Neural face avatars that are trained from multi-view data captured in camera domes can produce photo-realistic 3D reconstructions. However, at inference time, they must be driven by limited inputs such as partial views recorded by headset-mounted cameras or a front-facing camera, and sparse facial landmarks. To mitigate this asymmetry, we introduce a prior model that is conditioned on the runtime inputs and tie this prior space to the 3D face model via a normalizing flow in the latent space. Our proposed model, LiP-Flow, consists of two encoders that learn representations from the rich training-time and impoverished inference-time observations. A normalizing flow bridges the two representation spaces and transforms latent samples from one domain to another, allowing us to define a latent likelihood objective. We trained our model end-to-end to maximize the similarity of both representation spaces and the reconstruction quality, making the 3D face model aware of the limited driving signals. We conduct extensive evaluations where the latent codes are optimized to reconstruct 3D avatars from partial or sparse observations. We show that our approach leads to an expressive and effective prior, capturing facial dynamics and subtle expressions better.


MOPED (MObile grouPEd Device) is a network model that treats a user's set of personal devices as a single, virtual device. The nodes of the MOPED dynamically aggregate available communication resources to provide the user with the best possible network service. We demonstrate MOPED's resource management capability with a short series of experiments that show how the MOPED paradigm enables effective group mobility.


This paper studies the impact of recent changes in second pension pillars of three Central and Eastern European Countries on the deficit and implicit debt of their full pension systems. The paper seeks to answer the following questions: i) what is the impact on the sustainability of Poland's pension system of the decrease in the pension contribution going to the second pension pillar from 7.3% to 2.3% in 2011; ii) what are the implications of the recent changes on gross replacement rates; iii) does the weakening of the Polish second pension system have a different impact on pension system sustainability than a similar move in a Hungarian-style pension system with a defined-benefit first pillar and iv) how does Estonia's temporary decrease in pension contributions compensated by temporarily higher future rates affect pension sustainability in that country. The simulation results show that in our baseline scenario the Polish move would permanently lower future pension-system debt, chiefly as a result of a cut in replacement rates. But using a combination of pessimistic assumptions including strong population ageing, low real wage growth and a high indexation of existing pension benefits, coupled with bringing in tax expenditures related to the third voluntary pension pillar and an increase in the share of minimum pensions leads to higher pension system deficits and eventually more public debt at a very long horizon. The simulations also suggest that the Hungarian pension reversal reduces deficit and debt only temporarily, mainly because of Hungary's costly defined-benefit first pension pillar: the weakening of the second pillar is tantamount to swapping low current replacement rates (in the defined-contribution second pillar) against high future replacement rates in the defined-benefit first pension pillar. Finally, results show that the Estonian move will increase public debt only very moderately in the long run, even though this result is sensitive to the effective interest rate on public debt.


In this paper, the influences of applied magnetic field on flow state during electroforming of the high-aspect-ratio (HAR) blind micro-hole were numerically analyzed using the Fluent software. The results showed that, when microelectroforming of nickel without external agitation, three vortexes could form due to the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect within the HAR micro-hole with magnetic field in parallel to cathode-electrode surface, and the flow rate in the micro-hole increased with the increase of the magnetic field and current density. The MHD effect helped to enhance mass transfer during the microelectroforming of HAR microstructures.


The effects of chloride salts (NaCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2) with the same electrical conductivity (EC) values on germination, emergence, seedling growth and Cl content of seedling in chickpea cultivars (Akcin 91, Aziziye, Gokce, Inci, Ioýk-05 and Yaoa-05) were investigated. The EC values of the chloride salts were adjusted to 4, 8 and 16 dS m-1 and the distilled water was served as control. Germination percentage, mean germination time, radicula and plumula lengths, fresh and dry radicula and plumula weight, chloride (Cl-) content of seedling in germination test, and seedling length, fresh and dry seedling weight in emergence test were measured. The results revealed that increasing salt doses caused a significant reduction in parameters of all cultivars. The dose of 16 dS m-1 from each salt was found to be lethal. Cl- content of seedling was increased from 0.05 ppm in control to 4.10 ppm in 16 dS m-1; resulting in decreasing germination, emergence and seedling growth. The cultivar Aziziye presented better performance and gave higher emergence rates in NaCl, while Ioýk-05 in CaCl2 and Gokce in MgCl2; indicating that there was a genotypic variation towards different salt sources. It was concluded that emergence and seedling growth were severely influenced by increasing salinity without changing germination and emergence was not possible at 16 dS m-1.


The present work describes three different sequential injection chemiluminescence (SIA-CL) systems (luminol–ferricyanide(III), Ce(IV)–Na2SO3 and luminol–H2O2) for the detection of some angiotensin II receptor antagonists, such as candesartan cilexetil (CDC), valsartan (VAL) and telmisartan (TEL), in their pharmaceutical formulations. Under optimal conditions, CL detection was conducted by measuring the high catalytic potential of silver and gold nanoparticles (AgNPs and AuNPs) in CL oxidation reactions. It was found that the increase in CL signals is proportional to the concentration of the target analytes. The calibration graphs cover linear concentration ranges of 0.001–1000, 0.005–2000 and 0.002–40 ng mL−1 for CDC, VAL and TEL in the presence of AgNPs, respectively, and 0.005–500, 0.05–1000 and 0.5–120 ng mL−1, respectively for the previously mentioned drugs in the presence of AuNPs. The influence of possible interfering species such as common cations, amino acids, sugars and coformulated additives was tested. The proposed methods were validated in accordance with the ICH guidelines. The suggested SIA-CL systems were successfully applied to determine the investigated drugs in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The obtained results were in good agreement with those obtained by other reporting methods.


Cyclodextrins are widely used cyclic oligosaccharides of d-glucose whose hydrophilic exterior is covered by hydroxyl groups and whose hydrophobic interior is surrounded by lipophilic moieties. Because of this structural feature, cyclodextrin molecules commonly aggregate into dimensional structures via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and their aggregation into closed oligomeric architectures has been achieved only via the attachment of functional substituent groups to the cyclodextrin rings. Here, we report the first structurally characterized self-assembly of non-substituted γ-cyclodextrin molecules into cyclic hexamers, which was realized in a chiral coordination framework composed of complex-anions with d-penicillamine rather than l- or dl-penicillamine. The self-assembly is accompanied by the 3D-to-2D structural transformation of porous coordination frameworks to form helical hexagonal cavities that accommodate helical γ-cyclodextrin hexamers. This finding provides new insight into the development of cyclodextrin chemistry and host–guest chemistry based on chiral recognition and crystal engineering processes.


Background: The aim of present study is to evaluate the anti-inflmmatory activity of Chlorella vulgaris in acute and chronic experimental inflammatory model. Plant extract was analyzed for photochemical screening of different phytoconstituents. Methods: Paw edema was induced with 1.5% carra- geenan to all the groups except normal. Diclofenac was used as a standard drug and Chlorella vulgaris at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg dose was used for study. Carrageenan was administered in the paw. Paw thickness was measured at 0, 1, 2 and 4 hr. Inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress were measured in paw homogenate. Chronic inflammatory activity was screened by using cotton pellet induced granuloma. Results: In result, paw thickness was increased from 1 hr to 4 hr and Chlorella vulgaris treated group shows decrease in paw thickness. SOD and GSH content was decreased and MDA level increased in carrageenan injected group, however treatment groups shows reverse effects also we found that increase in cytokine level in carrageenan group and decrease in treatment group. In, egg albumin model paw volume was decreased in rats treated with Chlorella vulgaris. In chronic model CV treated group also showed dose dependent activity. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that Chlorella vulgaris has anti- inflammatory activity.


Abstract In concrete beam bridges, the end diaphragm at the end of the bridge is a common structural component that connects the main beams and transfers the beam loads to the bridge bearings. In integral bridges the end diaphragm also retains the soil of embankments due to the absence of abutments. Cracking of the front surface on the end diaphragm has been detected in post-tensioned beam bridges in Finland and Sweden. Presumably the post-tensioning of the bridge and the shaping and detailing of the connection of the end diaphragm and main beam have an effect on cracking tendency. The aim of this study is to examine the structural behaviour and the cracking potential of end diaphragms using linear analysis of the post-tensioned bridge and to find measures to prevent the cracking. The observations collected through field surveys are compared to results of linear FE analysis to clarify the cause of the cracking. The verification of model is performed by comparison of patterns of cracking observed in field surveys and the distribution of maximum tensile stresses in the FE model. With model variations, the effectiveness of measures for the prevention of cracking are observed.


Architecture education is a relatively new undertaking in Uganda. Despite this opportunity to develop an updated curriculum and pedagogy, an old paradigm continues to persist; isolating the teaching of architectural technology from 'main stream' design studios. The consequential inability by graduates to link architectural design and architectural technology in design is evident throughout Uganda, often with disastrous outcomes. This paper discusses the implementation of integrated design studios in the architecture programme at the Uganda Martyrs University. Using a Project-Based Learning approach, these studios sought to introduce architecture technology as an integral part of the design studio, enabling students to build a holistic view of their designs. Two studios are the focus of this paper, Architecture Studio I, the first studio in the Bachelor of Architecture graduate programme which had a fully integrated studio, and Design Studio III, a second year studio in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Building Design and Technology. The outcomes of the studios suggest students are better able to understand and apply technology in their projects and derive meaningful design outcomes if they are presented with the information as related to the design project, rather than as secondary information are given in support courses. Students will come to care about the constructed world only if academic staff can show them why this is worthwhile. Simply telling students to think about and experience the built realm differently (or to have them arrive at this through abstract design exercises) will have little long-term effect – as the contemporary constructed environment all too often confirms. (Coleman, 2003:353) Conference theme: Education of future architects


Two cases of homozygous α‐thalassaemia who received active treatment in accordance with parental wishes are reported. One infant survived and the other, although successfully weaned off mechanical respiratory support, unexpectedly developed portal vein thrombosis and died. Homozygous a‐thalassaemia, a condition previously considered to be universally fatal, and an indication for therapeutic abortion, is now potentially curable with advances in diagnostic technology and treatment. However, active management of these cases raises serious ethical questions and has major financial implications on the health‐care system. Invasive prenatal and intensive postnatal interventions should remain experimental and cannot be recommended as routine clinical practice until the questions of long‐term neurodevelopmental outcome, and the morbidity and mortality associated with bone‐marrow transplantation have been fully addressed. As a result of advances in information technology, more and more parents of affected foetuses are likely to request active treatment.


Steadfast originalists agree that the original meaning of our constitution's language, once found, should be followed, even when it leads to unhappy outcomes. Yet, in a famous lecture in 1989, Justice Scalia, a leader in the modern originalist movement, cast doubt on the duty of fidelity to originalism. He asserted that the originalist judge can appropriately avoid outcomes that are "too bitter" either by deferring to precedent or by temporarily abandoning originalism. Ironically, libertarian and liberal originalists have been among the most dismissive of Justice Scalia's faint-heartedness. They contend that the problem is the narrow approach to originalism that Justice Scalia and many other conservative originalists employ. Libertarian and liberal originalists tend to conclude that an abstract clause in the constitution should be understood in a broad way that allows for its evolving application over time rather than narrowly, in accordance with the original expected application. On this view, they assert that originalism, properly employed, will not produce the kind of grossly objectionable results that caused Justice Scalia to be faint of heart. Building on this assumption, they have also offered a new kind of normative justification for steadfast originalism. They assert in essence that the system of government that our constitution created is legitimate, in that it adequately protects our rights, and that steadfast originalism is simply the best way to preserve the legitimacy-enchancing features of the document. However, this article challenges the assumption of the libertarian and liberal originalists by focusing on relatively specific constitutional language that courts and scholars have long neglected. That language appears in the thirteenth amendment, authorizing slavery as a punishment for crime. The article shows that the original public meaning of this clause, indeed, leads to abhorrent outcomes, including the emasculation of many modern protections grounded on the eighth amendment. The article thus reveals why the legitimacy-enchancing theory for steadfast originalism is ill-founded. It also reveals that the negative implications of Justice Scalia's comments for originalism as a coherent interpretive method cannot be dismissed simply by a move within originalism away from a focus on original expected applications to less confining measures of original meaning.


We investigated the interactions between the bone marrow microenvironment and T cell populations at different stages of maturation. Thymocytes were seeded onto confluent layers of bone marrow stromal cell lines (MBA-13 or 14F1.1). Within a few hours two main thymocyte populations were observed; one remained in the liquid phase and the other adhered to the stromal cells. After 24 hours of culture, most of the adhering cells expressed the phenotype of the precursors, double negative (DN) CD4-CD8-, or of immature thymocytes, double positive (DP) CD4+CD8+. The number of adhering DN cells did not change during the time of the culture, whereas that of the DP declined. The CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ cells did not adhere to any significant extent. The expression of CD3 antigen on adherent thymocytes was lower than that on nonadherent ones. Sorted thymocytes at a high level of purification (>96%) were cultured over stromal layer and, after 24 hours, 60% of the DN or 22% of the DP cells were found to adhere to the stroma. The culture medium was replaced every 24 hours or after 48 hours; no significant change was noted in the number of adhering DN and DP cells. The reappearance of immature T cells in the liquid phase suggested proliferation of this cell type. Thus, early thymocytes, phenotypically characterized as DN and DP, preferentially adhere to bone marrow stromal cells. This in vitro phenomenon may represent the function of the BM stroma as an extrathymic site of T cell lymphopoiesis.


ABSTRACT Liang, S.; Sun, Z.; Sun, J., and Zhang, Z., 2014. Study on the erosion mechanism of the Bijia Mountain gravel tombolo, China. We investigated the mechanism of erosion on Bijia Mountain tombolo, a famous gravel tombolo in China. Both numerical simulation and experiment were carried out. First, the mechanism was deduced by reviewing changes in cross section, crest elevation, gravel composition, and overall shape in the tombolo between 1985 and 2005 and changes in wave condition near the tombolo. Then, an overall physical model test was carried out to verify this mechanism. Based on the experimental data, we conclude that the breaking of original balanced wave conditions is the main reason for the erosion. When the bidirectional alternating wave action changed into a unidirectional wave field, the original equilibrium was broken. Strong easterly waves (over 25 and 50 year return periods) eroded the tombolo, while wave effects from the ESE and SE directions at mean water level were the main causes of the tombolo's destruction, followed by wave effects from the E direction. The main effects of the waves decreased the height and skewed the cross section. The strong erosion happened at mean water level, where the waves broke near the top and induced stronger current. The positions of the troughs had a good relationship to the wave-energy distribution. Further study was performed by cross-sectional model test to check out the effects of current on the deep trough along the tombolo. The tombolo was severely eroded due to the joint effects of eastward waves and tidal currents. This investigation on the mechanism of the erosion of Bijia Mountain tombolo can be used in further studies of the restoration of the tombolo.


Background Memory function is at the core of the psychopathology of dissociative identity disorder (DID), but little is known about its psychobiological correlates. Aims This study aims to investigate whether memory function in DID differs between dissociative identity states Method Behavioural data and neural activation patterns were assessed in 92 sessions during an n-back working memory task. Participants were people with genuine diagnosed DID (n = 14), DID-simulating controls (n = 16) and a paired control group (post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 16), healthy controls (n = 16)). Both DID groups participated as authentic or simulated neutral and trauma-related identity states. Reaction times and errors of omission were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA. Working memory neural activation (main working memory and linear load) was investigated for effects of identity state, participant group and their interaction. Results Identity state-dependent behavioural performance and neural activation was found. DID simulators made fewer errors of omission than those with genuine DID. Regarding the prefrontal parietal network, main working memory in the left frontal pole and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann area 44) was activated in all three simulated neutral states, and in trauma-related identity states of DID simulators, but not those with genuine DID or post-traumatic stress disorder; for linear load, trauma-related identity states of those with genuine DID did not engage the parietal regions. Conclusions Behavioural performance and neural activation patterns related to working memory in DID are dependent on the dissociative identities involved. The narrowed consciousness of trauma-related identity states, with a proneness to re-experiencing traumatising events, may relate to poorer working memory functioning.


In the EFL teaching and learning field, learners not only need the necessary rules of the language but the art to practice it meaningfully and correctly in social and cultural appropriate contexts too. As a key issue in "communicative language teaching", this study focuses on the importance of culture and discourse in teaching English as a foreign language in the Algerian higher education context resorting facts which make languages overlap and different. This paper, sheds light on the role of teachers in implementing culture in the language teaching syllabus and courses. It aims at helping language learners to interact with native speakers and reflect on the target language culture and raising awareness on their proper culture as well. According to us, this will not only reinforce interaction and communication but will also set a social and cultural network between both actors. Therefore, the paper at hand is a two folds objectives: ways, techniques and strategies to access the cultural dimension in practical ways; and integrating and implementing intercultural dimensions and discourse as an EFL syllabus.


We present a quantum-classical algorithm to study the dynamics of the two-spatial-site Schwinger model on IBM's quantum computers. Using rotational symmetries, total charge, and parity, the number of qubits needed to perform computation is reduced by a factor of $\sim 5$, removing exponentially-large unphysical sectors from the Hilbert space. Our work opens an avenue for exploration of other lattice quantum field theories, such as quantum chromodynamics, where classical computation is used to find symmetry sectors in which the quantum computer evaluates the dynamics of quantum fluctuations.


This paper describes a proposed ontological language processing system for integrating two semantic sets for a group of important verbs with the prefix Kain Yami, an Austronesian language in Taiwan. The two semantic sets represent two different classification approaches. One approach follows the concepts and rules of WordNet and the other uses the metaphors in Yami indigenous knowledge. The ontologies are used for classification and semantic integration. The results of implementation are used for building the Yami lexical database. This paper illustrates how the methodology and framework used in classifying Yami can be applied to Austronesia language processing.


Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of crude and fractionated extracts of Dracaena loureiri endocarp against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles minimus mosquitos. Methods: Larvicidal activity was tested according to World Health Organization standard protocol. The third-stage larvae of each mosquito species were exposed to various concentrations of Dracaena loureiri crude extract and six groups of Dracaena loureiri fractionated extracts (RC-DT 009–014). Larval mortality rates were observed after 24 h and 48 h of exposure. Then, a computerized probit analysis of the mortality data was performed to determine lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and lethal concentration 90 values. Results: Anopheles minimus larvae (24-h LC50 77.88 mg/L) had the highest susceptibility to crude extract, whereas others (Aedes aegypti, 24-h LC50 224.73 mg/L; Aedes albopictus, 24-h LC50 261.75 mg/L; and Culex quinquefasciatus, 24-h LC50 282.86 mg/L) were significantly less susceptible. The most effective groups of fractionated extracts were RC-DT 012 and RC-DT 013. The mosquito species most susceptible to fractionated extracts was Culex quinquefasciatus, with 24-h LC50 values of 0.66 and 0.94 mg/L for RC-DT 012 and RC-DT 013, respectively. Conclusions: The larvicidal activity of fractionated extracts is more effective than that of crude extract against all tested mosquito species. For the most effective alternative larvicide, purification and a phytochemical constituent analysis must be performed.


The following changes have been demonstrated to take place in the blood of dogs during exercise. 1. An increase in the per cent of cells and hemoglobin in the blood of the jugular vein occurs early in the course of exercise. It probably results from a redistribution of red corpuscles, with an increase in their proportion in the peripheral blood. 2. As exercise is continued, there is a definite increase in plasma volume. 3. A coincident decrease both in the total cell volume and the pigment volume during prolonged exercise suggests that blood destruction then occurs.


In the existing traction continuously variable transmission (CVT), half toroidal CVT (HT-CVT) is considered to have a better traction performance. However, the HT-CVT has the spin losses due to its structural limitations, which significantly influences the traction efficiency. In this paper, the kinematic qualities and contact models of a novel zero-spin rolling conical CVT (RC-CVT) are studied, and then the rollers and conical disks are compactly designed through the proposed design principles. Subsequently, the transmission efficiency is investigated by using a detailed numerical model and compared with HT-CVT. Based on these computational models and parameters, the practical spin ratio, spin momentum and traction efficiency of RC-CVT are calculated and compared with HT-CVT. The results show that the practical spin ratio and spin momentum of RC-CVT are much smaller than that of HT-CVT, and the efficiency on fixed transmission ratio is consequently higher than that of HT-CVT.


High-resolution, moderate-speed, calibration-free analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are becoming increasingly difficult to design in low-voltage nanometer-scale CMOS processes. We propose an ADC architecture based on a resetting ΣΔ modulator that achieves high resolution, despite poor component matching and poor analog transistor performance. A prototype design pipelines a second-order resetting ΣΔ modulator and a 10 b cyclic ADC. The device achieves 14 b resolution and samples as a Nyquist converter at 23 MS/s. This calibration-free ADC achieves no missing codes, 87 dB SFDR and 11.7 b ENOB. The ADC is fabricated in 0.18 μm CMOS and occupies a core area of 0.5 mm2. It consumes 48 mW from a 2 V supply.


Abstract. The present study introduces a new method to characterize ramp-like wind speed fluctuations, including coherent gusts. This method combines two well-known methods: the continuous wavelet transform and the fitting of an analytical form based on the error function.
The method provides estimation of ramp amplitude and rise time, and is herein used to statistically characterize ramp-like fluctuations at three different measurement sites.
Together with the corresponding amplitude of wind direction change, the ramp amplitude and rise time variables are compared to the extreme coherent gust with direction change from the IEC wind turbine safety standard.
From the comparison we find that the observed amplitudes of the estimated fluctuations do not exceed the one prescribed in the standard, but the rise time is generally much longer, on average around 200 s. The direction change does however exceed the one prescribed in the standard several times, but for those events the rise time is a minute or more.
We also demonstrate a general pattern in the statistical behaviour of the characteristic ramp variables, noting their wind speed dependence, or lack thereof, at the different sites.


A terahertz (THz) polarization real-time imaging system that can effectively reduce experimental time consumption for acquiring a sample's polarization information is achieved. An alternative THz polarization measurement method is proposed. In this method, a <110> zinc-blende crystal is used as the sensor, and the probe polarization is adjusted to detect THz electric fields on the two orthogonal polarization components. The relative sensitivity of the imaging system to the THz polarization angle is estimated to be less than 0.5°. To illustrate the ability of the system, two samples are designed and measured by using the system. From their THz polarization real-time images, each region of these samples can be precisely presented. Experimental results clearly show the special influences of different materials on the THz polarization. This work effectively extends the information content obtained by THz real-time imaging and improves the feasibility of the imaging technique.


In this paper, we undertake a study of 28 states to establish the issues with their revenue budgets' fiscal marksmanship. We particularly focus on the grants received from the Central government. Within grants, we find state plan schemes and centrally sponsored schemes to be the most volatile. Our analysis looks at three key stakeholders in the budget-making process and their role in poor fiscal marksmanship. These are the Centre, the states and the Finance Commission. The actuals could miss budget estimates due to the Centre misprojecting its revenues or expenditures, the states misprojecting their own revenues, or the Finance Commission making errors while recommending grants. Poor estimation methods, weak capacity in drawing up budgets and implementing projects, specific conditionalities imposed either by the Centre or the Finance Commission, and exogenous and random shocks that cannot be controlled for — all affect marksmanship of the states' revenue budgets.


Federal aviation regulations prohibit airline pilots from flying beyond the age of 60 years. However, the relation between pilot age and flight safety has not been rigorously assessed using empirical data. From 1987 to 1997, the authors followed a cohort of 3,306 commuter air carrier and air taxi pilots who were aged 45-54 years in 1987. During the follow-up period, the pilots accumulated a total of 12.9 million flight hours and 66 aviation crashes, yielding a rate of 5.1 crashes per million pilot flight hours. Crash risk remained fairly stable as the pilots aged from their late forties to their late fifties. Flight experience, as measured by total flight time at baseline, showed a significant protective effect against the risk of crash involvement. With adjustment for age, pilots who had 5,000-9,999 hours of total flight time at baseline had a 57% lower risk of a crash than their less experienced counterparts (relative risk = 0.43, 95% confidence interval: 0.21, 0.87). The protective effect of flight experience leveled off after total flight time reached 10,000 hours. The lack of an association between pilot age and crash risk may reflect a strong "healthy worker effect" stemming from the rigorous medical standards and periodic physical examinations required for professional pilots.


Ceramics composites of B4C matrix with 5 wt% Al and various amount of ZrO2 additives were pressureless sintered under vacuum at 2250 °C for 60 min. Density, hardness, flexural strength and microstructure of the specimens were measured and characterized. Densities above 97% theoretical density (TD) were determined in the samples prepared with the addition of 8 wt% ZrO2 and 5 wt% Al, compared to 86% TD for single-phase B4C. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that B2O3 (impurity in B4C) was eliminated and new phases (ZrB2 and B4C1-x) were formed in the sintered samples, suggesting that in situ reactions between B4C/B2O3 and Al/ZrO2 happened during sintering process. It was showed that the elimination of B2O3 and the forming of boron rich solution of B4C1-x significantly improved the sinterability of B4C matrix ceramics, and consequently enhanced the densification rate greatly. The flexural strength and Vickers hardness of the sintered samples with addition of 8 wt% ZrO2 and 5 wt% Aluminum reached the value of 560 MPa and 30.2 GPa respectively, much higher than those of single-phase B4C ceramics.


Tourism activities occurring on communal lands such as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are increasing in Tanzania. This is the result of natural resources governance reforms aimed to empower communities to manage and benefit directly from resources found in their jurisdictions. This article explores the impacts of taxes imposed on tourism activities occurring on communal lands and the emerging politics of resource and revenue sharing among WMA member villages. In the process, we use empirical data gathered from two WMAs in northern Tanzania between 2006 and 2016. We find that while the current high tax rates on tourism businesses occurring at the grassroots level reduce revenue earned by communities, the main challenge facing the studied WMAs is the model of revenue sharing among WMA member villages. Currently, as the result of WMA regulations, villages which had prior arrangement with tour operators in their land have suffered revenue losses as they have to share revenue equally with other members of the WMA. We argue that the current tax regime coupled with the contested cost and benefit sharing model not only lower returns to grassroots communities--which in turn discourage their much needed participation in conservation-tourism initiatives--but also generate new forms of struggles over resource control.


Transition metal phosphides are more selective for hydrocarbon dehydrogenation than the corresponding unmodified transition metals, however there are few detailed experiments probing thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption and reactions of hydrocarbons on these surfaces. Here, we use a combination of temperature programmed reaction (TPR) and reactive molecular beam scattering (RMBS) of cyclohexene (C6H10) and benzene (C6H6) and temperature programmed desorption of CO and H2 to examine how the addition of P-atoms alters the catalytic properties of Pd(111) for non-oxidative dehydrogenation of C6H10 to C6H6. Quantitative analyses of TPR results demonstrate that a phosphorus modified Pd(111) surface (P0.34–Pd) dehydrogenates C6H10 to C6H6 with a selectivity approaching 100%, which is ∼3-fold greater than that of the unmodified Pd(111) surface (∼30%). These differences in selectivity correlate with a significantly reduced desorption energy for small molecules (e.g., CO, C6H6, C6H10, H2) on P0.34–Pd in comparison to Pd(111). Together these comparisons suggest that adsorbates exchange less charge with P0.34–Pd than with Pd(111), which agrees with prior computational predictions. Diminished electron exchange between Pd atoms and bound reactive intermediates leads also to greater near steady-state selectivities for dehydrogenation of C6H10 to C6H6, decreased rates of C–C bond rupture, and increased catalyst stability. Apparent activation energies for dehydrogenation of C6H10 are lower for Pd (−13 kJ mol−1) than P0.34–Pd (−7 kJ mol−1), while those for C6H6 decomposition seem to differ more significantly (∼90 kJ mol−1 on Pd; immeasurable rates and barrier for P0.34–Pd) as shown by the RMBS of C6H10 and C6H6 respectively. As a consequence, P also increases apparent barriers for catalyst deactivation observed during RMBS of C6H10 (1 kJ mol−1 on Pd to 38 kJ mol−1 on P0.25–Pd) due to the decreased tendency to decompose C6H6 to more hydrogen-deficient forms of carbon. These results demonstrate that the presence of P-atoms on and within the near surface region of Pd significantly impacts the energetics of C–H and C–C bond rupture pathways in ways that lead to greater selectivities and stabilities for hydrocarbon dehydrogenation reactions.


Previous work has shown that the difficulties in learning deep generative or discriminative models can be overcome by an initial unsupervised learning step that maps inputs to useful intermediate representations. We introduce and motivate a new training principle for unsupervised learning of a representation based on the idea of making the learned representations robust to partial corruption of the input pattern. This approach can be used to train autoencoders, and these denoising autoencoders can be stacked to initialize deep architectures. The algorithm can be motivated from a manifold learning and information theoretic perspective or from a generative model perspective. Comparative experiments clearly show the surprising advantage of corrupting the input of autoencoders on a pattern classification benchmark suite.


ABSTRACT Individual preferences for learning environments can be linked to a specific behavior. The tendency of such behavior can somehow be associated with an individual's ability to cognitively engage in the learning process without being distracted by other stimuli. An online continuous adaptation mechanism (OCAM) of learning contents was developed in order to regulate the presentation of learning contents based on changes in the learner's aptitude level. This was claimed to stimulate a better cognitive and emotional response among learners, thus stimulating their engagement. A total of 41 students (36 male and 5 female; age 20–25 years) participated in this study. The results revealed that learners' levels of concentration and cognitive load were positively influenced by the OCAM, which significantly increased their engagement. Our findings can be used to inform designers and developers of online learning systems about the importance of regulating the presentation of learning contents according to the aptitude level of individual learners. The proposed OCAM can improve learners' ability to process specific information meaningfully and make the inferences necessary for understanding the learning content.


Exquisite, exciting, enameled jewelry - powdered glass fused onto metal to create gorgeous, delicate color and detail, beautiful enough to be considered art. Here is the first book to focus exclusively on enameled jewelry, an integral, important, and innovative part of American and European jewelry design at the turn of the 20th century. Attention is given to significant developments in enameling techniques and to the symbolism found in Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Arts and Crafts jewelry design during the nineteenth century and later Edwardian and Art Deco styles. Important jewelry manufacturers such as Krementz and Meyle and Mayer are included as well as more modern designers such as David Andersen and Margo de Taxco. Attention is given to the highly collectible Newark, New Jersey, and New York enamels that are often dated c. 1900. Each chapter includes values for many of the pieces illustrated. Over 450 stunning color photographs illustrate this comprehensive volume. This is an important reference for jewelry designers, historians, and collectors.


The study of a critical analysis of the value chain in the rice industry and its effects on the export rice industry in Kien Giang province, Vietnam conducted during the period from December 2012 to November2015. The research result showed that there were 450 persons who are rice exporters and farmers (412 processed and 48 missed) who to be interviewed and answered nearly 27 questions. The researcher had analyzed KMO test, the result of KMO analysis used for multiple regression analysis. The person responses measured through an adapted questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale. Hard copy and interviewrice exporters and farmersby questionnaire distributed among rice exporters and farmers in KienGiang province. The regression analysis results showed that there were seven factors, which included of factors following: Development strategy; Control policy; Planning; Support policy; Rice seeds;Cultivation techniques andPost-harvest processingactually affected the export rice industry with 5 % significance level. The main objectives of this study were to to conduct a survey to find value chain that affecting the export rice industry in KienGiang province, to identify value chain that affected on the export rice industry in KienGiang province and to analyze and to test value chain that affected the export rice industry in KienGiang province.


OBJECTIVE
The intracuff pressure, when maladjusted, may cause complications. It is therefore important to measure it precisely and according to a routine. The objective of this study was to compare the intracuff pressures in the morning, afternoon and night shifts, and to measure pressures of the endotracheal tube (TOT) and the tracheotomy tube, comparing the results obtained and relating it with patients gender.

METHODS
In this descriptive and prospective study, the intracuff pressure of 72 intensive care unit patients (51 using TOT and 21 tracheotomy tube) was measured with a control-insufflator during the morning, afternoon and night shift changes. These pressures were adjusted when necessary, aided by the tracheal auscultation method and by the observation of the mouth air leaks.

RESULTS
Average pressures were 32.9+/-8.9 cmH2O, of which 36.7+/-1.6 cmH2O in the morning shift; 31.6+/-1.04 cmH2O in the afternoon shift; and 30.6+/-1.16 cmH2O in the night shift, with significance in the morning and afternoon shifts (p<0.001) and between the morning and night shifts (p<0.001). There was no significant change when compared with patients' gender. Comparison of the average intracuff pressures for the TOT (31.7+/-7.1 cmH2O) and the tracheotomy tube (36.1+/-11.8 cmH2O) was significant (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION
A routine of measuring intracuff pressures during the morning and night shifts should be established. Furthermore, a higher intracuff pressure in the tube was observed in patients who underwent tracheotomy, showing the importance of redoubling the care of these patients.


This paper argues that questions concerning the circulation of capital are central to the study of contemporary and future media under capitalism. Moreover, it argues that such questions have been central to Marx's analysis of the reproduction of capital vis-a-vis the realization of value and the reduction of circulation time. Marx's concepts of both the circuit and circulation of capital implies a theory of communication. Thus the purpose of our paper is to outline the logistical mechanisms that underlie a Marxist theory of media and communication and thereby foregrounding the role new media plays in reducing circulation time. We argue that the necessity of theorizing communication from a circuit and circulation-centric point of view stems from the emergence of a number of new technological phenomena that intensify, but sometimes undermine, the capitalist logic of acceleration. For the purposes of understanding the evolution of digital technologies, ostensibly employed to accelerate the circulation of capital—or put differently, to reduce circulation time—we need to pay attention to volume 2 of Capital , and key sections in the Grundrisse .


Passports, ID cards, banknotes, and degrees are considered as valuable documents that need to be secured against forgery. Apart from those, there are many other document types that are valuable, too, but that do not have any security features, as e.g. bills and vouchers. These may be used by fraudulent people to defraud money from e.g. a car insurance company. The wide availability of scanning and printing hardware allows even non-experts to easily forge a document. We therefore present a new aspect in the examination of intrinsic document features for optical document security: the goal is to automatically detect text-lines that have been manipulated or additionally inserted in a document by inspecting their alignment (left, right or center) with respect to the other text-lines in the document. This constitutes an additional feature in the goal of developing a powerful toolbox for automatic document inspection. Using the extracted text-lines, the alignment margins are extracted. Statistics on the distances of the text-lines to the alignment margins are used to identify lines that might have been forged. Such documents can then be presented to a human operator for further inspection. Due to lack of public datasets containing forged documents, a new dataset had to be created. Evaluation showed a classification accuracy of 90.5%.


To determine whether adding blood to a cardioplegic solution affects myocardial preservation, a randomized prospective study was carried out in 60 patients undergoing coronary revascularization to compare the effects of crystalloid potassium cardioplegics (group C) and potassium cardioplegic solutions to which blood has been added (group B) on markers of myocardial metabolism (lactate, inorganic phosphate, base deficit release, glucose and lactate uptake, oxygen extraction), myocardial damage (creatine kinase [CK]-MB levels), and cardiac performance (cardiac index and left atrial pressure). The solution with added blood had a significantly (p less than .05) greater oxygen content, a lower pH, and higher concentrations of potassium, calcium, sodium, and glucose. In group B patients there was a suggestion (p less than .06) of greater uptake of oxygen during the beginning of the initial cardioplegic infusion. During reperfusion there was no evidence of differential release of the metabolites of anaerobiosis and myocardial oxygen extraction and glucose and lactate uptake were similarly depressed in both groups. Likewise, CK-MB release after bypass was the same in both groups. Prompt, adequate functional recovery of cardiac index and left atrial pressure was observed in both groups. It was concluded that although there may be more oxygen available from the blood-containing solution during early infusion, there is no evidence that under the conditions of this investigation adding blood to cardioplegic solution improves myocardial preservation.


Increasingly, higher education's importance role in preparing students to be active citizens in civil society has been realised, yet there is limited understanding of the citizenship learning in higher education in the UK. Although there is a good deal of research about the political or civic engagement at universities in general, this study represents the first comprehensive exploration of the active citizenship learning in higher education in the UK. This thesis takes a three-paper format, accompanied with an introduction, literature review, contextual information on higher education system, methodology and conclusion chapters. The thesis focuses on understanding citizenship learning in higher education in the UK using the community of practice theory. It uses quantitative method. First, a descriptive analysis is carried out to understand young people's civic behaviour and attitudes and a comparison is made between university students and their peers not attending universities. After that, in order to understand the relationship between HE and active citizenship, the thesis uses ordinal logistic regression on Citizenship Educational Longitudinal Study data to test if HE has an independent impact on active citizenship in the UK. Later, the thesis explores the citizenship learning at universities with community of practice theory. Then ordinal logistic regression is used on Citizenship in Transition dataset. The result shows that HE has an independent impact on voting and volunteering, but not protesting. The descriptive results indicate that young people at university follow a liberal model approach to Citizenship. These results provide evidences that HE is moving towards marketization, and students tend to care more about representation and rights than social justice. The results also support that community of practice theory can be applied in citizenship learning in HE. The thesis shows that belongingness is a very important part in learning citizenship at universities. The sense of belongingness can be formed in the learning process, and can facilitate learning. More importantly, it tends to promote future participation in society as it becomes an identity of active participants which is likely to appear in the similar contexts. Also, quantitative analyses show that university students can learn citizenship from their participation in activities and organizations on campus. The learning process takes place when students participate, share information and communicate. These findings support that it is imperative for HE to takes its social role to promote citizenship and democracy. The findings from the study indicate that citizenship learning in HE should be a priority in future research and policymaking.


PURPOSE
To delineate the appearance of normal Virchow-Robin spaces on routine spin-echo images and demonstrate the lenticulostriate arteries within them with a flow-sensitive fast low-angle shot (FLASH) pulse sequence.

METHODS
Seventy subjects, free of cerebrovascular diseases and other neurologic disorders, ranging in age from 1 to 75 years, were examined. On a 1.5-T MR system, axial spin-echo images of 5 mm thickness were obtained in all subjects. In 45 of 70 subjects axial two-dimensional FLASH images of 3 mm thickness were continuously imaged.

RESULTS
On T1- and spin density-weighted images Virchow-Robin spaces were detected as small foci of cerebrospinal fluid intensity around the anterior commissure in all subjects (100%), and in the basal ganglia at the level of the foramen of Monro in 40 (57%). T2-weighted images equally showed Virchow-Robin spaces around the anterior commissure but were less sensitive than T1- and spin-density weighted images at the level of the foramen of Monro (14%). Virchow-Robin spaces identified on T2-weighted images should be isointense with cerebrospinal fluid. However, one or two spaces in 11 younger subjects were hypointense relative to adjacent brain tissue. On FLASH images most Virchow-Robin spaces identified on spin-echo images were delineated as high-intensity foci, corresponding to lenticulostriate arteries.

CONCLUSIONS
Normal Virchow-Robin spaces along the lenticulostriate arteries are frequently detected on spin-echo images. Their appearance, affected by the flow of associated lenticulostriate arteries, varies from hyper- to hypointensity to brain tissue on T2-weighted images. The two-dimensional FLASH sequence can demonstrate the flow of the arteries, thereby helping confirm that these are truly Virchow-Robin spaces.


The realtime follow-up of neutrino events is a promising approach to search for astrophysical neutrino sources. It has so far provided compelling evidence for a neutrino point source: the flaring gamma-ray blazar TXS 0506+056 observed in coincidence with the high-energy neutrino IceCube-170922A detected by IceCube. The detection of very-high-energy gamma rays (VHE, $\mathrm{E}>100\,\mathrm{GeV}$) from this source helped establish the coincidence and constrained the modeling of the blazar emission at the time of the IceCube event. The four major imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope arrays (IACTs) - FACT, H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and VERITAS - operate an active follow-up program of target-of-opportunity observations of neutrino alerts sent by IceCube. This program has two main components. One are the observations of known gamma-ray sources around which a cluster of candidate neutrino events has been identified by IceCube (Gamma-ray Follow-Up, GFU). Second one is the follow-up of single high-energy neutrino candidate events of potential astrophysical origin such as IceCube-170922A. GFU has been recently upgraded by IceCube in collaboration with the IACT groups. We present here recent results from the IACT follow-up programs of IceCube neutrino alerts and a description of the upgraded IceCube GFU system.


Generally, participation of women in local government elections has been lower than other elective positions. For instance, few women in Ghana and other neighboring countries such as Togo and Cote d'Ivoire have the courage to contest elections at the local level and subsequently emerging as winners for positions of the assembly. This is indeed a challenge to democratic governance in particular and nation-building, in general. This study therefore sought to explore the issue of women participation in local level elections in the Afigya Kwabre District using a descriptive exploratory design. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 67 respondents for the study. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to solicit the views of respondents on the issue. The study revealed that women's participation in local in the district was low. It was observed that factors such as inadequate funds, inferiority complex, fear and intimidation and cultural beliefs impinged on women's participation in local governance. Some societal perceptions that may affect women who partake in elections include the fact that they become disrespectful after winning elections; they refused to perform domestic duties; not natural leaders and become proud when they are in positions. Some of the benefits of women's participation in DAE are promotion of the welfare of women and children, gender balance in the District Assembly, facilitation of community development as well as serving as training ground for women. A number of measures such as the use of incentives, proper affirmative action, improved gender education and gender equality could be used to promote women's participation in local level elections in the district. It is recommended that the District Assembly should properly collaborate with the Ministry of Local Government and Development, the Ministry of Gender Protection and Social Welfare as well as the Development partners to design policy programs and initiatives that will be tailored towards improving poverty levels among women in the country through capacity building programs for women. The government should effectively collaborate with civil society organizations to put in place effective measures including financial incentives, public education, affirmative action and gender education programs in order to improve participation among women during local level elections in the district. The National Commission for Civic Education should be adequately resourced to discharge its mandate of educating people on their civic rights and responsibilities.


This paper discusses a model for a three-part service-learning course developed by the Schreyer Honors College and Department of Geography at Penn State. Piloted during the spring, summer, and fall semesters of 2001, "Geography 298H--Experiences in International Service Learning: Juarez, Mexico" was designed to engage participants in a meaningful community development project while learning about the conditions, challenges, and prospects of a specific world region. After a semester of background preparation that included discussions with faculty members across many disciplines and team research resulting in a l48-page field guide, participating students traveled to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where they constructed a single-family home for recent migrants to the area. The students maintained written and photographic journals during the trip and submitted excerpts upon their return. During the fall semester, the class reconvened for several sessions of reflection and discussion; assignments comprised writing addenda to the field guide, editorials on some aspect of the trip that would be appropriate for publication in campus or hometown newspapers, and an open-ended evaluation of the experience. Throughout the process, students built leadership skills through networking, fundraising, and making presentations to school students and civic groups in their home communities. The course is serving as a model for other service learning projects, notably "Geography 297H-Experiences in International Service Learning: HOINA, India" and "Architectural Engineering 297H: Tribal Housing."


Effective business cycle analysis, and indeed the monitoring of a countries economic performance from a policy perspective, requires access to timely high quality short-term economic statistics (STES). Consequently in recent years there has been a lot of pressure on national statistics organisations (NSOs) to better serve their users by improving the timeliness of release for their short-term economic indicators. In response to this demand, NSOs have focused on improving the efficiency and methodology of their statistical production processes. So this begs the question: where would one look to find comprehensive documentation on good practices used by NSOs to improve the timeliness of their short-term economic statistics? The answer is the STES Timeliness Framework, a structured collection of documentation on a range of good practices currently used by NSOs for improving timeliness, reducing costs or improving accuracy for short-term economic statistics. This resource is freely available in the form of an intuitive, user friendly website developed by the OECD Short-Term Economic Statistics Expert Group at www.oecd.org/std/research/timeliness. This report outlines the principles behind the development of this framework, explains its structure and reviews its current usage by statisticians.


Database developers today use data access APIs such as ADO.NET to execute SQL queries from their application. These applications often have security problems such as SQL injection vulnerabilities and performance problems such as poorly written SQL queries. However today's compilers have little or no understanding of data access APIs or DBMS, and hence the above problems can go undetected until much later in the application lifecycle. We present a framework that adapts traditional program analysis by leveraging understanding of data access APIs in order to identify such problems early on during application development. Our framework can analyze database application binaries that use ADO.NET data access APIs. We show how our framework can be used for a variety of analysis tasks such as SQL injection detection, workload extraction, identifying performance problems, and verifying data integrity constraints in the application.


Background: Catheters provide vascular access for patients requiring intravenous treatments, but frequently are a source of infection and/or thrombosis. Instilling a solution of an antimicrobial agent with an anticoagulant into the catheter lumen may salvage-infected catheters. Objective: The aim is to evaluate the physical compatibility, antibacterial activity, and stability of varying combinations of cefazolin (10 mg/mL), 40% ethanol, 4% sodium citrate with or without gentamicin (1 mg/mL) as a catheter lock solution over 48 h. Methods: Admixtures were prepared using aseptic technique and stored under four conditions with or without light at 25°C or 37°C. Prepared admixtures were assessed for physical compatibility, antimicrobial susceptibility, and chemical stability in triplicate at 0, 24 and 48 h. Admixture physical compatibility was determined by visual clarity, pH, and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The chemical stability of cefazolin and gentamicin were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography and UV spectroscopy, respectively. Results: All admixtures maintained clarity for 48 h. All admixtures stored at 25°C and the admixture containing 10 mg/mL cefazolin-4% sodium citrate stored at 37°C sustained antimicrobial activity and were chemically stable. A significant change in pH, antimicrobial activity, cefazolin concentration (<95% of baseline), were observed in admixtures containing ethanol stored at 37°C after 24 h. Gentamicin concentrations remained stable throughout the study. Conclusion: The admixture of 10 mg/mL cefazolin-4% sodium citrate sustained antimicrobial activity over 48 h and was chemically stable. However, admixtures containing ethanol stored at 37°C showed incompatibility with decreased antibacterial activity and cefazolin degradation after 24 h.


One aspect of the legal relationship between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples is the duty to consult. This duty is part of the overall fiduciary duty that the Crown owes towards Aboriginal people. The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision of Haida v. British Columbia brings the duty to consult info focus specifically in the context of salmon aquaculture in British Columbia. Difficulties arise with regards to the precise content of the duty to consult: is it merely procedural in nature, or do First Nations have a substantive right to consultation? The extent of consultation and accommodation will be determined proportionally to the strength of the claim and the seriousness of the potential infringement. The Haida case confirms the requirement of the Crown to act honourably and to effect reconciliation between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples, as has been established in previous Canadian Aboriginal jurisprudence. Consultation is practically difficult because of the fact that salmon aquaculture regulation is divided amongst several government agencies. This paper explores the question of how much input Aboriginal peoples should have and what the nature of accommodation might look like if an Aboriginal band were to protest salmon aquaculture in its territory.


Without trucks, Australia stops" is now a fact of modern life. But when all costs are considered, road freight is an expensive way of moving large amounts of freight. And, as shown by ongoing fatal crashes involving large trucks, road freight can also be dangerous. The main beneficiaries of road freight are not the truck drivers who work hard in a dangerous occupation, but the companies that choose to consign large quantities of freight by road. Road freight has seen strong growth, in part, due to good service levels and major road improvements that include highways with dual carriageways and concrete pavements, climbing lanes, and town bypasses. Over the past 25 years, road upgrades have allowed for the introduction of larger trucks such as B-doubles. At the same time underinvestment in rail tracks that support rail freight, along with different standards of cost recovery for heavy truck access to roads (arguably low) and freight trains to rail tracks (often full user pays), has skewed the market. In addition, the road freight industry is under-regulated while the rail freight industry is over-regulated. These factors together mean more loads are placed on roads with more pressure on truck drivers. As well, recent investigations have found that certain truck operators have been prepared to cut maintenance and/or tamper with speed limiters.


"The landmark 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India has definitely empowered women in terms of numbers. From the miniscule figure of 2-4 per cent in most of the Indian states, the Amendment has for the first time brought 33-40 per cent rural women into the sphere of the decision-making process. But, being in large numbers is not enough as reservation provides only the possibility of a voice for women, it does not guarantee it. This is also because the backdrop in which the reservation has been introduced in the country is marked by such factors as illiteracy, male dominance, casteism, deep-rooted cultural beliefs and values, which do not encourage women s assertion but retain them in their traditional roles of dependent spouse, mother and housewife. Amidst such social and cultural constraints, it becomes important to study the nature and effectiveness with which the women members are able to participate in the PRIs, specifically their ability to address the women s issues at the local level. The book is based on a comprehensive study, which looks into the whole issue of women s participation in PRIs in the north Indian state of Haryana which is characterized by an alarming sex ratio in favour of men. The participation is studied not only from the angle of the elected women members themselves but also the elected men members, the public and most importantly by attending the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad meetings. Thus the focus of the study is to present a combination of both observational and empirical realities."


Emerging visual-based driving assistance systems involve time-critical and data-intensive computational tasks, such as real-time object recognition and scene understanding. Due to the constraints on space and power capacity, it is not feasible to install extra computing devices on all the vehicles. To solve this problem, different scenarios of vehicular fog computing have been proposed, where computational tasks generated by vehicles can be sent to and processed at fog nodes located for example at 5G cell towers or moving buses. In this paper, we propose Chameleon, a novel solution for task offloading for visual-based assisted driving. Chameleon takes into account the spatiotemporal variation in service demand and supply, and provides latency and resolution aware task offloading strategies based on partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP). To evaluate the effectiveness of Chameleon, we simulate the availability of vehicular fog nodes at different times of day based on the bus trajectories collected in Helsinki, and use the real-world performance measurements of visual data transmission and processing. Compared with adaptive and random task offloading strategies, the POMDP-based offloading strategies provided by Chameleon shortens the average service latency of task offloading by up to 65% while increasing the average resolution level of processed images by up to 83%.


Consideration of the 'social dimensions' is increasingly gaining currency within the conservation community. A growing body of literature indicates the importance and influence people and societal practices have on the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation. As such, conservationists and their organisations are being urged to embed more social components within their projects and programmes. However, there is self-reported lack of understanding, skills and confidence by many conservationists about the scope and nature of this social dimension within the biodiversity conservation context. This thesis aims to recast the social dimensions of conservation. Specifically, to explore its boundaries and how current understanding can be supplemented using a social practice theoretical lens. It aims to strengthen conceptual understanding and develop pathways of practical application within conservation organisations. This research was undertaken within the context of my own institution, the Zoological Society of London which is a UK zoo-based conservation organisation. The research was exploratory in nature due to the complexity and relatively undefined status of the social dimensions within biodiversity conservation. A mixed method approach was employed using key informant interviews and an online survey instrument to depict and describe practices within the social dimensions of conservation, and to gather perceptions about these practices. The thematic results offer both a recasting of the definition of the social dimensions of conservation and a conceptual model of the 'ecologies of practices' at the Zoological Society of London. These new knowledge resources provide a basis to foster further understanding of how people and their practices fit into the conservation landscape. They also offer recommendations for both the Zoological Society of London and the wider biodiversity conservation community, to build individual and organisational capacity towards the social dimensions through future research, training and organisational development.


Background: Neonatal birth weight is lower after assisted reproductive technology (ART) conception compared with natural conception. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the predictive potential of measuring maternal endometrial thickness (ET) in women undergoing ART for assessing neonatal birth weight. Methods: and Results The patients (n = 100) were screened for meeting inclusion criteria with primary or secondary infertility and who underwent In-vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) or frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles were enrolled in the study. All women received the antagonist protocol with recombinant gonadotropins/urinary gonadotropins or human menopausal gonadotropin as a stimulation protocol. Only singleton pregnancies were used in neonatal birth weight (n = 70) measurements. Retrospective data were collected for age, body mass index (BMI), and ET done by two-dimensional ultrasound that had successful pregnancy. The antenatal details, birth weight/gender of neonates were noted. A univariate regression analysis was performed between ET and neonatal birth weight in patients with live births (n = 70) to evaluate association between these parameters. The data were adjusted for variables such as age, BMI, and gestational duration. There was significant association of ET with neonatal birth weight and ET was observed to be a significant independent predictor for neonatal birth weight (slope 0.168, P = 0.0052). Conclusion: The present study suggests that ET measurement at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger in Indian women undergoing ART cycles can be a reliable independent predictor for assessing neonatal birth weight


One of the striking characteristics of twentieth century medicine was its domination by Anglo-Saxon attitudes and ideas—sustained by the close, almost symbiotic, ties between leading researchers in Britain and the United States. That relationship may be more one-sided than it once was, but it is still heartening to reflect just how many of the important innovations originated from British shores—including antibiotics, of course, but also intraocular implants, hip replacements, CT scanners, in-vitro fertilization, Sir James Black's pharmaceutical discoveries and much else besides.

The transatlantic medical shuffle between the two countries stretches back a long way—Sir William Osler's translation from Johns Hopkins to Oxford being an obvious example—but probably the most significant event was the flood of young American research-oriented doctors who arrived in Britain in 1917 soon after the United States entered the First World War.

Charles Woolley, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at Ohio State University, locates the origins of what would prove to be the very fruitful Anglo-American cooperation in cardiology to a truly remarkable coming together of doctors from the two countries at the 700-bedded Military Heart Hospital in Colchester. The US medical officers posted to the hospital—all of whom subsequently would become leaders in their field—included Samuel Levine, Marcus Rothschild and Frank Wilson while the British consulting staff included (amazingly) Sir William Osler, Sir James Mackenzie, John Parkinson, Sir Clifford Allbutt and Thomas Lewis.

It is difficult to imagine a more distinguished roll call or a more stimulating environment, heightened by the intellectual challenge posed by the condition for which the hospital had been established—the enigma of 'soldier's heart'. Fifty years earlier Jacob da Costa had described a syndrome of pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and tachycardia in combatants of the American Civil War, and now thousands of soldiers were being invalided out of the trenches in Northern France with precisely the same symtomatology. But was this an organic disease—as Sir Clifford Allbutt maintained—whose unique pattern of symptoms and frequently noted regurgitant murmurs seemed characteristic of diseased heart muscle? Or was it, as Thomas Lewis maintained, a functional disorder—an 'effort' syndrome mimicking the typical features of excess effort in men while they were still at rest. The resolution of this clinical conundrum was obviously highly relevant in deciding whether the invalided soldiers should be discharged on the grounds of incapacity for duty. But it also touched on the whole spectrum of recent physiological investigations into the control of the heartbeat and cardiac muscle contractility.

Soldier's heart was, in short, a big issue and a testing ground for the scientific credentials of the nascent discipline of cardiology. And if that were not enough to make Charles Woolley's account worth reading, he has been helped vastly by one of those all too rare jewels of medical history—a contemporaneous account of the personalities and events at the military hospital as recorded in Samuel Levine's wartime diaries. Levine is both an astute observer and an elegant stylist, so his portraits of Osler, Mackenzie, Lewis and his fellow American medical officers are of immense value. Particularly memorable is his account of Sir William Osler's brilliant and sympathetic display of clinical skills at the bedside just a few days after his beloved and only son Revere had been killed in action at the front. Woolley's book might have been better organized and would have benefited from a wider perspective to include the experience of those afflicted by soldier's heart—but there is so much else going for it these are mere quibbles. It concludes with a retrospective verdict on the conflicting views over the aetiology of soldier's heart, which is particularly relevant in this age of Gulf War syndrome and chronic fatigue.


Breastfeeding is the most beneficial feeding practice for infants. However, it is not always the first choice for mothers and their encouragement and support from health professionals is variable.

OBJECTIVE
To understand the experience of mothers who had difficulties with their breastfeeding process.

PATIENTS AND METHOD
A phenomenological study was conducted in a University Health center. Twelve breastfeeding women were included. Data collection technique was in depth interviews, taped recorded with participants' consent. Phenomenological analysis of data followed Streubert´s method. The rigor of the study was guarded by criteria for qualitative research and the research process. Ethical aspects were sheltered through the informed consent process, confidentiality and methodological rigor.

RESULTS
The experience of living difficulties in the breastfeeding process is revealed in five comprehensive categories: recognizing the difficulties with breastfeeding; emotional impact when unable to breastfeed; motivation to overcome the difficulty and ask for help; support for breastfeeding recovery; and transition process from stress and anxiety to peace, gratification and empowerment.

CONCLUSION
The understanding of this experience is qualitative evidence that contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the situation of each mother and child, allowing to improve support care interventions in health.


For a century and more Heinrich Heine has had an international vogue unsurpassed by that of any other German poet, unless Goethe. This well-known fact has been established beyond doubt in a series of studies on Heine in America, Heine in France, Heine in Holland, Heine in Rumania, Heine in Scandinavia. Strangely enough, however, Heine's influence in two countries that perhaps felt most strongly the impress of his literary personality has hitherto not been fully explored by scholars. The one country is his own native land, where he was constantly felt as a living, though not necessarily beneficial, force and where his work gave rise to unceasing controversies. The other realm is England.


This research guide will direct you to various publications by diverse Simmons College faculty across different academic departments. Many of these resources are recently published works, providing you with some of the newest scholarship.


In recent years, Public-Private Partnership approaches are embraced and employed in housing schemes across the country. The Mass Housing Scheme in Abuja was organized to enable the Organized Private Sector produce housing for sale at affordable prices to low and medium-income groups in the city. This study sought to assess the implementation of the mass housing scheme in Abuja to determine the affordability of the housing units to the people. However, from the findings of the study, it was established that the program was carried out without adequate planning and implementation and the partners seem not to have the capability. This impinged on the overall performance of the scheme as the high cost of units disenfranchised the target beneficiaries. The study therefore made case for capacity buildings for the partners, positive quality enabling environment, stricter control and government's support for the sake of the low-income earners.


Until few years, the so-called implausible science, homeopathy, was on the verge of being rejected on conventional physicochemical grounds. The mere selection of ultrahigh dilutions (UHD) (homeopathic potencies) for experimentation by mainstream scientists seemed impossible, but the curiosity to explore the science behind homeopathy kept igniting intellectual alma mater who subjected homeopathy to laboratories and test tubes, to know beyond its clinical application.
Still, there exist a huge gap and a challenge to convince a conventional scientist to go beyond his domains and look for something which is apparently invisible (beyond Avogadro). But gradually we are overcoming this dogma and exploring the finer aspects and applications of UHDs. Much research has been undertaken, at least, to protect the identity of UHDs, and we are now verge of proving the plausibility of homeopathy from every aspect.
This issue of International Journal of High Dilution Research features two interesting articles on nature of UHDs and their unconventional application.
The first article by NC Sukul et al aimed to decipher the nature of the water structure of UHDs of two commonly used homeopathic drugs Natrum muriaticum and Sulphur by Laser Raman Spectroscopy. This work is in the series undertaken by the group, who earlier experimented using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; Electronic, Vibrational and Raman spectroscopy to shown differences in UHDs of various drugs. The present experiment could differentiate the intensities (potencies) of Nat-m and Sulph when compared to their controls, on the basis of hydrogen bond strength and free OH groups.
The second article by Nandy et al proposes a new dimension to the application of UHD. In an interesting manner, the author used UHDs of Ferrum metallicum and Zincum oxidatum to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP). The PVDF-HFP composite films were synthesized in their usual way, but an incorporation of Ferrum and Zinc-o could make the film as homeo-PVDF-composite. This enhancement of the electrical properties and are possibly due to the presence of nanoparticle, as hypothesized by the group.
The nature and application of UHDs are promising but challenging areas, which can only be validated through extensive research and validation. The realm of UHDs is expanding, and the day is not far when plausibility of homeopathy would be proved from every aspect, but at the same time we should also keep the momentum of research at pace in clinical research too!


BACKGROUND
The literature is unclear concerning the nature and incidence of bacteremias from oral surgical procedures, the relationship of these bacteremias to dental disease, and the preventive benefit of antibacterial mouth rinses.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and nature of bacteremias during single-tooth extractions in adults.

METHODS
A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study of 70 patients in which the status of dental disease was compared with the incidence and nature of aerobic and anaerobic bacteremias following a single-tooth extraction and the antibacterial effect of rinses with chlorhexidine hydrochloride. Multiple indicators of dental disease were evaluated and recorded before the surgical procedure. Timing of the mouth rinses, the steps in the surgical procedure, and the two blood drawings were controlled for.

RESULTS
Thirty-one (94%) of 34 control patients and 62 (89%) of 70 patients overall had blood cultures positive for organisms at either the 1-minute and or 3-minute mark following the initiation of surgery. The majority of cultures yielded gram-positive cocci. Cultures yielded polymicrobial organisms in 17 patients (24%). Although there was a wide range of severity of odontogenic disease, this did not correlate with results of blood cultures. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of blood cultures positive for organisms at both shorter (<3 minutes, P=.04) and longer (>6 minutes, P=.04) surgery times. There was not statistically significant difference in either the incidence of blood cultures positive for organisms or in the nature of organisms identified between the chlorhexidine and placebo groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Single-tooth extraction should be expected to cause a bacteremia regardless of the status of the dentition or periodontium. Mouth rinses with chlorhexidine not significantly alter the number of positive blood cultures or the nature of the organisms at either of the two blood drawings.


Rapid prototyping of haptic output on 3D objects promises to enable a more widespread use of the tactile channel for ubiquitous, tangible, and wearable computing. Existing prototyping approaches, however, have limited tactile output capabilities, require advanced skills for design and fabrication, or are incompatible with curved object geometries. In this paper, we present a novel digital fabrication approach for printing custom, high-resolution controls for electro-tactile output with integrated touch sensing on interactive objects. It supports curved geometries of everyday objects. We contribute a design tool for modeling, testing, and refining tactile input and output at a high level of abstraction, based on parameterized electro-tactile controls. We further contribute an inventory of 10 parametric Tactlet controls that integrate sensing of user input with real-time electro-tactile feedback. We present two approaches for printing Tactlets on 3D objects, using conductive inkjet printing or FDM 3D printing. Empirical results from a psychophysical study and findings from two practical application cases confirm the functionality and practical feasibility of the Tactlets approach.


With a rapid growth in the lithium-ion battery technology, particularly in the automotive sector, remanufacturing concepts to ensure maximum efficiency levels may be seen as an attractive option. Such a process does not currently exist and the opportunity to undercut cost-intensive batteries and support green credentials is one which the market is now ready for, namely, an alternative to buying new. A feasible remanufacturing concept can further reduce the current total cost of ownership with an adequate solution under consideration of the current amount of battery pack returners. With this in mind, this research provides a transparent remanufacturing architecture, which can handle a capacity of 5,000 up to 20,000 battery packs per year, depending on the selected degree of automation, manual, hybrid or fully automated. Furthermore, different tools from a factory planning structures will be applied on purpose of an industrial feasible concept. In addition, the assessment considers diverse scenarios of the battery module reusability to ensure a realistic forecast. Consequently, the potential for this outlined concept will compete for an increasing sector of a global market, which is expected to rise to 1.3 billion cars by 2030 and there is a growing interest in electric vehicles. Therefore, any innovations in battery production (and which will include the concept of remanufacturing) have the opportunity to challenge existing business models of practice while further reducing costs for the future customer of tomorrow.


User generated content such as the georeferenced images and their associated tags found in Flickr provides us with opportunities to explore how the world is described in the non‐scientific, everyday language used by contributors. Geomorphometry, the quantitative study of landforms, provides methods to classify Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) according to attributes such as slope and convexity. In this article we compare the terms used in Flickr and Geograph in Great Britian to describe georeferenced images to a quantitative, unsupervised classification of a DEM, using a well established method, and explore the variation of terms across geomorphometric classes and space. Anthropogenic terms are primarily associated with more gentle slopes, while terms which refer to objects such as mountains and waterfalls are typical of steeper slopes. Terms vary both across and within classes, and the source of the user generated content has an influence on the type of term used with Geograph, a collection which aims to document the geography of Great Britain, dominated by features which might be observed on a map.


Students' experiences and negotiation of transition to adulthood and communal living in halls of residence are the central themes of this paper which is based on the results of a survey carried out by the authors with students at Leeds Metropolitan University. Key questions in the survey elicited information about how students negotiate the experience of collective living, what strategies and practices they adopt, and how these relate to their transition to adulthood. 42 students from years one, two and three took part in focus groups, responded to questionnaires or completed reflective logs. Findings suggested that transition involves a physical and emotional journey, and has positive and negative aspects. One negative feature was conflict, and three distinct strategies emerged to deal with this: avoidance, direct challenge to others and determined socialisation. Students also developed a range of consistent and repetitive social and cultural practices, reflecting the non-linear character of transition to independence. At times these practices involved a conscious desire to delay obligation and responsibility. They also illustrated the rich and sometimes contradictory nature of collective living, and of how social relationships and adult identity are negotiated. Throughout the passage towards independence, rhythm, routine and ritual appear crucial in providing students with the means of negotiating collective living, and the personal experiences that follow from this. The overwhelming conclusion was that the choice to live in halls of residence was positive.


Nine drivers drove 5 laps in an instrumented vehicle around a 10.1 mile closed course containing numerous curves. Two laps were designated as controls, with each participant also driving one lap while watching a DVD program, one lap while listening to a DVD program and one lap while operating the DVD player. Participants watching and operating the DVD player were less likely to notice outside events like a lead vehicle applying its brake, or a light being illuminated in their periphery. During the laps involving the DVD player, they also reacted slower to the events presented in their periphery. Participants watching or operating the DVD player were also more likely to use their brake and take turns at higher lateral accelerations when negotiating the many curves throughout the test-track. Finally, participants drove significantly slower when watching the DVD player and marginally slower when operating it.


Discrete approximation which is the prevailing scheme in stochastic programming in the past decade has been extended to distributionally robust optimization (DRO) recently. In this paper we conduct rigorous quantitative stability analysis of discrete approximation schemes for DRO, which measures the approximation error in terms of discretization sample size. For the ambiguity set defined through equality and inequality moment conditions, we quantify the discrepancy between the discretized ambiguity set and the original one with respect to Wasserstein metric. To establish the quantitative convergence, we develop a Hoffman error bound theory with Hoffman constant calculation criteria in infinite dimensional space, which can be regarded as a byproduct of independent interest. For the ambiguity set defined by Wasserstein ball, and moment conditions combined with Wasserstein ball, we present associated quantitative stability analysis by taking full advantage of the convexity inherently admitted by Wasserstein metric. Efficient numerical methods for specifically solving discrete approximation DRO problems with thousands of samples are also designed. In particular, we reformulate different types of discrete approximation problems into a class of saddle point problems with completely separable structures. The stochastic primal-dual hybrid gradient (PDHG) algorithm where in each iteration we update a random subset of the sampled variables is then amenable as a solution method. Some primary numerical tests are reported.


The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze the influence of organizational justice on job satisfaction, organizational justice influence on organizational commitment directly, the influence of organizational justice on organizational commitment intervening variable of job satisfaction, as well as the effect of job satisfaction on organizational commitment. The method used is descriptive method using questionnaires for data gathering. The population in this study were all employees of the school Santa Ursula BSD consisting of education and non-education employees. Analysis of the data used is the SEM analysis with path analysis method. Based on the results of this study concluded that the three dimensions of organizational justice, namely distributive justice,procedural justice, and interactional justice give positive and significant effects with job satisfaction. These three dimensions of organizational justice give positive effects but not significant with organizational commitment. Employee job satisfaction gives positive and significant effect with organizational commitment. These three dimensions of organizational justice give positive and significant effects with organizational commitment through employee job satisfaction, in which interactional justice has the most powerful influence than the other dimensions.


Introduction Syncope affects approximately 50% of people in their lifetime. The diagnosis of the underlying cause for syncope is often delayed, inaccurate and cost-inefficient.1 The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of a novel low-risk syncope day-case assessment unit recently introduced at a DGH. Methods A retrospective analysis of 50 in-patients admitted with syncope was initially undertaken. Measured variables included length of in-patient admission, waiting time to investigation (24-hour holter and transthoracic echocardiogram), frequency of cardiology review, 30-day re-admission rate with syncope and 90-day mortality rate. The same variables were then assessed prospectively in 50 in-patients referred directly to the syncope clinic. The one-stop assessment unit took place in the local ambulatory care unit (Figure 1) and was led by acute medical physicians; with access to transthoracic echocardiography and continuous ECG monitoring which were all performed on the same day. Patients were referred for same-day specialist review as appropriate. All 100 patients were deemed low risk as defined by the San-Francisco Syncope Rule.3 Patients investigated for conditions other than syncope were excluded. Student's t-test and chi-squared tests were used to compare continuous and categorical data respectively.Abstract 70 Figure 1 Based on : European Society of Cardiology's Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope (version 2009) Results The median length of admission for patients remaining in hospital for assessment was 4 days compared to 1 day for those referred to the syncope assessment unit (p < 0.05). The median waiting time from discharge for a syncope unit appointment was 3 days. 32% of the patients referred to the syncope clinic were reviewed or discussed with a cardiologist. This figure was higher (46%) for those patients remaining in hospital for assessment although not statistically significant (p = 0.151). There was no significant difference in 30-day readmission rate with syncope or 90-day mortality rate between the two (p > 0.05). 93 patients were reviewed in the syncope clinic over the first 6 months (16/month). With an in-patient bed-day costing £273, referral of patients to the syncope clinic at this rate would save £17,472 per month and £209,664 per year (Tables 1 and 2).Abstract 70 Table 1 Summary of patient variables * TTE=transthoracic echocardiogramAbstract 70 Table 2 Summary of projected cost data Conclusions The introduction of a novel low-risk syncope assessment unit promotes early discharge from hospital with prompt outpatient medical review and shorter waiting times for diagnostic investigations. Our data suggests this is both cost-effective and safe with improved patient care. References Transient loss of consciousness ('blackouts') in over 16s. NICE guidelines [CG109] Published date: August 2010 Kapoor WN, Karpf M, Wieand S, Peterson JR, Levey GS. A prospective evaluation and follow-up of patients with sycope. N Engl J Med. 1983;309:197-–203 Quinn JV, Stiell IG, McDermott DA, Sellers KL, Kohn MA, Wells GA. Derivation of the San Francisco Syncope Rule to predict patients with short-term serious outcomes. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;43:224–32


The purpose of this study was to establish the customer relationship management (CRM ) practices that are adopted by internet services providers operating in Nairobi and their effect on customer satisfaction. In this context, the study examined the practices based on customer knowledge/insight, people, process and technology. The study was descriptive in nature. The population of interest consisted of all internet services providers in Nairobi which according to a list obtained from the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) as at 2009 numbered 73 with only 51 of them fully operational. Given the small number of firms, a census study was conducted. Primary data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents through drop and pick later method. However, in most instances, the researcher was there to clarify on issues, not well understood by respondents. Primary data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and from the 51 ISPs identified, only 36 organizations participated in the study and which was a 70.5% response rate.. Data was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that a majority of internet services providers are small scale locally run businesses. This is indicative that the industry is still at its infancy. The CRM practices are based on three broad categories of knowledge & insight, process & technology and people. The companies surveyed carry out CRM practices were highly practiced with storing customer personal and contact information adopted widely. The findings also indicated that the CRM practices influenced customer satisfaction. The practices based on people influenced customer satisfaction to a large extent while the practices based on process & technology influenced customer satisfaction to a moderate extent. In line with the research, it is recommended that a similar study be done as a case by case study that would help bring out some unique findings about specific ISPs organization. It is also recommended that a similar study to be done on purely the challenges of implementation of customer relationship management practices.


The fundamental purpose of an emissions trading system (ETS) is to constrain emissions and enable the market to set an emissions price path that facilitates an effective transition to a low-emissions economy. In a conventional ETS, the emissions constraint is defined by a cap (a fixed limit) on tradable, government-issued emission units together with a quantity limit on any external units allowed in the system (e.g. via an offsets mechanism). Essentially, an ETS cap underpins the ambition, cost-effectiveness, distributional implications, and credibility of a jurisdiction's approach to decarbonisation. From 2008 to mid-2015, the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) broke from convention by linking to the global Kyoto cap without its own limit on domestic emissions. NZ ETS participants met compliance obligations using unlimited overseas units at low prices and faced little incentive to reduce their own emissions. The NZ ETS delinked from the Kyoto market in mid-2015, creating uncertainty over the future of domestic unit supply and an efficient price path for domestic decarbonisation. This working paper, which evolved under Motu's ETS Dialogue process from 2016 to 2018, explores key considerations for ETS cap setting and proposes the design for a cap on units auctioned and freely allocated in the NZ ETS. The recommendations focus on issues of cap architecture rather than ambition. The proposed cap is defined in tonnes of emissions per year, fixed for five years in advance, extended by one year each year, and guided by an indicative ten-year cap trajectory. The fixed cap and cap trajectory need to reflect consideration of New Zealand's domestic decarbonisation objectives, international targets, mitigation potential and costs in both ETS and non-ETS sectors, and prospects for cost-effective investment in overseas emission reductions. Two companion working papers address how the choice of cap will interact with decisions on ETS price management mechanisms and linking to overseas markets. The three working papers elaborate on an integrated proposal for managing unit supply, prices, and linking in the NZ ETS that was presented in Kerr et al. (2017).


The objective of the study is to improve the impact resistant performance of a special vehicle's front sliding plate. For this, a performance evaluation indicator called critical failure velocity is proposed in this paper. By regarding the impact velocity as the variable, this paper carried out a numerical simulation of the changeable stress and deformation due to the impact on the different front sliding plates which are made by aluminium alloy, high strength steel and special engineering plastics by ABAQUS/Expticit. In this way, the relationship between various impact velocities and maximum Mises stress on the front sliding plate can be got, and the critical failure velocities can be found through the relationship. Then, as a comparative analysis of various materials' critical failure velocities has been made in this paper, the front sliding plate's impact resistant design