With the recent advent of innumerable proprietary hair preparations, it is logical to expect that previously undescribed hair artifacts will be observed. It is important that unusual artifacts be reported and that physicians become acquainted with them to avoid possible confusion with other hair abnormalities. Two such artifacts have recently come to my attention in several patients using hair sprays utilized to maintain hair position. One of these, piedra-like artifacts, has not previously been described. The second, peripilar keratin casts, 1 also results from the external application of hair preparations. This latter condition was initially described as "A Pseudoparasite of the Scalp Hair" by M. J. Brunner and J. M. Facq 2 and also as "Hair Casts" by A. M. Kligman. 3 The former authors offered no comment regarding etiology, but Kligman believed the findings suggested a hereditary, sex-limited disorder. Peripilar keratin casts are characterized by asymptomatic, minute, semi-firm, tannish,


As part of the research project, an extended literature review was undertaken to distinguish the relationship between hepcidin, the iron regulatory protein, and its role in the progression of carcinogenesis, based on regulation and expression in iron abundant cells. The review also aims to critically assess hepcidin's role in iron metabolism and the link between iron overload/ deficiency disorders, such as thalassemia, with the normal biological functioning of the immune system. Finally, the project aims to highlight the therapeutic uses of hepcidin in both anaemic and iron overload cancer states, with regards clinical evidence. Iron: An Introduction Abstract Iron is an essential nutrient with limited bioavailability, which allows for the cell cycle progression of G1/S phases. When present in excess, iron poses a threat to cells and tissues, and therefore iron homeostasis has to be tightly controlled. Iron's toxicity is largely based on its ability to catalyse the generation of radicals, which attack and damage cellular macromolecules and promote cell death and tissue injury. This is lucidly illustrated in diseases of iron overload, such as hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusional siderosis, where excessive iron accumulation results in tissue damage and organ failure. Pathological iron accumulation in the liver has also been linked to the development of hepatocellular cancer. The regulation of iron however, is maintained by both hepcidin and ferroportin. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone secreted mainly by hepatocytes; regulating iron homeostasis by binding to the transporter protein ferroportin and inducing its internalisation and degradation. It has been suggested that oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) will only occur at particular concentrations of hepcidin, in both deficient and excessive states. As hepcidin has a significant role in iron homeostasis, both states are shown to prompt cell proliferation and reduce transitional progression through the cell cycle. As well as its role in iron metabolism, hepcidin has significant functional roles in several signalling pathways, such as the JAK-STAT pathway and the BMP pathway. Clinical evidence from the past 20years, has also shown a suggested therapeutic use, which targets hepcidin regulation in both anaemic and iron-overload cancer patients. Despite thorough research, there is little evidence to provide a definite use on clinical terms. Review Article


The study investigates Culpeper's (1996) impoliteness strategies in English and Arabic Facebook comments. The study aims at describing the types of impoliteness strategies used by facebookers in online contexts, and what factors may affect this use. As such, six pages are selected and there are four strategies found in Facebook contexts: bald on record impoliteness, positive impoliteness, sarcasm/mock impoliteness. Positive and negative impoliteness are the most frequent types, whereas, withdraw politeness does not exist in online contexts. The findings show a great similarity between English and Arabic data in the most used strategies, but the topics that cause the use of impoliteness were different.


Ultrasonograph is a machine by which organ or cancer is seen by measuring the delay time between the transmission of supersonic and returned via reflection. For B mode the 2 dimensional image can be seen because there are complicated pared of devices for transmission and receiving. This systemt is remarked for efficient usage because the cost of this machine is cheap without a big room facility compared with MRI, CT, or PET. To see objective through ultrasonograph as clearly as possible, various efforts are continued to be done . In this study in order to do feature extraction even in noisy environment, Prewitt filter in which mask pattern is multiplied by 8 different ways was studied. And dynamic Laplacian was also assessed for edge detection by changing differential operator in correspondence with darkness around there. So each and both effect is measured.


Based on a nonlinear fiber loop mirror (NOLM) composed of a fiber coupler (FC) and a highly nonlinear fiber (HNLF), a scheme is proposed to simultaneously realize the bandwidth enhancement and the time-delay signature (TDS) suppression of a chaotic signal generated from an external cavity optical feedback semiconductor laser. The simulation results show that, after passing through the NOLM, the bandwidth of chaotic signal can be efficiently enhanced and the TDS can be well suppressed under suitable operation parameters. Furthermore, the influences of the power-splitting ratio of the FC, the averaged power of the chaotic signal entering into the FC and the length of the HNLF on the chaotic bandwidth and TDS are analyzed, and the optimized parameters are determined.


Background: Aeromonas veronii is the most common bacterium responsible for diseases in freshwater fish rearing systems. Multiple factors can be involved in the virulence processes of Aeromonas bacteria. Hence, the purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenicity of A. veronii isolated from freshwater fishes. Methods: In this investigation, we isolated A. veronii from cultured freshwater fishes, Labeo rohita and Catla catla. A. veronii was identified by bacterial staining and culture characteristics. In addition, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the distribution of nine virulence genes including aerolysin, cytotonic enterotoxin (442, 272 bp), elastase, enolase, flagellin, lipase, serine protease and DNase. Result: A total of 88 A. veronii strains were isolated, which includes 56 strains from rohu and 33 strains from catla. The strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacteria and the colonies are yellow on blood agar. All the A. veronii strains were positive for at least one or more virulence genes tested. The isolates carried more virulence genes, especially in the combination of aer,alt, ela, lip, AhyB genes were found to be more virulent. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 17 antibiotics was determined and the strains of A. veronii showed 100% resistance to tetracycline, pencillin and â-lactum group of antibiotics. In addition, multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indexes ranged from 0.24 to 0.76, suggesting that they originated from high risk contaminated zones were (W. Godavari and Nellore districts) antimicrobials are often used.


The research university signifies a certain high level of development in national society,economy,and education,and is a special of institution type in the process of higher education development.The construction and development of research universities in China plays a significant role in accelerating the building of national innovation system,enhancing China's indigenous innovation capacity,and fostering top-level talents.This study explores the concept,nature and role of the research university,and proposes a scientific assessment index system for the research university in China,using surveys and expert opinions.The study then uses the data of China's first group of 29 graduate schools to estimate the threshold values of the quantitative indicators in the Index.


Key Points 1. COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) is a
life-threatening fungal disease that has become an epidemic and
notifiable disease after the second wave of COVID-19 in India 2. The
target group for CAM includes severely immunocompromised individuals
either by COVID-19, or corticosteroid therapy, or uncontrolled glycemic
index. 3. With an intention to find out the sensitivity and specificity
of diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) and contrast-enhanced magnetic
resonance imaging (CEMRI), one hundred two consecutive patients of
target group with clinical features of CAM were enrolled in the study.
4. The sensitivity and specificity of DNE as compared to KOH mount were
73.4% and 94.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CEMRI
as compared to KOH mount were 87.5% and 50% respectively. 5. CEMRI
misses fewer cases than DNE. In cases of normal endoscopy in the target
group, imaging and biopsy should be advised to reduce false-negative
results. Nasal endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging can reliably detect the
majority of cases of CAM.


The macroscopic strength properties of reinforced soils, regarded as periodic composite materials, are investigated by means of a FEM‐based formulation of both static and kinematic approaches of yield design applied to the reinforced soil's unit cell. Because the reinforced soil's individual constituents obey a 3D Mohr–Coulomb strength condition, such a numerical problem can be treated through an optimization procedure using semidefinite programming. The whole numerical procedure is applied to the derivation of both lower bound and upper bound estimates to the macroscopic yield surface of a soil reinforced either by columnar inclusions (stone columns) or a double array of trenches (cross trench reinforcement). The so‐obtained results highlight the efficiency of the proposed numerical method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The aim of the publication is to present the research conducted by history students at the Siedlce University. "Polish Workers' Party in Ostrołęka County in 1945-1948" is an extended abstract of BA thesis.


The current state of Russian economy determines the necessity of evaluation of foreign trade policy, which is a
crucial component of industrial regulation. This formed the purpose of the research – the identifying of the
opportunities for intensification of Russia's participation in the regional integration process through a
comparative analysis of the development of the foreign trade relations of the Russian regions in the period from
2000 to the present time. Analysis of interregional cooperation of Russian regions showed that there is a trade
deficit in most regions. In most regions there is а focus on the export of resources and irrational structure of
imports, which promotes the preservation of the inertial scenario of expansion of foreign economic activity of
the regions and the country as a whole. The growth of exports is implementedat higher ratescompared to the
growth of imports. Consequently, Russian foreign trade, which had a stable export orientation previously, has
become even more export-oriented. Russian Federation despite the status of a major industrial power has
actually become a mono-cultural exporter. With such high concentration of exports in a small group of
commodities and materials to Russia the scope of maneuver into the foreign economic relations significantly
narrows and its vulnerability against the negative changes in the world conjuncture greatly increases. In addition,
high deterioration of external conjuncture of the energy export was a cause of a number of serious systemic risks
for domestic economy and finally may be a cause of deep economic crisis.


As is well-known, the earliest Slavic loanwords in the Finnic languages (i.e. Finnish, Karelian, Veps, Votic, Estonian, Livonian, etc.) seemingly go back to their common Finnic proto-language generally dated to the first millennium AD. According to the famous Finnish Slavist Valentin Kiparsky (1963: 75–84), these earliest loanwords were borrowed from Proto-Russian, whose vowel system he reconstructed as the following:


The die for keyboard button, which could mold all buttons at the same time, was designed based on setting up many mould cavities between front mould kernel and back mould kernel, and installing the cone-shaped adhesive injector intervening to back mould on the innermost wall of the keyboard button. So it could effectively avoid the problems of numerous dies, higher business cost and inefficiency. All together, chosing H13 steel as the die steel, which was heat-treated and surface-modified by electron beam, the hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the die observably improve, and the die life prolong, enterprise costs further reduce.


Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood psychiatric disorder found universally across countries with persistently rising incidences. Etiopathogenesis of ADHD is based on multifactorial etiological pathways concerning with neurobiological, genetic and environmental aspect. Although various causal links of the disease are precisely established in modern psychiatry, complete cure of ADHD patient without side-effect is till underachieved target for modern community. In Ayurvedic literature, ADHD is not described as separate clinical entity and hence an effort has been framed out to establish the etiopathogenesis(samprapti) of ADHD in Ayurvedic idiom. The conceptualization of Sampraptiof ADHD is purely based on the concept of vitiated doshdushyasammurchchanain the active presence of khavaigunya. This knowledge of etiopathogenesis may reveal the specific nature of brain dysfunction in ADHD and may help to understand the development of symptomatology of


Financial barriers to seeking care are frequently cited as one of the main causes of underutilization of child health care services. This paper estimates the impact of Indonesia's healthcard on health care use by children. Evaluation of the healthcard effect is complicated by the fact that card allocation was non-random. The analysis uses propensity score matching to control for systematic differences between treatment and control groups. A second potential source of bias is related to contemporaneous, exogenous influences on health care use unrelated to the healthcard itself. Using panel data collected prior to and after the introduction of the healthcard, a difference-in-differences estimator is constructed to eliminate the effects of exogenous changes over time. The author finds that although health care use declined for all children during the crisis years of 1997-2000, use of public sector outpatient services declined much less for children with healthcards. The protective effect of the healthcard on public sector use was concentrated among children aged 0-5 years. The healthcard had no significant impact on use of private sector services. The results highlight the need to provide adequate protection against the financial burden of health care costs, particularly during economic crises.


A search that is targeted at finding a specific document in databases is called a Single Citation search. Single citation searches are particularly important for scholarly databases, such as PubMed, because users are frequently searching for a specific publication. In this work we describe SingleCite, a single citation matching system designed to facilitate user's search for a specific document. We report on the progress that has been achieved towards building that functionality.


This work explores the dynamics of the 'virtuous circle' driving the impressive Chinese catching-up and growth by investigating the micro relationships linking productivity, profitability, investment and growth, based on China's manufacturing firm-level dataset over the period 1998–2007. Interestingly and somewhat puzzlingly, we find that productivity variations, rather than relative levels, are the prevalent productivity-related determinant of firm growth. Moreover, the direct relation between profitability and firm growth is much weaker and its contribution to the explanation of the different rates of firm growth is almost negligible. The only visible profitability-growth relationship is mediated via investment. Firm's contemporaneous and lagged profitabilities display positive and significant effect on the probability to report an investment spike, and, in turn, investment activities are related to higher firm growth. 2017


ILO pub-WEP pub. Working paper emanating from the WEP on the effects of the migration of migrant workers from Mediterranean countries in Western Europe on both home and host countries, with particular reference to employment and income distribution - examines effects on the host country in terms of international efficiency and on the home country in relation to brain drain. Graphs and references.


In humans Anger, stress and loneliness cause health problems. Nail biting is an indicator of tension. The present study has examined the impact of these parameters on health in relation to gender. The study carried out on eight engineering college students. A total of 952 (male: 547 and female: 406) is participated. Pearson correlation and ttest are conducted. A Significant relation is found between gender headache and nail biting. Seasonal health problems are more in male and head ache problems is more in female students.


BACKGROUND
In 9 out of 10 cases, lymphangiomas are observed during the first years of life, generally located in the neck. Rare lymphangiomas have been reported in adults, usually in an intrathoracic localization, raising the hypothesis of an acquired origin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgery for lymphanioma of the neck or mediastinum was conducted. Pathology reports, clinical data and medical imaging (CT) were reviewed and operative and post-operative findings were analyzed in order to determine whether the cases could be divided into congenital and non-congenital forms.

RESULTS
Data were obtained on 37 patients (23 men and 14 women, mean age 45 years, range 8-77). Four lesions (11%) were located in the neck: 3 in children and one in an elderly subject (77 yrs). Thirty-three tumors (89%) were located in the mediastinum. In 5 cases, the tumor was located in the phrenic nodes of the anterior mediastinum. These lymphangiomas occurred in young adults, had a CT density less than liquid with enhancement after contrast injection, and had a malformative vascular component proven anatomically and histologically (hemolymphangioma). These elements favored a congenital orgin. In 28 cases (76.6%) the tumor involved nodes in the posterior or middle mediastinum. They occurred in older adults and were purely liquid with no vascular component. These lymphangiomas were undoubtedly acquired.

CONCLUSION
In children, adolescents and young adults, lymphagiomas are found in the neck or anterior mediastinum and have a tissular component. These tumors should be considered as congenital lymphangiomas. In older adults, lymphangiomas are found in the posterior or middle mediastinum and are purely liquid cysts suggesting an acquired origin.


This paper provides an overview of the field of parameterized parallel complexity by surveying previous work in addition to presenting a few new observations and exploring potential new directions. In particular, we present a general view of how known FPT techniques, such as bounded search trees, color coding, kernelization, and iterative compression, can be modified to produce fixed-parameter parallel algorithms.


In this paper we establish a new numerical method for solving a class of stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) based on B-splines wavelets. The method combines implicit collocation with the multi-scale method. Using the multi-scale method, SPDEs can be solved on a given subdomain with more accuracy and lower computational cost than the rest of the domain. The stability and consistency of the method are provided. Also numerical experiments illustrate the behavior of the proposed method.


With the financial assistance of the European Union (ICA4-CT-2001-10071), research has been undertaken for the last 3 years on coffee and tree associations in Central America (www.casca-project.com). Its purpose is to promote coffee agroforestry systems in the region and to improve farmer's income through diversification (timber production), production of high quality coffee and payment of incentives for environmental services in order to compensate the current low coffee prices. Intensive measurements have been undertaken to model light and water partitioning between coffee and trees. The impact of shade trees on microclimate, coffee physiology and quality has also been investigated. Especially under sub-optimal conditions, the results show that tree shade creates more favorable microdimatic conditions for coffee and improves coffee photosynthesis. They demonstrate that coffee transpiration is lower under tree shade (Eucalyptus deglupta or Terminalia ivorensis) than in full sun. Nevertheless, they indicate that water competition can take place during the last weeks of the dry season. These results demonstrate that adequate shade (20-40%) decreases coffee productivity by 15-25%. However, this lower productivity can be financially compensated by an increased proportion of larger beans suitable for export and the premium paid for higher cup quality. Indeed, shade lengthens by up to 6 weeks the maturation of coffee berries resulting in better bean filling and beverage quality. These investigations indicate that modelling the effects of agroforestry practices on microclimate, resource partitioning, coffee physiology, productivity and quality is required to provide adequate recommendations for selecting and managing associated trees according to local ecological conditions. (Texte integral)


Digital modulation plays a significant role in efficient wireless communication. It allows the transmission of digital data via air on high frequency carrier waves. The worst case communication channel is usually in the urban environment where there are many obstacles. Due to the obstacles and reflectors, the transmitted signal arrives at the receiver from various directions over a multiplicity of paths. Such a phenomenon is called multipath. Mobile radio propagation is characterized by three main aspects: fading, shadowing and path loss. A major concern in a cellular mobile radio system is the co-channel interference. Therefore, the reduction of co-channel interference becomes a main thrust for the system design engineers. GMSK is studied and identified as an effective digital modulation technique suitable for power and band-limited mobile radio. This paper evaluates the BER performance of GMSK system under different channel models i.e. AWGN, Rayleigh and Rician fading channels. Subsequently, a comparative study is carried out to obtain the BER performance for BPSK and QPSK under fading mobile channels. The comparative study showed that BER for BPSK and QPSK are similar and they give the lowest BER under multipath fading. Though BPSK and QPSK give slightly better BER performance than GMSK, the spectral efficiency and hence power efficiency advantages of GMSK make it the preferred choice of modulation in fading mobile channels. Keywords— Digital modulation, GMSK, Co-channel interference, Fading, Spectrum Manipulation, BER.


A major broadcaster on both radio and television, Eric Sevareid published a memoir of his youth and wartime experiences in 1946. Not So Wild a Dream devoted considerable attention to the complicated emotional registers of male identity. The tensions between physical and mental labour, the revelation or concealment of personal feelings and the relationship between individual autonomy and community responsibility suffused Sevareid's recollections of youth and early manhood. The situational quality of his masculinity and the confessional imperative of his life writing contributes to the complex hermeneutics and intersectionalities of gender and history.


Since the 2008/2009 school year, every primary school in Slovenia has had to prepare its own "school moral education plan" and undertake its moral education activities on the basis of this plan. Although the basic content areas of the moraleducation plan are prescribed by law, the openness of the legal provisions allows schools to exercise professional autonomy. After a decade of the implementation of moral education plans we conducted an empirical quantitative-qualitative study aimed at analysing them in terms of content. The objective was to determine the extent to which the plans include and how they define the prescribed content areas, as well as the extent to which they include and how they define additional content areas that are not prescribed by law but could be included by schools depending on their individual particularities and the specific challenges of their environment. Data were collected through publications on the websites of a representative sample of randomly selected schools and analysed with a specially prepared instrument. The research shows that upgrading moral education activities through the school moral education plan would require (1) reconsideration and upgrading of the concept, (2) continuous state support for the self-evaluation of schools specifically in this area, and (3) support for schools to gain a deeper professional understanding of current moral educationchallenges and of forming moral education strategies that differ with regard to the content differencesin the reasons for individual moral education challenges.


This paper Introduces optimization research on personalized web search system in the view of user preference,and provides a new query expansion algorithm based on semantic relation tree and intelligent frame of personalized search system fitted user preference.Semantic relation tree can effectively and neatly construct query expansion model.Personalized search system fitted user preference has self-learning ability of user preference.The experimental result shows that the accuracy of text retrieval can be improved efficiently.


A collection of 113,497 public Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) from Genbank dbEST were utilized. Nucleotide similarities between pig ESTs and human genes were determined by cDNA alignment against 97,100 human UniGene sequences. Available data for pig-on-human comparative maps and homology between pig and human chromosomes were then used to predict pig EST assignments on pig chromosomes. The similarities among pig ESTs and 3,331 pig genes retrieved from GenBank were also examined. Results showed that 28,113 pig ESTs hits 10,258 human UniGenes, and 6,254 pig ESTs hits 1,362 pig gene sequences (score >= 200). As a results of this comparative analysis, a porcine expressed sequence tagged (EST) database, a set of tools for EST analyses and a web query tool for public access to this database were developed. This database is comprised of a number of tables covering the EST profile, alignment similarity, human ortholog information on cytogenetic, and RH locations. Interactive web query interfaces are developed for public access to the EST database.


Intergenerational panel data from a 23-year study of US mothers and children are used to examine the relationship between maternal and child fertility preferences and the transition to marriage or a consensual union. Interviews were conducted during 1962-85 among a sample of mothers who gave birth in the Detroit Metropolitan Area during 1961. Complete cohabitation and marital histories were obtained from the adult children. Findings indicate that mothers who wanted their daughters or sons to have many children had daughters who were much more likely to choose marriage rather than cohabitation and sons who were much more likely to enter any type of coresidential union. Gender differences were apparent when young peoples fertility preferences were considered. The omission of parental childbearing desires would misspecify models of early cohabitation and marriage behavior.


Hepatitis B antigen was detected by both immunodiffusion and electron microscopy in mixed saliva concentrates from 5 out of 12 HB antigenemic patients who suffered from acute or chronic hepatitis, or


This paper introduced the basic principles and application characteristics of FTIR-ATR,the infrared absorption spectrum of several new type fibers was tested.According to the experiment,it established infrared absorption spectral database,then analyzed the characteristic peak of infrared spectrum of different new type fibers,and analysed and compared with common fibers combined with characteristic spectra and characteristic frequency.The result showed that: FTIR-ATR qualitatively analyzed the different new type fibers according to molecular structure,or the differences of same fiber caused by raw material used,monomer added.It had unique advantages such as the dosage of samples,simple operation,high measurement sensitivity,good reproducibility,exact and reliable measurement.


Under German law, the following main reliefs against the infringer are generally available:
• A cease and desist claim.

• A compensatory damages claim (no punitive damages are available; the claimant may choose from three different methods for calculating damages, namely own lost profits, infringer's profit or reasonably royalty).

• A claim for information about, inter alia, the origin and the distribution channels of the infringing products, the names and addresses of the manufacturers, suppliers or other previous owners, the commercial customers and the quantity of the products manufactured or supplied.

• A claim for rendering of accounts regarding the revenue and expenditures caused by the infringing activities, including a detailed statement of the profit earned.

• A destruction claim for the infringing products which are in the possession or ownership of the infringer.

• A recall/removal claim for the infringing products from the distribution channels.


How to suggest a valid recommend within a reasonable time is the greatest technical challenge for the recommendation system, for which tremendous user cases with high dimension are generated while it runs in real time, and these massive data are too difficult to compute directly. This paper proposes a case -intelligence system framework along with a feature -based multi -layer feed -forward neural networks (MFNN) to succeed case- retrieval based on dynamic computing, which constructs the neural networks dependence on the real input vectors instead of the fixed and dull networks structure presupposed, and can apply many kinds of knowledge granularity from various levels effectively to help users for information retrieval and case adaptation. Our subsequent experimental results indicate that it is capable of handling the massive personalized data, and our covering algorithm can decrease the complexity of MFNN algorithm for dynamic computing, which performs adaptable knowledge granularity to enhance the system's efficiency of reasoning.


Background: A role of β-delayed neutron emission and fission in r-process nucleosynthesis attracts a high interest. Although the number of study on them covering r-process nuclei is increasing recently, uncertainties of β-delayed neutron and fission are still large for r-process simulations. Purpose: Our purpose is to make a new database on β-delayed neutron emission and fission rates. To this end, the data that are not investigated experimentally have to be predicted. Microscopic theoretical approaches based on a nuclear energy density functional and statistical models are one of the competent tools for the prediction. We developed a new theoretical framework for β-delayed neutron emission and fission, and apply it to make a new data table. Methods: To obtain β strength function, proton-neutron relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation is adopted. Particle evaporations and fission from nuclear highly excited states are estimated by the HauserFeshbach statistical model. β-delayed neutron branching ratios (Pn) are calculated and compared with experimental data. β-delayed fission branching ratio (Pf ) are also assessed by using four different fission barrier data. Results: Calculated Pn values are in a good agreement with experimental data and the root mean square deviation is comparable to results of preceding works. It is found that energy withdrawal by β-delayed neutron emission sensitively varies Pn values for nuclei near the neutron drip line. Pf are sensitively dependent on fission barrier data. Conclusions: Newly calculated data on β-delayed neutron emission and fission are summarized as a table in supplement material. They are provided for studies of r-process as well as other fields such as nuclear engineering. Study on level structures and fission barrier of neutron-rich nuclei are highly requested for a further development of the database in future.


Control of a Benchmark Structure Using GA-Optimized Fuzzy Logic Control. (December 2006) David Adam Shook, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Paul N. Roschke Mitigation of displacement and acceleration responses of a three story benchmark structure excited by seismic motions is pursued in this study. Multiple 20-kN magnetorheological (MR) dampers are installed in the three-story benchmark structure and managed by a global fuzzy logic controller to provide smart damping forces to the benchmark structure. Two configurations of MR damper locations are considered to display multiple-input, single-output and multiple-input, multiple-output control capabilities. Characterization tests of each MR damper are performed in a laboratory to enable the formulation of fuzzy inference models. Prediction of MR damper forces by the fuzzy models shows sufficient agreement with experimental results. A controlled-elitist multi-objective genetic algorithm is utilized to optimize a set of fuzzy logic controllers with concurrent consideration to four structural response metrics. The genetic algorithm is able to identify optimal passive cases for MR damper operation, and then further improve their performance by intelligently modulating the command voltage for concurrent reductions of displacement and acceleration responses. An optimal controller is identified and validated through numerical simulation and fullscale experimentation. Numerical and experimental results show that performance of the controller algorithm is superior to optimal passive cases in 43% of investigated studies. Furthermore, the state-space model of the benchmark structure that is used in numerical simulations has been improved by a modified version of the same genetic algorithm used in development of fuzzy logic controllers. Experimental validation shows that the state-space model optimized by the genetic algorithm provides accurate prediction of response of the benchmark structure to base excitation.


Objective To study the germicidal efficacy and toxicity of an antibacterial woman lotion in order to evaluate its germicidal activity and safety.Methods Suspension quantitative germicidal test and animal test were utilized for laboratory observation.Results The antibacterial woman lotion is composed of eucalyptus oil,menthol and benzalkonium bromide 10 g/L.The average killing rate of Staphlococcus aureus in suspension exposed to the stock solution of the antibacterial woman lotion for 2min was 99.36% and that of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in suspension exposed for 20 min was 90.92% and 95.26% respectively.It was non-irritating to rabbit skin,slightly irritating to vaginal mucosa and has no-allergizing effect on guinea pig skin.Conclusions The antibacterial woman lotion has certain germicidal effect and slightly irritating to mucosa.


This paper presents a convex optimizations-based method to compute the set of initial conditions from which a given landing accuracy to a target can be achieved (constrained controllability set) and the set of states that can be reached from a given set of initial states (constrained reachability set) for a planetary landing vehicle with all the relevant control and mission constraints. The proposed method is based on the lossless convexification of the powered-descent landing guidance problem and methods of convex optimization and computational geometry. These techniques are used to generate approximations that can be arbitrarily close to the actual reachability or controllability sets. The quantification of these sets allows evaluation of the feasibility of a prescribed landing accuracy for a given vehicle and an expected set of dispersions from the parachute descent phase of a planetary landing mission. Since these sets are generated systematically and quickly, a wide range of design options can be eva...


The trigonal fluorides KLnF4 are fluorite related superstructures and crystallize in space group P31 or P32 with lattice parameter a≈14 Å and c≈10 Å. The lattice of the trigonal KLnF4 compounds and the cubic face-centred lattice of fluorite (space group Fm-3m) are related according to atrigonal ≈ √3 (√2 acubic) and ctrigonal ≈ √3 acubic [1-5].The cations are distributed in three layers perpendicular to the c axis. Within the layers, chains of Ln2F12 groups formed by two [YF7] pentagonal bipyramids alternate with chains of edge-shared distorted [KF8] cubes (Figure1).


The notion of direct integrals introduced by Haydon, Levy and Raynaud in 1991 is a generalisation of the well-known concept of K\"othe-Bochner spaces of vector-valued functions (using a family of target spaces instead of just one space). Here we will discuss some classical geometric properties like strict convexity, local uniform convexity and uniform convexity in direct integrals. We will also consider strongly convex and very convex K\"othe-Bochner spaces.


Skill and technique appear axiomatic to the definition of handicraft. And no designers are more closely associated with defending skilled human labour than the leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement in England and America. This essay, however, proposes that industrial-era definitions of handicraft—originating with figures such as T. J. Cobden-Sanderson, William Morris, Gustav Stickley and even the sociologist Thorstein Veblen—are in fact predicated on a paradoxical relationship to skill. For if skilled labour seems the self-evident alternative to mechanical production, it is also true that machines, capable of absolute precision and uniformity, threaten the traditional associations of craft and perfect workmanship. The era of the Arts and Crafts Movement thus developed ways of thinking about craft that are sceptical of practised, learned or reproducible technique. This essay probes the implications of that epistemological shift, considering its effects on the aesthetics of craft, on the class dynamics of handicrafts revivalism and on the popularization of a medieval style (rather than, say, eighteenth-century models) as the paradigm of the handcrafted. Rethinking the relation of craft and skill, the article offers an alternative to established historiographical models in which practical skilled labour was steamrolled by shoddy industrial production or modern marketplace ideals. Instead, I suggest that industrial-era definitions of skill do not support conventional distinctions of craft and consumerism, practicality and rarity or simplicity and excess.


A series of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (PEO-b-PS) diblock copolymers were designed and synthesized to study the change in crystal orientation of PEO blocks under different confinement sizes. The volume fraction of PEO blocks (fPEO) in these copolymers was kept almost identical (the fPEO values were between 0.45 and 0.48) but with different number-average molecular weights for the PS and PEO blocks (MnPEO and MnPS). Therefore, the phase morphology of these copolymers was a lamellar structure with different PEO and PS layer thicknesses (dPEO and dPS) detected by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments. Since the melting temperature of these PEO crystals is lower than the glass transition temperature of the PS layers, the PEO block crystals could be melted and recrystallized under one-dimensional (1D) confinement at different crystallization temperatures (Tc). The PEO block crystal orientation changes were monitored using synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) experimen...


Objective: To explore the clinical effect of carvedilol on chronic heart failure in old patients with systolic hypertension. Methods: One hundred chronic heart failure patients with systolic hypertension were randomized into 2 groups, all patients used fundamental medicine to cure, and the observation group used carvedilol in addition. Thees patients' clinical effects including blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac function in 3 weeks and 24 weeks were compared. Results: The observation group patients' BP and HR had improved from 3 weeks, and cardiac function improved from 24 weeks, the differences between 2 groups was obvious, it had statistic significance (P0.05). Conclusion: Carvedilol can improve patients' BP and HR during treatment, and also improve cardiac function during long time treatment.


Caffeine and alcohol are two of the most popular and legal drugs around the world. In America, both drugs are easily accessible, and this has led to the two drugs being used in frequent combination with one another. Previous studies have revealed much about the mechanisms of each drug, but the effects of co‐consumption are not yet fully understood. The two drugs appear to have opposing effects, as caffeine is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant, but more research is needed on their effects when combined. One main concern is that caffeine could reduce how intoxicated a person feels, leading to increased alcohol consumption or other risky behaviors. Mice have previously been used to study alcohol, caffeine, and their combination. This previous research is not conclusive, but does suggest the potential for dose‐dependent effects of caffeine when combined with alcohol. This experiment intended to compare the consumption rates of caffeine and alcohol and to observe the withdrawal effects of these two drugs. Specifically, varying levels of caffeine and alcohol were examined to see if the effects of the combination is dependent upon dose. C57BL/6J mice (n=48) were provided with caffeine (0.015% or 0.03%) and/or alcohol (3‐20%) in a two‐bottle intermittent access voluntary paradigm. Fluid consumption was recorded daily for five weeks and mice were then individually tested in an elevated plus maze (EPM) to assess anxiety‐like behaviors during withdrawal. Although small amounts of caffeine alone were consumed throughout the study, the amount of alcohol consumed steadily increased until the highest concentration (20%) was presented. Both sexes consumed the most alcohol when it was paired with the lower dose of caffeine (0.015%) compared to either alcohol alone or alcohol in combination with the higher dose of caffeine (0.03%) and consumed more caffeine at each concentration when it was paired with alcohol. Overall, less consistent consumption patterns were observed in female mice. The results from the EPM revealed no significant difference between experimental groups and no differences between male and female mice. These results suggest that a specific amount of caffeine may be necessary to impact alcohol consumption in mice. More research is necessary to determine the psychological effects of withdrawal from these drugs.


Human blink reflexes elicited by optic, trigeminal, acoustic and spinal nerve stimuli were investigated electrophysiologically by recording the EMG of orbicularis oculi muscles and the following results were obtained.1. Either a weak tap on the glabella or percutaneous electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve evoked reflex responses of the orbicularis oculi muscles bilaterally. The early response had a latency of 8-12msec elicited ipsilateral to the stimulus and the late response had a latency of 30-40msec elicited bilaterally.2. Auditory stimuli to an ear by pure tone bursts evoked blink reflexes with no distinct components bilaterally. The latency of this reflex response was about 30msec on both sides.3. Optic stimuli to an eye with a flash light evoked blink reflexes on both sides. The latency of this reflex response was 42-50msec on both sides.4. Percutaneous electrical stimulation of the radial nerve evoked blink reflexes with a mean latency of 55msec on both sides. This reflex response was elicited in 30% of the subjects in our series.These results indicate that blink reflexes can be elicited by stimulation of various afferent nerves and may be helpful in pinpointing the site of intracranial lesions which involve these reflex pathways.


The small dimensions of fibre Bragg gratings allow their utilisation for microsensors. We report results of different field tests and a reliable and low-cost interrogation unit with a resolution being sufficient for most applications.


This paper presents a millimeter-wave on-chip bandpass filter (BPF) with all-pole characteristics. It is believed to be the first time that an all-pole frequency response has been successfully implemented by using a standard 0.13-µm Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) technology. To further demonstrate the feasibility of using this approach in practice, the designed resonator is fabricated. The measured results show that the BPF has an insertion loss of 2.2 dB at the center frequency of 31 GHz. The return loss is better than 10 dB from 26.5 GHz to 37.5 GHz. In addition, the out-of-band suppression of this filter is superior, which is better than 20 dB beyond 50.6 GHz. The chip size, excluding the pads, is only 0.091 × 0.268 mm2.


This investigation was conducted to study the effect of progestin and prostaglandin-based estrous synchronization protocol on estrus parameters, hormonal profile and vaginal cytology in Surti goats. Ten non-pregnant Surti goats were selected and subjected to estrus synchronization with intra-vaginal progesterone sponges (60 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate, MAP) for 11 days followed by PGF2α injection (125 μgCloprostenol). Whole blood was collected on day 0 (before treatment), day 5, 11 (after treatment), at proestrus, estrus and diestrus for analyzing progesterone as well as estrogen hormone concentration. The vaginal exfoliative cytology was studied at proestrus, estrus and diestrus. Estrus parameters such as induction rate was 100%, time of onset of estrus from PG injection was 29.70 ± 1.06 h and duration was 30.74 ± 0.19 h. Significantly higher population of parabasal cells and superficial cells were observed during proestrus, intermediate cells in diestrus and cornified cells during estrus. At estrus, level of progesterone was lowest and estrogen was highest. Combination of progestin and prostaglandin-based protocol is successful in synchronization of estrous cycle with 100% estrus induction rate in Surti goats. Further in addition to other signs, vaginal exfoliative cytology can also be used for determining different phases of estrous cycle.


Through the questionnaire survey,this article investigate and study on the foreign nationals leisure sports consumption characteristics of the Suzhou industrial park.So as to provide reference to effectively promote the domestic leisure sports economic development,strengthen t leisure sports cultural exchanges and cooperation between the he different countries and regions.The results show that Suzhou sports consumption habits of foreign nationality personage is in the majority of men of 35 to 50 years old,the main motivation is cheerful body and mind,motion frequency time and consumption level are higher than those of the local people,the number of consumption more sport is tennis,the main factor influenced foreign nationals participation in leisure sports consumption is sports venues facilities development and construction level.Thus put forwards suggestion that relying on Suzhou ring Taihu lake region's resources,the related departments should develop leisure sports cultural tourism projects,improve the traffic environment,perfect leisure sports facilities,strengthen leisure sports information management and raise standards of service.


THE treatment and prognosis of head injuries is a matter of current interest, especially for those likely to acquire special responsibilities in newly organized Accident and Emergency Services. The experience of the South Western Regional Neurosurgical Centre at Frenchay Hospital, serving one big city (Bristol: population 436,000) and a region of 250 miles at its farthest extent indicates what is practicable in the way of salvage, despite handicaps of time and distance.


2(5-Bromo-2-pyr idy lazo)-5-d iet h y lam i Ilophc nol (5131'PADAP). a trihydroxy pheny l dye and N-hydroxy-N.N 'dipheny lbenz:Jmid ine (IIDPI3A). a reported ex tractan l. in presence of a cat ion ic surfactant (CPC) have been used for the spectrophotometric detcrmina ti on of cadmium( II ). The Cd(l l )CPC-(5-l3r-I'ADAP) red co loured complex formed in aqueous med ium has been ex trac ted w ith N-hydroxy-N.N ·diphcnylbellLam idi ne in dichlorllmethane in th e pi I range 8.610.6. Thi s ex tracted complex shows max imum absorb:1I1ce at Am,,, = 560 nm aga inst reagent blank w ith molar absorpti vity of 9.5x I O~ dm' mo l' l cm· l. The detecti on limit of the method is n.o I ~lg 111 1'1. T he relati ve standard deviation (RSD. n= I 0) for so lutions conta ining 0.40 ~lg m!,1 Cd( lI ) is 1.6'K,. The system obeys Becr's law in the ra nge 0.051.0 ~lg ml· l . The elTcct of forei gn ions and other experimental variables ha ve been studied. Cd( lI ) has bcen success full y determi ncd in standard. environmental and bio log ical samples using the present method.


Study 25 foreign banks' location distributing strategy in China's 40 cities in 2010.Based on the main businesses,divide the foreign banks into two groups:all-banks and universal banks.The result shows that the same influencing factor has different effects to different group.For the all-banks group,competitive advantage and seeking market chance are the mostly influencing factors of bank location distributing in China,while for universal banks the factor is following clients.Furthermore,the result also shows that the agglutination of banks influences foreign banks' location distributing choice indirectly.


Established in 1979, this award is to recognize and foster excellence in clear communication of technical ma-terial of widespread interest to AESS members, and in doing so, to honor the contributions of AES Transactions Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Dr. Harry Rowe Mimno to the AESS and IEEE for over 50 years. The award is to the au-thor of a paper which is either tutorial in nature (including surveys), speculative, or which advocates new ideas or principles tending to promote debate. It is selected from among those published in the IEEE Aerospace & Electronic Systems Magazine.


Executive Summary: Policymakers have traditionally crafted energy policy with the end goal of increasing energy security. This proposal suggests a change to this line of thinking by outlining a method that quantifies the projected impact of various policies on energy security to inform the policy decision-making process. This method allows policymakers to compare the impacts of policies on energy security using a standardized methodology across different policy cases. Specifically, this involves quantifying the effects of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2014 policy case scenarios on U.S. energy security risk and weighing these effects against other long-term policy goals considered in the model runs, such as CO2 emission reduction and GDP growth. This method allows policymakers to more clearly visualize the relative effects of different policies on the economic and energy landscape. The Institute for 21st Century Energy's Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk is used as a concrete example of the proposed method. Though this proposal is concerned with the general idea of quantifying energy security, the proposal does not advocate for any one specific quantification method.


Benzothioxanthene imide (BTI) has recently emerged as an interesting and promising block for organic electronics. In this contribution, we report on the impact of the N-annulation of the latter dye on the optoelectronic of π-extended molecular structures. To do so, the thiophene-diketopyrrolopyrrole was selected, as central π-conjugated core, and either end-capped with two BTIs or its N-annulated version, namely the TCI. While almost similar band gaps were measured for individual rylene imide dyes, significant differences were highlighted, and rationalized, on their π-extended counterparts.


A fully self-organizing neural network approach to low-dimensional control problems is described. Vile consider the problem of learning to control an object and solving the path planning problem at the SaIne timc. Control is based on thc paLh plaflning rnodel UlaL rollows the g,·adicrd or thc staLionary soluLioll or it dilTIlSioll l'f"OCCSS working ill Lhc staLc spacc. Pn:viOIJS works an: ex Lcndcd hy irdmdllcing a sclr org;anizing; multigrid-like discretiz.ing; structure to represent the external world. Diffusion is simulated within a recurrent neural network built on tllis multigrid system. The novelty of the approach is that the diffusion on the multigrid is fast. Moreover, the diffusion process on the multigrid fits well the requirements of the path planning: it accelerates the diffusion in large free space regions while still keeps the resolution in small bottleneck-like labyrinths along; the path. Control is achieved in the usual way: associative learning identifies the inverse dynamics of the system in a direct fashion. To this end there are introduced interneurons between neighboring discretizing units that detect the strength of the steady-state diffusion and forward control commands to the control neurons l,ria modifiable connections. TIns architecture forms the Multigrid Position-and-Direction-to-Action crvfPDA) map. The architecture integrates reactive path planning and continuous motion control. It is also shown that the scheme leads to population co cling; for the actual command vector.


Objective To discus the diagnosis significance of calcification in thyroid nodules to the thyroid cancer.Methods Retrospective analysis of Wuhua people's hospital in July 2004~December 2009 418 cases were treated during the preoperative diagnosis of B-ultrasound nodular goiter with calcification of the clinical data.Results 418 cases of preoperative ultrasound examination as nodular goiter with calcification in the patients from the surgical pathology of thyroid cancer were diagnosed 223 cases,accounting for 53.33%(223/418) ,of which 179 cases of papillary carcinoma,accounting for thyroid cancer,80.27%;micro calcification calcification in 418 cases accounted for 64.59%(270/418) in papillary carcinoma accounts for 73.74%(132/179) ;different age groups(≥45 and45) malignant calcification nodule ratio was 39.25%,68.13%,the difference was significant(P0.05) .Conclusion The preoperative B-ultrasonography to early diagnosis of thyroid calcification,its for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer is important.


OBJECTIVE: To report a case of faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS) in a patient without limbic encephalitis
 BACKGROUND: The brief dystonic movements that predominantly affect the arm and ipsilateral face are termed faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS). FBDS are pathognomonic for Leucine rich glioma inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) antibody limbic encephalitis. Recognition of FBDS should prompt testing for voltage gated potassium channel (VGKC/GLI1) antibodies.
 DESIGN/METHODS: Case report and literature review
 RESULTS: We would like to present a case of an 88 year old man who presented with spasms affecting right arm and face. He also noted mild cognitive decline and slower gait. The spasms were relapsing and remitting with no response to anticonvulsant therapy. During the initial presentation, MRI brain showed a small area of restricted diffusion in the subcortical left frontal lobe without abnormal enhancement. MRA brain and neck was normal. CSF studies were negative. CT chest/abdomen/pelvis as well as FDG PET revealed no malignancies. Serum paraneoplastic panel was negative including both voltage-gated potassium channel and LGI1 antibody. Routine and ambulatory EEG revealed no epileptiform discharges.
The dystonic spasms responded only to corticosteroids. The patient9s overall course was one of gradual decline including cognitive decline with fluctuating mental status. Repeat MRI brain that included gradient echo images showed a small area of acute ischemia in the subcortical area and multiple microhemorrhages. 12 months after initial presentation he was admitted due to altered mental status. CT head and MRI brain at that time revealed multiple bihemispheric hyperdense lesions and a small amount of subarachnoid blood. The GRE images were suggestive of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).
 CONCLUSIONS: We believe that our patient had CAA manifesting with FDBS and that CAA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of FBDS.
 Study Supported by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Bronstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Danesh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Petrovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ashikian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arbuckle has nothing to disclose.


It is proved that the accuracy of the simplifyed operating method can reached the stipulative demands of the standards by comparing packeting-paper method that is prescribed in GB/T 213—2003《Determination of calorific value of coal》with the simplifyed operating method in determinating calorific value of high ash fire resistant coal.


The Paper was about the development of a 3D visual reality software with personal computer.OpenGL,3DS MAX,the thinking of Objected-Oriented and Win32 Application method were utilized in the environment of Visual C++ 6.0.At first the paper introduced OpenGL and its application for drawing grounds and the sky.Furthermore,using OpenGL function realized the photograph roaming.At last,the paper solved the difficulty of drawing complicated models in OpenGL by calling in 3D models generated by 3DS MAX.


The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between supply chain management practices (SCMP) on technological innovation in the manufacturing sector organizations of Pakistan. The supply chain management practices (SCMP) include in this study are strategic supplier partnership, information sharing, information quality, postponement and internal lean practices while technological innovation being the dependent variable. The target population for this study has been selected as the manufacturing sector in Pakistan. The study has collected 200 responses from the supply chain professionals of manufacturing firms of Karachi, Pakistan. For analysis of data, partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) named Smart PLS version 3.2.8 has been used. The finding of the study showed that supply chain management practices have positive impact on technological innovation. Postponement have highest impact and positive relation with technological innovation, then strategic supplier partnership were found to positive and significant impact on technological innovation, while information quality have lower impact and positive relationship with technological innovation. The study suggests that manufacturing firms should implement proper supply chain management practices for making their product and process innovative. The paper will provide insights to manufacturing firm how these supply chain management practices helps in technological innovation. . SYED ATIF ALI WARSI *


: This research reviewed the analysis of da'wah messages on content on a Tiktok account. Where in this modern phenomenon the practice of preaching can be done anywhere, including on social media platforms. In this era of modernization, the existence of da'wah practices must be increasingly improved. The enforcement of religious teachings must still exist and be broadcast. However, in order to get attention and be able to attract mad'u to be able to listen to da'wah, various strategies must be used to keep up with the times. Digital da'wah through social media has become the most effective strategy for seeking mad'u from various circles. One of the most popular social media is TikTok. It is a social media platform that can share videos, making many da'is use it as a medium for preaching. Zahid Samosir with the account name TikTok @zahidsamosir utilizes the TikTok platform as a media for da'wah creativity that is packaged through content so that Zahid now has many followers and fans and has a large number of views on each of his content. Through his TikTok platform, Zahid broadcasts da'wah messages through short video content in a millennial and easy-to-understand language style.


This report presents the summary of project activities conducted in 2006/07. A number of suitable sealed granular pavement sites were identified across Australia for inclusion in the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) study. An improved revised method was used to calibrate HDM-4 RD models for roughness, rutting and cracking to suit Victorian, South Australian, Tasmanian, Queensland and New Zealand local conditions. (a)


Purpose: Rapid productisation (RP) is a new concept originating from practical challenges. RP is a process of quickly supplementing a company's product or service offering to meet unexpected customer needs. The objective of this study is to describe how an RP is used and experienced in small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and how the use of RP is justified in SMEs located in North America. Methodology: This holistic multiple case study opens the RP concept by clarification of business case objectives set to start RP, analysis of RP challenges, and description of business justifications used for RP in the case of SMEs. Findings: This study provides an introduction to the RP practises of the case companies and describes the main objectives for RP, the key challenges faced, and a deeper analysis of the business justifications used for RP. As a rule of thumb, RP is justified if it creates new business. Research limitations: RP is a new concept and is not widely used. This was a clear challenge during the study. The interviewees mainly viewed RP as a more rapid way to execute the normal productisation process, resulting in time savings. Practical implications: This multiple case functions as a benchmark for SME managers, intermediaries, and researchers. Our findings provide support for the managers of SMEs considering RP as one option in revenue making. Originality: RP is a new concept originating from practical challenges and requires closer attention from the academic community. The academic community can provide fresh perspectives to new product development.


Earlier work is here continued. Certain functional relations common to various phenomenological theories, like the theory of linear visco-elasticity and the theory of linear electrical networks, may be written as integral equations of the convolution type. As the circular functions are eigenfunctions of the convolution type kernels, such equations can be solved by Fourier expansion. A number of possible applications of such Fourier expansions are indicated and the relevant details are worked out. The method centres on the evaluation of the eigenvalues for each kernel. The examples discussed refer to the theory of visco-elasticity and include the determination of the relaxation spectrum either from the dynamic elasticity as a function of frequency or from the stress relaxation as a function of time.


Background We face the demographic challenges of an ageing population, more complex health and care needs of an older, frailer population as people are living longer. In the UK there is a growing understanding of what is most important to people approaching the end of life through the promotion and adoption of advance care planning (ACP), and recognition that these priorities should direct quality improvement and quality measurement approaches. Recording and meeting people's preferences for place of care and place of death, and wishes relating to other elements of care, is an important measure of the quality of end of life care. At present there is limited information about costs and comparable costs of care. Aim To show the benefits of introducing ACP on a large scale to enable more people to die in a place of their choosing and with their preferred care package. Methods Case studies highlighting models of implementation. Show how Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination Systems (EPaCCS) support the communication of people's wishes and preferences for end of life care. References to national review and evaluation reports. The policy context. Results Better understanding of the approach the UK has taken on taking forward ACP. Discussion It is essential that we understand the costs of care in order to deliver cost-effective services making best uses of resources, whilst at the same time ensuring people's wishes and preferences are recorded and met. How do we ensure we achieve the correct balance?  Conclusion In the UK work is being done to better recognise the needs of the dying person and improve the quality of end of life care. Communication with both the dying person and their carers together with effective planning and co-ordination of services are essential to that end.


This review of the literature acknowledges and describes current states of training amongst professional members of the global English language learning industry. Particular attention is given to the design and implementation of professional development programs for English language instructors in order to inform the harvest of qualitative data from an Action Research project at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea. Three brief case studies of Jordan, Colombia and South Korea serve to ground research inquires across world regions. Findings suggest a need for stronger in-service professional development training programs, more culturally-responsive programmatic orientations, and more formalized training curricula. Finally, this paper articulates recommendations for developing an improved andragogical framework which may then be adopted across schools and cultures. RESUMEN


In this paper we examine two physically-inspired objects, knots and braids. The two are intimately related because when we connect the ends of a braid, we end up with a knot or link. We show that braids can be defined algebraically, geometrically, and topologically, and we determine when two braids will yield the same knot. Finally, we prove that every knot or link is the closure of some braid.


Context: Chemerin has been implicated to be correlated with inflammation. Objective: This study aims to determine the association of chemerin levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) with the disease severity of patients with knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: 124 patients with knee OA and 76 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Results: Chemerin levels in serum were significant higher with regard to paired SF. Chemerin levles in SF of knee OA patients were correlated with disease severity evaluated by KL grading criteria. Conclusion: Chemerin levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of the development and progression of OA.


A 55-year-old woman presented with progressive heart failure symptoms and was diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy with light chain amyloidosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline showed slightly increased wall thickness of the right and left ventricles and abnormal nulling of the myocardium with a dark blood pool (Figure A) on postgadolinium images, consistent with amyloidosis. Baseline N-terminal prohormone …


The authors address discrete-time control systems containing a memoryless nonlinear element and show that, when a hypothesis analogous to the circle condition for the stability of continuous-time systems is met, corresponding propositions hold concerning the relationship between the nature of the error response and the system type. A convergent algorithm is given for computing the limit of the steady-state response whenever it exists. Results are also given concerning certain special cases.<<ETX>>


Self-consciousness,which conceals the source of Kant's epistemological philosophy,is the core and difficulty of Kant's epistemological philosophy.Kant creatively put forward the concept of transcendental self-consciousness,which answered Hume's legacy in epistemology,broke the barriers in empiricism and rationalism and achieved the epistemological Copernican revolution,thus affecting Fichte,Schelling and Hegel,opening the different schools of the problem of self-consciousness research.


Despite the many studies of the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, efficient therapy for stroke is still lacking, emphasizing the need for further development and characterization of experimental stroke models. In the present study, the rather unexplored multifocal microsphere‐induced stroke model in rats was characterized by multiparametric MRI. We induced microembolic infarction in a group of Sprague‐Dawley rats by injecting a dose of about 1000 50‐μm polyethylene microspheres intracranially from the external carotid artery. Diffusion‐, perfusion‐, and T2‐weighted MRI were used to evaluate the infarct development during and following the first 3 hr after microsphere injection (N = 20). The animals were also imaged at 12‐hr (N = 8), 24‐hr (N = 17), and 48‐hr (N = 5) time points. After the final imaging time point, the brains were removed and sectioned into 2‐mm‐thick slices, and infarct volumes were measured by 2,3,4‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. From calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, a volume of reduced ADC appeared 0.5–1.0 hr postinjection, and by the 3‐hr time point the volume of ADC reduction had increased to a size of 5% ± 1% (mean ± SEM) of the brain hemisphere. The lesion volume increased significantly (P < 0.01) to 16% ± 2% of the hemisphere volume at the 12‐hr time point, while at 24 hr the lesion (15% ± 2% of the hemisphere) was also significantly larger (P < 0.001) than at 3 hr. The perfusion deficit resulting from the microsphere injection was immediate, going from a cerebral blood flow index (CBFi) of 74% ± 3% at the time of microsphere injection to 68% ± 2% of the contralateral mean at 3 hr (P < 0.05), to 55% ± 4% of the contralateral values at 12 hr (P < 0.05), and to 57% ± 2% of the contralateral mean at 24 hr (P < 0.001). The lesion development in the microsphere‐induced stroke model was found to be slower than in the MCAO model, and continued up to the 24–48‐hr time point. Magn Reson Med 51:1232–1238, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The vocal cord is not uniform in its structure. From a histological point of view, there are five layers in the vocal cord at and near the edge: the epithelial layer, the superficial, intermediate and deep layers of the lamina propria; and the muscle layer. From a physical point of view, the vocal cord has three layers, i.e., the "cover" which consists of the epithelium and the superficial layer of the lamina propria, the "transition" which consists of the intermediate and deep layers of the lamina propria, and the "body" which is the vocalis muscle. The blood vessels are clearly separated between the transition and the body. The elasticity is the greatest in the body and the smallest in the cover when no laryngeal muscles are activated.


A prototype tool to continuously monitor temperature, pressure, and conductivity (TPC) changes during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) coring was used successfully 107 times at Hydrate Ridge during Leg 204. TPC sensors are located on the face of the standard ODP advanced piston corer piston, and the data logging electronics and batteries are embedded within the piston. This tool operates autonomously and requires little shipboard attention. The objective is to measure the temperature and pressure changes that occur in gas-rich and gas hydrate– bearing cores during collection and ascent to the surface and to use these data to learn about the processes that occur inside a core during recovery. Gas exsolution and expansion during core recovery alter both the temperature and pressure conditions within the core barrel, and the amount of gas in the core affects where these changes occur. The core collection process dramatically affects pressure inside the core barrel, which reduces core temperature and changes gas saturation conditions. Families of temperature-time curves generated from TPC data show distinct cooling anomalies associated with core pullout and with movement of the core through the shallow water column and on the deck of the drillship. Here the performance of the TPC tool and the response of the tool at sites with significant quantities of sediment gas and gas hydrate near the seafloor are described. 1Ussler, W., III, Paull, C.K., McGill, P., Schroeder, D., and Ferrell, D., 2006. A test of the temperature, pressure, and conductivity tool prototype at Hydrate Ridge. In Tréhu, A.M., Bohrmann, G., Torres, M.E., and Colwell, F.S. (Eds.), Proc. ODP, Sci. Results, 204: College Station TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 1–41. doi:10.2973/ odp.proc.sr.204.112.2006 2Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing CA 95039-9964, USA. Correspondence author: firstname.lastname@example.com 3Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A&M University, 1000 Discovery Drive, College Station TX 77845-9547, USA. Initial receipt: 28 January 2005 Acceptance: 6 February 2006 Web publication: 4 September 2006 Ms 204SR-112 W. USSLER ET AL. A TEST OF THE TPC TOOL PROTOTYPE 2 INTRODUCTION In this paper we describe the design and discuss tests conducted during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 204 of the temperature, pressure, conductivity (TPC) downhole tool that has been developed to measure the effects of expanding gas within the ODP advanced piston corer (APC) assembly during core recovery and that may be used extensively during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. Catwalk Core Temperatures During more than a quarter-century of Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and ODP drilling, vigorous gas expansion and anomalously cold temperatures in cores from continental margins have been commonly observed. Compositional data clearly indicate that the expanding gas is usually dominated by methane; however, very little is known about how much methane was actually in these sediments before recovery (e.g., Paull and Ussler, 2001). Thermal observations have included cores feeling cold (e.g., Leg 146 Site 889 [Westbrook, Carson, Musgrave, et al., 1994]) and the occurrence of frozen pore waters along the interior wall of the core liner (e.g., Leg 164 [Paull, Matsumoto, Wallace, et al., 1996]). A few investigations have quantified these observed thermal anomalies by inserting thermistors into the core after it has been removed from the core barrel and delivered to the catwalk (Leg 164 Site 994 [Paull, Matsumoto, Wallace, et al., 1996]) or to the core laboratory immediately after core splitting (temperatures as low as –2°C have been recorded; e.g., Leg 66 Site 490 [Watkins, Moore, et al., 1982] and Leg 146 Site 889 [Westbrook, Carson, Musgrave, et al., 1994]) and by scanning core liner on the catwalk with infrared (IR) imaging cameras (e.g., Leg 201 [D'Hondt, Jørgensen, Miller, et al., 2003] and Leg 204 [Tréhu, Bohrmann, Rack, Torres, et al., 2003]). These "catwalk core temperature" measurements show that some core sections arrived on deck at distinctly lower temperatures (5°–10°C cooler) than other cores recovered from the same drill site. Moreover, when in the core recovery process these cooler temperatures are generated is largely unknown. Three processes can cause a temperature decrease in sediment cores during their ascent to the sea surface: (1) gas expansion, (2) gas exsolution, and (3) gas hydrate decomposition. Predictions about the temperature changes that will occur in gassy sediments (with or without gas hydrates) during core recovery based on simple thermodynamic calculations (Ussler et al., 2002) indicate that these changes are of the right order of magnitude and direction. Thermal modeling has shown that cores which exsolve gas during their ascent to the surface have distinct ascent temperature profiles (Fig. F1) (Ussler et al., 2002). Ascent temperature profiles track profiles for gas-free cores until gas saturation occurs and exsolution commences. Free gas coming out of solution along the length of the core buoyantly rises within the core barrel (Fig. F2). As soon as free gas is trapped at the top of the core barrel, temperatures should drop as a result of gas exsolution and gas expansion (Fig. F1B). Most of the gas exsolution and expansion, and thus the largest temperature changes occur in the upper water column. In situ gas concentration can be calculated using the pressure and temperature of the inflection in ascent temperature profiles and the methane gas solubility model of Duan et al. (1992), assuming that no gas was introduced during the coring process. -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50 Low High C B A Core temperature (°C) Relative conductivity Core temperature (°C)


Cloud picture is one of the important tools for visualizing the analyzed data in finite element method. The isoparametric mapping method is used to fill the elements with color cloud according to the values of the field variables. In comparison with the direct-filling method, the mapping method is much more efficient.


Results of studying of nonspecific microflora and her sensitivity at patients with tuberculosis are presented. Changes in a spectrum of microbes are established. Antibiotics of a wide spectrum the actions possessing antitubercular activity, in like manner the preparations recommended for treatment out-of-hospital infections, in antituberculous institution have a low activity in vitro at an estimation of resistance of nonspecific pathogenic microflora.


Electrostatic monitoring technology for its superior ability to monitor early failure of the main shaft bearing of aircraft engine condition monitoring provides an effective means,but a single characteristic parameters for the whole life of bearings status is inconsistency or insensitive.To solve this problem,we propose an electrostatic monitoring multi-characteristic parameters fusion evaluation method based on SVDD.Firstly,we simplify high-dimensional data by using PCA,transform data from high-dimensional to low-dimensional,and then create a normal SVDD model.We calculate the distance between the test data and the reference model as quantitative indicators of bearing performance degradation,and compare it with the vibration monitoring data.Experiments show that the method can reflect the changes more effectively in the state of performance degradation.


The article deals with the diagnosis of the current state in relation to responsibility in the flexible area of cyberspace which is itself hard to define, in the context of security, especially its transsectoral informative part; Polish statutory, strategic and program solutions are presented in the light of EU standards. The study includes a review of threats (mainly information and ICT infrastructure) and their scopes (systemic, economic, socio-cultural) and addressees obliged to preventive and eradication activities (primarily public authorities, but also other, e.g. commercial entities or representatives operating on the market of information society); it also touches on the substantive and institutional cooperation issues at the European level.


Many black ghetto children are already retarded in reading in the first two grades (Cohen, 1968). The "professional posture" dic tates psychosocial, neurological, linguistic, and intellectual explan ations of causes. No one, however, has demonstrated a direct causal link between these factors and underachievement in read ing in the first two grades. In fact, the only direct causal link that has been demonstrated indicates that intensive, quality instruction "causes" adequate reading achievement among urban disadvan taged children regardless of psychosocial, neurological, linguistic, and intellectual factors. Look at the Cooperative Research Projects in reading, including the recent reports of three-year follow ups. They show significant numbers of classrooms in urban ghettos with on-grade reading scores. These are the classrooms taught by "outstanding teachers," say some of the researchers, which leads one to conclude conservatively that pedagogy may be more potent than psychosocial factors. Someone less conservative might even conclude that psychosocial factors are, practically speaking, irrele vant.


This chapter illustrates the application of an Intervention Mapping approach to the development and design of a Serious Game addressing relationships and sex education (RSE) needs in British adolescents. Needs assessment identified experience of pressure/coercion in sexual relationships as the topic for a Serious Game-based RSE session. The process of applying intervention mapping including evidence review, identification of a programme goal, performance objectives and associated determinants, and change objectives are explicated. The way that these were translated into a concept and content for a Serious Game is explained. Evaluation plans grounded in the planning process, and commentary on challenges experienced, are also provided. The chapter provides an important contribution to approaches that can ensure efficacy of Serious Games applied to healthcare issues.


Metal oxide thin films based supercapacitors known for several decades and are those used as for storing the potential energy.Presently research had done on energy storage methods namely redox electrochemical capacitors, the electrochemical double layer capacitor,metal oxides and conducting polymers. Recently, many chemically deposited metal oxide thin film electrodes including MnO 2 , Co 3 O 4 , NiO, Fe 3 O 4 etc. have been tested in supercapacitors. From this review data of metal oxide thin films proposed to play a major role in supercapacitor technology


A new two-dimensional emitter power-loss equation was formulated for a cell with a dot contact and verified numerically. Based on this formulation, the current crowding that occurs in two-dimensional geometry was evaluated. We propose a solar cell structure with line-shaped heavily diffused emitters under the dot contacts. The effectiveness of the proposed emitter geometry was verified by both calculation and measurement, and the formulation was found to be valid.


According to the worldwide concerns on the environmental problems, the reduction of CO₂ emission has been widely paid attain. This study is focused on CO₂ absorption and regeneration for Carbon Capture and Storage(CCS). The SiO2 nanoparticles and water are mixed to obtain the nanofluids. In this study, the performance of CO₂ regeneration of SiO₂ nanofluids and DI water are compared. It is found that the average CO₂ absorption and regeneration enhancement are 8.30% and 8.95%, respectively, compared to the pure water.


Economic interdependence between countries, together with increased international flows of goods and services, leads companies to compete in a globalized market. There has been an increased need for investment in other countries, to maintain competitiveness. The point of reference has shifted from the domestic to international markets. Brazil, irrespective of the relevant privatization processes of the 1990s, still has a timid participation in this scenario, and faces the challenge of becoming a country of transnational companies. At the same time, family businesses have a relevant weight in the national economy, and lead the economy of the western market, where entrepreneurial initiatives are strongly encouraged. The research that originated this dissertation had, as its main goal, the understanding of the interference of specific aspects of family businesses in the process of internationalization. The hypothesis raised was that they would have more difficulty in initiating the process of internationalization due to family conflicts, which interfere in the company: issues of succession or professionalization. Therefore, it has analyzed the interdependencies between the evolving cycle of the family business and the process of internationalization. This research project initiated with a conceptual inquiry into the themes that support this study: family business and internationalization. The theoretical principles related to the concept of family business and the particularities of its evolving cycle were tackled, considering the dimensions of the family, the company and ownership. In relation to internationalization, the following issues were explored: the different theoretical currents about internationalization, the process of internationalization in the Brazilian context, and in family businesses. With this exploratory research as a starting point, a case study was then carried out, with the objective of investigating the phenomenon of internationalization of a family business, considering its external and internal factors. In its conclusion, this study maintains that prioritizing questions related to the business in the process of strategic decision-making, considering external factors, resources and internal capacities, as well as addressing aspects related to ownership and the type of family involvement in the business, are fundamental elements for the insertion and success of a family company in a foreign market. The support of external agents is also shown as an important element in defining an international culture%%%%A interdependencia economica dos paises, com o crescimento dos fluxos internacionais de bens e servicos, leva as empresas a concorrerem num mercado globalizado. E crescente a necessidade de investimento em outros paises, para manter a competitividade. O ponto de referencia do mercado domestico deslocou-se para os mercados internacionais. O Brasil, a despeito do expressivo processo de desnacionalizacao dos anos 1990 ainda apresenta uma participacao timida nesse cenario e enfrenta o desafio de se…


Till now, there is no clear definition of microtissue; it usually refers to the microtissue formed by the aggregation of seed cells under the action of cell-cell or cell-extracellular matrix (ECM). Compared with traditional cell monolayer culture, cells are cultivated into a three-dimensional microstructure in a specific way. The microstructure characteristics of microtissue are similar to natural tissues and can promote cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, it has a broader range of biomedical applications in tissue engineering. The traditional tissue engineering strategy is to add high-density seed cells and biomolecules on a pre-formed scaffold to construct a tissue engineering graft. However, due to the destruction of the ECM of the cells cultured in a monolayer during the digestion process with trypsin, the uneven distribution of the cells in the scaffold, and the damage of various adverse factors after the cells are implanted in the scaffold, this strategy is often ineffective, and the subsequent applications still face challenges. This paper reviews the latest researches of a new strategy-tissue engineering microtissue strategy, discuss several traditional construction methods, structure and function optimization, and practical application of microtissue. The review aims to provide a reference for future research on tissue engineering microtissue.


We test the Consensual Assessment Technique on recent digital poetry, using graduate students in Experimental Digital Media as judges. Our judges display good interrater agreement for the best and worst poems, but disagree on others. The CAT by itself may not be suitable for use on digital poetry; however, the behavior of quasi-expert judges when attempting this task gives us clues towards evidence-based, domain-specific evaluation. We discuss the role of product-base evaluation in digital poetry, and produce a set of desiderata based on our judges' written responses: Reaction, Meaning, Novelty, and Craft.


The chemical structure of pectins Interactions between pectins and other polymers Biosynthesis of pectins Biophysical properties of pectins Cell and developmental biology of pectins Modification and degradation of pectins Microbial pectinases Commercial pectin preparations References Index.


At present,China's"construction short-lived phenomenon"is more common,Its huge waste and has been contrary to the advocated building of "saving"-The thrust of the community.This paper through in-depth analysis that the occurrence of this phenomenon-related causes,and proposed a series of architectural solution "short-lived phenomenon" of specific strategies.


By Midas-GTS analysis software,FEM can be done to single-arched span section of Chongqing subways and then a qualitative analysis can be done.For the second lining,it makes a checking for the ultimate limit state of loading and for the limit state of normal using according to probabilistic limit state design.The result shows it's safe and feasible that application of double sidewall drift method in construction of span section in Chongqing.And in the construction phase,excavation of the central core soil is the key process in double sidewall method.


Having for some time declined making any more observations, on the dark spots that appear on the Sun's disk, I now send a copy of the figures, I drew of them; which I desire may be presented to the Royal Society.


Context of contents for optimal user experience can be composed of various elements including time, spatial context, and social context. And also including global, local and personal contexts. In this paper, we proposed a representation scheme of spatial context hierarchy for optimal content services. Proposed context representation consists of time and spatial index and relations makes formal representation. Spatial Context is presented by spatial elements for spatial information includes point, line and region with elements attribute values


MV] F. Meyer auf der Heide and B. VV ocking. \A packet routing protocol for arbitrary networks". Proc. of STACS '95. constant-factor approximation algorithm for packet routing, and balancing local vs. global criteria".versal algorithms for store-and-forward and wormhole routing", Proc. of STOC '96.


The 1973 study of regional variations in the Sr isotopic composition and correlated trace elements in the Mesozoic granitic rocks of the central Sierra Nevada by R.W. Kistler and Z.E. Peterman was a first order contribution to the geochemistry and petrogenesis of Cordilleran batholiths. It
established standards for isotopic mapping and for thoughtful interpretations of isotopic systematics which have guided all subsequent related work.


Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei logistics enterprises has taken place a huge change in the service market under the development direction of personalized, diversified for consumer demand. Fierce market competition forces logistics enterprises to expand and improve its service connotation and extension. After many years, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei logistics enterprises in constantly enlarging service market, has brought opportunities to innovate business pattern and national development of the logistics industry policy by making full use of the Internet, service organization, service product, service market, service mode innovation, has begun to take shape and provided a good foundation for the development of logistics, from the initial provides a single logistics service to socialization, specialization, and then to comprehensive that the whole society of logistics service, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei logistics enterprises play an important role in the development of the logistics industry.


The first year, 800 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (infant to adult) case experience with the Bentley Laboratories Oxy-Sat Meter (O-SM) demonstrated numerous patient management advantages to monitoring the percent saturation of hemoglobin (O2 SAT). The O-SM exhibited accuracy equal to present 0 2 SAT monitoring. Patient management advantages fall into two categories: (1) Respiratory, from measuring the adequacy of arterial O2 SAT to documenting oxygen transfer, and (2) Metabolic, judging the adequacy of extracorporeal circuit (ECC) blood flow.
The O-SM was found to have acceptable agreement with Instrumentation Laboratories 282, American Optical Unistat and Oximetrix catheter oximeters or the Severinghaus formula and Coming blood gas machine analog O2 SAT estimators. Forty-three intermittant O-SM readings were compared to Lexington Instrument Corporation Lex-O2-Con hemoglobin content and capacity measurements. The agreement standard deviation is equal to 1.4% 0 2 SAT for pH from 7.27 to 7.47, Base Excess from -8. to 4. mEq/L, temperature from 26 to 36 oC and hematocrit from 18 to 33%. Monitoring O2 SAT during CPB is useful and reliable with the Oxy-Sat Meter.


We propose and experimentally demonstrate a Mach-Zehnder silicon thermo-optic switch based on a parabolic multimode interference coupler. By judiciously designing the parabolic structure, the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> MMI can exhibit extremely small imbalance of output power around 0.1 dB over the C band with good fabrication tolerance according to simulation. As such, for all four possible switching paths, high average extinction ratios over 35 dB can be achieved from 1520 nm to 1580 nm in experiment, with maximum values concurrently over 40 dB. The proposed parabolic MMI occupies a small area of merely <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.4 \mu \mathrm{m} \times 9.5 \mu \mathrm{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.


The behavior of stone columns of various arrangements was studied in the laboratory by using small-scale physical models. The experimental design was largely based on the unit cell concept and the cylindrical cavity expansion theory. In each case, a model scale stone column was embedded in a soft silty soil bed of respective strength by considering the ratio of column spacing to column diameter. Soil beds without a stone column were also loaded in order to evaluate the improvement in the load carrying capacity due to the stone column. The soil bed compaction energy was emphasized in each case to ensure that each unit was constructed consistently and accurately. The load carrying capacity of a stone column was found directly proportional to the undrained shear strength and inversely proportional to the spacing over diameter ratio of the columns. Thus the improvement in the load carrying capacity of a unit consisting of stone column and soil bed increased with and increasing undrained shear strength and dec...


For each bounded self-adjoint operator T on a Hilbert module H over an H*-algebra A there exists a locally compact space m and a certain A-valued measure μ such that H is isomorphic to L2(μ)⊗A and T corresponds to a multiplication with a continuous function. There is a similar result for a commuting family of normal operators. A consequence for this result is a representation theorem for generalized stationary processes.


Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine arguments about the economic and ethical worth of microfinance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on the available literature to provide a balanced discussion of different views about the economic and ethical desirability of microfinancing. The discussion is reinforced by the use of secondary data (statistics) on the attributes of microfinancing and by reference to a case study in rural Pakistan.

Findings

Microfinancing is less virtuous than commonly portrayed. Its economic inefficiency consequences are identified, and it is found only likely to make a small contribution to economic growth. The economic efficiency criterion for moral worth (promoted by Becker and Posner) is found to be wanting. From an ethical point of view, microfinance needs to be supplemented by charity to assist the poor. The supply of Islamic microfinance has grown rapidly, but it remains absolutely quite small. It still has some way to go to overcome the ethical and economic shortcomings associated with the supply of microfinance. Supplying microfinance to vulnerable female borrowers can put them under considerable psychological stress. Possible beneficial effects of microfinance are also identified.

Originality/value

This study is unique because it systematically draws on recent literature and data to provide a novel and balanced review of the economic and ethical worth of microfinance.


Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security selected Kansas State University in Manhattan as its preferred site for a $450 million facility to replace the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center off Long Island, New York.


The paper discusses several key problems concerning low-power-density broadband full-direction microwave rectenna,including rectification of low-power-density microwave,rectenna element,rectenna arrays and so on.The study shows that this particular way to acquire electromagnetic energy has a great potential to be applied in many important areas.