Abstract The paper gives a broadcasting practitioner's eye view of educational broadcasting, and how, with data compression, the emergence of more and more channels can affect the educationalist and public service broadcasting.


We develop a model of establishment dynamics consistent with the establishment level heterogeneity in exporting and productivity to analyze the welfare consequences of trade reform. Specifically, we assume that firms face an up-front, sunk cost of entering foreign markets and a smaller period-by-period continuation cost. In response to persistent firm-specific productivity shocks, firms start and stop exporting. The model generates exporter hysteresis in that the productivity threshold to start exporting exceeds the threshold to stop exporting. We calibrate the model to match the characteristics and dynamics of U.S. exporters, and quantify the welfare gains to a world-wide elimination of tariffs. We find that the welfare gains to trade reform depend importantly on transition dynamics. The welfare measure that includes transition dynamics exceed the steady state welfare measure by 5.7 percent of lifetime consumption when a 5 percent tariff rate is eliminated. We also find that the trade to GDP ratio increases by 12.6 percentage points following the trade reform through gradually increased export participation of establishments.


Abstract Specific heat measurements have been made on magnesium from 1°k to 20°k and on zinc from 4°k to 20°k. The magnesium data agree with the most recent measurements above 15°k, whilst the results on zinc confirm one set of earlier data. The shape of the curve of the Debye θ versus temperature for magnesium is found to be similar to that for beryllium. The θ value rises from a constant value of 326° above 30°K to 406° at absolute zero. The θ value for zinc rises much more sharply from a value of 195° at 20°K to 291° at absolute zero.


Education is moving into the era of big data and the value of data and data analysis in ideological and political education now can be reflected everywhere.The ideological and political education data processing substantially can be divided into four phases:data sensing and acquisition,data processing and integration,data analysis and data interpretation.With the data processing methods web log analysis,social network analysis and correlation analysis,the decision-making process of ideological and political education can be more scientific,the measures enacted can be more targeted and meet the educational needs.Of course,information security and data acquisition difficulty also brings out some challenges to ideological and political education data application.


Josefa García-Mestanza y Rocío Díaz-Muñoz Departamento de Economía y Administración de Empresas. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales. Universidad de Málaga. c/ El Ejido s/n 29071 Málaga. e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com / firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract This research analyses the quality of university services measurement at Málaga University. This approach leads to determine the quality service dimensions in this area. Measuring the quality and identifying the components that make it up, we have used the most generally accepted measurement tools: Servqual, Servperf, Modifid Servqual, Revised Servqual, Performance Evaluation and Standardised Quality. Under these premises, we have issued the following steps: First, hypotesis, objectives and methodology are exposed. Second, University quality services dimensions are set up, based on the comparative analysis of the different quality measurement scales already quotted. Finally, we aim to highlight the most important conclusion we have reached.


the real datasets in the world usually are imbalanced; the number of samples for their classes is not equal. Classifying these datasets makes the classifiers pay attention to the class with more samples than the classes with fewer samples. The Qur'anic dataset can be considered an imbalanced dataset because verses of the Qur'anic topics are not equal. Many studies have been performed to classify Qur'anic text using different classifiers. However, few studies classified the Qur'anic verses based on Imbalanced Learning (IL). So, this work aims to classify the Qur'anic text using Ensemble methods, Boosting and Bagging. The base classifiers of these methods were LibSVM, Naïve Bayes, KNN, and J48. Three techniques are conducted in this paper based on the standard classifiers. The three techniques are: implementing the base classifiers alone, implementing these classifiers with the Boosting method, and implementing the classifiers with the Bagging method. The results showed that the Quranic classification performance was improved when the ensemble methods were applied for the imbalanced Qur'anic verses in the standard classifiers.


The above tool of the machine tool detection method and detection device are provided. The machine tool to measure only the load current from the spindle motor and the servo motor during normal operation the yarn cutting section, the minimum and maximum values of the acceptable load current value is determined. Measuring the load current value of the spindle motor and the servo motor during the operation of the machine tool, and by filtering the measured load current is extracted from the load current value of the thread cutting interval. If the extracted load current value is outside the range between the minimum value and the maximum value is determined to be more than the tool of the machine tool occurs. By breakage with overload due to excessive wear on the cutting tool for detecting when the cutting process are performed it is also possible.


Introduced the kidney bean good quality and high output cultural technique regulations,including the land parcel choice and entire,the variety choice and the seed treatment,apply fertilizer,sowing seeds,the field management,plant disease prevent and control,harvest and store and so on the aspect contents,the general kidney bean planter household provides the reference for the Jin north.


For a long time there have been heated debates on the translatability of classical Chinese poetry and how to translate them.In the eightieth of last century,professor Xu Yuanzhong proposed the methodology of making full use of the best expressions for literary translation,especially for the translation of Chinese poetry to English,which was echoed strongly among translators all around,and rendered many Chinese poetry to English version which earned him acclaim from east to west.Nevertheless,there are still many people expressed doubtful and critical attitudes.This essay is trying to reason for its scientificity from three perspectives:"faithfulness" and the methodology,the understanding of literary translation process by modern translation theory,and the demand for this methodology in the translation practice.


Introduction: Physical inactivity has become one of the major public health and economic concerns in Western societies. The consequences of physical inactivity are associated with many physical problems, however, the influence of physical activity (PA) on psychological health is unclear. The aims of our study were to assess self-esteem and physical activity levels in postmenopausal women and to examine the association between physical activity levels and self-esteem in this group. Material and methods: Survey research was conducted on postmenopausal women aged M = 58.81 ± 7.68 in women's health clinics in Silesia, Poland. The total number of participants was 131, and 18 were excluded. A questionnaire with socio-demographic data and other international questionnaires were used: International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Beck Depression inventory. Results: 78.76% of postmenopausal women were physically active. Mean value of MET-min/week was M = 1543.46 ± 1060.92. A total of 11.51% of women reported low self-esteem, with the mean total value of SES M = 31.79 ± 2.93. There was a lack of correlation between total IPAQ score and self-esteem (r = −0.241, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Postmenopausal women have mostly average self-esteem. They are generally active, and walking is the most common form of physical activity, however, a higher PA level does not influence self-esteem.


Nucleophilic substitution reaction of two moles of benzilic acid with terephthaloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine hydrochloride yielded terephthalic acid bis-(carboxydiphenyl methyl)ester (TBE) as a new monomer for the preparation of polyesters. This diester-diacid (TBE) was converted to its acid chloride derivative, terephthalic acid bis-(chlorocarbonyldiphenyl methyl)ester (TBECl), using thionyl chloride. Polymerization reactions of TBECl with different aromatic diols including hydroquinone, 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene, phenolphthalein, 1,4-dihydroxy anthraquinone, 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone, and bisphenol A in the presence of triethylamine hydrochloride using high temperature solution polycondensation method resulted in different polyesters. All the polymers were characterized and their physical and thermal properties such as thermal behaviour, thermal stability, solution viscosity, and solubility behaviour were studied. Polymers showed good thermal stability while the presence of bulky groups improved their solubility.


The contingent of intellectuals is an important intellectual resource for socio-economic development for each nation as well as international community. They play a great role in creating spiritual and cultural values, bringing about important achievements of science and technology, social sciences and humanities, contributing to promoting social progress. Especially in the context of Industrial Revolution 4.0, science and technology are developing like a storm, the digital age and the internet connecting everything with artificial intelligence, the role of the intellectual team is becoming increasingly be more important than ever. This work clarify four characteristics of Vietnamese intellectual hierarchy in promoting market economy development with socialist-orientation.


Long time phosphorescence (of the order of minutes) of anthracene, stilbene, durene, and naphthalene crystals at room temperature is reported. The decays are approximately hyperbolic and the observed phosphorescence is shifted to longer wavelengths than the usual fluorescent emission. This phosphorescence is not induced by the light strongly absorbed in the substance but mainly by the weak absorption of light of wavelengths corresponding to their own fluorescent light. There are indications that this phosphorescence stems from an approximately uniform, continuous trap distribution and that such a mechanism permits a description of some of the observed behavior. Wavelength measurements seem to indicate that this phosphorescent light emission does not originate from triplet to ground transitions.


Purposes of this exploratory study were: (i) to determine retailers' views toward imported apparel, (ii) to gain insight into retailers' reasons for carrying imported apparel, and (iii) to examine variables associated with relative proportions of imported apparel carried in stock. Interviewers surveyed 191 retailers in the eastern U.S.A., using a structured telephone interview. Data analysis included chi-square tests of association and frequency distributions. The proportion of stock retailers reported to be imported was cross-tabulated with a number of variables. Results gave insight into retailers' reasons for carrying imported apparel, although a majority appeared to favour domestic apparel; results also indicated some of the problems associated with carrying foreign-made goods. Results can be useful to manufacturers in their efforts to counter retailers' trend to carry increasing quantities of imported apparel and to educators preparing graduates for employment in this sensitive sector.


The exact bit-error rate of 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (64QAM) is derived. By using decision-aided maximum likelihood phase estimation, it is found that 64QAM has almost the same laser linewidth tolerance as 16-phase-shift keying.


Orthogonal waveforms with good correlation properties are required for target detection in MIMO radar. In this paper, a waveform optimization method for the phase-coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (PC-OFDM) signal is proposed. The pulse compression property of the spatial synthesized PC-OFDM signal is firstly analyzed by theoretical derivation. According to the analysis results, the frequency step of PC-OFDM signals is proved to be critical for the high sidelobes. So we optimize the frequency steps of PC-OFDM waveforms by utilizing the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to obtain a better sidelobe distribution. Compared with the conventional waveform, the spatial synthesized signals of the optimized waveforms have much better pulse compression properties. Numerical results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the waveform optimization method.


In this article we have revealed the essence of the problem of ensuring food security in detail. The components of economic safety at macroeconomic level are described, defining conditions of ensuring national food security are shown


In order to identify the critical issues in designing high field conductors of oxide superconductors, the magnetic stability of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x has been analyzed assuming two sets of the operation temperature and the critical current density, 77K, 1×109A/m2 and 20K, 1×1010A/m2. The dynamic stability criterion gives more stringent condition on the allowable maximum size of the superconductor compared with the adiabatic stability criterion. The thickness of tape or the wire radius should be less than 0.3mm at 77K and 0.1mm at 20K. The dynamic stability further requires that superconducting tape or wire is embedded in a normal metal with low electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity.


This article has been dedicated to the use of the SOLO (Observed Learning Structure) model created by Biggs and Collis to enhance student activity , the selection of resources, the use of conceptual comprehension, and to observe the development of students' cognitive activity in biology classes. For this purpose , pupils of 8th "b" and 8th "c" grades (only 56 students) of school № 170 in Sabunchu district of Baku were involved in the research. In the 8-b class, the biology teacher used learning goals , success criteria, and degree of complexity (using the SOLO taxonomy) while preparing each section and course. The tasks and learning goals that the teacher used to illustrate specific topics has been listed in the article. According to taxonomy, the questions and tasks used in the lesson were developed on four levels called "simple concepts", "systematic concepts", "integration" and "abstract thinking". The first two levels relate to deeper comprehension, and the next two levels to deeper learning. In the 8th grade, SOLO taxonomy was not used in teaching the same subjects at all. After the teaching of all the subjects covered by the experiment, the results of the diagnostic tests of pupils 8b and 8c and students' performance were compared. Achievement rates for Grade 8b students applying SOLO taxonomy are 39% higher than that of other students. The results obtained after the application of SOLO taxonomy during the experiment can be referred to the great progress in training based on Pofem training. As a result of systematic and accurate application of SOLO taxonomy it is possible to increase students' cognitive activity and to develop their conceptual comprehension.


Design can be integrated with technology,while can't be separated from estheticism,for its ultimate goal is to bring people a good total experience.What is the foothold of its innovation,and what is the difference between it and pure arts and crafts? All these questions can only be answered after a deep analysis and conscious practice on design base.We try to keep up with the times and attach importance to horizontal learning,while those activities only play the role of packaging the essence of design.This thesis emphasizes on the author's under standing of design-based research of the artistic design,and intends to inspire the confidence of peers in attaching importance to the infras tructure of this academic system construction.


A construction of a gravity dual to a physical gauge theory requires confronting data. We establish a proof-of-concept for precision holography, i.e., the explicit reconstruction of the dual background metric functions directly from the entanglement entropy (EE) of strip subregions that we extract from pure glue Yang-Mills theory discretized on a lattice. Our main focus is on a three-dimensional Euclidean SU(2) theory in the deconfining phase. We find that the dependencies of the EE on the strip width come with fractional power laws, behaviors innate to a geometry induced by a stack of D2-branes. Holographic EE further suggests, and we find evidence for, that the scaling of the thermal entropy with temperature is to power 7/3 and that it approaches smoothly the critical point, consistent with black hole thermodynamics and that the theory belongs in the same universality class as the two-dimensional critical Ising model, respectively. In addition, we provide frugal results on the potential between quenched quarks by the computation of the Polyakov loop correlators on the lattice. Holographic arguments pique curiosity in the substratum of Debye screening at strong coupling.


domestic behaviors. Readers interested in Mr. McKeon's view of Nancy Armstrong's Desire and Domestic Fiction will have to formulate an answer on their own, since the latter is summarily and surprisingly dismissed in a footnote (''not supported by the evidence''). But in a work so unified and already so compendious, seeking more in the way of explicit commentary on either Eagleton or Armstrong may be rather like Pope's Quixote objecting to the dramatist's omission of a battle from a play about his adventures: ''Knights, squires, and steeds, must enter on the stage.'' / So vast a throng the stage can ne'er contain. / ''Then build a new, or act it in a plain'' (Essay on Criticism II.282–284). I will trace one vector of the argument to observe how the volume's three parts work in concert. Mr. McKeon links the rise in clandestine marriage to a concomitant widespread rendering of fathers as ''tyrants,'' whose ''interested'' disapprobation of the secret marriage inscribes the figure of the self-interested monarch within the private family. Marriages for love respond to the needs of the ''private'' individual just as the family itself sought freedom of religion from the state. During this same period, however, the family increasingly is used to explain how the state works. An insightful reading of Behn's Love-Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister shows that the secret history lodges public figures in private contexts even as those private contexts come to take on a significance of their own. Along with others, this line of argument pertains to gender differentiation and the evolution of market economies. The Secret History in fact offers multiple, overlapping, and reinforcing argumentative strands that will be given selective priority by the reader based on an initial point of reference or interest. As those familiar with his Origins of the English Novel will not be surprised to learn, reading Mr. McKeon's prose sometimes proves challenging. To help orient the reader, one-hundred-plus pages of footnotes provide more pointed commentary on current criticism, though, given the study's length, an independent bibliography would be helpful, as combing through the notes for initial citations is taxing. While this abstract review of a work largely abstract in its considerations is aided by a handful of examples, what defines The Secret History is its elegant weaving of thousands of facts, prints, quotations, dates, events, characters, into a theoretical framework that can only be disentangled from this mass of evidence at the expense of the dialectic itself, at the expense of freezing what can only be described as Mr. McKeon's dazzling motional thought. Dwight Codr University of Connecticut, Storrs


Abstract. Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy coupled with near-edge X-ray
absorption and fine structure (STXM-NEXAFS) spectroscopy can be used to
characterize the morphology and composition of aerosol particles. Here, two
inorganic ∕ organic systems are used to validate the calculation of
organic volume fraction (OVF) and determine the level of associated error by
using carbon K-edge STXM data at 278, 285.4, 288.6, and 320 eV. Using the
mixture of sodium chloride and sucrose as one system and ammonium sulfate and
sucrose as another, three solutions were made with 10:1, 1:1, and 1:10
mass ratios (inorganic to organic). The OVFs of the organic-rich aerosols of
both systems deviated from the bulk OVF by less than 1%, while the
inorganic-rich aerosols deviated by approximately 1 %. Aerosols from the
equal mass mixture deviated more (about 4 %) due to thick inorganic
regions exceeding the linear range of Beer's law. These calculations were
performed after checking the data for poor image alignment, defocusing issues, and
particles too thick to be analyzed. The potential for systematic error in the
OVF calculation was also tested by assuming the incorrect composition. There
is a small (about 0.5 %) OVF difference if the organic is erroneously
assumed to be adipic acid rather than the known organic, sucrose. A much
larger difference (up to 25 %) is seen if sodium chloride is assumed
instead of ammonium sulfate. These results show that the OVF calculations are
fairly insensitive to the organic while being much more sensitive to the
choice of inorganic.


A decrease in imported cases of malaria has been registered at the Meldingssystem for smittsomme sykdommer (MSIS, Norway's surveillance system for communicable diseases) since 1997 (table 1) (1). The 77 cases reported in 2001, equivalent to an incidence of 1.7 per 100 000 population, are a 28% reduction in number compared with the situation five years earlier (table 1).


Warfarin is effective in reducing risks for primary and secondary thromboembolic events [1,2]; however, the medication requires continuous monitoring for drug–drug interactions, food–drug interactions and therapeutic assessment. Inappropriate monitoring of oral anticoagulants can be inimical to patient health, leading to side effects such as bleeding episodes as high as 10–16% and treatment failures such as stroke, deep vein and arterial thrombosis, and myocardial infarction [3]. Given the potential risks associated with anticoagulant use, the Food and Drug Administration directed attention to the importance of warfarin monitoring with a black box warning issued for warfarin in October 2006 stating that 'regular monitoring of INR should be performed on all treated patients [4]'. To improve monitoring, an anticoagulation clinic was established according to American College of Chest Physicians guidelines that specifically encouraged a concerted effort in the coordination of patient care, international normalized ratio (INR) testing, tracking, follow-up and patient education [5]. Besides the need to determine clinical effectiveness, more information was needed to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-managed anticoagulation monitoring on patients in a clinical setting where pharmacists have direct patient contact and access to doctors, nurses and other professionals responsible for patient care. The purpose of this study was to compare patient anticoagulation monitoring by pharmacists with usual care provided by cardiologists in an outpatient setting. Methods


Various types of non-rice food in Indonesia can be used produced analog rice, which is more nutritious than rice to support diversification programs in Indonesia. Taro flour and breadfruit flour are local carbohydrate sources that can be processed into analog rice. To improve the attractiveness of analog rice and enrich its nutritional content, natural food dyes are usually added. Binders are also used to modify the texture and cohesiveness of analog rice. The aimed of this research to determine the proximate properties of analog rice made from taro and breadfruit flours with addition of natural dyes and binders. This study tested three variables namely: the type of flour (taro and breadfruit), type of dye (beetroot and butterfly pea flower), and type of binder (CMC and carrageenan). The results showed that analog rice had an average water content of 3.25%, ash content of 2.72%, protein content of 7.66%, fat content of 2.00%, and carbohydrate content of 82.64%. The best formula was analog rice prepared from a combination of breadfruit flour, beetroot, and CMC with moisture, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrate contents of 3.17%, 2.96%, 1.41%, 8.17%, and 82.65%, respectively. Based on the results obtained, the carbohydrate source of taro and breadfruit flour with the addition of natural dyes of beetroot and butterfly pea flower, as well as using CMC and carrageenan can produce analog rice that has good nutritional content (proximate properties).


The objective of this study was to determine whether having a Type 2 diabetes (T2D) family history is significantly associated with protective nutrition behaviors. Data were collected via web-based survey from undergraduate students (18 or older, n=905). Fruits and vegetables consumption and use of posted caloric information were outcome variables and demographic and family history statuses were predictor variables. Poisson and linear regression analyses were used to model all results. Participants with a positive T2D family history were (48.8%; n=441) and those without were (51.2%; n=462). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, there was no statistically significant relationship between T2D family history status and fruit consumption behavior (β =0.036, p=0.280) or vegetable consumption (β = 0.047, p=0.157). However, college students who have a family history of T2D were more conscious about calorie information when ordering/buying food (RR = 0.873, p<0.05). Health educators are tasked to include family history status as a component of T2D intervention procedures as this group is at higher risk for developing T2D.


Space is open for business, and some entrepreneurs plan to make the final frontier into a manufacturing hub. There's plenty of real estate. But it takes a few thousand dollars to launch a kilogram of stuff into space.


A mass spectrometer for high‐pressure ion–molecule reaction studies was constructed using a pulsed 4‐keV electron beam and pulsed "gate‐open" mass‐spectrometer detection. The ions drift out of the field‐free ion source by diffusion and mass flow. Pressures up to 10 torr can be used and the ion reaction times can be as long as several hundred microseconds. The system is specially suited for study of reactions with very small rate constants, long reaction sequences, and reactions dependent on third‐body deactivation. Also when reverse reactions are operative the establishment of the equilibrium can be directly followed. The thermal rate constants for the reactions of Kr+ with CH4, and CH4+ and CH3+ with CH4, were measured. The reaction of O2+ with O2 to form O4+ is found to be third order, proceeding with a rate constant K = 2.8 × 10−30cm6molecules−2·sec−1 at 298°K. The activation energy for the reaction is negative and equal to 1–2 kcal/mole. The equilibrium constants for the reaction O2+ + 202⇄O4 + +O2 we...


THE ILLUSION that low-tar brands are safer than regular cigarettes is all smoke and mirrors. A new population-based study has confirmed laboratory evidence that tar and nicotine levels do not predict smokers' exposure to carbon monoxide or the tobacco metabolite cotinine ( Am Rev Respir Dis . 1993;148:435-440). The Coalition on Smoking and Health is hoping the new evidence moves the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to acknowledge that the so-called low-yield cigarettes are being deceptively marketed as though they are less of a health hazard than regular cigarettes, and therefore are subject to regulation as drugs under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The tobacco industry insists that it does not promote low-yield brands as healthier. "The only health claims on any pack of cigarettes or any cigarette advertisements are those made by the Surgeon General's warning," says Phillip Morris spokesperson Sheila Banks-McKenzie. RJ Reynolds' public


The utilization of 13C TVA by the lactating dairy cow was investigated in Holstein cows (n = 3) through a bolus infusion into the abomasum of 1.5 g of transvaccenic-1-13C acid (TVA). Blood samples were taken at -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 h, and milk samples were taken at -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 h relative to TVA infusion. Milk and plasma lipid were extracted using chloroform:methanol. Plasma lipid was separated into triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol ester (CE), phospholipid (PL), free fatty acid (FFA), and monoand diacylglycerol (MDG) fractions. Lipid was methylated, converted to dimethyl disulfide and Diels-Alder adducts, and analyzed by GCMS. Enrichment was determined using a t-test for each sample time post infusion compared to samples taken at -24 h with significance declared at P < 0.05. Enrichment of 13C in TVA of milk fat was detected at 4 (3.0%), 8 (8.3%), 12 (4.1%), 16 (2.2%), and 20 h (0.8%). Enrichment was also detected in TVA for plasma TG, FFA, PL, and MDG. In plasma TG, TVA was enriched with 13C at 1 (21.2%), 1.5 (53.8%), 2 (45.1%), 3 (18.0%), and 4 h (5.7%) post infusion. Enrichment was detected in TVA at 1.5 (22.9%), 2 (21.1%), and 3 h (11.9%) in plasma FFA. TVA in plasma MDG was enriched only at 3 h (5.1%), however, plasma PL enrichment was detected from 2 h (0.5%) until 84 h (0.3%) with maximum enrichment detected at 8 h (2.7%). Enrichment of 13C in cis-9, trans-11 CLA, the desaturase product of TVA, in milk fat was detected at 4 (2.6%), 8 (6.6%), 12 (3.4%), 16 (1.7%), and 24 h (0.7%). Enrichment was not detected in CLA for any plasma lipid fraction. Conversion of dietary TVA to CLA endogenously was confirmed with almost all of the conversion occurring in the mammary gland.


Objectives: We hypothesized that serum heart fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) levels could be affected by hypertension in addition to renal impairment in patients on hemodialysis. The aim was to find out possible association between serum HFABP and hypertension in patients treated by hemodialysis. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 72 patients, both gender, age 18-78 years who were recruited from Clinic for Hemodialysis, University Clinical Center Sarajevo. According to Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative criteria for hypertension, patients were distributed into 2 groups: normotensive (HD-N) and hypertensive (HD-H) group. The cardiac biomarker HFABP was measured using ELISA kit Human FABP3 (Elabscience Biotechnology Co.,Ltd), on immunoanalyzer STAT FAX 2100, USA. The kidney functional biomarkers were measured spectrophotometrically using automated analyzer. Results: Serum HFABP level was lower in HD-H group (3.02(1.96-4.13) ng/mL) compared to serum HFABP in HD-N group (3.38(1.98-5.37) ng/mL)(p=0.359). Patients in HD-N group were older and treated by hemodialysis for a longer time than those in HD-H group (p<0.001 and p=0.029, respectively). Conclusion: Serum HFABP level in normotensive patients on hemodialysis is not significantly different compared to hypertensive patients suggesting that heart type fatty acid binding protein might not be significantly affected by hypertension in hemodialysis patients. Keywords: HFABP, hemodialysis, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk


A model using temporal‐envelope cues was previously developed to explain perceptual interference effects between amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (FM). As that model could not accurately predict FM sensitivity and the interference effects, temporal fine structure (TFS) cues were added to the model. Thus, following the initial stage of the model consisting of a linear filter bank simulating cochlear filtering, processing was split into an 'envelope path' based on envelope power cues and a 'TFS path' based on a measure of the distribution of time intervals between successive zero‐crossings. This yielded independent detectability indices for envelope and TFS cues, which were optimally combined to produce a single decision statistic. Independent internal noises in the envelope and TFS paths were adjusted to match the data. Simulations indicate that TFS cues are required to account for FM data for young normal‐hearing listeners and that TFS processing is impaired for both older normal‐hearing and hearing‐impaired listeners. The role of TFS was further assessed by relating the monaural FM sensitivity to measures of interaural phase difference, commonly assumed to rely on binaural TFS sensitivity. The model demonstrates that binaural TFS sensitivity is considerably lower than monaural TFS sensitivity. Similar to FM thresholds, interaural phase difference sensitivity declined with age and hearing loss, although higher degradations were observed in binaural temporal processing compared to monaural processing. Overall, this model provides a novel tool to explore the mechanisms involved in FM processing in the normal auditory system and the degradations in FM sensitivity with ageing and hearing loss.


1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Research Division of Immunology, 2Department of Surgery, 3Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, 4Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; 5Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA Introduction: Constitutive activation of NF-κB has been implicated as being contributive to cancer cell growth, drug resistance, and tumor recurrence in many cancers including breast cancer. Activation of NF-κB leads to nuclear translocation of RelA, a critical component of the NF-κB transcription factor complex, which subsequently binds to specific DNA sites and activates a multitude of genes involved in diverse cell functions. Studies show that triplenegative breast cancer (TNBC) cells possess constitutively active NF-κB and concomitantly have higher levels of nuclear localization of RelA than cytoplasmic RelA. This feature is considered to be associated with the response to chemotherapy. However, currently, there is no specific inhibitor to block nuclear translocation of RelA. Methods: A structure-based approach was used to develop a small-molecule inhibitor of RelA nuclear translocation. The interaction between this molecule and RelA was verified biophysically through isothermal titration calorimetry and microscale thermophoresis. TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 and a human TNBC xenograft model were used to verify in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the small molecule, respectively. Results: We found that the small molecule, CRL1101, bound specifically to RelA as indicated by the biophysical assays. Further, CRL1101 blocked RelA nuclear translocation in breast cancer cells in vitro, and markedly reduced breast tumor growth in a triple-negative breast cancer xenograft model. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that CRL1101 may lead to new NF-κB-targeted therapeutics for TNBC. Further, blocking of nuclear translocation of shuttling transcription factors may be a useful general strategy in cancer drug development.


Increasing the eco‐efficiency of fishing fleets is currently a major target issue in the seafood sector. This objective has been influenced in recent years by soaring fuel prices, a fact particularly relevant to a sector whose vessels present high energy consumption rates. Efforts to minimize fuel consumption in fishing fleets result in economic benefits and also in important reductions regarding environmental impacts. In this article, we combine life cycle assessment (LCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to jointly discuss the operational and environmental performances of a set of multiple, similar entities.


Studies on Artificial Intelligence and its techniques have provided great results for the whole technology evolution in several areas. Techniques known as Neural Networks and Decision Trees have been improved by Boosting techniques such as Adaptive Boosting. This particular technique presents great growth prospects due to its potential, flexibility and simplicity to be implemented in different scenarios, such as image analysis for pattern recognition. A specific market that can greatly benefit from the technique of Boosting and particularly AdaBoost is the sensor market. The use of isolated sensors or multiple sensor systems working together in order to reach a common goal is increasingly common. Embedded systems consisting of sensors for analysis and decision-making are also increasingly common especially in cases in which some sort of pattern recognition is necessary. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to study and to develop some knowledge about the AdaBoost algorithm applied to sensors in order to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of its measurements, both in isolated sensors and in complex systems with multiple sensors, without requiring any change in the sensor itself. The study also approaches how to implement the intelligent algorithm in an autonomous device composed by sensors and a microprocessor that contains an embedded classifier for pattern recognition. Accordingly, a case study was conducted using a system composed of microfabricated capacitive sensors, temperature sensors and fiber optical sensor with the purpose of analyzing the amount of automobile fuels, especially ethanol fuel. Seven experiments were performed in order to demonstrate the usefulness of this technique and they are presented in the study. Rates above 90% of correct classifications were obtained, which indicates the feasibility of using the algorithm for sensor calibration or sensor network calibration. Finally, a way to embed a trained classifier into a microprocessor was successfully developed, confirming that it is possible to develop embedded devices containing this technology.


It is shown that, at low temperatures up to the ambiant one, it is possible to replace the actual inexplicit distribution function of the fractional exclusion statistics by an equivalent explicit one whose form does not change with the parameter α. But this alternative simpler distribution function given by a generalization of Pauli exclusion principle from the level of the maximal occupation number is not completely equivalent to the distributions obtained from the level of state number counting of the fractional exclusion particles. PACS : 05.30.-d,05.30.Pr,05.20.-y The principle of the fractional exclusion statistics (FES) was for the first time proposed about 60 years ago by Gentile[1] who suggested an intermediate maximum occupation number changing from 1 (for fermions) to ∞ (for bosons). This idea was later recognized and developed in the study of anyons and quasi-particle excitations for some low dimensional systems relevant to fractional quantum Hall effect and to superconductivity[2]. Years ago, the study in this direction gets a new dimension by the consideration of the influence of interactions on the number d of one particle state[3, 4]. The starting point is the assumption[3] that the variation of the number of states di of a single particle energy level i is proportional


The standard quantization of spin 1 field in flat Robertson-Walker (RW) space-time is considered to evaluate the number of particles created in an expanding universe. The study is based on an improved form of the normal modes, previously determined, of the spin 1 field equation in flat RW space-time. A second system of normal modes is considered that is the time translated of the given one. The corresponding Bogolubov coefficients are calculated and the expectation value of the number of created particles calculated. The results are obtained for a general evolution of the cosmological background. They are exemplified for the linear, the exponential and the radiation dominated Standard Cosmology expansion laws. In all cases particle production is non zero. A detailed study is done in all cases for large time. In case of the exponential expansion the number of the created particle remains very small for long time. The creation of particle is possible if the mass of the particle of the field and the Hubble constant satisfy 2m0 >H ,a condition widely satisfied by the experimental data.


To study the characteristics of radio frequency (RF) power coupling, RF plasma diagnostics, actively cooled tube, and negative ion production, a plasma source was designed as a small-scale test facility. The matching network was carefully designed and successfully applied to the 2-MHz RF plasma source. In this article, the design method of the matching unit will be presented; with the assistance of this matching unit, the RF plasma source was successfully lit and the reflected power was reduced to a very low level. A $V\!\!-\!\!I$ probe was installed in front of or in the rear of the matching network, respectively, to in situ measure the RF voltage, current, and phase angle. The equivalent resistance of the RF plasma source was analyzed in detail. The RF power coupling efficiency was derived in two different methods, and the relationship between the coupling efficiency and the equivalent resistance of the plasma source is verified. At the same time, the equivalent resistance of the plasma source was also collected to optimize the matching unit.


Abstract The Danish Research Council launched a research programme to examine the influence of urbanization, agriculture, and forestry on cultural heritage in agrarian/traditional landscapes. This article is one part of this programme and deals with amber artefacts found in aerobic soils. Amber was chosen as a material because it is present in all prehistoric periods in Denmark and it is known to have a unique deterioration pattern. The Danish county of Sønderjylland (North Slesvig) was chosen as a case study and every amber find from the Stone Age to Iron Age was examined microscopically and macroscopically: in total 433 objects. The conclusion shows that the only degradation factor is oxidation. No other factors were found to affect the degradation pattern, and the soil conditions do not seem to have had any influence.


We discuss the relative merits of using UV and H_alpha as star formation indicators from galaxy surveys. In particular, comparing UV and H_alpha in the CFRS gives a limit of a factor 2.5 for the UV(2800 Angs.) flux extinction from dust, using the conversion factors of Madau et al. 1998 (Salpeter IMF, 0.1-125 solar mass). Our strong correlation between B and H_alpha luminosities argues for a universal IMF slope. The H_alpha luminosity function at z = 0.2 shows a faint end slope of alpha = -1.35, which is consistent with fading of short bursts of star formation. We also discuss the contribution of AGN to UV and H_alpha luminosities.


As regards "discourse" and "discourse analysis",scholars in academic circle tend to more or less disagree with each other,and thus put forward different definitions and standpoints.The author of this paper makes an exemplification of this phenomenon and then comes up with his own evaluations and judgments.


The paper attempts to identify the characteristics of the institutional organization of the system to support the development of innovative clusters at the level of implementation of the regional cluster programs. The example of the development of clusters and the main theoretical possibilities of their impact on the innovation capacity of the Omsk region. Formulated especially cluster development as a mechanism for accelerating the development of regional innovation and influence cross-border cooperation in the development of the regional economy. The conditions for the development of regional clusters in Russia, which is one of the conditions for improving the competitiveness of the domestic economy and the intensification of the mechanisms of public-private partnerships. The purpose of the implementation of cluster policy in achieving high rates of economic growth and diver-sification of the economy based on the competitiveness of enterprises, forming a territorial-industrial clusters. Generalized theoretical experience of clustering with the influence of the institutional environment and the sub-sequent application in the emerging industrial and innovation clusters.


Background and objective: : The human body has an internal clock that regulates when we sleep. All humans have a 24-hour cycle of wakefulness and sleep that this cycle is called circadian rhythm. The shift work is expressed as working in hours outside of the regular time. The shift work can be considered as a factor that makes disruption in the 24-hour cycle. In this study due to the sensitivity of work at the airport, especially work in the airport control tower, our purpose is to examine risks related with work shift and also employees' sexual function and hormones release such as LH, FSH, PRL and TSH. Material Methods: The subjects in this project were comprised 40 employees in Ahvaz airport. The Lkb-Wallac CliniGamma1272 was used to analyze the plasma FSH and LH. As well as Lkb-Wallac CliniGamma1272 was used to measurement the levels of PRL and TSH. Results: The outcomes of present study are reported for 40 staffs in Ahvaz airport. The current data showed that there was no significant difference in the levels of LH and PRL between night time workers and day time employees (p>0.05). But there were significant differences in the FSH level between two groups (p=0.04) and there was a marginal increase in the TSH levels in the work shift group (p=0.07). Conclusion: The outcomes related to this project show that work shift might be has an effect on TSH secretion. However these data do not support the association between work shift and levels of LH, PRL and FSH.


Islamic banks in Indonesia are very vulnerable to the instability of their business processes because of their small market share. Moreover, based on their financial performances, Islamic banks are worse than those of conventional banks due to lower profits (ROA) and higher Non-performing financing (NPF).  Our study investigates the stability of Islamic banks. We measure the stability using Z-score and NPF. Instead of an individual bank, the study applies an aggregate data of Islamic banks encompassing Islamic commercial banks along with Islamic business units. Monthly time series data, covering January 2010 to December 2018 are selected. We apply the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The findings document that the Islamic bank's specific variables affecting stability are size, CAR, and efficiency. The larger size and CAR support the Islamic bank's stability. Lower efficiency increases the Islamic bank's instability. Meanwhile, Inflation and exchange rates affect the Islamic bank's stability. Economic downturns due to inflation and depreciation of rupiah increase the instability of Islamic banks. JEL Classification: G21, G24 How to Cite: Widarjono, A. (2020). Stability of Islamic banks in Indonesia: Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach. Jurnal Keuangan dan Perbankan, 24 (1), 40-52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/jkdp.v24i1.3932


By means of minimizing the L__2 norm distance function of two cubic non-uniform B-spline curves,herein proposed is a new approach of approximating by merging two adjacent cubic non-uniform B-spline curves into a single cubic non-uniform B-spline curve.Then the explicit formulas of control points of the merged curve are obtained which are expressed by the matrix form.Some examples are given to illustrate the effect of the presented method.It can be seen easily that the merged curve approximates the original curves well.


This paper aimed showing the concept of "business culture" case of German. According to specific culture of German society, the paper gave two categories, small and medium sized enterprises, large firms. The German business culture can be characterized as participatory, consensus-oriented, information-intensive. 4. Conclusion: The concept of a national business culture is meaningful. The German business culture can be characterised as participatory, consensus-oriented, information-intensive. Many changes have taken place in the recent past, this process of change of the German way of doing business will continue to change. The change is quite profound and fast in such companies which are exposed to international transactions, mainly foreign direct investments. Small enterprises with mainly local or regional focus will take longer.


WITH A CROOKED STICK: THE FILMS OF OSCAR MICHEAUX J. Ronald Green. Bloomington: Indiana UP, 2004,314 pp. With A Crooked Stick: The films of Oscar Micheaux is the second part of J. Ronald Green's two-book exploration of the complexities of Oscar Micheaux's life and work. The first part, Straight Lick The Cinema of Oscar Micheaux, was released in 2000 and provided an extensive overview of Oscar Micheaux's career as a writer and filmmaker. In With a Crooked Stick, Green offers an analytical breakdown of the fifteen films-Micheaux made almost forty-that are still in distribution. Mlcheaux worked as a filmmaker from the late teens through the forties, and he independently distributed his films to African American communities across the country, providing an alternative to Hollywood cinema at a time when glimpses into the lives of middle-class African Americans were extremely rare. Green's books shed light on Micheaux's important and often neglected filmmaking. With a Crooked Stick opens with a brief discussion of Micheaux's background and his outlook on racial and class politics. The opening chapter serves primarily as an introduction to Micheaux for readers who have not read Straight Lick. Although the discussion is informative, it is necessarily brief, and readers interested in a larger discussion on Micheaux should read Straight Lick as well, which presents in depth Green's discussion of class distinctions and how Micheaux's films reflected African American culture. With a Crooked Stick continues to explore the influence of Micheaux's background on his ideas regarding class and race, ideas central to his many films and his novels. Micheaux became a filmmaker as a result of his success as a novelist, and Green supplies a wonderful discussion connecting Micheaux's writing to his filmmaking. With a Crooked Stick provides an extensive breakdown and analysis of all fifteen Micheaux films that remain available. He discusses the motivations and influences as well as analyzes the production values, aesthetic, and techniques used in each film. As Green notes, Micheaux's career has often been overlooked due to the varying production values in his films. Green convincingly points out the motivation and sophistication behind Micheaux's decisions as a filmmaker. Green asserts that Micheaux was interested not only in racism but also in how class status affected the lives of African Americans. Micheaux's characters are often middle class, and Green develops a powerful argument regarding Micheaux's choice to portray the middle class. Many of his films preach the idea of racial uplift, of rising through the social classes and thereby defying racism; at the same time, they condemn many of the pitfalls of poverty and racism, such as gambling and drinking. After the opening chapter, Green treats the films in chronological order. He first provides a comprehensive summary of the plot, then he shows how each fits into his thesis on race and class by discussing the class position of the leading characters, while also referencing Micheaux's influences and inspirations. Green breaks down each film in terms shooting and editing, often providing a detailed shot-by-shot analysis. …


Carbon impurities are easily unintentionally incorporated into oxide dielectrics during growth. Carbon substituting on the cation site in these oxides leads to carrier-trapping levels within the band gap, which are detrimental for metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors. Here, the authors examine the role of C impurities in a range of wide-band-gap oxide dielectrics. The authors find that though the electrical character of the Ccation center depends on the valence of the host cation, these centers lead to charge-state transition levels that all fall roughly −3.5 eV below the vacuum level when the band structures of the dielectrics are put on an absolute energy scale. This level lies near the conduction-band minima of channel materials such as GaN, Si, and GaAs, indicating that C impurities may be a common source of carrier-trapping in oxide dielectrics.


The artificial neural networks (ANNs) ability to extract significant information from an initial set of data allows both an interpolation in the a priori defined points, as well as an extrapolation outside the range bordered by the extreme points of the training set. The main purpose of this paper is to establish how a viable ANN structure at a previous moment of time could be re-trained in an efficient manner in order to support modifications of the input-output function. To be able to fulfill our goal, we use an anterior memory, scaled with a certain convenient value. The evaluation of the computing effort involved in the retraining of an ANN shows us that a good choice for the scaling factor can substantially reduce the number of training cycles independent of the learning methods.


We estimate the regularity index of a set of fat points Z = m1P1 + · · · + msPs in three cases: all points P1, . . . , Ps are on two lines; Z consists at most five fat points; Z = m1P1 + · · · + Pn+3Pn+3 is non-degenerate in P.


INTRODUCTION Guru Nanak (1469-1539) laid the founda!on of Sikhi (Sikhism) in South Asia. This period (1469-1539) is the same as that of the Period of Renaissance covering, spanning between the 14th and 17th centuries and marking the transi!on from the Middle Ages to Modernity in Europe. During this !me scien!sts were challenging the medieval teachings and authority of the Church in Europe, and Guru Nanak was busy challenging the ancient mythology and rituals in which the peoples of South Asia were shackled to for centuries. However, a4er five centuries, if we examine the effect of the teachings of Guru Nanak on humanity in general and on the Sikhs in par!cular, it will not be difficult to come to the conclusion that what the Sikhs are doing today is exactly contrary to his philosophy. Sikhi founded by Guru Nanak has been interpolated, misinterpreted, and misrepresented stealthily and steadily a4er Guru Nanak (1539). Why is it so? This was done by some writers under the influence of Vedic and Vedanta philosophies or innocently by others due to lack of proper understanding of his bani. The word "bani" (Words) is used as singular as well as plural.


The low-temperature molar heat capacity of crystalline Mn-3(HEDTA)(2)center dot 10H(2)O was measured by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) for the first time. The thermodynamic parameters such as entropy and enthalpy relative to 298.15 K were calculated based on the above molar heat capacity data. The compound was characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR spectrum. Moreover, the thermal decomposition characteristics of Mn-3(HEDTA)(2)center dot 10H(2)O were investigated by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometer (TG-MS). The experimental result through TG measurement shows that a three-step mass loss process exists. H2O, CO2, NO, and NO2 were observed as products for oxidative degradation of Mn-3(HEDTA)(2)center dot 10H(2)O from the MS curves.


The general objective of this study was to investigate the effect of transformational and transactional leadership on job performance of manufacturing industry in Kuching, Sarawak. While researchers have discovered the relationship between transformational and transactional and job performance, the understanding of the effect of transformational and transactional leadership towards manufacturing industries in employees' job performance is scarce. thus, the present research is differs from the previous studies which will resulted in a better understanding on these relationships.


The purpose of this study is to draw attention to programs aimed at creating future statisticians at the secondary and tertiary education levels. Particular attention is paid to collaborations, partnerships with other organizations, outreach initiatives, and supporting mechanisms that have the potential to increase engagement and interest in statistics in an era of data science and data-driven innovations, as well as attract more people to the field of statistics. Providing future generations of statisticians with sufficient exposure to modern statistical analysis, computational and graphical tools, written and oral communication skills, and the ever-growing interdisciplinary application of statistics are all important activities in the development of the profession. Current curricula, pedagogical approaches, teaching materials, and assessment methods must also be re-thought in order to meet the needs of today's scientists, public institutions, industry, civil society, and policymakers in terms of the skills they require for effective interaction with one another.


Mechanism of cavitation is introduced. Rationality of cavitating number which is used to judge cavitation and describe cavitating degree of jet is discussed, and it is found that cavitating condition cannot be obtained from cavitating number. The prerequisite for cavitation is that there exists an area in which absolute pressure is lower than or equal to vaporization pressure. To cavitate jet in high pressure environment, special decompression measure must be undertaken. Problems of Rayleigh equations for calculating impulsion pressure under annihilation of cavity to explain the fact that cavitating jet is of greater power to break target object than common jet are analyzed. A new explanation is given that target surface pressure pulse from density changes of cavitating jet which contain cavity is the main factor for breaking target more effectively.


for ' velint' rests on a possible supposition of misunderstood contraction, and the word has in other authors the meaning here given to it, but the sentence so read seems on the whole somewhat weak and pointless. (12) In c. 39, 12, the insertion of ' audiendis ' derives some support from a blank space left in one MS. which seems generally to have been overlooked, and, with the slight change ' patronis ' for ' patronus,' gives good sense. As a sample of good discussion of a difficult point, attention may be drawn to the notes on the chronological difficulty in c. 17. It might perhaps be worth while to compare the slighter but somewhat similar difficulty of dates in Germ. 37, where ' sescentesimum et quadragesimum,' which does not look like a round number, is either to be so taken or as an inaccuracy for A.U.C. 641, and 'ducenti ferme ' has to stand for 210 years. If we add the slight errors of reckoning in Ann. 3, 31,1 ; 12, 25, 3 ; 14, 64, 1 (which it is difficult to take as all due to copyists), it would seem to show some tendency in the author to chronological inaccuracy. As a small point to alter in another edition, Draeger has been wrongly followed in giving ' proeliator' as a new word (see the reference in the note on c. 37, 32). Also it does not seem quite clear on what principle Dr. Peterson uses italics in the emendations of text, and it might be better to restrict them uniformly to cases in which words supposed to have dropped out are inserted. It is much to be hoped that this treatise, evidently (to judge from the number of recent editions) not unpopular in Germany, may be henceforth rescued from its most undeserved neglect in England. An abridged edition for schools would be needful to effect this object, and would probably cost Dr. Peterson little trouble in preparation.


This study aims to describe student responses and learning outcomes related to the re-implementation of face-to-face learning policies to overcome learning loss conditions. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative research with field research methods, namely collecting data directly from the research site. The sample in this study was 30 students at Madrasah Aliyah Plus Nurul Islam Sekarbela who represented each department (Science and Religion) from grades 10 to 12. The research data obtained consisted of two forms, namely student response data (using a questionnaire) and result from data student learning (using the student's final grade score average). Based on the problems and discussion, it can be seen that the student's response to the re-enactment of face-to-face learning in class is quite good when compared to using an online learning system (learning from home). This is also supported by student learning outcomes using the face-to-face learning system in madrasas that have a higher final average score than during the online learning process.


This paper focuses on earthquake consequences in buildings, analyzed in terms of architectural design choices. The Durrës earthquake of 11.26.2019 showed lot of damages of non-structural nature, in buildings of various ages, structural systems, and volumetric shapes. The object of the article is precisely the treatment of the variety of these "types of damages", which require to be carefully analyzed in order to understand the causes of which some of the consequences came from. The behavior of the building during the earthquake showed that the reasons for the damages were also related to the architect's choices and the corresponding conditions in the technical design codes. For example: the shape of the building, the regularity of the structure, seismic joints, cantilever volumes, parapets, stairs, doors etc. So, the purpose of the article is to highlight the damages that come as a result of those design factors, which directly involve the architect. The article does not undertake to limit the functional and aesthetic choices on buildings but emphasizes the importance of the early collaboration of the architect and structural engineer in seismic-prone areas, taking into account that construction works should be built at optimal cost, with the aim of minimizing such damages in the future.


We develop a dynamic political economy model in which investment in the state capacity to levy taxes and deter crime is a policy variable, and we study the evolution of state capacity when policy is chosen by an elite. We show that democratization in the sense of expansion of the elite leads to an increased investment in state capacity and to a reduction in illegal activities and has nonmonotonic effects on tax rates as it reduces the willingness of the elite to engage in particularistic spending but enhances its willingness to provide public goods. Depending on initial conditions, consensual political changes may lead either to democratization or to the entrenchment of an immovable elite.


Crosses between Gossypium arboreum (2n=26) and G. hirsutum (2n=52) give rise to viable hybrids only rarely and, in view of the economic potentialities of this cross, a clear understanding of the crossability barriers operating and of the methods of overcoming them is desirable. Detailed study has been reported of seed development in selfed arboreum and hirsutum, and in reciprocal crosses between them. The cross arboreum × hirsutum appears to faii due to some kind of physiological imbalance between the hybrid endosperm and the embryo, as the endosperm first degenerated round about the embryo. A majority of the mature seeds was empty but occasionally undifferentiated embryos were observed which never sprout, if sown directly. The cross hirsutum × arboreum failed due to the collapse of the maternal tissue, the hybrid endosperm growth being subnormal right from the beginning. Difficulties in nutrient supply perhaps affect the growth of the endosperm and cause the collapse of the integuments. Grafting prior to crossing improved the fruit setting by about 10-fold. An embryological study of the crosses grafted-arboreum × hirsutum and grafted-arboreum X grafted-hirsutum revealed that the endosperm survived upto 10 days. Later it underwent the same course of degeneration as in the normal cross. However a large number of hybrid seeds with underdeveloped embryos were obtained as a result of increased seed setting in crosses made in grafted plants The pollen from, the grafted plants did not influence the fruit setting and seed development


Plant-based waste generation occurs on a large scale in agriculture, processing, as well as distribution and retailing processes. In such cases, a large part of the waste is not used properly and also it can cause serious environmental problems if it is not managed in a rational way. Thus, plant-based wastes are rich in sugars, fats and phytochemicals, and a number of valuable compounds, including protein and lignocellulose. The assessment of rich compounds in food industry waste minimizes environmental problems and also increases the economic competitiveness of products in the agro-food industry. This research paper mainly discusses the different types of phases of biorefinery systems and the applications associated with these systems, and then presents the recent positive results in the food industry of plant-based wastes for the production of various value-added products. As a result, techno-economic, ecological and social evaluations are conducted around these prospective issues. From a statistical point of view, in the last ten years, research works directed to the general use of plant-based wastes in order to produce different types of products have increased. For the assessment of waste from the food industry, the complex processing of food waste through the combination of high technologies to produce products in mass form based on the principle of bioprocessing has the necessary advantages. In particular, it should be noted that plant-based wastes can be considered valuable resources for the regular production of biofuels and also chemicals. As a result, there is a great need for diversified economic, social and environmental analyzes for the biorefinery process in the future.


In this paper, the studies of research works related to Failure and Collapse of Buildings/Structures are reviewed. A model which researchers can use for selecting the journal for publishing their research work is proposed.


In this paper, the effects about the solubility product of microsolubility weak acid salt and dissoci- ation constant of weak acid to the solubility of it in pure water were studied, the ways of approximate calculation about solubility of microsolubility weak acid salt were discussed in three conditions.


On the evening of 18 April 2017, the world premiere of Chaya Czernowin's highly anticipated new opera, Infinite Now, was performed at Vlaamse Opera Ghent, Belgium. The ambience of the venue was buzzing, highly charged, electrical – a visceral state that seemed contextually appropriate for the lengthy 2.5-hour experience (without intermission) ahead. Programmed as part of the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen 2016–17 'Borderline' series, the set-up and contour of the pre-concert events became eerily symbolic: a large, grandiose, guarded door separated the rooms holding the press conference and pre-concert lecture, through which the composer would eventually pass toward the latter to conclude: '[t]he power to continue, that is what [the opera] is all about. It is not the power to be happy or to be sad. … It is much more morass, elemental and existential. The power to continue'. In an instant, the strong ring of emergency sirens then happened to pierce and penetrate from the world beyond – a rather poignant signal to declare the doors to the first performance officially open.


OBJECTIVE. Depression is a common co-morbidity of type 2 diabetes. However, the causality and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS. We applied bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causality between type 2 diabetes and self-reported depression. Using the UK biobank, we performed 1) GWAS, separately, and 2) multi-phenotype GWAS (MP-GWAS) of type 2 diabetes (cases=19,344, controls=463,641) and depression, using two depression definitions-clinically diagnosed major depressive disorder (MDD, cases=5,262, controls=86,275) and self-reported depressive symptoms (PHQ-9, n=153,079). The FinnGen study was used for replication for MDD (n=23,424) and type 2 diabetes (n=32,469). Based on the results, we analyzed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from public databases to identify target genes in relevant tissues. RESULTS. MR demonstrated a significant causal effect of depression on type 2 diabetes (OR=1.18[1.06-1.32], p=0.0024), but not in the reverse direction. GWAS of type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms did not identify any shared loci between them, whereas MP-GWAS identified seven shared loci mapped to TCF7L2, CDKAL1, IGF2BP2, SPRY2, CCND2-AS1, IRS1, CDKN2B-AS1. MDD did not yield genome-wide significant loci in either GWAS or MP-GWAS. We found that most MP-GWAS loci had an eQTL, including SNPs implicating the cell cycle gene CCND2 in pancreatic islets and brain, and key insulin signaling gene IRS1 in adipose tissue, suggesting a multi-tissue and pleiotropic underlying mechanism. CONCLUSION. Our study reveals the complexity in the depression-diabetes relationship and our results have important implications for a more efficient prevention of type 2 diabetes from early adulthood when depressive symptoms usually occur.


This study was undertaken to determine which of the two NO 3 - fluxes (influx or efflux) across plasma membranes of root cells is the target of those amino acids which have been shown to inhibit net NO 3 - uptake (Muller & Touraine 1992, Journal of Experimental Botany 43, 617-623). Parallel experiments were performed to measure either the time course of 15 NO 3 - release from roots of soybean seedlings previously labelled with this isotope into non-labelled solution, or the time course of 15 N accumulation from labelled 15 NO 3 - solution in non-labelled seedlings. Focusing on the fate of 15 NO 3 - in the cytoplasmic compartment, a model is developed to describe the time courses of the accumulation and release of tracer across the plasma membranes of root cells. Both time courses can be described by the sum of an exponential plus a linear term. In our material, the linear part of the accumulation time course is obscured by the NO 3 - fluxes exiting the cytoplasm, and the curve thus appears to be quasi-linear over several minutes. However, we show that the use of the net tracer accumulation rate during this time period as an estimate of NO 3 - influx does not provide accurate estimates of influx and efflux. By contrast, 15 NO 3 - efflux analysis permits calculation of the unidirectional fluxes across plasma membranes of root cells and the kinetic parameters of the cytoplasmic NO 3 - pool. Under our experimental conditions, efflux accounted for 30 to 50% of influx, and the cytoplasmic NO 3 - content was found to be in the 70-400 nmol g -1 fw range. Using this methodology, the effect of amino acid accumulation on unidirectional fluxes of nitrate was then examined. Pretreatments of the seedlings with an amino acid which has been shown to inhibit net NO 3 - uptake led to concomitant decreases in net accumulation rates of 15 NO 3 - and of reduced 15 N in roots and total 15 N in cotyledons. NO 3 - influx was markedly inhibited by these treatments, while NO 3 - efflux remained essentially unaffected, or even decreased. It is concluded that the target of the regulation of NO 3 - uptake by phloem-translocated amino acids is the influx system.


Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a powerful screening tool for cancer detection, capable of mapping vasculature, measuring blood oxygenation, and providing material specificity. For clinical applications such as in vivo skin imaging, PAI laser systems must be highly efficient in light delivery. Several types of material have been proposed for coupling light and sound from a laser to the tissue interface. One approach combines an US probe with an inline adapter using a photoacoustic prism/reflector filled with water, agarose gel or optically transparent rubber for coupling. However, this approach falls short due to suboptimal material properties (optical/acoustic), which may significantly degrade image quality (e.g., artifacts, lower signal-to-noise ratios, etc.). We propose the use of low acyl gellan gum as a novel photoacoustic coupling medium due to its low acoustic attenuation, high optical transparency, and gelling capabilities. To quantify gellan gum's benefits, we determined the acoustic attenuation, impedance, density, speed of sound, optical transmittance, and optical absorbance of gellan gum at 1.5 – 2.5% (w/w) and compared to agarose at 1.5% (w/w), Humimic Medical Gelatin #0, and diH20. From our data, we saw a decrease in photoacoustic signal loss of 0.35 ± 0.06 dB and 0.20 ± 0.06 dB per centimeter of gellan gum compared to agarose and Humimic #0, respectively. Furthermore, gellan gum had smaller acoustic attenuation coefficients at 0.64 ± 0.16 dB.cm−1.MHz−1 and 0.94 ± 0.16 dB.cm−1.MHz−1 less than agarose and Humimic #0. These results suggest that low acyl gellan gum should be implemented as a coupling medium for improved handheld PAI probes used for imaging skin and other clinical uses.


The present invention includes a low-salt pickles may composition and relates to a low-salt pickled method using the same, the low-salt pickles may composition salt 0.5 to 5.0% (w / v), the organic acid from 0.5 to 1.5% (v / v) and purified water. Be low salt pickled composition according to the invention it is possible to provide pickled foods with low salinity can prevent adult diseases such as high blood pressure, in particular, when used for the salting of Kimchi, and control over the kimchi fermentation, to raise the umami there is an effect.


INTRODUCTION Dissolution testing is an important tool to characterize the in vitro performance of dosage forms. It is not an absolute method; strictly speaking, equipment cannot be calibrated. Instead, from the perspective of a quality control (QC) laboratory, reliable instrument qualification is one of the most important requirements of cGMP. While harmonization efforts for qualification strategies of standard laboratory equipment lead, in most cases, to clear and undisputed approaches, the standardization of dissolution apparatus qualification procedures is still ongoing. The most common USP Apparatus 1 and 2 are used in pharmaceutical laboratories worldwide to perform quality control analyses either during the manufacturing process (PAT) or as part of release testing. Moreover, they are used to monitor formulations throughout pharmaceutical development. Drug candidate selection for clinical studies is based on differences attributed to manufacturing variables during a Quality by Design (QbD) oriented development, whereas the release of marketed products relies on the dissolution similarity of manufactured batches in comparison to the models described in the dossiers for registration. This underlines the need for reliable dissolution data. A study of the relevant rules and procedures reveals that dissolution apparatus qualification consists of two parts: a mechanical qualification and a performance test with a reference standard. In detail, the leading documents concerning dissolution apparatus qualification [e.g., United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) on the one hand and ASTM E2503-07 and FDA Guidance for Industry (1) on the other hand] do not advise identical procedures and specifications. Proposals were made for procedures to match the so-called "chemical" and "mechanical" qualification (2) but are still leaving some uncertainty at QC testing labs. In the past, harmonization efforts like ICH Q4B took effect and harmonized the respective chapters of the USP and the EP. One remaining difference is the EP nonmandatory recommendation of the use of a reference product that is sensitive to hydrodynamic conditions for performance testing, while USP requires the use of its reference tablet. This article describes the authors' strategy and observations when performing "mechanical" and "chemical" qualification of dissolution Apparatus 1 und 2 in a typical QC laboratory that has to follow both United States and European requirements.


A colorimeter in which the combined color of two solutions is used as the standard is required for some purposes. The best illustration is the colorimetric determination of pH without standard buffer mixtures, where the color of the indicator in the unknown solution is matched with the combined color of an acid solution and an alkaline solution of the same indicator. Knowing the ratio of the depths of the two color solutions of the same concentration or the ratio of the concentrations of the solutions of the same depth, the pH of the unknown solution which matches with that of the combination can be calculated by means of an equation derivable from the mass action law and the theory of indicators or by referring to a curve determined experimentally. Various devices have been used with more or less success for superimposing the colors by Bjerrum 1 , Barnett and Chapman, 2 Barnett and Barnett, 3 Gillespie, 4 , 5 and Myers. 6 But since the Duboscq-Pellin colorimeter is more widely used than any other type of colorimeter, on account of the excellent optical system it possesses, it seems desirable to modify this instrument so that it can be used for bicolorimetric as well as for monocolorimetric work. Such a modification would also avoid the unnecessary duplication of colorimeters. The modification here described consists essentially in placing on one side of the colorimeter above the original stage a new cup, which is carried on a new stage fitted with an independent rack, pinion and vernier. Thus while one side of the instrument remains unchanged the other is fitted with two cups, each with its own adjustment and vernier, the upper of which is an entirely new addition and requires a new slit in the brass back of the colorimeter.


Introduction. The article investigates modern conceptual approaches to investing in human capital in order to increase the competitiveness of the national economy. New scientific approaches to the sources and structure of investments into human capital in Ukraine are considered as well as the assessment of the returns from them. The dynamics of investment into human capital by Ukrainian enterprises are analyzed and the main constraints on investment growth are identified. It is also determined that at domestic enterprises the reduction of the budget expenditures is carried out primarily through the saving of personnel costs. In particular, the low level of investment by domestic enterprises in human capital is due to the following reasons: lack of available funds from enterprises; inefficient government incentive system for enterprises; misunderstanding by the leadership of the need for such measures. Also, the article analyzes the main achievements of developed countries in stimulating the growth of the competitiveness of the national economy. The study of conceptual approaches to investing in human capital provided the basis for the emergence of a new concept for the description of market processes based on an analysis of factors of the competitive ness growth in the national economy. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to determine the main features of investing in human capital, to identify problems and prospects for the development of Ukraine's human capital in modern conditions, and to assess t he state of investing in its reproduction and development. Results. Established that human capital is an important factor in ensuring the competitiveness of the national economy, which requires not only significant investment, but also the creation of effe ctive mechanisms for their distribution and control over their use. The positive experience of the developed countries in the field of the state policy of investing in human capital at both macro and micro level is formed, which should serve as a benchmark for the reform of Ukrainian economic policy, which should be aimed at ensuring the growth of a sufficient level of competitiveness of the national economy. Conclusions. Human capital constitutes a major part of the welfare of society and is the most valua ble productive resource, which is constantly updated, improved, evolves, acts as a powerful factor in economic and social progress. The 9 Стаття надійшла до редакції: 09.07.2018 Received: 09 July 2018 Електронне наукове фахове видання з економічних наук «Modern Economics», No10 (2018), 54-59 https://modecon.mnau.edu.ua | ISSN 2521-6392 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ 55 development of conceptual foundations for the formation of a socio-economic mechanism for the preservation of human capital in a crisis, the identification of innovative methods of investment in human capital and new opportunities for its effective use. For developed countries, human capital is an intensive economic resource, the most important factor in the formation of a high-tech, innovative economy. An indispensable condition for the development of human capital and its productive use is the high quality of education and science, innovative development of the economy, high social status of intellectual activity. Therefore, the condition for its effective use in the country is economic freedom, high responsibility, competitive quality of life and well-developed conditions for intellectual work. In a crisis, human capital is the fastest and most severely affected by the simultaneous deterioration of the conditions and its formation and implementation. Therefore, investing in human capital is absolutely necessary for the competitiveness growth of any national economy.


Work done by Mark Roe has helped to foster a re-examination of the origins of the paradigm American corporation, with its strong managers and widely dispersed shareholders. Roe has argued that the system of ownership and control which prevails in the United States was politically and historically contingent instead of being the product of market forces. This article builds upon Roe's work by discussing historical developments in the United Kingdom. Examining what occurred in Britain provides a unique opportunity to evaluate his theories because with respect to corporate governance arrangements, the UK has more in common with the US than does any other major industrial nation. Generally speaking, the British experience does not conform with Roe's politically oriented analysis. This paper was presented at the 1999 Tilburg Conference on Convergence and Diversity in Corporate Governance Regimes and Capital Markets.


ABSTRACT This study examines the effect of publicness on government control and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Based on the literature review, we develop hypotheses about how public servants' cognitions about publicness, government control, and OCBs are interrelated. To test our hypotheses, we collected data using surveys of both Korean and Japanese public subway companies. The findings indicate that the publicness of subway companies affects OCB within an organization, such as altruism, courteous behavior, sportsmanship, conscientious behavior, civic virtue, and preference for public interest. By using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, this study confirms that publicness influences OCB not only directly but also through government control. Studies on organizational publicness in Asian countries can provide policy implications for government control of public organizations and the promotion of OCB.


This article examines the use of conjunctions or setsuzokujoshi of  kara and node that mean reasons in Japanese. The subjects in this study were students of the Nippo class who were studying at LPK Japanese Language Management Center (JLMC). This research uses descriptive analysis method by collecting data from students to answer 6 questions about kara and node. The results showed that students understanding about use of kara and node was good enough, with a percentage 59%. Then based on the results of the item analysis, can be seen that the students made more mistakes in kara form than node form, with the error percentage in kara reach 62% and node 21%. The main cause of students lack of understanding about the differences of kara and node is the teacher who does not explain in detail the differences between kara and node. Besides that, learning material or book that students used there is no details explanation about different of kara and node.


Novel glycosyl donors 2d, 4d and 6d bearing an 'acetoxy methoxy' leaving group have been prepared and their utility is shown by coupling them with alcohols A-G to obtain di- and trisaccharides by use of BF3-Et2O as a promoter.


Reviews of Martin Pugh monograph 'The March of the Women: A Revisionist Analysis of the Campaign for Women's Suffrage, 1866–1914' and Patricia Greenwood's 'Connecting Links: The British and American Suffrage Movements, 1900–1914'


ABATRACT

Electrolytes are of great importance in cell metabolism because they are important cofactors or coenzymes needed for normal functioning of cells. The disturbances of these electrolytes result in changes of cell pH and acid base balance. In order to determine the electrolytes changes following feed and water deprivation in male rats, a total of ten (n=10) male albino rats weighing (152 ± 3.50)g housed in metallic cage were used for this study. The rats were deprived of feed and water consecutively for six days. On the third and sixth days blood samples were obtained for electrolytes studies in the plasma and in the erythrocytes. There were significant increases (P<0.05) in plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in comparison to the basal parameters while significant decreases (P<0.05) in erythrocytes sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations in comparison to the basal parameters were observed. It can be concluded that deprivation of male albino rats of food and water for six consecutive days resulted in perturbation, stress, dehydration and redistribution of electrolytes in various compartments of the cell


Of the methods available for estimating the parameters in von Bertalanify growth equalion, analytical method involves a series of computations and graphic mettal subject to some graphic errors. To avoid both the above factors, a new method known z& 'Misthod of Sums' is developed here which gives the quick estimate (A growth pArametei^ in growth equation.


Child marriage is often deployed as a response to crisis, considered by families and communities to be the best possible means of protecting children. Fear of rape and sexual violence, of unwanted pregnancies outside marriage, of family shame and dishonour, of homelessness and hunger or starvation were all reported by parents and children as legitimate reasons for child marriage in some localities.Poverty, weak legislative frameworks and enforcement, harmful traditional practices, gender discrimination and lack of alternative opportunities for girls (especially education) are all major drivers of child marriage. However this researchers finds in addition to the above mentioned that lack of political will coupled with multiplicities of laws accounts for non-apprehension and prosecution of offenders thereby allowing them to hide under religion and continue to perpetrate crime against humanity. This study is an attempt to fill the void and chart the way out into a brighter and not bleak future for the girl child using data in our content analysis. We hope that stakeholders most especially government and the National Assembly can rise to the challenge and harmonise all laws necessary to deter child marriage in Nigeria. Keyword: Child Marriage, Law.


The synthesis of the tetrapeptides Ala-Gly-Gly-His, Boc-Ala-Gly-Gly-His (Boc = t-butoxycarbonyl), Ala-Gly-Gly-His(π-bom)(π-bom =Nπ-benzoxymethyl), Ala-Gly-Gly-His-OMe, and Ala-Gly-Pro-His is reported, together with the results of a pH-metric and spectroscopic (absorption, c.d., and e.s.r.) study of their complexes with H+ and CuII. The work was designed to study the initial site of binding to CuII in peptides containing both a terminal amino nitrogen and a histidyl residue. Results show that the π-N of the imidazole ring of the histidyl residue is the primary anchoring site for copper(II) co-ordination, and that the next nitrogen to bond can be the terminal amino N, forming a macrocyclic chelate ring.


Different methods are available to estimate the wildlife population development. In this paper a method based on hunter surveys of a Spanish game preserve is proposed. A Poisson model is fitted to estimate the relationship between hunting success and other independent variables. In order to find the most appropriate model, a model selection procedure based on repeated cross validation is used to determine which explanatory variables describe the hunting success better in terms of prediction ability. The estimated model is successful in the case of the red legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). The model can be used for applying different management criteria in a game preserve. Some possibilities are demonstrated for particular scenarios.


Aim: Most episodes of Hepatic Encephalopathy ( HE ) in patients with chronic liver disease are due to a clinically apparent precipitating event. The purpose of the present study was to determine the clinical manifestations and the factors precipitating HE in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Cirrhotics admitted to the hospital emergency of an episode of encephalopathy ( n=20 ) were evaluated for the presence of precipitating factors such as infection ( including bacterial peritonitis), gastrointestinal hemorrhage, constipation, excess dietary protein, azotemia, hypokalemia, use of psychoactive drugs, dehydration, development of hepatoma and others. All patients were followed until hospital discharge or death. Results: All patients had at least one factor precipitating HE. The chief factor contributing to HE was infection ( 60%), such as urinary infection ( 35%), respiratory infection ( 20%) and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis ( 15% ). Conclusions: The most important therapy approach of HE is to identify the precipitating factors and to correct them vigorously. The data show that these events are very common and the early diagnosis of infection is important in these cases.


New procedures and software have been developed for geometric transformation of images to support digital cartography of the planets. The procedures involve the correction of spacecraft camera orientation of each image with the use of ground control and the transformation of each image to a Sinusoidal Equal-Area map projection with an algorithm which allows the number of transformation calculations to vary as the distortion varies within the image. When the distortion is low in an area of an image, few transformation computations are required, and most pixels can be interpolated. When distortion is extreme, the location of each pixel is computed. Mosaics are made of these images and stored as digital databases. Completed Sinusoidal databases may be used for digital analysis and registration with other spatial data. They may also be reproduced as published image maps by digitally transforming them to appropriate map projections.


Objective The aim of this study was to examine changes in dietary habits among males, females, single, and married Arab international students in the United States (US). The second aim was to examine differences in food consumption patterns and lifestyle behaviors among these groups. Methods A cross-sectional survey of eating habits before and after moving to the US, recruited Arab international college students (n=95, mean age 25.6±5.6 years old) who has been residing for ≥6 months, in Northeast Ohio (2010). Independent variables were gender and marital status, including 66 males (56% single) and (44% married) and 29 females (24% single) (76% married). A repeated-measures factorial (2X2) ANOVA, in addition to T-tests and Pearson's ChiSquare were performed to examine changes in dietary pattern and lifestyle behaviors by gender and marital status. Results After moving to the US Total Participants (TP) showed, daily food patterns significantly (p≤0.001) shifted towards having less traditional (2.17±1.02 to 1.05±0.77) and more westernized foods (0.85±0.94 to 1.3±0.861), associated with marital status (p≤0.001, p≤0.016, respectively). More than 60% of TP reported changes in their eating pattern. The TP number of meals significantly (p≤0.001) decreased (2.66±0.82 to 2.07±0.70), while the number of snacks significantly (p≤0.013) increased (1.57±0.97 to 1.87±1.25), associated with gender (p≤0.012). Approximately 44% of participants reported decrease of intakes from food groups. Married participants consumed more vegetables and fruit (p≤0.052), starches (p≤0.025), and fat/oils (p≤0.026) than single participants. Females' intakes from fat/oils and meat group were significantly higher (p≤0.018, p≤0.04, respectively) than males. Married and female participants maintained more traditional and diversified food choices and would cook/eat at home more compared to singles and males. Around 50% of respondents did not exercise; however married and female participants did report dieting. Exercise found to be related with gender (r=0.238, p≤0.05), whereas dieting was associated (p≤0.056) with marital status. Conclusion The participants of our study experienced significant shift in their diet, food choices, and eating pattern once relocating to the US. Maintaining balanced dietary intake from food groups, as well as healthier food choices must be taken into consideration regardless of mixing the diet of traditional and westernized.


The dependence of the melting temperature of Ti and TiAl nanoparticles on their diameter in vacuum and in Al matrix was studied by the method of molecular dynamics using EAM potentials of Zope and Mishin. Particles with a diameter of 2.5 to 12 nm were considered. The obtained values of the melting point are in good agreement with the approximation curves constructed on the basis that the decrease in the melting temperature is proportional to the ratio of the surface area of the particle to its volume. Wherein the values of the melting temperature of Ti and TiAl particles in the aluminum matrix turned out to be lower than those of particles in vacuum, which is explained by the smearing and disordering of the interface due to mutual diffusion. As the size of particles in vacuum and in aluminum increased, the values of their melting points tended to the same value, which is explained by the decrease in the role of the diffusion-blurred interface with an increase in the particle diameter. The particles began to melt from the surface. The velocity of movement of the melting front depended on temperature and increased with increasing temperature. In the case of particles in aluminum matrix, at temperatures close to the particle melting point, mutual diffusion was significantly accelerated due to melting of the particle boundary layer. Al atoms penetrating into the particle accelerated the movement of the melting front, rapidly occupying the next destroyed layer of the particle.


some "hunting takes on a competitive edge. . . . They strive for perfection. . . . [These individuals] compete with themselves—they want to improve over their past performance" (p. 114). Other motivations include ritual, tradition, getting close to nature, testing oneself, social bonding, entertainment, excitement, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance. Although most people no longer need to kill game for subsistence, hunting provides valued table fare that is important for symbolic reasons. Dizard states, "To hunt is to symbolically reenact living off the land, subsisting on what you can glean by hard work and the wits God gave you" (p. 91). He recounts the myriad problems sport hunting faces, including declining hunter numbers, anti-hunting sentiment, and loss of huntable land from habitat destruction and posting of private property. He also confronts commonly held perceptions and stereotypes found among nonhunters such as "Nice people don't hunt" (p. 58). In contrast to spectator "sports" that include passive activities such as bird-watching, Dizard points out that hunters are actively engaged participants. This is important, he claims, because something is lost when we fail to experience "the real thing—the exertion, the sweat, the aching muscles, and, yes, the dirty hands. . . . Direct engagement—dirty hands—teaches lessons that are not learned by remote control" (p. 204). Dizard firmly grounds the book in the existing literature on hunting, and has the advantage of writing as an active participant with extensive knowledge of the activity. In true ethnographic fashion, he recounts the experiences of those he interviewed in rich detail. He conjures up images of hunting that allow the contemplative reader to relive the hunting experience. Although he professes at the outset that his primary goal is to understand hunting's place in the contemporary world, not to defend it, he actually does a respectable job of endorsing and defending hunting. Stressing the importance of hunters to wildlife species today, Dizard states "As much as any group in our society, hunters have helped to elevate the stature of and regard for wildlife in large measure because they see themselves as active participants, locked in competition with their quarry, while at the same time promoting the welfare of the species" (p. 206). In an era dominated by research involving convoluted statistical manipulations of quantitative data, this book provides a refreshing change. Dizard delves into the "heart" of the matter and provides his readers with a "thick description" of hunting and hunters in contemporary society. Mortal Stakes extends the knowledge of why people hunt and what it means to them, and should be read by human dimensions researchers and practitioners with an interest in social change and the status of hunting in the United States.