A rough membership function uses counting probability (ratio of cardinal numbers) to define a membership. An extension, called granular membership function (GMF), generalizes the counting probability to a general set function (GSF), such as probability, possibility, belief function, etc. have been investigated previously. The "set theoretical operations" (STO) of GMF are induced naturally from the operations of GSF. In particular, probabilistic GMF (PGMF) are defined according to the rules of probability; their operations depend not only on the numerical grades but also on the events. This is often expressed as "STO are not truth functional." On the other hand, STO on traditional fuzzy sets are truth functional. This phenomenon led us to conclude the grade of traditional fuzzy sets can not be interpreted as a probability.


Goals. The article discusses the place and role of Buddhism in current sociopolitical strategies of China's Communist Party. Results. The study shows that the CPC's sociopolitical strategy is aimed at realizing the 'Chinese Dream' which implies scenarios as follows: building of 'Socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new conditions'; 'complete construction of a moderately prosperous society'; implementation of the 'One Belt ― One Way' project; establishment of 'a community of shared future for mankind' with other countries; creation of 'a multipolar world'. The official ideology underlying the party's strategy is Marxist philosophy. So, the paper reveals key stages in the development of Marxist philosophy in the context of China's social and political landmarks. At the same time, significant attention is paid to traditional culture. Conclusions. The article concludes special importance in realizing the 'Chinese Dream' is given to the revival of cultural heritage essentially based on the 'Three Teachings' – Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Buddhism is reported to still be of great importance in this heritage. The work gives insight into the modernization of Buddhist philosophical and soteriological principles that emerged in line with China's new sociopolitical trends, and reveals the concept of 'humanistic Buddhism' put forward by Tai Xu, a leader of Renovated Buddhism, proves important enough to this modernization. Thus, the relationship between modernized Buddhism and the Communist Party rest on somewhat mutually beneficial basis: philosophical and worldview principles of Buddhism, its tolerance, and peaceful nature constitute a huge potential for its use in sociopolitical strategies of China's Communist Party. The paper also emphasizes the role of Buddhism in foreign policies as a diplomatic factor of the Chinese government.


ABSTRACT The Information Systems field has long been positioned globally as a particularly powerful instrument to promote social inclusion. While individual identity characteristics have been the primary research focus on social inclusion, our research study directly investigates an external environmental influence in social inclusion, course materials cost, and its impact on learning outcomes. General theories of student motivation and cognition in educational outcomes and social inclusion theory were used as a starting point to identify a significant positive difference in the learning outcomes of students who used open text materials contrasted with those who used proprietary text materials. Our research with 198 participants found support for student motivation and open instructional materials as positive influences on student learning outcomes. Implications for theory and future research on social inclusion in education at the environmental level are recommended based on the results.


CFD simulation of submarine powering performance in the numerical towing tank of CSSRC is described in detail in this paper.The computation approach for resistance,flow field and hydrodynamic forces in open-water and self-propulsion(body-propulsor interaction) conditions are defined.Meanwhile,the various computation cases for submarine powering performance are analyzed.And the prediction accuracy is presented.These models consist of fifteen bodies of revolution(series models),ten submarine models of all appendages(series models),SUBOFF model,several submarine models and propeller models for method validation.The research result is an important component of numerical tank and can be adopted for the numerical simulation of flow around submarine in future.


Free amino acids have been analyzed in biceps femoris muscle and adipose tissue from raw and dry-cured ham. A high increase was observed for all amino acids except glutamine and taurine. Major increases were in glutamic acid, arginine, alanine, valine, leucine, and lysine. A survey of five aminopeptidase activities of muscle and adipose tissue from raw and dry-cured ham was performed by using 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin derivatives of five amino acids (Leu, Arg, Ala, Tyr and pGlu) as substrates. Optimum activity was found at neutral pH and around 37°C, except the leucyl hydrolyzing activity which was 45°C. High recoveries of activity (25–75%) were obtained in the dry-cured ham. These enzymes might be responsible for free amino acids increasing during dry-curing.


The aim of this study was to examine the predictive power of time perspective for the life satisfaction and social comparison in university students. The participants (n= 441; 321 female and 120 male) are undergraduate students at a state university. The data of the study were collected through the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, The Satisfaction with Life Scale and IOWA-Netherlands Social Comparison Orientation Measure. In order to determine the prediction power of the time perspective for the life satisfaction and social comparison, standard multiple regression analysis was used. According to the finding of this study, while past-positive and future predicted life satisfaction positively, past-negative predicted life satisfaction negatively. However, present-hedonistic and present-fatalistic didn't predict life satisfaction. In addition, while past-negative predicted social comparison orientation negatively, pastpositive, present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic and future didn't predict social comparison orientation. According to the finding of this study, while past-positive and future predicted life satisfaction positively, past-negative predicted life satisfaction negatively. However, present-hedonistic and present-fatalistic didn't predict life satisfaction. In addition, while past-negative predicted social comparison orientation negatively, past-positive, present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic and future didn't predict social comparison


The paper researches the construction scheme and procedures for the jack-up method along Changzhi-Pingshun expressway,indicates the construction procedure for the jack-up of bridges of elevated longitudinal two-side widening expressways and precautions,and accumulates some experience for the bridge jack-up construction in future.


For all educators, this is a time of great uncertainty, yet we must continue to engage and encourage students interested in pursuing careers in psychiatry, as well as facilitate comparable virtual clinical experiences for students


Scrambling of quantum information in both integrable and nonintegrable systems, including the transverse field Ising model (TFIM) and Floquet spin systems are studied. Our study employs tripartite mutual information (TMI), with negative TMI serving as an indicator of scrambling, where a more negative value suggests a higher degree of scrambling. In the integrable and nonintegrable TFIM, we observe pronounced scrambling behavior, with the initial growth following a power-law pattern. However, nonintegrable TFIM exhibits a higher degree of scrambling compared to the integrable version. In the Floquet system, TMI is studied across periods from $0$ to $\pi/2$. Both integrable and nonintegrable Floquet systems display scrambling behavior across all periods, except at $\tau=\pi/4$, featuring power-law growth for small periods and abrupt jumps for larger ones. Nonintegrable Floquet systems exhibit more pronounced scrambling compared to integrable ones across all periods. The degree of scrambling increases as we move towards $\tau = \pi/4$, reaching its peak near $\tau = \pi/4$ (but not at $\tau = \pi/4$), regardless of the initial states. TMI saturation fluctuates less in the Floquet system in comparison to the TFIM. The growth of scrambling in the Floquet system mirrors TFIM for small periods but exhibits notably faster growth for larger periods. For a small period, the degree of scrambling in a Floquet system is comparable to that in the TFIM, but it becomes significantly greater for larger periods.


Objective To investigate the relationship between the characteristics of the proto oncogenes, c fos and c myc, and the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in burned tissues. Methods A total of 40 Wistar rats with partial thickness burn of 30%total body surface area (TBSA) on the back were used. The expressions of c fos, c myc, bFGF and PCNA were measured with in situ hybridization, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR), immunohistochemistry and V.G methods at 3 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after burn. The content of collagen was also measured to evaluate the repair process. Results The expression of c fos, c myc and bFGF showed different expression models in sequence and distribution during the early stage of active cellular proliferation in the injured tissues, while the expression levels of PCNA and collagen fibers started to rise during the later stage of healing. Conclusions There exists relationship between the proto oncogenes and the growth factors in the process of early wound repair, which may have some effects on latter tissue repair.


In the present work, with the help of fully 3-D smooth particle magnetohydodynamic (SPMHD) simulations, we explore the nonlinear effects of magnetic fields (in close equipartition with the gas) in the structure of radiatively cooling, overdense jets and test their importance on the dynamics of protostellar jets.


This chapter examines how violent conflict can be disrupted and how the space that is created by the disruption might allow pro-peace and pro-social developments to take place. There are two parts to the chapter. The first examines remarkable friendships or intergroup friendships that cross the main fissure of society. It reflects on how charismatic personalities are often the key in helping localised violence reduction. The second part develops the notion of conflict disruption and how individuals and actions can disrupt the dominant logic of conflict in a society and contradict hegemonic narratives that regard violent conflict as normal. The discussion of conflict disruption is informed by economic theory.


During the last century, advances in health care in conjunction with the cure of many childhood diseases have promoted life expectancy beyond 80 years in most of the western world [1]. As a result, the proportion of elderly in the overall global population has increased dramatically, creating a health care burden due to an exponential growth in the prevalence of age associated diseases. This situation has challenged the science and the health practitioner communities to come up with strategies to decipher the biology that drives aging in order to find ways to both delay aging and support healthy aging [1].


The metabolism of glycine and serine is next discussed by Neuberger. It is surprising to see that threonine aldolase is cited as being responsible for threonine degradation in the liver and kidney. Two separate groups (Dale: Nunn and Bird) have suggested that mammalian liver mitochondria mimic the well-known bacterial pathways discovered by Neuberger. Glycine formation from glutamine and glutamic acid is also ignored. It is nice to see this resurgence of interest in glycine and serine after the sustained pioneering efforts of Neuberger, Leuthardt, Rowsell and their disciples. Finally we come to the last section, comprising almost one-third of the volume. It is devoted by Nyhan to inheritable abnormalities of amino acid metabolism. He includes clinical features, metabolism, biochemical features, the molecular defect, diagnosis, genetics and treatment. His definitive account, coupled with 857 literature references, includes the following inborn errors: phenylketonuria, tyrosinaemia, alkaptonuria, albinism, histidinaemia, hyperlysinaemia, maple-syrup-urine disease (branched-chain ketoaciduria), the various organic acidaemias, sulphur amino acid defects, sarcosinaemia, nonketonic hyperglycinaemia, with disorders of imino acid metabolism, the y-glutamyl cycle and the ornithine cycle. In such a comprehensive over-view it is surprising to note the omission of the Fanconi syndrome, the Hartnup syndrome and cystinuria, presumably by virtue of being transport defects rather than metabolic disorders. It is fashionable to exclude the most frequent inborn error of metabolism, namely ,8-aminoisobutyric aciduria. The frequency is 1.2% in the United Kingdom, but over 40% in Orientals. The Japanese subjects have been shown to lack functional aminotransferase utilizing this amino acid in the liver. In recommending this splendid volume I have but one reservation. Who is going to buy it apart from libraries? 1 am reminded of the novelist G. K. Chesterton, who at the beginning of a long rail journey purchased a hardback novel (before the days of paperbacks). He would rend the volume into halves and consign each half to a separate pocket of his capacious overcoat. On completing his reading of the first half he would fling it from the window of the moving railway carriage! About half of the contents of this volume would fascinate biochemists with a particular interest in the tricks that plants and micro-organisms play upon amino acids and their biosynthesis. The other half would be interesting for biochemists, geneticists and medical scientists.


China holds large-scale lead–zinc mineral resources; however, mining activities often cause severe contamination by heavy metals. This study systemically assessed contamination by eight heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, Ni, and As) in mine tailings, soil, and groundwater from 27 contaminated sites across China. Regarding mine tailings, 1% of the mine tailing samples were hazardous waste and 20% were class II non-hazardous waste. Regarding soil, Zn and Pb showed the highest mean concentrations, at 5574.67 mg/kg and 2034.88 mg/kg, respectively. The indexes of geo-accumulation (Igeo) of eight heavy metals ranged from −3.62 to 7.67, while Zn, Pb, and Cd showed the highest environmental risk levels as the priority pollutants. The contamination levels of these heavy metals in groundwater were generally in the order of Zn>As>Pb>Ni>Cd>Cu>Hg>Cr. In this study, 20% of the soil and 10% of the groundwater samples exceeded the corresponding quality limits. The content of heavy metals in soil, groundwater, and mine tailing were positively correlated, demonstrating the main pollution source and transport paths. The pollution levels of heavy metals in soil and groundwater were listed in the foremost and moderate positions compared with similar sites from other countries, respectively. These results may help determine the pollution levels of lead–zinc mining regions and direct the remediation activities of target sites to support the environmental management of abandoned mining and tailing waste in China.


A possibility of utilizing priori information to improve modeling performance of neural networks under non-stationary environment is examined in this paper. Because the Green function under critical state expresses varying behaviors of the systems, a time series model can be used to depict the time-varying behaviors. The extended Kalman filter (EKF) is often used to train neural networks under non-stationary environment. By a little transformation of time series model, a parameter transfer matrix /spl phi/(k) for the EKF estimation (TSEKF) is derived to deal with the varying characteristics of the systems. The performance of TSEKF algorithm is compared with the existing EKF algorithm, which does not consider any priori information and only assumes that varying characteristics of the systems is random walk. Simulation result indicates that the modeling performance of neural networks under non-stationary environment is remarkably improved for encoding priori information.


BALDASSO, Flávia Emi Razera. Effect
  of
  sodium
  hypochlorite
  2.5%,
  EDTA
  17% 10%
  citric
  acid,
  1%
  peracetic
  acid
  and
  QMiX
  on
  dentin
  microhardness
  and
  on dentinal
  structure
  of
  the
  root
  canal.2015.
  71p.
  Masters
  Dissertation– Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, 2015. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of QMiX, 17% EDTA, 10% citric acid (CA), 1% peracetic acid (PA), associated with a final irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl, on dentin microhardness, and their effects on organic components, inorganic components and erosion of the root canal dentin. Methods: Sixty human mandibular incisors roots were used in this study. The root canals were instrumented under irrigation with destilled water and the samples were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10): QMiX, EDTA, CA, PA, NaOCl (control solution) and distilled water (negative control). After the use of chelating solutions, a final irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl was used. Before and after irrigation protocols, dentin microhardness was measured with a Knoop indenter. Three indentations were made at 100μm and 500μm from the root canal lumen. Microhardness data of each group, at each distance, before and after irrigation protocols were compared by Wilcoxon's test (α = 0.05). Kruskall-Wallis's test, followed by Dunn's test, was applied for comparison among groups considering the microhardness difference at each distance. The specimens were longitudinally split and one half of it was designated for organic structure analysis by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and the other for inorganic structure analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The data obtained by the analyses in PLM and SEM were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test (α = 0.05). Results: At the depth of 100μm, all protocols significantly reduced microhardness (P <0.05); while in 500μm, it occurred only in EDTA and QMiX groups (P <0.05). CA was the group that caused more erosion in the dentinal tubules, followed by PA and EDTA. QMiX opened the tubules, but did not cause dentin erosion. Regarding the analysis of organic and inorganic dentin components, NaOCl and distilled water groups showed uniformity in the collagen network and presence of smear layer obliterating the dentinal tubules, while CA group showed changes in organic and inorganic components. EDTA group did not show significant difference in the organic component alteration, but changed the inorganic structure. QMiX and PA groups did not cause significant modification in collagen and removed the smear layer without causing change in the inorganic component, when the tubules were evaluated in longitudinal direction. Conclusion: QMiX and 17% EDTA protocols presented the greatest microhardness reduction at 500μm and QMiX did not cause dentin erosion. QMiX and PA solutions, followed by 2.5% NaOCl, showed better behavior from the others chelating agents tested, when used as final irrigation, preserving organic and inorganic components (tubules analyzed longitudinally) of human root dentin.


Short-time directed transfer function, defined in the framework of multivariate autoregressive model, makes possible determination of the directions of propagation of EEG activity as a function of time and frequency. The EEG propagation in beta and gamma bands was estimated for the same subjects in imagined and real hand movement task. The concise patterns of propagations bearing some similarities in both tasks, but differing mainly in respect of time course of communication between structures, was found


University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. September 2014. Major: Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Advisor: Patricia G. Avery. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 284 pages, appendices A-Q.


ABSTRACT Crop Growth Models (CGM) have been widely used in estimating crop yield at a local scale while Remote Sensing (RS) data has the advantage of retrieving crop parameters such as leaf Area Index (LAI) at a range of spatial scales. Data Assimilation (DA) is highly useful tool that integrates CGM and RS data derived from satellite imageries to improve the simulated crop state variables and consequently model outputs such as crop total biomass and yield. In this study, we assimilated LAI with the WOrld FOod STudies (WOFOST) model to estimate sugarcane yield using an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) algorithm. The LAI was retrieved from Landsat 8 (L8) optical and Sentinel 1A (S1A) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imageries using a Gaussian Process regression (GPR) method. The Deterministic Modeling (DM), independent assimilations of LAI retrieved from L8 and S1A, and assimilation of LAI retrieved from a combined SAR-optical data were tested and validated using field observation data in the Wonji-Shoa sugar plantation, Ethiopia. The results demonstrate that the accuracy of sugarcane yield estimated by the WOFOST model was significantly improved after DA using combined L8 and S1A data. Compared to the DM estimation, the root mean square error (RMSE) was decreased by 2.13 t/ha for the independent assimilations of LAI retrieved from L8, 3.96 t/ha for the independent assimilations of LAI retrieved from S1A and 5.94 t/ha for combined assimilation of L8 and S1A LAI. A coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.36, 0.48, 0.53, and 0.69 and Normalized Root mean square error (NRMSE) of 14.72%, 11.67%, 10.55%, and 8.44% were obtained for DM, L8 LAI assimilation alone, S1A LAI assimilation alone and combined L8 and S1A LAI assimilation, respectively. The results show that combined L8 and S1A LAI DA has better performance because SAR and optical data have complementary effects. Hence, the assimilation of LAI from combined L8 and S1A data into the WOFOST model provides a robust technique to improve crop yield estimations.


A number of difficult questions underlie the topic of performance impairment by alcohol and drugs. This paper addresses some of these questions. It begins with a discussion of "Research Directions: Who Needs It?" Among the answers to that question, the following are examined: law enforcement; the criminal justice system; the workplace; legislators and regulatory agencies; and citizens. A second question addressed is "Research Directions: What Do We Know Already?" Examined in this context are the literature documenting the body of knowledge about alcohol and drugs, and the substances, specifically alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, narcotic analgesics, and prescription drugs. In conclusion, it is pointed out that the body of knowledge in 1992 about alcohol and drug effects on performance varies by substance from extensive and/or adequate to scattered and incomplete, having grown sporadically, without design, in response to a mixed bag of "needs to know." It is concluded that a consensus recommendation for research will not be easily reached, and that perhaps the objective should be a direction and a strategy to facilitate more systematic research.


This study focuses on the effects of iron (iii) oxide (Fe3O4) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the microstructure and hardness of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with iron (iii) oxide nanoparticles and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes having sample formulation of aluminum‐5iron (iii) oxide‐xcarbon nanotubes (Al‐5Fe3O4‐xCNT; x = 0 wt.%, 0.01 wt.%, 0.05 wt.%, 0.1 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%) were prepared using the powder metallurgy technique. Microstructural characterization revealed that the aluminum‐5iron (iii) oxide exhibited a better microstructure relative to the aluminum‐5iron (iii) oxide‐xcarbon nanotubes counterparts which exhibited a defective microstructure. More so, the hardness results showed that the aluminum‐5iron (iii) oxide exhibited the highest hardness value of 48.32 HRH 60. However, the defective microstructure observed in the aluminum matrix composites reinforced with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes can be attributed to the relatively lower hardness values of the aluminum‐5Iron (iii) oxide‐xcarbon nanotubes samples (22.87 HRH 60‐40.24 HRH 60).


The purpose of this article is to reflect on the contribution of university communication in the context of the new coronavirus pandemic, focusing on the publications about Covid-19 on the official Instagram accounts of the four federal universities of the state of Para: UFPA (Federal University of Para), Ufra (Federal Rural University of Amazonia), Ufopa (Federal University of Western Para) and Unifesspa (Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Para). The methodology adopted is netnography, which uses data from the internet as objects of observation and interpretative analyses, collaborating for the collection of data in the months of March, April and May 2020 on the referred universities' accounts. The data presented brings a reflection on how the communication promoted by the federal universities of the state of Para has been essential in the dialogue with society and in the process of resistance and struggle in the fight against Covid-19.


Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) measurements of alveolar bone defects caused due to periodontal disease, by comparing it with actual surgical measurements which is the gold standard. Methods and Material: Hundred periodontal bone defects in fifteen patients suffering from periodontitis and scheduled for flap surgery were included in the study. On the day of surgery prior to anesthesia, CBCT of the quadrant to be operated was taken. After reflection of the flap, clinical measurements of periodontal defect were made using a reamer and digital vernier caliper. The measurements taken during surgery were then compared to the measurements done with CBCT and subjected to statistical analysis using the Pearson′s correlation test. Results: Overall there was a very high correlation of 0.988 between the surgical and CBCT measurements. In case of type of defects the correlation was higher in horizontal defects as compared to vertical defects. Conclusions: CBCT is highly accurate in measurement of periodontal defects and proves to be a very useful tool in periodontal diagnosis and treatment assessment.


OBJECTIVES
Problematic use of video games (PUVG) is associated with substance use in middle school students. The aim of our study was to examine the association between PUVG and substance abuse in children and young adolescents.

METHODS
A survey was conducted during the 2014-2015 school year in Padua (northeastern Italy). The sample consisted of 1156 students in grades 6 to 8. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to seek associations between PUVG (dependent variable) and independent variables.

RESULTS
Logistic regression showed that lifetime drunkenness, combined energy drink and alcohol consumption (lifetime), reading comics, and disrespect for rules increased the odds of PUVG, whereas playing competitive sport, eating fruit and/or vegetables daily, finding it easy to talk with fathers and being female lowered the odds of PUVG in early adolescence.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that PUVG is more likely in young adolescents at risk of substance abuse. Prevention schemes focusing on early adolescence should be based on a multicomponent intervention strategy that takes PUVG into account.


This paper shows that differences between model-scale flows and full-scale flows can have significant effects. In various projects, we observe that ranking of design candidates in optimization or operational conditions in trim optimization may change for model-scale and full-scale computations. The changes between model scale and full scale concern primarily the relatively different boundary layer, but also wave breaking, in particular behind transom sterns. For simulation-based design projects, full-scale analyses are thus advisable. For formal optimization, constraints in time and computational resources make a selection of chosen approach more complicated. Hybrid computing schemes, reusing CFD (computational fluid dynamics) knowledge and meta-modelling are seen as techniques to pave the way towards using full-scale CFD also as standard option in optimization.


PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of leadership and political will towards successful implementation of an access to information (ATI) legislation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopted a mixed methods approach with a bias towards a quantitative survey, complemented by a qualitative follow-up and triangulation during data collection. A complement of theoretical models underpinned the paper, thus enhancing understanding of the multifaceted phenomenon of ATI.FindingsThe paper revealed that the state has demonstrated leadership and political will for ATI by developing government-wide records management manual for public entities; developing an ATI implementation action plan and availing resources for ATI. However, there is need to review laws that perpetuate secrecy; formulate regulations to operationalize the Act and allocate adequate finances for ATI activities.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focused on assessing the extent of leadership and political will on the executive arm of the government excluding the Judiciary and the legislature.Practical implicationsThe paper proposes an ATI implementation roadmap, which can be adopted by other countries with comparable contexts.Social implicationsThe proposed action plan if adopted will result in an informed citizenry that understands and leverages ATI to claim their socio-economic rights.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence on some aspects of leadership such as the ministries with ATI policy; level of engagement of policy-makers in ATI matters and the availability of resources for ATI. Further, the paper adopted a multidisciplinary approach by including the concept of 'meaningful engagement' whose theoretical foundation is in law to the concept of access to information.


This research studies the relation between mental models and the decision process outcome, in the specific case of the Zwolle storm surge barrier. Differences in mental models between stakeholders will result in different lines of argumentation leading to different solution alternatives. The final outcome is considered suboptimal from a purely technical scientific point of view.


The article provides the analysis of the German youth slang dictionaries of the XIX-XX centuries in terms of gender linguistics. The study reveals some gender asymmetry in the language and society of the considered time frame. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of G. Kupper's dictionary, which still represents an excellent sample of a lexicographical source.


Elements 112 through 118 are expected to be very volatile due to strong relativistic effects on their valence electrons. Their volatility is to be studied via the gas-phase thermochromatography technique by measuring the adsorption enthalpy, ∆Hads, on gold plated detectors located along the chromatography column (see results for elements 112 and 114 [1,2]). The obtained ∆Hads is then related to the sublimation enthalpy, ∆Hsub, of macroamounts using a linear correlation between these values [1]. Results of our extended cluster calculations [3] have shown that ∆Hads of group 12 and 14 atoms M adsorbed on gold surface can reliably be predicted on the basis of knowledge of binding energies (De) of gold dimers, MAu: the difference in De(M-Aun), where 1 ≤ n ≤ 120, between the adatoms M is kept almost constant independently of the gold cluster size and adsorption position. Accordingly, in this work, we try to estimate ∆Hads of the 7p elements and their 6p homologs, as well as trends in the chemical rows, on the basis of the calculated De(MAu), where M = Tl/113, Pb/114, Bi/115, Po/116, At/117, Rn/118. The calculations were performed with the use of our fully relativistic 4c-DFT method [4] proven to be a reliable tool in predicting binding energies and bond lengths. Very large optimized basis sets including 5g virtual AOs were used. Results of the calculations of the bond lengths (Re) and De are summarized in Table 1.


Objective
To investigate the effect of dezocine combined sufentanil on patient-controlled in intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods
Sixty colorectal cancer patients underwent laparoscopic radical resection were selected, and they were randomly divided into group A and group B, with 30 cases in each group. Twenty minutes before the operation was completed, 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil was injected intravenously. PCIA was carried out 48 h after operation, group A was treated with 0.5 mg/kg dezocine+ 1.0 μg/kg sufentanil, and group B was treated with 2.0 μg/kg sufentanil. The analgesic effects were compared between the two groups.

Results
Hypotension and bradycardia of the two groups were not fund during the observation period (P>0.05), blood pressure and heart rate in the group A increased 12, 24 h after operation(P>0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative VAS, Ramsay score at same time point postoperative between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in group A was less than that in group B, the difference was significant (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Dezocine combined with sufentanil has good analgesia effect on PCIA after colorectal cancer surgery, with fewer adverse reactions, which can reduce the dosage of sufentaniln.

Key words:
Sufentanil; Postoperative analgesia; Colorectal cancer


A method and apparatus enables linered label applicators to use labels on thin liners. Linered labels comprise a composite of an elongate sheet of thin or light-weight temporary liner having a precut label adhered to a low adhesion surface. The cut-out labels on the liner are fed into the linered label applicator. The use of support mechanisms other then vacuum application on rollers enables the use of thinner liner sheets on labels. A die head for cutting or perforating labels comprising adhesive on label stock comprising a die head having at least 80% of its outer surface comprising flat areas between cutting edges, multiple cutting edges on the outer surface, and an internal volume in the die head, the internal volume for carrying coolant liquid into and out of the volume so as to cool the outer surface of the die head when the coolant temperature is at least 10° C. cooler than the outer surface of the die head.


The new efficiency standards impose high values for efficiency and power factor even for low power electric drives. This paper presents a low power permanent magnet synchronous machines derived from a brushless direct current machine. The machine has a asymmetrical construction used in BLDC construction, but the interest was to apply this type of construction to a permanent magnet synchronous machine.


AIM
To study the properties of transient outward K+ current (Ito) and inward rectifier K+ current (IKl) in immature human heart.

METHODS
Ito and IKl were recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp technique in atrial myocytes isolated from 12 immature (aged from 6 months to 5 a) human hearts.

RESULTS
Ito was voltage-dependent, activated and inactivated rapidly. The IC50 (95% confidence limits) of 4-AP on Ito was 0.64 (0.48-0.87) mmol.L-1. 4-AP 1 mmol.L-1 shifted V1/2 of activation from (6.6 +/- 2.0) mV to (19.8 +/- 3.0) mV (n = 4-10, P < 0.01). 4-AP 0.3 mmol.L-1 changed V1/2 of inactivation from (-49 +/- 4) mV to (-61.4 +/- 2.1) mV (n = 3, P < 0.01), but there were no obvious influence on voltage-dependent activation of Ito (P > 0.05). At the same concentration, the recovery time constant (tau value) was prolonged from (108 +/- 16) ms to (220 +/- 67) ms (n = 3-12, P < 0.01). IKl was also voltage-dependent. Its reverse potential was -40 mV.

CONCLUSION
Both Ito and IKl are important K+ channel currents in immature human atrial myocytes. 4-AP can affect the inactivation and recovery of Ito at low concentration (0.3 mmol.L-1) and affect its activation at high concentration (1 mmol.L-1).


The aim of this study was to analyze the social representations concerning house and street of boys with life experience in the street. The research was developed in light of the social approach of qualitative research in the health area. As a methodological principle, the social representations were extracted from the speech of a group of boys sheltered in a public institution. The results were analyzed through the content analysis technique - thematic modality, and showed that the social representations of house and street are built based on contradictory elements, i.e., the house, represented by the shelter, provides part of the family bonds, and the street is considered, at the same time, a freedom space and a place of privations. The conclusion is that the elaboration of health programs for boys and girls who live and/or work in the street is quite a complex task, as it is not possible to think about isolated health actions. It is necessary to search for partnerships with different institutions.


The different strategies of resistance deployed by discriminated ethnic groups in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia are analysed here. In Brazil, Afro movements and indigenous populations are increasingly fighting against discrimination and developing their cultural identities, while demystifying the idea of Brazil's national identity as a racial democracy. In Peru and Bolivia, indigenous populations are challenging the generally accepted idea of integration through miscegenation (racial mixing). Assimilation through race-mixing has been the apparent solution in most Latin American countries since the building of the nation states. Its positive side is that a peaceful interethnic relationship has been constructed but its negative side, stressed in recent multicultural strategies, is that different ethnicities and cultures have been accepted only as parts of this intermingling and rarely recognised as the targets of discrimination.


Utilizing a cyclic queue system, this paper investigates the effect of variance on a multi-item production facility. The variance of setup time, service rate and arrival rate is shown to have a powerful and sometimes paradoxical influence. Reduction in setup time, for example, is usually presumed to reduce inventory. We demonstrate that inventory can blow up if setup time is cut. Another paradoxical effect of variance is on processing rate. Speeding up the processing rate should reduce the material waiting to be processed. Again we show that the opposite can hold. Other properties of variance are examined, such as its relationship to KAIZEN and Just-In-Time production practices, and especially its property of impairing capacity.


The timing cycle (cycle timing) of a charge pump is adjusted according to the observation of the operating behavior of a charge pump and / or peripheral elements, which are coupled to the charge pump. In some examples, this adjustment enables maximum or approximately maximum cycle times while the non-fulfillment of previously defined constraints (z. B. operating limits) in the charge pump and / or peripheral members is avoided.


Paper is a proposal of the authors, based on a synthesis of theirs practical experience, regarding the implementation of method of teaching through project in the field of electrical machines. Fundamental idea is to illustrate the method of teaching through project as a pedagogical tool of managing the knowledge in area of electrical machines, as an educational language which could respond quickly and creatively to a real problem of designing, complete definite. Is this idea in concordance with actual exigencies? The answer is positive because the method stimulates the abilities to educate the students/adults and to develop the creativity, both in software applications and also in learning of electrical machines. The source of this idea is the necessity to realize a new and modular hierarchy of the quantitative accumulations in the field of electrical machine, based on the numerical methods, which could be used in various practical situations. The pedagogical method must be an interactive one as `teaching through project'. The final product of this idea could be a dynamical software-platform for teaching the designing of a synchronous generator. This product can be applied in student education or in long life training activity.


Zhou Yi its age is extremely remote for the Chinese culture, this literature ancient book also has the mystical color, Confucius's old age like to read Yi, the number of times is frequent. Martial emperor of Han dynasty sets up Five Classics doctor, Yi is the one of them, indicates its unshakeable importance. The Chinese multitudinous thinkers regarding Zhou Yi, the source-book "understood" and "the annotation" are different, for example: Zheng Hsuan explains the image from annotate Zhou Yi, Wang Pi explains the significance from annotate Zhou Yi; Wang Pi explains Zhou Yi by "Taoism" thought, Cheng I and Zhu Xi explains Zhou Yi by "Confucian" thought; Wang Pi, Cheng I, Zhu Xi explains Zhou Yi by "the righteousness principle", Zhan, Xue-Cheng discuss Zhou Yi by the historical thought which equates "the thought of affair". The reason of people have wide divided opinions is the thinkers have their "Vorsicht" from the source-book of Zhou Yi, so there are very different in "the Ontological Interpretations" and "the Creative Interpretations", this article quotes the hermeneutic idea from Gadamer, and elaborate the source-book of Chinese Zhou Yi which change of the effectiveness after many thinker's annotation, then hope to reorganize the thought of Zhou Yi and that model pasts in historical path.


Background Acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction may occur simultaneously and possibly as a consequence of sinonasal disease, because the nasolacrimal system is anatomically related to important nasal and sinus structures. Methods Thirty-seven patients with nasolacrimal canal obstruction (42 eyes) were evaluated with paranasal sinus computerized tomography (CT) to determine the presence of sinonasal abnormalities if any. All of the patients underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (end-DCR) and accompanying sinonasal pathology was treated also in the same session. Results Paranasal sinus CT examinations revealed one or more sinonasal abnormalities in 26 (73.3%) patients. The postoperative success rate of end-DCR procedure in patients with sinonasal abnormalities was 82.8%, whereas this figure increased to 92.3% in patients without additional sinonasal disease. However, additional rhinological surgery did not affect the success rate of end-DCR procedure significantly (p = 0.640). Conclusion These data establish a positive correlation between sinonasal abnormalities and the presence of nasolacrimal outflow obstruction, but the additional rhinological surgery does not significantly affect the results of the end-DCR procedure.


BACKGROUND: The professional role of primary school teachers in school-based programs makes them important stakeholders in child sexual abuse prevention. OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of primary school teachers on primary prevention of child sexual abuse in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State. METHODS: Cross-sectional design that utilized a two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select 463 public primary school teachers in Agege Local Government of Lagos State. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents' socio-demographic profile, knowledge, attitude and practices on primary prevention of child sexual abuse. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis were done. Statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean age of the teachers was 46.4±6.5 years and the majority (70.8%) were females. Adequate knowledge of primary prevention of child sexual abuse was found among 14.3% of respondents. 12.7% had a positive attitude towards primary prevention of child sexual abuse and good practice on primary prevention of child sexual abuse was found among 82.5% of the teachers. The male teachers were found to be about 2 times more likely to have adequate knowledge compared to female teachers (OR 1.9; 95% CI= 1.05-3.73) and were about 4 times more likely to have a good practice on primary prevention of child sexual abuse (OR 3.5; 95% CI= 1.71 - 6.97). CONCLUSION: The knowledge and attitude of primary teachers on the primary prevention of child sexual abuse in Lagos State was low.


This article studies the influence of Concepción Arenal (1820–1893) on the foundations of social work in Spain. With her, one can learn about the most important ideas of the 19th-century liberal school of thought, which, in its enlightened and reforming aspect, had a great impact on the consideration of human dignity, poverty, the relationship between intervener and intervened—as well as the role and responsibility of the state, civil society, and charity in social intervention. Her pragmatic perspective stands out among those authors who contributed with elements of analysis to theorizing the social question in Spain. Her singularity is defined by the centrality of the human being and the integral development of one's abilities in a society where the necessary means can be found. Additionally, she is both a national and international inspiration thanks to her contribution to women's rights and the reform of the penal code.


In this review, a brief discussion of the important events of pancreatic embryology is followed by presentation of congenital anomalies and normal variants. For each variant, the appearance at different radiologic modalities including computed tomography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, MR cholangiopancreatography, and fluoroscopy will be demonstrated.


The impact of compound additives on CO2 hydrate formation was studied through experiments,selection of SDS and SDBS solution and the mixed solution of SDS and SDBS(1∶2) as experimental solution.It was found that the mixed solution of SDS and SDBS at the concentration of 255 mg/L made the phase equilibrium point of CO2 hydrate fall to the minimum.This type of liquor system promoted the process of hydrate generation better and had a obvious reduction,compared with CO2 hydrate phase equilibrium point in single SDS solution.


Library reference service is seen as one of the important activities that should be taken into consideration by the libraries to improve visibility and retain their relevancy. To have effective reference service for library users, it is essential for the libraries to maintain the accessibility, responsiveness, quality of answers and librarians' communication. This study presents the effectiveness of reference services (service accessibilities, responsiveness of librarians, quality of librarians' answers and librarians' communication approaches) and its relationships with users' satisfaction. Questionnaires were distributed to 231 random students who are using the academic library reference services. The analysis was undertaken using the SPSS software. The results indicate a positive and a weak relationship between service accessibilities, responsiveness of librarians, the quality of librarians' answers, librarians' communication approaches and users' satisfaction. The finding of the study is useful for the libraries to realize their performance towards the users of the libraries. The libraries should improve reference services and vigorously make promotions on the services offered in order to ensure the libraries are still important and relevant in this era.


Recently, fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) are being widely used as the elements of sandwich constructions. Such sandwich constructions are superior in improving flexural rigidity as well as making laminated structures. However, few fundamental studies have been carried out on the sandwich constructions composed of plastic materials, and their mechanical and functional properties remain unclear. The present paper examines the mechanical properties of an unsymmetrically laminated sandwich construction which is composed of the polyurethane form (PUP) as the core material and aluminium (Al) and glass mat FRP (GRP) as the facing materials so as to enhance hybrid effectiveness. Particularly, the basic problems associated with flexural properties of the sandwich construction GRP/PUF/Al, such as the behaviors of flexural fracture, and the test methods of laminated construction are examined. Two types of flexural tests are carried out by using three and four point loading systems and the results are treated theoretically as well as experimentally to clarify the characteristics of the sandwich construction in which the core material has comparatively lower elastic modulus than the facing tmaterials. (Received Oct. 19, 1976) キー ・ワー ド: 曲げ試験法, 破壊 の様相, ひずみ測定, 曲げ剛性, 軽構造 メ リッ ト


In this paper we use toric geometry to investigate the topology of the totally non-negative part of the Grassmannian (Grkn)�0. (Grkn)�0 is a cell complex whose cellsG can be parameterized in terms of the combina- torics of bicolored planar graphs G. To each cellG we associate a complete fan FG which is normal to a certain polytope P(G). The combinatorial struc- ture of the polytopes P(G) is reminiscent of the well-known Birkhoff polytopes, and we describe their face lattices in terms of matchings and unions of match- ings of G. We also demonstrate a close connection between the polytopes P(G) and matroid polytopes. We then use the data of FG and P(G) to define an associated toric variety XG. We use our technology to prove that the cell decomposition of (Grkn)�0 is a CW complex, and furthermore, that the Euler characteristic of the closure of each cell of (Grkn)�0 is 1.


Type 1 diabetes in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice occurs when autoreactive T cells eliminate insulin producing pancreatic β cells. While extensively studied in T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice, the contribution of alterations in thymic selection to the polyclonal T‐cell pool in NOD mice is not yet resolved. The magnitude of signals downstream of TCR engagement with self‐peptide directs the development of a functional T‐cell pool, in part by ensuring tolerance to self. TCR interactions with self‐peptide are also necessary for T‐cell homeostasis in the peripheral lymphoid organs. To identify differences in TCR signal strength that accompany thymic selection and peripheral T‐cell maintenance, we compared CD5 levels, a marker of basal TCR signal strength, on immature and mature T cells from autoimmune diabetes‐prone NOD and ‐resistant B6 mice. The data suggest that there is no preferential selection of NOD thymocytes that perceive stronger TCR signals from self‐peptide engagement. Instead, NOD mice have an MHC‐dependent increase in CD4+ thymocytes and mature T cells that express lower levels of CD5. In contrast, T cell‐intrinsic mechanisms lead to higher levels of CD5 on peripheral CD8+ T cells from NOD relative to B6 mice, suggesting that peripheral CD8+ T cells with higher basal TCR signals may have survival advantages in NOD mice. These differences in the T‐cell pool in NOD mice may contribute to the development or progression of autoimmune diabetes.


The human being, as years go by, transforms and loses their normal movement abilities, like too quickly react and objects manipulate. Most of the epidemiological evidence argues that when a subject adopts an active lifestyle through physical activity (PA), this minimizes the effects of the aging process and improves their capabilities. To assess the influence of PA in manual reaction speed (MRS) and manual dexterity (MD) we applied The Nelson Hand Reaction Test and The Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (the placing and turning tests), respectively. The sample consisted of 40 volunteers (between 67 and 85 years old) residents in two elderly institutions of the Porto city and they were divided into 2 groups, one by practitioners of PA and the other by non-practitioners (with 20 subjects respectively). This study had these conclusions: 1/Concerning to manual reaction speed (MRS): (i) there are statistically significant differences between practitioners and non- practitioners of PA, as well as between genders, and between males-practitioners and males non- practitioners of PA; (ii) between female practitioners and female non-practitioners of PA there weren't any significant differences; 2/ Concerning to the manual dexterity (MD) it was verified that: (i) either in placing or in turning tests, there are statistically significant differences between practitioners and non-practitioners of PA, and equally there are differences between practitioners and non-practitioners of PA in each gender; (ii) between genders, in the placing test, they observed differences with statistical significance, but in the turning test these differences were only verified in the third and fourth issues, and in the average of four issues.


Gucci is a company that represents a modern approach to the image in the fashion industry. This article aims to answer the question of how taking care of brand imagine results in a higher company income. The research method used in this article is a survey made with the cooperation of buyers of the luxury brand Gucci. Unquestionably, there is a strong link between care for the brand image and fight against counterfeiting. Further research can be focused on an answering the question of how to prevent counterfeiting. Without a doubt, customers prefer brands that have a strong and unique brand image. Counterfeiting unfortunately puts in doubt the value of the brand and is an existing danger for the Gucci company.


The present invention provides both a consideration of copyright, the copy-prohibited content without encryption and can be copied to another device, and can flexibly cope with a variety of structures stored digital data. Corresponding to each slave host partition, only receives processing requests from the hard disk corresponding to the host. Delete the copy-prohibited data in the slave host will be restored to the backup host. After the host will be prohibited from transferring copy data to a DVD, prohibit recovery. In the form of program delivery assembly between the master and slave, coordinated operation.


Within the framework of Feynman-Haken path integral theory, we calculate the ground-state energy of a polaron in parabolic quantum wells in the presence of a Coulomb potential. It is shown that the polaronic correction of the ground state is more sensitive to the electron-(LO)phonon coupling constant than the Coulomb binding parameter, and it monotonically increases with the decreasing effective well width. Moreover, we compare our results to those obtained by Landau-Pekar variational scheme. We find that the Feynman-Haken method gives better results than the Landau-Pekar variational method. It is demonstrated that the result from Landau-Pekar variational method is just a special case of those from Feynman-Haken method. We also apply our calculations to several polar semiconductor quantum wells and find that the polaronic correction can be considerably large. Moreover, the localization of the system is found to be strengthened with the increasing of the electron-phonon coupling constant and the Coulomb binding parameter.


Knowledge management is a major trend in the future of management. In this paper, applicant the energy conservation law in physics to study the movement of knowledge, propose knowledge conservation of momentum, and analyze the law of investment in knowledg...


Abstract : Managing state changes for semantically represented mission assets can be complex and burdensome. Standard practice simplifies updating state-based relationships by performing sequential delete and add operations, or by creating a new instance of the asset with updated state values. The former is inflexible and constraining as it eliminates historical state tracing, making it impossible to implement state provenance and advanced semantic queries. The latter causes mass duplication of non-stateful attributes while requiring asset redefinitions upon each stateful relationship change event. Our research implements an alternative solution by representing the asset definition once and declaring each state change as an instance specialization under the W3C Provenance Ontology (Prov-O).


Accurate weather data is important for planning our day-to-day activities. On the basis of bus information management system proposed, this work incorporates the strengths of local information processing and moving buses for increasing the measurement precision and supplying new sensing data, which establishes a real-time weather monitoring system. The proposed weather monitoring system relates to a wireless bus information management system, which includes bus stop and vehicle management subsystems. The management signals are transmittable between bus stops and the vehicle. Based on vehicle management signals, the bus stop management subsystem can obtain information about the neighboring weather conditions. Similarly, with the bus stop management signals, the vehicle management subsystem can help passengers make the decision (e.g., their travel plans) with the monitoring data. Moreover, the information, such as the temperature, rainfall and humidity meteorological monitoring data, can be applied to supplement the analysis of air quality monitoring. The proposed distributed wireless system is detailed by a prototype implementation and a simulation analysis, which is shown to be feasible and scalable.


The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has been told to improve the consistency and quality of decisions made by its fitness to practise panels.


Background  Standardised patients (SPs) are effective in evaluating communication skills, but not every training site may have the resources to develop and maintain SP programmes.


ERP systems have a strong effect on the business operation of large multinational corporations as well as on small and medium enterprises. When implementing these systems, it is very important how the users in the organization will accept them and what attitude they will take towards them. This paper integrates some of the propositions of the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to research the factors related to the intended use of the ERP system by students of Business Studies. It investigates the correlation of the perceived usefulness of the ERP system, perceived ease of using it, and computer anxiety in users to their satisfaction with the used ERP system. Additionally, the assumed positive correlation between students' satisfaction with the ERP system and their intention to use such systems in the future is justified and proved according to the EC theory. The research involved 180 third year students of the vocational program at the Faculty of Economics in Split, who may be potential users of the ERP system. During the winter semester of 2010/11, the respondents were using a concrete ERP system in the course called Information Systems. While attending the course, they got to know the basic functions of eight ERP modules. Although the research used an occasional pattern of respondents, it can be stated that the statistical significance of the obtained results points to the main factors related to the intended usage of ERP systems by business studies students as their prospective users.


The invention relates to a novel preparation method for (6R,7R)-3-[[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5 radial)sulphur]methyl]-7-[(R)-2-(4-ethyl-2,3-dioxo-1-piperazine carbon amido)-2-p-hydroxyl phenyl-acetamido]-8-keto-5-thia-1-polyaza[4.2.0]octane-2-alkene-2-sodiumformate(cefoperazone sodium) shown as a formula (I). The formula (I) is shown in the specifications. The invention aims to provide a novel method for synthesizing a cefoperazone sodium compound. The method has the advantages of synthesis of TZA from 7-ACA (Acetic Acid) and 1-methyl-5-sulfydryl tetrazole, mild reaction condition, easiness for operating, one-step use of recyclable dimethyl carbonate serving as an environmentally-friendly solvent, great saving in the cost, high yields of products prepared in each step, good quality, low cost, high product purity and suitability for industrial production.


Any thing that has got value is known as asset. Since the inception of the business, assets get created. The establishment of business starts with creation of assets only. The business needs many types of assets to conduct its activities. The assets start building up as soon as the cash is arranged in order to purchase assets. The accumulation of assets starts with land and building. If the business operates in rented premises then the generation of assets starts with purchase of machineries, equipments, fixtures, furniture etc. as per the requirement in business. In the process of utilization of these assets, man power is required and to manufacture goods, raw material is required. The goods manufactured are also the part of assets. Thus, the business organization creates many types of assets which are used by it to conduct its business activities. Assets are the resources owned by the company for their utilization in the business of the company. Usually, the company installs its fixed assets at its premises only. Fixed assets are the assets meant to be in the business for ever. This are now called as noncurrent assets. Assets other than noncurrent assets are categorized as current assets. Unlike noncurrent assets, current assets are supposed to be in the business for a maximum period of one accounting year. Current assets are the assets that should have life of one operating cycle and should again enter into the next operating cycle. This way, the current assets keep on rotating from one stage to another and from one operating cycle to the next one. This classification of assets is on the basis of the duration of their engagement in the business. Analysis of composition of assets gains importance from the fact that non-performing assets have been accumulating in the companies, especially in the banking sector. Analysis of composition of assets is helpful in identification of non-performing assets which ultimately helps in achieving the targeted profit of the organization. Further, analysis of composition of assets also helps in evaluating the utilization of different components of assets and thus, in identification of underperforming components. As the larger organizations have substantial assets base, it is imperative to analyze the composition of assets of these organizations.


The mode of nutrition of pregnant women living in villages or towns was assessed on the basis of the value of energy and nutrients in daily food rations, and the consumption of various groups of food products, estimated by means of 24 h recall. It was found that in both groups the nutrition mode of pregnant and non-pregnant women was inadequate in many respects, and differed significantly depending on the physiological state, while the difference related to the place of residence was not significant. In comparison with non-pregnant women the food rations of pregnant women had a higher energy value and nutritional value, but the degree of realization of the normal consumption of certain components recommended in Poland was inadequate, especially in the second half of pregnancy


The laser melt injection (LMI) method is always used to prepare a metal-matrix composite layer on the surface of substrate. In LMI process, the laser beam melts the surface layer of substrate locally while simultaneously injecting particles of additional material. In order to control the distribution of reinforcement particles in LMI layer, an electric-magnetic composite field can be applied. The effect of electric-magnetic synergistic on the reinforcement particles distribution in LMI was investigated using experimental and numerical method. The spherical WC particles were used because their regular shape was most close to the simulation conditions and good tracer performance in the melt flow. The distribution of WC particles in longitudinal section was observed by SEM and calculated by computer graphics processing. The trajectory of WC particles in the melt pool was simulated by a 2D model coupled the equations of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, drag force, Lorentz force and phase transition. The simulation results were compared with experimental data and were in good agreement. The results indicated that the effect of electric-magnetic synergistic on the reinforcement particles distribution was verified. The distribution of WC particles in LMI-layer was influenced by the direction of Lorentz force induced by electric-magnetic composite field. When the Lorentz force and gravity force are in the same direction, the vast majority of particles are trapped in the upper region of LMI-layer, and when these forces are in the opposite direction, most particles are concentrated in the lower region. 34 Ref., 8 Figures.


Verifiably encrypted signature schemes can be used to construct the fair exchange protocols in e-commerce.To protect the sensitive messages(say,secret business contract) to be exchanged in the fair exchange protocols,in this paper,based on the signature proposed by Boneh,the Diffie-Hellman key exchange principle and the techniques of symmetric encryption,a verifiably encrypted signature scheme,which can protect the sensitive messages,was constructed.The scheme has the properties as follows:(1) It inherits the properties of an ordinary verifiably encrypted signature scheme;(2) Anyone(including the adjudicator) but the signer or the designed verifier knows nothing about what message(say,the context of a contract) is signed;(3) In case of adjudication,the adjudicator cannot obtain the signer's basic signature(say,the signed contract).However,with the help of the adjudicator T,the designed verifier can gain the basic signature;(4) When some secret information is released,the message included in the verifiably encrypted signature can be publicly verified.This public verifiability can help the authority(say,a judge) make a judge in case of dispute.The scheme proves to be secure under the hardness assumption of Discrete Logarithm Problem(DLP) and q-Strong Diffie-Hellman Problem(q-SDHP).


Based on the disadvantages of traditional engineering risk management method,the idea of project′s life-cycle method was introduced in risk analysis.The intuitive guideline for stage health estimation and project health grade probability model were set up in this paper.The risk contribution factors and influence degree in different engineering stages were also estimated by analyzing the risk possibility of project life-cycle stages.


Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of PFN/PFNA in treatment of subtrochanterie fractures.Methods There were 36 patients with traumatic subtrochanteric fractures from January 2005 intramedullarily fixed with PFN/PFNA.The patients included 22 males and 14 females at a mean age of 45 years(range 16 to 86 years).According to Seinsheimer classification of subtroehanteric fractures,4 patients were with type Ⅱ fractures(including one patients with type ⅡA,two with typeⅡB and one with type ⅡC),16 with type Ⅲ fractures(including ten with type ⅢA and six with typeⅢB),10 with type IV fractures and 6 with type V fractures.Close reduction was performed under traction and C-arm fluoroscopy in 32 patients and open reduction through a mini-incision before inserting the nail in five patients due to difficult close reduction.Results Of all,34 patients(94.4%,34/36) were followed up for a mean duration of 18 months(range 3 to 36 months),which showed fracture union in all patients,with a mean union period of 4.5 months(range 3.5 to 7.5 months).According to Modified Harris Hip Scale,the results were excellent in 25 patients,good in 5 and fair in 4,with excellence rate of 88.2%(30/34).Conclusions PFN/PFNA is an effective device for treatment of subtrochanteric fracture,with a high union rate and a low complication rate.It has advantages of easy use and minor trauma,1ow bleeding potential and stable fixation ability in operation.


Hiroyoshi SANO The purpose of this paper is to clarify the intention of the growth pole strategy as basic principles of the first comprehensive national development plan in 1962 what is called "Zenso" by analysis of discourse of some bureaucrats who developed the strategy. The strategy is not industrial development. Although the bureaucrats were at the mercy of political situation, they created the strategy by adopting Western ideas in economics and profound discussion with Japanese young researchers. After the cabinet approval of the "Zenso", the bureaucrats found the goal of the strategy as creating cities in underdeveloped area. They worked toward concretization and legislation for creating cities, but the political situation did not allow them.


We presenta fastcollision culling algorithmfor performinginterand intra-objectcollision detectionamongcomplex models using graphicshardware. Our algorithm is basedon CULLIDE [8] and performsvisibility querieson the GPUs to eliminatea subset of geometricprimitives that are not in closeproximity. We presentan extensionto CULLIDE to perform intra-objector selfcollisionsbetweencomplex models. Furthermore,we describea novel visibility-basedclassi cationschemeto computepotentiallycolliding andcollision-freesubsetsof objectsandprimitives,which considerablyimproves the culling performance.We have implementedour algorithmon a PCwith anNVIDIA GeForceFX 6800 Ultra graphicscard and applied it to threecomplex simulations, eachconsistingof objectswith tensof thousandsof triangles. In practice,weareableto computeall theself-collisionsfor clothsimulationup to image-spaceprecisionat interacti ve rates. CR Categories: I.3.1 [ComputingMethodologies]: Hardware Architecture—Graphics Processors; I.3.7 [ComputingMethodologies]: Three-DimensionalGraphics and Realism—V isible surface algorithms, animation, virtual reality; I.3.5 [Computing Methodologies]:Computational GeometryandObjectModeling— Geometricalgorithms;


Objective:To explore radiation and picture quality of doses between different target surface/ filtration combinations of molybdenum,molybdenum molybdenum/rhodium tungsten/ rhodium targets of the digital breast X-ray machine by ROC curve.Optimized target surface/ filtration combination will be applied in the future.Methods:Three different thick phantoms of 15 mm,30 mm,45 mm were individually projected by three different target surface/filtration combinations with Siemens MAMMOMAT Novation DR digital breast X-ray machine,and radiation dose was obtained.And then breast TRM model was porjected,the data was analyzed and the curve of ROC was drawn.Bilateralis mammary gland of a patiant were individually projected by different target surface/filtration combinations,radiation dose and different of pictures quality were recorded.Results:Radiation dose between three different target surface/filtration combinations were no significant difference in 15 mm phantom.But radiation dose between three different target surface/filtration combinations were significant difference in 30 mm and 45 mm phantoms.Radiation dose was the highest in the molybdenum/molybdenum and lowest in the tungsten/rhodium,molybdenum/rhodium medium.The curves of ROC was no significant difference according to the breast TRM model pictures projected by three different target surface/filtration combinations.All the identical magnificat pictures were readed by two associate professor doctor,all the picture quality was no significant difference and had been achieved the request of diagnosis.Conclusion:The tungsten/rhodium-target surface/filtration combination should be applied in practical work,and so patient dose will be decreased as far as possible.


The present invention is to make available to the general purpose of the constant, the center integer, domestic water (bath, washing and car washing and the like), and the number of landscaping industry such as by water treatment purification sterilization using ultraviolet light and ozone, and the air inlet an air delivery pipe is configured to include a plurality of minute volleyball; Ozone collection tube configured to include a plurality of collecting ozone sphere outlet which is formed in response to the minute volleyball; Lamp housing coupled to the branch is provided between the volleyball and the collection sphere sealing; UV lamps are installed to have a predetermined air passage to the inside of the lamp housing; And it proposes a UV and ozone generating apparatus, and a constant, integer center and excellent processing system using the same that comprises a spray nozzle disposed at the outlet of ozone.


The ultrastructure of input and output synapses of various identified insect neurones has recently been studied (for example Titmus & Hoyle, 1977; Altman, Shaw & Tyrer, 1980; Phillips, 1980; Watson & Burrows, 1981, 1982, 1983; Tolbert & Hildebrand, 1981) and connections between anatomically and physiologically defined axons have been described (King & Wyman, 1980). To date though, synapses have not been visualized in an insect central pathway in which aspects of the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and associated behaviour have been investigated. The cereal afferent, giant interneurone synapses in the sixth abdominal (A6) ganglion of the cockroach Periplaneta americana are well suited for such studies. Using cobalt staining (Pitman, Tweedle & Cohen, 1972) of single neurones, seven giant interneurones (GIs 1-7) can be identified on the basis of their morphology (Harrow, Hue, Pelhate & Sattelle, 1980; Daley, Vardi, Appignani & Camhi, 1981). In adult cockroaches these interneurones receive sensory input from numerous cereal mechanoreceptor afferents (Callec, Guillet, Pichon & Boistel, 1971; Daley et al. 1981). There is considerable evidence for cholinergic monosynaptic transmission at these synapses (Callec, 1974; Sattelle, 1980) and postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors sensitive to the nicotinic cholinergic antagonist a-bungarotoxin are present on GI2 and GI 3 (Harrow, Hue, Pelhate & Sattelle, 1979; Sattelle, David, Harrow & Hue, 1980; Harrow & Sattelle, 1983; Sattelle et al. 1983). It has been shown that the cereal afferent, giant interneurone pathways play a part in mediating the escape response of the cockroach following stimulation of the cereal mechanoreceptors (Ritzmann & Camhi, 1978; Camhi, Tom & Volman, 1978). Cobalt-backfilling of whole connectives reveals that giant interneurones can be recognized in the first instar cockroach, but at this stage of development their sensory input is greatly simplified (Blagburn & Beadle, 1982). Each cercus bears only two functional filiform hair sensilla (Dagan & Volman, 1982) and their identifiable sensory


A novel kind of hybrid nanocomposites containing Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) and Chitosan (CS) have been fabricated based on the PtNPs inserting into the porous structure of CS on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and several electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), have been used to characterize PtNPs/CS modified electrode. Electrocatalytic experiments show that these uniform nanocomposites can greatly decrease the over-potential and increase the peak current in the methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction. In comparison with the results reported previously, the PtNPs-CS nanocomposites have excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of methanol and reduction of oxygen, which can be utilized to develop new fuel cell with high performance.


Micron‐wide lines of high Tc Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O have been successfully patterned by ablating the films with a pulsed excimer laser. The high Tc films are mounted onto a computer‐controlled stepping stage and irradiated with a demagnified image of a variable‐size rectangular aperture. This technique has been used for fabricating features ranging from several centimeters in length to submicron in width without any degradation in Tc. For example, a superconducting microstructure of Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O, nominally 1 μm wide and 2.5 μm long, with a Tc (R=0) of 88 K and a Jc of 5×104 A/cm2 at 4.2 K was fabricated.


The grindability of carbon steel, e.g. cutting temperature, cutting forces, machined surface quality and chip formation are studied by a fundamental cutting experiment with a single fly tool method on several kinds of carbon steels, which have been heat treated under various conditions. It was found that the grinding temperature and forces are affected little by the hardness and the metallurgical structure, and that they are rather determined mainly by the grinding speed, and the thermal conductivity and carbon content of the work material. Also an increase of wear land of tool results in an increase in the grinding temperature and forces, which can be attributable to an increase of frictional force associated with the nardness of workpiece. It was further found that the effect of heat treatment and grinding speed is clearly observed on the formation of chip, which can be classified into four groups, thus contributing to the knowlege on grindability of steel.


As society slowly moulds the planet into a sustainable world in response to natural disasters and social injustices, human resources must be fashioned to meet the new challenges that such a future requires. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are obstacles that nations strive to achieve, and it is necessary to teach younger citizens how to accomplish them. This study approaches this type of education in a novel manner by applying design thinking. An SDGs Challenge project took place in a high school with support from a university to identify problems in SDGs education, devise a strategic support plan to carry out this specialized education, and observe the effects of such an implementation all while using a design approach. It was found that there are specific issues that arise in inquiry-based learning that must also be addressed in a unique way. The support system created through the project showed instructing educators to utilize design thinking improved their abilities to teach students, and also improved students' output in identifying and solving SDGs related problems. The results show how much of an impact the design methodology can have on education and the positive implications for applying such teaching support methods in high schools worldwide.


e11587 Background: To evaluate the trend of prognosis and treatment response of very young breast cancer patients (age ≤ 35 years) Methods: We analyzed data from 9633 breast cancer patients who were part of the Asan Medical Center Breast Cancer Center (AMCBCC) database between 1990 to 2008. The disease free survival (DFS) was evaluated between age group according to the time periods and subtype Results: 778 patients (8.1%) were below than 35 years old and 8855 (91.9%) patients were older than 35 years old. On annual hazard ratio plot, DFS of breast cancer increased over time but DFS of very young breast cancer was not improved from 1990 to 2008. On multivariate analysis adjusted by tumor size, node metastasis and grade, reference as 50 years old patients, HR decreased significantly from below 35 years old in hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative breast cancer. Higher recurrence rate of very young age group was prominent in late recurrence (after 5 years) (HR 2.2, 95%CI 1.5 to 3.1) compared with early r...


The article deals with the results of empirical research of ideas of a «typical Russian» among the Chinese and Russian students. A «typical Russian» as viewed by the Chinese students is a white-haired, tall, beautiful person, active, courageous, resolute, optimistic, clever, sociable, friendly, cultured, strong, conscientious and hardworking. As for the Russian students, their idea of a «typical Russian» is less positive and more stereotypic. Their typical compatriot is seen as a cheerful, drinking, kind, sociable, clever, strong, impudent and rough person.


In moths, various enzymes, such as fatty acid synthases, fatty acyl desaturases, and fatty acyl reductases (FARs), are involved in pheromone biosynthesis. In particular, pheromone gland‐specific FAR (pgFAR) plays an important role in converting the functional group from carboxylic to alcohol during pheromone biosynthesis. A novel pgFAR of Maruca vitrata, Mvi‐pgFAR, was identified through transcriptome sequencing of its pheromone gland. To investigate the involvement of Mvi‐pgFAR in pheromone biosynthesis, Mvi‐pgFAR was cloned from the pheromone gland and suppressed by RNA interference (RNAi). Mvi‐pgFAR harbored several conserved motifs related to NAD(P)H‐binding, N‐glycosylation, and adenosine / guanosine triphosphate binding. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Mvi‐pgFAR with other lepidopteran pgFARs formed an independent clade. Mvi‐pgFAR was specifically expressed only in the pheromone gland. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that the diurnal expression levels of Mvi‐pgFAR in the pheromone gland were the highest at 2 h before the scotophase. After primarily confirming Mvi‐pgFAR suppression by RNAi, (E,E)‐10,12‐hexadecadienal (E10E12‐16:Ald), a major sex pheromone component, was quantified by gas chromatography. When Mvi‐pgFAR was successfully suppressed, E10E12‐16:Ald production was reduced by up to half of that of the control, and the mating rate was subsequently decreased. Our results demonstrate that Mvi‐pgFAR downregulation can suppress mating behavior by changing the relative sex pheromone component ratio, suggesting that Mvi‐pgFAR can be used as a novel control target.


Foreword Archbishop of York Preface Abbreviations 1. Meaning and exegesis Peter R. Ackroyd 2. On the syntax in Exodus 3:14 Bertil Albrektson 3. Job 39:25 P. A. H. de Boer 4. Words and meanings in early Hebrew inscriptions David Diringer and S. P. Brock 5. 'Another little drink' - Isaiah 28: 1-22 G. R. Driver 6. Renaming in the Old Testament Otto Eissfeldt 7. Some difficult words in Genesis 49 J. A. Emerton 8. Twofold aspects of Hebrew words Georg Fohrer 9. The linguistic tradition of the Psalter A. E. Goodman 10. Torah in Deuteronomy Barnabas Lindars 11. Divine frustration exegetically frustrated Raphael Loewe 12. The intercession of the covenant mediator James Muilenburg 13. The ecstatics' father Anthony Phillips 14. Bible Exegesis and fulfilment in qumran Bleddyn J. Roberts 15. Genesis 15:7 J. Weingreen Bibliography Index of references.


The novel Things Fall Apart (1958) written by Chinua Achebe creates a complex and sympathetic portrait of a traditional village culture in Africa and informs the outside world of the unique Ibo cultural traditions. These descriptions not only have set the typical background against which the characters are shaped together with their personality being built, but also established the basis on which the theme of the novel is represented and the significance of its value embodied. Things Fall Apart develops with the conflicts between the traditional folklore and the colonial culture: deity and humanity, barbarism and civilization, tradition and modernity, foreign culture and native culture. The tragedy of Okonkwo is more considered the tragedy of its times, society and nationality than the one of an individual. The death of Okonkwo symbolizes the end of the primitive folkloric culture, and metaphorizes the beginning of a new era of civilization.


Field deployable and portable automatic water samplers are common tools in hydrology. They allow the unattended collection of water samples at predetermined times or triggered by external sensors, reducing personnel labour and costs. Several automated water samplers have been described in the literature. However, the vast majority of these samplers are not commercialised and their use is very limited or restricted to research applications. We can broadly classify these samplers in three groups: in situ samplers, sequential precipitation samplers and siphon automatic samplers. The latest are commonly used by hydrologists, environmental monitoring agencies and in wastewater treatment plants. They were first patented and commercialized in the 1980s by Teledyne-ISCO (Lincoln, NE, USA). They use a peristaltic pump to transfer water into several containers. However, the siphon automatic samplers are large, heavy and typically collect a maximum of 24 samples of 0.5 or 1 L. Here, we present a new automatic water sampler that has a larger and variable storage capacity (from 64 to 400) of smaller containers (from 2 to 40 mL). We argue that for many applications large sample volumes are no longer required due to the improvement of chemical analytic techniques. Standard laboratory storage boxes are filled with standard laboratory containers and directly placed inside the sampler, reducing the processing time once the samplers are back in the laboratory. Containers remain always closed with a septum cap to prevent evaporation. The sampler allows tub rinsing between sample collection to prevent contamination and memory effects. It is portable, has a low-power consumption and is robust for its use under field conditions. We tested the prototype in the laboratory and in the field. We will present the sampler mechanical functioning, the results of the tests (e.g. sample preservation and memory effects) and the user-friendly interface to define sampling schemes.


Undergraduate students at all levels are encouraged to "think critically." We work toward this goal by connecting the theoretical concepts of computer modeling to a simple physical model constructed in lab . Students build a physical representation of a one-box model, consisting of reservoir, input, and output. They observe the steady-state system, then perturb the system by instantaneously doubling the rate of input. Students observe the response of the system as it arrives at a new steady state with increased input, output and volume. Students then construct a computer model of the same system, and observe that the computer produces results analogous to their observations. In subsequent exercises they modify their models in order to study more complicated systems. There are several advantages to this approach. 1) Students gain confidence in computer modeling by working with a system that they already understand well. 2) Computer modeling is a creative exercise in which students must both analyze a situa...


Background/Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether serum Thymidine kinase –1 (TK1) could serve as a tumor marker in soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Patients and Methods: A total of 48 patients diagnosed with localized STS were included. None had received preoperative oncological treatment. Samples were collected before and after surgery and TK1 levels measured with the AroCell TK210 ELISA. Results: Mean preoperative TK1 was 0.32 μg/l, range=0.11-1.47, and 18 cases (38%) had values above the reference limit (0.41 μg/l). Mean postoperative TK1 was 0.35 μg/l (0.06-0.86). In patients with preoperative values above the reference limit, TK1 decreased significantly after surgery (n=13, p=0.001). We found no association between increased preoperative TK1 and age, sex, tumor size, grade, and the presence of vascular invasion or necrosis. Conclusion: TK1 has limited use as a tumor marker in localized STS.


The invention discloses a display capable of carrying out transparent and nontransparent conversion, comprising an array substrate and further comprising a light-dimming thin film, wherein a buffering layer, a polycrystalline silicon layer, a grid electrode, a second insulating layer, a drain source layer, a third insulating layer, an anode, a pixel limiting layer, an organic light-emitting layer, a cathode and a package are arranged on one side face of the array substrate; the light-dimming thin film is arranged on the other side face of the array substrate; and the light-dimming thin film is controlled through a voltage adjusting module, so that the display can carry out the transparent and nontransparent conversion and requirements of a customer are met.


Report discussing the development of Hanford Laboratories' nondestructive testing programs and a summary of their results. Programs include AlSi fuel testing, N-Reactor fuel testing, and reactor research and development.


This thesis is a study on the causes and effects of the main male character?s revenge on both the life of the receivers and his own life in the novel Wuthering Heights written by Emily Bronte. The focus of this study is the causes and effects of Heathcliff?s revenge due to the bad treatments he gets from the people who do not like him such as Hindley and Edgar and also the love betrayal from the only person whom he loves very much , Catherine. As the revenge makes a great influence to the people?s lives from the first until the third generations in the novel. The thesis writer uses literary approach and the tools applied are the theories of characterization and of conflict. In analyzing the novel, the thesis writer finds out that the causes of Heathcliff?s revenge are the mental and physically torture from Hindley, the love betrayal from Catherine and the underestimation from his competitor, Edgar while the effects of the main male character?s revenge on his own life result in the unsatisfied, guilty and the uneasy feelings toward his life. Furthermore, the thesis writer concludes that the effects of the revenge are very destructive to the main male character?s life and also to the people in his surrounding.


The thesis covers an in-depth analysis of the internal operations of the Egyptian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp. In light of recent rebellions in Egypt and Iran, the paper will examine how the security, economic, and political role of these two institutions has led to Egypt's betrayal of President Mubarak, and the IRGC's loyalty to the Iranian leadership. The role of these two institutions will be investigated using Steven Johnson's Emergence Theory. In using Johnson's theory, this thesis will aim to uncover the function, performance, and system of two institutions that have become autonomous within their respective state.


Thermal strain deformation is a pressure tube failure mechanism. The main objective of this paper is to develop mechanistic models to evaluate local thermal-mechanical deformation of a pressure tube in CANDU reactor and to investigate fuel channel integrity under localized contact between fuel elements and pressure tube. The consequence of concern is potential creep strain failure of a pressure tube and calandria tube. The initial focus will be on the case where a fuel rod contacts the pressure tube at full power with highly cooling condition. Such an event could occur if a fuel element was to become detached from a bundle. Calculations are performed using the finite element method in which the heat and thermal mechanical strain equations are solved, simultaneously. The heat conduction from fuel sheath to the inner surface of the pressure tube with appropriate convective and radiation boundary conditions has been simulated and then the thermal stresses were obtained when the pressure tube is under full operational condition. The contact boundary could be a spot or a small arc contact between the fuel sheath and pressure tube. The vapor pockets are considered in the areas beside the contact region where the convective cooling is drastically decreased. Subsequently, modeling has been extended to the contact of number of fuel elements where, several fuel rods are postulated to contact the pressure tube under fully cooling conditions. It is observed that pressure tube thermal strain will occur if sufficiently high temperature is reached. Sensitivity analysis is performed in order to evaluate the contact conductance, extension of vapor region and contact width. The pressure tube local strain is very sensitive to these parameters where any local strain will act to reduce the contact width, contact conductance and pressure tube thermal strain and therefore, will be self-limiting.


The Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) mission is carried out by NASA, CNES and their scientific and industrial partners. Calipso will be the first mission using active optical atmospheric sounding to analyse three-dimensional structures of the atmosphere. These measurements, performed in synergy with observations from the other satellites which make up the A-Train, are expected to allow a better understanding of the role of clouds and aerosols in the Earth's climate. Calipso is the second mission (after Jason-1, launched in 2001) using the generic PROTEUS mini-platform developed by CNES / Alcatel. This paper presents an overview of the A-Train and its contribution to the scientific issues related to global climate changes, addresses some specific issues of formation flying and provides some more information on the Calipso mission itself. 1. CLOUDS AND AEROSOLS: THE A-TRAIN CONTRIBUTION The changing Earth environment is increasingly a focus of many agricultural, industrial and societal concerns. To be able to understand the numerous secrets of the atmosphere and analyse the mechanisms of global climate change of the planet, France and the USA have cooperated to build the biggest constellation of satellites ever dedicated to climate studies. Duke Ellington would have said that both countries take the A-Train, but scientists and engineers teams rather talk about the Afternoon Constellation for this constellation flying of six satellites. Aqua Train refers to the leading satellite, Aqua, a NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) mission launched on May 4, 2002. The other NASA EOS mission is Aura, launched on June 2004. Beside these two missions, three NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) satellites will be flying to provide complementary observations. Cloudsat will be preceding Calipso by 12.5 seconds on the orbit to provide coincident scenes with the best possible accuracy. Calipso, jointly developed by NASA and CNES, and Cloudsat are co-manifested and will be launched by June 2005 on a Delta II launch vehicle. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) should be launched in 2007; it will be placed ahead of Aqua by 15 minutes, thus becoming the first satellite of the constellation. The last satellite of the Aqua Train is Parasol, developed by CNES, and launched on December 18, 2004. "Afternoon Constellation" refers to equator crossing time in the early afternoon, at about 1.30 pm. It is to be distinguished from the Morning Constellation consisting of Terra, Landsat 7, SAC-C and EO-1. Each satellite of the Aqua Train has its own objectives and will improve our understanding of several aspects of the Earth's climate. The real advantage of formation flying, however, is the synergy obtained by processing together the data from the various satellites. It means that each of these satellites will be able to observe the same portion of the atmospheric within a maximum time slot of a few minutes. Combining the different components of the Aqua train gives a more complete answer to many questions than would be possible from any single satellite. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its units. 2. SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF CONSTELLATION FLYING The general idea of formation flying is that each satellite is controlled in an independant temporal box, each box being separated one from another by a minimum time, acting as a safeguard with respect to collision risk and by a maximum time, driven by the science requirements for a coincident observation purpose. On the other hand, the temporal width of each box is a compromise between science requirements and station keeping constraints, particularly manoeuvres frequency. There is an exception to the general policy: Cloudsat is is slaved to CALIPSO and will maintain a separation position 12.5 ± 2.5 seconds in front of CALIPSO while also keeping CloudSat's ground track within ± 1 km (crosstrack) of the groundtrack of CALIPSO's lidar. Because of the close relationship with CALIPSO and the need for CloudSat to be responsive to CALIPSO's orbital maneuvers, CloudSat is said to be formation flying with CALIPSO. As a consequence, Cloudsat has to manoeuvre roughly once a week instead of a more usual once every three month station keeping strategy for Calipso. A "close approach" is based on a mission's Zone of Exclusion (ZOE), which is defined as the ellipsoidal region around a spacecraft in which there is a risk of collision. Evasive 15 s Aqua Orbit 15 min max Aqua is maintained in a control box of ± 21.5 s


This paper introduces mechanism state matrices as a novel way to represent the topological characteristics of planar reconfigurable mechanisms. As part of this new concept, these matrices will be used as an analysis tool to automatically determine the degrees of freedom (DOF) of planar mechanisms that only contain one DOF joints. The DOF at each state can be combined with a mechanism state matrix to form an augmented mechanism state matrix. A series of examples will be used to illustrate the proposed concept.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


A major challenge in achieving food security in South Asia is addressing the dichotomy between academic research and policy decision making. The work that researchers conduct often does not reach policymakers because of inadequate and inappropriate communication. The link between research and decision-making systems remains weak. This chapter explores the strategies for effective policy communication and provides some suggestions on how policy researchers can reach policymakers and the media to enhance the impact of their findings.