Great Lakes region of East Africa; and African state formation and the expansion of white settlement in southern Africa. Part II explores the role of Islam and Islamic revival in the nineteenth century, though the focus is more political than religious, including the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of European colonization in North Africa; the politics of the West African jihads and the subsequent co-optation of Islamic authorities by colonial ones; and the fusion of Afro-Arab elements in Swahili society and the expansion of trade in East Africa. The focus of the remainder of the book shifts from regional studies to thematic ones, with a resultant loss of historical narrative and detail. Part III covers events leading up to the colonial conquest: first, the abolition of the slave trade, the rise of legitimate commerce, and increasing slavery within Africa itself ; next, increasing European engagement in Africa through missions and exploration; and, finally, the ways in which trade, technology, and racist ideas shifted to encourage direct European intervention by the end of the century. Part IV continues with the consolidation of colonial rule in the early years of the twentieth century through the establishment of hybridized military and political systems, and new cash-crop, settler, and industrial economies. The emphasis is on British policies (for example, co-optation of Muslim authorities) at the expense of others (French opposition to them). Part V then explores the high colonial period between the world wars: increasing colonial intervention in local economies and resultant peasant protest ; a rise in overlapping identities and ethnic politics; the expansion of education and medicine; and increasing Muslim and Christian radicalization. Part VI turns to the slow dissolution of empire following the SecondWorldWar, with the erosion of colonial power and the rise of nationalism. Finally, Part VII takes an expansive approach to the post-colonial era, surveying the legacies of colonial underdevelopment and authoritarianism; the subordination of African concerns to international ones during the Cold War; problems of rapid population growth, economic development, and environmental decline; and the succession of big-man politics, military rule, and militia violence. In sum, this is a well-written text that rightly places colonialism in the context of African history as a whole, and it should prove to be an accessible and effective text for use with undergraduate students. It is also very well produced, but relatively expensive.


Pipe Insulation Economies is a computer pro gram written in IBM basic to simplify the economic insulation thickness for an insulated pipe. Many art ic1es have been wr i t ten on th i s subject, from simple nomographs to a small book written in 1976 by the Federal Energy Administration, called "Eco nomic Thickness for Industrial Insulation (ETI)." This paper is meant to fall somewhere between these extremes without sacrificing the accuracy necessary for economic considerations. Within this text, insulation is dealt with not as a material but as a method to slow heat trans fer. To simplify the various mechanisms by which heat is transferred, the variable "thermal con ductivityll is used. This is modeled for average insulation temperature. Another variable which has caused problems in the past is the ambient air film coefficient, or surface resistance. This program dea 1s wi th th is coeffi cient by mak i ng an initial assumption, then using an iterative pro cess to refine the actual values before making the economi c cal cu 1at ions. The program will use the input data to determine first of all the heat loss in BTU per hr/ft. of pipe. Using this result the lowest annual cost, therefore the most economical insulation thickness, is determined.


By using the notion of endpoints for set-valued functions and some classical fixed point techniques, we investigate the existence of solutions for two fractional [Formula: see text]-differential inclusions under some integral boundary value conditions. By providing an example, we illustrate our main result about endpoint. Also, we give some related algorithms and numerical results.


The author of this book, Michael D. Berdine, is a Los Angeles-born, retired history lecturer. He taught at the University of Arizona, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Pima Community College, and worked as a research fellow at the Cambridge Muslim College. (Founded in 2009, the college aided in the publication of the book under review here.) One pertinent biographical detail missing from the dust jacket is that in 1992, Berdine converted to Islam and assumed the name Michael Muhammad As'ad Berdine.


There is a widespread concern among the donors countries and international funding organisations about the relevance, impact and dissemination of research results in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This growing concern led many funding authorities to reassess many of their research programs in SSA. Sudan is the largest country in Africa and a very good example of such concern as crop productivity is extremely low and does not exceed thirty percent of the level attained in research farms (Ahmed et al, 2000). This is the result of a combination of several factors including funding, government policies, weaknesses in the system, planning, management and evaluation of research programmes, exacerbated in most instances by gaps in the linkages between research, extension and the farmer. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to critically assess the different factors that influence the transfer of any new technology from the research institutions to the farmers through the transfer agencies as well as the impact of such factors on the national agricultural policy. The findings are therefore of new and significant relevance to the agricultural development strategy and policy reform in Sudan. This study aids a clearer understanding of the constraints facing internal technology transfer in Sudan and other developing countries which face similar socio-economic and development problems. Moreover, it demonstrates that economic analysis alone will not provide a satisfactory solution to the type of problems investigated as these issues and problems also have political and socio-cultural dimensions. Therefore, the proposed solutions simply seek to change the behaviours of both individuals and institutions. To do this it is necessary to recognise all the dimensions of the problem.


This paper analyzes the present situation,existing problems and reasons of the library of vocational college in literature resources construction in the new period,and puts forward some countermeasures for literature resources construction of the library of higher vocational college under the new situation.


In the last chapter, I have discussed the philosophical foundation of Empirical Modelling (EM) and differences to other approaches to software systems development. So far, there has been little discussion on what kind of collaborative context may be benefited by adopting an EM approach and how EM principles such as the ODA framework can be exploited in collaborative work such as groupware development. Therefore, this chapter aims to explore the potential benefits that EM may offer to collaborative model construction in general and the ideal level of tool support that is essential to unlock the potential benefit that EM may offer to collaborative modelling. The idea of applying EM principles to collaborative modelling as a framework for groupware development will not be discussed in this chapter, but in chapter 7 of this thesis.


Lime-soil is applied in construction widely,and is a convenient,economic and effective method of dealing with collapsible loess foundation.Thus,this paper has a further discussion about the mechanism and basic characteristics of lime-soil and lime-soil foundation.Firstly,this paper introduces collapsible loss,lime-soil pile;secondly,it analyses the influence of efficiency with different lime content and water.Then,a quantitative analysis is held for the effect of lime-soil pile on collapsible losses.Finally,this paper provides several suggestions and conclusions.


This research was conducted with the aim to understand and explore the management of internal communication conducted by the Telkom Health Foundation (Yakes Telkom) in the city of Bandung. This research is a qualitative research where data collection is obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. The technique of selecting informants uses purposive techniques. The data analysis technique used is the interaction model of Miles and Huberman. The study was located at the Takes Telkom Head Office, Jl Cisanggarung no. 2 Bandung.The results of the management analysis of internal communication at Yakes Telkom are (1) The process of management and management of the system in Foundation is done by planning, organizing, moving, directing, coordinating, and supervising. The process is to achieve the goal, namely to minimize miss communication and strengthen the communication relationship between one employee and another; (2) Development of internal communication systems in foundations concerning lack of human resources due to age; (3) Improving the quality of internal communication within the foundation by means of the Foundation to foster social relations with joint picnics and community service; (4) The implementation of business communication for the foundation's internal public is seen from verbal and non-verbal communication, communication patterns that are applied in two directions, selection of channels and communication media verbally and in writing, as well as the completion of the coffee morning and interpersonal humanist and psychological approaches to effective strategies when a problem occurs.


The range of control structures available in a higher-level programming language directly governs the set of algorithms conveniently programmable therein. This fact has been well-demonstrated by the salutary effect the ideas of structured programming have had on traditional control structures (sequential, iterative, and procedural). This paper seeks to demonstrate this same fact for more advanced control structures through the use of top-down parsing as a case study. A series of increasingly more satisfactory top-down parsers are presented, using (i) iterative, (ii) recursive, (iii) coroutine, and (iv) nondeterministic control forms. A fifth solution, using a new control form termed "non-forgetful backtracking", is sketched. This study indicates that the development of new control forms, as well as more thorough understanding and application of existing ones, are worthy pursuits for software engineering. A few directions for continuing work in this spirit are offered in the concluding section.


Michael Polanyi has argued that commitment has an essential role to play in the scientific enterprise. Commitment plays an essential role first in the scientist's re? lation to the cause of science. Science is an enterprise committed to the search for truth, and if you want to be a scientist, you must devote yourself to this cause by declaring your loyalty to it. Although there is no formalized oath, as in medicine, a similar commitment is required. To become a scientist is to enter, as it were, a covenant, to promise to oneself and to the community of scientists that he will not allow his natural desires for all kinds of personal profits to interfere with his ser? vice to his cause?the search after truth. And no matter how impersonal all the objects and ends of science may be, the scientist himself still remains a person of whom the responsible act of commitment to a cause beyond himself is required. Not only does Polanyi argue that a scientist qua scientist must be committed to the cause of science; he also claims that commitment plays an essential role in the actual pursuit of scientific knowledge, i.e. in discovery, observation, verification, theory construction, and the like. Polanyi contends indeed that scientific inquiry is possible only in such a context of commitment. Recognizing the hazards of com? mitment Polanyi maintains that the risks involved in it are necessary if science is to proceed. He says "I believe, that in spite of the hazards involved, I am called upon to search for the truth and state my findings. This sentence summarizing my programme, conveys an ultimate belief which I find myself holding" (Polanyi,


There is an increasing need for tactical mobile radio networks that support link data rates of hundreds of kilobits per second to several megabits per second. If a radio network employing slow-frequency-hop (SFH) spread-spectrum modulation operates at these high data rates, however, the channel is likely to exhibit frequency-selective fading within each frequency slot of the SFH system. The frequency selectivity manifests itself as intersymbol interference at the receiver, and adaptive equalization must be employed in the receiver for each dwell interval in order to compensate for the intersymbol interference. We examine the performance of a SFH spread-spectrum system with Reed-Solomon coding in a channel that exhibits frequency-selective fading within each frequency slot. The performance is evaluated for a receiver that employs maximum likelihood sequence estimation in an equalizer that is retrained on a hop-by-hop basis. The use of parity bits for erasure generation is also investigated.


In the present study, we investigated whether or not the amyloid‐β protein (Aβ) peptide itself spontaneously generates free radicals using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy while also monitoring the aggregational state of Aβ and Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity. The present results demonstrated a four‐line spectrum in the presence of both Aβ40 and Aβ42 with Ntert‐butyl‐α‐phenylnitrone (PBN), but not in the presence of PBN alone in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). The fact that the four‐line spectrum obtained for the Aβ/PBN in PBS was completely abolished in the presence of the iron‐chelating agent Desferal demonstrated the observed four‐line spectrum to be iron‐dependent. The present study also revealed that either Aβ40 or Aβ42 with PBN in phosphate buffer (PB) did not produce any definite four‐line spectrum. Both a thioflavine‐T (Th‐T) fluorometric assay and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed the amyloid fibril formation of Aβ in PBS to be much higher than that of Aβ in PB. Moreover, Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity assays showed Aβ incubated in PBS to be more cytotoxic than that incubated in PB. These results thus suggest that Aβ‐associated free radical generation is strongly influenced by the aggregational state of the peptides.


a consensus regarding the need for Level I teaching of survival skills for newly diagnosed patients with insulindependent diabetes utilizing a simple Diabetes Nurse Coordinator and positive approach. According to The traditional role of diabetes educaDelcher and Berkowitz,2 Level I surtor has evolved into an advanced pracvival skills are defined as the core skills tice role of a diabetes nurse coordinaand knowledge base necessary for tor. The diabetes nurse coordinator is a


TIIE appcarance of bony deposits secondary to carcinoma of the breast is as a rule rcgarded by the surgeon as an indication that the disease has passed out of his province. The patients tend to drift to infirmaries, or to special homes for inoperable malignant disease, or are attended by their family doctors :it home until death supervenes. In any case, they are very often lost sight of by the surgeon unless he is connected with some such institution as the above. It was thcrcfore thought that an account of some of these patients would prove of value. The serirs here recorded consists of eighteen cases which have come under observation and


A new anchorage system is proposed having a circular bearing plate and curvature between the bearing plate and the anchor head to improve stress concentration. A lid with a screw instead of the grouting method is also proposed to prevent moisture penetration. The details of the anchorage device have been chosen to reduce stress concentration based on the finite element analysis. Static load test, load transfer test, and hydrostatic test of fabricated devices were carried out according to ETAG 013 to evaluate the proposed design. As results, the anchorage slip and stabilization satisfied the recommendations of ETAG 013. The maximum load in the load transfer test was at least 1.1 times the ultimate tendon strength. The results of the hydrostatic test showed that the developed anchorage device is watertight to protect against corrosion. As a result of bursting force test, it was confirmed that the proposed anchorage device has more advantages than the conventional rectangular anchorage devices in terms of stress distribution.


Provided is a flexible nano structure including dielectric particle supporters, a fabrication method thereof, and an application device thereof. The method for fabricating a flexible nano structure includes: forming a flexible substrate; forming a plurality of dielectric particle supporters with linkers bonded thereto over the flexible substrate; forming a plurality of metal ions over the linkers; and forming one or more metallic nanoparticles over to the linkers.


t would be naive to ignore how severely the systematic attacks of the Right since September 11 have stalled the critical project of the Left in deconstructing the current political moment. With much of the Left having abandoned its principled commitments and lined up, flags waving, in full support of the Bush administration's prosecution of the war, a reconstructive project has yet to begin. The decampment of the Left is so dire that the Nation recently proclaimed, without apology, the opinionating of fictional character Huey Freeman in the comic The Boondocks to be "the most biting and consistent critique of the war and its discontents in the nation's mass media."1 For months we have been bracing ourselves for the next degradation; "things will get worse before they get better" seemed to be the mantra of despair. This may still be so: With Bush's threatened expansion of the war beyond Afghanistan, U.S. antipathy toward the Geneva Conventions, and the continuing detention of Arabs, Muslims, and South Asians, the crisis shows no signs of abating. But it is in exactly this moment of nationalist, nativist, and militaristic excess that we might develop greater acuity not only in our critique of prevailing politics, but in the imagined alternatives. Decentering of September 11, as Judith Butler suggests,2 is important to understand the meaning and import of the terrorist attacks. But decentering requires not only that we expand our frame of reference to include the world before September 11, we must envision a desired world after September 11 as well.


Establishing connection with consumers or making existing communications more powerful is curcial to attain sustainability in today's branding world. Day by day competition is getting more fierce, and the variety of products in the market even for one simple need is extraordinary in range of span. Consequently, brand managers go through rough times lately, constantly looking for alternative ways to differentiate themselves from brands of competition such as focusing on different aspects such as strengthening their images, placing associations in consumer minds, and designing better positioning to differentiate themselves apart from their competitors. Since literature is scarce with respect to pinpointing the role of brand associations in attaining brand reputation, this chapter attempted provide an overview to pinpoint the relationship between brand associations and purchasing behavior and the effects of brand associations on consumer perception to emphasize the role of associations in acquiring brand reputation.


The causality of servitization success remains debatable, this study's primary objective is to explore whether, how, and when the dynamic capabilities affect servitization under digital economy background. This study also incorporated institutional theory, firm lifecycle theory, and environmental uncertainty as the contingency factors in the research framework. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is applied based on the data from 148 China-listed manufacturing firms that involved servitization from 2015 to 2020. The configurational solutions drawn by fsQCA indicate each factor could be an enabler for servitization success, despite none of one factor as the necessary condition.


Historical institutionalism, one of the important traditions employed in the discipline of comparative politics, has recently begun to be used in international relations. Historical institutionalism in international relations attributes a central role to history in the formation, change and transformation of institutions, as opposed to international institutional studies that were under the domination of rationalist theories during the Cold War and proceeding towards the rationalism-constructivism dilemma since the Cold War. However, since it is an emerging theory, historical institutionalism is often seen as a bridge between rationalist and constructivist approaches, or is attributed an auxiliary role where other theoretical approaches are not able to explain institutional developments. Taking this problem into consideration, Historical Institutionalism and International Relations aims to outline its own paradigm. The book consists of three parts, two of which are the introduction and conclusion, and the other is empirical chapters that examine change, stability and transformations of different international institutions.


Improve the new-type rural cooperative medical care system to effectively solve the farmers impoverished by hospitalization,illness issues into poverty once again to protect the health of the majority of farmers, related to rural economic development and social stability,social project to benefit thousands of families need to run at an early stage to obtain a certain performance based on the actual economic and social development,give full consideration to the needs of farmers will continue to explore the scientific policy of supply,in order to make the"golden"policy produces gold effect,Farmer-friendly policy produced the farmer-friendly effect.


Previous publications describe how residency candidates can prepare for postgraduate pharmacy training interviews. Just as important, but less discussed, are possible approaches program directors can employ to screen candidates for on-site interviews, especially for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) programs. The 2018 Residency Matching Program saw a 12.1% increase in PGY2 applicants, presenting challenges for candidates and program selection committees. "Soft" characteristics such as compatibility of goals, approaches, philosophies, and even personalities are difficult to identify during a brief real-time screening interview with traditional interview questions. In an effort to improve the process, we developed an alternative approach for interviews held at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting using questions provided to candidates by e-mail at the time of interview confirmation. Our primary goals were to gain an appreciation for the candidate by allowing a thoughtful and in-depth discussion of vital issues in a less stressful, transparent environment, and also to be able to more fully describe our programs' approach and philosophy. An example of the type of questions given to the candidates includes, "Explain what a career in advanced pharmacy practice means to you and the legacy you will leave behind." We were aware candidates may obtain help from colleagues and mentors during their preparations, but felt that considering the depth of the questions, insincere responses would be apparent. When asked about this alternative approach, candidates expressed gratitude for the genuine interest afforded to them as people and professionals. In addition, it effectively reinforced their desire to pursue a residency at the respective institution. As program directors, we were able to efficiently explore issues of program-resident compatibility while fostering a trusting environment representative of how we, as program directors, approach issues. The best decisions are informed decisions, and informed decisions are based on honest appraisals of important issues.


Various irrationalities that spring from the social structure of academic life make it difficult for sociologists and historians to enjoy full and up-to-date use of each other's findings. Stereotyped misconceptions of each other's methods persist. A new organ of communication, publishing fresh contributions in fields in which comparative study provers helpful and stimulating to all of us, could bypass the impediments.


Studies have shown that self-similar (fractal) processes are an accurate representation for the data traffic in today's high-speed networks. Network arrivals modeled as a Poisson process or a compound Poisson process, though presenting analytical simplicity, do not capture the scale-invariant property of data traffic. The packet inter-arrival distribution clearly differs from the exponential form being assumed and this affects buffer sizing. This paper shows through simulation studies of how the buffer overflow probability can be estimated when the arrivals are generated using a heavy-tailed distribution. A G/D/1/B queue, with a general distribution type input process, deterministic service process, single server system and buffer size B, is assumed.


TRANSPIRATION is so important and conspicuous a function of ordinary land plants that the number of papers dealing with it, as a whole or in part, sufficed already a decade ago to justify the compilation of "the materials for a monograph." No contributor to this literature can have failed to feel the need of some device by which he could record the plant's loss of water, with such ease and accuracy as various auxanometers, for instance, make possible for its growth. Several contrivances for this work have been described, and a few have been put to actual use by their inventors; but none has as yet been well enough adapted to the purpose to bring it into general use, or make it any standard part of laboratory equipment. Pfeffer: refers for such apparatus to papers by Vesque, Eder, Krutizky, Marey, and Anderson. Eder2 measured only the absorption of water. A tracer fastened to a cork floating in a burette from which the water is drawn makes the absorption selfregistering. The apparatus used for investigation by Vesque3 was not self-registering, but was simply a glass siphon with the shoot being tested in one end, and filled to a given point in the other arm with water, and weighed; after a time it was reweighed, showing the weight of water transpired, and filled to the original level and weighed, showing the weight absorbed. Absorption and transpiration are not necessarily equivalent, for any given time-interval. Krutizky's4 apparatus consisted of a siphon into ' Pflanzenphysiologie i: 224. I897. [Ed. 2.]


Sulfonylurea‐related hypoglycemia increases the risk of cardiovascular sequela, such as cardiac arrhythmia. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the duration of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients treated with sulfonylureas.


Ferromagnetic materials such as nickel, iron, or cobalt lose the electron alignment that makes them attracted to a magnet when sufficient thermal energy is added. The temperature at which this change occurs is called the "Curie temperature," or "Curie point." Nickel has a Curie point of 627 K, so a candle flame is a sufficient heat source. A simple but elegant device illustrates this phenomenon beautifully.


Purpose: The condition of the vehicle depends upon its maintenance. If there is a need of maintenance of a vehicle, then an optimum vehicle maintenance system is needed. This aims to develop a system for Vehicle Maintenance to facilitate the vehicle service through online access which is easy to use, simple, quick, and savvy.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This venture is a basic web application for a vehicle fix/administration shop or business. It deals with the provision of user request through user's information, location details, service details, etc. The main function of the system is to facilitate users through the best service with both pickup and drop off facilities. This task has a Public Module and Administrator Module using PHP Programming Language, Java Script, HTML, Bootstraps, and MySQL.
Findings/Result: The administrator module is the side of the task where could the administration at any point deal with every one of the information recorded/can't avoid being recorded on the framework. Here, the administrator has full command over the framework including mechanics and administration expansion. Just the administrator can add information into the data set. The information can be recovered without any problem. The client can present their administration demand at this side and the submitted solicitation will be set apart as forthcoming. This undertaking can assist with decreasing the time consumed by the two closures (The board and Clients) as far as dealing with their administration demands.
Originality/Value: An online system of maintenance with optimal time and minimized cost with the centralization data set has been developed to solve real-life problems.
Paper Type: Research paper


Travertines are calcareous deposits that result from water stream saturation in bicarbonate; they are extremely sensitive to environmental variations. Homeostatic conditions, such as a good development of vegetation and regular river flow, induce the formation of homogenous travertine facies enclosing plant imprints. Significant climatic changes and/or human perturbations may disturb the carbonate deposit favouring an increase in detrital material often rich in charcoal remains. Travertine systems located in the Queyras Massif (Aigue Agnelle and Peynin valley) provided abundant charcoal material; its analysis allowed us to identify five vegetation phases between c. 8400 and 1709 cal. yr BP, and to ascertain Holocene vegetation responses to fire perturbation. An ecological dynamic based on forestfire events is proposed. During periods of reduced fire frequencies (long-term fire cycle), Pinus cembra dominated the Queyras Massif vegetation. The predominance of travertine facies during these phases corroborates this interpretation. Periods of increased fire frequency triggered the development of Larix decidua/Picea abies (short-term fire cycle). This vegetation change was concomitant with the deposition of thick detrital layers resulting from slope erosion, as a consequence of recurrent fire perturbations. The permanent settlement in this region of human communities since c. 4400 cal yr BP favoured the development of Larix decidua/Picea abies. Finally, our results suggest that the collapse of agropastoral activities since AD 1950 might progressively lead to the regeneration of Pinus cembra.


Dynamic performance is an important index for three-phase dual active bridge (3p-DAB) DC-DC converters under the conditions of source voltage variance and load resistance step up/down. To enhance the dynamic response of output voltage tracking for 3p-DAB, a novel nonlinear controller, which is combined with the proportional plus derivative (PD) controller and the adaptive linear neuron (Adaline), is proposed in this article. Firstly, a sliding-mode-learning strategy is presented for the Adaline to improve the robustness of adaptive learning. Meanwhile, the output of the Adaline is added to the output of PD controller for ensuring an outstanding dynamic response of output voltage with less overshoot. Furthermore, a comparison with the PI controller based on phase shift modulation is implemented by simulation tool to confirm the theoretical analysis and validity of the proposed control scheme. Finally, experimental comparison results on a laboratory prototype are given to further validate the comparison results and the practical effectiveness of the designed nonlinear controller.


Because of the potential to do harm, paediatric dispensing is a key skill and core competency for all dispensing opticians and optometrists – especially those that supervise others and 'sign off' children's spectacles dispensing. Here Tina Arbon Black and Peter Black cover the essentials of the art, science and legalities of dispensing to children.


This chapter is an overview of modern research attempts to optimize the thermomechanical properties of bacterial polyester-based nat- ural fiber composites. The composite materials containing natural fibers and bacterial polyesters, either as individual biopolymers or biopolymer blends, suffer from low-grade fiber-matrix adhesion, pullout under low stress, and generally poor mechanical properties due to brittleness of bacterial poly- esters. Furthermore, the nominal processing temperatures of 180°C and above have been found to thermally degrade the bacterial polyesters and rapidly reduce their mechanical properties. The art of improving the quality of natural fibers by chemical treatments, in conjunction with the appropriate choice of additives to enhance the fiber-matrix adhesion and to provide flex- ibility into the initially brittle composite, produced the biocomposites hav- ing enhanced stiffness up to 145% and reduced their processing temperature down to 168°C. The chapter discusses that the outstanding improvements of


The trend of time-shifted viewing worries television networks and advertisers, as time-shifting viewers often fast-forward through commercials, resulting in lower advertising impact. The present research tests an alternative solution to this problem by augmenting fast-forwarded commercials with brand logos placed in the center of the screen. We tested the potential of augmented fast-forwarding in an experiment in which participants watched a television show interrupted by a commercial break using three experimental conditions: commercials played at regular speed, at fast-forwarded speed, or at fast-forwarded speed but enriched with logos. Advertising impact was measured during the commercial break (using eye-tracking glasses), right after the TV show (brand recognition), and the day after the TV show (day after brand recognition). Interestingly, the results showed that augmented fast-forwarding performed equally well as regular-speed viewing on two out of three advertising impact measures.


A system's operational life cycle now includes an integrated health management and diagnostic strategy due to improvements in the current technology. It is evident that the life cycle may be used to identify abnormalities, analyze failures, and forecast future conditions based on current data. Data models can be trained using machine learning and statistical ideas, employing condition data and on-site feedback. Once data models are trained, the data-processing logic can be integrated into onboard controllers, allowing for real-time health evaluation and analysis. Interestingly, the oil and gas industries may encounter numerous obstacles and hurdles as a result of the integration, highlighting the need for creative solutions to the perplexing problem. The potential benefits in terms of challenges involving feature extraction and data classification, machine learning has received significant research attention recently. The application and utility in pump system health management should be investigated to explore the extend it can be used to increase overall system resilience or identify potential financial advantages for maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. This is seen as an evolving research area, with a variety of application domains. This article present a critical analysis of machine learning's most current advances in the field of artificial intelligence-based system health management, specifically in terms of pump applications in the oil and gas industries. To further understand its potential, various algorithms and related theories are examined. Based on the examined studies, machine learning shows potential for prognostics and defect diagnosis. There are, few drawbacks that is seen to be preventing its widespread adoption which prompt for further improvement. The article discussed possible solutions to the identified drawbacks and future opportunities presented. This study further elaborates on the commonly available commercial machine learning (ML) tools used for pump fault prognostics and diagnostics with an emphasis on the type of data utilized. Findings from the literature review shows that the neural network (NN) is the most prevalent algorithm employed in studies, followed by the Bayesian network (BN), support vector machine (SVM), and hybrid models. While the need for selecting appropriate training algorithms is seen to be significant. Interestingly, no specific method or algorithm exists for a given problem instead the solution relies on the type of data and the algorithm's or method's aptitude for resolving the provided errors. Among the various research studies on pump fault diagnosis and prognosis, the most frequently discussed problem is a bearing fault, with a percentage of 46%, followed by cavitation. The studies rank seal damage as the third most prevalent flaw. Leakage and obstruction are the least studied defects in research. The main data types used in machine learning techniques for diagnosing pump faults are vibration and flow, which might not be sufficient to identify the condition of pumps and their characteristics. The various datasets have been derived from expert opinion, real-world observations, laboratory tests, and computer simulations. Field data have frequently been used to create experimental datasets and simulated data. In comparison to the algorithmic approach, the data approach has not received significant research attention.


Objective To assess application value of adult heart ultrasonic probe in diagnosis of fetal congenital heart diseases.Methods The ultrasonic images of 19 fetus with congenital heart diseases were analyzed,and they were detected by prenatal ultrasound,re-examined by ultrasound after parturition,and confirmed by fetal autopsy.Results①There were 14 cases of complicated fetal congenital heart diseases(73.6%,14/19),including complete endocardial cushion defect,transposition of the great arteries,single atrium,single ventricle,double outlet of right ventricle,hypoplastic right heart syndrome,straitness or atresia of valve, truncus arteriosus persistens and tetralogy of Fallot.②There were 4 cases of simple ventricular septal defect(VSD).③There was 1 case of atrial septal aneurysm expansion with atrial septal defects(ASD).Conclusion Adult heart ultrasonic probe can be used in diagnosis of fetal cardiac diseases,it can clearly display blood flow signals of heart and great blood vessel,and also can improve the detection rate of fetal cardiovascular abnormality.


In order to understand the thermodynamic properties and structural geometry of NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O, we studied the magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and static NMR as a function of temperature. The changes of the chemical shifts, linewidths, resonance frequencies, and spin–lattice relaxation times for 1H, 14N, and 27Al nuclei near Td (=335 K), which is interpreted as the onset of partial thermal decomposition, are due to the structural phase transition. The changes near Td are related to the loss of H2O, which probably disrupts the forms of the octahedra of water molecules surrounding NH4+ and Al3+ ions. This mechanism above Td is related to hydrogen-bond transfer involving the breakage of the weak part of the hydrogen bond.


Background: Black and minority ethnic (BME) men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a group at high risk of HIV/STI acquisition. Commissioned by Public Health England (PHE), this is the first evaluation to examine the efficacy of behavioural change health interventions targeting BME MSM in the UK. The evaluated interventions were delivered by three organisations – NAZ, The Quest, and GMI Partnership. The aim of these interventions was to promote psychological wellbeing and positive sexual health behaviours.

Method: A mixed methods approach was employed to assess the efficacy of the interventions. The quantitative evaluation tool consisting of 9 measures of key variables was administered to 71 individuals before and after their participation in the interventions. T-test analyses tested for changes between pre- and post-measures. The qualitative component consisted of 5 qualitative focus groups with participants. Qualitative thematic analysis explored the overarching patterns in participants' reported wellbeing and sexual health behaviours.

Findings: There were improvements to psychological wellbeing (p<0.05), identity authenticity (p<0.05) and attitudes towards alcohol use (p<0.05). These variables have been linked to sexual risk-taking behaviours. There was little evidence that the interventions produced measurable changes to current or intended engagement in sexual behaviours, although two of the interventions did lead to decreased engagement in chemsex.

Discussion: Quantitative and qualitative data suggest improvements in psychological wellbeing and related constructs. We recommend further follow-up research to determine potential long-term effects. Future interventions should focus on a culturally sensitive approach and on helping participants to develop skills for adopting healthier behaviours.


The Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo method of Panagiotopoulos is extended to calculations of solid−vapor coexistence curves. As in the original Gibbs ensemble method, the new technique makes use of two simulation boxes that are in thermodynamic contact. However, the box that contains the solid phase is elongated along one axis and contains only a slab of solid material surrounded on both sides by vapor. Aggregation-volume-bias Monte Carlo moves are used to sample transfers from the solid to the vapor and vice versa in this box, whereas the usual particle swap moves are applied to transfers between the solid−vapor box and the other box that contains a bulk vapor phase. Volume moves for the solid−vapor box use separate displacements of individual cell lengths or of individual H-matrix elements. As one approaches the triple-point temperature from below, increased disorder at the solid−vapor interface is observed, and once the triple-point temperature is exceeded, the entire solid slab converts to a liquid. The us...


The paper aims at exploring the co-evolutionary dynamics of two populations of firms that are interacting through vertical relationships using an original simulation model. Supplier-user interactions govern the R&D decisions of firms offering the product for sale, but also the requirement levels to which the industrial clients can pretend. This explicit modelling of supplier-user interactions comes to an endogenous determination of the attributes of the product. The objective is to examine the promoting or inhibiting effect of particular demand configuration on the patterns of innovation performed by suppliers in the industry. A significant application of this modelling in the question of environmental protection enables us to analyse the adaptation of the supply by firms facing a demand of environmental quality (regulation of polluting emissions, green pressure groups, etc.). We show different scenarios of market structures that emerge in the long run with different implications in terms of environmental and economic performances.


The adsorption of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces is studied with density‐functional theory. The role of the molecular side groups as well as the surface morphology in determining the adsorption geometry are explored in detail. Flat‐laying NHCs, as observed experimentally for NHC with relatively small side groups, result from the adsorption at adatoms and give rise to the so‐called ballbot configurations, which are more stable than adsorption on flat surfaces and provide an efficient precursor for the formation of bis(NHC) dimers. On Au(111), the resulting (NHC)2Au complexes are purely physisorbed and thus mobile. On the more reactive Cu(111), in contrast, the central Cu atom in the (NHC)2Cu dimer is still covalently bound to the surface, resulting in a mobility, which has to be thermally activated.


Context: Emergency contraception (EC) which is a global challenge today is unique in its use among modern contraceptive methods. It is a drug or device to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Unlike other regular methods of contraception which are taken prior to the sexual act, EC is used after the unprotected sex, preferably within 72 hrs. Aim: This study is mainly done to assess the knowledge and attitude toward use of emergency contraceptives among final MBBS part I/ II medical students and house-surgeons in a tribal based medical college (RIMS) Adilabad . Study design and format: A questionnaire based study was conducted among all the final MBBS part I/II undergraduate medical students and house-surgeons of the RIMS  Medical College in district Adilabad, Telangana state. Methods: A questionnaire seeking information on knowledge of undergraduate medical students was done over a period of 6 weeks in the month of November and December 2016, which included questions like: Q1.Drugs used for EC. Q2.Conditions when EC given. Q3.timing of use of EC….etc Results: In this study of 300 students, about 32% (96/300) of the participants were male and 68% (204/100) were females. About 62% (186/300) students were aware about the timing of use of EC.  Visual media was the most common source of information about EC for these medical students. Conclusions: As EC have become a global challenge today, the lack of appropriate in-depth knowledge of EC among future health care professional should alarm the medical teaching system as EC is the only method that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure .A well co-ordinate training program should be conducted for all the other health care providers also.


RFID, radio frequency identification, is an automatic identification technology which identifies individual physical objects according to the unique IDs recorded by the RF tags attached on these objects. On the other hand, real-space objects often form a group. With RFID, we want to not only identify individual objects but also verify the integrity of the group of objects. In existing RFID systems, this "group verification" is done by looking up the list of grouped objects after the individual identification. This method requires some network connectivity to share the list of grouped objects and cannot be applied in the off-line environment. Against this problem, this thesis proposes the "group coding" of RF tags, which can check the integrity of the group in the off-line environment with writing the group related information into the memory of grouped RF tags. In addition, when some RF tags are missing from the group, the group coding can determine the information of RF tags missing from the group, the number of missing RF tags or the unique IDs of missing RF tags. Numerical simulation reveals that the determination of the number of missing RF tags can be done against 10 RF tags out of 20 RF tags within 0.5% error rate with writing 96-bit group related information into each RF tag's memory. It is also revealed that the determination of the unique IDs can be done against 64 missing RF tags out of 100 within 0.5% error rate with writing 840-bit group related information into each RF tag's memory. The validity of the theory and the numerical simulation is confirmed by the experimental evaluation using the implementation of the group coding on the commercial UHF-band RFID interrogator.


The aim of this research is to identify characteristics of Pekalongan city  as priority zone. Those characteristics are high growth and high income, leading sector, and interrelatedness economy with other region. For this purpose, it's used by analysis tool : Klassen Tipology, Location Quotient ( LQ ), Growth Ratio Model (GRM), Overlay, Shift Share, and Gravity Model. The results show that Pekalongan city in the classify low growth and high income region. By using LQ analysis that in Pekalongan City there are almost all sectors in Pekalongan City are leading sectors, except agriculture sector and industry sector, but by using overlay and shift share analys show those true sectors have competitive advantage and specialize two sectors only, they are trading sector and finance sector. By using gravity model to describe there are belong to related fervent by closeness trend increasing expanded as miter cooperate in area developing, they are Batang Regency and Pekalongan Regency. By all account have done. They can be taken conclusion that's decisioned Pekalongan city as Region key or less appropriate. Although if were observerd by some leading sector or there are related economy among decision area Pekalongan City it's appropriate. Keywors: Priority zone, Klassen Tipology, Overlay, Gravity Model


This paper reports the presence of extended-range ordering in the atomic pair-correlation function of amorphous silicon (a-Si) using ultra-large atomistic models obtained from Monte Carlo and molecular-dynamics simulations. The extended-range order manifests itself in the form of radial oscillations, on the length scale of 20–40 Å, which are examined by directly analyzing the radial distribution of atoms in distant coordination shells and comparing the same with those from a class of partially-ordered networks of Si atoms and disordered configurations of crystalline silicon from an information-theoretic point of view. The study suggests that the extended-range radial oscillations principally originate from the propagation of radial ordering from the first few atomic shells to a distance of up to 40 Å. The effect of these oscillations on the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in the structure factor is addressed by obtaining a semi-analytical expression for the static structure factor of a-Si, and calculating an estimate of the error of the intensity of the FSDP associated with the truncation of radial information from distant shells. The results indicate that the extended-range oscillations do not have any noticeable effects on the position and intensity of the FSDP, which are primarily determined by the medium-range atomic correlations of up to a length of 20 Å in amorphous silicon.


+ c(y) = u in Ω× (0, T ), assuming that the solution of an associated boundary value problem is known at the terminal time, y(x, T ), over a (probably small) subset of Ω, for each source term u. Our work can be divided into two parts. Firstly, the uniqueness of A,~b and c is proved under appropriate assumptions. Secondly, we consider a finite-dimensional optimization problem that allows for the reconstruction of the nonlinearities. Some numerical results in the one-dimensional case are presented, even in the case of noisy data.


This chapter highlights the extent to which the WEF security nexus can serve as an effective analytical framework in support of sustainable development in the Arab region. The nexus approach enables broad analysis taking into account security and a human rights-based approach to development from an integrated perspective. It makes it possible to look at synergies, the use of appropriate technologies and issues such as climate change, population growth and urbanization, changes in production and consumption patterns, and ecosystem degradation.


Metal substrates (steel and galvanised steel) have been coated with organic coatings and immersed in NaCl solution for several days to initiate corrosion. The development of corrosion cells, accompanied by blistering and cathodic disbonding, was monitored by periodically removing samples for SAM examination (immersed in distilled water) and plotting of potential maps using the SKP in air. Semi-quantitative analysis of potential maps has been used to locate the main sites of anodic and cathodic activity and estimate local current densities. The work focuses on the formation of an aqueous interphase between the coating and the metal and the contribution of currents within this layer to coating breakdown and the onset of corrosion. When an iron-zinc bi-electrode coated with poly-vinyl butyral was removed from the solution, the galvanic current between the two electrodes (measured by a zero-resistance ammeter) was immediately reduced, but not to zero – demonstrating the existence of current flow both through the coating and via an alternative pathway. It is clear that ion migration to the interface is a key element in coating failure by this mechanism: without ions water cannot accumulate at the interface, because osmosis would draw it away into the exterior salt solution. Thus ionic permeability remains an important factor controlling coating performance. Tests on the bi-electrode allowed the variation in coating impedance to be measured individually for the anode and cathode – this shows that the high resistance above the cathode controls current flowing in the through-coating pathway. The effect of salt concentration on these impedances was also investigated.


The analysis of the Russian MICEX index dynamics since 2005 to 2012 is conducted in the article. The model of the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity is chosen as the analysis instrument. In addition to the quantitative analysis the basic political and economic events and their relation to the volatility fluctuations are considered.


The tourism industry is the driving force behind the province of Bali's economic growth. Tourism development, on the other hand, is still concentrated in southern Bali. This leads to economic inequity in Bali's province. Sulangai Village is one of the villages in Badung Regency, Bali Province, that has begun to build its economy by using ecotourism as a means of improving its people's economic situation. However, many people in Sulangai Village continue to rely only on agriculture as a source of income due to the village's limited tourism opportunities. Village development must also be backed up with a reliable source of village income. To be able to create the economy from the smallest level, namely the family, various strata of the village community must be empowered. This will be attempted to be implemented in the form of community-based science and technology service activities. The village administration of Sulangai plays an essential role since, as a result of local autonomy, the village is no longer the aim of development but the development itself. As a result, the activity's goal is to stress community empowerment by teaching the concept of a creative economy based on environmental sustainability. This activity plan will also include plans for the creation of Village-Owned Enterprises and cooperatives as a way for locals to put their empowerment into action and become a driving force in Sulangai Village's economy. Then, in order for this action to have a substantial influence, it is required to examine the Village Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMDes) and have it implemented in the following year's village revenue and spending budget.


To investigate the method for evaluating complex systems, and the operator for aggregating weighted linguistic information, based on fuzzy sets theory, a PLOWA operator was presented to extend the application of LOWA operator, and a new transform function to aggregate weighted linguistic information was defined. The fuzzy AHP method based on PLOWA operator can process natural language directly, and its execution is mush more intuitive and effective than traditional fuzzy multiple attribute decision making methods.


Formulas are derived for moments of the number of refused customers in a busy period for the M/GI/1/n and the GI/M/1/n queueing systems. As an interesting special case for the M/GI/1/n system, we note that the mean number is 1 when the mean interarrival time equals the mean service time. This provides a more direct argument for a result given in Abramov [1].


Gait recognition refers to automatic identification of an individual based on his/her style of walking,which is a new biometrics recognition technology.This paper attempts to describe gait contour by using the distance between the contour centroid and the pixels on the edge,to make quasi-periodic analysis on height and width ratio of gait image,and to solve the problems resulting from image sequence of different gait cycle by HMM.By utilizing the algorithm in the paper,the experiments with CMU database have achieved comparatively high correction identification ratio.


ABSTRACT There has been a resurgence of interest in the construction of large dams worldwide. This study examined many dams from around the world (>10,000) and compared them to a comprehensive dataset developed for Australia (224) to provide insights that might otherwise not be apparent from examining just one or several dams. The dam datasets (ICOLD and ANCOLD) largely confirm existing narratives on Australian dam construction. Compared to dams from Rest of the World (RoW), Australian dams were found to: have larger reservoir capacities and spillway capacities for a given catchment area; have higher dam walls for a given capacity; and result in higher degrees of river regulation. A range of general relationships among reservoir capacities, reservoir surface areas, and catchment areas are presented which can be used in reconnaissance or pre-feasibility studies and for global hydrologic modelling when dam and reservoir information are required as input.


In this paper, based on the Markowitz's portfolio investment model, under the expection_semivariance risk measure, some studies pointing to portfolio optimization are made. A modified Γ_distribution is put forward to describe the yield of stock, and a method for determining the parameters is presented. According to the material case of securities investment funds in China, a new model of portfolio investment is developed, providing a way for institution investors such as securities investment funds to account for great decision_making of securities investment.Key works: securities investment funds; portfolio; expection_semivariance; modified Γ_distribution; transaction cost


Objective The study was designed to evaluate the inter- and intra-atrial conduction disturbance in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.Methods Seventy eight patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 80 patients undergoing radiofrequency therapy without history of atrial fibrillation were enrolled into this study. Catheters were placed at the high right atrium, His bundle and coronary sinus for both pacing and recording. S 1S 2 program stimulation was performed at high right atrium with a driving cycle length of 500 ms and scanned from 450 ms to the effective refractory period of the atrium with a step length of -10 ms. S 1-A HB and S 1-A CSd intervals as well as atrial effective refractory period were recorded. Results During baseline atrium pacing rhythms, the S 1-A HB intervals were(56.7±15.4) ms and(60.8±14.2) ms while S 1-A CSd intervals were(110.2±24.3) ms and (107.5±25.6) ms in atrial fibrillation group and control group respectively, there was no statistically significant difference. S 1-A HB intervals prolonged more than one time were found in15 patients in the atrial fibrillation group whereas 11 in the control group. S 1-A CSd intervals doubled or more in 13 and 9 patients respectively in the two groups, there was no significant difference. The mean effective refractory periods of the atriums were(218.0±28.2) ms and(216.0±24.7) ms respectively, there was still no significan difference.Conclusion Most atrial fibrillation patients have no obvious intra- and inter-atrial conduction delay, and the intra-and inter-atrial conduction delay is not specific for the atrial fibrillation, nor is the shortening of the effective refractory period of the atrium. The role of intra-and inter-atrial conduction delay and the shortening of the effective refractory period in atrial fibrillation remain controversial.


All size panel supporting apparatus of a worktable for the display panel inspection apparatus which is used to inspect whether the fault of the display panel exists is provided to increase the utility of the work space and inspect the display panel of various size and inspect the display panel. A base plate(900) comprises a hollow in inside. A fix block fixes the axis of abscissas of the base plate and four edge of the display panel which it inspects while being moved the y-axis. An x-axis movement module moves the fix block the axis of abscissas. The y-axis movable module moves the fix block of the y-axis.


A problem involved in emergency decision-making and many city management works is to evaluate the population within some given urban areas at a random time.The unknown spatial areas and evaluation time which constitute two fundamental uncertainty features of the problem bring great difficulty for its solution.Following the overall disciplines presented in daily traveling of urban residents,we know that people basically arrange their activities around various city buildings.Another explanation for the phenomenon is residents travel between buildings because they are attracted by the functions of them.So,in this paper,a method is developed to evaluate the static population inside a given area,which uses the data of buildings for habitation and average housing floorage per urban resident according to statistics.While another step must be done for assess the dynamic population,which is to confirm the population attracted by each type of building at any time.Two new indices are introduced: building correction coefficient and building attraction rate.The former refers to the ratio of average accommodated people between other building types and residential building.A rated accommodation people for each type of buildings can be achieved using the index.The latter is the ratio of real accommodation people to rated one.Here we divide the work day or break day all into seven periods according to the general time distribution of residents' traveling activities,and confirm a building type category by reference to one used in the occurrence rate investigation of city transportation.The two indices are estimated using the traveling investigation data of residents and vehicles.Then the dynamic population is drawn based on the proposed method.A case of chemical emergency in Beijing is imagined to demonstrate the application of the method and the issues concerned with parameter fixing that is the key to the method is discussed.


Frequency and pattern of external stigmata of conjunctive tissue's dysplasia and their correlation with echocardiographic changes of small heart anomalies were studied in young men aged 20-24. 272 students of Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy were examined. High prevalence of small heart anomalies was revealed at this group. Among external stigmata joints hyper mobility syndrome and thorax infundibuliform deformation were prevailed. Th e most oft en were mitral valve prolapse and abnormal located chorda. Correlation among external sings of dysmorphogenesis and echocardiographic manifestations of small heart anomalies syndrome was established.


www.stsc.hill.af.mil 23 W I first started programming, it never occurred to me to think about the size of the software I was developing. This was true for several reasons. First of all, when I first learned to program, software had a tactile quality through the deck of punched cards required to run a program. If I wanted to size the software, there was something I could touch, feel, or eyeball to get a sense of how much there was. Secondly, I had no real reason to care how much code I was writing; I just kept writing until I got the desired results and then moved on to the next challenge. Finally, as an engineering student, I was expected to learn how to program but was never taught to appreciate the fact that developing software was an engineering discipline. The idea of size being a characteristic of software was foreign to me—what did it really mean and what was the context? And why would anyone care? Now, 25 years later, if you Google the phrase software size you will get more than 100,000 hits. Clearly, there is a reason to care about software size and there are lots of people out there worrying about it. And still, I am left to wonder: What does it really mean and what is the context? And why does anyone care? It turns out that there are several very good reasons for wanting to measure software size. Software size can be an important component of a productivity computation, a cost or effort estimate, or a quality analysis. More importantly, a good software size measure could conceivably lead to a better understanding of the value being delivered by a software application. The problem is that there is no agreement among professionals as to the right units for measuring software size or the right way to measure within selected units. This article examines the various approaches used to measure software size as the discipline of software engineering evolved throughout the last 25 years. It focuses on reasons why these approaches were attempted, the technological or human factors that were in play, and the degree of success achieved in the use of each approach. Finally, it addresses some of the reasons why the software engineering community is still searching for the right way to measure software size.


The regularities of radical copolymerization of dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) or dodecyl acrylate (DA) with a new cationic monomer - N-(dibutylaminomethyl) methacrylamide (DBAMMA) in toluene solutions were determined. The copolymers formed at low conversions in the DMA-DBAMMA system are enriched in ether units, and in the DA-DBAMMA system - in aminoamide units. The relative activities of comonomers determined by the Feineman-Ross and Kehlen-Tudosh methods in the first case were 1.56-1.60 (DMA) and 0.87-0.89 (DBAMMA), in the second case - 0.53-0.64 (DA) and 0.80-0.90 (DBAMMA).


The paper presents a strategy for mitigation of SETs on a data path using three-clock input TMR (Triple Modular Redundancy) flip-flop cells (ϕTMR approach) as an alternative to the widely used TMR approach with local delay filtering (ΔTMR). The proposed flow enables the use of the common clock tree skewing techniques and is fully compatible with the standard digital design flow. The ϕTMR architecture is presented, and a shift-register test circuit is implemented in 130nm BiCMOS technology to compare the ϕTMR with the ΔTMR. Obtained results have shown that the ϕTMR approach results in power savings of 25% compared to ΔTMR. Furthermore, the robustness is increased by reducing the peak currents about 60% for the clock network, and 20% for the total current when ϕTMR is selected.


The data obtained by authors has allowed to assume the existence of possibility to differentiate tumoral process by the criterion of tissue decay in order to authentically calculate the force and depth of cytostatic influence on the tumoral tissue, especially on its RNA.


An inherited disturbance in egg polarity has been observed in Drosophila melanogaster. The bicaudal abnormal embryos develop the terminal segments of a second larval abdomen in mirror-image symmetry to the terminal segments of the normal abdomen. The two abdomens may be symmetrical with four or five segments at each end of the egg or have more abdominal segments at the normal posterior end than at the reversed end. The reversed posterior ends appear to have normal spiracles, hindgut and Malpighian tubules. The bicaudal embryos and two other specific lethal types associated with them are produced in very low frequency. The production of these lethals is associated with an unmarked second chromosome, which has been carried in three separate inbred lines in combination with a Curly, Lobe, speck balancer chromosome. Flies homozygous for the chromosome and flies heterozygous for this chromosome and a second chromosome containing a deficiency at the vestigial locus can produce the syndrome. Reciprocal crosses, of flies of a genotype which can produce the syndrome with flies which do not, have shown that the maternal genotype is the controlling factor in the production of the abnormalities.


This article contends that it is time to take a critical look at a series of binary categories which have dominated the scholarly and reform epistemologies of the sentencing decision process. These binaries are: rules versus discretion; reason versus emotion; offence versus offender; normative principles versus incoherence; aggravating versus mitigating factors; and aggregate/tariff consistency versus individualized sentencing. These binaries underpin both the 'legal-rational' tradition (by which I mean a view of discretion as inherently suspect, a preference for the use of philosophy of punishment justifications and an explanation of the decision process through factors or variables), and also the more recent rise of the 'new penology'. Both approaches tend to rely on 'top-down' assumptions of change, which pay limited attention to the agency of penal workers. The article seeks to develop a conception of sentencing craftwork as a social and interpretive process.1 In so doing, it applies and develops a number of Kritzer's observations (in this issue) about craftwork to sentencing. These craftwork observations are: problem solving (applied to the rules–discretion and reason–emotion dichotomies); skills and techniques (normative penal principles and the use of cognitive analytical assumptions); consistency (tariff versus individualized sentencing); clientele (applied to account giving and the reality of decision making versus expression). By conceiving of sentencing as craftwork, the binary epistemologies of the sentencing decision process, which have dominated (and limited) the scholarly and policy sentencing imaginations, are revealed as dynamic, contingent, and synergistic. However, this is not to say that such binaries are no more than empty rhetoric concealing the reality of the decision process. Rather, these binaries serve as crucial legitimating reference points in the vocabulary of sentencing account giving. SOCIAL & LEGAL STUDIES Copyright © 2007 SAGE Publications Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore, www.sagepublications.com 0964 6639, Vol. 16(3), 425–447 DOI: 10.1177/0964663907079767 © 2007 SAGE Publications. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use or unauthorized distribution. at University of Strathclyde Library on August 22, 2007 http://sls.sagepub.com Downloaded from


In recent years, the nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles have been used successfully for the degradation of hydrocarboncompounds and remediation of other pollutants. Nevertheless, as far as we know, there is no specific study on the improvement of thegeotechnical properties of contaminated soils with hydrocarbon compounds by NZVI. This study used NZVI particles to remove gasoil in a clayey soil and determined the effects of NZVI on Atterberg limits, compaction properties, and shear strength parameters of thesoil. In order to determine the optimal reaction time and NZVI dosage, the total organic carbon (TOC) of a contaminated soil with 9%of gas oil was measured. The experimental data showed that the optimum reaction time and NZVI dosage were 24 days and 5%,respectively. Then, the contaminated samples were prepared by mixing the soil with gas oil in the amount of 0, 3, 6, and 9% by dryweight. The results showed a decrease in the friction angle (φ) and an increase in the cohesion (C). Maximum dry density and optimummoisture content of the soil decreased due to the contamination. In addition, an increase in liquid limit (LL) and plastic limit (PL) wereobserved. Finally, all contaminated specimens were mixed with 5% of NZVI. After 24 days, an increase was seen in the friction angle,cohesion, maximum dry density, and optimum water content. LL and PL of the soil decreased after the treatment


In pace with reform of commercial bank going on deep,especially since 2005,commercial bank is facing a more and more serious problem of excess liquidity.In this article,countermeasures of preventing and solving excess liquidity will be proposed on the basis of analyzing its cause and effect.


Literature is colored with gender studies that emphasize female struggle through social construction. The understandings widen from equalities between male and female to how woman should define her self-identity. Identity through gender is not static at all, but dynamic through its process as examined by Judith Butler through her concept of gender performativity. A Respectable Woman is Kate Chopin's short story that tells Mrs. Baroda who is disturbed with the presence of her husband's friend, Gouvernail, at her home. She is tempted by him but she realizes that and leaves home. She returns home and speaks to her husband, Gaston that she has made up her mind and be ready if his friend will stay over again. Then, how is gender performativity asserted on Kate Chopin's A Respectable Woman? Through qualitative method on cultural studies, this writing underlines the wife's firm state for not being tempted as her own self-definition. It becomes usual for a woman to fall to other man, but the wife thinks differently. She is aware of being tempted and she avoids it. Her identity is not defined by common ideas or dictated by male dominations. She is herself with her own determination by being so earnest. In conclusion, the wife's resolution to step back, to think, and to return to her husband is her approach to define her identity. This is in line with gender performativity that is stated in line with Chopin's focus on female subjectivity.


Studies investigating the cumulative incidence of and immune status against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection provide valuable information for shaping public health decision‐making. A cross‐sectional study on 935 participants, conducted in the Valencian Community (VC), measuring anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2‐receptor binding domain‐RBD‐total antibodies and anti‐Nucleocapsid (N)‐IgGs via electrochemiluminescence assays. Quantitation of neutralizing antibodies (NtAb) against ancestral and Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants and enumeration of SARS‐CoV‐2‐S specific‐IFNγ‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was performed in 100 and 137 participants, respectively. The weighted cumulative incidence was 51.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 48.7–55.1) and was inversely related to age. Anti‐RBD total antibodies were detected in 97% of participants; vaccinated and SARS‐CoV‐2‐experienced (VAC‐ex; n = 442) presented higher levels (p < 0.001) than vaccinated/naïve (VAC‐n; n = 472) and nonvaccinated/experienced (UNVAC‐ex; n = 63) subjects. Antibody levels correlated inversely with time elapsed since last vaccine dose in VAC‐n (Rho, −0.52; p < 0.001) but not in VAC‐ex (rho −0.02; p = 0.57). Heterologous booster shots resulted in increased anti‐RBD antibody levels compared with homologous schedules in VAC‐n, but not in VAC‐ex. NtAbs against Omicron BA.1 were detected in 94%, 75%, and 50% of VAC‐ex, VAC‐n and UNVAC‐ex groups, respectively. For Omicron BA.2, the figures were 97%, 84%, and 40%, respectively. SARS‐CoV‐2‐S‐reactive IFN‐γ T cells were detected in 73%, 75%, and 64% of VAC‐ex, VAC‐n and UNVAC‐ex, respectively. Median frequencies for both T‐cell subsets were comparable across groups. In summary, by April 2022, around half of the VC population had been infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and, due to extensive vaccination, displayed hybrid immunity.


Data Mining is a popular technology employed in the area of healthcare industry. There has been a steady up rise in use of technology in the field of health care. Predictive analytics is being seen as a more suitable approach of reducing the health issues. Hence, the study of each diseases can give new way to predict the chance of happening it again which help to prevent before it happens. Use of predictive analytics in health care would provide insight on learning patterns and factors that causes diseases. The diabetes data which consists of wide range of attributes is chosen to apply well-known classifying algorithms like J48, SMO and Naïve Bayes to find the accurate result. We compare the answers gathered from the three algorithm to fetch result that is more accurate. Data mining with Classification Algorithms plays an important role in the field of medical diagnosis to diagnose the disease. There requires a model built to analyse and extract information from the data. This paper discuss about the model, which gives an accurate result to the women about chances of getting gestational diabetes according to the data given.


The injection and storage in geological formations of gasses such as Methane (CH4) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) has been successfully implemented for several decades. More recently, Hydrogen (H2) has gained attention for its characteristics as a clean, safe, and versatile energy carrier and industrial feedstock. Similar to the storage for CH4, the underground storage of H2 is a potentially cost-effective option to balance the seasonal demand and intermittent generation of the gas both for export and domestic use. Underground storage of large volumes of H2 gas may be necessary to support an emerging hydrogen economy. However, hydrogen-rich gas has only been stored in the subsurface in very limited locations around the globe, and the feasibility for hydrogen storage in many parts of the world has yet to be established. The geological storage of gases such as H2, CH4 and CO2 in geological formations, requires a porous and permeable reservoir rock (such as a sandstone) overlain by an impermeable caprock or top seal, such as salt, shale or claystone. The caprock / top seal is one of the most important elements in the geological containment system and therefore characterising the seal is crucial to ensuring the successful, long term storage of injected gases in a storage reservoir. Fine grained claystone and shales comprise the most common seal lithologies in Australia, and possibly globally. These rocks form seals due to their nano-scale porosity and narrow pore throats resulting in low permeability and high capillary displacement pressures. The key parameter in determining the column of gas that a seal can retain is the seal capacity. Seal capacity refers to the gas column height that a caprock can retain before capillary forces are exceeded which then allows the * Corresponding author. Tel.: +0-000-000-0000 , E-mail address: email@example.com


In this work, a series of V–4Cr–4Ti alloy and powders were prepared using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometer were used to characterize the morphology and microstructure. Some unknow peaks were appeared in XRD spectrum, which had a high correlation with ZrO2 milling balls and vials. TEM results shown that a part of these unknown peaks resulting from ZrO2 particles peeled from milling balls and vials. Other peaks were Laves phase V2Zr formatted in SPS process under a sintering temperature of 1350 °C or higher. Contrast experiment proved the stability of ZrO2 at 1150 °C. Thermodynamic calculation showed that the lowest temperature for the formation of V2Zr was 1380 °C. This temperature could be lower due to the inhomogeneous current distribution in SPS process. Thus, when using ZrO2 milling balls and vials, SPS sintering at 1150 °C was more suitable for V-based alloy to avoid the formation of V2Zr and the dissolution of oxygen.


Israeli banks have been subject to capital adequacy requirements since 1935. The original Basel Accord required Israeli regulators to tighten the existing requirements imposed upon the nation's banks, and the Basel II Accord extended this process. The Israeli regulators have given significant weight to the guidelines of the Accords and are in the process of implementing them. This article addresses the ramifications of Basel II on the Israeli banking system and explores the steps being taken by Israeli regulators to conform to international banking standards.


A thermal expansion process with a closed mold and a silicone rubber assisted autoclave process are both adopted to produce bidirectional stiffened carbon fiber reinforced composite plates.The features of these two processes and their effects on the processing qualities are analyzed.Furthermore,for the silicone rubber assisted autoclave process,the effects of process gap,thickness of silicone rubber and metal mold positioning on the consolidation and dimensional accuracy of the products are studied.The results demonstrate that compared with the thermal expansion process with a closed mold,the silicone rubber assisted autoclave process and its mold design are more suitable for the production of bidirectional stiffened composite plates.The process gap of the thermal expansion process should be designed based on the free-expansion mode of the silicone rubber in the autoclave process.Moreover,the thickness of silicone rubber has little effect on consolidation,while larger thickness results in more obvious unevenness of temperature.The method that holds the metal mold in position in the autoclave process can significantly enhance the dimensional accuracy and consolidation degree at the intersection of ribs.These research results are of significance to the development of control technology on the manufacturing quality for composite grid stiffened structures.