Take
the image of lotus in ancient poems as the carrier, and analyze the cultural implication of lotus imagery. Through the internal
connection between lotus visual text and image language, the
metaphorical image of lotus in ancient poetry and the image interpretation of lotus
in oil painting language are used as the starting point to describe the
artistic conception in literary works in an image way. There are four parts to
study the image of lotus in ancient poems. Observing the state of things and
experiencing the feelings of things; using the spirit of lotus and lotus to express
the spirit of poetry, finding the aesthetic conception of poetry, co-constructing
the strategy of image and text isomorphism, and fitting the personalized oil painting creation language with both
pictures and text, it can help readers to build a new aesthetic perception and poetic
comprehension to realize the cross-cultural resonance of poetry and painting
imagery.


We have computed quantum wavefunctions in the high-energy (semiclassical) regime in a system—the stadium billiard with leads allowing particles to enter and escape—exemplifying chaotic scattering. The results exhibit a structure associated with classical paths that is dramatically more pronounced than the scars due to periodic orbits seen in bound systems. Moreover, this structure is seen at all energies. Our results differ significantly from those previously conjectured on the basis of computations in the low-energy regime. The dominant role played by short classical paths is explained by a semiclassical theory based on the analytic structure of the Green function. This is verified by a direct semiclassical computation of wavefunctions using classical scattering trajectories.


Zoom: Surprising Ways to Supercharge Your Career, by Daniel Roberts. 2013. New York: Fortune Books. 271 pages. Hardbound. $26.95.Zoom: Surprising Ways to Supercharge Your Career pulls together engaging personal stories, firsthand insights, and success secrets from thirty-one young entrepreneurs and rising stars in a variety of fields. Each chapter is filled with tips on how to fast-track your own career success story. The stories in Zoom all share common themes: bold actions, big risks, bigger rewards, and a drive to improve. Some of these "40 Under 40" challenged the biggest competitors in their respective fields, while others slowly climbed the corporate ladder through old-fashioned hard work.Regardless of how these people "zoomed" their careers, however, they all share one thing in common: failures. Each and every story was marked by at least one failure. Zoom challenges readers to learn from these failures, and suggests ways to avoid said failures in their own careers. Zoom is broken into chapters by success story themes.The first theme revolves around underdogs who challenged major industry titans and succeeded. Kevin Plank challenged the athletic giant Nike by starting his own company, Under Armour-now a multibillion-dollar success. Plank's story showed that teamwork, company loyalty, and the confidence to bounce back from failures can net big results. He pushed his company to work as a team. Their success belonged to the entire company, and failure was a call to action for every individual who worked there. Plank's method worked, and Under Armour continues to grow in profits every year.Another of Zoom's themes is about taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone. Each story in this chapter demonstrates how an entrepreneur chased his or her wildest dreams and never gave up. Part of the chapter follows Meredith Whitney, one of the first bank analysts to sound the warning about the financial crisis of 2007. Many people believed that Meredith was out of her depth when she stepped forward with information proving the financial crisis was imminent, and she quickly learned that people will not believe you simply because you know you are right. Meredith proved, however, that an unflappable willingness to stick to your convictions can get you far.A later chapter covers those who followed their childhood dreams. David Chang, a world-renowned chef, actually majored in religion at Trinity College. For years, Chang followed his father's advice and avoided the food industry; but he was ultimately unhappy with his career. When Chang foundajob near a small noodle shop, however, his passion for cooking was reignited. He left his job, graduated from culinary school, and worked his way up by taking on small positions at prestigious restaurants. …


Clinical trials of new drugs may overstate efficacy and not identify adverse effects. It is therefore unusual for the passage of time to reveal that a drug is less toxic, has greater efficacy and a wider range of uses than first claimed. For decades metformin was misunderstood, vilified and banned in many countries, but it is now one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. In 2010 there were more than 100 million prescriptions worldwide for metformin, alone and in combination tablets. Metformin was developed from a herb, Galega officinalis*, which was used for centuries to treat many ailments including polyuria. It is a rich source of the toxic substance guanidine. A less toxic alkaloid, galegine, was identified in France just before World War I. Its pharmacology and toxicology were studied in Paris and its structure was identified in Edinburgh. In 1922 metformin (dimethyl biguanide) was synthesised in Dublin and shown to lower blood glucose with fewer gastrointestinal adverse effects than its predecessors. However, in the same year insulin was used for the first time, distracting interest from other glucose-lowering drugs. In Paris in 1957 metformin, by then called glucophage ('glucose eater'), was studied in trials and shown to lower blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes, but not in people without diabetes. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin did not stimulate insulin release, but increased its peripheral uptake and also reduced the release of glucose from the liver. Metformin had gastrointestinal adverse effects which could be minimised by a 'start low, go slow' approach to dosing.


This study was conducted to examine the effect of company size , firm size are moderated earnings growth , debt to equity , debt to equity are moderated growth in earnings , earnings per share and earnings per share earnings growth moderated affect the profitability of the company. The population in this study are all food & beverage companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange ( IDX ) . Sampling was done by using purposive sampling method, namely the determination of the sample with the target or specific considerations. The Company elected to the sample in this study is based on these criteria are as many as 33 companies. Analysis of data using multiple regesi method. The results of company size (X1) does not have a significant effect on the profitability of the company . Debt to Equity Ratio /DER (X2) has a significant effect on the profitability of the company. Earning Per Share /EPS (X3) has a significant effect on the profitability of the company. Size companies which is moderated by profit growth in earnings (X4) has no significant effect on the profitability of the company. Debt to Equity Ratio moderated by profit growth (X5) has no significant effect on the profitability of the company. Earning Per Share moderated by profit growth (X6) does not have a significant effect on the profitability of the company. The profitability explained by the variable i.e. company size, DER , EPS , debt to equity ratio and profit growth as moderating variables is equal to 67.3 %. While approximately 22.7 % influenced by other variables not examined in this study, such as working capital, liquidity and firm age. Keywords : Company Size, Debt to Equity Ratio, Earnings Per Share, Company Size Moderated by Profit Growth, Debt to Equity Ratio Moderated by Profit Growth, Earnings Per Share Moderated by Profit Growth, Profitability


PurposeIssues around informal, non-formal and formal learning, intended and unintended learning and competencies and capabilities have been considered in work-based learning (WBL). However, demarcated modes of learning, or what can be called strategies or pedagogies of learning, associated with experience of work environments have yet to be examined. One mode of learning which has been highlighted in relation to work is reflective practice, and its centrality to learning at work has been established. But reflective practice as a core skill, and its relation to other approaches to learning and research in WBL, remains uncovered. The purpose of the present study therefore is to identify different modes of learning as they appear in the literature and to present a proto-theoretical "learning by …" model for WBL and research founded on learning by reflection.Design/methodology/approachProto-theoretical modelling and qualitative descriptions of each mode of learning.FindingsWork environments, and the higher degree WBL programmes which support them, should provide learning via every available mode of learning, thereby allowing students to find their own best orientation to learning and encourage it by any means.Originality/valueThe proto-theoretical model and 12 modes of learning applied to WBL are unique to this study. WBL provides participants of work with multiple opportunities and approaches to learn and similarly provides multiple modes through which learning can occur on the basis of knowledge and skills in reflective practice.


Research on the mental representation of negated concepts in written texts has yet to reach a consensus about the effects of negation. MacDonald and Just (1989) reported that after reading a sentence with a negation, negated words took longer to recognize than non-negated words, which suggests that the negated concepts became less active. However, Hasson and Glucksberg (2006) found that after reading negative metaphors (e.g., this surgeon isn't a butcher), lexical decisions about words consistent with the affirmative sense of the negated word (e.g., clumsy) took less time than for control words. To reconcile these (and other) incompatible findings, two experiments were conducted to test the possibility that the findings of MacDonald and Just do not persist beyond immediate testing. Experiment 1 used a probe task and materials similar to those used by MacDonald and Just, with the addition that the probe task occurred either 0 ms, 500 ms, or 1000 ms after the end of the sentence. The negation effect was present at 0 ms, replicating MacDonald and Just, but not at 500 ms or 1000 ms. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the reduced activation seen from negation out of context is shortlived. Experiment 2 used an eye-tracking procedure to provide converging evidence for the effect of additional processing time. However, the hypotheses were not supported. This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council Thesis Director: ___________________ Dr. William Levine Thesis Committee: ___________________ Dr. Denise Beike ___________________ Dr. Brenda Zies Thesis Duplication Release I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this thesis when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed ___________________________ Kevin S. Autry Refused ___________________________ Kevin S. Autry


We consider the Cauchy problem for the wave equation in the whole space, R^n, with initial data which are distributions supported on finite sets. The main result is a precise description of the geometry of the sets of stationary points of the solutions to the wave equation.


Based on brief introduction of the current status of collective forestry property rights system reform and farmers′ forestry income,taking Fujian and Jiangxi as the cases,and according to the results of analysis and practical data proving,the forestry property rights system reform has significantly increased the farmers′ forestry income.Besides that,reduction and remission of the forestry tax and fee as well as the timber prices going up have increased the farmers′ forestry income.Nevertheless the forestry property rights system reform has decreased financial income of towns and villages.


Taking as basis the catch statistics of eels, which have been published by Bureau of Fisheries, Department of Agriculture and Forestry, with the classification according to kinds of the fish for each Japanese rivers, some remarkable relations pertaining to the upstream migration of the fish are studied.


The present invention discloses a semiconductor memory device. A selection signal 203 outputted from the decoding circuit 211 to specify the cell group 214 in the off state of the bit cell circuit 202 according to the fuse element 100 selectively high level. Thus, any of a transmission gate 221, 223 is turned on, the data writing, the data bits read out unit group 201a ~ 201c is selected. Thus, the cutting unit group are sequentially specified by the fuse element in a circuit 202, it can be overwritten several times to store data. As a result, the present invention can be utilized for multiple writes a fuse element or the like having a memory element can be written only once, but can also reduce the circuit scale.


The paper develops and designs BQC-25 flameproof portable electromagnetic starter for mine in view of the problems of similar starter occurred for use underground coal mine.The practice proves that it has complete protection functions and convenient maintenance,which is suitable for underground central pump station of coal mine.


The purpose of this study was to examine how social workers, in the social services department of economical aid, are affected by the increasing number of clients. More specifically we focused on how the social workers job situation as a whole, how the feelings of their work and the ability to reach the goals of the organizations was affected by the changing circumstances. To examine this we used a qualitative method and interviewed nine social workers in five different municipalities in the south of Sweden that had seen an increasing number of clients during the last year. The analysis was based on a theory about Human Service Organizations and also on the theoretical Human Resource-perspective on how to view organizations. The result shows that most of the departments was given increasing resources in the form of new staff but also that the social workers in one office were being overused by its organization. The result of this is that all of the social workers that participated in this study feel negative stress in their work situation. Despite this, they all reported to enjoy their work. When it comes to the ability to reach the organizations goals the social workers reported to achieve this but at the same time concerns about the future were mentioned. The ambiguousness of the goals was confirmed as a potential problem. Due to the increasing number of clients the social workers in most of the municipalities have had to spend less time on meeting the clients. It is this work that the social workers finds most meaningful.


15 The interactions between aerosols and ice clouds represent one of the largest uncertainties in 16 global radiative forcing from pre-industrial time to the present. In particular, the impact of 17 aerosols on ice crystal effective radius (Rei), which is a key parameter determining ice clouds' 18 net radiative effect, is highly uncertain due to limited and conflicting observational evidence. 19 Here we investigate the effects of aerosols on Rei under different meteorological conditions 20 using 9-year satellite observations. We find that the responses of Rei to aerosol loadings are 21 modulated by water vapor amount in conjunction with several other meteorological 22 parameters. While there is a significant negative correlation between Rei and aerosol loading 23 in moist conditions, consistent with the "Twomey effect" for liquid clouds, a strong positive 24 correlation between the two occurs in dry conditions. Simulations based on a cloud parcel 25 model suggest that water vapor modulates the relative importance of different ice nucleation 26 modes, leading to the opposite aerosol impacts between moist and dry conditions. When ice 27 clouds are decomposed into those generated from deep convection and formed in-situ, the 28 water vapor modulation remains in effect for both ice cloud types, although the sensitivities of 29 Rei to aerosols differ noticeably between them due to distinct formation mechanisms. The 30 water vapor modulation can largely explain the difference in the responses of Rei to aerosol 31


Two-dimensional magnetic recording is affected by the inter-track interference (ITI) from the adjacent tracks. We investigate the improvement of partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) systems with signal dependent noise predictor (SDNP) in the bit error rate performance. The systems reduce the influence of ITI by two dimensional finite impulse response filter using the waveforms reproduced by triple readers from the adjacent tracks. The results show that the SDNP provides larger improvement to PR(2,6,1)ML system compare with PR1ML system.


A major challenge in a simulator design is to make multiple projectors acting as one. There are currently two different approaches to this problem. One is to accept that the seams can be visible, and as such going to facet without overlap, while the other one blends each projector image into its neighbours in order to eliminate the visibility of the different channels. This challenge exists since the day where one needed to make a visual system which could not be done via a single projector. Quickly, they found out that multiple difficulties awaited them. These included visibility of a seam between projectors, color and brightness mismatch, geometry discontinuities... For most, geometry discontinuities could be tackled with proper image processing. The visibility of the seams could be removed by adding the overlap (blendzone) between the projectors. Color and brightness mismatch could be tweaked away somehow, mainly electronically, with the finding that a larger blendzone helped in hiding this mismatch. Out of these elements, this paper will focus on the means of realizing the blendzone, and in particular the technologies referred to as optical blending, used to obtain perfect brightness crossfading during night scenes. We will elaborate on the relevant optical background information to understand the strength and weaknesses of each option. It will introduce a not-yet used technology which should overcome the limitations of the other ones.


Abstract : Economies in both time and expense can be achieved in the design of propelling charges for guns by the use of mathematical models of the interior ballistic cycle. Continued development of such models is impeded by the need to describe the kinetics controlling the propellant heat release in a more realistic way. Work toward this goal has thus far shown that the use of overall reactions to describe flames with complex kinetics can preserve the key thermal features of the flame such as the temperature and heat release profiles and flame speed. A method has also been developed for determining the kinetic parameters of this overall reaction from a temperature profile measured in the combustion wave. The kinetics extraction technique, however, requires knowledge of the thermal conductivity and specific heat of the gas mixture through the zone of heat release. Uncertainties in these transport properties stem from uncertainties in the molecular composition in the combustion zones of propellants. This study assesses the probable error in best estimates of the transport parameters and determines how this error propagates through the kinetics extraction technique and into a calculation of the burning rate based on the derived kinetics. The resultant errors turn out to be modest, and a major effort to measure the molecular composition for this purpose does not appear warranted at present.


Abstract Maintaining a sustainable egg bank through rapid maturation and the production of large clutches is an important strategy for large branchiopods surviving in ephemeral habitats, and such egg banks can only be replenished by the recruitment of hatched eggs as a function of fitness (F). The ability to reach a threshold F represents a key adaptation to selection pressures. We investigated daily changes in the population density/size and hatching numbers of fairy shrimp, Branchinella kugenumaensis, and estimated their F values in an ephemeral pool, Siangtian Pond, in northern Taiwan during 2005, and four cohorts were observed. The number of hatchings per cohort ranged from to , representing a hatching density between 1.42 and 2.83 , and the number of newly produced eggs per cohort ranged from to , representing a high level of recruitment, ranging from 10,631 to 37,425 in the sediment, which yielded a mean fitness of 2.05 produced eggs per hatching (CI  =  1.82 ∼ 2.35). The threshold F for replenishing the hatched portion of the egg bank was derived theoretically and ranges from 1.39 to 2.36, varying with the probability of reproduction failure and the rate of egg mortality. Because only a small fraction of the egg bank hatches during each inundation episode, the observed F may not be sufficient for replenishing the remaining egg bank. Therefore, additional strategies for long-term persistence are required, which may be achieved by exhibiting occasional indeterminate growth in addition to the regular determinate growth pattern of this species.


This report addresses the potential for using 'Limbo Lands' (underused, formerly contaminated sites, landfills, brownfields, abandoned mine lands, etc. ) as sites for renewable energy generating stations.


In this paper we will discuss a plan for an experimental application in clinical context of optical disc storage in diagnostic radiology. First computerized tomography (CT) and ultra-sound (US), later digital vascular imaging (DVI , intravenous angiography) and new digital device images such as digital radiography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NPR) will be stored permanently in a digital way. This image data base must be considered as an extension of the already operational hospital information system (ZIS). Replacing the costly, unique, bulky and operation-intensive film in a versatile, fast access- fast relocatable digital manner has obvious advantages and intrinsic,but limited, disadvantages. The aim of this experiment will be to evaluate easeof use, reliability and economic aspects of laser-disc based picture archiving and communication in a clinical experiment.


GC-MS study of aroma components present in two popular flowers Artabotrys odoratissimus and Alstonia scholaris with unusual floral tone was done and reported in the text. The hexane extract of the flowers were studied and found that these flowers contain certain unusual components along with some common fragrance molecules.


Successful fabrication of optics across multiple vendors and countries requires simple communication techniques. Drawing standards have been used across the optics industry in the United States since the 1960s with the implementation of MIL-STD-34 and subsequently ASME/ANSI Y14.18M. Though both standards are now inactive, designers and fabricators continue to use either these standards or modified versions of these standards. Concurrently, much of the international community has moved towards implementing ISO 10110 since the late 1990's. As standards development efforts continue for optics and photonics in ISO/TC 172 to improve global standardization, understanding how to read and interpret these standards, and notably the optical drawing standard ISO 10110, is critical. This paper discusses how to interpret a single drawing across traditionally-used standards within the United States. Deconstructing the basics of the three standards mentioned allows designers and fabricators to communicate in a single language. Understanding the history and development of optical standards and how they relate can help ease the transition to a single international standard for optical engineers and fabricators within the United States.


For Sturm-Liouville operators on the half line, we show that the property of having singular, singular continuous, or pure point spectrum for a set of boundary conditions of positive measure depends only on the behavior of the potential at infinity. We also prove that existence of recurrent spectrum implies that of singular spectrum and that "almost sure" existence of L_2-solutions implies pure point spectrum for almost every boundary condition. The same results hold for Jacobi matrices on the discrete half line.


The formation constants of the methylamine complexes of sperm whale metmyoglobin and five methaemoglobins have been determined as a function of pH and temperature. The measurements are restricted to pH's above 8 because below this pH isosbestic behaviour is not observed. The formation constants for the complex of the methaemoglobins differ very little from one another but are greater than that for sperm whale metmyoglobin by about a factor of 10. The enthalpy of formation of the complex, ΔH°, differ markdly between methaemoglobins. There is a good correlation between ΔH° for the formation of the methylamine complex and that for the formation of the hydrosulphide ion complex for a series of methaemoglobins, but no correlation between the former and ΔH° for the formation of the azide ion complex. This correlation is interpreted in terms of the hypothesis that in the formation of these complexes a hydrogen bond is formes between the ligand and the disltal inidazole, and that the hydrogen atom involved can originate either from the ligand or by transfer of a proton on the distal imidazole.


In this master's thesis, we carry out an empirical phenomenological study in an attempt to answer the research question: what happens to the phenomena, which cannot be reflected, when we attempt to reflect upon them. The reflective dimension is immediately accessible, whereas the prereflective dimension, as understood by phenomenologists, cannot be directly observed – i.e. it is consciously lived through, without being the object of explicit awareness. The first part of the thesis is a comparative analysis of the structures of consciousness. We examine authors from the field of philosophy, emphasizing the phenomenological tradition and contemporary empirical phenomenological research. In the second part we present results of our empirical phenomenological research. It is a practical approach, employing a multiple phenomenological case study, where we examine the experiential dynamics of a phenomenon called gist, which is part of knowledge enaction. Gist is an exaple of a phenomena usually found on the periphery of awareness. Its main characteristic is that it cannot be observed within the focus of attention. We use the technique second-person in-depth phenomenological inquiry. Based on the obtained experiential data, we present a dynamical structure of the experience of gist, which helps us shed light on the characteristics of phenomena usually found on the periphery of awareness.


Patients with autoimmune diseases (AIDs) treated with rituximab (RTX) are at increased risk of death from COVID- 19 infection. They have a diminished humoral response despite a preserved T- cell response to two doses of mRNA COVID- 19 vaccines. 1 2 It is currently not established how efficient the third dose is in this population. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a third dose of COVID- 19 vaccine on the


Objective To analyze the risk factors of urolithiasis in pregnancy and the relationship between urolithiasis in pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.Methods From January 2004 to December 2009,the clinical data of 162 pregnant women (Group A),diagnosed as upper urinary tract calculi,were reviewed,retrospectively.Their age ranged from 18 to 41 years (mean 24±5 years).Seven of them had history of urolithiasis before pregnant.At the same time,150 pregnant women without urinary stone (Group B) were also included in this study,whose mean age was 23±5 years.In addition,150 women without pregnant and urinary stone (Group C) were included in this study,whose mean age was 24±4 years.The blood and urine routine results,blood uric acid and electrolytes were recorded and compared among those groups.In group A,119 cases had symptomatic urolithiasis.Surgical intervention was performed in 24 cases and the conservative therapy was performed in 95 cases.The rates of abortion,premature delivery and cesarean delivery were compared between two groups.Results Compared group A with group B and group C,there were significant differences in the urine WBC (145.16±202.18 vs.46.00± 119.50 and 55.33 ± 145.36 per high power lens) and urine ketone body (2.41 ± 6.14 mmol/L vs.0.30± 1.75 mmol/L and 0.17± 1.26 mmol/L) (P<0.05).Meanwhile,there were significant differences in the blood leukocytes [(11.39±3.89)× 109/L,(10.78±2.98) ×109/L vs.(6.21±1.48) × 109/L],the blood uric acid (331.12±215.22 μmol/L,329.32± 88.50 μmol/L vs.280.01±69.88 μmol/L),the urine protein (0.29±2.00 mmol/L,0.10±0.19 mmol/L vs.0.02±0.09 mmol/L),urine glucose (2.50±8.44 mmoL/L,2.35±8.63 mmol/L vs.0.25± 1.97 mmol/L) and urine erythrocyte (76.60±98.11,77.43±71.00 vs.13.77±37.93 per high power lens) (P<0.05).In those patients with symptomatic urolithiasis,there was 1 case of abortion in the conservative treatment and surgery intervention groups,respectively.The premature delivery rate and cesarean delivery rate were 5.3% vs.0% and 17.9% vs.4.2%,respectively.Conclusions The blood leukocytes,blood uric acid,urine protein,urine glucose and urine erythrocytes are significantly high in pregnant women than those in non-pregnant women.However,the relationship between those abnormality and urolithiasis in pregnancy is still indefinite.Since the urine leukocytes and ketone increase obviously,it might suggest that the occurrence of the urine calculi is related with the metabolism of nourishment and electrolytes,urinary tract infection in pregnancy.The surgery intervention may be a risk of fetus miscarriage.

Key words:
Pregnancy;  Urolithiasis;  Retrospective studies


This paper examines Twitter networks of South Korean politicians. We have constructed the Following-follower and the Mention network between politicians and analyzed their relationship through various statistical tests and network analysis. Unlike other politician"s network such as bill cosponsorship and hyperlink network, the Twitter politician network lies in the embeddedness context, implying the network boundary is relatively fixed and politician"s social networking activities has constantly exposed to the public. Hence, social pressure of connecting other politicians based on reciprocity is imposed to politicians so that reciprocity principle makes the Following-follower network as a network of social ritual. For the Mention network, the embeddedness makes politicians consider the public gazes when they choose whom to talk to. As a result, "mention" messages tend to direct toward politicians who has gained popularity from the public in Twitter so that the Mention network between politicians represents a network of political support. Keyword: Politician network, Twitter, Social ritual, political support, embeddedness


The present invention relates to an environment-protecting type internal and external wall decorative plate material, its production process and formula. Its formula contains magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, long-fibre paper pulp, antiwhiskering agent, anti-sticking agent and reinforcing and flexibilizing agent, and its preparation process includes the steps of mixing raw materials, stirring,multiple rolling, solidifying, demoulding, curing, edging, washing with water, drying, adding water-proofing layer on its surface, packaging and putting in storage. Said decorative plate is light in weight, and can be nailed, can be planed, can be sawed and can be stuck, and contains no harmful components of glass fibre, asbestos and mineral wool, and has enough strength.


Five kinds of Bronsted-acidic ionic liquids with different nitrogen-contained chemical groups and different anions were synthesized, and were respectively characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), infrared spectrum (IR), electrospray ionization mass spectrum (ESI-MS) and thermogravimetry(TG. ). It was found that ten kinds of ionic liquids were synthesized, whose structures were consistent with the designed ones. And all of their purities were more than 95 %. These ionic liquids possess high thermal stability and wide liquid range,and their decomposition temperatures are higher than 300°C except that the tempetature of [MPy]NO3 is 199°Cby analyzing TG . Keywords-ionic liquids; infrared spectrum; nuclear magnetic resonance; electrospray ionization mass spectrum;


Part of Chinese characters is a very important concept in analyzing external structures of Chinese characters. There are different views about the definition of part of Chinese characters all along. Scholars achieve unity of opinion on this problem after the Committee of China's National Language publishes the standard of part of Chinese characters. But in some teaching materials, there are not identical views on the definition of part of Chinese characters still; there are some specious statements among them, and they must be corrected. Part and radical of Chinese characters are not synonyms absolutely, which can not be lumped together. To standardize the terminology and definition of Chinese characters including part of Chinese characters will be beneficial to develop the science of modern Chinese characters.


stantive insights it generates turn out to be of significant empirical and theoretical interest. Quantitative evidence is supplemented by detailed historical accounts, largely based on secondary sources but for the occasional interview, of main transformations in Polish society and politics over the period of interest. Unsurprisingly, a large section of it is devoted to the role of the Catholic Church in supporting resistance to the Communist regime and the fabrication of interpretative frames capable of integrating the different strands of Polish opposition. Two events are of particular interest. First, the Great Novena, launched by Cardinal Wyszyński following his release in 1956 and meant to lead to the celebration of one thousand years of Polish Catholicism, in 1966 provided a crucial opportunity not only for the revitalization of the church but for the forging of a unifying master frame that would have been picked up later by Solidarnosc. Second, Karol Wojtyla's election to the Holy See presented Polish opposition with an extraordinary and unexpected ally, able to bring their struggle to an international stage. Although I am unable to assess the strength of the historical material, I found the integration of history and analytical tools, as well as the conclusions it leads to, largely convincing. Solidarity and Contention provides an interesting discussion of the nature of the Solidarnosc experience and the subsequent developments that led ultimately to the demise of the Communist regime in 1989. Osa challenges interpretations of those events as "revitalization of civil society," pointing out how the Catholic Church was always leary of those individual activists and organizations holding nonconfessional, secularist views. Rather, it was a heavy combination of nationalism and religion that generated the "us-them" frame, which brought together social and religious opposition in 1980. However, the book's most interesting and promising contribution lies in the combination of protest events and network analysis. Osa shows how opposition networks grew bigger and more integrated over time. In 1956 and 1968, their core consisted of a small clique of Catholic organizations, only temporarily flanked by radical youth groups. Not only that, network density was low to null, apart from the short period of very intense protest, to suggest a protest outburst that was not really embedded in dense oppositional milieus. Very different network patterns showed in 1980, with organizational networks being much more diversified, including in particular social and workers organizations beside Catholic and youth ones; and network density being already substantial well before protest activities started, to suggest a genuine social movement process in motion. Osa's analysis implicitly questions the role social movement scholars traditionally assign to networks, that is, as mere predictors of the insurgence of collective action, and rather presents them as a reflection of collective action dynamics. It is a pity that she has not elaborated more on the implications of her findings for social movement theory at large. Nevertheless, Solidarity and Contention should be welcome as an important contribution to the integration of network concepts in social movement analysis.


Planting new types of sweet orange is an interesting alternative for the Brazilian citrus growers as this domestic market continues to grow. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and storage of a new hybrid between Murcott tangor and Pêra sweet orange, TMxLP 16. The treatments tested were: storage of fruits with and without wax, at room temperature (21 ± 2 °C and relative humidity (RH) = 60 ± 5%) and at cold temperature (10 ± 2 °C and RH = 90 ± 5%). Before storage samples were sensory tested for acceptance. Physicochemical qualities of the fruit and juice [mass, seeds, juice yield, acidity, soluble solids and ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity (SS/TA)] were performed, before and after storage. The TMxLP 16 hybrid has an appropriate mass required for sale per fruit, a suitable juice yield, and early-mid season maturation, with high sensory acceptance, all characteristics which meet the standards required by the Brazilian consumer market. The results of this investigation showed that fruit stored at room temperature lost considerable weight. These results indicate a trend towards a loss of quality in fruits stored under ambient conditions and not coated with wax, which reaffirms the need for the use of refrigeration and waxy coverage for postharvest conservation of citrus fruits in natura.


FRIT(Fictitious Reference Iterative Tuning) is a model free designing method and a practically useful method. But in the method, there are some drawbacks, That is, the optimal controller's parameters are obtained to minimize a performance index. That is, for each set of parameter candidates, a response of the inverse system of the controller at every sampling time is required to be calculated. Hence, the drawbacks are (1) A large amount of calculation is required. (2) Since the method searches a minimal point of a performance index as the desired design parameters, the optimal point is unknown until the search ends to the optimal point. (3) Sometimes the design parameter values are changed from the optimal values according to practical reasons, as a result, how the index deteriorates is unknown. If a mathematical expression of the index function is obtained, then the index is calculated by just substituting the parameter values and these drawbacks will dissolve. Then this paper proposes a method to give the mathematical expression of the performance index. An example of designing a PID controller is given and the comparison of the necessary computing times of the original FRIT method and the proposed method is shown. Also simulation results are given.


Recent wars have shown that air power plays a cardinal role in modern warfare. Do you envisage any change in the defence strategy of Pakistan in view of the space-increasing role of air power?


Ship collision, not only damaged the hull, threatening the goods, or even in a boat crash, serious marine pollution. The reason, is not difficult to find the vast majority of crashes are caused by voyagers negligence, negligence and serious violation of international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. Thus, reduce human errors is to reduce collisions and improve key aspects of the safe navigation of ships. Ship collision avoidance decision-making is an important 21st century marine technology research topics.


The theory of social movements is useful to analyze environmental problems and environmental movements such as anti-pollution movements, natural conservation movements, antinuclear movements and movements to promote amenities. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the theory of social movements is related to the environmental sociology, which is new in the academic field. They are the same, in terms of the subject of the studies. However, they are different from each other concerning the sphere of the environmental problems. We analytically differentiate the sphere into six, using two axes, and . Then, we try to specify the approaches of the environmental sociology and the theory of social movements into suitable spheres for solving environmental problems.As approaches to environmental problems, we refer to the sociomaterial circulation, life environmentalism, social dilemma and community co-management in the environmental sociology, and new social movements, resource mobilization and networking in the theory of social movements. In this paper, we define the environment as the situation where the symbiosis between nature and human are sustained in the global circulation of nature, of which conservation has become political issues especially since late 1980s. It is the environmental sociology that analyzes and investigates these issues.


A stack deposition-annealing (SDA) approach was demonstrated for the synthesis of CuWO4via atomic layer deposition (ALD). The resulted CuWO4 showed promising activity as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. This methodology can, in principal, be utilized for the ALD of many ternary and quaternary oxides for various applications.


Granulomatous cheilitis is a rare, idiopathic, inflammatory disorder which usually affects young adults. It is characterized by persistent, diffuse, nontender, soft-to-firm swelling of one or both lips. Various treatment modalities have been suggested. In spite of the best treatment, recurrence of the disease is very common. We report two cases of granulomatous cheilitis treated with a combination of steroids, metronidazole, and minocycline with no signs of relapse at one-year follow-up.


On the basis of theoretical research, it is offered to increase inductance of the shunting branch of tractive motor and also to use its switching-off before restoration of voltage on the current collector in the «removal−restoration» mode.


BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract infection and is a leading cause of hospitalization in children under two years old. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reserving chest X-ray for severe cases, it is frequently obtained during evaluation of respiratory illnesses. Point-of-care LUS is an emerging diagnostic tool performed at the bedside by the clinician that has shown good sensitivity and specificity for pneumonia.


In order to provide some measure of the uncertainty inherent in the sorts of charting data that are provided to the end-user, we have previously proposed risk models that measure the magnitude of the uncertainty for a ship operating in a particular area. Calibration of these models is essential, but the complexity of the models means that we require detailed information on the sorts of ships, traffic patterns and density within the model area to make a reliable assessment. In theory, the ais system should provide this information for a suitably instrumented area. We consider the problem of converting, filtering and analysing the raw ais traffic to provide statistical characterizations of the traffic in a particular area, and illustrate the method with data from 2008-10-01 through 2008-11-30 around Norfolk, VA. We show that it is possible to automatically construct aggregate statistical characteristics of the port, resulting in distributions of transit location, termination and duration by vessel category, as well as type of traffic, physical dimensions, and intensity of activity. We also observe that although 60 days give us sufficient data for our immediate purposes, a large proportion of it—up to 52% by message volume—must be considered dubious due to difficulties in configuration, maintenance and operation of ais transceivers.


Bar for a prediction accuracy higher traffic in challenge is to provide a system capable of providing to the driver of the automobile, according to the traffic information management system according to the present invention, the first processing unit (unit) (110) is, recognize trends in travel time of the vehicle (20) (推移) pattern (pattern) for each unit road. Further, the second processing unit 120, on the basis of communication with the navigation system (navigation system) (200), and recognizes the route (route) that includes one or a plurality of unit road. Also, the searches for the third processing unit 130, from each unit road included in the route "past pattern" similar to the "reference pattern", "similar pattern". In addition, it predicts a fourth time required for the processing unit 140, based on the resembling pattern, the mobile unit road included in the route, or the route. Then, the transmission communication processing unit 150, the traffic information including this, the predicted necessary travel time, the navigation system 200.


The utility model relates to a pulse heat pipe radiator taking the low melting point metal and the ordinary liquid as the flowing working substance, which relates to a pulse heat pipe radiator taking the low melting point liquid metal and the ordinary liquid as the cooling liquid working substance. The pulse heat pipe radiator comprises a heat pipe base (1) used as the heating surface, a heat pipe sealing cover board (5) used as the radiating surface, and a flowing pipe array (4) arranged between the heat pipe base (1) and the heat pipe sealing cover board (5), the flowing pipe array (4) is composed of one or more pulse heat pipes (6), the pulse heat pipe (6) with the liquid circulation channel in its interior is alternately provided with the ordinary liquid (2) and the low melting point metal liquid (3). The utility model mainly solves the problem of that the radiator can't reach the ideal radiating requirements and need a drive pump to maintain the circulation flow of the liquid.


Aiming to provide reliable parameter basis for reinforcement and repairation of post-disaster design calculation and analysis, we conducted asimply-supported beam fire test and static load experiment. Respectively on the basis of experimental data, using graphic method, standard algorithm and the width of the folding subtraction, determine the equivalent stiffness beam after fire and the damage degree of mechanical properties. The specification of the experimental steps and the scientific calculation method provides guarantee for the accuracy of the final results.


Objective: To determine the suppress effect of microwave coagulation therapy on the reinoculated H22 liver cancer. Methods: The tumor model was established by hypodermic inoculation of H22 hepatic carcinoma cells and treated with microwave coagulation (A group), surgical resection(B group ) or non-treatment (C group). The three groups were reinoculated subcutaneously with different amount of H22 carcinoma cells respectively. The cancer incidence of the reinoculated tumors was observed. Results: The cancer incidence was diminished with the decrease number of reinoculated cancer cells. When the number of the reinoculated cells was 107, the 2-month cancer incidences of the reinoculated tumor in group A, B and C were 25.0%,26. 3% and 77. 8%, which were almost equal in group A and B but significanly higher in group C(P 0. 01). When the number of the reinoculated cells was 106, the tumor incidences of the three groups were 6. 3%, 20. 0%, 55. 0% respectively. The incidence in C group was significantly higher in group C than that in A and B (P 0. 01 and P 0. 05). The difference between A and B was more remarkable. When the number of the reinoculated cells was 105 , the incidences of the three groups were 0. 0%, 18. 7%, 50. 0% respectively . There was no significant difference in cancer incidence between B and C but the incidence in A was significantly lower than that in C (P 0. 01).The difference between A and B was more remarkable in 105 than in 106. Conclusion: Both microwave tissue coagulation (MTC) and surgical resection exhibit the ability of resisting repeated challenge with viable tumor cells but in varying degrees. The ability of MTC was stronger than that of surgical resection.


Objective—Defective NO release/response may contribute to increased coronary risk and the loss of sex difference in coronary heart disease in diabetes. We aimed to determine whether NO release/response is impaired in type 1 diabetes and whether any defects are greater in women than men. Methods and Results—Forearm blood flow response to vasoactive drugs was assessed by venous plethysmography in 88 diabetic and 69 control subjects aged 30 to 53 years. In diabetic patients, response was 18% lower for acetylcholine (ACh) (P =0.002), 6% lower for bradykinin (P =0.14), and 17% lower for glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) (P <0.001). Women had a higher response to ACh than men (17%, P =0.006). The diabetes-associated defect in ACh was greater in women (25% lower, P =0.01) than men (13% lower, P =0.08), although not significantly (P =0.26 for the interaction). Poorer glycemic control was associated with ACh response (P =0.003) and contributed to the greater defect in diabetic women than men. Conclusions—The diabetes-associated defect in GTN response was similar in men and women. Established coronary heart disease risk factors did not explain any of the defects in ACh or GTN response associated with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is associated with impaired responsiveness to NO and with an impairment in ACh-stimulated NO release.


We present N/O abundance ratios, ionization parameters {$q_{\rm ion}$}, and oxygen abundance O/H for a total of 41 galaxies (11 individual galaxies and a 30-galaxy stack) including {Ly$\alpha$} emitters and Lyman break galaxies at $z\sim 2$, and investigate galaxy evolution from $z\sim 0$ to $2$ in conjunction with 208,529 local SDSS galaxies and 9 green pea galaxies (GPs). In contrast with most of the recent studies, we obtain the N/O ratio, {$q_{\rm ion}$}, and O/H measurements by direct $T_{\rm e}$ methods with {[O\,\textsc{iii}]} $\lambda$4363 and {O\,\textsc{iii}]} $\lambda$1665 lines. Based on these reliable measurements, we find that there exist $z\sim 2$ galaxies with an excess of N/O falling beyond the local average of N/O--O/H relation, while the majority of the $z\sim 2$ galaxies have the N/O ratios nearly comparable with $z\sim 0$ galaxies in the N/O--stellar mass relation. Our galaxies place the upper limit of N/O ratio $\log ({\rm N/O})\le -1.26$ on average, suggesting that the N/O ratio evolves, if at all, by $<0.17$ dex. Exploiting our reliable measurements free from the N/O--{$q_{\rm ion}$}--O/H degeneracies, we identify, for the first time, that $z\sim 2$ galaxies with offsets in the BPT diagram indicate either 1) only an N/O excess, 2) only a {$q_{\rm ion}$} excess, or 3) both N/O and {$q_{\rm ion}$} excesses. We argue that the BPT offsets at $z\sim 2$ are not made by one of 1)--3) galaxy populations alone, but the composite of 1)--3) populations. We confirm that these 1)--3) populations also exist at $z\sim 0$, such as GPs and SDSS low-mass and high-SFR galaxies (LMHSs).


We study one-dimensional scattering for a decaying potential with rapid periodic oscillations and strong localized singularities. In particular, we consider the Schrodinger equation Heψ≡(-∂x2+V0(x)+q(x,x/e))ψ=k2ψ for k∈ℝ and e≪1. Here q(·,y+1)=q(·,y) has mean zero and |V0(x)+q(x,·)|→0 as |x|→∞. The distorted plane waves of He are solutions of the form eVe±(x;k)=e±ikx+u±s(x;k), u±s outgoing as |x|→∞. We derive their e small asymptotic behavior, from which the asymptotic behavior of scattering quantities such as the transmission coefficient, te(k), follow. Let t0hom(k) denote the homogenized transmission coefficient associated with the average potential V0. If the potential is smooth, then classical homogenization theory gives asymptotic expansions of, for example, distorted plane waves and transmission and reflection coefficients. Singularities of V0 or discontinuities of qe are "interfaces" across which a solution must satisfy interface conditions (continuity or jump conditions). To satisfy these conditio...


A thermodynamic model of an irreversible intercooled regenerative Brayton heat and power cogeneration plant coupled to constant temperature heat reservoirs is established in this paper using finite time thermodynamics. The intercooler and the irreversible compression and expansion losses in the low and high pressure compressors and the turbine are taken into account. The finite time exergoeconomic performance of the cogeneration plant is investigated. The analytical formulae about dimensionless profit rate and exergetic efficiency are derived. The numerical examples show that there exist two different optimal values of intercooling pressure ratio, which correspond to an optimal value of dimensionless profit rate and an optimal value of exergetic efficiency respectively for the fixed total pressure ratio. There also exist optimal total pressure ratios corresponding to maximum profit rate and maximum exergetic efficiency respectively for the variable total pressure ratio. It is also found that there exist optimal consumer side temperatures, which lead to a double maximum profit rate and a double maximum exergetic efficiency respectively.


Though one of the mainstream structures,reinforced concrete structure has been troubled by a thorny problem yet to be solved for quiet a long period of time-cracks.This paper mainly illustrates the causes for cracks in reinforced concrete members and puts forward some representative solutions.


In the case of n functions of a single variable, the vanishing of the wronskian is the most familiar criterion for their linear dependence. The wronskian also plays an important part in connection with the theory of a single ordinary homogeneous linear differential equation of the nth order, even in questions which do not concern the linear dependence of solutions of the equation. It is the purpose of the present paper to generalize the fundamental facts connected with these topics, to the case of functions of several variables. The characteristic property of an ordinary homogeneous linear differential equation is that any solution is expressible linearly, with constant coefficients, in terms of a fundamental set of solutions. The natural generalization to several independent variables is afforded by the completely integrable system of homogeneous linear partial differential equations, in one dependent variable, any solution of which is likewise linearly dependent on a finite number of solutions of the system. It is such systems which are discussed in the latter part of this paper; the subject of the linear dependence of functions of several variables is developed in the first part, chiefly with a view to its subsequent application to completely integrable systems. In our discussion of linear dependence, we consider throughout n functions Yl, Y2, Y n,, of p independent variables u1, u2, * up . Functions and variables may be either real or complex; if any of the variables be complex, we suppose the functions to be analytic in those variables. All of the main theorems, however, are stated and proved under the supposition that the independent variables are real; the modifications usually simplifications and omissions-are easily supplied for cases in which one or more of the independent variables is complex. The n functions, then, of the real variables


The object of solar cooling systems is buildings.The ultima aim for a solar cooling system is to create a comfortable indoor thermal environment for a building.Therefore,it is significant to correctly evaluate the quality of a solar cooling system in order to guarantee the cooling effect as well as optimize the system design.Based upon the parameters of cooling supplying process,three indexes including thermal stability of cooling supplying process,energy quality coefficient of chilled water and matching of cooling supplying process were put forward to evaluate the quality of a solar cooling system.According to the experimental results,the quality of the solar cooling system was evaluated and analysed.Besides,the application modes of the solar cooling system were investigated.


SuperRare is a new object-oriented attention algorithm based on the notion of rarity: rare regions are worthy of attention. The main novelty of the model is to use superpixels of several sizes instead of simple pixels. This approach allows SuperRare to react efficiently to salient objects of any size. The model is validated on Jian Li's database, a database considering both large, medium and small salient objects. It is compared with other 9 recent state-of-the-art object-oriented saliency models. Even if the proposed algorithm is solely based on color rarity, we reach and even surpass the state-of-the-art models for the detection of salient objects. We discuss the influence of the color space on our model and how we have tried to limit this influence.


References: 1. Carrera I, Dennis R, Mellor DJ, Penderis J, Sullivan M. Use of magnetic resonance imiging for morphometric analysis of the caudal cranial fossa in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. American Journal of Veterinary Research 2009; 70: 340-345. 2. Eggelmeijer W., Mandigers P. Prevalence of Chiari-like malformation and Syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2012. Students thesis FVM-UU, Utrecht 2013 3. Mandigers P, Rusbridge C. Chiari-like malformation--syringomyelia in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. TijdschrDiergeneeskd. 2009; 134(18):746-5 4. Rusbridge C, MacSweeny JE, Davies JV, Chandler K, Fitzmaurice SN, Dennis R, et al. Syringohydromyelia in Cavelier King Charles Spaniels. J am Anim Hosp Assoc 2000; 36 (1): 3441. Results


The present methods for measuring concepts semantic similarity only focus on certain influencing factors, have poor convergence performances and canpsilat calculate accurately. This paper compares three kinds of ontology-based semantic similarity calculation models. On this basis, an improved algorithm that inherits the distance-based calculation model is proposed. In this approach, node depth, local density and node attributes are newly quantified and the granularity degree of clusters is firstly combined with other five factors: local density, node depth, link type, link strength, node attribute. The experimental results show that this method provides an effective quantification for the semantic relationships, and can calculate semantic similarity more precisely.


Harner (1977) and Harris (1977) propose a cultural materialist explanation for the large number of sacrifices carried out by the Aztecs by stating that these provided raw material for cannibalism. Cannibalism, in turn, was needed to provide the protein missing in Aztec diets. The magnitude of these sacrifices was given at 15,000 annually in Tenochtitlan and 250,000 in Central Mexico. Harner argues that the overwhelming majority of the victims were eaten. He describes the sacrificial ritual as follows:


The anisotropy of magnetoresistance (MR) is studied in magnetic phases of Pr11B6 and NdB6 by sample rotation technique in fixed magnetic field (μ0H≤8T) to be perpendicular to the axis of rotation I||<110>. The obtained ρ(ϕ, T0, H0) data allowed us to estimate the maximal value of MR anisotropy which approaches the values ~18% and ~8% for PrB6 and NdB6 in commensurate (C) phase (T< TM~4.6K for PrB6 and T<TN~7.7K for NdB6) at T=2.8K in the field interval 3T≤μ0H≤4T. In the vicinity of phase boundary to incommensurate (IC) magnetic phase of PrB6 (TM<T<TN~6.7K) the strong enhancement MR anisotropy along the direction H||<110> is obtained. The behavior of the field dependencies of MR for PrB6indicates an existence of new magnetic phase at T<TM for the direction H||<110>. The analysis of Δρ/ρ(ϕ, T0, H0) data allowed us to conclude about a significant role of 5d-spin polarization in the formation of magnetically ordered state in these compounds.


This research addresses the problem of illness as a narrative of the teacher distress from the discourse analysis perspective , and with the end of understand ing its relationship with the production of identities in Chile. Th is stu d y w as conducted with teachers of the public education system, who were participating or participated in the past in the teaching evaluation process . The results show a canonical narrative characterized by a discursive construction of illness . A political interpretation of the construction and production of subjectivities in education is presented , particularly in the context of the new public management.


As the multi-core technology develops, the cache size becomes larger in CMP(Chip Multi-core Processors), which is attended as the main factor in power consumption. How to reduce the power consumption with no influence on the microprocessor performance is an important problem to the cache design. This paper researches the related technology about cache low power and proposes a shared cache reconfigurable method in CMP for low power. First, this paper analyses the cache reconfiguration necessity by the static reconfiguration. Then add reconfigurable strategy during cache access. In the end, we gives the experiment result that the method can save energy consumption, while the performance decline is little.


An array of 120 long radiation monitors (LRM) have been installed around the AGS. Each monitor is an extended coaxial ion chamber, 5 meters long, made from hollow core coaxial transmission cable pressured with argon. The LRM's are each connected to a low current preamplifier and voltage-to-frequency converter (VFC). The digital output of each channel is fed to a 16 bit counter chip which bridges the bus of an 8085 microprocessor. This circuit is connected to the AGS PDP-10 for data taking or may function as a stand-alone unit. Various operating modes can be selected for data readout. System design and operating performance are described.


Experimental studies in animals have suggested that liver regeneration is impaired in steatotic livers. However, few studies have focused on the impact of steatosis in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy (PH). This study aims to determine the role of steatosis on liver regeneration in humans following PH.


In this paper,tannery wastewater was studied using coagulation-Advanced Oxidation composite process,according to the characteristics of the current sulfur-contained tannery wastewater.The laboratory studies had shown that the method had high efficiency and low cost and it was suitable for sulfur-contained tannery wastewater treatment.


We are flooded with a wave of writings on causality in the social sciences during the last decades. The same holds for the relationship between quantitative and qualitative research in the social sciences. These writings induced us to develop the thesis of "unity in diversity", i.e., that there is no difference "in principle" between causality in qualitative and quantitative research, because both are supported by what I will call an "experimental logic". In developing this thesis a plea is being made for going back to the sources. A historical overview of theories of causality is presented, and also of the opposition between quantitative and qualitative research. After this, the same is being done for the recent literature: "mixed methods research", the book DSI of KKV, the reactions of David Collier and "QCA" of Charles Ragin. At the end the question of small-n research and the case n = 1 is examined.


In this work, thermo-mechanical stresses and reliability of 3D die-stack structures developed for the Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) technology are investigated using experiments and modeling analysis. Synchrotron x-ray micro-diffraction measurements are used to directly measure the stress distribution around Cu vias in different die levels. High resolution stress mappings are obtained and verified by finite element analysis (FEA). The FEA is applied to estimate the stress effect on device mobility changes and the warpage of the integrated structure.


This article explores Remizov's unknown album "Foreign Censorship", where the case studies of censorial editing of the writer's texts are collected. The study of the selected pages from the album reveals the unique instance of Remizov's analytical approach to the problem of his own relations with the émigré literary community, which in turn sought to preserve its integrity through an implicitly legalized code of ethical, aesthetic and political norms.


The capability to simulate fababean (Vicia faba L.) production across the range of environments in which it is grown in Australia provides a tool for assessing agronomic and management options for the crop. This paper describes the building and testing of a model of fababean (cv. Fiord) development and growth, designed for use in the cropping systems simulator, APSIM. Parameters describing leaf area expansion, radiation interception, biomass accumulation and partitioning, root growth, water use, and nitrogen accumulation were sourced from the literature or developed from experiments conducted by the authors. In addition, parameters defining phenological development in response to temperature and photoperiod were derived from a comprehensive dataset of times to flowering and maturity. Routines for pre-flowering phenology predicted time to flowering ranging from 43 to 94 days with a root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 4.3 days. Post-flowering development could not be satisfactorily predicted using thermal time alone; analysis of the collated data suggested that the lengths of some post-flowering phases were related to photoperiod. With incorporation of a photoperiod effect on post-flowering development, time from sowing to maturity was simulated with an R2 of 92% and an RMSD of 6.7 days. The model was tested over a diverse range of latitudinal and climatic conditions within Australia, using data from experiments in which sowing date, crop density, and water supply varied. Observed grain yield (n = 42) varied from 500 to 5600 kg/ha. In general, observed biomass and yield patterns within a growing season were reproduced well. Simulated grain yield explained 87% of the variance in observed yields (RMSD = 466 kg/ha). Apart from demonstrating the capability of the model over a wide range of growing conditions, the tests highlighted a number of areas for future improvement, including accounting for lodging, variation in harvest index under wet conditions, and accurate simulation of the response of leaf area expansion to mild levels of water deficit.


Exercise-induced hypoxia is a key factor influencing the athlete's performance. Hypoxic training, involves exercising in, living in or breathing oxygen-reduced air is used for the purpose to improve athletic performance. Brief exposure to hypoxia is sufficient to induce beneficial adaptations: increased expression of genes involved in angiogenesis, genes encoding glycolysis enzymes, and genes important for lactate shuttling, glucose transport, capillary density augmentation and muscle oxidative capacity [1]. However, despite a good deal of research into the topic, its true effects and a recommended approach are still not well established. In addition, athletes respond to hypoxia with a marked inter-individual variability due to their genetics. Adaptation to hypoxia depends mostly on changes in the expression of various genes. The objective of our work was to determine the impact of hypoxic training on HIF1A (hypoxiainducible factor), UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) and MTHFR (methyl-tetrahydrofolate reductase) genes expression.


The purpose of this paper is to analyze, in terms of cause and consideration, the basis for legal enforceability of agreements in California, and to suggest some changes in the law with respect to certain types of agreements, such as releases, agreements based upon "moral obligation," waivers of the statute of limitations, and agreements to modify existing contracts. This inquiry arises from the section in the California Civil Code which provides, in the alternative, that for the existence of a contract-an enforceable agreement-there must be "a sufficient cause or consideration."' Legal consideration, of course, is the traditional binding element required by the Anglo-American common law,2 and although the exact contours of the doctrine are a matter of some uncertainty, the concept of consideration is itself familiar enough to any common-law lawyer. On the other hand, the alternative element in the Civil Code provision, sufficient cause, is not at all familiar to most California lawyers. Cause is generally regarded as the major basis for enforcing agreements in civil-law countries, yet notwithstanding its apparent codification in this state, few California lawyers are even aware of the existence of the doctrine.! Therefore, before turning to problems of cause and consideration in California contract law, it is well to examine briefly the meaning of the two doctrines and their historical derivation.


When performing emotion recognition on long audio such as speeches, cutting the entire audio into segments that contain only one emotion is the first step. However, current research usually needs a small window to continuously slide along the audio track, spending a lot of time on repetitive modeling. We propose a two-stage fast speech emotion conversion point detection algorithm. In the first stage, we use the speech energy image to obtain the potential conversion point set for reducing the samples needed to be modeled. In the second stage, we perform at most two rounds of search near each potential point by using a sliding dual window based on Kullback-Leibler(KL) divergence distance measurement, which accurately locates the emotion conversion point. Experiment results indicate that our algorithm significantly reduces the search time and improves the detection accuracy compared with the traditional global search algorithm.


A steering screw is an important transmission part of automobile recirculating ball type steering gear. Its structure and processing quality have a great influence on steering accuracy and controlling sensitivity of the steering wheel. Based on spiral groove model and Hertz elastic contact theory, it analyzed contact deformation of balls. This paper also establishes the stiffness models of the


Abstract : The problem studied was to develop a combined ship-helicopter sonar equipment utilizing CTFM techniques and using the helicopter as a maneuverable and stable platform to carry the primary target acquisition portions of the system. After several modifications in the design approach, and equipment was developed and sent to U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory, Panama City, Florida, for technical evaluation tests. The results of these tests will be described in a report from USNMDL. The advantages of helicopter mobility and associated variable-depth transducer arrangement were demonstrated; however these were partially offset by difficulties in keeping the helicopter positioned above the transducers during a search operation.


Aspirin is sometimes combined with warfarin in patients at risk for vascular events. The safety of this approach, however, has not been adequately studied. This report provides important preliminary data.

The authors performed a meta-analysis of six randomized, clinical trials to compare the risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with cardiac disease prosthetic cardiac valves, atrial fibrillation (AF), or coronary artery disease treated with …


Purpose
In the context of increasing interdisciplinarity in academia and professional practice, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the contribution of information science (IS) to education and practice in social work (SW), specifically in the area of disabilities at the workplace. As a case in point, a work environment of academia and faculty members with disabilities and their managers are chosen. The paper also stands to improve interdisciplinary understanding between IS and SW.

Design/methodology/approach
Combining SW and IS perspectives and building off selective exposure, cognitive dissonance and uncertainty management theories, the paper looks at one of the root-causes of continuous workplace discrimination against and bullying of people with disabilities – information avoidance (IA).

Findings
The paper conceptualises discrimination and bullying as an inherently information problem, for which an SW solution could be proposed. Two types of information are noted to be avoided: information about disabilities and information about the effect of discrimination and bullying on employees with disabilities. The paper distinguishes between defensive and deliberate IA, each of which poses different challenges for social workers who are likely to intervene in the cases of bullying and discrimination in their capacity as workplace counsellors and advisors.

Originality/value
It is the first known paper that explores the intellectual and practice-based synergy between SW and IS in application to change-related interventions and preventative plans that counteract discrimination against people with disabilities at the workplace. It proposes creative solutions for intervention, including bibliotherapy. It also opens up a broader conversation on how critical the knowledge of IS is for social workers.


Objective:To investigate the relationship between homocysteine(Hcy),methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms and essential hypertension in Kazak nationality in Xinjiang.Method:A total of 189 patients with hypertension(hypertension group) and 165 normal controls(control group) were detected the gene polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.The level of plasma Hcy was measured by enzymoimmunoassay.Result:The level of plasma Hcy in hypertension group was significantly higher than that in control group(P0.05).The level of plasma Hcy in males were higher than that in females(P0.05) in hypertension group.The distribution of genotypic and allelic frequencies had no significant difference between the two groups.There was no significant difference in the level of plasma Hcy among subjects with the CC,CT and TT genotypes.Multiple Logistic analyses showed that BMI and the level of plasma Hcy were the independent risk factors of hypertension in Kazak nationality in Xinjiang,and the others(age,gender,history of smoking and drinking,genotypes of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism) were not the independent risk factors of hypertension in Kazak nationality in Xinjiang.Conclusion:The level of plasma Hcy is a risk factor of hypertension in Kazak nationality in Xinjiang.But the mutation of MTHFR C677T gene may not be an important hereditary factor which influences the level of plasma Hcy.


Preface. Acknowledgements. Contributors. Airports. Business Parks. Cinemas. Community Centres. Crematoria. Education: Schools. Education: Universities and Colleges. Education: Art, Design and Media Studios. Farm Buildings. Fire Stations. Halls of Residence and Hostels. Health Service Buildings. Hospices. Hotels. Housing and Residential Buildings. Industrial Buildings. Laboratories. Landscape Works. Law Courts. Libraries and Learning Resource Centres. Museums and Art Galleries. Office. Pubs. Religious Buildings. Restaurants and Catering Facilities. Shops and Retail. Sports Facilities. Theatres and Art Centres. Vehicle Facilities. Youth Hostels. Zoos ad Aquariums. Design for Accessibility. Drawing Practice and Presentation. Bibliography and References. Conversion of Units. Index.


ABSTRACT Brazil is a unique and vibrant country. Researching the diverse cultures of Brazil, although a fascinating pursuit for many individuals, is made difficult by the vast amount of information available for this topic, published in many different languages. In an effort to bring together materials from various sources, assess their quality, and provide a listing of high quality titles, this bibliography presents a compilation of relevant materials from a wide variety of resources.


Estrogen deficiency causes various health problems in postmenopausal women, including osteoporosis. Phytoestrogens are emerging as potential estrogen alternatives with minimal side effects. This study aimed to predict the antiosteoporosis activity of the compounds from 96% ethanol extract of Chyrsophyllum cainito L. leaves through in silico study on 3OLS protein, an X-ray protein of ERβ. In silico analysis was carried out on the compounds from metabolite profiling results of 96% ethanol extract of C. cainito leaves from previous studies. The structure of compounds resulting from metabolite profiling of 96% ethanol extract of C. cainito leaves was made using Avogadro 1.0.1 software, geometry optimization with Chemdraw molecular docking was carried out using PyRx 0.8 software, and Biovia Discovery Studio Visualizer 2021 software was used to visualize the structure of compounds against 3OLS proteins. The physicochemical characteristics of the compounds were analyzed using the SwissADME webtool. From the result, it was known that there were seven compounds in the leaves of C. cainito, which were suspected to be phytoestrogens that had ERβ agonist properties against 3OLS protein. It was an ERβ agonist because the compound had similar parameters to 17β-estradiol in its interaction with the 3OLS protein, which had a pharmacophore distance of about 10,862, and bound to the amino acids His 475 and Glu 305 or Arg 346. The 96% ethanol extract of C. cainito leaves contained seven compounds thought to be phytoestrogen with an ERβ agonist that handled its antiosteoporosis activity.


Reactions between perfluoro-(4-isopropyl pyridine) 1 and a variety of oxygen nucleophiles gave mono, di- and tri-alkoxylated systems depending on reaction conditions. The barrier to rotation for the perfluoro-isopropyl group in several pyridine systems was measured by 19 F n.m.r. saturation transfer experiments.


Reviewed by Jo Lewis , a vet with a special interest in senior health and end of life care

For many vets, a 'hospice' evokes images of a physical place, perhaps because many of us have had some personal experience with human terminal illness and natural death.

But try to cast aside any preconceptions you have about the word hospice. Then open up this book and you'll find the inspiration to develop a structured hospice and palliative care programme in your companion animal practice.

There is plenty here to enhance every practice's palliative end-of-life care protocol and, if not already in place, then this book will help get one started.

The first couple of chapters quickly enlighten readers as to the veterinary definition of hospice care: 'A philosophy and programme of palliative care …


Abstract The exploration in the northern area of the Song Hong Basin, offshore Vietnam, was previously considered challenging. Most hydrocarbon discoveries had historically been made solely in Miocene inversion clastic and fractured/karstified carbonate basement and are marginal and sub-commercial discoveries. Recently, further studies and extended exploration program have made two more important discoveries. The first one is the Ham Rong Dong gas and condensate discovery in Oligocene overlying the basement high in Block 106. This is the first significant hydrocarbon discovery of the Oligocene clastic reservoir in the northern offshore area of the Song Hong Basin. The reservoir is of good quality with net sand up to 60m and porosity from 13% to 16%. The second one is the Ky Lan gas discovery in four way-dip closure within a depocenter trough in Block 107. The reservoir quality is quite good with total net sands about 100m and porosity from 14% to 16%. In addition to these two significant discoveries, the recent E well on the V Island encountered ca. 500m of a massive Oligocene lacustrine "world class" claystone source rock with TOC up to 9% and containing mainly Type I and II kerogen. All of the above discoveries are very important and opening up vast exploration opportunities in the northern offshore part of the Song Hong Basin. This talk will provide key information on the two new hydrocarbon discoveries, claystone source rock, and also the implication of these two new discoveries for further exploration.


We provide evidence that culture is a source of pricing bias. In a sample of 1.9 million auction transactions in 49 countries, paintings by female artists sell at an unconditional discount of 42.1%. The gender discount increases with measures of country-level gender inequality—even in artist fixed effects regressions. Our results are robust to accounting for potential gender differences in art characteristics and their liquidity. Evidence from two experiments supports the argument that women's art may sell for less because it is made by women. However, the gender discount reduces over time as gender equality increases.


Abstract In the present study, Polypropylene composites were fabricated by varying different weight percentages (0 to 20%) of alumina powder by using Injection Molding Technique. Then the fabricated composites were characterized by physical characterization such as void content test, chemical characterization such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical characterization such as Shore hardness test, flexural test, compressive strength, Izod impact test, thermo-mechanical characterizations such as Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Thermo-gravimetric analysis and morphological characterizations such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic force Microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that the shore hardness values increase up to 25% with the increase in alumina filler up to 20%. The highest flexural strength and flexural modulus achieved are 59.26 MPa and 2126 MPa respectively with 20% filler loading. Further, it was also revealed that the storage modulus of the composites was found to be higher than that of the virgin PP because filler increases the stiffness of the composites. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements indicate that both the initial degradation temperature and end degradation temperature increase with increasing filler content. SEM exhibits that alumina particles were uniformly and finely dispersed though some aggregates and agglomerates are identifiable. AFM results indicate that morphology of alumina in the PP matrix is characterized by a chainlike branched structure.


This paper presents an in-depth comparison and evaluation of average models for nine-phase diode rectifiers, proposing a new model featuring improved static and dynamic characteristics exceeding by far those of previously existent models. The key to the proposed model is the representation of the dc load current by means of its Taylor series expansion. The analysis revealed a 10% and 3% average error reduction of the proposed model in steady state and transient conditions respectively, as well as an accurate calculation of the converter output impedance to less than 10deg and 1 dB phase and magnitude error. The paper shows too that average models of diode rectifiers and line-commutated converters are also subject to the sampling theorem limitations, i.e., their frequency response is limited to half of the averaging period. Finally, key steady state, transient and frequency response results are validated using a 2kW experimental prototype showing the high accuracy achieved by the proposed average model


A 670 GHz gyrotron with record power and efficiency has been developed in joint experiments of the Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgord, Russia), and the University of Maryland (USA) teams. The magnetic field of 27–28 T required for operation at the 670 GHz at the fundamental cyclotron resonance is produced by a pulsed solenoid. The pulse duration of the magnetic field is several milliseconds. A gyrotron is driven by a 70 kV, 15 A electron beam, so the beam power is on the order of 1 MW in 10–20 ms pulses. The ratio of the orbital to axial electron velocity components is in the range of 1.2–1.3. The gyrotron is designed to operate in the TE31,8-mode. Operation in a so high-order mode results in relatively low ohmic losses (less than 10% of the radiated power). Achieved power of the outgoing radiation (210 kW) and corresponding efficiency (about 20%) represent record numbers for high-power sources of sub-THz radiation.


Liquid-phase deposited (LPD) oxide has previously been successfully applied to low temperature processed polysilicon thin film transistors (poly-Si TFTs) as a gate insulator. This paper shows the feasibility of applying room temperature deposited LPD oxide to high temperature processed devices. The thermal effects of high temperature processing on poly-Si TFTs including postoxide annealing and dopant activation have been investigated. These high temperature treatments show excellent improvement in device characteristics. In addition, the novel devices also show considerably more efficient hydrogenation during NH 3 -plasma treatment, and their reliability under dc electrical stress appears similar to that of conventional poly-Si TFTs.


This paper presents a new algorithm based on the sequential method for power flow calculation in integrated multi‐terminal, high‐voltage, direct current (HVDC) systems. Unlike similar studies in the literature, a real equivalent circuit model is considered for under‐load tap changer (ULTC) transformers of the DC converters, for the first time. So, new DC equations are obtained. Thus, exact and accurate results can be obtained for practical applications by the proposed algorithm. Adjustment effects of the DC converters' ULTCs tap values are included in the Jacobian matrix instead of the bus admittance matrix in the sequential AC power flow algorithm as well as other ULTCs in AC system. To this aim, new equations for the calculation of power and Jacobian matrix elements are obtained for the AC system. The proposed approach is tested on the modified IEEE 17‐bus AC–DC test system. Numerical results show that the proposed approach is accurate and reliable in convergence. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


This study intends to analyze the effect of Capital Expenditures on the growth of financial performance with Regional Original Income as an intervening variable. In connection with these problems the following hypothesis is proposed: Capital Expenditures affect Regional Original Revenue, Regional Original Revenues have an effect on Growth of Financial Performance, Capital Expenditures have an effect on Growth Financial Performance and Capital Expenditures have an effect on Growth of Financial Performance through Regional Original Income as an intervening variable. In line with these problems and hypotheses, the population of this study is the Realization of Budget Revenue Expenditures in the Regency / City in Central Java Province in 2015-2017 and as a sample of Capital Expenditures, Original Regional Revenues, and variables that are parameters for measuring the financial performance of the Regency / City in Central Java Province. The data used is secondary data, to get more accurate data, the method used is documentation. The analytical method used is descriptive statistics, outer model test and inner model test. Capital Expenditures have a positive and significant effect on Regional Original Revenue, Regional Original Income has a positive and significant effect on Growth of Financial Performance, Capital Expenditures significantly have a direct positive effect on Growth of Financial Performance and Capital Expenditures significantly indirectly has a positive effect on Growth of Financial Performance with Regional Original Income as an intervening variable.


The combined effect of surgical treatment and consumption of so-called "CoD™ tea" (containing Uncaria guianensis, U. tomentosa and Tabebuia avellanedae) on expression of c-myc, Ha-ras, Bcl-2, Ki-ras and p53 key onco/suppressor genes, the carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) tumour markers in blood samples of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were investigated. Expression of genes followed the effect of the surgical treatment combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment; this may predict the outcome of carcinoma. Moreover their expressions might show possible additional effect of supportive therapy, e.g. CoD™ consumption. The antioxidant capacity of blood was also examined. Blood samples were taken at the day of, and one week, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgical treatment. During that period patients got 0.25 l standard portion of CoD™ tea three times a day. The surgical treatment and neoadjuvant therapy were able to suppress the expression of c-myc, Ha-ras, Bcl-2, Ki-ras, p53 genes up to the twelfth month. Moreover, CoD™ tea together with conventional treatment caused a strong decrease in the expression of c-myc and Ha-ras oncogenes in comparison to the non-consumer control.


A working term, materials and manpower supply are under the heavy influence of design elements when planning and carrying out process of the interior operation. It is required to integrate 3D-CAD system and process managing tool. developed in different ways, to maximize the visual effect and reduce errors in process management. This integrated system can also raise the efficiency of construction process focusing on construction cost based on process, and provide accumulated back-up data for similar operations cost afterward. Therefore, this study is proposing integrated system which is able to manage 3D modeler, process and cost management to support interior operation, to maximize visual effect with 3D model and support process management efficiently along design change.


OBJECTIVES Our objectives are threefold: 1) to accurately characterize optical data storage films by MeV ion-beam analysis 0BA) for ODSC collaborators; 2) to develop new and/or improved analysis techniques; and 3) to expand the capabilities of the IBA facility itself. Using 1H+, 'He + and tSN+ + ion beams in the 1.5 MeV to 10 MeV energy range from a 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator, we determine film thickness (in atoms/cm2), stoichiometry, impurity concentration profiles and crystalline structure by Rutherford backscattering (RBS), high-energy backscattering, channeling, nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Most of these techniques are discussed in detail in the ODSC Annual Report (February 17, 1987), p. 74. The PIXE technique is briefly discussed in the ODSC Annual Report (March 15, 1991), p. 23.


The effects of extracellular phytohormone and calmodulin on proliferation of Angelica dahurica cells was studied by the method of 3H TdR labeled DNA synthesis.Percentage of cell proliferation induced by calmodulin were 41% and 43% under the conditions of with or without phytohormone.All these results suggested that the effects of extracellular calmodulin on cell proliferation might have nothing to do with phytohormone in the medium.


Philosophy of religion is dominated by Christianity and by Christians. This, in conjunction with the historically anti-LGBTQIA bent of Christian thinking, has resulted in the exclusion of less dominant and often marginalized perspectives, including queer ones. This essay charts a normative direction for Christian philosophers and for philosophy of religion, a subfield they dominate. First, given some of the unique ways Christian philosophy and philosophers have unjustly harmed queers, Christian philosophers as a group have a responsibility to communities their group has oppressed to prioritize the interests of the oppressed. Second, Christian philosophers must prioritize queer voices by creating or furthering academic space (e.g., at conferences, in journals and books, and in academic posts) for those who publicly and professionally identify as queer. Third, Christian philosophers must mitigate their criticisms of queers and queerness where such criticisms would undermine their efforts toward compensatory/reparative justice.


According to the characteristics of the engineering student,how application of the heuristic teaching,raising the teaching quantity of the lesson and attaining the high standard request,we carried on the analytical summary.In the teaching process of the lesson we discussed flexible use of a few heuristic teaching through some examples.


Nonlinear mathematical model ofspace motion is setup for a tethered remotely operated vehicle. The coupled equations ofmotlon for the vehicle underthe nonlinear force due to the umbilical cord are solved. The traditional calculation method of the quasi-static additional cable force is improved.The simulation results of the dynamic cable force agree well with the experiments. The influence of the parameters, such as the operational width, the location of cable point, and the surface excitation on the system performance is also discussed.


Reminiscence therapy (RT) is one of a number of therapeutic interventions used to promote the wellbeing of older adults with dementia. RT has long been promoted as an intervention that benefits service users, families and staff by assisting in the delivery of person-centred care and enabling carers to get to know the person behind the illness. However, the need for more research into RT and conflicting clinical guidelines mean RT has not been standardised in its delivery and is not readily available to those who could benefit from it. This article examines the use of RT to improve the mood of an older adult with dementia by a third-year mental health student while on clinical practice placement.


Electric propulsion (EP) represents one of the most promising technologies for the application in the present and future space missions. Nowadays, Electric Propulsion systems are proposed for a large class of primary propulsion applications, such as high altitude orbit raising, orbit transfer and high impulse interplanetary scientific missions. In fact, EP can enable cost saving of commercial and institutional satellites and missions whose requirements may be hardly fulfilled by other propulsion systems. Despite of their promising performances, one of the main criticalities in developing new high power thrusters (in a single or clustered configuration) is represented by the availability of test facilities in order to accomplished extended campaigns of characterization and qualification before the integration in the space applications. Moreover, Electric Propulsion, especially in high power applications, requires a dedicated focus on investigation campaigns linked to the analyses of the complex phenomena that may occur on the fully deployed satellite. It is evident that the industrial development of such high power electric thrusters relies on the availability of suitable test facilities where on-orbit operations may be simulated with reliability. Present European capability tops at about 5 kW thruster power level; however, most future mission scenarios for EP-enhanced space transportation of large payloads foresee the use of thruster power up to 25 kW and beyond. Re-use capability can be achieved only by improving the reliability of key components and technologies, and by a proper thruster design taking into consideration mission requirements (such as long-term in-space storage and similar) which have not traditionally been addressed in past EP designs. In this scenario CIRA intend to cooperate with the EP community providing world-class testing capabilities for high power thrusters, in order to promote Italy as the European reference point for electric propulsion testing. Thus, CIRA drew up a plan aiming at realizing two facilities, featured by different sizes, and at the same time develop Hall Effect thruster laboratory prototypes The Medium Scale Vacuum Chamber (MSVC), i.e. 2 m of diameter and 5m long, will be ready by the end of 2017 in order to implement first testing capabilities and allow the preliminary studies on laboratory engines, characterized by power up to 1 kW. The Large Scale Vacuum Chamber (LSVC) will be realized by the end of 2018 and it will represent a world-class test facility, i.e. 8 m of diameter and 16m long. The development plan includes also the improvement of advanced diagnostics capabilities. The present paper gives an overview of CIRA development plan on EP with the first achieved goals.


This thesis goes over the design and development of an emergency button device and an accompanying Android application, that is aimed at helping people message an emergency contact, with their location, in the case that they are lost, hurt or perceive themselves to be in danger. The emergency button system is comprised of two different devices, the emergency device, containing the emergency button, and an Android smartphone. The emergency button device sends out an alert message through Bluetooth, if the button on the device is pressed, notifying the smartphone of the situation. The smartphone will then take action, getting the GPS location of the user's phone and send it to an emergency contact through SMS. During this project a functioning prototype was created for the emergency button device using a BGM121 Bluetooth module and a Blue Gecko Bluetooth development board. A custom Android application was created for smartphones to work with the emergency button device. The groundwork for the next phase in the development was laid out, including the electrical schematic for the succeeding prototype, with an estimated 425-day battery life, and software designs.


Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly inevitable for the maritime industry and is going to play an important role in the near future. The influence of automation in the maritime activities along with the demand for more autonomous shipping has led to an increase in the demand for AI. Predictive maintenance, intelligent scheduling, and real-time analytics will drive AI to play a more important role in Maritime Field.