Angle-dispersive powder diffraction patterns have been obtained as a function of pressure in a diamond-anvil cell for BaCl2, BaBr2 and BaI2 (Pmax = 40 GPa). These cotunnite-structure compounds (Pnam, Z = 4) at ambient conditions transform to a common monoclinic (P1121/a, Z = 8) high-pressure structure between 5 and 15 GPa at room temperature. The low-pressure cotunnite cell is doubled along a and slightly distorted, γ = 87–89°; the coordination number has increased from 9 to 10. This monoclinic structure is a distortion of the Co2Si type (Pnam, Z = 4) found in intermetallic AB2 compounds with the same coordination number; it is the same as that already found for PbCl2 and SnCl2. Simulations of the diffraction patterns of the three barium dihalides with the same atomic positions give excellent agreement with the observed diffraction patterns although the atomic diffusion factors vary greatly. A new structure type is thus added to the structures of the AX2 compounds and this is now the final structure that has been reached in the high-pressure sequence of phase transformations in these materials.


The regulatory model advocated by John Braithwaite over criminal justice or war models for preventing and controlling terrorism has its own limitations. Excessive responses fuel and favour terrorist counter realities and in such situations deterrence may not counter-balance competing realities that foster and are fostered by terrorism.


The quality control of pre stressed driven pile is discussed based on project example.In the course of pile construction,the important factors affecting the pile quality are summarized,and the suggestions are given.


The machine pressurize of emergency cold oil circulation pump frequency disclosing is a problem which puzzles ethylene industry long times,this paper analysed the reasons of disclosing,and adopted double extremity dry air pressurize substitute traditional single side machine pressurize reconstructed to the pressurize system of emergency cold oil circulation pump.In virtue of this technique,can not only avoid personnel harm and environment pollute accident,equipment shut down,crack furnace tube jam,but also reduce ethane product consume station.


With the increasing popularity of repositories of personal images, the problem of effective encoding and retrieval of similar image collections has become very important. In this paper we propose an efficient method for the joint scalable encoding of image-data and visual-descriptors, applied to collections of similar images. From the generated compressed bit stream, it is possible to extract and decode the visual information at different granularity levels, enabling the so called ldquomidstream content accessrdquo. The proposed approach is based on the appropriate combination of vector quantization (VQ) and JPEG2000 image coding. Specifically, the images are encoded at a first draft level using an optimal visual-codebook, while the residual errors are encoded using a JPEG2000 approach. In this way, the codebook of the VQ is freely available as an efficient visual descriptor of the considered image collection. This scalable representation supports fast browsing and retrieval of image collections providing also a coding efficiency comparable with those of standard image coding methods.


A three-dimensional architecture for a photosensing array has been developed. This silicon based architecture consists of a 10*10 array of photosensors with 80- mu m diameter, through-chip interconnects to the back side of a 300- mu m*300- mu m pn-junction photodiode. The following processes were used to create this photosensitive architecture: (1) thermomigration of aluminum pads through an n-type silicon wafer; (2) creation of pn-junction photosensors on one side of the wafer; and (3) creation of aluminum pad ohmic contacts to the thermomigrated, through-chip interconnects and the substrate on the back side of the wafer. The electrical and optical characteristics of the three-dimensional architecture indicate that it should be well suited as a photosensing framework around which a 'silicon retina' could be built.<<ETX>>


The question of man's existence has long since been one of the most challenging questions ever tackled by the greatest of thinkers in history. The multitude of answers that have been made available in the course of time range from the profound to the absurd and man has never been more enthused in searching for the perfect answer. Needless to say, the answer will almost always elude any man who fails to recognize that life itself manifests the reason for being: any form of life exudes the purpose of existence with every tiny facet of its growth in its own pace and in its own moment. Like a seed that grows into a single plant among hundreds that fill a garden, life's meaning can be found in the smallest of detail that can be observed with the changing of seasons[1].


According to the model of the ultrasonic wave transmitting in the multi-layered media, this paper analyses the effect of the change of the multi-layered media's thickness on sound pressure transmission rate and attenuation of the ultrasonic wave in the multi-layered media. And associated with the ultrasonic testing result of adhesion quality of steel-epoxy resin -Al adhesive structure, this paper also analyses the effect of the tiny change of the adhesive layer's thickness on adhesion quality of multi-layered adhesive structure. It showed that the tiny change of the adhesive layer thickness produced great effect on the ultrasonic testing result.


Physicians hardly need the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to remind them how important it is to safeguard their patients' records. Physicians understand that patient information is sensitive and it would be disastrous if their files became public or fell into the wrong hands. However, the use of health information technology to record patient information, although beneficial for medical professionals and patients, poses risks to patient privacy. (1) HIPAA requires clinicians and health care systems to protect patient information, whether it is maintained in an electronic health records system, stored on a mobile device, or transmitted via e-mail to another physician. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will increase HIPAA audits this year to make sure that medical practices have taken measures to protect their patients' health information. Physicians and other clinicians can take advantage of cloud-based file-sharing services, such as Dropbox, without running afoul of HIPAA. Mobile computing, the cloud, and patient information: A risky combination Although mobile computing and cloud-based file-sharing sites such as Dropbox and Google Drive allow physicians to take notes on a tablet, annotate those notes on a laptop, and share them with a physician who views them on his (her) desktop, this free flow of information makes it more difficult to stay compliant with HIPAA. Dropbox and other file-sharing services encrypt documents while they're stored in the cloud but the files are unprotected when downloaded to a device. E-mail, which isn't as versatile or useful as these services, also is not HIPAA-compliant unless the files are encrypted. Often, small psychiatric practices use these online services and e-mail even if they're aware of the risks because they don't have time to research a better solution. Or they might resort to faxing or even snail-mailing documents, losing out on the increased productivity that the cloud can provide. Secure technologies satisfy auditors A number of tools exist to help physicians seamlessly integrate the encryption necessary to keep their patients' records safe and meet HIPAA security requirements. Here's a look at 3 options. Sookasa (plus Dropbox). One option is to invest in a software product designed to encrypt documents shared through cloud-based services. This type of software creates a compliance "shield" around files stored on the cloud, converting files into HIPAA safe havens. The files are encrypted when synced to new devices or shared with other users, meaning they're protected no matter where they reside. (2) Sookasa is an online service that encrypts files shared and stored in Dropbox. The company plans to extend its support to other popular cloud services such as Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Sookasa also audits and controls access to encrypted files, so that patient data can be blocked even if a device is lost or stolen. …


PURPOSE: Sharing about physical activity (PA) on social media (SM) provides an opportunity for receiving social support from online social networks and may be related to PA levels (Pinkerton et al, 2017). People desire to be perceived positively by others, this is particularly true for SM users (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). As an individual shapes the content shared over SM networks, that individual may idealize their character rather than presenting an authentic version (Goffman, 2002). This study examined whether people who post about PA on SM differed in their PA levels and self-presentational efficacy (SPE) when compared to those who do not post. A secondary purpose was to describe the type of SM use across both sharers and non-sharers. METHODS: A convenience sample of 113 kinesiology students (62M, 44F) completed a cross-sectional survey that included the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin & Shepard, 1985) and the self-presentational efficacy scale (15 items; Gammage, Hall, & Ginis, 2004). This scale asked about confidence to present themselves in a positive fashion with regards to specific outcomes such as 'being in good shape' and 'looking fit and toned' in terms of SPE. Independent t-tests were conducted to compare sharers with non-sharers. RESULTS: Students self-identified as sharers of PA on SM (n=39, 34.5%; 23M, 16F) or non-sharers (n=66, 58.4%; 38M, 28F). There were significantly different levels of PA, with those who posted about PA on SM reporting higher levels of activity (M=51.4, SD=22.5) than those who did not post about PA on SM (M=42.2, SD=22.3; p=.046). There were also significantly different levels of SPE, with those who posted about PA on SM having higher levels of SPE (M=75.1, SD=17.6) than those who did not post about PA on SM (M=64.5, SD=22.4; p=.014). Minutes spent on SM reported was similar between sharers (M=86.2min/day, SD=60.8) and non-sharers (M=104.8min/day, SD=84.9; p=.245). The most commonly used SM platforms for both sharers and non-sharers were Instagram (sharers: n=34, 87.2%; non-sharers: n=57, 86.3%) and Snapchat (sharers: n=33, 84.6%; non-sharers: n=54, 81.8%). CONCLUSION: Students who use SM to post about PA had higher levels of SPE and PA, suggesting the need for future research to explore how SM use may affect or be affected by self-presentation and PA levels.


This paper gives an overview on a control and navigation system for omnidirectional Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) implemented by the authors. On the hardware side this framework only uses an industrial grade embedded PC. All closed-loop controllers as well as a sophisticated navigation system including path-planning and global and local localization is implemented in the authors real-time Linux based AGV framework. In this paper the fundamental concept of the architecture of this control system is discussed and the benefits such as offering to execute high level robotic frameworks, like Player/Stage or Robot Operating System (ROS), in parallel to the low level controllers on the same PC are shown. While the sophisticated localization system and the generation of trajectories where already presented, this paper focuses on the overall software structure including the communication system, the modular design including a client/server model, client multiplexing and the hardware interface supporting different types of AGVs utilized by the Intelligent Mobile Systems Lab (IMSL) of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund. The application source and also the compiled binaries are executed unchanged on all the AGVs with just different runtime configurations.


The electrochromic mirror has prospective applications in rear mirror of automobiles. Starting with the technique of electrochromic mirror, this paper presents the research results of such a mirror. When evaporation a five-layer thin film stack i.e. glass/ITO/NiO(Lithiumed)/Ta2O5/WO3/Al on a transparent glass substrate, we can obtain an electrochromic mirror. We find that the coating technique will play a key role on the function of the device. The thickness of some layers is critical for the mirror, these layers are NiO, Ta2O5 and WO3. The actually prepared mirror with such structure has a reflectance variation from 70% to 15%. The switching time is about 15 seconds and 7 seconds from bleaching to coloration and from bleaching to coloration respectively. The effects of film structure and composition to the properties of the mirror are measured and discussed by x-ray diffraction, x-photo spectrum and voltammetry. The electrochromic mirror meets the needs for practical application.


In addition to their inestimable importance in mathematics and its applications, Fourier series also serve as the entry point into the wonderful world of Fourier analysis and its wide-ranging extensions and generalizations. An entire industry is devoted to developing the theory and enlarging the scope of applications of Fourier–inspired methods. New directions in Fourier analysis continue to be discovered and exploited in a broad range of physical, mathematical, engineering, chemical, biological, financial, and other systems. In this chapter, we will concentrate on four of the most important variants: discrete Fourier sums leading to the fast Fourier transform; the modern theory of wavelets; the Fourier transform; and, finally, its close relative, the Laplace transform. In addition, more general types of eigenfunction expansions associated with partial differential equations in higher dimensions will appear in the following chapters. Modern digital media, such as CD's, DVD's and MP3's, are based on discrete data, not continuous functions. This requires the development of a purely discrete version of Fourier series, in which one replaces periodic functions, representing analog signals, by their sample vectors. The resulting discrete Fourier representation can, in fact, be handled by finitedimensional vector space methods, and so, technically, belongs back in the linear algebra portion of this text. However, the insight gained from the classical continuous Fourier theory proves to be essential in understanding and analyzing its discrete digital cousin. An important application of discrete Fourier sums is in signal and image processing. One typically samples a signal at equally spaced time intervals, and then works exclusively with the resulting discrete (digital) data. Basic data compression and noise removal algorithms are applied to the sample's discrete Fourier coefficients, acting on the observation that noise tends to accumulate in the high frequency Fourier modes, while most important features are concentrated at low frequencies. In Section 13.1, we develop the basic Fourier theory in this discrete setting, culminating in the Fast Fourier Transform, which produces an efficient numerical algorithm for passing between a signal and its discrete Fourier coefficients, which has become an essential tool in modern signal processing and numerical analysis. One of the inherent limitations of classical Fourier methods, both continuous and discrete, is that they are not well adapted to localized data, stemming from the inherent lack of localization in the constituent trigonometric functions. (In physics, this lack of localization is the basis of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.) As a result, Fourier-based signal processing algorithms can become inaccurate and/or inefficent when confronting highly localized signals or images. In the second section, we introduce the modern theory of wavelets, which is a recent extension of Fourier analysis that more naturally incorporates multiple scales and localization. Wavelets are playing an increasingly dominant role in


In the spirit of this enlightening conversation and indeed of this entire volume—promoting mutual understanding and learning between philosophers, logicians and linguists working on vagueness related issues—I shall in these comments consider three points, which if not kept in mind have significant potential to promote misunderstanding between practitioners of these three disciplines. All three points are discussed by Fermüller and Hájek: I do not take myself to be adding points that have been overlooked; I simply focus on these three points and discuss each in a little more detail—at the expense of not mentioning many other interesting issues covered in this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation.


This work presents a novel configuration of an EMAT that, through magnetostriction, generates shear waves propagating normal to the surface of a steel sample. The transduction mechanism of the EMAT is discussed, and the effects of altering parameters of the EMAT are illustrated. If the EMAT is set up correctly, then it is shown that the EMAT provides means for ultrasonically measuring the magnetostriction of a sample.


Manufacturing industries have been seeking effective biobased adhesives to replace
synthetic adhesives currently used in composite materials for reducing product cost and
environmental pollution concerns, as well as dependency on petroleum. The biobased adhesives
could be developed by modifying natural components such as starch and protein. The objective of
this study was to investigate the effects of thermal and chemical treatments on the adhesive
properties of defatted rice bran. Three levels of temperature (80, 100 and 120oC) and three levels of
pH (8, 10 and 12) were tested. Furthermore, the influence of sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite on
adhesive properties was also investigated. The evaluated adhesive performance included strength,
yield, viscosity and pH of prepared adhesive. Adhesive strength for soft maple wood binding was
measured by using an Instron testing machine. The maximum force required to shear the adhesive
bond was reported as adhesive strength. The results showed that heat and alkali treatments
significantly improved the rice bran adhesive strength from 44N for the untreated control to 181N for
the sample treated at 100 °C and pH 12. The rice bran based adhesive could be potentially used for
the production of composite materials, such as particle and fiberboard. Treating the adhesive with
sulfites decreased adhesive strength contrary to what was expected.


The authors systematically analyzed previous researches on the vegetation structure and water-soil conservation,the vegetation structural index and its appraisal,and the evaluation of vegetation's soil and water conservation benefit.It's pointed out that the soil and water loss is still serious in the red soil regions in south China because there are losses of under-forest soil in varying degrees without close-cover of vegetation.Therefore,rational evaluation of the soil and water conservation function of vegetation is critical to the management of soil and water conservation and the subject development.


AbstractA regional hybrid variational–ensemble data assimilation system (HVEDAS), the maximum likelihood ensemble filter (MLEF), is applied to the 2011 version of the NOAA operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model to evaluate the impact of direct assimilation of cloud-affected Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) radiances in tropical cyclone (TC) core areas. The forward components of both the gridpoint statistical interpolation (GSI) analysis system and the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) are utilized to process and simulate satellite radiances. The central strategies to allow the use of cloud-affected radiances are (i) to augment the control variables to include clouds and (ii) to add the model cloud representations in the observation forward models to simulate the microwave radiances. The cloudy AMSU-A radiance assimilation in Hurricane Danielle's (2010) core area has produced encouraging results with respect to the operational cloud-cleared radiance preproces...


THE EVER-INCREASING DURABILITY OF ORGANIC FINISHES POSES A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO THE PAINT FORMULATOR IN THAT YEARS OF EXTERIOR EXPOSURE MAY BE REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH THE RELATIVE PERFORMANCE OF A NEW PRODUCT. ACCELERATED WEATHERING IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE ANSWER. AN OPERATING TECHNIQUE, THE DEW CYCLE, HAS BEEN FOUND TO GREATLY ACCELERATE THE PRODUCTION OF FILM BREAKDOWN IN THE ATLAS XW-R WEATHER-OMETER AND HAS SHOWN A HIGH LEVEL OF CORRELATION WITH FLORIDA EXTERIOR EXPOSURE. /AUTHOR/


This study aimed to investigate the functional and antioxidant properties of chicken skin gelatin (CSG) films incorporated with Centella asiatica (L.) urban extract. Film formulations with different amounts of C. asiatica extract (0, 0.3 and 0.7 g) were prepared under mechanical stirring at a temperature of 45°C. Results revealed that CSG film with 0.7 g C. asiatica was optimal due to its high elongation at break (EAB) (249.62%) and low water vapor permeability (WVP) (1.09 x 10 kPa) rate. The FTIR assay presented a strong carboxyl group, while XRD revealed amorphous characteristics at a peak of 2Ɵ=20o. The film with 0.7 g C. asiatica extract also showed the highest antioxidant properties for DPPH (68.67%), total phenolic content (10.79 mg/mg gallic acid), and reducing power (14.4%). In conclusion, CSG film incorporated with C. asiatica extract has remarkable potential as an active film material, as it may have a positive influence on the environmental concern.


In the research evaluation of the ecosystem services provided by riparian forests in Latvia has been studied. The aim of this research is to investigate the methods and indicators for assessing the value of ecosystem services of riparian forests and to establish the most appropriate methods of ecosystem service valuation in the case of Latvia. The study is based on analysis of scientific publications, special literature and reports of international organizations, studying results of previously performed qualitative and quantitative research methods in the field of ecosystem service evaluation. The results of this study revealed several methods that could be applied for evaluation of ecosystem services provided by riparian forests, taking into account that the set of available data may be limited and considering the costs and span of time that may be necessary to collect the missing data. The results also show that the majority of ecosystem service evaluation indicators can be applied if appropriate earlier studies have been performed and feasible data for similar territories or conditions are available. The knowledge of the methods and indicators for evaluation of ecosystem services is a crucial factor in the decision making process, when decisions on economic development or sustainable management of ecosystem services are made.


In the framework of the Horizon 2020 project BigDataEurope (Integrating Big Data, Software & Communities for Addressing Europe's Societal Challenges), a platform comprising key open-source technologies has been set up in order to meet the Big Data requirements of seven communities representing the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenges (Health, Food and Agriculture, Energy, Transport, Climate, Social Sciences and Secure Societies). The BigDataEurope platform is currently validated by implementing relevant pilots; for the Secure Societies challenge particular importance has been given to the integration and fusion of data coming from remote and social sensing in order to add value to the current data exploitation practices. Index Terms Earth Observation, Big Data, heterogeneous data sources, multi-temporal and multisensor analysis, space and security


ABSTRACT In this article I argue that generating carbon credit value centres on a double movement of first naming something as waste and then removing it, a movement entangled with imagined pasts and futures. I explore this through the transformations that TAMS, a project to restore fallows from slash-and-burn agriculture in Madagascar's rainforest, underwent through its engagement with carbon markets. TAMS initially aimed to benefit both forest and local farming communities. Its objective was then shifted to using the forest for carbon credits. I argue that the 'calculative logic' of carbon offset production drove this move by first identifying the fallows as waste and then removing them; other forms of understanding and using these fallows were systematically 'unknown': debased and forgotten. Reformulating the fallows as waste excluded local farmers from their livelihood. The promise of carbon value was never realised, but the effects of its anticipation were wasted present livelihoods.


In 54 subjects (17 controls, 27 patients with pancreatic diseases, and 10 patients with intestinal malabsorption syndromes), the pancreatic secretion of amylase during constant intravenous infusion of secretin and pancreozymin was compared to the mean concentration of amylase in the duodenal contents in an 80-minute period following ingestion of a fluid standard meal. A reliable linear correlation between the two parameters was observed. The regression lines were nearly identical in the three groups of subjects studied. A common regression line was calculated. The result implies that the concentration of pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine during digestion of a meal is primarily estimated by the enzyme-secreting capacity of the pancreas, and that the meal test for pancreatic function is very usable in order to characterize the secretory function of the pancreas.


pensation claims often choose disc surgery over nonoperative care on the premise that surgery will speed recovery and return-to-work. For instance, in the recent Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT), nearly 75% of sciatica patients with workers' compensation claims opted for discectomy. Yet, according to a careful new analysis of SPORT, disc surgery did not appear to offer any benefit over nonoperative care for sciatica patients with workers' compensation claims at two-year follow-up. (See Atlas et al., 2010.) And surgery did not confer any advantage in terms of return-to-work or longterm disability rates. Workers' compensation patients treated surgically did have better outcomes at one and three months than similar patients treated nonsurgically. But the advantage waned rapidly and then disappeared altogether. "SPORT showed that patients with sciatica secondary to a disc herniation among individuals on workers' compensation improved over time regardless of whether their treatment involved discectomy or not," said author Steven Atlas, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in a recent e-mail. "Thus one can say that disc surgery is an effective treatment for symptomatic patients with a disc herniation—including those with workers' compensation claims. "The problem is that surgery appears to be no more effective than nonsurgical treatment over a two-year horizon for individuals with a workers' compensation claim," Atlas added.


The content of the herbicides atrazine and hexazinone was measured in drainage water from seven to ten-year-old plantations grown with Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach on two clayey soils in Denmark. The concentrations of atrazine varied between 0.06 and 7.79 μg litre -1 . The concentrations of hexazinone were different at the two locations, ranging from 0.07 to 2.09 μg litre -1 at Bremersvold and from 3.47 to 42.66 μg litre -1 at Koege. Metabolites of both herbicides were identified


The paper covers the history of UHT sales in the UK and explains reasons for the small sale of UHT milk. Sales are expected to rise significantly - more sterilized milk is being replaced by UHT, and skimmed milk and flavoured milks being promoted. UHT product sales are encouraging with cream, custards, desserts and ice-cream established. With continual price increases, caterers and shops would want to reduce waste and require non-perishable goods. UHT processing could be beneficial to dairies for doorstep delivery as well as shop sales. Particular mention is made of the success dairies have had with aseptically packed juice.


The cellular(leucocytic migration inhibition test-LIT;leucocyte adherence inhibition_LAI) and humoral(Ig,C3,C4) immunological tests were carried out in 102 patients with tinea pedis,with 50 umbilical cord blood specimens as control.We found that in all patients the specific migration index_MI and non-adherence inhibition index_NAII weer positive in comparison with the umbilical cord blood.These results were related to the eondition of patients(such as age,clinical synnptoms and complications),and there were cross reactions between the two antigens(Ag.of trichophyton rubrum and Ag.of T.Gypseum).Ctn the other hand,14 out of 15 cases infected by Trirhnnhvton ruhrum appeared higher IgE level,but its relation to this disease was undeterminz.d.Thus it shows that the immunological reactions do exist in patients with tinea pedis.It seems that the immunological function of patients may have influence upon the high percentage of recurrence in this desease.

Key words:
Tinea


Abstract In the present study, two new xanthones, (5′S,8′S)-1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone(7→2′)-1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy-5′,6′,7′,8′-tetrahydroxanthone (1), 5-hydroxy-3,4,6-trimethoxyxanthone-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and eight known xanthones (3–10) were isolated from the whole plants of Gentianella acuta. Their structures were identified by the spectroscopic analyses (HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). Meanwhile, cell-protective effects against H2O2-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury and cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–10 were also determined.


The levels of eight long chain fatty acids (14:0, 16.'0, 16:1, 17:0, 17.'1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2) were measured in the subcutaneous fat of S.A. Mutton Merino wethers (5 months old, 20-25 kg live mass, 8 per treatment) and, including 18:3, in eight pastures grazed for 84 days (maize stubble, Z. mays; Triticale; L. multiflorurn; L. perenne; D. glomerata; D. eriantha; C. dactylon; M. sativa). Respectively, percentage fatty acid contents of subcutaneous fat and pastures were 14:0 5.04 +_ 0"86 and 0.67+ 0"37, 16:0 22.85 +_ 0"81 and 17.83 +_ 3"00, 16:1 2.07+_ 0.22 and2.42 +_ 1"17, 17:0 1.68 +_ 0.04 and O.42 +0.16, 17.'1 0.75+-0"06 and 0.17+_0.19, 18:0 25"94+-2.02 and 4.95+1.68, 18:1 32.27 +_ 0"93 and 8"12 +_ 11.70, 18.'2 1"59 +_ 0"36 and 15"89 +_ 5"16, 18:3 measured in pastures only 34"51 + 15.91. The palmitoleic acid (16:1) con tent of pastures increased (P < 0"05) as the ether extractable lipid content of the pastures increased. Pasture treatments influenced the levels of 14:0, 17:1 and 18:2 highly significantly ( P < 0"01) and of 18:0 significantly ( P < 0.05). Increasing levels of famess of ribcut samples were associated with a decrease in 14:0 and an increase in 17.'1 (P < 0"01) and an increase in 18:2 (P < 0"05). I N T R O D U C T I O N Fat ty acids are an essential and integral component of meat influencing its palatability, keeping properties and its real and perceived nutritional value. 55 Meat Science 0309-1740/88/$03'50 © 1988 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd, England. Printed in Great Britain 56 N. H. Case),, W. A. van Niekerk, E. B. Spreeth The influences of nutrition on the fatty acid composition of the adipose tissue of ruminants have been established in cattle (Westerling & Hedrick, 1979; Melton, et al., 1982), in sheep (Kemp et al., 1981; Crouse et al., 1982; Takahashi & Oota, 1985; Miller et al., 1986) and in goats (Bas et al., 1982; Casey & Van Niekerk, 1985). A higher concentrate ration not only raises the proportion of adipose tissue, but is associated with a slight shift from saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (Wood, 1984). In their study Casey & Van Niekerk (1985) reported an increase in oleic acid (18:1) and a decrease in stearic acid (18:0) to be associated with increasing levels of maize, an energy concentrate in the ration. A change in the fatty acid profile has been reported also to be associated with increasing levels of fatness. Crouse et al. (1982) found greater quantities of heptadecanoic acid (17:0), oleic acid (18:1) and linoleic acid (18:2) with increased fatness in lambs. Both Melton et al. (1982) and Ozutsumi et al. (1982) reported greater proportions of oleic acid (18:1) in beef as fattening proceeded. In forages linolenic acid (18:3), linoleic acid (18:2) and oleic acid (18:1) comprise the highest proportions of total fatty acids being, respectively, 53% , 13% and 10% (Shorland et al., 1955; Garton, 1959, 1960). The lipid content of forages is low varying between 1-4% and 5" 1% of the dry matter (DM) (Bredon et al., 1987) in summer and is concentrated mainly in the leaf chloroplast (Menke, 1966). In the rumen biohydrogenation of ingested fatty acids only occurs after acids have been liberated in unesterified form by hydrolysis of acyl ester linkages. The extent to which polyunsaturated fatty acids are hydrogenated in the rumen is still unclear. Moore & Christie (1984) in their review quote evidence that 10% of ingested polyunsaturated fatty acids may flow through to the duodenum adsorbed onto particulate matter. Rumen micro-organisms can synthesize C15-C18 polyand monounsaturated fatty acids, which add to the fatty acid pool reaching the duodenum. In addition the micro-organisms can take up fatty acids from their environment. Protozoa take up esterified fatty acids from chloroplasts. Such acids are then protected from hydrogenation in the rumen. Cellular disintegration in the abomasum then liberates these fatty acids. Added to the pool of fatty acids reaching the duodenum is that of the bile of which palmitic acid (16:0) and oleic acid (18:1) comprise 36% and 27"9% , respectively, in a bile flow of between 1"45 and 0.33 ml/h/kg body weight (Christie, 1973). This paper is a continuation of the work reported by Casey & Van Niekerk (1985) in which possible nutritional influences on the fatty acid profile of the subcutaneous fat of ruminants, and hence meat quality characteristics, are investigated. Fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat of sheep 57


Objective: To provide reasonable evidences of the clinical factors that affect the recurrence of meningioma so as to diagnose and treat the recurrence of meningioma earlier. Methods: Clinical features in 83 cases of meningiomas, which were operated during 1993-1997, were studied retrospectively. The factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: With univariate analysis, four factors highly related to the recurrence of meningiomas. They were tumor size, tumor shape, extent of resection and pathological grade. Pathological grade, extent of resection and tumor shape were risk factors of meningiomas recurrence with multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The main factors that affect the recurrence of meningioma patients are pathological grade, extent of resection and tumor shape.


The imminence of the production management system's upgrading in some certain thermo power plant was described,the function of the system was shown,and some key problems in system upgrading were analyzed.The solution to the problem how the client program to replant from Windows 98 platform to Windows 2000/XP platform was given.At the same time,how to consummate the Active X controls in the system was discussed and the correlative code was given.For a better management of data,to deposit the separated data to an exclusive database,a reasonable blueprint of interface was given to resolve the problem of multi-data sources.


Data mining is a technique to discover patterns and trends in data and can be used to create a model to predict those patterns and trends. This is particularly useful for data sets that are not amenable to traditional statistical analysis. One particular data mining task is classification, predicting a quantity that can only take on a finite number of values. An important class of binary classifiers are support vector machines (SVMs). Traditional SVMs use constrained optimization to find a separating hyperplane. A new data point is classified based on which side of the separating hyperplane it happens to fall on. All SVMs try to minimize the number of potential errors the classifier makes by minimizing a sum of distances from the hyperplane. However, the actual task of classification does not place any importance on a distance. In order to model this more closely, we propose the integer support vector machine classifier (ISVM). ISVM uses binary indicator error variables to directly minimize the number of potential errors the classifier can make.


Measurements (1–6 kHz) have been made of the interference spectrum between direct and ground‐reflected waves at several distances in the range 50–150 ft from a point source 4 ft above a large asphalt surface. Simultaneously, the fluctuating values of temperature and horizontal wind speed (atmospheric turbulence) were measured at two related points close to the sound path. Previously, a theory that assumed the fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the direct and reflected sound to be uncorrelated was fitted to similar acoustic measurements by Ingard and Maling [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 35, 1056–1058 (1963)] using the unknown turbulence parameters as adjustable constants. Since we find experimentally that the correlation length (3–6 ft) of the meterological fluctuations is comparable to, or greater than the separation between sound paths the theory has been extended to allow for a known amount of partial correlation between direct and reflected sound. There is quantitative agreement between the degraded int...


Objective To study the application of microcolumn gel technique in cross matching test and the detection of irregular antibodies. Methods Using microcolumn gel technique in cross matching test,the irregular antibodies would be screened and identified in the positive results of cross matching,and then,cross matching again with the donor whose irregular antibody corresponding antigen was negative. Results In 1051 patients,the positive results of cross matching were found in 27 cases.The irregular antibodies were identified as follows:3 with anti-E(50%),1 with anti-c(16.67%),1 with anti-cE(16.67%),1 with anti-M(16.67%),the 6 patients successfully cross matching with the blood donor whose irregular antibody corresponding antigen was negative.And others are non-specific antibodies or autoantibodies. Conclusion Microcolumn gel technique is the most new method in cross matching test and the detection of irregular antibodies.So,it is worthy to be popularized in clinic.


BOHÓRQUEZ, César Avellaneda. D.Sc.,Universidade Federal de Viçosa, September, 2019. Uptake and efficiency the use of nitrogen by coffee cultivars submitted to water stress. Advisor: Hermínia Emília Prieto Martinez. Co-advisors: Paulo Roberto Cecon and Kacilda Naomi Kuki. Climate change and the expansion of the agricultural frontier to low fertility soils have motivated research to understand the effects of abiotic stresses on the performance of coffee genotypes to identify materials with some degree of tolerance. This research has as objective to evaluate the varietal differences related to nutritional efficiency, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in contrasting conditions of nitrogen and water availability (experiment 1), as well as to estimate the kinetic parameters of nitrate absorption in different phenological phases of coffee berry development (experiment 2). The experiment 1 was done in green house, under hydroponic system. Four 6-month-old arabica coffee genotypes (Mundo Novo MN, Catuaí Amarelo CA, Catuaí Vermelho CV and Acauã A) were submitted to water stress levels and high (NA) and low (NB) nitrogen doses. Was used a factorial scheme in experimental design randomized block (4x2x4) with 3 replications. The factors were: 4 cultivars, 2 nitrogen doses (NA and NB) and 4 levels of water deficits of the nutrient solution (0, -0.4, 0.8 and -1.6 MPa) established via the addition of PEG (Polyethylene glycol). Plants were harvested to estimate dry matter and total nitrogen levels in leaf, stem and roots to calculate efficiency indexes. Photosynthesis (A), carboxylation efficiency (EC), water use efficiency (EUA) and fluorescence parameter Fv / Fm were evaluated. Regressions due to the increase of water deficit showed that the absorption efficiency in NA increased to MN and CV, and decreased to CA and A. In NB the efficiencies were lower in relation to NA and increased with deficit for MN, CA and A, not varying for CV. In NB all varieties showed lower decreasing efficiencies, except for MN that did not vary. It can be concluded that MN was the variety that showed the best performance regarding absorption, translocation and utilization efficiencies in both adequate and low nitrogen availability, therefore, it is promising. Regarding gas exchange at NA dose, the CA cultivar showed the lowest reductions in A, EC and highest EUA values in response to water deficit of -0.8 MPa. The Fv / Fm parameter in the cultivars was not affected by the imposition of water deficit indicating that there was no decrease in photochemical efficiency, and that nitrogen supplementation did not interfere with this response. At NB dose the Acauã cultivar showed smaller reductions A, EC and EUA in response to water deficit of -0.4 and -1.6 MPa. Fv / Fm of the cultivars was not affected by the degree of water deficits imposed. It can be concluded that in NA dose, the CV showed better gas exchange performance and Acauã was less impacted by water deficit and low nitrogen availability. In experiment 2, 5-year-old trees were used under field conditions in the phenological phases of pin head fruit (PH), rapid expansion (RE), granation (G) and maturation (M). Trenches were dug and roots selected to induce production of new thin roots by installing a growth chamber with vermiculite, then removing and washing the roots, without detach them of the plant, to begin the nitrate exhaustion test; using 90 μmol L solution of NO3 and known volume. The exhaustion essays have began three hours after sun down and ended at about five PM. Along this time samples of the exhaustion solution were picked in an hour base. With transpiration data, the fresh weight of roots / plant, and nitrate concentration in the samples the absorption kinetic parameters Vmax, Km and NO3 absorption rate were calculated. Descriptive analysis was used to present the results. Vmax values were higher at (PH) and (M) phase. Nitrate absorption rate was higher in phase (RE) up to 20 μmol L, with higher absorption rate in phase (M) above this concentration and with lower rate in phase (G). Vmax only in the phase (RE) had a positive correlation with fruit production. Km showed lower value in (RE) phase positively affecting absorption rate, with higher values in (G) and even more in (M). It was concluded that nitrate absorption rates showed dependence on phenological phases, indicating that absorption mechanisms can modulate kinetic parameters as a function of differential demands in each phase.


HE word, mysticism, stirs up various feelings in the minds of practical people and psychologists, philosophers, and religious leaders. In the popular mind, it provokes curiosity and amusement, as it is identified with fortune telling, hypnotic spells, or spiritualistic mediumship. To the ordinary man a mystic is a dreamer who indulges in extraordinary incidents and gives predictions of future events. The word yoga is also closely associated with this kind of mysticism. However, the true meaning of yoga or mysticism is not what the above connotations imply in ordinary human society. The word, yoga, is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning to yoke. It signifies union with God. In the state of yoga a man becomes directly and immediately aware of the presence of God. According to Webster's dictionary, mysticism is defined as direct awareness of the divine Being through intuitive methods. Real mysticism is direct knowledge of the supreme Being. In fact, it takes a man to the core of existence, while philosophy and theology give us description and discursive reasoning about Reality. Mysticism is intimate knowledge of God, while the other branches of discipline are the outer expressions. Most of the social and natural scientists raise objections against mysticism and completely deny its validity with the argument that it has no basis in experience. They say that it cannot be observed, scrutinized, and verified. According to them, observation, experiment, and verification can alone give valid knowledge. Physiological psychologists and other physical scientists seem to think that the only methods of finding the truth are controlled observations and generalizations thereof. When they find that their particular method of experimentation cannot be applied to mystic experiences, they jump to the conclusion that these experiences are not valid. It is extremely narrow to assume that the methods and instruments used by different branches of science are the only means of obtaining knowledge. Professor Eddington challenges this viewpoint in his Philosophy of Physical Science and he concludes that even scientific knowledge is relative. He questions whether the reality which science is trying to understand is within the scope' of scientific observation. Hindu Vedantic scholars are one with Professor Eddington in his thinking. Along with many other western and eastern scholars, they conclude that there are methods of knowing Reality. They claim that mystical proceduies are also methods, even though they are peculiar to mysticism in the same way that the methods followed in astronomy, chemistry, or biology are different and distinctive. So a mystic adopts his own method for understanding Reality or the divine Being. Mystical experiences are also verifiable and observable through similar practices and systems. A real mystic will never claim that he alone can have these experiences but that they are not possible for others. On the contrary, a mystic declares that anyone who follows the methods properly can come face to face with the divine Being. When Swami Vivekananda first met Sri Ramakrishna as a young boy, he asked his great teacher: "Sir, have you seen God?" Sri Ramakrishna immediately replied: "Yes, and I see Him more vividly than I see you. You can also see Him." This very statement stimulated Swami Vivekananda and he made successive experiments in realizing God and knowing Him in various ways. The history of religion makes it apparent that anyone belonging to any racial, national, or religious * SWAMI AKHILANANDA came to this country about twenty two years ago from Calcutta and belongs to the Ramakrishna order. He directs the Ramakrishna-Vedanta Societies of Boston and Providence. He is author of Hindu Psychology, 1946, and of a forthcoming volume on The Hindu View of Christ.


The essence of dollarization phenomenon is considered in this paper. It is noted that dollarization occurs when the national currency does not completely perform the functions of money. In this case, the national currency is replaced in some transactions by foreign ones. Basically, it is the currency of highly developed countries with sustainable economic development. The defined main causes of dollarization in Ukraine are as follows: depositors attempt to keep their savings from devaluation result in financial crises accompanied by significant devaluation and inflation; distrust in regulator and government actions. The disadvantages of dollarization phenomenon for the national economy development are systematized and the following key ones are identified: decrease in the efficiency of NBU monetary policy, decrease in confidence in the national currency and banking system, decrease in demand for the national currency, growth of shadow economy and as the result tax revenues reduction. It is emphasized that one of dollarization types is financial dollarization, for which level assessment a number of indicators are selected: dollarization of loan and deposit portfolios, dollarization of MQ monetary aggregate. The structure of the deposit portfolio of individuals and legal entities in terms of currencies is considered and it is found that in periods of intensification of the crisis the level of dollarization increased, and in periods of relative stability – decreased. It is generalized that about 40% of the deposit portfolio is denominated in foreign currency. It means that consumers of financial services trust and save more in foreign currency. The structure of the deposit portfolio of individuals and legal entities in terms of currencies is considered and it is found that during the periods of crisis phenomena intensification the dollarization level increases, and during the periods of relative stability – decreases. It is summarized that about 40% of the deposit portfolio is denominated in foreign currency, i.e. the consumers of financial services trust and save more in foreign currency. The structure of the loan portfolio is analyzed and it is determined that the level of dollarization of the loan portfolio of legal entities is more than 40%, and consumer loans in foreign currency are prohibited, so the dollarization of the loan portfolio of individuals decreases annually up to 18%. The ratio of foreign currency deposits to money supply (MQ) is calculated, which, like other calculated indicators, proves that Ukraine has high dollarization level. Based on the carried out analysis, the conclusions concerning the need to coordinate the efforts of the central bank, government, parliament in order to reduce the dollarization level up to the natural level for the elimination of threatening consequences for the national economy are substantiated.


A discussion of a paper with the aforementioned title by T. Paskova and C. Meyer, published in this journal (Volume 94, Number 4, July-August 1997), is presented. The discussion points out that when an inert filler is added to concrete, the added surface area for cement paste to coat requires a mixture adjustment. Furthermore, the discusser questions the comparison of steel fibers with polypropylene fibers. Discussion is followed by closure from the authors.


Background: Coal workers's pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) is an interstitial lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of coal dust. The incidence of coal workers's pneumoconiosis increased globally from the 1990s to the 2000s by 3.2%. Indonesia is the country which has many coal mining, but national prevalence of coal workers pneumoconiosis was not discovered. PT. A is one of mining companies in Sawahlunto. The aims of this study was to determine the incidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis at PT. A Sawahlunto and it's influencing factors.
Methods: This study is an analytic study with cross sectional design, conducted from November 2019 to April 2020. There were 90 coal miners participated in this study. All subjects were performed chest X-ray examination with ILO standard to asses the incidence of pneumoconiosis. Spirometr examination, dust level measurement with portable low volume air sampler, interview, and validated questionnare were performed to evaluate it's influencing factors. Statistical analysis used Chi-square test and double logistic regression test.
Results: This study found 12 workers (13.3%) had pneumoconiosis. From the statistical test results obtained age >50 years (P=0.035), duration of exposure (P=0.040), mask usage (P=0.029), restrictive lung function (P=0.004), and the mixed abnormality lung function (P=0.006) is associated with pneumoconiosis. The most dominant factor was mask usage (P=0.049) with OR=5.026
Conclusion: The most dominant factor that influence coal workers' pneumoconiosis was mask usage. Others related factors were age, duration of exposure and abnormality lung function.


For modeling of regression dependence in economics functions are usually used. They can be reduced to a nonlinear form. However there are non-linear functions relative parameters. They are termed essentially nonlinear functions.Using of the essentially nonlinear function for modeling of the dynamic series tendency is considered in the article. It is offered to apply the evaluation method for its parameters.


A new species of Norops of the schiedei group is described from cloud forest in the western portion of the Cordillera Nombre de Dios of northern Honduras. Its combination of relatively large body size, relatively large middorsal scales, unicarinate scales on the forelegs, enlarged postanals in males, well- developed parietal depression, and purple dewlap readily distinguish it from the remaining species in the schiedei group.


This paper highlights the design and implementation aspects for making voice over IP softswitches more dependable on commercial of-the-shelf telecommunication platforms. As a proof-of-concept, the open source Asterisk Private Branch Exchange application was made fault tolerant by using high availability middleware based on the Service Availability Forum's application interface specifications (AIS). The prototype was implemented on Intel x86 architecture blade servers running Carrier Grade Linux in an active/hot-standby configuration. Primarily, the Asterisk application was re-engineered and adapted to use AIS defined interfaces and model. In case of application, component or node failures, the middleware detects and triggers the application failover to the hot-standby node. The Asterisk application on the hot-standby node detects it is now the active instance, so it retrieves the checkpoint data and immediately continues to service both existing and new call-sessions thus improving overall availability


: In this research paper we study the effect of adding silica fume to black cotton soil in order to improve its engineering properties. Silica fume has been added in different percentages 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% by weight of soil. The results of test show that the addition of silica fume reduces the liquid limit, plasticity index, specific gravity, optimum moisture content, free swell % and increases plastic limit, unconfined compression strength with increasing California bearing ratio. 2) Micro Silica Fume: Micro silica fume is a by-product which is produced during the reduction of high-purity quartz with coal in electric arc furnaces in the production of silicon and ferrosilicon alloys. The silica fume used in this study was 'Elkem Micro Silica' Grade 920 is a dry silica fume powder. The composition of silica fume is presented in table:


We demonstrate full-field THz polarimetric imaging with THz quantum cascade laser and THz imager. In contrast to point-scanning THz polarization imaging based on THz-TDS, the demonstrated method does not need mechanical stages for time-delay scanning and sample-position scanning. Due to no mechanical scanning, the fill-field polarimetric images are acquired with moderate frame rate.


The Nintendo Wii gaming console utilizes a 3D user interface device called the Wii Remote, also known as the Wiimote. The Wiimote incorporates a number of buttons for console communication as well as an accelerometer and IR sensor. In addition, the device allows accessories to be attached (such as the Classic Controller and Nunchuck) to extend its capabilities. The Wiimote utilizes the Bluetooth wireless protocol for communicating with the game console.

The Wiimote has been used in a wide variety of applications beyond simply acting as a game console interface. Applications range from the seminal work with the Wiimote device by a Carnegie Mellon University researcher involving an interactive whiteboard [1] to the control of a 15 ton construction grapple by an Australian engineering firm [2]. It has become the favorite device with homebrew application developers [3] since interfacing the Wiimote to a PC simply requires a low cost Bluetooth dongle (<$20).

In this tutorial we will present an easy to use software framework for utilizing the WiiMote as a PC input device. Building on an existing library [4], we've developed a series of examples that illustrate how the Wiimote may be used as a sophisticated input device. The goal is to provide examples that can be used and extended by students without detailed knowledge of user interface messaging requirements.

Examples included in the presentation will be:

• Basic Wiimote and Bluetooth setup and "Hello World" applications.

• Understanding of control button and sensor inputs including the accelerometer and IR sensors.

• Integrating input from external controls including the Classic Controller and Nunchuck.

• Developing a classic game using simple sprites.

• Developing a gaming environment using OpenGL.

Programming examples may be utilized by introductory programming students as well as computer science undergraduates developing unique user interfaces or pursuing an independent study.


[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of a support program based on self-regulation. [Methods] Participants: Patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus in rural areas; Research design: Quasi-experimental research. A t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare the intervention and control groups before the intervention. For the comparison within the groups before and after the interventions, a t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed. For statistical analysis, the significance level was set to 5%. [Results] The intervention group included 19 participants (age 59.8 ± 6.14) and 10 participants in the control group (age 64.3 ± 3.95). After the program, the scores in knowledge about diabetes (p = 0.001) and sub-items of the diabetes self-management (foot care) (p = 0.048) of the intervention group statistically significantly increased, and the calorie intake decreased (p = 0.080). The intervention group had higher scores in all three sub items of the self-efficacy (positiveness, control, and total score). There were no statistically significant differences in the changes in BMI, HbA1c, and the subscales of self-efficacy between the two groups. However, the scores of these items of the intervention and control groups were 3.3 and 2.9, 2.2 and −0.3, and 5.5 and 2.6, respectively. [Conclusions] The support program based on self-regulation in this study helped the participants to acquire general knowledge of diabetes to assess own medical condition and problems in self-care behavior and practical knowledge to manage diabetes in daily life, and this shows the effectiveness of the program.


In this paper a mathematical regression model was constructed based on statistical data on natural gas consumption in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Two factors that can influence gas consumption were studied: the country's population and the average annual temperature. On the basis of the calculations, the importance of these indicators for gas consumption is shown, with the conclusion that the climatic factor is normally distributed. The reliability of the model is high (99.98%).


Under the backgrounds such as the tradition of prewar students' movement,the demilitarization and democratic reform by GHQ in Japan,the active movements by the Japanese Communist Party which was legalized after the war,the diffculties in life and the tuition rising,students from a number of universities founded a students organization: the National Federation of Students' Self-Government Associations,which is shortened as Zengakuren,and initiated large-scale social movements.Though there was a split in it due to the contradictories among different political parties and groups,the organization took the lead in antiestablishment movements,for instance,the movements against the amendment of the Japan-U.S.Security Treaty and U.S.military bases in Japan.


Transverse deuteron spin relaxation measurements, employing Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CP) sequences, have been used to determine the anisotropic elastic constants of a thermotropic main chain/side chain liquid crystal polymer (LCP) in the nematic phase. The observed relaxation rates, R2CP(ω), exhibit a square root dependence on the inverse pulse frequency, ω, i.e., R2CP(ω)∝ω−1/2, over more than one order of magnitude in ω in the kHz regime. This is precisely the dispersion law expected for nematic director fluctuations. Analysis of the experimental dispersion profile is performed using a slow-motional model for director fluctuations, in which five independent Leslie viscosities and three Frank elastic constants are considered. Using additional information from a step-rotation rheo-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment, the analysis provides absolute values for the splay, bend, and twist elastic constant of the studied LCP. It is the first time that such data are available for this class of polymers. The splay elastic constant of K1∼8×10−8 N exceeds that of monomers by four orders of magnitude, in substantial agreement with theoretical predictions. The values for the bend and twist elastic constant of K2∼K3≃5×10−10 N are by a factor of 100 larger than those of low molecular weight liquid crystals. The results show that transverse NMR relaxation measurements involving CP sequences represent a powerful tool for the study of the anisotropic viscoelastic properties of LCPs.Transverse deuteron spin relaxation measurements, employing Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CP) sequences, have been used to determine the anisotropic elastic constants of a thermotropic main chain/side chain liquid crystal polymer (LCP) in the nematic phase. The observed relaxation rates, R2CP(ω), exhibit a square root dependence on the inverse pulse frequency, ω, i.e., R2CP(ω)∝ω−1/2, over more than one order of magnitude in ω in the kHz regime. This is precisely the dispersion law expected for nematic director fluctuations. Analysis of the experimental dispersion profile is performed using a slow-motional model for director fluctuations, in which five independent Leslie viscosities and three Frank elastic constants are considered. Using additional information from a step-rotation rheo-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment, the analysis provides absolute values for the splay, bend, and twist elastic constant of the studied LCP. It is the first time that such data are available for this class of polymers...


Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) increase research exposure and may exert a strong influence on students' academic and career paths. However, very few CUREs are documented within the entry years of the engineering curricula. In this work, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a CURE-based introductory-level engineering elective, to introduce second-year chemical and petroleum engineering students not only to research but more importantly to the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. In contrast to more traditional CUREs, this course focuses on the innovation pathway, using concepts from engineering design and from scientific research as tools to solve real-world scientific problems. This innovation-focused CURE has proven to be an effective way to expand research experiences, in particular for engineering students who typically have limited opportunities to participate in hypothesis-driven research aimed at innovation during the introductory years of their undergraduate education.


In this paper method and practice of cross-efficiency calculation is discussed. The main methods proposed in the literature are tested not on a set of artificial data but on a realistic sample of input-output data of European ware- houses. The empirical results show the limited role which increasing automation investment and larger warehouse size have in increasing productive performance. The reason is the existence of decreasing returns to scale in the industry, resulting in sub-optimal scales and inefficiencies, regardless of the operational performance of the facilities. From the methodological perspective, and based on a multidimensional metric which considers the capability of the various methods to rank warehouses, their ease of implementation, and their robustness to sensitivity analyses, we conclude to the superiority of the classic Sexton et al. (1986) method over recently proposed, more sophisticated methods.


Sir, According to surveys, approximately 30–50% of persons between 12 and 20 years of age with acne show psychological responses to their disease, which includes lowered self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, perceived social rejection as well as anxiety and depression (1–6). We describe here a patient with acne who suffered from a toxic dermatitis after topical application of a wart solution on his acne lesions due to an unrecognized reduction of his well-being.


THE EFFECTS OF THE TYPE OF SKILL ASSESSMENT ON THE MOTIVATION OF STUDENTS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION Tyler G. Johnson Department of Exercise Sciences Master of Science The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the effects of criterion-referenced (i.e., Programmed Practice Sheet or PPS) and norm-referenced (i.e., standardized) skill assessments on the situational motivation of junior high school physical education students (N = 507), (2) determine if student task and ego dispositions could be affected by the type of skill assessment administered, and (3) determine if having choices of skill level affects student situational motivation and perception of autonomy support. Student situational motivation, task and ego disposition, and sense of autonomy were assessed using the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS), Perception of Success Questionnaire (POSQ), and the Self-Regulation Questionnaire-Autonomy (SRQ-A). Results revealed significant differences between the criterion-referenced/choice Group 4 and the normreferenced/no choice Group 1 as follows: Group 4 (a) had a greater sense of identified regulation, (b) had a lesser sense of external control, and (c) was less amotivated than Group 1. Significant gender by group interactions were found, thus indicating that girls were more affected by test type than boys. Girls in Group 4 (a) felt a lesser sense of external regulation, (b) had a greater sense of identified regulation, and (c) were more intrinsically motivated than girls in Group 1. Also, girls in Group 4 (a) felt a greater sense of identified regulation and (b) were more intrinsically motivated than girls in the normreferenced/choice Group 2. These findings provide some evidence that using criterionreferenced skill assessments, like the PPS, and offering choices of skill level may enhance student situational motivation during skill assessment. No significant differences were found in student task and ego disposition and perception of autonomy support.


Design criteria for the coverlayer and filter layer of a placed block revetment are presented. These design criteria were derived on the basis of large scale model tests on revetments and test on granular filters. It is shown that the hydraulic loading in the filter can be described with equations of quasi-stationary flow. General filter criteria are developed on the basis of the similarity between flow in channels and the flow in the pores of a filter


In February,2006,the new accounting standards is worked out by Chinese Accounting Standards Board and issuranced by the Ministry of Finance.This marks China's accounting standards make a large step towards the international harmonization.The study of international harmonization of China's accounting standards has become a hot spot.On the basis of comparing the new and the old accounting standards,combining with the contrast with the international accounting standards,the argument tending towards the cause and countermeasure of international harmonization of China's accounting standards rises one after another.Economic globalization as well as the international harmonization of accounting standards,already becomes a real problem.


This paper employed finite element method (FEM) to study the dynamic response of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete(SFRC) panels subjected to impact loading by spherical projectiles. The material properties and non-linear stress-strain curves of SFRC were obtained by compression test and flexural test. Various parametric studies, such as the effect of fiber volume fraction and thickness of panels, are made and numerical analyses are compared with experiments conducted. It is shown that protective performance of concrete panels will be improved by adding steel fiber. Area loss rates and weight loss rates are decreased with increasing fiber volume fraction. Also, penetration modes can be expected by FEM, showing well agreement with experiment. Results can be applied for designing the protection of military structures and other facilities against high-velocity projectiles.


ABSTRACT This article examines cointegration and spatial price transmission among Afghan wheat and flour markets as well as their linkages with those of supplier countries and global markets. Unit root tests, consistent momentum threshold autoregressive (M-TAR) models and vector error correction models (asymmetric and symmetric) are employed to achieve research objectives. The results suggest that provincial wheat and flour markets may have a long-run relationship with principal market of Kabul. Afghan wheat and flour markets may also be cointegrated with their respective global, Kazakh and Pakistani markets. While provincial wheat markets might adjust to divergence from their long-run equilibrium with Kabul wheat market, some of the provincial flour markets may not respond to deviation from their long-run equilibrium with Kabul flour market. The speed of adjustment towards the long-run Afghan–Pakistani and Afghan–Kazakh equilibrium may be faster for Afghan flour than wheat markets. The equilibrium adjustment coefficients are generally small and market imperfections may exist, however. A shock in Kabul wheat and flour markets may have long-lasting effect on the respective provincial markets whereas a shock in global wheat and Pakistani, and Kazakh wheat and flour markets might have transitory effect on the corresponding Afghan markets.


To the Editor . —In the article by Kirgan et al 1 in the July 1990 issue of theArchives, the authors note that human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen and DNA were present in a large percentage of colon carcinomas, normal colonic mucosa, and benign colon tumors. These findings are the opposite of what has been described by others in the genital tract and colon. Human papilloma-virus DNA and HPV antigens are rarely found in normal genital tract tissues using in situ hybridization or immunohistochemistry. 2,3 Further, when the antigen is detected, the DNA is invariably also detected. Using more sensitive techniques (Southern blot analysis and the polymerase chain reaction, which can detect as few as 10 viral particles per million cells compared with 10 viruses per cell with the in situ method), several investigators have not been able to detect HPV DNA in colon tumors. 4,5 When the results from these


In this paper, we have developed a motion capture method based on data collected by MYO armband. The method can be applied on any healthy operator wearing two MYO armbands on both upper and lower arms, respectively. The first MYO armband is worn near the centre of the operator's upper arm, the other is worn near the centre of the forearm. MYO armband has built-in eight bioelectrical sensors as well as a 9-axis IMU. The IMU sensors of the MYO are used to detect and reconstruct physical motion of shoulder and elbow joints, while the bioelectrical sensors are used to collect electromyography (EMG) signals associated with wrist motion. This hybrid method enable us to fully capture the motion of the 6-DOF (degree of freedom) of the arm. To test the proposed method, hardware-in-loop simulations studies are performed, with both physiological and physical signals received and processed in MATLAB/Simulink via a low-power bluetooth interface. Results demonstrate the validness and effectiveness of the proposed method.


A photon correlation system employing a Bragg cell to frequency shift the incident laser light has been used to measure mean velocities and turbulence intensities in the separated flow behind a backward facing step. Theoretical relationships are derived relating the probability density of flow velocity to the count correlation, these results being applicable to the case of unseeded air flow. The method can be used for measuring in flow regions where there are very high local turbulence levels, outside the range of more conventional techniques. Good agreement was found with previous measurements recorded using hot‐wire anemometry.


The impact of corrosion on the oil industry has been viewed in terms of its effect on both capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX) and health, safety, and the environment (HSE). To fight against the high cost and the impact of corrosion within the oil industry, an overview of topical research and engineering activities is presented. This covers corrosion and metallurgy issues related to drilling, production, transportation, and refinery activities.


Digital TV (DTV) receivers are usually submitted to testing systems for conformity and robustness assessment, and their approval implies correct operation under a given DTV specification protocol. However, many broadcasters inadvertently misconfigure their devices and transmit the wrong information concerning data structures and protocol format. Since most receivers were not designed to operate under such conditions, malfunction and incorrect behaviour may be noticed, often recognized as field problems, thus compromising a given system's operation. Moreover, the way those problems are usually introduced in DTV signals presents some randomness, but with known restrictions given by the underlying transport protocols used in DTV systems, which resembles fuzzing techniques. Indeed, everything may happen since any deviation can incur problems, depending on each specific implementation. This error scenario is addressed here, and a novel receiver robustness evaluation methodology based on non‐compliance tests using grammar‐based guided fuzzing is proposed. In particular, devices are submitted to unforeseen conditions and incorrect configuration. They are created with guided fuzzing based on real problems, protocol structure, and system architecture to provide resources for handling them, thus ensuring correct operation. Experiments using such a fuzzing scheme have shown its efficacy and provided opportunities to improve robustness regarding commercial DTV platforms.


PURPOSE: A malleable gasket is provided to offer the complete sealing by edge-coating the outer edge of a gasket and the vertical edge around an opening. CONSTITUTION: A malleable gasket material having a rectangular coated edge on two opposite faces and on the surface. The coating on the left and the right edge has B of thickness and a barrier against the passing of fluid on the surface of a gasket. The ratio of the protruded length A to the thickness B is 0.6.


ephrology advanced practitio-ners are involved in every aspect of renal medicine, and what they do is as unique as they are. Advanced practitioners (AP) include nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), and clinical nurse specialists (CNS).Surveys by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the Renal PhysiciansAssociation (RPA), and the Academy of Nephrology Physicians Association that looked at AP job descriptions revealed the diverse scope of their practice. While all participate in caring for renal patients, their individual duties cover the entire spectrum of nephrology. Depending on the practice needs, an AP may perform history and physicals, dictate discharge summaries, make hospital rounds, and take after-hours calls. Many APs are providers in chron-ic kidney disease (CKD) clinics and in nephrology clinics. In addition, they round in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis clinics. Their duties here include writing and modifying dialysis prescriptions and providing for patient needs. They are also involved in transplantation, often seeing patients and potential donors in transplant evaluation and following the patient after transplant in the hospital and clinic. In addition, some APs are utilized as surgi-cal fi rst assistants. Advanced practitioners are actively involved in research and often direct research studies.


High-power broad-area laser diodes often suffer from a widening of the lateral far-field with increasing current, called thermal blooming. This effect is mainly caused by the non-uniform self-heating of the laser and it has been studied for several decades. For the first time, this paper presents a self-consistent electro-thermal-optical simulation of thermal blooming, including all relevant physical mechanisms. The results are in good agreement with previous measurements and reveal the blooming mechanism in detail. Common mistakes in the experimental determination of the internal temperature rise are also discussed.


Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first autonomous, diagnostic system1 heralds the arrival of clinical machine learning (ML). ML is a promising form of artificial intelligence best suited to, but also necessary for, the predictive analytics required for clinical decision-making.2,3 ML focuses on the development of computer systems that can learn from big data (or data that are of such volume, collection velocity, or complexity that it is difficult or impossible to process using traditional methods),4 identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.5 As ML tools begin to be designed and targeted for clinical anesthesia applications, there will be growing pressure for anesthesiologists to clarify when and how clinicians add value, versus when ML can (and perhaps should) augment clinical practice and clinical decision-making (Table).6 For more than half a century, progressively shorteracting drugs and improvements in patient monitoring technologies fueled interest in anesthesia delivery as a target for automation.7 ML-guided anesthesia has already been piloted, including models of remifentanil and propofol interactions with processed electroencephalograms.8 In addition to a beneficial impact on quality, cost, and access to care, ML applications for clinical anesthesia will raise unique value-based, ethical challenges, and disrupt established workflow processes, raising safety concerns.9 Premature ML implementation causes patient harm.10 Clinical anesthesiologists are uniquely positioned to consider such systems as they are developed and implemented, working to promote the benefits of ML and reduce potential harms. As pioneers of patient safety, now is the time to consider how anesthesiologists should interact with, define our relationship to, and guide implementation of novel ML systems. Significant private investment,11 strong research interest, and compatibility with social goals of health care cost reduction all drive continued advancement of ML into health care, including clinical anesthesia.12 Health care collaborations, such as between DeepMind by Google and the United Kingdom National Health Service, Paige AI and Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Watson Oncology by International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation and MD Anderson, have all raised ethical concerns. Despite these challenges, global investment in ML for health care is predicted to reach $217 billion by 2028.11 To match the speed of development, both ethical and practical guidance for clinical ML implementation need to be conducted and provided contemporaneously. As anesthesiologists approach clinical ML implementation, 4 areas are important to consider: (1) impact on workflow; (2) skill atrophy; (3) accountability; and (4) clinician autonomy.


Chiral C2-symmetric 2,5-bisamide hydroquinone ligands, with β-amino alcohols as chiral building units, were synthesized in excellent overall yields. The ligands gave up to 54.4% ee in the palladium-catalyzed 1,4-dialkoxylation of 1,3-dienes. These findings demonstrate the potential of asymmetric induction utilizing chiral benzoquinones as ligands in palladium(II) catalysis, albeit with modest enantiomeric excesses. Weakly coordinating hydroxyl groups of the ligand appear to be crucial for the success of the reaction. Mechanistic aspects and the origin of enantioselectivity are also discussed.


Abstract : Metallurgiocal examination was conducted on samples from the heaviest section (5.5-in - 6.3-in) of a cast armor gun shield, Serail No. 88, Heat No. 9035 produced from Pattern D7041960 at the Eddystone Plant of the General Steel Casting Corp. Coarse crystallinity throughout the section was observed in the samples fractured and the results obtained from V-notch Charpy impact tests were exceedingly low. Moreover, in view of the facct that the microstructure consisted of large bainite and martensite grains (ASTM grain size Nos. 4-6), it was apparent that this casting was improperly quenched and tempered. This fact was confirmed by the manufacturer who stated that this casting was one of two castings which was heat treated with regular production castings of thinner sections and, therefore, the quenching and tempering time was entirely too short for a heavy casting of this type.


A novel clathrate host, N,N'-bis(2-tert-butylphenyl)pyromellitic diimide (1), was designed to create a sandwich structure without using cyclophanes nor the acyclic compounds. In the host−guest crystal, the host molecule is sandwiched between two aromatic guest molecules. The inclusion experiment was performed by recrystallization of 1 from chloroform in the presence of the guest at room temperature to give the clathrate compounds. Phenols (phenol, p-cresol, α-naphthol, β-naphthol, catechol) and indoles (indole, 3-methylindole, 4-methylindole, 5-methylindole) were included in the clathrate compounds, and the host/guest ratio 1:2 was observed in all cases. To explain the mechanism of the self-assembly to the piled sandwich structure, X-ray analysis of the single crystals was performed in all cases. Further, charge-transfer complexation, hydrogen bonding and dipole−dipole interaction were investigated using UV, IR, differential scanning calorimertry (DSC), and AM1 calculation. The order of the decomposition ...


Overweight or obesity is an established negative prognostic factor for a poorer outcome in patients treated for breast cancer. The average weight gains during treatment usually range from 2.5–6.2 kg. As part of a programme of work to design a weight loss intervention for women treated for breast cancer, a survey was conducted targeting this population of interest, to determine their attitudes, beliefs and future preferences for a programme for its successful design and implementation. The questionnaire was developed following on from focus group discussions and re-drafted following pre-testing with seven women using the 'think-aloud' technique. The survey was conducted (April–June 2011) with women attending follow-up appointments in the outpatient breast clinic at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI). An invitation letter was posted out two weeks prior to their clinic appointments, along with a consent form and a study information sheet. The women were then approached in the clinic by the researchers who discussed the study, measured height and weight and gave out the questionnaire with a stamped addressed envelope for return. A reminder was sent to all non-responders after 2 weeks. A subsample of the women who returned the questionnaires were also interviewed (telephone or face-to-face) to explore their views in further depth. The interview sample was selected depending on their responses to the questionnaire and their socio-demographic characteristics to provide a broad range of views and sample size was determined by reaching saturation in the responses. The survey achieved a good response rate (128/138, 93%). Most of the respondents were either overweight (n = 50, 38.8%) or obese (n = 34, 26.4%). The majority (n = 110, 85%) had never received any information from any health professionals on 'how to maintain a healthy weight' since diagnosis but they would have liked to receive it (n = 58, 45%) either straight away (48%) or within 3 months (26%) of their initial treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy). The preference for receiving any information varied by BMI category (69% obese vs 47% overweight, p = 0.006). Those who wanted information would have preferred to receive it in a hospital setting (41%), at a cancer support centre (38%) or GP surgery (38%) either one-to-one (63.8%) and/or in a group setting (48.3%). Among women who would have liked to do more physical activity (n = 52, 40.3%) following their initial treatment, 48% would have preferred to do this in a group of other women with breast cancer, 42% in a group of any women and 58% preferred on their own. Moreover, 50% and 37% would have liked to attend a group session once a week or twice a week respectively. The most popular physical activities were walking (85%), swimming (39%), yoga (37%) and pilates (37%). The interview data revealed a preference for a supervised weight loss programme (incorporating both diet and physical activities) for at least three months in a group setting, preferably delivered by a dietitian, with different learning and interactive sessions, and some encouragement and guidance for physical activity specific to their needs. There were mixed feelings about being regularly weighed and whether this should be done in the group or in private. Some women would have liked to involve their partners in the programme. These findings will be used in the design of a weight loss programme suitable for women treated for breast cancer.


Environmental concerns of a global nature are influencing the development of a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the Earth as a system. In recent years these concerns have become more prominent due to a series of problems involving large geographic regions such as; understanding the effects of the increases in carbon dioxide, understanding the causes and consequences of changes in the ozone layer, and resolving the anthropogenic influence on the acidity of precipitation. Clearly the global scope of these and other problem areas requires both a multidisciplinary, as well as a multinational approach for their solution. In order to address these problems, observational capabilities must be employed ranging from in situ and laboratory measurements to satellite based global remote sensing. An Earth Observing System (Eos) is planned to meet many of these requirements for remote sensing from low Earth orbiting satellites. A number of instruments are under consideration as the payload for the sun-synchronous satellite platforms. The payload is conceptually grouped into three packages to illustrate the synergistic relationships that exist among the instruments.


COMPOUND OR SALT THEREOF pharmaceutically acceptable PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION, AND, METHODS TO TREAT DISEASE AND AN A PATIENT SUFFERING A THERAPY. The present invention is directed to compounds which are inhibitors of cysteine proteases, particularly cathepsin B, K, L, M and S and are therefore useful in treating diseases mediated by these proteases. The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and processes for their preparation.


Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of a modified figure-of-eight suture in laparoscopic intramural myomectomy.Methods From Jan 2008 to Jan 2011,80 women with intramural myoma were recruited and divided into control group (n=40) and observation group (n=40) by odd or even number of their admission order.All patients received the same laparoscopic intramural myomectomy surgery and patients in control group were stanched and sutured with a conventional two-layer suture while patients in observation group were stanched and sutured with a modified figure-of-eight suture.The operation time,blood loss during surgery,hospital stays,and numbers and sizes of myoma removed were compared between the two groups.Results There were no statistical difference between the two groups in numbers of myoma removed [(3.5 ± 1.4) for control group vs.(3.6 ± 1.3) for observation group,P>0.05] and diameters of myoma removed [(4.6 ± 1.9) cm for control group vs.(4.7 ± 2.1) cm for observation group,P>0.05],while there were statistical differences between the two groups in operation time [(95.6 ± 23.4) min for control group vs.(76.2 ± 22.6) min for observation group,P<0.05],blood loss during surgery [(105.6 ± 34.8) ml for control group vs.(68.0 ± 21.1) ml for observation group,P<0.05],reduction of peripheral hemoglobin concentration on D3 of surgery [(10.2 ± 3.4) g/L for control group vs.(7.4 ± 2.8) g/L for observation group,P<0.05] and hospital stays [(9.1 ± 2.5) d for control group vs.(7.9 ± 2.3) d for observation group,P<0.05].Conclusion The modified figure-of-eight suture can reduce the operation time,blood loss and hospital stays.It is an efficient suture method.

Key words:
Modified figure-of-eight suture;  Laparoscope;  Intramural myomectomy


Viewing habeas corpus through a legal lens frequently misleads. The common law "rule" against controverting the return to writs of habeas corpus was commonly evaded through devices permitting judicial examination of the underlying facts and law. In many cases concluding "writ denied," the prisoner in fact obtained "habeas corpus without the writ." Failure to understand this explains why the Fourth Circuit performed so badly in rejecting the challenge of Yaser Hamdi to his detention as an enemy combatant. The Supreme Court very properly reversed that decision in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld (2004), resulting in the prisoner's speedy release when the government was confronted with having to actually prove in court the claims it had made on paper.


AIM: To investigate the clinical effect of oral low dose etoposide in treating advanced non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: Twenty two patients with NSCLC were treated with oral etoposide (46± s 3) mg·m -2 ·d -1 (41-52 mg·m -2 ·d -1 ), qm, ac×21d, Every 28-35 d was a peried. Effective evaluation was performed using WHO standard criteria. Toxicities were reported using the WHO grading sytem. RESULTS: The patients received (2.9±0.9) chemotherapy periods. The partial response was 23% (5/22). The stable was 36%(8/22). The Progressive was 41% (9/22). The 95% confidence interval of effective rate was from 8% to 45%. The toxicity was slight. CONCLUSION: The continuous oral low dose etoposide in advanced stage NSCLC has a better effect and a slight toxicity.


Photonic crystals are periodic structures of the dielectric materials where is posible manipulate photons in many interesting ways. Photonic band gap can propagate specific wavelengths. We present the design of demultiplexer based in photonic crystals. The control of the dielectric materials, periodicity, and size of the dielectric, is very important for light propagation. In optical communications we need to work with 1.31μm and 1.55μm by the total dispersion and due to the minimum dispersions inside the fiber and therefore minimum loses. Our design of the demultiplexer is based on diference between the background and rod refractive index.


FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China (PRC), Beijing immediately intensified its campaign for reunification with Taiwan. Beginning with the 1979 New Year's Day "Message to Taiwan Compatriots," China launched a barrage of official statements and emotional appeals that called for negotiations with Kuomintang (KMT) leaders and a return of Taiwan to "the embrace of the motherland at an early date."' Although the Chinese Communists refused to rule out the use of force in regaining control of sovereign territory, still this initiative contained potentially significant changes in PRC policy on the Taiwan question. After three decades of consistent support for the "liberation of Taiwan," China dropped that phrase and instead called for a process of reunification in which Beijing would "take present realities into account ... and respect the status quo on Taiwan."2 Indeed, since January 1979 China has displayed a very moderate attitude toward the island's political and economic system, which if retained would represent a major tactical shift in the PRC's approach to reaching a settlement of the Taiwan issue.


Abstract The most recent stellar models have shown that the faster a massive star spins, the more its nuclear yields, mass-loss rate and lifetime are different from the standard model. One thus needs to know the rotation rate of massive stars to trace their evolutionary tracks adequately. In Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars, the direct measurement of the rotational velocity is impossible, since their continuum emission is formed in the dense wind that hides the hydrostatic, stellar surface. Here, we present a technique to derive the rotation rates of WR stars from a periodic wind phenomenon, the corotating interaction regions (CIR). For five WR stars, a first estimate of the rotation rates has been deduced from the CIR periods.


This research aimed at consumers who have purchased electrical equipment inspection & maintenance industry, and also used non-probability sampling method for the questionnaire, and which mainly described the relationships among the service quality, corporate image, customer satisfaction and behavior intention. The analytical method of the materials includes: descriptive statistics, reliability and validity analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that: (1) Service quality was significant and positive effect on corporate image, customer satisfaction, and behavior intention, respectively. (2) Corporate image was significant and positive effect on customer satisfaction. (3) Customer satisfaction was significant and positive effect on behavior intention.


This study explores the impact of interreligious dialogue on identity, belonging and faith among young adults who are active in an interreligious dialogue group where they use storytelling as a method to reflect on their faith as young adults in light of their childhood background, teenage experience and present understandings of themselves. It is a qualitative research study, conducted through interviews with three young adults between 18 and 30 years of age, and through analysis of video tapes. The theoretical framework is narrative theory and sociology of religion. The results show that the group constructs new ways of belonging through dialogue and personal storytelling. It shows how lived religion expands and develops through interreligious dialogue. The young adults develop a new form of identity and belonging through different life experiences and through reflection upon their faith in the encounters with each other. Thus, the study offers new understandings of the dynamics of the individual's religion and interreligious dialogue. The study concludes by drawing attention to the impact of early socialization in relation to religious belief and how critical moments in life shape new interpretations of religion and faith.


This article demonstrates a means for estimating the number of retrieved items using well-established selective dissemination of information (SDI) profiles in the SCI, INSPEC, ISMEC, CAS, and PASCAL databases. It also examines a correlation between individual database size and number of retrieved documents (in technical fields). The conclusions are based on SDI profiles at the University of Wroclaw (Wroclaw, Poland), which has served scientists and engineers in the field of chemistry, physics, computer science, and electrical, civil, and mechanical engineering


A Scanning Reference Electrode Technique (SRET) has been developed to study intergranular corrosion of austenitic stainless steels. The potential variations produced in the electrolyte due to the intergranular corrosion of the sensitized grain boundaries have been measured by scanning a microtip reference electrode across a weld and heat affected zones. The development of a test based on the SRET for determining the degree of sensitization of stainless steels has been explored. The technique is particularly useful in determining the degree of sensitization and the location of the sensitized grain boundaries adjacent to welds. The effect of material and welding variables on the location and degree of sensitization has been studied. The results have been compared with conventional tests for detecting susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.


Abstract This paper reports a single case study of a severely retarded Italian boy. TA has a full-scale I.Q. of 47, a digit span of 2 items, and gross deficits in many praxic tasks. His spoken language is phonologically and syntactically well formed, although in terms of semantic and thematic structure it is highly impaired. There is comparable disorder of verbal comprehension. Despite this background of cognitive failure, TA has acquired excellent reading and writing skills at the level of print-to-sound and sound-to-print transcoding. We discuss the implications of the data for the modularity hypothesis, the vexed issue of cognitive prerequisites for reading, and the role of "metalinguistic awareness" as a determinant of "reading readiness".


In this work, transparent luminescent nanocomposites were obtained using manganese – doped ZnS nanoparticles with crystallite sizes of about 10 nm, dispersed in the monomer isobornyl acrylate (IBOA). Suited nanocrystals of Mn2+-doped ZnS have been prepared by arrested precipitation in the presence of capping agents like cysteamine, combined with hydrophobization. Transparent ZnS: Mn/PIBOA nanocomposites were subsequently prepared via in situ polymerization. Nanocomposites were produced by adding different percentages of nanoparticles up to 30% by weight. The structural properties of the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles were studied in detail using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform IR spectrometer (FT-IR), spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The X-ray diffraction pattern exhibited peaks corresponding to the cubic phase of ZnS. The emission spectrum (at 320 nm excitation) of the composites showed the same broad band as bulk ZnS:Mn, centered at 590 nm.


Reconfigurable computing systems with internal distributed memory are a promising element base for the creation of scalable systems of "intelligent" processing of large amounts of both structured and unstructured data with a short decision-making time and adaptation to new conditions in the process of its development.