Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is an acquired demyelinating disease characterized by lesions involving the basis ponti associated with a clinical presentation of brainstem dysfunction, ranging from dysphagia, dysarthria, and quadriparesis to lockedin syndrome in severe cases. CPM has been linked to rapid correction of hyponatremia. 1 The characteristic radiological presentation on MRI is hyperintensity in the central pons on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence and hypointensity on T1-weighted MRI. 2 Extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) occurs in approximately 10% of patients with CPM, but the symptoms are underdiagnosed because they are often masked by involvement of the pyramidal tract and brain stem. 3 The features are typically cognitive deficits, seizures, tremor, and parkinsonism. In this report, we describe a patient with chorea, an uncommom manifestation of EPM. A 74-year-old male with a history of hypertension treated with diuretics presented at the emergency department complaining of generalized weakness over the past week. Clinical examination revealed that the patient was lethargic with a blood pressure of 140/80 mm Hg. Blood investigations detected serum sodium of 97 mEq/L and potassium of 3.1 mEq/L. Four days after sodium correction, the patient developed dysarthria, quadriparesis, and impaired consciousness, requiring endotracheal intubation. T2-weighted and FLAIR brain MRI showed hypersignal in the central pons and bilateral striatum, without gadolinium enhancement, consistent with central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis (Fig. 1). After 1 month, he was able to walk without ventilatory support and showed normal performance on bedside mental status testing. Approximately 6 months later, he gradually developed generalized chorea, mainly in the lower limbs. There was no exposure to neuroleptic medications. He was treated with risperidone (1 mg/day) and responded well (see Video). This case supports the notion of CPM and EPM being part of a clinical spectrum with overlapping features. Our patient presented initially with the symptoms of CPM, exhibiting lethargy, quadriparesis, and dysarthria. His subsequent clinical course was characteristic of EPM with the development of an unusual extrapyramidal manifestation, a choreic syndrome. Differential diagnoses of choreic movements, such as tardive dyskinesia, hyperglycemia, stroke, and loss of proprioception, were ruled out. Osmotic demyelination syndromes (ODS) are becoming increasingly reported. Recent evidence suggests that the distinctive clinical, pathological, and radiological features of ODS may not be as characteristic as initially believed, and that the clinical syndrome of ODS may be expanding to include a wider variety of patients. 4 Early reports stressed the rarity of extrapyramidal symptoms in ODS, often thought to be masked by corticospinal or brainstem dysfunction, but noted delayed development of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, dystonia, choreoathetosis, and released reflexes that manifested 10 to 150 days after ODS begins. 4,5 Extrapontine sites most frequently involve the cerebellum (55%), lateral geniculate body (41%), putamen (34%), thalamus (34%), and cerebral cortex/subcortex (34%). 6,7 MRI has enabled ante-mortem diagnosis of ODS and has expanded its clinical spectrum with the detection of many mild, atypical, or asymptomatic cases. Microscopically, the lesion shows degeneration and loss of oligodendrocytes with preservation of axons, unless the lesion is very advanced. 5 The presence of extrapyra


Uranium mining is one of the priorities of mineral resources use of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Uranium mining enterprises play a significant role in country´s budget formation. This article discusses the features of subsoil users taxation. Attention is paid to the main natural resource payments in subsoil, such as bonuses, payment for reimbursement of historical costs, mineral extraction tax, tax on excess profit. Presented calculations demonstrate a high proportion of mineral extraction tax in comparison with other tax and non-tax payments, which payment dynamics is well correlated with investment dynamics. Investment structure reflects the high proportion of exploration and mining preparatory work. Conclusions show the positive and negative aspects of the current tax legislation. Similarities and differences with the Russian tax legislation are considered.


This study investigated international students from countries involved in the New Southbound Policy. We explored the motivations for why they chose to come to Taiwan and their strategies in adapting to a new culture. We recruited 23 students using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected using the qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews. Academic and economic considerations were the largest pull factors. Specifically, academic considerations constituted a large pull factor among students from developing countries in South and Southeast Asia. However, for students from developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, the academic environment in Taiwanese institutions of higher education was not the most attractive factor. Compared with students from other regions, social factors and the influence of alumni networks had a larger influence on students from Southeast Asian countries (especially Malaysian students, but not Singaporean students). The influence of cultural factors varied widely depending on whether the student was a degree-seeking student or was of Chinese ethnicity. For degree-seeking students, too many cultural and language differences may have a negative influence on their decision to study in Taiwan. For non-degree-seeking students, such differences engender a perception of Taiwan as exotic and represent a learning opportunity, thus constituting a pull factor. Moreover, because overseas Chinese students are, on average, more conversant in Chinese, cultural similarity is a pull factor. For non-Chinese students, their Chinese language proficiency is a major consideration. With regard to adapting to life in Taiwan, most students reported adapting well. However, differences in culture, dietary habits, and language were challenges for some students. This study also discovered that students establish individualized adaptation strategies for dealing with challenges during study in Taiwan. These strategies facilitate cultural exchange by blurring cultural boundaries, thereby enhancing their learning competence and acceptance of cultural differences.


Chalcones and their derivates have been shown to have potency as anticancer. Chalcone is a flavonoid compound that is found in temu kunci (Kaempferia pandurata) and sirihan (Piper aduncum L.). This study aim is to know the cytotoxic effect of the ethanolic extract of K. pandurata rhizome and P. aduncum L. leaves towards breast cancer cell line T47D. Measurement of ethanolic extract of flavonoid was done by using cellulose for TLC and n-buthanol: acetic acid: water (4:1:5) for the mobile phase and compound cluster detection using citroboric acid reagent and ammonia. Colorimetric test 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay is used to monitor the cytotoxicity effect. The screening for the compound, found in the plants was done using molecular docking. K. pandurata rhizome and P. aduncum L. leaves ethanolic extract shows a cytotoxic effect toward breast cancer cell with it's IC50 value as much as 66 µM and 68 µM. The cytotoxic effect is then connected to it's result of molecular docking using ArgusLab among it's chalcone compound in plants toward tubulin activity and estrogen receptor α. Furthermore, these docking processes were obtained the lowest scoring value in panduratin A both in tubulin and estrogen receptor α. This results were then compared with other experimental ligands, and showed that the compound interaction was stronger than the colchicine and raloxifen. This shows the probability of chalcone having more of an effect toward tubulin and estrogen receptor α in inducing cytotoxicity.


With the standard of living improved, people had less and less interests in exercise, adiposity has being a problem that people have to be up against all over the world. Exercise can step up energy expenditure, decrease fat accumulation, minish the volume of fat cell, and is one of widely used, effective, safe, economical measures of anti-adiposity. The adaptable change of neuroendocrine system in exercise quicken up fat to burn more. Leptine is an important signal of measuring fat content of body. The relationship between adiposity and leptin, and the effect of exercise on leptin was reviewed in this paper.


Disorders of pigmentation are commonly encountered in dermatology outpatient clinics. Among hypopigmentary conditions, vitiligo is the most common disorder whereas hyperpigmentation can be attributed to multiple etiologies. The pathogenesis of these disorders in humans are still poorly understood. Animal models have been extensively studied and analyzed to pave way for understanding pathology as well as employ targeted treatment. In this study, we will discuss about the animal models that provide insight about pigmentation disorders.


The Fused Deposition Modeling in the rapid prototyping technique was modified using a paste-shaped material with biocomposite material. One of the correction factors for the printed test specimen results is shrinkage. The paste material used is hydroxyapatite [CA5(PO4)6(OH)2] and tapioca bioplastic. Besides these materials, sericin is added, which is produced from extracts from silkworm cocoons. The composition of the biocomposite paste used with the ratio of hydroxyapatite and bioplastic was 40:50, 50:50, 60:40, by adding 0.3% sericin to the hydroxyapatite solution. The parameters used in the printing process of the test specimens are the perimeter speed of 60 mm/s, the infill speed of 10 mm/s, and the layer height of 0.45 mm. The design in this test has dimensions of 100mm long, 25mm wide, and 3mm thick. The optimal shrinkage of the test specimens was analyzed using the Taguchi method. Specimen printing is done by using additive manufacturing method. The process is carried out using a Portabee three-dimensional printing machine that uses a FDM system modified to an Aqueous-Based Extrusion Fabrication (ABEF) system. The results obtained that the optimum composition for shrinkage of the biocomposite material was 50:50 with the addition of 0.3% sericin to the hydroxyapatite solution.


For sparrow hawks in winter, I have found that the most effective method is to place a trap either near a perch known to be frequented by a hawk or, even better, to set the trap within view of a perched hawk. Most hawks will not leave if the trap is set from 50 to 150 yards away from them. At this distance they can readily see movements of the bait. An advantage of the latter method is that little time is lost if the hawk leaves without entering the trap. Furthermore, this method exposes the bait to rigorous weather for the least time


Background/ Aims: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy improves weight loss and metabolic complications in obese humans. The aim of the present study was to show the outcome of sleeve gastrectomy in obese and super obese mice. Methods: In an animal study, male wild type (WT) C57BL/6 diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were used to mimic obesity, and ob/ob mice were used for leptin deficiency-induced super obesity. To investigate whether sleeve gastrectomy works in leptin-deficient mice, the two groups were compared in weight course for 7 weeks after sleeve gastrectomy. Results: In WT mice, vertical sleeve gastrectomy induced weight loss over the initial study period followed by weight regain over the presurgery level. In leptindeficient ob/ob mice body weight was as well clearly reduced during the first weeks with an increase thereafter to the presurgery level. Conclusion: Those data demonstrate that ob/ob mice and DIO mice responded differently to sleeve gastrectomy. In leptin deficient super obesity restrictive sleeve gastrectomy promotes an effective weight loss procedure. Sleeve gastrectomy leads to leptin-independent changes with favourable weight course. hyperphagia, hypometabolism and obesity. The impact of leptin-feedback in loss and controlling of weight after sleeve gastrectomy is not known. The present study was conducted to explore mechanisms of weight reduction including the impact of leptin-deficiency in obesity and super obesity following restrictive sleeve gastrectomy. Materials and methods Animals All experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University Hospital Tübingen. The institutional guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were followed throughout the study. The mice were housed in the small animal facility of the University hospital of Tübingen under a light dark cycle of 12 to 12 hours. In the study design wild type male C65Bl/6 mice (n=19) were used in diet induced obesity (DIO) group. DIO mice were generated by feeding with a high-fat diet (D12451; 60% calories from fat, 20% proteins, 20% carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Research Diets, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ) and a fructose sweetened beverage (3%) and given free access to water for 12 weeks. After surgery DIO mice were continously fed with high-fat diet. Correspondence to: Robert Bachmann, University Hospital Tübingen, General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Hoppe-Seylerstrasse 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, E-mail: email@example.com


Abstract : Modem satellite and mobile communications systems continue to push the bandwidth requirement of antenna subsystems. Printed microstrip architectures have been widely investigated and are attractive for their conformability, small size and cost effectiveness. While vigorous research activity over the past two decades has improved the bandwidth of microstrip elements to upwards of 30%, this may not be adequate for the future system demands of multipurpose antennas. In this report, printed dipole arrays are investigated. They have the advantage of large bandwidths, up to 100%. Arrays of this type were described in the literature, however, no detailed analysis or measurements were provided. For this report, a 32 element wideband printed dipole array was fabricated, analyzed from 4 to 20 Ghz and successfully optimized for improved bandwidth performance in excess of an octave. The important design parameters were extracted and their effect on performance were demonstrated.


This paper uses the data from Census 2000 to compare the educational wellbeing between only children and those with siblings,and to better understand factors related to educational differentials among teenagers in the context of the current family policy.Analytical results indicate that,as the only children can enjoy more family's educational resources,they acquire significantly,at any age,more educational wellbeing than non-only ones,especially those with many siblings.It is obvious that the family planning policy has at least helped to improve the youngsters' educational well-being by restricting the number of children.However,the policy effect varies at different levels of education——stronger on the two ends and weaker on the middle,that is,more accesses and opportunities for those in primary and senior schools than those in junior schools.


Atomic transition‐metal‐nitrogen‐carbon catalysts (M‐N‐Cs) hold great promise as Pt‐group‐metal‐free candidates for electrochemical reactions, yet their rational design and controllable synthesis remain fundamental challenges. Here, the molten‐salts mediated pyrolysis is demonstrated to be an effective and facile strategy for simultaneous morphology and electronic structure modulation of prototypical Fe‐N‐C materials, which functions as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts. Taking advantage of the strong polarity and salt templating effects, the as‐obtained Fe‐N/C‐single atom catalyst (SAC) possesses hierarchical porous nanosheet morphology with an impressive specific surface area of 2237 m2 g−1 and unique FeN4Cl moieties as isolated active centers. The Fe‐N/C‐SAC delivers remarkable alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with a half‐wave potential of 0.91 V and record kinetic current density up to 55 mA cm−2, outperforming the benchmark Pt/C. By virtue of dechlorination treatment, it is experimentally identified that the enhanced ORR activities are essentially governed by the axially bound Cl. Theoretical calculations rationalize this finding and demonstrate that the well‐defined fivefold‐coordinated configuration accelerates 4e− pathway kinetics through near‐optimal adsorption of the *OH intermediates and tunes the potential determining step from *OH reduction to *OOH formation. This study provides fundamental insights into the coordination‐engineered strategy in single‐atom catalysis.


This article, through the literature review, we discuss Bayesian networks and Weibull distribution to describe the processes of Reliability Centered Maintenance as well as the tools of information technology necessary for their support. To maximize asset reliability cost-effectively, maintenance should be scheduled based on the likely deterioration of an asset. Maintenance management reliability centered aims to increase the availability of the physical item in which it is applied. Since the reliability function of the quality of the program or maintenance plan is a systematic methodology that makes use of IT tools to optimize strategic actions to minimize maintenance costs. Concerning the application of reliability-centered maintenance, this paper presents considerations that allow drawing requires the use of various mathematical tools.


An Australian paper mill, which produces newsprint, was analyzed for waste streams for possible value-addition. Four process streams, a waste fiber stream, a process water stream and two wastewater streams, were identified as the potential targets for value-addition. Three potential value-added products from the above four streams were identified. The waste fiber stream could be successfully upgraded and added back to the papermaking process saving 10 tonnes per day of fiber. Two valuable groups of chemicals with potential pharmaceutical applications, resin acids, and terpenes, were successfully recovered from wastewater streams.


The high-strength low-alloy(HSLA) steels have low carbon contents(0.05~0.25% C) in order to produce adequate formability and weldability, and they have manganese contents up to 1.7%. Small quantities of silicon, chromium, nickel, copper, aluminum, molybdenum are used in various combinations. The results contained in this paper can provide the valuable information on the development of -40℃ low temperature HSLA. Furthermore, the present experimental data will provide important database for casting steel materials of the offshore structure.


B. SCHRODER and S. GNINGUE Dept. o(Middle & High School Education, Lehman College, CUNY Bronx. NY /0468 email@example.com , serigne.gningue(gJlehman.cuny.edu This article tracks twenty-one graduates of a refom1-based mathematics teacher education program for two years as they begin teaching mathematics in public elementary schools in New York City. Using surveys, classroom observations, and interviews, it examines the extent to which these beginning teachers were able to implement standards-based mathematics instruction in their classes. Results of the study were mixed. The novice teachers generally demonstrated an adequate understanding of the underlying mathematics principles and strong intentions of teaching mathematics for understanding. They were generally able to engage children in learning, and most performed at the "beginning stages of effective instruction" in their first year. However, they still struggled to engage students in higher order thinking and knowledge construction. In their second year their abilities improved. but they were still hampered by local factors such as insufficient in-service support, the restrictions of high-stakes testing, and the overall school climate. Introduction The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) envisioned a classroom where students learn mathematics with conceptual understanding [ 1]. In this vision, the teacher engages students in critical, in-depth, higher order thinking about the content through the use of manipulatives, technology, cooperative learning, and other pedagogy that enable students to construct mathematics concepts on their own by reasoning, verifying, comparing, synthesizing, interpreting, using different strategies of investigating or solving problems, making connections, communicating ideas, and constructing arguments. However, despite the NCTM's recommendations, there is still a wide variation in content coverage and teaching practice among teachers. Many teachers are comfortable with teaching only how to perfom1 calculations without meaning or context. Liping Ma's study of elementary teachers' understanding of mathematics in China and the United States found that participants in the United States viewed mathematics as "an arbitrary collection of facts and rules in which doing mathematics means following set procedures step-by-step to arrive at answers" [2]. Further, 135 The Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations Volume 9 (2007) 135 154 136 B. SCHRODER and S. GNINCilJE prospective elementary teachers often expect to implement traditional teaching practices, such as teacher-directed lessons followed by student practice of paper-and-pencil computations, aimed at developing procedural fluency. For Timmerman, these practices send students a clear message that mathematics often does not make sense, and they do not need to or cannot understand mathematics [3]. In elementary schools, the initial focus in teaching mathematics concepts is on whole numbers built upon "counting" processes, and students do not face many cognitive difficulties until they start moving from the whole number set to the rational set. The transition to the rational set that involves complex conceptual changes unfortunately functions as a "gatekeeper," keeping many children from advancing in their understanding. Earlier representations that worked for whole numbers are inadequate for understanding concepts in the rational number system such as fractions. Rational numbers can be variously understood; e.g., as fractions, or ratios of whole numbers, as measures of length or area, as operations involving stretching/shrinking, or as extending the integers via multiplicative inverses. These numbers may be variously represented, such as equivalence classes of fractions, "mixed numbers," finite or repeating decimals. Each of these mathematical ideas is complicated, and a large body of research in education and cognitive science (such as, "Rational Number, Ratio, and Proportion" by M.J. Behr, et al.) addresses them [4]. Fractions provide a basis for understanding and manipulating rational expressions that occur later in algebra, units of measurement fundamental to science, and probability/statistics. The transition from the whole number system to the rational system is therefore critical, making learning for understanding crucial at the elementary school level, especially in urban schools, where many children struggle to achieve in mathematics. Yet, the teaching of mathematics in elementary school is still geared to memonzmg routine skills with little room for reflection and logical thought. For many teachers, doing mathematics is associated with following the teacher's rules. "Knowing mathematics means remembering and applying the correct rule and having the answer ratified by the teacher" [5]. This leads students to an "unfortunately limited picture of mathematical expertise," in which to be an expert, one merely needs to be able to remember and explain the correct rule and have the answer ratified by the teacher [6]. This situation is exacerbated in urban settings where most minority children live and attend school. Ball, Hill, and Bass found that in the third grade for instance, " ... higherknowledge teachers tended to teach non-minority students, leaving minority students with less knowledgeable teachers who are unable to contribute as much to students' knowledge over the INTO TIIE FRAY: NOVICE TEACIIERS .. 137 course of a year" [7]. As a result, substantial numbers of urban students do not attain the mathematics skills and understanding needed for success in today's world. Other factors, which range from high teacher turnover and dilapidated schools to bureaucratic inertia, crime, drugs, and poor housing, contribute to urban students' failure in mathematics. One of the main problems, however, remains the manner in which mathematics concepts are being conveyed to students. The consequences of this situation at the national level are that the United States faces not only a shortfall of mathematicians, but a general mathematics illiteracy. The number of mathematics Ph.D.s granted today is two-thirds the number awarded in the 1960s, and student achievement is below that of other countries. By the time students reach their college mathematics courses, they are bored, passive, hostile, and full of complaints [8]. Context of the Study In efforts to address these issues, teacher education programs at the City University of New York (CUNY) have developed courses over the past ten years that use inquiry-based approaches to instruction, in which students have opportunities to construct their own understanding of basic concepts. These efforts were supported during 1996-2000 by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CETP) program, which brought together faculty members from both education and mathematics/science departments across the country to redesign core offerings for prospective elementary teachers. In most instances, pre-service teachers taking the redesigned courses were engaged in activities they could apply directly in their own classrooms. The faculty involved in these courses anticipated that they would result in graduates who would be prepared and willing to implement these same sorts of practices in their own classrooms. The data examined here were collected as part of an evaluation study of this NSF-funded program, the New York Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (NYCETP). The larger evaluation study focused on the teaching of both mathematics and science, and sought to evaluate the impact of NYCETP through, among other methods, collecting evidence of the classroom use of standards-based teaching strategies by teacher graduates of the CETP-reforn1ed pre-service classes through classroom observations, surveys, and interviews. 138 B. SCI I RODER and S. GNINCilJE Purpose of the Study This article examines the classroom practices of twenty-one novice elementary teachers in New York City public schools, graduates of one CUNY college, as seen through the lens of the evaluations designed for the CETP study. The overarching purpose is to ascertain the extent to which they were able to incorporate the skills of and understandings about teaching mathematics acquired in their pre-service classes into their first two years of teaching. Research Questions The study's central question 1s: "To what extent were these teachers teaching for conceptual understanding?" Other questions are listed below. • Were there significant changes between pre-service teachers' intentions in using inquirybased teaching practices and their first-year self-reports of practice? • To what extent did CUNY elementary education students provide their students with the opportunity to engage in inquiry-based mathematics activities in their first year of teaching? • As teachers moved into their second year in the classroom, were there significant changes in their overall performance, with regard to teaching mathematics to K-6 schools? • What factors seemed to support or detract from their teaching for conceptual understanding? Subjects Data were collected over a four-year period. In 2001-2002, prospective participants in the evaluation study were surveyed in the last year of their pre-service teacher education program concerning, among other things, their intention to implement a series of standards-based reform practices in the classroom, all of which were aimed at promoting students' conceptual understanding. In 2002-2003, among the larger pool of participants were twenty-one first-year teachers and student teachers who were observed teaching a mathematics lesson. In addition to being observed in the classroom, participants completed surveys and submitted sample lesson plans. Throughout this article, the tem1 "Year I" refers to 2002-2003. In 2003-2004, eleven of these teachers continued in the stud


G. L. CLARK , M. P. FELDMAN , and M. S. GERTLER Integration, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool (1999). xiii1 352 pp. £15.00 (pbk). ISBN 0 85323 520 1. (Eds) (with the assistance of K. W ILLIAMS ), The Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, S. MONK and C. WHITEHEAD (Eds), Restructuring Housing Systems: From Social to Affordable Housing?, Joseph Oxford (2000). xxvi1 742 pp. £60.00 (hbk). ISBN 0 19 823410 4. Rowntree Foundation, York (2000). v 1 243 pp. £15.00 (pbk). ISBN 1 86190 203 4. (Title also available from B. EDWARDS , M. GOODWIN , S. PEMBERTON and M. WOODS, Partnership Working in Rural Regeneration: GovernDepartment of Land Economy, University of Cambridge.) PANEL ON POPULATION PROJECTIONS OF THE COMance and Empowerment?, Area Regeneration Series, Policy Press, Bristol (2000). vii 1 56 pp. £12.95 (pbk). ISBN MITTEE ON POPULATION , Beyond Six Billion: Forecasting the World's Population, National Academy Press, Wash1 86134 274 8. S. GEORGE, Liverpool Park Estates: Their Legal Basis, Creation ington, DC (2000). xviii1 236 pp. US$29.95 (hbk). ISBN 0 309 06990 4. and Early Management, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool (2000). xvi1 165 pp. £15.95 (pbk). ISBN P. M. PARKER, Physioeconomics: The Basis for Long-run Economic Growth, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA/London 0 85323 409 4. P. HANSON and M. BRADSHAW (Eds), Regional Economic (2000). xi1 315 pp. £20.50 (hbk). ISBN 0 262 16194 X. J. PERCY-S MITH (Ed), Policy Responses to Social Exclusion: Change in Russia, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham (2000). xiv 1 298 pp. £65.00 (pbk). ISBN 1 84064 107 X. Towards Inclusion?, Open University Press, Buckingham (2000). viii 1 244 pp. £17.99 (pbk). ISBN 0 335 20473 2. R. HUGGINS , The Business of Networks: Inter-® rm Interaction, Institutional Policy and the TEC Experiment, Ashgate, T. SAIKO, Environmental Crises: Geographical Case Studies in Post-socialist Eurasia, Prentice Hall, Harlow (2001). Aldershot (2000). vii1 226 pp. £39.95 (hbk). ISBN 0 7546 1175 2. xvi 1 320 pp. £17.99 ( pbk). ISBN 0 582 35695 4. A. J. SCOTT , The Cultural Economy of Cities: Essays on the R. K ING , P. DE MAS and J. MANSVELT BECK (Eds), Geography, Environment and Development in the MediterraGeography of Image-producing Industries, Sage, London (in association with Theory, Culture and Society, Nottingham nean, Sussex Academic Press, Brighton (2001). xii1 292 pp. £14.95 (pbk). ISBN 1 898723 90 7. (Title also Trent University) (2000). x1 245 pp. No price given. ISBN 0 7619 5455 4 (pbk). available from Drake International Services, Oxford.) U. KOCKEL, Borderline Cases: The Ethnic Frontiers of European


The potency of three chemical compounds as resistance inducer in tomato plants against root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) were evaluated using split root system technique. Salicylic acid (SA), Ascorbic acid (AS) and Dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (DKP) was assessed at three concentrations (10, 20 and 50 mM) and the activity of cytoplasmic peroxidase and Phenol oxidase in tomato leaves were measured. Results indicatedthat application of these inducers significantly reduced all nematode related parameters in tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. Salicylic acid (SA) at 50 mM demonstrated the highest reduction in number of second stage juveniles in 250 mg soil, number of galls, egg masses and females/tomato root system compared to inoculated untreated control. These treatments significantly enhanced plant growth parameters of tomato plants i.e., plant height, root length, fresh root, shoot weight and dry shoot weight. Moreover, these resistance inducers enhanced the synthesis and activity of defence enzymes in tomato plants. Phenol oxidase and peroxidase drastically increased in the treated plants compared with un-treated control plants. Application of SA, AS and DKP may provide an environmentally friendly management strategy against root-knot nematode infection in tomato through induction of systemic resistance.


Storm surge disasters result in severe casualties and economic losses. Accurate prediction of storm surge water level is crucial for disaster assessment, early warning, and effective disaster management. Machine learning methods are relatively more efficient and straightforward compared to numerical simulation approaches. However, most of the current research on storm surge water level prediction based on machine learning methods is primarily focused on point predictions. In this study, we explore the feasibility of spatial water level prediction using the ConvLSTM model. We focus on the coastal area of Guangdong Province and employ MIKE21(2019) software to simulate historical typhoons that have made landfall in the region from 1991 to 2018. We construct two datasets: one for direct water level prediction and the other for indirect water level prediction based on water level changes. Utilizing the ConvLSTM network, we employ it to forecast storm surges on both datasets, effectively capturing both temporal and spatial characteristics and thus ensuring the production of dependable results. When directly predicting water levels, we achieve an MAE (mean absolute error) of 0.026 m and an MSE (mean squared error) of 0.0038 m2. In contrast, the indirect prediction approach yields even more promising results, with an MAE of 0.014 m and an MSE of 0.0007 m2. Compared to traditional numerical simulation methods, the ConvLSTM-based approach is simpler, faster, and able to predict water levels accurately without boundary conditions or topographies. Furthermore, we consider worst-case scenarios by predicting the maximum water increase value using the random forest model. Our results indicate that the random forest model can serve as a valuable reference for forecasting the maximum water increase value of typhoon storm surges, supporting effective emergency responses to disasters.


We establish weak limits for the empirical entropy regularized optimal transport cost, the expectation of the empirical plan and the conditional expectation. Our results require only uniform boundedness of the cost function and no smoothness properties, thus emphasizing the far-reaching regularizing nature of entropy penalization. To derive these results, we employ a novel technique that sidesteps the intricacies linked to empirical process theory and the control of suprema of function classes determined by the cost. Instead, we perform a careful linearization analysis for entropic optimal transport with respect to an empirical $L^2$-norm, which enables a streamlined analysis. As a consequence, our work gives rise to new implications for a multitude of transport-based applications under general costs, including pointwise distributional limits for the empirical entropic optimal transport map estimator, kernel methods as well as regularized colocalization curves. Overall, our research lays the foundation for an expanded framework of statistical inference with empirical entropic optimal transport.


The synapotypic feature of seriate leaf cell papillae positioned on cell lumina and directed over the longitudinal cross walls alliesBryowijkia with the Trachypodaceae. The Hedwigiaceae consist of four closely related genera, and excludesRhacocarpus, a genus best placed in its own family, the Rhacocarpaceae. These taxa all belong in the Leucodontineae (Isobryales) and are not related to either the Grimmiales or the Orthotrichales.


This paper introduces the fabrication procedure and evaluation method of an oxygen microelectrode applicable to environmental engineering and science research. The theory and development of an oxyg...


This paper discusses ideas about 'the nation' and 'the people' expressed by residents of a low‐income district in the city of Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, Brazil. The analysis relates positive and negative evaluations of national identity to a dialectic of hegemony and resistance. It focuses on gender and race in the local making or negating of nationalism, concluding that constitutive discourses and practices must be understood in relation to social inequality and the class structure.


This research examines the role of network externalities in card acceptance by merchants on the retail payments market in Russia. The work empirically tests the effects of both direct and indirect network externalities for the merchants? card acceptance probability based on the representative survey of 800 traditional (offline) merchants from all Russian regions. The main finding of this study is that the probability of cashless payments acceptance by merchants increases with the presence of direct and indirect or both types of network externalities, controlling for a large set of control variables, including merchants? characteristics and location-specific differences between the retailers. The results are robust to the changes in measures of network externalities and inclusion of shadow economy controls. The findings are significant both statistically and economically.


The study was carried out to assess the effects of planting depth on the germination and initial growth and development of Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) seedlings, at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources mango plantation, University for Development Studies-Nyankpala campus. The specific objectives were to determine the germination percentage and to assess the effects of planting depth on the initial growth and development of Shea seedlings, using a Completely Randomized Design. Seeds of Shea were sown in polythene bags at 2 cm, 4 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm and 10 cm after they have been pre-treated mechanically. Data on germination, shoot height, leaf area index and number of leaves were collected six (6) weeks after sowing (WAS), 12 WAS, 18 WAS and 24 WAS. Results showed that the different planting depth influenced growth and development of Shea seedlings. The highest germination percentage was recorded at 2cm planting depths and highest seedlings height recorded at 6cm planting depth. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (p >0.05) among the various treatments with respect to their effect on shoot height and leaf area index except number of leaves within the first and third weeks after sowing. It is inferred that Shea performs variably in different planting depths with regard to growth and development. It is therefore recommended that for higher germination of Shea seeds and maximum growth and development in Northern Ghana, planting should be done at 2- 6 cm depth.


Introduction/Hypothesis: PMZ-2010 (INN: centhaquine) has been found to be an effective resuscitative agent in rat, rabbit and swine models of hemorrhagic shock. It increases mean arterial pressure and cardiac output and decreases systemic vascular resistance during resuscitation. In a phase I study its safety and tolerability has been demonstrated in humans (CTRI/2014/06/004647). Methods: A total of 137 subjects were screened and 50 met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in a prospective, multi-centric, randomized, double-blind, parallel, saline controlled study (CTRI/2017/03/008184). All subjects received standard treatment for shock and were randomly assigned to either control group that received standard treatment along with normal saline or centhaquine group that received standard treatment along with centhaquine. In control group 22 (16 male and 6 female) and in centhaquine group 23 (18 male and 5 female) subjects competed the study. Results: Demographics of patients in both groups was comparable. Hemoglobin level was 9.38 ± 0.71 g/dL and 8.73 ± 0.55 g/ dL in control and centhaquine groups, respectively at the time of inclusion in the study. The total volume of fluids and blood products administered in the first 48 hours were similar in control and centhaquine group. Percent of patients needing vasopressors in first 48 hours of resuscitation were 40.91% in the control group, while only 26.09% in centhaquine group. Systolic blood pressure in control group improved (Mean diff. 18.41; p=0.0036), while in centhaquine group a more significant (Mean diff. 34.13; p<0.0001) increase in systolic pressure was observed 48 hours after resuscitation compared to baseline. A significant (Mean diff. 18.13; p<0.0001) increase was observed in diastolic blood pressure in centhaquine group and not in control. At day 3 of resuscitation blood lactate levels (mmol/L) decreased from 4.30±0.96 at baseline to 3.19±1.07 (p=0.4929) in control and from 4.34±0.78 at baseline to 1.44±0.13 (p=0.0012) in centhaquine cohort. Two out of 15 patients died in control and none in centhaquine group. No incidence of drug related adverse event occurred. Conclusions: Centhaquine (PMZ-2010) has the potential to be an effective first-in-class resuscitative agent for hemorrhagic shock.


Stroke or transient ischaemic attack is common and likely to be fatal or cause serious disability. A second stroke will not necessarily be of the same type as the initial event, although haemorrhages tend to recur. Patients with previous stroke commonly succumb to other vascular events, in particular myocardial infarction. Effective secondary prevention depends on giving attention to all modifiable risk factors for stroke as well as treating the causes of the initial stroke. Four questions should be answered: Is it acute cerebrovascular disease? The key features of acute cerebrovascular disease are focal neurological deficit, sudden onset, and absence of an alternative explanation. Abrupt onset of a dense hemiparesis before gradual improvement in a conscious patient rarely causes doubt, but conditions which commonly mimic stroke must be considered (see previous article BMJ 2000;320:920-3). Neither clinical history nor examination can reliably distinguish infarction from primary intracerebral haemorrhage. A small bleed can produce transient symptoms, although these rarely resolve within an hour. Cerebral imaging is essential, and the choice and timing of the scan is important. Haemorrhage is immediately apparent on computed tomography, but its distinctive appearance becomes indistinguishable from infarction over a few weeks; for major symptoms, a computed tomogram taken within two weeks should still be diagnostic, but a small bleed may be missed after one week. Magnetic resonance imaging has a greater sensitivity for brain stem, cerebellar, and small ischaemic strokes of the brain than computed tomography. It can also identify haemorrhagic stroke and remains diagnostic long after signs have become undetectable on computed tomography.


finance, including forecasting and financial analysis evaluations. active Accountants Management In this study, using empirical results, we examine if the results will indicate more robust predictions for different models, including a feedforward neural network, the Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP), an Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) model with exogenous variables compared to the other statistical models. To measure the performance achieved by ANN, we have indicated ANN as the benchmark model for all evaluations. Observations from the average RelMAE revealed that ANN outperformed the various models in four out of seven forecast horizons. At the same time, for the remaining periods, the Holt-Winters and Seasonal Naive method perform best, verifying that seasonal, simple methods can outperform the more advanced ones (Taylor, 2010). The results are significant for revenue managers because it provides valuable insights into the exogenous outliers' impact on establishing accurate daily demand forecasting.


A A wiper lateral wiped, the present invention provides a raindrop, snow, which interfere with the visibility of the front glass, a device for cleaning the dirt such as dust. The invention relates to a raindrop, snow, by method of lateral movement smoothly in the surface of the windshield, can be wiped off dirt such as dust, also wiped to avoid leaving blind spots occurrence of rainwater adhering the be those which can realize be effectively avoided, the wiper blade 1 is installed vertically to the surface of the windshield 0 in contact with the windshield 0, along the surface of the windshield by driving the wiper blade comprises a power unit for performing the reciprocating motion in the transverse direction, an upper slide rail 2 installed on the upper edge of the windshield 0, the lower slide rail 4 installed in the lower edge of the windshield, the Te. .FIELD 1


4547^ Background: DN24-02 is a HER2-targeted ACI, consisting of antigen presenting cells (APC) cultured with BA7072, a recombinant HER2-derived antigen (HER500) linked to GM-CSF; DN24-02 is based o...


The author's goal is not only to present a "complete, enriched,and balanced view" of medieval Western civilization, but to do so "in the broader context of the entire medieval world—the Byzantine and Islamic East, as well as the Latin West." This goal is very successfully reached with regard to interaction between the Latin West and Byzantium, but somewhat less so between these two Christian civilizations and Islam. This should not be surprising, since the author's specialty is Byzantine/Latin relations.


The c-axis oriented hcp-Co81Ir19 magnetic films were prepared on different seed layers (Ni, Cu, Ir, Pt, Au and No seed). It was systematically investigated that the factors of surface free energy and strain energy have impact on the orientation and defects and/or internal stress with increasing the lattice mismatches ratio. Moreover, the initial permeability and the natural resonance frequency were discussed in great detail by using the comparison between calculated values and experiment values. We have found that the almost unchanged 4πM
 s
 and μi
 are not affected, while the changed H
 c
 , intrinsic K
 grain and fr
 are strongly dependent on a seed layer and the seed layer material. Moreover, the extracted damping constant is sensitive to the defects and/or internal stress and the orientation of grains. Therefore, the soft magnetic properties and microwave properties are adjusted and optimized by the seed layers with different material.


We present Reflection Grating Spectrometer data from an XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516, taken while the continuum source was in an extremely low flux state. This observation offers a rare opportunity for a detailed study of emission from a Seyfert 1 galaxy as these are usually dominated by high nuclear continuum levels and heavy absorption. The spectrum shows numerous narrow emission lines (FWHM 5 1300 km s-l) in the 0.3 2 keV range, including the H-like lines of C, N, and 0 and the He-like lines of N, 0 and Ne. The emission-line ratios and the narrow width of the radiative recombination continuum of CVI indicate that the gas is photoionized and of fairly low temperature ( k T 5 0.01 keV). The availability of emission lines from different elements for two iso-electronic sequences allows us to constrain the element abundances. These data show that the N lines are far stronger than would be expected from gas of solar abundances. Based on our photoionization models we find that nitrogen is overabundant in the central regions of the galaxy, compared to carbon, oxygen and neon by at least a factor of 2.5. We suggest that this is the result of secondary production of nitrogen in intermediate mass stars, and indicative of the history of star formation in NGC 3516. Subject headings: galaxies: active galaxies: individual (NGC 3516) galaxies: nuclei galaxies: Seyfert galaxies: abundances


We investigated the behaviour of a capacitive humidity transducer (Vaisala HMP 234) upon pressure exposure of nitrogen and helium up to 100 bar, using a humidity generator based on saturation of the gases at temperatures below ambient. The increased saturated vapour pressure of water in the presence of nitrogen and helium (enhancement effect) was quantitatively taken into account. The sensor output was found to decrease with nitrogen pressure at fixed relative humidity (RH). Still, by taking the total pressure as an independent calibration parameter, the device can be used in nitrogen gas within error bounds of 9 1% RH. For helium no deviation of the sensor output with pressure was observed, showing that the deviation strongly depends on gas properties. For similar pressure calibrations in other gases, accurate data of enhancement factors have to be available. © 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.


A 44-year-old man presented with unilateral proptosis and progressively deteriorating vision of his left eye over a 2-week period. He had a history of recurrent sacral chordoma for 1 year that had previously been treated with combined surgical excision, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. MRI showed compression of the optic nerve by an orbital mass that proved to be an orbital metastasis of his sacral chordoma. The tumor mass was excised subtotally, and adjuvant orbital radiation therapy was administered.


The performance of the synchronized analog integrate-and-dump filter is compared with an equivalent digital implementation. Degradation in the output SNR of the digital filter due to sampling is computed. A first order prefilter is assumed and quantization noise is neglected.


The Present investigation illustrates the negative side of industrial clustering which often makes regional social and economic policy ineffective. Analyzing data from 790 papers, we identified and described 5 key negative clustering effects. Drawing from a system and agglomeration approach we propose a conceptual mechanism that illustrates cluster influence on a region, focusing on internal parameters which determine the impact nature (positive, negative or neutral). The investigation showed that the genesis of all the negative effects is connected with the tendency of industrial clusters to close in on itself in the medium term. Based on these findings, we propose recommendations on industrial cluster negative influence minimization.


Many nations and groups have experienced forms of trauma which mark their memories for a very long time,changing their future identities in very powerful ways. In Ireland,the Protestant settlers experienced such trauma during and after the 1641 Rising/Rebellion. Their memories of these awful events were recorded in the many volumes of the government commissioned 1641 Depositions and were perpetuated in key official writings and by the state in formal annual church ceremonies. No comparable body of evidence was commissioned to record the many subsequent murders and subjugation of the Catholic Irish at the hands of government forces and local Protestant militias.One must turn to the poems and prose texts in the  Irish language to discover the recollection of these and related sufferings of the  Catholic Irish.Four such key Irish language texts are examined here: The Annals of the Four Masters , Keating's The History of Ireland , Five Seventeenth Century Political Poems , and An Duanaire 1600-1900: Poems of the Dispossessed . Major themes explored are the devastating geographies of conquest and English language domination; the forging of new Irish identities in the face of the New English hegemony; the emergence of a history and a literature in the Irish language which repudiates an imperialist ideology and imagines and defines a new national community; and the significance of a poetic literature which describes a devastated culture and ravaged silent landscapes which would long struggle to recover. However, by the mid 18 th  century, some Irish poetry combines older notions of sovereignty  with a forward-looking, democratic drive for justice and equality. In conclusion, the many different forms of adaptation by the Catholic Irish to their subjugated,traumatic state are summarised.


In southern Africa, many "transfrontier conservation areas" (TFCAs) have appeared or expanded recently. Their presumptive goal: peace through environmental cooperation. However, of four new TFCAs, only one has this goal explicitly written into its charter, making it part of the "peace parks" network of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN); developers of the other three TFCAs only pay lip service to this principle. The article interrogates the idea of "peace through environmental cooperation"; the author situates TFCA creation in a legal and political context, the better to discern conservation and development aims now current in southern Africa. She questions the meaning and reach of southern African TFCAs: can they succeed in creating or reconstructing ecological, social, and cultural relationships within the region's political context of "reconciliation"?


In this paper, we study the resource allocation problem for a full-duplex (FD) multiuser wireless system consisting of one FD base-station (BS) and multiple FD mobile nodes. Our main focus is to jointly optimize the power allocation (PA) and subcarrier assignment (SA) for both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions of all users to maximize the system sum-rate. Our design captures the self-interference of FD transceivers and allows the utilization of each subcarrier for multiple concurrent UP and DL transmissions. Since the joint optimization problem is a nonconvex mixed integer program, which is difficult to tackle, we propose to employ the bipartite matching method to address the SA. Toward this end, a fast greedy allocation algorithm is developed to perform initial assignment of UL#x002F;DL links to each subcarrier that offers the best sum rate. Then from the obtained SA solution, we adopt the successive convex approximation approach to solve the PA problem whose results are used to calculate the SA weights for re-optimizing the SA by using the bipartite matching method. We then present the numerical results to demonstrate the improvement of our proposed algorithm in comparison with the greedy FD and half-duplex (HD) resource allocation algorithms.


Machine learning techniques including neural networks are popular tools for materials and chemical scientists with applications that may provide viable alternative methods in the analysis of structure and energetics of systems ranging from crystals to biomolecules. However, efforts are less abundant for prediction of dynamics. Here we explore the ability of three well established recurrent neural network architectures for forecasting the energetics of a macromolecular polymer-lipid aggregate solvated in ethyl acetate at ambient conditions. Data models generated from recurrent neural networks are trained and tested on nanoseconds-long time series of the intra-macromolecules potential energy and their interaction energy with the solvent generated from Molecular Dynamics and containing half million points. Our exhaustive analyses convey that the three recurrent neural network investigated generate data models with limited capability of reproducing the energetic fluctuations and yielding short or long term energetics forecasts with underlying distribution of points inconsistent with the input series distributions. We propose an in silico experimental protocol consisting on forming an ensemble of artificial network models trained on an ensemble of series with additional features from time series containing pre-clustered time patterns of the original series. The forecast process improves by predicting a band of forecasted time series with a spread of values consistent with the molecular dynamics energy fluctuations span. However, the distribution of points from the band of forecasts is not optimal. Although the three inspected recurrent neural networks were unable of generating single models that reproduce the actual fluctuations of the inspected molecular system energies in thermal equilibrium at the nanosecond scale, the proposed protocol provides useful estimates of the molecular fate


This paper contains two case reports illustrating the use of behaviour modification in the treatment of elective mutism. The programme was carried out by two social workers in the natural environment of the home and school.


The validity of simple formulas based on cylindrical and far‐field approximation models for calculating minimum safety distances for the assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from base station antennas is analyzed by comparing with FDTD computations. Results for different actual antenna models show the suitability of each formulation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 364–367, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10463


Satisfaction of employees and commitment in Nationalized Commercial Banks (NCBs) is of highest concern due to the nature of organizations in Bangladesh. This study directed to assess the influence of employee satisfaction of work on three levels of firms' commitment such as affective, continuance and normative commitment within NCBs in Bangladesh. The cross-sectional research design is followed in this investigation. Quantitative survey research was carried out and the sample of 100 employees filled up the questionnaire from four NCBs in Khulna City. The outcomes revealed that the employees' satisfaction is completely related with Affective Commitment (AC). Furthermore, the Continuance Commitment (CC) of employees is significantly predicted by employee satisfaction at the workplace. Finally, the outcomes also show how the Normative Commitment (NC) of employees is positively impacted by their work satisfaction. Owing to research design, caution was taken in making the results' generalization. The present study might be of interest and practice for banks in formulating strategic Human Resource Management Policies. Because it considers how managers or bosses, or experts understand their employees' sense of attachment toward a particular organization. This study also highlighted the bank management practices' nature and significance for the sustainability of the banking sector.


Objective To measure the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),alpha fetoprotein(AFP),neuron specific enolase(NSE) and total prostate specific antigen(tPSA) in human serum using multiplexed bead-based immunoassay,finally carry out valuation on its clinical practice.Methods Antibody-conjugated microspheres and biotinylated detection antibodies were prepared.The levels of CEA,AFP,NSE and tPSA in clinical serum samples were also measured using a sandwich immunoassay,and compared the performance of this method with chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA).Results Dynamic range were 0.039~400 ng/mL,0.030~121 ng/mL,0.007~30 ng/mL,0.146~300 ng/mL,and lower limits of detection were 26.0 pg/mL,19.7 pg/mL,4.9 pg/mL,73.2 pg/mL for CEA,AFP,tPSA and NSE,respectively.Intra-assay variances were less than 9%,and inter-assay variances were less than 14%.Correlation coefficients(r) were 0.986,0.979(P0.001,n=64),0.964(P0.001,n=60),0.958(P0.001,n=64) compared with CLIA for CEA,AFP,tPSA and NSE,respectively.Result obtained from multiplexed bead-based immunoassay was compatible with chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA).However,only 1 microtiter of serum and 2 to 3 hours were required for the multiplexed bead-based immunoassay.Conclusion The multiplexed bead-based immunoassay is a sensitive,reproducible and a high-throughput method.This method may further be developed for clinical application.


A simple design, compact size, multiband monopole antenna comprises of wide arcs and square slots on its radiating element is proposed in this article. After successful completion of the numerical simulation, the proposed antenna has been fabricated with its optimum parameters on 1.0 mm thick 24 × 17 mm2 custom‐made biopolymer substrate with relative dielectric constant εr = 10.0 and loss tangent 0.002. The experimental results obtained from the antenna prototype have been validated with numerical results and they are well matched. The measured data confirms the bandwidth for S11 <−10 dB are of 712 MHz (90.3%), 1.38 GHz (41.3%), 2.46 GHz (30.7%) at 0.788, 3.34, and 8.01 GHz band, respectively. The antenna prototype shows almost symmetrical radiation patterns with maximum measured gain of 1.37, 2.8, and 3.56 dBi for lower, middle, and highest frequency band, respectively. Based on the excellent matching, wide bandwidth, stable radiation, and acceptable gain performance, the compact size monopole antenna finds its potential application in RFID, WiMAX, and C/X‐band applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2002–2005, 2015


- Today 'celebrity endorsement has fascinated enormous debate on whether it really contributes to the brand building process or whether it is just another lazy tool to make the brand more visible in the mind of consumers. Although it has been observed that the presence of a well-known personality helps in solving the problem of over communication that is becoming more prominent these days, there are few undesirable impacts of this practice on the brand. Firms invest huge amounts as advertising expenditure for hiring the right celebrity. Consumers perceive the brand as having superior quality because it has been endorsed by a credible source. The present paper tries to look behind the obvious benefits that whether the consumers buy the soft drinks just because it is endorsed by their favourite and well known personality or it is just needy that they have to buy the product or its just situation. And researcher has selected 300 respondents as a sample in Calicut city and all respondents' falls under age between 18 to 50 years. Data have been collected from both the primary and secondary source. For the primary researcher has used questionnaire. Author has also formulated few hypotheses and used percentage analysis, correlation and arithmetic mean to find out the major findings. Finally researcher could able to found the reasons and influence of the brand ambassadors and their impact on consumers buying behaviour.


This paper deals with the polariscopic appearance of certain types of wire glass having the wire set eccentrically in the thickness. The glass, being wholly in compression, appears at first sight to be out of equilibrium, but when the stress in the wire is taken account of, the distribution is seen to be normal.


A R&D program on niobium sputtering on copper cavities has started at IHEP in 2017. Single-cell 1.3 GHz copper cavity has been chosen as a substrate. A chemical polishing system has subsequently developed and commissioned recently to accommodate the etching of both copper samples and a cavity. Different polishing agents have been tested on copper samples and later characterized. The results of these surface treatment tests are presented.


As the competition among ports emphasizes container cargo nowadays, it is essential for Incheon Port to respond wisely to the trend. But the timely establishment of basic logistics infra for the attraction of container cargo is delayed in comparison with rival ports; marketing activity is also depressed. Furthermore the understanding and the effort for the marketing of the institutions and businesses concerned with Incheon Port are less than sufficient. The marketing research for customers who are the basis and axis of marketing activities is almost wholly lacking. Things investigated by rival ports and external research institutions differ much in statistic according to the persons who cite them. As the study of port marketing is very theoretical and general, its application to reality is so much restricted. Therefore, this thesis considers ways for the main group of marketing to think and behave, from the viewpoint of shipping agents and the owners of cargo - the practical using group of Incheon Port. This thesis aims to deliver the systematic information and consistent view concerned with marketing.


Approximately forty adhesives were subjected to laboratory screening. Seven candidate adhesives were selected from the screening tests and evaluated in a thermal vacuum test on radiator panels similar to the anticipated flight hardware configuration. Several classes of adhesives based on epoxide, polyester, silicone, and urethane resin systems were tested. These included contact adhesives, heat cured adhesives, heat and pressure cured adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and two part paint-on or spray-on adhesives. The panels were tested in a space environmental simulation laboratory chamber during the July 9-20, 1973 time span.


This report describes methodologies to determine the fixed costs for a steam cycle generating unit to participate in Reactive Supply and Voltage Control (RS-VC), Regulation and Frequency Response (RFR), and Operating Reserve-Spinning (ORS) services. It is intended for use by a Generator of electricity who is planning to offer these ancillary services in a competitive market. The methodology is based on common steam power plant engineering and economic principles. Reactive supply and voltage control provides reactive supply through changes to generator reactive output to maintain acceptable transmission system voltages and facilitate electricity transfers and provides the ability to continually adjust transmission system voltage in response to system changes. Regulation and frequency response service include all rapid load changes whether their purpose is to meet the instantaneous load demand, to balance control area supply resources with load, or to maintain frequency. Spinning reserve is provided by generating units that are on-line and loaded at less than maximum output. They are available to serve load immediately in an unexpected contingency such as an unplanned outage of a generating unit.


I investigate constructed social platforms for female jazz instrumentalist,
 with a particular emphasis on the Balkan cultural space of Southeastern
 Europe (former Yugoslav countries). In this region, female jazz
 instrumentalists are confronted with multiple systems of rejection, facing
 double standards of the Balkan social-ideological patterns, typical for the
 patriarchal tradition, reproduced and incorporated within a micro context of
 the already gendered music genre. I analyze the image of female jazz
 instrumentalist in the public cultural space where jazz is created and
 consumed. This study presents autoethnographic testimonies as a subjective
 point of view.


This paper presents a new self-consistent MC simulator for the 2D electron gas of nano-MOSFETs. The simulator is two-dimensional in real space and in k-space, and accounts for the electron gas degeneracy in the k-plane. Simulations of thin-film SOI MOSFETs show that the subband structure and the carrier degeneracy strongly affect the transport properties particularly the injection velocity. Our results also point-out the strong anisotropy of the occupation function, which seriously hampers the use of simulators based on the momentum of the BTE


In a major international research project sets out to find the reality behind key customer supplier partnerships. Finds that partnerships are not a soft option, but a fast emerging necessity if organizations are to achieve competitive advantage and customer satisfaction.


Li2FeSiO4, as a highly promising polyanionic cathode material, has the advantages of high energy density, low cost, good thermal stability, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, its electrochemical performance has been affected by such drawbacks as low electrical conductivity, low Li-ion diffusion rate, and crystal instability. In order to solve these problems and truly realize the commercial application of Li2FeSiO4 cathode materials, researchers have proposed more and more preparation or modification methods to optimize the electrochemical performance of Li2FeSiO4. This paper lists the electrochemical performance improvement of modified Li2FeSiO4 and its innovation potential. The realistic problems that still exist in the application of Li2FeSiO4 cathode materials at this stage are discussed. This paper provides a basis for the next innovative research and application of cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.


Surface engineering encompasses numerous vital and diverse technologies in the design and wear of automotive and off-highway components. These technologies include CVD, PVD, ion implantation and conventional heat treatments such as carburizing, nitriding and carbonitriding. Although these technologies are well known, it is considerably more difficult to understand the relative importance of the various technology niches for these processes, and it is very difficult to find effective summaries of the impact of these technologies on comparative lubrication formulation and practice. The objectives of this paper are two-fold. One is to review the impact of surface engineered coatings on the surface chemistry of steel. The second objective is to review the impact of the surface chemistry obtained by different surface treatments on boundary film formation to reduce frictional losses during fluid lubrication.


Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to renew a research agenda considering the impact that information providers' processes are having on the housing market; in particular to develop a research agenda around the role of the Internet in shaping households' perceptions of the spatial nature of housing markets. Design/methodology/approach - – This paper reviews the existing literature. It uses preliminary extensive survey findings about the role of the Internet in housing search to hypothesise ways in which households may be affected by this transition. Findings - – Not applicable – other than evidence for the growth in the importance of the Internet in shaping households' housing search. Practical implications - – First, the academy needs to readdress the theory surrounding information acquisition and use insights from economics, sociology and psychology to understand these processes. Second, local authorities and academics should analyse the impact of Internet use on housing market boundaries (and the profound subsequent impact on policy traction). Third, estate agents should reconsider the role of the Internet in shaping housing markets and provide a critical response to the large property search engines. Originality/value - – This paper reviews the literature and explores the necessity of a renewed interest in research on the role of information sources in framing and constraining housing search behaviour.


Investigators who have studied the chaotic literature on teacher effectiveness have occasionally lamented the lack of a coherent theory in the field (1). Such a theory, however tentative, might provide a framework for discussion and lead to new lines of research. In the hope of serving these purposes, we would like to consider a general psychological theory of schooling. We want to try to show how this theory, which covers the whole general phenomenon of schooling, leads to a number of deductions regarding success in teaching. The theory is concerned with the traditional teaching process as it has functioned in primitive and civilized societies from prehistoric times to the present. It may not fully apply to the more mechanized and elaborate teaching process that some people envisage for the future. The general theory is that of spontaneous schooling (2). Starting with the traditional sociological function of the school, this theory attempts to describe the psychological forces responsible for the existence of schools or schooling, and the basic psychological mechanisms by which the school works. Naturally enough, the sociological function of the school is closely related to the role of the school in the survival of the species or group. To have a good chance of survival, members of a group must attain reasonable proficiency in many kinds of behavior. Typically, these ways of behaving, or tendencies, call for nurture or cultivation. It follows, then, that a group is more likely to survive if it has mechanisms for the cultivation of these tendencies.


This paper presents the results of the parametric study of a conventional raft footing for a typical courtyard house in response to various soil mound shapes. Also presented is a case study of a courtyard house damaged by soil movements resulting from moisture changes. Me analysis was performed in three dimensions, using a finite element package. It was found that the performance of courtyard houses could be significantly improved if strap beams were added in the courtyard areas


Introduction and Backdrop Part I: 250 B.C. 1700 Part II: 1700 1800 Part III: 1800 1900 Part IV: 1900 and Beyond Final Comments on the Beauty of Mathematics in Physics The Great Contenders References About the Author


A wear bushing assembly (20) protects and locks down a hanger (46) in a wellhead housing (45), and includes a wear bushing body (22) that inserts into a wear bushing sleeve (34). A lock ring (40) extends into registered recesses (42, 44) on the body and sleeve to couple together the body and sleeve. The wellhead housing has a profiled recess circumscribing its inner surface. A lockdown ring (28) selectively mates with the profiled recess; and when mated is in interfering contact with an upper surface of the wear bushing sleeve, thereby coupling the sleeve to the wellhead housing. The sleeve outer surface is profiled to interfere with upward movement of the hanger, so that force is transferred from the hanger to the housing through the sleeve which locks down the housing.


We have developed Kvik, a system for interactive exploration of genomic data from the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) postgenome biobank. The goal of the NOWAC study is to understand the dynamics of carcinogenesis through multi-level functional analyses of transcriptomics and epigenetics using blood and tissue samples. Kvik provides a tool for exploring gene expression data, incorporating both statistical analysis and interactive visualizations in a single system. The tool is open-sourced at github.com/fjukstad/kvik.


This article analyze the political-philosophical and anthropological elements which pass by the literary and philosophical script The exception and the rule, by Bertold Brecht, which make us closer from the barbarian avarice and the maximization of the perspectives of enrichment in disadvantage of human element, crudely exposed by the Marxism of Brecht, which objects in its subtext if we experience the evil as a rule or exception. This article expose the dilemma which composes the social organization and make the critic of the implied speech in the text which is ended with a judicial decision which translate in its subtext the vicissitudes of the judicial activity faced to a radical human exploration, class feelings and his compromising with a determined anthropological perspective. The article focuses the ethical profile of the personages and its repercussion in the institutions and explore the idea that the evil reside in the first one and reverberate in the unprotected institutions, which is exemplified in the text by the disconnection of the decision of the Court of Law face to the circumstances of the homicide which was placed in position to be judged.


. over 45'meters, a lateral seismic force at each fioor level is given by a produet of seismic coeMcient ana weight located at the floor. Since the value of the・seismic coeMcient is mainly determined in accorclance with the height above the ground to each floor level, lateral seismic forces in Japan are ' independant of the rig-idity of the ・whole structure. In evaluating the design earthquake forces on structures, the value and distribution・ of the lateral seismic force at each floor level・ should be deter ' mined on the basls of the results of dynamic res'ponse analysis, because lateral seismic forces are


Non-parallel scanning,offset non-parallel scanning and parallel scanning are the three kinds of scanning pattern frequently used in TOFD test.Each scanning pattern has its own merits and demerits and application respectively.This article discussed profoundly the relation between the different scanning pattern and dead zone by analyzing the TOFD image.


Since the dissolution of the USSR, students from the Russian Federation have been able to study at Polish universities on the basis of bilateral agreements between the Polish and Russian governments. The purpose of this article is to analyse the legal basis enabling Russian citizens to obtain education in Poland, analyse the numbers of such students and the principles and procedure they followed to begin studies at Polish universities in 1993–2014. Throughout the period investigated, students from Russia accounted for a small percentage of foreigners entering Polish universities, ranging between 1.02% and 2.03% of the overall number of foreigners coming to study in Poland. At the beginning of the period investigated, in the academic year 1993/1994 all Russian citizens studying in Poland were Polish government scholarship holders, whereas in the last year analysed scholarship holders accounted for more than 10% of the overall number of students. The predominant group of students were those paying for their studies (more than 64%) and those studying without a scholarship and free of charge (23%). The most popular subjects included Management, Economics, International Relationships, Journalism, Political Sciences and Eastern Studies. Students from the Russian Federation entered the largest Polish universities: Warsaw University, Jagiellonian University, University in Poznan, University of Wroclaw, University of Lublin and University of Bialystok.
 DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s5p358


The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine, an envelope (10), a stator, a rotor outer periphery, and located at a first axial end of the rotor with a blade (51) of the fan (50), the envelope (10) having a number of radial aperture (71), each of the perforations (71) subdivided by a flap is an opening (90) (80), and each fin along its own unique type of body extension, at least one radial aperture (71 ) at least one flap (90) is inclined, the blade (51) toward an edge of the aperture a shear motion in accordance with the flap (90) passing gradually shaped body flap (90 rotates about the axis ), according to this shearing motion, at each moment, only a substantially point-like blade (51) and the flap portion (90) opposite.


In this short communication, we examine the relationship between the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM) and Antarctic near‐surface temperatures using data from Antarctic stations for 1957–2004. This near half‐century period is significantly longer than those analysed in previous studies. Furthermore, the four seasons are considered independently while the longer datasets allow the temporal stability of the relationship to be investigated.


ing if she has not opened the door to a fascinating, enduring aesthetic that is at work, for example, in Dante's sublimation of his beloved Beatrice in // Paradiso, in Goethe's resurrection ofthe Gretchen he could not save in life in Faust, or even in Sophocles' steadfast exaltation ofan Athens that was being destroyed both by inner corruption and the advancing Spartan armies as he wrote Oedipus at Colonus.


The present invention provides a method for performing a localised RCA reaction comprising at least two rounds of RCA, wherein the product of a second RCA reaction is attached, and hence localised, to a product of a first RCA reaction, said method comprising: (a) providing a concatemeric first RCA product comprising repeated monomers; (b) directly or indirectly hybridising to monomers of said first RCA product a circularisable oligonucleotide comprising target-complementary 3' and 5' end regions such that the 3' and 5' ends of said oligonucleotide hybridise in juxtaposition for ligation directly or indirectly to each other, wherein the target is a sequence in a monomer of said first RCA product or an intermediate molecule hybridised thereto, and wherein the target-complementary endregions of said circularisable oligonucleotide are 6 to 16 nucleotides in length; (c) directly or indirectly ligating the ends of said circularisable oligonucleotide to circularise the oligonucleotide, thereby to provide a template for a second RCA reaction, wherein when said ends are indirectly ligated (i) either a gap oligonucleotide is provided which hybridises to the monomers of the first RCA product in between the 3' and 5' ends of the circularisable oligonucleotide such that it may be ligated to the respective ends, or the hybridised 3' end of the circularisable oligonucleotide is extended by a polymerase such that the extended 3' end may be ligated to the hybridised 5' end, and (ii) the total length of the region of the second RCA template directly or indirectly hybridised to the monomers is no longer than 32 nucleotides in length; and (d) performing a second RCA reaction using said second RCA template of (c) and a primer for said second RCA, to form a second RCA product, wherein in said second RCA reaction the second RCA template remains attached to the first RCA product, and thereby the second RCA product is attached to the first RCA product.


In articles identified and investigated the main factors inhibiting the increase in freight traffic, identified the main measures to minimize them. The object of study is the economic processes of business entities in their operation under the influence of destabilizing factors. The subject of research are scientific-theoretical and practical aspects of transport management. The study used general and special research methods: the method of critical analysis, scientific abstraction and generalization of scientific experience of modern theoretical research, system-integrated approach. It is noted that the main causes of transport threats to the economic security of enterprises are: reduction of rail transportation due to reduced production of coal, ore, oil and gas condensate, wear and tear of material and technical base; the problem of increasing the volume of road transport due to extremely low quality and low capacity of domestic roads, the limited number of large transport companies and the relatively high cost of transport services due to the high cost of fuel; high cost of transportation by sea, river and air transport due to low renewable material and technical base and neglected infrastructure, especially for river transport; strengthening of external economic risks that affect the partnership relations of enterprises, which arose as a result of the military conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and due to the loss of Crimea; inefficiency of the state policy on development of business, counteraction to corruption and legalization of the proceeds of crime. It is noted that Ukraine's dependence on car imports is one of the determining factors in the growth of the negative balance in foreign trade in goods and the main one in foreign trade in transport engineering products; as a result of staffing of motor transport enterprises with low-skilled personnel, accidents and injuries on motor transport increase. Emphasis is placed on the need to develop and adopt at the state level a single methodology for minimizing transport threats, taking into account modern challenges, which will reduce the technical and technological lag behind the development of transport infrastructure in Ukraine.


Lodna area is one of the twelve operational areas of BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) situated in Dhanbad Sadar subdivision of Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India. Vegetation of Lodna is is subjected to disturbance due to the presence of coal mines. This results in a slowing of the rate of biomass growth, which is caused by fading of vegetation. In the present investigation the vegetation of degraded land area of Lodna and its phonological trend was studied. The results revealed the presence of 49 species of flowering plants that included under 40 genera and 22 families. Caesalpiniaceae was dominant family in Lodna coal mine area. the plant species collected from degraded land area of Lodna Coal Mines exhibited different biological clocks in different seasons. There are several driving variables such as photoperiods, soil water, soil temperature, atmospheric temperature which determines the phonological development of different plant species around the Lodna coal mines area.


【Objective】 To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of holmium laser therapy with fiber bronchoscope under general anesthesia and the feasibility of partly replace the effect of rigid bronchoscope,a new method can be widely used for the trial.【Methods】11 patients with airway tumor who received general intravenous anesthesia Propofol,Remifentanil,and Suxamethonium chloride were treated by this very kind method.Pulsed-wave mode holmium laser quartz optical fiber produced by Coherent Co.USA was used in the study,whose energy was controlled within total power was 10~48 W.Irradiated treatment every 3~10 seconds was provided at 0.5~1 cm distance away from target site,and clamped the necrotic tissue alternately.Therapeutic sites included left main bronchus(2 cases),right main bronchus(3 cases),right intermediate bronchus(4 cases),left lung basal segment(1 case).Another case is that R.U.L forepart.【Result】The improvements of 11 patients'symptom were obvious after 17 therapies of holmium laser with bronchoscope,complete control 6 cases,partial control 5 cases,and that is to say the overall control rate was 100%.Additionally,those patients have the satisfying clinical results including both therapeutic effect and safety.【Conclusion】This study shows that it is safe and feasible for patients with airway tumor to receive holmium laser therapy with fiber bronchoscope under laryngeal mask airway.It has an obvious improvement to clinical symptom and provides a new therapeutic method for airway tumor obstruction and can partly replace rigid bronchoscope to meet the shortage of the huge amount of it according to the situation of our country.


Symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease has been diagnosed clinically in .3-1.7% of women using an IUD. In order to determine the histologic changes occuring material was obtained from 2 groups of patients. Group 1 (21 women) had Lippes loops inserted and endometrial biopsies obtained at various times; Group 2 (8 patients) had the Lippes loop inserted prior to an elective vaginal hysterectomy done 2-30 days later in association with colporrhaphy for functional disorders such as stress incontinence. In the hysterectomy specimens the loop caused a depression of the endometrial surface without ulceration or necrosis. In the areas between the loop focal areas of recent hemorrhage and congestion of the superficial endometrium were present. In the histological examinations several abnormal conditions were found in both groups of patients. Endometritis stromal lymphocytosis and subepithelial leukocyte accumulations were observed. Definite pathological changes occurred in the endometrium in a high percentage of these patients even though these changes were not enough to be classified as endometritis. Whether the reaction was due to sterile initiation or bacterial infection was not determined. The responses ranged from mild subepithelial leukocytic infiltration to diffuse chronic inflammation. Only rarely was clinical symptomatology associated with the histologic changes.


Users working with the constituents of polyurethane technologies, including PU-based adhesives and sealants, will soon be required to have health and safety training to protect their health and wellbeing


The primary aim of this research is to explore innovation activities and ascertain the relationships between these activities and growth performance of SMEs in the Tanzanian manufacturing sector. The applied model has been derived from international studies of innovation. A survey of SMEs combined with in-depth case studies was made to study innovation practices of SMEs in the Tanzanian manufacturing sector. The results of this survey are used to compare the situation with findings of previous research. An increased level of applied change is associated with innovating SMEs, and a positive relationship between innovativeness in the SMEs with growth performance could be established. Based on the comparison of the results, recommendations are made for stimulating innovation.


This is the first "theory" in a sequence of three. [by:- email@example.com All should be available on http://vixra.org] [1] General Theory of the 3D Cobweb Universe [http://vixra.org/all/1404] [2] Spherical Topology - The Basis for Fundamental Forces of the Universe [3] Sphere Geometry of Forces & Fundamental Particles of the Universe [viXra:1311.0196 ] There was only minor connections of logic along the sequence (insufficient for a reference or a Wikipedia citation!). The flash of inspired intuition overwhelmed logic and the "verifiable facts" in the General Theory of the Cobweb Universe. Each theory was "believed to be better" than the previous one, (in the areas that it covers) without any verifiable proof! This is called a General Theory because it covers many diverse aspects. The consequences & conclusions:- NOTE: As most of these concepts are of a "jigsaw puzzle type theory", be aware that if one concept is flawed the others can remain valid. Overall, this puts forward a comprehensive, "collective theory" exploring new possibilities and to explain the diverse observations made, including:- [1] A stringy universe. [2] Small even-sized particles of energy & matter. [3] the number of other universes limited in number by "quantum numbers". [4] there is a family tree of universes. [5] there is a family tree of forces. [6] local expansion leading up to creation of the next multiverse level. No dark energy required, it is just the natural evolution of the multi-dimensional, multi-universe! [7] multi-dimensional, multi-universe nature of matter. [8] This theory ties up with string theories for 11, 16 and 26 dimensions. A brief overview of the contents & the 11 novel concepts:- The new concept / aspects of /consequences of the embryonic "3D cobweb structure of the universe":- Everyday & scientific assumptions -Summary -Details -Scientific [1] Cubically connected space [2] Interconnectedness & intertwining [3] "Surface splitting" of universes [4] Space-time start [5] The quantum numbers of the evolving family of universes [6] The evolving family tree of universes [7] Helices of space & double helices of time. Time is an UNSTABLE "substance" [8] Entropy of Dimensional Expansion [9] The Big Bang [10] The matter and gravity [11] The Holographic principle. Testable aspects:- 5 verifiable testable observations.


Background: Dietary supplements purported to increase circulating nitric oxide are very popular among consumers. We determined the acute impact of two novel dietary supplements on plasma nitrate/nitrite (NOx) and nitrite alone. Methods: 20 men and women (age: 24 ± 5 years) ingested two different nitrate-rich supplements (Resync Recovery Blend at 7.5 g and 15 g; Resync Collagen Blend at 21 g), or placebo, on four different days. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and 75 min following ingestion and analyzed for NOx and nitrite. Results: Nitrite was not differently impacted by treatment (p > 0.05). The NOx response for men and women was very similar, with no sex interactions noted (p > 0.05). Condition (p < 0.0001), time (p < 0.0001), and condition x time (p < 0.0001) effects were noted for NOx. Values increased from baseline to post-ingestion for the Resync Recovery Blend at 7.5 g (11 ± 9 to 101 ± 48 µM) and at 15 g (9 ± 5 to 176 ± 91 µM), as well as for the Resync Collagen Blend (9 ± 9 to 46 ± 21 µM), while values for placebo remained stable (9 ± 7 to 8 ± 5 µM). Conclusion: While nitrite alone was not impacted by treatment, both Resync products result in an increase in plasma NOx, with the increase proportionate to the quantity of "nitric oxide blend" ingredients contained within each product. Future studies are needed to determine the physiological implications of the increased NOx, as pertaining to exercise performance and recovery, in addition to other aspects of human health.


Using standard Monte Carlo techniques for the canonical ensemble, we have simulated a model fluid of 864 particles interacting with a truncated Lennard-Jones pair potential over a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. In particular, we have calculated the excess heat capacity at constant volume. In agreement with previous PY calculations with the full Lennard-Jones pair potential and experimental results for inert gases, we have observed extrema with respect to density in the excess heat capacity. Our analysis of the radial distribution function suggests that these extrema are the result of competition between packing mechanisms and the increased pair distance correlation caused by the proximity of the critical point. We find that the locus of extrema of the isotherms for liquid densities terminates terminates below kT/{epsilon} = 0.92 and probably intersects the liquid-gas coexistence boundary near that temperature. 18 refs., 19 figs., 1 tab.


Semi-naive evaluation is an effective technique employed in bottom-up evaluation of logic programs to avoid redundant joins of answers. The impact of this technique on top-down evaluation had been unknown. In this paper, we introduce semi-naive evaluation into linear tabling, a top-down resolution mechanism for tabled logic programs. We give the conditions for the technique to be safe and propose an optimization technique called early answer promotion to enhance its effectiveness. While semi-naive evaluation is not as effective in linear tabling as in bottom-up evaluation, it is worthwhile to be adopted. Our benchmarking shows that this technique gives significant speed-ups to some programs.


cation. The section on theory and research is subdivided into the following categories: &dquo;People as Individuals,&dquo; &dquo;People in Groups,&dquo; and &dquo;Large, Formal Organizations.&dquo; The application section is also subdivided: &dquo;Individual Approaches,&dquo; &dquo;Group and Structural Approaches,&dquo; and &dquo;Environmental Approaches.&dquo; These titles give some indication of what areas are covered in the book.


assume responsibility not only for their actions but for choosing the framework of meaning in which their actions are to be evaluated. Likewise, consciousness of cultural pluralism engenders a profound respect for the radical otherness of various groups within the human family. Consciousness of cultural pluralism had its precursor in historical consciousness. History too was a fact of life before historical consciousness became an event in consciousness, i.e. a new way of relating to the passage of time and events. Above all, the historically conscious person knows that we live within the limits of time present, that time past with its events is irretrievable, and that neither past nor present is repeatable. Historically conscious Christians read the Bible with awareness that what it now means will never be the same as what


Abstract Teacher education programs emphasize a need for intercultural understandings that facilitate K-12 classroom practice. This study explores pre-service teachers' attitudes and perspectives about intercultural education. Findings show pre-service teachers from Euro-American ethnic backgrounds voice support for intercultural understanding while remaining passively involved in diverse school and community settings. These findings underscore the importance of the roles international faculty and international courses play in exposing pre-service teachers to intercultural knowledge and understanding.


In this paper, we propose a greedy technique for adaptive Fano coding, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, specially those in which memory constraints are tight. Our scheme has great potential in maximizing the output entropy, and thus has also indirect cryptographic implications. This paper includes the encoding and decoding algorithms, and the partitioning procedures suitable for the binary and r-ary schemes. It also includes a rigorous analysis of the properties of the algorithm. Empirical results demonstrate that our adaptive Fano scheme compresses marginally less than the adaptive Huffman scheme. In terms of speed, the former is faster in the compression phase and slower in the decompression phase. We also present the extension of the binary adaptive Fano coding method to multi-symbol code alphabets. We introduce the corresponding partitioning procedure, which deals with consecutive partitionings that satisfy the principles of Fano coding. To find the optimal partitioning, we propose a brute force algorithm that searches the entire space of all possible partitionings in O(m/sup r-1/) time. As opposed to this, we propose a greedy linear-time algorithm that finds a sub-optimal but accurate consecutive partitioning.


This paper examines the relationship between the perceived team climate for innovations and the experience of flow and worry and the moderating effect of team size. The research contains a multi-organization dataset with 323 software product development team members. The results show that the perceived climate for innovation is significantly positively related to the experience of flow and worry. However, the findings did not support the moderation with no differences in working in smaller or larger teams. This study indicates that the perceived climate for innovations positively relates to positive and negative individual effects without the importance of team size.


This paper presents two LUT-based MPGA architectures. The first MPGA architecture preserves the logic and the hierarchical routing interconnect scheme of an FPGA. The second MPGA architecture has a new regular routing interconnect scheme. Our experiments reveal an average area reduction of 97% in the second architecture compared to the first architecture and 81% in respect of an FPGA. The shrinking factor yields a reduction of 94% in the interconnect delay and 75% in the effective capacitance of a one-length wire. A study in one industrial design shows that the first architecture and the FPGA have 40% of more total wire-length. The second architecture has a potential reduction in dynamic power consumption