Background: The present study aimed to apply the Health Belief Model (HBM) in breast self-examination among the female university students in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 female students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan, Iran. Participants were selected via simple random sampling and completed the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20, and the two-tailed P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Distribution of the study population across the stages of change was as follows: pre-contemplation (n = 107; 42.8%), contemplation (n = 55; 22%), preparation (n = 32; 12.8%), action (n = 33; 13.2%), and maintenance (n = 23; 19%). Mean scores of the HBM constructs were as follows: perceived susceptibility (8.77 ± 4.16), perceived severity (24.63 ± 5.80), perceived benefits (22.96 ± 12.86), and perceived barriers (27.21 ± 17.18). Conclusions: According to the results, few students were in the action and maintenance stages of breast self-examination and had inadequate knowledge regarding some of the risk factors for breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that educational programs be implemented to provide comprehensive information on the risk factors for breast cancer, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy.


Obesity increases morbidity and mortality from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This study characterized inpatient complications among patients with obesity and COVID‐19—including myocardial infarction, renal failure requiring dialysis, stroke, secondary bacterial infection, and venous thromboembolism—and identified factors associated with developing at least one inpatient complication at a safety‐net hospital with a diverse cohort.


The utility model discloses a quality detection system for a motor assembling unit. The quality detection system comprises: a plurality of current sensors connected on a three-phase power supply line of a motor assembling unit of electrical equipment to be measured; a plurality of voltage sensors connected on the three-phase power supply line of the motor assembling unit of the electrical equipment to be measured; a data acquisition device which is connected with the current sensors and the voltage sensors respectively, obtains phase current values generated by the current sensors and phase voltage values generated by the voltage sensors, and converts current values and voltage values into digital signals; and a processing device which is connected with the data acquisition device, calculates operating parameters of the motor assembling unit by using the phase voltage values and the phase current values of digital signal form, and determines that whether the operating parameters of the motor assembling unit is normal or not by comparing the operating parameters with corresponding thresholds. The quality detection system for the motor assembling unit realizes performance detection on the motor assembling unit of the electrical equipment, and is more convenient to use at the same time.


If you want to see an aurora, you could go to the Arctic. Or you could go to Saturn. Sarah Badman explains how observations of auroras on other planets are revealing new facts about these fascinating and beautiful phenomena


To evaluate the efficacy of imatinib in a practical setting, we registered 43 patients with newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (group I) and 56 patients with previously diagnosed CML (group II) at 11 hematology centers in Nagasaki prefecture, Japan, from December 2001 to July 2005 and analyzed the molecular responses. Cytopenia, fluid retention, and skin rash were major adverse events, along with elevation in creatine phosphokinase levels. With a follow-up of approximately 3.5 years, imatinib treatment led to 88.7% overall survival (OS) and 85.2% progression-free survival (PFS) rates for group I, and 79.8% OS and 76.6% PFS rates for group II; the rates were not significantly different despite a lower average imatinib dose in group II.The rates of complete cytogenetic response at 30 months and major molecular response at 24 months were 86.1% and 62.5%, respectively, in group I, and 77.9% and 58.3% in group II; the rates were not significantly different. As has been reported by other groups, these results demonstrate that imatinib treatment can provide excellent clinical and molecular effects for not only newly diagnosed but also previously treated CML patients in practical settings that cover a wider variety of patients than clinical trials.


Jacques Dumarcay ; An article published in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research in 2000 brought new arguments in support of the theory that the Borobudur temple once was surrounded by a lake - a theory which has long been favoured by archaeologists, notably Nieuwenkamp in 1931. J. Dumarcay brings to the fore archaeological evidence, discovered during the 1950s to 1970s (buildings, tombs, ceramics, stupas, and plants) which show that the presence of a lake seems impossible. However, it had probably been planned, during the first phase of the construction of the Borobudur, to divert the course of a nearby river (the Kali Silang) in order to establish a moat around the monument, traces of which are still found on its northern side.


This Bachelor of Science thesis has the primary objective to investigate whether or not the wireless technology ZigBee is suitable for industry usage. The thesis work has been done in collaboration with Binar Elektronik AB (Trollhattan, Sweden). The background story for this collaboration is that Binar is interested in finding out if ZigBee is suitable for one of their upcoming products.The thesis is divided into four main parts, beginning with a researching part concerning ZigBee as a concept and a market research on ZigBee hardware. The thesis continuous with a specialization towards one ZigBee hardware, the ZigBee module from MaxStream called Xbee. The Xbee module was chosen based on the result from the market research. This part also describes the code that has been developed for the Xbee module, which main purpose is to simplify communication with the module.The next part of the thesis contains a number of different field tests that show how ZigBee communication is affected in different environments. This part also includes a range test with the Xbee module. The last part of the thesis contains the final results and conclusions, which clearly show that the ZigBee technology, and Xbee in particular, has a potential to satisfy the requirements for a wireless system in an industrial environment. This conclusion concerning the industrial usability of ZigBee should however be seen in the light of this particular thesis work, making this conclusion viable only for the field test environments.


This paper discusses the present educational trends in the Western World, and in particular Australia, that endanger the prospect of critical thought in accounting education. Such trends include the commodification of the student and education, reductions in government funding, and the emergence of Online education. We believe that economic pressure brought to bear on what accounting, and how accounting is taught, should be resisted to preserve the integrity of learning outcomes for students. This then leads us to reveal our struggle to learn/teach in a critical sense. The paper evaluates various pedagogical approaches, and their consequences for teaching and learning accounting. It is proposed there is a direct relationship between the effective teaching and learning of accounting, and the pedagogical framework chosen to enact that teaching and learning. Differing pedagogical frameworks embrace differing epistemological stances. The pedagogical framework chosen impacts significantly on real and valuable learning outcomes achieved. Accounting educators face an ethical imperative to competently educate critical thinking and technically competent professionals to serve society. Teaching and learning pedagogies are exam~for their ability to effectively teach difficult and abstract theoretical accounting concepts, and their ability to link this theory to its practical professional application. This is our response to the emerging trends facing the accounting educator.


Objective:To discuss the clinical eff ects of urokinase impregnation in the prevention of the obstruction of the indwelling needle in femoral vein. Methods: inject urokinase 10,000 u diluted with NS 4ml of a positive pressure. Results: Among 50 cases, 49 cases are effective, and one case invalid. Conclusion: urokinase impregnation is significantly effective in the prevention of the obstruction of the indwelling needle in femoral vein, enhancing the life span of Indwelling needle.


Multiply charged Helium ions are strongly responsible for the properties and characteristics of high-temperature astrophysical and laboratory plasma, as well as for the processes within plasma. Our previous works [1–3] present ground state electron energies, mass corrections and mass polarization effects of He isoelectronic ions, with charge from Z = 2 to Z = 54. Results were obtained by solving the two-electron Schrödinger equation in the explicitly correlated wave functions (ECWF) approach. The numerical procedure brings to a solving of algebraic system of non-linear integro-differential equations of 4 order. The proposed work presents ground state electron energies, mass corrections and mass polarization effects of He isoelectronic ions with nuclear charge for the main nuclides from Z = 2 to Z = 118. The same type generalized Hylleraas' ECWF are used. The variational procedure for determination of the coefficients is discrete, leading to an eigenvalue problem. The developed analytical and numerical method allows to obtain numerical results, which are practically coinciding with those presented in [4,5]. Using of the same method, we have the same accuracy for ions with charge Z > 10. The dependence of the obtained energies versus Z is investigated, as well as the relative and complex contributions of mass corrections and mass polarization effects in formation of the ground state electron energies. The approach developed may be regarded as a base for investigation of the relativistic corrections and QED effects at next stage. The accuracy of the obtained results allows directly usage in precise theoretical approaches [6,7] for plasma diagnostics.


The use of interactive whiteboards in the classroom has been hailed as the means in which an increase in student achievement and motivation can be seen. This study aimed to investigate how teachers can effectively incorporate the interactive whiteboard into the mathematics classroom with the purpose of increasing student achievement and motivation. Three third grade classrooms with varying use of interactive whiteboard technology were utilized in this study. Information on multiplication fluency, the ability to demonstrate the mathematical concepts behind multiplication, student views as seen through survey responses, and end of the unit assessment scores were analyzed. Student achievement and motivation increased as a result of utilizing the interactive whiteboard in a highly interactive, student-directed way. Students in the classroom that utilized the technology in an interactive way performed higher academically and demonstrated more favorable views of math and the interactive whiteboard. Increasing Student Achievement 3 Dedication This paper is dedicated to my grandfather, Frank Buscemi. He always wanted more for his family then what he had. He taught me to never settle for less than the best and to always give more than I take. I love you Grandpa and I miss you everyday. Increasing Student Achievement 4 Acknowledgements First I would like to thank my mother, JoAnn Gust. I would never be where I am today if it wasn't for her love and support. She always believes in me and her faith has made me who I am today. Thank you to my husband, Michael Taylor. He is my best friend and has helped me through some very tough times. He always knows what to say to make me laugh. I would also like to thank my grandmother, Lucy Ann Buscemi. She, along with my grandfather, always wanted the best for me. Her faith in me has helped me to achieve more than I could have on my own. Thank you to Sharon Stein and Michele Jammal for welcoming me into their classrooms and allowing me to utilize their students as subjects for my research. Finally, thank you to Dr. Barrett for her support through the whole writing process. Increasing Student Achievement 5 Table of


Modern viticulture has an acute shortage of planting material, increasing the yield of which can be achieve by applying modern fertilizers. For this purpose, experience was laid in studying the effectiveness of non-root application of the biological preparation Bio-Don 10. According to the results of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that the inclusion in the technology of growing grafted grape seedlings of an additional non-root preparation based on Bio-Don 10 humic acids in a concentration of 0.2 % studied on grafted grape seedlings of white technical varieties Stanichnyi and Sibirkovyi is an effective technique by improving the adaptive indicators of seedlings at school (+14.3-43.5 %), reducing the negative impact of external factors, intensification of the development of one-year shoot (increase in control: +24.7-94.0 cm in total length of growth; +23.6-52.0 cm in ripened length; +2.7-34.3 % in aging; +0.9-3.1 mm in diameter of growth; +5.4-18.3 pieces of leaves; +262.8-1486.8 cm2 in leaf surface area) and an increase in the final yield of seedlings (+12.2-35.3 %). The efficiency of non-root application according to the previously described indicators increases proportionally with an increase in the multiplicity of processing from 2 to 4 times.


JUNO is medium-baseline reactor neutrino experiment that will probe the neutrino spectrum mass ordering (MO) and will measure the mass-mixing oscillation parameters with unprecedented sub-percent precision. It will be complemented with a ton-level, high energy resolution liquid scintillator reference detector, TAO, that will measure the reactor neutrino spectrum with unprecedented accuracy. In this work we study if the limited knowledge of the reactor antineutrino spectrum and of its fine structure can have a significant effect on the mass ordering determination and on the precision measurements of the oscillation parameters, and try to assess the advantages of having the TAO reference detector.


Buoy is one of floating structures used to moor a vessel when docking on the
sea. This buoy is moored on the sea bottom by means of a chain or wire rope or the combination of both which is susceptible to being broken off. This broken mooring line is due to fatigue of enduring a cycle load caused by wave, wind, and tide, and the mooring line configuration itself is not strong enough to endure such load. Such a broken mooring line of single point mooring when the utility support
vessel is docking may endanger the safety of ship crews since the ship is
susceptible to being hit by other floating structures. This final assignment is aimed to find out how much the maximal tension experienced by such chain line is when the chain line dimension is reduced to 5%, 10%, and 15%. The permitted tension cannot be more than the minimum breaking load. Chain line which dimension is reduced to 15% shows the biggest tension of 273.0857 kN at heading of 00. Such tension experienced by the chain line still meets the safety factor of intact condition (ULS) that is above 1.67 which conforms to API RP 2SK 2nd edition.


Introduction: Much of the fascination and speculation surrounding Nanotechnology has been centered around the notion of nano-sized machines, particularly autonomous nano-sized "nano-bots." Closer to the current reality, the design, fabrication and testing of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and Nano-Electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) have made some impressive progress. As Feynman pointed out in his famous lecture on nano-technology, due to both classical and quantum effects, the behavior of such tiny machines may be unique compared to their macroscopic counterparts. Below, an example of the mysterious "Casimir" force, which is a manifestation of the quantization of the electromagnetic field and the associated vacuum field fluctuations, was measured quite precisely using a tiny torsion balance (figures 1A and 1B). The force as a function of distance, shown in figure 1C, exceeded the power-law dependence of the electrostatic force, but is consistent with what is considered the first macroscopic measurement of the Casimir force (images from the journal Science). The manufacture and application of such microto nano-scale machines is now a widespread and rapidly growing enterprise.


Considering that the reunification of Germany demanded that present‐day German society adjusts to the new political realities and an all‐expansive European Union, by means of integrating the populations of a previously divided nation, the emergence of neo‐Nazi groups soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall did not facilitate the relevant process of transition. On the contrary, it made certain that the fascist past of Germany was exposed, just as the socio‐political differences caused by the country's division were reflected. Given the capacity of football to strengthen national identity, this essay explores the extent of manipulation the popular game had to endure during the Nazi regime's stay in power and then assesses racial discrimination in German football in its present form, as well as the role of the extreme right.


Abstract : This report concerns a method for solving the following problems: How much the combat effectiveness of a ground force is changed when an improved tactical information system is added to the force; and how such a change in effectiveness compares with that from an equal-cost addition of a maneuver element. The Army is sponsoring the development of computerized systems for improving the flow of tactical information within an army in the field. The current title for one such system is the 'tactical operations system' (TOS). RAC was requested to assist the Army by developing methods for evaluating these systems. This has resulted in the development of a combat model, designated as ADVICE II, in which the ability of ground force commanders to bring about improved combat results is examined as a function of whether one side in a simulated conflict is provided with a superior TOS or with an equal-cost increment of maneuver elements. A model has also been developed for estimating the incremental costs of additions of either TOS or maneuver elements.


The fibrosarcomas induced in Fischer-344 rats by nickel powder were transplanted to new host rats of the same strain. After the growth pattern was established the tumors were treated with a number of


In this paper we propose a formal model for real-time interfaces to support interface specification, composition and refinement with various features. We introduce a practical class of finitely representable interfaces with duration automata as their finite representation. With this sort of representation we can verify component-based systems in a compositional way, and the verification can be started at early stages of the development process for small pieces of the developed systems.


In the productivity-driven mining industry, safety and employee engagement become a hazard. The mining industry in South Africa experiences challenges such as a high accident rate, employees who are not engaged and individual employees who do not see safety as their own responsibility because they think it is the responsibility of the safety department. A change intervention may create safety awareness among employees. There is a general lack of understanding among managers and academics regarding the effectiveness of such a programme. The main focus of the study being reported here was to determine the effectiveness of a mindset training programme to create safety awareness at a plant in the gold mining industry in South Africa. The empirical results showed that the concept of safety crystallised as a single factor in the after-training factor analysis whereas previously it was concealed in the interpersonal skills, safety and productivity-orientated factor.


Quantitative imaging in lung cancer CT seeks to characterize nodules through quantitative features, usually from a region of interest delineating the nodule. The segmentation, however, can vary depending on segmentation approach and image quality, which can affect the extracted feature values. In this study, we utilize a fully-automated nodule segmentation method – to avoid reader-influenced inconsistencies – to explore the effects of varied dose levels and reconstruction parameters on segmentation. Raw projection CT images from a low-dose screening patient cohort (N=59) were reconstructed at multiple dose levels (100%, 50%, 25%, 10%), two slice thicknesses (1.0mm, 0.6mm), and a medium kernel. Fully-automated nodule detection and segmentation was then applied, from which 12 nodules were selected. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to assess the similarity of the segmentation ROIs of the same nodule across different reconstruction and dose conditions. Nodules at 1.0mm slice thickness and dose levels of 25% and 50% resulted in DSC values greater than 0.85 when compared to 100% dose, with lower dose leading to a lower average and wider spread of DSC values. At 0.6mm, the increased bias and wider spread of DSC values from lowering dose were more pronounced. The effects of dose reduction on DSC for CAD-segmented nodules were similar in magnitude to reducing the slice thickness from 1.0mm to 0.6mm. In conclusion, variation of dose and slice thickness can result in very different segmentations because of noise and image quality. However, there exists some stability in segmentation overlap, as even at 1mm, an image with 25% of the lowdose scan still results in segmentations similar to that seen in a full-dose scan.


An accurate segmentation is critical, especially when the low grade gliomas morphological changes remain subtle, resembles peritumeral tissue characteristics. This quantitative measurement depends on the accuracy of the segmentation method used. The undesired partial volume effect, which lies on a boundary between a highly infiltrating low grade gliomas and peritumeral vasogenic edema, makes unerring boundary determination a difficult task. A new approach to segmentation is proposed, that removes the adverse effect on the boundary, which is unwanted especially from the point of view of volume rendering. This approach gives more accurate boundary detection and holes filling after segmentation. A semi-automatic calculation of volumetric size of low grade gliomas has been implemented in this approach. A comparative analysis of manual, seeded region growing and the proposed approach shows more accurate and better performance for 3D volume measurements.


The end result of these studies would be verification that lighter weight and longer units result in highter productivity. This would be reflected in lower wall costs and improved pricing when these type units were specified


The ring core inductors are widely used in EMI filters to reduce the conducted emissions induced by the power converters. However, the high frequency behavior of these inductors is modified by the apparition of the stray capacitances. These elements have more influence on the efficiency of the EMI filters. In this paper, three modeling methods based on the finite elements method are proposed to calculate the stray capacitance of the core ring inductor that will be integrate in EMI filter design tool. Also, a new measurement approach of the permittivity of magnetic materials was proposed. Finally, the EMI filter model include the high frequency stray capacitances is used to calculate the insertion loss of the EMI filter in a wide frequency bandwidth.


Heliconia, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial plant and commonly known as 'Lobster-claws', 'Wild plantains' or 'False bird of paradise'. Heliconia (Heliconia spp.) belongs to family Heliconiaceae and is amongst the most attractive of all the exotic tropical flowering plants, comprises of single genus, with about 250-300 species. Heliconias are native to Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands and some of the islands of South Pacific, possessing chromosome number 2n=24. It is distributed primarily from the North of Mexico to the South of Brazil. Some species of heliconia are utilized as ornamental plants, usually being grown both as landscaping plant and as cut flowers owing International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 08 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com


The invention discloses a method and a filling installation for filling a hydrogen gas into a vessel (1) having a first port (2) for passing the hydrogen gas and a second port (3) for passing a fluid, wherein the second port (3) is separate from the first port (2). In a first phase a hydraulic fluid is introduced into the vessel (1) through the second port (3) by applying pressure to the hydraulic fluid, such that the hydraulic fluid in the vessel (1) causes a hydrostatic pressure having a pre-determined value. In a second phase the hydrogen gas is introduced into the vessel (1) through the first port (2) by controlling a difference of pressure relative to a current pressure in the vessel (1) for controlling expansion of the hydrogen gas and thereby temperature inside the vessel (1), such that the vessel (1) is filled with the hydrogen gas. To that end the hydraulic fluid is removed from the vessel (1) through the second port (3).


Studies a large midwestern police agency to find out whether female applicants failed the physical ability test more often than male applicants, whether the tasks were job related or whether there was violation of the "four‐fifths" rule of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and whether the test measured critical tasks. Finds that the test has an adverse effect on women and is not job related.


This paper demonstrates the advantage of using sintering technology based on the effect of atomic electron interaction. This effect occurs as a result of the simultaneous exposure to an electromagnetic field of the petahertz frequency range and a constant magnetic field. This leads to a significant reduction in the duration of pore overgrowth and, accordingly, the duration of the sintering process. The tasks that have been done in this study is to prove that the described method is a more effective and promising sintering method compared to classical sintering in muffle furnaces. The obtained results show that using sintering technology based on the effect of atomic electron interaction allows to reduce the sintering time by several times in comparison with traditional sintering technology.


Becase it has never unified target,stable content and ultimate conclusion,philosophy has no aptotic nature.When referring to the nature of philosophy it must be pointed out that the philosophy discussed is "a certain" philosophy.Marxist philosophy is "critical and revolutionary" in the nature,which is just the intrinsic basis of the theoretic character of Marxist about advance with the times.Currently,some orientation problems appeared in the research of Marxism philosophy in our country in the final analysis is that the instructional mentality stems from the nature of Marxism philosophy,which is must be thought much of.


During the process of learning a second language,the knowledge of mother tongue will influence the understanding of the second language acquisition.According to the theory of language transfer,this paper makes a simple analysis of the negative transfer of mother tongue about the Chinese language learner in learning English from the following aspect: pronunciation,grammar,and vocabulary.This paper also supplies some suggestions about how to reduce the negative influence of negative transfer in order to improve the quality of English instruction


The urgency of this study is the analysis of the presence of Sn levels and cassiterite minerals in tailings from tin ore washing at the TB Pemali Pit mining of PT. Timah Tbk. There is less tin in the field, causing tailings to have the opportunity to be reprocessed. Tailings that always increase from each tin washing using a pan america jig result in the accumulation of tailings around the mine. Generally, when washing tin using pan america jigs will not achieve 100% recovery so that the associated minerals and even the main minerals are still left behind and wasted with tailings. Tailings exploitation can be easier than trying to make an insitu collision, this is because generally the tailings are already on the surface or in shallow places, so the process of excavation / re-mining requires lower costs as done by the community around the mine so far. The purpose of this study is to provide information to tin ore mining activities regarding 1) Sn content and cassiterite mineral content in tin ore processing tailings. 2) Knowing efforts to improve the recovery of tin ore washing results with modifications to Pan America Jig. The study was conducted by conducting laboratory tests of tailings samples and washing tailings samples with a pan america jig that had been modified to the thickness of the bed. The average content of cassiterite (Sn) is 10.77%Sn. Efforts made to increase production results are changing bed thickness in accordance with SOPs. The simulation production result according to SOP is 359.2 kgSn/shift. The production increased by 88.72 kg from the previous production of 270.48 KgSn / Shift. If reprocessing of tailings continues, the company will experience profits.


Fixing Families: Parents, Power, and the Child Welfare System. Jennifer A. Reich. New York: Routledge. 2005. 368 pp. ISBN 0-41594727-8. $26.95. (paper) In Fixing Families: Parents, Power, and the Child Welfare System, Jennifer A. Reich vividly portrays inner workings of the child welfare system and offers important insights about the exercise of state power. Characterized as an ethnography of child welfare in one California county, and using data from "ride-alongs" with child welfare investigators and caseworkers, court observations, parent interviews, court documents, and informal interviews with child welfare workers and attorneys, the book accomplishes Reich's stated goal: It illustrates how child welfare practitioners communicate and reinforce dominant expectations of gender, race, and class, and how state agents, through interaction with family members, determine "who can be a family and who cannot" (p. 22). Reich's observations inspire the thesis that child welfare decisions, such as whether a child will be removed from a parent, returned to parent, or made eligible for adoption, depend largely on a parent's capacity to "perform deference," which, in turn, hinges on a parent's race, gender, and marital status. Reich artfully and meticulously illustrates that in an underresourced child welfare environment-with such important goals as child safety and family autonomy at stake-the tipping factor in difficult child welfare decisions is often a parent's willingness and ability to demonstrate in both behavior and attitude mat she (occasionally, he) accepts the state's interpretation of events and complies with its remedies. Although the book succeeds in illuminating subtle uses of power, it also provides examples in which the imperative to cooperate is not hidden but is an explicitly stated influence on child welfare decisions. The book illustrates the role of parental deference at different "critical moments" of a child welfare case: during maltreatment investigations, as parents participate in mandated services, and when judges make decisions about family reunification and parental rights. During an investigation, for example, Reich observes a caseworker explicitly telling a parent that "one factor in whether her kids [would be] removed was how cooperative" the parent seemed, to which the parent responds, "If I don't cooperate with you then you're gonna take my children? That's messed up" (p. 95 - 96). Reich nicely illuminates the role of race in child welfare decisions and practices. For example, when a Black middle-class mother accused of child maltreatment invites her police officer partner, also Black, to sit in on an investigatory interview with the White local sheriff, the police officer informs the mother of some of her legal rights. In response to the unwelcome intervention, the sheriff, unaware of the police officer's profession, confronts him, "You seem to know so much about the law. How many times have you been arrested?" (p. …


Classical computations can not capture the essence of infinite computations very well. We will focus on a class of infinite computations called convergent infinite computations and, based on the study of the sequences of first order theories and their limits (Li, 1992), establish a logical framework for describing and analyzing how an infinite computation interacts and evolves in changing environments and what the limit of the evolution might be. In this paper, a logic for convergent infinite computations is proposed by extending first order theories using Cauchy sequences, which has stronger expression power than the first order logic. A class of fixed points characterizing the logical properties of the limits can be represented by means of infinite-length terms defined by Cauchy sequences. We will show that the limit of sequence of first order theories can be defined in terms of distance, similar to the ǫ − N style definition of limits in real analysis. In addition, a computation model, called procedure scheme, for convergent infinite computations is proposed, on the basis of classical Turing machine and formal theory sequences and their limits. As two examples of application of the above study, (1) logic programs and their semantic interpretations are extended by introducing sequences of logic programs and sequences of least models and their limits, (2) the limit behavior of data mining is discussed by means of limits of theory sequences.


The program Perfect Moment is built around a collection of techniques. Given a differential equation, a control parameter, and two state-space points, the program explores the system's behavior, automatically choosing interesting and useful parameter values and constructing state-space portraits at each one. It then chooses a set of trajectory segments from those portraits, uses them to construct a composite path between the objectives, and finally causes the system to follow that path by switching the parameter value at the segment junctions. Rules embodying theorems and definitions from nonlinear dynamics are used to limit computational complexity by identifying areas of interest and directing and focusing the mapping and search on these areas.
Reference trajectories found by this design tool exhibit a variety of interesting and useful properties. Perfect Moment balances an inverted pendulum by "pumping" the device up, over half a dozen cycles, using roughly one-sixth the torque that a traditional linear controller would exert in this task. In another example, the program uses a detour through a chaotic zone to stabilize a system about 300 times faster than would happen by waiting long enough for the system to reach a regime where traditional control methods obtain. Chaotic zones can also be used to steer trajectories across boundaries of basins of attraction, effectively altering the geometry and the convergence properties of the system's stability regions. An externally-induced chaotic attractor that overlaps the phase-locked loop's original lock range is demonstrated here; the controller designed by the program uses this feature to extend the capture range out to the original lock range limits, allowing the circuit to acquire lock over a wider range of input frequencies than would otherwise be possible. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.) (Abstract shortened by UMI.)


The present paper reviews the literature on the role of top management teams (TMT) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Given variety of theoretical lenses applied in this field - such as agency ...


The invention relates to a method for producing hexafluoropropane oxide and coproducing perfluorovinyl ether, which comprises the following steps of: performing reaction of oxidizing hexafluoropropylene to synthesize the hexafluoropropylene oxide to obtain mixed gas, introducing the mixed gas into a coarse fractionating tower, and rectifying and purifying the separated heavy component to obtain hexafluoropropylene oxide; making the separated light component enter a rectifying tower to remove non-condensable gas to obtain mixed gas of fluorophosgene and perfluacetylfluoride, and introducing the hexafluoropropylene oxide for polymerization to obtain a corresponding perfluoroalkylpolyether mixture; in the presence of sodium carbonate, performing cracking reaction at the temperature of between 150 and 300 to obtain a perfluorovinyl ether mixture; and separating by using the rectifying tower to respectively obtain three kinds of perfluorovinyl ether, namely PMVE, PEVE, PPVE. The method fulfills the aim of producing the hexafluoropropane oxide, and fully utilizes a byproduct, namely perfluorovinyl ether with high added-value generated by the reaction, and has the advantages of reasonable process and industrial application.


In this paper, He's variational iteration method is successfully employed to solve a nonlinear boundary value problem arising in the study of thin film flow of a third grade fluid down an inclined plane. For comparison, the same problem is solved by the Adomian decomposition method. The results show that the difference between the two solutions is negligible. The conclusion is that this technique may be considered an alternative and efficient method for finding approximate solutions of both linear and nonlinear boundary value problems. Furthermore, the variational iteration method has an advantage over the decomposition method in that it solves the nonlinear problems without using the Adomian polynomials.


Baccharis nebularis , a new species belonging to B. subgen. Tarchonanthoides sect. Curitybenses , is described, illustrated, and compared to B. chionolaenoides and B. curitybensis . A key for its identification is provided. The new species occurs in patches of cloud forest thickets mixed with high altitude tropical grasslands in the southern Brazilian mountains. Data on distribution and habitat, phenology, conservation status, as well as a list of specimens examined are also presented .


To the Editor: —The one outstanding feature of the present world-wide war, which differentiates it from all previous wars, is the recognition of the importance of the industrial resources of nations. Not only is the war of today a contest between military forces, but it is a contest between industrial forces. Every nation involved is mobilizing its industries—using the term in its broadest sense—and stimulating their growth and development to the highest plane of efficiency, realizing that, in the final analysis, victory will go to that nation or those nations which will hold out the longest—industrially, financially and militarily. It is a war of attrition. Such being the case, it is vital that the United States, having entered into the war, should mobilize its industries—which it is doing with the' aid of the Council of National Defense—and do everything possible to strengthen the weak links of its


A modified mutual inductance bridge has been used to measure ac magnetic susceptibility χ (frequency 155 Hz and intensity 8 Oe) of degenerate magnetic semiconductors Sn 1- x Mn x Te ( x =1 at.%, 3 at.%, and 5 at.%) at liquid He temperatures. In contrast to the high-field (5 kOe) susceptibility data, the low-field susceptibility shows two magnetic transitions at the characteristic temperatures of T AHE (5-6 K) and T m (4-5 K).


This paper investigates the performance of an H extra condensing surface on the evaporator of a refrigeration unit. Different parameters were studied. The water flow rate was seen to inversely impact the desalinated water production. The increase in air temperature increases the water production. The HDH unit showed the same trends with all the packing materials used. The use of cellulose paper led to the highest performance followed by the clay balls packing. Finally, the poore as packing.


This paper analyzed current problems of SVM and the effect of parameter selection on classification performance.It presented an optimized SVM algorithm based on improving SVM key parameters by using improved particle swarm optimization.It introduced particle swarm algorithm with crowded factor into SVM.It optimized the parameters without sacrificing generalization ability,also increased the diversity of SVN initialization parameter.This method slowed down local search.On the other hand,it enhanced the optimization search ability within the global scope so as to overcome the SVN algorithm's shortcomings of over-reliance on the initial value and easy to fall into the local minimum value.By using coarse to precious strategy,it built up multi-class SVM face expression classifier.It accelerated classification speed on the basis of increase the accuracy.Experiment results show the fast speed and high accuracy of the new algorithm.


In this paper,how and why MgO acts on theburning of white cement clinker and increases thewhiteness were found by means of common detectionand EPMA.It was shown that MgO is a kind ofeffective mineralizer and brightener.


became so acute, owing to the women needing time for shopping and domestic duties, that the firm introduced a rota system, whereby the women had only 54 days of work a week and a total of 52 hours. Since the change the casual absenteeism has practically ceased. The effect on output is not stated, but a firm is mentioned where the women were employed on making hand-grenades, and they were found to produce more grenades when working a 50-hour week than on a 56-hour week. At another factory, where scientific glass was made, the hours of work were reduced from 9 hrs. 50 mins. a day to 84 hrs., and after two weeks the majority of the women were producing as much in the shorter hours as they had done in the longer ones. The hours sanctioned by the Factory Department are often exceeded illegally, especially in the employment at night of young women under 18 and of boys under 16. In one case boys under 16 were employed on night shift for between 60 and 70 hours a week, and in another girls of 16 and, 17 were employed on alternating day and night shifts with an average weekly total of 63 hours. Again, adult women were employed in the assembling of motor vehicles for 70 hours a week. In these and many other cases proceedings were taken by the inspectors against the occupiers, and there must be numerous instances of illegal hours which escape their notice altogether. Many married women with domestic responsibilities are taking up employment on a part-time basis. The most. popular plan has proved to be a two-shift system by means of which two sets of women put in, between them, a full day of work between 8 a.m. and 6 or 7 p.m. An extension of this method is to work three short shifts per day, the hours of the shifts being 7 a.m. to 12 noon, 12 to 5 p.m., and 5 to 10 p.m. Or, again, four short shifts may be worked, running from 6 to 10 a.m., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 to 6 p.m., and 6 to 10 p.m. Another alternative is to get the women to work " overtime " hours in the evenings, after the ordinary workers have left at 5, 6, or 7 p.m. The women continue the work till 9, 10, or 11 p.m. The long hours of work must often have an adverse effect on the health of the workers, but Dr. J. C. Bridge, the Chief Medical Inspector, maintains that, speaking generally, there is no reason to think that it has been' so affected. He says that if industrial employment had produced deterioration in health there would have been an obvious increase in the notifiable infectious diseases, and that such has not been the case. Yet on another page of his report he briefly mentions the increasing incidence of tuberculosis among young adults, particularly females. What more striking evidence can we have of the adverse effects of war conditions than the vital statistics of Dr. Percy Stocks,2 which show that the tuberculosis mortality of young women (aged 15 to 25) rose 16 % between 1939 and 1941 ? It is apparently dependent in considerable degree on hours of work, for Drs. Laidlaw and Macfarlane' found that the pulmonary tuberculosis cases in Glasgow among industrial workers in general increased 21 % between the same periods, while those of clerks and shop employees increased only 3 %. Now these two classes of employees mostly worked for 48 hours a week or less, whereas the industrial workers were usually employed for 56 hours or more, and in many cases for 72 hours. Dr. Bridge considers that the maintenance of health is largely attributable to the steps taken to provide meals in the factory canteens at a reasonable rate; but other and perhaps more important factors must depend on the wise food policy of the Government, and on the fact that good wages are now being earned by hundreds of thousands of


The power spectral density of randomly sampled signals is studied with reference to fluid velocity measured by laser Doppler velocimetry. In this paper, we propose a new method for spectral estimation of Poisson-sampled stochastic processes. Our approach is based on polygonal (first-order) interpolation from the sampled process followed by resampling and usual fast Fourier transform. This study emphasizes the merit of the polygonal hold vs. the sample-and-hold.


Dependency parsing has gained more and more interest in natural language processing in recent years due to its simplicity and general applicability for diverse languages. The international conference of computational natural language learning (CoNLL) has organized shared tasks on multilingual dependency parsing successively from 2006 to 2009, which leads to extensive progress on dependency parsing in both theoretical and practical perspectives. Meanwhile, dependency parsing has been successfully applied to machine translation, question answering, text mining, etc. To date, research on dependency parsing mainly focuses on data-driven supervised approaches and results show that the supervised models can achieve reasonable performance on in-domain texts for a variety of languages when manually labeled data is provided. However, relatively less effort is devoted to parsing out-domain texts and resource-poor languages, and few successful techniques are bought up for such scenario. This tutorial will cover all these research topics of dependency parsing and is composed of four major parts. Especially, we will survey the present progress of semi-supervised dependency parsing, web data parsing, and multilingual text parsing, and show some directions for future work. In the first part, we will introduce the fundamentals and supervised approaches for dependency parsing. The fundamentals include examples of dependency trees, annotated treebanks, evaluation metrics, and comparisons with other syntactic formulations like constituent parsing. Then we will introduce a few mainstream supervised approaches, i.e., transition-based, graph-based, easy-first, constituent-based dependency parsing. These approaches study dependency parsing from different perspectives, and achieve comparable and state-of-the-art performance for a wide range of languages. Then we will move to the hybrid models that combine the advantages of the above approaches. We will also introduce recent work on efficient parsing techniques, joint lexical analysis and dependency parsing, multiple treebank exploitation, etc. In the second part, we will survey the work on semi-supervised dependency parsing techniques. Such work aims to explore unlabeled data so that the parser can achieve higher performance. This tutorial will present several successful techniques that utilize information from different levels: whole tree level, partial tree level, and lexical level. We will discuss the advantages and limitations of these existing techniques. In the third part, we will survey the work on dependency parsing techniques for domain adaptation and web data. To advance research on out-domain parsing, researchers have organized two shared tasks, i.e., the CoNLL 2007 shared task and the shared task of syntactic analysis of non-canonical languages (SANCL 2012). Both two shared tasks attracted many participants. These participants tried different techniques to adapt the parser trained on WSJ texts to out-domain texts with the help of large-scale unlabeled data. Especially, we will present a brief survey on text normalization, which is proven to be very useful for parsing web data. In the fourth part, we will introduce the recent work on exploiting multilingual texts for dependency parsing, which falls into two lines of research. The first line is to improve supervised dependency parser with multilingual texts. The intuition behind is that ambiguities in the target language may be unambiguous in the source language. The other line is multilingual transfer learning which aims to project the syntactic knowledge from the source language to the target language.


This study investigated the structural coloration and fabric hand of the caustic reduced fabrics for emotional garment using structural color yarns, which was spun by 37 alternating nylon and polyester layers capable of producing basic colors using biomimetic technology. The colorations of the three kinds of structural color yarns were confirmed using multi angle spectro-photometer, and their triangular cross sections composed with 37 alternating nylon and polyester layers were measured using SEM and were discussed with layer length in relation with coloration and spinning conditions were also set up. The apparent color difference and reflectance of the three kinds of fabrics with different density and weave pattern were analysed as ranging from 400nm to 700nm. The optimum fabric structural design which is made by warp and weft densities(194ends/in × 105picks/in) and caustic reduction condition by 100°C temperature and 60minutes with NaOH, 20g/l solution were decided through analysis of the mechanical properties and fabric hands of these three kinds of fabrics treated with 3 kinds of the caustic reduction conditions. And it was shown that the rate of caustic reduction was increased from 13% to 23% with increasing temperature and time of caustic reduction. The extensibility, bending rigidity and shear modulus of caustic reduction treated fabrics were decreased by treatment of caustic reduction, on the other hand fabric compressibility was increased. And it was shown that the hand value of specimen number one which was treated with temperature 100°C and time 60minute was the best and the hand of this fabric was better than that of Morpho fabric made by Teijin co. Japan.


Even though process orientation/BPM is a widely accepted paradigm with heavy impact on industry and research the available technology does not support the business professionals' tasks in an appropriate manner that is in a way allowing processes modeling using concepts from the business domain. This results in a gap between the business people expertise and the IT knowledge required. The current trend in bridging this gap is to utilize technologies developed for the Semantic Web, for example ontologies, while maintaining reusability and flexibility of processes. In this chapter the authors present an overview of existing technologies, supporting the BPM lifecycle, and focus on potential benefits Semantic Web technologies can bring to BPM. The authors will show how these technologies help automate the transition between the inherently separate/detached business professionals' level and the IT level without the burden of additional knowledge acquisition on behalf of the business professionals. As background information they briefly discuss existing process modeling notations like the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) as well as the execution centric Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), Tammo van Lessen University of Stuttgart, Germany


Bosancica is identical with Gothic script, or Vulfila's Biblical-Gothic asbestos from the 4th century; an asbestos, which, according to many scholars, was compiled by Bishop Vulfila, in order to translate the Bible into the Gothic language. Bosancica is identical with the Mesophone letter from the time before our era. Mezafiska's alphabet about which Momzen wrote, and later on by her, a great connoisseur of the Illyrian language and letter of Hans Krahe, dates back to the 6th 1st century BC. The Vulfillino Gothic script is identical with the Mesopotamian script.


The new curriculum standards put forward new requirements for mathematics reading and writing ability, therefore, mastering these abilities of normal university students is becoming more important. Through the questionnaire, the mathematics reading and writing ability of the students majoring in mathematics were investigated. There are the following problems: lack of interest, lack of effective methods and skills in mathematics reading and writing; the abilities of reading and solving problems need to be improved. And they can't transform the mathematical language. In order to solve the above problems, this paper puts forward the corresponding improvement measures and methods.


Nowadays many teenagers get lost about their values,which is an external indicator of deficiency of individual self-awareness to a fairly large extent.From the development of individual self-awareness,to guide the individuals to get in contact with the surrounding and the world,and expand their values of life and purse a better life,is the essential of education.At present,there exists trend to ignore educational values guidance.Therefore,we must attach great importance to the values guidance and carry it into practice to promote individual self-awareness and to transcend individual values.


It was February 12, 2008. A group of eighth-grade students filed into the computer lab, Room 42, at E. O. Green High School in Oxnard, California. Abuzz with talk of the upcoming Valentine's Day, they sat down to write essays for their unit on tolerance. The computers themselves were old, with big, square bellies and hazy faces. One kid asked another, "Larry! Are you really changing your name?" "Yes!" came the excited reply. Another student, Brandon, sporting a pale face and crew cut under his dark hoodie, stood up slowly, pulled a revolver from his waist, aimed, and shot. Twice. A girl slumped over her keyboard. The cursor blinked heavily beside her new name: Latisha. In The Life and Death of Latisha King, Gayle Salamon reflects on the murder itself, the trial that followed, and the political issues at stake. Salamon attended the trial, which stretched from July 5 to September 1, 2011. She was joined by psychoanalyst Ken Corbett, author of Murder Over a Girl, and documentarian Marta Cunningham, director of Valentine Road. Training her eye and ear not only on the crisp court transcript, but also on the rich gestural and tonal fabric of the trial itself, Salamon emerges with a counter-narrative. The story is not, as the juridical system, Oxnard inhabitants, or even Ellen Degeneres1 would book reviews


The inability to identify the source of origin of SARS-CoV-2 even after more than twenty months of its emergence is intriguing and challenges the scientists and the public health personnel alike. Apprehension has been raised in certain quarters that some sort of human interference has taken place in the already dynamic gene pool of coronaviruses, which is a matter of concern. The need to have a scientific audit is paramount to unearth the real narrative about its origin as the precipitous assumption based on reports of human case incidences of infectious respiratory viral diseases having pandemic potential from a specific region is scientifically premature and it does not conclusively confirm the region to be the place of origin of the viral pathogen. Delineation of the source of origin of SARS-CoV-2 is vital for formulating strategies for the prevention of future outbreaks of viral zoonotic diseases if any, development of effective candidate vaccines, and designing target specific drugs. Further, this will put to rest the controversy about the origin and emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and create an ambience for cooperative functioning among the global stakeholders. It is pertinent to have comprehensive scrutiny of the laboratories conducting experimental research on coronaviruses particularly bat and other suspected mammalian beta-coronaviruses to avert such calamitous situations in future. Mitigation of the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is a global responsibility and necessitates joint efforts from all stakeholders across the globe.


The online portals have been in use as an information and communication tool for some time in construction projects. Although they have brought significant benefits, the way they are implemented in projects is crucial to deliver the desired outcomes. Appropriates of the technology and processes are two critical aspects that determine the effective use of online portals, as in any other Information and Communication Technology initiatives. Moreover the challenges facing alignment of technology and processes in the online portal implementation is greater in 'intra-organisation' context than in 'inter-organisation'. Online portal implementation in construction projects are typically intra-organisational. In the context of this research supply chain perspective is employed to contextualise the intra-organisational setup of construction projects. This paper identifies the issues impacting technology and process alignment with online portals in sharing information and communication across construction project supply chains. The un-alignment of technology and process will impact on the successful outcomes of the portal, in turn impacting on the project outcomes. A single case study strategy using interview method is employed to collect data. Coding and thematic analysis is used to identify the relevant issues. The findings identify two issues impacting on technological alignment and six issues impacting on process alignment of online portals in the project teams. The issues impacting on technology are (a) the extent of hardware/software systems interoperability and (b) technical capacity/ capability of the supply chain members. The issues impacting on process alignment are (a) designing and resourcing of information management processes, (b) communication of the processes relating to information management to project team, (c) the perceptions on intend and actual purpose of the portal, (d) the level of irrelevant information overburden, (e) level of clarity on accountability and responsibility of project team members, and (f) contractual environment- attitudes of and trust between members.


Telomeres are specialized eukaryotic chromosome end structures, comprised of tandem repeats of TTAGGG sequence and associated proteins. In this study, we look at the genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that influence telomere quantity in chickens. We quantified the relative amount of telomeric DNA in isolated interphase peripheral blood lymphocytes by the Quantitative Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization technique using telomere specific DNA probes. In results, the relative amount of telomeric DNA (ATD) showed negatively correlation with increase age. The ATD significantly varied among breeds. However, sex of an individual had very little influence on telomere quantity. In feeding, antioxidant properties mixed in diet helps alleviate telomere loss. Increased stocking density significantly affects the telomere shortening in an individual. Raising conditions, outdoor floor and cage type, of the chicken also affect telomere quantity. The underlying mechanism of telomere biology like telomere dynamics in terms of shortening and maintenance are similar to that found in human beings and most other vertebrates apart from a few exceptions.


Abstract Finger dermatoglyphics of 50 Chenchu females and 50 Lambadi females of Andhra Pradesh, India, are reported. Interestingly, whorls are more in Lambadis when compared to Chenchus. Lambadis show accidentals and have more ridges than Chenchus. These results have been compared with those of earlier data.


Rule 415 allows a firm to register all the securities it reasonably expects to sell over the next two years and then, at the management's option, to sell those securities over these two years whenever it chooses. This paper examines whether equity offerings made under Rule 415 (shelf offerings) differ in issuing costs from equity offerings not sold under this rule. We find that shelf offerings cost 13% less for syndicated issues and 51% less for nonsyndicated issues. We also investigate the empirical relevance of the market overhang argument which suggests that shelf registrations depress the price of the registering firm's shares more than traditional registrations. Our data does not support the market overhang argument. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE Commission's (SEC) Rule 415, which was permanently adopted for large firms in November, 1983, allows a firm to register all the securities that it reasonably expects to sell over the next two years and then sell those securities whenever it chooses. This procedure is known as shelf registration. Investment bankers, securities regulators, and corporate issuers vigorously debate the effect of Rule 415 on firms' issuing cost for new securities. Some (mostly investment bankers) argue that Rule 415 increases new issue costs while others (mostly issuers) argue that Rule 415 decreases new issue costs. In addition, many investment bankers argue that placing common stock "on the shelf" depresses the price of a firm's outstanding shares of stock. Most issuers,


All rights reserved by www.ijsrd.com 1259 Abstract— In the present paper a review for a novel technique to form metal by laser is presented. Basically metal shaping by Laser is non-contact method in which laser beam is used as energy source and by inducing thermal stress in material; we can form material in different shapes. The importance of laser forming lies in its capability to form low ductility metal and with high accuracy of positioning which normally not possible in conventional forming process which uses mechanical tool. In this paper different experimental result of laser forming technique is presented so that one can easily analyze the laser forming technique and its capability and limitations. The important parameters which influence process results are laser beam diameter, sheet thickness, laser input power, scan speed and material properties. By suitably choosing above parameters 2D and 3D geometry had been formed from sheet metal. Key wordsLaser shaping, thermal stress, Scan speed.


The characteristics of a pin-attenuator on a slotted-waveguide line, operating in the upper part of the cm-band, are presented. In the band of more than 3 GHz, an attenuator with two 2A5135 diodes provides an attenuation adjustment of up to 45 dB when the VSWR is no more than 2.2. While the attenuation adjustment is within 0-30 dB, the phase change is no more than 26/spl deg/.


retrospective narratives with an account of the development of official policy towards the evacuees at local and national level. The personal papers of G.M. Bland, Lancaster's Billeting Officer, reveal Bland's efforts to improve the medical condition of evacuees and provide them with adequate footwear and clothing, as well as his exasperation with Salford parents who jeopardized the scheme by removing their children seemingly on a whim from billets that he had found with difficulty. Bland's local government perspective on the (to him) irritating messiness of human behaviour contrasts well with public celebratory statements about the civic success of evacuation. At national level the story is constructed in part from the papers of Elizabeth Denby, who collected evidence on the features of evacuees that became notorious in the autumn of 1939, notably bedwetting, head lice, poor nutrition and evil manners, for a report published as Our Towns, a Close Up in 1943. While simultaneously condemning the inadequacies of 'problem families' (slum parents), the report made recommendations for future welfare provision, from better housing to nursery schools. Welshman also discusses the investigations and opinions of school medical officers, civil servants and politicians, including Sir Maurice Holmes at the Board of Education and R.A. Butler, President of the Board from 1941. He includes enough detail about their deliberations on school milk, meals, medical inspection and educational reform to support the argument that he elaborates elsewhere that evacuation made an important contribution to post-war reconstruction and to the establishment of the welfare state. Welshman's effort to combine personal, subjective accounts of the experience of evacuation with the history of evacuation as social policy is worthy and ambitious. The issue it throws up, however, is how to connect the two stories. None of these evacuees confesses to wetting the bed or having nits. They do not mention medical inspection or school meals. Those who recall difficulties do not write of deficits they brought with them from their own homes, which was the category of problem with which the authorities were concerned and to which social reform was directed in the 1940s. They remember the emotional consequences of evacuation, notably the pain of separation from their families and, for a small number, neglect and abuse by their hosts, and they reflect on the impact of these childhood experiences across their lives to the present day. In terms of historical method, Welshman's book unwittingly highlights the very different demands of writing a history of emotions, compared with reconstructing the history of policy.


Objective To determine the expression levels of B-lymphocyte stimulator(BLyS)and its receptors in monoclonal gammopathy,and investigate the relationship of BLyS and its receptors with multiple myeloma(MM).Methods BLyS and its receptors B-cell activation factor receptor(BAFFR),transmembrane activator and CAML interactor(TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen(BCMA) levels from peripheral B lymphocytes of 9 MM patients,11 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS) patients and 7 healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry.Among 20 MM patients,23 MGUS patients and 20 healthy controls,their serum BAFF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The expression of BAFFR in peripheral B lymphocytes was high.There was no significant difference between MM patients,MGUS patients and healthy subjects(P0.05).There were significant differences in membrane surface receptor(P0.05),and MM patients had high binding ability.The MM and MGUS patients had significant low expression level of TACI,which the results had statistical difference between MM patients and healthy controls(P0.05).The expression of BCMA was high,and there were significant difference between MM patients and healthy controls or MGUS patients(P0.05).The level of BLyS in MM patients was higher than that of MGUS patients(P0.05).The level of MGUS patients was also higher than that of controls(P0.05).Conclusions BLyS receptors BAFFR,TACI and BCMA may be related with the pathogenesis of MM,and serum BLyS may serve as a biomarker of MM in clinical laboratory.


U NINCORPORATED businesses comprise an interesting lacuna in the empirical knowledge of our economy, not to mention the unsatisfactory nature of theory which fails to account for the intertwining of household and firm behavior of those individuals who do not even have the legal structure of incorporation to separate their personal from their business activities. Lacking basic sources for statistical data on unincorporated business analogous to corporate income tax returns and accounting statements, economists have relied on scattered bits of information to piece together an incomplete picture of this sector. In this paper we shall examine data gathered from business respondents in past Surveys of Consumer Finances, conducted by the Survey Research Center for the Federal Reserve Board, to see what light can be shed on the structure of unincorporated business. As is well known, the Surveys of Consumer Finances are designed to give a statistical picture of the household or consumer sector of the economy and, in doing so, to provide in a rounded fashion various types of information on those households who have a whole or part interest in businesses. We have re-examined the questionnaire schedules from the I949-52 Surveys to extract as much information as possible on aspects of unincorporated business. The technical problems of using these schedules for the purposes at hand are taken up below. In each year's survey of 3,000-3,500 spending units, there are only 250-300 owners of unincorporated businesses, too few for most detailed analyses. In order to inaugurate work in this field on the basis of materials now available we have adopted, in many computations, the inadequate procedure of pooling the respondents from three or four surveys. We thereby get samples somewhat larger than 750 or i,ooo cases. The present phase of the study is, however, exploratory and preparatory to the ultimate conduct of a survey with a questionnaire tailored to our purposes and including an adequate number of cases for analysis. A motivating force behind this study of unincorporated business is the apparent existence of behavioral differences between business and other groups in the population. Statistical savings equations estimated from sample survey data indicate a hierarchical pattern in both marginal and average propensities to save: farmers are the highest savers; businessmen rank next; and non-entrepreneurial households are lowest. Various explanations have been advanced to account for the observed differences, and we shall consider these in some detail. The crucial issue is whether the differences are due to the savings and income concepts used or to alternative motivational forces and behavior patterns.' A by-product of this type of analysis is a contribution to the question whether the theory of behavior of businessmen can be compartmentalized into a theory of household behavior and a theory of firm behavior. If the compartmentalization is not possible, we are confronted with the necessity of developing a pooled theory of behavior. From the point of view of behavioral studies it may well be asked why we limit ourselves to unincorporated business. The reasons are largely pragmatic. The unincorporated sector is more of a terra incognita than either the farm or corporate sector. Legal differences in corporate organization carry some weight in distinguishing this type from unincorporated business, although it must be admitted that closely controlled small corporations may behave much like unincorporated enterprises of a comparable size. Many special features attached to farm enterprise, such as geographical location, government support, involvement in organized world markets, and so forth, lead us to exclude this sector from our present investigations.


High frequency resonant link AC/AC power converters with a resonant circuit between the input converter and the output converter enable the system to reduce switching losses by switching the devices on or switch them off only at the moment of the resonant voltage or current across the device remaining at zero. The converters also have the possibilities of solving such problems as the increased switching losses and incompatibility with high power capability and high switching frequency, in which high frequency carrier PWM inverters usually have problems. The resonant link converters, however, also had the particular problems such as distortion of the output voltage, high peak-voltage or -current stresses on the devices, which are mainly caused by the uniform pulses arising from the phase selections of the devices for PDM operation. In this paper we clarified these problems and proposed a current limiting method which limits the current pulse to a fixed value by using a saturable core in place of a resonant inductor. And current pulse splitting method is also proposed. The method performs to control three phase currents almost at a time, improving output waveforms and the reduction of filter capacitor size becomes possible. This paper deals with the principles on these methods and the simulated results and experimental results are included.


Redvale Landfill opened in 1993. The lining system includes a low permeability liner of compacted mudstone. Quality control testing during the first phase included Clegg strength tests, field air voids tests, field permeability tests and laboratory permeability tests on core-cutter samples. A correlation between air voids and permeability was established. Effective compaction equipment was identified.


Correlation-immunity is an important concept in cryptology. In ref. [1] Siegenthaler introduced the mathematical definition of correlation-immunity and used the correlation-immunity order of logic functions as a measure for cipher systems to defend against correlation attacks. In terms of Walsh transform, the correlation immunity of binary-valued logic functions, i.e. Boolean functions, was studied in ref. [2], and a necessary


Economic growth holds a significant role in improving social welfare of a
country. One of a country�s economic progress parameters is depicted from
industrial sectors� growth in its capital market. Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) is
one of capital markets in which stock transaction is conducted. Changes in stock
prices are influenced by many factors. Changes in world oil price, inflation rate,
exchange rate and BI rate are examples of macroeconomic factors that are
uncontrollable by company and have influence on a country�s economy.
Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) is an indicator of capital market
development in Indonesia which is provided by Indonesia Stock Exchange. IHSG
has sub-indexes called as Sectorial Index which currently consists of 10 sectors.
Sectorial index is a general picture of performance development of companies
grouped in a particular sector.
This study is an empirical research using quantitative method aiming at
explaining the relationship of effect in world oil price change, inflation rate,
exhange rate, and BI rate on IHSG and Sectorial indexes of Indonesia Stock
Exchange. Samples taken are monthly data gathered from 2007 to 2011. Data
analysis method used is correlation analysis which is Pearson product moment.
Analysis result shows that BI rate, inflation, and exchange rate has a
negative correlation towards IHSG and Sectoral Index, whereas the world oil
price change correlates positively towards IHSG and Sectoral Index in Indonesia
Stock Exchange.


A spark ignition engine was operated on low-Btu gas for 200 hours without tar fouling problems. The gas was produced by a fluidized bed gasifier; gas clean-up was accomplished with multiple filters. A special carburetor was developed that utilized an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas to control gas metering. The carburetor automatically adjusts for gas quality variations and load changes.


The elucidation of the chemical mechanisms whereby biological molecules control, regulate and catalyze phosphoryl transfer reactions has profound implications for processes such as transcription, energy storage and transfer, cell signalling and gene regulation.[1, 2] The catalytic properties of RNA, in particular, have application in the design of new biotechnology and implications into the evolutionary origins of life itself.[3] Of primary importance to the understanding of mechanism is the characterization of the transition state for these reactions. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) offer one of the most powerful and sensitive experimental probes to interrogate the chemical environment of the transition state.[4-6] However, for complex reactions, theoretical methods are required to interpret the experimental measurements in terms of a detailed mechanistic model that traces the pathway from the reactant state through the transition state and into the product state.[7, 8]

This paper presents experimental and computational results to characterize the mechanism of model phosphoryl transfer reactions that mimic RNA cleavage transesterification catalyzed by enzymes such as RNase A[1] as well as endonucleolytic ribozymes such as the hammerhead, hairpin, hepatitis delta virus (HDV), VS and glmS ribozymes.[9-11] Herein, secondary kinetic isotope effects are reported for the cleavage transesterification of a dinucleotide system, which, together with previously reported primary isotope effect measurements,[12, 13] represent a comprehensive characterization of isotope effects for a native (unmodified) RNA system.

Scheme 1 illustrates the general mechanism for the reverse dianionic in-line methanolysis of ethylene phosphate, a model for base-catalysed RNA phosphate transesterification, with phosphoryl oxygen positions labelled in accord with their RNA counterparts. In this study, the free energy profiles for Scheme 1 were determined with density-functional quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations in explicit solvent.[14-17] These simulations are state-of-the-art, and take into account the dynamical fluctuations of the solute and solvent degrees of freedom in determination of the free energy profiles. In addition, adiabatic reaction energy profiles were determined with solvation effects treated implicitly with a polarizable continuum model (PCM)[18] specifically calibrated for the native and 3′ and 5′ thio-substituted compounds (Figure 1). The 3′ and 5′ thio-substituted compounds model the corresponding chemically modified RNAs that serve as valuable experimental probes of phosphoryl transfer mechanisms catalyzed by ribozymes.[19] The S5′ substitution, for example, in the HDV ribozyme serves as an enhanced leaving group that suppresses the deleterious effect of mutation of a critical cytosine residue, which has been interpreted to support its role as a general acid catalyst.[20] The energy values for stationary points of the native and thio-substituted reactions are in Table 1. Using our recently developed ab initio path-integral method based on Kleinert's variational perturbation theory,[7, 21-23] we also calculated kinetic isotope effects, which are shown along with the most relevant experimental values for comparison in Table 2. The agreement that is achieved between the theoretical and experimental results allows a detailed mechanistic interpretation based on the theoretical models.[7, 8]

Figure 1

(Color online) Comparison of density-functional QM/MM free-energy and adiabatic PCM profiles for the native reaction (top), and density-functional adiabatic PCM profiles for native and thio-substituted reactions (bottom) as a function of the difference ...

Scheme 1

General reaction scheme for the (associative) reverse of dianionic in-line methanolysis of ethylene phosphate: a model for RNA phosphate transesterification under alkaline conditions. In the present work, the native reaction shown in the scheme is studied ...

Table 1

Relative free energy (kcal/mol) and reaction coordinate (Δbond) values (A) computed for stationary points along the coordinate of the native and thio-substituted RNA phosphate transesterification reaction models shown in Scheme 1.[[a] ...

Table 2

Primary kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) on 2′ nucleophile (18kNu) and 5′ leaving (18kLg) oxygens, and secondary KIEs on O1P (18kO1P) and O2P (18kO2P) oxygens in aqueous solution for the TS1 and TS2 transition states, along with the most ...

All of the profiles calculated in this work correspond to associative (or concerted) mechanisms characterized by initial nucleophilic attack, as is typical of phosphate diesters.[6] The departure of the leaving group can be concerted with nucleophilic attack (as in the S5′ substituted reaction) or can occur in a stepwise fashion resulting in the formation of a stable pentavalent phosphorane intermediate. In the stepwise mechanism, two transition states occur: one in which nucleophilic attack occurs (TS1) and another one in which leaving group departure takes place (TS2) as indicated in Scheme 1. These transition states themselves can be characterized as either "early" or "late", depending on the degree of P-O2′ and P-O5′ bond formation/cleavage.


Using duality methods, we prove several key properties of the indierence pricefor contin- gent claims. The underlying market model is very general and the mathematical formulation is based on a duality naturally induced by the problem. In particular, the indierence price � turns out to be a convex risk measure on the Orlicz space induced by the utility function.


In this paper,the impacts of climate change caused actually by groundwater drawdown in arid and semiarid regions in northwest China are lucubrated using numerical simulation and a regional climatic model,and the feedback mechanism between groundwater drawdown and precipitation is analyzed.The results show that the serious groundwater drawdown in arid and semiarid regions in northwest China results in the distinctive climate effects,such as the sharp precipitation reduction,air temperature increase,drying of air near ground surface,change of boundary structure and ground-air flux exchange,and also affects strongly soil moisture regime.Thus,the low-atmospheric circulation in troposphere is changed,and the climate change in arid areas is affected.Although a suppositional experiment is carried out only,it reveals that groundwater drawdown affects seriously the soil moisture content,precipitation,water circle,climate change,etc.in arid areas.The results also show that it is necessary to consider the dynamic change of groundwater level and its impacts on precipitation,soil moisture content and surface water.


In this study, we investigate whether firms' eco-friendly strategies affect their value. For the analysis, we study 210 firms in the Republic of Korea. These firms were listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotations during 2017–2021. We measure the dependent variable by return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin's Q as firm value and use the ordinary least square estimation. The results show that firms' eco-friendly strategies have a positive effect on firm value. Additionally, we examine the effect of eco-friendly strategies on performance by industry and by duration. In the nonservice industry, there is a positive effect of environmental strategy on firm value for a 5-year window, but not for a 3-year window. In the service industry, in contrast, eco-friendly strategies have no effect on firm value for the 5-year window but have positive effects for the 3-year window. In the robustness check, for the endogeneity issue, we perform a two-stage least squares analysis. This study demonstrates that environmental actions are reflected in firm value and that the performance varies by industry. Thus, these results provide critical insights for managers and policy makers who consider the environmental issues of firms.


Reaction of the 15N-labelled 4-nitro dienone (15b) with nitrogen dioxide in benzene gives the 2,5,6-trinitrocyclohex-3-enones (19), (20), (22) and (24) with retention of some 15N-label at C6. Similar reaction of 15N-labelled 4-nitro dienone (18b) gives the 2,5,6-trinitrocyclohex-3-enones (30), (31), (34) and (38), and the 2-hydroxy-5,6- dinitrocyclohex-3-enones (33) and (37) all with retention of some 15N-label at C6. These results are rationalized in terms of 2,5-addition of nitrogen dioxide to corresponding intermediate 6-nitro dienones (27) and (40).


Plants integrate external and internal signaling cues to coordinate growth and development. Many of these signaling cues are perceived at the cell surface by plant unique membrane receptor kinases (RKs). Leucine-rich repeat RKs (LRR-RKs) are the most abundant RK family in plants, sensing small molecule, peptide or protein ligands with their extracellular domain. Many LRR-RKs rely on SERK-family co-receptors for receptor activation. How SERKs can contribute to the specific binding of diverse ligands and thus to the activation of different LRR-RKs is poorly understood. The work presented here dissects the contribution of different SERK-interfaces to negative regulation by BIR-proteins as well as to receptor activation. SERKs discriminate ligand-bound and free receptor and thus act as a 'relay' to transduce a signal across the membrane. These insights into the activation and negative regulation of LRR-RK signaling in mechanistic detail will help to further extend our understanding of RK signaling in plants.


A 10-month-old infant was treated for life-threatening rectal bleeding caused by a perforated ulcer in Meckel's diverticulum. Radionuclide imaging with 99mTc-pertechnetate was used to demonstrate the diverticulum preoperatively. Early intervention is desirable to avoid uncontrollable bleeding or complications such as perforation in cases of Meckel's diverticula. Routine 99mTc-pertechnetate imaging as recommended today requires prolonged fasting, and its use in emergency situations may be questioned. This case, however, illustrates the usefulness of radionuclide imaging on an emergency basis as well as in the daily routine.


Philips has designed an optical mammography machine. In this machine the breast is suspended into a cup in which the measurements take place. A special fluid is inserted into the cup to prevent the light from going around the breast instead of going through it but this fluid also weakens the signal. Therefore the cup's shape should be close to the breast's shape. The aim of this project was to design a device to measure the breast's shape. This device was used to perform a pilot study among 18 women, 36 breasts in total. There are several possibilities to create 3D images for example MRI, interfero-metry and triangulation. The method of triangulation is chosen to build a set-up. This set-up contains a video projector to project images into a tank filled with water. Two camera's capture these images. Special software has been written in LabVIEW to create 3D images out of these data. The maximum height of the breast and the FWHM was measured for all breasts. A correlation was found between bra cup size and the maximum height of the breast. On average the breast was 64 mm high, with a standard deviation of 8.5 mm. No correlation was found between the FWHM and a form of bra size or chest circumference. The average FWHM is 7.6 cm with a standard deviation of 2.5 cm.


With its widely-acknowledged origin in the Euro-American West, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) identity and politics seem to have gone global. Dennis Altman and other LGBTQ studies scholars and activists have observed the "globalization of sexualities", that is, in Asia and other parts of the non-Western world, a Western (often read American) type of individualistic and self-knowing LGBTQ identity has emerged in bars, clubs, saunas, and other types of pink venues.1 Concomitant with this, a Western type of LGBTQ politics, represented by the imperative to "come out" so as to discover an "authentic" self, together with an anti-state, anti-social, anti-establishment, anarchistic and oppositional political stance, has been embraced by an increasing number of LGBTQ individuals and rights groups. As many people have been "liberated" and empowered by such identification and experiences, many more also feel uncom


Using infrared spectroscopy with attenuated-total-reflection methods and planar laser-induced fluorescence, we examined the relationship between the thickness of amorphous fluorinated carbon (a-C:F) film on the surface of a substrate and the distribution of CF2 radical density in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) generated from an argon-diluted octafluoro-cyclo-butane (c-C4F8) gas. The axial profiles of the CF2 radical density were consistently concave, maximally close to the surface, and minimally present around the bulk plasma. The CF2 density initially increased with increasing the ICP power and then decreased as the plasma density exceeded ∼0.5×1011 cm−3, while the thickness of the a-C:F films deposited on a nonbiased surface consistently increased. When bias power was applied, the thickness of the a-C:F film began to decrease constantly due to the sputtering effect while the CF2 density exhibited a stepwise increase, followed by a gradual decrease in response to the reduction in the thickness of th...


We present here measurements of the Casimir force gradient in the 60–300 nm range using a commercial Atomic Force Microscope operating in Ultra High Vacuum (UHV). The measurements were carried out in the sphere-plate geometry between a Au sphere and plates consisting of two different classes of material, that is a metal (Au) and a semimetal (HOPG). The variation in the optical properties of the materials produces clearly observed differences in the Casimir force as predicted by calculations based on the quantum theory of optical networks and the Lifshitz theory.


Green consumerism or positive orientation towards their use is increasing day by day. Consumers have not only the positive attitude towards their use but also they are willing to pay the premium and thus support the cause of environmental protection which they value. The objective of this study is to assess the influence of print advertisements of green durables on consumers. Both rural and urban respondents were selected for the study and in total 540 respondents were surveyed in selected districts of Punjab. Using structured questionnaire which was administered personally to the respondents it is found that print advertisements of green durables influence consumers across four dimensions of awareness and product consciousness; trustworthiness, impulse purchase and purchase behaviour.


This flexible family home, the practice's first built project, accommodates two households in one and delivers a series of seductive architectural volumes.


A generator-column technique was used to prepare aqueous solutions of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The photolysis rate constants of 2,7-di-, 2,3,7,8-tetra-, and 1,2,7,8-tetra-CDF in aqueous solution irradiated at 300 nm were 1.3, 0.45, and 0.36 h[sup [minus]1], respectively. These photolysis rates were 4-15 times faster than the photolysis rates in organic solutions and, in the cases of 2,7-di CDF and 1,2,7,8-tetra-CDF, 20 times faster than in 60% acetonitrile/water. Thus, a solvent mixture of acetonitrile and water should not be used to study the photolysis of PCDFs in aqueous solution. The contribution of dechlorination to the overall loss of the PCDF compounds was determined. It was found that 10%, 70%, and 50% of photodecomposed 2,7-di-, 1,2,7,8-tetra-, and 2,3,7,8-tetra-CDF, respectively, were dechlorinated under 300-nm irradiation in hexane, compared with <1%, 17%, and 20% in water. Dechlorination may therefore be a major process in the photodecomposition of higher chlorinated PCDFs in hydrocarbon solvents but not in water. These results suggest that the mechanism of photolysis of PCDFs in water differs from that in organic solvents. It was also found that the sunlight photolysis rates of PCDFs in natural water were enhanced by indirect or sensitized photoreactions of chemicals naturally occurring in water. 34 refs.,more » 2 figs., 4 tabs.« less


FIELD: cutting processes in NC machine tools. SUBSTANCE: method is realized in machine tool with spindle. Body of spindle is mounted with possibility of parallel motion in orthogonal directions along three axes X, Y, Z. Method comprises steps of mounting inspection unit on periphery of front end of spindle body at providing small extension of said unit; rotation feed of blank around predetermined axis; correction of rotation angle of blank according to its rotation angle at touching of blank phase control section and said monitoring unit. Apparatus includes inspection unit having panel members rectangular at side view and mounted in such a way that they protrude slightly ahead just under spindle. The last has first plane normal to spindle direction and second plane parallel to spindle direction and to preset axis. Apparatus also includes unit for feeding blank having intermediate table rectangular in plane view and mounted horizontally; working drive table mounted in one end of upper face of intermediate table; central pushing table mounted in other end of intermediate table. NC table is arranged on drive table. NC table includes main portion fastened in intermediate table; chuck unit arranged in main portion of table driven with possibility of rotation around preset axes in direction of X axis by means of NC table; drive center arranged on main portion of table in preset axis and having rotation center of end portion of blank clamped in chuck unit with possibility of rotation feed of blank around predetermined axis and correction of blank rotation angle according to rotation angle of NC table when blank phase control section touches inspection unit. EFFECT: enhanced accuracy of determining blank phase. 4 cl, 8 dwg


Objectives: Handwriting dysfunction may harm children's wellbeing. Therapists and elementary school teachers help to identify and improve children's handwriting performance. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between therapists' assessment and teachers' perception of handwriting performance in first graders. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved (n=31) first-grade students, aged 6-8 years from an international school in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Teachers evaluated the handwriting proficiency using the Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire (HPSQ), and the explored students were rated as proficient and non-proficient hand writers. Furthermore, therapists assessed students' handwriting proficiency using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) (manuscript & D'Nealian styles) scores. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess the differences in MHA scores between proficient and non-proficient hand writers. Moreover, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between the scores of MHA and HPSQ. Results: There was a significant difference in all component scores of MHA (except the rate) and both writing styles between the proficient and non-proficient writers (P<0.05). There was also a significant relationship between the MHA and the HSPQ scores (P<0.05). However, further analysis of these scales' components suggested no significant association between teachers' and therapists' evaluation of the handwriting speed domain. Discussion: There was a significant relationship between the teacher's and therapist's evaluation of handwriting performance using standardized measures. Thus, therapists should work in collaboration with teachers to identify and treat handwriting difficulties in school children.


Different types of photometric observations in the 1930s (Trumpler 1930; Stebbins et al 1 934; 1939) clearly showed that the dark "holes" in the Milky Way, observed by William Herschel almost 150 years earlier, were in fact re gions of heavy obscuration by cosmic dust. Continuing observations since then have established that dust is an almost ubiquitous component of the cosmic environment. Remote sensing of dust in the interstellar, circumstellar, inter planetary, circumplanetary, and cometary environments has, more recently been complemented by in-situ detections of the last three. Furthermore, the inference of the existence of very small grains (so-called VSGs with dimensions of 10100 A) in the interstellar medium (Puget & Leger 1989) as well as their in-situ detection in the environment of comet PlHalley (Sagdeev et al 1989) reinforces the reasonable expectation that the transition from gas to large dust particles in the cosmic environment is a continuous one through macromolecules, clusters, and VSGs. These dust grains are invariably immersed in ambient plasma and radiative environments. They must therefore be necessarily electrically charged and consequently coupled to the plasma through electric and magnetic fields, with the coupling becoming stronger as the grain size decreases. While any plasma containing such charged dust grains is often loosely referred to as a dusty plasma, there are different regimes characterized by the relative magnitudes of three characteristic length scales, namely the dust grain size a, the plasma Debye length AD, and the average intergrain distance d(� n;;1/3 , wherend is the dust number density). In general cosmic plasma en vironments that are contaminated by dust can be characterized by either of two conditions 1. a « AD < d or 2. a « d < AD. In the first case the dust may


ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to assess the state of the art of the facade building technology, in order to investigate the possibility of future retrofits achieving nearly 'Zero-Energy Building' in existing non-residential buildings. The assessment was based on the published literature in the field of 'smart' facade retrofits for energy performance upgrades on existing buildings and the benefits and challenges therein. It also investigates the available technologies, which can increase energy performance efficiency. This can be used as a possible retrofit tool for implementation on existing office buildings, aiming at an increase of the building's energy performance. It was concluded that near 'Zero-Energy Building' status was not achievable solely through facade retrofits. Retrofit schemes can, however, succeed in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in correlation with environmental goals of many countries worldwide and the European Union. Furthermore, the climate in south-eastern Europe and in the Mediterranean region presents a set of challenges for all forms and types of passive facade technologies, especially during the summer.