Here we report the whole-genome sequences of 15 clinical Streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs in Switzerland. Although they originated from the same host and geographic origin, the strains showed a large amount of diversity. ABSTRACT Here we report the whole-genome sequences of 15 clinical Streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs in Switzerland. Although they originated from the same host and geographic origin, the strains showed a large amount of diversity.


depression and the level of depression among medical students. Astrakhan State Medical University (Astrakhan, Russia) conducted a survey of students on their attitude towards depression, whether they consider depression a dangerous disease and whether they believe that it is necessary to consult a specialist in the presence of depression. The data of the depression level research and coping strategies among medical students are presented. In the course of study, it was found out that students know the symptoms of depression and the majority of them assess the effect of depression on their health correctly, however, they are not sufficiently informed about the treatment of depression and are biased against antidepressants. More symptoms of depression were diagnosed among junior students than that among senior ones. We identified that the students cannot adequately assess their mental condition and determine whether they have depression or not. It should be noted that students are practically not informed about such a disease as depression and it is necessary to carry out psychoeducational work with student youth. k e y w o r d s — attitude towards depression; medical students; coping strategies; depression; questioning; seeking social support; psychological help. Larisa Kostina , Iskander Ibragimov , Aliya Kubekova , Marina Sergeeva Astrakhan State Medical University, Astrakhan, Russia email@example.com Received 10 October 2021; Received in revised form 30 October 2021; Accepted 2 November 2021 one of the leading causes of death among young people aged 15-29. According to WHO forecasts, depression may come out on top in the world, overtaking today's leaders infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Endogenous and exogenous depression are distinguished, endogenous depression is considered the most severe, in which it is necessary to consult a specialist. The effective treatment for depression is medication and psychotherapy [1]. Student youth falls into the risk group for developing depression and is considered to be the target group which is necessary to carry out preventive work for the early active detection of this disease with [8]. In general, it can be argued that depressive states significantly reduce a person's quality of life, vitality and interest in life.In the study of L.V. Kochorova, V.S. Skripova, A.S. Slivka. [2] it was found out that the majority of the surveyed students had symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a third of the surveyed students wereready to receive psychotherapeutic assistance.In the work of A.A. Yezhov, A.A. Parsadanyan. [3] the symptoms of severe depression and depression of moderate severity among studentsare characterized by the phenomenon that most of the time they are occupied only with themselves and their own thoughts and problems. During this difficult period, the personality is undergoing a restructuring of the psycho-emotional sphere, adaptation to new conditions, and the development of new coping strategies. Coping strategies are behavioral strategies that are characterized by flexibility and purposefulness. The study of the level of depression and attitudes towards depression in a sample of medical university students seems to be especially important in connection with the high academic load, longer training in comparison with students of other specialties. An additional risk factor is the epidemiological situation associated with coronavirus infection. Thus, the problem of studying the emergence and spread of depressive disorders at a young age is relevant today. Hence, there is an urgent need to study attitude towards depression in students and to determine the level of depression in the student environment. This topic is also relevant in connection with the spread of depressive disorders, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the creation of preventive r e l e v a n C e Depression is a serious emotional disorder that affects people of all ages, including children and adolescents [5]. It is characterized by a steady state of sad and irritable mood and loss of interest and pleasure in life [4]. These feelings are accompanied by a number of additional symptoms that affect appetite and sleep, the level of activity and concentration, as well as wellbeing [6, 7]. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. WHO estimates that it affects more than 300 million people of all age groups. In adolescence, the overall prevalence of depression is 15 to 40%. In extreme cases, depression can lead to suicide, http://dx.doi.org/10.35630/2199-885X/2021/11/6.3 P s y c H i a t r y 17 | a r c h i v e u r o m e d i c a | 2 0 2 1 | v o l . 1 1 | n u m . 6 | measures in the early stages to normalize the psychoemotional state of students, and increase awareness of depressive disorders. The results of the study will help to contribute to the field of differential diagnosis of depression among students, as well as to the prevention of depression and the reduction of negative consequences. The aim of the study is to study the attitude towards depression, identify the level of depressive symptoms and coping strategies in the student environment. M a t e r i a l s a n d r e s e a r C H M e t H o d s A survey on the attitude towards depression and psychodiagnostic examination of students was conducted in the Astrakhan State Medical University, at the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy. The research was done in December 2020. The comprehensive study involved 80 students of a medical university in the number of 1–5 courses, studying in the specialties "General Medicine", "Pediatrics". The average age is 20.2 years. The following methods were used in the study: 1) the author's questionnaire "Attitude of medical university students to depression", which allows to determine the attitude towards depression, whether they consider depression a dangerous disease, whether depression affects human health and whether they believe that it is necessary to turn to specialists when the presence of depression; 2) the level of depression was diagnosed using the scale (test questionnaire) A.T. Beck (Beck Depression Inventory), adapted by N.V. Tarabrina, which includes 21 categories of symptoms and complaints [9]. Beck's test questionnaire includes 21 statement questions that concern the behavior, thoughts and feelings of the testtaker in the past 2 weeks; 3) the methodology "indicator coping strategies" by J. Amirkhan (adapted by N. A. Sirota and V. M. Yaltonsky), designed to diagnose the dominant coping strategies of the individual [10]. Further processing of the data was carried out using the Student's t-test to identify the significance of differences, the K. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for the correlation analysis of the data obtained. The SPSS-22.0 software package was used. During the study, a positive attitude to the situation and interest in the expected results were noted; there were no refusals during the survey. The research results are presented in the figures. r e s U l t s a n d d i s C U s s i o n The results of the questionnaire survey "Attitude of medical university students to depression" showed that 67.5% (54 people) experienced symptoms of depression in themselves or their loved ones at different periods of time. For example, 40.0% of them (32 interviewed students) noted that they themselves experienced a state of mild depression, significant stable and low mood and loss of appetite, 17.5% (14 people) observed a depressive state in their parents for various factors, such as stress or psychosomatic illnesses, and about 10.0% (8 interviewed respondents) experienced depressive symptoms in their friends and close social environment. 32.5% (26 students) did not experience a state of depression. In the course of the survey, students of the medical university were asked to assess the severity and danger of depression as a disease. As a result, it turned out that 37.5% (30 people) do not consider depression a dangerous disease that needs to be taken seriously. The average score for assessing the severity of depression in comparison with other diseases is 6 points on a ten-point scale among the studied students. This result is an alarm. The questionnaire "Attitude of medical university students to depression" included questions that reveal the awareness of medical university students how depression affects the quality of life and health of people. It was found that 55.0% (44 interviewed respondents) noted that in a state of depression, a person experiences apathy, loses motivation for various types of activities (training, work, hobbies, etc.); 40.0% (32 people) indicated that in a state of depression suicidal thoughts can occur in a person. About 5.0% (4 interviewed respondents) associate the presence of a depressive state with increased conflict, irritability, emotional stress, as well as the manifestation of aggressive behavior in people. In the studied sample of medical students, opinions were divided regarding the effect of depression on a person's somatic health. The influence of a depressive state on health and on the quality of human life is noted by 75.0% (60 people). Depression only in some cases can affect the psychosomatic state of a person is noted by 10.0% (8 surveyed students). The absence of a connection between a depressive state and a healthy state was indicated by 15.0% (12 surveyed students). The next block of questions in our questionnaire concerned what helps to cope with the state of depression and its symptoms. 47.5% (38 respondents) answered that a person in a state of depression should "pull himself together" and direct his activity to improve his mood. 30% (24 respondents) noted that in a depressive state and in depression, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist (psychologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist). As an effective remedy for depression and anxiety, 15% (12 students) offer good rest. And 7.5% (6 people) noted that doing important


The article reviews the retrospective analysis of peculiarities of obstetric and perinatal outcomes in late preterm birth carried out in Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology. The data presented in the article is based on the study of 211 birth cases of near term infants over the period of July 1 to December 31, 2014. The most significant and frequent factors that increase the risk of premature birth and determine its outcome are outlined as follows: burdened obstetric and gynecological anamnesis, high frequency of chronic extragenital diseases, infectious processes of female reproductive system, and sub compensated and decompensated forms of chronic placental insufficiency


Studies in World Christianity have often analysed a variety of religious expression by attending to local responses under-represented in global church structures. Many historians of World Christianity emphasise the plurality within Christianity by seeking indigenous perspectives on the processes of religious change, Christian development and transnational influence. Frequently, much historical evidence for the activities and reception of early Christian converts, church workers and religious movements is found in the vast corpus of documentation produced and preserved by western missionary societies in Europe, North America and the Antipodes. This literature has been considered flawed evidence, focussed upon the concerns of missionaries, their societies and supporters, and therefore unrepresentative of the social, political and economic dynamics of communities that missionaries were working amongst and dismissive of their cultural norms. From around 1990, however, approaches to World Christianity studies have been influenced by a renewed use of missionary archives by historians and anthropologists. This chapter starts by reviewing the variety of theoretical perspectives produced through the use of mission sources to understand historical processes of social and religious change. The second section of the chapter provides a detailed study of an event described in a missionary source in order to enquire in depth into the problems and possibilities of the sources. The final section of the chapter furthers this enquiry by examining the nature of missionary sources. This chapter illustrates its discussion of the problems and possibilities of missionary literature largely with reference to nineteenth and twentieth century European and Protestant sources in sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, it shows that missionary sources are particularly informative about the participation of indigenous Christians in a global movement which comprised common threads as well as distinct, local practices.


The present invention provides a compound of formula I, [Formula 1] Roh R- new transformation trometamol salt of thioctic acid, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical preparations and medical applications containing the transformation.


Key Enlightenment minds are often juxtaposed with their iconic foes, religious conservatives. When discussing the subject of women's rights, however, this comparison creates a false impression that Enlightenment male thinkers held ideas very much opposed to a dogmatic institution such as the Catholic Church. Ironically, and damaging to their legacy of prejudice-free rationalism, nearly all of the philosophes, many of whom were "freethinking" atheists, viewed woman's intellectual nature and societal purpose through a prejudice-tainted glass, not unlike the most conservative establishments of their time. Indeed, when it came to the perception of
women, the philosophes had less in common with a virulently secular feminist such as Nicholas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, than they do with modern conservative Christians who believe women should be treated more fairly, but still cling to gender stereotypes.


In recent years,transfer of labor service is an important and strategic decision to develop the labor resources and shift rural surplus labor in the western regions.The surplus labor resources in Zhuoni County of Gannan Autonomous Prefecture makes it difficult to increase the income of farmers and herdsman there.Although the local government regards the transfering of labor service as an important measure to promote sustainable development,the problems arising from the transfering should be addressed by taking a series of measures.


A lubricating base oil composition is provided comprising (a) at least one Fischer-Tropsch derived lubricating base oil characterized as having a kinematic viscosity of about 2 to about 5 centistoke (cSt) at 100°C; and (b) at least one polyol ester. Methods for improving the fuel economy of an internal combustion engine are also provided.


This memo discusses and defines terms associated with performance benchmarking tests and the results of these tests in the context of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) based switching devices. The terms defined in this memo will be used in addition to terms defined in RFCs 1242, 2285, and 2544. This memo is a product of the Benchmarking Methodology Working Group (BMWG) of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).


occurred in 82% of patients and in 15% a repeat BP was required. The interval between regional block and onset of PDPH was 32 20 hours. Caffeine was not successful in treating PDPH and in 1 patient caused seizures. Conclusion: In our teaching unit, using predominantly CSE, PDPH and DT occur with a similar incidence as reported in the literature (1,2,3). Contrary to some evidence, intrathecal catheters do not protect against PDPH or BP in our series. The incidence of BP and repeat BP in the present study confirms previous data. References: 1 Lybecker H et al. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 1995; 39: 605–612. 2 Paech M et al. Int J Obstet Anesth 2001; 10: 162–167. 3 Gleeson et al. IJOA 1998; 7: 242–246.


A process for the production of light alloy castings with cast-in sleeves, in particular of cylinder blocks of internal combustion engines with cast-in cylinder liners, in which a sleeve (1) is used with a structured outer surface, and after a predetermined time after the filling of the mold assembly (prior to solidification of the melt 2 ) applied a slight pressure on the melt (2) for a certain duration is characterized in that the (to the melt 2) pressure applied is 10 to 100 mbar.


The scale of economic growth in China during the past three decades is unprecedented in modern human history. China is now the world's second largest economic entity, next to the United States. However, this fast economic growth puts China's environment under increasing stresses. China can be viewed as a massive "laboratory" with complex interactions between socioeconomic and natural systems, providing an excellent opportunity to examine how environmental changes and intensive human economic activities influence natural systems. This special feature explores the impacts of climate change and human activities on the structure and functioning of ecosystems, with emphasis on quantifying the magnitude and distribution of carbon (C) pools and C sequestration in China's terrestrial ecosystems. We also document how species diversity, species traits, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry mediate ecosystem C pool and vegetation production. This overview paper introduces the background and scientific significance of the research project, presents the underlying conceptual framework, and summarizes the major findings of each paper.

Reducing CO2 emissions to mitigate regional and global climate change is one of the most challenging issues facing humanity (1). At present, China has the largest annual CO2 emissions in the world ( Upper graph in Fig. 1), placing it in the spotlight of efforts to manage global C emissions and design climate-change policy. It is therefore critical to improve our understanding of the C budget and its dynamics in China to mitigate climate change at both regional and global scales.

Fig. 1.
Evolution in total national GDP, population, and fossil fuel CO2 emissions, together with trajectory of the national policies in China between 1945 and 2015. ( Upper ) GDP, population, and CO2 emissions. The CO2 emissions data were from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (cdiac.ess-dive.lbl.gov/), and population and GDP data from the World Bank (https://data.worldbank.org/country/). ( Lower ) National …

[↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: jyfang{at}urban.pku.edu.cn, fangjingyun{at}ibcas.ac.cn, or terry.chapin{at}alaska.edu.

 [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1


Ethylene/1,7-octadiene copolymer was polymerised with metallocene catalyst and hydrosilylated to form silane functionalised polyethylenes (PE-co-SiX, X=Cl, OEt, Ph). The functionalised species were tested as modifiers in composites of rubber toughened polypropylene (heterophasic PP, hPP) and microsilica filler (μSi). A metallocene-based functionalised PE (PE-co-SiF) produced earlier in our laboratory and three commercial grades of functionalised polyolefins (one PE- and two PP-based) were used as reference modifiers. Major differences were seen in the toughness of the composites both above and below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PP. In addition to increasing the stiffness, the microsilica filler enhanced the toughness of the heterophasic polypropylene by over 200% at ambient temperature. Below the Tg of PP (at −20 °C), the influence of μSi was the opposite and the impact strength of the hPP/μSi composite was below that of unfilled hPP. With the addition of just 2 wt% of functionalised polyethylene, the poor cold toughness of hPP/μSi composite was improved by nearly 100%. With the same addition, the toughness of the composites at ambient temperature was improved by 50 to 100% compared with the unfilled hPP. This behaviour was explained by significant changes in the fracture mechanism. Addition of functionalised PE increased the concentration of microsilica in the rubbery phase, allowing the crack to enter that phase. The rubbery phase was also able to absorb a large amount of impact energy below the glass transition temperature of PP.


TYAs paper looks at some of the algorithms that can be used for effective detection and tracking of vehicles, in particular for statistical analysis. The main methods for tracking discussed and implemented are blob analysis, optical flow and foreground detection. A further analysis is also done testing two of the techniques using a number of video sequences that include different levels of difficulties.


Thermal decomposition of graphene oxide (GO) has been extensively investigated in the past decade, but the detailed reaction kinetics remains elusive so far. Here we employ an in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to clarify the kinetics of GO decomposition in different atmospheres and sample morphologies. The XRD peak (002), which is the major diffraction peak corresponding to the interlayer distance in GO samples, shifted from 11.5° to 23° along with significant decrease in intensity when samples were heated from 25 to 350 °C. The decomposition in air exhibits a higher reaction rate compared with that in pure nitrogen gases because the O2 molecules in air facilitate the oxidation of carbon atoms, leading to the evolution of CO and CO2. Free-standing films of GO also decompose significantly faster than GO powders, owing to their slower heat dissipation into the environment and higher thermal conductivity within the well-stacked lamella. This study has provided new insights into the reaction kinetics o...


Background: Microprocessor-controlled prostheses are designed to improve mobility and quality of life through better balance and energy restoration in persons with transtibial amputation. Quasi-active microprocessor-controlled ankles (MPA) adapt to variable terrain by ankle angle adjustment. Objectives: To compare energy expenditure, balance, quality of life, and satisfaction of Proprio-foot® (a quasi-active MPA model) with standard prescribed ankle prosthesis (prescribed ankle-foot units [PA]) (standard energy storage and return prosthesis). Study design: Multicenter, unblinded, randomized, controlled, cross-over study. Methods: Energy expenditure (primary outcome) was assessed by oxygen uptake (VO2) measured at the maximum level reached with the 2 prostheses during treadmill walking at progressively increasing incline and speed. Balance was assessed by stabilometry in different static positions. Quality of life and satisfaction were assessed by "Short Form 36" questionnaire (0-100) and by Evaluation de la Satisfaction envers une Aide Technique (0–5) questionnaires after wearing each of the 2 prostheses for 34 days. Results: Forty-five patients tested the 2 prostheses. No statistical difference in VO2 was observed. Significant improvement of balance was observed both during standing on an incline or decline with MPA and PA (p < 0.01). Short Form 36 questionnaire physical scores and Short Form 36 questionnaire mental scores were 68.5 ± 19.5 vs. 62.1 ± 19.6 (p < 0.01) and 72.0 ± 20.8 vs. 66.2 ± 20.9 (p < 0.01) in MPA and PA, respectively. Evaluation de la Satisfaction envers une Aide Technique score on the device was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (MPA 4.4 ± 0.5 vs. PA 4.3 ± 0.5, p = 0.360). Conclusion: Proprio-foot® improved balance, quality of life, and patient satisfaction despite no reduction or increase in energy expenditure in comparison with standard energy storage and return prosthesis.


In the past two decades, the number of Republican, black, and MexicanAmerican representatives elected to Southern state legislatures has increased appreciably. This study addresses the question of whether these "new" representatives have had a significant impact upon the legislative process. It first examines the relationships between leadership and seniority on the one hand and activity and success in legislation on the other hand in the Texas and South Carolina Houses of Representatives. It then examines the relative activity and success of minority and majority representatives in these houses. houses. The findings clearly suggest that minority representatives are not disproportionately active in legislation and that majority members are not substantially more successful in passing their legislation, both findings contrary to what might be expected. The variables which tap legislative status (i.e., leadership and seniority) predict a legislator's activity and success better than do variables which tap majority or minority status.


Background: Given ASEAN's steadily increasing levels of foreign direct investment over time, it is imperative to understand how FDI can assist to improve healthcare capacity level which will help the country stay on course to achieve target 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of achieving equal health by 2030. Health is important for any country's economic development and has been a major goal under United Nations assigned Sustainable Development Goals. Health expenditure is a necessity good at the state level. Studies suggest although globalization is an important engine of growth, role of globalization in health has been rarely studied. Some of the traditional benefits include technology transfer and human skills. Its impact on health been under-investigated. In this paper we aim to understand the dynamics between FDI and health expenditure in ASEAN. Three models, ordinary least square, Quantile and two stage least square regression using Instrumental variables were employed to test the relationship between FDI and healthcare expenditure. Instrumental variables include market size, population health and labor productivity.Results: The correlation index showed that except labor productivity, all variables were strongly correlated. The OLS and quantile regression confirmed that the market size, population health and labor productivity are significant for health expenditure for ASEAN. In the 2SLS instrumental approach, the study finds that there is a strong causal relation between FDI and health expenditure.Conclusion: Our results confirms that FDI is an important factor of human capital and influences the health expenditure capacity of a country in a short and long run. We advocate that the potential of FDI in building nation's healthcare expenditure capacity is very critical and should be included in policy making. This is among very rare studies which has tested the role of FDI on health expenditure.


A survey of 100 doctoral supervisors in ten universities was conducted to investigate the process and system assurance for the cultivation of innovative doctoral students in China.It was found that,despite the fact that Chinese universities have established their processes and systems for training innovative doctoral students,there is an urgent need to overcome shortcomings in their academic environment,supervisors'quality and management,and provision of facilities and institutional support.


The pandemic times during the COVID-19 outbreak allowed us to explore the potential of technology to a greater extent. It allowed the field of game design and development to explore yet another dimension of its use in the education system. The gamified approach itself is not new but its use for enhancing the teaching-learning environment is still untouched to greater lengths. Although researchers have put in efforts to grasp the opportunity by creating various learning applications, the gap still remains. The most prominent issue while developing gamified environment is the efficacy and the retention enhancement ability of such applications. In this study, the use of gamified environments in an educational scenario for the pre and post-pandemic phases are explored. The proposed system is used for learning the mathematical concept of multiplication and is deployed on kids from the 5–7 years age group under the guidance of their parents. The analysis of the obtained result shows that the application was found to enhance retention in understudies and the feedback from parents allowed us to predict the high efficacy of the gamified environment. As part of future work, extending this approach of gamification to other concepts would be the focus of the authors.


The purpose of this study is to produce modules as teaching materials in the Accounting Information Systems Practicum course based on computer software namely MS Visio that meets (1) eligibility standards in terms of content, language and presentation, (2) practical use in learning, and (3) effective used in learning. The development procedure in this study consists of four stages, namely: The needs analysis phase, the product design stage, the validation and evaluation stage, and the final product stage. Research on the development of this teaching material was conducted on accounting students who were in semester 5 who took the Accounting Information Systems and Accounting Information Systems Practicum courses. The validation test is carried out by material experts with a score of 3.6 which means that the material presented in the module is feasible to use. The validation test by the learning design expert for the module was 3.66. This score also shows that the aspects of presentation, language and appearance are appropriate to be used as teaching materials for accounting students. Furthermore, a field test is given to students, the first is an one-on-one test that is given to three students whose score is 3.8. The test results in small groups are 3.76, while the results of tests for large groups are 3.84. These results indicate that learning by using computer software-based modules is appropriately appreciated by students. Furthermore, further research is expected to develop the field of science in the Accounting Information System KDBK. Then the final product of this research is expected to be useful to produce learning innovations that can be utilized in the form of teaching modules for accounting information systems practicum.


Cavitation corrosion resistances of metals have a very much closed relationship with the mechanical properties of their surface layer.It is very important to investigate effects of surface layer mechanical properties on cavitation corrosion to understand synergistic mechanism.Nano-indentation technology is a sensitively power tool for measuring surface layer mechanical properties in nanometer scale.In this work,it was used to study the effects of anodic polarization on the surface layer nano mechanical properties(nano-hardness,H_(nano) and nano-elastic modulus,E_(nano)) of austenitic stainless steel under cavitation.The synergistic mechanism of cavitation corrosion caused by anodic polarization was also investigated by weight loss in conjunction with SEM.The surface layer comprehensive nano-mechanical parameter was defined as(H/E)_(nano).It was found that the profiles of H_(nano),E_(nano) and(H/E) _(nano) with displacement into surface(L) are very different at different anodic polarized potentials.H_(nano) and(H/E)_(nano) decrease and E_(nano) increases with the increment of logarithm of anodic current density.When the samples under cavitation were polarized at passive region,cavitation corrosion of austenitic stainless steel is mainly controlled by erosion.However,it is mainly dominated by corrosion-induced erosion and erosion-induced corrosion,respectively,if anodic polarized potentials were controlled at the beginning of passive to super-passive and super-passive regions.The surface layer nano-hardness is a key factor dominating cavitation corrosion resistances of metals.During the interaction of cavitation with electrochemical corrosion,mass loss of corrosion-induced erosion,which is called non-Faraday weight loss,increases as a result of electrochemical corrosion.The corresponding corroded morphologies with microgrooves,micro-holes and micro-pits were observed.


We evaluate the role skin color plays in earnings and employment for early career Black males in the NLSY97. By applying a novel, scaled measure of skin tone to a nationally representative sample, and by estimating the evolution labor market di erentials over time, we bridge a burgeoning literature on skin color with more established literatures on Black-White wage di erentials and labor market discrimination. Our results suggest that a blurring of the color line elicits subtle yet meaningful variation in the evolution of inter and intra racial wage gaps over time. ∗This research project and the data collection attached to it would not have been possible without the support from Dan Black and Robert T. Michael. We are also grateful to a number of the University of Chicago's administrative sta who were kind enough to share their views on the role of complexion within the African American community in South-Chicago. We wish to thank Cynthia Cook-Conley in particular. Thanks are due to Dan Black, Kerwin Charles, William Darity Jr., Je rey Grogger, Ricardo Madeira, Ann Morning and Heleno Pioner for comments on earlier drafts. Comments from participants of the Population Association of America Meeting (2011), and workshops at the Harris School and the University of Sao Paulo are gratefully acknowledged. The usual caveat applies. Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com; email@example.com.


A new alternative is described for the clock-distribution problem. The main feature of the new scheme is that a number of stations arbitrarily located on a single reference line independently derive a clock that is aligned to a common systemwide phase. The central principle is that the midtime between appearances of an isolated pulse traveling down and back on a reference line is the same, regardless of the point of observation. This principle is adapted for clock distribution by the periodic injection of a reference pulse onto a single conductor, reflection of this pulse at the end of the reference line, and generation of a local clock at all stations (such clock being phase-locked to the interval midtime by a special PLL circuit). The paper describes the method and gives a theoretical performance analysis and measured results from an experimental system. The experiments achieve a subnanosecond skew over 30 m on a coaxial cable that has an uncompensated delay of 147 ns. This method should be considered for applications from the millimeter scale on chip to the kilometer scale in radio astronomy antenna arrays. Possible advantages include reduced wiring, reduced tuning, reduced EMI, and/or power consumption and easier in-service growth, relative to conventional methods for the same performance objectives. >


A problem of Genetic algorithms applied to power system fault diagnosis is how to establish a reasonable mathematical model.In response to this problem,bayesian network model is established for fault diagnosis,which is based on components.And then,objective function of the genetic algorithm is formed according to the Bayesian network by certain reasoning rules.Finally,genetic algorithm is used to solve the fault diagnosis problem.In the application of genetic algorithms,a series of improvements are carried out on simple genetic algorithm to improve its convergence performance.A method is proposed to infer the most possible state of missing information in the iterative process,which can enhance the algorithm's processing capabilities for large numbers of inadequate protection information.Some cases show that the poposed approach is reasonable and practical.


There are two funds under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to deal with the environmental problems of hazardous waste management and disposal: The Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund and the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund. Traditional standards of equity and efficiency suggest that there should be a high degree of correlation between the distribution of the tax burden, the generation of hazardous waste, and the distribution of Superfund expenditures, but an examination of government and industry reports suggests that this may not be the case. Given the weaknesses of feedstock, waste-end, and general corporation taxes, a system of waste generation taxes and disposal credits would provide a greater measure of both geographic and economic equity as well as incentives for improved hazardous waste management. 1 table.


In standard statistical approaches on nuclear disassembly, the fragmentation pattern is decided at the 'freeze-out' volume, generally taken to be 3-8 times the normal nuclear volume. In this communication, we show that the dynamics of the initially produced fragments may allow pairs of fragments to come well within the nuclear force range resulting in possible recombination in the exit channel. The fused complex may undergo further fragmentation if sufficiently excited. This alters the fragmentation pattern and the associated physical observables considerably. The ambiguity so found calls for critical reanalysis of the different statistical approaches to nuclear multifragmentation.


INVESTIGATIONS on the effect of diet on the appearance of dental caries in rats and hamsters have been in progress for some time at the Netherlands Institute for Nutrition (Nederlands Instituut voor Volksvoeding). The results so far have been described by Jansen, Luyken, Dalderup, Nederveen-Fenenga, Boonstra, and W~istmann,' Nederveen-Fenenga and Dalderup,2 and Luyken, Dalderup, and Jansen.3 Some histologic changes in the molars of our experimental animals will now be described. In order to examine the effect of the composition of the food on the frequency of caries in rats, the jaws of rats which had received various diets for different periods of time were compared. All the experiments were conducted with Mus norvegicus which have been bred for the last 20 years in this laboratory. These white rats, in groups of at least 20, were fed a particular diet and were sacrificed after observation periods of 21/2 to 6 months. The jaws of all the animals were examined under a binocular microscope at x15 according to the scoring method of Keyes, with our own modification. The jaws from a number of animal groups were also cut longitudinally into 2 or 4 sections. The caries was then evaluated under a microscope with a magnification of 50, after staining with fuchsin. In addition, sections were made from the jaws of 2 animals from each group for histologic examination. The histologic preparations consisted partly of thin sections which were decalcified and partly of thicker sections which were not decalcified. Clearly, a better estimate concerning the enamel is possible with the latter than with the former. Initially the jaws were examined after the experimental animals had received a particular diet for a period of 41/2 months. The cavities, however, were often found to be so large that while they were suitable for the determination of the caries percentage, they exhibited too much destruction for accurate differentiation of size and number. The observation period was therefore reduced for the histologic examination to 21/2 months or less, depending upon the diet. The changes which consequently appeared facilitated a better comparison.


Mining motors often break down because of its overload and insulation reduction in special use environment.This will affect elecrical equipment and electric network operation seriously.The two fault characteristics are analyzed in the paper and gives acting criterion models of the fault monitor.


The role of fertilizers in transforming of agriculture in Sulphur in Indian Agriculture The Sulphur InstituteRole of Fertiliser Industry in developing national economy Future of Bio-fertilizers in Indian agriculture: An OverviewFertilizer use by crop in India Food and Agriculture Marketing of Fertilizer in India and Japan | AgricultureFertilizer use by crop in India Food and Agriculture Top 5 Fertilizer Companies In India | Top List HubFertilizers In Indian Agriculture FromIndia Fertilizer Market Growth, Trends and Forecasts Promoting Bio -fertilizers in Indian AgricultureUses of Nanotechnology in FertilizersHome K+S Fertilizers (India) Pvt. Ltd.Bing: Fertilizers In Indian Agriculture FromTop 10 Best Agricultural Companies (Agro Things in IndiaFertilizers in Indian agriculture from 20th to 21st century.How India can transform its fertilizer subsidy program Discuss the Fertilizer woes in Indian agriculture. Do you A Bird View of Fertilizer Industry of India


We read the review by Moore et al. (2012), recently published in this journal, with great interest and compliment the authors for their thorough review of cognitive impairment and its relation to vitamin B12.


Physical function occured deepgoing and remarkable changes in the development of market economic in our country,the elaboration of physical function is connect with the characteristics of physical movement,it is decided by the sports structure.Sports operation promoted the development of sports undertakings.


The purpose of the article is to review computer-aided design systems (CAD systems), types of CAD systems and their features.
The research methodology consists in reviewing and conducting an analysis of modern technologies designed to automate design work in various industries, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of existing design systems.
The novelty of the study. The types of CAD systems, namely CAE/CAD/CAM systems, which are used in various sectors of the national economy; classification and examples of systems by application, namely architectural and construction (AEC CAD), mechanical (MCAD), electronic (ECAD), technological (CAPP) are considered. The article also presents product data management systems, engineering calculation support and analysis systems and examples of such systems.
Conclusions. The material presented in the article makes it possible to form an idea of the full life cycle of manufacturing a product in various fields of industrial and agricultural activity from the preliminary design, which is designed by the system, to the final stage of design – process control, preservation of complete information about the product from geometric characteristics to the analysis and calculation of engineering characteristics, which include, for example, solid mechanics and solving various problems in the field of physics, namely fluid dynamics, voltage, electromagnetics Without these systems today it is impossible to imagine high-quality production of structures, devices in any field of industrial and agricultural activity.


In the engineering world, every day, new and different applications for an AC motor are developed, clarifying the need and dependency on such machines in our society. Also at the same time, due to their increasing necessity, better energy efficient operating methods have to be developed for such motors. While coming to their operation, it can be clearly identified that the control of their speed during real time operations is a major characteristic of their energy usage. Hence, the speed at which the motor runs at a given load determines the energy efficiency and in turn overall efficiency. Evidently, certain methods have to be devised to regulate the speed of the motor (AC) for better energy utilization. This paper talks of one such method which is used to regulate speed of the motor using the principle of varying the input voltage to the motor based on ambient temperature. Of the many parameters that influence motor performance, Temperature of the ambient is the most important deciding factor. Also, in domestic applications or in Electronic Equipment, Cooling fans are a major requirement. These Fans operate based on the temperature of its surroundings. Hence, in such cooling systems efficiency of energy can be improved by designing a control that provides a temperature dependant operation. In this paper, temperature control of an AC motor is obtained by controlling a HBridge inverter through a microcontroller device, which produces appropriate pulse signals corresponding to the temperature of the surroundings. The control signal fed-inverter gives out temperature equivalent AC voltage output which is fed to the AC motor, therefore, achieving a smart energy efficient control for Modern motors.


This book provides a good variety of diverse and critical perspectives on open access (OA) issues. There are fifteen contributors to the thirteen chapters, one preface, and one introduction. Part One contains six chapters covering global issues, and Part Two contains seven chapters on North/South issues. This book focuses on the viewpoints of researchers, librarians, information professionals, publishers, and library users in the Global South. Many of the chapters, the preface, and the introduction are available online. See https://scidecode.com/en/open-divide-critical-studies-on-open-access/ provided by Mr. Herb. Individual chapters are licensed CC-BY-NC 4.0, but not the book as a whole.


Objective This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis between the third heart sound (S3) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure (HF). Methods Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Trial Register until February 20, 2022. The sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio (LR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled. The symmetric receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) and Fagan's nomogram were drawn. The source of heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analysis. Results A total of 19 studies, involving 5,614 participants, were included. The combined sensitivity of S3 was 0.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.15–0.33), specificity was 0.94 [95% CI (0.82–0.98)], area under the SROC curve was 0.49, and the DOR was 4.55; while the sensitivity of LVEF was 0.70 [95% CI (0.53–0.83)], specificity was 0.79 [95% CI (0.75–0.82)], area under the SROC curve was 0.79, and the DOR was 8.64. No publication bias was detected in Deeks' funnel plot. The prospective design, partial verification bias, and blind contributed to the heterogeneity in specificity, while adequate description of study participants contributed to the heterogeneity in sensitivity. In Fagan's nomogram, the post-test probability was 48% when the pre-test probability was set as 20%, while in LVEF, the post-test probability was 45% when the pre-test probability was set as 20%. Conclusion The use of S3 alone presented lower sensitivity in diagnosing HF compared with LVEF, whereas it was useful in early pathological assessment.


Background. We conducted a comparative effectiveness analysis to evaluate the difference in the amount of physical activity children engaged in when enrolled in a physical activity-enhanced after-school program based in a community recreation center versus a standard school-based after-school program. Methods. The study was a natural experiment with 54 elementary school children attending the community ASP and 37 attending the school-based ASP. Accelerometry was used to measure physical activity. Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks, with 91% retention. Results. At baseline, 43% of the multiethnic sample was overweight/obese, and the mean age was 7.9 years (SD = 1.7). Linear latent growth models suggested that the average difference between the two groups of children at Week 12 was 14.7 percentage points in moderate-vigorous physical activity (P < .001). Cost analysis suggested that children attending traditional school-based ASPs—at an average cost of $17.67 per day—would need an additional daily investment of $1.59 per child for 12 weeks to increase their moderate-vigorous physical activity by a model-implied 14.7 percentage points. Conclusions. A low-cost, alternative after-school program featuring adult-led physical activities in a community recreation center was associated with increased physical activity compared to standard-of-care school-based after-school program.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of cognitive appraisals on anticipatory anxiety, procedural distress, and postprocedural evaluations in 100 children (ages 8-17) undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

METHOD
Children's knowledge about the procedure, appraisals of the procedure's aversiveness, coping ability, and state anxiety prior to the procedure were assessed by self-report. Distress during the EGD was assessed by observer ratings. Postprocedural evaluations were assessed by self-report 1 hour after the procedure.

RESULTS
Structural equation modeling indicated that children who knew more about the EGD appraised it as less threatening, and, in turn, children who appraised the procedure as less threatening experienced less anxiety. Decreased anxiety was associated with decreased distress, which, in turn, was associated with decreased pain, evaluations of less aversiveness, and less negative attitudes toward future procedures.

CONCLUSIONS
This study has implications for how children are prepared for EGDs and supports the utility of an appraisal-based model in understanding children's experiences with medical procedures.


Due to their heavy dependence on financial support from the
public sector and close links to a wide range of government
policies, non-profit organisations are becoming increasingly
state-oriented. Although economic experts have striven to
empirically test whether public funding of the non-profit
sector supports private philanthropy or, on the contrary,
crowds it out, there is no comprehensive research of this type
within the Czech Republic. In connection with these blank areas
in theories on the Czech non-profit sector, we pose the
following question: How does public financing of non-profit
organisations influence the amount of private donations that
these organisations receive? To answer this question, we
conducted our own research (n = 483). The results demonstrate a
crowding-out effect for public resources but not for other
types of financing sources, such as revenues from the
organisation's own activity and commercial revenues.


Background. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become more widely used choice compared to laparotomy cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has now become the gold standard of abdominal surgery for abdominal surgery for gallbladder abnormalities, more than 90% of patients with gallstone disease are treated surgically by laparoscopy, but several studies have revealed an increase in SGOT &SGPT values in these surgical procedures. SGPT itself occurs due to the procedure of laparoscopy. In the procedure, there is a temporary increase in the pneumoperitoneum, the pressure on the pneumoperitoneum and its duration affect the severity of ischemia by causing an increase in this liver enzyme. Among several studies, one of them revealed that at 48 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery an enzyme increase. Objective. The purpose of the study, this research was conducted to see the changes in SGOT & SGPT values in laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. Method. This research method is analytic with cross sectional study design conducted at North Sumatera University Hospital. This research was conducted by looking at secondary data, namely the medical record of patients with gallstones who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery from January 2019 to November 2019. The sample was selected by using total sampling method. Data were then analyzed using statistical application software. The number of samples was 45 samples with a diagnosis of gallstones who performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results. Wilcoxon test results showed a significant change between SGOT and SGPT levels before performing operations with SGOT and SGPT levels after surgery with p=0.000 (p<0,05). Conclusion. There are changes in SGOT & SGPT in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


I thank Ben Corson for his response to my essay on "Force of Law."2 His comments are gentle, serious, constructive, and certainly exhibit greater expertise in matters-Derrida than I possess. Much more than merely "supplemental," Corson's criticisms raise issues that go to the heart of Derrida's essay and my own reading of it. I take the following to be Corson's main point: I read Denrida to be offering mystical violence as an eventual or ultimate alternative to mythic violence in a way that forecloses the very possibility of deconstruction and justice as Derridean concerns. My narrow reading purportedly overlooks the fact that deconstruction and justice require some aspects of the kind of force associated with mythic violence and in fact would need to eschew certain characteristics associated with mystical violence. I believe that Corson is more or less correct at a certain hermeneutic level: both Dernida's essay and my interpretation of it do indeed point in this direction, one that hypostatizes mythical and mystical violence. Ironically, this exaggerated antinomy becomes so extreme in my overdetermined account of "Force of Law" that I am forced to conflate the two forms of violence in my effort to raise mystical violence to a status that approximates a quasi-Kantian regulative ideal. But while Corson acknowledges the significance of Derrida's gestures that eventually break down the strict dichotomy between mythical and mystical violence, both within and without the "Force of Law" essay, he seems somewhat less attuned to my own indications or intimations along these same lines. For instance, I would redirect Ben and the readers to the crucial place in Derrida's essay where I suggested that he commits a kind of "violence"


It is widely believed that the second-generation high-temperature superconducting (2G HTS) tapes with magnetic substrates suffer higher transport loss compared to those with non-magnetic substrates. To test this, we prepared two identical coils with magnetic and non-magnetic substrates, respectively. The experimental result was rather surprising that they generated roughly the same amount of transport loss. We used finite element method to understand this result. It is found that, unlike in the single tape where the magnetic field-dependent critical current characteristic can be neglected and the effect of magnetic substrate dominates, the magnetic field-dependent critical current characteristic of 2G tape plays as an equally important role as magnetic substrate in terms of HTS coils.


Odanacatib (ODN), an oral selective inhibitor of cathepsin K, was an investigational agent previously in development for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this phase 1 open‐label study, 12 healthy Chinese postmenopausal women received single‐dose ODN 50 mg on day 1 and multiple‐dose ODN 50 mg once weekly on days 15, 22, 29, and 36 under fasted conditions. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were evaluated on days 1 and 36. Multiple‐dose area under the concentration–time profile (AUC0–168h) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were compared with historical data from 9 non‐Chinese postmenopausal women who also received ODN 50 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Median time to Cmax (tmax) was 3 and 4 hours following single‐ and multiple‐dose administration, respectively. The arithmetic mean ± SD terminal half‐life was 81.0 ± 14.0 and 106.7 ± 14.4 hours following single‐ and multiple‐dose administration, respectively. Comparison of multiple‐dose PK parameters showed that the geometric mean ratios (Chinese/non‐Chinese) and 95%CIs for AUC0–168h and Cmax were 0.81 (0.55‒1.19) and 0.87 (0.69‒1.11), respectively. All adverse events were mild, none were serious, and none led to discontinuation. Single‐ and multiple‐dose PKs of ODN 50 mg in Chinese postmenopausal women were generally similar to those previously reported in non‐Chinese postmenopausal women.


Abstract Fish remains from the Wijde Bay Series of the Wijdefjorden area include (1) pteraspids, not previously recorded from so high an horizon, which appear to bear sensory canals upon the exterior surface of the ventral disc; (2) an Asterolepis, and (3) rhizodontid scales, resembling those of Holoptychius. A very large antiarch from an unknown horizon is also recorded.


Changes in regional land use ecosystem service value objectively reflect the state and the process of ecosystem service.Based on dynamic data of land use from 1996to 2010in the hilly areas of southwest China,this paper discusses the effect of land use change on the ecosystem services value,with Rongchang County,Chongqing City as the research area.The results show that the areas of the farmland decreased 3 387.16hm2,construction land and forest increased 3 634.40hm2 and 11 447.64hm2 during the 15years,mainly because the human activities in those areas have intensified the change in the manner and extent of land use due to the driving factors of Chongqing turning to a municipality,great development of western regions and the national policy of returning the grain plots to forestry,and that influenced by the ecological reforestation,the net growth of ecosystem service value of the area was 192.640 9million,land use change impact on the ecological environment showing an overall positive effect,and the rest of ecosystem service value rose in varying degrees except for the decline in the value of 2.14million yuan caused by the reduction of arable land.


ABSTRACT One of the core objectives of financial reporting in local government is to provide information on financial position and condition of an organization. Financial position is accomplished when unqualified annual financial statements are provided to stakeholders at fiscal year end. Two additional steps are required, however, before interpretations can be made concerning the financial condition of a local government. Ratio analysis is conducted to evaluate financial relationships, and comparative analysis is used for building context. When the decision is made in local government to analyze, interpret, and communicate financial condition to elected officials, the next logical inquiry is to explore what management practices facilitate financial condition analysis and how do elected officials use the results for making policy decisions. This article presents three case studies in North Carolina, documenting lessons learned on transitioning from financial position to condition in local government. INTRODUCTION One of the core financial reporting objectives in local government is to provide users with information on the financial position and condition of an organization (GASB, 1987). The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) responded to this objective in 1999 with the passage of Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements-and Management's Discussion and Analysis-for State and Local Governments, expanding the financial reporting model to include fund-level and government-wide financial statements.1 Two of the seven purposes of the expanded reporting model as articulated by the GASB are to help users determine whether the government's overall financial position has improved or deteriorated and to help users make better financial comparisons between governments when analyzing financial condition (GASB, 1999). Mead (2002) concluded that the new reporting model does strengthen a government's ability to provide comprehensive information on financial position. He hedged, however, on financial condition, stating that additional analysis is often needed to assess fiscal strength. One of the main purposes of embracing an approach to financial condition analysis in local government is to provide elected officials, who possess the ultimate fiduciary responsibility of the organization, with information on a government's ability to meet its ongoing financial, service, and capital obligations based on the status of resource flow and stock as interpreted from annual financial statements (Rivenbark, Roenigk, and Allison, 2010). When information on financial condition is provided to elected officials, the next logical inquiry in local government is to explore implementation outcomes. We begin this article with an overview of four models available to help local officials move from financial position to condition. We then offer three cases conducted in North Carolina on presenting elected officials with information on financial condition at fiscal year end, concluding with lessons learned on transitioning from financial position to condition in local government. APPROACHES TO FINANCIAL CONDITION ANALYSIS Analyzing the financial condition of any organization is complex-public or private. One aspect of this complexity is that financial statements are designed to report on resource flow (operating statement) for a given time period, and on resource stock (balance sheet) at a point in time. There also are numerous financial dimensions that align with flow and stock, along with numerous financial indicators to measure each dimension. For example, Kloha, Weissert, and Kleine (2005) found that state officials providing financial condition oversight for their respective local governments used approximately 174 indicators in various forms to monitor fiscal stress, ranging from one indicator in Alaska to thirty in Michigan.2 Another aspect of this complexity is the need for contextual data for interpreting the results of the financial indicators, including how they change over time and how they compare against industry standards or results from other organizations. …


In financial markets information is in the form of signs, news and different predictions coming from inside or outside of the company which makes reactions and as a result changes in stock prices. Such as increase and decrease over the limit or long period of times. However, this behavior is non-rational behavior of market which can be a rational response to perceived uncertainty that is understood by investors. We investigate the stock market short-term overreaction. The aim of this project is to analyze overreaction of investors to news and information includes earnings announcement (pleasant or unpleasant) in Bear and Bull Market in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), using daily data over the period 2005-2011. Over the window of 14 days before and 14 days after news announcements, the result indicates that investors in Tehran Stock Exchange did not have overreaction to information in short time period.


Given the recent spike in migration from Central America to the United States, Guatemala–US Migration: Transforming Regions is a remarkably ambitious and timely contribution to the literature on migration in North and Central America. Integrating diverse theoretical perspectives and rich case studies, Jonas and Rodr ıguez provide a detailed analysis of Guatemalan migration to the United States over a 40year period, from the late 1970s to the present. The result is a sophisticated and comprehensive study that will be of great use to migration scholars in a number of disciplines, especially geography, sociology, and anthropology. In particular, the book contributes to several ongoing discussions on topics including immigrant rights networks, immigration law, and migrant settlement and incorporation. Drawing from the geographic literature on the production of space, it centers on an emerging "migration region" from Central America to the United States, where migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras increasingly take passage through Mexico to reach the United States. This focus on transregional migration offers much in terms of understanding not only contemporary migration flows but also place-making and regional transformation. While the authors focus exclusively on migration from Guatemala, the book represents a broader geographic analysis, linking Guatemala with other Central American countries, Mexico, and the United States. The book's six chapters cover issues ranging from migrant rights advocacy to settlement experiences in Houston, Texas. Chapter one serves as the introduction and presents the book's theoretical framework. Here, Jonas and Rodr ıguez lay out a number of concepts to describe and explain Guatemalan migration to the United States, drawing from work on space and place, indigenous migration, and social reproduction, among others. Although these conceptual points are not fully expanded throughout the book, the authors do outline a robust agenda that is novel in its integration of assorted perspectives. Chapter two analyzes five phases of migration from Guatemala to the United States, including a first phase caused by political and social turmoil in Guatemala from 1977 to 1985 and a final phase marked by increasing economic hardships and state insecurity from 2004 to the present. However arbitrary, these distinct phases of Guatemalan migration provide substantial historical depth and a concise overview of the region's development. Building from this context, chapter three examines the organizations and networks of migrant rights advocates in the region, accomplishing two things. First, it examines migrant rights advocacy in the United States and the emergence of organizations such as the Ladino-led Coalition of Guatemalan Immigrants Residing in the United States (CONGUATE) and the Mayan-led Center for the Integration of Indigenous Mayas (IXIM). Second, it analyzes the evolution of Guatemalan institutions and other transregional actors, including the Catholic network of migrant shelters managed by the Scalabrini Mission and the National Council for Attention to Guatemalan Migrants Abroad (CONAMIGUA). Broad in scope, this chapter provides a thorough addition to discussions of political organizing and migrant advocacy which now extend throughout the Northern Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras), Mexico, and the United States. Chapters four and five present empirically rich case studies in Houston, Texas, and San Francisco, California.


Abstract : An investigation was made of the use of cubes as fragment-simulators for armor evaluation and testing. One-quarter inch steel cubes were launched from a rifled barrel in an attempt to induce stability through spin stabilization. Specially molded lexan sabots were used to launch the cubes in the three predominant orientations: flat, edge, and point. The success rate of impact orientation predictability was high enough to warrant further consideration of cubes as fragment simulators. V50 ballistic limits were determined for four armor materials under flat, edge, and point impacts. Drag coefficients were determined for the three predominant orientations over the range of Mach numbers 0.5 to 3.5 and found to be generally higher than those previously measured by investigators who assumed cubes tumbled in flight.


There are many varied cognitive, motor, and behavioral consequences exhibited in humans infected with the HIV-1 virus. Beside attacking the immune system, Muriel Lezak points out that it has "a morbid predilection for the brain" (Lezak, 1995, p268). The virus enters the brain early in the disease process and continues to replicate. The HIV virus itself is capable of precipitating neurodeterioration throughout the brain (Moore et al., 2006; Yiannoutsos et al. 2004). There are other mechanisms of brain destruction associated with HIV infection. Severe cognitive and behavioral deterioration is seen in many opportunistic infections among HIV patients; toxoplasmosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, CNS lymphoma, varicella-zoster vasculitis, and others (Sevigny and Estasislao, 2007). This article will address the identification and measurement of cognitive abnormalities resulting from the HIV's direct impact on the central nervous


Objective: Specific knowledge on neurocognitive functioning in (syndrome based) intellectual disability (ID) is important for the assessment, treatment and support of patients in whom this condition is present. The present study investigates the applicability of computerized neurocognitive testing in patients with rare monogenetic ID disorders by (1) determining the developmental age at which the use is contributive and (2) investigating the specificity of the tests for neurocognitive functions, independent of the ID. Method: A total of 56 patients with monogenetic ID disorders, including Kleefstra Syndrome (KS; n = 24), and a contrast group of various rare disorders (n = 32) participated. Assessments included (a) the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) interview to calculate developmental age and (b) four simplified subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). A cut-off in developmental age was estimated based on the ability to complete the CANTAB-tasks. A developmental age of 2,5 years and older allows practical application in our cohort. Results: There was no significant correlation between developmental age and results on cognitive tests (range: -0,171 0,07). A between-group comparison shows a larger dropout in the KS sub cohort (based on cross tabulation) and longer latencies on the motor screening test. Conclusions: Our results indicate that simplified CANTAB tasks are suitable for application in the ID population to unravel individual neurocognitive characteristics and, hence also, syndrome specific neurocognitive features. Furthermore, successful employment of computerized testing in this complex population may be the only way to avoid the restraints of standard classificatory clinical procedures that aim at categories of patients rather than at the individual patient with its unique cognitive neuropsychiatric complexion.


An expression is derived for the proportion of quadrilaterals among the polygons formed by random lines in the plane. Its value is 0.381 466….


Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be effectively treated with spinal cord stimulation (t‐SCS). There is also evidence that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation may be superior to t‐SCS in CRPS. However, there has been no published data, to our knowledge, that looked at the concurrent use of t‐SCS and DRG stimulation for treatment of CRPS.


Detailed information can be readily obtained from the extensive literature now available including "Oxidative Stress" published in both English and Japanese and the Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference of the Society for Free Radical Research , held in Kyoto in 1988 [ 1]-[2]. Although much of the evidence for free radical involvement in vivo remains indirect it is supported by a wealth of new information emerging from ever more sophisticated chemical and biochemical studies in vitro In chemistry, the characterisation of a variety of spin traps enabling difficult to detect short-lived free radicals to be transformed into relatively long-lived free radicals identifiable by e.s.r. has been a considerable boon. Likewise the development of pulse radiolysis systems has enabled free radical reactions occurring over time scales of the order of a microsecond to be characterised with confidence in model solutions . In biochemistry, free radical formation in a variety of enzyme systems , b oth in the presence and absence of exogenous chemicals have now been characterised. Of these the xanthine oxidase system in which the superoxide free radical is formed has been extensively studied and a wide range of chemical and biochemical changes initiated by the enzyme examined in detail . These include:


The research aims to test leadership, whether work discipline affects employee performance, namely the performance of PT Ammana Fintek Syariah employees. The research method uses a quantitative approach, by collecting data using primary data, secondary data for Personnel Managers and library research. Primary data uses all employees at PT Ammana Fintek Syariah as many as 30 respondents. Data collection techniques using interviews and questionnaire instruments. The questionnaire survey instrument was delivered to employees of PT Ammana Fintek Syariah. Data were analyzed using the SPSS model to test the significance of the influence of leadership and work discipline on employee performance. The results of the study show that leadership, work discipline has a significant positive effect on employee performance, both partially and simultaneously. Leadership as the most important factor influencing employee performance. The managerial implication is that an organization or leader must develop a harmonious work culture and work discipline for employees to achieve their best performance


The frequency synthesizer of an L-Band Front End for the new AMSAT Phase 3E satellite is described. High reliability and low power consumption of the receiver is required. For slow rate data transmissions high stable oscillators in the double conversion receiver are required and retuning of the first oscillator is needed. The invention of the receiver design consists in utilization of the double PLL synthesizer synchronized by an ultra stable oscillator positioned onboard the satellite.


The invention relates to an HT690 steel plate capable of being subjected to high heat inputwelding and a manufacturing method thereof. A component system treated by low C-high Mn-(Nb+V+B) microalloying-ultramicro Ti is adopted, the acid-soluble Als content in steel is properly improved, the Als is not less than (Mn equivalent/C)*(Ntotal-0.292Ti), (Mn equivalent)/C is between 20 and 40, Pcm is not more than 0.205 percent, the Ti/N is between 2.0 and 4.0, (Cu+Ni+Mo+Cr) is alloyed and Ni/Cu is not less than 1.0, the Ca is treated and the Ca/S ratio is between 0.80 and 3.00 and the F*DI index is controlled to be not less than 0.80*finished steel plate thickness, a TMCP (Thermo-Mechanical Control Process) and a tempering process are optimized to ensure that the microscopic structure of a finished steel plate is fine tempering bainite, and the average crystal cluster size is below 25mum. The steel plate can bear high heat input welding at the same time of obtaining the properties of uniform and excellent obdurability and strong plasticity matching, is especially suitable for large steel structures of a hydroelectric pressure water pipe, a vortex, a sea platform and the like, and can realize low-cost and stable batch industrialized production.


This paper describes our efforts in extending a large vocabulary speech recogn ition system to handle broadcast news transcription. Results using the 1995 DARPA H4 evaluation data set are presented for different front-end analyses and for the use of unsupervised model adaptation using maximum likelihood linear regression (MLLR). The HTK system for the 1996 H4 evaluation is then described. It includes a number of new features compared to previous HTK large vocabulary systems including decoder-guided segmentation, segment clustering, cache-based language mode lling, and combined MAP and MLLR adaptation. The system makes multiple passes through the data and the detailed results of each pass are given. The overall word error rate obtained by the 1996 evaluation system was 27.5%, and a bug-fixed version reduced this to 26.6%.


Targeting at the truck scheduling in the process of container terminal operations, a dynamic truck scheduling model with strong applicability is designed to reduce truckload rate, and shorten the time of handling task. According to the model characteristics, improved genetic algorithm is used to solve it, and determine the parameters suitable for this model including population size, fitness function, selection criteria, crossover probability and mutation probability, etc. Combined with specific cases, MATLAB is applied for simulation to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the model and algorithm proposed by this paper.


As the world financial markets are fluctuating,the impact of sovereign credit rating is becoming more and more important.Lots of researches point out that the adjustment of sovereign credit rating would influence both bond markets and stock markets.However,due to the different sensitive degrees of markets towards information,stock markets have more violent reactions than bond markets;and stock markets react in advance to the adjustment of sovereign credit rating.Because of the resultant action of the market expectation and the economic cycle,there exist in the markets the asymmetric reactions to the changes of positive and negative ratings.Therefore,to sort out and comment on the existing literatures can both improve the understanding of the public towards the issue and provide certain reference for the formulation of risk prevention policies.


Cucumber plants at the fruiting stage were sprayed on June 2021 in a private field at El-Tahra village, Zagazig-district, Sharkia-Governorate, Egypt with imidacloprid Avenue 70% WG and azoxystrobin 20%+difenoconazole 12.5% mixture in commercial formulation Decent 32.5% SC to determine their persistence in cucumber-leaves and fruits, also to estimate their biochemical effects on cucumber-fruits. QuEChERS method was used for extraction and clean-up and analyzed using HPLC. Results revealed that, initial amounts of each-pesticide in leaves were much higher-than cucumber fruits. Loss percentages in residues were higher in cucumber fruits than leaves. The t½ values for investigated pesticides in cucumber-fruits (peel and whole-fruits) and leaves, were (1.88, 2.02, 2.47), (1.72, 1.81, 3.2) and (1.77, 2.10, 2.45 days) for imidacloprid, azoxystrobin and difenoconazole, respectively. Residue amounts of tested-pesticides were more greatly detected in the peel than that pulp. Cucumber fruits could be used safely for human-consumption at any time after spraying to the end of the experimental-period (12-days) after peeling. The pickling process removed in great amounts from initial deposits of investigated pesticides. Levels of total soluble sugar%, glucose mg/kg, acidity%, total soluble solids (T.S.S.), % ascorbic-acid mg/kg, β-carotene%, dry matter% and protein% as well as elements N%, P%, K%, Fe mg/kg, Mn mg/kg, Ca%, Zn mg/kg, on treated cucumber-fruits were significantly reduced during tested-periods (3 and 6-days after application). Data revealed that reduction of each quality attributes and elements was more pronounced with Decent than imidacloprid. This finding may be due-to presence of two-fungicide mixture in decent formulation (azoxystrobin+difenoconazole).


This paper presents an approach for extending traditional frame-based representation languages by allowing rules, which are associated with the objects they reference, to be inherited in a manner similar to slots or attributes of that object. Rule inheritance is introduced within the framework of RIKA, a program designed to provide assistance on the task of building and modifying knowledge-based expert systems. A generalization classification for establishing relationships among slots is also discussed.


ABSTRACT Across African countries, terrorism has become a major challenge to socioeconomic development. While there are studies that have examined the influence of terrorism on economic growth, this study adds to the existing literature by investigating the role of military expenditure on the relationship between terrorism and economic growth in Africa. The study utilised a dataset comprising 24 African countries for which terrorism activities have increased substantially in the last decades. Utilising an instrumental variable Fixed Effects model with standard errors that account for cross-sectional dependence, serial correlation and group-wise heteroskedasticity, the study revealed that, (1) terrorism has a detrimental effect on economic growth in the selected African countries, (2) the interactive effect of military expenditure and terrorism on economic growth is significantly positive, (3) the net effect of military expenditure on the relationship between terrorism and economic growth is positive when the number of terrorism incidents act as a proxy for terrorism but negative when the number of terrorism fatalities acts as a proxy for terrorism. However, this negative effect is substantially lower when compared to the unconditional effect of terrorism on economic growth in Africa. Policy recommendations based on these findings are discussed.


A briefer version of this article was published in the Alaska Justice Forum:

"Revisiting Alaska's Sex Offender Registration and Public Notification Statute" by Deborah Periman. Alaska Justice Forum 25(1–2): 2–5 (Spring/Summer 2008). (https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/justice-center/alaska-justice-forum/25/1-2springsummer2008/c_asora.cshtml).


Analyzes the pollution flashover often happening in Ningxia Power Grid(110~330) kV overhead transmission line since 2002,concluded that the cause of the pollution flashover is lower insulation allocation,finds out the existing problems of preventing pollution flashover,brings forward the relevant solutions.Emphatically introduces the installation method and attentive items of using inversed V shape insulator strings to adjust insulator creepage length for preventing pollution flashover in the serious pollution area of Ningxia Power Grid(110~330) kV overhead transmission lines.


Abstract Sea cucumbers are in high demand in the world market due to their nutritional and medicinal values. In this study, the growth performance of juvenile sea cucumbers Holothuria scabra fed with different proportions of two feeds was analyzed. Commercially available sea cucumber feed (feed-A) and formulated feed (feed-B) were used for the experiments. Animals fed with 2% feed-A showed a negative growth rate. Maximum growth was observed in animals fed with 8% feed-A and feed-B. While feed-A treated groups showed significant variation (P < 0.05) in growth performance between different percentages of diets, feed-B treated animals showed no such variation. Feed-B treated animals showed higher growth rates compared to feed-A treated sea cucumbers. Water quality parameters and anoxic conditions of the soil in culture tanks did not change due to the higher percentage of feeds. In conclusion, this study showed that diet percentage is an important factor for the optimum growth of sea cucumbers.


Aim To investigate a synthetic route of 4-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenylamino)-7-methoxy-6-[3-(4-morpholinyl)propoxy]quinazoline(ZD1839).Methods The target compound was synthesized through a se- ven-step procedure starting from 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid methyl ester.Result and conclusion The procedure developed has several advantages such as mild reaction conditions,easily obtained materials and convenient operation.The reaction steps were reduced when comparing with the literature method(nine steps)and the total yield reached 34.81%.The structure of the ZD1839 was characterized by IR, 1H-NMR and MS.


The SLAC 8 GeV/c spectrometer was optically calibrated using the floating wire technique. The forward and reconstruction optics coefficients were measured as a function of spectrometer momentum. The point-to-point uncertainty for the large, first-order coefficients was [plus minus]0.4% or better, with an absolute normalization uncertainty of[plus minus]1.0%. These coefficients were used to determine the momentum dependence of the acceptance, and to constrain a newly developed TRANSPORT model of the spectrometer which reproduces the measurements to within their errors. The central momentum, P[sub c], was measured for fourteen nominal set-points to [plus minus]0.025% absolute uncertainty. A linear fit to measured central momenta and corresponding dipole NMR field measurements gives P[sub c] = 0.41511B + 0.00054, where B is the magnetic field of the dipoles in kG, and P[sub c] is in GeV/c.


In the title compound, C9H13N2O+·I−, the dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the N-acetyl group is 73.93 (8)°. In the crystal structure, the cation and anion interact by way of an N—H...I hydrogen bond.


The inherent characteristics of time duration and space expansion of coal exploitation make ecological cumulative effects significant.Because of lack of integrity and inadequate analysis of macro-analysis,the traditional environment impact assessment method which is based on a single project can't satisfy the need of ecological protection.This paper defines the connotation of ecological cumulative effect,summarizes the main research contents and constructs the ecological cumulative effects multi-scale analysis framework in coal mining area.Finally the directions for further study are put forward.


The group of compactly supported homeomorphisms on a Tychonoff space can be topologized in a number of ways, including as a colimit of homeomorphism groups with a given compact support or as a subgroup of the homeomorphism group of its Stone-Čech compactification. A space is said to have the Compactly Supported Homeomorphism Property (CSHP) if these two topologies coincide. The authors provide necessary and sufficient conditions for finite products of ordinals equipped with the order topology to have CSHP. In addition, necessary conditions are presented for finite products and coproducts of spaces to have CSHP.


We study the magnetic fields generation from the cosmological first-order electroweak phase transition. We calculate the magnetic field induced by the variation of the Higgs phase for two bubbles and three bubbles collisions. Our study shows that electromagnetic currents in the collision direction produce the ring-like magnetic field in the intersect regions of colliding bubbles, which may seed the primordial magnetic field that are constrained by intergalatic field observations.


The magnetic properties of mixed spin-1/2 and spin-1 Ising 2D-nanoparticles (circle and square) with core–shell structure are examined by the use of the Monte Carlo simulation. The phase diagrams are investigated and show qualitatively interesting features. In particular, three and four physically different phases are identified for the square and circle nanoparticles, respectively. These phases are separated by different transitions that could be called ordinary, core and shell transitions according to the strengths of the exchange interactions.


This study aimed to examine the impact of Changing Childbirth (Department of Health, 1993) on midwives' work and personal lives. It reports findings from a multiple site case study of community-based maternity care. Each site represented a model of continuity of carer along a continuum from complete one-to-one continuity to continuity within a team. The three sites represented the traditional model of GP-attached community midwives, a community team and a community-based group practice. Three key themes emerged from the data relating to sustainable practice, the avoidance of burnout and the provision of flexible woman-centred care. These were occupational autonomy, social support and developing meaningful relationships with women. Control over work and continuity of care are as important to midwives in how well they balance their work and home life as they are to women experiencing childbirth. Models of care such as personal caseloads that incorporate these factors may be more sustainable in terms of less...


Population/Method : Thirteen hemodialysis patients, who had received more than 3 months of Kalimate (KAL), a powdered preparation of calcium polystyrene sulfonate (PS-Ca), were enrolled in this test. Subjects were administered the same dose of Argamate Jelly (ARG), a jelly form of calcium polystyrene sulfonate (PS-Ca), for 3 months. During the test period, serum potassium values were measured and subjects answered questionnaires regarding compliance.ARG significantly reduced the amount of water used for administration and the majority of subjects preferred it to KAL. Serum potassium levels were well controlled throughout the study for both KAL and ARG. In conclusion, ARG is a useful drug because it maintains proper serum control, and was preferred to KAL by hemodialysis patients.


Wetlands in Bangladesh have undergone rapid degradation, primarily attributable to a range of factors. These factors include a marked increase in population, extensive water diversion for irrigation purposes, depletion of swamp forests, as well as other natural and anthropogenic causes. Hakaluki Haor is a vast wetland area located at North East in Bangladesh provides habitat for a diverse range of fish species. Due to natural and anthropogenic causes, fish species are declining in the Hakaluki Hoar. Fish species are declining primarily due to the utilization of harmful gear, the drying of beels every year


Patients with ascites can develop spontaneous hemoperitoneum after injury or as a complication of diagnostic or therapeutic techniques. Spontaneous rupture of intra-abdominal varices is a rare complication of portal hypertension and an infrequent cause of hemoperitoneum and carries high mortality. We present a case of spontaneous hemoperitoneum secondary to umbilical vein rupture in a male patient.


In this article the role of abstract nouns with the meaning of intellectual appraisal in the process of evaluational categorization of human mental capacity in modern English is considered. The functions of abstract nouns are described, the cognitive and linguistic mechanisms of evaluational senses formation are analyzed, and the role of linguistic context in the appraisal forming and placing of an object into a definite zone of an evaluational category is studied.


Lifelong localization in a given map is an essential capability for autonomous service robots. In this letter, we consider the task of long-term localization in a changing indoor environment given sparse CAD floor plans. The commonly used pre-built maps from the robot sensors may increase the cost and time of deployment. Furthermore, their detailed nature requires that they are updated when significant changes occur. We address the difficulty of localization when the correspondence between the map and the observations is low due to the sparsity of the CAD map and the changing environment. To overcome both challenges, we propose to exploit semantic cues that are commonly present in human-oriented spaces. These semantic cues can be detected using RGB cameras by utilizing object detection, and are matched against an easy-to-update, abstract semantic map. The semantic information is integrated into a Monte Carlo localization framework using a particle filter that operates on 2D LiDAR scans and camera data. We provide a long-term localization solution and a semantic map format, for environments that undergo changes to their interior structure and detailed geometric maps are not available. We evaluate our localization framework on multiple challenging indoor scenarios in an office environment, taken weeks apart. The experiments suggest that our approach is robust to structural changes and can run on an onboard computer. We released the open source implementation of our approach written in C++ together with a ROS wrapper.


This article discusses the fundamentals of analogue integrated circuit design and construction, as well as the operation and some basic models of MOS transistors. It also provides a thorough introduction to the CMOS, PMOS, and NMOS structures, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. Additionally, operational and differential amplifiers are introduced, along with some examples of their uses. While attending summer school, I also learned how to simulate the SPEICE model using the computer program CoolSPICE. The SPEICE model is a literal description of a circuit component that theoretically predicts the behavior of that component under various conditions. The article ends with forecasts and suggestions regarding the future evolution of analog circuits and their potential effects on society.


North Yorkshire residents have until this Sunday to take part in a major consultation that will shape the future of policing and community safety across ...


We study regularity issues and the limiting behavior as p→∞ of non‐negative solutions for elliptic equations of p− Laplacian type ( 2⩽p<∞ ) with a strong absorption: −Δpu(x)+λ0(x)u+q(x)=0inΩ⊂RN,where λ0>0 is a bounded function, Ω is a bounded domain and 0⩽q0}∩Ω where the sharp regularity exponent is given explicitly by γ=1/(1−ℓ) . Finally, some weak geometric and measure theoretical properties as non‐degeneracy, uniform positive density, porosity and convergence of the free boundaries are proved.


ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to standardize the in-situ vegetative propagation protocol for Taxus baccata Linn. Therefore, a field tested FRI-Wire Technique, Air Layering and root promoting hormones such as Indole 3 - Butyric Acid (IBA), Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and Napthelene Acetic Acid (NAA) at concentration of 1000 parts per million (ppm), 2500 ppm and 5000 ppm for each were evaluated. Air layering performed poorly on this species, whereas, FRI-Wire technique showed a remarkable success for rooting with hormones IBA and IAA at 1000 ppm and 2500 ppm concentrations, on all the three branch length sizes 22-28 cm, 30-36 cm and 45-51 cm. However, the branch sizes of 30-36 cm, when treated with IBA at 2500 ppm concentration performed significantly better and produced 86.66 percent rooting in comparison to other treatments with the technique. Henceforth, FRI-Wire technique can be effectively adopted for mass multiplication of this valuable species.


In 1992, the Department of Materials Engineering at the University of Wollongong signed an agreement with PT Krakatau Steel, Indonesia's national steel company, to provide postgraduate coursework education for the company's engineers. Over the next five years, the Department provided an on site program at Krakatau Steel's Cilegon works in Java. Members of the Department staff were flown regularly to Indonesia to deliver lectW"es and to provide tutoring. The coW"sework program developed reflected the diverse background of the students entering the program and the desire of the company to improve their engineers' understanding of basic principles of Materials Engineering, and particularly, of the metallurgy of steel. The program was nul with cooperation from Tirtayasa University in Cilegon. Over 100 students graduated with Masters degrees from the program. A quite different program was developed for BHP Ltd., Australia's largest steel company, in ] 995 to educate their engineers in modern management techniques and specific steelmaking technologies. The program was delivered locally in a variety of modes. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between the respective programs and reflects on the challenges facing universities in providing post graduate education to the steel industry. Challenges in Materials Education Edited by G.A. Irons and T.R. Meadowcroft The Merallurgical Society of elM, 1998 61 62 CHALLENGES IN MATERIALS EDUCATION


From the stability of Kalman filter, the essence of Kalman filter and the reasons of the instability of Kalman filter are analyzed. In this paper, the calculation of measurement noise covariance(R) is added to the normal Kalman filter. R is weighted and then influences the filter plus to overcome the instability of filter. The simulation of reckoning/GPS integrated navigation system shows that the measurement noise automatic weight algorithm is adaptive to the error of model and measurement noise covariance with high effectiveness and accuracy.


More for-profit chains are making rural hospital acquisitions a key strategy, and they're building up steam. For example, little-known New American Healthcare Corp. of Brentwood, Tenn., more than doubled its size this year through a single acquisition of five hospitals. Meanwhile, Health Management Associates, Quorum Health Group and Community Health Systems continue to expand.


The structural and photoacoustic properties of nanostructured zinc antimonides Zn4Sb3 and ZnSb prepared by mechanical alloying were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoacoustic absorption spectroscopy (PAS). The XRD patterns revealed the existence of Zn4Sb3 and elemental Zn for 10 h of milling, Zn4Sb3 and ZnSb for 20 h of milling, and ZnSb and elemental Zn for 30 h of milling. Using the Rietveld structural refinement procedure, the experimental XRD patterns were simulated and the relative amounts of each phase for each of the milling times above were calculated. The thermal diffusivity values corresponding to each milling time were measured from the PAS signal amplitude and phase. Using the thermal diffusivity value and the relative amounts of ZnSb and elemental Zn, we estimated the thermal diffusivity for the ZnSb phase in nanometric form. The result seems to corroborate the suggestion of other researchers that the thermal conductivity tends to be smaller in materials with nanometric crystallites.


We use tail dependence functions to study tail dependence for regularly varying (RV) time series. First, tail dependence functions about RV time series are deduced through the intensity measure. Then, the relation between the tail dependence function and the intensity measure is established: they are biuniquely determined. Finally, we obtain the expressions of the tail dependence parameters based on the expectation of the RV components of the time series. These expressions are coincided with those obtained by the conditional probability. Some simulation examples are demonstrated to verify the results we established in this paper.


Purpose – Aims to provide a review of the seminar which concentrated on the developments in e‐books within higher education and the lead taken by this sector in the development of e‐book practice.Design/methodology/approach – The article is based on the proceedings of the seminar.Findings – Concludes that the future challenges for e‐books include the need to find ways of getting users to choose library resources before the web; the need for libraries to improve awareness of new e‐resources; and the need to work closely with academics to embed e‐books in VLEs.Originality/value – Provides some useful insights into the development of e‐books within the higher education community.