In structures composed of polymer materials and polymer matrix composite materials, components must be joined such that the overall structure retains its structural integrity while it is performing its intended function which can include both mechanical loads (static and dynamic) and environmental loads (temperature and humidity). The use of composite materials in complex structures almost always reduces the number of components in the structures compared to the use of metallic alloys for the same structure. Thus, using composite materials not only results in great savings in weight, but also through a reduced number of joining operations, results in significant savings In assembly, inspection, parts storage, and movement, resulting in increased reliability and lower cost. Yet joining is still required. Joining metallic structures is a mature technology involving riveting, bolting, welding, glueing, brazing, soldering, and other methods. However, for most polymer matrix composites only adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening can be utilized. Attention has been given recently, however, to localized welding of thermoplastic polymer matrix composites. Inherently, adhesive bonding is preferable to mechanical fastening because of the continuous connection, whereas in drilling holes for bolts or rivets, fiber or other reinforcements are cut, and large stress concentrations occur at each discrete fastener hole. However, in many structures, it is necessary to employ mechanical fasteners in order to remove components or to have access to the interior of the structure. Hence, both adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening are important in joining structural components of polymer or polymer matrix materials. The following is a review of much of the literature dealing with mechanical fastening of polymer matrix composite structures. Hopefully, it provides an overall introduction for detailed study of the referenced documents as well as others, and a catalyst for further research.


Conventional continuous emotion recognition consists of feature extraction step followed by regression step. However, the objective of the two steps is not consistent as they are parted. Besides, there is still no consensus about appropriate emotional features. In this study, we propose an end-to-end continuous emotion recognition framework which merges feature extraction and regressor into a unified system. We employ 3D convolutional networks with Long Short-Term Memory Neutral Network (ConvLSTM) to handle spatiotemporal information for continuous emotion recognition. This model is applied on AVEC 2017 database. The experiment results reveal that ConvLSTM model makes a positive effect on the performance improvement, which outperforms the baseline results for arousal of 0.583 vs 0.525 (baseline) and for valence of 0.h54 vs 0.507.


Based on sophisticated observations on cores, thin sections and analysis on logging curves, combined with through study on sedimentary characteristics, such as lithologic types and associations, palaeobiologic fossils and textures, sedimentary structures, and considering regional sedimentary background, it is recognized that Jialingjiang Formation in Qianwei area is characterized by semi-restricted to restricted marine platform deposits.Five sedimentary subfacies could be subdivided: the mixing tidal flat subfacies, the peritidal bank subfacies, the semi-restricted subfacies, the restricted lagoon subfacies, and the evaporate tidal flat subfacies. With the above results, and through the study on facies correlation of three well sections and facies distribution of three key reservoir formations, it is pointed out that the sedimentary environment evolution of Jialingjiang Formation from the botteom upwards is from mixing deposit, Through subtidal deposit with low energy, to supratidal evaporate deposit. This history formed a complete developing cycle from marine transgression to regression. It is quite possible that the peritidal bank subfacies with grain rock type and evaporate tidal flat subfacies with dolomite rock type could be favorable reservoir layers.


The invention discloses a comprehensive passive safety system for a pressurized water reactor nuclear plant. The comprehensive passive safety system comprises a plurality of passive safety systems and a comprehensive water tank which is used for supplying a cooling water source to the passive safety systems; the comprehensive water tank is arranged at high altitude on the exterior of a safety shell and comprises at least three entity isolating independent partitions; different independent partitions can be connected with each other through a partition connecting facility capable of being opened and closed; and at least one external connecting port connected with the passive safety systems is arranged in each independent partition, so that the whole comprehensive water tank can supply the cooling water source to the plurality of passive safety systems. Compared with the prior art, the comprehensive passive safety system for the pressurized water reactor nuclear plant, provided by the invention, has the advantages that the comprehensive water tank can be used as the high-altitude water resource of the plurality of passive safety systems at the same time and a function of after-heat removal after accidents is realized, so that the safety of the nuclear plant is ensured while the economical efficiency of the nuclear plant is promoted.


In this paper two different approaches for matching words from books from the Renaissance period are compared. The first methodology is a novel search-based approach, while the second one is based on FNSFinite Numerical Sequences. Both methodologies are illustrated with several examples. The comparison of the results obtained with both methodologies are presented, being also discussed the contribution that both of these methodologies can give to word recognition tasks.


Potential risk from the consumption of leaves of Crotalaria brevidens, an indigenous leafy vegetable of the Lake Victoria basin of East Africa, was assessed. Wild and cultivated forms of this indigenous vegetable contained two major pyrrolizidine alkaloids on thin layer chromatography, but in quantities that were too small to quantify by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance or Ultraviolet spectrometry. Based on the detection limits of these methods and dietary data from Tarime District, Tanzania, we estimate the Potential Weekly Intake of the vegetable during the peak season of consumption to be 305 ug/week/person. This does not account for detoxification during cooking. While the nutritional benefits of this vegetable likely outweigh any detrimental effects of the alkaloids, the recognized hepatotoxicity of these compounds may outweigh the benefits under some circumstances.


Hypothesis / aims of study Urinary retention is a significant clinical problem with a complex morbidity and is associated with bladder obstruction or neurological deficits. Retention is associated with high or low detrusor pressures [1], as co-morbidites such as urinary tract infections and more serious consequences such as renal failure are present, especially if pressure is high. However, low pressure retention is less amenable to surgical correction and persists longer. Voiding is difficult in the low pressure group and is commonly attributed to reduced detrusor contractility [1,2]. However the pathogenesis of low-pressure retention is unknown and it is important to determine if it is failure of muscle contractility or a remodelling of tissues within the bladder wall. The aim of this study was to address this question in a rat model where bladder obstruction through spinal cord injury was utilised to generate a large, low-pressure bladder.


Abstract Introduction Osler et al. revised the Baux score in 2010 to include inhalation injury, attempting to improve upon the original 1961 model given the significant advances in modern burn care. Other predictive models of burn mortality have similarly been developed using use an assortment of other variables, however there is no consensus on the preferred formula to use. This systematic review aims to investigate the accuracy of the revised Baux (rBaux) score in comparison to other models when determining mortality risk in patients with burn injuries. Methods A systematic review was performed by two independent reviewers using electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus) from March 1, 2010 to May 22, 2022. The majority of studies were classified as "high" quality and no studies were excluded due to risk of bias. Articles were included if they were published in English and assessed risk of mortality from burns using the rBaux model and an alternative model. The PRISMA statement was followed, and all the PROBAST quality appraisal checklist was used during data extraction. Results The search identified 79 non-duplicate citations, of which 33 underwent full-text review, and 21 met inclusion criteria. They assessed the predictive ability of the rBaux score in comparison to the original Baux score, Belgian Outcome for Burn Injury, Abbreviated Burn Severity Index, APACHE II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Boston Group/Ryan scores, the FLAMES model, the Prognostic Burn Index, and several other equations that have not been externally validated. The accuracy of mortality prediction (area under ROC curves) for the rBaux score ranged from 0.68 to 0.99 and 14 studies found a value greater than 0.90. These ROC values were found to be lowest in the two studies with subgroupings for age, demonstrating an ROC of 0.01 in children, and 0.68 and 0.92 in the elderly. Eleven studies described sensitivity, specificity, or both, with sensitivity ranging from 12% to 96%, and specificity ranging from 80% to 100%. Conclusions The rBaux score offers a relatively easy method to rapidly assess the mortality risk from burn injury in a broad range of patient populations based on age, percent total body surface area burned, and presence/absence of an inhalation injury. This tool remains valid despite the exclusion of patient comorbidities and other injury-related factors. However, this study also identified the rBaux's ability to predict mortality risk was limited when applied to patients at the extremes of age, highlighting an important area for future research. At present, given its relative simplicity and generalizability, the rBaux score remains a useful clinical tool for predicting mortality. Applicability of Research to Practice The rBaux score remains a simple yet powerful predictor of mortality in burn patients, which can be applied at the bedside on initial presentation across diverse patient populations.


Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (CD-NS) are a novel class of polymers cross-linked with a three-dimensional network and can be obtained from cyclodextrins (CD) and pyromellitic dianhydride. Their properties, such as their ability to form an inclusion complex with drugs, can be used in biomedical science, as nanosponges influence stability, toxicity, selectivity, and controlled release. Most pharmaceutical research use CD-NS for the delivery of drugs in cancer treatment. Application of molecular targeting techniques result in increased selectivity of CD-NS; for example, the addition of disulfide bridges to the polymer structure makes the nanosponge sensitive to the presence of glutathione, as it can reduce such disulfide bonds to thiol moieties. Other delivery applications include dermal transport of pain killers or photosensitizers and delivery of oxygen to heart cells. This gives rise to the opportunity to transition to medical scaffolds, but more, in modern times, to create an ultrasensitive biosensor, which employs the techniques of surface-modified nanoparticles and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP). The following review focuses on the biomedical research of cyclodextrin polymers cross-linked via dianhydrides of carboxylic acids.


(57) Abstract: The present invention provides a programmed end-user computer system to operate in response to a data stream that has been taken with or related to include one or more mobile program components from an external source to. The system, a) by incoming data stream is screened, to identify mobile program components associated with or data streams in the data stream, b) selected some or all of the mobile program components but before it is executed to operate in a desired manner, that is sent from the end user system or selectively decoupled one or more programs running position within the end user system, c) execution position, selected a position having one or more interfaces with one or more interfaces and end user system with one or more is the position held and an external source of the data stream of the program components, whereby in the execution position program component over nen But it that may be executed within execution position to interact with a program held by the external source and / or data and / or the end user system data, and d) the interface between the run position and the end user system operation, so that only program components which operate at data and / or a specific fashion are interacting with a specific controlled manner by the program component in execution position may be sent from or end user system to the end user system program characterized in that it is.


Introduction We need a theory of the teaching and learning process (TLP). We need it to design teaching, to make meaningful measurements of it, to understand it. It is important because teachers cannot cause learning in any direct and reliable way: it is clear that other factors are crucial, are having big effects on the outcomes. In fact often the book or courseware is only a small factor in what happens.


Tennis movement can be characterized by primarily short lateral bursts over typically 3-4 m initiated by a reactive decision step. Lateral acceleration depends on unilateral movement, or specifically, the outside leg to enhance ground reaction force (GRF). Few studies have been conducted for the development of lateral speed with emphasis on unilateral training. A simple one-leg test for unilateral strength is presented. Exercises for improving lateral acceleration are presented.


The energy security is a growing concern both of the EU governments, and of Brussels. The European officials have been working on a strategy that should ensure the energy security of the Union. Some of the main courses of action are as follows: increasing the energy output from regenerative resources, cutting down on the dependence upon Russia by finding alternative suppliers, and interconnecting the shipment routes. Romania must act as such in order to face the domestic economic challenges. An increase in the quota of energy derived from regenerative resources of the total energy output will be sustained by important investments in the hydro-energy and eolian field. Another top priority for Romania is to interconnect the shipment routes for hydrocarbons at the European and regional level.


The high‐affinity IgE receptor FcϵRI expresses on the cell surface of mast cells and basophils, which is the key molecule in allergic reactions. We previously found that the major green tea catechin, (‐)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (EGCG), has the suppressive effect of the FcϵRI expression in the human basophilic KU812 cells, whereas (‐)‐epicatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (ECG) has not. For understanding the mechanism of catechins, interactions of catechins with cellular membranes were investigated. Both catechins were shown to bind the cell surface of KU812 cells by surface plasmon resonance assay. EGCG highly associated with cholesterol‐ and sphingolipid‐enriched membrane microdomains known as lipid rafts. On the other hand, the level of ECG in rafts was lower than that of EGCG, suggesting that the association with lipid rafts may have an important role in the FcϵRI‐suppressive effect of catechins.


The invention belongs to the field of welding materials, and discloses Al-Si-Cu-Zn low-melting-point aluminum-based brazing filler metal and a preparing method of the Al-Si-Cu-Zn low-melting-point aluminum-based brazing filler metal. The Al-Si-Cu-Zn low-melting-point aluminum-based brazing filler metal comprises, by mass, 3.50%-4.50% of silicone, 15%-23% of copper, 10%-24% of zinc, 0.80%-1.20% of manganese, 0.80%-1.20% of magnesium, 0.02%-0.08% of strontium and the balance aluminum. Dosing is carried out according to the component contents, then the components are melted in a specific sequence and refined through hexachloroethane two times to carry out casting to obtain an alloy blank, and finally hot rolling is carried out on the alloy blank multiple times to obtain the foil-shaped aluminum-based brazing filler metal. The Al-Si-Cu-Zn low-melting-point aluminum-based brazing filler metal has the advantages of being low in melting point, excellent in brazing technology performance and low in cost, can be widely used for aluminum-based materials, and can be particularly used for brazing Al-Mn alloy materials.


This contribution aims at illuminating Muslim community life in the 1950s in Germany with the help of photographs. In 2020, probing into a research field that until then was largely terra incognita, the photojournalist Julius Matuschik with the support of a sociologist of religion, Raida Chbib, contacted mosques they knew had been built in the 1960s and wrote to 100 city archives in search of photographic and other evidence. In this way, photograph collections and paper records of religious gatherings and activities of Muslims in Berlin, Munich, Aachen, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Schwetzingen (Mannheim) were identified and brought into communication with one another. Offering unique visual insights in each of these places, this article shows that Muslim religious infrastructures were established long before the arrival of the so-called guest workers and that Muslim religious life in the 1950s was broader than has hitherto been suggested. Moreover, a blind spot was revealed when gathering detailed information about a congregation in the 1950s in the architecturally remarkable mosque building in the garden of the Schwetzingen Palace.


We study the evolution of a long strip of viscous fluid on a horizontal glass substrate under partial-wetting conditions. This initial condition develops into an array of quasi-equidistant drops. The special feature of this dewetting scenario is that the pearling process, consisting of successive stages of bulge growth and pinching-off, does not occur simultaneously along the strip but propagates from the ends toward the strip center. We find that the footprint of each drop corresponds to two crossed elliptical shapes and report measurements of the breakup process and the dewetting dynamics.


Aim: Eligibility for liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently based on singledimension, diameter measurements on cross-sectional imaging, as specified by various selection criteria. This does not account for significant differences in shape, and therefore tumour volume, between patients. This study investigated whether one-dimensional selection criteria disadvantages patients by not considering volume. Methods: Patient data were collected retrospectively from a prospectively maintained database. Tumours were measured on both computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tumour volume was measured using two methods; semi-automated planimetry and the ellipsoid volume formula. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: A total of 313 patients with HCC were assessed for liver transplantation. For this study, patients who underwent transplantation (n = 89) and those who did not based on tumour size (n = 33) were included. In total, 213 tumours were measured, showing excellent correlation between CT and MRI (R = 0.83). The majority of tumour nodules (94%) were ellipsoid not spherical. Volumetric measurements of the 84 tumours that did not meet diameter-based Milan criteria confirmed that 76% would have been within a theoretical volume allowance based on Milan criteria diameters. Received: First Decision: Revised: Accepted: Published: Science Editor: Copy Editor: Production Editor: Jing Yu Page 2 of 12 Graham et al. Hepatoma Res 2021;7:1 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2020.87 Conclusion: This study shows that a significant number of patients deemed outside conventional diameter-based Milan criteria have smaller tumour volumes than those considered within criteria. It appears that those with ellipsoid rather than spherical tumours may be disadvantaged by current size-based criteria. Further research using a contemporary patient cohort who have had the benefit of advancements in non-surgical treatments for


Introduction: Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) of basolateral amygdala (BLA) play an important role in emotional learning and memory. The aim of present study was to determine the role of GRs of BLA in extinction of fear memory in inhibitory avoidance learning (PAL) in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats with surgically implanted bilaterally cannulae aimed at the BLA were trained and tested in an inhibitory avoidance task. Animals received bilateral microinjections of corticosterone (CORT, 0.3 or 3ng/0.5µl per side), RU38486 (0.3 or 3 ng/10.5µl per side /side) or combinenation of both drugs into BLA 30 min before the first retrieval test which was done 2 days after training. Memory retention again tested 2, 9, 12, 14 and 16 days after the first retention test, during which the latency to re-enter dark compartment of the apparatus was recorded. Results: Results indicated that microinjections of both CORT and RU38486 and also their combination into BLA facilitated the extinction of fear memory. Conclusion: It seems that GRs located in the BLA nucleus play a critical role in fear memory extinction.


Essentially sharp Markov-type inequalities are known for various classes of polynomials with constraints including constraints of the coefficients of the polynomials. For and we introduce the class as the collection of all polynomials of the form , , , . In this paper, we prove essentially sharp Markov-type inequalities for polynomials from the classes on . Our main result shows that the Markov factor valid for all polynomials of degree at most on improves to for polynomials in the classes on .


Plate type Heat Exchangers (PHEs) are one of the main applications for commercially pure titanium. The plates, each consisting of a titanium sheet press-formed into a complex corrugated pattern, are directly linked to high performance such as that seen in the thermal conductivity of the PHE. Now Kobe Steel has newly developed a pre-coated titanium sheet with excellent press-formability, whose design includes a lubricant coating that is easily removed by alkaline cleansing.


Based on VEC model,this paper tests the linkage between FDI in producer services and manufacturing FDI with data of direct investment flowed into China from USA from 1982 to 2006,and draws a conclusion that the existing manufacturing FDI is pursued by FDI in producer services from home country. Further research taking other control variables into account shows that the pursuit is also proved,economy scale of host country is another determinant of location of FDI in producer services,restrictive measure regulates FDI in producer services directly and effectively,the agglomeration effect of FDI in producer services still does not appear,and the FDI in producer services is not sensitive to wage level,services development condition and infrastructure.


Finance is the material foundation of pension insurance.Pension insurance that exceeded the burden of finance is unsustainable.And there will be a major constraint to the economic and social's development.Through the forecast we found that financial situation of social pooling pension is not improved by expanding the coverage of pension insurance under the background of aging population.Pension gap will exist throughout the forecast period,and it will go beyond the financial capacity in the worst situation.Reforming the pension system will be helpful to alleviate the financial pressure and ensure the healthy operation of the system.


To date, little work has been done regarding the annealing temperature and time dependence of contact resistance and contact intermixing on InN. In order to continue to improve for potential applications in photovoltaic devices, including high efficiency thin film solar cells, thermally stable ohmic contacts is required. To employ metal layers as a reliable ohmic contact on InN, it is essential to understand the thermal stability of metal-InN contact in addition to developing low resistance ohmic system. In this work, the structure of the InN films has been determined by means of conventional XRD phase analysis omega/2thetas scan. Different annealing temperatures (400degC-700degC) and durations (1- 30 minutes) of Ni/Ag metal contacts are investigated, as thermally stable metal- semiconductor contacts are essential for high quality devices. Specific contact resistivity, pc (SCR) determined using transmission line method (TLM) is carried out to the annealed (Ni/Ag) contacts where the electrical behavior of each of these conditions are compared. For relatively different annealing temperatures, substantial difference of the SCR values is observed between different durations samples.


ABSTRACT The extensive use of powders in numerous industries has led to the need for a better understanding of their storage and flow properties. In order to design proper storage structures, it is essential to know the flow properties of powders under normal operating conditions. The objective of this research was to measure the flow properties of powders at low pressures (0.5-5 kPa) by using 1) the computer controlled shear cell (CCSC) as a dynamic yield locus tester (DYLT), and 2) the cubical triaxial tester. Five different powders were tested. The measured flow parameters, cohesion, and angle of internal friction were obtained using the three testers, and were statistically compared.


Many Americans do not meet the recommended level of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise as demonstrated by data from 2018. Furthermore, levels of anxiety are rising in the U.S., particularly in the young adult population. Previous research has shown that levels of physical activity can have an impact on an individual's mental health. Exercise has been shown to promote higher levels of self-efficacy (SE) and reduce levels of anxiety sensitivity (AS). However, no study has looked at the relationship between exercise interventions, SE, and AS. The goals of this study were to: 1) examine the relative effectiveness of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) and static stretching to increasing SE and reducing AS in the short and long-term, and 2) whether SE mediates the relationship between exercise and AS levels. 42 healthy college aged adults with moderate to high AS were randomly assigned to participate in one of three virtual guided exercise interventions: HIIT, MICT, and a static stretching control. Levels of SE and AS were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 2 weeks after the intervention. All exercise conditions were effective at reducing AS levels, with no significant differences between groups at the post-intervention time point. Significant differences in pre-intervention and 2-week follow-up AS scores were found only in the HIIT group. Significant increases in SE were found in all exercise conditions, and no differences in SE scores between groups were found at any time point. SE was not found to mediate the relationship between exercise and AS. Results highlight the efficacy of using HIIT to produce long-term reductions in AS and the unique trend of changes in AS and SE in the HIIT group. Future directions and limitations are discussed.


This paper sets out a conceptual framework for the open-ended arti cial evolution of complex behaviour in autonomous agents. If recurrent dynamical neural networks (or similar) are used as phenotypes, then a Genetic Algorithm that employs variable length genotypes, such as Inman Harvey's SAGA, is capable of evolving arbitrary levels of behavioural complexity. Furthermore, with simple restrictions on the encoding scheme that governs how genotypes develop into phenotypes, it may be guaranteed that if an increase in tness requires an increase in behavioural complexity, then it will evolve. In order for this process to be practicable as a design alternative, however, the time periods involved must be acceptable. The nal part of this paper looks at general ways in which the encoding scheme may be modied to speed up the process. Experiments are reported in which di erent categories of scheme were tested against each other, and conclusions are o ered as to the most promising type of encoding scheme for a viable open-ended Evolutionary Robotics.


Objective To evaluate the effects of intrarectal chemotherapy for advanced unresectable rectal carcinoma.Methods 86 cases of advanced unresectable rectal carcinoma were divided into two groups. The intrarectal chemotherapy group consisted of 43 cases to whom 5 fluorouracil or fluorouracil polyphase liposome oral liquid were administered by rectoclysis, and extract of Chinese herbs was administered as a adjuvant simultaneously. In the control group there were 43 cases who received oral administration of tegafuri(FT 207) or Fluorouracil polyphase liposome and adjuvant Chinese herbs.[WT5"HZ]Results [WT5"BZ] In the intrarectal chemotherapy group mean survial time was 18 2 months, 8 4 months longer than that in the control group ( SD =0 67, t =12 54, P 0 01).[WT5"HZ] Conclusion [WT5"BZ] Chemotherapy of rectoclysis is simple, effective and without significant side effects, hence is an alternative therapy for advanced unresectable rectal carcinoma.


Much of the content of the University of Washington Libraries' Information Gateway is generated from an SQL database extracted from the libraries' OPAC. The database, known locally as the Digital Registry, drives multiple services on the Information Gateway. My Gateway is the personalized component of the Information Gateway and provides a way for users to create their own views of the Registry and to integrate their own URLs into those views. This article describes the My Gateway service, its architecture, and procedures for content selection and maintenance for the Registry database. Future development plans and lessons learned are also discussed. ********** My Gateway is the personalized component of the University of Washington Libraries' Information Gateway and provides a way for users to maintain categorized lists of URLs that they select (see figure 1). (1) Users can create their own categories or "subscribe" to public categories created by library staff. (2) Users may add items to or delete items from categories they create (see figure 2). Public categories can only be subscribed to in toto, although this may change in the next version of the interface. The URLs can be drawn from the libraries' URL database or can be the users' own URLs. If the URL is in the database and the URL changes, that change is automatically reflected in users' URL lists. A "show items added since last login" feature lets users review resources that are new to the database. Librarians may use My Gateway to assemble lists of URLs that are related in ways that are not easily represented in a classification scheme or by subject terms. These lists may then be "published" as static Web pages using My Gateway's HTML generator, or they may be made available for users to include on their own My Gateway pages. (3) Currently, thirty-five staff users publish seventy-five pages to the Information Gateway using this tool (see figure 3). The only user data stored in My Gateway is the user's fourteen-digit bar code; all other data resides in the patron database in the libraries' Innovative Interfaces (III) integrated library system. When a user logs into My Gateway, he or she is authenticated against the III system and additional patron data is fetched from the patron database. Once authenticated, patron data is available to other request services on the site. When My Gateway was initially released, the "view my record," renewal, and request functions could all be accomplished with a single My Gateway login. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Two rounds of usability testing were done on My Gateway, the first focusing on terminology and the second on functionality. We have done very little promotion of My Gateway outside of listing it on the Information Gateway itself and providing one My Gateway class each quarter. Some librarians promote it more heavily to their individual user groups, however. Over seven thousand My Gateway accounts have been created, approximately eighteen hundred of which have been accessed at least once during the last academic quarter. Because of the way the database is structured, it is difficult to get good demographics for My Gateway users, but it is possible to look at some overall usage patterns. Relatively little customization of categories is done. Fewer than 15 percent of users create additional categories beyond the three defaults, preferring instead to edit the contents of existing categories. The 15 percent who do create additional categories have created over five hundred of them in aggregate, but with no meaningful clusters emerging. At the item level, users have added nearly one thousand distinct URLs to their My Gateway pages that are not represented in the libraries' URL database. The majority of these URLs have only a single user associated with them. Of the resources represented in the URL database, My Gateway users show a marked preference for databases over other types of resources; twenty-nine of the top thirty records included on My Gateway pages represent databases or catalogs. …


Four unprecedented labdane diterpenoid dimers with new carbon skeletons, cunlanceloic acids A–D (1–4), were isolated from the cones of Cunninghamia lanceolata.


C3 and C5 in attenuated strains of melon anthracnose were screened from eighty-three strains.To succeed in inducing the resistance of C2 in virulent strains to anthracnose in watermelon,its living organism was inoculated and its inactivation matter was irrigated on the root respectively.And the result proved that its inactivation matter and living organism had the similar inducing ability.At the same time,the test got the persistent period of inducing resistance of C5's inactivation matter and the best plastochrone of inductive disposal.


F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography before, during and after treatment in mature T/NK lymphomas: a study from the GOELAMS group X. Cahu , C. Bodet-Milin, E. Brissot, H. Maisonneuve, R. Houot, N. Morineau, P. Solal-Celigny, P. Godmer, T. Gastinne, P. Moreau, A. Moreau, T. Lamy, F. Kraber-Bodere & S. Le Gouill* Departments of Hematology; Nuclear Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes; Department of Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Départemental La Roche-sur-Yon; Department of Hematology, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rennes, Rennes; Department of Hematology, Centre Catherine de Sienne, Nantes; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Centre Jean Bernard, Clinique Victor Hugo, Le Mans; Department of Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Départemental Vannes, Vannes; Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, Nantes; Research Unit, Inserm U917, Université de Rennes I, Rennes; Center for Oncology Research Nantes/Angers, Inserm UMR 892, Nantes; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre René Gauducheau, Saint-Herblain; Center for Clinical Investigation in Oncology (CI2C), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nantes, France


Sylvia Plath's wrote The Bell Jar "at top speed and with very little revision from start to finish," according to Ted Hughes (467). It is generally guessed that Plath began writing her "potboiler" during the spring of 1961 and that it was completed by August 22 that same year. 1 Plath wrote the novel in the privacy of the study of W. S. and Dido Merwin's house overlooking Primrose Hill at 11 St. George's Terrace (pictured left), located just two-tenths of a mile from where she was living at the time at 3 Chalcot Square. Certain details surrounding the novel's pre-publication are unknown, such as when exactly it was submitted to her London publishers, William Heinemann Limited, when they accepted the novel, or when her galley proofs and final proofs were reviewed. 2


Objective. The mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are not clear. We hypothesized that OSA patients have an abnormal renal handling of sodium and water during the night. Material and methods. We studied 29 OSA patients and 19 healthy controls at night with serial determinations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), arginine vasopressin (AVP), aldosterone (Aldo), fractional urinary excretion of sodium (FENa), free water clearance (CH2O), urinary excretion of aquaporin 2 (u‐AQP2), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and oxygen saturation. Results. OSA patients had a higher FENa (0.6 (0.4–1.0) versus 0.4 (0.3–0.6) %; p = 0.017), SBP (129 (114–145) versus 114 (106–122) mmHg; p = 0.001) and DBP (81 (72–87) versus 71 (65–74) mmHg; p<0.001) than healthy controls at night. In hypertensive OSA patients, the FENa correlated significantly with the change in nocturnal DBP (r2 = 0.411; p = 0.010). Mean level of AVP during the night was higher in OSA patients compared with healthy controls (1.1 (0.8–1.4) versus 0.8 (0.6–1.1) pmol/L; p = 0.033) and correlated with SBP. ANP, BNP, Aldo, CH2O and u‐AQP2 were the same in OSA and controls. Conclusions. We conclude that the higher fractional excretion of sodium in OSA is most likely attributable to pressure natriuresis. The correlation between mean AVP and blood pressure suggests that AVP may be part of the pathogenetic mechanism underlying hypertension in these patients.


The question about whether CSR pay off in Asian firms has puzzled both academics and business leaders for decades. Through quantitative meta-analytical techniques based on 16,893 Asian firm samples reported in 25 studies, we test the prediction of stakeholder theory in the CSR ¨C business performance relationship in Asia. We also examine whether potential moderators affect this focal relationship, including economic development (developed vs. developing), industry type (manufacturing vs. service), firm size (SMEs vs. non-SMEs), organizational form (public vs. private), and measurement issues (archival vs. self-report). Our findings advocate a significant positive association between CSR and business performance of Asian firms, and CSR exerts a stronger positive effect on operational performance than on financial performance. Further meta-analytic evidence also suggests that moderating issues explain significant variance in the effect size across studies. Theoretical contribution for scholars and practical...


The effect of various levels of ramp metering on traffic flow in a 7-mi-long urban corridor consisting of a freeway, two parallel surface arterials, and seven perpendicular connecting surface arterials was evaluated. The study was conducted both with and without traffic diversion from on-ramps to surface streets using the INTRAS freeway corridor simulation model. Three levels of ramp metering were analyzed to determine how much each would reduce the effects on traffic of an incident on the freeway. For each level of metering, several traffic diversion schemes were introduced in an incremental manner. The diversion of vehicles was implemented for each level of ramp metering until the remaining number of vehicles behind the meters was the same for each level and was less than the storage capacity of the ramp behind the meter. The main conclusion is that, whereas ramp metering improves the traffic flow on the freeway, it adversely affects the total system because of the overflow queues behind the meters, which spill back onto the surface streets. The only metering level that does not do this (in the absence of diversion) is one in which the metering rates are adjusted so that the overflow queues do not occur (equivalent to a queue detector at the upstream end of a ramp overriding the meter when a queue is detected). This level of metering, however, is rarely sufficient to overcome the capacity reduction resulting from an incident. To minimize the adverse effects of ramp metering, an appropriate traffic diversion plan for the implemented ramp metering strategy is required. The impacts on the total system under the optimum ramp metering and the best diversion plan consist of only a 4.1% increase in speed and a 10.5% decrease in delay.


The lymphocytes of some patients (especially with malignancies) as well of healthy subjects, which had been isolated on the day of blood withdrawal from the heparinized blood, show negative or slightly positive reaction with some corresponding HLA sera; after 24 h of storing in the refrigerator at +4 degrees C the lymphocytes tend to restore the cytotoxic reactivity of HLA antigens, and thus, a strongly positive reaction can be recorded. The cause of this phenomenon may be ascribed to the anticomplementary effect of the lymphocyte suspension in barbital buffer.


When I first read Colonel Moyse-Bartlett's book, The Kings African Rifles, I was interested to note that one of the appendices listed the medals the KA.R. were entitled to and I was determined to find out more about this. Little was I to know what an absorbing and most interesting task this would be as the appendix only really skimmed the surface of part of the subject and it has taken many years of hard work and effort to produce what I feel to be a fairly accurate summary of medals awarded. These can be broken down into four broad categories as follows: 1. Campaigns and Wars. 2. Bravery. 3. Long Service and Good Conduct. 4. Commemoratives.


The problem of dynamics and control using a space robot to capture a noncooperative satellite is an important issue for on-orbit services. Inertia parameters of the satellite should be identified before capturing such that the robot can design an active controller to finish the capturing task. In this paper, a new identification scheme is proposed for parameter identification of a noncooperative satellite. In this scheme, the space robot is controlled to contact softly and then maintain contact with the noncooperative target firstly, then the variation of momentum of the target during the contact-maintaining phase is calculated using the control force and torque acting on the base of the space robot and the kinematic information of the space robot, and finally, the momentum-conservation-based identification method is used to estimate inertia parameters of the target. To realize soft contact and then maintain contact, a damping contact controller is designed in this paper, in which a mass-damping system is designed to control the contact between the robot and the target. Soft contact and then contact maintenance can be realized by utilizing the buffering characteristics of the mass-damping system. The effectiveness of the proposed identification scheme is verified through numerical simulations at the end of this paper. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme can achieve high-precision identification results.


A new real-time image tracking system based on affine transform is developed.Experiments have proved that the tracker is fast,precise and reliable.And this system has very great upgrading potentiality.It not only meets the requests of affine transform tracking,is also suitable for some other algorithms,and can form the more robust image tracking system.Through many experiments,it is shown that the performance of object tracker based on affine transforms algorithm better than that based on classic correlation algorithm.


A new 15N-labled procedure based on isotopic ratio monitoring of N2 by GC-isolink-IRMS(isotope artio mass spectrometer) with high precision and of N2O by GC-MS in SIM mode with high sensitivity was developed for the identification and confirmation of in vitro microbial denitrification.Gas metabolites,produced by Alcaligenes faecalis,including atmospheric gases in the confined cultivation tube,were analyzed using GS-CarbonPlot column,and a satisfactory baseline separation of N2/O2,CO2,N2O and water vapour was obtained in a single run,which eliminated CO2 and H2O interference contributed to isotopic determination of N2 and N2O.In δ15N analysis of N2,combustion oven in GC isolink can remove all of the O2 in the sample gases,and precise and accurate δ15N measurement can be conducted.The δ15N value of N2 of 15N-labled sample,15N-natural abundance control,and 15N-KNO3 blank control were(2.394±0.261)‰,(0.022±0.044)‰ and(0.315±0.045)‰,respectively.In addition,significant increase in relative isotopic abundance of 14,15N2O and 15,15N2O(RT=2.99 min) to 14,14N2O was observed,indicating N2 and N2O production from denitrification by A.faecalis.This proposed identification procedure,providing isotopic evidence of N2 and/or N2O production based on the marked enrichment in the N isotope ratio,is rapid,sensitive,accurate and precise to indentify and confirm the occurrence of microbial denitrificaiton,especially for new isolated and screened ones.We have confirmed the denitrifying activity by several strains of microorganism screened from the environment using this procedure.This procedure has also been applied in confirming the N2 production by nitrifier denitrification under defined conditions.


It is well known that non-linear systems share the universal property of presenting symmetry-breaking bifurcations. Often, these processeslead to spatial pe...


Applicability of small punch (SP) creep test for anisotropic materials such as directionally solidified (DS) superalloy was studied. We conducted the SP creep test at 760℃ with DS Ni-based superalloy and observed fracture surface of the specimen tested. the SP creep specimens were broken at the center of the specimen. This is different from fracture pattern in typical ductile materials during the SP creep test. Fracture in ductile materials is generally occurred at weakest location of annular region apart from the center of the specimen. The fracture pattern occurred in DS Ni-based superalloy can be argued that the SP creep test for creep brittle material may be creep crack growth test.


The corona virus COVID-19 widespread is causing an around the world wellness calamity so the effective safety techniques are wearing confronts covers in open locales agreeing to the field Wellbeing Organization The COVID-19 widespread constrained governments globally to force lockdowns to anticipate infection transmissions. Reports show that carrying a confront veil while at work essentially diminishes the danger of transmission. A proficient and financial method of utilizing AI to create a secure encompassing within the course of a production setup. Utilizing this recently discharged procedure, we are ready to help numerous to hit upon and pass on security safeguards, by implies of the utilization of this strategy numerous wellness and social workers will be able to find the COVID-19 influenced patients. In arranging that they may be privy to this and hold a remove from the person to diminish the unfurl of corona virus infection. This machine no longer as working on web locales be that as it may, this approach can more over be supportive of the domestic venture to find the influenced clients. A crossover adaptation utilizing profound and classical frameworks considering for mask discovery is getting to be given. A veil location dataset comprises of with covers and without cover pictures, we have gotten to be to apply OpenCV to undertake to real-time confront location from remain circulate thru our webcam. We are going to utilize the dataset to form a COVID-19 covers locator with PC vision with the use of Python, OpenCV, and Tensor flow, and Keras. Our purpose is to distinguish whether the character of photograph/video development is wearing a cover or not with the assistance of computer vision and profound picking up information.


ILO pub-wep pub. Working paper on trends, problems and priority areas for population, employment and development planning in Arab country - covers sectoral and occupational structure, underemployment, labour migration in the Arab region, human resources planning, the role of woman workers, employment creation and development policies. Bibliography and statistical tables.


This work developed an unprecedented strategy for the acetylation of alcohols and amines using diacetyl as both an acylation reagent and photosensitizer. This environmentally friendly process exhibits excellent functional group...


This article examines the generalizability and validity of student ratings by studying within-class and between-classes correlations of ratings with other variables for regular faculty teaching lecture courses as well as for graduate assistants teaching recitation sections. Results indicate that most ratings are highly generalizable but only some are related to learning and that certain aspects of both generalizability and validity vary with the instructor's role and with the level of data. The implications of these findings for the evaluation of teaching are discussed with reference to two alternative paradigms: construct validity and criterion development. Many prior studies have examined aspects of the validity and generalizability of student ratings of instruction. For example, the validity of student ratings as indices of student learning has been addressed by Remmers, Martin, and Elliott (1949), Elliott (1950), Rodin and Rodin (1972), Frey (1973), Sullivan and Skanes (1974), Doyle and Whitely (1974), and Centra (Note 1). Findings have ranged from high negative to high positive correlations, with the majority indicating a statistically significant but very modest relationship between student ratings and tested student learning. Generalizability has been even more frequently studied. DeWolf (Note 2) lists 76 student characteristics that have been examined as possible correlates of student ratings, and Doyle (1975) cites more than 50 generalizabil ity studies. Again the findings are inconsistent, showing sometimes positive, sometimes negative, and sometimes zero correlations between student ratings and various student characteristics. One important explanation of these inconsistencies may be the failure to study a variety of validity and generalizability variables simultaneously and in a single paradigm. Multivariate strategies reduce the risk of focusing too much attention on iso


Coupling method is used to study the stability of a class of diffusions satisfying some kind of stochastic differential equations. A criterion about stability in distribution is presented, which is better than what has been proposed by G. Basak. The criterion has been extended to uniform stability in distribution.


A low-complexity/low-cost Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonator coupled to a dielectric waveguide, working in sub-millimeter wave range of frequency, is proposed. The structure is implemented on a Silicon-On-Glass (SOG) technology for the first time. Using different type of experiments, the validity of design and functionality of system are verified. Excitation of four pure WGE modes in the range of 145-205 GHz for two types of resonators, the ring and the disc resonator, are experimentally demonstrated for the first time.


A wideband printed dual-antenna system for mobile terminals is presented. The dual-antenna, consisted of two symmetric antenna elements and a neutralization line (NL), is printed on a printed circuit board. The antenna element is an F-like monopole with a grounded branch. The working mechanism of the dual-antenna is analyzed based on the S-parameters and the surface current distributions. A prototype shows the measured -10-dB impedance bandwidth is 1.09 GHz (1.67-2.76 GHz) and the measured mutual coupling is lower than -15 dB at the 1.7-2.76-GHz bands. It covers the GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS, LTE2300, LTE2500, and 2.4-GHz WLAN bands. The radiation patterns are measured, and the diversity performance is evaluated .


Abstract –  One of the things that the company's priority to achieve the goal is to have professional resources with the best employee performance in carrying out its work. One that can be affect employee's performance is the existence of work discipline. This work discipline should be continue to be held and become the principle for employees, so that employee's contribution in supporting the success of various functions of the company's operations become more optimal. The aims of this study is to determine the effect of work discipline on employee's performance Cipta Hotel Pancoran South Jakarta. The number of respondents in this study is 50 employee's. The data were collected by using questionnaires and library studies. Data analysis is used the linearity test, simple regression analysis, and correlation coefficient test. The result shows that the discipline of work has a positive and significant impact on the performance of employee's of Cipta Hotel Pancoran, South Jakarta. The magnitude of the correlation coefficient shows the amount of 0.499, it means the relationship of work discipline to the employee's performance is quite strong. Coefficient of determination or R Squared = 0.249 it means that work discipline affect of employee's performance is 24.9% while the rest is influenced by factors others than work discipline it self . Key Word: work discipline, employee performance


In recent years, with the increasing complexity of new terminal air defense weapons as well as the transformation of human warfare form from mechanization to informatization, traditional effectiveness evaluation methods are facing many challenges. For example, the expert scoring method is highly subjective, and the BP neural network evaluation requires a large amount of data as well as easy convergence to local optima value. In this paper, the effectiveness evaluation index system of fire control system is firstly established. Then, based on the principle of data mining algorithm of support vector machine (SVM), a method of effectiveness evaluation of fire control system combining LS-SVM and particle swarm optimization algorithm with improved adaptive parameters (PSO) is proposed. The penalty parameters and kernel function parameters of LS-SVM fire control system evaluation model are optimized by using adaptive parameter particle swarm algorithm to avoid the blindness of manually set parameters. By comparing with other data mining fire control system effectiveness evaluation models, it is verified that the method has higher accuracy and shorter evaluation time for fire control system effectiveness evaluation.


This research aims to study the fouling community of the Parana river (Argentina), near the bridge joining Chaco and Corrientes (27°27'40" S 5851'30" W), in order to determine if the employment of antifouling paints is or is not necessaiy for protection of the ship bottoms of vessels sailing this river. Since no data were available on this subject, biotic and abiotic studies were carried out. Sandblasted acrylic panels were submerged to collect the biological material at four different depths which were placed parallel to the water current and in some cases at 45° and 90°. The experiments carried out show that the species recorded are not of great importance from the point of view of their control by antifouling paints. Nevertheless, it is useful to start research projects in fluvial areas both for their economic interest and in order to record in a continuous manner organisms present in the area. This monitoring is essential to keep track of the possible access of harmful exotic species adhering to hulls or in cargo ballast tanks of ships transporting imported goods.


The period from 1947 when Pakistan was created to the watershed of 1971 when East Pakistan split off to become Bangladesh is an important one for studying the determinants of industrial performance in the Indian subcontinent. On the one hand, despite substantial differences in the industrial policies of Pakistan and India, their rates of industrial growth were remarkably similar. On the other hand, while Pakistan's authoritarian institutions had many features similar to contemporary East Asian states, in particular South Korea, its long run performance was much poorer than in the East Asian industrializers.


On the basis of a study of an international Buddhist movement, this article defines â�€�œethical conversations across bordersâ�€� â�€�" acts of ethical deliberation, evaluation or argument that take place in cognisance of multiple ethical regimes â�€�" and proposes the conditions under which they can take place. Fo Guang Shan, described in the first part of the article, is a Buddhist movement that originated in Taiwan, but which now has branches around the world. It seeks to promote the cultivation of virtue among its members and among other people with which it has contact. The teachings of Master Hsing Yun, the movementâ�€�™s founder, advocate two methods through which this project can be realised, â�€�œsowing seeds of affinityâ�€� and â�€�œconvenienceâ�€�. The second part of the article generalises observations made in relation to Fo Guang Shan and draws the conclusion that all â�€�œethical conversations across bordersâ�€� require two things, namely, the identification of similarities or â�€�œaffinitiesâ�€�, and an account of difference that stipulates the units between which the conversation is to be carried on.


The paper presents ongoing density-functional theory (DFT) computational support to research of hybrid perovskite solar cells to facilitate their understanding at molecular level. Very recently, doping by a iodine salt, namely 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine iodine BFBAI2, has been described that improves the power conversion efficiency and enhances device stability. As structural characteristics of BFBAI2 are not well known, they are supplied here through DFT calculations for both BFBAI2 monomer and dimer. The geometry optimizations are performed at the M06-2X/3-21G level, and energetics is refined with the M06-2X/Def2QZVP treatment. The dimerization potential-energy change is calculated as −6.2 kcal/mol. BFBAI2 exhibits highly non-uniform charge distribution, i.e., it is a clearly polar system that can strongly modulate surface conditions when adsorbed. The adsorption-energy gain for BFBAI2 on CsPbI3 perovskite is DFT evaluated as −13.2 kcal/mol.


This paper deals with some textual problems in Longus' Daphnis and Chloe. A new edition with German translation of Longus' novel is to be published by the authors in 2016.¹ Here we discuss some of our divergences from the edition by M.D. Reeve (³1994).


It is a record of the mechanical contrivances used in the practice of the healing art at the middle of the nineteenth century?a chronicle to which surgeons and mechanicians may hereafter refer to see what appliances have been tried in past years, and how far the discoveries of the future can improve upon them. In this way M. Gau jot's work may be a book of reference for many years to come, as well as


Metal-organic frameworks based on metal-sulfur or metal-selenium bonds are relatively rare; herein we describe the synthesis and structural characterization of several examples, including, for example, [Cd(en)3][Cd(SC6H4S)2], which contains the anionic two-dimensional square-grid network [Cd(SC6H4S)2]n(2n-).


Intramolecularly hydrogen bonded o-hydroxybenzaldehyde (OHBA-C) isolated in 12 K rare gas matrices photolyzes to a non-hydrogen-bonded rotamer (OHBA-F). IR spectra of OHBA-C, OHBA-F, and several model and isotopically substituted compounds are consistent with identification of OHBA-F conformer as that formed by 180-deg rotation of both the hydroxy and aldehyde groups. For the two rotamers, electronic absorption, excitation, and emission spectra are presented together with time-resolved emission measurements and estimates of a ground-state reaction enthalpy. From these data, it is proposed that the S{sub 1} state of OHBA-C is an n,{pi}{sup *} hydrogen atom transfer state, and S{sub 2} is a {pi},{pi}{sup *} proton-transfer state with a large ({approximately}18 kcal) barrier to reaction. Rotamerization is reversed by S{sub 1} or S{sub 2} excitation of OHBA-F. The conversion of OHBA-C to OHBA-F is {approximately}5 times as efficient as the reverse process upon excitation at the respective S{sub 1} 0-0 energies. An increase in photolysis quantum yield of OHBA-C is measured at energies well above the 0-0 energy and may correspond to reaction over the proposed {approximately}8 kcal S{sub 1} barrier.


Significance: Iron oxide nanocrystals, generated in situ from Fe(acac)3 and hydrazine hydrate, catalyzed the reduction of nitroarenes with hydrazine hydrate under microwave conditions to give the corresponding anilines in 95–99% yield (20 examples, eq. 1). In the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline using the batch system, the catalyst was magnetically separated from the reaction mixture and reused seven times. Comment: The reduction of nitroarenes was also performed using a continuous-flow system to afford the anilines in 95−97% yield (eq. 2). The in situ generated iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and HRTEM analyses. ICP–MS showed 7.9% iron leaching from the catalyst during the reduction using the batch system. R Fe(acac)3 (0.25 mol%) N2H4⋅H2O (1.2 equiv)


Fine-scale measurements of the ocean surface have been made from stereo photographs. By taking these photographs from a height of about 20 ft above the sea, vertical resolutions as small as 0.3 inches were measured. The wave-number spectra obtained from the photographs verify the Phillips k−3 prediction for the behavior of ocean-wave spectra at high wave numbers.


Abstract This paper reports the case of an epileptic patient who underwent memory testing (delayed matching to sample and paired associates) during electrical recording and stimulation from depth electrode arrays placed for lateralization and localization of seizure onset. EEG recordings from the left, but not right, depth electrodes in mid hippocampus (anterior-posterior) showed an unusual pattern of four bursts of high-voltage spindle activity associated with verbal responses required during the recognition phase of delayed matching to sample tasks on 48 of 51 trials. No such pattern of bursts was observed on longer delayed (180 s) visual-verbal paired associate tasks. Spindle bursts occurred in distinct grouping patterns, only when minimal overt verbal response to object recognition was required, but not under other dissociating situations.


Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the development of identity safety—where all participants are valued, included, and can engage without fear of stigmatization—among underrepresented youth and adults in a community‐based youth development program. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted daily with three youth and two adult mentors about their experiences in the program (a total of 32 interviews). Data analysis revealed that participants developed identity safety through engaging in programmatic activities that explored youth's identities, practicing authenticity in daily interactions, and facilitating dynamic communication across intergenerational friendships. Participants described sustaining identity safety through formal social support spaces, mutual support in group settings, and peer support. Ultimately, these experiences set the foundation for youth and adults to engage in positive risk‐taking and self‐reflection. Implications for researchers and youth development programs are discussed.


In this study, a seismic response simulation method based on the multiple-spring (MS) model and constitutive rules using curve approximation is proposed to predict nonlinear seismic response of steel bridge piers with rectangular cross-sections excited by bi-directional ground motions. A series of approximated curves and hysteretic rules are adopted to the nonlinear equivalent stress-strain relationship of spring elements distributed on the base cross-section of a thin-walled steel column. In this process, the strain of each spring can be calculated from the column's bi-directional displacements and the geometric coordinates, while the bi-directional horizontal restoring force can be obtained by the spring forces calculated by the springs' stress and tributary areas. To verify the accuracy of the proposed model, results of 6 uni-directional pseudodynamic tests and 3 bi-directional pseudodynamic tests are compared with numerical simulation results. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by good accuracy in restoring force and response displacement between the test results and numerical simulations.


Experimental and theoretical investigations were made of the influence of rare-earth ions on thermal expansion of ionic LiRF 4 crystals. The parameters a and c of the tetragonal lattice of LiRF 4 crystals were determined by X-ray diffraction at temperature 10-290 K. Small changes in the parameters a and c due to the magnetoelastic coupling were calculated at the microscopic level allowing for the Stark structure of the energy levels of the Tm 3+ and Ho 3+ ions. The results were used to account for the thermal expansion anomalies exhibited by LiTmF 4 and LiHoF 4 crystals, compared with the diamagnetic matrix of LiLuF 4


1. In a sequence of flashes given to dark-adapted chloroplasts, the flash yield of proton release oscillates with a period of 4, which is similar but not identical to the oscillation of the 02 flash yield. 2. Using the proton release associated with ferricyanide reduction as a calibration, we computed that two protons are released in the terminal O2-1iberating reaction, the other two protons are released in precursor conversion steps. 3. Analysis of the effect of preflashes on the oscillation pattern showed that the S~ ~, Sz transition releases no proton, the So ~ $1 transition somewhat less than one (0.75), and the $2 ~ $3 transition somewhat more than one (1.25). 4. The precision of the data was sufficient to exclude the possibility that in the four-step water oxidation, proton release follows a simple 1, 0, l, 2 pattern. A possible model to interpret the observed flash yield patterns is discussed.


This paper describes the application of a recently developed large-scale-integration digital signal processor, the DSP, to tone detection in a proposed digital CCITT No. 5 signaling unit. The design of the digital filters required in the receiver is discussed and an algorithm presented for tone detection. Two channels per DSP can be accommodated by using a sampling frequency of 8 kHz and a DSP clock of 5MHz.


where p = zx, q = zy, it is assumed that f is continuous in (x, y, z, p, q) and satisfies a uniform Lipschitz conditioni with respect to (z, p, q). It will be shown (Section 2) that the assumption of a Lipschitz. condition with respect to z can be omitted in these existence theorems, though not in the uniqueness theorems. On the other hand, it will be shown in Section 3 by an example that the Lipschitz condition with respect to (p, q) cannot be omitted and, what is more, that there exist continiuous f such that (1) has no solution whatsoever (in a vicinity of a given point of the (x, y) -plane). The existence theorem to be proved for (1) leads to improvements of some of the results of H. Lewy ([14]; cf. the presentation in [6], pp. 487508). For example, it will be shown (Section 5) that if F(x, y, z, p, q, r, s, t) is a function of class C2, and if the partial differential equation


Building institutional repositories is known as one of powerful methods for realizing the open access movement. The Korean Education and Research Information Service(KERIS) proposed to organize institutional repositories into a consortium, called `dCollection (Digital Collection),` composed of 62 universities since 2003. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current state of 40 member universities of dCollection using the evaluation model including 4 categories and 39 indicators , and, based on the survey outcomes, to pinpoint the procedural or performance weak points of the dCollection systems in order to find its customized solutions focusing on the improvement of use and self-archiving rates.


In modern supply chains, customers expect a high level of service, which results in short delivery times and improved service offerings through retailers. The resulting pressure on supply chains requires a precisely coordinated scheduling of successive processes. Even though a multitude of publications on integrated production and delivery problems already exist, the research field of integrated order picking and vehicle routing is relatively young. Due to its practical relevance and theoretical challenge several studies have been published in recent years that focus on the field of integrated order picking and vehicle routing. This paper provides an overview of existing papers, their main findings, and further research opportunities to integrated order picking and vehicle routing problems.


This paper introduces the application of sluice monitoring and control system to the Huangbizhuang reservoir in Hebei province. The structure and functions of the system are described, and the problems in the application of the system are analyzed and the solutions proposed.


This paper analyzes the current control requirements of mechanical vibration and noise in the fields of ships. The author briefly introduces the working principle and main classification of damping coatings, and describes the current domestic and international aspects from the types of spray-type damping coatings and spraying processes. The research progress and application of spray-type damping coatings such as asphalt damping coating, PVC based damping coating, polyurethane based damping coating, waterborne acrylic based damping coating and IPN damping coating and metal alloy coating are reviewed. The development trend and application considerations are summarized in this paper at last.


Self-taught examination has become the open education which has multi-levels,multi-specification,multifunction.It is the important power of higher education.Following the development of period and the diversity of the pattern of running a school,the student source of self-education examination become structural change.the high quality education source of education face integration.In order to respond the challenge,strive for developing,it must innovate the system,satisfy the examination of self-education,expand the function.


Post deployment personnel of the Southwest Asia theater of war present with significant exertional dyspnea. While deployed, these service men and women were exposed to a variety of inhaled toxicants including geological dust, burn pit smoke, and heavy metals. Upon examination, a large portion of these veterans display near‐normal pulmonary function and gas exchange in the lung, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. The aim of this study is to define the physiological and biochemical profiles of individuals with unexplained exertional dyspnea. We hypothesized that exposure to airborne toxicants has led to a chronic activated inflammatory state in the systemic vasculature, resulting in increased oxidative stress and reducing the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), contributing to the symptoms of dyspnea.


This paper provides a general overview of the main economic fundamentals of international
commodity prices, and analyzes their effect on international soybean prices. Cointegration
techniques are used to tie the long-term behavior which has been verified the importance of
including the supply factors in the econometric estimates. Also, it was found that the
influence of other factors such as cost of factor inputs and technology have had a major role
in determining long-term prices. For the debate on the influence of monetary factors
(measured by the impact of the real interest rate) we has seen a greatly reduced level of
influence. The factors of demand and supply constraints have played a key role in
determining the long-term price of soybeans, followed by the effect of variations in the prices
of production inputs.


we are all called upon to treat, represents, in a conservative estimate, 50 or 60 per cent of all our patients. In treating these cases, many of us either entirely ignore the value of psychotherapy or utilize it blindly and unintelligently. Doctor Johnson is to be congratulated on his clear exposition of psychotherapeutic aims and methods. A careful study of Doctor Johnson's paper will be of value to us all, wherever our special interest in medicine may be, and I find myself even more thoroughly in accord with Doctor Johnson's views after a study of his paper than I was when I heard him read it.


Abstract Fatty meat from cattle finished for nine weeks on ryegrass/clover or maize was evaluated for intensity of pastoral odour and flavour by a sensory panel. Although there was no significant treatment effect for intensity, panellists' comments indicated that even this short period on a maize diet could change descriptions of odour and flavour; when assessed by independent assessors, the pasture treatment had a much lower ratio of "favourable" to "unfavourable" comments (P < 0.01). Odorous compounds in fat from the two treatments were examined by odourport sniffing, where compounds eluting from a gas chromatographic column were described, and identified where possible. Two "sniffers" semiquantitatively evaluated the fat volatiles, first trapped on Tenax then resolved on a column. Comparisons between treatments were largely unproductive. However, particularly odorous compounds were tentatively identified along with others of interest with respect to dietary origins. Compounds included 4‐heptenal (and/o...


Photoluminescent composite materials whose emission depends on the rigidity of the hosting matrix were synthesized by dispersing molecular copper iodide clusters, [Cu4I4L4], in a series of photopolymerizable matrices exhibiting different glass transition temperatures (Tg). These matrices were obtained by blending at different molar ratios two chemically similar acrylic monomers presenting different flexibility. The kinetics of the photocuring process was followed by Real Time FTIR and high conversion values were achieved for all the formulations indicating a high degree of polymerization. In addition to the optical properties, the cluster integrity in the materials was demonstrated by an XPS study. The photoluminescence characterization of the composite materials showed a red shift of the emission band by decreasing the Tg value of the polymeric matrix. A change of the emitted color ranging from yellow to orange is thus observed. This effect is based on the luminescence rigidochromism of the copper iodide cluster which emits at lower energy by increasing the medium flexibility. These composite materials make it possible to control selectively the light emission by changing the rigidity of the matrix while keeping the same emitter and are very promising in the field of photoactive materials based on molecular copper iodide clusters.


Cooperation and collaboration of technical systems in different application contexts is one of the main targets of the vision of "Industrie 4.0" (I40). In order to bring this vision to industrial practice, it is necessary to define a semantic basis for information exchange between systems. This paper provides the results of a project that focused on semantic modeling based on standards relevant in the I40 context. Particularly, a meta model for modeling mechatronic systems as well as a meta model for modeling the systems characteristics is provided. The combination of the two developed meta models can be used for implementation in semantic technologies, i.e. Web Ontology Language, or AutomationML. Furthermore, a use-case is introduced that shows an implementation of the meta models in AutomationML with the use of ecl@ss properties in the engineering and operation of a discrete manufacturing system.


When solving the problem of path planning method for mobile robot obstacle avoidance, the newly proposed Dingo optimization algorithm (DOA) is used for path planning, and the efficiency of path planning is improved by using the advantage of the dingo optimization algorithm with few parameters and fast convergence. At the same time, the path obtained in the grid map is deredundantly processed, and the path length is optimized, which shortens the path length to a certain extent and improves the accuracy of path planning. In order to verify the superiority of the dingo optimization algorithm in solving the problem of mobile robot path planning, it is combined with the wolf pack algorithm (GWO) for path planning on the grid map, and the result shows that the dingo optimization algorithm is more prominent in robot path planning And better adaptability.


The model of Xuan et al. (2003) for the thermal conductivity of nanofluids in which Brownian motion effect is added to the classical Maxwell's equation is discussed. The model is revised. Also, a different model is given and found to yield the same expression for the effective thermal conductivity after amending Xuan et al.'s model. The findings do not support the claim that Brownian motion of nanoparticles has a significant impact on thermal conductivity. Also, nanoparticles clustering is found to have a very minor effect on the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids; however, the analysis may not be appropriate to draw conclusions about the impact of clustering. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2368–2369, 2015


Problem statement: Modern cryptographic algorithms are based on complexity of two problems: Integer factorization of real integers and a Discrete Logarithm Problem (DLP). Approach: The latter problem is even more complicated in the domain of complex integers, where Public Key Cryptosystems (PKC) had an advantage over analogous encryption-decryption protocols in arithmetic of real integers modulo p: The former PKC have quadratic cycles of order O (p2) while the latter PKC had linear cycles of order O(p). Results: An accelerated non-deterministic search algorithm for a primitive root (generator) in a domain of complex integers modulo triple prime p was provided in this study. It showed the properties of triple primes, the frequencies of their occurrence on a specified interval and analyzed the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Conclusion: Numerous computer experiments and their analysis indicated that three trials were sufficient on average to find a Gaussian generator.


Aiming at the enterprise with multiple variety and small lot production, based on the production plan from ERP, the monthly shipment amount can be predicted by designing and optimizing the related factors properly. The economic lot-size, the safety stock, the production interval and the production load evaluation are used in the decision of the production plan effectively, which makes the execution of the production plan accurate and makes the resources utilized efficiently.


Compound which is an exendin, exendin agonist, or exendin modified or modified exendin agonist for use in the therapeutic lowering of plasma glucagon levels in diabetic or glucose intolerant at plasma glucagon levels that are higher than patients the healthy individuals, wherein the exendin, exendin agonist, modified exendin or modified or exendin agonist comprises an amino acid sequence with the formula: ** (See formula) ** wherein, Xaa1 is His, Arg, Tyr or 4-imidazopropionyl; Xaa2 is Ser, Gly, Ala or Thr; Xaa3 is Asp or Glu; Xaa 4 is Phe, Tyr or naphthylalanine; Xaa 5 is Thr or Ser; Xaa 6 is Ser or Thr; Xaa7 is Asp or Glu; Xaa8 is Leu, Ile, Val, pentylglycine or Met; Xaa9 is Leu, Ile, pentylglycine, Val or Met; Xaa10 is Phe, Tyr or naphthylalanine; Xaa11 is Ile, Val, Leu, pentylglycine, tert-butylglycine or Met; Xaa12 is Glu or Asp; Xaa13 is Trp, Phe, Tyr or naphthylalanine; X1 is Lys Asn, Asn Lys, Lys-Asn-R NHe, Asn Lys-NHe-R, where R is Lys, Arg, one alacanoilo chain or straight or branched C1 cycloalkylalkanoyl - C10; Xaa14, Xaa15, Xaa16 and Xaa17 are independently Pro, homoproline, 3Hyp, 4Hyp, thioproline, N-alkylglycine, N-alkylpentylglycine or N-alkylalanine; Xaa18 is Ser, Thr or Tyr and Z is -OH or -NH2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, provided that the amino acid sequence not have the formula of SEQ ID No. 1 or 2.


The CPT maser research project aims to study the feasibility of the clock and to investigate its stability capabilities. A CPT maser prototype is realized and assembled. All the main components which include the optical and electronic systems and physical package are thoroughly tested. Electronics and laser noises are well controlled in the apparatus. Results show that the measured Allan deviation at 1s is quite close to the expected value. No flicker floor is observed in the drift removed data and the medium term stability results to be limited by a thermal drift only. Therefore, a better designed temperature control allows in principle to achieve a medium term stability at the 10 -14 level.


ABSTRACT Considering the geological hazards attributed to the highway slope, using a common simple model cannot accurately assess the stability of the slope. First, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to extract the principal components of six factors (namely, bulk density, cohesion, internal friction angle, slope angle, slope height, and pore water pressure ratio) affecting the slope stability. Second, four principal components were adopted as input variables of the support vector machine (SVM) model optimized by genetic algorithm (GA). The output variable was slope stability. Lastly, the assessing model of highway slope stability based on PCA-GA-SVM is established. The maximal absolute error of the model is 0.0921 and the maximal relative error is 9.21% by comparing the assessment value and the practical value of the test sample. The above studies are conducive to enrich the assessing model of highway slope stability and provide some reference for highway slope engineering treatment.


Religious harmony should be realized by mutual respect among fellow religious adherents. The reality that occurs in social life is still found in various cases of intolerance. This is a problem that needs to be solved. Understanding of religious teachings and education is needed to foster harmony. Therefore, this paper discusses the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW related to the teachings of tolerance by analyzing the hadiths that have the same theme. The method used in this research is a descriptive qualitative method using Living Hadith.  Tolerance emphasizes the attitude of accepting existing differences and responding well in order to maintain peace among others. Islam is a religion that makes tolerance the most important part, this attitude is more widely applied in social interactions as the Prophet Muhammad SAW has described that the Islam that he spread on earth has educated humans to be able to respect each other among fellow believers without hatred and revenge.


The most common mutation within the spectrum of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is a mutation in Janus kinase 2 gene (JAK2V617F). It has been observed that, during a course of disease, transformation from JAK2‐mutated essential thrombocythemia (ET) to overt polycythemia vera (PV) can occur. Primary objective of this study was to show the incidence of mentioned phenomenon.


The fourth Emotion Recognition in the Wild (EmotiW) challenge is a grand challenge in the ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction 2016, Tokyo. EmotiW is a series of benchmarking and competition effort for researchers working in the area of automatic emotion recognition in the wild. The fourth EmotiW has two sub-challenges: Video based emotion recognition (VReco) and Group-level emotion recognition (GReco). The VReco sub-challenge is being run for the fourth time and GReco is a new sub-challenge this year.


Water molecules are involved in the formation of indirect interactions between strands in PSM-a3 aggregates along the fibril axis. On page 2538, Paul Popelier and colleagues explain that residue Lysine 12 forms hydrogen bonds (pink) with 4 water molecules, which together mediate secondary interactions (blue) with various amino acids from both peptide helices. The Lys12-water and water-water interactions form a topological ring whose ring critical point and ring paths are also shown (orange). (DOI: 10.1002/jcc.25054) Look for these important papers in upcoming issues


Pre and post operation chemotherapy are two moda li ties of synthetic therapy for non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).In these modali ties,systematic treatment was designed to increase the effect of local treatment .Resent research showed that chemotherapy regimes based cisplatin are standard t herapy for NSCLC.Pre operation chemotherapy was superior to post operation che motherapy.Synthetic therapy for early stage NSCL may have much value than that f or local advanced NSCLC.There are many problems in these two modalities.Randomiz ed controlled trials are needed to confirm which chemotherapy regimes is best,ho w many chemotherapy cycles are needed and how to integrate the surgery with chem otherapy.


It is widely known that deficiencies associated with malocclusion and craniofacial deformities are usually comorbid with cognitive difficulties and psychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is important to consider the adaptation of soft tissue and its contours during treatment planning whilst accommodating the limitations presented by the patients' disabilities [1, 34]. As bimaxillary surgery provides more favourable results for the aesthetic facial proportion, it has been increasingly used, especially in patients with mandibular prognathism [8, 21]. Previous post-operative studies on the soft tissue changes after the bimaxillary surgery were mainly based on the use of two-dimensional (2D) methods as an inspection tool, e.g. cephalometric images, anteroposterior graphs, and photogrammetric analyses [17, 31], in which superimposition and magnification were considered limitations affecting the final results. In the new era of three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques, we can overcome these disadvantages and utilise more reliable diagnostic tools. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is highly utilized for soft tissue inspection, although, the high radiation dose should always be taken into consideration [6, 32]. New 3D imaging methods for soft tissue visualization, such as laser surface scanning and stereophotogrammetry, have recently been introduced [10]. These friendly, non-invasive procedures require a short scanning time; however they are large footprint and are not easy to operate. Using a structured-light scanning device, facial texture and colour details can be easily collected with high resolution without exposure to the external radiation hazards [3], and is benefited by fast scanning time, portability, and flexible operability [30]. To our knowledge, there were only a few studies that used a 3D-facial scanner to evaluate the soft tissue changes after the orthognathic surgery of skeletal class III patients. Nevertheless, only some examined deviations at specific points or calculated linear and angular measurements [7, 29]. Such finding may be improved by evaluating facial regions on a 3D-basis assessment. Therefore, the purpose of our prospective study is to perform an extensive evaluation of the short-term soft tissue changes in various morphological regions of the face after the bimaxillary surgery of skeletal class III patients using a 3D handheld structured-light scanner. University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Craniofacial Unit, Hungary* University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Hungary**


In time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS), superconducting strip ion detectors (SSIDs) in the parallel configuration are promising for ideal ion detection with a nanosecond-scale time response and a practical large sensitive area. In the parallel configuration, the bias current in one strip is diverted into other parallel strips after each detection event. Under high bias current conditions, the diverted bias current induces cascade switching of all parallel strips. Studies show that cascade switching degrades the ion count rate of SSIDs made from niobium and hence is disliked in TOF MS applications. To suppress the bias current redistribution, we connected resistors in a series with the individual parallel strips using aluminum-bonding wires. Their effect was studied by measuring the pulse height distributions.


A programme was undertaken in order to quantify the heavy-metal contribution from domestic sources with respect to total loads entering a chosen sewage-treatment works. Input waters, household cleaning and body-care products, and wastewater from household appliances, were sampled and analysed for heavy metals. The data were combined with literature values to predict the total load of heavy metals entering the sewage-treatment works from the study catchment.

This paper identifies the major domestic sources of heavy metals and quantifies them based upon a catchment model.


The Article considers the evolution a look at common law in domestic historiography. The Analysed teachings of the prerevolutionary authors. The Considered positions domestic кавказоведов. The Main accent is made on study of the common law in modern legal science.


Solid-liquid extraction is a recovery process in which the extracting solvent will recover certain components from a solid material. In this study, three extracting solvents were used which are absolute ethanol, acetone and distilled water. These solvents extracted two sweet components, Rebaudioside A and stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana. These two components can be converted into natural sweetener with zero calorie which does not affect blood glucose level. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum value of parameters to extract the highest amount of steviol glycosides. The extraction was done in 3 phases. First phase was to determine the best ratio between stevia and extracting solvent, second phase determined the best extracting time and third phase was to obtain the optimum temperature. From this study, ethanol proved to be the best extracting solvent. Ethanol extraction of Rebaudioside A and stevioside in the most suitable condition (ratio 1:25, 1 hour and 40℃) produced 12.48% of stevioside and 0.57% of Rebaudioside A.


In this paper, the data of Dual-Pole Meteorology Radar which is taken from the MGM and located in Hatay, is used for developed weather detection with feature selection. Classical classification methods were used first to weather detection. After the results of this classification, studies were conducted to select only the features that are critical to classification, rather than all features, with a view to reducing the level of performance with fewer features. These studies were conducted on two classifiers; a classifier was first used to detect "rainfall" or "no rainfall" in the region and then classified for "bird-insect" or "clutter". From the total of eight features found in our database, the most important and most useful features for both classifiers have been determined. The results show that the feature selection method we have developed has a similar performance when a few attributes are used instead of all. Thus, it is possible to achieve similar classification performance with lower calculation capacity.


This article discusses the affect of images, focusing on a notion prevalent in the art and theory of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries: that movement in paintings corresponds with (emotional) movement in the spectator and with the imagination or creativity of the artist. It addresses the work of Signorelli, Morto da Feltre, Pinturicchio, and Sodoma (c. 1500) and, in particular, their grotesques. This art form, which became remarkably prolific in fresco decorations of sixteenth century villas and palaces, was appreciated as a figuration of movement, understood both literally, in terms of the grotesques' formal qualities of figure serpentinate (spiraling, turning shapes); and metaphorically, as generated by the turbulent imagination of the artist. Through their marginality, the grotesques constituted a distinct field within the visual culture of their time, investigating metamorphosis and monstrosity. Here, the creative power of the artist could be explored, and the boundaries between image and spectator challenged.


From an ecosystem perspective, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are one of the key paths for firms to foster complementary sectors and gain complementary assets. From the perspective of sustainable development, M&A can reallocate resources from target to asset to achieve better synergy and prolong the operation of a merged firm. However, M&A activities are characterized by high risk due to the high cost and uncertainty. Thus, a prediction model of M&A decisions is valuable for firms' strategy design from an ecosystem and sustainable development perspective. By adopting a machine learning technique, this study measured the cross-border M&A decisions by analyzing firm-level cross-sectional data of the global financial marketplace under ecosystem mapping for the application of various country, deal and firm-level indicators related to sustainable development. Our paper can support the hypotheses of corporate governance, ecosystem stakeholder theory, ecosystem risk and institution theory in explaining that firms can increase their success rate of M&A to achieve sustainable development. Methodologically, we used AdaBoost to train several weak classifiers (decision trees) to achieve a strong decision-making model with a large financial transaction database of 215,160 deal activities. Results achieved 80.1% prediction accuracy by using the AdaBoost model through 10-fold cross validation. We found that differences exist on prediction features of M&A with different characteristics of sustainable development. For a robustness check, comparable results were obtained with a support vector machine (SVM) model. By analyses of the features during the cross-border M&A decision-making processing, this study is expected to contribute to the utilization of machine learning in ecosystem studies.


This paper presents a study on convergence of the direct discrete approach to the design of a non-uniform transmission line. The method was applied to a wide range of practical problems, including the design of microwave filters and impedance matching networks. The performance of the optimization algorithm was surprisingly good. The presented method is reliable and insensitive to numerical truncation errors. It doesnpsilat require a good starting point. Generated profiles satisfy technological constraints and are almost smooth.


Synthesis of a novel polynucleotide with potential alternating B and Z segments is described. This is the first report of a polynucleotide where the double helix undergoes change in handedness after every half a turn.


The use of the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) as a means for compliance testing during pavement construction, in particular, of the pavement foundation has not been exploited. This paper presents a case study where the FWD was used during the reconstruction of the slip roads at a highway interchange. Tests were carried out at specific locations during different stages of the construction, i.e. after the granular capping, sub-base and bituminous roadbase were placed and compacted. The changes in the stiffness of the granular layers and subgrade, which are stress-dependent were monitored. Comparison between the FWD results and those from the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) was made, which indicated largely consistent results under normal conditions but considerably different answers under wet conditions. The FWD was found to be very useful in identifying sections with poor performance of the pavement foundation, thus enabling the contractor to replace the poor material prior to the placement of the relatively expensive bituminous roadbase. Results from the FWD testing were also used to check the assumptions used in the pavement design, thus ensuring that the finished pavement would achieve the design service life. For the covering abstract of the proceedings, see IRRD 490713.


The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 creates a special allowance for depreciation purposes of 50 percent of an asset's cost in the year of acquisition. The rule generally applies to property acquired during 2008. Under prior legislation, a similar 50 percent allowance existed from mid-2003 through 2004. The IRS has not published MACRS (modified accelerated cost recovery system) tables that directly reflect the 50 percent bonus depreciation. This article briefly discusses the new provision and recent history of bonus depreciation and then presents MACRS tables that directly incorporate the 50 percent first-year allowance. Previously published in Tax Notes (see footnote 11), they provide taxpayers and others with a quick, practical approach to working with the 50 percent bonus depreciation.


ABSTRACT Various components make up a vulnerability analysis of the potential effects of an oil discharge or a release of a hazardous substance on the environment. Although the process used in the ...