The fractional q-calculus is the q-extension of the ordinary fractional calculus and dates back to early 20-th century. The theory of q-calculus operators are used in various areas of science such as ordinary fractional calculus, optimal control, q-difference and q-integral equations, and also in the geometric function theory of complex analysis. In this article, for the first time, we apply certain q-calculus operators to complex harmonic functions and obtain sharp coefficient bounds, distortion theorems and covering results.


Six Egyptian clover genotypes, i.e., Helaly, Sakha 4, Gemmeiza 1, Serw1, Giza6 and Sakha composite were used in this study. Data was calculated on four cuts and seasonal yield for fresh and dry forage yield. The results indicated that the mean square values were highly significant for genotypes for all studied traits. Helaly cultivar gave the highest values in four cuts and seasonal yield for fresh forage yield. High heritability values were recorded for all studied traits except 1st fresh yield which recorded moderate value. Phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) in all cuts and seasonal yields. Genetic variations among the six Egyptian clover cultivars were evaluated using universal rice primers (URP) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. URP fingerprinting detected more polymorphic loci (90%) than the ISSR fingerprinting (77.55%). Mean PIC (polymorphism information content) and band informativness (Ib) for each of these marker systems were (0.21, 0.26 for ISSR and 0.32, 0.46 for URP) respectively, suggested that URP marker systems were effective than ISSR in determining polymorphisms. Pairwise similarity index values ranged from 0.37 to 0.72 for ISSR, 0.23 to 0.62 for URP and 0.29 to 0.65 for combined ISSRs and URP indicated the genetic distinctness among the studied genotypes.


Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding on the use of web sites for creating value in industrial buyer‐seller relationships.Design/methodology/approach – Through an extensive yet not exhaustive review of previous studies on business‐to‐business (B2B) web site development, the extranet level of a conceptual model (the I‐E‐I framework) is tested in an industrial setting in Sweden. Using four research questions as a guide, a qualitative, case study approach is followed in order to uncover both the industrial sellers' and buyers' perspectives on the true value of an industrial extranet.Findings – The findings show that, for true value to be created at this level, both the seller and the buyer must not only take value out, but also put it in. Value in this setting focuses on information as the heart of true value creation, and the view that the extranet can indeed be considered the "super‐glue" of such seller‐buyer relationships.Research limitations/implications – Although the ...


Purpose: To evaluate the changes in choroidal thickness and superficial vascular density of the macula and optic disc using optical coherence tomography angiography after laser photocoagulation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 25 eyes of diabetic retinopathy patients who underwent panretinal photocoagulation. The macula and optic disc were divided into nine areas, and the vascular density of each area was quantitatively measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. The changes in vascular density and choroidal thickness were analyzed before laser photocoagulation and at 1 week after, 1 month after, and 3 months after treatment. Results: In the panretinal photocoagulation group, the average vascular densities of the macula were 13.5 ± 3.6 mm before treatment, and 14.7 ± 3.1 mm after 1 week, 13.7 ± 2.6 mm after 1 month, and 12.8 ± 3.8 mm after 3 months of treatment. The average vascular densities of the optic disc were 14.7 ± 5.2 mm before treatment, and 14.1 ± 4.7 mm after 1 week, 14.8 ± 5.3 mm after 1 month, and 15.0 ± 4.7 mm after 3 months of treatment. The average subfoveal choroidal thicknesses were 327.5 ± 57.9 μm before treatment, and 334.4 ± 52.5 μm after 1 week, 291.2 ± 52.9 μm after 1 month, and 286.3 ± 44.4 μm after 3 months of treatment. Conclusions: The vascular density of the macula increased temporarily after 1 week of treatment but decreased afterwards. The vascular density of the optic disc decreased after 1 week of laser treatment but increased over time. The subfoveal choroidal thickness increased after 1 week of laser treatment but decreased afterwards. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2019;60(11):1050-1057


The paper concentrates on reviewing results of studies that address the influence exerted by climate change in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions on local population health, ecological situation and ongoing sanitary-epidemiological processes. The systemic review includes research articles available in PubMed (maintained by The United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health), Scopus (the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature), WoS (the abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature) and BVS (Virtual Health Library) that were published over the period from 1960 to 2021. The review covers pressing environmental, sanitary-hygienic and social issues and identifies priority risk factors for public health and wildlife. Global pollution and communicable diseases are shown to pose threats for indigenous people living in the Arctic. These threats are likely to be greater than those faced by populations living elsewhere in the world. We suggest certain solutions to the existing issues. Our conclusion is that climate is changing faster in the Arctic than anywhere else on the planet. Global pollution and communicable diseases pose threats for public health, including the health of indigenous people living in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. It is necessary to intensify cooperation among different states to reduce external influences on the Arctic environment and to maintain public health.


One of the most employed methods to label the 3' ends of double stranded DNA fragments generated by restriction cutting is the use of the Klenow fragment of the E. coli DNA Polymerase I (PolIK). It is accepted (1-3) that the method has two main advantages: i) it yields a high efficiency of labelling, and ii) labelling can be performed immediately after digestion with the desired restriction enzyme, which does not need to be removed or inactivated (3). We show here that the second point may not be necessarily correct, as observed while purifying DNA fragments labelled with PolIK. In the Figure, lanes 1 and 2 depict the label incorporated into two fragments resulting from digestion of a plasmid DNA with ApaLI followed by labelling with PolIK and digestion with PstI. In lane 1, the ApaLI enzyme was inactivated by heating (65°C, 15 min), before treatment with PolIK and PstI. The fragment of 602 bp shows an intensity about 3 times higher than the band of 297 bp. In lane 2, the DNA was phenol-extracted and ethanol-precipitated after digestion with AspLI, followed by the labelling and second digestion: both bands show similar label. In another experiment, the same DNA was digested with Hinfl, heated (65°C, 15 min) and labelled with PolIK, 32P-dATP and 32P-dTTP: the radioactivity in bands of 855 and 213 bp is lower than in the rest (lane 3). To know if one of the strands was being preferentially labelled (or discriminated), the 213-bp band (having the sequence 5'-G/AATC3' in both ends) was cut from the gel and purified. After denaturation (92°C, 5 min, in 30% dimethyl sulfoxide), the strands were separated on a 2 mm-thick 8% polyacrylamide sequencing gel (4), and the strands identified as described (5). One strand (in this case, the plasmid coding strand) was preferentially labelled (lane 4). The radioactivity in the coding (C) strand was about five times higher than that of the noncoding strand (NC). When the same samples were treated with phenol and ethanol-precipitated (after digestion with Hinfl), labelling of all the restriction fragments was uniform (lane 5), and both strands of the 213 bp fragment were equally labelled (lane 6). It seems that the restriction enzymes used were able to remain bound to the DNA (even after heating), hindering the correct activity of the PolIK. Phenol treatment of the samples avoided the problem, which can be of importance if the strand to work with were the noncoding strand.


There are surely some dozens of young Spaniards who, submerged in the obscure depths of provincial existence, live in a perpetual and tacit irritation with the atmosphere around them. I can almost see them, in the corner of some social hall, silent, with embittered gaze and hostile mien, withdrawn into themselves like little tigers awaiting the moment for their vengeful, predatory leap. That corner and that frayed plush divan are like the solitary crag where the shipwrecked of monotony, of utter banality, of the abjection and emptiness of Spanish life, hope for better times. Not far away, playing their card games, making their petty politics, plotting their minimal business ventures, are the "life forces" of the community, these men who contrive this ominous moment in our national life.


Learning is a unit consisting of various factors that support each other. In learning Arabic, it is not only teacher factors and Arabic language material that must be considered, students as second language learners also need attention for the success of learning. The purpose of this article was to describe the role of psycholinguistics in learning Arabic for non-native speakers. Researchers used literature review to extract data from various sources. From the data obtained, it was known that the role of psycholinguistics in learning Arabic makes teachers able to understand the processes that occur in students when they listen, speak, read, or write. Psycholinguistics as an applied science between psychology and linguistics can be used to understand the behavior of second language learners, language acquisition, and language production and the processes that occur in it.


Like many high-poverty middle schools, Oakland's Elmhurst Community Prep is trying to reach students who are academically all over the map. One-third of the students are working at grade level in reading and math, says Principal Kilian Betlach. Another third are one to two years behind. The remaining third are three or four years behind--or more. "You can't teach them by aiming for the middle and providing these little supports," says Betlach. Differentiation--teaching students at very different levels of achievement in the same class--is "the greatest challenge facing America's schools today," writes Michael PetriIli (see "All Together Now?" features, Winter 2011). "Teachers are told to sprinkle your differentiation fairy dust," says Betlach. With 32 students in a class, and no aides, "it's not possible." What is possible? A foundation-funded experiment is testing whether "blended learning" can personalize instruction in eight Oakland schools. Blended learning combines brick-and-mortar schooling with online education "with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace" of learning, according to the Clayton Christensen Institute definition of the term. The Rogers Family Foundation, created in 2003 by T. Gary and Kathleen Rogers, launched a blended-learning pilot in four Oakland Unified schools, including Elmhurst, in fall 2012. Two more district schools and two charters were added in 2013. The foundation focuses on improving Oakland's troubled schools and is funding the pilot with help from the Quest Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and others. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Urban schooling doesn't get much tougher than in Oakland. More than two-thirds of Oakland Unified School District students are Latino or African American; 80 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. One-third are English language learners (ELLs). Only half of disadvantaged 9th graders earn a high school diploma in four years. Pressured by community groups, the district created small, autonomous, quasi-charter schools like Elmhurst starting in 2001. Scores began rising but remain low. a Despite this bleak picture, Oakland schools do have one advantage as they attempt to transform through blended learning: nobody thinks the status quo is good enough. Blend and Rotate "Student control" over the pace of learning is on display in Will Short's Math 8 class at Elmhurst. Laptop users are working on Khan Academy quizzes geared to each student's skill level. At the front of the class, a display charts their "energy points," a measure that includes "on taskness" and the percentage of correct answers. Students receive instant feedback. Freed from whole-class instruction by the technology, Short has time to reteach concepts to individual students or small groups. Advanced students can move ahead. At Bret Harte Middle School, which joined the pilot in the second year, Chantel Parnell divides her 6th-grade math students into three groups. On a day in late October, some are using Khan Academy or Google Drive on Chromebooks, while another group is constructing box plots at their desks. The rest are sitting in a circle with the teacher. "Do you understand why you got this answer?" Parnell asks a student. At that moment, a girl in the Chromebook group raises her hand. A student walks over to help. Oakland schools can't afford aides in mainstream classrooms, so Parnell has asked students to volunteer to coach their classmates. Like Parnell, most pilot teachers use the "station rotation model. "Students move between computers, teacher-led discussions, and, sometimes, group projects or independent desk work. A few teachers use the PC lab. Some of Patricia Wong's students are working on adding and subtracting negative numbers. Wong explains 4 + (-5) to a boy. "Plus a minus is subtraction," she says. …


Propagation model plays a very important role in designing wireless communication systems. Current advances in semiconductor technology has made it possible to implant a network of bio-sensors inside the human body for health monitoring purposes [C. Furse, H.K. Lai, C. Estes, A. Mahadik, A. Duncan, 1999], [C. Furse, R. Mohan, A. Jakayar, S. Karidehal, B. McCleod, S. Going, 2001], [L. Schwiebert, S.K.S. Gupta, P.S.G. Auner, G. Abrams, R. Lezzi, P. McAlister, 2002]. For wireless communication inside the human body, the tissue medium acts as a channel through which the information is sent as electromagnetic (EM) radio frequency (RF) waves. A propagation model is necessary to determine the losses involved in the form of absorption of EM wave power by the tissue. Absorption of EM waves by the tissue body, which consists of mostly saline water, accounts for a major portion of the propagation loss. In this paper we present a propagation loss model (PMBA) for homogeneous tissue bodies. We have verified the model for the frequency range of our interest (900 MHz to 3 GHz) using a 3D EM simulation software, HFSS/spl trade/, and experimental measurements using saturated salt water.


Passive Tag Technology: Until recently it was normally not possible to read a passive, low frequency tag at speeds higher than 15-30 km per hour (in some cases up to 80 km/h) at a distance of 15-25 cm. Those restrictions made the use of passive tag technology uninteresting for traffic purposes. However, passive, low frequency tags do have many attractive general characteristics: (1) They require no battery support; (2) Do have read facilities or can have read/write capability; (3) They can have a memory capacity up to 4k/bit; (4) Require no line of sight, therefore they can be placed in asphalt, concrete etc.; and (5) The price is low compared to other tags. For the covering abstract see IRRD E102946.


Image segmentation has many applications which range from machine learning to medical diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a framework for the segmentation of images based on super-pixels and algorithms for community identification in graphs. The super-pixel pre-segmentation step reduces the number of nodes in the graph, rendering the method the ability to process large images. Moreover, community detection algorithms provide more accurate segmentation than traditional approaches, such as those based on spectral graph partition. We also compare our method with two algorithms: a) the graph-based approach by Felzenszwalb and Huttenlocher and b) the contour-based method by Arbelaez. Results have shown that our method provides more precise segmentation and is faster than both of them.


A general purpose gamma ray camera has been designed and tested by Monte Carlo simulation. The design uses long thin fingers of LSO to obtain good spatial resolution at gamma ray energies from 100 keV to 100 MeV. The simulation was validated by comparing it with measurements on individual LSO fingers measuring 4/spl times/4/spl times/10 mm and 4/spl times/4/spl times/75 mm. Depth-of-interaction encoding, required for light-loss compensation, is obtained by a simple modification of the reflective coating of the fingers.


Corporate social and environmental sustainability in organisations – The missing link! By Mrs R Mubanga, Human Resource Management Department, Midlands state University firstname.lastname@example.com Sustainability has become the focus of organisations and governments and there is a growing need for organisations to find new ways of doing business that take into consideration sustainability issues. The study was looking at the developments pertaining to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability and the initiatives that HR has put in place to support this way of doing business in Zimbabwean firms. Firms must focus on their impact on society and the environment in which they operate and ensure that they do not have a negative impact on the environment. This is important mainly because of climate change, regulations put in place by governments and the general demands for accountability in as far as environmental and social responsibility are concerned. If organisations are going to be successful in sustainability issues they should strive to incorporate as many people as they can in the organisation. It must be noted that Organisations engage in corporate social and environmental sustainability from a moral point of view, a rational point of view or an economic point of view. The view taken by the organisation will determine how the organisation will go about its activities in sustainability issues. It will determine the level at which sustainability issues will be handled and who will be involved. There is need to put more emphasis on creating awareness amongst employees on the benefits of sustainable development through various HR practices like recruitment, orientation, training and reward practices as various authors have written on these issues. The main goal of this paper was to establish existing link between social responsibility and HRM in firms. To achieve that the paper aimed at establishing the role played by the HR in CSR and explore how HR practitioners viewed CSR in terms of its importance and their role. A survey was used and the researcher used the HR body's board members and former members as the population. The respondents mentioned that CSR was important and on CSR activities they mainly mentioned the donations, school development projects and one mentioned career guidance programs for high school students. It was recommended that there was need to conscientise HR practitioners on the importance of CSR to organisations highlighting the value that can be created through engaging employees in CSR and sustainability.


Every day, it seems, the headlines in America trumpet another famous company declaring bankruptcy, and "vulture investors" are having a field day profiting off the hard times of these sinking businesses. Hilary Rosenberg presents anecdotes of big-time investors - including Carl Icahn, Paul Kazarian and Marty Whitman - and reveals their intricate dealings and strategies. The book features 75 interviews with "vulture investors" - a clever group of scavengers who began feasting on the corporate wreckage of the 1980s - who hold nothing back in their explanations of how they operate. Rosenberg also tells the complex stories of recent well-known bankruptcies, such as Trump Taj Mahal, Southland Corporation and Allegheny International. The book investigates the new breed of investors, and explains how they are influencing the bankruptcy policy in the United States.


The public's "appetite" for punishment of crime has led some to compare support for harsh criminal justice policies to a practice of excess, much like craving ice cream. But what drives this appetite for punishment? This study investigates the functional relation between social structural factors of


〈Abstract〉 This paper investigates the role of education in South Asian economic development and new challenges. Education is one of the fundamental factors to achieve sustainable economic development in any countries. Education raises people's awareness, productivity and creativity, entrepreneurship, and technical skills to improve their economic development. This paper also argues education can play an important role and be instrumental in improving the well-being and dignity of South Asian people and new challenges. No country can achieve economic development without investment in education. Education can play an important role in improving the human resource development for country's economic development. South Asia has more than 40 percent of the world's poor and will contribute nearly 40 percent of economic growth in the working-age population over the next few decades if they improve its human capital through education. Through the general and technical education, it is possible to enhance the economic growth, employment, health and nutrition, the environment and the political freedom of the society. Education is the vital factor for achieving individual and national development goals. When considering the effects of education on economic productivity, a wide number of studies conclude that investments in education yield returns that are typically well above the opportunity cost of capital. Findings of this paper reveal that there has been dramatic change in South Asian economies through general and technical education.


ABSTRACT This is an introductory article for a special issue on affective polarisation in Spain. After discussing the concept and its operationalisation in multi-party settings, we offer data on affective polarisation in Spain and Southern Europe from a comparative perspective using the Comparative National Election Project (CNEP) and Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES). In the second part, we pay special attention to the Spanish case, analysing different dimensions of affective polarisation and its evolution overtime, by taking advantage of an extensive number of indicators from the E-DEM panel survey. Finally, we describe its relationship with ideological polarisation and analyse its possible multidimensional nature. We conclude by introducing the rest of contributions of this special issue.


The extensible markup language (XML), a standard format of web information, has a clear syntax but unfortunately an ambiguous formal semantics, which results in being not used directly in semantic web applications. So it is tough job to reuse XML-based data intelligently in the semantic web. To address this problem, a new formal technique of obtaining ontology data automatically from XML documents is proposed. We provide the XML a semantical interpretation by developing a graph-based formal language, which then can be automatically mapped into web ontology language OWL with semantics preserved. The semantic validity and entailment problem are also concerned. The automatical mapping tool has also been developed.


This chapter provides design techniques and constraints on the software implementation that will lead to making a system trustworthy. The goals of the design process are to create a simple and concise solution. Simplicity improves reliability and conciseness reduce the time and cost of implementation. Software system development is often dominated by schedule and cost. Sometimes performance and functional technical requirements become an issue. Rarely has trustworthiness been considered in any but the most critical systems, but this is changing. Society as a whole is beginning to recognize that not only must software designers consider how the software will perform, they must account for the consequences of failures. Trustworthiness encompasses this concern. Built-in Trustworthiness Software Reliability Overview Design Reviews Topics for the Design Review Case Study Interfaces Software Structure Influences Reliability Components Open&Closed Principle The Liskov Substitution Principle Comparing Object Oriented Programming with Componentry Politics of Reuse Qualified Sucesses Conditions Fostering Reuse Reuse ?>As Is ?> Design Principles Strong Cohesion Weak Coupling Information Hiding Inheritance Generalization/Abstraction Separation of Concerns Removal of Context Documentation Design Constraints That Make Software Trustworthy Simplify the Design Software Fault Tolerance Software Rejuvenation Hire Good People and Keep Them Limit the Language Features Used Limit Module Size and Initialize Memory Check the Design Stability Bound the Execution Domain Have Performance Budgets and Engineer Reduce Algorithm Complexity Factor and Refactor Additional Problems


The synthesis of strictly positive real H 2 controllers for collocated control of large space structures is addressed. To perform this synthesis, a convex optimization technique has already been developed using linear matrix inequalities. This existing technique is based on two design criteria: strict positive realness and the use of H 2 norm as the criterion for optimization. It adopts a common Lyapunov solution to both of these criteria, which results in undesirable conservatism. To reduce this conservatism, a new synthesis technique based on iterative algorithms that can produce superior, noncommon Lyapunov solutions is proposed. Even if a common Lyapunov solution is infeasible, the proposed technique can yield feasible, strictly positive real H 2 controllers. An illustrated example is included.


In Germany the overall number of hospital beds has decreased from over 700 000 to about 650 000 over the past 20 years. This has been due mainly to patients staying in hospital for shorter periods. In addition, hospitals in the former German Democratic Republic had an overcapacity of about a quarter in the number of hospital beds, which was cut in recent years to meet standards in western Germany. The German Hospital Association estimates that the number of hospital beds will diminish by 4000 to 6000 a year in the near future with the advent of a community care scheme for elderly people, which would remove from hospitals those patients who do not really need hospital care but have nowhere else where they can be cared for. At the same time, however, the number ofbeds in nursing homes for elderly people would have to increase by at least as much to cater for the rising number of elderly people in the population. This could mean job losses for doctors but certainly not for nurses because there is already a considerable nursing short-


Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is gradually valued due to its high prevalence, high risk, and high mortality. Alternative to the polysomnography (PSG) diagnosis, the proposed method assesses the subject's degree of illness considering the supply chain and Industry 5.0 requirement efficiently and accurately. This article uses the blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) signal count of the number of apnea or hypoventilation events during the sleep of the subject, calculating the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the subject's disease level. SpO2 signals are used to extract 35-D features based on the time domain, including approximate entropy, central tendency measure, and Lempel–Ziv complexity to accelerate the diagnosis process in supply chains. The feature selection process is reduced from 35 to 7 dimensions that benefits to the implementation in the practical supply chains in Industry 5.0 by extracting the extracted features. This article applies Pearson correlation coefficient selection, based on minimum redundancy-maximum correlation algorithm selection, and a wrapper based on the backward search algorithm. The accuracy rate is 86.92%, and the specificity is 90.7% under the selected random forest classifier. A random forest classifier was used to calculate the AHI index, and a linear regression analysis was performed with the AHI index obtained from the PSG. The result reaches a 92% accuracy rate in assessing the prevalence of OSAHS, satisfying the industrial deployment.


The study aims to deal with a suspension system whose main function is to isolate and absorb the impact from road surface to vehicle body. To provide good riding comfort, a damper with variable and wide-range damping is highly essential. In this study a magnetorheological (MR) damper with multiple poles is developed. This new designed variable-damping damper is totally different from those conventional constant-damping hydraulic dampers, and even different from common single-pole MR dampers. The range of damping force for this new MR damper is also effectively extended. Simulation of magnetic flux and field has been done in the study to provide an optimal structure of the damper which significantly enhances the damping force while avoiding magnetic saturation. After the dynamic test for the MR damper, experimental results show that the provided damping force can be significantly increased with the increase of input current from low to high speeds. Damping force can be varied by 7.41 times. It proves that this new MR damper with high damping force can be controlled adaptively at wide range of operation conditions. It is suitable to be an adaptively variable damping source in semi-active suspension systems or other applications.


This paper reviews Korean intergovernmental relations in the 1990s with an emphasis on fiscal relations among the different levels of the government. In the 1990s, Korea reinvigorated its system of local autonomy first established in the sixties. A major issue in the implementation of this system is the presence of vertical and horizontal disparities in local fiscal capacity. Although some efforts have been made to transfer tax sources from central government to local governments or establish local transfer (block grants), fiscal autonomy still remains below expectation, jeopardizing the realization of full local autonomy. This paper is an effort to look into these issues and search for solutions.


In this article, we construct non-self-similar Riemann solutions for a two-dimensional quasilinear hyperbolic system of conservation laws which describes the fluid flow in a thin film for a perfectly soluble anti-surfactant solution. The initial Riemann data consists of two different constant states separated by a smooth curve in

 x
 −
 y

 x-y

 plane, so without using self-similarity transformation and dimension reduction, we establish solutions for five different cases. Further, we consider interaction of all possible nonlinear waves by taking initial discontinuity curve as a parabola to develop the structure of global entropy solutions explicitly.


A report on the Paris Congress of the International Political Science Assoc. in Sept 1961. The themes were: (1) the importance of studying political behavior; (2) political problems of poly-ethnic states; (3) technocracy and the role of experts in political life; (4) relations between civilians and the military in foreign affairs; and (6) administrative problems of atomic energy. Contributors included: Jerzy Wiatr on political research on the local level in Poland; Stein Rokkan on problems of comparative research on political participation; R. Dahl on the behavioral approach in political science; D. Easton and R. Hess on the political world of the child; P. Converse and G. Dupeux on C. De Gaulle and D. D. Eisenhower-the political image of a victorious general; M. Dogan on the electoral behavior of French workers; W. Schilling on scientists, foreign policy and politics; P. Abrams on the officer as a dysfunctional element in military organization; and B. Akzin on 'pluralism' and 'integration' as alternative solutions in Israel. The book of J. Barents, Political science in western Europe - A trend report (London, 1961), was published as part of the Congress activities. I. Langnas.


Demands on the precision of test methods used in quality control of rubbers are becoming more stringent, making it increasingly important to limit the sources of error. It has been shown that the pretreatment of Mooney viscosity specimens on a laboratory mill is such a source of error and is detrimental to the precision of test results


With the rapid development of computer software,the modern network environment has been formed.It has gradually changed the conventional way of handling document information and readers' reading.Being one of the bases for training higher professional personnel,the higher vocational colleges have put forward higher demand.Starting with quality education for students,the paper talks about the necessity of establishing document searching course in the circumstance of network environment and also gives suggestions on it.


A refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigerator, has two mutually movable between an open and a closed position movable housing parts (1, 2). An air channel (7) extending from one of the housing parts (1) via an intermediate gap (10) in the other housing part (2). An air channel (7) in the gap (10) limiting the air guide element (14) is at a first (2) of the housing parts (1, 2) movably mounted.


Calculations were made of the radiation dose absorbed by human testes, ovaries, thyroid, red bone marrow, and lens of the eye during exposure to x-ray beams during diagnostic radiography. The radiation dose absorbed from photons of 30, 55, and 80 keV energy was calculated by Monte Carlo techniques which trace energy deposition histories of photons incident on a mathematical representation of an anthropomorphic human phantom. A typical diagnostic table was simulated in the phantom geometry to provide a backscattering medium similar to that encountered in actusl diagnostic procedures. (CH)


Red blood cells are still the most widely transfused blood component worldwide and their story is intimately entwined with the history of transfusion medicine and the changes in the collection and storage of blood1,2.

At present, the most widely used protocol for the storage of red blood cells (for up to 42 days) is the collection of blood into anticoagulant solutions (typically citrate-dextrose-phosphate); red cell concentrates are prepared by the removal of plasma and, in some cases, also leukoreduction. The product is stored at 4 ± 2° C in a slightly hypertonic additive solution, generally SAGM (sodium, adenine, glucose, mannitol, 376 mOsm/L)1.

Despite this, a definitive protocol that reconciles long-term storage on the one hand and safety and efficacy of the transfusion therapy on the other is still the subject of intense debate and discussion. In fact, although the organisation of the blood system, through the achievement of self-sufficiency, currently enables ordinary requests of the transfusion 'market' to be met, in the case of a calamity, disaster, or emerging infections3, or in particular periods of the year, local reserves can sometimes reach a minimum. There is still an underlying concern about the real need to store blood components for as long as possible in order to obtain a gradual increase in the interval between the donation and the transfusion, and how much this elastic time span can be prolonged without definitively compromising the quality of the product and, in the final analysis, the recipients' health2. Indeed, although the transfusion establishment initially pursued both objectives (product quality and prolongation of the storage period), recent retrospective studies (whose results are, therefore, weakened by all the statistical limitations of this type of analysis)5–8 have indicated the apparent irreconcilability of the two aims. These studies seem to suggest that the quality (in terms of safety and efficiency) of red blood cells decreases in proportion to the time the storage period is prolonged. Furthermore, there is extremely convincing molecular evidence9,10 which, together with the results of clinical studies11–33, appears to confirm the preliminary conclusions regarding the likely poorer quality of red blood cells stored for a long time. However, the statistical validity and methodological rigour, in terms of evidence-based medicine, of the clinical studies have recently been challenged, highlighting the need for prospective, double-blind, randomized studies, in like fashion to the one carried out by Walsh et al.34 in 2004, which led the authors to conclude "the data did not support the hypothesis that transfusing red blood cells stored for a long time has detrimental effects on tissue oxygenation in critically ill, anaemic, euvolumaeic patients without active bleeding". The international scientific community now seems much more convinced of the need of prospective studies, since such studies, on large cohorts of subjects, are currently underway35,36.

The key point of the problem is probably the lack of universally accepted standard criteria that closely reflect the dramatic molecular changes that occur during prolonged storage of red blood cells and which, simply put, would enable 'good' blood to be distinguished from 'no longer sufficiently good' blood. The current standard requirements for patenting new additive solutions in the USA, and also suggested in the recommendations of the European Council37, are essentially based on two parameters: the level of haemolysis (below the threshold of 0.8% at the end of the storage period, following the introduction of the "95/95" rule38) and a survival rate of the transfused cells of more than 75% at 24 hours after transfusion. This latter parameter can be assessed by measuring the half-life of red blood cells labelled with 51 chromium prior to transfusion. These parameters are, however, fairly general and easily affected by the considerable biological variability between donors, given that it is known that blood from some donors resists storage better than that from other donors39.

Haemolysis is an easier parameter to monitor. Typically, between 0.2 and 0.4% of red blood cells stored in the presence of standard additive solutions are haemolysed after 5–6 weeks of storage, while pre-storage leukoreduction halves the incidence of this phenomenon40. These widely accepted and well-established parameters do not, however, reflect the profound molecular changes that affect red blood cells during their storage.

A brief list of the elements of the so-called "red blood cell storage lesion" includes10: morphological changes, slowed metabolism with a decrease in the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), acidosis with a decrease in the concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), loss of function (usually transient) of cation pumps and consequent loss of intracellular potassium and accumulation of sodium within the cytoplasm, oxidative damage with changes to the structure of band 341 and lipid peroxidation, apoptotic changes with racemisation of membrane phospholipids and loss of parts of the membrane through vesiculation9. Some of these changes occur within the first few hours of storage, for example, the decrease in pH or the increases in potassium and lactate; others, however, take days or weeks10. Together, these events risk compromising the safety and efficacy of long-stored red blood cells, reducing their capacity to carry and release oxygen, promoting the release of potentially toxic intermediates (for example, free haemoglobin can act as a source of reactive oxygen species) and negatively influencing physiological rheology (through the increased capacity of the red blood cells to adhere to the endothelium42,43 or through their enhanced thrombogenic44 or pro-inflammatory45 potential). These observations at a molecular level were supported by the results of a series of clinical studies (albeit retrospective and not randomised). These studies appeared to show a relationship between the duration of storage and a proportional increase in adverse events in the transfused patients, although the data available are preliminary and the statistically more reliable studies that conform more closely with the gold standard criteria represented by evidence-based medicine are considered necessary by many4 and are, indeed, underway5.


1. In two-month-old rabbits the femoral heads were made necrotic by transecting the ligament of the femoral head and applying a ligature around the femoral neck. The animals were killed at different periods, from six hours to twenty-one weeks after the operation. The changes in the femoral heads were studied histologically, microradiographically and radiographically. 2. In the first three weeks the necrotic bone marrow was penetrated by granulation tissue in which cellular differentiation gradually developed. Subsequently large quantities of new bone were deposited on the dead trabeculae. This led to an increase in the bone volume at the expense of the marrow volume; this increase coincided with an increase in the radiographic density (sclerosis) of the femoral head. The new bone tissue was attached to the necrotic trabeculae by a specific cement line and showed the features of woven bone. At a later stage lamellar bone was deposited. From six weeks on a normal bone-marrow ratio was gradually restored with concomitant radiographic loss of sclerosis. 3. It is suggested that mechanical weakening of the femoral head is the consequence of this late post-operative restoration of the normal pre-operative bone-to-marrow ratio, the new bone trabeculae being mechanically inferior because of the presence of woven bone and cement lines. This weakness may initiate collapse and deformation of the revascularised femoral head.


Any consideration of altering UML must account for its current user base and its potential role as the keystone of a new model-based method of software development.


The possibility of extracting energy from a system in a cyclic process is discussed. We present an explicit example where a system, initially prepared in a microcanonical state, is able to perform such an operation. The example is similar to the Szilard engine, but the microcanonical initial condition allows one to design a protocol where measurement is not necessary.


1 Asst Professor in Physiology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Corresponding Author Dr Ahammed Naseem VH Asst Professor in Physiology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Email: email@example.com ABSTRACT Background: Hypertension is considered as a major contributor of premature death worldwide. Obesity has become a global epidemic and it is considered as a modifiable risk factor for hypertension Objectives: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to evaluate relationship between BMI and Blood Pressure in medical and paramedical students of Government Medical College, Kozhikode Materials and Methods: 200 subjects in the age group of 18-25 yrs from medical and paramedical students of Government Medical College, Kozhikode were enrolled in the study. The study duration was 6 months. Students were divided into 3 groupsunderweight, normal weight and overweight after calculating their Body mass index. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure were recorded .Then Mean Blood pressure was calculated. Correlation analysis was done to study the effect of Body mass index on blood pressure. Results: The mean values of systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean BP were found to be significantly increased in the overweight group, moderate in normal weight group and decreased in underweight group. Conclusion: Obesity is an important risk factor for hypertension. Young people should practice healthy lifestyles so as to prevent obesity and hypertension in future


Characteristics of the investment banking industry, particularly the extreme concentration of spreads at exactly 7%, seem consistent with some form of collusion through which underwriters can extract surplus from the IPO. I present a model of investment banking that, under the assumption of optimal collusion, generates a distribution of spreads similar to that observed. The model is extended to show that underpricing and spread rigidity may arise together, each one reinforcing incentives to engage in the other.


Radar liquid level meter is already subjected to universal attentiona as it is a novel device in this field.Thus,the working principle,its properties,the composition of measure system,requirements for model selection,and the key points for installating radar liquid level meter are further introduced in this paper.


A study to determine the suitability of natural-draft cascade aerators concludes that a large aerator is the most cost-effective method of removing hydrogen sulfide if the reaction rates cannot be increased. Several recommendations are made for improving aerator performance.


: A laboratory flume simulating a riverbed sand dune containing a low-permeability clay lens was constructed to investigate its influence on the quality and quantity of hyporheic exchange. By varying the depths and spatial locations of the clay lens, 24 scenarios and one blank control experiment were created. Dye tracers were applied to visualize patterns of hyporheic exchange and the extent of the hyporheic zone, while NaCl tracers were used to calculate hyporheic fluxes. The results revealed that the clay lens reduces hyporheic exchange and that the reduction depends on its spatial location. In general, the effect was stronger when the lens was in the center of the sand dune. The effect weakened when the lens was moved near the boundary of the sand dune. A change in horizontal location had a stronger influence on the extent of the hyporheic zone compared with a change in depth. The size of the hyporheic zone changed with the depth and position of the clay lens. There was a maximum of hyporheic extent with the lens at a depth of 0.1 m caused by changes of water flow paths. lens on the hyporheic exchange and hyporheic zone induced by a sand dune. An indoor sand channel flume and tracer experiments were self-designed and constructed to investigate the influence. How the clay lens influenced the extent of the hyporheic zone and hyporheic flux in different spatial locations and depths were evaluated based on our experiments.


In Roman law, we find the terms "voluntas or consensus" with the adjective "perseverans", and far example the expression "in eadem voluntate perseverare". In fact, there are two kinds "voluntas", a first one that could be called "initial", and a second one which implicates the durability, the time that goes on. This leads to a question: what are the consequences when someone, part of a juridical act, became "furiosus", whereas his "perseverantia voluntatis" is longer required?


Objectives: To investigate the additive effect of dynapenia and abdominal obesity on metabolic risk factors in older adults. Method: A total of 3,007 men and women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study were categorized as follows: (a) non-dynapenic/non-abdominally obese (N-DYN/N-AO), (b) dynapenic/non-abdominally obese (DYN/N-AO), (c) non-dynapenic/abdominally obese (N-DYN/AO), (d) dynapenic/ abdominally obese (DYN/AO) based on waist circumference (WC) and leg muscle strength tertiles. Dependent variables were lipids, glucose, blood pressure, and other chronic conditions. Results: The DYN/AO group had lower plasma HDL-chol and higher triglyceride and glucose levels than N-DYN/N-AO and DYN/N-AO groups (all p ≤ .01). Higher plasma triglyceride was observed in the DYN/AO group compared with N-DYN/AO group (p ≤ .01). The odds of having metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and type II diabetes were higher in DYN/AO compared with DYN/N-AO and N-DYN/N-AO. Conclusion: DYN/AO older adults might be at greater risk of metabolic alterations than those displaying dynapenia alone or those with neither abdominal obesity nor dynapenia.


SUBTITLE: AS ANYONE WHO HAS EVER MOVED FRESH SEAFOOD, CUT FLOWERS, OR CRITICAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES WILL TELL YOU, WHEN TRANSPORTING PERISHABLE PRODUCTS, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.


It has long been the desire of dictionary makers that students should not only use dictionaries more, but receive training in their use. Teachers are the obvious providers of such training, but are they in a position to provide it? The following survey of teachers of English to non-native speakers in Australian language schools and universities aimed to discover teachers' attitudes to and use of dictionaries in their English classes, particularly in relation to learners' dictionaries in the teaching of grammar, collocations and idioms. Although the majority of the teachers who responded to the survey used dictionaries themselves when preparing teaching material, only a few said that they provided dictionary training in class, and very few commented on specific uses that could be made of dictionaries. The findings reveal that, of those teachers who were interested enough in dictionaries to return the questionnaire, several had good dictionary skills themselves, and some had ideas for dictionary improvement. Most were sympathetic to dictionary use, but few had received training themselves in this area. Many seemed still to be unaware of the potential advantages of an English learners' dictionary in the language classroom. The majority of teachers in this survey were thus not adequately equipped to provide comprehensive training in dictionary skills for their students.


The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is an international network and data infrastructure that promotes open access to biodiversity data. GBIF serves as a global hub for aggregating and disseminating biodiversity information from diverse sources, including museums, research institutions, and citizen science projects.
 I will present recent additions to GBIF data quality measures, focusing on the introduction of the country centroid filtering feature. Additionally, I explore the functionality and significance of GBIF data quality flags, which aid in assessing the reliability and usability of the aggregated data. I will also discuss recent changes to the default filtering mechanism employed by GBIF to remove suspicious points.

 GBIF Data Quality Flags

 GBIF employs a large set of data quality flags to provide users with an assessment of the reliability and fitness for use of the aggregated data. These flags are assigned based on various quality-related criteria, such as geographic precision, taxonomic accuracy, and completeness of associated metadata. By analyzing these flags, users can make informed decisions regarding the suitability of data for their specific research or conservation needs. GBIF data quality flags serve as valuable indicators that facilitate data filtering and enhance data usability. These flags are assigned to individual occurrence records based on various quality-related criteria and are designed to help data users evaluate the trustworthiness and suitability of the data for their specific needs.

 Country Centroid filter

 Retrospective geocoding is a process in which historical occurrence data lacking precise geographic coordinates are assigned approximate mappable locations based on other available information, such as locality descriptions, gazetteers, or administrative boundaries. Retrospective geocoding introduces centroids into occurrence datasets wherever better information than a large named area is unknown. A Country centroid refers to the geographical center point of a country's geographic polygon.
 Recently, GBIF has implemented country centroid filtering as a feature. By utilizing this filtering technique, GBIF users can identify and exclude occurrences that are country or area centroids. This ensures that data users receive more accurate and reliable information, reducing potential errors resulting from georeferencing issues.
 The Catalogue of Centroids is a GitHub repository designed to collect and provide a comprehensive list of country centroids for the purpose of occurrence data filtering. The repository serves as a central resource for storing and sharing centroid coordinates associated with each country, area, or province. The main idea is to gather the from sources most often used during retrospective geo-referencing of museum collections.
 Fig. 1

 Default Filtering and Treatment of Suspicious Points

 GBIF employs default filtering mechanisms to identify suspicious occurrences from its aggregated datasets. For example, the "Country Coordinate Mismatch" data quality flag in GBIF is a quality assessment indicator that highlights occurrences where there is a potential mismatch between the recorded coordinates and the associated country information. Similarly, zero coordinates are often encountered as placeholders or missing data points. GBIF's default filtering process identifies such occurrences from the dataset, as they can introduce inaccuracies when conducting spatial analyses or mapping exercises. This step ensures that only reliable and valid occurrences are available for further analyses and downstream applications.
 GBIF continues to improve data quality flagging, which significantly enables users to assess the fitness of data for a particular use and increases the utility of the mediated biodiversity information.


As in the first part of this paper (hep-th 9204092), solutions to a string equation are regarded as fixed points of some additional symmetries of a hierarchy of integrable equations. In this part matrix hierarchies are studied: the multi-component KP and KdV hierarchies, and the modified KdV hierarchy as their reduction. In particular, the action of additional symmetries on the Grassmannian is found, as well as Virasoro constraints on the $\tau$-functions. The matrix string equations are known to be involved in some matrix models.


Five coatings were deposited on low carbon steel substrate with a new kind of WC-12Co powder by JP-8000 HVOF spraying system. The properties of bond strength,microhardness, porosity and fracture toughness and per pass thickness of the coatings were investigated. Phases of the feedstock powders and the coatings were analyzed by XRD. The characterizations of spraying feedstock powder and the microstructure of cross-section of coating were analyzed by SEM and OM respectively. The results indicated that:the spraying power exhibits sphere,only a little of WC decomposed during spraying process. Meanwhile,the coatings exhibited high stability and excellent performance,such as high bond strength,microhardness, depositing efficient,compact structure and moderate toughness.


The socio-cultural context shapes learning and development. Thus, schools cannot ignore neither the transformations shaping their surrounding societies, but be an active part of them, nor what those transformations mean for school learning. In this regard, technology has changed the way we think and learn, and learning has been shown to be deeply linked to the community of which we are part. However, benefits of involving the community in the ICT use in schools are barely explored in the literature; this article is aimed to shed some light on that aspect. We draw from a successful case, the Arino school, and based on the dialogic learning theoretical framework, different strategies that promote a dialogic use of ICT are presented: community involvement in self-sufficient classrooms, community involvement outside the school settings, and community digital literacy. This analysis leads to the proposal of a community-based and dialogic approach to technology in schools.


Electron transfer processes occurring through-space and through-bond were studied for novel mechanically linked triad [2]rotaxanes, which contain a porphyrin (MP) unit as a pendant and [60]fullerene (C60) and triphenylamine (TPA) moieties as stopper groups at the axle ends (abbreviated as (MP;C60-TPA)rot+ with MP = H2P or ZnP. The photophysical properties were investigated by means of time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption measurements with changing solvent polarity. The charge separation took place mainly via(1MP*;C60-TPA)rot+ and (MP;1C60*-TPA)rot+ in polar solvents. Within the charge-separated states of triads (MP;C60-TPA)rot+, hole-shift and/or back electron transfer took place competitively. The lifetime of the charge separation state of (ZnP;C60-TPA)rot+ was similar to that of dyad (C60-TPA)rot+ (140 ns in dimethylformamide), whereas that of (H2P;C60-TPA)rot+ was as long as 230 ns, suggesting two final charge separation states such as (MP;C60•--TPA•+)rot+ and (MP•+;C60•--TPA)rot+ depending on the kind of porphyrin.


ith the advances in medicine and increasing awareness a high proportion of elderly population (aged about 65 years and above) are more evident in developed countries.1 The need to find effective and applicable solutions to the problems of elderly people has therefore become a priority for the improvement of their quality of life1. Physical, psychological and intellectual problems can be highlighted among various others that the elderly population comes across. Aging in a way is associated with a number of limitations. Some of these might be recognizable in deteriorating intelligence, sight, hearing, muscle strength and bone mineral contents and also in evaluation of their own health.2-3 Oral health may involve many physical and psychological issues. Wearing dentures affects eating, speaking, facial expressions, and appearance of a person. A complaint is defined as an utterance of pain, discomfort, or dissatisfaction.4 The post-op care of patients is an essential part of a complete denture service. Generally, patients expect immense amount of positive difference between their new and previous dentures in terms of esthetics and function alike. Unavoidable compromises are not easily accepted.5 Hindrances in retention and stability, esthetics, chewing and accumulation of food are the most commonly reported complains of complete denture wearers.6-10 A recent study reports that oral health of edentulous individuals is associated with the avoidance of food and their satisfaction with dentures. The completely edentate patients reported better oral health and ease with their dentures than the partially edentate.11 1. Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences Dow University of Health Sciences. 2. Associate Professor, Department of Science of Dental Materials, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences. 3. Lecturer, Department of Science of Dental Materials, Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences. 4. Former Chief Resident (FCPS), Department of Operative Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College. Corresponding author: "Dr. Rooha Sultan" < email@example.com >


Renal arteriolar tone depends considerably on the dilatory action of nitric oxide (NO) via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and cGMP action. NO deficiency and hypoxia/reoxygenation are important pathophysiological factors in the development of acute kidney injury. It is hypothesized that the NO-sGC-cGMP system functions differently in renal afferent (AA) compared to efferent arterioles (EA) and that the sGC activator cinaciguat differentially dilates these arterioles.Experiments were performed in isolated, perfused mouse glomerular arterioles. Hypoxia (0.1 % oxygen) was achieved by using a hypoxia chamber. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and sGC subunits were considerably expressed on the mRNA level in AA. PDE5 inhibition with sildenafil, which blocks cGMP degradation, diminished the responses to Ang II bolus application in AA, but not significantly in EA. Vasodilation induced by sildenafil in Ang II-preconstricted vessels was stronger in EA than AA. Cinaciguat, an NO- and heme-independent sGC activator, dilated EA more strongly than AA after L-NAME (NO synthase inhibitor) treatment and preconstriction with Ang II. Cinaciguat-induced dilatation of L‑NAME pretreated and Ang II preconstricted arterioles was similar to controls without L-NAME treatment. Cinaciguat also induced dilatation in iodinated contrast medium treated AA. Further, it dilated EA, but not AA, after hypoxia/reoxygenation.The results reveal an important role of the NO-sGC-cGMP system for renal dilatation and that EA have a more potent sGC activated dilatory system. Further, AA seem to be more sensitive to hypoxia/reoxygenation than EA under these experimental conditions.


Lipids in Food Flavors: An Overview Chemistry of Singlet Oxygen Oxidation of Foods Contribution of Lipoxygenase Pathway to Food Flavors Volatile Formation by Lipid-Mediated Maillard Reaction in Model Systems Volatile Compounds Generated from Thermal Interaction of 2,4-Decadienal & the Flavor Precursors of Garlic Relationship of Temperature to the Production of Lipid Volatiles from Beef Changes of Headspace Volatile Compounds Due to Oxidation of Milk Fat During Storage of Dried Dairy Products Lipid-Derived Aroma Compounds in Cooked Potatoes and Reconstituted Dehydrated Potato Granules Lipid-Derived Flavor Compounds in Fresh and Dehydrated Tomato Products Aroma Generation in Extruded and Heated Wheat Flour Effect of Packaging on the Lipid Oxidation Storage Stability of Dehydrated Pinto Beans Influence of Finishing Diets on Lamb Flavor Contribution of Lipid-Derived Components to the Flavor of Alligator Meat Flavor Chemistry of Dairy Lipids: Review of Free Fatty Acids Flavor Chemistry of Fish Oil Omega-3 Fatty Acid Composition and Stability of Seal Lipids Volatile Compounds of Lards from Different Treatments Hexanal as an Indicator of the Flavor Deterioration of Meat and Meat Products Control of the Production of cis-3-Hexenal: Lipid-Derived Flavor Compounds by Plant Cell Culture Canola Oil Flavor Quality Evaluation by Dynamic Headspace Gas Chromatography Stabilization of Canola Oil by Natural Antioxidants Capillary Gas Chromatography Procedure for Determining Olive Oil Flavor


A micro-assembly station based on a microrobot, under an optical microscope, is one of the typical styles to practical application of the task of assembling simple micro parts, even if they are still almost at the start phase. The demand for the manufacture of micro components is increasing because many products are slim due to their portable use. A new production system is an interesting time in micro-assembly systems. The performance of the micro-robotic system has the potential to have an important role in such applications with reference to the transportation, handling and storage of micro objects. For that, has developed an automated system consisting of multiple drilling micro-robots. In this paper, with the aid of the control of "cluster" type for more micro-robots may deduct an execution of an application by drilling into the work area. This control "cluster" type may provide some advantages having in view the accuracy and flexibility of micro fabrication. This study is a continuous our work in micro-robots domain, here one developed the automatic control drilling from electronic and informatics point of view. Keywords— Actuator, Drill, Micro-controller, Micro-robot.


In this paper, a single-stage pump with diffuser vanes of different outlet diameters has been investigated both numerically and experimentally. The influence of the diffuser vane outlet diameter on pump hydraulic performance and on the radial force of the impeller is explored. Pumps equipped with three different diffusers but with impellers and volutes of the same parameters were simulated by 3D Navier-Stokes solver ANSYS-FLUENT in order to study the effect of the outlet diameter of vaned diffuser on performance of the centrifugal pump. Structured grids of high quality were applied on the whole computational domain. Experimental results were acquired by prototype experiments and were then compared with the numerical results. Both experimental and numerical results show that the performance of a pump with a diffuser of smaller outlet diameter is better than of bigger outlet diameter under all operating conditions. The radial force imposed on the impeller obtained by unsteady numerical simulation was analyzed. The results also indicated that an appropriate decrease in the outlet diameter of the diffuser vane could increase the radial force.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) for image segmentation is a concern this year, especially in the development of computer vision. The object discussed in this study is about interest, which uses a dataset from ImageCLEF2017 by taking 8 flower samples. Image of flowers in the dataset is still a lot of noise such as the initial background behind objects such as leaves, tree trunks or others. So we need a method to eliminate the noise, this method for cleaning noise is done by color clusters using the K-means method. By color clustering using K-Means and using color clusters k=2,3,4,and5. After that, a morphological process is carried out in order to obtain a clean area so that it can be compared with the original image and the Blob values formed. Blob analysis is calculated after the process of cleaning the noise is done in order to get the best value in the process of recognition of images with objects of interest. The results of the segmentation process that have been done are the highest MSE and RMSE values are at k-means results with k=4, while for PNSR are at k=2, and for the lowest MSE and RMSE values are at k=5, while the lowest PNSR is at k=4


This paper presents the flight path planning algorithm in a 3-dimensional environment with fixed obstacles for small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs). The emergence of SUAVs for commercial uses with low-altitude flight necessitates efficient flight path planning concerning economical energy consumption. We propose the visibility roadmap based on the visibility graph approach to deal with this uprising problem. The objective is to approximate the collision-free and energy-efficient flight path of SUAVs for flight missions in a considerable time complexity. Stepwise, we describe the construction of the proposed pathfinding algorithm in a convex static obstacle environment. The theoretical analysis and simulation results prove the effectiveness of our method.


This paper provides two construction methods of sequence using the Gray mapping. In the first method, a quaternary sequence with Rmax = 2 for N ≡ 2 (mod 4) which is the same as the best known Rmax, is proposed. The sequence is constructed by the Gray mapping of a binary sequence with even period and its half-period shift. The resulting quaternary sequence has the same autocorrelation distribution with that of the employed binary sequence. From binary sequences with optimal autocorrelation for even period such as Sidel'nikov sequences, Ding-Helleseth-Martinsen (DHM) sequences, and sequences from the images of polynomials, etc., we can construct quaternary sequences with Rmax = 2 for period N ≡ 2 (mod 4) and Rmax = 4 for period N ≡ 4 (mod 4). In constrast to the previous quaternary sequences separately designed, new quaternary sequences are constructed from many existing binary sequences with optimal autocorrelation. In the second construction, optimal quaternary LCZ sequence sets are derived from binary LCZ sequence sets which are not necessarily optimal. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first result to obtain an optimal LCZ sequence set from a non-optimal LCZ sequence set, while there are constructions to obtain LCZ sequence sets from another LCZ sequence set. Moreover, since the parameters of new quaternary LCZ sequence set in the second method are determined by the parameters of the binary LCZ sequence set, it is possible to obtain flexible quaternary LCZ sequence sets by using flexible binary LCZ sequence sets.


Doctors make hundreds more drug errors than nurse prescribers, costing the NHS an extra £3,000 per patient, according to a new survey.


Recognizing Biomedical Named Entities (BioNEs) such as genes, proteins, cells, drugs, diseases, etc. play a vital role in many Biomedical Text Mining applications. BioNER fall into five approaches: Dictionary-Based, Rule-Based, Machine-Learning-Based, Statistical-Based, and Hybrid-Based. Methods Based Machine Learning approach, are more effective than those of other approaches, and therefore have been widely used for learning to recognize BioNEs. In this paper, we present a comparative theoretical and experimental study between seven Machine Learning methods, by summarizing their advantages and weaknesses, and comparing their performance on two standard biomedical Corpora (GENIA and JNLPBA). The obtained results show that CRF outperforms all the other Machine-Learning methods on both corpora. That method (CRF) will be integrated in our future works.


The nutritional quality of commercial defatted soybean meal (SBM) as a protein source was evaluated by determining apparent digestibility, PER, NPU, and BV. Two experiments were conducted using rainbow trout and carp with initial weights of 4.0 and 3.2g, respectively. They were fed diets containing SBM as the sole protein source at different protein levels from 0 to 75% for 20 days.The apparent protein digestibility was relatively high both in rainbow trout (92% on average) and in carp (91% on average). The PER, NPU, and BV values did not differ markedly between rainbow trout and carp, and generally decreased in proportion to increasing dietary protein levels. The PER, NPU, and BV values ranged between 1.8-4.3, 27.8-42.1, and 30.1-46.2 for rainbow trout, and 2.2-3.5, 32.9-37.4, and 36.0-42.2 for carp, respectively, at dietary protein levels of 11.0 to 33.6%. Growth and feed efficiency were relatively low in both species, which might be attributable to an inadequate amino acid profile of this protein meal. The body composition of neither species was greatly influenced by dietary protein levels.


Abstract : The objective of this study was to develop a technique for the preliminary prediction of the maintainability of systems and equipments during the predesign development stage when detailed design information is not available. The technique would be applicable to ground electronic equipment at the organizational level of maintenance. Application of the technique would thus permit early assessment of equipment maintainability (M) and prove valuable for performing feasibility studies and design trade-off analyses, establishing contractual requirements, and making preliminary estimates of maintenance and logistics burden. (Author)


Fossil ripplemarks are often appealed to by geologists as evidence that the winds and waves that formed them cannot have differed much in intensity from those that produce similar corrugations on the sands of our modern beaches; but, although considerable value is attached to the evidence afforded by these relics of ancient seas, authorities differ much as to their origin. According to Sir Charles Lyell ripplemark originates in the "drifting of materials along the bottom of the water," and "is usually an indication of a sea beach, or of water from 6 to 10 feet in depth, though this rule he proceeds to say is not without exception, as recent ripplemarks have been observed at the depth of 60 or 70 feet. The crossing of two sets of ripples the distinguished author ascribes to the new direction in which the waves are thrown on the shore consequent on a change of wind ("Elements of Geology," 6th edition, p. 19). Mr. J. Beete Jukes, in the first edition of his "Manual of Geology," states, that current mark or ripple "is produced on the sea beach, not in consequence of the ripple of the wave impressing its own form on the sand below, which would be an impossibility, but because the moving current of water as the tide advances or recedes produces on the surface of the sand below the same form as the moving current of air produces on the surface of the water above. A rippled surface, therefore, to a rock is no proof of its having been necessarily formed in shallow water, though rippled surfaces are perhaps more frequently formed there, but simply a proof of a current in the water sufficient to move the sand at its bottom gently along, at whatever depth that bottom may be from the surface of the water." Speaking of fossil ripplemarks the same author states that the distance from crest to crest of the ridges varies from half an inch to eight or ten inches, with a proportionate variation in depth between them (Jukes' " Man. Geol.," p. 172). The article on ripplemark is recast in the third edition, edited by Dr. Geikie and published in 1872, but the views expressed therein are the same.


Purpose This paper investigates how the market orientation of SMEs towards public sector customers enables firms to participate and succeed in public procurement. Design/methodology/approach We used a survey-based methodology. First, we reconfigured an empirical construct of market orientation for private sector markets to measure the market orientation towards public sector customers. Then we conducted a survey of Finnish firms to test the construct and how it predicted firm performance in public procurement. Findings We find empirical support for firms to adopt a market orientation towards public sector customers. Our results suggest that a customer and competitor orientation are positive predictors of participating and winning supply contracts in public sector tenders. Originality/value This paper is the first to report a market orientation towards public sector customers and describe how it is related to supplier performance in public procurement. Research limitations Self-reported survey data from a single country may limit the generalizability of results.


Currently, therapeutic angiogenesis using gene transfer of angiogenic growth factors has entered the realm of novel therapy for patients with critical limb ischemia. However, its clinical utility might be enhanced by combination with classical pharmacological approaches. Thus, in this study, we examined adjunctive therapy to enhance the angiogenic ef- fects of gene transfer, with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, statins, which have pleiotropic vascular-protective effects. Here, we evaluated the effects of a combination of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene therapy with fluvastatin in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Hindlimb ischemia model mice were given a normal diet, high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or HCD with fluvastatin, after in- tramuscular injection of human HGF plasmid DNA. Intramuscular injection of HGF plasmid into ischemic limbs signifi- cantly increased blood flow and capillary density. However, HCD diminished the increase in blood flow and capillary density induced by HGF gene transfer. Administration of fluvastatin significantly attenuated the reduction in blood flow and decrease in capillary density, while it did not change the serum cholesterol level. Overall, these results demonstrated that fluvastatin significantly enhanced the increase in blood flow and capillary density induced by HGF gene transfer in a hindlimb ischemia mouse model with HCD, through a non-cholesterol-lowering effect. Clinical use of fluvastatin might be possible adjunctive therapy to enhance therapeutic angiogenesis.


Although portland cement concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world, efficient simulations for predicting hydration and property development (hardening and aging) are yet to be developed and made widely available to researchers and engineers. Current state-of-theart simulations rely on computationally expensive models to generate spatially resolved time sequences of chemical and physical properties (microstructures) that allow engineers to predict permeability, strength, and durability. Improving simulation accuracy or efficiency would be a significant contribution. We describe a novel application of neural networks to simulate the microstructure of hydrating tricalcium silicate (the most abundant component of ordinary portland cement). Initial model predictions correlate well with benchmark models but require only a small fraction of the computation time.


This insightful review summarizes a number of unique electrochemical features in selectively corroding silicon surfaces and their significant impacts on interfacial quality and dielectric reliability. These insights are critical to quickly identify and solve the hidden or intricate galvanic occurrences in highly dynamic and variable environments of wafer manufacturing.


The invention provides an X-ray irradiator in which occurrence of discharge due to potential difference is reduced and which is reduced in size and weight. In the X-ray irradiator (1), an X-ray tube (11) and a high-voltage generator (2) are installed in a casing (18), and the casing (18) is filled with insulation oil (13). The high-voltage generator (2) includes a plurality of voltage-amplifying units (21) that are arranged in annular form and electrically connected to each other. The anode (14) and the cathode (15) of the X-ray tube (11) are fitted into the hollow parts of the voltage-amplifying units (21).


Objective: To explore the role of rehab therapy on angina pectoris (AP). Methods: Sixty-six AP patients were divided into rehab group (34 cases) and control group. Routine therapy was performed in control group. Routine therapy and rehab therapy (contain exercise and psychotherapy) performed in rehab group, course of therapy was 10 -14 days all. Results: Therapy effects of rehab group were more than those of control group (P0. 01). Conclusion: Rehab therapy is effective and safe. It can increase therapy confidence of patient.


An attempt has been made in this study to assess the market power of major Asian exporters in world rice market using standard oligopoly models. Quantity has been used as the strategic variable based on previous literature. Structural and reduced form approaches have been used. Results indicate that the major Asian rice exporters like Thailand, China, and India face a downward sloping demand curve whereas the United States does not appear to possess market power. However, the results are inconclusive about the precise market structure. The results, in the backdrop of the history of world rice markets, indicate a need for Asian exporters to rely more on trade than on domestic stocks in order to reduce the thinness of world rice market.


ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Matthew Wood is first author on 'TDP-43 dysfunction results in R-loop accumulation and DNA replication defects', published in JCS. Matthew is a PhD student in the lab of Alessandro Vindigni at Washington University in St Louis, MO, USA, investigating DNA damage in neurodegenerative diseases caused by R-loops.


Menopause is a major life change affecting roughly half of the population, resulting in physiological, emotional, and social changes. To understand experiences with menopause holistically, we conducted a study of a subreddit forum. The project was informed by feminist social science methodologies, which center knowledge production on women's lived experiences. Our central finding is that the lived experience of menopause is social: menopause is less about bodily experiences by themselves and more about how experiences with the body become meaningful over time in the social context. We find that gendered marginalization shapes diverse social relationships, leading to widespread feelings of alienation and negative transformation - often expressed in semantically dense figurative language. Research and design can accordingly address menopause not only as a women's health concern, but also as a matter of facilitating social support and a social justice issue.


. A quantitative survey (18 stations) of the subtidal soft bottom macroinfauna in an estuary of the south Chilean coast was conducted during January, 1980. The map of sedimentological facies elaborated for the Queule River Estuary shows sandy bottoms in the outlet and upper part of the area studied, while the middle part is occupied by muddy sand. The ordination of stations by Principal Component Analysis is fundamentally defined by mud and gravel percentage and is, in general, concordant with the distribution of sediments in the facies map. A total of 17,405 animals was collected (16 taxa), Polychaeta being the dominant group in density (77.47%) and biomass (73.4%). The maximum number of species was obtained outside the mouth of the estuary, while maximum densities and biomass were obtained in the middle of the estuary.

The Factor Analysis performed with the abundances data of the most abundant species rendered the ordination of two groups of stations (concordant with a Cluster Analysis) in the Q-mode and two groups of species in the R-mode. One group of stations is restricted to sandy habitats of the outlet area and is dominated by suspension feeders. The other, in the middle and upper part of the estuary (muddy sand or sandy bottoms with a higher percentage of organic matter), is dominated by deposit feeders. Between these two groups, significant differences in sedimentological variables (sand, mud, and organic matter percentage) were detected. Each of the two delineated groups of species corresponds to the groups of stations, showing that most of the taxa can be combined in faunal assemblages with preference for different types of substrate.


An equation relating the secondary normal stress difference to the "exit pressure" has been derived and used to calculate secondary normal stress difference for polyethylene and polypropylene melts. The results of these calculations indicate that the secondary normal stress difference for these fluids at shear rates of from 200 sec−1 to 800 sec−1 and at a temperature of 180°C is greater than the primary normal stress difference. This apparently unexpected result is discussed in terms of what is currently known regarding the behavior of polymer solutions.


This thesis explores how truckload carriers use conditional bids within the framework of a combinatorial auction to win more business and balance their existing networks. Because a considerable portion of a truckload carrier's cost of serving a given lane is associated with the probability of finding a follow-on load (i.e. economies of scope), bidding on a lane-by-lane basis may not accurately reflect a carrier's true cost of serving that lane. In a combinatorial auction, a truckload carrier can more accurately reflect its true cost of serving a given lane by offering package discounts, conditional on winning lanes that increase the probability of finding follow-on loads. Though a considerable amount has been written about the economics of truckload carrier's operations and the benefits of combinatorial auctions to shippers, few have studied conditional bidding from a bidder's (carrier's) perspective. This thesis makes three contributions. First, an explanation of why bidders do and don't submit conditional bids in combinatorial auctions is provided. Second, a model of carrier costs functions, including package discounts (a measure of economies of scope) is developed. Finally, this thesis examines regional pricing differences, and quantifies the amount by which carriers will change their prices in different regions of the US. Thesis Supervisor: Yosef Sheffi Title: Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor, Engineering Systems Division


I critically respond to Scott A. Davison, Petitionary Prayer: A Philosophical Investigation. I attack his Contrastive Reasons Account of what it takes for a request to be answered and provide an alternative account on which a request is answered as long as it has deliberative weight for the person asked. I also raise issues with Davison's dismissive treatment of direct divine communication. I then emphasize the importance of value theory for addressing the puzzles of petitionary prayer. Whether a defense of petitionary prayer is successful depends on whether it can support the sort of requests that are central to the theological practices of the religion in question, explaining how they could be known to be effective, and this depends on the value theory of the theology in question. As an example, I show the relevance the traditional distinction between temporal and spiritual goods could have for knowing whether one's prayers have been answered. How prayers could make a difference also depends on the theology in question, raising issues of ecclesiology and collective action that demand further attention.


Aims: The aim of this is to evaluate the reliability of the urine dipstick test by patients' self-assessment for urinary tract infection (UTI) screening and to determine the validity of urine dipstick test. Settings: Rehabilitation Department, Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand. Study Design: A diagnostic study. Subjects and Methods: This study compared the urine dipstick test (index test) with the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) criteria (gold standard test) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The urine dipstick test informed positive and negative results. Besides the NIDRR criteria classified as UTI and no UTI. The interrater reliability was measured in the sense of Kappa whereas the validity of urine dipstick test was reported in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR) (+LR), negative LR (−LR), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: Out of the 56 participants, the kappa of urine dipstick test for leukocyte esterase, nitrite, and combined leukocyte esterase and nitrite were 0.09, 0.21, and 0.52, respectively. The nitrite urine dipstick test showed the highest sensitivity (90%). The combined leukocyte esterase and nitrite urine dipstick test gave the highest specificity (87%), PPV (60%), NPV (93%), and +LR (5.63). Conclusions: The interrater reliability of combined leukocyte esterase and nitrite urine dipstick test was moderate agreement. The combined leukocyte esterase and nitrite urine dipstick test showed high level of both sensitivity and specificity. The combined leukocyte esterase and nitrite urine dipstick test should be promoted for patients' self-assessment for UTI screening in SCI patients.


ABSTRACT Scholars across the humanities and social sciences have long sought to theorize waste, and more particularly the relationship between humans – their history, society, culture, art and thought – and their discards. My contention, though, is that these theories, since Mary Douglas's Purity and Danger (1966) and Thompson's Rubbish Theory (1979), have been predominantly based in and on global North contexts and, concomitantly, have taken as their axiom the distance between our cultures, lives, experiences and our material rejects. By intersecting existing cultural theories of waste with two important emerging schools of thought – environmental justice and new materialism – I argue that the exclusion or side-lining of places, notably in the global South where countless people live on a day-to-day basis with, on, and off waste, leads to certain imbalances, biases and gaps. Most notably, the livingness and agency of material rejects is often overlooked in theories that oppose humans and other-than-human waste. By way of conclusion, I propose the notion of 'living waste' – a more literal and material take on Bauman's well-known concept 'wasted lives' – as a new point of departure for a reconceptualization of waste that might escape the prevailing dualisms and account simultaneously for 'full-belly' and 'empty-belly' contexts, human (wasted) lives and other-than-human waste materials, and understandings of lived experiences of waste.


Correspondence Stephen Zamore, School of Business and Law, University of Agder, Gimlemoen 19, Post Box 4630, Kristiansand, Norway. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract Microfinance is a banking market in which operating costs are high, while non-performing loans (NPLs) rates are low. While the existing literature tends to explain that the high operating costs arise from the provision of small loans, we argue that excessive efforts to control loan losses can also be a contributing factor. Therefore, this article investigates the relationship between NPLs and the cost efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Using a unique global sample of rated MFIs and applying stochastic frontier analysis together with Granger-causality test and generalized method of moments (GMM), we find, in contrast to positive linear relationship evidence in commercial banking studies, a nonlinear (U-shape) relationship between operating costs and NPLs. This implies that MFIs need to balance their cost efficiency with asset quality.


This article studiese four axis machining center organization movement schem innovative design by taking organization topology as the tool.The paper analyzed the topology characteristic and the movement chain structural property of machining center about four axis horizontal types without trading the knife arm by using Yan the organization innovation theory,and transformed it as the tree chart generalized rule and the design limit condition,passed through the tree chart specialization again,then obtained the feasible organization tree chart,and has given several kind of organization movement plan three-dimensional diagram.This article conclusion may be for four,five axis machining center design provides the reference.


The project is based on the soaping performance of duplicate surfactants on fabric dyed by reactive dyes.The influence on the effect of soaping by different types and amount were discussed,and the best mixture ratio of duplicat surfactants was determined.The results show that the performance of duplicate system is excellent while the mixture ratio of SKDA,DL and ZX is 11∶5∶4,the mixture ratio of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS) and NP-100 is 7∶3,the mixture ratio of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS) and IW(B) is 9∶1.


The solutions of an analogous Schrödinger wave equation for the one-dimensional non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H(x, p) in the complex phase plane characterized by x = x1 + i p2, p = p1 + ix2, are investigated. The quasi-exact solutions thus obtained reveal a lot about the nature of the complex eigenvalue spectrum of the potential concerned. The examples of harmonic, harmonic plus inverse harmonic and Mörse potentials are discussed.


MELATONIN, the putative pineal hormone, has been measured by bioand radioimmunoassay. Bioassay involved the intraperitoneal injections of gland extracts into the pencil fish Nunnostomus beckfordi anomalous according to the technique of Reed and Finin. Radioimmunoassay has been established using an antibody to Nacetylserotonin. The procedure employs chloroform extraction, column chromatography using Lipidex 5000 and separation by ammonium sulphate. The assay has been validated by selective ion monitoring using the pentafluropropionyl ester of melatonin. The correlation coefficient was 0.986 using nine individual pineal glands. Pineal glands from 157 fetal sheep (gestation range 120-150 days) were examined by bioassay. Melatonin was not detected before 141 days gestation but 7 of the 44 glands examined during the last few days of gestation contained melatonin (mean concentration 1.9 ng/gland). Using the more reliable recovery procedure (70 per cent), and the enhanced sensitivity (10 pg) of the radioimmunoassay, the study was repeated. All but 8 of 51 glands examined from 124 days gestation contained detectable amounts of melatonin. The mean content of 30 glands from 124 to 145 days gestation was 79f25 ng/gland, and 836 ng/gland for 21 fetuses judged to be within five days of parturition. Fetal plasma melatonin concentrations varied between <I0 pg/ml to 30 pg/ml; no relationship to gestation or to pineal content of melatonin was apparent. There was a positive relation between pineal melatonin content and the presence of pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (P = 0.05) and plasma cortisol (P = 0.001). Since the essential enzyme hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase demonstrates a marked rise before parturition, it is likely that the rise in pineal melatonin content before parturition represents endogenous production ; however, the exact temporal relationships between melatonin production, cortisol, oestrogens and prostaglandins remain to be elucidated. Plasma melatonin concentration exhibits a marked diurnal rhythm in the adult human (mean levels (20 pg/ml mid-light, 80 pg/ml mid-dark) and in the sheep (80 pg/ml and 180 pg/ml). The rhythm appears strongly linked to the light-dark cycle. The diurnal rhythm appeared to be present throughout pregnancy in 15 human patients investigated, with levels similar to the non-pregnant state.


The way in which a society organizes, distributes, values, and rewards employment is fundamental to the way in which all its citizens live. People with disabilities have generally been excluded and marginalized from the economic and social benefits of meaningful employment. This article presents an overview of specialist Australian employment services for people with disabilities and the employment status of the participants who access those services. This overview is presented within the context of disability legislation that has supported the funding of services and provided guidelines for their delivery. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd


This paper examines the trade performance for thirteen commodities in the fruit and vegetable industry in relation to that of selected ASEAN countries (Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand), based on Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) indicator. The analysis shows that Singapore has comparative advantage in 5 commodities (ground-nuts, hazelnuts, plums, apricots and walnuts), Philippines has comparative advantage in 3 commodities (tomatoes nes prepared or preserved, tomatoes whole or in peaces and cherries), Thailand and Malaysia has comparative advantage in 2 commodities (citrus fruits, fruit and vegetable juice, and tomatoes and apple juice, respectively) while Indonesia has comparative advantage in 1 commodity (cashew nuts). Malaysia has comparative advantage only in tomatoes and apple juice but comparative disadvantage in other commodities such as cashew nuts, walnuts and fruit and vegetable juice. The RCA index for apple juice in Malaysia is increasing over the years 2000 to 2006 indicating improvement in comparative advantage. However, the comparative advantage of tomatoes is constant.


In this paper, a simple control algorithm for the PVTOL aircraft is proposed. The control strategy takes into the account input constraints and does not have any singularities. The control design is such that the acceleration satisfies arbitrary bounds. The stability analysis is proved by using very simple arguments. Satisfactory behavior is shown in simulations.


The aim of this paper is to compute the Frobenius structures of some cohomological operators of arithmetic $\ms{D}$-modules. To do this, we calculate explicitly an isomorphism between canonical sheaves defined abstractly. Using this calculation, we establish the relative Poincar\'{e} duality in the style of SGA4. As another application, we compare the push-forward as arithmetic $\ms{D}$-modules and the rigid cohomologies taking Frobenius into account. These theorems will lead us to an analog of "Weil II" and a product formula for $p$-adic epsilon factors.


The kinetics of the heterogeneous oxidation of carbon monoxide by oxygen over an Aerosilsupported platinum catalyst and over evaporated platinum films have been investigated, between 250 and 370 °K, both with infrared spectrophotometry and by using the change of work function of the catalyst brought about by the presence of adsorbed species. Thus, the concentration of chemisorbed carbon monoxide has been continuously monitored during the oxidation process by measuring the height of the absorption b and maximum at ca. 2070 cm -1, and the concentration of chemisorbed oxygen atoms by recording their surface potential. Since reactions involving chem isorbed species are probably rate determining in hetero geneous catalytic reactions, this direct measurement leads to a considerable simplification of the kinetics and the rate of reaction is well represented by the expression the kinetics and the rate of reaction is well represented by the expression rate = κ[CO(a)]2 [O2(a)] exp (—E1/RT); the α represents an adsorbed species. Rates of oxidation on films an d supported catalyst are substantially the same w hen reproducible activity of the catalysts is obtained by alternate treatment of their surfaces with gaseous carbon monoxide an d oxygen. The possible primary steps are: 2CO(a) + O2(a) → 2CO2(g), (1) CO(a) + O(a) → CO2(g), (2) CO(g) + O(a) → CO2(g), (3) The activation energy of (1) is ca. 10 kcal/mole and that of (3) is ca. 0 kcal/mole, while (2) is thermodynamically improbable. Under the conditions used in the present investigation, reaction (1) is overwhelmingly the most important, whereas reaction (3) is rate determining when a mixture of the two reactants are in contact with the catalyst at 500 °K (Langmuir 1922); the kinetics are then described by rate = {κ[O2 (g))]/[CO(g)]} exp ( - q1/RT ). Not only is this expression qualitatively in accord with the predictions based on reactions (1) and (3), but the results of both investigations are shown to be incomplete quantitative agreement.


Dissolved oxygen in pore solution is often a controlling factor determining the rate of the corrosion process of steel bars in concrete. This study reports on the corrosion resistance and polarization properties of steel bars in a mortar specimen mixed with aerobic microorganisms. The addition of the microorganisms in mortar mixtures led to higher corrosion resistance, which was confirmed by the reduced rate of oxygen permeability, based on cathodic polarization properties.