables control of a visually rich, three-dimensional (3D) car-racing video game is evaluated. A group of 15 teenage schoolchildren (13–16 years old) participated in a single session while they attended a summer school. Participants were asked to control the direction of a car within a realistic racing circuit, where the position of the car was controlled by focusing on one of five motion-related stimuli. Classification accuracy (%) and information transfer rate (ITR) (bits per minute (bpm)) results were encouraging, with participants achieving an average online accuracy of 72% (12 bpm) in the first lap, 67% (10 bpm) in the second lap and 65% (10 bpm) in the third...


H. T. KUNG Carnegze-Mellon Un~verszty, P2ttsburgh, Pennsylvanza F. LUCCIO Unwerszht d~ P~sa, P~sa, Italy F. P. PREPARATA University of Ilhno~s, Urbana, Illinois ASSTRACT. Let U1 , U2, . . . , Ud be totally ordered sets and let V be a set of n d-dimensional vectors In U~ X Us. . X Ud . A partial ordering is defined on V in a natural way The problem of finding all maximal elements of V with respect to the partial ordering ~s considered The computational com- plexity of the problem is defined to be the number of required comparisons of two components and is denoted by Cd(n). It is tnwal that C~(n) = n - 1 and C,~(n) _ flog2 n!l for d _> 2


Sulipride drug N-[(ethyl-1 pyrrolidinyl-2)methyl] methoxy-2 sulfamoyl-5 benzamide was used as a novel electroactive material for the preparation of PVC-based Zn2+-selective electrode. The PVC membrane electrode exhibited a working concentration range of 10−5–10−1 M, with a Nernstian slope of 29.3 mV per decade and a fast response time of 20 s. The valid pH range for the membrane electrode is 4.0–6.5. The electrode exhibits very good selectivity over alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The nature and composition of the electroactive material and its zinc complex are examined using infrared analysis, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction techniques. The proposed electrode can be used to determine zinc(II) contents in some rock materials and was applied as indicator in the potentiometric titration of Zn2+ against EDTA for the determination of end point.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Volatile anaesthetic agents are known to influence neutrophil function. The aim was to determine the effect of chronic occupational exposure to volatile anaesthetic agents on the rate of neutrophil apoptosis among anaesthetists. To test this hypothesis, we compared the rate of neutrophil apoptosis in anaesthetists who had been chronically exposed to volatile anaesthetic agents with that in unexposed volunteers.

METHODS
Venous blood (20 mL) was withdrawn from 24 ASA I-II volunteers, from which neutrophils were isolated, and maintained in culture. At 1, 12 and 24 h in culture, the percentage of neutrophil apoptosis was assessed by dual staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide.

RESULTS
At 1 h (but not at 12 and 24 h) in culture, the rate of neutrophil apoptosis was significantly less in the anaesthetists--13.8 (12.9%) versus 34.4 (12.1%) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Chronic occupational exposure to volatile anaesthetic agents may inhibit neutrophil apoptosis. This may have implications for anaesthetists and similarly exposed healthcare workers in terms of the adequacy of their inflammatory response.


The invention discloses a method for achieving an intelligentialized exhibition management system. The method for achieving the intelligentialized exhibition management system comprises an exhibiting booth control terminal, a meeting place control server, a display screen, a communication network, a superior server and a client-side. The exhibiting booth control terminal comprises a controller, a wireless module, a bar code identifying system and a sensor which is connected with a meeting place server through the wireless module. The viewing screen is connected with the meeting place control server and used for showing carport state information in the meeting place. The meeting place control server and the client-side are connected with the superior server through the communication network. The method for achieving the intelligentialized exhibition management system organically links exhibitors, exhibiting booths and the meeting place through an internet of things, achieves the relations of matter to matter between the exhibitors, exhibiting booths and the meeting place through relations of net to net between the meeting place server and the superior server, and therefore not only is higher the exhibition-attending efficiency but also the management of the meeting place is more efficient, more convenient and fast and more economical.


In the field of human motion analysis, recovering 3D human postures from image sequence may encounter many difficult issues due to the little understanding of how visual mechanisms works. This topic has motivates increasing interests among image processing researchers. In this paper, a method of recovery of 3D human posture from single view is proposed. The recovery process is as follows: First, the image sequences of human motion are acquired by single camera. The body region is extracted from the image by background subtraction, and body silhouette is represented by FCC(Freeman Chain Code); then each part of the body is labeled, and the coordinates of joints connecting the body parts are retrieved. Thus the sequence of 2D human skeletons is recovered from the image sequence. At last, 3D human skeleton can be recovered by perspective projection model of the camera and knowledge about human structure. This paper gives the tracking results for three different kinds of human motion. The 3D human skeletons can be successfully retrieved in the whole course ofthe complex movement. This proves that the system have certain advantages and fascinating applications. It is a basic and important step toward the recognition of human motion.


In the era of knowledge and economy,the economic development,on the one hand,demands the vocational education to reserve the powerful labor force and cultivate specialized personnel of different levels,and on the other hand,it also provides abundant material for the vocational education. Therefore,with the economic development being the basis,the development of vocational education is conditioned by economic development,which is supposed to keep pace with each other.


We consider a nonlinear system of differential equations describing a process of the psoriasis treatment. Its phase variables are the concentrations of T-lymphocytes, keratinocytes and dendritic cells. A scalar bounded control is introduced into this system to reflect the medication dosage. For such a control system, on a given time interval the minimization problem of the Bolza type functional is stated. Its terminal term is the concentration of keratinocytes at the terminal time, and its integral term is the product of the non-negative weighting coefficient with the total cost of the psoriasis treatment. This cost is linear in the control and proportional to the concentration of keratinocytes. For the analysis of such a problem, the Pontryagin maximum principle is used. As a result of this analysis, it is shown that if the weighting coefficient is zero, then the corresponding optimal control can contain a singular arc. We establish that it is a chattering control, and therefore does not make much sense as a type of a medical treatment. If the weighting coefficient is positive, then the corresponding optimal control is bang-bang, and it can be presented as a type of psoriasis treatment. In addition, when this coefficient tends to zero, such optimal controls can be considered as chattering approximations. Therefore, the convergence of these optimal controls, the corresponding optimal solutions of the original system, and the minimum values of the functional are studied. The obtained theoretical results are illustrated by numerical calculations and the corresponding conclusions are made.


The existence of tilings of Rn by crosses, a cluster of unit cubes comprising a central one and 2n arms, has been studied by several authors. We have completely solved the problem for R2 characterizing the crosses which lattice tile R2 as well as determining the maximum packing density for the crosses which do not lattice tile the plane. In this paper we motivate a similar approach to study lattice packings of R3 by crosses.


This Supplement presents data syntheses and new evidence from temperate (primarily boreal) North American studies of aquatic ecosystem response to episodic watershed deforestation and acid rain. These studies confirm the dominant role of the watershed in modulating aquatic response to terrestrial disturbance and quantify important regional differences related to physiography, vegetation, and drainage patterns. Comparisons of watershed disturbance by wildfire and logging revealed both similarities and differences in aquatic impact and underscore the need for ongoing regional evaluation of forest management models based on simulation of natural disturbance patterns. General quantitative impact models are now available but tend to be regional in scope and relevant primarily to water yield and water quality, rather than to habitat and biota.


The development of information technology which continues to offer a variety of practicalities for activities in everyday life will change the way people view and live in this modern era. Based on the emergence of the phenomena described above, researchers are interested in conducting research related to the transformation of civic engagement by using case studies of the realities of the people of Kampung Taman, Patehan, Kraton, Yogyakarta. This research wants to know the reality that exists through the experience story that exists between the user and technology so that it can be involved in how the involvement of relationships and public awareness results in a social transformation process in the reality of a cyber society. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative analysis with data collection through interviews, observation and literature study. The results showed that the Kampung Cyber Program refers to actions to solve problems that exist in society and bring change to them. The Kampung Cyber program is an action suitable for the younger generation in carrying out service learning to promote Civic Education and instill civic engagement in the practice of life. This research is a form of Civic Education in the socio-cultural domain that the residents of Kampung Cyber in the existing reality through experience stories that are intertwined between user citizens and technology are online movement, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and economics, resulting in a process of forming civic engagement in the reality of cyber society. The authors found that educational attainment is related to the amount of time that people spend online, and that it is a stronger predictor of internet involvement in non-certainment activities than variables such as race, ethnicity, or income. Controlling for other factors, education, years online, and youth are significantly associated with using the internet to enhance human capital or social capital. These findings are especially relevant to understanding the link between educational competencies and digital citizenship.


Regarding knowledge-based systems (KBS), the once common paradigm—perfectly mimicking the abilities of human experts—is gradually replaced by an increasing demand for more (active) user participation. The therefore required key features intelligent data input handling and results presentation/justification, however, are still treated separately most often. In this paper, we propose a novel KBS paradigm, the Clarification KBS, as a mash up type of consultation and justification interaction and presentation—intended to foster active

user participation according to users' competency; the KBS' explicability; and support for learnability. We discuss both the theoretical concept of clarification KBS, as well as several distinct variants for realizing appropriate UI- and interaction designs. Further, we report diverse evaluation experiences regarding a specific instantiation of clarification KBS—the ITree KBS type; therefore, we subsume its specific characteristics, describe corresponding case studies, and discuss the respective results.


We investigate the dynamics of molecular photoexcitation by unchirped femtosecond laser pulses using RbCs as a model system. This study is motivated by a goal of optimizing a two-color scheme of transferring vibrationally excited ultracold molecules to their absolute ground state. In this scheme the molecules are initially produced by photoassociation or magnetoassociation in bound vibrational levels close to the first dissociation threshold. We analyze here the first step of the two-color path as a function of pulse intensity from the low-field to the high-field regime. We use two different approaches, a global one, the ``wave-packet'' method, and a restricted one, the ``level-by-level'' method, where the number of vibrational levels is limited to a small subset. The comparison between the results of the two approaches allows one to gain qualitative insights into the complex dynamics of the high-field regime. In particular, we emphasize the nontrivial and important role of far-from-resonance levels which are adiabatically excited through ``vertical'' transitions with a large Franck-Condon factor. We also point out the spectacular excitation blockade due to the presence of a quasidegenerate level in the lower electronic state. We conclude that selective transfer with femtosecond pulses is possible in the low-field regime only. Finally, we extend our single-pulse analysis and examine population transfer induced by coherent trains of low-intensity femtosecond pulses.


Abstract : The dynamic behavior of gun systems can be examined using finite element techniques to obtain approximate solutions to the equations of continuum mechanics. However, this approach may require many hours of both human and computer time to formulate the model analyze the results. Models which use beam theory to describe a gun system are viable alternatives. Beam models capture the basic behavior of the gun system but require substantially less computer time to utilize. Other benefits are the ease with which geometric models can be generated and the simplicity with which existing models can be modified to incorporate new modeling thrusts. Described here are some basic issues in the development of a three-dimensional beam model. Application of a code implementing the method which illustrates how a tank gun system can be successfully modeled with a three-dimensional beam model is then presented. The results are compared with predictions from DYNACODE-G/P, Little Rascal, and with experimental data. Keywords: Beam models; Gun dynamics; Finite element modeling, Gun barrel flexure; Projectile/gun tube interaction; Continuum mechanics.


Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a major impact on the health of pregnant women and the fetus. They increase the risk of other diseases such as HIV, diabetes, hepatitis, and certain forms of cancer, and cause fatal outcomes. They have high morbidity in the world, so there is a global strategy of the World Health Organization to combat them. Knowledge about these STDs and STIs is of great relevance to the health care team and the health system, to provide adequate care for pregnant women, and to develop sexual education and prevention campaigns. A documentary search was carried out to collect and systematize the symptoms of the most frequent STIs and their epidemiological traits. The results show that there is great importance in the educational work to prevent STIs in the population, and it is concluded that training and training plans are needed for the villagers.
Keywords: Sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea.


The trend in cement manufacturing is to larger production units, central control, finer cements, and a broader range of cement fineness. The availability of a continuous sensor of cement fineness can help to alleviate problems which have been emphasized by these trends. A system for measuring specific surface of pulverized materials, especially finished cement, has been developed. This system, combining a fluidized blender and an automatic permeability sensor, gives promise of substantial benefit in optimization of production and quality in finish grinding of Portland cement.


Program Description: For the past decade, the management of a cricopharyngeal dysphagia including a Zenker's Diverticulum has predominantly been endoscopic. Recent literature has suggested that long-term outcomes may not be as successful with the endoscopic technique as once believed. The purpose of this miniseminar is to thoroughly review the literature on this topic and present the most up to date, evidence-based court room style debate on this topic. This 90-min miniseminar will review: 1) the normal anatomy of the cricopharyngeus and the upper esophagus. 2) Methods of assessing this area, ie, radiographic, endoscopic, manometry, pH probe. 3) Medical management and its role in this disease process. 4) Surgical techniques: Open techniques: Diverticulectomy with stapled or hand-sewn closure, diverticuloplasty, +/- cricopharyngeal myotomy. Closed (endoscopic) technique: diverticulotomy utilizing stapled, laser, bovie. 5) What is the appropriate management of the patient with a When to botox? When to dilate? What are the long-term results of this management? This miniseminar will be interactive. At numerous times during the discussion questions will be asked of the audience to keep them involved and entertained. The open vs closed surgical debate will be a court-room style debate with the Moderator acting as the judge or arbitrator. Each presenter will have 8 mins to define their side of the argument and to present the data. Four minutes will be allowed for cross examination or rebuttal, 2 mins for the closing argument if needed. The audience will give the verdict at the end. A series of questions will be asked of the jury (audience) at the end. Events/Schedule: Normal anatomy of the cricopharyngeus and its assessment: 10 min (Robert Stachler, MD). Medical and surgical management of cricopharyngeal dysfunction: 20 min (Milan Amin, MD). Introduction of the debate of surgical management: 7 mins (Milan Amin, MD). Presiding Arbitrator: Robert J. Stachler, MD. Courtroom: 30 mins total. Pro-open diverticulectomy: Al Meroti, MD; Pro-endoscopic diverticulectomy: Phil Song, MD, Ramon Franco, MD. Questions and Answers (Case presentation if time allows): 20 mins. Miniseminar Evaluation for the Audience: This should be an interactive presentation with questions for the audience to answer and an opportunity for the audience to give a verdict on which technique seems to have the best evidence. This is not a question of right or wrong. It is a question of best evidence. The jury will be prompted on this very point. Decisions are rendered based on the best evidence only. Educational Objectives: 1) Appreciate the newest techniques available to manage cricopharyngeal dysphagia. 2) Evaluate and treat cricopharyngeal dysphagia. 3) Become facile with the medical management currently available to treat CP dysphagia.


In order to advise system, the research results cannot be adequate. So for identifying the effective factors in system selecting, the experience of experts should be used. The present study examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of system at plowing in all of the used methods (conventional tillage, Local and abroad Conservative tillage and No-tillage) in planting the wheat in Ijroud city in Zanjan by ranking via the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). According to the expert's ideas, the existing threats like the small size of the farm, the lack of research and qualitative study on new methods and the lack of research and qualitative study on new methods and the lake of governments protection (47 percent) in selecting the methods relative to weaknesses (18 percent), strengths (percent) and opportunities (17 percent) are effective. By considering the effects of SWOT factors, the farmers select the local conservative tillage (27.2 percent). The threats cause that only 19 percent of farmers, by knowing the advantage of conservative tillage and No-tillage, like to select the conventional tillage. In this condition, by utilizing the new laws the threats should be changed to opportunities and strengths, so some items like:making coordinate the lands,doing the qualitative tests about new machines,identifying the government's policy about importing and exporting the crops and the price of the guarantee purchase should be clear before farming.


Distance education is one of the fastest growing trends of higher education in the United States. This trend has brought various changes and challenges to academic libraries and librarians in their provision of reference and instructional services. This article reviews the literature on the effect of distance education programs on reference and instructional services in academic libraries. The ongoing efforts made by librarians and the various challenges they face in meeting distance learners' needs for reference and instructional services are synthesized and discussed.


In order to reduce operational expenditure (OPEX), network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) should be distributed over multiple geographical locations and managed by a centralized and unified management and orchestration system (MANO). In addition, the NFV platform is required to archive a high level of availability and scalability for virtual network functions (VNFs) across multi-site clouds. In this paper, we introduce clustering service architecture to provide available and scalable VNFs over multi-site cloud infrastructures. In particular, we introduce a new policy template in order to support multi-site deployment and policy-based management for VNF clusters in multisite environment. By implementing our proposal using open source Openstack Tacker project, we show the feasibility of our proposal.


Abstract. Evidence is presented that Glaresidae are the most primitive livinj scarabaeoid group and as such represent the sister group of the rest of the Scarabaeoidea. This is based on a review of the states of seventy‐two morphologica characters. The plesiomorphic states of many characters are unique to the Glaresidae or are shared with other primitive scarabaeoids; seven may be synapomorphic with other groups and two are autapomorphic for the family.


Modelling is a classic approach to understanding complex problems that can be achieved diagrammatically to visualise concepts, and mathematically to analyse attributes of concepts. An organisation as a communicating entity is a made up of constructs in which people can have access to information and speak to each other. Modelling information flow for organisations is a challenging task that enables analysts and managers to better understand how to: organise and coordinate processes, eliminate redundant information flows and processes, minimise the duplication of information and manage the sharing of intraand inter-organisational information. rganisational design The purpose of this article is to review literature for diagrammatically and mathematically modelling information flow for organisations and to identify problems facing information flow modelling research. The article will focus on research articles to identify: (1) approaches for diagrammatically modelling information flow, (2) approaches for mathematically modelling information flow, and (3) the current state of information flow modelling research. The article concludes by identifying and discussing possible future challenges for information flow modelling research. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


In order to secure the stability against strong earthquakes, isolation devices on the existing nuclear power plant have been introduced. By applying the isolation device on structures, it is possible to isolate structures from the ground motion. Therefore, the natural frequencies of the structures become longer, and the responses of the structures due to the ground motion decrease. Especially, when designing the nuclear power plant, it is important to ensure the safety of internal devices as well as the nuclear power plant itself. The floor response spectrum is commonly used in designing the internal devices. In this research, floor response spectrum is evaluated and the effect of second hardening behavior is investigated by performing earthquake analysis.


Geisha's gorgeous kimonos and grotesque make-up was the object of envy to Japanese women. There is a line in the movie 〈Memoirs Of A Geisha〉 like "Kimonos to the Geisha is the same as colors to the painter." Likewise, splendid patterns and colorful kimonos were an indispensible method or symbol for showing their artistic accomplishments. The purpose of this study is to investigate concept and origin of Geisha and their dress and decoration, analyze the dress of the people which appear in the movie, 〈Memoirs of A Geisha〉, arrange the expression of Geisha's dress as a movie costume, compare the difference of the dress by the career of Geisha and look back the disappearing aesthetic sense of Geisha. First, since Geisha appeared for the first time in Kyoto in 1751, it has become the world-wide representative of Japanese woman's images so that its existence oneself has become the tradition. Second, Geisha created fashion of various clothes, adornments, and hair styles as a creator of the popularity. Third, the strict regulation without exception is applied in Geisha's clothing, make-up, and motion tuned Samisen, Japanese traditional strings, and there is some difference in their hair style and dress by age of Maiko. Fourth, it is famous for unique make-up that Geisha makes up their faces, necks, and shoulders white, newly paints eyes, nose, lip line like drawing a picture in a pure white paper. Geishas put a little make-up as they have a higher position. Fifth, a heroin, Chiyo, shows clothing as a maid, an apprentice Geisha-Maiko- and a formal Geisha according to time flow. The length of kimono, textures, and hair decorations are longer, more splendid, and are more various as time goes. On the other hand, her make-up is lighter.


The first formal regulations for assessment and seismic rehabilitation of structures started in 1980's, with the implementation of the results of developed research, and efforts conducted by organizations such as the Applied Technology Council (ATC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), among others; which have compiled different methodologies for evaluation and rational design of structures subjected to seismic loads. In our country, the Structural Design Code for the Republic of Panama, in its last version (REP-2014) incorporates for the first time design methodologies based on performance, as an alternative lateral force method; and refers to the document An Alternative Procedure for Seismic Analysis and Design of Tall Buildings located in the Los Angeles region. This article specifically presents the nonlinear static procedures for structural performance evaluation of buildings. Nonlinear modelling to generate the seismic capacity curve for a building (pushover curve) will also be described. Similarly, seismic demand characterization by inelastic acceleration spectra for different earthquake levels will be presented. Another important aspect to be studied is the global structural response of lateral displacements, as well as the local response in terms inelastic rotations of the elements. By applying this methodology the engineer can verify whether the structural response (i.e., exhibited damage) satisfies the acceptance criteria established by design codes.


Growth processes abound in nature, and are frequently the target of modeling exercises in the sciences. In this article we illustrate an agent-based approach to modeling, in the case of a single example from the social sciences: bullying. Language: en


this research considers features of financial potential formation at the regional level. The given category is explained from the point of view of a systematic approach. Authors try to reveal «financial potential» through «financial resources». Economists usually use various definitions that have some drawbacks. An extended classification of the financial potential is proposed taking into account the sets of parameters. The author discloses the problems of financial potential formation of a republic in accordance with the systematic approach. It is important to emphasize the fact that the main budgetary incomes, namely, tax revenues account for the biggest share of the revenue structure. The author specifies the practical importance and makes the conclusion that tax revenues can be regarded as the investment in further development of a region. Theoretically, this is likely togenerate some profit. However, there can arise the situation when using privileges may lead to losing some revenues but at the same time expected effect from their application is not reached. Key words— financial potential, a region, tax revenues, a budget


A good composition should achieve the unity of content and form.However,some students′compositions are rich in ideas but poor in language usage.In order to improve students′ writing ability,this paper points out the problems in their writing.They are the wrong usage of words ,sentence structures and the lack of coherence.


The aim of this research was to establish the relation between maximal isometric force and different indicators of isometric explosive force of leg extensors (iRFD). The sample consisted of 83 participants divided into 2 groups in terms of gender, males N=53 and females N=30. In order to assess the characteristics of the F-t isometric leg extensor force, tensiometric probes and the standardized "seated leg extension" test were used. The measurement range was defined by 6 variables for the contractile characteristics of the leg extensor isometric muscle force - 1) the level of achieved maximal force - FmaxLEGEXTISO, 2) the indicator of the basic (general) level of rate of force development - RFDBASICLEGEXTISO, 3) the indicator of the specific level of rate of force development - RFD50%LEGEXTISO, and three indicators for evaluating the special level of the explosive force development, i.e. leg extensor explosiveness, 4) measured at 250ms - RFD250msLEGEXTISO, 5) measured at 180ms - RFD180msLEGEXTISO, 6) measured at 100ms - RFD100msLEGEXTISO. The results of the linear regression in the males showed a positive correlation between FmaxLEGEXTISO and RFD50%LEGEXTISO F=16.298, p=0.000; and RFD250msLEGEXTISO F=40.754, p=0.000; and RFD180msLEGEXTISO F=18.660, p=0.000; and RFD100msLEGEXTISO F=5.430, p=0.024; in the females with RFDBASICLEGEXTISO F=10.099, p=0.004; with RFD50%LEGEXTISO F=13.585, p=0.001; with RFD250msLEGEXTISO F=35.469, p=0.000; with RFD180msLEGEXTISO F=14.698, p=0.001. The results of this study showed that the combination of the maximal exertion method, with the aim of developing maximal force or strength, and plyometrics, with the aim of developing the intensity of contraction in its different phases, from the aspect of training technology, is absolutely advisable and reasonable. This may have important practical implications when designing resistance training programs for specific sportsdeling.


Webinar Series by Prof Lynda Gratton: The Pandemic and Leadership [4] Leading through a Pandemic: Working Virtually [5] The Pandemic and Collaboration [6] The Pandemic and Families [7] The Pandemic and Well-Being [8] Linkedin Learning Pathway with 16 courses Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success [9] LinkedIn Learning Time Management: Working from Home [10] LinkedIn Learning Tips for Working Remotely [11] LinkedIn Learning Productivity Tips: Finding Your Productive Mindset [12] 8 Free Courses to Help Leaders Clearly Communicate and Influence Positive Change in Times of Crisis [13] (Crisis Communications, Communication in Times of Change, Managing in Difficult Times) Intentional Leadership @ Home [14]


The possible liabilities linked to the sea transportation of liquefied natural gas are systematically considered in the fields of; (I)-contractural liability among the various parties, this, in three sections (seller-buyer, owner-charterer, owner and charterer-port authorities relations), (II)-the liability towards third parties: conditions for the implementation of this liability, application of the national laws and the international conventions, covering of the risks by relevant policies. Then follows an analysis of: the provisions of the international draft conventions (I.M.C.O) with reference to the positive right) mentioned in items I and II`) and to the experience acquired in this field, (III) the respecitve positions of the parties involved in the case of sea transportation of liquefied natural gas with regard to these conventions.


The main focus of this article is the problem of exacerbating agricultural risks in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, which started against the background of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The motivation for conducting the research presented in this article was the desire to increase the resilience of agricultural companies to economic crises. This paper is aimed at studying the Russian experience of changing the production and financial risks of agricultural companies during the COVID-19 crisis, substantiating the important role of innovations in reducing these risks, and determining the prospects for risk management in agriculture based on innovations to increase its crisis resilience. Using the structural equation modelling (SEM) method, we modelled the contribution of innovations to the risk management of agriculture during the COVID-19 crisis. The advantages of the SEM method, compared to other conventional methods (e.g., independent correlation analysis or independent regression analysis), include the increased depth of analysis, its systemic character, and the consideration of multilateral connections between the indicators. Using the case-study method, a "smart" vertical farm framework is being developed, the risks of which are resistant to crises through the use of datasets and machine learning. The originality of this article lies in rethinking the risks of agriculture from the standpoint of "smart" technologies as a new risk factor and a way to increase resilience to crises. The theoretical significance of the results obtained is that they make it possible to systematically study the changes in the risks of agriculture in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, while outlining the prospects for increasing resilience to crises based on optimising the use of "smart" technologies. The practical significance of the article is related to the fact that the authors' conclusions and applied recommendations on the use of datasets and machine learning by agricultural companies can improve the efficiency of agricultural risk management and ensure successful COVID-19 crisis management by agricultural companies.


Objective:To construct a recombinant multiepitope fusion polypeptide containing 6 HLA-A*0201 restricted CTL epitopes derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb.) antigens and express it in E.coli. Methods: The full-length sequence encoding 6 HLA-A*0201 restricted CTL epitopes were derived from Mtb. antigens Rv0309, Rv0173, and Ag85A, Ag85C; pan DR Th epitope(PADRE), Trojan peptide, and furin-sensitive linker RVKR were synthesized, amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR), inserted into the expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3). After induced by isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside(IPTG), the recombinant protein expression was examined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results: The recombinant multiepitope fusion polypeptide plasmid was successfully constructed and expressed(about 40 000) in E.coli BL21(DE3). Conclusion: The recombinant multiepitope fusion polypeptide may provide a basis for developing novel TB vaccine.


Zero-watermarking techniques constructs zero watermarks without modifying the original host audio signal. This paper presents a robust zero-watermarking algorithm for stereo audio signals. The proposed algorithm exploits inter-channel redundancy of stereo audio signal in order to construct zero watermarks binary sequence. Here, the features are extracted from DWTDCT-SVD domain to construct zero watermarks; and are found to be robust against modified discrete cosine transform MDCT-based perceptual stereo audio coding schemes. Extensive experimental results assure that the proposed watermarking scheme is highly secure as well as robust to common attacks like, MP3 compression, cropping, filtering, re-sampling, amplitude scaling and re-quantisation, etc. To the best of our knowledge, zero-watermarking algorithm based on stereo audio properties is proposed first time.


The remarkable reactivity of triazolinediones (TADs) toward olefin-type substrates marks them as highly attractive click reagents, in particular for polymer modification and cross-linking. Critically, their ultrafast reaction rates result in handling issues and a rather limited shelf life whereas a particular concern for polymer material applications is homogeneous network formation. Herein, we introduce 2-phenylindoles as highly promising blocking agents for TADs, giving bench-stable reagents at ambient temperature from which the initial TADs can be released upon heating. A set of 11 indoles with varying substitution patterns was synthesized, leading to a precise control for the temperature of deblocking within a broad range of 35–100 °C. The established indole–TAD platform was next applied to bivalent TAD reagents to enable on-demand TAD-based cross-linking reactions of a diene-containing polyurethane (Mn = 12.5 kDa). Fine-tuning of the curing temperatures, down to 50 °C, was evidenced via rheological m...


Today, the world is considered to indispensable basic data in specific gravity of international trade is increasing in economic activity of every...


Program code management system is the important part of arrangement and prepared broadcasting network system in chief editor's office.It plays a major role on program broadcasting and editing.The design of digital program code administrative system of the new Beijing TV center is described from the generation,type and rules of the program code.And the relationship of program broadcasting,office network,media resource database and the system.


This paper analyzes Proportional (P) and Proportional-Integral (PI) techniques applied to current loop controllers of single and three phase Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Power Converters. Gain limits are derived for both strategies based on intuitive per unit values of the grid and power converter parameters. Tracking response and disturbance rejection performances of each controller in continuous time domain are also evaluated. Simulation and experimental results for continuous time, as well as experimental results for discrete time are presented.


A comprehensive investigation of potential agents and ports of introduction of chickens into the Santa Cruz Islands has never been undertaken before. While early European trade with the indigenous populations of the Santa Cruz Islands needs to be examined thoroughly, other instances of contact also extend our understanding of the history of human/chicken interactions. This study is unique in that it was extended to include contact with missionaries, slavers, traders and whalers, military vessels, World War II military shipments and secondments, aid agencies, as well as introductions by contemporary commercial chicken operations. In this brief review over 3000 years of chicken introductions and translocations are explored from first Lapita settlement through to the present. It would be impossible to detail every instance in which a chicken was introduced to or moved from an island but this overview illustrates the dynamic nature of the history of one domesticate in a Pacific archipelago and illustrates the complexity of human/animal interactions across the prehistoric/historic divide.


In order to improve the usability and dependability of human machine interface applied to industrial control,the serial communication scheme based on configuration software technology of Monitor and Control Generated System(MCGS) and digital signal processor(DSP) is introduced,which possibly becomes a kind of general serial processing method of the embedded touch-screen connecting control chips.The open communication protocol format in the field of MODBUS industry is principally elaborated.The key part of configuration software was laid down.The software parser of serial communication control was designed with DSP.The real time,correctness and stability effect of the information during the transmission process was obtained.The experiment results proved its feasibility.


We give a generalization of Collatz conjecture or 3n+1 problem on 2-adic completion of Q. A isometric of $Q_2$ provides information on the average behavior of the firsts terms of the sequence according to the class of $u_0$ modulo $2^m$. A generalisation from the pair (2,3) to the pair (p,q) seems possible under the assumption $q^{p-1}


We have investigated buckling phenomena under axial compression for multiwall carbon nanotubes with the same outer diameter with different wall thicknesses obtained by the extraction of inner shells. According to the Euler's buckling model described by the continuum model, Young's moduli of the nanotube before and after the extraction of the inner shells were evaluated to be 0.77 and 0.80 TPa, respectively. This good agreement between the two values indicates that the classical continuum model is effective for describing the mechanical behaviors of multiwall nanotubes.


Technological advancements is beyond limits that even a small child has the knowledge to order things not limited to products, food, clothes online with or without the capacity of buying them on own. The market place has become mostly online irrespective of gender, age, income, family status, educational qualification and many more aspects. The market is restricted not only to buyers but also sellers. Such selling is buying and selling of goods and services, and transacting funds online on internet. Its simplified term is E-Commerce that serves as a challenging aspect from several fronts and continues to be so. The attempt of the researcher is to understand the awareness and indulge in e-commerce and its related aspects by various demographic factors.


The concept of personality has been explored from a wide range of conceptual viewpoints. This research tries to bring the varied concepts of personality under one roof. The current research explains the concept of different personality theories along with the limitations of those theories, starting with psychoanalytical approach and concluding at cognitive approach. Various implications of these theories, and personality, in general have been discussed. Scope for future research is also mentioned in concluding remarks.


Taxoid antineoplastics, TAXOL® and TAXOTERE®, are similar brand names which are easy to confuse, when physicians prescribe them. This problem has become to be serious since 1999 when the applicable diseases and the daily doses for both drugs overlapped each other. We surveyed their applications and daily dose from 1998-2000 to assess the risk of medical errors in managing both drugs. A difference was observed in the daily doses between TAXOL® and TAXOTERE® in 1998. Their daily doses, however, overlapped at 20-80 mg/m2 in 2000, especially in patients with breast cancer. This might be one reason for current medical errors due to similar daily doses in addition to the similar brand name. We have started to use individual sheets to manage both taxoid antineoplastics since August 2000 to avoid medical errors. Our approach for managing taxoid antineoplastics was found to be useful for reducing the risk of medical errors owing to the similar brand name of these two drugs.


Abstract The German Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) has to frequently adjudicate cases related to terrorism. The "War on Terror" has reached the German judiciary shortly after its proclamation as a reaction to the 9/11-attacks. Ever since, German criminal law is grappling with the question of how to harmonize security interests on the one hand with individual rights and liberties on the other. The expansion of the criminal law is a real threat for the previously liberty-oriented criminal law. The court decision discussed in this case addresses a specific aspect of terrorism: the financing of terrorist activities. As there is no special law prohibiting such kind of behavior, the judges had to apply section 263 of the German Criminal Code, which deals with fraud, and combine this with sections 129 a and b of the German Criminal Code, which makes being merely a member of a criminal organization into a criminal offence. A highly sensitive field of law that is put under scrutiny by anti-terrorism measures is procedural law. As secret investigation measures through electronic surveillance become more prevalent and sophisticated, the admissibility of the evidence, which was gained mainly by intelligence, becomes more and more questionable. The court decision discussed in this paper proves the willingness of the Federal Judges in Germany to reduce individual liberty rights in order to enhance the effectiveness of criminal prosecution.


In a quest to establish the principles behind various migration currents, a great body of research has shown that there is keen interest in the differentials in socio-economic conditions between the places of origin of migrants and their destinations, with special focus laid on wage rates, employment opportunities and availability of information. Although useful in explaining some of the elements involved in the migration process, this conventional approach based on the functional analysis of 'push' and 'pull' factors often fails to give adequate attention to the peculiar historical contexts in which individual migration events have occurred. Recent advances in research into the inter-parochial migration of the labouring poor in rural England under the laws of settlement have clearly illustrated how inappropriate the conventional approach can be. From surviving settlement material such as examinations, certificates and removal orders, historians have successfully identified distinctive features of pauper migration and of the settlement material from the migration has been traced. (For those unfamiliar with the laws of settlement, some basic terms are explained in the Appendix.) First of all, the settlement material is not, strictly speaking, direct evidence of actual migration. Examinations may have been used just for information-gathering purposes, and removal orders could be issued to cajole the immigrants' parish of settlement into producing certificates or agreeing to non-resident relief. What the settlement documents show is, therefore, not so much actual mobility as inter-parochial tensions over the cost of employment and poor relief. Secondly, those who moved to other parishes under the laws of settlement hardly achieved equality with the native parishioners. Many parishes had strict village regulations giving priority to the parishioners in the allocation of work in the harvest fields, in the chances of partaking in gleaning, in access to local charity and in the exercise of various common rights. Thirdly, these migrants were particularly vulnerable to changes in the social and economic conditions of the parishes in which they resided. The parishes of residence were inclined to force non-parishioners to return to their parishes of settlement when there was no further need of their labour or when they became less useful due to decrepitude, injury or other circumstances. Migration through the process of the laws of settlement was not permanent in many cases, and return migration was usually forced rather than voluntary. Finally, it was not uncommon for a conflict of interests to develop between pauper migrants, parish officers and magistrates. Over such issues as employment, poor-relief expenditure and the social cohesiveness of local communities, they often had different interests as waged labourers and peasant workers, as tenant farmers and other ratepayers and as landowners, respectively. These features highlight the point that the functional explanation, which rests on the notion of the autonomy of the parishes of origin and destination as decision-making units, can be seriously misleading. A more important issue is whether the framework of pauper settlement hindered 'free' labour circulation and, if so, to what extent, in what way and in whose interest it did so. These are crucial questions for understanding not only the structure of the English labour market but also the political contours of rural society between different classes, and for further evaluating the overall role of the laws of settlement for the industrial and urban growth of the time. Focusing on the critical period 1751–1834, this article seeks to answer the questions through a careful reconsideration of the Oxfordshire settlement material.


IS THE TOURISM-LED GROWTH HYPOTHESIS VALID FOR MALAYSIA? A VIEW FROM DISAGGREGATED TOURISM MARKETS This study attempts to re-investigate the validity of tourism-led growth hypothesis for Malaysia based on the dataset of twelve different tourism markets from January 1995 to February 2009. The ECM-based cointegration test (Kremers et al., 1992) shows that economic growth and international tourist arrivals are cointegrated for all tourism markets. Nevertheless, the Granger causality results demonstrate that not all international tourism markets are Granger-cause economic growth. Therefore, identification of potential tourism markets is vital for implementing effective tourism marketing policies. JEL Classification codes: C22


Object. The criteria for the use of mild hypothermia (34°C) in severely head injured patients have not been standardized. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine whether mild hypothermia is essential in the treatment of severely head injured patients with low intracranial pressure (ICP). Methods. At 11 medical centers, 91 severely head injured patients with an admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less in whom ICP could be maintained below 25 mm Hg by conventional therapies were divided randomly into two groups: the mild hypothermia group (HT group, 45 patients) and the normothermia group (NT group, 46 patients). Patients in the HT group were exposed to mild hypothermia (34°C) for 48 hours, followed by rewarming at 1°C per day for 3 days, whereas patients in the NT group were exposed to normothermia (37°C) for 5 days. The two groups were similar with respect to prognostic factors, and there was no difference in clinical outcome at 3 months postinjury. During treatment, th...


In recent years data mining has acquired huge popularity in the field of knowledge discovery. Thus, this approach has inspired several researches for anomaly detection, fraud detection and intrusion detection with higher accuracy, all round generalization of the problem and its sub cases; all giving higher performance in conditions subjected to continuous alteration. Though there remain quite a few challenging problems in design and implementation of a data mining based cloud intrusion detection system, as deception tactics and modeling of behavior remains a daunting problem to compute for anomaly owing to massive size of data to process in reasonable time. In this study we present a cascaded neural network based data mining strategy for cloud intrusion detection systems (IDSs) and presents the comparison and performance results tested on DARPA Intrusion Detection (ID) Data Sets, Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Cup, NSL-KDD dataset. The study exhibits numerous advantages offered by the presented method and give reliable results of anomaly detection in real time scenario.


This paper presents a high-order shear and normal deformation theory for the bending of FGM plates. The number of unknowns and governing equations of the present theory is reduced, and hence makes it simple to use. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved in displacement field is only four, as against five or more in the case of other shear and normal deformation theories. Based on the novel shear and normal deformation theory, the position of neutral surface is determined and the governing equilibrium equations based on neutral surface are derived. There is no stretching–bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Navier-type analytical solution is obtained for functionally graded plate subjected to transverse load for simply supported boundary conditions. The accuracy of the present theory is verified by comparing the obtained results with other quasi-3D higher-order theories reported in the literature. Other numerical examples are also presented to show the influences of the volume fraction distribution, geometrical parameters and power law index on the bending responses of the FGM plates are studied.


Market of PVC in the world was summarized in the paper.Production condition of PVC was analyzed and some advices that Shanxi Province should take advantage of natural resource and market opportunity at present to develop PVC industry and other related industry were put forward.


An effective poroelastic model is proposed that describes seismic attenuation and dispersion in periodically layeredmedia. In this model, the layers represent mesoscopic-scale heterogeneities (larger than the grain and pore sizes but smaller than the wavelength) that can occur both in fluid and solid properties. The proposed effectivemedium is poroelastic, contrary to previously introduced models that lead to effective viscoelastic media. The novelty lies in the application of the pressure continuity boundary conditions instead of no-flow conditions at the outer edges of the elementary cell. The approach results in effective Biot elastic moduli and effective porosity that can be used to obtain responses of heterogeneous media in a computationally fast manner. The model is validated by the exact solution obtained with the use of Floquet's theory. Predictions of the new effective poroelastic model are more accurate than the predictions of the corresponding effective viscoelastic model when the Biot critical frequency is of the same order as the frequency of excitation, and for materials with weak frame. This is the case for media such as weak sandstones, weakly consolidated and unconsolidated sandy sediments. The reason for the improved accuracy for materials with low Biot critical frequency is the inclusion of the Biot global flow mechanism which is not accounted for in the effective viscoelastic media. At frequencies significantly below the Biot critical frequency and for wellconsolidated porous rocks, the predictions of the new model are in agreement with previous solutions.