The orchestral conductor stands elevated on a podium commanding the most prestigious musical organization in Western culture. As Elias Canetti observed, "there is no more obvious expression of power than the performance of a conductor." This display of power conflicts with traditional views of women and may explain why conducting remains "the last male bastion" in musical life. Like the gendering of genius, the "maestro myth" is male. Jorge Mester, a conducting teacher at Juilliard when JoAnn Falletta became the first woman to earn a doctorate in orchestral conducting there in 1989, identified "forceful personality and charisma" as key elements, in addition to skill, for a major career. These traits are conventionally identified with men and put women conductors in a double bind. Andrea Quinn notes that women conductors "need to get results by persuasion. It's pointless trying to throw your weight around. Coming from a man, that can be seen as authoritative. From a woman, it's just considered bossy." Despite a host of obstacles, however, women have long been conductors. Early women conductors The earliest description of a baton conductor (in 1594) is of a woman, though like many early-twentieth-century women conductors, "the Maestra" at the convent in San Vito in Ferrara leads an all-women ensemble. Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805–47) conducted a mixed ensemble of men and women, but only in a private setting. Hensel began conducting her own large choral-orchestral works at private salons ( Sonntagsmusik ) in the early 1830s while her brother Felix developed a public conducting career.


Error rates are computed for a binary data transmission system subject to both Gaussian and impulse noise. The rates are displayed as a function of \lambdaT , where T is the signal duration and λ-1is the average time between noise pulses. Poisson-distributed impulse noise and periodically recurring noise pulse clusters are considered. Error rates are computed for cases in which 2 per cent, 5 per cent, 10 per cent, 30 per cent, 50 per cent and 100 per cent of the total noise power is impulse noise power, and for signal-to-noise ratios that would give error rates of 10^{-4}, 10^{-5}, 10^{-6} and 10-7if the noise were 100 per cent Gaussian. A linear receiver and correlator are assumed and the assumption about the distribution of the correlator output caused by impulse noise is varied to illustrate how this assumption affects the error rate. Stretch transformations are used to modify the error rate curves presented according to system and noise pulse-width parameters. Simple graphical techniques are described for the construction of approximate error rate curves. The computed error rates illustrate, for data transmission systems subject to impulsive interference, the reduction in error rate that can be realized by increasing the signal duration. The simultaneous transmission of orthogonal signals is discussed. This makes it possible to use signals having a long duration without reducing the data rate or causing intersignal interference; this can be done without requiring additional bandwidth.


Twenty-seven patients with urolithiasis and twenty-three normal subjects comprised this study. They were kept on an oxalate-free diet for 48 hr prior to and during urine collection to rule out any dietary influence on oxaluria. 24-hr urine samples were collected for oxalic acid estimation. After this all the patients received Cystone, 2 tabs. t.i.d. for 8 weeks. The above procedures were repeated at 4 and 8 weeks. After Cystone therapy a marked reduction in oxaluria was noted in those with high initial values. This is of significance since it is known that hyperoxaluria is an important aetiological factor for urolithiasis.


1 From the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment, 101 Merrimac St, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02114-4724, and the Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (M.T.B., E.W., G.S.G.); and Department of Health Policy and Management (G.S.G.), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass. Received December 19, 2003; revision requested February 25, 2004; revision received April 8; accepted May 24. Sponsored in part by a grant from the American College of Radiology. Address correspondence to G.S.G.


The invention discloses a measurement mechanism for lateral deformation of a pressure chamber of a true triaxial apparatus. The pressure chamber of the true triaxial apparatus is formed by a pressure chamber base, pressure chamber lateral walls and a pressure chamber top cover. Four pressure cavities are symmetrically distributed in the pressure chamber, and an emulsion membrane is respectively arranged in the four pressure cavities, and four emulsion membranes are respectively connected with an external pressure source and respectively form flexible hydraulic capsules after being filled withliquid. Lateral displacement measurement guide rods are radially and horizontally arranged in the four pressure cavities in a penetrating mode. One ends of the lateral displacement measurement guide rods penetrate through the corresponding emulsion membranes to be fixedly provided with vertical inner end plates which are flushed with the outer surfaces of the flexible hydraulic capsules, the other ends of the lateral displacement measurement guide rods extend out of the pressure chamber to be respectively connected with an electronic dial indicator. The measurement mechanism for the lateral deformation of the pressure chamber of the true triaxial apparatus is suitable for the true triaxial apparatus with axial rigidity loading and lateral flexible loading, and accurate measurement on the lateral deformation through the true triaxial apparatus is achieved.


This study examined individual differences in exposure to daily stressors and self-reported changes in memory among older adults. A sample of 87 older adults completed measures of daily stressful experiences, negative affect (NA), cognitive interference (CI), and rated their memory compared to six months ago. Results indicated that more frequent exposure to daily stressors was associated with rating one's memory to be worse compared to six months prior. Furthermore, CI, but not NA partially mediated this association. The findings highlight CI as a psychological pathway for understanding the links between daily stress and perceptions of memory and cognition in old age.


First, we give an overview of the most common degradation models. We describe in more detail two degradation models where the first one is based on a Wiener process and the second one is assumed to be generated by a position-dependent marking of a doubly stochastic Poisson process. A failure occurs when the degradation reaches a given level first time. Some characteristics of these processes are described.

Keywords:

degradation process;
Wiener process;
marked point process, doubly stochastic Poisson process, position-dependent marking;
failure time


Wheat yield and water productivity can be improved by sowing on beds with balanced seed rate. The present study was conducted during rabi seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 at the experimental area of Water Management Research Centre, PARS, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, to investigate three seed rates (100, 130, and 160 kg/ha) and three sowing methods (broadcasting, drill sowing, bed planting) for better yield and water productivity of wheat. It was concluded that wheat sowing under bed planting showed better results with highest plant height (92.358 cm), numbers of tillers (294.17), numbers of grains per spike (42.5), 1000 grain weight (35.338 g), grain yield (3941.8 kg/ ha) and water productivity (2.3028 kg/m3), while these parameters were observed as the lowest under broadcasting among all treatments. Moreover, wheat on beds produced 13% more yield and saved 35% water in comparison to that under broadcasting. The results regarding seed rate revealed that the highest grain yield (4,117.1 kg/ha)...


A shared aperture antenna resonating at two sub-6 GHz fRequencies with frequency ratio 1.4 is proposed. A hybrid metasurface constituting two different types of band-stop FSS unit cells resonating at the same frequencies as that of the antenna is placed below it for simultaneous 4 dB gain enhancement of each antenna element at the resonant frequencies. Isolation of more than 35 dB is obtained in both the frequency bands. Equivalent circuit models of the bandstop FSSs have been proposed to explain their physical operation. The two antenna elements have been fed differently for minimising the isolation between them. The first antenna has a CPW feed line. The second antenna has a microstrip feed line. Compared to other existing works, the proposed design is compact and low profile having an aperture size of 50 mm by 52 mm, which makes it suitable for applications of dual sub-6 5 G frequency bands 3–4 GHz and 4.9–5.4 GHz. A prototype of the proposed shared aperture antenna integrated with the hybrid metasurface has been fabricated and measured as a proof of concept. Measured results are in close agreement with the full-wave simulated results.


A large number of medications are available in Canada and a much larger number of Canadians have difficulty affording them. Provincial formularies list thousands of medications available to individuals receiving social assistance; the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary, for example, contains more than


We consider in this paper the physical layer security of multi-pair communication in massive MIMO aided amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying, where an eavesdropper (Eve) may intercept the information intended to any of the destinations. We derive closed-form deterministic equivalents of the end-to-end signal to interference-plus-noise ratios of legitimate users and Eve. We assume that the AF processing as well as the artificial noise generated at the relay are based on the imperfect channel state information of both hops. A particular result of the asymptotic analysis shows that by simply increasing the transmit power at the sources or relay the reachable security is limited by an upper bound. Nevertheless, the security can be strongly improved with a low-complexity power control at the relay, whose performance is evaluated in simulations.


Air pollution in urban areas has increased, it was characterized by a growing number of transportations, industrials and power plants. This study has calculated exposure concentrations were received in an area within 500 m of the emission source using analytical formulas Gaussian Plume. Further studies on the relationship between mixing height and dilution of air pollutants at a certain height from the surface has been done. Outcomes of the research is the effective stack height data, ambient air temperature data, and the data pollutant concentration at a height of 200 m, 300 m, 400 m and 500 m. Description of analysis shows the behavior of pollutants after coming out from the stack is able to reach the area mixing height and perfectly diluted pollutants.


When the traditional uplift pile withstands lateral load,the pile body concrete under the condition which stretches is carried on,Without bear big load,the body concrete of uplift-pile already had the tension failure to produce the crevasse and cause the pile body steel bar structure the rust eclipse destruction.The prestress uplift pile effectively improved the ordinary uplift pile body structure,can fully display the uplift pile bearing capacity,has solved the problem which is ordinary uplift pile cannot solve.The part-bonding is one method to solve how to exert the pre-stress on the uplift pile.Through the load experiment of the part-bonding prestress uplift pile to understand the body's stress situation,which provide the reliable experimental basis for further enhance the stress mechanism analysis of prestress uplift pile.


Given two datasets of points (called Query and Training), the Group (K) Nearest Neighbor (GNN) query retrieves (K) points of the Training dataset with the smallest sum of distances to every point of the Query one. This spatial query has been studied during the recent years and several performance improving techniques and pruning heuristics have been proposed. But this is the first time a parallel and distributed algorithm, using the MapReduce programming framework, is ever used. In this work, we present a multi phased algorithm, consisting of alternating local and parallel phases, which can be used to effectively process the GNN query when the Query dataset fits in memory, but the Training one belongs to the Big Data category. We make use of some of the pruning heuristics and effective calculation techniques of the literature, as well as different indexing methods and finally perform some comparative benchmarks with several datasets.


Decision tree has been successfully applied to many of the classification issue,ID3 is the representative algorithm.Gives an instance study for ID3 completing the classification of banks forecast,presents the principle and implementation of the ID3 algorithm and analyses the reason and classification of the loss of bank clients.Also explains concretely the approach of how to use ID3 to forecast the loss of bank clients in detail,for instance,data sampling,data analyzing,model getting and model explaining.At the end,gets a model from which by picking up rules helps the bank forecast the loss of clients.


Procambium was initially isolated near the insertions of lemma and stamen primordia in the grass Anthoxanthum. The palea was initiated before its procambium. The acropetal, continuous differentiation of procambium involved in the siting of leaves on shoots of many other megaphyllous plants, does not occur in the rachilla of this grass. A portion of the vascular system of the fertile floret of Anthoxanthum became connected with the vascular system of the rest of the spikelet by basipetal differentiation of the procambial trace of the fertile lemma. A core of residual meristem persisted in the fertile floret above the procambial trace to the fertile lemma. Vascular continuity between the procambial trace to the fertile lemma and the procambial traces of the stamens was achieved by the differentiation of procambium from this core of residual meristem. PRimARY VASCULAR development in shoots stimulates controversy and research among anatomists. Although the range of study and argument is wide, much centers on whether procambium differentiates continuously and


The objective of this paper is to determine the extent to which the role of trade associations  influence the development of entrepreneurial frame work conditions in Nigeria's transport industry. To do this, survey research method was adopted for the study and questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. A random of one hundred and forty four (144) trade associations in Nigeria's transport industry were selected for the study out of a population of two hundred and twenty four (244) trade associations  with  eight  hundred  and  seventy three (873) respondents . For completeness, a sample of six hundred and fifty seven (657) respondents from related organizations were included in the study. A total of one thousand, three hundred and seventy seven (1377) copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents. The data collected were measured in a 5-point Likert scale with a Hypothesized mean of 3.00.  Hypothesis was tested with the aid of two sample Z test at 0.05 level of significance. The data analysis showed that mean scores for the effect of pro-competitive and anti-competitive role of trade associations on the development of entrepreneurial frame work conditions in Nigeria's transport industry are 1.8796 and 4.5157 respectively. The z-calculated value for differences in the two mean scores was 167.1661 with significance (one tail) probability of < 0.0001which is less than 0.05. Thus the test was significant at 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). Consequently we conclude that the effect of anti-competitive roles is significantly higher than that of precompetitive role of trade associations on the development of entrepreneurial framework conditions in Nigeria's transport industry. In this light, it was recommended that government measures should aim at simultaneously inhibiting the growth of anti-competitive role while  promoting pro competitive role among the trade associations in Nigerian Transport Industry. Key words : Trade Associations, Nigeria, Transport, Entrepreneurial framework conditions.


The aim of this research work was to compare the results of two methods to estimate aboveground biomass by using field spectrometer data: (i) Partial least squares regression (PLSR), and (ii) linear regression applied to the Maximum Band Depth (MBD) and Area Over the Minimum (AOM) indices. In both cases different regions of the spectrum were transformed by Continuum Removal (CR). Since the results using PLSR (R2=0.920, RMSE=3.622 g/m2) were similar to the results achieved by the indices (R2=0.915, RMSE=3.615 g/m2 for AOM), using the indices derived from CR is recommended, since their interpretation is easier than the PLS output.


Research indicates that many errors in secondary school mathematics can be attributed to lack of understanding of decimal place value. Recently it has been suggested that this arises from an underlying weakness in integer place value concepts and perception of multidigit numbers in unitary terms rather than base ten, multi‐unit structures. Development of place value and multidigit number concepts was examined in individual interviews with 262 primary school pupils, aged between 7 and 12 years, using subjects' concrete representations of written numerals and associated verbal explanations. Almost all the children had some understanding of integer place value; most older children had multi‐unit concepts of three‐ or four‐digit numbers; but two‐digit numbers, especially values of 20 or less, were frequently perceived in terms of units by all age groups. This was particularly common for the value ten where 55% of subjects displayed unitary concepts. Implications for understanding and teaching decimal place va...


Aim:  Alpha (α)‐actinins are located in the skeletal muscle Z‐line and form actin–actin cross‐links. Mammalian skeletal muscle has two isoforms: α‐actinin‐2 and α‐actinin‐3. However, the response of α‐actinin to exercise training is little understood. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of exercise training on the expression level of two α‐actinin isoforms in skeletal muscles.


Recently, in southern California, I collecte d a mature male of Prodidomus rufus Hentz 1847; this is an extremely rare find . The family was erected by Hentz based on an immature P . rufus from Alabama (Hentz 1847 , 1875) ; no additional mention of this spider was made until Banks (1892) collected several more immature specimens from Louisiana . I t was many years later before the first mature female (Bryant 1935) and mature male (Bryant 1949) were described, both specimens being collected in Texas . When the subfamil y Prodidominae was reviewed by Cooke (1964) , these two specimens were the only known mature P. rufus spiders . Although members o f the subfamily Prodidominae are distributed worldwide, they are sparsely represented in collections . In Cooke's review of 11 genera and approximately 40 species, he states "remarkably few specimens of this family have been collected, probably less than 200 individuals" . Inquiries made to major Nort h American collections, as well as to several arachnologists in the southern US, revealed fe w mature specimens of P . rufus . Other than the mature specimens described by Bryant, only one other mature male from Cuba has been collected (Alayon Garcia 1992) and only thre e mature females are known : two from California and one from Texas (N . Platnick pers . comm .) A mature P. rufus male was collected on 27 May 1995 at 2200 h in Riverside, California (Riverside County: 14 mi . W Sycamore Canyon Park (R . S. Vetter)) as it was activel y moving about . The remarkable securing of this rare spider was juxtaposed by the banality of the collection locale : the bathroom countertop in the author's second-story apartment . This male agrees with the one described in Bryant (1949) with a few minor variations in somatic features . The Texas male is 3 mm long whereas this recently collected male i s 4.5 mm in overall length (not including the chelicerae) . Measurements for the Riversid e specimen which are commensurate with those taken by Bryant (1949) are : cephalothorax (2 .0 mm long, 1 .5 mm wide), abdomen (2 . 5 mm long, 1 .7 mm wide) and palpus (2 .5 mm long) . Two mature female P . rufus (previously unreported) have also been found in California : Imperial County : (1 mi. W Harper's Well, Sa n Felipe Creek, 7 November 1968 (M . E . Irwin , P. A. Roach)) . Kings County: (Kettleman Hills, 4 February 1994, under rocks an d boards (W. H. Tyson)) . Although the predominant pantropic habitat for Prodidomus is hot , dry desert, some species have been collected in damp forest (Cooke 1964) . The most common collection site for several species is fro m underneath rocks while others are synanthropic with the dubious habitat of the African P . domesticus Lessert 1938 given as "leper' s huts" (Cooke 1964) . Regarding this most recently collected P. rufus, the landscaping of the Riverside collection site consists of an abundance of tall broad-leafed trees (eucalyptus, sycamore, alder) and grassy areas with th e neighboring property being other apartment complexes and a chaparral-dominated xeric natural park. The majority of synanthropi c spiders collected inside the author's domicil e have consisted of gnaphosids, clubionids an d pholcids . In the past, the Prodidomidae has been associated taxonomically with the Gnaphosida e due to gross morphological similarities (i .e . , enlarged, well-separated spinnerets) but wa s revalidated to family rank by Platnick (1990)


A quasilinear model for the evolution of the 2XIIB mirror experiment is presented and shown to reproduce the time evolution of the experiment. From quasilinear theory it follows that the energy lifetime is the Spitzer electron drag time for T/sub e/ approximately less than 0.1T/sub i/. By computing the stability boundary of the DCLC mode, with warm plasma stabilization, the electron temperature is predicted as a function of radial scale length. In addition, the effect of finite length corrections to the Alfven cyclotron mode is assessed.


The invention provides a display and a method of outputting power generated thereby. The display comprises a switching type power supplier and a display panel having a plurality of pixels. The method of outputting power generated by the display comprises the steps of receiving data of the plurality of pixels; adjusting the switching type power supplier based on the pixels and generating power output; delivering the generated power to the display panel.


Three new [dithiazolylium]x[M(tdas)2] salts are reported (tdas = 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dithiole). Single-crystal X-ray structures have been obtained for [BDTA]2[Fe(tdas)2Cl] (1) and [BDTA]2[Ni(tdas)2] (2) (BDTA = benzo-1,3,2-dithiazolyl). These are the first examples of integrated anion-cation stacking motifs for [M(tdas)2]x− complexes, as well as the first example of a nondimerized [Fe(tdas)2]− material. [BBDTA][Fe(tdas)2] (3) (BBDTA = benzo-bis-1,3,2-dithiazolyl) is also reported, and the magnetic properties of (1) and (3) have been analyzed, showing (1) to be paramagnetic and (3) to have a mixture of dimer and Curie–Weiss behaviour.


Magnetron sputtering was used to deposit a thin film of lanthanum hexaboride for cathode structures. The chemistry of the coatings was studied with x‐ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The work function and electron emission characteristics of the coating have been studied in a diode test cell using tungsten and rhenium as substrates and controls. After optimization of sputtering parameters such as sample bias, forward power, base pressure, and argon flow rates, coatings were obtained with a work function of 2.4–2.6 eV. At 1200 K, the emission density of a lanthanum hexaboride coated tungsten filament was 8.8 mA/cm2 while the emission density of a clean tungsten filament was 9.7×10−12 A/cm2. Coated tungsten filaments ran over 1000 h without any reduction in the emission current in a vacuum of 10−7 Torr. Coated filaments were flexed with moderate severity without microcracking, spalling, or a detectable difference in emission characteristics. After an initia...


Basement fault is an associated structure with the basin.The deposition in a basin and the tectonic style as well as the distribution of resources are determined by basement faults.On the basis of 2-minute Free Air Gravity anomaly database in the Southeast Hainan Basin of the South China Sea,the Bouguer anomaly is obtained after topography correction and Bouguer correction.The gravity horizontal gradient vector data are obtained from the analysis of the Bouguer anomaly.We are able to find 48 basement faults in the basin using the gravity horizontal gradient vector data,which are divided into three ranks,in-cluding five first rank faults,eight second rank faults,and 35 third rank faults.Comparing these findings with the results using other geological and geophysical methods such as seismic profiles,we find all results are consistent in terms of the main tec-tonic structure.However,the gravity horizontal gradient vector method has the advantages of being inexpensive,easy,and intuitive.


Legend has it and corporate memory supports the claim that the SEDAAG Southern Studies Committee bears a special distinction within the Association of American Geographers (AAG). Our Southern Studies Committee is the oldest continuing Standing Committee of the AAG. Its roots lie in the research strengths of the Division's membership that so long dominated the annual meeting program and the pages of the Southeastern Geographer. Committee membership almost exclusively has been restricted to those whose research interests focus on the rural, agricultural, cultural, or historical geography of the South. Early annual meeting programs show that a paper session usually was devoted to the state of the host institution, and in 1 949 there was a session entitled "Studies in Southern Physical and Regional Geography." Minutes of the seventh annual business meeting in the 1952 Memorandum Folio reveals that Fraser Hart, Chair of the Southern Studies Committee, exhorted the membership to "do all they could to stimulate research" (p. v). The Committee sponsors a Southern Studies Session at each annual meeting, and it often served as the plenary session during the 1970s and 1980s. It sometimes was scheduled as part of the opening activities on Sunday evening and usually was followed by a social hour. On occasion, it was held on Monday morning. Presenters, discussants, and attendees looked forward to the papers and anticipated what often became spirited debate. People came early to assure themselves a seat. The Committee distributed the papers delivered in the Southern Studies Session in proceedings on at least two occasions. Beginning in 1971, the Committee compiled at least six bibliographies entitled Publications Pertaining to the Southern United States. These included citations for research on the South completed by SEDAAG members. The last issue was distributed in 1986.


Study Design The present study illustrates a rare case of ependymoma of the spinal cord Objectives An encapsulated intradural extramedullary ependymome of the cervicothoracic spinal cord in a 24-year-old woman is reported. Summary of Background Data Ependymoma is a glial tumor arising in the central nervous system. Intradural extramedullary ependymoma of the spinal cord is rare, and two cases were reported previously. Methods The woman presented with myelopathy below C6. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural tumor from C4 to T3 and no other lesion in the central nervous system. At surgery, the extramedullary tumor apparently was not attached to the spinal cord or dura mater. Gross total removal was easily achieved under the operating microscope. Results Histologic examination revealed the encapsulated tumor as an anaplastic ependymoma. Almost complete neurologic recovery was obtained. Conclusion The encapsulated appearance, lack of an apparent attachment to the central nervous system, and absence of signs of the primary neoplastic process within the brain or spinal cord suggested that the tumor arose from ectopic ependymal cells.


AbstractCulture plays an important role in Arab Middle East society. Its unique historical, social, and religious traditions require special attention to cultural traits in the exercise of authority, control, and interaction. However, little research has investigated the effects of national culture on the management practices of construction companies. This research investigates this relationship through a questionnaire survey and interviews of a sample of construction companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It solicits views about the type of and experiences concerning the effect of the key national and cultural dimensions on adopted management practices. The research demonstrates that construction companies within the UAE construction industry have developed and adopted a unique management style that is a mixture of Western and Eastern management applications. These companies have primarily adopted a clan culture that emphasizes the development of human resources, flexibility, decentralization, tea...


A method to establish the diet of goats in ligneous environments is needed. Twelve Damascus yearlings were subjected to 12 test periods in which days 1-7 were for adaptation, intake was recorded on days 8-10 and faeces were grab-sampled on days 9-10, resulting in 143 pairs of diets and faeces. Diets consisted of hay and concentrate given in different ratios (n = 60), or combinations of three species browsed by goats (Pistacia lentiscus, Phyllirea latifolia, and Pinus Brutia) and concentrate (n = 83). Faeces were scanned in the 1, 100-2, 500 nm range by aid of a Near Infrared Spectrometer. Chemical and botanical percentage (% of DM) and actual (g/d) intake values were then fitted to reflectance values. Values for R2 and the standard error of cross validation (SECV), used as estimates of calibration quality for component percentages were: CP, 0.98, 0.5; NDF, 0.94, 1.5; in vitro DMD, 0.98, 2.0; PEG-binding tannin, 0.96, 1.0; hay, 0.99, 5.5; concentrate, 0.95, 4.5; total browse, 0.97, 6.1; P. lentiscus, 0.95, 7.1; P. latifolia, 0.94, 7.0; and P. brutia, 0.95, 6.5. Values for R2 and SECV of intake (g/d) were: DM, 0.83, 126; CP, 0.75, 12; NDF, 0.79, 56; in vitro digestible DM, 0.74, 58; PEG-binding tannin, 0.92, 20; hay, 0.97, 67; concentrate, 0.95, 41; total browse, 0.87, 180; P. lentiscus, 0.93, 106; P. latifolia, 0.85, 194; and P. brutia, 0.85, 151. Chemical composition (% DM) can be predicted from faeces spectra as accurately as from direct analyses of feeds. Predictions of nutrient and botanical intake (g/d) are less accurate but still relevant for monitoring purposes.


This study aims to describe the application of STAD type cooperative learning that can improve mathematics learning outcomes of eighth-grade students of SMPN 12 Malang. This type of research is a PTK Kemmis & Mc Taggart model with qualitative consisting of two cycles. This research was conducted in class VIII-A of SMPN 12 Malang which was held by 30 students. Based on the research, STAD type cooperative learning steps are obtained that can improve mathematics learning outcomes of VIII grade students of SMPN 12 Malang, namely (1) Class presentations, teachers do apperception and encourage through question and answer and worksheets. (2) Group discussion, students work together with their groups to work on problems through worksheets. (3) Individual quizzes, students work on individual quizzes. (4) Calculation of individual improvement scores, students exchange and correct the quiz results. Quiz results are used to determine individual or student improving scores and group scores. (5) Giving awards, teachers give awards to the best groups.


Monografia de Especialização Curso de Especialização em Educação Ambiental Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Agroecology contributions – ecological production for the environmental education in the rural areas AUTHOR: DIANDRA PAULA ANDREOLLA ADVISOR: Professor Doctor DENIS RASQUIN RABENSCHLAG PLACE AND DATE OF THE DEFENSE: CONSTANTINA, RS, MARCH 28 th , 2015 The present paper analyzes the approach of the environmental education through ecological production techniques, in order to contribute facing the environmental problems in rural areas, with that verify how the techniques, that are used in the ecological production, permeated by the agroecology principles, can contribute in the environmental education processes in this space. As methods of data collection, it was used a rural extension technique named Tree of problems and causes, that allowed the questioning along with the students of Padre José de Anchieta Kindergarten and Elementary Public School, located in the countryside of São Miguel do Oeste town, and semi-structured interviews with these students' teachers were also realized. It was found that a lot of environmental problems are faced in rural areas, that, mostly, happen because of the conventional techniques used in agriculture. It was also verified that the environmental education inside the subjects of the school curriculum is worked alone to some specific themes, however, the existence of the Agricultural Techniques Project developed in the School, shows its engagement in the search for the overcoming of the environmental problems that are presented there through the knowledge and use of ecological techniques. These, on the other hand, can be considered the own achievement of the environmental education, since that beyond being alternatives to the conventional techniques used in agriculture, they represent the change in subjects' attitudes and values in respect of management of natural resources in a sustainable way.


The alcohol education syllabus is a systematic attempt to provide a comprehensive program of alcohol education for young people. It is based on methods which actively engage the young people in their own learning, and which are derived from considerations of their drinking or non-drinking behaviour and their personal and social development. This syllabus is presented in two packages catering for 1, the 11-16 age and ability range; and 2, the 16-19 group. (TRRL)


A method for the preparation of conductive polymer nanowires bearing metal ion chelating 2,2'-bipyridyl groups is described. N-(3-pyrrol-1-yl-propyl)-2,2'-bipyridinium hexafluorophosphate (NP2PBH) was templated on λ-DNA in aqueous solution using FeCl3 as oxidant to initiate polymerization. The polyNP2PBH/DNA nanowires were then decorated with metals (Cu or Pd) by electroless deposition [Cu(NO3)2/ascorbate or PdCl42-/NaBH4]. UV-vis absorption spectra of the hybrid materials show the absorption peak due to the plasmon resonance of Cu at about 550 nm and a broad continuous band consistent with metallic Pd in the range 300−700 nm. The morphology, size and electrical properties of the hybrid nanostructures have been characterized using scanning probe techniques (atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning conductance microscopy (SCM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (cAFM)). The polyNP2PBH/DNA nanowires show a continuous, smooth and uniform appearance (mean diameter 5.0 nm). Cu deposits on polyNP2PBH/DNA nanowires by a nucleation and growth process that leads eventually to smooth, conductive Cu nanowires. In contrast, Pd deposits in a non-uniform manner on polyNP2PBH/DNA and has inconsistent electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity of single Cu/polyNP2PBH/DNA nanowires was estimated to be 1.6 ± 0.27 S cm-1 which we suggest is limited by electron transfer between Cu grains.


We present the in vitro characterisation of a Gd3+-based contrast agent that responds to Zn2+ upon interaction with Human Serum Albumin. We show that the contradictory in vivo behaviour is related to Gd3+-accumulation in Zn-rich tissues. This highlights the importance of the biodistribution of such contrast agents.


This paper presents a novel chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) concept where the information is encoded on the tag with a 2-D polarimetric radar barcode. We achieved a data capacity with this technique that is outstanding for chipless RFID. Even though these chipless RFID tags are simple, they are extremely robust in harsh environments. The polarimetric radar barcode is formed by a set of geometric structures like small dihedral mirrors, plane surface elements, or dipole elements with different polarimetric backscattering behaviors. These structures are arranged in a 2-D array to create a specific polarimetric 2-D radar barcode. The information is read by polarimetric millimeter-wave imaging radar. The lateral resolution of the radar determines the minimum resolvable element size and is therefore critical for the maximum data capacity of the tag. We show that, theoretically, a data capacity of more than 800 bit on a surface less than the size of a credit card can be achieved if a millimeter-wave multiple-input multiple-output radar is used as reader. The polarimetric encoded reflectors can be formed by metal or reflecting ceramic structures, and the tag can consist of a single material. Thus, tag robustness is limited only by the robustness and temperature resistance of the material used. We verify the performance and functionality of the proposed chipless RFID concept with measurements taken in a laboratory test setup with a 20-bit tag and a millimeter-wave radar system with 77.5-GHz center frequency.


The action of the doer,who uses the faulty of ATM machine to draw money,has proved that it is a crime for social harmfulness and subjective viciousness.However,what crime it would be,which is being heatedly discussed by the theory circle and judicial circle.According to the criticism of encroachment theory and credit card fraud theory and the understanding of the constitutive requirements of the larceny,I think that the action which makes use of the faulty of ATM machine to draw money is a larceny,to be more exact, stealing financial institution.But we must make a new viewpoint about the concept of "an enormous amount" in the sentencing.In the other hand,we also must keep good hold the understanding about Section 2 of Article 63 in the Criminal Law,avoiding penalty over weight.


Aim Despite the enormous efforts to understand Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), up to 50% of the patients are genetically unexplained. We aimed to functionally characterize a novel candidate gene in CHI. Patient A 4-month-old boy presented severe hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. A routine CHI genetic panel was negative. Methods A trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed. Gene knockout in the RIN-m cell line was established by CRISPR/Cas9. Gene expression was performed using real-time PCR. Results Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia with diffuse beta-cell involvement was demonstrated in the patient, who was diazoxide-responsive. By WES, compound heterozygous variants were identified in the adenylyl cyclase 7, ADCY7 gene p.(Asp439Glu) and p.(Gly1045Arg). ADCY7 is calcium-sensitive, expressed in beta-cells and converts ATP to cAMP. The variants located in the cytoplasmic domains C1 and C2 in a highly conserved and functional amino acid region. RIN-m(-/- Adcy7 ) cells showed a significant increase in insulin secretion reaching 54% at low, and 49% at high glucose concentrations, compared to wild-type. In genetic expression analysis Adcy7 loss of function led to a 34.1-fold to 362.8-fold increase in mRNA levels of the insulin regulator genes Ins1 and Ins2 (p ≤ 0.0002), as well as increased glucose uptake and sensing indicated by higher mRNA levels of Scl2a2 and Gck via upregulation of Pdx1, and Foxa2 leading to the activation of the glucose stimulated-insulin secretion (GSIS) pathway. Conclusion This study identified a novel candidate gene, ADCY7, to cause CHI via activation of the GSIS pathway.


Volume changes can be calculated from the hydration stoichiometry of C 3 S if the composition of C-S-H is taken as C 1.7 SH 4.0 with a density of 1.85 g/cm 3 . The results are in general agreement with the volume changes determined by Powers. However, the calculated evaporable water content is higher and the space-limiting water-cement ratio is calculated to be 0.42. The calculations can be applied also to the pozzolanic reaction and predict a marked increase in solid volume. In that case the composition of C-S-H is modified to C 1.5 SH 3.8 .


Chronic pelvic pain affects 2–24% of women worldwide, and evidence for medical treatments is limited. Gabapentin is effective in treating some chronic pain conditions, but its effect on central pain processing is unknown.To test the hypothesis that gabapentin can reduce pain and improve physical and emotional functioning in women with chronic pelvic pain. We investigated the mechanism of action of gabapentin in a subset of women.A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial with a brain imaging substudy.This trial took place in 39 UK hospitals.A target of 300 women with a history of chronic pelvic pain in whom a laparoscopy revealed no obvious pelvic pathology.Women were randomised to receive 300 mg of gabapentin (which was escalated to a maximum of 2700 mg daily) or a matched placebo over a 4-week dose-escalation period, followed by 12 weeks on optimal dose. A mechanistic substudy was also undertaken, in which a subset of participants had a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan of their brain before and following 16 weeks of treatment.The dual primary measure of the worst and average pelvic pain scores was assessed weekly by a numerical rating scale (0–10) in weeks 13–16 post randomisation. The secondary outcomes were patient-reported questionnaires, assessed physical functioning, fatigue, psychological health, sexual activity, work and productivity, and pain catastrophising. Health-care resource use, analgesic use and adverse events were also collected. The main outcome measure for the mechanistic study was brain activity at rest and in response to noxious stimuli.In the main trial, 306 participants were randomised. The mean worst pain score was 7.1 (standard deviation 2.6) in the gabapentin group and 7.4 (standard deviation 2.2) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference –0.20, 97.5% confidence interval –0.81 to 0.42;p = 0.47). The mean average pain score was 4.3 (standard deviation 2.3) in the gabapentin group and 4.5 (standard deviation 2.2) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference –0.18, 97.5% confidence interval –0.71 to 0.35;p = 0.45). No significant between-group differences were observed for any secondary outcome. A higher proportion of women experienced a serious adverse event in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (10/153 vs. 3/153;p = 0.04). Dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances were more common in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group. In the mechanistic study, 45 participants had a baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging scan of their brain, with 25 participants returning for a scan at the end of treatment. Gabapentin significantly decreased evoked activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and cuneus. Change in anterior cingulate cortex activity after treatment related to improvement on the pain interference scale, and baseline activation of this region predicted response to treatment.Gabapentin did not reduce pain and did not improve other outcomes compared with placebo over 16 weeks. Serious adverse effects were significantly higher in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group. Gabapentin reduces evoked activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, with changes of activity in this region tracking reported pain, and baseline activity predicting response to treatment.Primary outcome data were unavailable in 62 and 60 women for the average and worst numerical rating scale pain scores, respectively. A sensitivity analysis using imputation methods did not change the result.Clinical trials to investigate other pharmacological interventions (monotherapy vs. combination therapy), physiotherapy and cognitive–behavioural therapy to treat women with chronic pelvic pain are needed.Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN77451762 and EudraCT 2014-005035-13.This project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) partnership. This will be published in full inEfficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 7, No. 7. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


Abstract The electron gun of the 1 MW-klystron for JT-60 was redesigned to suppress the degradation of the withstand voltage due to deterioration with age. The key aims were to reduce the concentration of the electric field near the electrodes by improving the configuration of the electrodes, and to suppress the barium evaporation from the cathode by replacing the non-metal-coated dispenser cathode (S-type) with an iridium (Ir)-coated one allowing a iower operating temperature. The maximum beam operating voltage was inereased from 84 kV to 94 kV and an RF output power of 1.4 MW was generated for 10 sec at 2.17 GHz. Preliminary results of the klystron operation in JT-60 experiments showed that DC breakdown frequency of the improved klystron was reduced to less than 10% of the previous one.


The government is currently developing an integrated agricultural system for mina padi in order to optimize agricultural land that can increase the productivity of agricultural land, improve the welfare of farmers and support food security. Farmers participation in implementing the mina padi system is expected to support sustainable agriculture in the ecological, economic, social, technology-infrastructure and institutional dimensions. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the level of farmer participation and the sustainability of the integrated mina padi farming system. Data were collected using a questionnaire instrument and analyzed using the Rank Spearman correlation test. The results of the study involving 42 respondents showed that farmers were considered to be quite participatory and the rice mina system was quite sustainable. Farmer characteristic that significantly related to the level of participation is the level of cosmopolitan. The external factors that significantly related to the level of participation, are the role of instructors, market access, and information availability. The level of participation, in general, is significantly related to all dimensions the level of sustainability, including ecological, economic, social, infrastructure-technology, and institutional dimensions. Keywords: sustainability, mina padi, participation, integrated farming. ABSTRAK Pemerintah saat ini sedang mengembangkan sistem pertanian terpadu mina padi dalam rangka mengoptimalisasi lahan pertanian yang dapat meningkatkan produktivitas lahan pertanian, menyejahterakan petani dan mendukung ketahanan pangan. Partisipasi petani dalam menerapkan sistem mina padi diharapkan dapat mendukung pertanian berkelanjutan pada dimensi ekologi, ekonomi, sosial, teknologi-infrastruktur dan kelembagaan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis hubungan antara tingkat partisipasi petani dengan keberlanjutan sistem pertanian terpadu mina padi. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan instrumen kuesioner dan dianalisis menggunakan uji korelasi Rank Spearman. Hasil penelitian yang melibatkan 42 responden menunjukkan bahwa petani tergolong cukup partisipatif dan sistem mina padi yang cukup berkelanjutan. Karakteristik petani yang berhubungan nyata dengan tingkat partisipasi yaitu tingkat kekosmopolitan. Faktor eksternal yang berhubungan nyata dengan tingkat partisipasi yaitu, peran penyuluh, tingkat akses pasar, dan ketersediaan informasi. Tingkat partisipasi secara umum berhubungan nyata dengan semua dimensi tingkat keberlanjutan, yaitu dimensi ekologi, ekonomi, sosial, teknologi-infrastruktur dan kelembagaan. Kata kunci: keberlanjutan, mina padi, partisipasi, pertanian terpadu.


I've been searching for a word to capture my new viewing habit. Though "binging" and the somewhat less pathologized "marathoning" have emerged to describe the behavior of consuming many episodes of a series in rapid succession, contemporary control and distribution technologies also allow a distinct, but not so rapid form of consumption. This behavior is distinct enough to warrant its own term, though I continue to struggle to find it...


An AC-bias-type magnetoresistive (MR) sensor which uses a ferromagnetic thin film is proposed to improve offset voltage and hysteresis. It was experimentally confirmed that an MR sensor with an applied AC bias magnetic field can generate an AC output proportional to the external magnetic field (DC magnetic field) which is independent of offset voltage and hysteresis. >


Nine strains which could degrade crude oil efficiently were isolated from oil-containing soil or water of Jianghan Oil Field and Jidong Oil Field,and were screened on the plates and flasks respectively in the selective medium with oil as sole carbon source.The results showed that three bacteria(X-1,X-2,X-3) had relatively high capacity of oil degradation and the best one was strain X-1,with degradation rate of oil as high as 64.28%.It was belong to Arthrobacter sp.by preliminary identification through configuration observation and physiological and biochemical characteristics.


A relation between oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral prosthetic metals has been reported because OLP may improve after their removal. However, the criteria for evaluating their involvement in the clinical and histopathological signs of OLP have not been established.We compared the clinical and histological features of 18 cases of OLP that improved after removal of dental metals with those of 18 cases that did not improve clinically after removal. All patients were positive to dental metals on patch testing and had OLP refractory to conventional therapy. Improved cases of OLP were characterized by unilateral involvement of the buccal mucosa, showing a reticular pattern with the formation of erosions and ulcers.Histologically, most cases had remarkable humoral degeneration of the basal cell layer, lymphocytic invasion of the lamina propria, and spongiosis.


Tea (Camellia sinensis [L.] O. Kuntze) is an important beverage crop in Taiwan. Most of the cultivated clones were introduced from China and India though some native wild teas are distributed in the mountains of central and southern Taiwan. In this study, 37 tea samples were evaluated using RAPD and ISSR markers. The samples comprised 21 clones of China, 3 clones of Assam, 7 hybrid clones between China and Assam tea, and 6 individual samples of native Taiwanese wild tea. A total of 53 and 56 polymorphic RAPD and ISSR markers respectively, were scored. The results of cluster analysis based on RAPDs revealed that three major groups could be recognized, i.e., cultivars of China tea and the cultivars developed in Taiwan from hybridization and selection; Assam tea; native Taiwanese wild tea. The native Taiwanese wild teas were, however, most distant in the clustering tree. In the ISSR dendrogram, Taiwanese native wild teas clustered closely with Assam tea then with China tea and the Taiwanese hybrid cultivars. The population gene diversity of the native wild tea was found to be the highest among the three populations studied. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the variance component within groups was larger than that among groups. The correlation coefficient between similarity matrices based on RAPD and ISSR was 0.811. A Mantel test revealed that the correlation was highly significant (P<0.001), indicating good congruence between the results of these two molecular markers.


BETHESDA, Md. -- Moderate caffeine consumption does not increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight, according to a study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study followed the pregnancies and deliveries of 431 women. Approximately 76 percent of them were enrolled in the study before conception, while the remainder were enrolled no later than three weeks after conceiving.


Presenting formal research findings and other evidence in a literature review, the author discusses the value of combining technical education and/or job training with adult basic education (ABE) as a means of motivating the educational participation of the functionally illiterate, hard core unemployed. Attention is given to special characteristics of the hard core unemployed, areas of potential educational interest for unmotivated, undereducated young adults, program planning priorities in manpower development, and the need for more adequate motivational research. It is concluded that the motivation barrier can be overcome, and that rapid literacy training and general educational progress (leading in turn to higher aspirations for self and family) can be realized in an occupational training situation. Also included are 29 references and a list of 28 Federal programs having an ABE component or purpose. (IA) 't V U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY. Preparation For Employment As A Motivator For Adult Basic Education Francis Gregory Special Assistant to the Associate Manpower Administrator, Manpower Administration U. S. Department of Labor A paper prepared for the Workshop to Increase and to Improve University Teacher Training Programs in Adult Basic Education, March 1969 This nation continues to support the beliefs that its economy can support full employment, and that all citizens who are able and available should actively contribute to its productivity. These beliefs are clung to as basic to a democratic society in which all members share the opportunities, the rewards and the responsibilities in accordance with their talents and interests. From this we would expect fulfillment for each person, health and happiness in the communities and an economic strength able to sustain the good life and guard the freedom of man. Further in this nation or any nation, primary dependence must be placed on the educational institutions and processes, and particularly on the system of universal public education, to so develop the supply of manpower that it may optimally deploy itself, on the basis of free choice, among the levels areas and stations of industry. That our system has faults is clearly seen in the figure of 2.6 million unemployed persons with almost as many jobs going beggingalbeit jobs that require higher levels of skill and knowledge than are poseessed by the unemployed. Of equal concern are the undetermined millions who are underemployed because of undeveloped abilities. Significant among these statistics of misfortune are the large numbers of people who cannot function acceptably in mathematics, language arts, and other basic skills at the minimum level at which the nation's business is carried on. Undereducation is limiting the destiny of 24 million persons, 18 years of age and older, in this country, identified by the 1960 Census as having less than eight years of schooling. Derek N Nunney describes them as: (1) "...They are the young adults who are dropping out of school. They are the adults who dropped out or were forced out of school during the depression years and who basic skills grew less and less in an era of development which did not have time to worry about reading and writing -but only about working and eating. They are the elderly who were in school during the very early part of this century when reading and writing wer4umw bue!nbh-ess'ential::-when horsepower and muscle power were the mode. They are the educationally handicapped who are prevented from functioning to their own satisfaction in a world to which they want to belong." The most troubled among these 24 million souls are the approximately three million who are totally illiterate. The latter group is greater in number and proportion than in the countries of western Europe. About a third of the hapless three milli& are in the labor force, living in or on the edge of poverty and certainly doomed to the shadows of American life unless they succeed in acquiring sufficient command of the "fundamental processes" to be able to escape through the corridors of vocational skills training. 1) "Adult Basic Education, The Challenge,""Derek N. Nunney, (then) Director, Adult Basic Education Program, U.S. Office of Education, H.E.W., from the Proceedings of the Adult Basic Education PreInstitute Seminar, Wayne State University, May, 1967.


R. VON DEN VELDEN (Deut. med. Woch., October 19th, 1934, p. 1596) discusses the means whereby the recklessly wholesale diagnosis of influenza can be avoided. In most cases of lassitude, headache, pains in the limbs, and irritation of the respiratory or gastro-intestinal tracts, often associated with a sense of fever, it is so temptingly easy to diagnose influenza. This diagnosis has often to be revised when,. some twenty-four hours later, a definite local lesion develops, such as a follicular angina, gastroenteritis, bronchitis, cystitis, or pyelitis.At present there is, in the author's opinion, only one test of value in the differential diagnosis, and it entails the co-operation of an institution with a skilled staff. It is the blood count. Leucopenia, with more or less definite left-hand deviation, nuclear changes, hypoor an-eosinophilia, and relative lymphocytosis point to a sudden illness with vague symptoms as being influenza. But this blood picture is not pathognomonic, though very suggestive of influenza. The same picture, which is the expression of marked inhibition of the normal activities of the bone marrow, may also be observed in typhoid and paratyphoid fever, and in those forms of enteritis whose aetiology is still obscure, though they may be related to the paratyphoid group. These diseases, like influenza, are characterized by lassitude, headache, pains in the limbs, and a fever which may not conform to any special type.


This paper recognizes the genus Neomarica Sprague (Iridaceae), contradicting the treatment by Ravenna placing the genus in synonymy under Trimezia Salisbury ex Herbert. Neomarica is distinguished by its caulinar system as a rhizome or corm, equitant and conduplicate leaves, and conduplicate scapes with a leaflike bract in the apex, which apparently is a sterile prolongation of it; Trimezia is characterized by the exclusive presence of corms, spiraled disposition of cataphylls and leaves, and terete scapes. As a result of this work, nine new combinations and five new synonyms are proposed.


In this work, new shape-memory thermosets have been developed using a thiol-acrylate-epoxy dual-curing system. A previously studied system has been successfully modified, introducing different amounts of tri(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate (ISO) and bisphenol A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BAGA) in order to enhance the thermomechanical properties and the glass transition temperature of the final materials. Preliminary studies on the curing process proved that the curing process is not affected, and the critical ratio remains unchanged. Glass transition temperatures and thermomechanical properties were successfully improved, extending the applicability of these thermosets to the field of soft-actuator. Shape-memory behavior was comprehensively investigated in unconstrained, fully and partially constrained conditions. Unconstrained experiment results showed excellent shape fixation and recovery, coupled with a fast recovery process. On the other hand, fully and partially constrained recovery experiments evidenced optimal performances obtained by the combination of both high crosslinking density and high deformability in the programming stage. Considerably high values of recovery stress (up to 7 MPa) and work output (up to 1300 kJ/m3) were found confirming the high potentiality of these dual-cured thermosets in the field of soft-actuation.


In ignoring the implications of systems thinking at the intra-organizational level of analysis, organizational literature has obscured the fact that organizational behavior (OB) occurs as a result of subunit dynamics within the organization. Several assumptions are basic to a political approach to OB. Organizational development literature is discussed from a political perspective.


This research aims to analyze the conditions of vulnerable people in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic, in light of the recommendations made in Resolution No. 01/2020 and the measures and actions applied by the Brazilian State. The situation of the groups mentioned in Resolution n.. 01/2020 will be verified, namely: elderly people; persons deprived of liberty; women; indigenous indigenous peoples; migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons, people trafficking and internally displaced persons killed; children and adolescents; LGBTI people; people of African descent and people with disabilities. The sexuality of the research is based on the consequences that the Covid-19 pandemic generated in people's lives. For this qualitative research, the inductive method is used, which consists of an analysis of the situation based on the report of the IACHR, from which a generic conclusion is reached, in an inductive way. It is concluded that although the Brazilian State has taken some measures with the intention of assuring the Human Rights of vulnerable groups, these actions were insufficient. Therefore, a mismatch can be inferred between what was proposed by Resolution 01/2020 of the IACHR and the measures initiated by Brazil.


The structure of sphere-toroid-cone combined shell with varied curvature is complex and asymmetric,which has an intricate effect on strength,buckling and weight.The structural design based only on the existed rules and experience is not able to meet various requirements.The optimum design is carried out by using the optimization module in ANSYS,in which the smallest mass is taken as the objective function while the strength and buckling as the constraints.In addition,the stress distribution in the sphere-toroid-cone structure is analyzed.


To solve the Web service composition runtime reliability problem that service failure bring,and eliminate failure recovery processing to interfere with the normal business logic.Limitations of BPEL engine built-in exception handling mechanism is analyzed.A failure recovery mechanism for Web service based on AOP is proposed.QoS is included in the service selection indicator,and candidate services previously obtained by querying the UDDI and QoS constraint filtering.The BPEL engine is extended by using aspect-oriented(AOP)technology.Fault-tolerant agent aspect intercepts request and invoke the service instance,replaces the invalid service with the equivalent service in candidate services.Reliability of service composition runtime is enhanced,and failure recovery processing is separated from the functional business logic.The feasibility and effectiveness of the method are validated by experiment.


In this paper we present the identification process of VTOL platform vertical movement model. VTOL platform used during the research was quadrotor equipped with ultrasonic range finder. We would like to model forces acting on the platform body which are result of the propulsion system. In order to develop this model, we had to employ two step procedure. In the first stage we had to estimate thrust forces during the experiment. Then we have used nonlinear modeling technique based on use of local linear models to obtain dynamic model relating throttle inputs with throttle forces.


In refined network analysis, a compact network model is combined with distributed models for semiconductor devices in a multidimensional approach. For linear RLC networks containing diodes as distributed devices, we construct a mathematical model that joins the differential-algebraic initial value problem for the electric circuit with parabolic-elliptic boundary value problems modeling the diodes. For this mixed initial boundary value problem of partial differential-algebraic equations a first existence and uniqueness result is given, and its asymptotic behavior is discussed.


An updated guideline for tertiary ELT in China has shifted the emphasis to the development of learners� ability to communicate in English. Using group work and getting learners actively involved in the actual use of English are highlighted more than before. This article focuses on adapting cooperative learning methods for ELT with tertiary learners. The adaptation mainly involved three aspects: group formation, technique adaptation, and course evaluation.


One of the best covert channels providers in TCP/IP communication hiding is hypertext transfer protocol, which is the most widely usedin Internet currently. The common method of HTTP information hiding is embedding data into HTTP packets' payload directly, which leaves someobvious signatures. On the other hand, communication hiding algorithm based on HTTP protocol parameters sorting can encode the hiddeninformation by sorting some special Keywords' parameters emergence sequence. The algorithm will not insert additional information into thepackets. To detect the re-sorting attack, some information integrity scheme is necessary.


The study aims at assessing (Bangladeshi) municipal financial capabilities in meeting growing demands for infrastructure facilities and other services. Determining municipal financial capacities is important mainly because the factors such as around 3.1 percent (Note 1) annual urbanization growth, 40-50 percent (Note 2) urban service gap and creation of new urban bodies put tremendous pressure on municipal authorities to meet the growing demand for infrastructure facilities and citizenry services. By analyzing sampled municipal annual budget documents along with urban population data, and questionnaire survey, the study finds that municipalities are as poorly capable as to spend less than US$10 per person annually. The study also finds 18-97 percent shortage of estimated transfer revenues, which are generally being used for building infrastructure facilities that literally requires huge capital investment. So vacuum for investment is found. Around 70 percent respondents interviewed are dissatisfied with the service qualities and quantities they receive. Thus, the study suggests that government should give immediate attention to find alternate financing options for investment-hungry municipal infrastructure development sector.


The article substantiates methodological recommendations for financial risk management in the process of e-commerce and digital marketing. The importance of identifying digital and financial risks during the entire interaction between the client and the company based on the client's travel map is proved. Thanks to the proposed methodological recommendations, the company can systematically approach the risk management process, based on 3 stages: identification of critical points (recording of risk events) at the points of contact of customers; identifying the causes of risk events in the risk chain; elimination of the causes of risk events in the risk chain. Key Principles of Financial Risk Management in E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Proposed It has been proven that financial risk management in e-commerce and digital online marketing meets modern market demands, which is necessary to maintain brand loyalty and increase sales.


The main obiective of this study is to investigate the extent of association between stock price and two influential accounting variables (i.e. earnings-per-share and net asset value per share) to measure the relevance of accounting information' This study is based on accounting information which are available in DSE data base and published annual reports of 105 companies from 2000 to 2010. lt is found that only 6.5% of changes in share price can be explained by changes in defined accounting variables. Through Multiple correlation analysis with the help of user friendly statistical software it is found only 25.4% correlation between share price and the defined two independent variables' On the other hand considering individually there is a negative correlation between share price and NAVPS of the sample company' lt is also found that there is only 1.9% relationship between EPS and NAVPS' According to the present empirical evidence, investors tend to focus on information other than the published accounting information such as non financial information, short term capital gains and tend to be speculative or irrational for unusual events.


Colin MacInnes' London trilogy is known for its prominent focus—unusual in British fiction of the time—on class and racial conflict in mid-century London. Comprised of City of Spades (1957), Absolute Beginners (1959), and Mr Love and Justice (1960), the trilogy plots the complicated enactment of the new welfare-state's reconstruction strategies from the post-war resurgence of slum clearance, to the forced evictions of suburban migration, to the development and erection of alienating council flats. In doing so, MacInnes offers a distinctive take on Londoners' responses to these strategies, demonstrating the way mindful urban planning was shouldered aside by quixotic and hurried resolutions. As part of a vibrant wave of mid-century British writing sensitive to issues of class, race, and gender, MacInnes' fiction scrutinized postwar urban displacement as it happened and without any of the benefit of hindsight. This article, then, highlights the distinctively nuanced perspectives that socially-attuned and classconscious literature can offer in terms of understanding the tangible impact of space on social stratification.


This dissertation presents the results of a search for supersymmetry in proton-antiproton collisions with a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV studied with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. Our strategy is to select collisions with two photons in the final state that have the properties of being the decays of very massive supersymmetric particles. This includes looking for large total energy from the decayed particles as well as for the presence of particles that leave the detector without interacting. We find no events using 2.6 fb{sup -1} of data collected during the 2004-2008 collider run of the Fermilab Tevatron which is consistent with the background estimate of 1.4 {+-} 0.4 events. Since there is no evidence of new particles we set cross section limits in a gauge-mediated supersymmetry model with {tilde {chi}}{sub 1}{sup 0} {yields} {gamma}{tilde G}, where the {tilde {chi}}{sub 1}{sup 0} and {tilde G} are the lightest neutralino and the gravitino (the lightest supersymmetric particle), respectively. We set limits on models as a function of the {tilde {chi}}{sub 1}{sup 0} mass and lifetime, producing the world's most sensitive search for {tilde {chi}}{sub 1}{sup 0} by excluding masses up to 149 GeV/c{sup 2} for {tilde {chi}}{sub 1}{sup 0} lifetimes much less than 1 ns.


The present invention provides a method for preparing carbon nanotube micro-tip structure, comprising: providing a carbon nanotube film structure and an insulating substrate, the insulating substrate having a surface, said surface having at least one strip-shaped recesses; the carbon nano tubular film structure covering the surface of the insulating substrate, and portions of the carbon nanotube film structure covering the concave portion of the strip, and the strip is suspended over the recessed portion; laser etching the carbon nanotube film structure is suspended portion of the carbon nanotube film is formed on a first hollow pattern configuration, and patterned carbon nanotube film structure corresponding to the first hole pattern, the patterned carbon nanotube film structure comprises two strip-shaped arms the two strip-shaped arms connected at an end to form a tip which is suspended over the recessed strip portion.


Abstract Gandhi is best known for his sarvodaya movement where he talked of 'welfare for all'. His focus was on the deprived section of the countrymen who constituted a majority of India's population. Thus, the term was often referred to as antodaya, i.e., 'Rise to the last men'. Gandhi was not very particular about 'tribe', as to him, tribes were a part of rural communities who were exploited by the powerful class of people; thus, they required welfare measures. Gandhi's mission and vision towards tribes was mainly an outcome of his constant association with Thakkar Bapa, who had been well exposed to the exploitation and helpless misery of tribal life, especially of the Bhil people of Gujarat under the British rule. To Gandhi, tribal welfare and rural welfare were same. However, he believed that tribals were simple people. His interaction with the Zulu people in Africa exposed him to the bare truth of exploitation of the tribal people by the colonial rulers. To his idea, the tribes should be approached on the basis of non-violence, accepting the principles of a democratic society and the fundamental equality and unity of man. The process of social domination and political imposition should be avoided. Welfare measures should be taken up on the basis of understanding their society and culture. Gandhi's concept of Sarvodaya, i.e., welfare of all also had a purpose to bring the majority of Indians in the struggle for independence. He believed that India's independence cannot be achieved without participation of its rural masses that formed the majority of Indian population. Gandhi dreamt of a society with equity among all members in fundamental necessities of life including education. His dream is yet to be chased.


The purpose of this thesis was to find out why film tourists travel, by using the popular HBO series Game of Thrones as a case study. The research questions this thesis sought to answer were why film tourists travel; if the location or activity is their primary reason for travelling; and what the film tourists get out of the experience. The theoretical part describes the concept of film tourism, its history and types of film tourism and film tourists as well as introduces the case study subject Game of Thrones and film tourism related to it. In addition, motivation theories used in tourism are discussed and the continuum of film-induced motivation, which was used in this thesis, is introduced. A quantitative method was used for the data collection in the empirical part. An online survey was distributed through several social media channels to reach the target group, Game of Thrones film tourists. The response rate to the survey was very low and thus the results achieved in this thesis cannot be generalised in any way. Caution should be exercised when interpreting them. The findings do, however, offer some direction into what may motivate film tourists. The participants identified different motivations for different film tourism activities. The motivations also varied between fans of the series and those who were not fans. The main push motivations for film tourism among those who are fans of the film were found to be curiosity, relaxation, fantasy, and novelty. For non-fans, the research suggests curiosity and education as the primary push motivations. The primary pull motivations for fans, on the other hand, were theme, scenery, plot, landscapes, genre, and venue. For non-fans, they were genre, scenery, and landscapes. The findings also suggested that film tourism happens both as the primary purpose and as a part of a holiday or other trip. In addition, the research suggests that what film tourists get out of film tourism depends on the individual and what they expected from it and what motivated them to participate in it.


It has been proposed that different forms of rhythmic human limb movement have a common central neural control ('common core hypothesis'), just as in other animals. We compared the modulation patterns of background EMG and cutaneous reflexes during walking, arm and leg cycling, and arm‐assisted recumbent stepping. We hypothesized that patterns of EMG and reflex modulation during cycling and stepping (deduced from mathematical principal components analysis) would be comparable to those during walking because they rely on similar neural substrates. Differences between the tasks were assessed by evoking cutaneous reflexes via stimulation of nerves in the foot and hand in separate trials. The EMG was recorded from flexor and extensor muscles of the arms and legs. Angular positions of the hip, knee and elbow joints were also recorded. Factor analysis revealed that across the three tasks, four principal components explained more than 93% of the variance in the background EMG and middle‐latency reflex amplitude. Phase modulation of reflex amplitude was observed in most muscles across all tasks, suggesting activity in similar control networks. Significant correlations between EMG level and reflex amplitude were frequently observed only during static voluntary muscle activation and not during rhythmic movement. Results from a control experiment showed that strong correlation between EMG and reflex amplitudes was observed during discrete, voluntary leg extension but not during walking. There were task‐dependent differences in reflex modulation between the three tasks which probably arise owing to specific constraints during each task. Overall, the results show strong correlation across tasks and support common neural patterning as the regulator of arm and leg movement during various rhythmic human movements.


The degree of an estimable parameter 0(P) is the smallest sample size for which there exists an unbiased estimator of 0(P). h(xi, x2, • • •, xk) is called a kernel and assumed to be symmetric in the arguments. Similarly let 0(Pi, P2) denote an esti mable parameter of two distributions P,, P2 E 0. Then 8(P1, Pa) has an unbiased estimator, that is, there exists a statistic h(xi, • • •, xk; yi, • • •, ya) such that


On December 2, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report recommending that further measures be taken to ensure that hospitals provide safer conditions for patients and trainees while maintaining rigorous teaching programs. As John Iglehart writes, the IOM acknowledges that the two largest barriers to implementing its recommendations are the cost and the difficulty of finding an adequate number of other health care professionals to do the work of residents.


Objectives:To evaluate administration of bee stings at sites of acupuncture on the hormonal profile of patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF).
 Study design: A pilot study carried at Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Tanta University Hospital, and at the Entomology Unit, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University from June 2015 to December 2015.
 Patients and Methods: 20 patients aged 18 to 40 years with idiopathic POF were included in a case series study. Measurement of serum concentrations of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), 17β-estradiol (E2) and Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) with calculation of Antral Follicles Count (AFC) and volume of ovaries was done before and after bee stings that were administered for 3 months, 2 sessions per week. Every session was 15 minutes with a range of 3-8 stings per session at the site of acupuncture. The outcome measures were changes in estimated variables within one month after bee stings.
 Results:FHS and LH significantly decreased from 54.5 ± 3.2 to 27.1 ± 5 mIU/mL and from 53.8 ± 2.7 to 25.2 ± 4.1 mIU/mL respectively (P value< 0.001). E2 significantly increased from 38.7 ± 3.3 to 92.5 ± 2.9 Pg/mL (P value< 0.05). Ovarian volume, AFC and AMH were not specifically different after bee stings.Conclusion:Bee stings at the sites of acupunctures significantly reduced the serum levels of both FSH and LH and increased serum concentrations of E2 with improvement in hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Bee stings had no effect on AFC, AMH or ovarian volume. The use of bee venom (stings) therapy at the sites of acupunctures for patients with idiopathic POF is recommended.


Abstract Externally funded collaboratives are compared in a US–Mexico border location, focusing on the local commitments that are made in financial and social capital for long-term sustainability. The border offers special challenges to sustainable health care programs, given the substantial crossing that occurs among health care users in both North-to-South and South-to-North directions. Funding organizations that decentralize programs to community collaboratives, demanding considerable local leverage and in-kind contributions, create a pernicious tax on poor communities in the name of building community capacity. Despite good intentions, precious community social capital is squandered.


It requires more energy to maintain a narrow indoor temperature range than a broader range, in which the building may be allowed to float with reduced conditioning for longer periods of time. A narrow range should presumably be preferable to the building occupants to justify its increased energy cost. At what widths are temperature ranges detected, preferred, or judged unacceptable? Three databases of occupant satisfaction in buildings are used to examine the acceptability of three classes of temperature range currently employed in the ISO and European standards, and proposed for the ASHRAE standard. These are alternatively identified as Class A, B, and C, or Category I, II, and III, but their specifications are identical. The A class (I category) is found to confer no relative satisfaction benefit to individuals or to realistic building occupancies. In addition, the differences in B and C class satisfaction are small.


The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a European collaborative project to build a 4m class solar telescope in the Canary Islands, which is now in its design study phase. The telescope will provide diffraction limited performance for several instruments observing simultaneously at the Coudé focus at different wavelengths. A multi-conjugated adaptive optics system composed of a tip-tilt mirror and several deformable mirrors will be integrated in the telescope optical path. The secondary mirror system is composed of the mirror itself (Ø800mm), the alignment drives and the cooling system needed to remove the solar heat load from the mirror. During the design study the feasibility to provide fast tip-tilt capabilities at the secondary mirror to work as the adaptive optics tip-tilt mirror is also being evaluated.


The infrared spectra of the solid metal formates HCO2Li, HCO2Li,H2O, HCO2Na, DCO2Na, H13CO2Na, HCO2K, DCO2K, HCO2Rb, DCO2Rb, HCO2Cs, DCO2Cs, (HCO2)2Ca, (HCO2)2Sr, (HCO2)2Ba and (HCO2)2Pb have been measured in the pressure range 0-42 kbar at 25°C. For the sodium salt two new modifications formed at high pressure have been observed, but the potassium, rubidium and caesium salts show only one phase transition. A phase change, though only at pressures far above 42 kbar, is indicated also for the calcium, the barium and probably the anhydrous lithium salt. The various spectral responses to changes in pressure strongly indicate that in the form prevailing at ordinary pressure and temperature, phase I, the formates of sodium and potassium have the same type of molecular packing in the crystal structure. Phases II of the sodium and potassium salt appear to belong to a new modification (?C?), whereas phase III of the sodium and phase II of the caesium salt belong to the modification ?B? previously observed in disc spectra. In a given phase, the effect of pressure on the formate vibration frequencies is sometimes quite different for the pure crystalline salt in bulk and for the same species when isolated by isotopic dilution. In these cases the main effect of pressure is that on the intermolecular coupling of vibrations. Several frequency changes accompanying phase transitions, by contrast, are essentially unchanged on isotopic dilution and arise mainly from changes in the effective intramolecular force constants.


This study evaluated the humoral immune response of a new rabies vaccine developed by the Instituto Butantan (potency of 3.27 UI/ml) in primovaccinated cattle and the effect of probiotic on this response. Thirty-four 15-month old Nelore cattle were randomly divided into 2 groups (17 animals/group). All the animals were vaccinated on day 0 (zero) and then animals in one group received probiotic added to a mineral mixture (GP) while the others were given only the mineral mixture (GC). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 75 and 150 for rabies neutralizing antibodies titers by seroneutralization assay on BHK 21 cells (RFFIT). Protective antibody titers (?0.5 UI/mL) were found in 82.4% of the animals from GP and in 76.5% of the animals from GC and no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between antibody titers in GP and GC was detected on days 75 and 150. It was also observed that in both groups antibody titers was decreased on day 150 (p


ABSTRACT Objectives A prospective longitudinal single-centre study to assess the mental health impact of COVID-19 on nurses working in the frontline during the first wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Belgium, 2020. Patients and Methods The study was performed between April 1st and 30 June 2020. Nurses who were actively and daily involved in the care of COVID-19 patients on selected intensive care units (ICU) and non-ICU wards were included. Depression, somatization, anxiety and distress scores were calculated using the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ). The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Brief-COPE questionnaires were used to assess respectively the psychological impact and coping strategies. Participants were asked to fill in the questionnaire at the start of inclusion, 4 weeks later and 8 weeks later. Results In total, 39/42 included nurses participated in the study. 4DSQ results showed low rates of depression, anxiety and somatization with a declining trend over time. Distress scores however were high throughout the study period. A past history of stress symptoms was significantly associated with higher distress scores at the inclusion and one month follow-up. As major psychological impact, more participants experienced 'intrusion' compared to 'avoidance' specifically among nurses working on ICU. In 10% of participants, IES-R-scores were predictive for post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion Healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients during the pandemic reported high and enduring distress scores and experienced a major impact on mental health, especially when employed at ICU. These results highlight the importance of psychological support and proper long-term follow-up to mitigate this impact.


Several studies have shown variation in genetic and epigenetic markers between human populations, which may contribute to externally visible characteristics. Studies have shown that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) play substantial roles in variation of gene expression, for example between HapMap LCLs obtained from Yorubans and Caucasians [1-3]. Huang et al. [4] reported association between SNP status and ethnic groups using the latest HapMap Phase 3 release version 3, which included more sub-populations. Nearly 300 SNPs were identified, which could accurately predict the ethnicity of all HapMap populations. It has also become evident that in addition to SNPs, mRNA and miRNA expression profiles, Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and DNA methylation may be reliably used to infer individual ancestry [5-9].


This paper presents a model for the performance prediction of FFT algorithms executed on a shared-memory parallel computer consisting of N processors an the same number of memory modules. The model applies a deterministic analysis to estimate the communication delay through the interconnection network by assuming that all requests arrive at the network in bursts. Our results indicate that the communication delay is significantly affected by the method applied to allocate data to memory modules. For the case in which all data items referenced by a processor during an iteration are allocated to a single memory module, the best-case communication time complexity grows as O[(log N) 2 /N]. The worst-case communication time complexity for this case, obtained by a different allocation of data to memory modules, is increased to O[(log N)/√N] due to high network contention. For the case in which the data items referenced by different processors during an iteration are allocated to the same memory module, the communication time complexity is further increased to O(log N) since all N requests generated by processors are serialized at a single memory module. The methods developed in this paper can be applied for the performance prediction of other well-structured parallel iterative algorithms.


Andrea C. McDonald USER-GENERATED TAGGING AND THE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG 2007/2008 Dr. Marilyn Shontz Master of Arts in Public Librarianship The purpose of this study was to survey southern New Jersey public librarians' attitudes towards the feasibility of including user-generated tagging in the public library online public access catalog (OPAC). The research questions of the thesis concerned the advantages and disadvantages of user-generated tagging, the co-existence of usergenerated tagging and controlled subject headings, the future of user-generated tagging, and what the librarians thought about user-generated tagging in the OPAC. The methodology of the study was applied research. Nineteen southern New Jersey public librarians completed an attitudinal survey on user-generated tagging. Responses were tallied and placed into a spreadsheet and graphic representations for analysis. A finding of the study was that "good-enough," in reference to user-generated tagging, was not acceptable to the majority of the southern New Jersey public librarians. None of the librarians had user-generated tagging in their OPACs, and a significant finding of the thesis was that a majority of the librarians chose advantage in response to the survey statement user-generated tagging and controlled subject headings can co-exist. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge Dr. Marilyn Shontz for her patience and excellent instruction, my sons, Fritz and Andrew McDonald, for their example of perseverance in the pursuit of their dreams, and my friend, William Vandegrift, for his encouragement and support.


A family is a house with a capital letter. It so happened that in the minds of people the concept of "home" and "family" have become synonymous, because there can not be a house without people living in it, without a family, and these concepts are only filled with meaning when they exist in inseparable connection, as a whole.


This numerical work intends to highlight the most prominent physical ingredients needed for reliable simulations of dense suspensions. We especially address the role of friction, roughness, and long-range hydrodynamics. Simulations show that friction between particles significantly alters viscosity and normal stresses and leads to an improved correlation with available experiments. A new finding is that friction also increases particle diffusion by a factor of two and provides better agreement on the irreversibility threshold in Pine's experiments. Particle roughness is numerically shown to alter rheology only slightly : a large roughness leads to a small decrease in the viscosity since lubrication dissipation is lowered. Frictional roughness seems to minimize this even more and, by and large, roughness size has only limited effects on rheology. However, large roughness and confinement can trigger the onset of particle layering which strongly decreases diffusion. Finally, we have evaluated the effect of long-range hydrodynamics in dense suspensions. To this end, we have compared full Stokes simulations with widely used molecular dynamics simulations. Our first results on frictionless particles show that there is a slight difference on viscosity although it still diverges similarly (same φ* ≈ 0.64 and similar critical exponent) whether long-range interactions are accounted or not. Frictional simulations are on the way to confirm this behavior.


A station for performing an amplification reaction of nucleic acid in a disposable test device with first reaction chamber containing a first reagent nucleic acid amplification and a second reaction chamber containing, or in fluid communication with a second amplification reagent nucleic acid, the station comprising: a support structure for receiving said test device; at least one control system temperature to said test device, said control system of the temperature maintaining said first reaction chamber at a first temperature but simultaneously maintaining said second amplification reagent of the nucleic acid to a second temperature different from said first temperature in order to preserve said second amplification reagent of the reaction.


Business to business transactions in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries may differ from those in other industries in terms of relational marketing factors such as customer acquisition and retention. Purchasing representatives, including medical physicians, may differ in their levels of commitment; this difference plays a mediating role in satisfaction, dependence, and intention to repurchase. This article begins by analyzing the structural relationships among these three variables: commitment, satisfaction, and dependence. The relationships are dichotomized into two dimensions: individual and organizational, and marketing performance is measured as repurchase intention. A critical literature review was conducted to identify key variables and derive their constructs. The subsequent empirical analyses have far-reaching implications from a marketing perspective.


Double-differential neutron emission cross sections (DDXs) of 6Li, 7Li and 9Be were measured for 18.0 MeV and 11.5 MeV incident neutrons produced by the T(d, n) and 15N(d, n) reactions respectively, using the Tohoku University Dynamitron time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometer. The data were obtained at 13 laboratory angles, and angular-differential cross sections (ADXs) of elastic and inelastic scattering neutrons were derived from the DDXs. For 11.5 MeV neutrons, we obtained the neutron emission spectra over the secondary neutron energies by newly employing the double TOF method as well as the conventional one. In the measurements at 18.0 MeV, we achieved better energy resolution than in our previous studies by using a neutron detector that has a larger solid angle and a thinner tritium target. The experimental results of DDXs and ADXs were compared with our previous results and the evaluated data given in JENDL-3.2, JENDL Fusion File and ENDF/B-VI. It is found that the JENDL data reproduce the experimental o...


Using solid barium hydroxide as catalyst, a preparation method of pseudoionone from citral and acetone has been studied. Adding a small quantity of ethanol leads to accelerated reaction rate, and a trace amount of a specific additive can obviously inhibit the side reaction and increase the reaction selectivity.


We present soft X-ray spectroscopy of the black hole binary LMC X-3 from the XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer. The observations span the full range of spectral states seen in LMC X-3. The spectra are completelydominated by continuum emission, and the neutral absorbing column measured from the O I edge (NH = 3.8 + 0 . 8 -0.7 x 10 2 0 cm - 2 ) is consistent with the Galactic interstellar column density towards LMC X-3. We find no evidence for variability of the neutral absorbing column. We also constrain the ionized column density using the upper limits to the equivalent width of the O II-O VIII K-shell resonance lines: we find that the equivalent hydrogen column density of gas in which O is partially ionized is < 8× 10 2 0 cm - 2 . From this upper limit we can rule out a line-driven stellar wind as the power source for the X-ray emission of LMC X-3 except when it is faint. At wavelengths longward of the peak emission the spectral shape is well described by a multitemperature disc-blackbody spectrum; the power-law component, which dominates at shorter wavelengths, does not continue longward of the disc-blackbody peak. This implies that the multitemperature disc-blackbody component supplies the seed photons that are Compton upscattered in the hot corona, consistent with the standard paradigm for black hole X-ray binary spectral states.


Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) bands were observed in the emission spectra of naphthalene analogues of chalcones of type A, B and C. In C, a naphthalene excimer band was also observed because of increased coplanarity in such molecules. Neither any phosphorescence band nor any triplet transient could be detected from either of these molecules.


The 300 Mb/s switching performance of 40 to 110 GHz PIN diodes is presented as a function of their storage and fall time, which varied from 2 to 18 and 0.2 to 1.2 ns, respectively.


During six months 50 strains of Staphylococcus intermedius were isolated from different pathological specimens originated from dogs. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns against three fluoroquinolones were obtained on 50 Staphylococcus intermedius strains. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed employing the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). The in vitro sensitivity against enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin showed that 98.0% of S. intermedius strains were sensitive and 96% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. One of tested strains shoved multiple resistance to all tested fluoroquinolone.


The study of the writing strategies of college non-English majors is still far behind in our country.Based on the previous theories,a questionnaire is made combined with random interviews concerning the writing strategies of college non-English majors.Some suggestion have been put forward based the data collected.