Monodispersed 4.1 nm FePt nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were successfully synthesized by the chemical polyol process with co-reduction of Fe(acac)3 and Pt(acac)2 in the presence of 1,2-hexadecanediol as a reducing agent. To achieve hard ferromagnetic behavior with L10 phase and face center tetragonal (fct) structure, high temperature annealing is performed. Annealing causes the surfactant surrounding particles to decompose and agglomeration of particles occurs. In the present work, chemically synthesized FePt nanoparticles were coated with nonmagnetic ZnO oxide shell to prevent them from sintering. Coercivity of FePt and FePt/ZnO nanoparticles increases from 5 kOe to 10 kOe and 1.8 kOe to 6 kOe respectively, with the increasing annealing temperatures from 650 to 750°C.


In this study we have investigated the kinetics of copper removal by inactivated biomass of Chlorella vulgaris, a green microalga, in batch systems. A dual resistance rate model incorporating intrinsic adsorption kinetics and film diffusion was used to assess the relative importance of the two rate processes under varying experimental conditions. Intraparticle diffusion was not accounted for in this model since metal uptake by nonliving algal biomass is a passive nonmetabolically mediated process and is, therefore, a surface binding phenomenon. Modeling results have found that film diffusion appears to be the ratelimiting step at low initial metal concentrations. On the other hand, both the intrinsic adsorption kinetics and film diffusion are likely to control the overall rate of adsorption at high initial metal concentrations. The model described in this study can thus be used for predicting if and under which conditions the metal adsorption process could sufficiently be described by single resistance mo...


We developed an automated liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) method for multiplex quantification of wild‐type (wt) amyloid β (Aβ) peptides 1‐40 (Aβ40) and 1‐42 (Aβ42) and detection of variant Aβ peptides in cerebrospinal fluid.


Measurement of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in serum has been found useful in showing tissue damages. In addition to GGT1, different related genes or sequences in the human genome have been reported in pre-genome studies. Two of them, GGT5 and GGT6, are active genes and have similar nucleotide or amino acid sequence to GGT1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression of GGTs in different types of cancer. In the current study, GGT1, GGT5, and GGT6 mRNA expressions were measured in normal and tumor tissues of 26 patients with breast, gastric and colorectal cancers, using quantitative RT-PCR method. Serum GGT levels were measured by a spectrophotometric method. While GGT1 and GGT5 were expressed in almost all the normal and tumor tissues of the patients, GGT6 expressions were observed in half of both the normal and tumor tissues. In all patients, no significant differences were found in mean mRNA expression levels of GGT1, GGT5 and GGT6 (p>0.05), although GGT1 were higher in tumor tissues than those in the normal tissues. GGT1 was overexpressed in half of the patients (13/26) and these over-expressions were positively correlated with gender (p<0.05) and age (p<0.05). In female patients, serum GGT levels were positively correlated with tumor tissue GGT1 (p<0.01) and GGT6 (p<0.05). Mostly increased mRNA expressions for GGT1 and GGT5 in tumor tissues, overexpressions in some, show their roles in carcinogenesis. The results given here may suggest that the tumor GGT1 is mainly responsible for the increase in serum GGT levels in female patients.


Today, the problem of the lack of adequate data can no longer be a hindrance to
the analysis of language changes in progress. Corpus linguistics and variationist
sociolinguistics, which have their origins in the early 1960s, have recently started to
develop together and collaborate in fruitful ways. Yet even in languages like English,
which is the most thoroughly studied language from a corpus-based perspective, we still
have many goals for the future improvement of comparable corpora for the study of shortterm
ongoing grammatical changes. This paper presents two corpus resources: the Brown
family of corpora and the Diachronic Corpus of Present-day Spoken English (DCPSE). In
each case, with my own research I illustrate how the different corpora fare with respect
to two suspected grammatical changes in progress in present-day English. At the same
time, I make a critical assessment of the possibilities and limitations shown by each of the
corpora for this kind of research enterprise. Finally, in the conclusion, I make a plea for
those qualities that, in an ideal world, should be shared by all diachronic corpora such
as: (a) they should faithfully represent conversational English; (b) their size should be
significant enough for grammatical studies; (c) they should allow for true sociolinguistic
research; (d) they should be freely available to all scholars; (e) they should follow the same
sampling frame; and (f) they should include various registers of Internet language, an
increasingly core modality of communication for many English speakers.


Tibetan medicine historically has had multiple medical lineages, despite ancient, shared literary medical canons. However, since the second half of the 20th century in Tibet, increasing state control and commoditization has lead to centralization and standardization of Tibetan medicine. Here we investigate how much variation in the use of medicinal plants remains in contemporary Tibetan medicine. Medicinal plants used and/or sold by fifteen Tibetan medical institutions, markets, and doctors, as well as two additional non-Tibetan markets, are inventoried and vouchered (where allowed). The data are ordered by Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling. Four distinct groups are defined: (1) government recognized Tibetan medical institutions and their disciples both in Lhasa and elsewhere, (2) local herbal doctors near Mt. Khawa Karpo, eastern Himalayas, (3) Tibetan medicinal markets in Lhasa and near Mt. Khawa Karpo, and (4) non-Tibetan medicinal markets near Dali and Kunming, Yunnan. This clearly documents the plurality of Tibetan medical traditions—official, local, and market—while differentiating these from non-Tibetan markets.


Urban morphology means the spatial form of the urban characteristic, which shows
evolutive trend of urban space. Since 1949, urban morphology of Foshan has experienced three stages,
the stage of single diffused point, the stage of diffused line, and the stage of diffused net,
urbanization has come into the period of high-speed development. According to the objective request
of urban development, based on the analysis of current spatial distributing of Foshan urban, the paper
puts forward the future planning of urban spatial development, including the planning of grade system
and spatial framework of urban system, and defines clearly the developmental distributing pattern
based on conglomeration integrated with linear shape, and discusses the fingerlike and radial spatial
framework whose hardcore is Chancheng and Shunde cities.


Abstract Charge separation in the singlet and triplet excited states of donor-spacer-acceptor, DSA, molecules can be studied using the flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) technique. Highly dipolar, DSA states with microsecond lifetimes can result from Intersystem crossing and through-bond coupling for π-bond conjugated and sigma-bond separated donoracceptor compounds respectively.


This paper mainly studys the calculation of the slope stability in open-pit mines,including how to select the geological section and analyze the data of rock mechanical parameters,use the engineering analogism to estimate the angles of the slope in a coal open-pit mine,combining the information of the mine to calculate the slope stability for the different depth.


Standard preorthodontic trainers are now widely used in the clinical orthodontics to treat patients with dentofacial anomalies and deformities [1, 2]. However, their use is limited due to the mismatch between the size of the trainers and the dental arches. The nowadays available literature offers data on the dental arches linear dimensions that are recommended to be used for identifying the orthodontic treatment tactics [3, 4]. Modern methods of studying dental arches have been shown in view of the face and head measurements [5, 6]. The need for forecasting the dental arch shape, taking into account the individual parameters of teeth, has been explained [7, 8]. Dental arch anomalies reveal a variety of etiopathogenetic features [9, 10]. There have been advanced methods proposed for orthopedic and orthodontic treatment of children and adults, using advanced prosthetic structures and taking into account the increased aesthetic requirements [11, 12]. However, it has been shown that many designs of prostheses and devices made from acrylic plastics have a negative effect on the oral mucosa and affect the oral cavity microbiota. Given that, there is specific interest to be taken in the use of orthodontic and orthopedic structures made from thermoplastic materials, which served the basis for this study.


From Messrs. R. F. Coleman and F. H. Cripps Sir, Whilst agreeing with Dr . R, Cornelis (MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW, l a , i88) that early workers made over-optimistic claims for the usefulness of elemental analysis of hair as a method of identifying individuals, we feel that the case against the technique should not be similarly overstated. It seems inevitable that evidence derived from hair will be required at some time in the future and it is of great importance that the scientific basis of the methods used to obtain such evidence should be clearly understood, so that the limitations of any inference drawn therefrom can be properly assessed. T h e proposition to be examined is that the elemental composition of a hair taken from an individual at a given time will resemble the composition of hairs taken from the same individual at some later date. This requires that the elemental composition of an indivi dual 's hair is characteristic of the person for at least a limited period. Far from completely ignoring the time factor, as stated by Dr . Cornelis, we pointed out in our report (Coleman, Cripps, Stimson, and Scott, 1966) that this factor imposes severe limitations on the usefulness of the method. Indeed, by applying the mathematical criterion deve loped by Parker (1966), we showed that meaningful correspondence between the com position of the sample and control was unlikely to be obtained, if the time between taking them from the head exceeded a few weeks. Further, because our investigations of this factor were necessarily limited, we recommended that it should be made the subject of further study, recognizing that such an investigation would be lengthy and expensive.


S EA urchins may receive only sporadic food in some habitats, for example, when imprisoned in holes they have bored into soft rock (Otter, 1932). Seasonal variations in amount and quality of food available are also possible. In addition, there may be seasonal feeding rhythms as suggested by Moore (1937) for Echinus esculentus. Even in the presence of abundant food, Fuji (1962) demonstrated seasorpl feeding rhythms for Strongylocentrotus intermedius. It is therefore important that nutrients be stored for use during periods when food is not being ingested. Nutrients might be stored in any one of the components of the sea-urchin body, for example, the gonad, the gut, or body wall. The gonad has been considered the major site of nutrient storage in the sea urchin Echinus esculentus (Moore,


Abstract : This report presents the results of an assessment of the multijurisdictional issues needing resolution after the immediate needs or an urban population affected by a major disaster have been met. A scenario incorporating the impacts of and immediate responses to an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 on the Richter scale in the San Francisco Bay Area was developed to provide the basis for identifying and classifying these issues. The many entities that would need to participate in issue resolution or in the implementation of decisions made were also identified and categorized to facilitate the issue analysis. Within the framework of the scenario and the issue categorization, a simulation exercise was prepared. It is designed to test the interactions of federal, state, and local governments, quasi-public organizations, private-sector companies, and individuals in resolving the major issues and mobilizing the available resources for the reconstruction effort. (Author)


An optimal system of SRAP analysis for Spanish loquat cultivar Javierin (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. cv. Javierin) was established with the primer combination of me7 (5'-TGAGTCCAAACCGGTCC-3') and em7 (5'-GACTGCGTACGAATTCAA-3'). The results showed that the optimum concentrations of 5 important ingredients were: dNTPs 0.3 mmol/L, Mg2+ 2.5 mmol/L, Taq DNA polymerase 1 U , primers 0.3 μmol/L and template DNA 20 ng. The optimized program was pre-denaturing at 94 ℃ for 5 min, then denaturing at 94 ℃ for 1 min, annealing at 35 ℃ for 1 min and extending at 72 ℃ for 90 s for the first five cycles; followed by another 35 cycles with annealing temperature at 50 ℃, and finally terminated by post-extending at 72 ℃ for 10 min. With this system, 46 accessions of Eriobotrya from China, Spanish, Japan, Italy and USA were preliminarily analyzed and the protocol resulted in clear and robust SRAP patterns after electrophoresis on agarose and polyacrylamide gels.


Objective To observe the relationship among follicular development and insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ (IGF-Ⅰ) and IGF-Ⅰ receptor (IGF-ⅠR) mRNA during ovulation stimulation period in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Methods IGF-Ⅰ levels in serum samples obtained before (menstrual day 3) and after stimulated (at the time of ovum pick-up) and follicular fluid samples were measured by ELISA. The expression of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA in the granulosa cell obtained from follicular aspiration was determined by RT-PCR. Results There was no significant difference between IGF-Ⅰ levels of serum samples before or after stimulated and follicular fluid. In patients with less than 4 follicls (diameter≥14 mm) at the time of ovum pick-up the IGF-Ⅰ mRNA level was significantly lower than that in patients with more than 4 follicles. Conclusion The serum IGF-Ⅰ levels fail to predict the numbers of follicular development; the levels of IGF-ⅠR mRNA in granulosa cells forecast the responsiveness of ovary to the stimulation of gonadotropins in an IVF program.


This paper reports the feasibility study of developing an automatic deformation detection system. This system detects the out of roundness or deformation on the surface of cylindrical tubes or rods during mass production for specified application with better quality control. It has been identified that there is need for an automated system that will help tube or rod manufacturing industries to detect deformation in the end products to meet quality assurance goals of the industry. The system that has been reported in this paper uses an out of roundness or deformation detection sensor which works on the principle of the magnetic induction variation in terms of frequency for detecting any bulging or deformation on the surface of the rod. This system has been tested with a cylindrical rod with non-uniform surface and can detect the minimum deformation of 5 microns. It has been observed that there is feasibility for developed system to be used to detect a minimum deformation of 1 micron if the sensor design is further fine-tuned. This system is advantageous to the manufacturing industry for cost effective and timely production.


The choice of the site of plant is a complex and restricted multiple objective decision making problem. It begins with the main factor for sewage disposal expenditure, and then integrates synthetically linear programming, dynamic programming and graph theory to select the best from the feasible alternatives and then experience of experts is considered to provide scientific decision for management. Finally a case study is given to show the practicability of the proposed method.


We developed, implemented and investigated a novel system for multi-zonal temperature control of transient thermal loads in mixing ventilation of passenger aircraft cabins using the Dornier 728 aircraft cabin test facility of the German Aerospace Center in Gottingen as test environment. The system comprises lightweight, PID-controlled heating tubes installed in front of each air inlet with a network of reference sensors and allows for temperature zones as small as a single seat row. We considered seven different heat load scenarios using 73 thermal passenger dummies and a fast switchable local heat source to simulate the heat release of the real passengers. By analysing the temperature signals of 340 resistance temperature detectors, we studied the propagation of locally released thermal loads as well as the impact of locally varied inflow temperatures. Further, we developed and investigated different sensor and controller network concepts to identify and address missing, additional and transient sources of heat. Averaged over all load scenarios, we found that our baseline case with spatially homogeneous inflow-temperatures yielded 14 % of seats with temperature deviations larger than 0.5°C from the column mean. By switching to multi-zonal control, we could reduce this number by almost one order of magnitude to 1.6 %.


A comprehensive summary of the vibration diagnosis techniques used to detect the wear of the main journal bearings in a diesel engine is presented. The load of the main journal bearing, the minimum thickness of the oil film, the oil film pressure and the locus of the crankshaft centre have been calculated based on the measured thermal parameters. Simulated wear experiments for the main journal bearing have been carried out in laboratory conditions. The strain and vibration on the main journal pedestals in the vertical direction were measured under various working conditions. The strain signals on the main journal bearing pedestal are related to the oil film forces, damped by the lubricant oil. The excitation sources and the vibration characteristics of the main journal bearing pedestal system were analysed by measuring the vibration signals. The relationships between the feature parameters of the vibration signals and the wear conditions of the main journal bearing have been obtained. It is promising, therefore, to develop and apply the vibration diagnosis technique further to detect the wear conditions of the main journal bearings online.


The development of microfluidic and nanofluidic devices is gaining remarkable attention due to the emphasis put on miniaturization of conventional energy conversion and storage processes. A microfluidic fuel cell can integrate flow of electrolytes, electrode-electrolyte interactions, and power generation in a microfluidic channel. Such microfluidic fuel cells can be categorized on the basis of electrolytes and catalysts used for power generation. In this work, for the first time, a single microfluidic fuel cell was harnessed by using different fuels like glucose, microbes and formic acid. Herein, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) acted as electrode material, and performance investigations were carried out separately on the same microfluidic device for three different types of fuel cells (formic acid, microbial and enzymatic). The fabricated miniaturized microfluidic device was successfully used to harvest energy in microwatts from formic acid, microbes and glucose, without any metallic catalyst. The developed microfluidic fuel cells can maintain stable open-circuit voltage, which can be used for energizing various low-power portable devices or applications.


Most epidemiological models assume that disease is the inevitable outcome of infection (see Bailey, 1957). Yet as Dubos (1965) has said; 'Throughout nature, infection without disease is the rule rather than the exception'. There are, in fact, many diseases whose distribution cannot be explained solely by a consideration of the probabilities of host parasite encounters. In these cases, a diseased state is only one possible outcome of an interaction between parasite phenotypes, host phenotypes and the external environment. Haemonchosis is an example of such a disease and has been studied extensively in quantitative terms (see Whitlock & Georgi, 1968).


Wavelet packet decomposition(WPD) is widely used in power system to determine harmonics,because it has the characteristics of high-precision in frequency spectrum analysis.But the computational complexity of WPD limits its use in real-time metering.A new method of applying the IIR elliptic half-band filters to the analysis of wavelet packet harmonics is presented.Our research reveals that the proposed method can reduce the computational complexity to levels comparable to FFT.The efficiency of the method is proved by the simulation and test results.


Thin superconducting, granular films of NbN/BN are investigated as photodetectors for pulsed, far‐infrared radiation. These films may be thought of as a random network of Josephson junctions. The absorption of photons causes the film resistance to increase. This is thought to occur by destroying the phase coherence of the Cooper pair wave function among the junctions. This resistance change can be used as a basis for a photodetector. It is found that the NbN/BN thin‐film detectors have response times faster than 1 ns, and sensitivities of about 0.7 V/W when terminated to 50 Ω, at wavelengths of about 0.50 mm.


The linear and nonlinear optical properties of well‐ordered Y‐type Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) multilayers of 2‐docosylamino‐5‐nitropyridine (DCANP) have been investigated. The nonlinear optical susceptibilities have been determined for the wavelengths λ=1064 nm [d33=(7.8±1) pm/V, d31=(2.0±0.5) pm/V] and λ=1318 nm [d33=(5.6±1) pm/V]. In first waveguiding experiments carried out TE0 and TM0 modes propagating over more than 20 mm could be excited. Coupling experiments allowed the determination of the dispersion of the refractive index n3 (n632.8 nm3 =1.598). Guided wave attenuation coefficients as low as 12 dB/cm (at the wavelength λ=632.8 nm) are reported.


A mutant peptide from an abnormal haemoglobin, contaminated by a second peptide, has been sequenced by mass spectrometry; the spectrum of one derivatised mixture allowed the sequences Leu-Leu-Gly-Asn-Val-Leu-Phe and Leu-Leu-Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp to be determined.


Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of including ammoniated wheat straw in diets for beef cattle on growth performance and digestibility. Treatments consisted of diets containing 70% (DM basis) concentrate containing 40% (DM basis) wet corn gluten feed with 30% (DM basis) roughage from wheat straw (STRW), anhydrous ammonia–treated wheat straw (AMMN), or a 50:50 prairie hay and alfalfa hay blend (CONT). Experiment 1 used 288 crossbred steer calves (271 ± 28 kg) in a randomized complete block design in which steers were fed their experimental diets for 56 d. Final BW, ADG, and G:F were greater for calves fed CONT than for those fed either STRW or AMMN (P < 0.05). Experiment 2 used 6 ruminally fistulated Holstein heifers (288 kg) in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Heifers fed CONT consumed less (P < 0.05) DM, OM, and ADF compared with those fed AMMN and STRW. Feeding heifers CONT improved (P < 0.05) digestibility of DM and OM but decreased (P < 0.05) digestibility of ADF. Ruminal pH was lowest (P < 0.05) for heifers fed CONT. The results of this experiment suggest that wheat straw and ammoniated wheat straw are equivalent roughage sources but inferior to a 50:50 blend of alfalfa hay and prairie hay when fed to growing calves at 30% of the dietary DM.


Sir: From a thermodynamic analysis based on the Gibbs energy function, Espinoza et al. 1 develop their eq 18 for the limiting slope and curvature of the Joule-Thomson inversion curve (JTIC) at high temperatures. These results are not new to us; we derived equivalent formulas early in our work, in reply to a suggestion by one reviewer of our 2002 paper 2 that the virial expansion could be used to settle the question of physically acceptable curvatures of JTICs. We wrote at that time the following: 6 Analytical expressions for the slope and curVature of the Joule-Thomson inVersion curVe in the P-T andV-T projections are readily deriVed from the appropriateVirial expansions, but their interpretation requires a deeper knowledge of the temperature dependence ofVirial coefficients than is currently aVailable. To fix ideas, consider the P-T inVersion curVe; this is more easily treated in terms of theVolume-explicitVirial expansion, The conVenient inVersion criterion with T and P as independentVariables


Unplugged activities on computer science - possibly performed in the fresh air together with classmates - are fun for many children and foster computational thinking. The primary goal is to become …


The crack propagation behavior under the explosion stress waves and detonation gas was difficult to measure in deep-hole pre-splitting explosion in lowly permeable coal.The single blast hole and double blast holes pre-splitting explosion lowly permeable coal seam were studied by numerical simulation.The laws of different blasting parameters such as stress,pressure and total plastic work performed on a cell material at any time process variation and the crack propagation range were obtained.The crack propagation behavior of deep-hole pre-splitting explosion and the evolution law of the damage region of coal body under detonation gas and stress wave at high temperature and pressure were discussed.When the explosion was in coal body,the pressure would be far greater than the coal body compressive strength,then the coal body was destroyed and the blast cavity was formed.When the shock wave was generated in the wall of the hole after the initial radial cracks,the detonation gas would cause it expand into the fissure,finally the pulverized zone,fractured zone and vibration zone were formed in coal body.The study helped to disclose the coal damage fracture behavior under the explosion stress wave and detonating,and further to determine the reasonable blasting scheme and the blasting parameters in the coal seam pre-splitting explosion technology.


Along with new high tech minimally invasive methods of urolithiasis treatment the questions of relapse prevention remain insufficiently developed. Absence of strict recommendations for urolithiasis metaphylaxis mocks the results of surgery and expensive methods. There are many approaches for antirecurrent treatment, one of which is the use of various herbal medicines. The article shows the effectiveness of the drug Prolite septo for urolithiasis metaphylaxis, and its application to litholytic therapy after ESWL.


In 2001 Argentina faced its most serious economic crisis in years. At this turbulent time in Argentina's history, the question "What is argentinidad?" is more important than ever. The symbols of Argentina's national culture that are now revered came about during another time of economic and political unrest in the second half of the nineteenth century and were captured by writers who understood authorship as a political matter. This book examines Argentine literary narratives from 1850 to 1880, including Amalia (1851) by Jose Marmol, Recuerdos de provincia (1850) by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, Una excursion a los indios ranqueles (1870) by Lucio V. Mansilla and Martin Fierro (1872, 1879) by Jose Hernandez, and the changing relationship between ideas of citizenship, the body, and national space. The author argues that in each of the literary narratives she discusses, the ideas embodied by the emblematic citizen are articulated clearly in scenes in which the relationship between the gendered body and concepts of nation-space - the spaces, lands or territories where struggles over national identity are represented - comes into play. The work of Rosa Guerra and Eduarda Mansilla de Garcia, who do not have canonical status but were widely read in their time and dealt with the colonial-era myth of the "first" white women held captive by native Argentines, is also explored.


The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to gain insight into whether teaching fractions improves teachers' understanding of fractions. University master's students (n = 25) conducted tutoring on fraction magnitude in grades 3–5. The contrast condition, 17 master's students drawn from the same pool of research assistant applicants, conducted tutoring to improve science and social studies text comprehension in grades 3–5. In the fractions condition, students were at risk for mathematics difficulty; in the text comprehension condition, at risk for reading difficulty. When tutoring ended, tutors' accuracy of number line placement of single fractions and fraction sums as well as single whole numbers and whole number sums was assessed. Results indicated superior accuracy for fraction tutors over text comprehension tutors on fraction sums, with an effect size of 0.75. The effect size for placement of single fractions was 0.47. Implications are extrapolated to preservice and in-service teachers.


Abstract - An experimental study was performed for thin-walled recta ngular concrete-filled tubular (CFT) columns. The present study mainly focused on evaluation of the axial load-carrying capacity of concrete-filled tubular columns using high-strength steel and slender section. The test parameters were width-to-thickness ratio, concrete strength, steel yield strength, and the use of stiffeners. Five specimens were tested under monotonic axial loading. Although elastic local buckling occurred in the slender- section specimens with high-strength steel, the specimens exhibited considerable post-buckling reserve. The test results also satisfied the predictions of a current design code. The specimens strengthened with vertical stiffeners exhibited improved strength and ductility when compared with the un-stiffened specimens. Keywords - Rectangular CFT column, High-strength steel, Slender section, Concentric axial loading, StiffenerNote.-Discussion open until October 31, 2015. This manuscript for this paper was submitted for review and possible publication on May 18, 2014; revised October 25, 2014; approved on February 5, 2015.Copyright ⓒ 2015 by Korean Society of Steel Construction


Female infertility in the modern world remains an urgent problem that requires new algorithms for diagnosis and control of treatment. According to various authors, the first place among the causes of infertility in women is ovarian and menstrual disorders and chronic endometritis (CE). The purpose of the study is to analyze the causes of infertility in women according to the medical documentation of the "Prime-test" laboratory for the period 2014–2021, with confirmation of the diagnosis of CE by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Materials and methods. Data from the medical records of patients who applied to the "Prime-test" laboratory after various gynecological interventions were studied. Female infertility was found in 521 cases. A complex histological and immunohistochemical study was conducted in 100 cases of CH. Invitrogen and eBioscience primary monoclonal antibodies were used. The results. The median age of patients with infertility was 35.7 years, with a median age of 30.45 years for patients diagnosed with CE. Ovarian-menstrual disorders (52.78%) are in the first place in the structure of the causes of infertility, in the second place (27.83%) are CE, and in the third place are infertility with an unknown cause (8.64%). The rest of the reasons accounted for a small number of cases. CE was confirmed histologically and by the IHC method in 100 cases, while the most informative marker in doubtful cases was CD138. Conclusions. Chronic endometritis is an understudied disease that requires optimization of the diagnostic and prognostic panel with the selection of the most informative markers and markers that will allow the most complete study of the state of the endometrium before and after treatment.


The thesis introduces a multimedia telecommunication system based on ISDN. In this system, S - interface is implemented using a digital telephone, which provides access capability of 2B + D and has call control functions. It can be used for simple voice telecommunication, or for the synchronous transmission of voice, image and data.


We report a copper (Cu)-based source/drain (S/D) electrodes organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) with bi-buffer layer structure consisting of firstly a CuOx layer and secondly MoO3 layer. Comparing with single Cu s/d electrodes OTFTs, bi-buffer layer devices not only exhibit enhanced mobilities by more than five times, but also show an improvement of operation stability. The performance enhancement is attributed to improvement of interfacial properties between organic active layer and Cu s/d electrodes, which was analysed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact resistance.


The advances in conversion technologies to make fuels from biomass have become more economically viable, although bioenergy production will primarily depend on biomass availability. However, as biomass availability becomes increasingly restricted, so too does the availability of biomass as a feedstock for bioenergy industry become questionable. Forest resources are the primary source of biomass that can not be further exploited due to a need for environment preservation and sustainable growth. Therefore, R&D strategies to regenerate sufficient feed stock for the bioenergy industry are a priority to make bioenergy production viable. In this context, enhanced biomass production of tree species is a valid R&D proposition which could play key role for foreseeable bioenergy production. This R&D proposition entails an understanding of the regulation of plant radial growth that underlies wood development. Strengthening our knowledge is quintessential to strategically plan the enhancement of tree biomass production. Phytohormones play a significant role in the regulation of wood development. Auxin is required for cell proliferation and cell differentiation during cambial development. Besides auxin, several other phytohormones, including cytokinin, gibberellin and ethylene, play regulatory roles in the control of cambial activity because of their stimulatory effect on cell division. The potential exploitation of these hormones to enhance biomass production should be explored. This paper outlines R&D approaches to exploit biotechnological tools for manipulation of physiological responses of select woody plants to enhance biomass production.


Please tell our readers about your professional life. My first academic studies at the Paris Sorbonne from 1954 to 1958 had been earning of a Licence de psychologie (that included four "certificates": general, pathological, physiological and social psychology), and of a Certificat d'Etudes Supérieures d'ethnologie. The only psychology certificate that I found really interesting was social psychology, which drove me to studies of social anthropology (ethnologie). Later I submitted a Doctorate (de 3° cycle en sociologie) titled Images du Dahomey. Un royaume africain vu par la presse française lors de sa conquête (Paris, EPHE VI° Section, 1965). Two articles were drawn from this doctorate.1 During my more productive years, my position in the field was already marginal so that I was not really an academic. I had no teaching obligations and had since 1969 a steady job at CNRS (National Center of Scientific Research) as a technician on documentary problems in social science; CNRS had offered to me a training in the then new field of computer-aided treatment of information which I duly practiced. I maintained automated registers of social science research projects funded by CNRS for some fifteen years. However, I always received the help and sponsorship of benevolent mentors, often former professors: Raymond Boudon, Georges Balandier, and my job was located at the Paris Maison des Sciences de l' Homme, an institution that was built on the idea of interdisciplinarity: Clemens Heller, Maurice Aymard and later Michel Wieviorka.2


The invention relates to a method for determining a beam width alignment of at least one first headlight (20) of a motor vehicle (10). The motor vehicle (10) has at least one optical sensor (12) which is designed to detect at least one part (38) of a first lighting region (32) of the first headlight (20) and to generate a first image with the part (38) of the first lighting region (32). The method has the following steps: reading the first image of the optical sensor (12), selecting at least one first image region in the first image, wherein a light-dark boundary (28) of the first headlight (20) is to be imaged in the first image region, and determining the beam width alignment dependent on the first image region.


The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate and relate with each other. E-commerce, has emerged as a naturally consequence of a new and exciting reality where everything can be accessed within the distance of a click. From products to services, or even ideas, all sorts of things (physical and virtual) can now be exchanged / acquired online. This online world, much different from the "real world" encompasses its specific characteristics, opportunities and challenges that represent an interesting, and at the same time complex, object of study. Nowadays, over 50% of internet users in Europe are linked to brands and this channel is impacting the travelers' decision process. 70% of travelers are active member in a social network, two thirds of which are Facebookers. Video Contents are now responsible for 60% of online traffic and several studies assume that this number will reach 98% in only two years from now. According to Universal Mc Cann (2010), a distinctive characteristic of social networking is the fact that it incorporates functions from different platforms, such as video as photos, blogging and mobile, which is an important source for consumers to share all the type of contents and adopt it as a personal expression platform. With a methodology based in two different studies, one qualitative and another quantitative, this paper aims to provide a relevant approach to a project based on video content, applied to tourism, describing the most important trends in this industry and helping academics and practitioners to better understand this new phenomenon and the main determinants to use it and to gain competitive advantages with it.


In this paper, the flow past a circular cylinder has been computed in both two- and three-dimensions. Different transition phenomena having 2-D and 3-D origins are analyzed. In particular in the 3-D case, two discontinuities have been obtained in the Strouhal number versus Reynolds number curve, due to 3-D effects, in agreement with Williamson (1988) experimental studies. Through comparison with the 2-D case, the ability of the Navier-Stokes equations to predict the 3-D transition is shown in this study. This method is therefore promising to predict complex 3-D effects of interest in the domain of offshore mechanics.


We present a computational module for interactively visualizing, large-scale, 3D un-structured meshes. Scientists and engineers routinely solve large-scale computational boundary value problems on unstructured grids. These grids typically range from several hundred thousand elements to millions of elements. With this ability to solve such large-scale problems comes the challenge of viewing the 3D nite element model geometry on a 2D screen. When the mesh is non-uniform, the researcher's ability to grasp the complex spatial relationships of the elements often fails. The visualization module we have developed for viewing large-scale 3D unstructured nite element meshes includes two novel real-time interactive methods: a clipping \surface" utility and a growth algorithm. Used separately or together, these new utilities allow the user to better explore complicated unstructured polygonal domains.


Although the use of technology to improve education is not a new idea, until recently there have been few notable successes. During the past five years, a learning system was designed that incorporates several techniques, including the videodisc, computer, and monitor, to accomplish interactive individualized learning in several audio and visual modes. This paper describes experiences in the use of learning system courseware for new-hire training, and continuing education. The paper concludes by raising issues which will affect the future of interactive learning through technology in social work education.


The Obesity is considered by WHO as the epidemic of XXI century due to its increasing incidence and prevalence; is a research supported by the Self-Care Deficit Theory of Orem in the System of Educational Support. Methodology: A longitudinal pre-experimental research. With a sample of 30 obese adults of Tepic Nayarit, who agreed to participate in the signing of informed consent. The data collection was performed with the scale of self-care (nutrition and physical activity). Was given an intervention to promote self-care in the dimensions of nutrition and physical activity. Means were compared with Student t test (p ˂ .05). Results: Female predominance (90%), 63% work, education of senior high (43%). Mean age 47 ± 12 years. Average weight 75.7 ± 9.1 kg and height of 1.64


Aim: to study the role of amyloid-beta 40 (Aβ 40) in the development of cognitive impairment in acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods. The study included 70 patients aged 33–86 years, 46 men and 24 women. In patients with acute ischemic stroke cognitive status was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Schulte tables, Clock Drawing Test, Test for Semantic Verbal Fluency and Five Words Test. The concentration of Aβ 40 in the cerebrospinal fluid was determined. Morphometric (size of the infarct and leukoaraiosis area, volume of the brain ventricles and hippocampus) and diffusion-tensor parameters of MRI (fractional anisotropy of putamen, thalamus, hippocampus, corpus callosum, limbs of the internal capsule, the cingulate, the superior longitudinal and inferior fronto-occipital tracts) were studied. Results. The concentration of Aβ 40 in the cerebrospinal fluid was 436,4 (226,0–514,0) pg/ml. The protein level was associated with the result of subtests «Orientation» (MMSE) and «Attention» (MoCA), as well as indirect recall with cues in MoCA. Patients with MMSE score of 24–27 points were characterized by a lower concentration of Aβ 40 as compared to patients with a score less than 24 points. Aβ 40 concentration more than 436,4 pg/mL was associated with a more severe somatic co-morbidity of stroke (hypertension, lower hemoglobin and albumin level, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate), a smaller volume of the brain ventricles, lower fractional anisotropy of the thalamus, cingulate tracts and contralateral hippocampus. Aβ 40 concentration more than 436,4 pg/mL was also associated with a lower global cognitive status (according to the MMSE and MoCA), as well as the reduction in certain cognitive functions, namely, attention, visual-spatial functions and memory. Conclusions. The concentration of Aβ 40 in the cerebrospinal fluid is a biological marker of severity type of post-stroke cognitive impairment. This interaction is probably due to the damage to the hippocampus, thalamus and cingulate tracts. In our opinion, the biomarker reflects both ischemic and neurodegenerative components of the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in acute ischemic stroke.


Tribo-chemical studies of the head/disk interface (HDI) were conducted using hydrogenated (CH x ) carbon disk samples coated with perfluoropolyether ZDOL lubricant. The studies involved drag tests with uncoated and carbon-coated Al 2 O 3 -TiC sliders and thermal desorption experiments in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tribochamber. The friction and catalytic decomposition mechanisms as well as the thermal behavior of ZDOL are described, and data demonstrating the chemical reactions of the lubricant and carbon overcoat are also presented. During the sliding at the carbon-coated slider/ZDOL lubricated CH x disk interface, frictional heating is the primary decomposition mechanism of ZDOL.


In surveying, volume calculating is commonly used. Frequently we use cross-section method. Usually terestrical method is used to determine characteristic points of crosssections. Observations we make on field need to be processed in software packages in order to calculate volume of an object. The calculated volumes may vary depending on the density of measured cross-sections and selection of software package. In this thesis, we compared the course of processing in software packages and volume differences, which we obtained using different software packages and different density of measured cross-sections.


In this paper, the uncertainty model of laser radar and Metrascan detection is established, combined with the the accessibility of laser radar in the actual measurement, the accuracy of the measured network is simulated and analyzed, and a digital measurement method, which combines the advantages of two advanced measurement techniques, Metrascan and laser radar, is proposed. This method of netted measurement for different digital equipment, uses a high precision laser radar coordinate system as the reference transformation coordinate system, improves the measurement precision of large-size measurement of Metrascan, thus, which realizes the high precision and high efficiency measurement for the digitization of the aircraft shape.


Turnover of staff in a small home service for adults with severe and profound mental handicaps was compared to that in a number of larger units also based in the community and serving people with similar handicaps. Turnover was higher in the two small homes studied although recruitment was able to match staff loss so that the proportion of staff in post was maintained. Reasons for staff leaving were discussed. The main difference between the settings to account for the difference in turnover was size.


Broken gap metal oxide tunnel junctions have been created for the first time by sputtering. Using a ceramic ZnO-SnO2 target and a reactively sputtered copper target we created ZnSnO3 and Cu2O for the n-type and p-type layers, respectively. The band structure of the respective materials have theoretical work functions which line up with the band structure for tandem CIGS-based solar cell applications. As-deposited films demonstrated a dependence of the I-V profile with post-deposition Rapid Thermal Anneal (RTA) and substrate selection. Total junction specific contact resistances under 1Ω-cm2 have been achieved.


Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. This has become an
opportunity in the service business, which is manifested in the service business in
the field of bureau organizing hajj and umrah. The number of hajj and umrah
travel companies is a challenge for the travel bureau inside. The problem of this
study is whether the price perception and company reputation variables have an
influence on variable satisfaction and whether the price perception variable and
company reputation have a significant positive indirect effect on loyalty with
mediated satisfaction variables.
This study aims to determine the effect of perceived price and company reputation
on satisfaction and loyalty and its impact on positive loyalty. The sample of this
study amounted to 100 and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results
of the study show that the first hypothesis proposed in this study is that the price
variable influences satisfaction can be accepted. The second hypothesis proposed
in this study is that the company's reputation variable influences satisfaction can
be accepted. The third hypothesis proposed in this study is the satisfaction
variable which is preceded by the perception of price and the company's
reputation has a positive influence.
The suggestion proposed is PT Bunda Asni Prima needs to maintain the reputation
of her company by continuing to improve the quality of service at the appropriate
price, and maintain customer satisfaction by creating loyalty programs by
discounting prices for those who make repeat purchases and costumers who
provide recommendations given prizes.
Keywords : price of perseption, company reputation, satisfaction and loyalty.

Negara Indonesia memiliki populasi umat Islam terbesar di dunia. Hal ini menjadi
peluang dalam bisnis jasa, yaitu diwujudkan dalam bisnis jasa di bidang biro
penyelenggaraan haji dan umroh. Banyaknya perusahaan travel haji dan umrah,
menjadi suatu tantangan bagi pihak biro travel dalam dalam. Permasalahan
penelitian ini apakah variabel persepsi harga dan reputasi perusahaan memiliki
pengaruh terhadap kepuasan variabel dan apakah variabel persepsi harga dan
reputasi perusahaan berpengaruh positif signifikan tidak langsung terhadap
loyalitas dengan dimediasi variabel kepuasan.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh persepsi harga dan
reputasi perusahaan terhadap kepuasan dan loyalitas serta dampaknya pada
positif loyalitas. Sampel penelitian ini berjumlah 100 dan dianalisis
menggunakan regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa
Hipotesis pertama yang diajukan dalam penelitian ini yaitu variabel harga
berpengaruh terhadap kepuasan dapat diterima. Hipotesis kedua yang diajukan
dalam penelitian ini yaitu variabel reputasi perusahaan berpengaruh terhadap
kepuasan dapat diterima. Hipotesis ketiga yang diajukan pada penelitian ini yaitu
variabel kepuasan yang didahului oleh persepsi harga dan reputasi perusahaan
memiliki pengaruh positif.
Saran yang diajukan adalah PT Bunda Asni Prima perlu mempertahankan reputasi
perusahaannya dengan terus memperbaiki kualitas layanan dengan harga yang
sesuai, serta mempertahankan kepuasan pelanggannya dengan membuat program
loyalitas dengan cara potongan harga untuk yang melakukan pembelian ulang dan
pelanggan yang memberikan rekomendasi diberikan hadiah.
Kata kunci : Persepsi harga, Reputasi Perusahaan, Kepuasan, dan Loyalitas


Because businesses have numerous incentives to manipulate their financial reporting, analysts and other interested parties should learn to identify the metrics that businesses are most likely to misuse. By understanding these common manipulations, analysts can look beyond unsound reporting and uncover a company's true financial condition.


The Biot‐Stoll poro‐elastic model for sediments is parameterized by 13 properties. Initial investigations indicate that the individual Biot parameters influence reflection loss differently depending on the frequency range of interest. A more extensive study of the frequency dependence of the parameter sensitivities is performed by computing posterior probability distributions (PPDs) [S. E. Dosso, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 111, 129–142 (2002)] to determine which parameters most influence reflection loss for each frequency decade from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. The sampling for the PPDs is based on the least‐squares error between simulated reflection coefficient data and values modeled with the reflection module of OASES. [H. Schmidt, ''OASES Version 2.1 User Guide and Reference Manual,'' Department of Ocean Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997.] The PPDs provide a quantitative value of the uncertainty in the optimum parameter estimates obtained by sampling or inversion techniques. A good value of the u...


In spite of the requirements imposed on state courts by Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964 and DOJ publications, many state courts either do not provide interpreters for people who are limited English proficient (LEP) or charge a fee for those services. Texas law is both complex and contradictory. Although a relatively recent statute appears to comply with DOJ requirements and new thinking on interpreters in courts, many Texas courts continue to apply old laws that do not meet the federal floor level of protection. As a result, many LEP individuals are not only discriminated against under Title VI, they are also denied due process in contravention of both the state and federal constitutions.


The reaction of methylmalonic acid with mono- and disubstituted olefins in the presence of manganese(III) acetate yielded 2-carboxy-2-methyl-4-butanolides in moderate to good yields. The reactions of bromomalonic acid and chloromalonic acid with a variety of olefins gave 2-halo-4-butanolides and/or 2-buten-4-olides. The reaction of ethyl hydrogen malonate with olefins in the presence of manganese(III) acetate yielded 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-buten-4-olides, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethenyl-4-butanolide, 2,7-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-1,6-diones, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-butanolide, and ethyl 3-butenoate. These reactions can be accounted for in terms of a free-radical mechanism involving substituted dicarboxymethyl radicals.


We want to present a multimodal user interface for interaction with the virtual environment back-projected on the large projection screen. We use the interaction metaphor of a "spell-casting" wizard (the user) using a "magic wand" to interact with the VR environment and to complete some tasks. Our contribution is an user interface, which tries to take advantage of the past experience of the user such as fairy-tales or fantasy movies.


A hybrid system for producing electricity by a metal-air cell and for utilizing hydrogen released during the operation of the metal-air cell for producing energy in the form of electricity, mechanical power or heat energy. The hybrid electric energy system includes at least one metal-air cell and at least one hydrogen conversion unit.


Diabecon (D-400), a herbal formulation with hypoglycaemic effect, was studied for 12 weeks in 43 patients of maturity-onset diabetes. Diabecon (D-400) significantly reduced fasting (FBS) and twohour postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) in newly diagnosed diabetics and in those already stabilised on antidiabetic medication. Oral hypoglycaemic agents could be omitted in 80% of cases, and the dosage could be reduced in the remaining, while maintaining equally good or better control of diabetes in patients already stabilised with these drugs. Insulin dosage could also be similarly reduced. Side-effects were absent. No deleterious effects were observed on the liver, kidney or haemopoietic functions.


Review of the following work: Christian Aspalter. (2023). Ten Worlds of Welfare Capitalism: A Global Data Analysis. Singapore: Springer, 236 p. ISBN: 13-978-9811978623 (HB).


▪ Indications Although recent studies have discussed the use of revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) to manage failed initial TAA, arthrodesis remains the standard method used to salvage failed ankle arthroplasty. Typically, considerable osteolysis exists about the implant that may result in the formation of a large bony defect that must be managed with bone grafting. Occasionally, these bony defects are a result of sepsis after TAA. The authors of this chapter prefer to perform arthrodesis using an intramedullary (IM) rod with proximal dynamic locking hole. In the setting of infection, a two-stage procedure is performed. First, an antibiotic cement spacer is placed and the patient receives intravenous antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks which arthrodesis is performed using an IM rod.


MUHAMMAD ILYAS. Vermicomposting of Sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia) Leaves Litter Using Three Earthworm Species (Pheretima sp., Eisenia fetida, and Lumbricus rubellus. Under direction of RIKA RAFFIUDIN and TRI HERU WIDARTO. European E. fetida and L. rubellus are the most common earthworm species used in vermicomposting. Pheretima sp. is a native Asian earthworm having capability to decompose organic wastes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of combination of the three earthworm species in vermicomposting of sonokeling leaves litter by determining (1) their consumption rate, (2) their growth, and (3) their fecundity. Two ratios between earthworms and leaves litter were applied i.e. ratio 1:1 (R1) and ratio 2:1 (R2). The consumption rate was measured by counting the percentage of organic waste consumed by earthworms weekly. Earthworm growth was measured by weighing their biomass weekly. The number of produced cocoons were used to predict their fecundity. The results showed that combination of earthworm species affected the consumption rate significantly in both ratio (P 0.05) except in potassium.


The article deals with characteristic features of the financial behavior of student youth and factors affecting it. This paper is based on the results of the author's survey that was conducted in the fall of2020and covered 1242students from 17 universities in Russia. It examines the attitude of young people to saving, consumer, and investment behavior. The author sought to finds out whether the consumer preferences of young students are consistent with their financial capabilities, and whether young people are satisfied with realization of their life plans. He analyzes the sources of income of students and the sums which they consider as savings. The problems of financial dependence of the younger generation on the older ones are discussed in this article. The differences in the financial behavior of students financially dependent on parents and those leading an independent way of life are analyzed. The article presents results of the survey of students' financial behavior related both to preservation and accumulation of capital, and to general strategies of saving behavior—saving for purchasing goods, medical treatment and services, education, etc. There are considered financial instruments used or planned to be used by the respondents in case of saving large sums of money. The article shows the differences in investment behavior, in use of financial instruments between independent and financially dependent students. There are examined discrepancies between the consumer preferences and the financial capabilities of student youth. The conducted study allows drawing a conclusion about the influence of family and parents, their attitudes, and views on the financial decisions of students, which are not always rational.


Despite the phenomenon about cultural commodification being criticized by anthropologists and folklorist, these are the main streams in the alternatives of activation for regional tourism. The government and community body of Dong-Hae city, a coastal city in eastern Gangwon province with a 30-year-history, are willing to try enlarging the competence of tourism by using existing resources such as the beach, valley and cultural heritages. In the case of Dong-Hae city, using the natural and cultural commodification strategies of cultural tourism resources are as follows: Firstly, the city government should produce the historical culture based tourism products, including historical poets, master calligraphers, historical trails and caves. Secondly, the city government should produce the living culture based tourism products, using the ozone area, springs, traditional tables and native plants like the Adonis plant and wild orchids. Thirdly, city government should generate the creative culture based tourism products. The city has various festivals and identifies the apricot tree as the city tree. In addition, there is folk music that has taken prize from the government. Lastly, the city government should rebuild the dark culture based tourism products using historical remains. Additionally the members of Dong-Hae city should be aware of the weak points of commodification strategies and promote tourism competence.


In present article to show the different alternatives of cleaner production in the phase of optimization of drying of pieces of PRFV- Plastic Reinforced with Fiberglass in a circle oven. To shown in the carousel area in a factory of metallurgical sector, It managed to diminish the consumption of fuel in 50%, suppressing a gas burner and conserving the efficiency of process drying.


After adding boron powder to iron-based powder catalyst,fine monocrystal diamond has been synthesized in a China-made cubic hinge press by using high temperature and high pressure,meanwhile a best proportion for adding boron powder to synthesize boron-bearing fine monocrystal diamond has also been found.The experiment results has shown that the crystal color has grown dark gradually with the increase of boron,and the lowest pressure point for synthesizing fine monocrystal diamond has presented dynamic changing trend.Inclusion is easily to be found in the diamond synthesized with iron-based powder catalyst added boron powder,and no great improvement of this phenomenon could be achieved after refining crystal grains for the special electron structure of boron.


Geothermal energy has become a promising renewable resource. However, the formations encountered during drilling of geothermal wells are very hard, which brings a huge challenge for geothermal drilling. According to previous research, percussion drilling technology can enhance the penetration rate of drilling in hard formations. In an effort to make this technology better used in geothermal drilling, this paper utilizes the methods of numerical simulation and full-scale laboratory experiment to study the effects of impact parameters on impact energy (most of which is used in rock damage and breaking), extent of rock damage, and rock-drilling efficiency, which can be quantified by the penetration rate. ABAQUS is selected for simulation and a cylinder impactor is used as experimental equipment. The simulation results show that impact energy increases with the increase of impact frequency or dynamic loading amplitude under the simulation conditions of this paper. However, impact frequency has little influence on the work done by impact force under a single shock. Impact energy of trapezoidal wave (used to approximately replace the square wave in simulation) is the largest, that of sinusoidal wave is the middle and that of triangular wave is the smallest. Under the cyclic impact, impact energy, firstly, decreases, then increases and finally decreases again with the increase of the cyclic number. The experimental results show that the penetration rate increases with the increase of impact frequency or dynamic loading amplitude in the low frequency range (within 200Hz). Furthermore, the penetration rate under square wave loading is the largest (0.114 mm/s), that of sinusoidal wave is the second (0.086 mm/s) and that of triangular wave is the third (0.074 mm/s). This paper can provide a guidance for optimization design of percussion drilling technology and also improve the application of percussion drilling in geothermal wells.


The paper deals with a theoretical insight into the various characteristics of a 0.89 μm Al0.15In0.22Ga0.63As/GaAs strained single quantum well based Graded Index (GRIN) - separate confinement lasing nano-heterostructure. Major emphasis has been laid on the optical and modal gain. Both these gain have been simulated with respect to lasing wavelength, photon energy and current density. In this paper, we have also drawn a comparative picture of the two polarization modes i.e Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM). The maximum optical gain has been observed to be 5557.18 cm-1 at the lasing wavelength ~ 0.90 μm and photonic energy ~ 1.36 eV in TE mode and it is only 2760.70 cm-1 at the lasing wavelength ~ 0.78 μm and at photonic energy ~ 1.58 eV in TM mode. However, the maximum modal gain has been observed to be 54.65 cm-1 in TE mode and it is 27.16 cm-1 in TM mode at the same lasing wavelengths and photonic energies respectively at 298 K. The behavior of quasi Fermi levels for the conduction band and valence band has also been studied. Other important parameters like gain compression, differential gain and refractive index profile have also been simulated with respect to carrier density. Anti-guiding factor has been plotted against current density to observe its behavior in order to support the explanation of optical gain simulated.


The Chester Beatty Library contains some of the finest treasures of the World's great cultures and religions. This beautifully illustrated and elegantly designed guide is the first to offer an informative walk through the Library's exquisite galleries and showcases many of the highlights of the collection. These include Egyptian papyrus texts, illuminated Bibles and Qur'ans, medieval and renaissance manuscripts, Turkish and Persian miniature paintings, Japanese scrolls and woodblock prints, Chinese dragon robes and many other outstanding works of art. The Library's rich collection was drawn from across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe by American mining magnate and collector Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. Chosing Ireland as his place of retirement, he bequeathed to the Irish nation his magnificient collection, which represents the richness of creative expression from the third millenium to the present day.


I defend Christian classical theism's view that God is aspatial in the strict sense but omnipresent only in a loose sense. I consider ten different proposals according to which God is strictly omnipresent and reject them all. I then present two arguments for the claim that God is strictly aspatial. Finally, I argue that, given God creates and sustains all else, God is loosely omnipresent.


The safety of protecting structure in a plunge pool is crucial to the success of energy dissipation,and the stability of lining structure is one of the design problems that need be solved.Pervious bottom slab is an initiative structure that decreases the load acting on the bottom of plunge pool.In this work,the relationships among pressure fluctuations,their spatial scale and the sizes of pervious and impervious slabs are studied by using model test data of a large-scale plunge pool to shed some light on the decompression mechanism of pervious structure.Results show that the role of pervious holes is equivalent to a reduction in effective slab size.This work is significant to the application and improvement of initiative protecting structures for plunge pool design.


Two Amazonian freshwater trichomycterid catfishes, Sarcoglanis simplex and Malacoglanis gelatinosus, are described as new genera andspecies and placed in a new subfamily Sarcoglanidinae. The relationships of this new subfamily and those of the Trichomycterinae, Nematogenyinae, Phreatobiinae and Glanapteryginae are discussed.


The invention relates to a method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle (2), at risk of collision with a detected prior to the vehicle (2) stationary object (3) on which the vehicle (2) moved, (a a driver of the vehicle 2) supporting action is performed for collision avoidance or collision mitigation when the object (3) has previously been rated as relevant. According to the invention the relevance evaluation of the object (3) is first checked whether an entry is included in a digital road map to the object (3) which identifies the object to be relevant or not relevant, and in the presence of such an entry, the relevance evaluation of the object is ( 3) made according to the entry. Otherwise, the object (3) is first evaluated as potentially relevant and when a collision-hazardous approach of the vehicle (2) to the object (3) a collision warning is triggered as a supportive action and it is detected that the driver's reaction to the collision warning. Depending on the severity of the driver's reaction, the relevance evaluation of the object (3) from potentially relevant is not changed relevant in relevant or in and for the object (3) is a geo-referenced entry in the digital road map is created, the modified object (3) corresponding to the relevance assessment identifies as relevant or not relevant.


This writing analises the perplexities of Labor Law before a new crisis impacting on it. This new deep impact has been provoked by the globalisation of the economy. According to the author and despite the negative consequences of this phenomenon, the future of the Labor Law is guaranteed in its two main dimensions, the collective one (relating to the employees representatives) and the individual one (relating to the employment rights).


This study evaluated the effect of several formats of electronic/electro-optical display with emphasis on the speedometer. 400 drivers participated in laboratory and road trials. These latter were conducted both by day and night over a carefully selected route.


This paper presents a new finite element formulation in the Laplace domain for both diffusion and wave equations with applications in the field of electrical engineering. With the aid of congruence transformation of matrices, the finite element equations in the Laplace domain are solved and time-domain results can be obtained through the inverse Laplace transform. In a test problem, good agreement between the numerical results derived with the present method and the analytical solutions has been found. For applications in which only Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions are involved, this new finite element approach can be applied and provide both frequency-domain and time-domain results in one run without any timestepping scheme. The limitations of using the congruence transformation in solving propagation problems are also addressed in this paper.


Russia-Vietnam Tropical Center. The acronyms used are: ZMMU — Zoological Museum of the Moscow State University; SIEE — the author's reference collection at A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology & Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow; ZISP, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg. The following parameters were analyzed: BL, maximum body length measured between apices of closed mandibles and apices of elytra; EL, maximum length of elytron, measured from highest point of base to apex; EW, maximum width of elytra; HW, width of head across eyes; PL, length of pronotum along median line; PLw, distanse between pronotal apex and level of maximum width, measured along mid-line; PW, maximum width of pronotum; PWa, width of pronotum between apical angles; PWb, width of pronotum between basal angles. Measurements were taken using an eyepiece micrometer, to two decimal places. The number of specimens measured (n) is only given for the first ratio in the description. Data on labels of type specimens are in quotes.


While an extra dose of chromosome 2A of common wheat, previously reported to carry a pairing promoter on its short arm, did not increase pairing between homoeologous chromosomes in F1 hybrids between common wheat cv. Chinese Spring (CS) and Aegilops variabilis, two doses of chromosome 2D or 2B caused a significant increase in homoeologous pairing. Evidently, chromosomes 2D and 2B carry a pairing promoter(s). Studies of F1 hybrids between aneuploids of CS, either deficient for chromosome 2D or having it in an extra dose, and Ae. variabilis, Ae. longissima, and Secale cereale supported the finding that this chromosome carries a pairing promoter. Using ditelosomic lines, the promoter was found to be located on the short arm of 2D (2DS). It was deduced that the promoter of 2B is also located on the homoeologous short arm, i.e., on 2BS. Evidence was obtained that the long arm of 2D may carry a suppressor(s) of pairing. Thus, the short arm of 2A, 2D, and 2B carries a pairing promoter(s), while the long arm of 2...


Objective
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of different treatments on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases and to explore the influential factors of the prognosis.

Methods
The NSCLC patients with brain metastases treated from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011 were follow-up. The survival time and influences resulted from the treatments were analyzed.

Results
The average survive time of these patients was (11.93±5.53) months, and the median survive time was 11 months. The 6-month, 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 90.7 %, 41.1 % and 6.4 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that control of extracranial lesions, Karnofsky score, target therapy and age were independent predictive factors of survival, and the OR value were 0.358 (95 % CI 0.217-0.593), 0.302 (95 % CI 0.182-0.502), 0.170 (95 % CI 0.098-0.296) and 1.635 (95 % CI 1.010-2.647), respectively (all P<0.01).

Conclusions
Radiation therapy is an effective treatment on non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases. Biological target therapy can effectively improve survival. The survival time also is correlated with age, Karnofsky score and control of extracranial lesions.

Key words:
Carcinoma, non-small cell lung; Brain metastases; Prognosis; Factors


Connotation as a syntactic mechanism of announcing a specific component in a sentence occurs or not in appositional groups. Based on the test for the non-ellipticity (or ellipticity) of the utterance, it can be determined whether the opposition base or the apposition itself is connoted (the sentence is then incomplete) or not (after the ellipse of the component, the sentence is still complete). Old Polish appositional groups of the type James and John, sons of Zebedee; Bolesław, priest and heir; chapter "Ut noxius" were reviewed in this article. They have been recorded from all monuments of the Polish language and constitute a representative collection of constructions of this type at that time. As a result of the analysis, it was found that in some types of expressions, the base was connoted (Mary, rose lights) or apposition (You, Lord). There were also groups with an unconnoted base (Piotr mayor from Koźmin) and an unconnoted apposition (stone, margarita). On this basis, the typology of the analyzed groups was established, distinguishing groups with unconnoted base and apposition, with connoted base and apposition, with unconnoted base and connoted apposition, and with connoted base and unconnoted apposition.


BACKGROUND: Serum albumin has been correlated with stroke outcome in previous studies and has shown that elevated levels of serum
albumin has better outcome in stroke patients. But many of these studies has been done on acute ischemic stroke and evidence are scarce in
hemorrhagic stroke. This study was done to assess albumin level in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients at tertiary care centered in north
India.
MATERIALS & METHODS: One hundred and fty patients with acute stroke were included in the study. All participants were evaluated by
history, examination, laboratory and radiological modalities. Blood samples for assessment of albumin was collected at the time of admission.
Stroke severity was assessed using NIHSS and GCS at the time of admission. Functional outcome was measured 1 week post admission and after 3
months using modied Rankin scale (mRs). Statistical analysis and interpretation of the data was done by using SPSS Software version 23.
RESULT: A total of 150 patients with 94 patients Ischemic stroke and 56 patients with Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were included in this
study. Mean (SD) age was 64.12 (10.85). Among the study population, 102 (68.0%) were male and 48 (32.0%) were female. Hypertension was
present in 68.0% of the patients and 50.0% of the patients were diabetic The mean S. Albumin (g/dL) was 3.63 (0.72). There was moderate negative
correlation between serum albumin level and mRS score in both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke at 1 week (rho = -0.48, p = <0.001). At three
months there was no correlation in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients (rho = -0.12, p = 0.287).
CONCLUSION: Patients with low serum albumin level had poor outcome at one week but did not show signicant impact on outcome at 3 month
in both Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.


Based on the heat transfer theory, and the fact that thermal physical parameters, latent heat of phase change and heat transfer coefficient which vary with temperature is taken into considered, a three-dimensional transient temperature field model of 12CrNi2 by Laser Melting Deposition (LMD) is established by using the parametric design language of ANSYS. Optimum process parameters were determined by single-layer and single-track experiments of LMD. Microstructure observation by optical microscope shows that the width of heat affected zone increased with the increase of laser power and decreased with the increase of printing speed. The top of the deposited layer is mainly composed of equiaxed dendrites, and the middle and bottom of the deposited layer are columnar crystals with epitaxial growth characteristics. At the same time, the accuracy and reliability of temperature field model are verified by comparing the morphology of molten pool. The simulation results show that in the process of LMD, the peak temperature of molten pool increases with the increase of layers; the peak temperature of the node increases with the increase of laser power and the decrease of printing speed. The research results in this paper would be reference for LMD of 12CrNi2 alloy steel.


English writing teaching(for nonEnglish majors) plays an important part in English language teaching.The paper gives a brief introduction of the present status and problems in English writing teaching in the higher vocational and technological colleges,and suggests that the English teachers should help students strengthen their basic writing abilities and specialized abilities for English practical writing.Moreover,the teachers should train the English writing skills of the students comprehensively and make a perfect combination between Product teaching method and Process teaching method so as to solve the problems.


A new field configuration for the TMc01 mode in an elliptical waveguide is proposed. The theoretical computations are verified by practical measurements.


The approximate formulas of the mean, variance, and skewness of first-passage-time distributions for a single-mode dye laser are derived. The explicit expressions of these quantities for the white-loss-noise model (model A) and the white-gain-noise model (model B) are obtained. We find that (1) the mean first-passage time for models A and B are indistinguishable; (2) as the laser intensity is increased, the increase of the variance and skewness of models A and B are faster than those obtained from the cubic model; (3) as the laser intensity is increased, the increase of variance and skewness in the white-gain-noise model are slower than those obtained from the white-loss-noise model. Therefore the effect of the fluctuating saturation term in model B seems to weaken the increase of the variance and skewness.


In this paper the measure of corporate coherence proposed by Teece, Rumelt, Dosi and Winter (1994) and the measure of inter-industry relatedness on which the former is built are analysed using a dataset that includes the five largest European producers in 100 3-digit NACE industries. The theoretical assumptions are discussed critically and the upper and lower bounds of both distributions are found. The empirical analysis shows that a strict positive relation between the frequency with which activities are combined within the same corporation - i.e. the degree of interindustry relatedness - and the technological and market similarities of those activities exists, in the sense that the more similar or complementary are the characteristics of the industries, in terms of technologies, skills, R&D and advertising expenses, the more related are the industries themselves. Corporate coherence is found to be negatively related to the degree of diversification. On average Italian firms are more coherent than their competitors in other European countries. However if we restrict the analysis to the largest firms we find that Italian firms are more diversified and less coherent than the others. In conclusion, a very polarized distribution of Italian firms emerges in which highly coherent small/medium sized firms operating in traditional industries coexist with large uncoherent conglomerates, both public and private.


Reservoir slope is one of the most serious problems existed in Longyangxia hydropower station,whose safe performance is directly influenced by the stability of slopes. The paper researches the laws of deformation and stress distribution of Longxi slope under two states of the reservoir water-level:2 577 m and 2 600 m,and quantificationally evaluates the stability of Longxi slopes. The results of this study indicate that the position where the major slip section of the slopes can produce maximum displacement locates around steep ridge on the ground surface and tensile stress mostly locates at the top of slopes or around the edge of slopes:the stability are well-stable and stable in principle under the two states,respectively.


The purpose of the Requirements Documentation is to establish an agreement about what the project is to accomplish. It provides a baseline for validation and verification, and it should reduce the development effort by avoiding omissions, misunderstandings, and inconsistencies early in the design lifecycle. All items in the Requirements Documentation should be consistent with other documentation (e.g., project description, design diagrams, task lists, timelines) but it should be readable as a stand-alone document.


Possibilitiesof use of means of programming in system of mathematical calculations Mathcad for the creation of a set of functions directed on support of the decision of problems of integervector optimisation. As object of optimisation the complex of cars and the units providing многоэтапный process of performance of works.


policies: a necessary approach Development efforts will be seriously hampered by the risks of climate change if these are not tackled. Reduced economic growth due to climate change damages, threatened or under-performing investments, lower food production due to maladaptation to climate variability and a changing climate are examples of the influence of climate on development. Unsustainable development will lead to high emissions of greenhouse gases from energy, transport and agriculture and forestry that will exacerbate climate change.


BACKGROUND
Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been recommended to mitigate impacts of spinal cord injuries (SCI), but the optimal dosage in terms of the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT principle) to promote health in SCI individuals remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE
To discuss research related to the effects of RMT on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in athletes and non-athletes with SCI, presenting the FITT principle.

METHODS
We performed a systematic review. PubMed, Lilacs, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, SciELO and Cochrane databases were searched between 1989 and August 2018. Participants were athletes and non-athletes with SCI.

RESULTS
4,354 studies were found, of which only 17 met the eligibility criteria. Results indicated that RMT is associated with beneficial changes in pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength and endurance among athletes and non-athletes, whereas no effect was reported for maximal oxygen uptake. It was not possible to establish an optimal RMT dose from the FITT principle, but combined inspiratory/expiratory muscle training seems to promote greater respiratory changes than isolated IMT or EMT.

CONCLUSION
The use of RMT elicits benefits in ventilatory variables of athletes and non-athletes with SCI. However, it remains unclear which RMT type and protocol should be used to maximize benefits.


This study aims to describe the consumption of herbal preparations (PM) in the Gracia district of Barcelona. For this, a self-administered survey of 161 users of Primary Care (AP) seen in nursing consultations between May and July 2012 was performed. PM consumption is very high as one hundred thirty seven individuals (85%) are regular users of PM. The PM most consumed are: chamomile (81% of consumers), thyme and mint; mostly as an infusion (58%). People over 65 account for 48.2% of PM consumers of the sample and the 96% of the young population (20-40 years), declare to be PM consumers. In conclusion, the intake of PM is common and high. For this reason, the computer recording of this habit should be considered in primary care, in order to evaluate possible drug interactions and side effects.


Knowledge-based Artifical Intelligence (AI) systems have incorporated mechanisms which resolve uncertainty. This uncertainty systems from incompleteness and noise in input data and from errorful processing.

Resolution of uncertainty is also an important issue in the design of disributed processing systems. Uncertainty is introduced in these systems from the use of incomplete and inconsistent local data bases and from errorful communication channels.

The mechanisms used in knowledge-based AI systems provide a model for the design of disturbed algorithms which can resolve uncertainty as an integral part of thier problem solving activity. Use of such algorithms in a distributed processing system makes possible a reduction in the amount of inter-node communication required to resolve uncertainty. This reduction in communication requirements allows effective distribution of applications that are impractical using current approaches to the design of distributed algorithms.


The shelf life of over coating layer (OCL) materials for TFT-LCD panels prepared by mixing methacrylate copolymer and epoxy compound was improved compared with other materials consisting of a single component. However, a rough surface was formed on the OCL during the post-baking process. Previously, we reported that fatty acids with longer alkyl chains were very effective in preventing the roughing of the OCL surface [1]. In this study, the reaction of carboxy and epoxy groups was studied by using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. It was confirmed that the fatty acids do not accelerate the reaction, but compatibilize each component of the OCL material.


The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest campaign of the Second World War. This volume highlights the scale and complexity of this bitterly contested campaign, one that encompassed far more than just attacks by German U-boats on Allied shipping. The team of leading scholars assembled here situate the German assault on seaborne trade within the wider Allied war effort and provide a new understanding of its place within the Second World War. Individual chapters offer original perspectives on a range of neglected or previously-overlooked subjects: how Allied grand strategy shaped the war at sea; the choices and tensions facing Churchill and other Allied leaders over the allocation of scarce resources between theaters; how the battle spread beyond the Atlantic Ocean in both military and economic terms; the management of Britain's merchant shipping repair yards; the defense of British coastal waters against German surface raiders; the contribution of air power to trade defense; anti-submarine escort training; the role of special intelligence; and the war against the U-boats in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.


Depression is one of the main psychiatric disorders that prevails during childhood and adolescence. The causes are multifactorial, of which the following stand out: traumatic events, the social development environment, genetics and brain chemistry accompanied by some anatomical and functional alterations. The consequences can be serious in the long term and can even contribute to the problem if it is not identified and referred promptly or lead to suicide, once the diagnosis has not been effective. The treatment for depression is complex and includes drugs and cognitive-behavioral therapy. This article aims to help first contact physicians to diagnose in a timely manner to act in situations that may endanger the patient with this condition, and therefore refer to specialists.


Evolutionary programming was conceived in I960 as an alternative approach to artificial intelligence. The initial applica+ tions concerned prediction, modeling, and the control of unknown processes with respect to an arbitrary payoff function. Future applications take the form of hierarchic evolutionary programming wherein higher levels evolve optinial parameters for lower levels, and artificial consciousness wherein a self-referential capability is used to enhance such hierarchic control. Some consideration is given to the generatioii ol true autonomy; that is, niachines that develop their own purpose. Some unanswered questions are offered for considera tion.


Culture of adult cardiac myocytes provides an opportunity to directly explore potential regulatory pathways that modulate the growth of the mature heart cell.' Identifying subcellular events and signal transduction pathways that mediate the growth of the adult cardiac myocyte in response to stresses that provoke cardiac hypertrophy is limited when whole animals are employed, because unraveling"cause from effect" in vivo is often complicated by the cellular heterogeneity of the heart and the likely neurohumoral interactions that exist within the intact rnyoca rd i~m.~-~ Changes in neurotransmitter release, fluctuating plasma hormone levels and attendant alterations in hemodynamic load make it difficult, at best, to precisely determine how postulated chemical and physical signals regulate cellular growth in vivo. Cultured cardiac myocytes provide an experimental paradigm to more definitively identify and characterize putative pathways that control cardiocyte growth in a defined and relatively uncomplicated environment. There are several caveats, however, that should be considered before contemplating the use of such a model system. The production of two-dimensional adult cardiocyte cultures minimizes, in most instances, myocyte-nonmyocyte interactions, alters the geometry of this reestablished "in vitro myocardium" and modifies the extracellular environment (i.e., the culture medium and extracellular matrix) that supports cardiocyte growth. The source of the heart cells employed for study (i.e., are they derived from developing or adult heart) also deserves special consideration. Cardiac myocytes isolated from embryonic, neonatal or adult hearts possess unique properties that make each of them useful for the study of specific aspects of cardiac growth and development. Embryonic heart cells are, perhaps, ideal for exploring cardiogenic determination, while neonatal myocytes are well suited for investigating postnatal myocardial growth. In contrast, adult cardiocytes can be usefully employed to explore the regulation of physiologic and, perhaps, pathophysiologic hypertrophy. The principal focus of this report will be to compare and contrast how mechanical loading and neurohumoral activation modulate the growth of adult cardiac myocytes and, where possible, to determine whether the


Occupational Prestige in Australia and Canada: A Comparison and Validation of Some Occupational Scales. Page 75 Comparative studies in stratification are often hampered by lack of equivalence in occupational scaling. As part of a wider study of professional recruitment in Australia, Canada and Sweden, six occupational prestige scales were compared four for Australia (the long and short versions of the Broom, Jones, and Zubrzycki scale, and the long and short versions of the Congalton scale), and two for Canada (the Pineo-Porter scale and the Blishen scale). Unlike some previous comparative studies, a wide range of occupations


According to the uncertainty hypothesis, religion helps people cope psychologically with dangerous or unpredictable situations. Conversely, with greater control over the external environment due to economic development and technological advances, religious belief is predicted to decline (the existential security hypothesis). The author predicts that religious belief would decline in economically developed countries where there is greater existential security, including income security (income equality and redistribution via welfare states) and improved health. These predictions are tested in regression analyses of 137 countries that partialed out the effects of Communism and Islamic religion both of which affect the incidence of reported nonbelief. Findings show that disbelief in God increased with economic development (measured by lower agricultural employment and third-level enrollment). Findings further show that disbelief also increased with income security (low Gini coefficient, high personal taxation tapping the welfare state) and with health security (low pathogen prevalence). Results show that religious belief declines as existential security increases, consistent with the uncertainty hypothesis.


Southeast Asia, with a total population of 520 million, remains a region characterized by fragmentation, diversity and considerable internal conflict despite the unifying influence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), formed nearly 35 years ago. In the new millenium, it has lost the distinction of being the world's fastest growing group of economies since the 1997 financial crisis. While it has benefited from the winds of globalization, it has now to cope with the painful adjustments to problems that stem from the inadequacies of good governance and structural changes. This volume brings together the combined insights by specialists who have worked and lived in the region. The theme of the book is change and transformation. The authors identify the trends and forces that propel the region along, and then bring in discussions on key issues. In some cases, they offer their views on the future of the region and recommendations for solutions. The intention of the book is to offer a scholarly review of the region's development over the past half century and to provide a firm basis for forecasting its further evolution in the new millennium.


This report contains data obtained from measurements of various artificial radiotracers in seawater samples from the Norwegian-Greenland Seas and adjacent seas during 1981-82. The radionuclides measured include /sup 137/Cs, /sup 134/Cs, /sup 90/Sr and /sup 3/H. The sampling and analytical work result from the efforts of several laboratories. The data set includes a large number of measurements in surface water in the region and a substantial number of vertical profiles in the various water masses. The radiotracers in the region originate from nuclear fallout from atmospheric nuclear-weapons tests and from low-level releases of liquid waste to European coastal waters in association with the reprocessing of nuclear fuel.


The commissioning and resulting capabilities of Hall A at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility for performing coincidence experiments with a continuous-wave electron beam at energies of 0.8–6.0 GeV will be described. The facility consists of a pair of high-resolution magnetic spectrometers to detect scattered particles, together with instrumentation to measure beam properties. The installation of the base equipment has been completed. Commissioning of the spectrometers, including their detector packages, is well advanced, both in single-arm mode and in coincidence mode.


Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), which has attracted a lot of attention recently due to its superior spectral efficiency, could play a vital role in improving the capacity of future networks. In this paper, a resource allocation scheme is developed for a downlink multi-user NOMA system. An optimization problem is formulated to maximize the sum rate under the total power and proportional rate constraints. Due to the complexity of computing the optimal solution, we develop a low complexity sub-optimal solution for a two-user scenario and then extend it to the multi-user case by proposing a user-pairing approach as well as a number of power allocation techniques that facilitate dealing with a large number of users in NOMA system. Simulation results support the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and show the close performance to the optimal one. In addition, we propose a new hybrid multiple access technique that combines the properties of NOMA and the orthogonal frequency division multiple access. Simulation results show that the proposed hybrid method provides better performance than NOMA in terms of the overall achievable sum rate and the coverage probability.


The rise of edge computing gives birth to a spectrum of delay-sensitive applications. Many of these applications build their services atop the functionality that the edge nodes quickly negotiate a unique order on the events received from a massive number of client devices, even under very high event rates. To this end, we propose a protocol, called Nomad, for achieving fast event ordering in edge computing environments. Nomad is designed as a consensus protocol that employs a lease-based approach to take advantage of the locality of the unbalanced workload across the system. It also dynamically adjusts the leadership distribution on the edge nodes based on the recent running history, and relies on a cloud-based arbitrator to resolve contentions. Experiments demonstrate that Nomad outperforms the existing solutions, such as Multi-Paxos, Mencius and E-Paxos, in achieving fast event ordering for large-scale, delay-sensitive edge-cloud applications.


Two coordination complexes have been made by combining the dithiolene complexes [M(mnt)2]2– (mnt = maleonitriledithiolate; M = Ni2+ or Cu2+) as anion, with the copper(II) coordination complex [Cu(Stetra)] (Stetra = 6,6′-bis(4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyri-dine) as cation. The variation of the metal centers leads to a dramatic change in the conductivity of the materials, with the M = Cu2+ variant (Cu–Cu) displaying semiconductor behavior with a conductivity of approximately 2.5 × 10–8 S cm–1, while the M = Ni2+ variant (Ni–Cu) displayed no observable conductivity. Computational studies found Cu–Cu enables a minimization of reorganization energy losses and, as a result, a lower barrier to the charge transfer process, resulting in the reported higher conductivity.