The downstream movement of goods from the manufacturer to the retailer for sale to consumers is referred to as a forward supply chain. When consumers return their purchases to the retailer for a refund, a repair or a recall, an upstream movement of goods occurs from the retailer to the manufacturer. This upstream movement of product returns is termed a reverse supply chain (often called reverse logistics) (Tibben-Lembke and Rogers, 2002). Closed-loop supply chains refer to the integration of both forward and reverse supply chain activities (Guide et al., 2003). Closed-loop supply chains are a key component of sustainable business operations and they have begun to receive increased attention from both practitioners and academicians. This interest is driven by legislative environmental regulation for companies that operate in the European Union and by economic factors for companies in the United States. Additionally, companies exporting to Europe will also have to abide by these laws and adjust their business practices to be environmentally friendly (Guide et al., 2003). For U.S. manufacturers, product returns have expanded from a limited volume of high-value goods to a large variety of low-value goods, due to shorter product life cycles and lenient return policies at retailers (Tibben-Lembke and Rogers, 2002; Guide et al., 2003). Rogers and Tibben-Lembke (2001) estimated overall customer returns for general merchandise in the U.S. to be approximately 6% of sales, which in 1999 would have been over $38 billion worth of returned goods. These proliferations of product returns have increased costs for manufacturers since they typically must credit the retailer and then determine the most cost-effective way to dispose the returns (Blackburn et al., 2004). It should be noted that recovered parts and components often can be used to reduce production costs and to provide a cheap source of parts for service repairs (Toffel, 2004). Furthermore, the Supply Chain Council has identified the management of product returns as one of five key supply chain processes (SCOR, 2005). Hence, the development of effective and efficient, strategically managed closed-loop supply chains is becoming more important to practitioners. Chopra and Meindl state "Information is crucial to supply chain performance because it provides the foundation on which supply chain processes execute transactions and managers make decisions" (2004: 482). To be useful in aiding supply chain decisions, information must be accurate, accessible in a timely manner, and be of the right kind (Chopra and Meindl, 2004). A relatively new information-sharing technology being utilized in the supply chain is radio frequency identification (RFID). Radio frequency identification is a data acquisition and storage method, which promises numerous supply chain benefits: improved speed, accuracy, efficiency and security of information sharing across supply chain (Jones et al., 2004). Additional benefits realized are: (1) reduced storage, handling and distribution expenses, (2) increased sales through reduced stock outs, and (3) improved cash flow through increased inventory turns and improved utilization of assets (Karkkainen, 2003). The major drivers behind RFID implementation are retailers such as Wal-Mart and the U.S. Government. In January 2005, Wal-Marts' top 100 suppliers were required to tag all pallets and cases they shipped to Wal-Mart distribution centers. The next top 200 suppliers were to tag all pallets and cases by January, 2006 and all suppliers by the end of 2006 (RFID Journal, 2004). Other early retail adopters of RFID technology include The Gap, Woolworth's, Prada, Benetton, and Marks & Spencer (Wilding and Delgado, 2004c). The U.S. Department of Defense required its 43,000 suppliers to put RFID tags on pallets, cases and on any single item with a cost of more than $5,000 beginning January 1, 2005 (Collins, 2004a). In addition, the U. …


For the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an international widely accepted guideline, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) is available. However, patients in different patient groups still receive suboptimal care, and studies showed that teams can enhance their interprofessional collaboration and coordination. To improve the care for patients with a COPD exacerbation, the European Pathway Association (www.E-P-A.org) launched the European Quality of Care Pathways (EQCP) study. This study started in 2007 and included hospitals from Belgium, Italy and Portugal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of care pathways (CPs) on variation in care, adherence to guidelines, patient outcomes and teamwork for patients admitted with a COPD exacerbation. CPs are defined as 'complex interventions for the mutual decision making and organization of predictable care for a well-defined group of patients during a well-defined period'. In general, this EQCP study learned us two things regarding the reduction in length of stay and readmission rates for patients with a COPD exacerbation. First, the implementation of this in-hospital CP led to significantly reduced 30-day readmission rates (in the CP group, 9.7% of the patients were readmitted within 30 days, while in the control group, 15.3% were readmitted). The CP had no significant impact on length of stay (12.0 days in the CP group compared to 12.4 days in the control group) or on six-month readmission rate (27.3% in the CP group compared to 33.0% in the control group). This significant reduction in 30-day readmission rates is important for hospitals, as based on the worldwide data of the World Health Organization, this effect is expected to lead to a reduction of approximately four million readmissions. Second, although a golden standard is available, a significant number of patients still receive underuse. This was visualized by an importance-performance analysis. In importance-performance analysis, the importance rate, based on guidelines or international Delphi results, is plot against the performance rate, measured as process indicators on adherence to guidelines. Care activities with high importance but low performance are high priorities for hospitals. Based on the EQCP data before the implementation of our CP, hospitals should have five high priorities, these priorities are performed in less than 20% of the patients, and are (i) smoking cessation intervention in active smokers at admission, (ii) adequate discharge management, (iii) performance of revalidation tests during the past year, (iv) education regarding inhaler therapy in patients for whom inhaler therapy is prescribed and (v) education regarding home oxygen therapy in patients for whom home oxygen is prescribed. The impact of these care activities on COPD is not only a direct effect but mainly an indirect effect. To improve the care patients receive, behavioural change by both the patient and the interprofessional team is needed. Receiving adequate information and advice is a first step in behavioural change and


As one potential pathway for fluid migration/percolation, the geologic barrier has to be considered. In the case of rock salt, this pathway could become relevant, if certain geomechanical loading states and induced mechanisms apply, which lead to damage and loss of the initial tightness of the rock salt. These integrity-relevant processes are: (1) the fluid-pressure-driven opening of grain boundaries, if the pressure exceeds the normal stress and adhesive forces at the boundaries, and/or (2) generation and growth of (interconnected) cracks due to deviatoric loading.


Man is a free being and possesses his dignity. Thus each act directed against man's personal freedom is understood as an act of violence. Making a man do something contrary to his will is also violence. The analysis of statistics concerning family violence shows that this problem has been increasing over the last few years. Data showing the number of interventions connected directly with family violence done by the police indicate clearly that this number is growing yearly. Violence is a phenomenon really alarming today's family, its scale is expanding and it concerns generally women and children. All organisations should start acting to prevent this phenomenon. These organisations include: courts, the police, social help offices and other societies. We have only one life and it should be protected and lived in dignity. Unfortunately, family home, which should be full of warmth, love and tolerance is sometimes a place of pain, suffering and tragedy. Its is good that social workers not only diagnose this problem but also help victims of family violence. In this way individuals, who suffer because of the problem do not feel alienated as there is someone who gives them a helping hand.


Black silicon is a promising texturing method for solar cells since it suppresses optical reflection in a broad spectral range. This relaxes the usual antireflection requirements on the coatings used for surface passivation of silicon. Fabrication of n-type emitters requires diffusion of phosphorous through the nanostructures of black silicon, which may need different optimal conditions as compared to diffusion through e.g pyramidal wetetched structures due to the different characteristic dimensions. In addition, the diffusion process should ideally not deteriorate the antireflective properties of black silicon. Here, we have investigated the effect of temperature and time during the doping process on optical reflectance and sheet resistance of black silicon. Doping temperatures of 875° C and lower result in negligible increase of reflectance as compared to pristine black silicon. In addition, the sheet resistance of black silicon emitters is confirmed to be lower than that of planar Si under identical annealing conditions.


Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are increasingly being deployed in electric power systems in an attempt to improve grid reliability and make the grid smarter through real-time wide area situational awareness, monitoring, protection and control applications. PMU-based applications require communication networks in the transmission of synchrophasor measurements from the substations to the control centres. However, the quality-of-service of these synchrophasor measurements are not guaranteed when transmitted over a global wide area network especially in the presence of non-deterministic communication network conditions. This study presents the design, development, and integration of an IEEE Std. C37.118-based co-simulation platform comprising of power system hardware-in-the-loop simulations using the real-time digital simulator interfaced to a communication network. The impact of adverse communication network conditions such as latency, packet losses, and corruption on the exchange of data using the co-simulation platform and their impact on a centralised wide area monitoring, protection, and control (WAMPAC) system was investigated with software-in-the-loop simulations. Moreover, the maximum allowable adverse communication conditions are quantified with respect to the WAMPAC applications during emergency conditions.


Microneedle technology could, with supporting research, serve as a novel delivery system for personal care applications. Additionally, ingredients previously labeled as ineffective may find new life via this method, increasing the opportunity for skin care R&D.


This paper will discuss the content,object,and the main body of the connection between theory and practice about socialism with Chinese characteristics from these three points:the interaction between the socialism with Chinese characteristic theory and practice;the college students armed with the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics;the reform of teaching methods in political classes.


We have prepared a group of GexAs10Se90-x glass(x=5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 at. %) and investigated their structure and physical properties. It was found that, the minimum refractive index and maximum optical bandgap occur in Ge25As10Se65 glass that is chemically stoichiometric. Analysis of Raman spectra of the glasses indicated that the number of the Ge-Ge, As-As, and Se-Se homopolar bonds is closely related to the bandgap, because the band-tails formed by homopolar bonds could reduce the optical bandgap. The transition behavior of the structural units and physical properties of the glasses occurs at the glass with the chemically stoichiometric composition, and thus the chemical composition dominates physical properties of GexAs10Se90-x chalcogenide glasses


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the enactment and implementation of Russian Federal Law No. 224‐FZ dated 27 July 2010 "On Prevention of Illegitimate Use of Inside Information and Market Manipulation and on Amendments to Certain Laws of the Russian Federation".Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the current status of the legislation and certain issues that have yet to be resolved.Findings – The Insider Trading Law came into effect on July 31, 2011, but a number of statutory duties of the insiders are postponed. The Federal Service for Financial Markets (FSFM) has almost accomplished the task of making the Law operational; the only missing piece of regulation is the procedure for professional participants of the securities market (PPSMs) and banks on notifying the FSFM about "suspicious" transactions of their clients. The key characteristic of the Insider Trading Law differentiating it from similar regulation in many other jurisdictions is that, as far as issuers are concerne...


evitable, as much that happens in human relations is guided by a sympathetic intuition whose results seem magical when recited in cold type. The book does not take its place in any particular &dquo;school&dquo; of social case work. It is eclectic in method and catholic in its acceptances, and is a satisfactory guide for anyone who wants to know what is this thing called social case work. FRANK J. BRUNO Washington University


Aiming at the problems of difficult embedding of Chinese text digital watermark,poor imperceptibleness and robustness and lack of watermark capacity,a zero-watermark algorithm based on use frequency of Chinese characters was presented.In this algorithm,the use frequency of Chinese characters in the text was calculated,and then combining the frequency table of commonly used Chinese characters,the text characteristic was extracted to construct a zero-watermark.According to the trait of the watermark algorithm,a correlation function was defined to fix threshold value and examine the watermark.Experimental results indicate that the watermark algorithm constructed in this way has good imperceptibleness,robustness and sufficient watermark capacity,and the constructed watermark examining algorithm based on the correlation function exhibits comparatively lower misjudging rate.


Theoretical and experimental work completed during the last decade indicate that propulsion systems based on the annihilation of antiprotons in a propellant will be feasible during the next few decades. A major technical difficulty appears to be the efficient production and storage of antihydrogen. Estimates based on the use of currently available technologies indicate that the equipment required to produce and store antimatter would be expensive. Hence, potentially more efficient processes should be examined. Currently, antiprotons are produced by colliding high energy protons with stationary heavy element targets, such as tungsten. Other approaches, for which experimental data is available, indicate that there are production methods that are more efficient. Several of these have been examined, and some show a significant improvement in efficiency but may be difficult to implement. Two methods examined will be discussed along with some technical advantages and disadvantages. In the first method, antiprot...


Purpose of review Serum tryptase, a mast cell marker, provides clues for the mechanism, severity, and management of drug hypersensitivity induced by immunoglobulin E dependent or independent mast cell activation. Recent findings The interpretation of serum tryptase levels has been challenged during the last 2 years by major advances in tryptase genetics and their rapid incorporation into clinical practice. On the contrary, new pathophysiological insight into nonmast cell-dependent immediate hypersensitivity has been gained. Summary This review provides up-to-date information on the pathophysiology and recommended use and interpretation of tryptase in the context of drug hypersensitivity reactions as a function of their endotype.


Consumers are very concerned with following a healthy diet, along with some precautions that may influence environmental impact. Solanum melongena L. is one of the most consumed vegetables due to its excellent nutritional value and antioxidant action. Associated with its high consumption, considerable amounts of agro-food wastes are produced. This work targets the valorization of this matrix, through the use of its bio-residues to study the obtention of coloring pigments, applying innovative technologies. Its nutritional value, chemical composition, and bioactive potential were evaluated, and the ultrasound-assisted extraction to obtain coloring pigments of high industrial interest was optimized. Considering the results, low contents of fat and carbohydrates and energy value were evident, as well as the presence of compounds of interest (free sugars, organic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and phenolic acids). In addition, the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential was detected. Response surface methodology was performed to optimize the extraction of natural pigments, showing a concentration of 11.9 mg/g of anthocyanins/g of extract, applying optimal conditions of time, solvent, and solid/liquid ratio of 0.5 min, 68.2% (v/v) and 5 g/L, respectively. S. melongena proved to be a good source of bioactive compounds and natural pigments, which can generate great interest in the food industry.


The paper deals with a process of unsteady axisymmetric flow of incompressible viscous liquid in the cylindrical pipeline, described by the nonlinear system of Navier-Stokes differential equations. The set of equations is transformed into one linear parabolic equation with an initial and natural boundary condition on the pipeline axis. We face a problem for determining velocity distribution in a cross-section of the pipeline based on the desired law of time variation of the pressure drop along the pipeline. As in case of liquid flow in pipes it's practically impossible to define interaction models of fluid with a solid boundary, the boundary condition on the pipe wall is considered as unknown. For the problem accuracy an additional condition in the form of integral flow characteristic is specified. In other words, the law of time variation of volumetric flow rate in the pipeline is specified. This problem is related to nonlocal problems with an integral condition for partial differential equations. The specified integral condition is differentiated in time and the obtained ratio with the help of the differential equation is transformed into a local boundary condition. As a result, the set task is altered to a direct problem with local conditions. The finite difference method is applied for numerical solution of the boundary value problem. For this purpose, we create a discrete analog of the problem in the form of an implicit difference scheme using the integral method. A computational algorithm of solving the obtained difference equation system is suggested. Numerical experiments for test problems have been conducted to check the efficiency of practical application of the suggested computational algorithm. The computational algorithm has also been tried on the data of steady flow of viscous incompressible liquid in the pipeline.


Abstract The scale and urgency of the consequences of the Anthropocene for human civilization call for comprehensive responses from human societies. As leaders in law, law schools have a role in helping their respective societies respond to the impacts of the Anthropocene. The present analysis discusses potential approaches to help law schools in Asia integrate the Anthropocene into their legal education curricula. Drawing upon existing legal education literature regarding issues of content, teaching tools, curriculum placement, and subject status as a law topic, the analysis explores the potential issues facing law schools in the adoption of the Anthropocene as a component of learning. The analysis then addresses the particular contextual sociocultural, economic, and political circumstances likely to challenge the integration of the Anthropocene into Asian law schools. The conclusion finishes with directions for future research.


The article analyses the position and function of the experimental teaching in the higher education,discusses the essence of the experimental teaching,studies and raises the reforming orientation facing the 21th centurys experimental teaching.


New research tracking 1.8 million trees found that tall trees died at more than twice the rate of smaller ones toward the end of extreme and persistent drought.


Embodiment of the present invention provides a shift register unit, a gate driving circuit and a driving method and a display apparatus, relates to a display manufacturing, it is possible to simplify the design of the connection between the shift register unit, so as to facilitate a narrow bezel product. A shift register means comprises an input module, an output module and an output control module; wherein the input module is connected to an input terminal, a first control signal terminal and a first node; the output module connected to the first node, the first second node, a second control signal, an output, and a second level terminal; the first node is connected to the output control module, said second node, said output of said first level and the second electrical terminal flat end. Embodiment of the present invention for producing a display.


We estimate a seismogeodetic earthquake moment magnitude using unclipped, broadband velocity and displacement waveforms from collocated Global Navigation Satellite Systems and seismic stations located within 800 km epicentral distance for nine 7.2 < Mw ${M}_{w}$ < 9.1 earthquakes. We consider the vertical component of seismogeodetic displacement as an approximate source time function and integrate the associated time series to obtain the seismic moment. By continuing to integrate vertical displacement beyond the initial P‐waves, we obtain rapid estimates of Mw ${M}_{w}$ that are within 0.2 magnitude units for 8 thrust faulting events and within 0.3 units for the single normal faulting event. Because our estimates of the seismic moment are based on the maximum value of integrated displacement, no regression against other source parameters, or distance, is necessary. Our new method shows promise for integration into earthquake and local tsunami early warning systems, including tsunami earthquakes characterized by relatively slow moment release over a longer rupture time, and earthquakes with complex source time functions.


This chapter discusses recent developments in the literature involving applications of industrial organization methods to finance. We structure our discussion around a simple model of a financial intermediary that concentrates its attention either on (i) the retail market and hence engages in a traditional maturity transformation business by accepting funds that can be used to invest in risky projects (loans), or (ii) the investment business, financing its operations on the "wholesale" market and making markets or investing in higher return riskier projects. Our discussion is centered around the analysis of market structure and competition in each of these markets, focusing in turn on (i) primary and secondary markets for government and corporate debt, (ii) interbank loans, (iii) markets for retail funding, and (iv) credit markets, including mortgages. Robert Clark Department of Economics Queen's University 94 University Ave. Kingston, K7L3N6 Canada email@example.com Jean-François Houde Department of Economics University of Wisconsin-Madison 1180 Observatory Dr Madison, WI 53706 and NBER firstname.lastname@example.com Jakub Kastl Department of Economics Princeton University Princeton, NJ 08544-1021 and NBER email@example.com The Industrial Organization of Financial Markets∗ Robert Clark, Jean-François Houde and Jakub Kastl Queen's University University of Wisconsin-Madison and NBER Princeton University, CEPR, and NBER


In recent years, Wikipedia has emerged as one of the most prominent sources, of any sort, of information and ideas relating to what one might call early modern studies. This article considers Wikipedia's troubled relationship with conventional academic authority, and also the paradox whereby Wikipedia articles are at the same time very mutable and very persistent. As case studies, it looks in detail at the evolution and dissemination of two Wikipedia articles, on The Tempest and on the minor writer Gervase Markham. Wikipedia, it will be argued, is a project whose conflicted attitudes to knowledge and authority have parallels with the early modern.


Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, an important subject and integral part of medical education, has been seen many up and downs in recent past. This specialty plays pivotal role at places in aiding criminal justice, it has unfortunately failed to sustain the impetus and its importance. Student's views in relation to its relevance in medical education are necessary in order to justify its inclusion in medical school curriculum.


The interest in the rare earth ferrites and their solid solutions is stimulated by their unique properties, such as high electrical conductivity, specific magnetic properties including spin reorientation phenomena, as well as significant electrochemical and catalytic activity. These materials have been found diverse technological applications, such as electrode materials for SOFC, HT multiferroics, dielectric, catalysts, sensory materials, etc. New mixed orthoferrites Dy1-xRxFeO3 were obtained by two different methods. The samples containing La and Pr were obtained by traditional solid state synthesis in air at the temperatures 1673−1773 K. For a preparation of nanocrystalline powders of Dy0.5R0.5FeO3 (R = Nd, Sm, Gd) a low-temperature sol-gel citrate method was used. Rare earth oxides Dy2O3, Sm2O3 and Gd2O3 as well as Nd(NO3)2·6H2O and Fe(NO3)2·9H2O were used as an initial reagents. Neodymium and iron nitrates were dissolved in distilled water, whereas nitrate solutions of Dy, Sm and Gd were prepared by dissolving of corresponding oxides in HNO3. Appropriate amounts of corresponding solutions were mixed on magnetic stirring for 30 min, after that water solution of citric acid (CA) and ethyleneglycol (EG) were sequentially added to the reaction mixture under continuous stirring. The molar ratio of reagents was n(Dy) : n(R) : n(Fe) : n(CC) : n(EG) = 0.5 : 0.5 : 1 : 2 : 1 (R = Nd, Sm, Gd). As prepared solutions were gelled at 373−393 K for 4 h after that head treated sequentially at 573 K and 723 K for 1 h. The foamy product obtained was finally calcined at 1273 K for 2 h. In such a way single phase nanocrystalline powders of Dy0.5R0.5FeO3 were obtained with average grain size of 86–300 nm. Structural parameters of all mixed Dy1-xRxFeO3 ferrites obtained agree well with the data for the "pure" RFeO3 compounds, thus proving formation of continuous solid solutions with orthorhombic perovskite structure in the DyFeO3−RFeO3 (R = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) systems. Peculiarity of the Dy1-xLaxFeO3 series is the lattice parameters crossover and formation of dimensionally tetragonal structures at x≈0.97. The lattice parameters of Dy1-xRxFeO3 show anisotropic convergent behaviour: the aand c-parameters increases with increasing R-cation radii, whereas b-parameter decreases (Figure). However, the unit cell volumes in Dy1-xRxFeO3 series increases almost linearly with according to the Vegard's rule.


In order to achieve a large quantity of data images on the network of rapid transmission,it must carry out its high compression.Now generally uses more advanced wavelet compression method,However,the use of compressed data to reconstruct the image with the original images than the obvious differences.To reduce the distortion of this,the beginning of this article proposes an effective allocation model based on the performance optimization method;To achieve such a rapid and low complexity of the distribution,and it proposes a semiregular mesh geometry coding related to the reconstruction of the mean square error of approximation.The experimental results show that the model-based allocation process will be similar to the above method results as a small distortion can be improved wave encoder performance,improve coding gain,and thereby achieve without lowering the rate of image compression to improve the image quality.


In Poland which rebuilt its political system in 1989, after 44 years of communist rule, the forms and effi ciency of the people's infl uence on constitution-making have varied depending on the historical and systemic conditions. In the light of Polish experiences, broad pre-constitutional social consultations cannot be regarded as an important causative factor, actually infl uencing the contents of the fundamental law. Paradoxically, it is a rule, both in the communist system (which comes as no surprise) and also in a "young democracy", that the leading political forces do not intend to involve masses of interested citizens in the discussion on the shape of the system and individual institutional solutions. Currently, this may be attributed to the manifest trend of parties' dominating the political life. One cannot neglect the scarce familiarity of Poles with the mechanisms of state functioning and their citizen's activity. The above, slightly pessimistic remarks were formulated on the basis of Polish experiences, which I believe to be shared by other states undergoing systemic transformation.


Obtaining conical shells by forging is an important and relevant task in energy and heavy engineering. Existing processes of their manufacture come down to simplifying the configuration of such billets. The result is the increased material's consumption while the internal fiber is cut during machining, which also leads to a decrease in mechanical properties. A new forging technique necessitated a study into the shape change of the billet and the distribution of deformations in the process of rolling. A finite-element method was used to investigate the process of rolling out the step hollow billets. Based on the study results, the forging's taper was established, obtained during the forging process. A research procedure involving the finite-element method was devised to study the operation of conical shells' rolling, which made it possible to determine a change in the shape and size of a hollow forging when rolled out by a step tool. A parameter has been proposed to quantify the formation of taper in the process of rolling a billet with a flange. Based on the study results, a step-wise distribution of the intensity of logarithmic deformities in the body of a forging was established when conical shells were rolled out. It was found that the step deformation leads to an increase in the uneven distribution of deformations on the part of the protrusion and ledge. Maximum deformations of 1.0...1.2 occur at the inner and outer surfaces of the step billet's protrusion. Dependences of the shape change in a step billet for the investigated ratios of sizes and rolling modes have been established. It was found that the maximum taper is obtained at a deformation degree of 15 %. It was determined that the degree of compression in the ledge and protrusion is leveled after 3 deformation runs of the step billet


This study aims on auditing energy consumption at UTeM's main library. The scope of research in this study is to quantifying the energy use by mechanical and electrical
equipment so as the water consumption. The method applied is by investigating the building energy profile by analysing previous utilities bill, several instruments for the sake of energy auditing and calculation by using equation such as the cooling load equation. More information related to energy policies and Malaysian Standard will be covered in chapter two where the relation between energy audit and Malaysia energy policy can be seen. Apart from that, the detail on audited energy will give a perspective for what type of recommendation at the end of this project. From the energy audit it is found that the maximum power consumption per day is 2141.35 kWh and the minimum is 1912.28 kWh. The recommendation for energy conservation step that can be implemented is based on the target of increasing the energy efficiency of the daily usage by retrofit existing lighting by phase and the implementation of VRF system for stable and better energy conservation.


This paperdocuments theuseof derivatives by securitisation special purpose entities (SPEs), also knownasfinancial vehicle corporations (FVCs), domiciled in Ireland using transaction-level data established by the European Market Infrastructure Regulation. We show that these entities primarily engaged in interest rate derivatives over the period of 2015–2017. We find that larger entities that already engage in international capital markets are more likely to have derivative exposures. We also show that entities sponsored by banks and non-bank financial institutions are relatively more likely to engage in derivative markets. The characteristics of these bank sponsors are important in determining SPEs' engagement in derivative markets. SPEs' heavy reliance on debt finance coupledwith their strong interconnectedness with bank sponsors underscores the importance of continuous monitoring andmacroprudential surveillance of their derivative activities. JEL classification: F30, F36, G15, G23.


This work deals with the AE behavior of concrete under four-point bending. Different contents of steel fibers were included to investigate their influence on the load-bearing capacity and on the fracture mechanisms. The AE waveform characteristics revealed that, although tension was the dominant mechanism of fracture for the plain material, the increase in the fiber content resulted in extension of the shear failure due to improvement of the weak tensile properties of concrete. Appropriate AE indices employed for early warning prior to macroscopic failure can lead to more suitable design of the reinforcement, in order to withstand the specific stresses.


Title of Document: AN ANALYSIS OF REGULATORY DECISIONS ON FOOD-USE PESTICIDES UNDER THE FOOD QUALITY AND PROTECTION ACT Elisabeth Jo Newcomb, Ph.D., 2012 Directed By: Professor Maureen Cropper, Department of Economics To ensure the safety of older pesticides used in the United States, the EPA required the reregistration of pesticide uses which were first introduced before 1984. Usi ng a dataset of reregistration outcomes for 2722 pesticide uses applied to food crops, I analyze the extent to which these decisions were determined by chronic healt h risks, pesticide expenditures, and other factors. I find that the dietary health risks associated with pesticides are had greater influence on actions to reduce di etary and occupational exposures than on pesticide cancellations. High population dietary risks are associated with higher rates of pestic id cancellations, though these results are insignificant. There is evidence that the EPA was more responsive to child and infant dietary risks: values above the EPA's threshold of concern were more than 10% more likely to be cancelled than those that were not (significant at the 10% level). The effects of cancer risks on EPA ac tions are more ambiguous, though this may be due to data limitations. The less safe pesticides are for handlers, the more often they are cancell ed, but pesticide safety has a more significant correlation with reentry i tervals. A one percent decrease in the safety of a pesticide to handlers predicts a reduc tion in reentry interval of 1.6 days (significant at the 5% level). Expenditures on individual pesticides have a strong relationship with pesticide reregistration, with an additional half million dollars in expenditures predict ing a 2% increase in the probability of reregistration (significant at the 1% leve l). Expenditures are not so correlated with reentry intervals or changes in pesticide tole rances. After accounting for dietary risk and pesticide expenditures, Monsanto and Dow were most likely to have uses reregistered. Though there was some concern that small crops with low pesticide expenditures would suffer extra cancellations, small crop uses w er no more likely to be cancelled than large crop uses. Mentions of individual pesticide in the media had no apparent relationship with the outcome of reregistration decisions. AN ANALYSIS OF REGULATORY DECISIONS ON FOOD-USE PESTICID ES UNDER THE FOOD QUALITY AND PROTECTION ACT


1 Cherrie M, Clemens T, Colandrea C et al. Ultraviolet A radiation and COVID-19 deaths in the USA with replication studies in England and Italy. Br J Dermatol 2021; (in press). https://doi.org/10.1111/ bjd.20093. 2 Scragg RKR, Stewart AW, McKenzie RL et al. Sun exposure and 25hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in a community sample: quantifying the association with electronic dosimeters. J Exp Sci Env Epidem 2017; 22:471–7. 3 Worldometer. See: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ #countries. 4 Ratnesar-Shumate S, Williams G, Green B et al. Simulated sunlight rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:214–22. 5 McKenzie RL, Liley JB, Bj€ orn LO. UV radiation: balancing risks and benefits. Photochem Photobiol 2009; 85:88–98. 6 McKenzie R, Bernhard G, Liley B et al. Success of Montreal Protocol demonstrated by comparing high-quality UV measurements with 'World Avoided' calculations from two chemistry-climate models. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12332.


The customer's loyalty is a headspring that business enterprise obtains the competitive advantage.To evaluate it scientifically is necessary for enterprise to gain and promote the customer loyalty. This paper establishes the index system to evaluate the customer loyalty according to the four key factors:the customer perception value, the customer satisfaction, the customer trusts and the transferring cost which affect the customer loyalty. The weighting can be gained by AHP. At last,the way to raise the customer loyalty is discussed.


Biomineralization in crustaceans is a remarkably efficient process of ion transport and phase transformation in a spatial template. Here we show the use of this preorganized pathway with waste shrimp shell as both a phosphate source and template for the mineralization of UO22+ to uramphite. By using the physical structural and chemical reservoir of the biogenic platform, the only requirement was to develop a solution for ion supply. Hydroxylammonium acetate, an amphiprotic salt parallel to the amine and carboxylic acid motif pervasive in biomolecules, was prepared and used for the delivery of dissolved uranyl ions into the spatial constraints of the exoskeleton. Although biomediated phase transformations of exogenous metals is typically limited to living organisms, our results show that metabolically inactive shrimp shells are adaptive and responsive toward a nonessential ion. This suggests the nonliving exoskeleton may provide rapid bottom-up assembly routes to technologically important new inorganic cry...


OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of Guijiaosan Shenque acupoint paste on the obesity, endocrine, and TCM symptom scores of obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with phlegm-dampness block.

METHODS
From January 2020 to December 2020, 80 PCOS patients with phlegm-dampness block were recruited as the study cohort and randomly divided into a research group (RG) or a control group (CG), with 40 cases in each group. The CG was treated with herbal decoctions according to syndrome differentiation, while the RG was administered Guijiaosan paste at the Shenque acupoint in addition to the treatment administered to the CG. The body weight indexes, endocrine function, insulin resistance indexes, TCM syndrome scores, and safety index changes were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.

RESULTS
Compared with the CG, the body weight indexes, endocrine function, insulin resistance indexes, and TCM syndrome scores in the RG were significantly improved (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the safety indexes between the two groups before the treatment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION
The application of Guijiaosan paste at the Shenque acupoint can effectively improve the obesity and endocrine functions of obese patients with PCOS and improve their clinical symptoms, so it is worthy of clinical promotion.


Objectives To investigate and compare the procedural skill and efficacy of echocardiographic guidance and X-ray guidance in temporary cardiac pacemaker implantation. Methods Temporary cardiac pacing was performed in 50 patients from echocardiography group and X-ray group(n=25 respectively,divided according to the guidance modality).Pacemaker electrode catheters were implanted via right internal jugular vein or right subclavian vein under echocardiographic guidance in echocardiography group and via femoral vein guided by X-ray in X-ray group. Results Temporary cardiac pacemaker implantation was successfully performed in all the patients. The procedure duration of echocardiography group was significantly shorter than that of X-ray group [(521±180) s vs.(750±226) s,P0.001]. Incidence of reimplantation in echocardiography group was obviously lower than that in X-ray group [8%(2 / 25)vs.40%(10 / 25),P0.001]. Incidence of pacing system malfunction in echocardiography group was significantly lower than that in X-ray group [8%(2 / 25) vs.32%(8 / 25),P=0.001]. Cardiac perforation and phlebothrombosis around pacing catheter did not occur in echocardiography group,while 1 and 2 cases occurred in X-ray group,respectively.Reimplantation and complication occurred less in echocardiography group. Conclusions Temporary cardiac pacemaker implantation under echocardi-ographic guidance is effective,safe and convenient.


At first, the problem of network structure changing is analyzed, the cooperative network attacking and P2P are described. In this condition, the cooperative network attacking model based on P2P is proposed, and the most key part of the model——distributed intelligence expert system. At the end, the defect on security of the model is proposed, and put forward the corresponding countermeasure.


Abstract Assessing the contribution made by recent literature dealing with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, this essay considers the influence of the tradition of anti-apartheid struggle on writers on both sides of the denialism controversy. A close reading of Roshila Nair's poem, "Fanon's land", attends to her hesitation to apply straightforwardly the received forms and idioms of South African literary dissidence in dealing with HIV/AIDS as topic. Nair's unease sets her apart from many other writers who have written on the subject; readings are offered of texts aligned with the Treatment Action Campaign, and of Castro Hlongwane, South Africa's primary denialist document. On both sides, a recuperation of the liberationist rhetoric of popular anti-governmental antagonism is shown to impair – conceptually and aesthetically – attempts by writers to reckon with the HIV/AIDS crisis. Nair's conception of South Africa as "Fanon's no-man's land" is analysed, extrapolating a critique of the relation between viral and capital systems that is shown to lurk throughout the national literature on HIV/AIDS.


We sought to examine the prevalence and burden of dysautonomia in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STNDBS) and levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion (LCIG). Using a standardized battery of autonomic tests, blood pressure measurement protocol, and the Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT), 60 consecutive PD patients treated with STN-DBS (n 5 30) and LCIG (n 5 30) were classified according to the presence or absence of dysautonomia. We evaluated the impairment in activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/iADL), adjusting for cognitive impairment, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), age, and motor severity using the motor subscale of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS-III). Additional measures included SCOPA-AUT, Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment, and the PD Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the impact (odds ratio [OR]) of dysautonomia on ADL/iADL, adjusting for cognitive impairment, age, and motor severity. A multiple linear regression model was used to estimate the correlation between SCOPA-AUT and PDQ-8. In addition, analysis of covariance was used to estimate the extent to which the dependent variables, ADL/iADL, adjusted for MoCA, age, and MDS-UPDRS-III, were influenced by (1) symptomatic state (symptomatic vs asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension); and (2) therapy (STN-DBS vs LCIG). Mann-Whitney and Fisher's tests were used for comparisons between groups. The overall prevalence of dysautonomia in this unselected population was 48.3% (29 of 60 patients), similar to that in the STN-DBS (50%) and LCIG (46.7%) cohorts (P 5 0.796). Adjusted analysis showed that dysautonomia was independently associated with a threefold impairment in ADL/iADL (OR, 2.850; 95% CI, 1.044-10.326; P 5 0.042). There was a robust correlation between autonomic symptoms (SCOPA-AUT) and quality-of-life impairment (P< 0.001). The strongest correlation was for gastrointestinal (P< 0.001), urinary/sexual (P 5 0.01), and cardiovascular (P 5 0.017) domains. Adjusted ADL/iADL scores differed between patients with and without orthostatic hypotension (P 0.047). In post hoc analyses, symptomatic (15.0%) and asymptomatic (11.7%) orthostatic hypotension worsened ADL/iADL to a similar extent (P 0.045) compared with patients without orthostatic hypotension (Fig. 1). The adjusted ADL/iADL scores was similar in the STN-DBS and LCIG cohorts (P 0.473). Subanalysis of autonomic domains (Fig. 1) revealed worse cardiovascular impairment in the LCIG cohort (P 5 0.039), potentially because of higher dopaminergic dosage (Supplementary Table) and worse pupillomotor impairment in the STN-DBS cohort (P 5 0.026), plausibly associated with electrical spread to the optic tract.


Recent studies on destinations dealt with tourism satisfaction as most important source for competitive advantage and measured customer satisfaction in order to close performance gaps. This paper tries to shed more light on two different perspectives with respect to destination competiveness: 1. Does the perceived destination competitiveness influence satisfaction with the trip? focusing thereby on the tourists, and 2. Does the perceived destination competitiveness influence satisfaction with the tourism services? considering the suppliers' perspective. For this research a quantitative research approach was chosen. In total 5053 interviews were conducted. The results showed that satisfaction was predicted by competitiveness dimensions on the demand and supply side. Furthermore sport tourists were more satisfied with destination performance compared to suppliers.


Trazodone is a selective antagonist and serotonin reuptake inhibitor used in medicine to treat anxiety. Toxicological studies of trazodone succinate were carried out on the basis of the Department of Pharmacology of the Veterinary Faculty Stavropol State Agrarian University, Russia.
The results obtained in the study of acute toxicity of the drug Express Uspokoin® tablets allow us to identify the new drug as belonging to moderately dangerous substances for mammals.
When studying the subchronic toxicity of the drug in rats, it was found that its use for 90 days at doses 10...50 times higher than the therapeutic one does not cause changes in the clinical condition of experimental rats.
The totality of the experimental data obtained unambiguously confirms the good tolerability of the drug Express Uspokoin® tablets.
As a result of toxicological studies, it was found that the drug does not exhibit irritating and allergizing effects.


The relationship between university autonomy and accountability is an important issue in higher education.University autonomy and limited autonomy are the base of accountability,and the accountability is the inevitable result of the autonomy.Since the impact from exterior power to higher education continues to be strengthened,it is vital to balance the relationship between university autonomy and accountability.This paper introduces some experience in America: to safeguard autonomy when implementing accountability;to deeply understand the academic character of university;and to carry out the accountability through agency.


We experienced with a relatively rare case of an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) arising in the right 3rd rib. A 20-year-old female, had experienced chest swelling on the right anterior side and pain for 6 months. Spiral CT scan and tissue biopsy confirms aneurysmal bone cyst of chest. Wide excision of the tumor and adjacent muscle tissue and part of 2nd, 3rd and 4th ribs were performed with a right antero-lateral thoracotomyincision (Sub-mammary approach). Chest wall reconstruction was performed with prolene mesh (140 x 90 mm). In 5-year postoperative follow up showed no recurrence.


The invention without the risk of non-uniformity of the film thickness, and a task to eliminate the non-uniformity of the electric characteristics. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is the wiring conductive film 31, a wiring pattern area (PI) on the substrate (P) by a droplet discharge. The outer (PO) of the wiring pattern area (PI) on the substrate (P), to form a conductive film 31 and electrically the second conductive film 32 is separated by a droplet discharge. Device, an electro-optical device, electronic apparatus


A program with VB is introduced for fitting the data of RLC series resonant circuit experiment.With this approach,the deficiencies in plotting method can be avoided,and the uncertainties of fitted curves are only related to the data without any influences from the greatest errors of the instruments and plotting.


An accurate tumor classification is important to diagnosis and treatment cancers. The conventional methods for tumor classification include training and testing phases, which may cause over fitting. Although this problem can be avoided by using sparse representation classification, the existing sparse representation methods for tumor classification are inefficient. In this paper, an efficient and robust classification model LSRC based on least square regression and nearest subspace rule is adopted for tumor classification. To investigate its performance, our proposed model LSRC is compared with 3 existing methods on 9 tumor datasets. The experimental results show that our proposed model can use less time to achieve higher classification accuracy.


PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament are among the most commonly encountered conditions within the realm of sports medicine. Issues of interest include graft choice and fixation method as well as the operative technique. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the arthroscopically-assisted and the opened arthrotomy for the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. RESEARCH DESIGN: Analytic study. SETTING: Orthopedic Department, Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital. MATERIALS and METHOD: Retrospective study from the medical records of the patients with the problem of anterior cruciate ligament injury operated with either arthroscopically-assisted or opened arthrotomy by author during 2005-2007. Data was analyzed and presented by frequency, percentage, and mean. Data analysis for comparison used Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney U test with significant level at 0.05. RESULTS: 23 patients were included for the study, 20 males and 3 females. Their age ranged 15-47 years with the average of 27.39 years. The causes of injury from all kind of sports were 73.9% , and football was the most common cause ( 43.5%). All patients were investigated by arthroscopy for pathological evaluation before either arthroscopically-assisted or opened arthrotomy for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. There were 10 patients in arthroscopically-assisted group and 13 patients in opened arthrotomy group. The opened arthrotomy used significantly less time ( 145.4 minutes) for the operation but more time ( 7.2 days) for convalescence in the hospital than the arthroscopically-assisted significantly ( 222.5 minutes and 4.5 days, p= 0.001 and p 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with the problems of anterior cruciate ligament injury operated for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by opened arthrotomy uses less time for operation but more time for convalescence in the hospital than arthroscopically-assisted.


Rectenna design for wireless RF energy scavenging is showcased in this paper. The rectenna design is divided into a microstrip planar antenna and an energy harvesting rectifier circuit. In the designed rectenna, antenna as well as rectifier resonates at 5.8 GHz. Advanced Design System (ADS) software was used as the simulation tool of microstrip planar antenna. The total size of the antenna is 18 × 13.2 × 0.8 mm3. The simulated antenna and rectifier circuit is impedance matched to a 50fl line over the ISM frequency band of 5.8 GHz band (5.725 GHz–5.875 GHz). The simulated antenna results are directivity (3.638 dBi), gain (2.89 dBi) and efficiency (84%). The radiation pattern is quite similar to omni-directional; which enables the simulated antenna to be useful for wireless device or any wireless sensor network (WSN) adopted to operate in ISM band of 5.8 GHz.


Objective: It was aimed to investigate irisin and chemerin levels in prediabetic individuals and their value in predicting prediabetes.
Method: Thirty-eight prediabetic patients aged 18-65 years (22 impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 10 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 6 patients with coexisting IFG and IGT) and thirty-five healthy volunteers were included in which was designed as a cross-sectional study. The basic demographic characteristics of all participants in the case and control groups were compared with the serum chemerin, irisin, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol), triglyceride (TG), free thyroxine (sT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Result: Serum chemerin level was found to be higher in the prediabetic group (p=0.03), while no significant difference was found for the irisin level between the two groups. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, we showed that chemerin was an independent risk factor in predicting prediabetes. There was a positive correlation (p=0.01, r=0.279) between all participants' body mass index (BMI) and chemerin level and a negative correlation between irisin level and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (p=0.04 r=-0.295, p=0.01 r=-0.407, respectively).
Conclusion: Chemerin is a new generation chemokine that predicts prediabetes. Studies aimed at irisin and chemerin may provide important role to prevent the prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes progression.


The daily variation of transpiration characteristics for Polygonum hydropiper L. in constructed wetland was studied. The results show that the daily variation of transpiration rate for leaves has the changing tendency of singlet in sunny days, with the highest value appearing at 14:00. It is significantly influenced by the flux density of photons, with the correlation coefficient r=0.668. There is a obviously positive relationship between transpiration rate and relative humidity (r=0.607), so the daily variation of transpiration rate for P. hydropiper is controlled by its physiological characteristics, and the stomatal resistance will directly influence the transpiration rate of this species.


Key words: Exotic wood, wood contact dermatitis. Quercus robur ,Fagus sylvatica .Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum .Palabras clave: Madera exotica. Dermatitis de contacto por madera. Quercus robur. Fagus sylvatica. Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum .Wood contact dermatitis is a rare condition, but it is frequently reported in occupational contexts, especially in association with tropical woods [1]. Sensitization in such cases is related to direct or airborne exposure to wood dust [1]. There have been only rare reports of sensitization to solid wood and fi nished wood products such as instruments, wooden jewelry, and knife handles [1].We report the case of a 38-year-old woman, blind since the age of 15 years due to retinal detachment, who developed contact dermatitis after exposure to wood. In the previous 14 months, she had developed erythema on both hands, as well as severe lesions consisting of erythematous lichenifi ed plaques alternating with vesicles, particularly affecting the tips of the fi ngers. The lesions resulted in dreadful itching and a progressive loss of sensitivity that prevented the patient from reading Braille. No other lesions were observed at any other skin sites. Symptoms were only partly controlled with local and systemic corticosteroid treatment, with incomplete remission of skin lesions. Allergic persistent moderate/severe rhinitis to


Van Cleve V. S. Meadows, and J. Stansberry, Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. (1600 Commerce St., Boulder, CO 80301; firstname.lastname@example.com), SIRTF Science Center (MS 220-6, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena CA 91125; email@example.com), Steward Observatory, University of Arizona (933 N Cherry Ave Tucson AZ 85721; email@example.com) SIRTF: SIRTF is NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility. Currently planned for launch on 15 Apr 2003, it is the final element in NASA's Great Observatories Program. SIRTF has an 85 cm diameter f/12 lightweight beryllium telescope, cooled to < 5.5K. It is diffraction-limited at 6.5 μm, and has wavelengthcoverage from 3-180 μm. Its estimated lifetime (limited by cryogen) is 2.5 years at minimum, with a goal of 5+ years. SIRTF has three instruments, IRAC, IRS, and MIPS. IRAC (InfraRed Array Camera) provides simultaneous images at wavelengths of 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 μm. IRS (InfraRed Spectrograph) has 4 modules providing low-resolution (R=60-120) spectra from 5.3 to 40 μm, high-resolution (R=600) spectra from 10 to 37 μm, and an autonomous target acquisition system (PeakUp) which includes small-field imaging at 15 μm. MIPS (Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF)} does imaging photometry at 24, 70, and 160 μm and low-resolution (R=15-25) spectroscopy (SED) between 55 and 96 μm. SIRTF Solar System Observers: The SIRTF Guaranteed Time Observers (GTOs) are planning to observe Outer Solar System satellites and planets, extinct comets and low-albedo asteroids, Centaurs and Kuiper Belt Objects, cometary dust trails, and a few active short-period comets. The GTO programs are listed in detail in the SIRTF Reserved Observations Catalog (ROC). We would like to emphasize that there remain many interesting subjects for the General Observers (GO). Proposal success for the planetary observer community in the first SIRTF GO proposal cycle (GO-1) determines expectations for future GO calls and Solar System use of SIRTF, so we would like promote a strong set of planetary GO-1 proposals. Towards that end, we present this poster, and we will convene a Solar System GO workshop 3.5 months after launch. SIRTF Planning and Observation Tool (SPOT): SPOT is a Java-based software tool for planning, creating, modifying and submitting SIRTF Astronomical Observing Requests (AORs). The SPOT software and User's Guide can be downloaded from the SIRTF Science Center Website: http://sirtf.caltech.edu/SSC/. Figure 1 shows an example planning image for observations of Neptune, showing an unrelated point source and the zodiacal emission at 25 μm, with overlays of the SIRTF focal plane and diffraction spikes. Figure 1: SPOT-generated ISSA 2.5x2.5 degree 25 um image showing Neptune's path (yellow), an unrelated point source (white blob), the SIRTF focal plane (enclosed by white circle), and SIRTF's diffraction spikes (red). The green grid is ecliptic co-ordinates.


The main goal of Virtual Reality (VR) in cinema is to immerse the spectator inside the scene. Recent VR headsets are trying to attain this goal using 360° videos. However, the storytelling and the cinema experience can be hindered because spectators using VR headsets have to continuously look around in order to explore the scene. Moreover, VR headsets restrict users to an individual experience, in which a big part of the non-verbal communication (i.e. facial expressions, gestures, and postures) is precluded. This potentially disrupts the shared and social experience of watching movies. This paper explores for the first time these potential issues by comparing a social VR system (Hyve-3D) with a cardboard VR headset during the vision of short movies including or not a storyline. Results suggest that the social VR system is more adapted for VR cinema experience.


Abstract Twenty essential oils extracted from various aromatic plants were screened for their antifungal activity in vitro against the soil-borne pathogens viz. Rhizoctonia bataticola and Sclerotium rolfsii by poisoned food technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the effective dose for 50% inhibition (ED50) were computed for each essential oil against test fungus. All the essential oils showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of mycelial growth. Results showed a fungistatic effect of various essential oils on fungal mycelium growth. The most significant antifungal activity was exhibited by essential oils extracted from Acorus calamus, Curcuma longa, Pimpinella anisum and Vetiveria zizanioides. The antifungal activity of essential oils of Vetiveria zizanioides was comparable to commercial fungicide chlorothalonil and triademefon against both test fungus at 50 µg ml−1.These oils did not show any phytotoxic effect on the germination of chickpea seedlings.


2D mathematical mode of one phase in dry-type power transformer is built through simulation software named ANSYS, and the temperature field distribution of the transformer is obtained through programming,which is coincidence with the actual case. The hottest-spot temperature of HV coil and LV coil,as well as the location of hottest-spot temperature are obtained based on the analysis of the temperature field,and the hottest-spot of LV coil is higher than HV coil.The value and location of the hottest-spot are key factors which decide whether the transformer is in stable operation,therefore,a new idea is provided on the thermal design of dry-type transformer,as well as condition monitoring and fault analysis.


In this paper, the concept of practical stabilization for nonlinear systems is introduced and the practical stabilization of uncertain generalized Duffing control systems with unknown actuator nonlinearity is explored. Based on the time-domain approach differential inequalities, a single control is presented such that the practical stabilization for a class of uncertain generalized Duffing-Holmes systems with unknown actuator nonlinearity can be achieved. Moreover, both of the guaranteed exponential convergence rate and convergence radius can be correctly calculated Finally, some numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the obtained results.


Tribology and mechanical properties of thermal treated Al-9Si/10wt%SiC functionally graded composite are compared with as-cast condition. The composite was centrifugally cast as a hollow cylindrical component (Ø(outer) 100 × Ø(inner) 60 × 100 mm), characterized at three wall layers (up to 3, 10, and 18 mm) from the outer periphery. Metallographic analysis on as-cast composite and thermal treated components revealed graded structure and spheroidization of acicular Si, respectively. Elemental mapping and phase formations were confirmed through Energy-dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Outer layer of thermal treated component revealed maximum improvement in hardness (26%) and tensile strength (15%) compared to as-cast. Brittle mode of failure was featured through fractography. A combination of adhesive and abrasive mechanisms were predominant during reciprocating wear. EDS analysis of wear debris formed at intermediate sliding distance (1250 m) confirmed the oxide layer formation. Thus, the thermal treated composites are developed for automotive engine components vulnerable to wear.


A microorganism incubator is provided to maintain the optimum culturing state of the microorganism by forming a temperature controlling jacket at the outer circumferential side of a reactor and forming a temperature controlling device supplying thermal oil through an inlet and an outlet formed at the temperature controlling jacket and keep the temperature control regularly during microorganism culturing, thereby obtaining an accurate fermentation result, saving energy and preventing safety accident. A microorganism incubator comprises: a reactor(10) which consists of a shaft(12) connected to a motor(11) to rotate and a plurality of agitator(13), each of which is formed in a longitudinal direction of the shaft with spaced apart from the other agitator at regular interval and rotates to allow the microorganism to be metabolized in complete medium; a temperature controlling jacket(20) which is formed at the outer circumferential side of the reactor and has an inlet(21) and an outlet(22) at the upper and lower portions thereof to circulate thermal oil flown inside, thereby sterilizing various germs in the complete medium stored inside the reactor; a temperature controlling device which is interconnected to the inlet and outlet through a pipe and selectively supplies cooling water and stem to the thermal oil to heat-exchange them with the thermal oil; and an air supplying device(50) which flows outside purified air inside the reactor through an air pipe(51) formed from the upper outer circumferential side of the reactor to the inside lower end portion of the reactor, wherein the temperature controlling device comprises a stem heat exchanger, a cooling water heat exchanger, a temperature sensor, a circulation pump, an expansion chamber, a steam trap, and a controlling portion.


large samples. As we also argued, an advantage of clinician reports is that researchers can measure and control effects associated with training or theoretical orientation if these occur. Finally, we cannot help but note that this series of comments and our reply to them provide a prototypical example of "clinical" judgment in science—that is, subjective, informal aggregation of data, often leading to a "gestalt" judgment. Different individuals, given the same information, seem to have come to very different conclusions. But, hopefully, science, civility, and good judgment will ultimately, as Wood and Nezworski (2005) and Garb and Grove (2005) suggest, prevail.


Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effects of triamcinolone-soaked nasal packing on endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
Methods: The study included 91 patients (156 eyes) with primary acquired...


In the management of OG junction tumors the border issue arises in type 2 cancers. It can be managed with various options like esophago gastrectomy (Ivor Lewis), transabdominal extended transhiatal gastrectomy or total esophago gastrectomy depends upon the extent strectomy of the tumor above and below. After resection the reconstruction can be either with stomach or jejunum or colon. However the functional result after either of these procedures varies. The aim of this study is to know the functional outcome of different reconstruction methods after esophagogastrectomy for locally advanced Type 2 OG junction tumours.

 148 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for OG junction tumors in the last 6 years were evaluated. Of them 62 locally advanced type2 OG junction tumors were included in our study. 26 underwent Ivor Levis procedure with gastric replacement. 36 underwent extended transhiatal gastrectomy with esophago jejunal anastamosis. Intra operative details like pyloroplasty, Operative time, blood loss, the distal margin, nodal clearance was noted. The functional outcome since immediate postoperative period to 1 year of follow up is reviewed retrospectively and prospectively in few cases.

 There is no significant difference in operating time, blood loss. Two patients with Partial gastrectomy had positive distal margin even though it is not statistically significant. The average number of nodes harvested is higher with total gastrectomy group with jejunal anastamosis and it is statistically significant between 2 groups (P < 0.05).The GERD is more with gastric conduit when compared to Jejunal reconstruction but the weight loss is more with jejunal reconstruction when compared with gastric reconstruction.

 The functional outcome and oncological outcome are superior with jejunal reconstruction after total gastrectomy when compared with gastric reconstruction after Ivor Lewis procedure.

 All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


This paper traces the history of the notion of female chastity ( zhen ) in China from pre-Qin to the mid-imperial era and argues that, prior to the arrival of Buddhism in China, the idea of female "chastity" was concerned not so much with physical virginity as the dutiful fulfillment of wifely obligations as stipulated by the Confucian marriage rites. A woman's chastity was determined by her moral rectitude rather than by her biological condition. The understanding of the physical body as a sacrosanct entity that must be defended against defilement and violation emerged under the influence of Buddhist notions of the uncontaminated body, the pious observance of the Buddhist monastic code, and the performance of religious charity that became popular in early imperial China. Based on a critical analysis of a wide array of Confucian canonical texts, dynastic histories, Indian Buddhist scriptures, biographies of Chinese monks and nuns, the monastic code, and Chinese Buddhist encyclopedias, this paper delineates the gradual process by which the Buddhist concept of the "pure body" became fully assimilated into the indigenous Chinese notion of female "rectitude" and the notion of female chastity finally acquired an ontological identity around the end of the sixth century.


In their letter, Dolan and McMillan raise several important points. First, many studies have concluded that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a cancer biomarker. Second, the majority of studies analyzed NLR as a dichotomized variable. In contrast, we kept NLR in its continuous form; our study found no evidence that NLR is prognostic or predictive of survival in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Guidelines recommend analyzing variables in their continuous form. The statistical shortcomings of dichotomization, including the risk of spurious findings, have been shown elsewhere in detail. Furthermore, a continuous variable can be split at many different cutpoints; this inflates researcher degrees of freedom and may raise issues of multiple comparisons. We appreciate the opportunity to highlight these concerns regarding the existing NLR literature. Therefore, our study kept NLR as a continuous variable. Analytic checks supported the modeling assumptions of this approach (eg, a linear functional relationship and proportional hazards). However, for the sake of transparency, we present here the results using dichotomized NLR at the thresholds of 3 and 5, as per the request of Dolan and McMillan. In multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, tumor T category, and treatment arm, NLR was neither prognostic for overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.97-1.79; P 5.07] for a cutpoint 3 and HR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.76-1.81; P 5.46] for a cutpoint 5) nor predictive of the benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.56-1.70; P 5.92] for a cutpoint 3 and HR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.291.38; P 5.25] for a cutpoint 5). We note that, in this case, the threshold for statistical significance would be below the traditional level of .05 due to multiple comparisons. In short, the dichotomized results do not change our study's conclusions. FUNDING SUPPORT No specific funding was disclosed.


In this paper I challenge the usual interpretations of Newton's and Leibniz's views on the nature of space and the relativity of motion. Newton's 'relative space' is not a reference frame; and Leibniz did not regard space as defined with respect to actual enduring bodies. Newton did not subscribe to the relativity of inertial motions; whereas Leibniz believed no body to be at rest, and Newton's absolute motion to be a useful fiction. A more accurate rendering of the opposition between them, I argue, leads to a wholly different understanding of Leibniz's theory of space, one which is not susceptible to the objections Newton had raised against Descartes regarding the representation of motion. This in turn suggests a new approach for contemporary theory of space, one which neither hypostatizes space nor tries to reduce it to relations among actual things, 1 The Opposition between Newton and Leibniz 2 Newton on Space and Relativity 3 Newton and the Structure of Space 4 Relative Space and Absolute Motion in Leibniz 5 Leibniz and the Construction of Space 6 Conclusion I THE OPPOSITION BETWEEN NEWTON AND LEIBNIZ There is a very beguiling way of reading the opposition between Newton and Leibniz on the nature of space, a way which now has all the authority of tradition. This is to read Newton's relative spaces as reference frames, so that his doctrine of the ontic primacy of absolute space is interpreted as the * This work was generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, with a Fellowship for College Teachers and Independent Scholars (FB-26897-89), and also by a sabbatical leave from my institution, Middlebury College. I am very grateful to various members of faculty of York University for their appreciative reception of an earlier one-week-old version of this paper, 'Relative Space in Newton and Leibniz', read to the Department of Philosophy there in January 1990, and to Robert Rynasiewicz for criticisms of an extract read at the 1991 History of Science meeting. This content downloaded from 126.96.36.199 on Mon, 5 May 2014 14:00:41 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions


It is commonly agreed that a country cannot be fully developed without large-scale investment in her educational scheme since the breakthrough of a country is directly proportional to her educational level. Since the acquisition of effective reading skills has a positive effect on all school subjects, then reading is sine-qua-non for human capital and global development. Yet, it has been observed that many Nigerians today have a poor reading habit. Thus, this paper focuses on this poor reading habit among our people today and its causes. The paper is rounded off with suggestions as to what concerned stakeholders can do to develop and re-invent the reading culture in Nigeria.


It was announced in January 1999 that the British National Maritime Museum at Greenwich would be modernised. Richard Ormond, the new director, said it was old-fashioned and must change with the times. He explained in Blairspeak: 'Unless we find new intellectual purpose and bring home to people that the sea is still central to their lives, we will become a sideshow museum dealing with traditional artefacts to an increasingly limited market.'


There is a need to extend the climate change discourse. This should not be by paying less attention to the causes, which are now well known, but by stressing more the consequences, which have been ...


By JAMES DENNIS MENDEZ This dissertation is based on an experimental study, which explored two different approaches to the design and synthesis of conjugated polymer systems with improved electrical transport properties. The first approach sought to improve the local charge transport through structural variation of the polymer. It was hypothesized that hyperbranched and cross-linked conjugated structures would offer better charge-transport characteristics than linear macromolecules, on account of the reduced importance of interchain transport in the former. Thus, hyperbranched versions of a commonly used semiconducting conjugated polymer, poly (p-phenylene ethynylene) (PPE), were synthesized and the charge transport properties were investigated using a time-of-flight technique and fluorescence quenching. The results show that the high molecular weight hyperbranched materials offer charge transport characteristics that are better than the linear polymer but are still soluble in common organic solvents. Similarly, the wellknown electrically conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was cross-linked with several conjugated cross and non-conjugated cross-linkers. The concentration and structure of the cross-linker was systematically varied to explore the influence on the electrical conductivity. Optimized compositions resulted in materials which displayed an electrical conductivity of up to ~800 S/cm; this corresponds to a


The present invention relates to a navigation device comprising a processor unit (11). The navigation device (10) is arranged to detect parking of a vehicle, and, when parking is detected, determine information regarding the position of the parked vehicle. Next, the information regarding the position of the parked vehicle is stored. The stored information may be reused later to find the parked vehicle.


Democratic transition in Myanmar appears to have come to a standstill. Western analysts have focused on the political constraints faced by the National League for Democracy (NLD) under Aung San Suu Kyi. Most refer to the still-excessive power of the military to explain the party's governance failure. However, a closer look suggests that the NLD is not only unable but is also unwilling to lead according to democratic principles.


In this paper, 716 listed companies range from 2002 to 2011 are used as our sample. We use the dynamic System GMM model,taking into account the three kinds of endogeneity at the same time, based on a dynamic perspective, to study the relationship between board structure and inefficient investment. And we get the following results:(a) Increase the percentage of independent director makes a contribute to decreasing inefficient investment, and it can last about 3 years;(b) Decrease board size makes a contribute to decreasing inefficient investment, and it can last about 4-5 years;(c) We don't get a results about the the relationship between CEO duality and inefficient investment, it need a further study.


TheManagement Strategy Evaluation (MSE) frameworkinvolves the developing of an operating model to describe the underlying reality together with a model which describes the whole management process from data collection to the management advice. In this document, a method for conducting MSE for Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna is proposed, along with expected outcomes. This document intends to stimulate discussion regarding MSE for IOTC tuna, including the objectives for management and possible model specifications. Future plans for this work are also discussed and presented.


The kinetics of biphasic hydroformylation of 1-octene has been studied in the presence of ethanol cosolvent, using water-soluble Rh/TPPTS as a catalyst. The rate was found to be first order with catalyst and olefin concentrations and fractional order with hydrogen concentration. The rate versus CO concentration passed through a maximum, indicating a negative order dependence at higher pressures. These trends have been interpreted on the basis of a well-known hydroformylation mechanism. A rate equation derived assuming the addition of olefin to the active catalyst as a rate-determining step was found to fit the data satisfactorily. The kinetic parameters were evaluated for different temperatures.


Based on the methods of bibliometrics,the reference frequency,discipline distribution,authors' official designation and degree of 258 scientific papers from 2010 to 2011,on Journal of North China Institute of Science and Technology,are analyzed statistically,which reflects the school's current scientific research and academic level in profile.And for some problem discovered in statistics,some improved comments and suggestions are put forward.


We report in this paper on the dielectric behaviour of frozen aqueous solutions of mono-and disaccharides studied by the depolarization thermocurrent (DTC) method in the temperature range of 85–250 K and over a wide range of concentrations (0.0003–1.5 mol/l), to obtain information on the state of water in the solutions. The dielectric behaviour of aqueous oligosaccharide solutions was studied systematically by Tait et al.[1] and by Sugget and Clark [2] at temperatures of 5 and 25 C in the GHz frequency range. The main problem with such measurements is that the analysis of the measured frequency dependence of the complex permittivity in terms of contributions of free (bulk) water, hydration (bound) water and solute can never be completely unequivocal. We pointed out in a previous paper [3] that one may avoid such problems in the analysis of the measurements by using the DTC method. We showed in that paper that in frozen aqueous solutions of glucose there is a continuous transition from hydration to free H2O molecules. In this paper we extend our measurements to other monosaccharides and to disaccharides.


Background. Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis is the radical method of therapy nowadays. Myeloablative conditioning regimens allow to achieve good engraftment and do not compromise clinical status of a patient. Aim – to show effectiveness of allo-HSCT with myeloablative conditioning for patients with Hurler syndrome (HS). Patients and methods . We analyzed 23 allo-HSCT at 22 patients with HS which were performed in 2002–2015. HSCT from unrelated donors (10/10 and 9/10) were performed in 18 cases. Transplant: bone marrow – 73.9 % (n = 17); peripheral blood stem cells – 17.4 % (n = 4); cord blood (CB) – 8.7 % (n = 2). Age median – 1.86 y.o. (10 months – 3.8 years). Conditioning regimen: Busulphan/Treosulphan + Fludarabine + Thiotepa/Melphalan and Antithymocyte Immunoglobulin +/– Rituximab (in case of HSCT from unrelated donor). Results. 19 patients are alive now. 15 patients have complete donor's chimerism now. All patients have good answer on general disease (best answer correlated with minimal interval between diagnosis and HSCT). Primary graft failure was in one case of CB transplantation. Graft rejection was diagnosed in 3 cases. Causes of death were infection complications in all cases. Results improved during last 5 years – good infection control and therapy of infection and immune complications. Median of follow-up is 48.62 (8–130) months, overall survival 83.2 %, event-free survival – 71.5 %. Conclusion. Our results suggested that allo-HSCT with myeloablative conditioning (with Melphalan inclusion) for the patients with HS is effective way of therapy to stop neurodegeneration processes. Optimization of prevention and treatment of infection complications and graftversus-host disease allows to improve significantly results of HSCT.


There is an art to identifying good research problems. Generally, one seeks research problems that are consequential and scientifically interesting, where effect sizes are large, and where there is reasonable probability of obtaining a conclusive and meaningful answer. Here we attempt to identify some research areas in stellarator theory and computation that meet these criteria, areas that should be priorities for exploration in the next few years. We take the point of view that the best research problems lie in the intersections of the following sets:


As the ties that bind marriages are strained and broken in the context of separation and divorce, the value systems of the parties will impact their perspective on the performance of the 'marriage contract'. In Asia, marriage creates a contract between individuals but also a web of family alliances. The impact of globalization is often seen as eroding the impact of culture on societal values, but in this most intimate contract, people often find that their underlying values are consistent with belief systems that have traditionally held their societies together. In Confucian and neo-Confucian societies, values around the role that each gender will perform are perceived to be changing, however, for some traditional values exercise a strong hold. This reality can be a confronting experience for spouses in separation.


Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with an important socio-economic burden. Available therapies include conventional systemic drugs and biological drugs, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, that are characterized by high costs. Aim. Perform a cost-estimation analysis of conventional treatment vs therapy with biosimilar TNF-α inhibitor between January 2021 and January 2022, according to the Apulia regional cost list. Methods. The average annual expenditure per patient on conventional treatment (cyclosporine and methotrexate) vs therapy with biosimilar TNF-α inhibitor was compared. The 'cost per responder' was determined by analyzing the percentages of 'responders' (patients achieving PASI 75 and PASI 90) and 'non-responders' (PASI <75) after one year of treatment. Results. The annual per capita expenditure with cyclosporin was €3,515.35, with methotrexate was €1,048.87, while for treatment with TNF-α biosimilar inhibitor drug was €3,030.11. The "cost per responder" analysis showed a value of €8,573 for cyclosporine, €2,834 for methotrexate, and €3,564 for TNF-α biosimilar inhibitor. Conclusions. Conventional drugs have a greater impact on healthcare expenditure than TNF-α biosimilar inhibitors.


The presence of pipes beneath railway lines poses potential risks and hazards to railway operations. Identification of the risks arising from pipes located under railway lines is necessary for evaluation and preparation of strategic measures to reduce the level of risk. Risks to be aware of include pipe deformation, corrosion, design and installation errors, and operating errors. To ensure safety, pipe monitoring and inspection must be conducted regularly. Pipe inspection also needs to consider geotechnical elements to ensure that railway infrastructure remains safe for operation. This paper reviews several published studies and standards related to the safety of pipelines under the railways and summarizes the potential failures of pipelines located beneath railway tracks, various aspect of pipelines and railway safety, and the standards that can be used as references in designing pipelines buried beneath railway tracks


The invention discloses a method for preparing a modified naphthalene water reducing agent, which comprises the following steps: A, adding industrial naphthalene to a glass lining reaction kettle to be melted, and adding industrial concentrated sulfuric acid to the reaction kettle; B, sampling and measuring the acid number to determine the water quantity to be added to a hydrolysis reaction; C, adding industrial formaldehyde to the mixture to perform reaction so as to obtain a naphthalene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensation compound; D, adding pulping waste liquor and water to the mixture respectively from the top and the middle part of a formaldehyde absorption tower while adding the formaldehyde to the mixture, using a pump to perform circulating spraying on the waste liquor and the water on the upper section and the lower section of the adsorption tower respectively, and adding the waste gas generated by a condensation reaction to the lower part of the formaldehyde absorption tower so as to have a counter current contact with the water and obtain a waste liquor containing the formaldehyde; E, adding a diluted formaldehyde solution to a condensation reaction material, reducing the viscosity of the material and reclaiming the formaldehyde; F, delivering the formaldehyde pulping waste liquor to a waste liquor reaction kettle to perform sulphonation and condensation reactions; and G, preparing the modified naphthalene water reducing agent. The method achieves the zero emission of the formaldehyde with less usage; the water reducing rate of the water reducing agent is improved by 3 to 8 percent compared with the conventional product, and the utilization of an environmental pollutant pulping waste liquor is achieved.


The inspection results are presented of turbines of different types and capacity, showing the influence of various factors (such as increased frictional forces on the mating surfaces, clearance changes in the joints elements, TES elements design, state of the thermal expansions compensation system of pipelines) on the operation both of thermal expansion system and of the turbine as a whole. The data are presented on the effectiveness of various measures aimed to eliminate the causes of the turbine thermal expansion system deviations from its normal operation. The results are shown of the influence simulation of various factors (such as flanges and piping warming, ratio of clearance changes in the elements) on the probability of turbine TES hindrance. It is shown that clearance ratios employed in most turbines do not provide the stability of turbine TES against the external action of connected pipes. The simulation results permit to explain the bearing housings turns observed during inspections, resulting in a jam on the longitudinal keys, in temperature distribution changes on the thrust bearing pads, and in some cases in false readings of instruments rotor axial displacement.


Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) are two of the main directions in the BIM-strategy of the Swedish Transport Administration. Starting from the year 2015 it is a require ...


We report for the first time in Chile the presence of the European mite Kuzinia laevis. We obtained specimens of the mite from a hibernating queen bee of Bombus terrestris in the city of Santiago, Metropolitan Region. Implications of the species introduction are discussed.


This paper presents the BCL+-algebras, which is derived the fundamental properties. Results are generalized with version of BCL-algebras [5], using some unusual for a binary relation * and a constant 1 (one) in a non-empty set X, one may take different axiom systems for BCL+-algebras.


In order to analyze the different characteristics of urban resident basic medical insurance scheme among regions of different economic level,four representative cities in eastern and western China are chosen and a comparative analysis is made in terms of people who have insurance,funding sources of medical insurance,financing level,reimbursement of expenditure,and management for referral.The disadvantages and relevant implications for policy-making were discussed for further improving the design of urban residents basic medical insurance scheme.


o-Nitrobenzyl triphenylsilyl ehther/aluminum compound has been previously shown by the authors to act as catalyst in the photopolymerization of epoxides. The dependence of the structure of the silyl ether on the catalyst activity was examined. There were two steps in the photopolymerization. The first step ("Step 1") is photodecomposition of the silyl ether to silanol. The second step ("Step 2") is the initiation of polymerization by silanol and the aluminum compound. The introduction of an electron withdrawing group, Cl, CF3, on the benzene ring bonded to Si made the quantum yield of Step 1 low, however, the rate of Step 2 was increased. The low quantum yield of Step 1 was explained in terms of the rate of electron transfer that is controlled by the relative electron density between the CH2 and NO2 in the o-nitrobenzyl group. The acceleration of Step 2 was explained in terms of an increase in silanol acidity that was promoted by the introduction of an electron withdrawing group. The overall rate of the photopolymerizatiol depends to a greater degree on the rate of Step 2 than on that of Step 1.


The newly discovered z = 5.8 quasar SDSSp J104433.04-012502.2 was recently detected in X-rays and found to be extremely X-ray weak. Here we present the hardness ratio analysis of the XMM-Newton observation. We consider various models to explain the detection in the soft X-ray band and nondetection in the hard band, together with its X-ray weakness. We show that the source may have a steep power-law slope, with an absorber partially covering the continuum. This may be X-ray evidence to support the recent argument of Mathur that narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, which show steep power-law slopes, might be the low-redshift, low-luminosity analogs of the high-redshift quasars. Heavily shrouded and steep X-ray spectrum quasars may indeed represent the early stages of quasar evolution, and SDSSp J104433.04-012502.2 is possibly giving us a first glimpse of the physical evolution of quasar properties.


Conventional machine learning models often exhibit poor performance when tested on data that comes from a different probability distribution than that of the training data. This phenomenon is known as 'domain shift'. To overcome this problem, domain adaptation (DA) methods have been proposed to reduce the discrepancy between the two domains and improve the performance on the target domain. However, most of the existing DA techniques for classification have focused on One Level Classifiers (OLCs), which are not suitable for data that follows a hierarchical classification structure. In this paper, we propose a discriminative DA approach for coarse-to-fine (C2F) classifiers, which provide both coarse and fine labels. Our approach learns an invariant feature representation of the data across domains for both the coarse and finer levels. Our experimental results on well-known digit datasets demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the base C2F model in terms of the classification accuracy of the target domain data.


Dynamic earthquake models can help us in the ambitious understanding, from a deterministic point of view, of how a rupture starts to develop and propagates on a fault, how the excited seismic waves travel in the Earth crust and how the high frequency radiation can damage a site on the ground. Since analytical solutions of the fully dynamic, spontaneous rupture problem do not exist (even in homogeneous conditions), realistic and accurate numerical experiments are the only available tool in studying earthquake sources basing on Newtonian Mechanics. Moreover, they are a credible way of generating physics– based ground motions. In turn, this requires the introduction of a fault governing law, which prevents the solutions to be singular and the crack tip and the energy flux to be unbounded near the rupture front. Contrary to other ambits of Physics, Seismology presently lacks knowledge of the exact physical law which governs natural faults and this is one of the grand challenges for modern seismologists. While for elastic solids it exists an equation of motion which relates particle motion to stresses and forces through the material properties (the scale–free Navier–Cauchy's equation), for a region undergoing inelastic, brittle deformations this equation is presently missed and scientists have yet to fully decipher the fundamental mechanisms of friction. The traction evolution occurring during an earthquake rupture depends on several mechanisms, potentially concurrent and competing one with each other. Recent laboratory data and field observations revealed the presence, and sometime the coexistence, of thermally–activated processes (such as thermal pressurization of pore fluids, flash heating of asperity contacts, thermally–induced chemical reactions, melting of rocks and gouge debris), porosity and permeability evolution, elasto–dynamic lubrication, etc. In this chapter we will analyze, in an unifying and comprehensive sketch, all possible chemico–physical mechanisms that can affect the fault weakening and we will explicitly indicate how they can be incorporated in a realistic governing model. We will also show through numerical simulations that simplified constitutive models that neglect these phenomena appear to be inadequate to describe the details of the stress release and the consequent high frequency seismic wave radiation. In fact, quantitative estimates show that in most cases the incorporation of such nonlinear phenomena has significant effects, often dramatic, on the dynamic rupture propagation, that finally lead to different damages on the free surface.


An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 1997–98 and 1998–99 to study the effect of fertilizer levels and seed rates on growth and yield of surface-seeded wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) under lowland rice ecosystem of north Bihar. Application of 150, 75 and 50 kg N, P and K/ha recorded significantly higher values of yield-attributing characters, grain and straw yield, net return and NPK uptake by the crop than the lower levels of fertilizer but net return/rupee of investment and protein content in grains increased significantly only up to 120, 60 and 40 kg N, P and K/ha. Among the seed rates, 175 kg seed/ha resulted maximum number of ears/m2, grain and straw yield, net return, net return/rupee of investment and NPK uptake than 150 and 125 kg/ha seed rates. Protein content in grains was unaffected by seed rates. Application of 150, 75 and 50 kg N, P and K/ha together with 175 kg seed/ha was found to be the best for obtaining higher grain yield of surface-seeded wheat.


In order to improve the quality of higher vocational education and to cultivate talents of high quality and with professional skills,the department of estate management should formulate professional standards,integrate and optimize teaching content,promote curriculum system reform,improve students' experimental and practical skills and attach great importance to the development of professional skills.