Fracture toughness of explosive clad composed of SUS 304 stainless steel and HT80 high strength steel is investigated. To clarify the effect of metallurgical properties and composite structures on the fracture toughness, both V-notch Charpy test and bending COD test are carried out by using homogeneous and heterogenous specimens which are cut from various portions in thickness direction of the clad plate and have notch root or precrack leading edge parallel to the plate surface. The energy absorbed for fracturing the specimens and its component energy for crack initiation from notch root in V-notch Charpy test are affected by the material involving notch root and by the thickness ratio of two different steels in net section of specimen.In static bending test of the heterogeneous specimens with pre-crack tip in stainless steel, fracture occurs in the high strength steel adjacent to weld interface before the pre-crack extends although ductile fracture occurs at pre-crack tip over all temperature range. In relation to crack initiation, the critical COD, if the first fracture initiation in interface zone can be measured, and the stretched zone width, if fracture firstly occurs at pre-crack tip, can be a parameter of fracture toughness respectively.In the heterogeneous specimens with pre-crack tip in high strength steel, both the critical COD at low temperature where ductile fracture has not yet initiated and the stretched zone width over all tem-perature range can be fracture toughness parameters since the fracture toughness values depend largely on the material involving pre-crack tip, namely, high strength stecl.


Some of the most characteristic results of the ''TOPAZ II'' nuclear power system tests conducted on the rigs with electric heating are presented in the given paper, the objects of tests, the tasks being solved are considered there. The rigs of the ''Baikal'' type developed for these purposes allow to tackle sufficiently wide range of problems associated with the ''TOPAZ II'' product fabrication as well as with the experimental trials. Function description of the main rig systems is given. Problems arising in connection with the electric heating application are considered.


Objective To investigate the differences of MT-3 mRNA expression and content in esophageal cancer for clarifying the mechanism of esophageal cancer.Methods Selected 30 cases with hospital surgical treatment of esophageal cancer,made the tumor center and at least 5 cm from the tumor margin of the esophagus peripheral tissues to analysis by RT-PCR,the detected object was MT-3 gene.Results The MT-3 expression in esophageal cancer tissues was higher than the normal tissue of the esophagus peripheral tissues.MT-3 expression were different in different phases of pathological staging of esophageal carcinoma,the expression was higher when the staging was lower;and different degrees of esophageal carcinoma in the MT-3 expression levels were different,the expression was higher when the degree of differentiation was better.Conclusions MT-3 mRNA expression in the esophageal cancer is different to the normal tissue expression,while its expression is affected by pathologic differentiation and stage.


In this paper, a Hierarchical Temporal Model (HTM) is proposed for the video captioning task, based on exploring the global and local temporal structure to better recognize fine-grained objects and actions. In our HTM, the encoder and decoder are hierarchically aligned according to different levels of features. The encoder applies two LSTM layers to construct temporal structures at both frame-level and object-level where the attention mechanism is applied to locate objects of interest, and the decoder uses corresponding LSTM layers to extract pivotal features from global to local through multi-level attention mechanism. Moreover, the local temporal structure is constructed implicitly from candidate object-oriented features under the guidance of global temporal-spatial representation, that could generate more accurate descriptions in handling shot-switching problems. Experiments on the widely used Microsoft Video Description Corpus (MSVD) and Charades datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach when compared to the state-of-the-art methods.


PAT family proteins are the most well-known lipid droplets-associated proteins, which are closely related to the regulation of cellular lipid metabolism activities. There are five members in this family, and adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP) is a special one in tissue distribution, molecular structure and physiological function. For example, ADRP plays an important role in adipose cell differentiation, triglycerides accumulation in liver,production and secretion of the milk. ADRP may be involved in the development of various diseases such as fatty liver,diabetes ,atherosclerosis and tumors. It may become a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of correlated diseases. Here aims to make a summary of research progress about physiological function of ADRP and its involvement in diseases.

Key words:
Lipid droplet;  Adipocyte differentiation-related protein;  Lipid metabolism


The Roman government before the period of the Gracchi F or , a whole generation after the battle of Pydna the Roman state enjoyed a profound calm, scarcely varied by a ripple here and there on the surface. Its dominion extended over the three continents; the lustre of the Roman power and the glory of the Roman name were constantly on the increase; all eyes rested on Italy, all talents and all riches flowed thither; it seemed as if a golden age of peaceful prosperity and intellectual enjoyment of life had there begun. The Orientals of this period told each other with astonishment of the mighty republic of the West, "which subdued kingdoms far and near, so that every one who heard its name trembled; but which kept good faith with its friends and clients. Such was the glory of the Romans, and yet no one usurped the crown and no one glittered in purple dress; but they obeyed whomsoever from year to year they made their master, and there was among them neither envy nor discord." Spread of decay So it seemed at a distance; matters wore a different aspect on a closer view. The government of the aristocracy was in full train to destroy its own work. Not that the sons and grandsons of the vanquished at Cannae and the victors of Zama had so utterly degenerated from their fathers and grandfathers; the difference was not so much in the men who now sat in the senate as in the times.


We report the discovery of a faint ring of 30 kpc (189) diameter and absolute magnitude MB ≈ 15.8 ± 1 surrounding the northeastern end of the relatively isolated, but disturbed looking, Sa galaxy NGC 3611 (MB = -20.0 for H0 50). This ring appears centered approximately on the edge of the main disk of NGC 3611, at 8 kpc (50") projected distance from the nucleus. If intrinsically near circular, the ring is oriented roughly perpendicular to that disk. We discuss for different hypotheses concerning the nature and origin of this puzzling structure. Various arguments favor the hypothesis that the ring is a classical ring galaxy formed when small disk companion was disrupted by a near-central collision with NGC 3611 itself.


Interfacial reactions of Cu with amorphous silicon (a-Si) in the Cu∕a-Si/glass system are studied by in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy at 550°C. Various Cu silicides, such as η-Cu3Si, Cu15Si4, and Cu5Si, and Cu particles are observed. The formation of the Cu particles can be attributed to a heating effect from electron beam irradiation. Around the Cu silicides, crystallization of a-Si occurs. Around the Cu particles, however, crystallization does not occur. Crystallization appears to be enhanced by Cu dissolved in a-Si.


Bis(2-methoxyethoxy)methylallylphosphonate (BMEMAP) was synthesized as bi-functional additive of flame retardant and film former in electrolytes of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The flame retardancy of the additive was characterized by measuring the self-extinguishing time of electrolytes. It is shown that adding 10 vol.% BMEMAP in 1 M LiPF6/EC + DMC (1:1, v/v) can effectively inhibit the burning of electrolytes and provide a wide electrochemical window. Further evaluation indicates that the additive hardly affect the conductivity of electrolyte. The electrochemical tests reveal that the electrolytes with and without BMEMAP have similar electrochemical behavior with LiFePO4 electrode and natural graphite.


Although the Department of Agriculture annually spends more than $1 billion on research and development, its programs don't seem to have the cachet of those of the National Science Foundation or National Institutes of Health. Still, the programs that USDA funds support thousands of researchers at federal laboratories, state universities, and colleges. USDA's total research spending is slated to drop 7%—from $1.22 billion in ficsal 1993 to $1.13 billion in fiscal 1994—as the Clinton Administration attempts to readjust priorities while not increasing the deficit. Most agricultural research is supported at 126 federal locations in the U.S. and abroad through the Agricultural Research Service. ARS conducts basic and applied research in such areas as efficient food and fiber production, food safety, development of new products and uses for agricultural commodities, and groundwater and concerns related to other natural resources. The second major source of USDA research funds is the Cooperative State Research S...


Properties of phonons – quanta of the crystal lattice vibrations – in graphene have attracted strong attention of the physics and engineering communities. Acoustic phonons are the main heat carriers in graphene near room temperature while optical phonons are used for counting the number of atomic planes in Raman experiments with few-layer graphene. It was shown both theoretically and experimentally that transport properties of phonons, i.e. energy dispersion and scattering rates, are substantially different in the quasi two-dimensional system such as graphene compared to basal planes in graphite or three-dimensional bulk crystals. The unique nature of two-dimensional phonon transport translates to unusual heat conduction in graphene and related materials. In this review we outline different theoretical approaches developed for phonon transport in graphene, discuss contributions of the in-plane and cross-plane phonon modes and provide comparison with available experimental thermal conductivity data. Particular attention is given to analysis of recent theoretical results for the phonon thermal conductivity of graphene and few-layer graphene, and the effects of the strain, defects and isotopes on the phonon transport in these systems. __________________________________________________________________________________________ On leave from the Department of Theoretical Physics, State University of Moldova, Republic of Moldova Corresponding author email address (A.A.B.): email@example.com D.L. Nika and A.A. Balandin, Phonon Transport in Graphene (2012)


Titanium alloys have limited application in friction and wear environments due to their low surface hardness and poor wear resistance. By preparing a coating that improves wear resistance and high temperature oxidation resistance on the surface of the titanium alloy, the wear and corrosion resistance of the titanium alloy can be significantly enhanced, thereby greatly broadening its application fields and reducing production costs. Starting from the process, this paper systematically explained the current research status of surface laser modification technology at home and abroad, discussed the existing problems and corresponding solutions, and predicted the future development trend of the technology.


Psychosis is a mental illness of severe type in which the patient loses touch with reality. A person with this problem change in his way of thinking, believing or perceiving and behaving. Since nowadays youngsters are greatly affected by this disease, many Antipsychotic drugs are introduced and used for the treatment. The present review describes information regarding a atypical antipsychotic drug – Quetiapine fumerate approved for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and as an add-on to treat depression. The present review includes all available information like pharmacokinetics, pharmacological action and side effects. It also provides information regarding various analytical methods developed for this drug along with its validation parameters.


A new miniaturized printed antenna is presented as a dual structure to the miniature folded slot antenna. It is referred to as a miniaturized printed folded-dipole. This antenna requires neither a ground plane, nor any matching network. Considering its size, this resonant antenna has a fairly wide bandwidth. If a large enough ground plane is readily available, the miniaturized slot antenna exhibits superior efficiency compared to its printed dual.


The concept of traversable wormhole, a hypothetical tunnel-like structure is initially proposed by Morris and Thorne (Am. J. Phys. 56, 395 (1988)) by using Einstein's general relativity theory. Har...


The trajectory optimization of the hypersonic booster-gliding missile is a kind of complex optimal control problem.It involves a variety of constraint limits,such as attack angle,normal overload,the maximum dynamic pressure and so on.The Sequential quadratic programming method(SQP),which has the advantage of short optimization time and high calculation precision,is an effective numerical optimization method to solve the problem. In this paper,the SQP is applied to optimize the booster trajectory of the booster-gliding missile,and then getting the optimal trajectory which satisfies a various of constraint conditions. providing the beneficial reference for the integral structure design of booster-gliding missile.


Purpose To investigate the long term survival of orbital fat grafted on a Medpor® implant as a method of preventing porous polyethylene orbital implant (Medpor®) exposure in anophthalmic sockets. Methods In one orbit in each of 8 rabbits, a small amount of retrobulbar orbital fat was grafted between the anterior surface of the Medpor® implant and overlying conjunctiva, during the enucleation and Medpor® implantation procedure. Two rabbits were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively and grafted orbital fats were examined by light microscopy. Results Grafted orbital fat was well-maintained at 2 and 4 weeks, postoperatively. However, fat amounts were significantly reduced at 8 weeks, and viable fat was barely visible at 12 weeks. Conclusions In rabbits, orbital fat grafted on Medpor® implants was gradually resorbed, and the fat-occupied volume was not maintained.


Abstract This article examines the history, geography, and politics concerning the naming and categorising of the Sidi groups in Gujarat state in India. This analysis does not provide a detailed history of these groups, but rather a comment on naming practices as they have evolved over the last century. The history of the Sidis raises questions regarding what it means to be identified as African, and what is required of historical and contemporary understanding of exploitation, solidarity, race, religion, and cultural continuity. I examine the possibilities associated with different identities and related constraints on choice and decision making.


The gold deposits occured in ore bearing system which are composed of gold rich and organic carbon rich rocks in the Jiaolai basin.Their ore bearing straum belongs to carbonaceous terrigenous clastic rock series developed at the bottom of Cretaceous Laiyang group,which controls the distribution of the Pengjiakuang type and Songjiagou type gold deposits.According to the study of ore features and the contrast between the two types of gold deposits,we find that they have same or similiar paragenetic association of minerals(pyrite galena sphalerite chalcopyrite hematite native gold),paragenetic association of ore forming elements(Au Cu Pb Zn Fe),and multiperiodic and multistage mineralization,and both of them belong to the sedimentary deformating type gold deposits which are firstly controlled by gold rich and organic carbon rich source bed in early age of formation of the Jiaolai basin,later influenced by the tectonic magmatic hydrothermal activity and underground thermal activity.


To verify the effect of artificial anisotropy parameters in one‐step leapfrog hybrid implicit‐explicit finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, we calculated several microwave components with different characteristics. Introduced auxiliary field variable can reduce the program difficulty and improve the computational efficiency without additional computational time and memory cost. Analyses of the numerical results are proved that the calculation time is reduced to about one‐sixth compared to the traditional FDTD method for the same example simulated. The memory cost and relative error are remained at a good level. The numerical experiments for microwave circuit and antenna have been well demonstrated the method available.


Objective:To study the acute organic phosphorus pesticide poisoning atropine symptomatic withdrawal best effect,toxic and side effects of the minimum dose.Methods:A follow-up March retrospective comparative analysis of acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning patients before treatment atropine dosage, 1 mg(high dose group) 68 cases,1 mg(middle dose group) 75 cases,0.5 mg(low dose group) 115 cases.Results:1 mg(middle dose group) the best effect.Conclusions:The acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning atropine optimal stopping when the dose was 1 mg,after short-term memory dysfunction,clinical observation is easy,unusual decrease in heart rate,reduce the workload of medical personnel.


Abstract Biomass and renewable raw materials are the basis and driver for an even greater alignment of industry to the principles of green chemistry and sustainability. Nature provides a remarkably wide range of renewable raw materials with varying properties and differing chemical compositions. Renewable raw materials are therefore especially interesting as alternatives to fossil resources for energy generation and as starting materials for industrial chemistry. Since various forms of biomass are also essential for human nutrition and animal feed, their use as feedstocks for other purposes must be balanced. Ideally, the biomass remaining after the nutritious components are removed can serve as a feedstock. Examples of applications that use biomass as starting materials include adhesives, textile and leather, cosmetics, cleaning agents, coatings, paints, printing inks, crop protection, lubricants and dietary supplements.


Wave control functions of various types of pile-supported floating breakwaters are investigated through model tests. Effective types of floating unit to reduce wave transmission are shown. Existence of the optimum initial constriction forces is also indicated in terms of wave transmission, floating body motion and mooring forces. The model tests are extended to irregular waves and compared with those in regular waves.


The application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to various problems in the field of coastal and ocean engineering is gaining importance due to the level of detail and accuracy offered by these methods. With the advances made in the computing power over the last decade and anticipated future increase in computational power, large and complex problems can be handled using CFD modeling. The PhD study aims at the development of a CFD-based numerical wave tank, validation and testing of the wave tank and application of the model to study the hydrodynamics of an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device and build a platform for further research on OWC design and deployment in arrays. The development of the numerical model covers incorporation of the best available numerical recipes to produce accurate results in the numerical wave tank, using higher-order discretization schemes to obtain a sharp representation of the free surface and avoiding numerical damping of the waves propagating in the wave tank. The numerical model is validated by investigating various phenomena in coastal engineering such as interaction of non-breaking waves with cylinders, wave shoaling, breaking, and interaction of breaking waves with vertical cylinders and the numerical results are compared to experimental data with very good agreement. Wave shoaling and decomposition over a submerged bar is simulated with very good representation of the phase and amplitude of the decomposed waves observed in experiments. The model is further validated for wave interaction with an OWC device by investigating a 1:12.5 model scale device; the hydrodynamics of the device is studied and the numerical results compared to experimental data. Wave interaction with cylinders at low Keulegan-Carpenter (KC) numbers is further investigated to obtain insight into the phenomena associated with large coastal structures such as the OWC device. The investigation into high steepness wave diffraction revealed that the wave forces on a single cylinder are over-predicted by about 32% by the McCamy-Fuchs theory for an incident wave of steepness 0.1, due to the difference in the wave diffraction pattern. The phenomenon of wave near-trapping is investigated for a four cylinder group and it is found that the leading cylinder in the group experiences two times the force on a single cylinder due to wave near-trapping at low incident wave steepness of 0.004, but only 1.2 times the force on a single cylinder at a higher wave steepness of 0.06 due to a break-down of the conditions leading to wave near-trapping at a high incident wave steepness.


We would like to point out that the formula for the cumulative distribution given in Coelho-Barros et al. (2017) and a similar version of it given in Usman et al. (2021) are not cumulative distribution functions as these functions do not satisfy the one or more necessary and sufficient conditions for a function to be a cumulative distribution function. We would also like to mention that formulas for the cumulative distribution functions of product and ratio of two independent Pareto and Exponential random variables given by Obeid and Kadry (2022) are not cumulative distribution functions either. We do not believe that these formulas can be fixed to be cumulative distribution functions. In this short article, we provide mathematical justification in support of these claims.


A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2015 and 2016 at Agricultural Research Station (MPUAT), Banswara, Rajasthan to find out effective weed management strategy for enhancing productivity and economic return of maize (Zea mays L.) under rain-fed condition of southern Rajasthan. Ten treatment combinations of pre-emergence (atrazine and pendimethalin), post-emergence (2,4-D amine, halosulfuron and tembotrione) herbicides with weed free and weedy check were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The result revealed that application of atrazine 50WP @1.5 kg/ha PE fb tembotrione 42SC @286 g/ha POE at 25 DAS significantly reduced weed density and weed dry weight with increased weed control efficiency and weed control index at 50 DAS as compared to other herbicidal treatments. The weed free treatment gave significantly higher plant height, yield attributes, grain yield (6.31 and 6.86 t/ha) and stover yield (6.87 and 8.15 t/ha), HEI (67.51%) and gross return (₹ 88363/ha) followed by application of atrazine as PE fb tembotrione as POE at 25 DAS over rest of the treatments. While, net return (₹ 55498/ha) and B:C ratio (2.05) recorded highest with application of atrazine PE fb tembotrione POE at 25 DAS than weed free and rest of the treatments. Hence, sequential application of atrazine 50WP @1.5 kg/ha PE fb tembotrione 42SC @286 g/ha POE at 25 DAS may be recommended for enhancing productivity and economic return through effective weed management in maize under rainfed condition of southern Rajasthan.


The paper proposed a new adaptive controller design for a synchronous reluctance motor drive system. In this paper, an on-line tuning adaptive controller is proposed. This on-line adaptive controller is based on least-mean-square algorithm. The adaptive controller is constructed by using an adaptive model and an adaptive control. The parameters of both the adaptive model and adaptive control are on-line tuned. By using the proposed method, the transient responses, load disturbance responses and tracking responses of the drive system are improved. The proposed method can perform a wide adjustable speed from 1 r/min to 1800 r/min as well. A digital signal processor, TMS-320F-28335, is used to execute the adaptive current-loop, and speed-loop controllers. Experimental results can validate the theoretical analysis and show the feasibility and correctness of the proposed method.


"It is important to note that, in recent Five Year Economic Plans, government is closely associating NGOs in implementation of community health programmes. NGOs interact with the government on many levels and for many reasons. This interaction is becoming broader and more frequent. In this context, it is essential to evaluate the role of NGOs in community health promotion. A SWOT analysis of NGO helps the government to decide whether sanctioning of project is worthwhile or not? On the basis of this result, government can chalk out a policy while sanctioning grant to adopt community health programmes".


Honey bees have been an important area of research and study going back at least to the days of Aristotle in the third century B.C. The amount and breadth of this research have been steadily increasing over time, especially during the modern age with the growing importance of honey bees to our society in agriculture, economics, food, medicine, and even computing technology. Even for those familiar with bees and scientific literature, the volume and diversity of information can be daunting. The aim of this study is to survey the last 100 years of available scientific research related to or inspired by honey bees and show its evolution, progression, and diversification through time by using text mining to conduct both a historical and topical analysis on the last 100 years of this research. This process shows how this research has grown and evolved over time while informing researchers of the depth, breadth, and dynamic nature of the research. This paper presents the analysis of the titles and abstracts of the 30,355 unique peer reviewed journal articles we identified related to honey bees and beekeeping and articulates relevant topics and changes over 100 years of bee research analyzed in ten time periods from 1917 through 2016. This study shows how honey bee research has evolved from a sub-field of other disciplines to a strong discipline in its own right and how it has further been enriched by contributions from other sciences.


The problems by using pressed powder pellets for XRF analysis of ferrosilicon alloys have been investigated. The origin of the problems is the heterogeneity of the solidified ferrosilicon. A variety of distinct crystallographic phases with varying X-ray absorption and grinding properties are formed from the molten metal resulting in large particle size effects. This in turn affects the accuracy and precision of the XRF analysis. A second effect that has to be accounted for is the stability of the powder pellets. The choice of binder agent is found to be essential to obtain stable pellets that are less affected by radiation and aging. The results show that grinding time, grinding vessel, grinding machine, cooling rate of the metal and choice of binder agent greatly influence the analysis results. To manage the problems it is of utmost importance to have a strict control of the sample preparation routines.


Let A be an algebra derived equivalent to a herditary algebra of wild type and let ρ(ϕ A ) be the spectral radius of the Coxeter transformation ϕ A of A. Assume that A = B(M ) is a one-point extension of an algebra B by an indecomposable module M. We find conditions for ρ(ϕ B ) ≤ ρ(ϕ A ). Mathematics Subject Classification: 16G60, 18E30, 16E20


Fox, K.R., Davis, M., Hillsdon, M., Coulson, J.C., Sharp, D., Stathi, A., Thompson, J.L. Getting out and about in older adults: Implications for physical activity and food shopping. UKSBM 7th Scientific Meeting / NPRI Annual Scientific Meeting, Stirling, 14th-15th December


Spontaneous deep muscle and joint bleeding is a common characteristic of severe hemophilia, often causing damage to the musculoskeletal system. The development of concentrated replacement factors, however, has made home care programs possible, helped prevent deformity, and improved surgical management.


The problem staphylococcal bacteriocarrier doesn't cease to keep the urgency as bacteriocarrier are sources of epidemiological danger. Irrespective of an etiology, infectious process begins with mucous membrane colonization in a place of entrance gate. The further current of infectious process is defined by properties microorganism and level of security from it an organism of the owner. Purpose: To define factors persistence staphylococccus and a condition of resistance of mucous membranes of the top respiratory ways at children resident bacteriocarrier, living in areas with different anthropogenous loading. Methodology: Investigation of 385 children living in areas with different anthropogenous loading of a city of Krasnoyarsk is carried. Results: The levels of lysozyme in the mixed saliva and the content of sIgA in lavages from the mucosa of the nasal cavity, and bacteriological tests performed on the carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and studied the persistent characteristics of the isolated cultures S.aureus. It was found decreasing in lysozyme activity and the decrease in sIgA in the surveyed children living in ecologically unfavorable area, which contributes to an increase in bacteria S.aureus. Staphylococci colonizing the anterior nasal children living in hot spots, had a more prominent factors in the persistence of the reduction of local immunity of the mucous membranes. Practical implications: practical public health services.


In the cloud computing era, the goal of data center network is not only to interconnect a large number of servers, but also to provide low latency and high bandwidth. A new 2-layer architecture, C-tree, is proposed for cloud computing in this paper. It is a flat topology, in which the horizontal traffic's latency is obviously lower than in traditional three-layer architectures. Also, C-tree can provide high bisection bandwidth which is important for bandwidth-intensive applications. We analyze C-tree theoretically and compare it with other architectures in scalability, accommodation capability, network diameter, bisection bandwidth, path diversity and regularity. We have developed a load balancing routing mechanism to balance the traffic on the parallel links. A network simulation platform is set up to verify the performance of C-tree.


FIELD: machine engineering. SUBSTANCE: turbomachine contains a stator having a casing, a rotor, as well as a brush and labyrinth seals. The rotor includes an impeller located inside the casing, and a brush seal is located between the impeller and the casing. Upstream of the brush seal, the main cavity is located, bounded by the recessed casing surface and the surface of the impeller. In the main cavity, upstream of said brush seal, there is at least one septum extending from the housing to the impeller. The labyrinth seal is located downstream of the brush seal. Another invention of the group relates to a node of the above-mentioned turbomachine in which the partition has an upstream and downstream ends, first and second sides extending between said ends and a surface facing the impeller that intersects the casing surface at its upstream and downstream of end flow. When the seal is improved and the vortex is reduced in the turbomachine, a brush seal is placed between the impeller and the turbomachine housing. The labyrinth seal is located downstream of the brush seal. A cavity is formed between the impeller and the casing upstream of mentioned brush seal, the cavity being delimited by the recessed casing surface and the surface of the impeller. Place in the cavity at least one septum extending to the impeller. EFFECT: increased efficiency of brush compaction by reducing vortex formation in front of it. 9 cl, 11 dwg


In this paper a phase-field model of PenroseFife type is considered for diffusive phase transitions with conserved order parameter. Different motivations lead to investigate the case when the heat flux is the superposition of two different contributions; one part is the gradient of a function of the absolute temperature θ, behaving like 1/θ as θ approaches to 0 and like −θ as θ ↗ +∞, while the other is given by the Gurtin-Pipkin law introduced in the theory of materials with thermal memory. An existence result for a related initial-boundary value problem is proven. Strengthening some assumptions on the data, the uniqueness of the solution is also achieved.


COVID-19 attacks have changed the methods and cultures of work in many organizations, the working from home (WFH) phenomenon as an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in many countries in the world has impacts on employee productivity. This study aims to explore the impacts of working from home on employee productivity with a qualitative approach. The findings explain that working from home has provided advantages and disadvantages both for employee and organization as well as being responsible for the decline in employee productivity. Furthermore, we also find the fact that working from home cannot be generally accepted since many areas of work cannot be carried out from home, although for many employees, working from home has provided a work-life balance. Yet, this is sometimes interrupted by multiple jobs (multitasking) that must be done at home.


With the rapid development of the Internet platform, users can choose and match clothes according to their personal preferences without leaving home. Merchants have manually sorted and uploaded a large number of clothing images to make it easy for users to shop for clothing online, which consumes a huge amount of labor costs. Such problems can be improved through deep learning related algorithms. However, the conventional deep learning model has a huge amount of computation, resulting in low efficiency of real-time detection of clothing, which limits its application field. Aiming at these theoretical and practical problems, this thesis studies the optimization of clothing image detection and label recognition methods based on deep learning. In view of the real problems of high computational load and slow instant response of existing clothing detection models. This thesis proposes a clothing detection model YOLOv4-GS based on a deep learning framework. Experiments show that compared with the model YOLOv4, this model has a great improvement in detection accuracy and model efficiency. This algorithm first uses the K-means++ clustering method to preprocess the initial dataset DeepFashion2. And construct the GS module based on the deep fusion of Ghost module and SimAM attention mechanism. Then use the GS module to reconstruct the YOLOv4 network to obtain the model YOLOv4-GS, which has higher efficiency and higher model accuracy.


The purpose of present study was to evaluate anti-tick activity of Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sisso and Morus alba. Water extract prepared from leaves of A. indica, D. sisso and M. alba was used to evaluate anti-tick activity of plants against 12-14 days old larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus. Acaricidal activity of plants and ivermectin (control group) was examined after 24h and 6 days of treatment using Syringe test. LC LC and LC values were calculated for extract and ivermectin.LC (CL 95%) of extract collected after 50, 90 99 50 24 h was 2185% (1466-4061%), totally different (P < 0.05) when compared with the LC of extract after 6 days 50 45% (30-62%). This significant difference between LC values at 24 h and 6 days indicate that extract was more 50 toxic after 6 days of treatment. Likewise, significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between LC and LC 90 99 of extract and ivermectin. Time dependent response of water extract of plants was observed. The results confirmed traditional use of Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sisso and Morus alba against ticks and could be used for further development as herbal acaricide.


Systematic chronic delusions were described in detail by French and German psychiatry of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These delusions are part of the pictures of psychosis characterized by permanent delusions. It must be considered that delusional ideas are not only the beliefs and conceptions by which the themes of delusional fiction are expressed, such as persecution, grandeur, jealousy, but also delirious ideas are considered ideofeffective phenomena in which delusion takes shape, such as intuitions, illusions, interpretations, hallucinations, imaginative and passionate exaltation. These delusional ideas cannot be conceived as mere errors of judgment [1]. From the classification of Kraepelin and later with the works of Bleuler, many of these delusions became part of schizophrenia. However, French psychiatry maintained the description of chronic delusions outside the schizophrenia group. Nowadays, the nosographic studies of the great classical figures of French psychiatry of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are increasingly giving rise to a more biological, neurological and pharmacological psychiatry.


In this paper, we suggest a bipartite algorithm, based on ant colony with fuzzy clustering, namely ACFC, for finding communities in social networks. First, we use artificial ants to traverse the network modelled by a graph based on a set of rules to find a 'good region' of edges. Next, we construct the communities after which local optimisation methods are used to further improve the solution quality. Finally, we use the fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to fine tune the result. In our method ants are only used to identify good regions of the search space and construction methods are used to build the final solution. Experimental results on several synthetic graphs and four real world social networks compared to six other well known methods show that our ACFC algorithm is very competitive against current state-of-the-art techniques for community detection and it is more accurate than existing algorithms as it performs well across many different types of networks.


Located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, La Lengueta is marked by profound economic, sociopolitical, and cultural complexities. In addition to belonging to a Natural National Park and an indigenous reservation, it has been settled by farmers from different regions of the country. It has also experienced the Colombian State's problematic presence as well as of non- State actors. I analyze from an ethnohistorical approach how differing ways of understanding space and territory have shaped La Lengueta over the past 50 years. Specifically, I address how La Lengueta has been inserted into Colombian economic and productive dynamics, the migration processes, and the tensions among different human groups and institutions in this region.


The oscillator mechanics statistical analysis modal of floating raft isolation system is founded in this paper.Then the vibration responses and power flow characteristics of the isolation system are studied utilizing the mobility power flow analysis method.Finally through numerical method,the effects of parameters of raft and isolator to the power flow that transmitted into the basic structure are analyzed.The results show that: it is effective to control the transmission power flow by increasing the thickness of the base,or decreasing the coupling rigidity,or increasing the mass of the raft.


ABSTRACT The Italian women's movement of the 1970s was one of the largest and most diverse in Europe. However, after the movement's decline in the late 1970s, scholarly interest in women studies and in the history of second-wave feminism has primarily been upheld through the creation and promotion of women's archives, documentary centres and libraries. More recently, new generations of women have engaged in battles for women's rights, debates about gender issues and feminist scholarship, relying increasingly on new media technologies and social media. It is tempting to conclude that the generation gap that so often marks the relationship between different feminist generations is enhanced by such a technological divide. This article, instead, challenges this assumption by studying the case of an information-based organization that was created in the early 1980s by a group of local feminists in the Italian city of Bologna, and which adopted a strongly digital approach to historical scholarship in the early 1990s. What is the impact of a similar, digital approach to women's history on the nature of historical scholarship and the shape of the archive? Can the digital break through academic hierarchies and institutional barriers, and give a voice to those who have long remained outside of official historiography?


Future research on the growth, development and flowering of flower bulbs must be unique and not homogeneous. There are two major reasons : (1) the genera that are used commercially were introduced either long ago or only recently and (2) the genera have different economic impacts. These aspects directly affect the importance and the nature of the research programmes. Independent of the genus or the sophistication of the research programmes, the ultimate goal of the research must be to provide bulb growers and users with the technologies that will allow them to: (1) have plants with highly efficient growth cycles, (2) obtain products with high quality market standards, and (3) be able to reproduce the results year-in and year-out. These goals (optimizing plant growth, quality, and reproducibility) provide the base of the presentation. We shall identify areas where research is needed and the nature of research that should be conducted. Several factors must be taken into account. They are: (1) research on the effects of external factors on physiological processes is necessary for the commercial use of any species; (2) basic research must be undertaken to obtain an understanding of fundamental processes like bulbing, floral induction, etc... ; (3) basic research often leads to the question of genetic control of the process. The latter point raises the question of which model(s) plant(s) should be used for basic research? It is clear that all research needs to be interdisciplinary. Also, that international cooperation and continuous funding are necessary for the research programmes to be effective. INTRODUCTION Since the growth, development, and flowering processes encompass the entire cycle of flower bulbs, it is not surprising that these topics have been extensively researched. Periodically, the reports have been reviewed (De Hertogh and Le Nard, 1993 ; Lilien-Kipnis et al., 1997). However, when evaluating the research needs for growth, development, and flowering of flower bulbs, it is immediately obvious that the approaches must be unique and not homogeneous. The major reasons are: (1) the flower bulb genera that are used commercially have been introduced either for a long time, e.g., the tulip, or only recently, e.g., Sandersonia; and/or (2) the genera have significantly different economic impacts. These aspects affect the importance and the nature of the proposed research programmes. Morever, the accumulation of knowledge on flower bulbs has been primarily concentrated on a few genera (Hyacinthus, Gladiolus, Lilium, Narcissus, Tulipa) and/or limited to specific topics (Le Nard and De Hertogh, 1993b). However, recent reports indicate that an increasing number of genera or species are being investigated (Lilien-Kipnis et al., 1997). Independent of the genus or the degree of sophistication of the research programmes, the ultimate goal of the research is to provide bulb growers and users with economic product knowledge. These technologies will allow them to: (1) obtain plants with highly efficient growth cycles; (2) obtain products with high quality market standards, and (3) be able to reproduce the results year-in and year-out. These three goals (growth efficiency, quality, and reproducibility), provide the base of this presentation. We shall identify areas where research is needed and the nature of research that should be conducted. Proc. 8th Int. Symp. on Flowerbulbs Eds. G. Littlejohn et al. Acta Hort. 570, ISHS 2002 122 OPTIMIZING BULB GROWTH AND FLOWER PRODUCTION Bulb Production The major factors affecting plant growth and bulb production are schematically presented in Figure 1. Two groups of factors interact. Some are closely linked to the planting stock and others are determined by the prevailing growing conditions. To obtain optimal bulb production, growers must have information about the factors affecting the planting stock. This includes the effects of post-harvest storage conditions on subsequent growth and the paramaters which can promote or limit plant growth, e.g., nutrition, moisture, etc... Depending on the genus, this information has been, or has to be, gained through research directed toward determining the effects of external factors on growth and development and defining the techniques to control them. There are, however, factors that growers cannot generally control, e.g., climatic conditions. Optimum bulb production can only be obtained when the cultivars are highly adapted to the climatic conditions of the bulb production area. For a specific genus or species, profitable bulb production under different climatic conditions will be possible only if there is genetic diversity available for adaptative factors. Secondly, is there genetic variability for bulbing efficiency, i.e., for reserve accumulation? These two points raise the problem of evaluation of the potential genetic variability of a single genus or species. This evaluation is essential to determine the potential of improving existing bulb production situations , and, eventually, to extend the areas of bulb production of a specific genus or species. This is especially critical when fresh soils are needed. This type of research can, however, be restricted. First, it is not always possible to have an access to the existing genetic diversity. Second, methods are very important for efficient screening of the material and multilocal experiments are necessary. Thus, screening for adaptative factors is expensive. However, it has been proven that breeding for adaptation has played an important role in the development of the major genera of flower bulbs. This is a reality since an efficient bulb production is a prerequisite for flower production. Active cooperation between breeders and physiologists is essential for progress in this area. Disease and insect control are, of course, essential for optimum bulb production. These aspects will not be considered in this article. However, it must be noted that with flower bulbs little attention has been devoted to the systemic acquired resistance (S.A.R.) induced by elicitors. As the use of pesticides becomes more restricted, this topic is very important. It requires cooperation between plant pathologists, entomologists, physiologists, and geneticists. In the area of disease and pest resistance, genetic engineering also needs to be considered. Flower Production Efficient flower production is based on the control of all factors that affect flowering from floral induction until anthesis (De Vroomen, 1993). In order to achieve this goal, research on the environmental factors that control the different steps of flowering is essential. Extensive research has been reported for several flower bulb genera (De Hertogh and Le Nard, 1993). It is still an active area (see: the presentations of this Symposium). This research has contributed to the elucidation of specific bulb treatments, (e.g., temperature, plant growth regulators) and/or the determination of forcing conditions in greenhouses that promote programmed flower production. Sometimes year-round flowering is possible for some genera of flower bulbs, e.g., alstroemerias, dutch iris, lilies, tulips. However, while techniques to control flowering are available for many species (De Hertogh, 1996), the mechanisms directly affecting the processes of scape elongation and flowering have not been elucidated. This is true even in a species like the tulip which has been subjected to extensive research (Boonekamp, 1997). Basic research is needed on these processes. While growth efficiency can be greatly affected by environmental factors, it also has a genetic component. As with bulb production, knowledge of genetic diversity is important. The tulip is an excellent example. It is well known that according to the genotype, flowering can occur at various periods, i.e., the duration of growth period varies. In addition, it is possible to


The absorption and desorption of porous media catalyzer as well as the catalyzer particulates activity are affected by the catalyzer temperature in plasma-catalysis cooperative desulphurization and denitration,and the catalyzer temperature is greatly associated with the temperature field.The lower the reactor temperature,the higher the moisture content and the heat share,also the lower the chemical energy,thus it is not fit to desorption.That′s why it is important to analyze the gas temperature field in the reactor for the process of desulphurization and denitration.The effect of non-thermal plasma to the temperature field in the vertical round pipe packed bed under different volts and the same volt but different gas mass flow rate was discussed respectively in this paper.It was indicated in the experiments that the temperature field in the packed bed was obviously influenced by the voltage and the gas velocity.


As a methodology aimed to focus social scientific theorizing on actual social problems and examine new directions and guidelines for emancipation and empowerment, action research is based on a joint learning process of researchers and researched. The model of exemplarian action research tries to capture how this learning process can develop in practice. Before describing this model and its emancipatory aspirations, the authors sketch the theoretical inspirations of the model of exemplarian action research. They then go on to focus on the relationship between researcher and the researched party, particularly on the principles of reciprocal adequacy and explicitness which are necessary both from an epistemologically and critical point of view. The article concludes by outlining some aspects in which exemplarian action research can be distinguished from pragmatic action research and by emphasizing that it does not stand for a post-modern position, but for a reflexive attitude that hopes to contribute to bringing us beyond a half-modern society. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


To the Editor The study by Ratwatte et al is a large national cohort retrospective assessment of mortality according to severity of pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) in patients with ≥moderate aortic regurgitation (AR); the authors should be commended for building such a large national database. While pHTN is associated with excess mortality in any clinical context, the relevant approach is to causally link the pHTN to the specific clinical context examined, in this case clinically significant AR, in order to infer its potential role in the management of AR. For this purpose, fundamental questions must be addressed: (1) Is this a representative cohort of patients with clinically significant AR? (2) Is the pHTN the result of advanced untreated AR? and (3) Do we have sufficient information on the consequences of AR and patient comorbidity burden to draw sound clinical conclusions? We are concerned that in the present series, despite its size, the answers to these questions remain obscure and do not allow to draw meaningful clinical conclusions beyond the fact that pHTN is deadly, especially when >mild. Clinically significant AR is a disease largely affecting younger males. The demographics presented by Ratwatte et al deviate considerably from previous large contemporary cohorts of patients with clinically significant AR graded ≥moderatesevere (≥3+) 5 with mean age 54 to 61 years and 75 %to 80% men, 5 versus mean age 74 years and 42% men in the current study. Furthermore, clinically significant chronic AR is consistently associated with left ventricular (LV) dilatation and enddiastolic diameters in the 60 mm range while all groups in the Ratwatte et al series present with enddiastolic diameters <50 mm. A reasonable explanation for these substantial discrepancies is the inclusion of patients with only moderate AR, which may be an incidental finding in older patients, yet inconsequential. In addition, relying on pressure half time as the single quantitative criteria for severity assessment is problematic, potentially resulting in the inclusion of patients with ≤moderate AR whose clinical profile conceivably included one or more nonAR causes of pHTN (eg, diastolic heart failure, degenerative or functional mitral regurgitation unrelated to AR, lung disease, connective tissue disease). Indeed, 93% of the cohort had only moderate AR, and there are no comorbidities accounted for, including one that the authors should have had access to: mitral stenosis. These shortcomings may lead to overestimation of the pHTN prevalence; only 17% of patients had no pHTN. Ratwatte et al notice a pattern of 'worsening left heart disease' in relation to pHTN severity; this pattern is based on higher E/e' ratios, larger atrial size and right ventricular dilatation/dysfunction. Surprisingly, however, the LV ejection fraction showed no clinical difference between pHTN groups, the LV endsystolic diameter was the smallest in the severe pHTN group, and the LV enddiastolic diameter was clinically similar within pHTN groups. We previously reported on a singlesite retrospective cohort of 1239 patients with clinically significant AR (≥3+) and found only 9% of patients presenting with what seemed to be left heart diseaseinduced significant pHTN due to AR; these patients were older, with lower ejection fraction, significant LV dilatation, higher atrial fibrillation rate and higher degree of functional mitral regurgitation. In these patients with comprehensively quantified AR, mean endsystolic and enddiastolic diameters were 41 and 61 mm, respectively, versus 30 and 46 mm in the current study, which strongly suggests that AR was not clinically relevant in most patients. This precludes assessment of the interplay between AR and pHTN. While we do not disagree that in most circumstances pHTN is a harbinger of poor outcomes, in the specific context of clinically significant AR, we do not find that the data reported by Ratwatte et al reached the threshold to influence clinical management and likely overestimated the prevalence of pHTN.


The present invention relates to an ascorbyl phosphate and the use of niacinamide for suppressing the crystallization of biotin in the composition for cosmetic or dermatological. The invention also ascorbyl-phosphate, niacinamide, the present invention relates to a cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier, and biotin.


Ceramic anodes have many advantages over cermet anodes for solid oxide fuel cells. We report the synthesis and characterization of Sn doped double perovskite PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ (x = 0–0.3) anode materials. Different crystal structures were observed depending on the Sn doping level and gas atmosphere. The materials demonstrated excellent stability in both reducing and redox atmospheres at elevated temperatures. The oxygen content in the as-prepared PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ was nonlinearly correlated to the Sn doping level and reached maximum values around x = 0.1. After the reducing treatment, the oxygen content linearly decreased with increasing Sn doping level. The electrical conductivity of bulk PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ (x = 0.1) reached 63.6 S cm−1 at 800 °C in humidified hydrogen. At 750 °C, the surface exchange coefficient and bulk diffusivity of PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ reached the maximum values of 4.42 × 10−6 m s−1 and 6.04 × 10−7 m2 s−1, respectively, in the reducing process when the Sn doping level was x = 0.1. The activation energies of surface exchange coefficient and bulk diffusivity of PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ (x = 0.1) were 0.22 eV and 0.16 eV, respectively, in the reducing process. The area specific resistance of the PrBaFe(2−x)SnxO5+δ (x = 0.1) anode was 0.095–0.285 Ω cm2 from 850–750 °C in humidified hydrogen, better than or comparable to the best ceramic anodes in the literature.


Since its formation in 2010, the Open Linguistics Working Group (OWLG) has been steadily growing and the direction the working group is heading has been clarified (although a number of issues remain open). We concentrated on the identification of goals and directions to pursue, and in this paper, we summarize results of this process, and talk about the current status of this working group as well as the main challenges and problems, we have identified so far. 1 Discussion results An important result of our discussion are the seven points described in the next section, which define the purpose of the working group. In the next section, we summarize four major problems and challenges of the work with linguistic data. Such problems will become a primary topic of the Working Group. Thereafter, we give an overview of the current status and activities of the group and provide some suggestions for how to get involved.


The evaluation of the neutron cross-section data for the six stable isotopes of Kr from 10/sup -5/ eV to 20 MeV is described. These evaluations incorporate all the new data on these isotopes, including those on the resonance parameters, level schemes of the various isotopes and residual nuclei, and reaction data. Evaluation procedures adopted to assess experimental data and the nuclear model calculations used are described. 67 figures, 6 tables.


"The Community constitutes a new legal order [...] for the benefit of which the states have limited their sovereign rights [...] and the subjects of which comprise not only Member States but also their nationals. Independently of the legislation of the Member States, Community law therefore imposes obligations on individuals but is also intended to confer on them rights which become part of their legal heritage."1


In a nationwide survey of the extent and nature of psychotherapeutic drug use, respondents were also questioned about their knowledge of tranquilizers and their attitudes toward the use of these drugs in general and in specific situations. The survey revealed surprising similarities of attitudes across demographic subgroups. Although respondents believed in the efficacy of tranquilizers and were willing to condone their use in some specific circumstances, they also had doubts about their long-term effects and about the morality of using them. Doubts about the morality of using tranquilizers were associated with traditional stoic values.


PURPOSE: A HARQ processing method considering a maximum number of transmission is provided to prevent the waste of UL resource by recognizing a received UL as new transmission when a terminal receives a retransmission command of deleted data from a HARQ buffer. CONSTITUTION: In a HARQ processing method considering a maximum number of transmission, a receiving module(705) receives a Physical Down link-Control CHannel(PDCCH) signal including UL grant information and a new data indicator from a base station. A transmitting module(704) performs up-link transfer to the base station. An HARQ entity module(706) manages the HARQ processing of a terminal. A multiplexing and assembly module(709) generates MAC (Maximum Access Control) PDU (Protocol Data Unit) to be transmitted.


The simple copper complex acts as an effective precatalyst for the title reaction to produce the products with complete regioselectivity and high diastereoselectivity [cf.


An expression for the entrainment in a channel with rippled bed has been developed considering the entrainment mechanism. The flow structure behind the ripple has been modeled on an eye‐shaped line vortex. Afterwards, the pickup rate of the sediment particle and its motion has been calculated under the vortex activity. The ripple characteristics, such as, configuration, frequency of formation and the shear stress (due to the vortex) on the sand surface have been obtained as functions of the bulk parameters. Combining these characteristics, the entrainment rate at the lee‐side of the ripple has been calculated. Also the entrainment rate from the stoss side has been taken as a basis for the calculations concerned with the total entrainment rate. Then, the ratio of the lee‐side entrainment to the total value has been obtained as a function of the ripple characteristics described above. It can be concluded that the results have been found to be satisfactory when compared with former investigations and experim...


Abstract In this investigation, colon sensitive nanoparticles were prepared using different agents by ion-gelation method. The carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CMCH-NPs) were used to deliver budesonide to the colon. The formation of Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH) was confirmed by H1NMR, FTIR, and degree of substitution (Ds). CMCH-NPs were evaluated for drug excipient interaction, loading efficiency % (LE), entrapment efficiency % (EE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, particle size distribution, in-vitro release studies (also with enzymes), cytotoxicity, and stability studies. In-vitro release studies by dialysis bag method without enzymes revealed that N4 and N6 showed less than 10% cumulative drug release (% CDR) in pH1.2. SEM results of N6 showed spherical shaped aggregates and smoother surfaces than N4. Consequently, the presence of pepsin in pH 1.2, diastase in pH 4.5 and pancreatin in pH 7.4 buffers did not have any significant effect on the release kinetics of the N6 CMCH-NPs. On addition of the colonic enzymes in 10th hour, there was a marked increase in the release of budesonide (upto 98.27% ± 1.30%) due to the action of enzymes produced by the colonic microflora which causes the lysis of glycosidic bonds. The evidence for pH sensitivity along with the microbiotic activation of the CMCH-NPs in the colon was thus established. The cell viability (%) in all samples was above 96%, ensuring the biocompatibility of CMCH in the dose range of 0.2–2.4 mg/mL. Stability studies as per ICH Q1A (R2) guidelines were found to be stable. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The objective of this study is to identify the best third-party logistics service provider (3PLSP) by using a hybrid approach, i.e., analytical hierarchy process (AHP) - data envelopment analysis (DEA) - grey-complex proportional assessment (COPRAS-G). In the first phase, AHP was used for determining the priority weights' of criteria. Secondly, data envelopment analysis (DEA) for selecting the efficient service providers based on the AHP weights, and lastly COPRAS-G was applied for obtaining final ranks of 3PLSPs for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain in the Indian context. The criteria used in this study were obtained by taking inputs from the experts of the case supply chain. A total of ten criteria were considered namely freight cost/km, fleet capacity, vehicle quality/order, driver's quality and acceptance rate/order, distance target achieved, flexibility capability, on-time delivery, financial strength/turn over, customer support and service, and training learning and growth. A criterion, namely freight cost/km, was found to be the most significant and out of thirty 3PLSPs a service provider namely V2 was found be the best one. This study forms guidelines for the academicians as well as practitioners for the smooth decision-making process of 3PLSPs evaluation and selection.


Lignin was modified through incorporation of lipophilic and hydrophilic groups for the preparation of a surfactant. In this case, alkaline lignin reacted with dodecyl glycidyl ether in the presence of dimethyl benzyl amine to incorporate lipophilic long alkyl chains, and then sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid for the introduction of hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups. Results showed that the reaction between dodecyl glycidyl ether and carboxy group in lignin was the predominant reaction at 95–110 °C. It was found that the surface tension of the synthesized lignin surfactant solution was lower than that of commercial surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate when the concentration was below 0.4%, indicating that the surfactant prepared from alkaline lignin had a good surface activity. A lowest critical micelle concentration of 0.50 g L−1 and the corresponding surface tension at 29.17 mN m−1 were achieved when the surfactant was derived from the lignin grafted with dodecyl glycidyl ether at 110 °C. The anionic lignin surfactants prepared in this study are a promising feedstock as detergents or to enhance oil recovery.


The present invention relates to a particular radiation detector 100 for X-ray X and γ rays, the detector for at least one of the main conversion layer 101a~101f, (b) photons with a low attenuation coefficient for (a) photons at least one combination of a sub conversion layer 102 having a high attenuation coefficient. In the preferred embodiment, the main conversion layer 101a~101f the relevant energy degradation counting electronics unit 111A~111f, can be implemented by a silicon layer bonded to 121. Sub conversion layer 102 is, for example, be implemented by CZT or GOS coupled to the energy degradation counting electronics unit or integrated electronic circuit unit. By using the main conversion layer having a low stopping power, a stacked radiation detector 100 for spectral CT, it is restricted to feasible values without the count rate of each layer requiring impractical thin layer it can be configured in form.


Time-resolved fluorescence studies of an electron donor–acceptor modified helical oligopeptide, in acetonitrile, show a biexponential decay with a short lifetime component attributed to rapid photoinduced electron transfer (PET), which increases from 15% of the total fluorescence at –40 °C to 58% on warming to 0 °C and then more gradually to 67% at 60 °C.


Two silent-film characters accidentally step off the screen and get stuck in a theatre, where the reality of the situation—they are being watched by an audience—forces them to perform. Part magic show, part surreal journey, part philosophical treatise, all wear bowlers is an existential vaudeville show in which the two characters clown around while waiting for release. It is a divine and highly literate physical comedy, mixing references from Laurel and Hardy, Waiting for Godot, Hamlet, Magritte, and Sartre to comment on the folly of human existence.


The invention relates to the technical field of display devices, and discloses a display panel and a projection display device. The display panel comprises a baffle board, a phase retarder, a black light absorption matrix and a polarization scattering film. The phase retarder is used for changing the polarization direction of passing light. The black light absorption matrix is used for absorbing light. After polarized light irradiated from a projector passes through the polarization scattering film, the polarized light is propagated along an original light path, the polarized light is irradiated to the polarization scattering film again after passing through the phase retarder and a reflector plate, and then the light is scattered. Light in other polarization directions is scattered after shooting into the polarization scattering film, and the scattered light is absorbed by the black light absorption matrix. The display panel and the projection display device have the advantages that the polarization scattering film is matched with the phase retarder, only the polarized light irradiated from the projector can be displayed through the display panel, external light is scattered off by the polarization scattering film, hence, the interference condition of a display image by external light is eliminated, and the display effect of the display panel is improved.


The BRST Charge plays a prominent role in interaction theory based on the Gauge
symmetry group. In this work we find the explicit expression of the BRST charge for Generalized
deformed SU(2) algebra.


Distance perception is the basis and necessary prerequisite of environment perception, attitude perception and obstacle avoidance for both intelligent vehicle and unmanned vehicle. Passive ranging is a critical part of machine vision measurement. Most passive ranging methods based on machine vision apply binocular technology that needs strict hardware conditions and lacks universality. Therefore, the monocular vision ranging method is one of the mainstream distance sensing methods at present. In order to improve the accuracy of monocular vision ranging, a monocular vision ranging method based on pixel area and aspect ratio is proposed. Subsequently, this method improves the stability of real-time target detection by introducing Kalman filter processing. Experimental results display that that ranging used by this method has higher accuracy. The mean relative error of the depth measurement is 5% when it is 3-10 m. After introducing Kalman filter, the stability of real-time ranging processing is improved by 25.21%. In this paper, the ROS smart car with real-time target tracking is also realized by the method based on the combination of SIFT-KCF target detection and tracking and monocular ranging.


This study examined front desk supervisors' transformational leadership dimensions and employees' performance. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and a researcher developed performance questionnaire were used. Employees from 34 hotels (83% response) in one Midwestern state participated in the study. Results indicated that front desk employees perceived their supervisors exhibited leadership dimensions of inspirational motivation and idealized influence more frequently and individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation less frequently. Front desk supervisors reported the most frequently exhibited performance areas as positive attitude, safety/care of equipment, and attendance/punctuality. Least frequently exhibited performance areas were judgment and initiative/motivation. No significant relationship was found between supervisors' transformational leadership dimensions and employees' performance. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.


Stormwater control devices are constructed to intercept or capture a portion of the design storm with a given runoff flow and duration. The portion will change, however, as the characteristics of the runoff vary from storm to storm. A statistical method of analysis is described, based on a probabilistic characterization of rainfall and runoff, which evaluates the long-term performance efficiency of the devices. Stormwater control devices that capture and store runoff include interceptors and retention basins. The long-term average performance of interceptors and storage devices are determined based on the size and operational mode of the devices, and the statistical properties of the runoff. Issues addressed include the effect of previous storms on storage and the emptying rate of the basin, flow variations between and within storms, and the treatment implications of the first flush effect and flow-concentration correlations.


Objective: To prepare zinc ferrites materials and study the sintering effect on the structural and microwaves absorption in the X-band rang. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Zinc Ferrite nanoparticles have been prepared by using the sol-gel methods. The samples were sintered at three temperatures (400°C, 600 °C, 800 °C) for two hours. The spinal phase of zinc ferrite structure and crystallite size was examined by XRD spectrum, pattern show that nanoparticles structure exhibit mixed phase of ZnO and ZnFe2O4.Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the surface topography. AFM images reveal a uniform distribution of semispherical shaped nanostructure with average grain sizes ranging between (70.71 nm -92.03 nm). The microwave absorption in X-band rang was examined with a vector network analyzer (VNA). Findings/ Application: The maximum microwave absorbance at 9 GHz for sample sintering at 800 °C with narrow bandwidth (8.5- 9.5 GHz). The minimum the attenuation coefficient is less than -15 dB with absorber thickness (1.2 cm) for all samples.


ABSTRACT In the context of the impact of COVID-19 on management information systems, there have been many reports of accelerated digital transformation, including in public administration institutions. I discuss the meaning of the term digital transformation and consider whether the actions taken so far by public administrations in the face of COVID-19 are actually conducive to digital transformation, or just digitalization alone. Conclusions may suggest how to use this COVID-19 induced experience in planning digital transformation.


Boundary-driven Rayleigh streaming in a homogeneous fluid has been extensively studied, and plays an important role in the manipulation of particles in microscale acoustofluidics. On the other hand, in fluids of spatially inhomogeneous density and compressibility in a standing wave field in microfluidic systems, a novel acoustic body force is created, resulting in relocation and stabilization of inhomogeneities . This new phenomenon enables iso-acoustic focusing using which the acoustic impedance of cells can be measured. We would like to show here that acoustic streaming can be significantly suppressed in inhomogeneous medium by experimental observations, which enables manipulation of submicrometer particles.


Dear Editor We report the case of a 68yearold man suffering only from hypertension who presented with a 1month history of severe itching of the genital and inguinal area. On physical examination, there were erythematous and excoriated patches on the pubic region and groins due to scratching, and intensely itchy erythematous nodules on the penis and scrotum. Dermoscopy documented tracklike burrows on the nodules, consistent with Sarcoptes scabiei infestation. We recommended shaving the affected areas and applying a 5% permethrinbased cream to be distributed all over the body (except the face) for three evenings in a row, to be repeated after 7 days. After 20 days, the nodules on the penis and scrotum persisted, with burrows still visible by dermoscopy. Another course of therapy was prescribed but with benzyl benzoate lotion 25%. After a further 20 days, the nodules had increased and extended to the pubis. Given the resistance to topical treatments, we decided to offer oral ivermectin (200 μg/kg) in two separate 10day doses. At the followup visit, the patient did not report adverse effects of the drug; the nodules were no longer significantly inflamed, there was little itching and no dermoscopic signs of mite presence were observed. Having established resolution of the infestation, we recommended topical clobetasol to expedite resolution of the remaining lesions. The genital involvement of scabies can be resistant to standard topical therapies. We propose that in these cases, oral ivermectin at the prescribed dosage could represent a safe and welltolerated therapeutic option.


The purpose of this study was to analyze marketing, service quality and its impact on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, and analyze the influence marketing and service quality on customer loyalty as a mediator customer satisfaction. Research conducted in South Sulawesi province with a sample of 215 local and national developers who use Tonasa cement products. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using Structural Equation Model using AMOS 18 and Sobel test for mediator effect. The study found that marketing has a negative and no significant effect on customer satisfaction. In general the users complained marketing Tonasa cement applied by the cement Tonasa Company and this is the cause of marketing judged negatively, thus providing insignificant effect on customer satisfaction. Services quality has a positive and insignificant effect on customer loyalty. Service quality has done well, but the demand for service quality shown Tonasa Cement Company contributes insignificant effect on customer loyalty. Marketing has a negative and insignificant effect on customer loyalty as a mediator customer satisfaction. It shows that all the indicator do not provide reinforcement to the marketing variables that cause a negative impact and customer satisfaction is not able to mediate to have a significant effect on customer loyalty.


ABSTRACT Salvia majdae (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb of pharmaceutical interest in Iran due to its several biological properties. In the present study, we studied the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of S. majdae essential oil (EO) by comparing several extraction methods, including hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), ultrasound-assisted hydrodistillation (UAHD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and ohmic-assisted hydrodistillation (OAHD). The major EOs compounds obtained with all methods included linalool (39.4–45.7%) and camphor (30.9–34.3%). The highest EO yield was obtained using HD and MAHD, with 9 and 5% (w/w), respectively. The shortest extraction time (20 Min) was obtained using MAHD. The antibacterial activity of S. majdae EOs was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method on a panel of Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens) and Gram-negative (Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Xanthomonas citri and Escherichia coli) bacteria. Notably, the EO obtained by HD demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity.


The present invention discloses a UV epoxy resin infusion molding process, comprising the steps of: UV epoxy formulation steps of: adding at least two-component epoxy resin photosensitizer and uniformly mixed to obtain an epoxy resin UV, UV epoxy content of up to a photosensitizer is a photosensitive curing agent for epoxy resins to achieve the UV curing, the remainder of the photosensitizer is a photosensitive viscosity modifiers, UV epoxy is used according to the viscosity the viscosity was adjusted to the desired drip molding; infusion steps of: UV epoxy resin infusion process into N steps performed in the same workstation, each process corresponding to the kind of initiator zero, one or more photosensitizing viscosity modifier, the viscosity of the UV epoxy for the viscosity reaches the desired process and instillation; curing step: initiation of the photosensitive curing agent, the final UV cure epoxy. The method may be used in the field of microelectronic chip packaging, and 3D printing.


This paper proposes a signal reforming algorithm for a three-phase phase-locked loop (PLL) based technique to estimate the phase angles of an unbalanced three-phase voltage system. The proposed technique works on three-phase voltage system suffering from simultaneous amplitude and phase unbalances by transforming it into a balanced three-phase voltage system and keeping the information of phase angles of all the phases. This makes the conventional synchronous reference frame PLL (SRF-PLL) suited for accurate estimation of phase angle of one phase. The phase angles of other two unbalanced phases are also calculated accurately without using additional PLLs. The proposed PLL works perfectly even when the frequency of the system is time varying. The proposed technique not only solves the phase estimation difficulties of the conventional SRF-PLL working under unbalanced grid conditions in a relatively simple way, but also it avoids the use of three single-phase PLLs to estimate the phase angles of a three-phase voltage system under both amplitude and phase angle unbalanced conditions. All the simulations have been carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software to verify the performance of the proposed technique.


Insung means 'newly made castle.' So it may be located in various parts of the nation as well as in one part. And since then, it may not only be named in other words but also keep being used to become a proper noun. Goguryeo`s Sinsung in Samguksagi also need be reconsidered in this viewpoint. Samguksagi refers to Sinsung more than 20 times over 400 years in which Goguryeo confronted various forces: Suksin, Moyong Seonbi, Turks, Sui, Tang, etc. Therefore we have to think that Goguryeo`s Sinsung was not located in one place but several places. During the reign of King Suchun it was located in the lower Duman river for fighting against Suksin. For King Bongsang, it was in the Buyeo districts against Moyong Seonbi, and after King Gogukwon was in the north of Musun city against Turks, Sui, Tang etc.


The effect of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the homogeneity of the particle distribution and the fracture properties of an Al6061-20%Al2O3 composite processed by powder metallurgy (PM) technology is investigated. The as-fabricated material shows a strongly clustered particle distribution. The material is subjected to ECAP for 4 and 7 passes. For each condition, the homogeneity of the particle distribution in the matrix is studied by the quadrat method. Standard tensile and fracture mechanical tests are performed to determine the mechanical properties and the J-integral resistance curves of the material. It is shown that the application of ECAP significantly improves the homogeneity of the particle distribution and, as a result, the fracture properties.


Background: Achilles tendon rupture is common among physically active individuals, yet a high percentage fail to return to their former activity after the injury. Quantifiable factors such as type of treatment, hours of rehabilitation, and age have not been associated with return-to-play rates. A factor that influences recovery is the participant's experience before and throughout the rehabilitation process, which can be explored using a qualitative content analysis. Purpose: To explore and describe what influences the participant to return to physical activity after an Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Twenty participants (14 men; mean age, 46 years) were interviewed as part of this study. All participants had ruptured their Achilles tendon 4 to 6 years before the interviews. From the interviews, codes were extracted that evolved into 19 subcategories, 6 categories, and 1 theme. Results: The overarching theme that emerged was "Help me and then I can fix this." The 6 categories were (1) one's own drive to succeed, (2) having a supportive social network, (3) trusting the support from the health and social systems, (4) receiving and adapting information from others drives persistence in returning to activity, (5) impact of the injury on psychological factors; and (6) influence of physiological aspects. Conclusion: To be able to recover properly from an Achilles tendon rupture and return to activity, the study participants described the importance of obtaining the support needed to be able to gain optimal rehabilitation. In the participants' opinion, for a greater chance of successful treatment and rehabilitation, it was vital to be provided with good support.


In order to use as a new functional food material, we analyzed the chemical components including the organic compounds, minerals and vitamin C of canola honey which were produced in South Korea. The condensed rate of methanol extraction in honey was 90.5% and main organic compounds that extract by organic solvents in GC-MS analysis were propyl carbinol, cyclopentane, trichloromethane, vinegar naphtha and so on. Also, main aromatic compounds that extract by organic solvents in SPME analysis were diisooctyl adipate, furole, furaldehyde, cyclotetrasiloxane, trisulfide and many more. As proximate composition, crude ash content was lower than acacia honey (0.06%) and manuka honey (0.24%) by 0.01%, and crude protein was higher than acacia honey (0.10%) by 0.23%, but the crude fat of canola and manuka honey was lower content than acacia honey (0.44%) by 0.10%. Free sugar that analyze by HPLC consisted of fructose 44.11%, glucose 22.72%, and total sugars was 66.83%. Minerals by ICP analysis were detected total 15 kinds, Na 7.157 ppm>Ca 5.934 ppm>Si 4.049 ppm>K 1.443 ppm>Mg 1.218 ppm etc. Vitamin C was not detected.


This paper has been constructed on the basis of a dialogue between J.M. Łukasiewicz and M. Antas. In its first part the authors explain the notion of behaviour that satisfies a creditor's interest which deserves legal protection and its relation to the notion of behaviour consistent with the content of an obligation, on the example of provisions concerning the valorisation of a service. They point out the inconsistency of the notions of due service and undue service under Article 410 of the Polish Civil Code. They also argue that every service leads to a benefit. Their discussion is concluded by an open question: to which category should the execution of a service be attributed – factual actions or legal actions?


Based on the relationship of an association equilibrium constant k and the supercritical carbon dioxide(SC-CO2) density ρ1,a modified density-based model for correlation of the solubilities of some compounds in SC-CO2 is established.The comparison with Chrastil,Adachi-Lu,del Valle-Aguilera,and Sparks models shows that the proposed model is in the best accordance with experimental data,and that average absolute relative discrepancy is 5.81%,while the average absolute relative discrepancies for Chrastil,Adachi-Lu,del Valle-Aguilera,and Sparks model are 10.66%,7.38%,9.91% and 7.00%,respectively.So,it may provide a method for calculation of the solubilities of solutes in SC-CO2.


In recent decades, polymer-based impregnation agents have been developed with the aim of reducing the deterioration of natural stone buildings and monuments. Prior to using these products on historic buildings, various tests on effectiveness and durability had to be carried out. The problem of accelerated ageing methods is that they can induce material damage which is not comparable with processes occurring in nature, but longterm outdoor exposure is time-consuming and costly. At the Institute for Building Materials Research an experimental apparatus called "VENUS" (Gennan anagram denoting 'test plant for the development of realistic environmental simulation concepts') is used for accelerated, reproducible, complex weathering. The weathering cycle of the VENUS plant that is described in this paper has been selected specifically to investigate the long-term behaviour of polymer-based impregnation agents applied to natural stones. To estimate the quality of natural simulation and the rate of acceleration in the VENUS concept, additional outdoor weathering has been carried out. Specimens with polymerbased impregnation agents were being exposed to weathering in four different European climates (Duisburg, Eifel (rural), Corsica, Wank (Alps)). The characteristic material parameters, such as elastic modulus, flexural strength, water absorption and water repellence, have been determined on the stone specimens exposed to outside weathering for a period of approximately 10 years and on the specimens subjected to weathering in the VENUS plant. The VENUS plant represents changes in characteristic material parameters with a good degree of correspondence to natural weathering. The experiments have shown that an acceleration of the ageing process compared to natural ageing in the field by a factor of two has been attained via use of the VENC'S plant on natural stone


The market for products of great consumption occurs in chains of supermarkets, self-service stores and neighborhood stores. ARA stores recently entered the City of Cartagena impacting both consumers and competitors. This research examines this new format and its effect on consumers. Consumers find similar benefits to those offered in supermarkets and neighborhood stores in these establishments. Competitors have been encouraged to redesign their strategies for the retention of its captive market. A structured poll was applied to 260 housewives and interviews to 30 shopkeepers and 5 supermarket managers. Data was processed with Dyane 4 software. A univariate and bivariate analysis was carried out with application of the Snedecor F test to establish significant differences. A factorial analysis of correspondences was also applied


In this paper, we propose a sequential linear programming method for the generalized linear complementarity problem. Under suitable conditions, we show that the method terminates in a finite number of steps at a solution or stationary point of the problem. Numerical experiments of the method are reported in this paper. Mathematics Subject Classification: 65H10, 90C33, 90C30


Radiotelemetry was used to assess the distribution and diving behaviour of Rock Shags Phalacrocorax magellanicus and Red-legged Cormorants Phalacrocorax gaimardi breeding in sympatry, and Rock Shags breeding in isolation. When breeding in sympatry there was little overlap in the foraging locations of the two species, with the highest densities of each species separated by 10 km. Red-legged Cormorants fed significantly closer to the breeding colony than did Rock Shags and undertook shorter foraging trips, making almost twice as many foraging trips per day as Rock Shags. Rock Shags breeding in isolation had a shorter foraging range than the birds breeding in sympatry with Red-legged Cormorants and foraging trip duration was significantly shorter. However, the number of feeding trips per day was similar between areas of sympatry and allopatry. Differences in the foraging ecology of Rock Shags in areas of sympatry and allopatry may be due to interspecific competition, which forces niche differentiation. The distance between foraging sites, the speed of movement of the prey, a species tendency to move into prey-depleted areas and the length of the breeding season [during which the birds are constrained to be in the same area) may play critical roles in determining the extent to which differential area use by competitors is a strategy that benefits both parties.


A comprehensive portable resource for physicians who care for transplant patients. Up-to-date information is provided on the care of both solid organ and bone marrow transplant patients. Topics covered include application and side effects of commonly employed drugs, and pathogens in infection.


Introduction: language Across Boundaries Anne Ife and Janet Cotterril 1. Pushing at the boundaries: the expression of alternative masculinities Jennifer Coates (University of Surrey): 2. The effect of social class and ethnicity on the discursive negotiation of femininities in the talk of British Bangladeshi girls Pia Pilcher (University of Surrey) 3. 'I'm glad you're not a knitting gran': non-normative family and locale discourses Joanne Winter (Monash University) 4. Exploring language, culture and identity: insights from sign language Bencie Woll (City University) 5. Global politics and the Englishes of the world Ruanni Tupas (National University of Singapore) 6. Panjabi/Urdu in Sheffield: a case study of language maintenance and language loss Mike Reynolds (University of Sheffield) 7. Cross-language metaphors: parents and children, love, marriage and divorce in the European family Andreas Musolff (University of Durham) 8. Making sense across cultures: the establishment of coherence in translated texts Martina Ozbot (University of Ljubljana) 9. Cultural resonance in English and Malay figurative phrases Jonathan Charteris-Black (University of Surrey) 10. Translating sociolects: a paradigm of ideological issues in translation? Ineke Wallaert (University of Edinburgh) 11. Mother culture impact on foreign language reading comprehension Denise Cloonan Cortez (Northeastern Illinois University) 12. A corpus-based analysis of academic lectures across disciplines Hilary Nesi (University of Warwick) 13. Learning discourse Rob Batstone (Institute of Education)


In this paper we introduce the notion of region of attraction with performance bounds as a useful tool for design and analysis of adaptive control systems. The benefit of using this tool is that ensuring the closed-loop dynamics for the adaptive system within this specific region can guarantee both stability and performance requirements. In this paper, we first define a region of attraction with performance bounds for a nonlinear system. We then compare it with the existing idea of a region of attraction for a nonlinear system with an illustrative example. Next, we demonstrate the usage of this new design and analysis tool with two aircraft adaptive control examples. The first example deals with the analysis of an adaptive controller for the roll-rate dynamics of an aircraft. We show that the region of attraction with performance bounds can be estimated by solving a Sum-of-Squares (SOS) relaxation of the problem which provides an efficient computation technique. The second example deals with designing an adaptive controller for the unstable short-period dynamics of an aircraft. In this example, the adaptive controller is augmented on a baseline dynamic inversion baseline control law. We demonstrate that we can use this tool to perform adaptive control design tradeoffs in an efficient manner.


The cipher-text homomorphism encryption algorithm (homomorphic encryption) are used for the cloud safe and to solve the integrity, availability and controllability of information. For homomorphic encryption, we, by Topsnut-gpw technique, design: degree-sequence homomorphisms and their inverses, degree-sequence homomorphic chain, graph-set homomorphism, colored degree-sequence matrices and every-zero Cds-matrix groups, degree-coinciding degree-sequence lattice, degree-joining degree-sequence lattice, as well as degree-sequence lattice homomorphism, since number-based strings made by Topsnut-gpws of topological coding are irreversible, and Topsnut-gpws can realize: one public-key corresponds two or more privatekeys, and more public-key correspond one or more private-keys for asymmetric encryption algorithm.


AC-to-DC conversion is integral to the two-stage charging interface of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. For such chargers, the use of multilevel rectifiers (MLRs) reduces voltage ratings of power switches, while achieving a high-quality input voltage waveform. Balancing of capacitors in MLRs, however, is an important challenge. In this work, a power factor correction (PFC) five-level rectifier with self-balanced switched capacitors is proposed. Each leg of the presented topology comprises five power switches and one switched capacitor, where the voltage ratings of power switches are equal to the output dc voltage. It does not require an additional filter capacitor on the dc side, as the load appears in parallel always with a switched capacitor of one of the legs. The five-level operation with continuous conduction leads to the elimination of the capacitive filter on the ac-side and inductive filter on the dc-side. This article presents the operating principle, modulation strategy, closed-loop control, and design aspects of the proposed rectifier. The proposed topology is validated through experimental results and a comparison is made with other topologies. Following three features of the proposed topology make it suitable for EV battery charging applications—buck operation with a wide output regulation, the possibility of bidirectional flow of power needed for vehicle-to-grid systems, and easy realization of its three-phase version by simply adding one more leg. These features too have been demonstrated with experimental results.


This paper discusses and formulates a simplified model of the Brazilian energy market in order to define optimal trading portfolios. A bi-objective optimisation problem in terms of revenue maximisation and risk minimisation is derived. A mathematical representation of the Brazilian trading laws is simulated under several scenarios to evaluate the objective and constraint functions. The resulting problem is sub differentiable and analytical,


The definite integrals play a vital role in many branches of natural science. Among them, the Gaussian integrals and Gaussian-like integrals are widely used in many fields, especially in statistics. Many times, the range of integration extends to the complex field. When people need to calculate these more complex integrals, they need some simpler methods to help them quickly calculate the integral value. This article describes how to solve Gaussian integrals and Gaussian-like integrals in real and complex domains. When calculating some complex integrals, integral transformations can be used, such as using Cauchy's remainder theorem to construct closed loops of sectors and parallelograms in complex fields. These methods greatly simplify some integration problems in the real number field. At the same time, some proven formulas such as Fresnel's theorem and the covariant theorem of the Γ function can also be used to solve some Gaussian integrals with trigonometric functions or higher order terms.


We present Bunshin, a distributed hash table, which is constructed on a p2p structured network and is characterised by its robustness and reliability thanks to an active system of replication and an adaptive system of caching. In order to give to support to other middleware architectures or final applications, it offers the services of insertion and recovery of keys/values of determinist form, allows for multifield values for each key and manifold contexts for each application. Upon these services the search engine is founded. Based on keywords, it allows insertions and consultations by means of this. In addition, it incorporates mechanisms to establish communications between keys and notifications of new connections on the keys that are of interest to us.