The penetration judgment of the projectile to the target is vital to evaluate its damage ability. Based on the similarity of projectile penetration residual velocity, the thickness equivalent model of plates with different materials is proposed in this paper. Simulation parameters are validated by physical experiments. Then a series of numerical simulations are carried out on 30CrMnSiNi2A projectiles penetrating 921A and Q235 steel target plates. Results show that with the increase of the plate thickness, the projectile residual velocity decays linearly, while the slope depends on the incident velocities. Simultaneously, the residual velocity conforms to a logarithmic growth as the mass of the projectile increases. Finally, the thickness equivalent relationship between 921A and Q235 steel plate is established by using the ratio of the material strength, the incident angle and the projectile shape coefficient. The proposed model can provide a reference to the general projectile penetration analysis.


Pathology in the petrous bone has been recognized for many years. Teedl~' in a review of the history of petrositis reveals that the signs and symptoms were well recognized and methods of treatment were devised by 1904. What was probably the earliest study of petrositis was made by Edward Coch in 1838. In his article entitled "Contribution to the Pathology of Congenital Deafness," he reported pathological studies of the petrous pyramid.


The total reaction cross sections for the interaction of 16O with emulsion nuclei (16O–Em) at energies: 0.2, 2.1, 3.6, 14.6, 60.0, and 200.0A GeV have been calculated in the framework of the Coulomb-modified Glauber model. A similar calculation in case of proton–emulsion (p–Em) interactions is carried out at the same energies. For both types of interactions, the corresponding projectile and target participants beside the corresponding binary collisions have been calculated for the same energies. Then the averages of these quantities have been obtained. These averages have been used in the calculations of the corresponding average multiplicity of the shower particles (s-particles) in the case of the 16O–Em interaction. The agreement between the calculated total reaction cross sections and the corresponding experimental data is quite good. Also, a good agreement between the calculated average multiplicities of the shower particles and the corresponding experimental data has been obtained.PACS Nos.: 24.10.Cn...


The tensile and resilient characteristics of the cold-mixed asphalt-stabilized aggregates were investigated in the laboratory using the indirect tensile and resilient modulus techniques. The mixture was also characterized by using the Marshall equipment that is frequently used in asphalt concrete mix design. Specimens were fabricated with emulsified asphalt, two aggregate types, two emulsion contents, and two initial added moisture contents. The properties of the mixture were evaluated at different curing conditions and test temperatures. Comparisons were made between dry and vacuum saturated specimens to evaluate the moisture resistance of the mixture. It was found that the mixture properties were largely affected by temperature. In addition, curing increased the tensile resistance and the resilient modulus values. Aggregate type, asphalt content, and initial added moisutre content altered the properties of the mixture at different degrees. Vacuum saturation affected the mixture characteristics to some extent. Other properties such as density, moisture content, and air voids were evaluated. (Author)


In societies where machismo is the norm, it strongly and negatively impacts the lives of women. Women are often considered inferior to men and are pigeonholed into a socially constructed models of femininity: homely, dependent, obedient, sweet and compassionate, helpless, virgins, pure, wives, submissive and complacent with their partners, faithful, monogamous, instinctively mothers, caretakers ... as synthesized by Mexican anthropologist and researcher, Marcela Lagarde, as "madresposas" (mother-wives). Women who break these molds and address sex in any way are not accepted as 'women of the house' and are often associated with "street women" or "putas." This restricts women from openly talking about deciding to use contraception [4].


Lornoxicam was chosen as the object of our research. It is a derivative of thienothiazine monocarboxylic acid amide. It plays the role of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a non-narcotic analgesic and an antipyretic. Lornoxicam is practically insoluble in water. The heat of dissolution of crystalline lornoxicam in solutions of potassium hydroxide at 298.15 K was measured by direct calorimetric method. Measurements were carried out on a calorimeter with an isothermal shell and automatic recording of the temperature-time curve, in a reaction vessel with a volume of 60 cm3 and at T = 298.15 ± 0.01 K and P = 100.5 ± 0.7 kPa. The relative measurement error for the heat of dissolution of the standard substance was 0.1-0.3%. The operation of the calorimetric unit was tested according to the generally accepted calorimetric standard – the heat of dissolution of crystalline potassium chloride in water. The calculation of the equilibrium composition of the system, taking into account the processes of stepwise dissociation of lornoxicam and dissociation of water, was carried out according to the KEV program. The value of the standard enthalpy of lornoxicam formation was calculated using an additive group method based on group systematics with a classification of fragments of the Benson classification type, which takes into account the influence of the initial environment for atoms. The standard enthalpy of lornoxicam anion formation in an aqueous solution was determined using data on the heat of dissolution of lornoxicam in alkali solutions with a ratio of equivalents of at least 1:2. The standard enthalpy of lornoxicam formation and its dissociation products in an aqueous solution are calculated. The values of the standard enthalpy of lornoxicam formation and its dissociation products in an aqueous solution were obtained for the first time. They are key quantities in the thermochemistry of this compound, open up the possibility of conducting rigorous thermodynamic calculations in systems with lornoxicam.


This article introduces a spatio-temporal distance which allows the extension of the spatial cluster detection methods of Demattei et al. (2007) and Cucala (2009). A review of these methods is given before we define a spatio-temporal distance. Then this distance is used for detecting spatio-temporal clusters. These ordering-based methods are compared to the scan statistic by a simulation study. The scan procedure is more powerful but it detects fewer true positives due to its lack of flexibility. Those techniques are applied to a seismic data set. This article highlights two advantages of the ordering-based methods: their flexibility and their low computational demand.


The development of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) allows three-dimensional analysis of the patient's anatomy. The surgical guide is a combination of CBCT, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and implant diagnostics software, which allows well planned prostheses design and ideal implant placement. Guided surgery minimizes possible anatomical damage and allows for more reproducible treatment planning. In this case, the operation time was shortened by using a surgical guide for multiple implants placement in a fully edentulous patient. Immediate loading were performed more easily using preliminary preparation of provisional prosthesis. The patient was satisfied with improved esthetics and chewing function. (J Korean Acad Prosthodont 2018;56:126-33)


Nowadays, most industries receive large energy consumption sheets daily, making it challenging to monitor and control energy consumption. This suggests a need for the development of an energy monitoring system to help observe the energy consumption behavior and be able to make timely corrections in energy consumption. Therefore, this project aimed to develop the electronic prototype of the monitoring and control system from an application for a cell phone with an Android system. The energy monitoring system could help in saving precious non-renewable sources. This project employed the agile methodology to allow for system requirements and analysis, system development, system implementation, integration, and testing. The information was acquired using energy consumption sensors and analyzed based on statistical tables stored in the cloud, for four days. The sensors communicate via a wireless network that operates on the 2.4GHz frequency, where the NRF 24 L01 + transceiver was used. Moreover, a Raspberry pi Zero was utilized for the configuration of the central node, and this was responsible for the collection of the information gathered in the sensors and publishing it in the cloud every hour. For the android system-based application, the data was collected graphically. Lastly, the developed system also produces real-time consumption data, which were then analyzed to identify the devices with the highest consumption level relative to the total number of devices. The information gained after the analysis of the data was also useful in identifying any damaged equipment or machine. The damaged equipment and machine portrayed different behaviors (they appear to be outliers) in their energy consumption when compared to undamaged ones.


Objective: Every person fears but, if that fear gets more serious as a phobia and, affects judgements about health and treatment decisions, life could be harder and it could have negative outcomes. This study aims to review the fear of the using medication and other fears in the health area. Fear is what makes human protect * Corresponding Author / Sorumlu Yazar: Özge Özer e-mail: email@example.com Submitted/Gönderilme: 06.03.2019 Accepted/Kabul: 27.04.2019 Özer ve Şar J. Fac. Pharm. Ankara, 43(2): 209-219, 2019 210 him or herself, is a meaningful stimulant. But, fear could make these patients' lives difficult to live with and sometimes it could make them reject the treatment all together. In this article, it is aimed to demonstrate the term of pharmacophobia as having the fear of the pharmacological medicine usage and, other fears including health issues. In order to form this review study, researches that are related with pharmacophobia and fear of treatments had been investigated. By this way it is tried to explained the reasons and the impacts of the fear towards medication and other fears regarding the healthcare. Result and Discussion: Possible advers drug reactions, media and internet's negative posts, region and regional culture effects could cause the fear situations. In order to ensure rational drug use, enhance the drug compliance and improve the patient's medical condition, it is important to fight against the fear. Giving patients professional advice and consultancy about medical treatment plans are found helpful aspects.


The paper deals with the relationship between crime and the physical (built) environment and specifically the housing environment in poorer communities. It discusses the concept of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) with respect to its theoretical approach, its basic principles and its application within the South African context. The strengths and limitations of this approach are also addressed.


Explicit timing constraints are naturally present in reallife systems (transmission delays, response time, etc...). Classical models (finite automata, Petri nets, etc ...) can not express such real-time constraints. Since their introduction by Rajeev Alur and David Dill in [AD90, AD 94], timed automata are one of the most studied models for real-time systems: in those systems, qua ntitative properties of delays between events can easily be expressed. Numerous works have been devoted to the "theoretical" comprehension of timed automata: determinization [AFH94], minimization [ACD 92], power of clocks [ACH94, HKWT95], power of ε-transitions [BDGP98], extensions of the model [DZ98, HRS9 8, CG00, BFH01], logical characterizations [Wil94, HRS98], etc... have in particular been investigated. Practical aspects of the model have also been considered and several model-checkers are no w available (HYTECH [HHWT97], KRONOS [DOTY96], UPPAAL [LPY97]). These model-checkers have been used to verify man y industrial case studies (see the web pages of the tools, given page 23).


Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are an integral part of any building, often comprising 20% to 40% of the total building cost. Clearly, it is difficult to be in responsible charge of the construction of an entire building without also having an understanding of how and why mechanical systems work the way they do. The main difficulty in teaching the fundamentals of HVAC systems to construction management students revolves around the fact that most students have very little background or experience with these systems. Added to this problem is the fact that most texts on the subject matter are very technical in nature, principally written for design engineers and not construction managers. It is believed by many researchers that most students find learning easier, and more comprehensible, if the material is presented visually. This paper discusses two different approaches to providing visual "hands on" teaching methods through the use of a HVAC laboratory.


To define the molecular basis of the cognitive interaction in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), we sequenced the variable regions of monoclonal autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (Tg), specific or not for the F40D peptide, a Tg pep tide capable of inducing EAT in CBA/J mice. Three MoAbs were obtained by immunization with syngeneic Tg of CBA/J (3B8G9, 2F6F2) or C57B1/6 (4D11F4) mice. 3B8G9 was specific for F40D peptide, whereas 2F6F2 and 4D11F4 were not. Two others were raised in CBA/J mice by manipulation of idiotypic pathways: B12 resulted from the immunization with one Ab2β, bearing the internal image of one F40D epitope, and TA2 from the immunization with F40D‐specific cytotoxic HTC2 T cells. B12 and TA2 were both specific for F40D. All hybridomas expressed different members of the J558 VH family, except 3B8G9 which expressed a Q52 VH gene segment. These data led us to hypothesize that regulatory anti‐id autoantibodies used members of one VH family located in the 5′‐end of the VH locus, whereas EAT‐associated autoantibodies used a member of one of the most D‐proximal VH family. As expected, no homologies were found when anti‐F40D monoclonal autoantibodies were compared with two other monoclonal autoantibodies displaying a different epitopic specificity. Among the anti‐F40D monoclonal autoantibodies, one histidine residue located in position 35 of the CDRl region was constantly found. Moreover, TA2 and B12 exhibited two common animo acids in their CDR3 regions, one glycine and one tyrosine, in positions 98 and 99, respectively. Striking homologies were found between TA2 and one anti‐polyGAT MoAb, and between 3B8G9 and some anti‐phenyloxazolone (phOx) monoclonal autoantibodies. Lastly, the VK sequence from 4D11F4 was identical at the amino acid level to the VK sequence from another monoclonal autoantibody, 81B1, which was previously raised towards syngeneic Tg in CBA/J mice. Our data imply that anti‐idiotypic regulatory circuits in EAT might be generated by a heterogeneous population of B cells rather than obtained by a single dominant B cell population.


An optical method was proposed, based on the ratio of color difference, to identify the thickness of graphene on dielectric/Si substrates. The effect of light source on the color difference of graphene sheets has been investigated. The result shows that for the number of graphene layers N ≤ 10, the ratio between the color differences of N- and single-layer graphene remains almost unchanged under different light sources. It suggests that one can accurately identify the number of graphene layers by comparing the experimental and theoretical ratio of color difference of graphene without knowing the illuminant's parameters. The method is rapid, nondestructive, and illuminant independent and needs only an optical image to determine the thickness of graphene sheets.


In policy documents concerning Transport sustainability plays an important role. Main goal is to achieve a transport system that is fast, clean, safe, quite and reliable. Further the transport system should contribute to the main goals concerning the emission of CO2 and energy use.
One of the ways to achieve all of this is through a better utilization of the existing infrastructure, for instance using traffic management measures.
However, it is not really known if all these goals can be reached, but also how these goals relate to each other and what measures should be taken to actually achieve all of this.
When the project started the main focus was on network efficiency in terms of travel times, delay etc. Other goals were considered but not as a main objective, more as a constraint. Traffic management was evaluated in terms of network efficiency, and one was satisfied when traffic safety, noise or air pollution had not become worse.
In ATMA these constraints have become objectives. It is studied how the objectives can actually be quantified in a workable manner, what the effects of specific measures are for the all goals, how reliability and the robustness of networks can be determined, and how a transport network can be optimized using multiple objectives. Further it is studies how traffic control can be improved, for instance using a distributed control, or an anticipatory control framework.


PURPOSE: To provide 1) a description of the levels of physical activity and social support for exercise for fraternity and sorority members; 2) a comparison of gender differences in physical activity levels among fraternity and sorority members; and 3) to determine a relationship between levels social support for exercise and physical activity in fraternity and sorority members. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-seven members of fraternities and sororities completed an online survey (74.8% female). The online survey included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Social Support for Exercise Survey, and demographic questions. RESULTS: According to the IPAQ, the majority of fraternity and sorority members (90%) were engaged in moderate or high volumes of activity. However, the majority of members (62.3%) were not vigorously active 3 days per week for at least 20 minutes per session. Males were significantly more likely to report being active than females (p < 0.001). There were moderate correlations between social support for exercise from friends and the combination of moderate and vigorous activity (0.42); moderate activity (0.41); and vigorous activity (0.44). Social support for exercise from friends and gender predicted approximately 20% of the variance in moderate and vigorous physical activity. DISCUSSION: Approximately 40% of fraternity and sorority members reported engaging in vigorous activity. Fraternity members were more likely to report participation in vigorous activity than sorority members. Social support for exercise from friends was higher in students with structured exercise including moderate and vigorous activity. All significant correlations between 27 social support for exercise and physical activity variables were positive. The strongest predictors of vigorous exercise were social support from friends and gender. INTRODUCTION Although physical activity levels decline with age, 1 adult levels of physical activity are correlated with activity during earlier life. 2 Developing an active lifestyle during college may aid in the continuation of physical activity when students enter the working world. Calfas et al. 3 reported that the majority (54%) of alumni either continued with college levels of physical activity or even increased the amount of participation in physical activity. Unfortunately, several studies suggest that a large number of college students are inadequately active or are participating in no physical activity. 4-13 In a review by Keating et al., 6 physical inactivity ranged from 36% to 50% for undergraduate students. Similar findings were reported by Irwin, 5 suggesting approximately 40% of college students do not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American College of Sports Medicine (CDC/ACSM) guidelines for physical activity. 14 Researchers suggest that future studies are needed in this population to determine what is influencing their physical activity behaviors as well as interventions that might be most effective in increasing physical activity. 5, 6 One possible determinant of physical activity behavior in college students might be social support for exercise. Social support for exercise has been reported as a determinant of physical activity levels in several studies. These studies 6, 15-18 included subjects of varying ages, races, and gender. Social support appears to influence physical activity levels 19 as well as aid in the continuation of physical activity programs. 20 Generally, as levels of social support for


In this paper, the simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithm (GA) are explored for automating the design of an analog circuit. ‡e transistor sizing methodology performs optimization with simulation-based feedback. ‡e sizes of the transistors of an analog circuit are determined by the optimization algorithm and are applied to a schematic representation of the circuit for characterization through SPICE simulation. ‡e characterized response of the circuit is then provided as input to the optimization algorithm for further tuning. ‡e proposed transistor sizing methodology is applied to an active inductor based voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for multiple target frequencies and amplitudes. ‡e SA algorithm produced no more than a 6% error in frequency from target values, while the GA produced transistor sizes that resulted in no more than 6% error in frequency and 13% error in amplitude. In addition, the GA provided superior results in determining transistor sizes for higher target frequencies, as determined through calculation of the cost function. However, the improved results came at a considerably greater computational cost. A hybrid optimization technique is proposed, where GA performs coarse search space exploration to determine the initial conditions for the SA, and SA is then executed for €ne optimization of the transistor sizes. ‡e hybrid optimization technique not only resulted in 2.6x faster computational time as compared to GA but also resulted in a signi€cantly lower cost function as compared to both the GA and SA optimization techniques. ‡e results indicate that the proposed methodology provides a quick and accurate means of determining transistor sizes for target analog circuit speci€cations, which signi€cantly reduces the cost and the design time of analog circuits. Keywords—analog EDA, simulation-based optimization, simulated annealing, genetic algorithm


A computer assisted optical extensometer has been set-up. Such a technique provides fruitful information on the sequences of events contributing to the non elastic deformation of ductile polymers. It is of special interest in the case of rubber-toughened systems in which cavitational modes (crazing, rubber cavitation) as well as fairly constant volume modes (shear banding) may contribute in various amounts to the overall deformation. Illustration of the capabilities and limitations of the technique are given with preliminary results obtained on Rubber-Toughened Poly(methylmethacrylate) at various particle volume fractions


Municipalities make significant efforts with limited resources to collect pavement condition data. Overall Condition Index (OCI), which uses the pavement surface evaluation and rating manual to identify roadways needing repair, is a convenient and common way of pavement condition assessment. Many data used in assessing the OCI are collected from fieldwork. Some data features give little insight into road conditions, and one feature may provide similar information to another; thus, effective data-collection resources can be optimized by selecting which data feature to keep and which to discard. In addition, the OCI reflects how local agencies highlight the important variables driving their pavement-management investments. It is also a reflection of the triggers that they use to propose various treatment strategies. This research aimed to evaluate pavement distresses in West Des Moines, Iowa, using machine-learning methods, and determine which combination of distresses and their distress proportions can accurately predict the OCI class of a particular pavement type. The wrapper feature-selection methods were used, fitting their results to classification-tree models. Automatic feature selection, using Featurewiz, was also considered to select the desired number of variables. Feature parameters were screened for OCI prediction using the mean decrease impurity, and the results could be used to model classification that may be used for year-long predictions. Results showed that an effective OCI estimate methodology could be determined with significant accuracy with fewer features.


Objective To investigate the flow direction in seeking medical health of the community inhabitants of Shenzhen city and their extent in understanding of and attitude to the community health service (CHS) in order to analyze its relation to age, occupation, education background and states of health of the inhabitants.Methods Totally 2544 inhabitants were taken at random from eight representative communities in Shenzhen City to investigate their flow direction in seeking medical health service and the extent of their understanding of and attitude to the CHS; statistical method was applied for analysis.Results Among the 2544 inhabitants, 59.55% chose CHS centers as their usually daily institution for medical care, and of which 88.71% held that it was necessary to establish CHS center in communities. There were differences in flow direction, understanding of the CHS, and ratio of seeking medical health service in the CHS centers (P0.05); while the attitude of inhabitants to the establishment of CHS was not related to the age, education level and occupation of the inhabitants, but it was related to the health status of the inhabitants (P0.05)Conclusion CHS centers have become the main institution of majority of inhabitants in seeking medical service; the flow direction of inhabitants in seeking medical service and their understanding of CHS as well as the condition of their visiting are related to the education background, occupation, age and health status. It is practically proved that CHS is the model for the medical service reformation in communities.


Chapter 1 Introduction 1
 1.1 Background & Motivation 1
 1.2 Outline of the Thesis 3
Chapter 2 OFDM system 4
 2.1 System Model 4
Chapter 3 Fading Channel 8
 3.1 Rayleigh fading and Rician fading channel 11
 3.2 Channel Modeling 13
 3.2.1 Jakes Mode


The Mandelstam representation is a statement about the region of analyticity and asymptotic behavior (polynomial boundedness) of a scattering amplitude. In virtue of the unitarity condition, however, these two are not completely independent. Some physical consequences, e.g., uniqueness, polynomial boundedness of the total cross section, etc., which have been already derived from the Mandelstam representation, are shown to be preserved, even if the polynomial boundedness is replaced by a somewhat weaker assumption. By making use of unitarity, analyticity, and crossing symmetry, the following type of scattering amplitude F = E + M, where E is an entire function in both variables s and t, while M denotes a Mandelstam‐type function with finite number of subtraction, is shown to be ruled out. Similarly, F = EM is also ruled out, if one imposes the additional restriction that E should increase less fast than an exponential in one variable while the other is finite.


The estimates of the biomass resource base in the Northwest are reviewed for comparison with scenarios used and a preliminary analysis of the issues involved in the collection and use of forest residues as an energy resource is presented. Four issues are reviewed that may serve to constrain the total amount of wood residues available for use as fuel. (MHR)


We give structure theorems for self-small abelian groups A of finite torsion-free rank such that every endomorphic image of A is a quasi-summand of A. Several examples and related results are given.


ABSTRACT The complexities of the first-generation college student journey may change how these students experience well-being — both what contributes to and detracts from it. As such, this study was conducted to deepen understanding of first-generation college students' lived experiences in relation to their well-being. This work shares findings from an interpretive, constructivist qualitative study grounded in interviews with 11 undergraduate, first-generation college students at a large, public, four-year institution in the Mid-Atlantic. Findings underscore connections between students' well-being and their goals, their on/off campus relationships, and their multiple identities. Implications for supporting first-generation college students' well-being are discussed.


AC-3 is a system for coding up to 3.1 channels of audio into a low bit-rate data stream. High quality may be obtained with compression ratios approaching 12-1 for multichannel audio programs. The high compression ratio is achieved by methods which do not increase decoder memory, and thus cost. The methods employed include: the transmission of a high frequency resolution spectral envelope; and a novel forward/backward adaptive bit allocation algorithm. In order to satisfy practical requirements of an emissions coder, the AC-3 syntax includes a number of features useful to broadcasters and consumers. These features include: loudness uniformity between programs; dynamic range control; and broadcaster control of downmix coefficients. The AC-3 coder has been formally selected for inclusion in the U.S. HDTV broadcast standard, and has been informally selected for several additional applications.


Section 70c of the Bankruptcy Act, colloquially known as the "strongarm clause," provides that a trustee in bankruptcy, as to all property upon which a creditor of the bankrupt could have obtained a lien by legal or equitable proceedings, shall be deemed vested as of the date of bankruptcy "with all the rights, remedies, and powers of a creditor then holding a lien thereon by such proceedings, whether or not such a creditor actually exists."' This provision in its original form was first inserted in the Bankruptcy Act in 1910,2 in order to strike down certain secret liens and transfers made by a bankrupt, which would have been vulnerable to his creditors in state court proceedings, but which had been upheld as against the trustee because he "stood In the shoes" of the bankrupt. 3


AbstractTo attain the data of effective dynamic deflection basin utilized to implement modulus backcalculation of asphalt pavement, by dynamic finite element method, the solution method of damping coefficients of pavement structural layers is discussed, the estimation model of subgrade damping coefficients is established, and the influence of testing loading's dynamic effect and discontinuous contact behavior between structural layers on distribution features of surface dynamic deflection basin is investigated. The results demonstrate that (1) subgrade damping coefficient is a main factor affecting surface dynamic deflection distribution, which is mainly controlled by subgrade modulus, while influence of other structural parameters on subgrade damping coefficients is negligible; (2) when the asphalt pavement is imposed by static and dynamic loadings, the distribution features of dynamic defection basin has a dynamic defection basin for the same asphalt pavement; (3) performing back calculation of modulus ...


A fibrous insulation has insulation fibers (104) with a fungicide in a dispersed additive affixed to the fibers (104), and a method of making a fibrous insulation by dispersing g a fungicide and a dispersed additive on the fibers (104) followed by affixing the ispersed additive on the fibers (104). The method produces thermal, acoustic, duct liner or board insulation either as loose fill insulation or as an insulation mat.


Blockade of pancreatic digestive enzymes in the intestine ameliorates shock and multiorgan failure and improves survival in rodents. Stopping Shock In emergency medicine, shock can be, indeed, shocking. Shock arises from several conditions, including heart attacks, infection, internal bleeding, and trauma, and results in rapid multiorgan failure. Despite its prevalence in the emergency room, the causes of shock are not well understood. DeLano et al. hypothesized that the underlying cause of shock is the leakage of pancreatic enzymes from the lumen into the wall of the intestine, which "self-digest" the intestinal tissue, leading to inflammation and organ damage. To test this hypothesis and ultimately stop shock, the authors treated animal models of experimental shock with various enzyme inhibitors delivered into the lumen of the intestine. Three rat models of experimental shock were used: hemorrhagic (bleeding), septic (infection), and toxic (endotoxin). Because of its rapid onset and damaging sequelae, suspected shock needs to be treated immediately. One hour after induction of shock, animals were treated with one of three enzymatic inhibitors, including tranexamic acid, which is approved for use in people in the United States. In all treated groups, enzymatic blockade prevented microhemorrhages and increased survival compared with untreated animals. Most (>80%) of untreated animals suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest and died from shock. Moreover, treatment with the enzyme inhibitors prevented loss of villi and destruction of the mucosal layer associated with autodigestion of intestinal wall tissue. Owing to the prolonged survival in three different rodent models, this enzymatic blockade approach is poised for translation to clinical trials. Notably, a recent case study by these authors showed success of this enzymatic blockade approach in one patient, which gives hope for stopping more cases of shock in humans. Shock, sepsis, and multiorgan failure are associated with inflammation, morbidity, and high mortality. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism is unknown, but evidence suggests that pancreatic enzymes in the intestinal lumen autodigest the intestine and generate systemic inflammation. Blocking these enzymes in the intestine reduces inflammation and multiorgan dysfunction. We investigated whether enzymatic blockade also reduces mortality after shock. Three rat shock models were used here: hemorrhagic shock, peritonitis shock induced by placement of cecal material into the peritoneum, and endotoxin shock. One hour after initiation of hemorrhagic, peritonitis, or endotoxin shock, animals were administered one of three different pancreatic enzyme inhibitors—6-amidino-2-naphtyl p-guanidinobenzoate dimethanesulfate, tranexamic acid, or aprotinin—into the lumen of the small intestine. In all forms of shock, blockade of digestive proteases with protease inhibitor attenuated entry of digestive enzymes into the wall of the intestine and subsequent autodigestion and morphological damage to the intestine, lung, and heart. Animals treated with protease inhibitors also survived in larger numbers than untreated controls over a period of 12 weeks. Surviving animals recovered completely and returned to normal weight within 14 days after shock. The results suggest that the active and concentrated digestive enzymes in the lumen of the intestine play a central role in shock and multiorgan failure, which can be treated with protease inhibitors that are currently available for use in the clinic.


In a field experiment conducted with Brassica juncea (Rai) on an alluvial sandy loam soil, medium in available sulphur, application of sulphur, zinc and boron significantly increased the concentration and uptake of these elements. Seed yield, oil and protein contents were significantly improved by their application, either alone or in combination.


Identifying potential tools that could help improving the standard of care and lead to a better allocation of economic resources represents a main objective of research in public health. Using data from the PRIORITY cohort, this study aims to describe inpatients costs after a discharge for isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

 The PRIORITY project was designed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of 2 large multicenter cohort studies on CABG conducted between 2002-04 and 2007-08. For each patient discharged alive after a CABG intervention, costs of hospitalizations were estimated as the sum of costs of all the admissions occurred during 3 years of follow-up. NHS reimbursement rates were used as standard costs (in Euros). Inpatients costs were analysed according to their baseline risk factors.

 Among the 7363 patients included in this analysis, the median 3-year hospitalization costs were 4341€ (IQR: 1865-11699). Median costs were around 4.000€ for subjects alive at the end of follow up but higher for patients dying within 1 (about 8.600€) and 2-3 years of follow up (about 20.000€). The presence of comorbidities (such as diabetes and cancer) lead to higher median hospitalization costs while the on-pump approach was associated to lower median cost. Sixteen per cent of patients were at zero cost having no re-hospitalizations during the 3 years of follow-up (97% alive). Subjects at zero cost received more frequently on-pump approach, had a lower frequency of cancer, arteriopathy and ictus, but a higher frequency of angina and infarction.

 Inpatient costs after isolated CABG are affected by preoperative comorbidities and by operative variables that could be removed or managed. Identifying independent risk factors for re-hospitalization will lead to the definition of a preoperative clinical and decision-making path that will bring both a clinical advantage for the patient and an optimization of costs for the NHS.

 Inpatient costs after isolated CABG are affected by preoperative comorbidities and operative characteristics like the on-pump approach. Appropriate management of operative approaches mainly based on operator preferences can have important implications in terms of healthcare costs.


Objective To investigate the complications and long-term clinical outcomes of pacemaker implantation in elderly patients aged more than 80 years.Methods Consecutive old patients with cardiac pacemaker implantation from December 1,2001 to December 1,2007 at the Institute of Geriatric Cardiology were selected.Clinical characteristics,complications and long-term outcomes were compared between patients aged ≥80 years(very elderly group;n=60) and patients aged ≥65 years and 80 years(elderly group;n=60).Results Clinical characteristics were not significantly different between two groups except age(P0.05).The incidences of lead perforation and pain complication in the very elderly group were significantly higher than those in the elderly group(P0.05).Improvement of symptoms and life quality,defect and complication of pacemaker,lead parameters after 1 year were not significantly different between two groups(P0.05).The incidence of heart failure in the very elderly group was significantly higher than that in the elderly group(P0.05).Conclusions Pacemaker therapy in the very elderly patients is safe and effective.More attention should be paid on lead perforation and pain after pacemaker implantation in the very elderly patients.


: This paper the trouble with governance and Performance of State Governors across the states of Nigerian Government. The study adopted elite theory as a theoretical framework of analysis. The study established that the problem of godfatherisms, financial recklessness and misplacement of priorities in project execution were factors militating against the performances of state governors in Nigeria. The implication of the study is that it might be too difficult for the government (governors) to live up to it's electioneering promises to the people. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there should be a well co-ordinated relationships between the godfathers and godsons, that the government should prioritize it's projects in order of importance before embarking on them and finally that the government should as much as possible avoid unprecedented or skyrocketed wage bill by employing only the workforce that the government revenue can carry it's wage bill.


With 3Dsensation, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has initiated an interdisciplinary project to promote new techno logies in the field of manmachine interaction. Profes sor Andreas Tünnermann, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), in Jena, Germany, is the spokesperson for this Innovation Alliance and has provided information about the background and goals of the project in an interview with AOT publisher Andreas Thoss.


Cyber system is indispensable in guaranteeing the security operation of power system, which reminds the need to analyze the impact of cyber system failure on power grid cascading blackout. According to different functions, the cyber system is divided into three parts, which are monitoring, controlling and protecting respectively. Then, the states of the cyber system and the physical system are sampled to simulate cascading outage based on failure probabilities of the power components and the failure model of the cyber system. Finally, the proposed method is verified on the IEEE RTS-79 system. The numerical results show that cyber system failure usually accelerates cascading blackouts, and the loss of blackouts increase with the increase of failure probability of cyber system.


Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 7.5% of the population. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) defines ADHD as symptoms of inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity inappropriate for age and gender, to a degree significant enough to cause impairment in daily functioning. Thorough differential diagnosis must be considered when evaluating a child who presents with symptoms suggestive of ADHD, as ADHD is one of many diagnoses that can be associated with inattention in a child. In K.J.'s case, ADHD (predominantly inattentive subtype) could explain her inability to focus and associated struggles with learning in school; however, a learning disability could also explain these symptoms. With K.J.'s history of language problems, receptive language deficits must also be considered as a possible primary issue leading to inattention. DSM-IV-TR also specifically states that to meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD, symptoms present "are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (eg, mood disorder, anxiety disorder)" and do not occur exclusively during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder such as autism. Diagnostic evaluation should include consideration of these and other diagnoses that can have inattention as an associated feature. K.J. is a 6-year-4-month-old female whose mother reports to her primary care physician that "her teacher is concerned about her ability to focus at school." She also reports that K.J. is "having difficulty mastering kindergarten material."


Objectives: Main: to verify the utility of the determination from cotinine in accumulated sweat in skin path in the control of the abstinence from tobacco. Secondaries objectives: to verify if the relationship between the cotinine levels of cotinine in sweat and the number of cigarettes which are consumed daily exists, and if there is some relation between the number of attempts to give up smoking and tobacco abstinence after treatment with bupropion; to verify if the absence of the consumption of tobacco agrees with non-existents levels of cotinine in sweat; and if the success of the treatment with bupropion is dependent on the doses and the levels of cotinine in sweat. Patients and method: A descriptive longitudinal not controlled pilot study, based on the periodic determination of the levels of cotinine in sweat, accumulated in a skin patch, in 9 out of 20 smokers studied, and on criteria of nicotine dependence, during a period of 6 consecutive months, put under farmacological treatment with bupropion (total samples 144). Results: There exist statistically significant relationship between consumption of cigarettes and cotinine levels in sweat; but don't between previous attempts of give up the consumption of tobacco and success of give up after treatment with bupropion. After treatment with bupropion, cotinine in sweat is not detected in those who gived up the consumption. In smokers with moderate dependence and consumption, bupropion 150 mg qd seems to be as effective as bupropion 300 mg qd. Conclusions: The detection of cotinine in the accumulated sweat in skin patch, could be a useful method for the control of the abstinence from tobacco obtained after treatment with bupropion.


INTRODUCTORY. EXPERIMENTS have already been made [Barnes and Lume, 1919] on the antiscorbutic value of raw, dried and heated cow's milk and for some of these experiments monkeys were used. Reference is there made to the literature of the subject, but as far as is known no experimental observations are extant on the anti-scorbutic value of sweetened condensed milk. It is probable from what is already known of the anti-scorbutic value of milk heated to 1000, or above, that unsweetened condensed milk has lost all or almost all of its anti-scorbutic property, since it is heated at a temperature above 1000 in order to sterilise it. With sweetened condensed milk however the high concentration of sugar is depended upon as the preservative after the preliminary pasteurisation. of the milk. Concentration is carried out below 550 and is conducted in vacuo. It therefore seemed of interest to examine some well-known brand of condensed milk from this point of view and Nestl6's was chosen for the purpose. In the work already referred to [Barnes and Illume, 1919], the minimum dose of raw milk daily needed to protect monkeys of 2-3 kilos. weight from scurvy was found to be 100-150 cc. daily. It was therefore only necessary to establish the minimum daily dose of condensed milk which would protect the same or similar animals from scurvy, in order to be able to calculate the loss, if any, suffered by the condensed milk.


By means of a Painleve–Backlund transformation and a multi-linear separation-of-variable approach, abundant localized coherent excitations of a modified Broer–Kaup system are derived. There appear possible phase shifts for the interactions of the (2+1)-dimensional novel localized structures, which are discussed in this paper.


It has been claimed that the functional architecture of German clauses involves heads such as [Topic] that are defined by their information structure value, and that movement to the specifier position of such heads is (partially) responsible for free word order in German. This paper argues that this view is misguided. (i) There is no evidence for a syntactically defined topic position in the middle field of German clauses. (ii) The distinction between marked and unmarked serialization must also be made for structures that do not involve movement. (iii) Movement in the interest of information structure is often altruistic


The Reverse Influence Maximization (RIM) model deals with the viral marketing cost minimization in social networks. On the other hand, the Influence maximization (IM) technique finds the small number of influential users that maximize the viral marketing profit. Here, the profit is defined by the maximum number of nodes that can be influenced by seed users when they are initially activated. On the other hand, the cost is measured by the minimum number of nodes required to activate all the seed nodes. However, most of the existing studies focus on profit maximization without considering the seeding cost. Moreover, the most profitable node may not always be a cost-effective one. Thus, in this research, we introduce an epidemic Cost Minimization model under the Competitive Market in Dynamic social networks (CMCMD, i.e., CM2D). In the CM2D model, we modify the Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) technique as the Reverse SIR (RSIR) model to employ in the node activation process. The proposed CM2D model also uses the greedy Set Cover approximation technique to optimize the seeding cost. Moreover, the CM2D model tackles the challenging issues of the RIM problem more efficiently than the existing models. Finally, we simulate our model using datasets of two synthesized and four real datasets, and the results show that the CM2D model outperforms the existing models.


The paper will present the way in which the procurement audit process takes place in a particular settlement entity. The paper is presented in nine parts in a way that at the beginning of the paper defines key concepts, so through segregation and identification of risks in the procurement process, it is necessary to define the necessary criteria that must be met in the process of controlling procurement procedures. in the audit of the financial statements of the entity. As one of the most important business processes in the company is the audit of the procurement process due to the fact that it represents a significant component of financial statements, both balance sheet and income statement, the authors are of the opinion that the work will contribute to persons performing procurement activities. to manage the procurement audit process, identify problems in the same as well as ways in which problems could be overcome.


Two kinds of dogmatism afflict the study of English grammar. They have more in common than is widely realized. On one side we have tradition-bound fundamentalists who take the rules to be clear and simple regulative principles laid down centuries ago by unquestionable authorities. On the other, we have theoretical linguists, who correctly take grammatical principles as a topic for discovery rather than stipulation, but insist that the detail and complexity of grammar must be explainable through the action and interaction of principles that are universal, elegant, and biologically based. I believe both views are in error. Here I focus mostly on the traditionalists. Their system of analysis, essentially unaltered for two hundred years, is assumed in all dictionaries and almost all grammar textbooks today, despite its grave defects. The deepest errors stem from a longstanding confusion of category (word class) with function (grammatical or semantic relation). Attempts to define category in terms of function yield a familiar story: nouns name things, verbs name actions, adjectives name qualities, and so on. All of this is puerile confusion. And in the case of adjectives and adverbs, new evidence reveals that the contrast cannot be reduced to differences in function, because the complementarity view (adjectives modify nouns, adverbs modify non-nouns) is not tenable.


In ethnic social life each race has its differences due to the environment in which they live. Some common customs are found in all communities. Transition in cultural life is natural. It is human nature to set each of the transitions in relation to a ritual. Salem Chemmanur Chettiars perform biological rituals during each transition. Human life is characterized by various transitions from birth to death. Rituals and beliefs are found in every community. Putting the sugar water on the baby at birth is seen as a ritual. These rituals are performed according to the developmental stage of the child as he or she grows to a certain size, such as a hemisphere rope around the waist. Such rituals are common among the girl child and some other rituals are performed as she grows up. Women perform the flowering ritual during flowering. Booppu ritual is seen as a defilement ritual. Poop is the first menstrual period. The flower is a sign that the woman has become fertile. This event is considered as an important transformation of life. Like this, wedding ceremonies are considered to be the primary transition ceremony. Death rites are the final event of human life. Various such rituals are observed in the lives of the Chettiars of Salem Semmanur.


In the present article author explores characteristics and structure of the secondary mortgage market of the United States of America. The study begins with the history of the development of the market. Thus, the author notes that the practice of issuing securities backed by mortgage assets stared with the work of "Ginnie Mae". Such refinancing helped to provide "Fannie Mae," and then began the development of the turnover of securities, backed by pools of mortgages. Further the author considers: 1. the main features of the securities issued by mortgage institutions; 2. "Fannie Mae": the main types of equity securities (debt instruments); 3. "Fannie Mae": the purchase of mortgage loans on the free market system; 4. Tandem program; 5. Conduits: non-governmental mortgage organizations. In conclusion, the author infers that the experience of the USA arouses the particular interest. Since 1970, the United States achieved significant results and laid the foundation for the economic development of the USA.


Opening distributions for image analysis constitute an extremely useful tool in morphological tasks. EEcient techniques have been proposed to compute granulometries in greyscale images based on linear openings. Greyscale granulometries using opening distributions are equivalent to a contour extraction problem. These paper describes the use and implementation of algorithms for computing granulometries for texture based image retrieval in an image database. We present that the pattern spectra derived using granulometries from the images form a good basis for texture based image retrieval.


The large majority of existing earth dams were designed with old standards, which often accounted for the effects of earthquakes in a simplified manner. As a result, seismic re-evaluation of these structures is now becoming increasingly important for dam owners. The seismic performance of earth dams can be evaluated at different levels of resolution, typically ranging from simple sliding block analysis, to the use of advanced numerical models. Seismic inputs for these models are typically chosen using code-based or site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). In this study, we analyze the seismic vulnerability of two major earth dams located in Southern Italy, a seismically active area. The two dam systems have different geotechnical characteristics: one of them is founded on potentially liquefiable materials, whereas the other one is not susceptible to liquefaction. Our analyses are based on finite difference numerical simulations using both simplified and advanced constitutive models. Seismic vulnerability of both dams is analyzed by means of analytical fragility functions for various damage mechanisms and ground motion intensity measures (IMs). Such fragility functions are based on nonlinear deformation analyses within the multiple stripe analysis framework. We analyze efficiency and predictability of various IMs in predicting different damage levels and mechanisms. We show that the cumulative absolute velocity is overall the optimal IM in predicting vulnerability of both earth dams. We also analyze the relative importance of PSHA inputs (i.e. alternative ground motion and earthquake rupture forecast models; GMMs and ERFMs, respectively) and numerical models (simplified vs advanced) in the seismic analysis of earth dams by means of tornado diagrams. We show that the choice of GMMs and ERFMs is always more important than that of the constitutive model. However, for dams prone to liquefaction, the choice of the constitutive model has a higher importance than for non-liquefiable earth dams.


The dielectric response of layered perovskite-related insulating SrNbO 3 . 5 and conducting SrNbO 3 . 4 1 , SrNbO 3 . 4 5 , and La 0 . 2 Sr 0 . 8 NbO 3 . 5 single crystals is investigated. The measurements are performed alongthe c axis, i.e., perpendicular to the layers, in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 1.8 GHz. The intrinsic dielectric properties could be monitored only at such relatively high measuring frequencies, since strong contact contributions at the sample-electrode interface dominate at low frequencies. In addition to the known phase transitions in the SrNbO 3 . 5 compound, a phase transition at T300 K in SrNbO 3 . 4 1 and SrNbO 3 . 4 5 is reported here. The frequency-dependent ac conductivity in all three conducting compounds follows the universal dielectric response behavior. Together with results on the dc conductivity, this finding indicates that hopping of localized charge carriers, most likely of polaronic character, is the dominating charge-transport process. For all SrNbO 3 . 5 - x compounds, relatively high values of the dielectric constant are found.


The present study attempts to analyze the effect of supplementation of Ajwain on the performance of broiler chicken. Two hundred and twenty five one-day old unsexed broiler chicks were used on a completely randomized design in 5 groups with 3 replicates, each consisting of 15 broilers. The treatments included the control group (basal diet) and four groups with basal diet + Ajwain powder @ 0.1% in feed, basal diet + Ajwain powder @ 0.2% in feed and basal diet + Ajwain seeds soaked in drinking water over nightly @ 0.1% and basal diet + Ajwain seeds soaked in drinking water over nightly @ 0.2%, respectively. Temperature and humidity of the shed were recorded daily to calculate Temperature Humidity Index (THI). Standard feeding and all other managemental practices were followed during the experimental period. Performance index (P.I), protein efficiency (P.E), energy efficiency (E.E) and production number (P.N) was found to be significantly different among the treatment groups. No mortality was recorded in the experiment and there was no detrimental effect of Ajwain supplementation on health and performance of broilers. The cost of production calculated at the end of experiment revealed that net profit on live body weight (`/kg) were 0.33 (basal diet + Ajwain powder @ 0.1% in feed) as compared to control group having only standard broiler diet. Through this experimentation it can be concluded that Ajwain can be promoted as a NAGP in broiler industry for producing quality meat without antibiotics in a very cost effective way.


My mathematical interests lie in the analysis of nonlinear partial differential equations and the calculus of variations with a keen eye towards applications. I find the subtle interplay of analysis, geometry and physics fascinating: energy minimization often interacts with geometry to yield intricate structures underlying physical phenomena. Specifically, my research program centers around rigorously deriving effective energetic models as asymptotic limits of phase field models, and studying related equilibrium and dynamics questions. Two canonical examples illustrate this philosophy. First, the Modica-Mortola sequence of functionals modeling phase transitions asymptotically yield the surface area functional of the phase boundaries, [29, 33]. Second, the Ginzburg-Landau sequence of functionals modeling superconductors asymptotically yield a finite dimensional renormalized energy functional determining point vortex locations [2]. Effective variational models are useful because they often reduce the analysis of infinite-dimensional phase field models to the study of simpler low dimensional structures such as point vortices or curves to leading order. Such singular structures abound in applications. The projects I have been involved in during graduate school all display these features: (1) Time periodic vortex solutions to the Gross-Pitaevskii equations [35]: The Gross-Pitaevskii equations (GP) arise in modeling quantized vortices in superfluid Helium, and are approximated in a sense to be explained, by a finite dimensional Hamiltonian flow known as the Point Vortex flow (PVF). I desingularize certain periodic orbits to (PVF) called "vortex crystals" to construct periodic orbits for (GP) posed in the unit disc; see Section 1 for details. (2) A Ginzburg Landau type energy for highly anisotropic nematic liquid crystals [17]: Motivated by questions in modeling liquid crystal defects in the nematic-isotropic phase boundaries [24], we study an anisotropic variation of the GinzburgLandau energy that penalizes divergences much more than other combinations of derivatives. We prove a sort of Gamma convergence result to identify a limiting energy. The analysis of minimizers of the limiting energy in a number of examples reveals the emergence of both point defects, as well as line defects; see Section 2. (3) Micromagnetics of Galfenol [9]: We study the peculiar zig-zag Landau state observed in recently reported single crystal Galfenol samples [6]. We employ the micromagnetics functional for cubic ferromagnets appended with the magnetostriction term, that accounts for large magnetoelastic coefficients of this material; see Section 3. (4) Stability of Turing instabilities for the Brusselator system [34]: Using the Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction approach, we show existence and stability of small-amplitude periodic solutions, i.e. Turing patterns bifurcating off the uniform state, for the Brusselator system arising in modeling autocatalytic chemical reactions. Our analysis confirms that stability is accurately predicted in the small-amplitude limit by the formal Ginzburg-Landau equations, rigorously validating the so-called Eckhaus criterion. Being at an early stage of my career, I am very much open to learning and exploring new directions in the mathematical analysis of Partial Differential Equations and its applications.


In December 2019, the Euro Summit did not approve the amendments to the ESM Treaty because of a disagreement among Member States on debt restructuring as a requirement for stability support in the case of unsustainable debt and questionable capacity of repayment. In this context, a key role is played by single-limb CACs which permit restructuring across all the bond series. On the one hand, this facilitates the restructuring process and neutralize the blocking action of vulture funds under single series. On the other hand, this poses some problems in relation to the protection of minor bondholders. The solution to these problems may come from inserting a sort of exemption clause in the model CACs that the EU Economic and Financial Committee is mandated to draft. This scenario is now exacerbated by the social and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis that have caused a generalised increase in sovereign indebtedness and may imply debt restructuring.
ESM treaty reform, debt restructuring, single-limb CACs, protection of minor bondholders, Covid-19 crisis


Integrating force detection functionality into touchscreens can enhance the user experience. However, achieving high accuracy in force detection on a touchscreen is still challenging. Although the existing linear-model-based algorithm can differentiate between light and heavy touches, it cannot provide more finely-grained force levels. To overcome this limitation, we propose a neural network model for force detection. However, collecting data for each touchscreen and training every network from scratch can seriously affect production efficiency. Therefore, we introduce transfer learning methods in model training, which require only a small amount of data to complete training and improve production speed. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed neural network model with transfer learning for force detection has an error of 0.027N, which is close to 1/10 of the error of a linear model. Therefore, we conclude that using neural network models with transfer learning can significantly enhance the accuracy of force detection and the production efficiency of touchscreens.


Making the right decisions in the everyday practical activities of the agrotechnologist is the most important component determining the conditions for the growth and development of plants. It takes special importance in the conditions of incomplete (fuzzy) information. One of the perspective directions of solving problems of forecasting and modeling natural and human-corrected phenomena and processes is fuzzy logic. Studies of weather forecasting and the least costly creation of optimal conditions for the growth and development of agricultural plants are devoted to the work of many domestic and foreign scientists and, accordingly, there are various and sometimes contradictory points of view on the definition of predicted norms and the timing of irrigation. The relationships obtained in most of the studies and the calculation formulas describing the relationship between the volumes of water entering the sediments and watering with the processes of its infiltration into the soil are in many cases specialized for certain soils under specific conditions and are not always portable from soil to soil. In this regard, the paper discusses the modeling of the frequency and intensity of precipitation from long-term observations, as well as numerical calculations of the intensity of water absorption into the soil under natural precipitation and irrigation. This approach allows planning erosion-safe irrigation, which, in combination with natural precipitation, provides a favorable regime in the plant-soil-air system and, accordingly, obtaining high yields for the land under consideration. The state of the soil at different times determines in many respects how, on the one hand, the proportion of soaking water, and, on the other hand, the proportion of running water. And if the first part is directly connected with the moisture supply of plants, the second directly determines the danger of erosion processes. The rate of water absorption into the soil is influenced by factors such as specific surface area, soil porosity, initial humidity, structural and water resistance of aggregates, root system and plant density, etc.


Abstract : The approach used in this investigation was to combine weak but oxidation resistant matrices with high-strength filaments to produce a composite with oxidation resistance under loads at temperatures above 2000F. These operating temperature and strength goals are needed for gas turbine engines, but are beyond the range of nickel- and cobalt-base superalloys which have maximum temperature capabilities of about 1900F. Ideally, the composite material could be used uncoated but could also serve as a fail-safe material when coated. During the period covered by this report (the second year) characterization of the mechanical properties, oxidation resistance and filament-matrix compatibility of the model system was continued. (Author)


HIS reconsideration of Kant's categorical imperative has been induced by a study of the argument concerning it in Marcus G. Singer's Generalization in Etlics.1 Singer brings support to the principle by connecting it with a defense of what he calls the "generalization principle" in ethics and by arguing that, understood as governed by this principle, it can be relieved of the embarrassing rigor with which Kant interpreted it and can be shown to be a valid criterion of moral judgment. I hope, in a critical examination of Singer's argument, to show that he has succeeded in validating the negative use of the categorical imperative to show that certain ethical assertions are wrong, but not the affirmative use attempting to show that what cannot thus be shown to be wrong is right. Or, to state it another way, the universalizability required by the categorical imperative is a necessary but not a sufficient condition of the validity of an ethical claim. The generalization principle can be stated thus: "What is right (or wrong) for one person is right (or wrong) for any similar person in similar circumstances" (p. 5). This principle, says Singer, "is involved in or presupposed by every genuine moral judgment, for it is an essential part of the meaning of such distinctively moral terms as 'right, 'wrong,' and 'ought,' in their distinctively moral senses" (p. 34). If we accept this principle we can see that it does support the negative but not the affirmative use of the categorical imperative as above stated. To bring the two principles into closer relation for purposes of comparison, we can restate the generalization principle thus: If my act is right (or wrong) then any and every act of similar intent is right (or wrong). Here the reference to "similar persons in similar circumstances" is understood as being involved in the definition of "similar intent." Since Kant says that what he calls the "maxim" of our action is to be understood subjectively in terms of its purpose, we can also rephrase the categorical imperative in parallel terms thus: If my act is right (or wrong), then I can at the same time will the performance (or nott-performance) of any and every act of similar intent. It should be noted that in the generalization principle the assertion of the rightness (or wrongness) of my act is tested by the rightness (or wrongness) of any and every act of similar intent. In the Kantian principle the assertion of the rightness (or wrongness) of my act is tested by my ability to will the performance (or nonperformance) of any and every act of similar intent. But this latter follows from the former, for as a moral being I must will that others do right. Therefore, I must will the performance of every act that is obligatory and I must will the permission (and therefore the occasional or frequent performance) of every permissible act that anyone desires to do. Therefore, since, by the generalization principle, if I claim my act is right, I must admit every act of similar intent as right, it follows that, as a moral person, I must will the performance of it if it is obligatory and the permission (and therefore the occasional or frequent performance) of it if it is permissible and someone desires to do it. If I cannot do this, then I cannot rightly claim that any one act of this intent is right. Similarly, if the act in question is wrong, then any act of similar intent is wrong and, as a moral person, I must will the non-performance of any such act. If I cannot do this, I cannot rightly maintain that any one act of this intent it wrong. Thus if the generalization principle is accepted as a valid test of ethical assertions,


Kinetic proofreading (KPR) has been used as a paradigmatic explanation for the high specificity of important biological processes including ligand discrimination by cellular receptors. Kinetic proofreading enhances the difference in the mean receptor occupancy between different ligands, thus potentially enabling better discrimination. On the other hand, proofreading also attenuates the signal, increasing the relative magnitude of noise in the downstream signal. This can interfere with reliable ligand discrimination. To understand the effect of noise on ligand discrimination beyond the comparison of the mean signals, we formulate the task of ligand discrimination as a problem of statistical estimation of the molecular affinity of ligands. Our analysis reveals that proofreading typically worsens ligand resolution which decreases with the number of proofreading steps under most commonly considered conditions. This contrasts with the usual notion that kinetic proofreading universally improves ligand discrimination with additional proofreading steps. Our results are consistent across a variety of different proofreading schemes, suggesting that they are inherent to the KPR mechanism itself rather than any particular model of molecular noise. Based on our results, we suggest alternative roles for kinetic proofreading schemes such as multiplexing and combinatorial encoding in multi-ligand/multi-output pathways.


The embodiment of the invention discloses a system and a method for realizing an interconnection and interworking protocol stack between digital home network devices. The system of the embodiment of the invention consists of a session module, a service module, an event module, an equipment module, an equipment set module, a pipeline module, a security module, a Web module, an SSDP module and a public service module. By providing a uniform information format and an interface protocol and adopting an opened system framework, the system realizes interoperation with a plurality of traditional network protocol standards to make different protocols-based devices in a digital home network capable of finding, controlling and communicating mutually, realizes interconnection, resource sharing, interoperation and the like between the digital home network devices to make the digital home devices diversified and not limited to the protocols to which the device belongs any more, and realizes simplified and intelligentialized device connecting and controlling operation.


Light diffraction by an acoustic surface strain wave in fused quartz was observed in the Debye‐Sears limit. An acoustic surface wave has both compressional and shear strains. It is possible to observe and distinguish the diffraction of light caused by the two different strains since the diffracted beam polarization due to the shear strain is rotated 90° from the incident polarization. In the experiment performed 2.5% of the incident energy was diffracted into a single order. Light diffracted by both the compressional and shear strains was clearly identified.


This paper deals with the saltatorial mecanism of the halticinae beetle Homophoeta sexnotata (Chrysomelidae). The apparatus lies in the femur and consists of a S-formed bent plate of cuticular material and a triangular smaller one both plates originating from the tendon of the abductor respectively of the flexor of the tibia and still hanging together with these. When the musculus flexor tibiae is contracted the triangular plate enters into the femur until its external edge is caught in a cavity of the inner side of the wall of the femur; simultaneously the bent plate that represents an enlargment of the tendon of the musculus abductor tibiae, becomes more dilated, causing a strong tension in it. During the relaxation of the flexor the tension in the bent plate only effects on the triangular plate which now remains fixed in the cavity. This plate, an enlargment of the musculus flexor tibiae, prevents the backward movement of the tibia. When now the abductor is contracted, the tension in the bent plate will encrease because of its extremily is rising a large tendon on which is fixed the larger part of the abductor. Moreover, three other parts of the abductor are fixed directly or by means of a tendon on the sides of the plate. These muscles are called dilatatores. The tension which will lead to extend the tibia for jumping of the beetle, cannot effect on the articulation jet because the triangular plate prevents every movement. On the summit of the contraction of the abductor a transverse edge of the bent plate is pressed against the triangular plate, this is slowly shifted to the side and at last jerks, suddenly out of its bed. Now all the accumulated tension, intensified by the contractive power of the large abductor, reacts upon the articulation of the tibia. The tibia extends with a violent power and shoots the beetle for some meters ahead. during the jump the insect opens its wings to fly independently. Biologically considered, this apparatus offers to the animal a great advantage: In danger the beetle takes off immediatly without losing precious time for opening the wings. The organ is generally found in halticinae. In honour of the great Brazilian entomologist PROF. DR. ANGELO DA COSTA LIMA this organ is proposed to be called the "ORGAN OF COSTA LIMA".


The fear of crime can significantly reduce the quality of life of individuals, yet little is known about what neighbourhood-level factors drive feelings of vulnerability in New Zealand. Even less is known about the impact that recorded crime has on individuals' fear in the country. In this study, we examined the neighbourhood-level factors related to fear of crime in Christchurch, focusing specifically on whether recorded crime in neighbourhoods influences fear. The fear of crime in Christchurch was found to be the greatest in more affluent, ethnically homogenous and residentially stable neighbourhoods, while recorded crime levels were found to be relatively lower in these neighbourhoods.


A regulation on input harmonics and power factor necessitates the use of front end active power correction for all converter applications. Vienna rectifier has become a popular choice for the three phase active power factor correction circuit for all converter applications. The three phase three-level boost type converter is an interesting switch mode topology for the mitigation of power quality problems generated by commonly used nonlinear loads. Vienna rectifier is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK. This thesis aim in design, analysis and implementation of Vienna rectifier. The closed loop has been simulated using pi controller.


Subject of the paper is architecture and landscape architecture space of areas located in the vicinity of the Jasna Góra sanctuary. The research study spans the first seventeen years of the 21st century. The author in the study carries out analysis of the Błonia Park – a tract of greenery directly adjusted to Jasna Góra, a public space situated underneath the hill with the monastery. This place is the destination of pilgrims, tourists and residents of Częstochowa, whose ways are directed to Jasna Góra. The analysis also covers the revitalized areas of the Fr. Stanislaw Staszic Park and 3. Maja Park. In the study are presented historic objects located within the area with descriptions of their revitalization, small architecture and vegetation. Tabular summaries indicate the size of the current pilgrimage movement to the sanctuary being registered from the beginning of the twenty-first century to the present. The work contains planimetric and topographic maps of the analyzed areas, photographs, pilgrimage traffic tables and references.


Rifampicin, a potent inducer of hepatic microsomal enzymes, increases metabolism of steroid hormone. Therefore, concurrent treatment of rifampicin and steroid may lead to decreased bioavailability and increased requirement of steroid hormone. Here we report a case of rifampicin-induced severe hyperkalemia requiring hemodialysis in a patient with Addison's disease. A 52-year-old woman was admitted due to general weakness. She had been diagnosed with adrenal tuberculosis and consequent Addison's disease and treated with rifampicin and physiologic dose of steroid. Blood chemistry showed 9.1 mEq/L of potassium and emergent hemodialysis was performed. With increment of dosage of steroid hormone and maintenance of the same dosage of rifampicin, potassium level was normalized.


This paper analyzes the issue of reindustrialization of Serbia, from the standpoint of industrial com- petitiveness. The authors believe that reindustrialization is necessary and possible only in those industries that have considerable potential for growth of competitiveness on the international market. The key assumptions for this are constant growth of innovation and productivity, as well as other fac- tors that essentially rely on new knowledge and new technology. This development trend is present in all advanced economies, including the European Union, to which Serbia aspires. In recent years, reindustrialization has become an increasingly dominant development strategy on a global scale. It involves a very ambitious plan related to the development of modern and sophisticated, environmen- tally responsible and energy-efficient industries, especially manufacturing sectors, which employ highly professional workers and foster close cooperation with universities and research institutes. In this context, governments, rather than the markets, are becoming the main change drivers, as they can contribute to creating the necessary industrial .state of mind., which implies new redistribution of tasks and effects of labor among the key stakeholders in the process of creating new values: em- ployees, owners, government, science, education, etc.


The invention discloses a gilding process for tobacco tipping paper, which mainly comprises the following steps of: accurately positioning and marking texts needing gilding on a hot stamping foil with laser; and performing cold wave compounding on the marked hot stamping foil and sized tipping paper by using a machine and peeling to transfer the texts on the hot stamping foil to the tipping paper so as to realize hot stamping of the tipping paper. The process has the advantages of solving the problems that the conventional hot stamping for the tipping paper needs to continuously adjust temperature, speed and pressure to meet the requirement of the constantly changed hot stamping environment, reducing the influence of personal factors on the gilding quality, more effectively ensuring the hot stamping quality of the tipping paper and improving production efficiency.


We review the present status of the theoretical evaluation of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon in the Standard Model. We mainly fo-cus on the hadronic contributions due to vacuum polarization effects, light-by-light scattering and higher order electroweak corrections. We discuss some recent calculations together with their uncertainties and limitations and point out possible improvements in the future.


Background: Immunogenicity to antitumor necrosis factor alpha agents, such as infliximab (IFX), may lead to therapeutic failure. Objectives: This study evaluated the relationship between free and total antibodies-to-infliximab (ATIs), trough levels (TLs) of IFX, and the response to dose intensification. Design: We performed a prospective, observational study including pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD) receiving IFX maintenance therapy without dose intensification. Methods: We compared clinical and laboratory outcomes according to the presence of free and total ATIs. Factors associated with response to IFX dose intensification were investigated by analyzing IFX TLs and free and total ATIs. Results: Of the 98 patients, 9 patients had detectable free ATIs and 38 patients had total ATIs. Patients with free ATIs had significantly lower TLs (0.7 versus 5.1 µg/mL, p < 0.001) than patients without free ATIs. However, there was no difference in the IFX TLs according to the presence of total ATIs (p = 0.2523). Analysis of the 38 samples with total ATIs showed that response to dose intensification was significantly lower in patients with free ATIs than those without free ATIs (22.2% versus 65.5%, p < 0.001). In addition, free ATIs were the only factor with poor response to dose intensification [odds ratio (OR): 14.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–151.97, p = 0.0140]. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal cutoff level indicating non-response to IFX dose intensification was 30.0 AU/mL for free ATIs concentration (area under curve, 0.792; 95% CI: 0.590–0.942; sensitivity, 60.0%; specificity, 96.7%; p = 0.0241). Conclusion: Free ATIs, but not total ATIs, have a negative impact on the course of CD. Free ATIs are potential reliable biomarker for predicting the effect of dose intensification in patients with loss of response to IFX. Future studies based on serial and proactive therapeutic drug monitoring are required in the future.


This publication was produced for review by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 4. U SA ID | D EL IV ER P RO JE CT 2 00 9 Supply chain integration is a performance-improving approach that develops seamless linkages between the actors, levels, and functions within a supply chain to optimize customer service. The objectives of supply chain integration are to improve efficiency and reduce redundancy while also enhancing product availability. Supply chain integration strives to better connect demand with supply, which can both enhance customer service and lower costs.


The durability of concrete structural components in service is determined by the transport of aqueous and gaseous substances in the pore system of concrete and their interaction with the binder paste matrix, aggregate or steel reinforcement. The substances may cause degradation and loss of serviceability by their direct action on the concrete microstructure or, indirectly, permit other reactions leading to deterioration.
In general, service life design procedures for reinforced concrete structures have been developed in the Brite-Euram Project DuraCrete. The applicability of the probabilistic design ture projects and is currently being disseminated through the Thematic Network DuraNet. Main elements of a SLD approach are: Identification of relevant operational limit states, deterioration modelling, statistical quantification of material and environmental variables, and full- or semiprobabilistic
design calculation.


Hepatic venous outflow stenosis is a rare complication after liver transplantation,its incidence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is 2%-4%.Two recipients who suffered from graft hepatic venous outflow stenosis after right lobe LDLT received conservative treatment and interventional balloon dilatation at the Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2006 to May 2010.The results demonstrated that conservative treatment is risk-taken for hepatic venous outflow stenosis,while interventional hepatic venous radiography,balloon dilatation and metallic stent placement are effective for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic venous outflow stenosis.

Key words:
Hepatic venous outflow stenosis;  Hepatic vein;  Living donor liver transplantation; Balloon dilatation


We studied the optical properties of periodic InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well systems with different numbers of periods. A resonant increase in the optical reflection and simultaneous suppression of the optical absorption have been revealed experimentally at room temperature when the Bragg and exciton resonances were tuned to each other. Numerical modeling with a single set of parameters gave a quantitatively accurate fit of the experimental reflection and transmission spectra in a wide wavelength range and various angles of the light incidence. The model included both exciton resonance and non-resonant band-to-band transitions in the InGaN quantum wells, as well as Rayleigh light scattering in the GaN buffer layer. The analysis also involved x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence data. It allowed us to determine the key parameters of the structure. In particular, the radiative broadening of the InGaN QW excitons was evaluated as 0.20 ± 0.02 meV.


This paper proposes to utilize the internal solar cell diffusion capacitance and internal solar module wire parasitic inductances to replace the input capacitor and filter inductor in boost derived DC-DC converters for energy harvesting applications. High switching frequency (MHz) hard switched and resonant boost converters are proposed. Analysis, simulation and experimental prototypes are presented. A specific proof-of-concept application is especially tested for foldable photovoltaic (PV) panels, which are known for their high internal wire inductance. The experimental converters successfully boost solar module voltage without adding any external input capacitance or filter inductor.


We present the initialization effects on the global stopping parameters and their correlation to the fragment production via different nuclear charge radii parameterizations using isospin-dependent Quantum Molecular Dynamics model at E = 50 MeV/nucleon. The results obtained for liquid drop model (LDM) proposed nuclear charge radii parameterization which is isospin-independent — they have been compared with the results of three isospin-dependent nuclear charge radii parameterizations. We conclude that the values of global stopping parameters R and 1 Qzz/nucleon decrease with the increase in nuclear charge radii, while the production of fragments is reported to be enhanced. The influence of nuclear charge radii on nuclear stopping is almost the same for central and semi-central collisions. In addition, we have studied the role of isospin-dependent nuclear charge radii parameterizations on the N/Z dependence of global stopping parameters.


. We derive a blow-up formula for holomorphic Koszul–Brylinski homologies of compact holomorphic Poisson manifolds. As applications, we investigate the invariance of the E 1 -degeneracy of the Dolbeault–Koszul–Brylinski spectral sequence under Poisson blow-ups, and compute the holomorphic Koszul–Brylinski homology for del Pezzo surfaces and two complex nilmanifolds with holomorphic Poisson structures.


Cosmetic industry overview. The luxury segment in cosmetics. Consumer perceptions. Artificial intelligence in beauty: the Sephora case. Packaging in cosmetics. Managerial implications.


A method and an apparatus for supporting a mode-based access control are provided to control a corresponding device by simplifying a security mode setting process. A security mode list composition process is performed to compose a security mode list indicating a security setting state for devices within a home network. A particular security mode setting process is performed to set one particular security mode of security modes included in the security mode list. A function execution process is performed to execute functions of the corresponding devices according to the particular security mode. A security mode conversion process is performed to convert a security mode according to an additional authentication process or an authentication releasing process.


This document discusses the applicability of Constraint-Based LSP Setup using LDP. It discusses possible network applications, extensions to Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) required to implement constraint-based routing, guidelines for deployment and known limitations of the protocol. This document is a prerequisite to advancing CR-LDP on the standards track.


people) of hotels (r= p<0.05). Variables cant nursing care of of insured who resigned job(r=0.66,p<0.05), the average life span (r=0.82,p<0.05). Variables that had a signi fi cant effect on medical expenses for the aged were hospital expenses ( β =0.618, p<0.05), the index of inter-government differences ( β =0.334, p<0.05), and (per 1,000 people) of spa hotels ( β = − 0.210,NS). There was no spa-related variable that had a signi fi cant correlation with nursing care expenses, and we did not conduct multiple regression analysis for them. Conclusion: Although the correlations with the indices for spa among medical expenses for the aged and nursing care expenses were very low, the necessity of clarifying the numerical value of people who used spa actually was shown.


Abstract. Earlier studies by Liu on Quality of Life (QOL) indicators have pointed out the problems of concentration interregional inequality among the fifty states in U.S.A. Noting that the interregional inequality problem has been gradually alleviated over the past two decades, this paper attempts to provide some rudimentary explanations about this converging phenomenon through a labor market adjusting process towards social, economic and spatial equilibrium. Published state data and QOL indicators developed by Liu for 1960, 1970 and 1978 tend to support the hypothesis that investment in human resources, especially through improved elementary and secondary education, would enhance social mobility which would in turn improve labor and capital productivity. The reduced regional inequality in economic QOL seemed to be more a response than a cause when compared to that in social QOL, because variations in educational expenditures were found to be more significantly related to the social QOL indicators than to the economic ones.


We study the decision problems faced by a city authority (CA) who focuses on two different objectives in her attempt to attract members of the creative class to her city by providing a local public good (LPG). First, we compute the maximum tax that a creative class member is willing to pay to enjoy the LPG on offer by living in the CA's city. Second, assuming that the CA acts like a "monopolist" interested in maximizing the total benefit to her city, we determine the number of members N to attract to her city and the amount of the LPG L to provide so that the total benefit is maximized. Third, supposing that the CA maximizes the welfare of an individual member, we ascertain the values of N and L that maximize this individual welfare. Finally, we compare and contrast the outcomes that arise from the CA's focus on these two distinct objectives.


The Elgar Handbook of Civil War and Fragile States brings together contributions from a multidisciplinary group of internationally renowned scholars on such important issues as the causes of violent conflicts and state fragility, the challenges of conflict resolution and mediation, and the obstacles to post-conflict reconstruction and durable peace-building.


The paper examines in detail measures relatively recently legalized in the Russian Federation and aimed at combating manipulation of the mass consciousness via the Internet. Particular attention has been paid to the creation of the Russian segment of the Internet, prohibition of the use of obscene language on the Internet, prohibition of dissemination of information containing the cult of violence or cruelty, prohibition of calls to attend unauthorized public events, requirement of licensing of educational activities, creation of a wide educational system in the country and, of course, introduction of categories of public associations and individuals performing the functions of foreign agents. Based on the results of the study, the authors come to the conclusion that the entire set of counter-manipulative measures currently being implemented in the Russian Federation in their strategic perspective can lead to significant benefits. However, these measures imply a significant increase in government intervention in the information sphere of society, which creates a real opportunity for the formation of the institution of censorship that, in turn, always creates a breeding ground for various kinds of power abuse in relation to the society and individuals. To minimize the likelihood of such a negative scenario, the authors propose to focus not on the widespread use of institutions of the State, but on attracting and developing civil society institutions, which, in turn, will ensure a balance of interests between the citizens and the State, and will facilitate the formation of a developed civil society in the Russian Federation.


Smallholder oil palm plantations have made a major contribution to the development of the national palm oil industry. However, the policy of developing oil palm plantations continues to be unfavorable to smallholder oil palm farmers, with one example being the right of farmers to earn income and profits as an illustration of guarantees for agricultural product marketing. To realize these farmers' rights, the government established Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018 concerning Guidelines for Setting the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Farmers in lieu of Minister of Agriculture Regulation Number 14/Permentan/OT.140/2/2013 concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters, which is considered unable to provide legal certainty because the content material is incomplete and has multiple interpretations. The purpose of writing this law is to analyze the application of the principle of legal certainty in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture, Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018, concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters. The writing of this law uses a normative-juridical method, namely, by examining and understanding the positivization of the principle of legal certainty in statutory regulations. The application of the principle of legal certainty in the substance of the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018 concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters has fulfilled the principle of legal certainty, namely protection for both smallholders and smallholders with plasma patterns as well as self-help patterns through partnerships with plantation institutions. In the cooperation agreement between the company and the planters, through the planters' institution, the regional government is authorized as a supervisor, and the government has also regulated the minimum elements for the parties in the cooperation agreement. The regulation regarding supervision and sanctions in this regulation has also clearly stipulated time limits for the implementation of obligations, so that it will be easier for the Governor to supervise and provide sanctions in the event of a violation.

Keywords: Legal Certainty, Smallholders, Oil Palm Plantations.