a distributed development project is a research & development project that is done across multiple business worksites or locations. It is a form of R&D where the project members may not see each other face to face, but they are all working collaboratively toward the outcome of the project. Distributed Software Development (DSD) in the cloud is rapidly increasing. Ramping up cloud infrastructure is inherent to cloud-based services, but adding a new offshore team to the existing cloud-based DSD project may pose several technical and non-technical challenges. In particular, effective ways to set up and integrate new teams for DSD projects on cloud-based platforms is insufficiently understood. This paper presents various challenges involved in adding a new team to an ongoing cloud based distributed project. The study reveals that ramping up cloud infrastructure in the cloud-based DSD with a new team is particularly challenging from three perspectives: 1) exchanging cloud-based project's architecture with a new team, 2) determining the right cloud access controls for a newly added team and 3) developing scalable team design parallel to cloud infrastructure for future team ramp-up.


Let B2 be the unit ball of 2-dimensional complex plane C2, dμα(z) = dm(z)(α-1) the weighted measure. From the view point of the Cauchy-Riemann operator and the triangle polynomial given in [1], we obtain an or thogonal decomposition and orthogonal basis, where A0(+,+) and A0(-, -) are the Bergman and anti-Bergman spaces respectively. This decomposition can be extended to L2(Bn, dμα(z)). In addi tion, we also obtain some results for Hankel type operators.


Differential Operators and Differential Equations of Infinite Order with Con stant Coefficients. P C. Sikkem a . Pp. 223. Fr. 11.50; cloth, fr 13.50. 1953. (Noordhoff, Groningen) This is, substantially, the au thor's doctoral thesis.


Background: In invasive breast cancer patients being treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), achieving pathological complete response (pCR) is a useful goal of treatment. Monitoring response to NACT and predicting pCR is helpful in planning further therapy and providing robust prognostic information. Digital mammography (DM) and additional digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) features are important tell-tales of tumor characteristics and behaviour. Following NACT, the mammographic features- both DM and DBT- of responding tumors can vary considerably. In this prospective study, we correlated the DM and DBT features of pre-NACT and post-NACT mammograms to investigate if these can reliably predict pCR to NACT. Methods: Following approval by institutional ethics committee, starting January 2016, 200 consecutive invasive breast carcinoma patients (mean age 51.2 years, all palpable breast masses) undergoing diagnostic breast imaging had their DM and DBT reviewed by two radiologists independently, who were blinded of the cyto/histology and the original DM and DBT reporting. Of these, 47 patients who were treated with NACT and had pre- and post-NACT DM and DBT were recruited. After a core-biopsy, radio-opaque marker(s) were placed in tumor core/margin. The pre- and post-NACT DM and DBT findings were compared and correlated with the extent of response of the primary breast tumor to NACT. DM and DBT characteristics predictive of (in-breast) pCR of index breast lesion were identified. Results: Of the 47 patients who underwent NACT, 44 received both anthracycline and taxane, and 3 received only an anthracycline based combination chemotherapy. Twelve patients underwent breast conservative surgery and the remaining underwent mastectomy. pCR was seen in 17 (36.2%) patients based on the surgical specimen histology. On clinical examination, 19 (40.4%) patients had clinical complete response (cCR) of the breast tumor, 11 (64.7%) of whom had pCR as well. Five patients had radiological complete response (rCR, no breast lesion visualised on post-NACT imaging)- 2 patients on DM alone, 2 patients on DBT alone, and one patient on both DM and DBT. Radio-opaque clips had some obscuring effects in 3 of these 5 patients, especially on DBT, in form of reduced visibility of breast lesion on DBT, c.w. corresponding DM images. All 5 patients with rCR had pCR (sensitivity=29.4%, specificity=100%), in contrast to only 11 (57.9%) patients with cCR having pCR. Patients with pCR had benign appearing (forced Bi-RADS 2 and 3) lesions on mammography more commonly on DM (p Conclusions: Post-NACT DM and DBT features can predict pCR with high specificity but with low sensitivity. Pre-NACT DM and DBT features did not reliably predict response to NACT, and pCR in this study. DM may be better than DBT for assessing response to NACT in the presence of radio-opaque markers/clips. Citation Format: Agarwal G, Sonthineni C, Mohindra N, Jain N, Neyaz Z, Agrawal V, Krishnani N, Maylivahnan S, Mishra A, Lal P. Predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) based on pre- and post-NACT digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis findings [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-15-11.


In this paper, we introduce the notion of G-fuzzy H-quasi-contractions using directed graphs in the setting of fuzzy metric spaces endowed with a graph and we show that this new type of contraction generalizes a large number of different types of contractions. Subsequently, we investigate some results concerning the existence of fixed points for this class of contractions under two different conditions in M-complete fuzzy metric spaces endowed with a graph. Our main results of the work significantly generalize many known comparable results in the existing literature. Examples are given to support the usability of our results and to show that they are improvements of some known ones.


Objective To summarize the clinical effect of hyperexlension position combined with pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach for the treatment of unstable thorocolumbar fractures.Methods From June 2008 to December 2010,20 cases of single segment without neurological symptoms of unstable thoracolumbar fractures were treated with hyperexlension position combined with pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach.The minimally invasive group was compared with the treatment of conventional open pedicle screws fixation in other patients.Results All the patients were followed up for an average time of 16 months(range 10~21 months).The operation time and length of in-hospital time in paraspinal approach group were significantly shorter than that in open fixation group,the amount of operative bleeding and drainage of postoperation decreased obviously.The differences were statistical significance(P0.01).There was no significant difference in anterior vertebra height between two groups(P0.05).Conclusion The technique of hyperexlension position combined with pedicle screw fixation via paraspinal approach has the advantages of less trauma and bleeding,short operation time and quick recovery.


Cornelius "Connie" Colao, chief people officer at Taco Bell, outlines the steps taken at Yum! Inc to transform its HR function on a global scale so that it was placed at the heart of the business.


A simple feed forward controller for wind-driven Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) has been proposed using low cost opamps and a MOSFET inverter. The controller automatically adjusts the pulse widths of the inverter to maintain a constant ac voltage of desired frequency despite the variations in the voltage and frequency of PMSG output. A prototype of the system has been built by fabricating the controller, an uncontrolled diode bridge and a single-phase MOSFET inverter. The controller has been tested on a 4-pole, three-phase, 110V, 5kW, 1500 rpm PMSG driven by a wind turbine in dynamic conditions. The results of the experimental study are furnished in the paper. I. INTRODUCTION It is well known that the design and development of renewable energy sources is strongly encouraged now-a-days due to fast depletion of conventional energy sources and the environmental pollution caused by them. Among various renewable energy sources, wind energy electric conversion system can produce significant quantum of electrical power output, in locations identified with fairly high/moderate wind velocity over most part of the year. Further such wind energy electric conversion systems require a suitable electrical generator to be interfaced with the wind turbine. Induction generators are the most widely used machines in wind applications.


Meta-communication can be defined as all exchanges of information that are related to the conceptual model of the system, including the communication that takes place in order to clarify or overcome problems during the communication process. The scenario of having users with low levels of literacy and familiarity with technology has not yet been addressed in help systems. This paper examines previous literature on meta-communication and other support frameworks, and draws on semio-participatory practices conducted within an inclusive scenario to extend the concept of help systems, aiming at a broader scaffolding instrument to let users climb up in the process of learning with the use of inclusive systems. Preliminary findings of the investigation inform the design of support systems instantiated in the context of online social networks meant to be inclusive.


Abstract Two Al2O3–TiB2 composite coatings were deposited by axial plasma spray using two types of feedstocks. One of the feedstocks was a conventional micrometre sized Al2O3–30 wt-%TiB2 composite powder from a self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) process. The second was fabricated by spray drying SHSed Al2O3–30 wt-%TiB2 composite powder doped with 10 mass-% nanosized Al2O3 powder. The microstructure of the feedstocks and as sprayed coatings were comparatively investigated by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Wear resistance of as sprayed coatings were assessed using block on ring wear test at room temperature. Results showed that Al2O3–TiB2 composite coatings were composed of α-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3, TiB2 and a small amount of TiO2. TiB2 that mostly remained in the shape of undeformed particle were dispersedly distributed in the matrix of the composite coatings. The coating from spray dried powder exhibited finer and denser microstructure and demonstrated better wear resistance than the coating from the SHSed powder under the same sliding conditions.


Abstract : A detailed study of aqueous and aqueous-glycol solutions of BAL showed that these systems do not possess sufficient stability to be practical for field use in the treatment of lewisite burns. These findings led to renewed investigation of other solvents for BAL. The results showed that nonhydroxylated solvents gave solutions of striking improved stability. Among the solvents which appeared most useful for the therapeutic application of BAL were peanut oil, benzyl benzoate, diethyl phthalate, and triacetin.


In order to discuss whether the development of the female organ is normal, the development of megasporogenesis and female gametophyte of Bambusa multiplex was studied by the method of traditional paraffin section and SEM. The results showed that the ovary had one anatropous ovule, bitegmic and tenuinucellate. A female archesporial cell developed into megaspore mother cell directly, linear tetrad. The functional megaspore near the micropyle developed into mature embryo sac with eight nucleuses in 7 cells, including 3 antipodal cells arranged transversely near the chalazal and egg apparatus (1 egg cell and 2 synergid cells) near the micropylar end and a central cell (2 polar nucleus). In addition, the corresponding development relationship between pistil and stamen was established, which discovered the anthers and stigmas of B. multiplex matured at the same time. The corresponding development relationship between pistil and stamen may provide the reference for the developmental phase of embryo sac according to the anther length. During the pistil development process abnormal structures of ovaries may be one of the reasons of the low seed rate.


Prototypes modules of the ATLAS liquid argon electromagnetic calorimeter have been tested at CERN in 1999 and 2000. The preliminary performances of these barrel and endcap modules are presented. The uniformity of the energy response in a full η range is found to be 0.7% and the angular resolution better than 50mrad/ √ E. Performances of the first six serie modules of the hadronic endcap calorimeter are also presented. The linearity of the response to electrons is observed to be within 1% and the energy resolutions for electrons and hadrons are found to be 21.4%/ √ E ⊕ 0.3% and 70.5%/ √ E ⊕ 5.7%.


The article discusses the possibility of using satellite data to solve problems of monitoring the environmental status of oil producing territories in Western Siberia. The analysis includes MODIS satellite data of medium spatial resolution, which combine the advantages of free access to data and spatial resolution that is acceptable for detecting changes in the state of vegetation cover. The time series of the values of the vegetation index EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) of hydrocarbon deposits vegetation cover in the Tomsk Region: Archinsky, Shinginsky, Kazan, South Tabagansky and West Ostaninsky for the growing periods from 2007 to 2019 were calculated. The analysis of the dynamics of changes in the average values of the advanced EVI index allowed determining the minimum and maximum values of the index for the studied territories, as well as to identify trends in the increase of its values over a 10-year period.


The literature review shows that modern standards of treatment of diseases, as well as forms of statistical reporting of medical institutions do not include bruising as an independent disease and/or complication of drug therapy. Ancient and modern textbooks and reference books on drugs do not contain indications of the presence of drugs that cause bruising and/or vice versa, discoloring the skin in the area of bruises. Official medicine does not offer medications for urgent skin discoloration in the area of bruises. However, bruises have been known for a long time, and people have been fighting them for a long time, but without much success. It is shown that bruises are blood-stained areas of the skin that often occur when hitting hard objects in everyday life, injuries and wounds, as well as when injecting drugs and using drugs that thin the blood. Usually bruises disappear on their own after 5 to 8 days. The true bruising is most likely to occur when bites of snakes such as Gyurza and Viper, when injecting drugs such as heparin and its substitutes, as well as when injecting donor blood and when through-piercing veins with injection needles. Throughout the history of mankind, these facts have not been used sufficiently to analyze the causes of bruising, the possibilities of their diagnosis, prevention and elimination. This was done at the beginning of the 21 st century in Russia. At the same time, the biological and clinical essence of the bruises was revealed. This scientific discovery made it possible to explain the absence of bruises in the list of diseases, offer a clinical classification of bruises, and discover drugs that can immediately discolor the skin in the area of bruises. This group of drugs has received names such as "bruising bleachers", "oxygen-alkaline bleachers", "oxygen-alkaline bleach cleaners", "blood bleachers" and "bleaching agents" over the years. Their main ingredients are water, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hydrocarbonate.


Continuous Integration (CI) is a practice widely adopted in the industry to allow frequent integration of code changes. During the CI process, many test cases are executed multiple times a day, subject to time constraints. In this scenario, a learning-based approach, named COLEMAN, has been successfully applied. COLEMAN allows earlier execution of the most promising test cases to reveal faults. This approach considers CI particularities such as time budget and volatility of test cases, related to the fact that test cases can be added/removed along the CI cycles. In the CI of Highly Configuration System (HCS), many product variants must be tested, each one with different configuration options, but having test cases that are common to or reused from other variants. In this context, we found, by analogy, another particularity, the volatility of variants, that is, some variants can be included/discontinued along CI cycles. Considering this context, this work introduces two strategies for the application of COLEMAN in the CI of HCS: the Variant Test Set Strategy (VTS) that relies on the test set specific for each variant, and the Whole Test Set Strategy (WST) that prioritizes the test set composed by the union of the test cases of all variants. Both strategies are evaluated in a real-world HCS, considering three test budgets. The results show that the proposed strategies are applicable regarding the time spent for prioritization. They perform similarly regarding early fault detection, but WTS better mitigates the problem of beginning without knowledge, and is more suitable when a new variant to be tested is added.


Published in Journal of Banking and Finance (Vol 106, September, 2019) as What drives discretion in bank lending? Some evidence and a link to private information


Different grades of PVC resins and a variety of plasticizers are used to adjust processability and properties of plastisol. The plastisol, which is a dispersion of fine particles of PVC in plasticizer, is coated on a substrate and heated in an oven to gel and fuse. In the gelation stage the resin particles become swollen with plasticizer and then, in the fusion stage the entire system fuses to become one homogeneous phase. The finished products are flexible PVC such as coated fabrics and surgical globes. Different plasticizers, because of the difference in solvent power, affect the process of gelation and fusion, and hence, processability. This paper examines such an effect systematically by employing a homologous series of plasticizers, dialkyl phthalates. The progress of gelation and fusion are followed by the measurements of dynamic moduli and by the observation with a scanning electron microscope. As it may be expected, the shorter the alkyl chain, the higher the solvent power of the plasticizer.


The half of the Population of the country Consist of women and therefore half of the potential work force is of the gender based, any social, economic, or Industrial system that ignores the potential talents and special aptitudes of this half will be defective on many counts, it is therefore necessary to ensure equal opportunities and protection to the women of the country particularly to the women worker who are living in rural area from indignities. The participation of women in the labour force has always been lower than that of men. The risks to health are not confined to those who work industrial sub contacting has increased work, opportunities for women, but it is unfortunate that, that earnings are very low, sometimes well below the minimum wage. The women labour constitutes an important segment of the labour force in India and their participation in the labour force is increasing over the years. Wage work in India, as elsewhere, in a number of sectors is sharply differentiated along sexual lines. Their participation in economic activities of the country has grown enormously after rapid industrialization in post independence era. Increased participation of women in economic activities on one hand has helped them to narrow down the gap between their needs and resources, while on the other hand it has given rise to a number of complex problems having a direct bearing on their Socio- economic Conditions. The present scheme titled "Socio-economic Conditions of Women Industrial Workers in North Karnataka " Initially, the Research was confined to the Unorganised sector only. However, keeping in view the utility of the data so generated, it was considered to extend the scope of scheme to the Un- organised Sector as well. A beginning was made by covering Building and Construction industry followed by Handloom, Khadi, Beedi, Readymade Garments, Agarbathi, Lime Manufacturing, Cashewnut Processing, Food processing Industry (including Sea Food and Marine Products) and Plantation Industry. The present report relates to the Socio-economic conditions of Industrial women workers in North Karnataka.


The newest policy of Ukraine should be to develop such state concepts, strategies and programs that would contribute to the European integration of the country, taking into account the current challenges of today.
The purpose of the article is to define the conceptual foundations of the strategy of formation and implementation of state policy in the sphere of European integration of Ukraine in modern conditions.
The conceptual framework of the national strategy for the European integration of Ukraine is a general concept of the country's long-term actions, a certain model of the mission realization and achievement of long-term goals, which defines its development prospects, main directions and priorities of activity in the European integration sphere. Such a generalized European integration concept of Ukraine is reflected in the relevant state documents, laws and by-laws, and within the framework of the state strategy, strategies for development of various spheres, sectors and sectors of economy and public life are developed and implemented in accordance with the existing requirements, rules and regulations of the euro framework documents.A significant event in the European integration of Ukraine into the EU was the introduction of amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine (concerning the strategic course of the state for the acquisition of full membership of Ukraine in the European Union and in the Organization of the North Atlantic Treaty). In addition to the issues related to the implementation of the Association Agreement, further progress on the European integration of Ukraine should also take place in the following areas: associations with the Schengen area; accession to the EU customs union; accession to the EU Energy Union; the entry into force of the common aviation space; joining the digital market, etc.Integration with the EU is an important component of Ukraine's foreign policy. However, conceptually, European integration should be seen first and foremost as a comprehensive domestic state policy aimed at introducing reforms and transformations that are necessary and important for Ukrainian society, and only then, as a component of foreign state policy, which depends largely on the political will of the EU on the pace and full integration with our country.
Thus, the strategy of Ukraine's integration into the European Union should ensure the country's accession to the European political, legal, economic, informational and security space. Obtaining full EU membership in the medium term on this basis should become a major foreign policy priority of Ukraine's policy formulation and implementation policy in the face of contemporary challenges of today.


Bu3SnCH2SR reacts with BuLi in n-hexane (R = Me, tBu) and in n-hexane/THF (R = Ph) to give the solvate-free compounds LiCH2SR (R = Me (1a), tBu (1b), Ph (1c)). The constitution of 1 was determined by microanalysis and by NMR (1H, 13C, 7Li) spectroscopy. 1b reacts with benzaldehyde and benzophenone to form PhCH(OH)CH2StBu (2) and Ph2C(OH)CH2StBu (3), respectively. Recrystallization of 1a and 1c from n-hexane/THF solutions gives [{Li(CH2SMe)(THF)}∞] (1a') and [Li2(CH2SPh)2(THF)4] (1c'), respectively. The structures of 1a' and 1c' were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. 1a' exhibits a polymeric ladder-like structure in which four-membered planar Li2C2 rings and six-membered Li2C2S2 rings are alternately arranged. 1c' crystallizes in the form of dimers with planar four-membered Li2C2 rings, but without sulfur coordination at lithium.


The ages, metallicities, alpha-elements, and integrals of motion of globular clusters (GCs) accreted by the Milky Way from disrupted satellites remain largely unchanged over time. Here we have used these conserved properties in combination to assign 76 GCs to five progenitor satellite galaxies – one of which we dub the Koala dwarf galaxy. We fit a leaky-box chemical enrichment model to the age–metallicity distribution of GCs, deriving the effective yield and the formation epoch of each satellite. Based on scaling relations of GC counts we estimate the original halo mass, stellar mass, and mean metallicity of each satellite. The total stellar mass of the five accreted satellites contributed around 109 M⊙ in stars to the growth of the Milky Way but over 50 per cent of the Milky Way's GC system. The five satellites formed at very early times and were likely accreted 8–11 Gyr ago, indicating rapid growth for the Milky Way in its early evolution. We suggest that at least three satellites were originally nucleated, with the remnant nucleus now a GC of the Milky Way. 11 GCs are also identified as having formed ex situ but could not be assigned to a single progenitor satellite.


The primary screening by automated computational pathology algorithms of the presence or absence of adenocarcinoma in biopsy specimens (e.g., endoscopic biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy, and needle biopsy) of possible primary organs (e.g., stomach, colon, lung, and breast) and radical lymph node dissection specimen is very useful and should be a powerful tool to assist surgical pathologists in routine histopathological diagnostic workflow. In this paper, we trained multi-organ deep learning models to classify adenocarcinoma in biopsy and radical lymph node dissection specimens whole slide images (WSIs). We evaluated the models on seven independent test sets (stomach, colon, lung, breast, lymph nodes) to demonstrate the feasibility in multi-organ and lymph nodes specimens from different medical institutions and international public datasets, achieving receiver operating characteristic areas under the curves (ROC-AUCs) in the range of 0.91-0.99.


Recent in vitro studies point to the immune properties of milk proteins.

To investigate the immunomodulating properties of whey protein isolate (WHEY) compared
to those of casein (CAS) on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) death and supernatant
cytokine levels in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients and healthy individuals.

The role of WHEY on the immune cells was evaluated under-stimulated and non-stimulated
conditions to determine cellular death and cytokine production, post-exposure with 40, 400 or
4.000 μg mL-1 of WHEY or CAS. Flow cytometry was used to identify the monocyte and lymphocyte
population. Cytokines were measured from the supernatants of 24 hour-old PBMC cultures.

Compared to CAS, WHEY significantly decreased lymphocyte death at 4.000 μg mL-1 in
both groups of individuals with no effects on the monocyte population regardless of the group. At
the same concentration (4.000 μg mL-1), WHEY increased TNF and IL-10 cytokine levels in the stimulated
PBMC supernatant from CLD patients.

Compared to CAS, WHEY exerted immunomodulating effects in CLD patients. A
similar response may be anticipated for other pathological conditions in which high stress and immune
dysfunction are present.


The application of microwave heating to the treatment of cancer, coronary heart disease, tachycardia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and glaucoma are described.<<ETX>>


In the U.S., many state and local agencies are now doing multi-pollutant fine-scale air quality modeling for SIP in attainment demonstrations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed a focus group of emissions inventory developers in agencies that are building experience developing more locally representative emissions inventories to support fine-scale air quality modeling. The group was invited to share information on the types of problems they are trying to solve and approaches taken with the inventory development. This paper discusses the findings of the focus group and emphasizes the types of data analysis identified as particularly beneficial to scoping and prioritizing the inventory work. Also included are recommendations on how the group's findings can be translated to the EPA's National Emissions Inventory (NEI) and descriptions of the types of NEI data analysis that can support state and local agencies who want to develop more locally representative emissions data for fine-scale air quality modeling. INTRODUCTION In the air quality modeling community, photochemical grid models are generally run for horizontal grid resolutions of 36 km and 12 km; however, increasing attention is given to resolving pollutant concentrations at finer spatial scales in response to a variety of air quality management issues. For example, the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for the recent fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) suggests that modeling at a 12-km resolution may not adequately capture local source impacts on ambient PM2.5 concentrations at Federal Reference Method (FRM) monitoring sites, or the benefits achievable through controlling such local sources 1 . Similarly, EPA guidance on the use of models for NAAQS attainment demonstrations includes a discussion on the use of dispersion models for "local area analysis" in areas with large spatial gradients of primary PM2.5 2 . As a result, many state and local agencies are now conducting local area analyses and performing fine-scale air quality modeling for State Implementation Plan (SIP) attainment demonstrations. Such efforts require the development of local-scale emissions inventories that are more representative of individual facilities and other local sources than information contained in the NEI, EPA's AP-42 emission factor compendium and other inventory "building blocks." In addition to PM2.5 attainment issues, fine-scale concentration gradients are of concern for air toxics evaluations, which exhibit areas of high concentration near emissions sources such as roadways 3 . These "hot spots" generally occur on scales that cannot be resolved with air quality modeling performed at a 12-km grid resolution. Because both air toxics and criteria pollutants, such as PM2.5, present a need for local-scale evaluations, there is an increasing need to provide multi-pollutant and multi-scale air quality information. As a result, EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) recently conducted a pilot study in Detroit, Michigan, to develop and undertake multi-pollutant, risk-based


FIR digital filters design involves multi-parameter optimization, on which the existing optimization algorithm doesn't work efficiently. This paper focuses on employing the proposed quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) to design FIR digital filters. QPSO is a global stochastic searching technique that can find out the global optima of the problem more rapidly than original PSO. After describing the origin and development of QPSO, we present how to use it in FIR digital filters design. It has been demonstrated by experiment results that QPSO outperforms the PSO and genetic algorithm (GA) for the problem


This letter corresponds to the first part of a study sponsored by the Universidad Autonoma de Colombia (Public Accounting Program) which aims to describe what were the foundations of the penalties for CPAs in 2012-2013, in accordance with the procedure applied by the Central Board of Public Accountants of Colombia; under this objective certain legal aspects of accounting profession associated ethical responsibility were identified and some descriptions and reflections on the legal framework of the disciplinary process applicable to public accountants in Colombia are made. The methodology is documentary review and analysis. The main results denote a systematization of the disciplinary process applicable to public accountants in Colombia. The findings indicate that there are different regulations to be observed by public accountants in Colombia and discourses used by the disciplinary court take refuge in a complex legal defined and different interpretations in different legal dimensions that can establish a behavior that is processed in essentially five stages.


The present investigation entitled was carried out during kharif of 2018-19 on, the research farm of Cotton Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatments and three replications. The results revealed that minimum green fruiting bodies damaged was recorded in treatment T 6 i.e. 0.68 per cent where weekly destruction of rosette flower along with 5 releases of trichocards @ 3 cards/acre alternated with 4 sprays of Azadirachtin @ 10 ml/10 liters at 10 days interval starting at 50 DAE were carried out whereas, maximum 2.01 per cent was recorded in untreated control. Same trend was observed in case of green boll damaged where minimum green boll damaged recorded due to pink bollworm was 9.58 per cent and maximum 32.92 per cent was observed in control. Overall minimum pink bollworm damage was recorded in treatment T 6 i.e. 10.83 per cent and maximum 52.41 per cent was recorded in untreated control at the time of harvest.


Recently the C4+:YAG based modulators has been used for the passively Q-switched lasers, particularly, microchip lasers [l, 21. The energy in the pulse of such lasers may achieve the values nearby a few tens pJ, the peak power - nearby a few tens kWt. But at the sufficiently high energy in the laser pulse the heating processes in the absorber become sufficient. Here we analyse the possible influences of the non-uniform heating on the modulator parameters. For the simplicity, the modulator is considered as thermal isolated from the pumping source and the generating medium. Heat-evolution in the absorber. As it is known, the passively Q-switched laser simulation bases on the system of three rate equations [ 1, 21. The heat processes in modulator are concerned with non-radiating transitions between the absorber levels. Consequently, the thermal energy emerged in the absorber during the laser pulse generation may be determined from the generalized rate equations system obtained from the full absorber levels structure [2]. These six differential equations containing system are solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta forth order method. The results of the energies in the laser and the heating pulses calculation are shown on Fig. 1. 1 1


Silver‐stained patterns of lipopolysaccharide on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gels and microbial antigenic profiles on nitrocellulose sheets produced by electroblotting and immunodetection were analysed with a laser scanning densitometer. Because the patterns fade rapidly it is usual to photograph them immediately to obtain optimum resolution. It has been shown that because of its high resolution the laser densitometer can be used to scan 35 mm photographic negatives without appreciable loss of detail. The method might be of value with whole cell immunoblot antigen profiles as characteristic fingerprints, for example, in taxonomic studies.


The hot-workability of a two-phase (γ+α 2 ) alloy, Ti-48A1-2Cr-2Nb, has been studied by conducting isothermal compression tests to 0.8 true strain over the temperature range of 975–1200°C at strain rates between 1×l0 −1 and 3×10 −3 s −1 . A deformation map showing temperature, strain rate, soundness of deformation, and isostress contours was constructed. Good workability is found from the low temperature/low strain rate regime to combinations of high temperature and either high or low strain rate. The upper-limit flow stress for good workability is between 450 and 500 MPa. Deformation induced softening occurs at all conditions. SEM and TEM examinations of the deformed specimens reveal that non-uniform deformation takes place at all strain rates, but cracking occurs mostly at high strain rates (e.g. 1×10 −1 s −1 ), especially combined with low temperatures. The cracking appears to progress primarily along γ/α 2 interfaces. It is thought that non-uniform deformation develops channels of shear bands, which in turn promote localized recrystallization, thus accommodating higher strains.


The Covid‐19 pandemic affects care for cardiovascular conditions, but data on heart failure (HF) are scarce. This study aims to analyse HF care and in‐hospital outcomes during the pandemic in Germany.


The crystal structure of manganese neodymium oxide, NdMn 2 O 5 , has been solved from a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. This compound is isostructural with other members of the TMn 2 O 5 series where T is a rare earth. Its structure consists of Mn 4+ octahedra [MnO 6 ] in infinite chains parallel to the c axis linked through Mn 3+ tetragonal pyramids [MnO 5 ] and Nd 3+ bicapped antiprisms [MnO 8 ]


The kinetics of β-galactosidase induction were investigated in two strains of Escherichia coli, K 12 3000 (i+z+y+) and K 12 20010 (i+z+y−). The use of a new series of β-galactoside analogues has led to a better understanding of the induction process. The unique properties of galactosyl glycerol as an inducer have been explained by the existence of a specific permease for this galactoside.


Economists who use survey or administrative data for inferences regarding a population may want to combine information obtained from two or more samples drawn from the population. This is the case if there is no single sample that contains all relevant variables. A special case occurs if longitudinal or panel data are needed but only repeated cross-sections are available. In this chapter we survey sample combination. If two (or more) samples from the same population are combined, there are variables that are unique to one of the samples and variables that are observed in each sample. What can be learned by combining such samples, depends on the nature of the samples, the assumptions that one is prepared to make, and the goal of the analysis. The most ambitious objective is the identification and estimation of the joint distribution, but often we settle for the estimation of economic models that involve these variables or a subset thereof. Sometimes the goal is to reduce biases due to mismeasured variables. We consider sample merger by matching on identifiers that may be imperfect in the case that the two samples have a substantial number of common units. For the case that the two samples are independent, we consider (conditional) bounds on the joint distribution. Exclusion restrictions will narrow these bounds. We also consider inference under the strong assumption of conditional independence.


level of the third lumbar vertebra. On the thirty-sixth day a third barium examination revealed the metal marker in roughly the same position, and it was thought highly probable that arrest had occurred at the duodeno-jejunal junction. On the forty-third day it was decided that, as no progress had been made, the boy should have an exploratory laparotomy with a view to removal of the tube. Shortly before the date arranged for operation, on the fifty-third day, the boy was screened again, and this time the metal weight was clearly seen lying in the pelvis. Digital examination of the rectum confirmed the presence of the tube, which was hooked by the finger and withdrawn.


The rapid generation of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a global problem owing to its potential environmental pollution and human-health risk, especially from informal recycling in developing countries. In 2014, however, only ∼15.5% of the total global e-waste was formally treated by national take-back programs. Waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an integral part of e-waste, and they contain many valuable metal resources. Most recycling from waste PCBs has focused on metals like Au, platinum group metals, and Cu, which have high economic value, but tin also makes up a large proportion of the metal in waste PCBs. Over the past decade, ∼44% of the refined tin has been used as solder in the electronics industry each year. Although current global tin reserves can meet the short-term demand, for long-term sustainable development, recycling tin from secondary resources, especially from e-waste, is essential. For addressing the shortage of mineral resources and conserving energy, tin recycling from e-...


Relaxation times of solvent D20 in heavy water solutions of a series of monosubstituted ammonium compounds and rotational correlation times have been calculated. Correlation times show a gradual increase in the structure-forming tendency with chain length or bulk of alkyl groups of simple alkylammonium chlorides (RNH3CI). Introduction of polar group like OH, as in the case of ethanolammonium chloride reduces the structure-forming tendency. Introduction of a phenyl group as in benzylammonium chloride increases the structure of water because of the interaction of 7r electron cloud with water. Cationic correlation times have also been calculated using the model of hydration of Hertz et al. From the temperature variation of relaxation rates, activation energies have been calculated for aU the salts and glycine.


Introduction: Nasofrontal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSC) are rare congenital malformations. NDSCs are distinct from other facial dermoids in their potential for involving deeper contiguous structures and intracranial extension. The development of this congenital midline sinus of dorsum of nose has opened a new horizon in current concepts of embryology. Objective: To study the embryological origin, presentation, treatment, and genetic associations of three cases of these sinus cysts. Clinical presentation: This paper presents our experiences with managing three patients who presented with opening on nasal dorsum with recurrent swelling and purulent discharge from it. Imaging studies in these patients indicated a midline anterior nasal sinus tract with cranial dilatation but no intracranial connection. They were successfully managed surgically. Conclusion: Nasofrontal dermoid sinus cysts have a unique embryological origin. A midline basal frontal dermoid associated with a dimple or sinus opening on the nasal dorsum with or without protruding hair and sebaceous discharge is the classical presentation. The purpose of this report is to emphasize that, though rare nasofrontal dermoid sinus cysts do occur in our practice and their clinical importance from rhinology point of view is their potential for intracranial communication.


Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays an important role in the process of homologous recombination (HR) repair. The aim of this study was to observe the impact of olaparib (PARP1 inhibitor) on oxaliplatin treatment for XRCC2-defecient colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: This study examined the influence of treatments on cells with the help of the γ-H2AX foci formation assay. The CCK-8 assay and clonogenic assay were employed to decide the sensitivity of XRCC2-defecient CRC cells to olaparib and/or oxaliplatin. Finally, we investigated the changes in cell cycle and apoptosis with the aid of flow cytometry and western blotting. Results: Gamma-H2AX focusing analysis has reached the conclusion that Olaparab is not the only factor inducing double-strand breaks (DSBs), but it can affect oxaliplatin-induced DSBs of XRCC2-defatted CRC cells. Cell proliferation of XRCC2-defecient CRC cell lines was restrained by combination treatment rather than olaparib or oxaliplatin alone. The flow cytometry and western blotting results gave the description cells exposed to connection treatment had more G2/M-phase cells and induced apoptosis than control. Conclusions: The combination of oxaliplatin and oxaliplatin in the treatment of XRCC2-defecient CRC cells provides a promising method for clinical treatment of XRCC2-defecient CRC.


Src homology-2 domain-containing inositol polyphosphate 5*phosphatase (SHIP) is a recently identified protein that has been implicated as an important signaling molecule. Although SHIP has been shown to participate in the FcgRIIB-mediated inhibitory signal, the functional role of SHIP in activation responses by immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifbearing receptors such as B cell receptor (BCR) remains unclear. Indeed, it has been proposed that SHIP serves as a linking molecule for the regulation of the extracellular signalregulated kinase pathway in BCR signaling, because SHIP associates with Shc. We now report that SHIP-deficient DT40 B cells display enhanced Ca 21 mobilization in response to BCR ligation, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation is unaffected. This Ca 21 enhancement is due to a sustained intracellular Ca 21 increase or to long-lasting Ca 21 oscillations by loss of SHIP, as revealed by single-cell Ca 21 imaging analysis. These results demonstrate the importance of SHIP in B cell activation by the modulation of Ca 21 mobilization. The


Quartz is one of the important rock-forming minerals in earth crust, and are very common in almost all kinds of hydrothermal deposit. The trace element and REE content varies in different mineral deposits, which can reveal the nature of ore-forming fluids and to some extent genesis of the deposits. The Dayingezhuang Gold deposit located in the west part of Jiaodong peninsula, is a typical orogenic gold deposits. We attempt to focus on the trace element and REE geochemistry of quartz from Dayingezhuang gold deposit to study the metallognenic con


The paper discusses the essential characteristics of the international tourism industry; the importance of the development of regions that influence foreign economic relations has been determined; the comparative dynamics of business tourism and tourism with personal goals development has been shown; comparative analysis of the dynamics of the number of entry business visas and the volume of trade turnover between the most active participants of foreign trade with the Russian Federation has been presented and justified; the essence and importance of foreign economic relations affecting the development of tourism in Russia have been revealed. Keywords—tourist industry; business tourism; tourist activity; development of regions; tourist infrastructure; foreign trade potential; business visas; dynamics; foreign economic relations; competitiveness; world market.


: Copper-complexes are of medicinal and biological interest, including anticancer drugs based on cleavage of intracellular biomolecules via dioxygen activation. In order to do this, the copper-complex has to be redox-active and resistant to dissociation. Metallothioneins (MTs) and glutathione (GSH) are abundant and thiol-rich reducing molecules in the cytosol and nucleus with high Cu(I)-affinity. Hence, they are potential competitors for copper in a copper-drug. Here, we investigated a panel of different Cu(I)/Cu(II)-complexes often used in this context, from various classes, with diverse coordination chemistries and redox potentials. We evaluated their catalytic activity in ascorbate oxidation based on redox-cycling between Cu(I) and Cu(II), as well as their resistance to cytosolic relevant concentrations of GSH and MT. Our findings show how difficult it is to have efficient dioxygen activating Cu(I)/Cu(II)-complexes with a cytosolic/nuclear target that are stable against the GSH/MT system, which put a big challenge for their future design. inaccessible for MT or GSH. Such a buried and kinetically inert copper-environment is not easy to obtain with a much smaller inorganic complex. In conclusion, the GSH/MT system, occurring in the cytosol and nucleus, is a powerful copper-abstractor. The high affinity of MT towards Cu(I), together with the high reducing power of GSH and MT is a threat for copper-complexes. It seems extremely difficult to obtain a highly redox-active copper-complex that resists to GSH/MT either thermodynamically or kinetically. This concerns all the copper-complexes that have a biomolecular target (like DNA, RNA or a protein) in the cytosol or nucleus and rely on a redox mechanism. But also for ligands which are only supposed to bind copper in the cytosol/nucleus (like sensors, drugs etc.) GSH/MT is a severe competitor. It is of importance to be MTs are predominantly present in cytosol and nucleus and indeed, very recently disulfiram was proposed to exert its anti-cancer activity as a copper-complex targeting a protein from the endoplasmic reticulum. Hence, the powerful GSH/MT system should be taken into account for all kind of complexes or ligands, such as drugs and sensors, that are based on copper-redox activity or are Cu(I)-ligands in the cytosol/nucleus.


A method of controlling access to a network, the method, in a data repository, comprising: storing a first identification details about a second type of connection, to connect this detailed information of a first type a step of associating a respective base authentication information, if the correlation is found between the second identification detailed information as the first identification detail information includes the second identification detail information, the second type via a connection and a stage to authorize a request for access to the network. .TECHNICAL


[Objective]To develop new cherry tomato preservation technology and expand utilization value of burdock. [Method]With cherry tomato as test material,different concentration burdock extraction,chitosan,optimum concentration burdock extraction,chitosan- burdock extraction were used to as preservative,with distilled water treatment as control,the physiological indexes of cherry tomato were determined and recorded. [Result]Compared with the control group we found out: each group reduced the rate of mass loss,promoted the sensory,delayed the soluble VCcontent,the decrease of titratable acid content delayed the production of MDA,chitosan and burdock extraction mixed together had better effect than single solution significantly,which described burdock extraction has fresh-maintaining effects on cherry tomatoes and the best concentration range should be 0. 09- 0. 12 g /ml the performance would improve significantly after adding chitosan. [Conclusion]The study can provide new pathway for development and utilization of burdock,and provide new technical reference for fruit and vegetable preservation.


This paper presents a fuzzy based approach to segmenting color images in three steps. First, we discuss a fuzzy color extractor to extract fuzzy color components. Second, we present techniques for iteratively generating reference patterns (seeds) to extract color components. Finally, we use the region growing method to check connectivity of segmented subimages. Different from the existing color segmentation methods that provide a crisp segmentation of color images, the proposed approach herein generates a fuzzy color segmentation which classifies the same pixel into several fuzzy sets. As an example, we apply the proposed approach to segment the chemical plumes from images taken in undersea environments.


and suspended organic matter retards the evaporites would provide excellent source rocks. settling rate of the organic matter and In practice, however, this is not the case. An examination of effective prolongs its exposure to oxidative source rocks within evaporite sequences in processes; (2) high concentrations of sulfates, and possibly nitrates, provide a the major producing provinces reveals that


Mound-building termites of the genus Macrotermes actively reshape their physical environment in ways that benefit their colony. Previous studies of Macrotermes have focused on the response of termites to stimuli such as water and pheromones. Observations typically quantify relative preferences between stimuli or the bulk movement of building material. However, for fuller insight into the construction process, we seek a greater understanding of how individual termites react to partially built structures including their detailed geometric form. Here we present tools we have developed to produce detailed height maps of soil terrain in experimental petri dishes, including ongoing work toward continuous scanning for dynamic height maps while termites actively rearrange soil. These tools inform our ongoing study of how termites build complex large-scale structures through local interactions with their environment.


Objective:To investigate the expression changes of β-amyloid precursor protein(β-APP) after diffuse axonal injury(DAI) in rats.Methods: The Marmarou's model was applied to induce DAI in 75 SD rats and another 8 rats were served as normal control group.At assigned time points(4,8,24,72 h,and 1W post-trauma),the rats were killed and prepared for histological analysis by using a rabbit antibody against β-APP.The expression changes of β-APP at different stages post-trauma were evaluated according to immunoreactivity of brain tissues.Results: β-APP immunohistochemistry showed that the immunoreactivity of brain tissues of the experimental group was significantly enhanced when compared with the control group.Semi-quantitative analysis further revealed that the immunoreactivity between experimental and control group had significant difference(P0.05).It was shown that the immunoreactivity was strongest at 72 h and declined at 1w after injury.Conclusion: The β-APP expression increased after DAI in rats,reached the peak at 72 h and declined at 1 week.


We study keyphrase extraction (KPE) from Web documents. Our key contribution is encoding Web documents to leverage structure, such as title or anchors, by building a graph of words representing both (a) position-based proximity and (b) structural relations. We evaluate KPE performance on real-world search engine NAVER and human-annotated KPE benchmarks, and ours outperforms state-of-the-arts in both tasks.


Despite the multiplicity of negatives that have appeared in the Egyptian society, such as the increase in population, widespread unemployment, and the insufficient national income per capita ... etc. However, we possess at the same time the elements of exclusivity to eliminate these negatives, and we only need to achieve a flexible and sophisticated strategy to manage traditional industries, including the manufacture of interior design elements and furniture. We can research the importance of the following points:1- Reaching new creative design treatments in interior design and furniture that have the ability to meet future changes. 2- Opening new horizons to benefit from local natural raw materials while contributing to the service of the environment and by disposing of wood and tree waste in a utilitarian way without harming the environment and establishing the spirit of teamwork, cooperation and family bonding within Egyptian societies and eliminating the negatives of unemployment, while finding serious solutions to raise family income in accordance with to number its members according to the principle (everyone produces and finds compensation). 3- Contributing to the re-spread of small and medium letters to support Egyptian industries while finding a product that is able to compete for science.


Abstract Radical cystectomy is considered the standard treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder tumors and has high postoperative complication rates among urological surgeries. High-risk patients, defined as those ≥45 years of age with history of coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral artery disease or those ≥65 years of age, can have a higher incidence of cardiac complications. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) in high-risk patients who underwent radical cystectomy. This retrospective observational study analyzed 248 high-risk patients who underwent radical cystectomy. MINS was defined as serum troponin I concentration ≥0.04 mg/L within postoperative 3 days. The risk factors for MINS were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated. The 1-year survival after radical cystectomy was also compared between patients who developed MINS (MINS group) and those who did not (non-MINS group) by Kaplan–Meier analysis. MINS occurred in 35 patients (14.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that early diastolic transmitral filling velocity (E)/early diastolic septal mitral annular velocity (E') ratio (odds ratio = 1.102, 95% confidence interval [1.009–1.203], P = .031) and large volume blood transfusion (odds ratio = 2.745, 95% confidence interval [1.131–6.664], P = .026) were significantly associated with MINS in high-risk patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Major adverse cardiac events and 1-year mortality were significantly higher in the MINS group than in the non-MINS group (17.1% vs 6.1%, P = .035; 28.6% vs 12.7%, P = .021, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly lower 1-year survival in the MINS group than in the non-MINS group (P = .010). MINS occurred in 14.1% of patients. High E/E' ratio and large volume blood transfusion were risk factors for MINS in high-risk patients who underwent radical cystectomy. Postoperative major adverse cardiac events and 1-year mortality were significantly higher in the MINS group than in the non-MINS group. Preoperative evaluation of risk factors for MINS may provide useful information to detect cardiovascular complications after radical cystectomy in high-risk patients.


This paper presents a series of numerical simulations intended to determine whether the use of CFX, a commercially available computational fluid dynamics software may provide a viable alternative to the use of physical models for predicting the occurrence of vortices and swirl in pump intakes. Single pump sump experimental data are used for validating the CFX analysis. Experimental setup for the Sea-Chest model of scale I :4 was fabricated and experiments are conducted for different parameters like baffle positions. suction pipe spacing and suction depths. Velocity measurements and dye injections were used to characterize the flow in the physical model. In experimental runs presence of the vortices were observed. Results from experimental investigation and from CFX simulations are compared to obtain optimal parameters. With these optimal parameters CFX analysis is made for the SEA-Chest prototype size.


I will miss Amsterdam & it's people, also the Jolie houseboat after a great brainstorming on #Greece #oxi #Europe & democracy #backtobxl


Introduction: In patients with just enough future liver remnant (FLR) parenchymal transection preserving all the inflow or venous outflow of FLR is very important. Tumors close to the major hilar vessels or to the outflow of FLR pose unique challenges for assessment of resectability. In both benign and malignant conditions which are close to major vessels of FLR meticulous surgery is required to obtain good outcomes. Hence, we looked at the data of such tumors which are close to the inflow and outflow of FLR and studied the surgical feasibility and perioperative outcomes. Aim: The aim of the present study was to study the perioperative results of retrospective study 2018.All close (<1cm) to the inflow or outflow of the FLR were included in the study. Both benign and malignant tumors close to major vasculature of FLR were included. The surgical feasibility, complications and R0 resection rate was studied. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were studied. in the study. The mean of the 43.8(8-68) There were 8 patients with close to outflow, 9 to inflow and 6 to both inflow and outflow of FLR. 26%). the study FLR. large SOL liver 2 stage final histopathology and in Seven patients hilar had hilar cholangiocarcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 3 colorectal metastasis, HCC can be resected with acceptable morbidity and mortality.


The present paper proposes the development of a virtual model simulating an assembly line. Starting from the analysis of the real line, through an incremental approach, a simulation model is created, verified and validated, in order to obtain useful information about:
 • productive capacity;
 • partial and total lead time;
 • Percentage of saturation, Value Added (VA) and Non-Value Added (NVA), for each worker and station.
 During the development phase, an important goal has been pursued: the possibility to use and change the model without knowing the creation logic. It is possible to change input parameters through simple tables, which contain times of man-machine operations. You can easily set times in order to move an operation from one station to another or to add/delete a job in a station, according to the technological and ergonomic constraints of the process.
 Moreover, the acquisition of scheduling data is extremely easy and starts from the generation of a list of production codes related to different work-cycles.


Compared to high power and huge volume features of traditional image gather system,a new image gather and transfer system based on XScale is introduced.The system makes use of Intel PXA270 embedded microprocessor as its hardware core and adopts the embedded Linux operating system.To drive the web camera and image capturing card,the operating system's kernel has to be re-compiled and re-configured.Image capturing based on video for Linux two video interface and video image's transmission is successfully implemented.Images are received by remote PC,they can is shown and played on remote PC.These received video and images is used in image processing and video detection after reconstruction.It is used as the basement of visual navigation and disaster detection,where small UAVs are requested and applied as implementation platform,has broad application prospects.


Having low efficiency filters, low true density of the cut filler rods, and high net permeability, low intrinsic permeability of a cigarette wrapper, can produce an excellent taste, a low output of the mainstream smoke and the gaseous amount of visible sidestream smoke. Cigarettes having a generally acts as a relatively large amount of expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler of a material containing magnesium oxide and / or magnesium hydroxide overwrap while having a high level of air dilution.


This paper presents and evaluates a method to measure the fatigue behaviour of bituminous binders using a dynamic shear rheometer. Experimental evidence is presented that fatigue-induced cracking can take place in bituminous binders, within certain limits of strain and stiffness, and a means is shown of measuring this fatigue life on the binder. Experimental difficulties and limitations are discussed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E107185.


The spectral and luminescence properties of highly refractive thulium-doped laser oxide glasses (germanate, antimony-silicate, tellurite, and bismuth glasses) have been studied in the near-IR region, 1.4-1.8 µm. The absorption cross sections from the ground and excited states and the stimulated-emission cross sections are determined and compared, along with the Judd-Ofelt parameters, the radiative lifetime, the luminescence damping time, the luminescence quantum yield, and the gain/loss spectrum. Cross-relaxation luminescence quenching is detected at a wavelength of 1.47 µm. The pump-probe method with double modulation and McCumber's calculational method are used to determine the contour of the absorption cross section from the excited state on the transition 3F4 ---> 3H4. The gain/loss spectra are determined for the glasses of interest. It is concluded that antimony-silicate glass is the most promising for creating optical-fiber light amplifiers in the 1.47-µm region. © 2003 Optical Society of America


Policy makers and researchers may have different agendas as to what constitutes 'evidence'. This paper reviews some of the issues currently debated in the UK and elsewhere about researchers' understandings of how social research can usefully inform the policy-making process, and their techniques for making it available. Using examples from two programmes of research synthesis in health promotion and education, the paper argues that methodological work advancing the systematic review of social research is more useful than continued debates about the relative advantages of 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' methods. The challenges in the path of this progress include ideological resistance among academics, the traditional culture of academia, which is opposed to collaborative and cumulative work, lack of methodological skills among social scientists, nonstandardisation of bibliographic databases, and a reluctance to accept the existence of problems in the way much social research is carried out and reported.


As businesses begin to link Web services to create new functionality in the form of composite Web services, known as Web processes, it will become increasingly important to have a way of measuring their quality of service (QoS). To this end, we present a method that uses a predictive QoS model to compute the QoS for Web processes in terms of performance, cost and reliability. The ability to compute QoS for a Web process enables an organization to tune the process. Tuning Web processes presents an interesting problem. During the act of tuning, a business may want to explore many different configurations of the Web process in order to answer "what-if" questions. Composing and evaluating the QoS for many different configurations may be prohibitive in terms of time and costs. We present a simulation based technique to overcome this challenge to tuning Web processes.


In the Yellow Sea,there are seven species of baleen whales belonging to three families respectively.They are right whale (Eubalaena glacialis),grey whale (Eschri-chtius gibbosus),blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus),fin whale (B.physalus),sei whale (B.borealis),minke whale (B.acutorostrata),and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).The morphology,ecology and distribution of the following five species of baleen whales are described.The maximum body lengths of the female and male minke whales are 8.60 and 7.90m respectively,the average length being 6.93m for the female and 6.14m for the male.The average body length and body weight of the minke whale in successive years are listed in Table 1.The proportions of the different part of the body are listed in Table 2.There are 235-273 baleen plates of the minke whale caught in this area,with an average number of 253 plates on each side.Studies on the embryos sampled from the northern Yellow Sea suggested that the peak period of parturition occurs in May through July,and the mating mostly occurs from June to August.Fin whales:The maximum body length of the female is 20,30 m,while that of the male 18.40 m.The average body lengths are 17.44 and 16 m for the female and the male respectively.Data of body length and body weight are listed in Table 3,and the proportions of the different parts of the body are listed in Table 4.The parturition and mating period of Yellow Sea fin whale mostly occurs in winter.The minimum body length of pregnant whales observed is 19.35m.The average body length of humpback whales caught in Yellow Sea is 9-10 m,with the morphometric data listed in Table 6.The maximum body length of the male grey whale is 12.50m with the morphometric data listed in Table 8.It has been reported that there are usually 2-4 furrows of skin on the throat,but there are 5 furrows of various sized in sample no.3 (Pl.II-10),in which the central two furrows are as long as 195 cm whereas the others 40 em.Two right whales are caught near Hai Yang Island,the female being 18m and the male 13.8 m in body length.The morphometric and skull data are listed in Tables 9 and 10.


In recent production environment, many factories introduce mixed production system to simultaneously produce multi-types of products. Ordinarily, multiple work elements are assigned to workers or work centers in the process of process design to aim at high productivity. However, fluctuation of operation times is normally included in mixed production line and capacity of buffer affects productivity of the line. In this study, we deal with the problem of process design for mixed production line including fluctuation of operation time. In addition, we treat the problem of process line as multi-objective problem. In this paper, multi-objective genetic algorithm is developed to resolve the problem to minimize the bi-objective functions: the maximum value of operation time at all work centers and the maximum value of dispersion of operation time all work centers. Numerical experiments are performed to evaluate performance of the algorithm and characteristics of solutions. Productivity of the production line designed by the proposed algorithm is evaluated by using event-driven simulation. Simulation result shows that production line designed by the proposed mathematical model generates high productivity and small size of WIP when buffers are located between work centers.


Seismic design technologies to reduce structural collapse have been developed. Firstly, structures have been designed to maintain their integrity in large earthquakes. Secondly, a ductile structural design approach has been adopted. Plastic deformation of structures in large earthquakes can absorb seismic energy and prevent structural collapse. Application of this seismic design philosophy significantly improves the life-safety of residents in structures. On the other hand, many well-designed buildings that experienced excessive plastic deformations in large earthquakes were later demolished because they sustained damage in their primary structural elements. This fact implies a need for a new structural design approach in which damage in the primary structure is avoided by separating it from the seismic structure that will carry earthquake lateral loads. For this purpose, passively controlled structures and seismically isolated structures are effective and should be more commonly used. 1 Associate Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo Japan, (email: firstname.lastname@example.com) 2 Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Japan, Takagi J and Wada A. More Reliable Structures beyond Brittle or Ductile Structures. Proceedings of the 11th National Conference in Earthquake Engineering, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA. 2018. More Reliable Structures beyond Brittle or Ductile Structures J. Takagi1 and A. Wada2


The K10 coal in the Zhongliangshan Coalfield, Chongqing, Southwestern China, is located in the lower portion of Late Permian stratum and is immediately deposited over a mafic tuff. With the aim of better understanding the trace elements and minerals in the K10 coal, samples were investigated using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope in conjunction with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM (cid:3238) EDX), and optical microscope. The results showed that the minerals are mainly composed of kaolinite, mixed-layers of illite/smectite, pyrite, quartz, anatase, and gypsum. Elements in the K10 coal are enriched in V (81.0 μg/g ), Cr (19.6 μg/g ), Ni (11.3 μg/g ), Cu (14.4 μg/g ), Ge (8.05 μg/g ), Ga (22.6 μg/g ), Zr (1072 μg/g ), Hf (33.4 μg/g ), Nb (39.7 μg/g ), Y (79.7 μg/g ) and REE (337 μg/g ), compared with the average contents of Chinese coals. The average REE concentration of the K10 coal is up to 337 μg/g . The upper continental curst (UCC)-normalized distribution patterns of REE in K10 coal have enriched heavy rare earth element (La N /Lu N >1) and smooth curves like (cid:3247)V(cid:3248) . The negative Eu anomaly is apparent and indicates that the REE is closely related to terrigenous clastic rocks. The elevated elements in the K10 coal from the Zhongliangshan coalfield were mainly derived from the Kangdian Upland.


With built public utilities the lands obtain useful value and the ability to build certain types of facilities on them. With that formative function, public utility development is a significant impact on the development of activities in the area, taking into account the paradigm of sustainable development. In Slovenia the law that governs the spatial planning associates the concept of sustainable development with the rational use of space. The principal objective of the diploma is, basing on the analysis of developed urban land in the Municipality of Kranj, to evaluate the implementation of the rational use of space in the terms of sustainable spatial development. The first part presents the basic theoretical bases and concepts of sustainable spatial development of settlements, which are expected in the spatial policy documents at the national and local level. In the central part of the diploma the situation and processes in the spatial development of the city of Kranj in the case of the existing residential neighborhoods of organized construction are discussed on the basis of available data. The convergence of human activities in the space to the theoretically outlined guidelines is established through the indicators of the spatial planning and the public utility development. These indicative indicators can serve as the basis for the optimal (physical) planning of public utilities in a new land. Therefore, at the end of the diploma the fundamental advantages of the presented indicators are emphasized, their defectiveness is pointed out and possible measures for the effective implementation of the policy of sustainable spatial development in the lands of the public utility development are provided.


Power and signal cable harnesses on spacecraft are often at 10% of the total mass and can be as much as 30%. These cable harnesses can impact the structural dynamics of spacecraft significantly, specifically by damping the response. Past efforts have lookedat how to calculate cable properties and the validation of these cablemodels on onedimensional beam structures with uniform cable lengths. This paper looks at how to extend that process to twodimensional spacecraftlike panels with nonuniform cable lengths. A shear beam model is used for cable properties. Twomethods of calculating the tiedown stiffness are compared.Of particular interest is whether or not handbooks of cable properties can be created ahead of time and appliedwith confidence. There are three frequency bands in which cable effects can be described. Before any cables become resonant, the cable effects are dominated bymass and static stiffness. After all the cables become resonant, the effect is dominated by increased damping in the structure. In between these two frequency cutoff points, there is a transition zone. Thedynamic cablemodelingmethod is validated as a distinct improvement over the lumped-mass characterization of cables commonly used today.


: In the molding of the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP), impregnation of the carbon fiber (CF) bundle is one of the important issues. In this study, we discussed the influence of the melting viscosity of matrix polycarbonate (PC) resin into the CF fabric substrate on the impregnation behavior, and also discussed the influence of the viscosity of the PC and molding time on the formation mechanism of the void. The CF/PC composites were prepared by using the CF plain fabric and PC film using film stacking method by changing the molding temperature and the molding time. According to the photograph of CF/PC surface, the PC resin into the CF bundle flowed in the chink of the CF bundle and crossing point of CF fabrics. The voids were formed by the PC resin impregnated as surrounding the aggregate of CF. The size of


Region-based coding schemes may yield considerable improvements in performance as compared to block-based schemes. A fundamental problem in region-based coding is to efficiently encode the interior of each region. This paper proposes two approaches for coding the interiors of arbitrarily-shaped regions. The first is an adaptive iterative scheme and the second is a matching pursuits-type scheme. A geometric interpretation of the problem is given to provide insight into these approaches and to compare their different properties and performances. A number of examples illustrate the performance of the previous and proposed approaches.


In the framework of the paper-work, more X65 microalloyed steel heats have been investigated from the composition, non-metallic inclusions contents and mechanical characteristics point of view, resulted in various steel making conditions. To get the purity, 10 of X65 steel heats have been treated in LF and RH vacuum installation, that operated at designed parameters. Also, 10 heats of X65 steel grade have been treated in RH instalation establishing the content of nitrogen and oxigen before and after treatment. For comparison, 10 steel heats have been watehed, that haven't been treated in vacuum. All slabs made by these technologies have been rolled in the same finished size heavy-plates. As following of the recorded data analize, on those three manufacturing flows; the multiple correlation patterns have been determinated to establish the main technological characteristics of the vacuum treatment that assure high performance of gassing, decarbonization and, finally, the getting of the high mechanical characteristics.


The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of conventional cigarette smoke and herbal cigarettes against histological damage in the lungs of mice. The research method uses a completely randomized design with 21 mice aged 8-12 weeks and divided into 3 treatment groups. Group P0 was not given exposure to cigarette smoke, group P1 was exposed to conventional cigarette smoke tar content was 39 mg nicotine 2 mg, group P2 was exposed to herbal cigarette smoke tar content was 41.60 mg nicotine 1.64 mg. On the 15th day the mice were deuthanated for pulmonary extraction and haematoxyline eosin staining was made. Data analysis using one way ANOVA. The results of this study obtained scoring lung damage to edema lesions in P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.246 (p> 0.05). Inflammation of inflammatory cells at P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.000 (p <0.05). Destruction of alveolar septum at P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.000 (p <0.05). The conclusion of this study is the difference in lung damage in mice in the form of edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, destruction of the alveolar septum between exposure to conventional cigarette smoke and herbal cigarettes.
The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of conventional cigarette smoke and herbal cigarettes against histological damage in the lungs of mice. The research method uses a completely randomized design with 21 mice aged 8-12 weeks and divided into 3 treatment groups. Group P0 was not given exposure to cigarette smoke, group P1 was exposed to conventional cigarette smoke tar content was 39 mg nicotine 2 mg, group P2 was exposed to herbal cigarette smoke tar content was 41.60 mg nicotine 1.64 mg. On the 15th day the mice were deuthanated for pulmonary extraction and haematoxyline eosin staining was made. Data analysis using one way ANOVA. The results of this study obtained scoring lung damage to edema lesions in P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.246 (p> 0.05). Inflammation of inflammatory cells at P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.000 (p <0.05). Destruction of alveolar septum at P0, P1, P2 Sig 0.000 (p <0.05). The conclusion of this study is the difference in lung damage in mice in the form of edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells, destruction of the alveolar septum between exposure to conventional cigarette smoke and herbal cigarettes.


Background: Medication of oneself without professional supervision so as to alleviate an illness or a condition is self medication. Objectives: To study the practice of self medication and the common ailments, common drugs used for self medication, their sources and the reasons for it. Methods: Cross sectional qualitative study. Study sample: 200 Exclusion criteria: Any person (i) below 18 years and (ii) above 18 years who refused to consent for the sharing of information. Results: In the study 63% were males and 37% were females. Proportion of the participants practicing self medication was 82%. Fever (42.5%), headache (30.30%), and common cold (24.24%) were common illnesses for which self medication was practiced. Commonly used drugs for self medication were Paracetamol (43.64%), Aspirin (16.97%), Ibuprofen (12.12%) and Cetrizine (12.73%). Frequency of using this drugs were SOS (as and when required) by 86% and weekly by 5% and monthly by 9%. In 60% cases, friends were the source of information for self medication, media in 35.8% and internet in 4.2% cases. 56% of people perceived improvement in health after self medication. Saving time (52%) and saving money (60%) were the major reasons for self medication. Conclusions: Self medication is found to be a common practice and the main reason behind this practice is saving money and time.


Nano-sized γ-Al_2O_3 powders were prepared by the homogeneous precipitation method using urea and aluminium nitrate as the starting material in the reflux condition. The heat-treated final powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR).The result indicated that the 10 nm γ-Al_2O_3 powders were attained by the calcinations of the precursors at 1000℃. The formation mechanism of nano γ-Al_2O_3 was also discussed in this paper.


Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in RA disease. In active RA patients, the majority of cardiovascular deaths result from accelerates atherosclerosis. Aim of the Work: The aim of this work is to assess carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT) and endothelial function by brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in Rheumatoid arthritis patients and relation to the disease activity. Subjects and Methods: Our study included 50 RA patients, from Tanta University Hospital. 47 women and 3 men and their age ranged from 30-62 years. They were divided into group 1: 25 active RA patients, group 2: 25 inactive RA patients who were diagnosed by American College of Original Research Article El-Sehly et al.; JAMMR, 33(13): 38-48, 2021; Article no.JAMMR.68784 39 Rheumatology (ACR) revised criteria for diagnosis of RA 1987 and disease activity was evaluated using disease activity score 28(DAS28). Group 3: 25 normal subjects as a control group. We measured C-IMT and FMD in all groups. Results: By comparing the groups, we found that active RA patients had increased C-IMT compared to inactive rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls which is indicator of atherosclerosis. FMD of the brachial artery impaired in RA patients compared to controls which is indicator of endothelial dysfunction. There was highly statistically significant relation between duration, activity of RA disease and atherosclerosis in RA patients. Conclusion: With increasing the frequency of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic RA patients, carotid IMT increased and FMD impaired when compared with general population. Active RA patients have increased carotid IMT and impaired FMD compared with inactive RA patients.


Background:  The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcome after surgical treatment for primary megaureter.


This report presents a method for the calculation of boundary layers with strong viscous - inviscid interaction. The method differs from the classical methods for solving boundary layer equations, through the use of an interactive boundary condition which replaces the usually prescribed pressure. This boundary condition describes how the outer potential flow reacts on the presence of the boundary layer. The method is demonstrated on two problems: i) a boundary layer with a separation bubble, and ii) the flow near the trailing edge of a flat plate.


Feeding experiment conducted to determine the protein requirement of red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) revealed a significantly (P 0.01) from those fed with 35% protein. However, the feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of the animals fed with 35 and 40% protein diet varied significantly (P<0.01) revealing the optimum protein requirement of red tilapia in the range of 35-40%. While fish fed with fishmeal based diets recorded good survival rate at all protein levels, ensilage based feeds recorded poor survival rate at lower protein levels viz. 25 and 30%. On the basis of specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and protein conversion ratio, fish ensilage based diets were on par with that of fishmeal based diets, suggesting fish ensilage as an alternative source of protein in the feeds of red tilapia.


Theetiological spectrum ofviral hepatitis andtheprevalence ofserological markers of hepatitis A andBvirus infection inhealthy persons innorth India werestudied. Hepatitis A virus wasfoundtobethemostcommoncause ofacute hepatitis inchildren (67%). Itwasa less frequent cause ofthis disease inadults (14%). Hepatitis A virus wasonlyrarely the causeofacute (12%)andsubacute (4%)liver failure. Itwasrecorded astheetiological agent inanepidemic amongschoolchildren. Exposure tohepatitis A virus occurs inearly childhood, andbytheageof10years, 90%ofhealthy persons haveserological evidence ofhepatitis A virus infection. Hepatitis non-Anon-Bvirus wasthecause ofacute hepatitis in44%ofadults and24% ofchildren withthis disease. Thisvirus wasalsothemostimportant etiological agent in acuteliver failure (55%)andsubacute hepatic failure (51%).Itwasthecauseofallthe hepatitis epidemics inthegeneral population. Only9% ofhepatitis cases inchildren wereduetohepatitis B virus whereas 42%of cases inadults wereattributable tothis virus. Hepatitis B virus wasthecausative agent in 33%ofcases ofacutehepatic failure and45%ofcases ofsubacute hepatic failure. The carrier rate forhepatitis B virus was5% andantibody tohepatitis Bsurface antigen was foundinupto38% ofspecific population groups.


Cultural Dynamics 8(3): Any biologist, says Robin Dunbar, will tell you that the 'functional organism' is a product of an ongoing interaction between its genes and the environment in which it develops. Many biologists, including Dunbar, have told me that this is indeed the case. Others, however, assert with equal conviction that it is not. These others, including Brian Goodwin, are principally interested in questions of development. And they would, I think, reject outright Dunbar's characterization of the developmental process as one in which 'genes ... create organisms'. What they say, to the contrary, is that organisms create themselves. Or to put it more precisely, every organism is a locus of dynamic self-organisation within a total field of relations that extends across the boundaries of its emergent form. This field of relations corresponds to what Susan Oyama calls the developmental system. I find the arguments presented by Goodwin and Oyama quite compelling, and as an anthropologist, my aim has been to show how they might apply just as well to people. For after all, people are organisms-albeit of an exceedingly complex kind. As I pursued this aim, it soon became apparent that in seeking to understand the dynamics of self-organising systems, developmental biologists have been addressing questions of a sort that also preoccupy many contemporary social and cultural anthropologists, and moreover that attempts in development biology to recover the whole organism in its mutually constitutive relations with the surrounding environment exactly parallel anthropological attempts to recover the agency of the person as a 'being-inthe-world'. Over the last twenty years or so, a quiet revolution has been going on within anthropology (albeit somewhat obscured by all the noise and clamour of post-modernism), as the realisation has sunk in that muchif not all-of what we are used to call cultural variation actually consists of practical skills of perception and action that have been incorporated into


Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L ), in addition to its ancient historical uses, has been used in several systems of medicine for a variety of ailments. Pomegranate juice is a polyphenol-rich juice with high antioxidant c apacity pomegranate consumption possesses a diverse array of biological actions and may be helpful in the prevention of some inflammatory mediated diseases, including cancer. In the past decade, numerous studies on the antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranate constituents, focusing on treatment and prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dental conditions . Currently, numerous clinical trials are in progress exploring the therapeutic potential of pomegranate extracts.


Objective To observe the clinical application of vitrectomy for severe penetrating ocular trauma. Methods Retrospective review of 38 cases (the surgical timing and effects) with vitrectomy for severe penetrating ocular trauma. Results The postoperative visual acuities of 28 cases were better than of preoperation (73.68%), All of the 17 cases of intraocular foreign body were removed successfully in the first operation. 8 of the 10 cases with total retinal detachment were gained good reposition. Conclusion The majority of traumatic eyeballs could be saved and effective vision could be restored by the strict selection of proper operative indications and opportunities.


A novel algorithm for image fusion was proposed based on sparse representation and PCNN(pulse coupled neural network).The bandelet transform was used to extract important information such as geometric flows and bandelet coefficients of the source image.Then geometric flows were fused by PCNN and optimized according to similarity of sparseness.Then,the bandelet coefficients were updated and fused according to a rule of maximum absolute.Finally,the inverse bandelet transform was applied for the fused image.The experimental results showed that this algorithm could effectively improve the fusion effect.The fusion image had clear edges,texture and excellent overall effect.Compared with the average algorithm,the Laplace pyramid algorithm and the WT-PCNN algorithm based on wavelet transform and PCNN,a proposed algorithm achieved the better average gray,standard deviation,average gradient and mutual information.


The extraction of thorium and cerium (IV) nitrates by Tl3P was investigated in the presence of 1.5N nliric acid in the equilibrium aqueous phase. The presence of a small amount of cerium in the aqueous phase resuited in a sharp drop in the distribution coefficient of thorium (K/sub T/). This effect was more pronounced at low concentrations of thorium. Cerium replaces thorium in the organic phase. At a concentration of about 18 g/l of cerium, thorium is a weak salting agent, but at a concentration of cerium greater than 40 g/l, thorium has hardly any effect on the extraction of cerium. These data are valid not only for 100% TBP, but also for 20 and 50 vol % TBP in CCl/sub 4/. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to reduce Ce (IV) to Ce (III) improved the extraction of thorium from monazite sands. (TTT)


Cocos nucifera var-Aurantiaca peduncles are agricultural waste material discarded by harvesters after taking the fruit. The isolation of Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNCs) from peduncle derived Cellulose MicroFibers (CMFs) is an effective alternative approach to recover the waste. In the present work, CNCs were isolated by using sulfuric acid hydrolysis (64 wt%) with different hydrolysis time at constant temperature of 45 °C. The effect of hydrolysis time (30, 45, 60 min) on the crystalline index, colloidal stability of suspension, yield, thermal stability, morphology, chemical and elemental composition of CNCs are evaluated. The characterization of isolated CNCs with 60 min (CNCs/60 min) hydrolysis time provides high crystalline index (%), yield (%) with good colloidal stability and appearance in well dispersed uniform rod-like structure with a width of 12 ± 1.2 nm and length of 200 ± 20 nm. The effect of reinforcement of CNCs/60 min in agar matrix whose tensile strength is increased by 37% when 6 wt% of CNCs/60 min was loaded into the matrix.


The thesis first proves that the independence of individual savings account applying to the law,then it analyses the existing conflicts in current laws and regulations handling the individual savings account,finally the author considers that the individual savings account is real right with the character of credit,and provides sufficient reasons.


The purpose of this study is to analyze the difference between the consumers' willingness to purchase environmentally friendly agricultural products and the distributers. The main results are as follows; First, it appeared with the fact that the reliability of the consumer against environmentally friendly agricultural products is 50% under. So it is important to fully guarantee the certification of environmentally friendly agricultural products. Second, if the traceability and brand-name system were introduced, the consumers and dealers would more likely to purchase environmentally friendly agricultural products more than they are now. Third, it shows a significant result in certification, developing packing-materials and sale and consuming magnification intention by the t-test between consumers and dealers.


There is a growing interest in the assessment of tangible skills and competence. Specifically, there is an increase in the offerings of competency-based assessments, and some academic institutions are offering college credits for individuals who can demonstrate adequate level of competency on such assessments. An increased interest has been placed on competency-based computer simulations that can assist learners to gain tangible skills. While computer simulations and competency-based projects, in general and particularly in management, have demonstrated great value, there are still limited empirical results on their benefits to e-learners. Thus, we have developed a quasi-experimental research, using a survey instrument on preand post-tests, to collect the set of 12 management skills from e-learners attending courses that included both competency-based computer simulations and those that didn't. Our data included a total of 253 participants. Results show that all 12 management skills measures demonstrated very high reliability. Our results also indicate that all 12 skills of the competency-based computer simulations had higher increase than those that didn't. Analyses on the mean increases indicated an overall statistically significant difference for six of the 12 management skills enhancements between the experimental and control groups. Our findings demonstrate that overall computer simulations and competency-based projects do provide added value in the context of e-learning when it comes to management skills.


Echolalia, the echoing of prior speech, is a typical characteristic of autism. Long considered meaningless repetition to be avoided, echolalia may in fact be used functionally in autism. This paper explores the functions of echolalia by children with autism. Based on two prior studies, we designed an elicitation task involving images of 12 professions (teacher) and 12 objects (birthday cake) commonly associated with given conventionalized expressions in Mandarin (e.g., "sheng ri kuai le!" 'Happy birthday!'). Eight Chinese children with autism (mean age: 55.50 ± 8.64) were asked to name and describe these images. All our participants produced a relatively high proportion of echolalia, mostly for naming, description, and topic development, a small percentage being used as conversation maintenance strategy or as cognitive strategy. This indicates that echolalia is often used communicatively in autism speech.


Objective To explore the main factors influencing the accuracy of measuring chlorhexidine acetate in disinfectant by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)in order to ensure the accuracy of measurement.Method Based on the theory of assessing the degree of uncertainty of measurement in JJF 1059-1999 "assessment and expression of degree of uncertainty of measurement" HPLC was used to carry out assessment.Results The synthesis standard uncertainty of measuring chlorhexidine acetate content in disinfectant by HPLC was determined to be 0.063 g/L and the expansion uncertainty U95=0.12 g/L.The sub-items of relative standard uncertainty such as standard curve,purity of standard product,size of constant volume and sampling volume were 0.030,0.0018,0.0021 and 0.0037 respectively,which should be considered in making standard curve.Conclusions The stability of operation by the operator exerts the largest influence on uncertainty of measurement,strict control of operation procedures can improve the accuracy of measured results.


Ⅰ.Listening Comprehension (略) Ⅱ .Grammar and Vocabulary: Section A Directions: Beneath each of the following sentences there are four choices marked A,B,C,D. Choose the one answer that best completes the sentence.


This article presents an experiment module to be launched in 2008 and 2010 on two separate orbits in order to provide total ionizing and displacement damage doses and single event effects measurements on selected sensitive devices.


Dissertation is an independent piece of work which is a key component of many undergraduate taught programmes. To deliver a personalized learning experience and enhance student satisfaction, effective supervisor-supervisee allocation is crucial. This paper employed a case study approach to pilot three allocation methods over three years in an attempt to improve student dissertation experience through supervisor-supervisee allocation. Online survey data were collected and analysed. The findings revealed that a scaffolded matching approach that allows interaction and expression of interests could significantly enhance student engagement and satisfaction with the undergraduate dissertation supervision.