The modern mind is earnestly searching for a way out of the blind alley of relativism into which it has maneuvered itself through a century of "advanced" thinking. Jurists, appalled at the logic of legal positivism, are returning, however hesitantly, to some concept of Natural Law. Anthropologists and sociologists are exploring the possibilities of a "panhuman ethic" as a refuge from the nihilism of "cultural relativism." Even philosophers are beginning to look back: they are rediscovering that moral statements have meaning, and some are even insisting that values have anchorage in reality. The retreat from relativism is one of the most significant features of the intellectual climate of our time. Lewis S . Feuer, philosopher and sociologist, has produced in this essay a striking presentation of the new "realism" in ethics. The novelty of his argument lies in his skilful use of psychoanalysis against itself. Psychoanalysis is commonly believed to lead to ethical nihilism, he notes, since it tends to dissolve moral values and social loyalties into non-ethical unconscious impulses and mechanisms. But this is only a superficial view of the matter, Mr. Feuer thinks. Pursue the logic of psychoanalysis further, and it can be made to yield a solid foundation for human values. "The psychoanalysis which the ethical nihilist employs is always incomplete. For the distinction between rational and irrational values cannot be obliterated. . . . Psychoanalysis provides the basis for a valid critique of values which are irrational, inauthentic. . . . It enables us to decide which of our choices are rational and which irrational. . . . The 'courage' perhaps which arises from unconscious fear and obedience to cruel authority dissolves, but the courage which is born of love is strengthened. 'Values' which are predominantly modes of guilt-feeling, irrational edicts that issue from a childhood past, lose their hold and are discarded as inauthentic. This is Mr. Feuer's basic thesis, and it is this thesis which the entire essay is devoted to supporting. Mr. Feuer is confronted first with the argument of the "philosophers of the scientific school" who maintain that from statements of fact no conclusions as to values can be drawn, since "questions of value . . . $4.00.


Background and Aims: The purpose is to highlight the legal and ethical principles that inspired the reform of mental health care in Italy, the only country to have closed its psychiatric hospitals. The article will also try to verify some macro-indicators of the quality of care and discuss the crisis that the mental health care system in Italy is experiencing. Methods: Narrative review. Results: The principal changes in the legislation on mental health care in Italy assumed an important role in the evolution of morals and common sense of the civil society of that country. We describe three critical points: first, the differences in implementation in the different Italian regions; second, the progressive lack of resources that cannot be totally attributed to the economic crisis and which has compromised application of the law; and finally, the scarce attention given to measurement of change with scientific methods. Conclusion: Italy created a revolutionary approach to mental health care in a historical framework in which it produced impressive cultural expressions in many fields. At that time, people were accustomed to 'believing and doing' rather than questioning results and producing research, and this led to underestimating the importance of a scientific approach. With its economic and cultural crisis, Italy has lost creativity as well as interest in mental health, which has been guiltily neglected. Any future humanitarian approach to mental health must take the Italian experience into account, but must not forget that verification is the basis for any transformation in health care culture.


The purpose of this article is to highlight the functionalities of online corpora such as concordancers, in particular the Reverso Context Dictionary. Through this exploratory study, we seek to know the limits of this online contextual dictionary from Arabic to French by analyzing the translation in the context of Arabic adages translated into French. It also aims to highlight the notion of virtual collaboration proposed within the framework of the Reverso Context collaborative dictionary. The study also made it possible to describe the services and functionalities offered online by this dictionary as well as its limitations. Through the experimentation of the translation of adages and proverbs from Arabic into French, we were able to deduce that the Reverso Context contextual dictionary has translation limits regarding Arabic-French combinations. These limits are lexical, semantic, phrasal and rhetorical.


World Wide Web site managers are forced to serve data using static retrieval (from the file system) or dynamic retrieval (by executing programs) without the practical option of migrating between the two. It was found that dynaimnic retrieval through the CGI script mechanism has an overhead of 18-33% above its statically-retrieved counterpart. A mixed retrieval system allows Web documents to migrate between static and dynamic retrieval to gain ithe benefits of both methods and increase the overall performance of the server. In this thesis I explain why existing systems cannot support mixed retrieval; describe the components of a mixed retrieval system; propose a design for an initial implementation of a mixed retrieval Web server; present performance data verifying that mixed retrieval does not add significant overhead to current servers; and discuss ithe issues regarding future designs of mixed retrieval systems. Thesis Supervisor: Janmes S. Miller Title: Research Associate, World Wide Web Consortium


Cathodic protection systems are often used to protect critical structures in corrosive environments. This paper examines the various applications used in port facilities. It is intended for engineers responsible for or wanting to learn more about this niche field as it applies to port facilities - this could include EPCs, construction contractors, and facility engineers/operators responsible for these systems. This paper begins with a brief discussion on corrosion (including accelerated low water corrosion) and how cathodic protection systems work to prevent corrosion. The paper then discusses the two types of cathodic protection approaches: galvanic systems and impressed current systems and the environments in which cathodic protection can be applied. After providing a framework for how and where cathodic protection is applied, this paper considers cathodic protection as it applies specifically to marine facilities. The applications discussed include cylindrical piles/piers both metallic and concrete, sheet wall pilings, concrete structures, above ground storage tanks, and buried pipelines. The paper briefly discusses facility corrosion assessments as a tool to evaluate existing facilities to identify corrosion risks. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on monitoring and maintenance of cathodic protection systems.


This paper will examine the need for a comprehensive online resource that contains easily accessible information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This includes: general facts about ASD, how the characteristics of ASD may compare to those exhibited by a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, and potential methods of instruction for children with both diagnoses.


This column considers a wide range of issues concerning publishers, librarians, and academic authors from a personal perspective. It particularly focuses on the existence of marketing strategies when it comes to journal content, and considers what the role of all parties should be in the climate of publishing change.


We investigate the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for a nonlinear RiemannLiouville fractional differential equation with a nonnegative singular nonlinearity, subject to RiemannStieltjes boundary conditions which contain fractional derivatives. In the proofs of our main results, we use an application of the Krein-Rutman theorem and some theorems from the fixed point index theory.


The invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon sub-carrier (1) for installing e.g. micro-electronic mechanical devices and /or electronic devices with integrated circuit, on a substrate, especially on a circuit board. The method involves inserting a recess (2) in a silicon substrate (3) using a laser process, where the recess extends from a first side (I) to a second side (II) of the silicon substrate (3). A first insulation layer (4) is formed on a portion of a surface of the silicon substrate (3), where the first insulation layer (4) extends from the first side (I) to the second side (II) of the substrate (3) through the recess (2). An electrically conductive material (5) is applied on the first insulation layer (4) for forming a through-connection from the first side (I) to the second side (II) of the substrate (3) through the recess (2).


We study the dynamics of the meniscus rise of a liquid contained in a narrow gap between a flexible film and a solid wall. We show that the meniscus rises indefinitely expelling liquid from the gap region, and that the height of the rising front h(t) increases with time as , while the gap distance e(t) decreases as . These results are consistent with the experiments of Cambau et al. (EPL, 96 (2011) 24001).


Objective Evaluating the capability of automated hematology analyzer (XT-2000i).Methods Measuring the blood routine test using XT-2000i,analyzing it basing on the Intermational Council for Standardization in Hematology(ICSH)and the National Committee for Clinical Standards(NCCLS).Results It showed a satisfactory repro ducibility、linearity and low interference;there is ahigh correlation with XE-2100.Conclusion The XT-2000i is a precise、acuurate system.


This paper presents a discussion of a computer optimization program, which is used to optimize ramp metering and freeway flow by timing ramp signals to prevent excessive queuing on ramps while simultaneously minimizing delay on the freeway. The program can be used to design for a specified level of service and/or ramp queuing capacities based on the users constraints. This computer program was calibrated based on a specific section of the Milwaukee County Interstate Highway (IH) 94 freeway system. Data inputs to the program include freeway volumes, ramp volumes, distances between ramps, and ramp queuing capacities. The optimization program is a spreadsheet template so additional ramps can be easily added. Guidelines for application and further calibration with IVHS systems are discussed.


OVERVIEW OF STUDY As older populations are now living longer and healthier lives, an increasing number of grandmothers provide daily childcare for their grandchildren in South Korea (hereafter, Korea) (Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, 2015). Traditional family culture highlighting intra-family support and insufficient number of quality daycare are the reasons why older Korean women are more associated with the intensive grandparenting role compared to grandparents in Western contexts.


Kinetic criteria for the dependence of biochemical reactions upon electron transport within, or across the surfaces of, solid biochemical structures have been developed.


The International Accounting Standards Committee issued the the International Accounting Standard 23, Borrowing Costs. The objective of IAS 23 is to prescribe the accounting treatment for borrowing costs. This standard requires the capitalisation of all borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset. IAS 23 requires all borrowing costs capitalised as part of the cost of the asset, where the borrowing costs are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset. This article presents a closer look of the standard (objective, scope, definitions, capitalisation and disclosures).


The article analyzes the historical Silk Road in its long-term development. It entails reflections on the knowledge of Eastern global interactions providing a long-term contextual framework for Eurasia as a single continent. Eurasian globalization influenced the interactions of regions from China and India, through Western Asia, the Middle East, Eastern and Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, and the south of Europe. An important role was played by the Silk Road, as the main historical long-term network of global interactions and communication, which is now being echoed in the new current global initiatives, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative, which updates the historical Silk Road.


The invention relates to a two-rotation and one-movement parallel mechanism which is used in the decoupling of the virtual axis machine and robot, consisting of a frame (1), a moving platform (3) and three motion branch chains which connect the frame (1) and the moving platform (3). The motion branch chains (2a) and (2b) have the same structure which comprises revolute joint (21),(24), shifting pair (22),(25), spherical joint (23),(26) and the member, wherein junction of the motion branch chain(2c) and the frame is a vertex of a right angle. With only a few kinematic pairs, the mechanism has the advantages of simple structure, easy installation, small moment of inertia and fast motion response. Basically, single output degree of freedom only needs to control single driving unit. With easy calibration and control, not only the movement control is more precise but also the development cost and cycle is greatly lowered.


Microtubule assembly and disassembly is a complex structural process that doesnot proceed by simple addition and subtraction of individual subunits to and from ahelical polymer, as would be the case for actin and other helical assemblies. Thedynamic process of microtubule growth and shrinking involves short-lasting polymerforms that differ substantially from the microtubule itself and constitute crucial assemblyand disassembly intermediates. Structural characterization thus depends on thestabilization of these brief intermediates and their preservation as polymericassemblies. This paper gives experimental details on the polymerization of GMPCPPtubulininto low-temperature stable polymers that we propose to correspond to the earlystages in microtubule assembly and includes new data on the effect of colchicine onGMPCPP-tubulin polymerization. Finally, we include our thoughts on the possiblebiological meaning of tubulin polymerization versatility.


The needs of students in growing the potential of entrepreneurship must adjust these needs individualized students themselves. Current circumstances show that entrepreneurial education is only textbook in nature without providing experiential learning to students. The current solution has not been able to accommodate the needs of students, especially in the era of industrial revolution 4.0. Teachers only as facilitators that become business simulation mentors further aggravate the problems in entrepreneurial education today. So there needs to be a solution that can provide experimental learning and increase teacher participation in fostering   the entrepreneurial spirit of students. This research aims to develop gamification-based edukit learning media   that will be implemented in high school students to develop students' entrepreneurial potential.  This type of research is development research using the ADDIE method (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) by using questionnaires to collect research data.
Once implemented, this research succeeded in increasing students' interest in entrepreneurial education as a provision for the growth of entrepreneurship potential in shiva. This learning medium also succeeds in improving the activeness of teachers and students in the learning process that provides experimental learning to students. Collaboration between gamification models and edukit learning media in accordance with the needs of students' competencies in the current industrial revolution 4.0. Follow-up research is needed to be done that focuses on digitizing media developed without eliminating the activeness of teachers and students in learning.


The tri-coloured glazed pottery of the TANG Dynasty produced in Luoyang has been a series of multi-coloured glazed pottery in a unique style.The pottery experienced the historical stages of tri-colooured glazed pottery of the TANG Dynasty, the counterfeited pottery, the handicraft pottery and the pottery evolved from the digestion and changes of the above mentioned categories. As a cultural carrier, the tri-coloured glazed pottery always holds the special position in the development of Henan-Luoyang culture. The accurate understanding of evolution processs of the pottery will help to promote the culture grade of the tri-coloured glazed pottery of the TANG Dynasty.


A survey of the morphological and hydrological characteristics of the lake and analysis of the species composition, abundance, and biomass of phytoplankton, phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos were carried out as a part of the complex study for establishing a new protected area "Lake Pizanets". The effect of natural and anthropogenic factors on the hydrochemical regime and structure of aquatic ecosystems of the lake was assessed. The trophic status of the lake, its saprobity, and the significance of particular communities and bioindication indices were estimated. The species composition and dominant species of the studied communities of the lake were quite typical for freshwater bodies of the region. Despite the fact that the abundance and biomass of macrozoobenthos turned out to be lower than in other lakes of Eastern Fennoscandia, generally, the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton, phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos evidenced on relatively high degree of their development in the lake Pizanets, as well as on their activity and stability. At the same time, the species, forming the communities, differed in size noticeably; therefore, significant discrepancies were found between the lists of taxa dominating by abundance and by biomass. The biotic indices and hydrochemical indicators indicated mainly a low degree of pollution, so the lake waters could be classified as belonging to water purity class II. Nowadays, the lake is not affected by significant anthropogenic load. However, according to the program of establishing new protected areas, further control of the hydrobiological and hydrochemical indicators of the reservoir, as well as its inclusion in the environmental monitoring program is undoubtful.


F420‐dependent Glucose‐6‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase (FGD) is found within Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) disease. The fact that the F420 cofactor isn't utilized by humans, makes this enzyme a great candidate for drug development for the treatment of TB. FGD catalyzes the conversion of glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P) to 6‐phosphogluconolactone (Figure 1). Until our work, these enzymes, in general, have not yet been subjected to rigorous enzymological investigation. Recently, we have unraveled several key pieces of information concerning the hydride transfer mechanism of FGD. However, it is still unclear as to where the substrate, G6P, binds within the active site of FGD, which can be determined through x‐ray crystallography using an inactive FGD variant. In 2008, the wild‐type FGD crystal structure from Mtb was solved in the presence of citrate, as it was an ingredient in the crystallographic conditions. However, citrate is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with respect to G6P. The goal of this project is to solve the crystal structure of FGD in complex with either the natural substrate, G6P, or with a substrate analog that will prevent turnover. For this reason, we propose to synthesize the G6P analog, 1,5‐anhydro‐D‐glucitol‐6‐phosphate. A concurrent goal has been to optimize crystallographic conditions out of the presence of citrate, using the inactive FGD variant, H40A. Several conditions that exclude citrate have been identified, using screens from Hauptman Woodward Medical Institute, which will be discussed here.


Most governments, industries and institutions face an adaptive challenge to a changed context for strategy. The new operating environment is characterized by complexity, interactivity, and rapid evolution. It produces more challenges than any one person, business, or government can respond to effectively. This has two implications. The first is the importance of building collaboration that spans industry environments, spawns novel partnerships, and involves multiple stakeholders. The second is the importance of shaping developments proactively around a new theory for growth. The idea for ecosystems as a business metaphor was introduced in the mid-1990s, drawing on biology as a new language and logic for strategy. At the time, it was considered a fundamental shift that reframed the cutting edge for thinking about leadership and competition across a broad arc of potential settings, from airlines to restaurants. While the information technology industry is adopting a vision of digital ecosystems as a guide for technological evolution, a wider embrace of business ecosystems as opportunity space for new markets and competitive advantage has stalled. This paper provides context to close an implementation gap between technology innovation and ecosystem-centered business strategy, and introduces an ecosystem approach to create a self-generating market in the pharmaceutical industry. It also suggests a convulsing international system reveals the deeper structural transformation reshaping the human condition, creating new commercial pressure that will force leaders in industry and government to reorient their thinking in order to escape the Darwinian reaper.


Objective To provide a new method for recognizing isotonic or isometric exercise in the rehabilitation of lower residual limbs for the patients after amputation.Methods The signs of surface electromyography(sEMG)of leg quadriceps of 10 amputees in rehabilitation were collected with EMG Sensor and analyzed.Results The absolute magnitude average(MAV),variance(VAR)and power spectrum coefficient of sEMG can be used as the character value to establish the relation of the sEMG sign and lower limbs motor of rehabilitation.Conclusion A method recognizing the pattern of lower limbs motor in rehabilitation has been advanced,which may be used in further study for the systems controlling lower limbs in rehabilitation of residual limb.


The Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS) (Goldberg, Brintnell, & Goldberg, 2002) demonstrated sufficient psychometric properties in a sample of 122 adults. The EMAS was found to have adequate test—retest (r = .71) and internal consistency (α = .88) reliability; significant positive correlations between the EMAS and the subscales of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale and the Sources of Meaning Profile and negative zero-order correlations were found with short form versions of the Boredom Proneness Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales. Step-wise multiple regression analysis results showed the Sources of Meaning Profile, Boredom Proneness Scale, and Competence subscale of the Basic Psychological Needs scale best predicted the EMAS. These results lend additional construct validity evidence in support of the EMAS as a brief measure of meaningful activity participation.


We present several new heuristic algorithms to compute class polynomials and modular polynomials modulo a prime $P$. For that, we revisit the idea of working with supersingular elliptic curves. The best known algorithms to this date are based on ordinary curves, due to the supposed inefficiency of the supersingular case. While this was true a decade ago, it is not anymore due to the recent advances in the study of supersingular curves. Our main ingredients are two new heuristic algorithms to compute the $j$-invariants of supersingular curves having an endomorphism ring contained in some set of isomorphism class of maximal orders.


The present invention relates to a puzzle system and cooperating with the external device, and more particularly, when to complete the puzzle, and to output the event corresponding to the puzzle as well as to induce the user's interest and press the image to form a puzzle If it directed to a puzzle system and cooperating with an external device that can be used to thereby give an output corresponding to an event which increases the interest not only play a learning tool. The present invention for achieving the above object includes a plurality of puzzle pieces and the a puzzle consisting of a frame in which piece is mounted device, and a relay device which is connected to communicate with the puzzle device, the relay device and the puzzle system for forming a puzzle and consists of an external device connected to the communication, the puzzle device is provided with a detection module for detecting the completion of the puzzle pieces, the type of the puzzle with the case to detect the completion of the puzzle pieces in the detection module, the complete detected signal for transmitting a signal to a relay device, or characterized in that the transmission at the same time as the relay device and the external device.


The invention discloses a spring coil number testing device. The spring coil number testing device is characterized in that a base is provided with a position relative coil number gage and a detection support, the coil number gage is of a barrel structure, a spring is inserted into the bottom of the coil number gage, optical fiber sensors are arranged at the positions of two critical values of spring tolerance by the coil number gage, and the detection support is provided with two optical fiber sensors corresponding to the detection support. By means of the structure, the spring coil number testing device has the advantages that automatic detection of the spring coil number is achieved, the reliability of spring quality is guaranteed, the device is suitable for large-scale detection, excessive cost is needless, and production cost is low.


We test hypotheses on the role of socio-economic and cultural factors and of characteristics of the
educational infrastructure on primary school enrolment using data for 70,000 children living in 439 districts
of 26 states of India. Most of the variation in educational enrolment (around 70%) is explained by factors at
the household level, of which socio-economic factors are most important. In urban areas, none of the
characteristics of educational facilities studied is significantly related to participation, thus indicating that in
the cities schooling decisions are hardly influenced by supply-side factors. In rural areas, however, these
factors do play an important role. If there are fewer schools or teachers, or if the local culture is more
patriarchal, rural children – in particular girls – participate substantially less. Interaction analyses show that
effects of factors at the household level depend on characteristics of the context in which the household
lives. A major finding in this respect is that in rural areas inequalities between socio-economic status groups
are lower if more schools and teachers are available.


The mechanism by which β‐amyloid protein (Aβ) causes degeneration in cultured neurons is not completely understood, but several lines of evidence suggest that Aβ‐mediated neuronal death is associated with an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. In the present study, we address whether supplementation of glucose‐containing culture media with energy substrates, pyruvate plus malate (P/M), protects rat primary neurons from Aβ‐induced degeneration and death. We found that P/M addition attenuated cell death evoked by β‐amyloid peptides (Aβ25–35 and Aβ1–40) after 24 hr treatment and that this effect was blocked by α‐ciano‐3‐hydroxycinnamate (CIN), suggesting that it requires mitochondrial pyruvate uptake. P/M supply to control and Aβ‐treated neuronal cultures increases cellular reducing power, as indicated by the ability to reduce the dye 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The early increases in ROS levels, measured by dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence, and caspase‐3 activity that follow exposure to Aβ were notably reduced in the presence of P/M. These results place activation of caspase‐3 most likely downstream of oxidative damage to the mitochondria and indicate that mitochondrial NAD(P) redox status plays a central role in the neuroprotective effect of pyruvate. Inhibition of respiratory chain complexes and mitochondrial uncoupling did not block the early increase in ROS levels, suggesting that Aβ could initiate oxidative stress by activating a source of ROS that is not accesible to the antioxidant defenses fueled by mitochondrial substrates. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


This communication is focu ssed on the presentation of the results of two campaigns of samples collection for the characterisation of the ground water table distribution in the North-West area of Alessandria province (Piedmont – Italy). 44 and 66 wells were explored during the first and second campaigns respectively: in the first case 29 chemical and physical-chemical features were measured, while the content of inorganic ions and the elemental content were determined during the second campaign. The use of Principal Component Analysis together with refined mapping tools provided a clear understanding of the dynamic aspects of the subterranean waters of the investigated area. Kohonen Artificial Neural Networks were used as well to evaluate the wells similarity.


It is proposed and outlined in this paper on how to investigate the macroscopic features of those large-size social networks formed in web-based discussion forums. Some preliminary results on the pattern of the distribution of replies for individual topics, views for individual topics and co-discussants of individual participants will be presented. The present results will be compared with those found in other areas of large-size social networks and the significances and future work on those macroscopic properties of social networks for better understanding of computer-supported collaborative learning will be discussed.


The article outlines current features of generation of texts of various types containing various forms of social criticism. Attention is drawn to the active and increasingly intensive use of secondary means by communicants who aim at solving the task of nomination. The heterogeneous secondary nominative means that the authors of texts need are listed and briefly characterized. The reasons and conditions that encourage the producer to give preference to secondary nominative means for solving the mentioned communicative and cognitive task are revealed. A detailed analysis of one of the most popular techniques of generating texts aimed at social criticism is given on the example of culturally significant phenomena as secondary semiotic products. The nominative potential of culturally significant phenomena as means of activating the content of stereotypes of consciousness is revealed. The article also outlines cognitive grounds that allow the authors to influence the recipients of texts as efficiently, predictably and economically as possible with the help of culturally significant phenomena. The article describes the interdependence of cognitive, nominative and discursive strategies which require reference to culturally significant phenomena whose advantage as a means of nomination that ensure the success of solving the communicative task of social criticism in various discursive conditions we highlighted. We also described the reasons for functioning of nominative means in various communicative situations and the dominance of these means in the complex of isofunctional ones, and characterized the conditions that favour the activation of the knowledge of culturally significant phenomena in the minds of recipients of texts. The article offers an explanation of the current trend in the use of language tools, according to which the speaker prefers secondary nominative means to primary ones.


In this study the origins of the city of Bologna are investigated by analysing the geographical names of its area and comparing them to similar toponyms and ethnonyms in Italy and in Eurasia. In this way, traces of the ancient peoples that migrated to the Italian peninsula are detected. In particular, the role of Proto-Scythians, Proto-Umbrians, and Proto-Etruscans in populating the Padanian Valley and Bologna area are analysed. To this aim, archaeological finds in Bologna territory are taken into consideration. The names of the earl peoples that inhabitated the urban area of Bologna are then reconstructed and the peoples themselves are put in relationship with the phases of the ancient city.


This experimental study shows how zinc overdoses change the concentration of some proteins and enzymes in blood serum in rats. We administrated different doses of zinc: RDIx2 – group E1, and RDIx4 – group E2 (RDI – Recommended Daily Intake) as ZnCl2 solutions. The excess of zinc modified the blood metabolites in experimental animals (E), increasing the concentration of serum total protein with 6.17% for E1, 7.66% for E2; serum globulin with 3.32% for E1, 4.69% for E2, and decreasing serum albumin with 22.68% for E1, 29.38% for E2 comparing with control animals. Also, most of the analyzed serum enzymes (GPT, GOT, ALP, AMY) levels increased. Concentration of GPT rises with 7.46% for E1, 21.43% for E2; GOT increased for E1 with 2.02% and decreased for E2 with 7.28%; serum alkaline phosphatase grown with 11.07% for E1, 52.75% for E2, and serum amylase also increased with 25.78% for E1, 32.6% for E2 comparing to control animals. The study revealed disturbance of nitrogen compounds in rats' serum after zinc excess, explained by the role of zinc in oxidative stress reactions.


We study the magnetic induction in a confined swirling flow of liquid sodium, at integral magnetic Reynolds numbers up to 50. More precisely, we measure in situ the magnetic field induced by the flow motion in the presence of a weak external field. Because of the very small value of the magnetic Prandtl number of all liquid metals, flows with even modest Rm are strongly turbulent. Large mean induction effects are observed over a fluctuating background. As expected from the von Karman flow geometry, the induction is strongly anisotropic. The main contributions are the generation of an azimuthal induced field when the applied field is in the axial direction (an Ω effect) and the generation of axial induced field when the applied field is the transverse direction (as in a large scale α effect). Strong fluctuations of the induced field, due to the flow nonstationarity, occur over time scales slower than the flow forcing frequency. In the spectral domain, they display a f−1 spectral slope. At smaller scales (and larger frequencies) the turbulent fluctuations are in agreement with a Kolmogorov modeling of passive vector dynamics.


When PBB EVPN [RFC7623] is used in Segment Routing networks, it is
complicated to make use of the SID list to carry a function that is
aiming for C-MACs. In [I-D.ietf-spring-srv6-network-programming],
End.DX2 function is defined, this function can be used in EVPN VPLS.
When it is used in EVPN VPLS, the data-plane learning defined in
End.DT2U function can also be activated for End.DX2 function. On the
basis of such End.DX2 function, SRv6 EVPN can meet all the
requirements per [RFC7623] and bring us some other benefits. Such SRv6
EVPN is called light- weighted SRv6 EVPN, and it will be more simpler
than PBB EVPN over SRv6. It is easy for the light-weighted SRv6 EVPN
to carry a SID that is aiming for customer ethernet packets, because
there will be no other ethernet header between the SID list and the
customer ethernet header. These SIDs may be user-defined functions for
the customer ethernet headers.


To test the performance of a nuclear power plant safety system and to verify the relevant safety analysis code, a widely used approach is to design and construct a scaled model based on a scaling methodology. For a pressurized water reactor (PWR), the SG scaling analysis is important before designing a scaled model, which is expected to simulate well the system response of the prototype system in an accident. This work first presents a review of the transient process in SG during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA), and then describes a brief scaling analysis for a natural circulation to get the basic scaling criteria for the SG. The U-tube scaling design showed that if the diameter ratio was different from the length ratio for a model, the thermal height center would be enlarged because the length of the U-tube should be scaled by the length ratio. Therefore the improperly scaled buoyant force would cause a distortion in natural circulation simulation. By single phase heat transfer scaling analysis, a relation between the U-tube diameter ratio and the height ratio was obtained. It showed that the diameter ratio decreased with the decrease of the height ratio. Finally, the transition of the role played by the SG, from heat sink to heat source, was analyzed. The results showed that the inventory of the secondary side of the SG and the total metal heat capacity should be properly scaled in order to represent the transition correctly. Keyword: scaling analysis; U-tube; integral test facility; decay heat removal; steam generator


The study aimed to assess the radiosensitizing effect of lithium ascorbate on tumor cells.

Cancer cells radioresistance is an important factor restraining the success of X-ray
therapy. Radiosensitizing drugs make tumor cells more sensitive to ionizing radiation and improve
the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Although many chemical substances can potentiate the cytotoxic
effects of X-ray radiation, their clinical applications are limited due to possible adverse reactions.
Recently, several approaches have been proposed to develop new radiosensitizers that are highly
effective and feature low toxicity. Among new enhancers of X-ray therapy, ascorbic acid, and its
derivates demonstrate very low toxicity along with a wide therapeutic range. Lithium ascorbate is a
promising X-ray therapy enhancer, but its mechanism of action is unknown. This research focuses
on the radiosensitizing properties of lithium ascorbate and its effects on both tumor and normal irradiated
cells.

The viability of the radiosensitized cells was evaluated by fluorescence flow cytometry
using Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit and Cellular ROS Assay Kit (Abcam, UK). The
test cell cultures included normal human mononuclear and Jurkat cells.

Lithium ascorbate sensitizes normal human mononuclear and Jurkat cells towards ionizing
radiation. The combined cytotoxic effect of X-ray irradiation (3 Gy) and lithium ascorbate (1,2
mmol/L) substantially exceeds the effects of the individual factors, i.e. synergetic action appears.
The major types of cell death were late apoptosis and necrosis caused by excessive production of
reactive oxygen species.

Lithium ascorbate in combination with X-ray irradiation exhibited the cytotoxic effect
on both normal and cancer lymphoid cells by activating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced
apoptosis. These findings indicate that lithium ascorbate is a promising substance to develop a new
radiosensitizing drug.


Accelerators can offer exceptional performance advantages. However, programmers need to spend considerable efforts on acceleration, without knowing how sustainable the employed programming models, ...


Abstract Aging is associated with a functional decline in metabolic, physiological, proliferative, and tissue homeostasis leading to deterioration at the organismal level, and an increased risk for disease and death. Genetic, pharmacological and nutritional interventions have been successfully used to preserve metabolic health, which leads to preserved healthspan and extended longevity. However, the rate at which animals in a population become impaired by age-related frailty and disease is highly variable and several aging clocks that measure different age-modulated processes in the organism are being use as potential markers of the rate of aging. These molecular clocks allow to a more accurate quantification of the biological age of animals. Nevertheless, there is still room for further discussion in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of these biomarkers, in order to probe their biological significance, cellular mechanisms, and epidemiological potential to further explore their long-term benefit of increasing healthspan. This symposium will discuss new approaches to delineate physiological versus molecular clocks based on studies in mice and humans. We will also discuss species-specific metabolic mechanisms based on longitudinal studies in mice, monkeys and humans.


The chain-of-bundles model for the strength of unidirectional fibrous materials is extended to cover 3D situations wherein the parallel filaments are arranged laterally in a hexagonal array. Within each bundle, the strengths of the fibres vary statistically and share load according to a local load-sharing rule, a rule which describes how the loads of failed fibres are redistributed on to nearby surviving fibres. We consider two idealized versions of this rule, one geometrically motivated and the other more mechanically motivated. We extend earlier asymptotic techniques for the 2D planar problem to the present 3D case, and obtain various approximations for the probability distribution for material strength. The Weibull distribution again emerges as central to the results, but the calculation of its shape and scale parameters is greatly complicated by the large number of new failure configurations that may arise in the hexagonal array of fibres. Earlier 2D results connecting the Weibull shape parameter to the critical failure sequence size do not in general hold in 3D settings. The general character of the results, however, is the same as in the 2D setting, with 3D materials being stronger because of the reduced severity of the fibre overloads in the hexagonal array. Also, the two local load-sharing rules though quite different in character yield surprisingly similar numerical results.


A funnel-type planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical splitter having an input optical waveguide, a slab waveguide receiving the input optical signal from the input optical waveguide, and output waveguides projecting from the slab region. The region connecting the slab waveguide to the output waveguides is characterized by a segmented taper structure. In another additional, or alternative aspect of the present invention, a cladding mode absorption region runs along either or both sides of the input optical waveguide. A funnel-type splitter with both a cladding mode absorption region and a segmented taper structure provides a "super" low loss splitter design, when considering both insertion loss and polarization dependent loss. Advantageously, the disclosed funnel-type PLC splitter does not require a quartz substrate due to its very low PDL, and a silicon substrate can be used. Silicon substrates are known to be lower cost, with a higher resistance to fracture.


Objective: To investigate the surgical techniques and clinical effect of retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy.Methods: The clinical data of 67 patients(44 males and 23 females) treated by retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy from January 2006 to December 2007 were analyzed retrospectively.Their average age was 52 years,ranging from 23 to 80.Thirty-five of the tumors were located in the right and 32 in the left kidney;15 in the upper,29 in the middle and 23 in the lower pole.The tumors averaged 4.64 cm in diameter,ranging from 1.5 to 8.0 cm,64 in the T1N0M0 and 3 in the T2N0M0 stage by the criteria of the American Joint Commission for Cancer Staging(AJCCS).Results: The operation time ranged from 55 to 253 minutes(mean 110 min),the blood loss from 10 to 500 ml(mean 98 ml),the postoperative hospital stay from 7 to 12 days(mean 8 d) and the time for intestinal function recovery from 1 to 2 days.The patients were followed up for 2-26(mean 12.1) months,which revealed no relapse,metastasis or port-site tumor seeding.Conclusion: Retroperitoneoscopic radical nephrectomy,with the advantages of minimal invasiveness,less bleeding and rapid recovery,is a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.


A 3 MeV, 30kW DC Industrial electron beam accelerator has been designed, commissioned and tested at Electron beam centre, Kharghar. The accelerator has been tested up to 10 kW power level with SF6 gas at 6 kg/cm 2 . The accelerating column, high voltage multiplier column, electron gun and its power supply are housed in accelerator tank, which is filled with SF6 gas as gaseous insulator at 6 kg/cm^2. The SF6 gas is being used due to high dielectric strength and excellent heat transfer characteristics. The SF6 gas is non toxic and non carcinogenic. The SF6 gas replaces oxygen and OSHA has established the permissible TLV of 1000ppm. The SF6 gas is being green house gas, leak tightness has to monitor in the system and leak if any should be repaired. The gas should be used, recycled and reuse and thus saving the environment. This paper describes the safety and monitoring of the SF6 gas leak, quality and precautions in 3 MeV accelerator.


Abstract: Background: To achieve the World Health Organization targets for cervical cancer elimination, low- and middle income countries must develop innovative strategies to provide human papillomavirus (HPV) -based screening at a population level. Mobile health may help fill gaps in electronic specimen tracking and patient education. We sought to develop a mobile health application (mSaada) to support HPV-based screening in partnership with community health volunteers and program planners in western Kenya. Methods: A team of student programmers developed a prototype to meet previously identified gaps in screening: patient education, protocol support, data capture and specimen tracking. The protoype was iteratively developed through three waves of in-person working sessions with quantitative and qualitative feedback, with planned improvements in mSaada functionality after each wave of in-person data collection. Results: Twelve Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and clinicians took part in the in-person sessions. Participants found mSaada useful and easy to use. Key feedback was used to alter the appearance of the mainframes, add translation in additional local languages and change potentially embarrassing figures. Participants also suggested workflow design and technology needs necessary for sustainability. Conclusion: Using a process of iterative feedback with key stakeholders and rapid response from developers, we have developed a mobile application ready for pilot testing in HPV-based screening programs led by CHVs.


We present NARCIA, a tool for analyzing the impact of change in natural language requirements. For a given change in a requirements document, NARCIA calculates quantitative scores suggesting how likely each requirements statement in the document is to be impacted. These scores, computed using Natural Language Processing (NLP), are used for sorting the requirements statements, enabling the user to focus on statements that are most likely to be impacted. To increase the accuracy of change impact analysis, NARCIA provides a mechanism for making explicit the rationale behind changes. NARCIA has been empirically evaluated on two industrial case studies. The results of this evaluation are briefly highlighted.


Taking piling construction in Jintang Bridge of Zhoushan Islands-to-Mainland Linking Project as an example,the installation of GPS Piling Positioning System on "CHANGDA 36" pile driving vessel and the specific application to the measurement of driven piles are introduced.


Taking a typical forest's underlying surface as our research area, in this study, we employed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry to explore more accurate canopy parameters including the tree height and canopy radius, which were used to improve the Noah-MP land surface model, which was conducted in the Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem Research Station (CN-Din). While the canopy radius was fitted as a Burr distribution, the canopy height of the CN-Din forest followed a Weibull distribution. Then, the canopy parameter distribution was obtained, and we improved the look-up table values of the Noah-MP land surface model. It was found that the influence on the simulation of the energy fluxes could not be negligible, and the main influence of these canopy parameters was on the latent heat flux, which could decrease up to −11% in the midday while increasing up to 15% in the nighttime. Additionally, this work indicated that the description of the canopy characteristics for the land surface model should be improved to accurately represent the heterogeneity of the underlying surface.


An increase in the life expectancy of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy is directly related to an increase in the number of patients with secondary (SHPT) and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT). The main treatment for secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism is surgical. Moreover, improving the quality of life of this category of patients is one of the main purpose of surgical intervention.
The purpose is to evaluate changes in the quality of life of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism who are on program hemodialysis after surgical treatment.
Materials and methods. A survey of 60 patients with THPT was carried out before and after surgery using the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). The survey was attended by 35 women (58%) and 25 men (42%). Statistical processing of the results was carried out using Microsoft Office Excel and the program Statistic 7.
When analyzing the results of the survey, it can be noted that the indicators of quality of life after surgery were significantly higher than the values before surgery. The greatest increase was observed in the assessment of indicators related to the mental component of health - by 27.4%; physical component of health increased by 13.8%. At the same time, the average value of the scale of physical functioning increased by 30.2%, role-based functioning, due to physical condition - by 75%, and due to emotional state - by 100%, pain intensity - by 58%. The indicator of vital activity increased by 2 times. A pronounced correlation was observed between the levels of parathyroid hormone (r = 0.81, at p = 0.0002), ionized calcium (r = 0.56, at p = 0.003) and scales of physical functioning before and after the operation.

http://ma.cfuv.ru/res/255612/18_Макаров И.В., Карпова Д.О.pdf


We solve an elementary extremal problem on trigonometric polynomials and obtain the exact value of the Sidon constant for sets with three elements {n0, n1, n2}: it is \sec(\pi / 2n) for n = max(n1-n0, n2-n0, n2-n1) / gcd(n1-n0, n2-n0).


Research Summary: While extant research recognizes the importance of collective action for market formation, it provides little understanding about when and to what extent collective action is important. In this article, we develop a novel theoretical framework detailing what collective action problems and solutions arise in market formation and under what conditions. Our framework centers on the development of market infrastructure with three key factors that influence the nature and extent of collective action problems: perceived returns to contributions, excludability, and contribution substitutability. We apply our framework to diverse market formation contexts and derive a set of attendant propositions. Finally, we show how collective action problems and solutions evolve during market formation efforts and discuss how our framework contributes to strategic management, entrepreneurship, and organization literatures. Managerial Summary: This article lays out the key considerations that players operating in new markets should contemplate when making nontrivial investments in those spaces. As collective action problems can thwart efforts to establish new markets, we ask: When and under what conditions should market players collaborate rather than act independently? And if players collaborate, how should they coordinate to establish a new market? To address these research questions, we develop a novel generalizable framework of collective action in market formation. Our framework assesses the presence and type of collective action problems that hinder market formation and identifies potential solutions tied to those collective action problems.


Within forestry it is common to fertilize approximately 10 years before the final felling of the forest. Forest fertilization increases the volume of the forest and contributes to a better climate ...


This exegesis details the development of an interactive art work titled Elements designed to assist upper limb movement rehabilitation for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury. Enhancing physical rehabilitative processes in the early stages fol


A sound intensity probe using the nonlinear behaviors of the sound wave is presented. The principle of the probe is theoretically discussed with regard to the variation and angular dependence of the phase velocity caused by the non-collinear interaction of sound waves. Two parametric receiving arrays whose probing waves propagate in opposite directions are applied to the sound intensity probe. The basic characteristics of the probe are observed, and the results support that the probe is applicable for the sound intensity measurements.


Impacts of hydropower projects (Three Gorges Dam and Xiangjiaba Dam) on genetic diversity and population differentiation of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River were examined.Mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) was analyzed in silver carps from Xiangjiaba Reservoir (Shaonvping), the main stream (Banan, Fengdu, Wanzhou, Taipingxi) and tributaries (Jiantanhe, Jialingjiang, Xiaojiang) of the Three Gorges Reservoir.The haplotype diversity was found to range from 0.770 to 0.876, nucleotide diversity range from 0.687% to 1.967%, suggesting high levels of genetic diversity. Mismatch distribution in 8 populations showed unimodal distribution.Tajima's D and Fu's FS test values were either positive or negative, but statistically insignificant, indicating that these sliver carp populations were stable.AMOVA analysis found that 95.87% of genetic variations occurred within populations, 4.13% occurred among populations.Pairwise FST values suggested that there was no significant genetic differentiation between each population pair, other than those between Jiantanhe and Xiaojiang, Taipingxi populations. Mantel test suggested no correlation between extent of genetic differentiation among populations and geographic distance. Haplotype network suggested no apparent genealogical geographic pattern.We urge to strengthen the protection of genetic resources, and to protect differentiated populations.


Based on the characteristics of the Yellow River subaqueous delta, a two-dimensional mathematical model for vertically averged sediment transport was formulated, and the sediment transport mechanism and the sedbed scour and deposition evolution process were simulated and analyzed in combination with the tidal current and sediment data. It is shown from the simulation results that the general pattern of net sediment transport in the area is dependent on the tidal current traverse to the estuarine jet, and the wind stress also has an important effect on the movement of suspended and bedload sediments. It is shown from the distributions of bed stress of tidal carrent and active layer thicknes that the Yellow River mouth area and the Chengdao oil field sea area are high value area of bed stress of tidal current and active layer thickness and also active sediment area with weak seabed stability and sediments being easy to be eroded and retransported. It is shown from the scour and deposition computation results that the Chengdao oil field sea area is the scour center area; and the Yellow River mouth subaqueous delta is scouring area during the zero river discharge period and is depositing area during the normal river discharge period.


In this paper, we propose a reliable and energy-efficient routing algorithm for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). We first use a sphere energy depletion model to analyze the energy consumption of nodes in UWSNs. We then extend the model by considering the node mobility in UWSNs. Our analysis is in accordance with the common view that although water flows might cause the underwater environment more dynamic, this instability can actually improve energy-efficiency. However, the nodes closer to the sink still tend to die early, causing network partition around the sink. Accordingly, we propose a Reliable and Energy BAlanced Routing algorithm (REBAR). We explore the tradeoff between packet delivery ratio and energy efficiency. We design an adaptive scheme for setting data propagation range in order to balance the energy consumption throughout the network. Multi-path routing is used to provide redundancy. We further extend REBAR to deal with possible routing voids in the network which could be common in UWSNs. Simulation results show that our protocol outperforms existing VBF-based approaches in terms of reliability and network lifetime.


This testimony presents four major points regarding H.R. 7739 "Small Business Impact Statement Act of 1977" and H.R. 10632 "Small Business Regulatory Relief Act." First, there is concern that regulation hits smaller business disproportionately hard. Second, requiring a regulatory impact statement is a good one, as it helps government understand the effects of its actions. Third, the amount of paperwork required by specific impact statements is concerning. Finally, public policy would be better served by requiring a single comprehensive impact statement prior to the issuance of each new regulation.


Introduction: Ageing is a multidimensional process of closing period of life of an individual. The elderly population has increased worldwide. As life expectancy has increased, hundreds of old age homes have sprung up in India. Older individuals usually have various health problems. Ageing is progressive impairment of functions resulting in loss of adaptive response to stress and an increasing risk of agerelated diseases. Objective: To study the illness pattern among elderly residing in old age homes. Materials and Methods: The total number of old age homes situated in Varanasi was enlisted with the total number of elderly residing in different old age homes. The total 156 individuals aged 60 years and above were purposively selected for the study. The present investigation is a kind of field study in which primary tools used was a pre-designed and pretested interview schedule. Results: It was inferred that a high vulnerability of the study population to various diseases and the female elderly were suffering from more number of diseases. The most common illness was arthritis & joint pain. Conclusion: Physical health status of elderly deteriorated with ageing. Thus, specialized geriatric health services have to be adopted by the old age homes management so as to maintain healthy lifestyles in the old age homes.


[This article is a reply to another article appearing in the same issue. Following this article, Prof. Dixon's reply appears. The Dixon articles are not posted on this website, because they are copyrighted. The hard copy of the issue containing Dixon's articles can be found in law school law libraries. Dixon's opening article makes an empirical case in favor of handgun prohibition. The boldface asterisks (*301) indicate the start of a new page in the printed text. In the printed text, the notes are footnotes, rather than endnotes. More articles by Kopel on handgun prohibition are available here.]


In many communities, certain segments of the population do not have trust and confidence in the police. These issues are particularly intense in some impoverished minority communities in which people are more likely to fear the police than to trust them. Much can be learned about the patterned dynamics between police and communities from the study of intergroup relations generally, and intergroup communication more specifically. Unfortunately, these phenomena have not yet been well studied from an intergroup perspective. In this prologue to the special issue, "The Police and the Policed," we introduce contemporary trends in police–community relations from an intergroup perspective, and we provide a brief overview of the articles appearing in the special issue. We close by highlighting key take-aways from this collection, articulating a vision for future research on police–community relations from an intergroup perspective.


housekeeping genes are constitutively expressed to maintain cellular function. As such, they are presumed to produce the minimally essential transcripts necessary for normal cellular physiology. With the advent of microarray technology, it has recently become possible to identify at least the "


According to the statistics of the operating results of some different main transformers,it is found that the rate-of-change of capacitance in transformer windings is related to the wind-ing deformation.The simple method to judge deformation of transformer windings according to ca-pacitance of transformer windings is presented.


The high watershed of the Chicamocha River as a high-value water source for the department of Boyaca represents an important environmental contribution to the territory and a constant challenge in the exercise of planning and articulation of actions for the different municipalities, actors, and entities with an impact on the watershed.
In recent years, different problems have persisted and arisen around the watershed that threaten its protection, conservation and good management; However, a critical point identified has been the weak harmonization of plans and isolated institutional actions that have permeated any progress around the watershed, exacerbating the problems present in it.
For this reason, this research supported by the typology of practice based on diagnosis identifies, links and analyzes different categories necessary for harmonization such as the participation of actors, coordination between them, leadership, planning,
spaces for decision-making among others, with the objective of proposing a comprehensive territorial management model for the harmonization of plans around the high watershed of the Chicamocha River based on the structuring of a territorial pact as an alternative for the department and pertinent and articulated management of the watershed.


The present invention belongs to the platform leveling field, especially relates to a locking leveling precision apparatus and a leveling method employing auxiliary supporting legs. According to the invention, auxiliary supporting legs are additionally installed in an original leveling system, the moments of the auxiliary supporting legs in a leg stretching process and an automatic leveling process are controlled to be less than leveling support legs, and the auxiliary supporting legs are preferentially pulled back or pulled back with the support legs together in the leg pull-back process, therefore the problems that the leveling precision is locked for a long time or an extra-heavy platform is uniformly stressed after leveling are solved. The locking leveling precision apparatus and the leveling method employing auxiliary supporting legs are applicable to the upgrading and the reconstruction of the majority of existing leveling devices, and the original leveling process and the leveling algorithm are not influenced.


There have been different methods to suppress radar clutter depending on its amplitude distribution. This paper describes a two-dimensional weighted moving average filter and a two-dimensional moving filter for clutter having a k-distribution, both with weighted samples of a reflected signal from an illuminated surface. A genetic algorithm is used for the weighting, since its optimum value is obtained in a relatively short time. To simulate various field conditions, two kinds of data were used: data of reflected waves from objects in the green belt of an airport, and composite data of reflected waves from objects in clear weather (no clutter) and reflected waves from a field on a rainy day. The two-dimensional weighted moving average improves the signal-to-clutter ratio significantly: by 0.5 to 2.3 dB compared with a two-dimensional moving average without weighting; and by 0.9 to 3.7 dB compared with no averaging treatment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(8): 58–67, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.1172


We propose a new method for the recognition of unconstrained handwritten words consisting of Korean and numeric characters. To overcome the difficulty of separating touching characters, we adopt an over-segmentation technique and we find the optimal segment combination using a lexicon-driven word scoring technique and a nearest neighbor classifier. The optimal combination gives the final segmentation positions for individual characters with the best matching word in the lexicon. The proposed system has yielded an accuracy of 90.64% for 908 word images on live mail pieces.


As educators, we must design, prepare, proctor and grade hundreds of exams during their careers. From this overwhelming task, we collect little or none objective evidence about the quality of the exams themselves. Thus, at most there is an intuitive learning about what characterizes a good or a bad exam. It is very likely that we blindly repeat in our exams rights and wrongs of the past. There exist metrics about the quality of an exam, and even metrics about the quality of each of the individual items in the exam. Using actual college courses, our research found experimental evidence that proves that it is possible to predict with great accuracy, parting from historical statistical data, the quality metrics that an exam will show even before applying it to a standard group of college students. With this result, we built an automatic system that generates "good" exams from an item bank enriched with statistical information from previous exams. Besides, powerful tools for analysis and controlled adjustment of each exam and each item were developed.


Abstract Database researchers have recognized that integrating a production rules facility into a database system provides a uniform mechanism for a number of advanced database features including integrity constraint enforcement, derived data maintenance, triggers, protection, version control, and others. In addition, a database system with rule processing capabilities provides a useful platform for large and efficient knowledge-base and expert systems. Database systems with production rules are referred to as active database systems, and the field of active database systems has indeed been active. This paper summarizes current work in active database systems, and suggests future research directions. Topics covered include database rule languages, rule processing semantics, and implementation issues.


Acer palmatum Thunb.(Aceraceae)is an important garden ornamental tree species in northern temperate regions.It is relatively difficult to classify by traditional methods due to frequent intraspecific hybridization and introgression.However,the emergence and development of DNA barcoding methods has provided an alternative approach to this issue.In this study,five candidate DNA noncoding regions(rpl16,psbA-trnH,trnL-trnF,rbcL and matK)from the chloroplast genome and internal transcribed spacer(ITS)region from the nuclear genome were used to distinguish eight taxa of A.palmatum.The identification efficiency estimated by PWG-distance and Tree-Building methods showed that single chloroplast DNA fragment(0%- 25%)or ITS fragment(12.5%)always showed low levels of species discrimination,while the combination of chloroplast DNA fragments(0%- 62.5%)and chloroplast DNA fragments plus ITS fragments(12.5%-50%)had higher resolution for identifying A.palmatum.The highest discrimination rate of rpl16+psbA-trnH + trnL-trnF reached 62.5%.Thus,we concluded that rpl16 + psbA-trnH + trnLtrnF could be considered as a potential barcode for taxa identification in A.palmatum.


The meaning of the corporate office tower is explored within the framework of the production of symbolic capital. The method involves an interpretation of leasing advertisements—the field of discourse which envelops the decision to lease. The advertising is argued to be market sensitive and therefore to reflect the prevailing values of corporate culture. The aim is to unpack the myths and meanings that are used to generate symbolic capital through built form. The semantic themes outlined include distinction, authenticity, power, contextualism, and timelessness. The meanings of the location, the foyer, the view, and the interior settings are also discussed. Analysis of this field of discourse reveals these towers to be the popular architecture of a patriarchal corporate culture. It also reveals a number of contradictions underlying their production, such as 'dominant contextualism', 'timeless fashion' and 'dynamic conservatism'. The towers are argued to be manifestations of the process Harvey calls creative destruction, a form of place destruction in which architectural practice is deeply implicated.


Cadmium (Cd) was administered for 12 months to female rats in drinking water at the concentration of 5 and 50 mg/l, and its effect on the structure and functions of the thyroid follicular cells was assessed. The function of the follicular cells was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4, and TSH. The structure of these cells was assessed under a light microscope. Cd, in spite of its low accumulation in the thyroid, damaged dose-dependently the structure and function of the thyroid follicular cells. At the exposure to 5 mg Cd/l, changes in their structure, but not in the function, were observed. However, the intoxication with 50 mg Cd/l led to both structural and functional damage. Our findings seem to suggest that people exposed to Cd can be at a risk of thyroid damage.


North Jiangxi area is located in the superimposed part of foreland nappe thrust zone of the southeast coast of Eurasian Contiental Plate and Yangzi and Precambrian Cathaysia Plates. The evolution and formation of nonferrous metal deposits have great potential as well as the following charateristics: multiple metallogenic superimposition , metallization being strongest in Yanshaninan,;zoning in "block and zone" type with ore alccumulating in deep fault zone of the block and zone margin; "oceanward" zoning along the foreland thrust fault zone; strike-slipe shearing and torsion and nappe structure controlling rocks and ores; mutiple magmatic formation and multiple ore-formation; the preferentiality of occurring and distributing environment of great ore deposits collecting zone being of characteristic of metallization.


Support vector machine(SVM) is a novel algorithm of machine learning based on statistical learning theory(SLT).SVM can better solve such practical problems as small samples,nonlinearity,high dimensionality and local minimization,which has become one of the concerns in machine learning world.The applications of SVM to the aspects such as fault diagnosis,transient stability classification,load forecast and harmonic analysis in power system are generalized in this article.In the meantime other potential aspects that SVM could be further applied to are presented here.


The superadditivity and subadditivity properties of certain composite functionals are investigated. Applications in re…ning Jensen's, Holder's, Minkowski's and Schwarz's inequalities are given. 1. Introduction Let X be a linear space. A subset C X is called a convex cone in X provided the following conditions hold: (i) x; y 2 C imply x+ y 2 C; (ii) x 2 C; 0 imply x 2 C: A functional h : C ! R is called superadditive (subadditive) on C if (iii) h (x+ y) ( )h (x) + h (y) for any x; y 2 C and nonnegative (strictly positive) on C if, obviously, it satis…es (iv) h (x) (>) 0 for each x 2 C: The functional h is s positive homogeneous on C; for a given s > 0; if (v) h ( x) = h (x) for any 0 and x 2 C: In [4] we obtained the following results concerning the quasilinearity of some composite functionals: Theorem 1. Let C be a convex cone in the linear space X and v : C ! (0;1) an additive functional on C: If h : C ! [0;1) is a superadditive (subadditive) functional on C and p; q 1 (0 < p; q < 1) then the functional (1.1) p;q : C ! [0;1) ; p;q (x) = h (x) v( 1 p ) (x) is superadditive (subadditive) on C: Theorem 2. Let C be a convex cone in the linear space X and v : C ! (0;1) an additive functional on C: If h : C ! [0;1) is a superadditive functional on C and 0 < p; q < 1 then the functional (1.2) p;q : C ! [0;1) ; p;q (x) = v( 1 p ) (x) hq (x) is subadditive on C: In [3], the following result was obtained as well: 1991 Mathematics Subject Classi…cation. 26D15;


The purpose of this paper is to identify which aspects regarding the use of apps through smartphones should be protected in order to secure privacy of users in Mexico. Despite the increasing number of smartphone users actual legislation is not efficiently protecting privacy of smartphones users. We identified that these aspects that are not protected are the outcomes of processing the bulk of personal data, such as profiles, biographies, classifications and ideas about the user, which can interfere with their privacy sphere. We propose that to adequately protect privacy; apps must provide users with additional information: they will have no control over the outcomes mentioned and will have the same minimum rights concerning personal data. However, users will have the right to know if a bulk of data is generating outcomes that could interfere on their privacy sphere. In this paper, we describe a theoretical solution to an actual problem that, in the future, will play a more complex role in privacy protection.


The author provides a thorough synthesis and evaluation of the multicultural provision in the Charter. He begins by exploring possible definitions of multiculturalism, deriving his concept from various academic disciplines as well as federal policies. The difficulty on settling for a comprehensive definition of multiculturalism is manifest in the mixed signals within both the federal government's Multiculturalism Policy of 1971 and the subsequent legislation, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. He then selectively surveys the judicial approaches taken to s. 27. Current treatment is sparse and any discussion of the multicultural section is largely subsumed in a general discussion of other sections of the Charter such as ss. 1 and 2. Through this survey, he demonstrates the limited, restricted reading of s. 27 accorded by the judiciary. Finally, the author considers the inherent limits of the section; he compares it to a similar provision in Quebec's human rights legislation, general liberal theory and possible conflicts between s. 27 and other precepts of Canadian society, specifically bilingualism. He concludes that s. 27 must be expanded within its negative role, protecting individual communities and individuals from the acts of others rather than being used as a tool to entrench positive or collective rights of ethnic groups.


The design and implementation of a infrared sequential image processing system based on multi-DSPs and PFGA is presented in this paper. The major parts of this paper put on the hardware construct, working theory of the system. The topology of multi-DSPs can be reconfigured in the system, so the system is able to map different algorithmic structures well to maximize the use of hardware resources and improve performance of the system. The experiment results show that the infrared image processing system can meet the demands of different parallel structure and obtain satisfactory effects on parallel image processing algorithms.


Abstract. The work of cultural heritage protection has risen to the national strategic level in China in recent years. More and more high and new technologies are applied in the fields of cultural relics and archaeology, heritage protection, etc., including the drone photography technology. Because the cultural protection industry has high requirements for the accuracy of reconstruction results, it puts forward higher requirements for the three-dimensional reconstruction of drones. In this paper, the factors affecting the reconstruction accuracy of the rotor unmanned opportunity are analyzed and summarized in the archaeological protection of cultural relics, and the technical integration of the oblique photography technology in archaeological work is carried out to improve the quality of modeling results.


Abstract : The objective of this research is to characterize combustion of high molecular weight hydrocarbon fuels and jet-fuels (in particular JP-8) and surrogates of jet-fuels in laminar non-uniform flows at elevated pressures up to 2.5 M Pa. Experimental and kinetic modeling studies were carried out. Measurements include critical conditions of extinction and autoignition, and flame structure. The scientific questions that were addressed and answered are (1) How does pressure influence the critical conditions of extinction and autoignition? (2) What surrogate best reproduces selected combustion characteristics of JP-8 at atmospheric and moderate pressure? (3) What are possible chemical kinetic mechanisms for these surrogates? (4) What is the influence of pressure on kinetic models. The concise answer to these questions are (1)With increasing pressure strain rates at extinction in general decrease. Autoignition temperature decrease with increasing pressure. A key observation that was not known prior to this work was that the influence of low-temperature chemistry increase with increasing pressure. (2)Surrogates of JP-8 were identified, (3) Chemical kinetic mechanisms were developed and tested. (4) Revisions were made to chemical kinetic mechanisms.


Disclosed herein transparent synthetic vitreous silica glass ingot hollow, the outer diameter of the hollow ingot is greater than 400 mm and an inner diameter greater than 300 mm. The ingot is substantially free of diameter greater than 100 microns bubbles and inclusions, the content of any single metal impurity is not more than 100 ppB, and the chlorine concentration of which contain less than 5ppM. Also disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing such an ingot, the method in the density greater than 0.4 g / cm 3 porous soot material is deposited on a mandrel oxidation resistant. Under vacuum or in the presence of a reducing gas in the material comprising the mandrel dehydrated soot body, the material include graphite, carbon fiber reinforced carbon, silicon carbide, silicon impregnated silicon carbide, silicon-coated graphite or vitreous silica, and then sintered under vacuum or non-porous transparent glass in an atmosphere of helium.


Conjugative plasmids have been frequently reported to carry a considerable variety of bacterial functional genes often coding for traits beneficial to the plasmid host. Transferable plasmids are mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that can transfer by conjugation or mobilization between bacterial cells of the same species or between different taxa. The ability to stably replicate in a host cell determines the replication range. Under rapidly changing environmental conditions plasmids foster the adaptation to stressful environments. The focus of this thesis was to investigate the response of bacterial communities to changing environmental conditions, and the studies showed that IncP-1 plasmid-mediated adaptation to changing environmental conditions is important for biofilter and rhizosphere bacteria. IncP-1 plasmids have a broad host range and transfer efficiently in soils and related habitats. IncP-1 plasmids have the ability to disseminate remarkably diverse functional genes (resistance to antibiotic and/or heavy metal, degradation of xenobiotics) by carrying, or mobilizing plasmids carrying, such genes via a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or the proliferation of IncP-1 carrying bacterial populations. Most of the studied IncP-1 plasmids were isolated from polluted environments. However, the role of IncP-1 plasmids in unpolluted soils was so far not studied. In this context, this thesis is providing insights into the presence, response, type, diversity and potential ecological role of IncP-1 plasmids in two different environments known to be hot spots for HGT. First, on-farm bio-purification systems (BPSs) are an efficient, applicable, simple and low-cost method used by the farmers to treat pesticide-contaminated wastewater through biodegradation and sorption processes. Recently it was shown for on-farm BPSs that during the agricultural season the abundance of IncP-1 plasmids in BPS material increased and the dynamic changes of the composition of different IncP-1 plasmids were revealed by trfA amplicon sequencing. The increase of IncP-1 plasmids seemed to correlate with increasing pesticide concentration. In this thesis microcosm experiments were performed with BPS material where the phenylurea herbicide linuron was added or not. Cultivation-independent methods were used to study the dynamic response of BPS bacterial communities to the addition of linuron. Total community DNA (TC-DNA) extracted from BPS samples taken at different time points after the linuron addition was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR or by PCR amplification of degradative genes and subsequent Southern blot hybridization. In addition, plasmids were captured in socalled exogenous biparental matings into P. putida as a recipient. The experimental design allowed to demonstrate the link between the presence of linuron and the abundance of IncP-1 plasmids and genes coding for enzymes involved in the degradation of linuron (chapters II and III). In three transconjugants the presence of hylA gene was revealed. Second, the ecology of IncP-1 plasmid in the rhizosphere of three different crops grown under greenhouse conditions in the same soil type was investigated. We could confirm by qPCR the recently reported observation that in the rhizosphere of field-grown lettuce IncP-1 plasmids were enriched. In contrast, the increased relative abundance of IncP-1 plasmids was less pronounced in the rhizosphere of tomato and hardly detectable in potato plants (chapters IV and V). Based on the ability to mobilize IncQ plasmids, numerous IncP-1 plasmids were captured in a so-called triparental mating directly from rhizosphere bacteria. Transconjugants were selected based on the markers of the IncQ plasmid but most of the transconjugants also carried IncP-1 plasmids. The cultivation-independent methods used in this thesis (DGGE, pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments, amplicon pyrosequencing of IncP-1 trfA genes, qPCR, PCR and/or Southern blot hybridization) allowed us to explore the dynamics of populations bearing IncP-1 plasmids in the TC-DNA of tested samples. The results presented in this thesis revealed that the IncP-1 plasmids bearing populations are remarkably dynamic in response not only to the introduction of xenobiotic compounds but also to plant root exudates providing evidence of the importance of IncP-1 plasmids in bacterial adaptation to both man-made and root exudates. Almost all IncP-1 subgroups were presented in all tested samples while IncP-1β subgroup showed a notably stronger response. We showed for the first time the high diversity of IncP-1 plasmids (particularly IncP-1β subgroup) regarding the rhizosphere of naturally grown lettuce and tomato plants but not for potato. Additionally, different plants might harbor populations bearing different IncP-1 plasmids even if they were grown in the same soil type. However, these results suggest the plant rhizosphere as a fertile source for novel functional MGEs.
Upon author request this thesis is available as printed version only.


In this note I should like to stress the significance of the study by Di Vesta and Walls (1967), say a few words of caution regarding their data, qualify some of their conclusions, and suggest that functional fixedness studies, when viewed from a broader perspective than transfer theory, have important epistemological as well as psychological implications. In slighting transfer theory per se, I am questioning neither the validity nor fruitfulness of this perspective.


As noted above, 3D imaging on an SEM requires two images, corresponding to the parallax of the human eyes. While there are some different ways in which these stereoscopic images can be obtained, the most common are: (1) tilting the sample to acquire images from different angles (stage tilting), and (2) changing the direction of the incident electron beam to acquire images from different angles (electron beam tilting).


See related article, pages 574–581

Aortic aneurysms are progressive enlargements of the aorta that can lead to life-threatening degenerative changes in the structure of the artery wall including medial dissections and wall rupture. The abdominal aorta is the most common site of aneurysm formation, yet the ascending thoracic aorta can also exhibit aneurysmal expansion with potentially dire outcomes. Ascending aortic aneurysms are frequently associated with connective tissue diseases such as Marfan's syndrome, a disorder of the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1.1 Mouse models carrying hypomorphic mutations in fibrillin-1 also develop aortic dilations associated with macrophage infiltration, elastin fragmentation, and enhanced transforming growth factor (TGF)β signaling in the artery wall.2 Aortic aneurysms in fibrillin-1 hypomorphic mice can be prevented by treatment with either anti-TGFβ neutralizing antibodies or with the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan.3 Indeed, chronic infusion of Ang II into apoE −/− mice is an effective experimental model to induce aortic aneurysm formation and to study the molecular pathways underlying its pathogenesis.4

Ang II signals through 2 types of angiotensin receptors, AT1 and AT2.5 AT2 receptors have been shown to elicit antiproliferative responses in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), possibly by antagonism of signaling through AT1 receptors.5 In mice, the AT1 receptor exists as 2 subtypes, AT1a and AT1b, and both receptor subtypes are expressed in the artery wall. The receptor that mediates angiotensin-induced contractile responses in vascular smooth muscle is predominantly the AT1b subtype.6 The AT1 receptor subtype that mediates aortic aneurysm formation has been unknown. In a study that appears in this issue of Circulation Research , Rateri et al used a series of mouse models to genetically dissect the process of Ang II–induced aneurysm …


Two field experiments were carried out at El-Dalangat district, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt during two successive winter seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, to evaluate the efficiency of post-emergence herbicides: Clodimex (clodinafop-propargyl 24% EC),Pallas (pyroxsulam 4.5% OD), Skylla (tribenuron-methyl 75% WG) at their recommended rates or at reduced rates without adjuvants or in combination with Argal at 0.2% v/v and Techno oil at 0.3% v/v adjuvants in combination with clodinafop-propargyl + tribenuron-methyl at half recommended rate combined with Argal or Techno oil adjuvants and hand weeding at 25 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) for controlling predominant weeds in wheat crop compared to unweeded check. The results indicated that the dominant weed species in the experimental wheat field were, two grassy weeds, Phalaris minor and Eragrostis ciliagensis, and six broad-leaved weeds: Malva parviflora, Sonchus oleraceus, Coronopus squamatus, Rumex dentatus, Anagallis arvensis and Medicago polymorpha during the both seasons. In addition, Eclipta alba weed was found only in the second season. Results also showed that all herbicidal treatments significantly decreased the total weed biomass compared to the unweeded check 60 and 90 DAS. Among herbicidal treatments applied, pyroxsulam herbicide at ¾ of recommended rate with Argal recorded the highest weed control efficiency against grassy and broad-leaved weeds followed by pyroxsulam treated plots at ¾ of recommended rate combined with Techno oil 60 and 90 DAS throughout the two studiedseasons. On the other hand, regardless of application rates or adjuvants, tribenuron-methyl and clodinafop-propargyl seemed to be the least effective treatments against the total weeds 60 and 90 DAS during the both seasons in comparison with unweeded plots. The maximum increase in wheat grain yield was observed in pyroxsulam treated plots at ¾ recommended rate with Argal or Techno oil combinations. It could be concluded that the addition of Argal or Techno oil to herbicides spray solutions at reduced rates especially at ¾ of the recommended rate resulted in enhancing the herbicidal activity against weeds and increasing wheat grain yield.


The scheme for design a multi-channel IF digital receiver for DBF system radar is introduced in this paper. The analog I/Q demodulation is replaced by direct IF sampling and digital I/Q demodulation. The key technique of LVDS is used to solve the problem of high-speed multi-channel data transmission in the DBF system radar .The key design techniques of the receiver are analyzed in detail .The test results are also given in the paper.


Effect of temperature was studied at six constant temperatures i.e. 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36°C and for four generations. The duration of different developmental stages of Bactrocera dorsalis varied as a function of temperature. The developmental time from egg to adult was inversely proportional to temperature. The total duration from egg to adult emergence varied from 96 days to 14 days at 16 to 36°C respectively. Temperatures less than 16°C and more than 36°C were detrimental to adults as they not survive at 36°C while at 16°C though adults survived they failed to oviposit. There is a tendency for fruit flies to shift to newer niches of cooler climes that will record a rise in the fruit flies infestation on crops. The fruit flies were not drastically affected up to 570 ppm and so with excess CO2 no mitigation is warranted but the larvae developed faster with short duration in 380 ppm and 570ppm and there was a change in calling behaviour of either sex due to which the circadian rhythm with respect to time of mating was altered.


The development of application system encounters strict challenge against distributed and heterogeneous computing enviorment. The paper introduces the developing procedures and technical features of Microsoft component technology. Especially, the COM+ technology will bring great benefits for the future system development.


Abstract : Theoretical and experimental studies on the activities of nonspecific and specific projection systems hidden in the electroencephalogram were conducted from the standpoint of the random proc ess in a stochastic servosystem. It was verified that EEG activity (frequency response) is not only equivalent to the excitability cycle of an excitable system, but to an extension of the spectral sensitivity curve of the visual system and response area of the auditory system. Cerebral EEG activities were elicited by centro median and midbrain reticular stimulation of low frequency. A high frequency reticular stimula tion, by which electrocortical arousal was in duced in EEG, followed an inhibitory and aug mentative processes to reduce and enhance re spectively the flicker activity of low frequency. It was inferred from the above theoretical and experimental results that servomechanic roles of nonspecific and specific projection systems are capable of observing in the EEG activities. On the same roles in the descending reticular system, some theoretical and experimental evi dences were demonstrated in the myotonographic (MT) activity.


I show how distinct derivational suffixes change the meaning of the numerals which they combine with. I describe four classes of Czech numerals and their inner semantic make-up. The analysis uses formal semantic frameworks of Landman (2000) and Chierchia (1998).


The analysis performed in this study focused on the hunting management of
 wild boar in the hunting ground "Dulenska reka", as well as on the impact of
 knowledge of the species and its monitoring in the field, which can lead to
 an incredible difference in hunting management The aim of this study was to
 analyze wild boar management and determine the differences between the
 variables used to calculate population dynamics. For the purposes of the
 analysis, data from planning documents and professional literature were
 used, and the calculations of population dynamics were performed in Excel.
 The results indicate that the number of wild boar in the hunting ground is
 increasing, and the consequence of different sizes in the calculations of
 population dynamics as well as the mismatch of planned and realized shooting
 can be the reasons that directly affect population growth.


A new technology of utilizing alumstone comprehensively by thermal decomposition has been developed. Processing of alumstone by dehydration and decomposition at high temperature can not only improve the decomposition rate of alumstone, but guarantee the activity of aluminum oxide; Segregating aluminum from silicon by acid fusion can ensure the extraction rate of aluminum oxide, and settle the problem of equipment corrosion effectively as well. The result shows that alumstone was roasted at 900 ℃ for 20 minutes, then through wet processing, and the extraction rates of potassium oxide and aluminum oxide were both reach 95% above.


The essence of this paper is to formulate the delay factor in transmitting a data unit from source to destination with multiple opinion regarding shorter, shortest path and the traffic using Geographic Information System. The feasible paths are diagnose with shortest path Algorithm and verified using genetic Algorithm. The proposed shortest path algorithm detects the shortest path with other possible shorter paths form source to destination, and implemented with developed formulae to calculate the delay factors in the transmitting media. Selection and connection between nodes are done with Geographic Information System. Transfer of packets through medium, transfer of liquid into pipelines and transfer of goods over different medium (rail, road and air) requires faster modes of communication with reducing delay factor. In the run of multiplicity algorithms like dijkstra's provides a single channel from source to destination. But the proposed algorithm, not only provide multiple option but also calculates the possible delay in the network. The proposed algorithm is equated with dijkstra's algorithm and results obtained are acceptable. Simulated results are formulated using Matlab. The result assures the experimental potency of the algorithm and the work.


New Mg-Zn-Al-Ca based alloys are evaluated for possible application at elevated temperatures. The as-cast microstructures of these alloys show that the amount of eutectic compounds increases with an increase in Zn+Al content, and the compounds are found to be mainly Mg 32 (Al,Zn) 49 or MgZn. High temperature tensile strength and 0.2% proof strength increase with an increase in the amount of compounds. The creep properties of the alloys are far superior to those of conventional die-cast AZ91D alloy. However, the presence of soft Mg 17 Al 12 compound deteriorates the creep properties of high Al containing alloys.


--The present article deals with important investigations and developments of some new probabilistic measures of information based upon certain standard statistical constants. The findings of our investigations have been illustrated graphically as well as analytically.