As one of the schools of foreign language teaching theory,communicative language teaching has exerted profound influence on foreign language teaching.This paper mainly provides an overview of the theoretical development of communicative language teaching as well as content coverage of language testing guided by communicative language teaching,and points out that theoretical development and testing practice of communicative language teaching should be,in balance,developed in order to better promote the development of language teaching.


Objective:To probe into the reoperative indications,methods and causes of death in the aged patients with biliary tract diseases.Methods:The clinical data of 32 cases who underwent reoperation for biliary tract disease were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Of all the 32 patients,20 healed,11 died during hospitalization and 1 died after auto discharge.Conclusions:Proper time,appropriate methods and close postoperative obervation are essential in improving the reoperative cure rate of biliary tract diseases in old people.


SummaryNewly emerged workers uncapped and removed freeze-killed brood in laboratory test cages. A probit-analysis computer program calculated the time required for the bees in each cage to uncap or remove 50% of the brood. The mean time required for 100 worker progeny of different queens to uncap or remove 50% of the 40 brood cells was significantly different, ranging from about 1 to 4½ days. These measurements appeared to be repeatable. Possible common genetic control of these two behaviours is suggested by the significant correlation between them in laboratory tests (r = +0·916, P<0·05).


The nonlocal, non-diiusive transport of passive scalars in turbulent MHD convection is investigated using tran-silient matrices, which describe the "probability" that a tracer particle beginning at one position in a ow will be advected to another position after some time. We present a new method for calculating these matrices from simulation data which involves following the trajectories of passive tracer particles and calculating their transport statistics. The method is applied to study transport in several simulations of turbulent, rotating, three dimensional, compressible, penetrative MHD convection. Transport coeecients and other useful diagnostics such as moments of the transilient matrix are used to quantify the transport, which is found to resemble advection more closely than diiusion. Some of the results also have direct relevance for other physical problems, such as light element depletion in solar-type stars. In particular the large kurtosis found for downward moving particles at the base of the convection zone implies a relatively large number of extreme events-particles traveling deep into the radiative interior where light elements would be ee-ciently burned.


The influence of varions exceptional weather condition is a dominant challenge for wireless optical communication.The attenuation of laser signal is especially serious in rain and fog weather.In this paper,the attenuation characteristic of laser propagation is studied in rain and fog conditions.According to Mie scattering theory,the method of accurate calculation of laser signal attenuation is analysed,several experience models of rain or fog are simulated in Matlab 7.0 from the analysis results,and the relationships of attenuation coefficient with rain and fog are given clearly.


Screening for breast cancer using mammography alone, or mammography plus physical examination of the breasts, reduces mortality from breast cancer in women age 50–69. The evidence for effectiveness in older women is less clear. If effective in younger women, benefit is delayed compared to that seen in women age 5o or more. The increasing incidence of breast cancer in developing countries, and the late stage at diagnosis of most disease, supports efforts to introduce screening for breast cancer. However, the requirements of mammography in terms of technology and skilled personnel make it difficult to apply in most developing countries at present. There is a need to evaluate simpler screening tests, such as physical examination of the breasts and breast self-examination, as they can be applied by existing health personnel, and more readily integrated into medical care.


This study presents the use of atomistic process simulations to optimize p + /n ultra-shallow junctions fabrication process. We first bring to the fore that a high injection of interstitials close to the boron profile decreases the sensibility of boron diffusion to thermal budget. Preamorphization of the substrate is thus necessary to decrease boron diffusion by thermal budget reduction, the latter being obtained by the use of the thermal conduction tool (Levitor) instead of the classical lamp-type rapid thermal annealing. At the same time we show that the use of Levitor does not enhance boron activation, the substrate being preamorphize or not. So Levitor anneal can improve sheet resistance/junction depth trade-off only with preamorphization implant. Experiments are performed that confirm the predictions of our simulations. Further discussions explain activation path of boron during temperature cycle, as a function of amorphous depth, and for both lamp-type and Levitor anneal.


T his chapter presents our empirical evidence regarding CEO leadership behavior and effectiveness across cultures. As indicated in Chapter 4, data were obtained from more than 1,000 CEOs and 5,000 top management team (TMT) members located in 24 countries across the world. The leadership behaviors are actual CEO behaviors that are reported by TMT members. The outcome measures were obtained from different TMT members than those reporting the CEO leadership behaviors (the exception is the presentation of same source results for comparison purposes in Table 8.2a). We present findings regarding a number of research questions posed in previous chapters regarding the similarities and differences of leadership behaviors and effectiveness found in very different cultural contexts. These questions were formed as a result of previous GLOBE research (GLOBE 2004 and GLOBE 2007), the cumulative research literature on cross-cultural leadership to date, and our model presented in Chapter 1. The following topics are of specific interest in this chapter:


This study investigates the impact of various resources, specifically both tangible and intangible ones, together with capabilities of Malaysian listed firms, on their performance. This empirical study attempts to enrich the understanding of the resources-performance relationship, which is one of a business process within the firm, as well as filling the gaps in present knowledge. Firms, which are not able to develop and sustain their performance, are associated with the vulnerability and adverse performance re-sult, especially during various periods of economic crisis (three sub-periods of major shocks, i.e., The Volcker Shock (Commodities Shock) of early 1980s, Asian Financial Crisis of the late 1990s, and the Global Financial Meltdown of 2008). Hence, this re- search intends to explore which resources matter the most to firm profitability and its success. Drawing upon the combination of Donabedian's structure process outcome and resource-based theories of the firm a conceptual framework is developed. Data for the study were collected from a sample of 250 publicly traded companies listed on Bursa Malaysia (MYX). In order to achieve the objective and response to the study question, partial least square and regression analysis are applied. Findings indicate that tangible resources have no impact, while intangible resources have positive and significant impact on firm performance. In addition, results show that efficient allocation of intangible resources is crucial to achieving good performance. firm performance. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the framework. The analysis of the relationship between tangible resources, intangible resources, capabilities and firm performance showed that not all the resource fac-tors had a significant effect on firm performance. Only one factor had a significant relationship on firm performance, namely, intangible resources.


In 1558, the Italian inventor Agostino Ramelli published the book Le diverse et artificiose machine. Among the extensive number of 195 hydraulic and military machines, one apparatus stands out in particular: a device designed to allow a person to read several books at the same time. In recent publications, this reading machine, known as the "book wheel", is frequently mentioned as one of the precursors of the hypertext, since it allows jumping from one text to another in the same way as we move between webpages and textual modules. Researchers describe the invention as a reaction to the challenge posed by the enormous quantity of book knowledge, which circulates thanks to another invention, the movable-type printing. Though the book wheel has most probably never been built, it is an artefact that potentially functions as a text-producing machine or, in other words, as a device that promotes a specific type of writing. I intend to read florilegia, encyclopedic works and polyanthea, such as Juan de Aranda's Lugares communes, or the encyclopedic writing in works such as Guzman de Alfarache, La picara Justina and Libro de todas las cosas, as virtual products of the book wheel.


NON-MEDICAL USE OF PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS FOR WEIGHT LOSS: PREDICTORS, CONSEQUENCES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION IN A NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT SAMPLE By: Amy J. Jeffers, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016. Major Director: Eric G. Benotsch, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology Director, Health Psychology Department of Psychology The non-medical use of prescription drugs is an important public health concern. Non-medical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS), specifically medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is particularly concerning. One timely concern regarding NMUPS, especially among young adults, is their role in appetite suppression/weight loss. Indeed, some individuals are motivated to misuse such drugs for the purpose of losing weight. Engaging in NMUPS for weight loss has been examined only minimally in the research literature. However, extant data demonstrate that this behavior is associated with other unhealthy behaviors and poor psychosocial health. Limitations of prior


Tourism as a conservation tool is often discussed in academic research, yet usually focuses strictly on biodiversity in parks or other boundary areas, rather than destinations as a whole. This paper uses the theoretical context of political ecology to examine and offer insight into factors affecting destination management and conservation on a larger scale where strict environmental measures are not in place. This study uses a mixed methods approach to examine the Lake Simcoe Watershed in Ontario, Canada. The area has no clearly identifiable boundaries and is protected under a federal act for conservation but is not enforced with regard to tourism. Findings show that broader issues such as governance, access, development, leadership and overall awareness affect management in addition to conservation. Conclusions outline that although there is a common interest in the ecological protection of the area, other key economic and social issues of stakeholders must be addressed if environmental concerns are to be resolved.


The evaluation of the ocean energy balance is crucial for improving the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms sustaining ocean circulation. Based on the outputs of the ROMS ocean model, the energy cycle, eddy–mean flow interactions, and energy pathways of the deep Gulf of Mexico (GoM) have been investigated in this study. The theoretical framework for the analysis is based on the energy equations for the time-mean and time-varying flow, where some of the terms were split into their horizontal and vertical components to monitor the energy pathways. Of the energy maintaining deep kinetic energy (KE), approximately 75% is transferred from the upper layer to the deep layer by vertical pressure work (PW), about 6% by the horizontal PW through the Yucatan and Florida straits, and ~19% is generated through the processes related to baroclinic instabilities. The mean circulation generates eddies in the upper layer, while eddies drive mean circulation in the deep layer. Energy is transferred downward in the eastern and western part of the Gulf, upward in the deep western-central part, and a strong westward energy transport can be observed below 2000-m depth.


INTRODUCTION:
Natural wellbeing involves those parts of human wellbeing including personal satisfaction that are dictated by physical, organic, social and mental factors in the earth. Water is a basic common asset for maintaining life and a critical piece of our condition. Some elements are essential in trace amount for human being while higher concentration of the same can cause toxic effects. Fluoride is one of them. Due to rapid urbanization and growth of modern industries as well as geo chemical dissolution of fluoride bearing minerals, fluoride concentration is increasing in the environment including water resources. Around 200 million individuals from 25 countries have wellbeing dangers in view of high fluoride in ground water.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis, dental caries experience and it's relation to fluoride in drinking water among 13-15 year old school going children in Melur block of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A cross sectional study was conducted among 13-15 year old school going children in Melur block of Madurai district. Based on fluoride concentration the study population was primarily categorized into three groups that is Group- I (fluoride level in drinking water less than 1ppm), Group –II (fluoride level in drinking water between 1-1.5ppm) and Group –III (fluoride level in drinking water above 1.5ppm) and 270 students were selected in each group. Dental caries experience was assessed using Dentition status and treatment needs based on WHO Oral Health assessment form 1997 and dental fluorosis using Dean's Index modified criteria 1942.
RESULTS:
Among the total study population of 810, 711 (87.7%) of the study subjects were affected with dental fluorosis. Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis increased from Group–I to Group–III with increase in fluoride concentration of drinking water from below 1ppm to above 1.5 ppm. A total of 350 (43.2%) of study subjects in the age group of 13 -15 years had dental caries. Prevalence of dental caries and mean DMFT was found to decrease with increase in fluoride concentration of drinking water. a negative correlation ( -0.991) was observed between fluoride concentration in drinking water and mean DMFT score. But it was not statistically significant (p>0.05) The Community Fluorosis Index for the entire study population was found to be 2.3 which reveals that dental fluorosis is of marked public health significance in Melur block and significant moderate positive correlation (r= 0.510) was found to exist between fluoride concentration in drinking water and community fluorosis index score and mean CFI score was correlated with mean DMFT score, negative correlation (-0.995) was observed between mean CFI score and mean DMFT score. But it was found to be statistically not significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
The present study showed that there was an increase in dental fluorosis severity and decrease in dental caries experience with increase in fluoride levels in drinking water.


The present invention relates to premix feed for table poultry, and the premix feed is characterized in that the premix feed includes nicotinamide, folic acid, betaine, white zeolite powder and guanidineacetic acid. Beneficial effects: first, the premix feed increases the daily gain of the table poultry, decreases the feed conversion ratio, effectively saves feed, reduces feed costs, and reduces environmental press; second, the premix feed improves the dressing percentage and the breast muscle percentage of the table poultry; third, the premix feed effectively alleviates the stress, enhances immunity and reduces death and culling rates of the livestock and poultry; fourth, the premix feed can reduce or even do without animal protein, effectively alleviates the situation of animal protein shortage at home and abroad, compensating decreased production performance of the livestock and poultry caused by the pure plant daily rations; and fifth, the premix feed promotes amino acid balance of the daily rations, reduces emissions of organic substances of the livestock and poultry, improves environment, and promotes sustainable development of feed industry.


The present standardization study is based on a published paper titled "Identifying Giftedness: Validation of an Italian Language Giftedness Checklist for Teachers and Parents" by Fabio and Buzzai (2019). The purpose of the present study is to show the Italian Adaptation of the Giftedness Checklist of Sommer, Fink and Neubauer (2008), in both the versions for teachers and parents. The present screening can help to cope with multidimensional definitions of giftedness, and to cope also with the usefulness of information provided by parents and teachers. More in depth, the specific aims are: 1) to show an easy administration of the screening test for identifying of gifted and talented children aged from 6 to 13; 2) to show how to sum the scores obtained and 3) to indicate how to easily compare them with z-scores. Italian language screening and scoring rules are presented in the tables 1, 2, 3 and 4.


Let X,Y,Z be Banach spaces,L∈L(X,Z),T∈L(X,Y) linear operators.In this paper,we used the concept of metric generalized inverse,gave the characterization and construction of constrained extremal solutions of T(x)=h in the set of extremal solutions of L(x)=y.


The invention provides a treatment method of garbage leachate, which comprises the following steps: garbage leachate is pretreated on a grid, the pretreated leachate flows into a regulating tank to regulate water quality and water quantity, the leachate regulated by the regulating tank is pumped into a UBF (upflow blanket filter) tank, sewage precipitated in the UBF tank flows into an MBR (membrane bioreactor) tank to degrade most organic matters and lower the ammonia nitrogen concentration, the effluent water from the MBR tank enters an NF (nanofiltration) device, the water from the NF device flows into an RO (reverse osmosis) device, and finally, the water from the RO device can enter an industrial cooling water system for recycling. By using the technical combination of the UBF, MBR, NF and RO, the method can sufficiently decompose and treat the primary garbage leachate, and the sludge generated in the treatment process can be subjected to incineration treatment, thereby avoiding secondary pollution.


This paper addresses the problem of connicting norms. The solution we describe is based on the concept of role: a role deenes some permissions, obligations and prohibitions which are supposed free of connicts. As soon as an individual plays a role, he inherits the set of norms associated with this role. We show that connicting norms arise because an individual may play diierent roles. The central idea of our paper is to consider that it is possible to make a judgement of priority between the roles an individual plays, in order to decide which are the actual norms which apply in a given situation. This priority may be chosen by the individual or may be dependent on the structure which may exist between roles. Our paper mainly describes the axiomatic part of a logic for reasoning about norms associated with primitive roles as well as with composite roles obtained by merging several roles.


An increased body of research on the recruitment and retention of Black students in gifted programs provides guidance for educators to understand factors that impact Black male under representation in gifted programs. A common concern among high school educators is that schools cannot keep Black males interested in gifted programs. Even in culturally diverse high schools, gifted Black males often do not want to take advanced level classes because they are accused by peers of "acting White". This case study reveals that while rare, it is not impossible. This article uses a Participation Motivation Expectancy‐Value Model (PMEVM) to explain the motivation of Rocky Jones, a gifted Black male, and his choice to participate in his school's gifted program. Findings from interview and archival data are reported that inform Rocky's participation choice, and implications are drawn to enhance teachers' efforts to increase Black males' motivation and representation in gifted education.


The enthalpy coefficient g = h/u can be used to separate the thermodynamical and the hydrodynamical aspects of shock and other step waves in partially ionized gases, providing a simple recursion formalism for the exact calculation of the equilibrium end parameters of such waves.


Reservoirs play a crucial role for human sustenance as they provide freshwater for agriculture, power generation, human consumption, and recreation. A global database of reservoirs that provides their location and dynamics can be of great importance to the ecological community as it enables the study of the impact of human actions and climate change on fresh water availability. This paper presents a new database, ReaLSAT-R (Reservoir and Lake Surface ICLR '20 Workshop on AI for Earth Sciences, April 26th, 2020 Area Timeseries-Reservoirs) that has been created by analyzing spectral data from Earth Observation (EO) Satellites using novel machine learning (ML) techniques. These ML techniques can construct highly accurate surface area extents of water bodies at regular intervals despite the challenges arising from heterogeneity and missing or poor quality spectral data. The ReaLSAT-R database provides information for 15473 reservoirs between 0.1 and 100 square kilometers in size that were created after 1984. The number of reservoirs identified in ReaLSAT-R is substantially larger than those available in GRanD, which is the state of the art database maintained by the ecological community, and contains only the static shape of a ICLR '20 Workshop on AI for Earth Sciences, April 26th, 2020 Khandelwal, et al. reservoir. ReaLSAT-R contains the surface area time series for new reservoirs created since 1984 as well as 3274 others that were created before 1984 (reported in GRanD database), thus permitting a global view on the state of these reservoirs that are being impacted by changing climate and human actions. The visualization of these reservoirs and their surface area time series is available online via ReaLSAT-R web interface. This paper reports the summary of the second version of the database. The database was formerly called as GLADD-R (Global Lake Dynamics Database-Reservoirs) and its first version was presented in KDD '19 Workshop on Data Mining and AI for Conservation.


The effect of trade policy on the South African soybean industry is analyzed by using 4 digits Standard International Trade Classification of soybean (1201) data of 1996–2011. The Revealed comparative advantage (RCA), Hirschman index, Major export category, Effective rate of protection (ERP) and Nominal rate of protection (NRP) were calculated. The RCA of the soybean industry in South Africa has shown a revealed comparative disadvantage from 1996–2011. Hirschman index indicates that the soybean industry shows lower concentration throughout 16 years. Lower concentration reduces the impact of international trade risk due to the possibility of price fluctuation of the soybean product. MEC measurement also indicates that South Africa does not rely its international trade from the soybean industry. ERP and NRP were also calculated, using an enterprise budget for soybean production. The result shows that the ERP is negative, which indicates that the weighted input tariffs on soybean inputs amount are more than the output tariffs; that is an indication producers of soybean would be better off, everything else being equal, by not being protected through tariffs. The NRP is higher than the ERP which implies that the tariff applied on the output is higher than the tariff applied on inputs. The structure of the tariff schedule may have an important bearing on efficiency. Thus, the study recommended that an extremely dispersed and ill-chosen tariff structure implies that protection remains uneven and gains from openness may still be confined.


Most low-income families struggle with financial stability making it difficult to access the health care they need. This challenge is especially prevalent for individuals trying to seek dental care services. Low-income households with limited health insurance coverage often perceive dental care as a luxury. However, good oral health signifies good overall health and can prevent future health problems. One of the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was to increase dental care access for low-income individuals. The ACA was designed to expand dental coverage to be more comprehensive and decrease individuals' financial burdens. The current study uses research and scholarly review articles from the past seven years to understand whether expanding dental care coverage through the ACA leads to better oral health for low-income individuals. The study shows that because of the ACA, there is a strong correlation between low-income individuals seeking dental care and improving their oral health. Extending dental coverage by the ACA significantly decreases the financial barrier for individuals and allows them to consult with a dentist more often. In addition, routine dental visits provide patients with proper oral health knowledge. The implementation of the ACA is also decreasing the number of emergency dental visits since individuals can access dental check-ups and prevent those visits. Further research is needed to understand how enrollees are utilizing all the benefits the Act provides for. Ensuring the ACA remains in place will allow future generations access to dental care, have better oral health, and reduce the strain on emergency dental departments.


Worldwide improvements in the quality of life highlight immense need to have a remote health monitoring system that can provide critical biomedical data. This paper presents a low-cost health monitoring system, forming part of the Internet of Things (IoT), which aims at continuous, 24/7 monitoring of elderly people and disabled people. The system is implemented with a variety of sensors, for example, temperature, heart rate, and movement measurements, to observe a person's status. Doctors may also prescribe this system with a specific number and type of sensor, depending on a patient's condition. In a case study, three sensors measured the status of a person during the day. The measurements reflected the actions of the person as he/she relaxed or was active, in addition to monitoring his/her state of health. The observed data were recorded in a database that can be displayed by authorized caregivers. Results witnessed the efficacy of the proposed system. The proposed system finds enormous potential in giving remote healthcare facilities, especially to unaccompanied older adults.


We formalize and extend an operational multipartite entanglement measure introduced by T. R. Oliveira, G. Rigolin, and M. C. de Oliveira, Phys. Rev. A 73, 010305(R) (2006), through the generalization of global entanglement (GE) [D. A. Meyer and N. R. Wallach, J. Math. Phys. 43, 4273 (2002)]. Contrarily to GE the main feature of this measure lies in the fact that we study the mean linear entropy of all possible partitions of a multipartite system. This allows the construction of an operational multipartite entanglement measure which is able to distinguish among different multipartite entangled states that GE failed to discriminate. Furthermore, it is also maximum at the critical point of the Ising chain in a transverse magnetic field, being thus able to detect a quantum phase transition.


A method, system and apparatus for a mobile web client is presented. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of operating a web application. The method includes receiving a request from a client. The method further includes processing the request with a web emulator. The method also includes servicing the request from available data.


A technical Review of the state of art: techniques in Devanagari hand writing recognition is presented. The handwriting recognition is matured for Roman, Japanese and Chinese and Arabian language scripts but for Indian languages a lot of scope is there. For Indian languages most of the work is limited to isolated characters and numerals. Compound characters and word recognition has not been explored to that extent.


Ultimatum games have been extensively used in experimental studies. By studying the consequences that restrictions shared by ultimatum games have in subject's behaviour, this paper argues that some results are falsified by design constraints. This paper also presents a taxonomy of certification, and provides experimental evidence supporting the commonly observed use of rankings in certificates, as well as the restriction of awareness by certifiers to increase revenue. Regulatory implications are discussed. Acknowledgements I am grateful to Michael Bacharach, Angelica Leroux and Daniel Zizzo for useful discussion and comments. I also thank participants of the " CeDEx Workshop " at the


Linear tomography performed on the X-ray units with modern digital detectors allows obtaining necessary diagnostic information for certain applications while maintaining relatively low patient doses. However, the methods of the estimation of the effective dose from that imaging modality are seldom presented in modern literature. The aim of the current study was to estimate the effective doses for the digital linear tomography of the chest. The study was performed on a modern digital X-ray unit with indirect flat-panel detector (CsI+ amorph. Si) using an anthropomorphic chest phantom. A model for the estimation of the effective doses was developed using the PCXMC 2.0 software. Based on the results of the study conversion coefficients from dose-area product to effective dose were established. The results of the study allowed establishing relations between the parameters of linear tomography and patient doses, with the subsequent development of the low-dose protocols of the imaging of the chest. These protocols were proposed for the clinical trial for the follow-up evaluation of the tuberculosis treatment.


ABSTRACT Using in-depth interviews of 40 residents from a homeless shelter in El Paso, Texas in the United States, this study examines the etiology, processes, and patterns of homelessness by assessing those confronting homeless spells at different time points and for varying reasons. Our study is guided by the research questions: How did residents of homeless shelters experience transitions and turning points of homelessness? What were the coping resources that homeless people drew on to overcome life adversities? Overall, we found that risk accumulation as a result of different traumatic events, such as death of a family member, marital or relationship breakdown, victimization, unemployment, substance addiction, poor mental health, or discrimination confronted in varied contexts, could serve as precursors or consequences that exacerbated the housing crisis over the course of a life. We recommend that efforts geared toward remediating, alleviating, or preventing homelessness be life course driven. It is only through compassion and empathy rather than criminalizing and stigmatizing that we can help stop the triggers and spread of the downward spiral of homelessness.


Japanese companies seem able to gain knowledge from their partners in more efficient ways than their European counterparts. Case examples are given in which the European firm, or the Japanese firm begins in the dominant knowhow position. Other examples of strategic alliances between Japanese small businesses are also cited. A learning model is advanced which illustrates the evolution of power through intra- and inter-firm learning processes. An organizational capacity to enhance systemic learning seems to be the key to successful evolution of the firm.


Graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) is a common complication of allogenic hematological stem cell transplantations that is often associated with dry eye disease (DED) classified as a mixture of meibomian gland dysfunction and aqueous tear deficiency. The temperature‐dependence of conformational changes in human meibum (hM) was measured in a comparative study to elucidate the potential impact of GvHD on hM composition, structure and function with DED.


As the importance of higher education takes pace Worldwide the evaluation of efficiency and performance has become more important than ever before. This is one of the necessities for the Universities to prevail and remain competitive. In this regard, the Universities are struggling to maintain their efficiency through various ways (Mason et al, 2006). There are different parameters used to gauge the Universities' efficiency which may vary from place to place depending on a specific objective to be measured. Some of these parameters inc lude graduates ' e f f i c iency , graduate employability, research and consultancy, teaching hours, teachers student ratio and examination performance to name some (Smith et al, 2000). Predominantly, all these parameters are within the three core Universities' objectives namely; teaching, research and consultancy. However, teaching is given precedence with the aim of producing skilled man power (Flegg et al, 2003). On the other hand, research and consultancy in higher education are essential in understanding social, political and economic implications. Some of the Universities use research productivity as criteria for budget allocation to various departments. The department or school with higher research output can receive more budgets and research grants. Importantly, research output has also been considered as a yard The Influence of Teaching, Research and Consultancy Services on Efficiency Assessment: Experience from Tanzanian Universities


As the interactive AI speaker becomes popular, voice recognition is regarded as an important vehicle-driver interaction method in case of autonomous driving situation. The purpose of this study is to confirm whether multimodal interaction in which feedback is transmitted by auditory and visual mode of AI characters on screen is more effective in user experience optimization than auditory mode only. We performed the interaction tasks for the music selection and adjustment through the AI speaker while driving to the experiment participant and measured the information and system quality, presence, the perceived usefulness and ease of use, and the continuance intention. As a result of analysis, the multimodal effect of visual characters was not shown in most user experience factors, and the effect was not shown in the intention of continuous use. Rather, it was found that auditory single mode was more effective than multimodal in information quality factor. In the semi-autonomous driving stage, which requires driver 's cognitive effort, multimodal interaction is not effective in optimizing user experience as compared to single mode interaction. ■ keyword :∣Conversational AI∣Multimodal Fusion∣Multimodal Interaction∣Agent Embodiment∣Semi-autonomous Vehicle∣Simulator Experiment∣ 접수일자 : 2018년 07월 05일 수정일자 : 2018년 07월 26일 심사완료일 : 2018년 07월 27일 교신저자 : 서민수, e-mail : email@example.com 반자율주행 맥락에서 AI 에이전트의 멀티모달 인터랙션이 운전자 경험에 미치는 효과 : 시각적 캐릭터 유무를 중심으로 93


BRITISH JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE 2004 61 (3) impossible and it may be necessary to use an alternative gene locus, such as the 16S rDNA or 23S rDNA locus, where phylogenetic data is available for all recognised species within the genus. In the present study, other species within the genus Pseudomonas accounted for 10.2% and 21.4% of the total Pseudomonas spp. detected in children and adults, respectively. These values may be clinically significant for two reasons: (i) there may be significant under-reporting of the occurrence and significance of other Pseudomonas spp. that have not been described to date as being wellestablished pathogens of CF, and (ii) other species within the genus Pseudomonas may play a role as an early ecological coloniser/successor, thereby preparing a favourable physiological/ecological niche for the colonisation and eventual chronic infection with P. aeruginosa. As not all laboratories employ molecular detection methods for P. aeruginosa or other Pseudomonas spp., either from culture plates or patients' sputa, small numbers of colonies (n=1–2) may be missed when present in the early stages of colonisation preceding infection of a patient's airway, particularly where single colonies are mixed with other phenotypically similar genera on the primary culture plate. Pragmatic, practical and cost implications make it impossible to identify the total bacterial microflora qualitatively from sputa on non-selective primary plates. Therefore, any rapid molecular screening method should be encouraged in an effort to detect low copy numbers of organisms in the early stages of colonisation/infection when the main value of the diagnostic assay is the rapid screening of patients with no (or only intermittent) history of colonisation with Pseudomonas spp. Although such assays are not generally available in most clinical diagnostic laboratories, access to such technology is generally available at regional specialist microbiology centres, and therefore it may be prudent to establish routine analysis of CF sputum at annual review. In conclusion, employment of this multiplex PCR assay may permit the rapid detection of other Pseudomonas spp. in addition to P. aeruginosa directly from the sputa of CF patients.


This article summarizes methods for increasing the fraction of recombinant proteins expressed in a soluble form in the cytoplasmic fraction of bacteria. Many recombinant proteins, when expressed at very high levels in bacteria, form insoluble aggregates called inclusion bodies (IBs). Growth conditions can be manipulated to keep protein in a soluble form, including lowering the temperature during induction, choice of host strain and expression vector, or coculturing of proteins that assist in folding. Higher yields can be obtained by mutating the protein or fusing it with various linkers (which can also improve purification by enhancing column chromatography interactions). Eliminating protease or RNase recognition sites can stabilize the protein or mRNA, as can mutations that improve recognition by cofactors that assist in folding.

Methodology to simultaneously produce many different recombinant proteins in a soluble form has been developed as part of the structural genomics initiative; these can also be used to for scanning mutagenesis studies. High density bacterial cultivation can be used to produce gram per liter quantities of recombinant proteins at the industrial scale. However, maintaining high levels of soluble protein requires optimizing all aspects of growth, ranging from how the inoculum is stored, to medium details and bacterial harvesting and lysis.

Keywords:

Bacillus subtilis;
Escherichia coli;
cold shock vectors;
high density cultivation;
proteolysis;
secretion;
temperature effect


Depth distributions of crystallographic and chemical properties in oxygen ion-implanted Si layers have been studied by TEM, AES and XPS. Oxygen ions (16O+) were implanted into (100)-Si wafers at 150 keV to a dose of 1.2×1018/cm2. The dose rate was about 15 µA/cm2. The implanted oxygen forms a buried SiO2 layer after annealing. The Si layer on this buried SiO2 layer is not completely amorphized by implantation, and changes after annealing to a single crystal Si layer at the surface region and a deeper polycrystalline Si layer. A twin layer is formed at the interface region between these two layers. The polycrystalline Si layer consists of a mixture of Si and SiO2.


This article's aim is to analyze the palliative professional construction regardingDignity. Anthropological analysis of notions of and about Dignity has had lessdevelopment than studies that it considers in an abstract or general manner (mainlywithin Philosophy and Bioetics). In this work, the focus is situated in the collectiveprocess of creation of performance, experience, emotion and meaning that try todignify life in the social process of dying. My view is centered in the palliative care(PC) team members' point of view within an adult cancer hospital. In this manner, Ipay special attention to the conceptualizations and professional performances aboutdignity, and also in an undirect way, to the means in which these notions aredecodified, negotiated and transformed by people that experience illness and theirfamilies.


Through analysis of acid rain pollution situation and changing trend of acid rain concentration in main urban districts of Chongqing in decades,this paper holds that irrational energy structure and industrial layout is the main reason for acid rain pollution in main urban districts of Chongqing and that special meteorology and geological condition make acid rain pollution more serious in the main urban districts of Chongqing.Prevention measures for acid rain based on the real situation of the main urban districts of Chongqing are put forward,which shows that the only way for sustainable development in the main urban districts of Chongqing is the harmonious development between economy and environment.


In ex‐germ‐free mice conventionalized by association with fecal microorganisms, the induction of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and fucosylation of asialo GM1 glycolipid occur in the small intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). The intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), especially αβ T‐cell receptor‐bearing ones, also remarkably expand and show cytolytic activity. In this study, we investigated the immunological and physiological characteristics of the small intestine induced by a kind of indigenous bacteria of the small intestine, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), among chloroform‐resistant intestinal bacteria. Monoassociation of SFB with germ‐free mice was confirmed by the determination of the base sequences of polymerase chain reaction products of 16S rRNA genes of the fecal bacteria of these mice and in situ hybridization using fluorescein‐labeled probes based on them. SFB increased the number of αβTCR‐bearing IEL and induced Thy‐1 expression and cytolytic activity of IEL. The induction of MHC class II molecules and fucosyl asialo GM1 glycolipids and the increases in the mitotic activity and the ratio of the number of columnar cells to those of goblet cells also occurred in the small intestinal epithelial cells on monoassociation of these bacteria. SFB are important indigenous bacteria for the development of the mucosal architecture and immune system in the small intestine, at least in mice.


In sports competition,the coach will always selects the optimal procedure for winning the competition.By taking a problem in the textbook for example,the system of completion is discussed and promoted,and a general conclusion and its evidence are provided.The conclusion provide people with a direct observation method.


This study is to analyze the sensitivity for the parameters (a and b values, , attenuation formula, and seismo-tectonic model) which are essential for the seismic hazard map. The values of each parameter were suggested by 10 members of the expert group. The results show that PGA increases as a value and become larger and as b value smaller. Big impact on the seismic hazard is observed for attenuation formula, a and b values although there is little impact on and seismo-tectonic model. These parameters with big impact require careful consideration for obtaining adequate values that well reflects the seismic characteristics of the Korean peninsula.


Foreword by R. K. Pachauri * Part I: Introduction * For Whom the Bell Tolls: Vulnerabilities in a Changing Climate * Part II: Natural Resource Systems * Vulnerability of Southern African Biodiversity to Climate Change * Forest Responses to Changing Rainfall in the Philippines * Vulnerability of Mongolia s Pastoralists to Climate Extremes and Changes * Resource System Vulnerability to Climate Stresses in the Heihe River Basin of Western China * Part III: Coastal Areas * Climate and Water Quality in the Estuarine and Coastal Fisheries of the R o de la Plata * Climate change and the Tourism Dependent Economy of the Seychelles * Part IV: Rural Economy and Food Security * Household Food Security and Climate Change: Comparisons from Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa and Mexico * Vulnerability in Nigeria: A National-level Assessment * Vulnerability in the Sahelian Zone of Northern Nigeria: A Household-level Assessment * Livelihoods and Drought in Sudan * Social Vulnerability of Farmers in Mexico and Argentina * Climatic Threat Spaces in Mexico and Argentina * Climate Variability and Extremes in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed of the Philippines: An Assessment of Vulnerability * Climate Risks and Rice Farming in the Lower Mekong River Basin * Vulnerability of Sri Lankan Tea Plantations to Climate Change * Part V: Human Health * Vulnerability to Climate-induced Highland Malaria in East Africa * Vulnerability to Dengue Fever in Jamaica * Index


Software maintenance can be transformed from the unmanageable, trial-and-error activity into a systematic engineering discipline through application of mathematics-based principles and practices that have wrought a similar transformation in software engineering. The mathematics provides rigorous techniques for converting unstructured programs into structured form, recovering program design documentation, and modifying and verifying programs. While these principles and practices are technical, the ultimate benefits are managerial, in a new level of predictability and control of maintenance operations to meet business needs.<<ETX>>


The symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) were first described by Sir Thomas Willis in the 1600s (1). In the following centuries these symptoms were rarely recognized in the medical literature (2) and it was only in 1944 that the Swedish neurologist K.A. Ekbom (3) described the symptoms of the disease as a single entity. These include dysaesthesias, motor restlessness, and an irresistible urge to move the limbs, occur mostly at night with associated sleep disturbance, and improve after some exercise. However, in 1889 the Russian author and physician Anton Chekhov had already described sleep disturbances in association with dysaesthesias as well as motor restlessness in some detail in 'The Wedding Proposal', one of his one act plays.


Pulmonary embolism (PE) due to deep vein thrombosis is a complication with severe morbidity and mortality rates. Neurocritical care patients constitute an inhomogeneous cohort with often strict contraindications to conventional embolism treatment. The aim of the present study is to identify risk factors for PE for intensified risk stratification in this demanding cohort.

 Retrospective analysis which included age, gender, disease pattern, the presence of deep vein thrombosis, resuscitation, in-hospital mortality, present anticoagulation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, hypertension, and ABO blood type.

 Computed tomography confirmed 165 cases of PE among 387 patients with clinical suspicion of PE (42%). Younger age (P < .0001), female gender (P < .006), neuro-oncological disease (P < .002), non-O blood type (P < .002) and the absence of Marcumar therapy (P < .003) were identified as significant risk factors for PE. On the basis of the identified risk factors, the AMBOS score system is introduced.

 Neurocritical care patients with high AMBOS score are at elevated risk for PE and should therefore be put under intensified monitoring for cardiovascular events in neurocritical care units.


This study examines the efficacy of IELTS preparation courses in improving the IELTS performance of their students. In Pakistan, as elsewhere, IELTS has assumed great significance on account of its gate-keeping function in emigration, higher education abroad and professional registration. There is a growth in IELTS candidature, resulting in an expansion of IELTS preparation courses. The current impact study employed a concurrent mixed methods design. An in-depth study of two IELTS preparation centres (one local, and one international) was carried out employing classroom observations, and preand post-study testing of the IELTS testpreparers (n=20) at the two centres to assess the efficacy of IELTS preparation. The results of the study showed that the courses are not effective in improving the scores of students. Courses, although relatively expensive, are very short and most test-preparers enter them with lower English proficiency than is appropriate for IELTS. Furthermore, it appears that public education is not meeting the demand for learning English language; therefore IELTS is now perceived as a route of English education and general certification, and a badge of middle class status if not actual material gain. These findings have implications for both providers of state education in Pakistan, and providers of the IELTS test (Cambridge ESOL).


In the coexistence scenario of NB-IoT and LTE system, several factors affect the evaluating indicators of system performance. Considering the narrow bandwidth character of NB-IoT system, the simulation result would be over-optimistic if the evaluation method about ACLR and ACS in coexistence study of LTE system is still used. In this paper, a new evaluation method about ACLR and ACS is proposed aimed at NB-IoT system, which takes the huge difference of system bandwidth between NB-IoT and LTE system into account. When LTE is the victim system, if the throughput loss does not exceed 5%, LTE and NB-IoT system could coexist. When NB-IoT is the victim system, if the SINR loss is minor compared with the result that without coexistence, NB-IoT and LTE system could coexist. The simulation results show that the NB-IoT system could coexist with LTE system when NB-IoT BS ACS is about 45dB and UE ACLR is in the range of 40~45dB.


This study aims to explore politeness strategies used by Chinese learners of English when making a refusal in English. In addition, this study is an exploration of the politeness strategies used by American English speakers and Chinese speaking in Chinese when making refusals in their native language. The data were collected through a written questionnaire, observations and interviews. The findings suggest that cultural values, social distance, power, level of face threat to the addressee, situational factors, rights and obligations between the interlocutors seem to play roles in the choice of refusal strategies. The Chinese participants tended to use more indirect speech to unfamiliar addressees, whether they were equals or unequals. The Americans tended to use more direct speech toward distant addressees. In addition, American participants in positions of superiority, to a small degree, tended to use more direct speech to their subordinates.


A detailed study of the role that solution pH plays in the layer-by-layer processing of the weak polyelectrolytes poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochoride) was carried out. It was found that dramatically different polymer adsorption behavior is observed as one systematically increases (or decreases) the charge density of a weak polyelectrolyte including transitions from very thick adsorbed layers (ca. 80 A) to very thin adsorbed layers (ca. 4 A) over a very narrow pH range. By controlling pH, it is possible to vary the thickness of an adsorbed polycation or polyanion layer from 5 to 80 A. In addition, control over the bulk and surface composition of the resultant multilayer thin films is readily achieved via simple pH adjustments. These studies have provided new insights into the polyelectrolyte sequential adsorption process and have already opened up some interesting technological applications.


It is perfectly reasonable for laypeople and non-linguistic scholars to use names for languages without reflecting on the proper definition of the objects referred to by these names. Simply using a name like English or Witotoan suffices as an informal communicative designation for a particular language or a language group. However, for the linguistics community, which is by definition occupied with the details of languages and language variation, it is somewhat bizarre that there does not exist a proper technical apparatus to talk about intricate differences in opinion about the precise sense of a name like English or Witotoan when used in academic discussion. We propose three interrelated concepts—laNguoId, doculEct, and gloSSoNym—which provide a principled basis for discussion of different points of view about key issues, such as whether two varieties should be associated with the same language, and allow for a precise description of what exactly is being claimed by the use of a given genealogical or areal group name. The framework these concepts provide should be especially useful to researchers who work on underdescribed languages where basic issues of classification remain unresolved.


TOT: The Association Strength Heuristic. (August 2005) Hyun Choi, B.A., Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Korea; B.S., Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minnesota; M.S., Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Steven M. Smith Three experiments were conducted to examine the effect of association strength on TOT (tip-of-the-tongue states) and recall. Two hundred nineteen undergraduate students studied pictures and names of 24 imaginary animals that were presented on a large computer screen. The strength of association between the cue and target was manipulated by varying the number of times the picture and the name were presented simultaneously, while keeping the number of presentations for each picture or the target constant across conditions. After the study phase, participants were cued by each picture to recall the imaginary animal names. Participants were asked to rate their strength of TOT on a scale ranging 0 to 3 for each item if they could not think of the name at the moment. Participants also made subjective judgments as to how many times they saw the picture and name of the animal co-occur on the same screen at the study phase, and then they performed a recognition test at the end. The results indicated that the frequency and strength of TOTs linearly increased as a function of number of co-occurrences; the correlation between TOT strength and the participants'


This study examines the nature of adult engagement in lifelong learning in Taiwan. Previous studies have shown that gender and socioeconomic status (SES) are key variables related to equal access to education. Are these variables related to adults' engagement in lifelong learning in a specific country? This study analysed data from a survey of adults that was administered by the Ministry of Education in 2009. The results show a strong relationship between gender, SES and the learning experiences of adults. Women in low and middle SES groups were more likely to engage in lifelong learning. This study reveals that women's engagement in lifelong learning depended on their family concerns. Men's engagement in lifelong learning, in contrast, was often for career or work-related reasons. By explaining the connections between the gender and SES of adult learners engaging in lifelong learning, the results of this study will enrich the context of lifelong learning.


Abstract Coal bed depositional patterns in the Upper Cretaceous Emery Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale in the Henry Mountains coal field were controlled by interacting tectonic and sedimentological processes. In many instances these processes are reflected on the surface as folds that are genetically classified as tectonic or compactional. Evaluation of several of the folds by drilling or surface measurements shows that the coal beds are thick in synclines and thin over anticlines, regardless of fold genesis. The primary constraints on coal deposition were tectonic features such as the Henry Mountains syncline. The axis of the structure is coincident with the thickest coals in the basin. Near the southeastern margin of the coal field, evidence of penecontemporaneous faulting during coal deposition exists. The fault plane of a normal, dip-slip fault is terminated upward in the coal zone, and coal thickness on the upthrown side, immediately adjacent to the fault, is significantly reduced. Several nontectonic folds mapped in the basin are superimposed on the tectonic framework; they were produced by differential compaction and are related to depositional features in tidal and fluvial sequences. The thicker, better quality coal beds occur in the swamp facies of the fluvial flood basin deposits, whereas the thinner, less pure coal beds occur in the tidal sequences.


Background to International Counterfeiting It has been estimated that counterfeiting, the unauthorized imitation of goods or services with intent to deceive (6), was responsible for approximately $60 billion in lost sales of consumer and industrial products in the United States in 1985. In comparison, $3 billion in sales were lost in United States market in 1978 due to piracy of reputable merchandise. Currently, counterfeiting has been estimated as increasing at an incredible rate of thirty percent a year. One of the fastest growing product counterfeit segments is in industrial products. Close to five percent of the total world trade consumer industrial products is accounted for by the importation of fraudulent goods and services. The counterfeit market in the United States exists and continues to thrive due to the immense demand for copies of well‐known, reputable brands, but at a fraction of the cost of the real item. By forging goods, counterfeiters reduce their costs by denying the royalties that rightfully belong to the originator of the forged item. In another aspect, if existing technology is copied from another firm, the counterfeiting organization has virtually no research and development costs while the firm that produced the technology costs are significantly higher than those of the counterfeiter.


Numerical simulation on plasma ion implantation of a trapezoid tube is conducted in a MATLAB based Particle-in-cell model.It shows that "anodic-sheath" appears around internal electrode,where there is no ion.Some ions gather at the edge of "anodic-sheath" leading to a high-ion-density ring.It makes an m-shaped dose distribution on upside wall and downside wall of the tube.Due to asymmetry of the trapezoid tube,"anodic-sheath" expands faster toward long-wall of the tube.Implantation energy is relatively low at initial stage and becomes higher with time.This is attributed to the position of ions in the tube before they are implanted into the tube wall.The tube configuration determines sheath shape and final distribution of implantation dose and energy.


ABSTRACT This study was commissioned by Alberta Economic Development and Trade to fully research the real and perceived barriers facing Albertan women in business relative to those of men in business. The research included a comprehensive literature review of barriers facing female entrepreneurs. This was followed by a survey of female entrepreneurs, using a male control group. The most important finding of this study is that, contrary to much of the current literature, barriers to female entrepreneurship in Alberta do not seem to be directly gender-related.


A trolley with chair function includes a trolley frame (1) and a cargo frame (2). A roller (5) is installed on either side of the bottom of the trolley frame (1). The cargo frame is movably fixed on one side of the trolley frame (1), and a folding chair (3) is fixed on the other side of the trolley frame (1). Said trolley also includes a bag body (6). A muff coupling body (6a) is provided on the back part of the bag body. Both ends of the muff coupling body (6a) are sewed on the back of the bag body respectively. An interspace is provided between the muff coupling body (6a) and the back part of the bag body (6). Through said interspace, the bag body (6) is muff coupled on the trolley frame (1).


Background -Inhaled frusemide butnot bumetanide, anotherloopdiuretic, reducesbronchial responsiveness tosodium metabisulphite (MBS).To investigate whethertheeffect offrusemide couldbe mediated through mechanisms other than Na+/K+/Cl- cotransporter inhibition, the effects ofamiloride - an inhibitor of sodiumchannels intheairway epithelium - andofacetazolamide - a specific inhibitor ofcarbonic anhydrase - against MBS challenge werestudied. Methods- Intwoseparate randomised doubleblindplacebo controlled studies, 10subjects withmildasthmaattended on fourseparate occasions toinhale 7-5mg amiloride ormatchedplacebo, and500mg acetazolamide or placebo, immediately before MBS challenge. Theconcentration ofMBS required tocausea 20%fall in baseline FEVy(PC20) wasmeasured. Results - Amiloride andacetazolamide hadnoeffect onbaseline FEV1.Amiloride hadnoeffect against MBS challenge, but acetazolamide increased -logPC20from a mean (SE)of0-75(0.09) to0-98(0.06) representing a 077(0.24) doubling dose increase. Conclusions - Theseresults suggest that carbonic anhydrase activity intheairways, butnotsodiumflux, modulates bronchial responsiveness toMBS challenge. Theactionoffrusemide isnotlikely toinvolve inhibition ofcarbonic anhydrase activity. Because frusemide -butnotthemorepotent loopdiuretic bumetanide - inhibits indirect challenges suchasMBS andadenosine,5 it seemsunlikely thatinhibition oftheNa+/K+/ 2C1-cotransporter istheunderlying mechanismofaction offrusemide. Because frusemidehasinhibitory effects on carbonic anhydrase activity,' we hypothesised that carbonicanhydrase inhibition withacetazolamide mayinhibit thebronchoconstrictor effect of MBS. We alsoinvestigated whether modification ofsodiumfluxes across theapical surface oftheairway epithelium could beinvolved. Amiloride isanother diuretic whichinhibits thediffusion ofsodiumionsthrough sodium channels attheapical surface ofairway epithelial cells.7 Wetherefore studied whether inhaledacetazolamide andamiloride could attenuate thebronchoconstrictor effects ofinhaled MBS inasthmatic subjects.


Under uniaxial and cyclic tension conditions, the essential mechanical behaviors of the steel cords with two different constructions used in tires are investigated respectively. Experimental results indicate that the construction of the cords affects the mechanical properties (including the frictional energy) dramatically. Except for small load, the general structural cords are similar to elastic brittle material; however there is remarkable plastic deformation in high elongation cords. Under cyclic tensile load, the general structural cords have little friction energy loss, whereas the high elongation cords not only have friction energy loss, which manifests accelerated increase along with the increase of cyclic stress amplitude, but also show a phenomenon which is like the cyclic creep of metal materials under high temperature condition. The mechanism of this type of phenomenon is also discussed.


Panek (1984) recently described a technique designed to demonstrate undergraduates' attitudes toward aging in an adulthood and aging course. He suggested that although "the literature clearly indicates negative attitudes toward aging and older adults" (p. 173), students were hesitant to accept that finding. This reluctance could be countered effectively, he argued, by having students replicate the empirical result in a class research project. This article briefly reviews the gerontological literature on attitudes toward elderly persons and contends that the basic premise of Panek's article concerning the existence of negative attitudes is incorrect. In addition, I argue that Panek's demonstration employed a very specific and limited research method that fails to yield representative results on general social attitudes toward elderly persons. This article identifies alternative methods and considers pedagogical effects of Panek's demonstration and the substitutes proposed for it. Does the gerontological literature show that attitudes toward elderly persons are negative? Despite isolated findings (e.g., Rodin & Langer, 1980) and strong statements (e.g., Butler, 1975) that support such a claim, reviews ofthe literature (Brubaker & Powers, 1976; Kogan, 1979; Lutsky, 1980; McTavish, 1971) have not found consistent and strong evidence for negative general reactions toward elderly persons. What the gerontological literature does show is that attitudes toward elderly persons and aging are not monolithic and vary as a function of the specific stimulus being rated (e.g., "elderly persons" vs. "aging," "elderly persons" vs. "old persons"), the research design employed, and the dependent measures and dimensions being evaluated. In addition, research results suggest that students often react more positively to individual elderly persons than to similarly described younger persons (e.g., Crockett, Press, & Osterkamp, 1979). Thus, most research indicates that elderly persons are not the object of a general attitudinal prejudice; neither do elderly persons see themselves as victimized in this way (e.g., National Council on the Aging, 1975). This general conclusion is inconsistent with the results of Panek's demonstration. Panek had student researchers ask other students to report three terms or words that came to mind in response to the stimulus "old person." These were then rated as positive, negative, or neutral by the votes of members of his class. Results showed that negative associations to the stimulus re dominated in both kind and frequency, and Panek concluded that this illustrated more general negative reactions to aging and older persons. However, students described the stimulus most strongly and negatively In terms of one characterlstlc, physlcal deter~ora tlon. In fact, wlthout that response categorv, the frequen cles of posltive and negatlve associations were equal. That I. not surprising, because preklous research has chown that the at tr~bute "loss of health" is largely responiible for per celvers' general ratings of stimull such as "old ,ige" (e g , Collette-Pratt, 1976) and elderly persons' selt-identlficariori as "old" (e.g., Markldes 6r Boldt, 198 3). What theae re5earcf.i findlngs suggest IS that the term "old" has ,I \eiy clrcurn scribed meaning centered on health status. Thu., the terrri "old" 1s not synonymous ~vlth other general~zed or I ~ I ~ I ~ I J uatlng descriptors of elderly persons and aging How, then, can instructors more adequately detn<~il strate current attltudec toward elderly persons' One t r ih nlyue 1s to use bel~ef and attltude questlonnalres deslgneci for that purpose (e.g., Kogan, 1061, Palmore, 1977, Rose11 cranz & McNevln, 1969). Panel\'> strategy h,ls ~ e r t a l n ,l t i


Part 1 Historical context: the origins of Mercia a frontier in flames? Wales and its relations with Mercia Pictish parallells Ireland - an alternative model for power-broking Carolingian contacts political structures political women. Part 2 The church: the church in society during the Mercian period the architecture and archaeology of the church in Mercia hagiography and literature south of the Humber. Part 3 The material culture of Mercia: the archaeology of Mercia landscape and environment the growth of market centres and towns during the Mercian hegemony London, the contested city Mercian coinage. Part 4 Visual culture: sculpted monuments as expressions of authority and power the classicism of Southumbrian sculpture Mercian metalwork the Tiberius group of Southumbrian manuscripts Southumbrian manuscripts and liturgy. Part 5 Mercia in retreat Mercia, Wessex and the Vikings the military establishment. Part 6 Conclusion: continuity versus disruption Alfred and after.


Relatively few studies have examined the effects of low‐dose ultraviolet (UV) radiation on in vivo human cutaneous immunity, or the ability of sunscreens to prevent UV‐induced immunosuppression. We have studied the effects of solar‐simulated UV radiation on nickel contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in nickel‐allergic volunteers, and on delayed type hypersensitivity responses in Mantoux‐positive volunteers. Nickel CHS and Mantoux responses were significantly suppressed by acute, suberythemal UV exposures equivalent to less than 8 min summer sunlight. Both UVA and UVB wavebands were immunosuppressive, but UVA‐induced immunosuppression was transient, whereas UVB had a more sustained effect. Dose–responses for UV immunosuppression were determined using the nickel method, enabling calculation of in vivo sunscreen immune protection factors in a manner analogous with sun protection factor measurement. Sunscreens were found to confer significantly less protection against UV‐induced immunosuppression than against UV‐induced erythema.


The invention relates to optimization of a separation process for producing olefin cracking gas by using a methanol method. By using the key link of the separation process of cracking gas, namely theseparation of methane hydrogen as an object, the invention provides a technical process which is favorable for reducing the energy consumption in the separation process and comprises multiple modes ofwashing and pre-separation of cracking gas, refrigeration of washing agents and cold supply by segregation and fractionation. The invention has the beneficial effects that the ethylene which is not condensed is recovered by adopting an absorption method, and simultaneously, the cooling capacity obtained by throttling expansion of high-pressure circulating ethane and propane is fully utilized, thereby realizing the pre-separation of partial methane hydrogen and ethylene and effectively reducing the feeding load and the energy consumption of separation of demethanize. In addition, the method issuitable for the optimization of the separation process of cracking gas with different components.


Feature selection by several mining techniques often issues with correlated features that generate the irrelevances for classification. Many existing approaches of feature selection may or mayn't remove the irrelevant data from data base for classification but few features don't need for feature selection schemes due to it involves same data in all classes. Based on this scenario, nothing is changed in traditional classes by different existing approaches. Thus the distinct classes are identified from traditional class using different sub-feature selection techniques. Hence it controls the redundancy and irrelevant features from individual database. The proposed model selects both features and sub-features for distinct classes using correlation coefficient and fuzzy model. The above model motivates to select the number of relevant features and sub-features towards distinct class without disturbing the original data set. It demonstrates the effectiveness of proposed model for selecting the number of features and sub-features from several data sets. The results reveal that the proposed method identifies the exact relevant features with sub-feature for novel class.


(PhysOrg.com) -Maxwell's demon may be making a comeback. Physicists know that the demon, an imaginary creature that decreases the entropy of a system, cannot exist in macroscopic systems due to the energy it requires to perform its role. However, a recent study has shown that, on the nanoscale, Maxwell's demon might be able to do its work with much less energy than previously thought due to tiny thermal fluctuations that occur in small systems.


THE ONLY GOOD CYCLIST is an analysis of fatal bicycle crashes with motor vehicles in New York City. It refutes police officials' claim that bicyclists, not drivers, are responsible for most cyclist deaths. We hope that it will help motivate officialdom to protect in fact what is supposed to be guaranteed by law: the simple right to ride a bike on city streets without fear of vehicular aggression and assault. We present THE ONLY GOOD CYCLIST with a sense of urgency. Bicycle fatalities in New York City doubled last year to an all-time high of 35. When this news hit the media, Mayor Giuliani reacted with a promise to protect cyclists (and pedestrians) from dangerous drivers. This promise has proven empty; the police have done nothing to honor it. Police officials justify this nonfeasance with the claim (given without supporting data or analysis) that "cyclist error" has been the "primary contributing factor" in three-fourths of recent fatal bicycle crashes with motor vehicles (see pp. 4-5 for a selection of the NYPD's statements). To test this claim, and to determine how bicycle riders are being struck and killed on the streets of New York City, Right Of Way obtained police accident reports for 71 fatal bicycle crashes during the four-year period 1995-1998 (data for 1999 were not available). We categorized the crashes by type and classified them according to the level of driver or cyclist culpability in causing the crash. This report describes our method and presents our findings. Right Of Way is a NYC-based advocacy group founded in 1996. Millions of New Yorkers have seen our "street memorials" marking some 250 sites where pedestrians and cyclists have been killed by motor vehicles. Our 1999 book KILLED BY AUTOMOBILE (which is posted at www.rightofway.org) analyzed the nearly 1,000 pedestrian fatalities here during 19941997. THE ONLY GOOD CYCLIST is the first installment of a larger study documenting misconduct that harms bicyclists in New York City, and commemorating those who have died.


We describe a cell scheduler for ATM networks based on a predictive adaptive feedback control methodology, whose goal is to maintain the quality of service (QoS) of a set of calls at the desired level, in spite of traffic fluctuations and/or deviations of the actual traffic parameters from those specified at call setup. The scheme is quick and effective and its performance is independent of the distance between the source and the switch, which makes it ideal for high-speed wide-area networks, in contrast to other (reactive) flow control strategies.


In this article, the authors try to analyze the relationship between taxes ratios and taxes revenues. Although the estimated forms of the Laffer Curves for different. Sorts of taxes in Turkey, are fitted to the theory expectations, it is seen that according to the efficiency criteria, the tax administration is inefficient


New measurement principles in pulse oximetry have been introduced to decrease the incidence of false movement alarms. Experimental studies have shown that the new Nellcor Symphony N‐3000 may reduce the incidence of false alarms when monitoring during different activities. We compared the Nellcor Symphony N‐3000 with the Nellcor N‐200 pulse oximeter, when monitoring patients in the general surgical ward. Twenty‐two patients were monitored during unrestricted ward activities for a total of 275 h with a N‐3000 and a N‐200 pulse oximeter simultaneously. Data were analysed for lack of concordance between the two pulse oximeters with respect to frequency of registered hypoxaemic episodes and thus the amount of time spent in the alarm state. The median number of desaturation episodes with the N‐200 was 18 (range 0–511) compared with four (range 0–476) with the N‐3000 (p < 0.0001). The median number of drop‐outs (loss of signal) was 13 (range 1–46) with the N‐200 compared with nine (2–41) with the N‐3000 (p = 0.06). The N‐200 registered saturation values of 85% or below for 23% of the observation time compared with 6% of the observation time with the N‐3000 pulse oximeter (p < 0.0001). The different working principles of the two generations of oximeters were reflected in the present results derived from a clinical setting. The Nellcor Symphony N‐3000 may offer an advantage compared with the Nellcor N‐200, because of the reduced frequency of alarms and total time in alarm when monitoring patients in the general surgical ward.


Nickel-rich layered oxide cathode materials (LiNixTM(1-x)O2 where x > 0.8) are of great interest because they offer increased capacity compared to current commercial materials while maintaining compatibility with supply chain and production processes already in place. However, recent studies have shown that these materials in their current form are unsuitable for commercial applications due to the accelerated degradation caused by replacing more stable transition metals with the relatively unstable nickel. While various strategies have already been proposed to mitigate this issue, the fundamental degradation mechanism still needs to be better understood to inform the design of the next generation of nickel-rich cathode materials. In this work, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is combined with titration mass spectrometry (TiMS) to measure gases evolved in a lithium half-cell during cycling as well as surface species which evolve gas upon addition of strong acid to an extracted cathode. Along with qualitative observations of particle cracking by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), these results reveal correlations between particle cracking, electrolyte reactivity, and carbonate oxidation and deposition on the changing cathode surface in nickel-rich cathode materials.


THIS paper takes issue with Messrs. Conrad and Meyer's statement that "economic forces may often work toward the continuation of a slave system."2 Historic evidence is generally contrary to this assertion, except insofar as the slave supply can be cheaply replenished from external sources. The authors mention the case of Rome,3 where slavery declined when the Pax Romana was established and the major external sources of slave supply had dried up. But they are wrong in saying that slavery in Rome declined because the slave population could not reproduce itself. Slavery in Rome declined as a result of widespread manumission. Profitable deals could be made with the slave or with the freedman, who could be and usually was obligated to render services to his former master. A freedman often continued in the same employment or else was set up in business with funds upplied by the master, or, on the land, was given part of the estate to work as a tenant. Hence the slave in fact bought his own freedom, either by being given the opportunity to accumulate savings of his own, the "peculium," or afterward as a freedman, having received his freedom, so to speak, on credit. This system was to the advantage of the owner because it gave the slave an incentive to work well and in general to make himself agreeable to his master. Thus, while the owner did not (immediately) appropriate the entire surplus that the slave earned over and above the cost of his maintenance, he still got greater economic benefits in the long run.4 And it should be emphasized that this occurred in a period in which slave prices were rising.5 Therefore we should be leery of the notion that economic considerations are contrary to voluntary emancipation when slave prices are high and on the increase. Rather, the opposite is true: the most highly valued


In three high-profile cases the Bundesverfassungsgericht (BVerfG — Federal Constitutional Court) was recently called upon to exercise its authority to issue a temporary injunction in proccedings referred to as einstweilige Anordnungen (provisional measures). Article 32 of the Bundesverfassungsgerichtgesetz (BVerfGG — Federal Constitutional Court Act) provides: In a dispute the Federal Consitutional Court may deal with a matter provisionally by means of a temporary injunction if this is urgently needed to avert serious detriment, ward off imminent force or for any other important reason for the common good.


We introduce the notion of a distributional $k$-Hessian ($k=2,\ldots ,n$) associated with fractional Sobolev functions on $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$, a smooth bounded open subset in $\mathbb{R}^{n}$. We show that the distributional $k$-Hessian is weakly continuous on the fractional Sobolev space $W^{2-2/k,k}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA})$ and that the weak continuity result is optimal, that is, the distributional $k$-Hessian is well defined in $W^{s,p}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA})$ if and only if $W^{s,p}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA})\subseteq W^{2-2/k,k}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA})$.


The structures and functions of a new kind of 11-line potentiometer and the old one are compared.It is found that the old potentiometer has serious problems in agreement and stability of each resistance leading to a significant difference in the effects of using these two potentiometers.


Resistance measurements of the cochlear membranes are analyzed regarding the effective length of the cochlea actually sensed. It is shown that only short segments are represented by the measurements, as confirmed by experimental results. It is asserted that both the longitudinal and transverse dimensions must be considered simultaneously in cochlear modeling, as facilitated by a transmission line or core conductor approach.


In this paper it is shown that the bifurcation and chaotic behavior in a nonlinear system can be analyzed by using the describing function method. The proposed method to predict bifurcation or chaos can be applied for a nonlinear system of any order and also applied for a nonlinear system with time lag.


A Study Of The Putative Anti-Atherogenic Mechanisms Of Vitamin E And Vitamin C In Subjects At Coronary Risk Julie C Williams Epidemiological evidence suggests that populations with high intakes of antioxidant vitamins have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and animal studies have demonstrated that antioxidants can inhibit atherogenesis. In this thesis the effects of the antioxidant vitamins E and C on monocyte adhesion, platelet adhesion and platelet aggregation has been examined in vitro on cells isolated from healthy volunteers, and ex vivo using cells isolated from patients at coronary risk. Preliminary in vitro investigations revealed that; pre-incubation of platelets with vitamin E inhibited platelet aggregation (p<0.05), platelet adhesion (p<0.05) and reduced platelet membrane microviscosity (p<0.05). Pre-incubation of platelets with vitamin C, however, failed to significantly affect platelet adhesion. Pre-incubation of monocytes with vitamin E inhibited their subsequent adhesion to plastic (p<0.05), whilst pre-incubation of the endothelial cells with vitamin E also significantly reduced subsequent monocyte adhesion (p<0.05). Twenty eight patients, with a diagnosis of primary hypercholesterolaemia received placebo (soybean oil) for six weeks, followed by vitamin E at a dose of 400 IU per day. Following six weeks of vitamin E supplementation thrombin induced platelet aggregation was significantly inhibited (p<0.01), while monocyte adhesion remained unaffected. In fifty six untreated elderly hypertensive and normotensive volunteers, monocyte adhesion to collagen coated microwells was significantly correlated with daytime pulse pressure (r = 0.38, p<0.01). Forty of these subjects were randomly allocated to a crossover trial of vitamin C 500 mg daily versus placebo each for 3 months. Vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced daytime systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and mean arterial blood pressure (p<0.05) in the elderly hypertensive subjects. Platelet adhesion to collagen coated (p<0.05) and tissue culture plastic microwells (p<0.01) was also reduced in the elderly normotensive subjects. Monocyte adhesion was not significantly affected by vitamin C supplementation. Eighty seven patients undergoing routine coronary angioplasty were randomly allocated to receive either placebo (n = 42) or vitamin E (n = 45) at a dose of 800 IU per day prior to the angioplasty procedure and for at least six months after. Neither placebo nor vitamin E supplementation had any significant effect on monocyte or platelet adhesion. However, vitamin E supplementation did prevent the rise in plasma levels of soluble Pselectin following angioplasty (p<0.05).


(1) A method for measuring pest status is described. (2) A total of 472 species of phytophagous insects and mites on 121 crop plants and ornamentals were evaluated according to their pest status. (3) An analysis by taxon revealed that Lepidoptera, Homoptera and Coleoptera together account for 75% of all pest problems on cultivated plants in South Africa. Eighty-eight families, in eleven orders, are listed and ranked by pest status, as are the 101 most important pest species. (4) The pest status of indigenous and introduced insects and mites on native and alien host plants is summarized. (5) Only one of the 472 pest species is monophagous; about 12% are oligophagous, 78% are polyphagous, and the choice of host plants by the remainder is unknown. (6) Overall, sap-sucking species are marginally more important than plant-chewing species; borers are very much less so, and gall-formers and miners are relatively insignificant as pests. (7) The various guilds of phytophages are analysed according to their feeding habits and damage they do to their host plants. On the basis of mean pest status per species, disease vectors are the most important guild. (8) Trees and perennial shrubs harbour predominantly sap-sucking species and fewer chewers and borers: all flowers, vegetables, crops and grasses by contrast, are attacked mostly by chewing species and harbour proportionately fewer sap-suckers and very few borers.


This work presents a proposal of formulation and implementation of algorithms based on GRASP (Greed Randomized Search Procedure), VND (Variable Neighborhood Descent) and VNS (Variable Neighborhood Search) optimization techniques to satisfy the new Internet generation, which implements Quality of Service (QoS) and Traffic Engineering. Because of the Internet expansion and the necessity to support new requirements demanded by more complex applications, such as real time transmissions, this new context appeared requiring that paths between the ingress and egress nodes are determined. This task is also called network dimensioning. Computational results are presented, proving that it is possible to provide an improvement in the network dimensioning, through the proposed techniques.


In this paper we solve the problem of minimizingthe power consumption in SWMR (single writer, multi reader)optical buses for both the ring and tree based configurations. Tominimize the power consumption it is necessary to design thebeam splitters in a SWMR bus optimally. A prior approach byBinzhang et al. [5] proposes to use an exponential time NLPbased solution for solving a related problem, and there are otherapproaches for solving this problem sub-optimally. In comparisonwe propose an optimal linear time algorithm for both ring andtree based buses. Additionally, we take into account the factthat the power loss in a splitter is dependent on the split ratio.Subsequently, we propose a hardware version of our algorithmthat takes 4 cycles for a 64-station ring, and 32 cycles for a 64-station balanced tree to compute an optimal configuration. Withthe help of exhaustive Synopsys RSoft simulations, we show thatour SWMR bus is 87% more power efficient than a popularlyused alternative approach proposed by Kurian et al. [9]. Forlarge number of stations, an optimally designed tree based busis a further 25% more power efficient than a ring.


With high-quality malt barley Yangnongpi 2 as the testing material, the effects of nitrogen amount and application on grain quality were studied. The main results were as follows; ① Grain protein content increased and grain starch content decreased as the increase of nitrogen application amount; ② Nitrogen application produced a profound regulation effect on grain protein content and accumulation. The protein content and its accumulating rate increased as the increased nitrogen at the later development period; ③ Under the experimental conditions, by adopting the combination of 225×104 · hm-2 plants, 150 kg · hm-2 N and basal : seedling : stem pushing N 7: 1: 2, the grain yield reached 8 000 kg · hm-2, protein content, thousand-grain weight, natural weight, germination viability and germination percentage met the temporary industrial standards of high quality barley


Background: Conventional biomarkers cannot always establish the cause of pleural effusions, so alternative tests permitting rapid and accurate diagnosis are required. The primary aim of this study was to assess the ability of pentraxin-3 and calprotectin to diagnose pleural effusions and compare their efficacy to that of other conventional markers. Methods: We studied 128 patients with pleural effusions, classified as transudates and exudates including malignant, tuberculous, and parapneumonic effusions (MPE, TPE and PPE) and empyema. The pleural fluid levels of pentraxin-3 (PTX3), calprotectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), procalcitonin (PCT) and lactate were assessed. Results: Calprotectin, CRP, PCT, and lactate levels were significantly higher in patients with exudates than transudates. PTX3 yielded the most favorable sensitivity and specificity to discriminate PPE from MPE or TPE, providing an AUC=0.74 (95%CI 0.63-0.84), a sensitivity=62.07%, and a specificity=81.08%, with a cut-off point of 25.00 ng/ml. Conclusion: Our data suggest that calprotectin was limited in its ability to differentiate between exudative pleural effusions of different origins. However, PTX3 may allow improved differentiation of PPE from MPE or TPE compared to the previously identified biomarkers CRP, sTREM-1, and PCT.


Blood samples from 50 dogs were collected at three veterinary clinics in Ibadan and Abuja, Nigeria and the serum from each sample was evaluated serologically for neutralizing antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV) by the highly sensitive plaque reduction (PRN) neutralization assay. Thirteen dogs had plaque reduction neutralization titres of 0-100, seven had titres of 100-1,000 while 30 had titres ranging from 1,000-6,000. The PRN titres of vaccinated dogs were found to be significantly higher than unvaccinated dogs. The widespread use of the highly reproducible PRN test for the evaluation of antibody response to CDV may be very important in the generation of international CDV positive serum standards that should help to improve pre-and post-vaccination testing of dogs worldwide.


Our paper analyzes the cost of state prisons as a function of state prison populations across U.S. states. Historically and intuitively, a given state's prison expenditures have risen as more inmates enter the prison system. Through panel regression analysis, a detailed understanding is obtained of how state prisons experience economies of scale as inmate populations rise over time. Our model consists of a single function. The equation is quadratic in nature and uses a cost function to see if there are economies of scale within the state prison systems. Our results indicate that as prison populations increase over time, the cost per-prisoner decreases at a decreasing rate. We find that state prison systems are experiencing economies of scale.


Austro-Slavism is relatively little researched. There are for this cultural-political current, which arose at the beginning of the nineteenth century in the Danubian Monarchy, merely short, episodic treatments concerning various individuals who were in any way associated with it. A complete monograph about the extent and character of AustroSlavism is yet to be done. And yet Austro-Slavism had in the history of the Danubian Monarchy a significant impact and effect. Numerous Slavic intellectuals in the Monarchy had identified their creativity with this idea throughout the nineteenth century and up to the outbreak of the First World War. Interesting scholarly initiatives and projects were devised in its service. For some scholars Austro-Slavism was the motive of their activity, and among these the most ambitious advocate, the one who tied Austro-Slavism to all his other cultural and scholarly work, was the Slovene Slavicist Jernej Kopitar. i Even while Kopitar was living in Ljubljana he dreamed of a position at the Vienna Court Library, so that he might settle in Vienna and devote himself fully to his studies. 2 After this dream was realized and Kopitar had moved to Vienna, his first works were less scholarly investigations than the results of his pondering the Austro-Slavic theme. This is especially true of his" Adresse der kiinftigen slavischen Akademie,"3 and "Patriotische Phantasien eines Slaven."4 Contact with the imperial city had caused a profound change of heart in Kopitar. In Vienna, where • in concentrated form the socio-political changes of the entire monarchy were reflected, Kopitar could come to grips with the evolution of any • and all forces that might destabilize the structures of the Austrian state: these were especially German and Slavic nationalism and the open and enthusiastic appeal to Russia on the part of the great majority of the Slavic population. Kopitar most certainly pondered long and hard the complex problems of this multinational state and in particular of the Slavs living in it. Early on he as a realistic and perspicacious man realized that the South Slavs and those of Central Europe had only two


A new concept of the architecture of hybrid lighting systems for installations of combined lighting is considered. The cascade principle of constructing the optical path of such complexes is described, in which the design contains two stages of the cascade: the upper and lower stages. The upper (input) structure is made on the basis of the corresponding modification of the hollow tube "Solatube®" (daylight), and the lower one, based on the "Solatube®" fibre of a larger diameter, is combined with LED artificial light block and is designed to transmit mixed light (daylight and artificial light). The results of studies on the efficiency of light transmission made it possible to optimize the solution of the new modification of the hybrid lighting complex "Solar LED", lower stage of the cascade, and to develop the nomenclature of the production line "S". The description of the first experience of using this complex in the pilot combined illumination system of the "meeting room" in the shopping centre "IKEA Belaya Dacha" headquarters is given. A completely autonomous power supply system for a lighting installation based on solar panels has been implemented.


Fabrication of klystrons at THz frequencies is very difficult due to the small cavity dimensions. Cavities operating at higher order mode have larger dimensions but typically a too low Q and R/Q. A new topology of klystron suitable for THz frequencies is proposed to effectively use high order mode cavities.


[ This chapter considers some of the changes that have taken place, particularly in British newspapers over the last few centuries. It assesses the role of newspapers today, both in England and elsewhere. The chapter points out that as globalization spreads, the same media styles are spreading worldwide. Newsbooks, the 17th century forerunners of newspapers, were published every few days, whenever the compilers thought they had accumulated sufficient material. The commonest type of structure in modern newspapers may be the "inverted pyramid", basically an upside down triangle. The role of journalists is often thought to be straightforward: they provide information about recent events, especially juicy shock-horror stories which will capture readers' attention. Newspapers provide a comforting sense of normalcy and also of continuation. Keywords:British newspapers; journalists; media styles , This chapter examines the use of modern standard Arabic (MSA) and Egyptian colloquial Arabic (ECA) in talk shows. The author sheds light on code-choice and code-switching by women in relation to identity. The only difference between the MSA and the ECA realisations of the same verb is in the vowel pattern and syllable structure. MSA in Egypt, people tend to drop case and mood endings except in the most elevated (especially religious) discourse. Four women from different parts of the Arab world discuss current issues in the Arab world and the world in general. Identity is defined by Lakoff (2006: 142) as "a continual work in progress, constructed and altered by the totality of life experience". The linguistic resources available to women in the programs analysed include code choice and code switching. Keywords:Arab world; code-choice; code-switching; Egypt; Egyptian colloquial Arabic (ECA); modern standard Arabic (MSA); talk shows ]


Degradation under simulated physiological conditions of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA) copolymer membrane films subjected to an oxygen plasma treatment compared to its "as prepared" state has been studied by gas cluster ion beam assisted X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for chemical depth profiling analysis. This investigation is complemented with atomic force microscopy, weight loss measurements, and visual inspection of the films at the different stages of the degradation process. The obtained results show that the carbon functional groups of the PLGA membrane films undergo a heterogeneous hydrolytic degradation to different rates depending on the plasma pretreatment. The content of glycolic groups (GA) in untreated PLGA samples immersed for 3 weeks in a phosphate-buffered saline solution decreased at the surface, whereas the ratio between glycolic and lactic units (LA) did not vary in the inner regions (∼400 nm depth) of the degraded membrane films. By contrast, oxygen plasma pretreatment enhances the...