Simple Summary Aphids are major crop pests that are feeding on plant sap and transmitting plant viruses, thus inducing high yield losses worldwide. As chemical pesticides are decreasingly used in plant protection, fungi that cause disease to insects (entomopathogenic fungi) are one of the promising alternatives. They are commonly applied by spraying plants to protect them against herbivores. When applied, some fungi penetrate and live within plant tissues, thus helping to internally protect from insect attacks and other plant diseases. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) applied firstly by contact after insect direct spraying, secondly by endophytic plant inoculation, and thirdly by associated both methods assessing the green peach aphid performances. The impact of the presence of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF) in plant tissues on virus transmission by aphids was also considered. We found that the EPF Beauveria bassiana killed the green peach aphid and reduced its fecundity regardless of the application method. On fungal-inoculated plants, there was also a high mortality of aphid nymphs and infection by the potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was delayed by about a week with the EEPF treatment compared to fungal-free plants. This study showed that spraying plant leaves with EPF not only has a direct insecticidal effect against insects but could also have beneficial side effects for the plant against viruses. Abstract Aphids are major crop pests that transmit more than half of all insect-vectored plant viruses responsible for high yield losses worldwide. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are biological control agents mainly used by foliar application to control herbivores, including sap-sucking pests such as aphids. Their ability to colonize plant tissues and to interact with diverse plant pathogenic microorganisms have been reported. In our study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana ((Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin) directly applied by contact or/and indirectly via endophytism in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) against the virus vector Myzus persicae (Sulzer) carrying the Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) or not. We found that both contact treatment and endophytic colonization of leaves significantly increased aphid mortality and decreased the fecundity rate when compared to control plants. In addition, on fungal-colonized leaves, viruliferous aphids were more negatively impacted than virus-free ones and nymph mortality was significantly higher than on fungal-free plants. Furthermore, we assessed PLRV transmission by M. persicae on tobacco plants inoculated with either B. bassiana or Metarhizium acridum ((Driver and Milner) JF Bischoff, Rehner, and Humber) as source or/and recipient plants. Myzus persicae was found to acquire and transmit PLRV regardless of the treatment. Nevertheless, the infection rate of endophytically colonized plants was lower at a seven-day incubation period and had increased to almost 100% after fifteen days. These results suggest that B. bassiana is effective against aphids, both by contact and via endophytism, and both B. bassiana and M. acridum delayed PLRV infection in tobacco.


Abstract A rating chart is given which enables easy and accurate field assessment of damage by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) on many crops, based on the percentage and types of roots galled. It should be of use both to nematologists and untrained field workers.


The article takes ecological immigrant in Zhalinghu countryside as case by surveying on the spot,analyses the Tibetan ecological immigrant in adapting to difficult position in production environment,the mode of production,life-style,language environment,notion in the source of Yellow River,Lancang River and Yangzi Rivsr.The author thinks that many ways can be adopted to help the ecological immigrant to come true switching to other products smoothly,breaking tradition notion fetters,constructing a set of peculiar support policy.These are main countermeasures to promote the ecological immigrant to improve ability to adjust to new environment.


A method of forming ultra-shallow junction on a substrate. In certain embodiments, a method of forming ultra-shallow junction on a substrate. Placing a substrate in the process chamber. Depositing a silicon carbon layer on the substrate. Exposing the dopant in the silicon carbon layer. The substrate was heated above 950 ° C., sufficiently to anneal the dopant of the silicon carbon layer. In certain embodiments, the substrate is heated to about 1000 to about 1100 ° C.. In certain embodiments, the substrate is heated to about 1030~ about 1050 ° C.. In certain embodiments, to provide a structure having a steep p-n junction. .FIELD 1


The present invention relates to a spindle lanthanum silicate apatite material and method mesogenic structure, having important applications lanthanum silicate prepared textured electrolyte material pair. Analytically pure lanthanum oxide, tetraethyl orthosilicate as a raw material with ethanol and deionized water mixture as the solvent, ammonia to adjust pH of the reaction solution by solvothermal synthesis process La9.33 + xSi6O26 + 1.5x (x = 0 ~ 0.67) mesogen chemical composition, microstructure characterized in that: a) a spindle mesogenic morphology, the average size of the longitudinal direction between 550 ~ 1150nm, the diameter direction of the average size is between 50 ~ 150nm; 2) mesogenic lanthanum silicate nanocrystals in the c- axis direction of short rod, arranged in ordered alignment, lanthanum silicate longitudinal direction nanocrystalline average size between 20 ~ 35nm, average size in the diameter direction of 5 ~ 14nm between. Lanthanum silicate apatite type mesomorphic particles having such a microstructure features disclosed so far no reports in the international.


The physics of intermediate high-conversion water reactors is strongly influenced by two essentially independent phenomena: a spectral shift associated with the reduced scattering performance of water, which shows an increased participation of /sup 238/U to the neutron slowdown, and a vanishing of the thermal component of the spectrum, which is due to the huge absorption resonances of plutonium in the epithermal region. The effects of these physical phenomena on the most important neutronic integral parameters, such as eigenvalue, voiding reactivity, and burnup, are investigated by means of the perturbation theory. A reference group structure adjusted to design requirements is also determined, via pattern recognition methods, and the most important physical trends of the parameters are presented, correlated by sensitivity coefficients and some practical applications.


Studies seven Asian countries, with diverse production environments and agrarian and policy structures, to determine to what extent the adoption of modern rice varieties (MVs) only in the irrigated and the favourable rain-fed lowland areas has exacerbated inequalities in income distribution.


We have studied the most stable structures of AgN (N = 7, 12, 13, 14) clusters and investigated their binding energies and melting behaviours using molecular dynamics and thermal quenching methods based on the Voter–Chen version of the embedded atom method. The melting like transition is described in terms of atom resolved root-mean-square bond length fluctuations, specific heats, coordination numbers and short-time averaged temperatures. Some of these diagnostic tools are also used for the overall behaviour of the clusters. The results are compared with the relevant literature.


The goal of this paper consists of analyzing the fundamentals of the relationship among a car manufacturer and its distribution network, focusing, especially, on the trust determinants. The nature of the rapport is controversial since asymmetrical power and, at the same time, strong exclusive bonds influence the perception and the decisions of the parties. In addition, a recent evolution in the European retailing contract regulation has given new rooms of improvement for the relationship but has also left dark areas as regards potential opportunistic initiative. Based on the emerging theories on trust and the construct in relationship, as stated in the IMP Group school, this work in progress paper wants to explore the deep nature of relationship and trust in order to understand and reinforce the distributive relationship in the renovated competitive and opened arena wanted by the EU regulation. The relationship analysis will be carried out also according to the final customer (driver) position in the triad (customer, automaker and dealer). We assume that customer preferences and satisfaction influence significantly the relationship between the manufacturer and the dealers. The buying approach is now evolving since the introduction of internet and since the consumers are more inclined to "shopping around" experience during the car selection process. This leads to an articulated buying approach that is opening new feature in the selling format (car infomediary portals, internet retailers, multi-brand outlets, independent importer dealers, dealer groups, etc.) The automakers are therefore facing the opportunity to implement a multichannel strategy, not applicable since now, due to the existence of the exclusive dealer agreement. The new EU regulation opens up new ways to establish relationship with distribution operators and in this light reinforces the need of a multichannel strategy to sell cars. A multichannel strategy emphasizes the need to conceive different relationship approaches with operators overcoming the misuse of asymmetrical power characterizing the traditional "franchise" rapport. Therefore concepts such as commitment, satisfaction and trust become central for the successful relationship development. Trust is seen as an antecedent which influences fairness and push the dyad to develop longterm relationship. This work-in-progress paper is aimed to outline the relationship attributes and the role of trust and it is a first step of a wider research involving automotive dealer and automakers aimed to verify the assumptions identified in this paper and in order to define a viable model to introduce in this market a multichannel strategy. 1. The relationship between car maker and the dealer A central theme of channels of distribution theory and research is that suppliers need to develop policies and programs to evoke and maintain desired forms of behaviours from independent partners in the distribution network (Frazier, 1999; Kumar, Stern, & Achrol, 1992). Agrawal and Lal (1995) concluded that since almost half of the cost to the consumer is added on after the product leaves the manufacturer, strategic collaboration reduces such costs through improved efficiency along the entire streamline. Researchers embracing the relationship marketing paradigm posit that the key antecedent factor for a relational orientation to flourish in channel dyads is trust in the exchange partner (Morgan & Hunt, 1994). Defined as willingness to rely on an exchange partner in whom one has confidence (Moorman, Zaltman, & Deshpande ́, 1992), trust has been shown to reduce perceived uncertainty, facilitate risk-taking behaviours, and foster a cooperative and/or constructive orientation (Morgan & Hunt, 1994). On the other hand researchers have argued that channel relationships which are asymmetric in terms of market domination and market power tend, especially in the car market, to demonstrate a high level of conflict and low levels of cooperation (Ogenyi, 1998), communication (Kumar, Sheer, Steenkamp, 1995), trust (Anderson, Weitz, 1989) and stability (Stern, Reve, 1980). Traditionally automakers, especially in Europe have settled relationships with the distributive networks following a top-down approach which has created a power-dependence relationship (Frazier, 1999). The high level of car demand, constantly higher than supply until the 1980s, have shaped the car manufacturer supremacy over the other actors (customers and dealers at least). The outcome of this "sellers' market" has created opportunities for high profit that have been "channelled to dealer network, which in substance have accepted to give up their entrepreneurial independence, basically wiped out by the restraints entailed in the franchising contract, in exchange for high profitability levels, and low risk" (Volpato, Buzzavo 2003). Frazier (1983) defines this kind of dependence as a need of a firm to maintain its business relationship with the partner which is perceived irreplaceable (Kumar, Scheer, Steenkamp, 1998). Therefore, when one firm is highly dependent on a channel partner, it has an interest to give some reception to the partner's policies, programs, and specific requests, because otherwise it could mean losing the (valuable) exchange partner or some portion of the value received from the partner (Yilmaz, Sezen, Ozdemir, 2005). In this perspective the role of trust is completely different then in a symmetric relationship. The motivation to develop a relationship with the supplier is based largely on calculative concerns rather than the level of pure trust placed in the supplier. This non orthodox dealer approach is largely due to fears of retaliatory punishment. As a result, a majority of dealer's relational behaviours in this interdependence condition is in the form of passive adherence to the suppliers' specific demands, where the level of trust placed in the supplier does not come to sight as a prime factor (Yilmaz, Sezen, Ozdemir, 2005). The dynamics of last decades in the European car industry have shown that there is an excess of supply over demand. This overproduction has lead to 'stock-push' strategy, thus putting pressure on dealers to achieve sales results. The manufacturers are therefore obliged to control their distribution system in order to ensure efficient supply and profitability (Ogenyi, Blankson, 2000) On the other hand the calculative or passive trust demonstrated by dealer is not anymore effective to grant the market potential exploitation required to beat competition. Manufacturer and dealer have to joint resources to deploy the best market strategy. For this purpose many suppliers in the present empirical setting have implemented several wellestablished monitoring procedures (electronic transfer of orders and other information, mail surveys of end customers, customer feedback in web sites, frequent after-sales contacts with customers, announced and unannounced visits by boundary personnel, etc.), which enable them to keep close track of dealer behaviours and performance outcomes (Yilmaz, Sezen, Ozdemir, 2005). On the other hand they have pursued a network selection process in order to robust their market presence. Automakers are generally moving toward a dramatic reduction in the number of intermediaries, aiming at three main objectives: to reduce intra-brand competition among dealers in the same franchise; in such a way , to make it easier for dealers to achieve economies of scale; and to regain the share of "dealer discount" which presently dealers are forced by the competitive game to give away to customers in order to close the sale. (Volpato, Buzzavo 2003, Buzzavo 2003). Figure 1 shows that in five years elapse time (1997-2003) the main European car distributive market have seen reduced its point of sales no less than 15%-20%. Figure 1Evolution of car dealers in European markets. Source: Buzzavo, Pizzi 2005 Further more dealers' resentment of manufacturers has grown considerably in recent years, following changes in European competition legislation. The latest regulations were designed to encourage competition in sales and servicing of new vehicles, and to offer customers and manufacturers more options when buying and selling cars. In reality, they have allowed automakers to reinforce their domination on dealers. Among other things, they have encouraged manufacturers to redraft their dealer contracts, introducing many new clauses and restrictions. The increased competitiveness due to a set of market factors has led to a growing use of incentives of various kind, but also to a greater degree of pressure exerted by manufacturers over their networks, in order to pursue higher levels of sales, customer satisfaction, and overall effectiveness of the supply chain (Buzzavo, Pizzi 2005). Gartner Group (2004) asked European dealers whether they thought the new rules and contracts, introduced with the new Block Exemption Regulation in 2002, would have positive or negative effects on specific areas of their business. Most of the respondents thought the impact would have been bad. Dealers in France and Germany were sure the tighter standards imposed on them would have adversely affected their business. Many, especially the smaller German dealers, felt their relationship with manufacturers had been seriously harmed. On March 2005, BMW in the U.K. announced that it was ready to dismiss 20% of its dealer network, if standards weren't met. The German car manufacturer has written to 30 of its 160 U.K. dealerships with a clear warning notwithstanding sales had grown up to 102 thousand in 2005 (+50% in 4 years) (Gartner Group 2005, Hope 2005). As regard cost increase, the new EU legislation has introduced the qualitative standard as minimum requirement for running a dealership that belongs to a make network that has chosen a selective contract. Since all makes, with the exclusion of Suzuki and Porche, have chosen this format, all the authorised


Fluoride toxicosis in animals has become an important toxicologic problem in many parts of the world due to the expansion of certain types of industrial operations that emit excessive fluorides into the atmosphere in areas of animal habitat. Animals normally ingest low levels of fluoride with no adverse effects. Small amounts of fluoride may even have beneficial effects; but when excessive amounts are ingested for prolonged periods of time, adverse effects are induced. Many sources may contribute to the total fluoride intake of animals. Various factors influence biologic responses of animals to excessive ingested fluorides. Signs and lesions of fluoride toxicosis in various species of animals are essentially similar. Fluoride standards and a comprehensive guide for use in diagnosing and evaluating fluoride toxicosis in animals are available. Prevention and control of fluoride toxicosis in animals can be achieved when the complexity of the disease is realized and the pathogenesis, symptomatology, and lesions are properly correlated, interpreted, and evaluated and when the source(s) of excessive fluorides are eliminated. 54 references, 7 figures, 2 tables.


An extended hydrodynamic model self-consistently coupled to the 2D Schrödinger and 3D Poisson equations is introduced, to describe charge transport in Silicon Nanowires. It is been formulated by taking the moments of the multisubband Boltzmann equation, and the closure relations for the fluxes and production terms have been obtained by means of the Maximum Entropy Principle. The low-field mobility for a Gate-All-Around in a SiNW transistor has been evaluated.


In this paper, we evaluate the solar potential of Burkina Faso by a numerical simulation based on four theoretical models most used in the literature. We validate the numerical results obtained using the solar radiation values recorded on the meteorological sites installed in the different zones defined from the determined climatic zoning that we realized. Climate zoning is established using correlations linking air temperature, relative humidity, sunstroke duration, and global solar radiation. It appears that the territory of Burkina Faso is divided into three climatic zones. A comparative study of the results obtained by simulation from the four models and those measured has shown that whatever the climatic zone considered, the model proposed by Ball & Atwater and that of Bird & Hulstrom make it possible to better evaluate the solar potential. The results obtained with these two models for the three climatic zones come close to real values with great precision.


The fundamental equations of Gauss, Codazzi and Ricci provide the conditions for local isometric embeddability. In general, the three fundamental equations are independent for surfaces in Riemannian 4-manifolds. In contrast, we prove in this article that for arbitrary Lorentz surfaces in Lorentzian Kaehler surfaces the equation of Ricci is a consequence of the equations of Gauss and Codazzi.


This paper studies the "3-stage,2-form" teaching model of College Physical Education through statistics and experiments in theoretically and practically.The paper points out that the "3-stage,2-form" teaching model of College Physical Education can bring forth multiple development of the teaching aims, the opening of physical education teaching from the closed form,the extension of physical education teaching from in-class to out-class as well as broadening its functions.


The presence of acid sulphate soils (ASS) in the upper Chicamocha river basin (Boyaca, Co- lombia) is due to iron and sulphur oxide-reduction processes being located there, influencing the ex- treme acidification and modification of the area's physicochemical characteristics. This research was aimed at establishing parameters through observing the behaviour of Eh (mV), pH (1:1, soil-water), pHox (1:1, soil- peroxide hydrogen 30%) and Al +3 . These parameters indicate severe ASS degradation and its relationship to the presence of organic materials or minerals constituting diagnostic sulphuric horizons. Most sulphuric horizons agree with positive Eh (mV) >400; pH 5 cmol· kg -1 . These indica- tors illustrated the heavy oxidation and limitations on agricultural productivity regarding ASS in the upper Chicamocha basin irrigation area.


: It is certainly time to aim for higher quality management strategies for Thailand's captive elephants, and to engage with sustainable livelihoods for traditional mahouts. Baker & Winkler's proposal to rewild Thai elephants by placing them under the guardianship of Karen mahouts is reco gnized as not "wild" since it remains a form of management requiring elephants to live under the control of human caregivers. We applaud the positive welfare aims of this proposal; however, we caution that few of the long-term consequences for elephants or habitats can be known, and further considerations of elephant population dynamics and forest ecosystems are required if these proposals are to be successful for conservation and elephant welfare.


Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate surgical outcomes of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) surgery in obese patients. Methods: Medical records of geriatric patients who underwent OLIF for adult spinal deformity (ASD) from January 2017 to December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) was 25 or more. Surgical outcomes were compared between obese patients (BMI≥25) with non‐obese patients (BMI <25). Results: Among total of 101 patients (31 males and 70 females) with a mean age of 69.8±9.6, 53 patients (52.5%) was classified to obesity group. Mean OLIF level (2.9±0.8 and 3.0±0.8, p=0.41) was not different between obese patients and non‐obese patients. Regarding surgical time, mean time of first stage operation (167.7±50.2 min vs. 160.7±47.9 min, p=0.48), and second stage operation (180.1±57.4 min vs. 172.8±50.0 min, p=0.50) showed no significant differences between groups. Also, mean time for anterior retroperitoneal procedure was not different between groups (74.8± 21.2 vs. 72.6±20.7, p=0.59). The amount of surgical bleeding was also similar between groups. The incidence of postoperative ileus (49.1% vs. 35.4%, p=0.23) and complication rates (32.7% vs. 20.8%, p=0.27) were not different between groups, either. Conclusion: There showed no significant differences regarding operation time, surgical bleeding, and perioperative complications between obese patients and non‐obese patients who underwent OLIF for ASD.


Part 1 Relativity: the law of universal gravitation and Newton's constant special relativity and the speed of light general relativity. Part 2 Quanta: statistical thermodynamics and Boltzmann's constant Planck's constant Boltzmann's constant as a quantum of information probability amplitudes and wave-particle complementarity Bosons and fermions. Part 3 The marriage of relativity and quanta: quantum field theories the Feynmann path integrals the paradigm of quantumelectronics quarks in the standard model cosmology and unification of fundamental interactions the horizon of quantum gravitation toward a scientific cosmogony.


A common model to study pattern formation in large groups of neurons is the neural field. We investigate a neural field with excitatory and inhibitory neurons, like Wilson and Cowan (1972), with transmission delays and gap junctions. We build on the work of Visser et al. (2017) by investigating pattern formation in these models on the sphere. Specifically, we investigate how different amounts of gap-junctions, modelled by a diffusion term, influence the behaviour of the neural field. We look in detail at the periodic orbits which are generated by Hopf bifurcation in the presence of spherical symmetry. For this end, we derive general formulas to compute the normal form coefficients of these bifurcations up to third order and predict the stability of the resulting branches, and formulate a novel numerical method to solve delay equations on the sphere.


The application of pesticides in fruit crops, particularly methods of reducing drift and improving deposition, has been a concern for many years. Spray drift is an important and costly problem facing growers. Drift results in damage to susceptible off-target crops, environmental contamination to watercourses, and an unintentionally reduced rate of application to the target crop, thus reducing the effectiveness of the pesticide. Pesticide drift also affects neighboring properties, often leading to public outcry. The problem continues apace as more people choose to live in the picturesque setting of an orchard or vineyard.


Small doses of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) affect the acquisition and maintenance of food-maintained behavior in laboratory animals The present expenment was designed to investigate the effects of this drug on food motivation. Male and female rats were trained to respond on a progress, ve-ratio schedule of reinforcement and treated with different doses of PB. PB dose-dependently decreased breaking points and response rates m male and female rats. Gender differences were not observed. The results indicate that decreased food motivation may be a factor that contributes to the behavioral efTects of PB administration. © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.


A new Pliocene species of Trichopeltarion is described from concretions of the Greta Siltstone at Motunau Beach, North Canterbury. If the new species is ancestral to T. Jantasticum Richardson and Dell, it raises considerable doubts regarding the validity of some of the genera recognised in the family Atelecyclidae. In May 1966, Mr. D. R. Gregg of the Canterbury Museum informed me that an atelecyclid crab was well represented amongst fossil material collected from concretionary boulders derived from the Greta Siltstone at Motunau Beach. Later that year he sent me a large collection of this material for study. The crab proves to be a new species of Trichopeltarion almost certainly related to the Recent deepwater T. Jantasticum Richardson and Dell Trichopeltarion greggi n.sp. Carapace including the comparatively short lateral spines slightly wider than long, broadly rounded, margins set with comparatively evenly developed, branching spines. Outline in front of lateral spines broadly rounded, posterolateral margins almost straight, but outline variable, probably due to varying degrees of compression during fossilisation. Posterior margin slightly emarginate. Surface set with low, simple tubercles which are not grouped into compound tubercles as in T.Jantasticum. Surface also set with numerous fine, evenly distributed hair pits. Regions reasonably well marked in well preserved specimens, particularly intestinal, cardiac and central gastric regions. Branchial regions not clearly defined. Tubercles grouped into patterns within the regions. Intestinal with a median group, cardiac with a group on each side, urogastric with a centrally arranged loose grouping of tubercles, metagastric with a pair of large tubercles on each side, tubercles rapidly becoming obsolete on mesogastric area. Protogastric bearing hardly any tubercles; hepatic and branchial regions with rather generally distributed, subequally developed tubercles. Front with three flattened spines, the central rather stouter than the laterals. Pre-orbital tooth strong, usually with three rather evenly developed terminal spines. Supra-orbital tooth relatively small with three to four major and some minor spines; postorbital strong with well developed subsidiary spines. Behind the orbital teeth


This two-year project focused on the development of a sound theory of modeling applicable to systems involving human, social processes in interaction with and constrained by physical processes. The first two tasks identify and classify instabilities in social models and develop model behavior near the instabilities by two different approaches. One approach involves degree to which thermodynamics and economics are analogous. The second approach is a study of the instabilities occurring in a class of models of public opinion formation. The third task is an investigation of dynamic Leontief models as industry models for both planning and forcasting. The principal objective of this work is to determine the existence of forward-recursive solutions for arbitrary initial and/or terminal conditions. The fourth task is an investigation into the well-posedness of connected systems of models. The main feature of these results are conditions for the insensitivity of the solutions of models of interconnected systems to parametric errors. The final task is an investigation of decision making as it relates to power plant operations of a typical fossil-fired power plant. An objective of this work is to develop a conceptual design of a computer-based decision aid, using concepts from Artificial Intelligence, to assist themore » operator in on-line performance optimization.« less


Perception is a vital factor in purchase decision making. Perception is the process by which individual select organize information from them and interpret the information in a meaningful and coherent way. It is imperative for marketers to also know about the perception process that goes into influencing the customers purchase decision. Retailing is one of the booming sectors in India. Most of the people in cities spent their time for shopping in retail stores, because many product varieties available in retail stores. Changes in life style pattern also changing the shopping pattern of people. More supermarkets is a main player in retail sector runs by Aditay Birla Retail Limited. Nobody sells cheaper and better, this is the success slogan for more supermarket. Apart from these strategies the more supermarkets also uses promotion strategies like special offer at the time of special occasions. Customer's perception is mainly influenced by pricing strategy, promotion strategy, and psychological state of a person. This paper explains how the special offer attracts the customers to visit more supermarkets in Davangere city. Descriptive research design was adopted and the data is collected through primary and secondary sources. The method adopted for conducting survey is questionnaire; random sampling technique was for selecting the customer.


An autonomous semi-linear hyperbolic pde system for the proliferation of bacteria within a heterogeneous population of animals is presented and analysed. It is assumed that bacteria grow inside the intestines and that they can be either attached to the epithelial wall or as free particles in the lumen. A condition involving ecological parameters is given, which can be used to decide the existence of endemic equilibria as well as local stability properties of the non-endemic one. Some implications on phage therapy are addressed.


With the determination of the DC distribution voltage level, how to select a voltage sequence for a typical DC distribution application scenario and determine a reasonable DC voltage level are the basic problems in the initial stage of the development of the DC distribution. The key factors influencing the selection of DC distribution voltage level are analyzed, and the methods for scoring economic, reliability and technical points in voltage level analysis of traditional AC distribution network are improved. Establish a unified voltage level evaluation model. Based on the comprehensive cost sensitivity analysis, the total voltage density in the power supply area is taken as the parameter to analyze the different voltage hierarchy schemes, which is used as the preferred basis for the voltage level scheme. Finally, an example of a typical power supply area with an approximate uniform load density is established, which verifies the effectiveness of the voltage hierarchy evaluation mathematical model and the optimal method.


Measuring the performance of academic departments received little attention compared to other industries due to their complex nature and difficulty in measuring their outputs. However, measures of performance are needed to assess whether they meet their set objectives and foster an environment of continuous improvement. The objective of this paper is to develop a performance measurement system for educational institutions. It outlines the properties of adequate performance measures and the steps for developing such measures in an educational environment. Three types of performance measures are proposed. These are outcomes, inputs and process measures. Suggestions are made to select the most appropriate and relevant performance measures pertinent to academic departments' goals and objectives. Also the need, relevance and implementation issues in the context of the Saudi Arabian educational system has been discussed and highlighted in the paper.


To strengthen the practical teaching of microelectronics major and promote innovation personnel training,the practical teaching course New Material and Device was established in undergraduate programs.The student's enthusiasm and innovative spirit of learning would be fully mobilized by setting the specific content of this course such as device simulation,design,preparation and performance testing,and perfecting the corresponding evaluation system.Thus,a four-year curriculum would be systematically integrated into teaching practice.In addition,the bases in our microelectronics laboratory such as fully using the existing hardware environment and advantage resources,promoting the faculty construction and improving the practical teaching system for microelectronics undergraduate,were laid.The reform and exploration of this course would also make a positive contribution to the concrete implementation and development of practical teaching to undergraduate students in microelectronics major.


In 1996, Gil and Lorenz proposed programming language constructs for specifying environmental acquisition in addition to inheritance acquisition for objects. They noticed that in many programs, obj...


Nanophotonics
Light propagating through optic fibers could provide the ultimate in information flow, but controlling the direction of flow is a key requirement. Petersen et al. show that the directional flow of light in a fiber can be controlled by placing a single gold nanoparticle on or near the surface of the fiber. By exploiting the chiral properties of light (the spin-orbit interaction), the authors demonstrate that the "handedness" or polarization state of the light hitting the particle determines in which direction the light flows in the fiber.

Science , this issue p. [67][1]

 [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1257671


In the fall of 2016, users of Google Translate working from French to English and English to French saw a marked improvement in the quality of the translated texts. Google Translate was beginning t...


Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common condition. In cases of non-response to conservative treatment, surgery is performed. The aim of the study was to determine the risk of injury to noble structures in percutaneous surgery, and to define a safety zone. Methods: In 11 fresh cadavers, percutaneous fasciotomy was performed according to the De Prado technique, and later evaluated with regards to injury to noble structures, and distance between the knife and neurovascular struc tures. Results: There was no evidence of any damage to hind foot nerves and vessels. The average distance between the incision and the lateral plantaris nerve was 16 mm, and between the incision and the digiti Quinti nerve 10.7 mm. There were no vascular lesions. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the low risk of neurovascular injury during the practice of percutaneous plantar fasciotomy, when working in contact with the cal caneus.


Engineering softwares based on CAD and win32, are very important in civil engineering applications. Civil engineering softwares based on CAD, are mostly capable to do the static calculations and also are capable to draw the application projects. But, these softwares are not capable to calculate the other bill of quantities of building projects except from total amount of reinforcement, concrete, forms and some standard applications (such as windows, doors, painting etc.). Because of this, total bill of quantities of all applications of a project must be estimated from project drawings by reading in order to estimate the first cost, monthly payment and final cost of a project. While the estimating of bill of quantities of a project, estimator must consider all dimensions, materials variety and 3D imagination. After reading the application project drawings and getting the required data, it can be caused to some complications and mistakes while entering these data to MS Excel and similar programs. For this aim, the sample software called MetrajPRO has been developed in order to calculate the bill of quantities of a building structure that is given architectural and application project drawn in CAD base. In this study, we have introduce the MetrajPRO and also we have investigated how to estimate the bill of quantities of a building construction using other output architectural and application drawings of projects prepared by other software based on CAD.


Situation on insulation market, not only in Czech Republic, is confused for the general public. This paper tries to streamline this fact. Here are described more than 30 types of thermal insulations divided into 6 categories. Each category is detailed described by physical parameters and each is sequentially selected about 5, which are most frequently using like thermal insulation of the building's façade, without air gap. Elementary parameters, which are most important from investors view, are finances. Like a basic reference value was chosen thermal conductivity of insulation and for economical compare was chosen uniform thickness insulation on building envelope 100 mm. On the basis of these two values are insulation chosen. In this paper are results clearly graphically compiled.From graphs it is clear, that most of thermal insulation's values of thermal conductivity are very similar, bud prices of insulations can be usually substantially different. From this is evident, that some of insulation are so popular, because their producer have excellent marketing and promotion.


Within the framework of a pilot study 100 inhabitants of homes for the aged in Spain and in Germany were asked for aspects of their life-situation. The results are described under different views of the social and cultural living conditions in both countries, and analyzed for studies comparing Spain and Germany to be planned in the future.


A combined morphological and biochemical study was made of the responses of lumbar sympathetic ganglion cells to ligation of their axons in the sciatic nerve of the rat. There was a progressive accumulation of norepinephrine proximal to the ligature for the first few days without detectable changes in the ganglion cells. However, three days after ligation there was a decrease in the axoplasmic accumulation of norepinephrine, accompanied by pronounced falls in ganglion norepinephrine, tyrosine hydroxylase, and monoamine oxidase. These changes, that coincided with the development of signs of chromatolysis in the light and electron microscope, were fully developed one week after ligation and by one month were almost reversed. Proteolysis and death of chromatolytic cells may have made some contribution to the observed changes, but there were no significant changes in the soluble protein content of the lumbar ganglia, presumably because of the counter-balancing increase in protein synthesis known to occur during chromatolysis and regeneration. It is suggested that axotomy caused a reordering of the priorities of protein synthesis in sympathetic neurones to favor the production of proteins necessary for regenerative rather than transmitter functions.


The article dwells on some legal aspects of state regulation as a mechanism of legal providing of economic safety in Tajikistan Republic. Canvassing legal aspects the author analyzes the norms of the functioning legislation; the author of the article adduces inferences and suggestions on their improvement, among them there are the following: "On Quality and Safety of Food Stuff", "On Providing Sanitary-Epidemiological Safety for Population ", "On Competition and Limitation of Monopolistic Activity at Commodity Markets", "On Monitoring in Regard to Economic Subjects Activities in the Republic of Tajikistan"


Background: Worldwide cervix cancer ranks fourth place among all the cancer affecting women and commonest cause of death due to cancer among women in developing countries. Business process outsourcing sector in India is a relatively new industry with each growth there is also various negative health issue emerge among people working in those sectors some risk factors associated with ca cervix. Aim of the study was to knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and screening practice among urban women working in BPO in Chennai. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among urban women working in a BPO in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire by the team leader who was train to interview before starting the study. Results: Among 155 female study participants only 46% of the respondents knew about cervix. Among the study participants who knew about cervix and cervical cancer, internet (26%) and TV/Radio (26%) were the most common source of information. Only 4% of respondent heard of Pap smear and none of them had undergone it. Similarly, only 3.73% of the respondents knew about vaccines that are available for Cancer Cervix. Conclusions: The findings of study will help us in planning focused health measures about CA cervix and its prevention strategies .Health awareness will play a vital role in reducing risks of casualties caused by diseases like cancer Cervix.


In the last decade, the various Balkan Muslim populations have been involved in most of the crises which shook the region, from the massive exodus of Bulgarian Turks in July 1989 to the outbreak of violence in Kosovo in March 1998, through the Bosnian conflict in 1992/95 and the Albanian civil war in 1997. This, naturally, does not mean that Islam itself is the explanatory factor of these crises: they are political in nature, even when religious symbols and religious actors play an important part, as has been true in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But, inevitably, Balkan Islam has been influenced by the political reconfigurations which followed the collapse of communism in Southeastern Europe. Conversely, a solid understanding of the new realities of postcommunist Balkans requires to take account of some evolutions specific to the Muslim populations.


This article is a critical essay that uses a comparative methodology and semantic exploration in order to understand the actual and modern meanings of two poetic texts, "Patria tierna" and "Patria pobre", concerning, first of all, a marvelous attitude, and, secondly a provocative perspective, despite the fact they were written in 1955. Through a linguistic and rhetoric analysis, I show the way Scorza expresses his poetic and ideological project about Peru, his country, contrasting two radical and opposite visions: a metaphorical one  that deals with hope and the possibility of transforming the society, and a prosaic one, full of violence that confronts the first one. Two key axes in  Manuel Scorza's poetic writing are the aim of peace and of social justice in Peru.


Summary : Changes in postprandial blood glucose were measured after ingestion of two types of low-carbohy-drate (CHO) bread in comparison with plain and whole-grain breads. The effects of a second meal and CHO digestibility were also investigated. The subjects were 11 healthy adults ( 2 males and 9 females). Plain (net CHO: 38 . 6 g), whole-grain (net CHO: 36 g), mildly low-CHO (net CHO: 8 . 5 g, high protein), and super-low-CHO (net CHO: 3 . 4 g, high protein and high fat) breads were ingested for breakfast. In addition, four tests were conduct-ed in which curry and rice were eaten for lunch, and postprandial blood glucose was measured over time. CHO digestibility was measured using the in vitro Glucose Releasing Rate method. It was found that the blood glucose level was low after ingestion of mildly or super-low-CHO bread, but no second-meal effect was observed. In terms of digestibility, postprandial blood glucose level and satiety, mildly low-CHO bread was considered to be superior among the two types of low-CHO bread used in this study.


The purpose of this study was to investigate influence of circuit plyometric training for physical fitness and athletic performance in collegiate basketball players. Fourteen male players were randomly assigned to two groups: exercise group(plyometric training group),and control group(normal exercise group). Before and after the 6-week training program, all the players were tested for the physical fitness test(20m shuttle run, sit and reach, reaction time, sargent jump, grip strength) and athletic performance tests(10m sprint, 20m sprint, t-run, illinois agility, compass drill). The exercise and control groups performed training sessions for three days per week, respectively. The results showed that the sit and reach was significantly improved in the exercise group(p<.05). The exercise group showed that reaction time increased from 0.34±0.02sec to 0.30±0.02sec after plyometric training(p<.01). Furthermore exercise group showed that sargent jump and grip strength were improved compared with control group after each training. The results showed that 10m sprint and T-run test were significantly improved in the exercise group after training(p<.05 and p<.01, respectively). Illinois agility test showed significant differences for post compared with pretraining in exercise group(p<.01). In conclusion, the present study indicate that the proper plyometric training may be provided in effective training for athletic performance in basketball players, as an exercise group indicated that exercising ability level was improved by specific training.


In this converter, the problem of interference between buck and boost switches operations are solved by determining four operation modes. The average modeling method is used to obtain a model for the low frequency behavior of the converter. Stability analysis is performed by the root-locus method, which reveals that the current loop causes that the converter acts as single pole system due to the great distance between two poles'. The model also applied for control design. The experimental results on an 110V, 40KW converter show the ability of the proposed control method. The line and load regulation in different situation is below than 0.9%.


Multilayer samples of Ce/Fe, fabricated by sputtering and characterized by X-ray diffraction and reflectivity were studied by polarized neutron reflectivity and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Corresponding studies on sputtered U/Fe multilayers have been initiated. In Fe/Ce a paramagnetic phase, identified as amorphous Fe was observed at Fe thicknesses below 20 A. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was observed for Fe thicknesses below 17 A and studies in applied fields enabled magnetic anisotropies to be evaluated for Fe thicknesses up to 40 A. The Ce/Fe interface anisotropy was evaluated as K s = (0.98 ± 0.15) x 10 -3 Jm -2 , among the largest values reported. Neutron reflectivity results did not observe magnetic moments on Ce layers. Preliminary measurements on U/Fe multilayers have not observed induced moments on the U layers.


Taken as a whole, modernist discourse sounds intrinsically pessimistic, and most modernist works of art present the modern world as a bleak, barren abyss where human civilization faces its elimination. This nihilistic discourse has been somehow challenged by some postmodern writers one of whom is the prominent post-war American novelist Saul Bellow who resists the inherent pessimism of modernist discourse in most of his works. Despite his keen awareness of the deep-seated problems of modern life, Bellow defies the modernist view that this is the end of time and we are living in a ghastly abyss. To help his readers overcome nihilistic outlooks according to which modern life is a spiritual void, Bellow makes painstaking efforts, because he is intensely mindful of the forces that intimidate such efforts in the modern world. Nevertheless he attempts to expose that the alleged futility of modern life can be eliminated by making endeavors to regain our ostensibly missing human dignity. Therefore he can be reckoned an idealistic writer whose profound sensitivity to the modern malaise does not impel him to admit defeat, rather to resist, challenge and eradicate it through his art.


Identification of gas-oil reservoir is always important but rather difficult in global gas-oil exploration. It is of the great significance to improve the accuracy of reservoir recognition. Seismic exploration is one of the most valuable methods of gas-oil exploration, and the huge amounts of seismic attribute data can be useful for gas-oil exploration. One limitation of the Generative Topographic Mapping (GTM) algorithm is that it cannot determine the classifications of the data points with close probabilities accurately, and it would be more likely to result in confused clarification and fuzzy boundary. To overcome the limitation, an advanced GTM algorithm with Euclidean Distance (GTM-ED) is proposed in this paper, and we use Euclidean Distance to compute the distance from the edge points to the neighbor centroids, and classify it to the closet class to avoid the problems of confused classification. And then the GTM-ED algorithm is used in the research of reservoir identification model, experiments are ...


Recent work by Marcus, Spielman and Srivastava proves the existence of bipartite Ramanujan (multi) graphs of all degrees and all sizes. However, that paper did not provide a polynomial time algorithm to actually compute such graphs. Here, we provide a polynomial time algorithm to compute certain expected characteristic polynomials related to this construction. This leads to a deterministic polynomial time algorithm to compute bipartite Ramanujan (multi) graphs of all degrees and all sizes.


The K-5 reading standards within the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards provide guidance to teachers about grade level expectations for students. Though the authors of the standards acknowledge that some students may experience difficulty reaching the rigorous expectations, they explain that the standards outline a pathway to proficiency for all students, including those who struggle with literacy. Students with learning disabilities, who often have significant literacy difficulties, may face particular challenges when their instruction is framed by these standards. This article unpacks the complex K-5 reading standards and provides a discussion of the implications for students with learning disabilities and their general and special education teachers. Examples from K-5 lessons and recommendations for teachers and researchers are provided.


Introduction: aortic graft infection (AGI) after aortic open repair is an unusual (0.7-3 %) and potentially lethal complication. Standard treatment has been excision of infected graft and extra anatomic bypass, although currently there are in situ repair techniques. Global perioperative mortality is 4-40 % according to the series and the repair technique. Objectives: to report our experience with extra anatomic revascularization and excision of infected graft in AGI. Methodology: retrospective study between 1977 and 2020. Were included patients with AGI treated with extra anatomic revascularization and excision of infected graft only. Demographics, morbidities, clinical presentation and microbiological agents were considered. Primary outcome was postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes were reinterventions, postoperative complications, major amputations, bypass patency and long-term survival. Descriptive statistics were performed and dycotomical asociations were established with chi-squared test. Results: sixteen patients, all male. Average age 69.2 years (55-82). Average time to infection from surgery was 27.8 months (1-84). AGI was more frequent in patients with ruptured aortic aneurysm (p < 0.05). Eleven patients (68.8 %) had fever, 6 (37.5 %) consulted with abdominal or lumbar pain, 5 (31.3 %) had inflammatory changes of local skin. Twelve patients (75 %) had aortoduodenal communications. Three patients (18.8 %) had lower limb ischemia. Seven patients (43.8 %) presented postoperative complications and 2 patients expired (12.5 %). Actuarial one-year and five-year survival were 86.7 % and 64.3 %, respectively. Five-year primary and secondary patency of the axillofemoral bypass were 77.8 % and 100 %, respectively. Conclusions: AGI is a serious condition, which treatment carries significant morbidity and mortality. Axillofemoral bypass grafting and infected graft excision currently is a safe alternative of treatment.


. This paper systematically studies Hilbert boundary value problems for hyper monogenic functions on the hyperplane for the solutions being of any integer orders at the infinity, where the negative order cases are new even when restricted to the complex plane context. The explicit solution formulas are given and the solvability conditions are specified. The results are proved through using the Clifford symmetric extension method to reduce Hilbert boundary value problems to Riemann boundary value problems.


The Na+–Ca2+ exchanger plays a central role in cardiac contractility by maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis. Two Ca2+-binding domains, CBD1 and CBD2, located in a large intracellular loop, regulate activity of the exchanger. Ca2+ binding to these regulatory domains activates the transport of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. Previously, we solved the structure of CBD1, revealing four Ca2+ ions arranged in a tight planar cluster. Here, we present structures of CBD2 in the Ca2+-bound (1.7-Å resolution) and -free (1.4-Å resolution) conformations. Like CBD1, CBD2 has a classical Ig fold but coordinates only two Ca2+ ions in primary and secondary Ca2+ sites. In the absence of Ca2+, Lys585 stabilizes the structure by coordinating two acidic residues (Asp552 and Glu648), one from each of the Ca2+-binding sites, and prevents a substantial protein unfolding. We have mutated all of the acidic residues that coordinate the Ca2+ ions and have examined the effects of these mutations on regulation of exchange activity. Three mutations (E516L, D578V, and E648L) at the primary Ca2+ site completely remove Ca2+ regulation, placing the exchanger into a constitutively active state. These are the first data defining the role of CBD2 as a regulatory domain in the Na+–Ca2+ exchanger.


We demonstrate DPSK signal dispersion monitoring by measuring low frequency RF power. This scheme can realize dispersion monitoring up to 4320 ps/nm with sensitivity to 0.045 dBm/ps/nm. OSNR effect on the monitoring system is studied and discussed.


Airlines aircraft emergency dispatch affects the operation efficiency and flight benefits in emergency situation. The system operations control center (SOC) of airlines must generate the best dispatching solutions to make a rational organization for surplus aircraft. On the basis of considering aircraft plan regulations and cost, the research construct surplus aircraft dispatching model, using heuristic pretreatment method to generate surplus aircraft routings for reducing the solution space and decreasing the original algorithm complexity. It presents an approach on hybrid simulated annealing algorithm to solve the aircraft dispatching problem. The specific instance at the end of the paper verifies the algorithm generate practical surplus aircraft solutions for airlines in the acceptable time.


he import substitution policy. The article analyzes the structure of imports and exports of the Republic of Bashkortostan for 2015-2019, reveals the impact of import substitution policies on the volume and structure of exports and imports of the region. The authors proposed the main directions of import substitution in the Republic of Bashkortostan in the following sectors of the economy: agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. It was noted that in the difficult epidemiological situation associated with the spread of coronavirus, the problems of import substitution in the region are even more relevant.


We generalize the construction of the bangle, band and the bracelet bases for cluster algebras from orbifolds to the case where there is only one marked point on the boundary.


Introduction:
 Although many developed countries are reporting temporal improvements in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes from initial shockable rhythms, trends in the incidence and outcome of refractory ventricular fibrillation are not well understood.

 Methods:
 Between 2010 and 2019, we performed a retrospective observational study of OHCA from a population-based registry in Victoria, Australia. We included all adult, non-traumatic OHCA with an initial shockable rhythm. Temporal trends in incidence and survival to hospital discharge were compared across non-refractory and refractory OHCA, defined as cases receiving 3 or more consecutive shocks for a persistent shockable rhythm. Risk-adjusted logistic regression models were used to describe the year-on-year change in the likelihood of refractory OHCA and survival to hospital discharge.

 Results:
 Of the 7,267 initial shockable OHCA with an attempted resuscitation, 4168 (57.4%) and 3,099 (42.6%) were non-refractory and refractory OHCA, respectively. The proportion of cases with refractory OHCA declined over the study period from 48.4% in 2010 to 40.2% in 2019 (p trend <0.001). Unadjusted survival to hospital discharge was higher in non-refractory OHCA (46.3% vs. 25.8%, p<0.001), although both populations experienced increases in survival over time (p trend <0.05 for both). After adjustment for arrest confounders, the likelihood of refractory VF decreased by 4.4% every year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.97; p<0.001). Factors reducing the likelihood of refractory OHCA were female sex, bystander CPR, arrest witnessed by emergency medical services, and public location. In the survival model, refractory OHCA was independently associated with a reduction in survival to hospital discharge (AOR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.56; p<0.001). Temporal improvements in survival were observed year-on-year (AOR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.05; p<0.001) and this did not differ between non-refractory and refractory OHCA (group interaction, p = 0.51).

 Conclusions:
 The incidence of refractory OHCA is declining in our region and survival outcomes are improving. Further research identifying factors contributing to the decline in refractory OHCA may help to improve outcomes further.


This paper introduces median interval approach MIA as a simple systematic method for modelling words from natural languages with interval type-2 fuzzy sets IT2FS. The methodology is based on calculating the median boundaries of the range of membership functions associated with the words. MIA exhibits outlier tolerance which makes it applicable on different datasets gathered through various methods via different sources. Moreover, this approach provides consistent IT2FS models of words whereas they are generated based on different datasets. Experiments conducted on the datasets that are used in other researches show that the IT2FSs generated by MIA are more reasonable and better interpretable.


ulceration healed completely after resolution of the infection. I agree that cutaneous radionecrosis and osteonecrosis often require excision and the use of myocutaneous flaps. These and other complications of radiotherapy are covered in a subsequent article in the ABC series. Reconstruction of the breast and its complications are also being covered separately. The point of the illustration was to show a good example of cellulitis after surgery and radiotherapy. This cellulitis needs to be controlled by antibiotics before other measures are considered. In this respect I do not believe that the illustration was misleading or inappropriate.


Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate Parenchymal Thyroid Diseases with multipara metric Ultrasonography. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Radio-diagnosis for 12 months after taking the approval of the protocol review committee and institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 200, 65% were male and 35% female most of the patients between 30-40 years 45% and followed by 40-50 years was 30%. The Distribution of patients was based on diseases and each group had 40 patients. When RI values were evaluated, HM (0.49±0.05) and H (0.49±0.05) groups had statistically lower values than N (0.56±0.05) and M (0.58±0.06) groups. SWV values of EH (1.19±0.18) group were statistically lower than M (1.72±0.33) and HM (1.64±0.42) groups and values of the M group (1.72±0.33) were significantly higher than H group (1.45±0.38). In thyroid diseases, the presence of H decreased SWV, while the presence of M increased SWV. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the resistivity index, acceleration time and shear wave velocity together are reliable for differential diagnosis of parenchymal thyroid diseases.


Technological advances, together with the recent phenomenon of computer-mediated communication as an integral part of young people's lives, mean that traditional face-to-face delivery is not the only way to address mental health issues. There is now a rapidly developing e-spectrum of interventions that parallels, supports and substantially extends opportunities across the traditional spectrum. Debra Rickwood, Professor of Psychology at the University of Canberra and Head of Clinical Leadership and Research at headspace, Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation, believes the potential for the e-spectrum is undeniable. Here she examines the types of interventions being developed and their role in youth mental health, including the challenges and gaps that are becoming evident.


The paper, after having shortly summarized the liberalization process of the energy sector in Italy and identified the factors explaining the low switching rate from incumbents to new competitors, faces the following research questions: 1) which hierarchy of effects can explain consumers choice of an energy provider? 2) which implications can be outlined for brand management? 3) do brand strategies lead to price premium or share premium advantages? First answers to these questions are based on the results of an exploratory study that involved a sample of 183 consumers. Results show the coexistence of low and high involvement hierarchies and suggest that brand strategies, aimed at expanding awareness and building strong, positive and unique associations, may have a significant competitive impact.


Present study is an attempt to know the existence of colour change physiology of the cave fish Nemaeheilus evezardi (Day) along a circadian time scale. Though, due to subterranean mode of life, practically this function has no survival value. The study has been conducted simultaneously in two different photoperiodic conditions (LD00: 24 and LD 12: 12hr). The variation in different states of chromatophore have been computed with respect to different time points of the day. Results suggest that the phenomenon is lying completely disturbed in its in situ conditions. Interestingly, circadian rhythm in all the types of chromatophores were validated when the same fish was exposed under LD 12: 12 hr photoperiod.


This document contains additional details about the implementation of the AECM algorithm and one supplementary figure. 1. ML estimation via the AECM algorithm We discuss how to carry out the AECM algorithm for computing the ML estimates of the parameters in PTMMs. To formulate the algorithm, which consists of three cycles, we partition the unknown parameters Θ as (Θ1,Θ2,Θ3), where Θ1 contains the πi, Θ2 contains the μi and νi's, and Θ3 contains the Λi and Ψi. Let Z = (Z1, . . . ,Zn) be the collection of group labels. In the first cycle of the algorithm, we treat Z as missing data. So the complete-data are Y [1] aug = (y,Z) and our aim is to estimate Θ1 with Θ2 and Θ3 fixed at their current estimates Θ̂2 and Θ̂3, respectively. The log-likelihood of Θ1 based on the complete data Y [1] aug, apart from an additive constant, is given by l c (Θ1|Y [1] aug) = n ∑


Patterned silicon oxide films from gaseous hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) were deposited by a direct patterning method of photoinduced chemical vapor deposition (photo-CVD) using an argon-fluoride (ArF) excimer laser and a photomask. From Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis, these films are seen to have much oxygen and carbon contamination. The growth mechanism was discussed by considering dissociation, adsorption and chemical reaction.


A comprehensive crisis management program that bridges the gap between the transportation industry and the emergency response community has been developed by the Operation Response Institute (ORI). The system facilitates a safe and effective response capability that emphasizes preparedness and on scene assistance. ORI has developed Operation Respond Emergency Information System (OREIS), a software application that transmits real time data about transportation incidents to on scene responders.


Residents of marginalised urban settlements in low- and middle-income countries jointly experience multiple short-term basic service deficits which impair their health and broader wellbeing. A wide range of bottom-up strategies has been identified and employed to enhance basic service access in these contexts, but few scholars have attempted to conceptually organise these strategies. This study synthesises the disparate means identified in the literature to effect jointly experienced basic service access enhancements. It draws on fieldwork conducted in four notified slums situated in Hyderabad, India, to create a typology of the full range of strategies employed by collectively organised residents, illustrate how strategies interact in practice, and suggest a prioritisation of strategies with reference to the extent of pressure they exert on the local urban state to improve service provision over time. The study finds that high-pressure strategies which alter the incentives of public agencies and align them with those of residents appear the most promising to mediate the tension between short-term and long-term service needs.


This study investigates whether the shareholder, stakeholder and customer-oriented theories on the objective of the firm are reflected in modern financial textbooks, and in the Mission, Vision, and Values statements of the JSE TOP40 firms. The literature review discusses the shareholder, stakeholder and customer-oriented theories of the firm, among others, and shows that there is no consensus between finance researchers on the objective of the firm, with opposing views presented. The research approach adopts qualitative analysis as the method for this study, as it is deemed to be suitable for pattern recognition in large sets of data. The data consisted of twenty financial textbooks, and the MVV statements of the JSE TOP40 firms. Both the data sets were analysed to identify the shareholder, stakeholder and customer-oriented objectives of the firm using the word frequency and coding queries in software NVivo. The finding in respect of financial textbooks indicates that seventeen textbooks advocated for a shareholder objective, two advocated for a stakeholder, and one for a customer-oriented objective of the firm. The JSE TOP40 firms' finding indicates that seventeen pursued a stakeholder objective, twelve pursued a customer-oriented objective, and eleven pursued a shareholder objective. The study establishes that the shareholder, stakeholder and customer-oriented theories of the firm's objective are reflected better in the MVV statements of JSE TOP40 firms, than in financial textbooks. This highlights a disconnection between financial textbooks, where the shareholder objective of the firm was found to be dominant, and the JSE TOP40 firms' findings where the debate concerning the three objectives was more evenly spread. This study recommends that South African academic authors should update their financial textbooks to reflect more Go SEARCH NRF IR Search NRF IR This Collection Advanced Search BROWSE All of NRF IR Communities & Collections By Issue Date Authors Titles Subjects This Collection By Issue Date Authors Titles Subjects


Abstract According to observational data, some of the Galactic globular clusters (GCs) belonging to the outer halo form a separate subsystem of globulars: they are mainly on retrograde orbits, show younger ages than other GCs of the outer halo, etc. Moreover, there is evidence suggestive of a common, accretive origin of at least some of both these GCs and the dwarf spheroidal galaxies, satellites of the Milky Way. I discuss a scenario which, if real, would explain the origin and several peculiar characteristics of the objects under consideration. It is based on two fairly realistic assumptions: (i) the first burst of star formation in which a bulk of the population II formed in the Galaxy and M 31, led to a considerable mass loss, up to half mass of each protogalaxy; (ii) the Milky Way together with M 31 have formed a binary galactic system since the earliest epoch. Hence I suggest that just after (or during) the formation of their spheroids the Galaxy and M 31 mutually exchanged gas by its transfer, in p...


Design disciplines have been contributing to shaping the life of human beings, as well as fostering culture and heritage. Design disciplines and research have been rapidly transforming, and not only objects but also services are target of design. This paper reviews design disciplines towards enhanced affective design, which attributes to intuitive knowledge. It aims at rethinking the notion of design to propose a conceptual framework for integrating user experience into objects that strengthen the form and function based design with pleasing.


1. I think the authors have made a mistake in drawing together both the survey and the interview/focus group data. It does not appear that the survey data are published elsewhere – at least no reference to another publication is made – and the detail provided here is too scant to make a judgement on it's usefulness – beyond, that is, a very low response rate. I can see that it would be useful to refer to it if the sampling for the qualitative study truly depended on the quantitative information provided. Although the authors say that the schools included in the qualitative study were purposively sampled from those who responded to the survey – is it not clear how this was done (i.e., on what basis), and indeed table 1 shows that they have not achieved the geographical spread they aimed at.


A thiazolothiazole-thiophene copolymer is examined as the active material in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. By optimizing the molecular weight, the polymer-based cells exhibit power conversion efficiencies as high as 5.7%. The increase in molecular weight improves the orientational order, and blending with phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) changes the orientational motif from edge-on to face-on, which accounts for the trend in photovoltaic performances. These results might give new insight into the structure-property relationships in BHJ solar cells.


Integrating the findings on the classical Game Theory and the Biological Evolutionary theory,the Evolutionary Game Theory makes bounded rational individuals as its research object,and forecasts economic agents' behaviors using dynamical analyzing method,and then investigates the evolutionary trend of collective behavior.This article listed related research method and application systematically,and made comment on the Evolutionary Stable Strategy and the Replicators Dynamics Model,then discussed its theoretical pattern and some possible application to gave new integration on many economic problems.


[Objective]The aim was to study effects of environmental factors on the growth of Neottopteris nidus.[Method]Suitable humidity and shading rate for Neottopteris nidus as leaf-cutting cultivation were studied.[Result]It was initially proved that 80% humidity and 80% shading rate were the suitable growth conditions for Neottopteris nidus as leaf-cutting cultivation in Haikou City in summer.Under the condtion,leaves were large and green,and had a bigger open angle,with the most new leaves.[Conclusion]The research provided theoretical basis for the cultivation of Neottopteris nidus.


Discussion about how Law Enforcement Agencies can handle release of information after a Critical Officer involved incident to reduce speculation and distrust.


The magnetic damper was introduced into the high speed rotating machinery to restrain the vibration of the rotor supported by active magnetic bearings. The experimental setup, which was made up of one rotor, two radial active magnetic bearings, one axial active magnetic bearing, one magnetic damper and control system, was built to investigate the effects of the magnetic damper locations on dynamic characteristics of the system by theoretical analysis, experimental modal analysis and actual operation of the system. The results show that the vibration of the active magnetic bearing system operating at the modal frequency can be reduced more effectively if the magnetic damper is located far from the nodes of the corresponding mode shape.


Barakat syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the triad of hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal anomalies and is caused by mutations in GATA3 gene. SLC34A3 is the cause gene of hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria, and heterozygous carriers may have milder clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the underlying genetic cause of a patient who initially presented with renal failure, hypercalciuria, kidney stone, and bilateral sensorineural deafness.


Federated learning (FL) as a promising edge-learning framework can effectively address the latency and privacy issues by featuring distributed learning at the devices and model aggregation in the central server. In order to enable efficient wireless data aggregation, over-the-air computation (Air-Comp) has recently attracted great attention. However, fading of wireless channels can produce aggregate distortions in an AirComp-based FL scheme. In this paper, we propose a modified federated averaging (FedAvg) algorithm by introducing the local learning rates and present the convergence analysis. To combat the distortion, the local learning rates are optimized to adapt the fading channel, which is termed as dynamic learning rate (DLR). We begin our discussion by considering multiple-input-single-output (MISO) scenario, since the underlying optimization problem is convex and has a closed-form solution. Our studies are extended to a more general multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) case and an iterative method is derived. We also present the asymptotic analysis and give a near-optimal and closed-form receive beamforming solution when the number of antennas approaches infinity. Extensive simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed DLR scheme in reducing the aggregate distortion and guaranteeing the testing accuracy on the MNIST and CIFAR10 datasets. In addition, the asymptotic analysis and the close-form solution are verified through intensive numerical simulations.


In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that 18% of adolescents in the United States are obese. Emerging research has shown reduced neurocognitive functioning in adults with high body mass index (BMI) compared to normal-weight individuals, particularly in the areas of executive function and memory. Studies examining children and adolescents have also suggested reduced visual-spatial and executive functioning in those with high BMI; however, results have been somewhat equivocal. Adolescence is a critical period of brain development, such that adolescents with high BMI may show a unique pattern of neurocognitive impairment that differs from other stages of life. This study examined neurocognitive performance in obese (n = 31, BMI above 95th percentile) versus normal-weight adolescents (n = 31, BMI between 30th and 70th percentiles) on a brief battery of neuropsychological tasks, including tests of executive functioning (Delis-Kaplan Color-Word Inhibition and Switching tasks, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task), speed of processing (Delis-Kaplan Color-Word Naming and Reading tasks), verbal memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test), and estimated intelligence (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, 2-subscale). Independent samples t-tests confirmed no group differences in age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. Multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences between groups on this battery (Wilks' λ = .65, F 8,62 = 3.55, p < .05, partial η2 = 0.35). A significant univariate main effect for verbal memory was found (F 1,62 = 10.15, p < .006, partial η2 = 0.15). No other significant univariate main effects were observed. These results suggest obesity may be related to decreased verbal memory retrieval in adolescents. It is possible that obesity may impact frontal regions necessary for efficient memory retrieval – a finding not present until this critical stage of development. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/1138 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the "Rights" section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see "Rights" on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license.] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. email@example.com This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/1138 ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ELEVATED BODY MASS INDEX AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN ADOLESCENTS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY KIMBERLY N. PAINTER, M.S. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY JULY 17, 2014 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE: Susan Tinsley Li, PhD Bonnie J. Nagel, PhD DEAN OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Christiane Brems, PhD, ABPP BMI AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN ADOLESCENTS ii Table of


Big data analytics are practiced in many fields to extract insights from massive amounts of data. With exponential growth in both the volume and variety of data, analytic queries have expanded from those executed in a single datacenter to those requiring inputs from multiple datacenters that are geographically separate or even globally distributed. Unfortunately, the software stack that supports data analytics is designed originally for a cluster environment and is not tailored to execute global analytic queries, where resources such as inter-datacenter networks may vary on the fly. Existing optimization strategies that determine the query execution plan before its execution are not able to adapt to resource variations at query runtime. In this article, we present Turbo, a lightweight and non-intrusive global analytics system that can dynamically adjust query execution plans for geo-distributed analytics in the presence of time-varying resources and network bandwidth across datacenters. Turbo uses machine learning to accurately predict the time cost of a query execution plan so that dynamic adjustments can be made to it when necessary. Turbo is non-intrusive in the sense that it does not require modifications to the existing software stack for data analytics. We have implemented a real-world prototype of Turbo, and evaluated it on a cluster of 33 instances across eight regions in the Google Cloud Platform. Our experimental results have shown that Turbo can achieve an accuracy of 95 percent for estimating time costs, and can reduce the query completion time by 41 percent.


The effects of environment temperature on wheat protein film,soy protein isolate film and wheat-soy protein film were studied.Result showed that temperature of environment has great influences on the protein films,which lead to the changes of mechanical properties,water vapor permeability(WVP),oxygen permeability and moisture absorption of films.


Sir, We read with interest the report by Yosahimasu and colleagues of the use of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in patients with various forms of lupus erythematosus [1]. In contrast to their experience in patients with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE), we have recently had success in treating two patients with severe recalcitrant CDLE with a compound preparation of 0.3% tacrolimus in 0.05% clobetasol propionate ointment. The details [...]


We present new local search heuristic for the parallel machine total weighted completion time scheduling problem. Our algorithm is a local search method based on combining a variable number of insertion moves. We develop an efficient heuristic for finding a sequence of profitable insertion moves. In a computational study we compare the performance of new and old neighborhoods and various search frameworks including steepest descent, multistart tabu search, and iterated local search. Experimental results show that a version of the new variable depth sequential insertions neighborhood implemented within an iterated local search framework is the most effective heuristic among the ones we implemented.


Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology is an efficient technology which has a practical aspect of conversion of chemical energy in organic compounds directly to electrical energy through degradative activities of microorganisms. MFCs can be used in wastewater treatment plants with simultaneous generation of electricity. A lot of research has already been done and different types of MFCs have been constructed which have varied applications in addition to electricity generation. This article presents a short review on MFCs stating its working, types and applications with broader view on wastewater treatment.


This paper provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in fringe pattern analysis, with a particular emphasis on recent developments in digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI) and digital speckle photography (DSP). The main topics covered are as follows: spiral transform for analysis of fringe patterns without spatial carriers, real-time analysis, dynamic DSPI, three-dimensional phase unwrapping, combined DSPI/DSP techniques, and three-dimensional DSP. Several interesting applications outside mainstream speckle metrology are also described, including fingerprint analysis, and measurement of both strain and magnetic fields within the human brain using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


In wireless mesh networks multi-rate technology environment, a mesh node can dynamically modify the data transmission rate on a particular link, in response to link distance, or more accurately, the perceived SNR ratio between neighbor nodes. In such networks, existing route selection schemes use a link quality metric. Thus, these schemes may easily result in the network being overloaded. In this paper, a new route metric is proposed; it considers both per-hop service delay and link quality at mesh nodes. In addition, the Load-Aware AODV (LA-AODV) protocol using the proposed metric is presented. The performance evaluation is performed by simulation using the OPNET simulator. It is demonstrated that the LA-AODV protocol outperforms the existing routing protocols using other existing route metrics in multi-rate WMN environment.


Knowing the late time evolution of the Universe and finding out the causes for this evolution are the important challenges of modern cosmology. In this work, we adopt a model-independent cosmographic approach and approximate the Hubble parameter considering the Pade approximation which works better than the standard Taylor series approximation for $z>1$. With this, we constrain the late time evolution of the Universe considering low-redshift observations coming from SNIa, BAO, $H(z)$, $H_{0}$ , strong-lensing time-delay as well as the Megamaser observations for angular diameter distances. We confirm the tensions with $\Lambda$CDM model for low-redshifts observations. The present value of the equation of state for the dark energy has to be phantom-like and for other redshifts, it has to be either phantom or should have a phantom crossing. For lower values of $\Omega_{m0}$, multiple phantom crossings are expected. This poses serious challenges for single, non-interacting scalar field models for dark energy. We derive constraints on the {\it statefinders} $(r,s)$ and these constraints show that a single dark energy model cannot fit data for the whole redshift range $0\leq z\leq 2$: in other words, we need multiple dark energy behaviors for different redshift ranges. Moreover, the constraint on sound speed for the total fluid of the Universe, and for the dark energy fluid (assuming them being barotropic), rules out the possibility of a barotropic fluid model for unified dark sector and barotropic fluid model for dark energy, as fluctuations in these fluids are unstable as $c_{s}^2 < 0$ due to constraints from low-redshift observations.


Abstract Landslides occurring over time can be visually monitored by surface models. In addition, point movements that have not been measured can be determined with these models using extrapolation. There are several surface models including kinematic and dynamic. In the kinematic surface model, the surface is determined as dependent on time. In the dynamic surface model, the surface is determined regarding cause of movement in addition to time. Landslides are not simple two-dimensional features but have a three-dimensional form and a complicated temporal context. They are dynamic systems that are complex in time and space. Therefore, in this study, a dynamic surface model regarding the cause of landslides was developed to monitor landslides and determine movement surface. Kutlugün Village, a landslide-prone area in Maçka County in the Province of Trabzon in Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, was selected for the study. Geological and geophysical investigations were made and it was determined that the change in the groundwater level was the most important cause of landslides. Groundwater level changes were taken into account in the formation of the dynamic surface model. Groundwater levels were measured at three bore holes and at two geophysical points. In addition, a geodetic control network covering the whole region and its surroundings was established. The point coordinates were determined by GPS. Using this data, a dynamic surface model was developed. The model includes computations of surface coefficients and groundwater effect coefficients. Through this model, dynamic surfaces were determined for the measurement periods. For the same measurements periods, kinematic surfaces were also determined. The results derived from both models were compared. It can be seen that groundwater changes affected surface changes. These surface changes which occurred over time were determined more realistic by the dynamic surface model.


New media offers a chance for the Materials Science instructor to rethink course structure and content. New media is just an addition to the variety of tools available to the Materials educator. I will give some examples of hypertext, video and animation, and simulations that are successfully being used to address educational goals. Through wise implementation of "old" and new media tools in the classroom, a richer educational experience will result.


In this article we have tried to establish how the nature of professional routines affects the ICT supported standardization and scripting of work performed by operators in Dutch colocated emergency response control rooms. In this type of multidisciplinary emergency control room three professions - police, fire rescue services and ambulance services - share the same technical facilities and are housed under the same roof.

In the control rooms under study, efforts to create a more integrated control room are accompanied by a pursuit to further script and standardize operator intake and dispatch routines with the help of ICTs.

Findings suggest that important impediments to the ICT supported scripting and standardization of operator intake and dispatch routines are not of a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) nature, but can mainly be attributed to differences in the nature of each of the three disciplines' professional routines themselves. These impediments are primarily related to ostensive as well as performative aspects of distinct sets of routines in the colocated control room.


This study presents the results of an experimental research study on the effectiveness of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) as a cement replacement material in concrete production. The ordinary Portland cement was replaced with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%, respectively bagasse ash, the effect of Sugar cane Bagasse Ash on workability, compressive strength and microstructure of Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) of concrete was examined. The results showed that inclusion of Sugar cane Bagasse Ash in concrete up to 20% level significantly enhanced the compressive strength of concrete at all ages; the highest compressive strength was obtained at 5% SCBA replacement level. The ITZ thickness was greatly reduced with increasing the bagasse ash replacement level up to 15%, beyond that the ITZ thickness was slightly increased, however the thickness was still narrower than the normal concrete, it was observed that at 15% bagasse ash replacement level, the interfacial transition zone was homogeneous and there was no gap between the coarse aggregate and the paste matrix.


CEA is involved in the design of the cooling scheme of the future ITER tokamak. Pulsed operation of ITER will result in heat load variations (which refrigerators have difficulties to cope with). A load smoothing device has been proposed by the ITER team which needs to be validated. To do this, a scaled-down experiment (hereafter also called model) has been proposed and studied in the framework of an EFDA sub-task. This paper presents the test loop dimensioning and the preliminary design for constructing the model. The choice of the relevant design criteria had to be defined so as to obtain in fine a geometric ratio between the ITER system and the model. It is shown that this ratio is then applicable for the mass flow rates as well as the different volumes (heat exchanger, pipes,…) existing on ITER and on the proposed experimental model. Details of the scaling, model design and 3D views corresponding to this preliminary study are presented in this paper.


39 patients suffering from different subtypes of monocytic (M 5) and myelomonocytic (M 4) leukemia were analyzed retrospectively. In 8 cases a 'transitional myelomonocytic variant' was diagnosed; the leukemic cell in these patients is marked by morphological and cytochemical signs of monocytic and granulocytic precursors. As the correct diagnosis of this special subtype may be difficult, its place within the French-American-British (FAB) classification will be discussed.


This thesis explored whether Australian family law adequately protects emotionally abused children in parenting matters. It explored the nature of child emotional abuse, and analysed two regimes of the Family Law Act 1975 and their political underpinnings. It analysed case law to understand judicial interpretation and application of the law. Applying social science understandings of child emotional abuse, this thesis found Australian family law – as embodied in legislation, case law, and policy - has not adequately dealt with this form of child maltreatment. Findings indicate the need to develop more robust approaches to child emotional abuse in family law matters.


Summary Law, Science and Aeronautics are defined in broad terms and some landmarks are outlined in the history of control of aeronautics by legal means. The exercise of national sovereignty often means that relevant laws are a serious limiting operational parameter. This and other factors may hinder the development of international air transport (especially supersonic aircraft) and may thus threaten the livelihood of aeronautical scientists. When aviation accidents occur, the operation of rules which determine "legal liability" may thrust an unfair financial burden on sections of the community which may be blameless from a scientific point of view. Suggestions for the future are made. Scientific exploration into outer space provides a crucial opportunity for the nations of the world to co-ordinate the disciplines of science, law and politics in a way never before possible. Members of the Royal Aeronautical Society cannot afford to ignore this challenge and a practical suggestion is made as a first step in implementation.


The monitoring of neutron induced embrittlement of nuclear power plants is provided using Charpy impact test in the surveillance program. However structural integrity assessments require the fracture toughness. Some empirical formulas have been developed but no direct relationship was found. The aim of our study is to determine the fracture toughness of a Reactor Pressure Vessel steel from instrumented Charpy impact test using local approach to fracture. This non-empirical method has been applied in the brittle domain as well as in the ductile to brittle transition for an A508 C1.3 steel. In the brittle domain, fracture occurs by cleavage and can be modeled with the Beremin model. Fracture toughness has been successfully determined from Charpy impact tests results and the influence of several parameters (mesh design, Beremin model with one or two parameters, number of Charpy impact tests results) on the results was considered. In the ductile to brittle transition, cleavage fracture is preceded by ductile crack growth. Ductile tearing has been accounted for in the simulations with the Rousselier model whereas cleavage fracture is still described with the Beremin model. The determination of fracture toughness from Charpy impact tests gave encouraging results but finite element simulations have to be refined in order to improve predictions.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


Driver circuit having Pegelumsetzfunktion, - a driver stage (2) having a first transistor (21) and a second transistor (22) connected in the main current paths in series at a connection node (24) are connected to each other, wherein the first transistor (21) having a connection for a positive supply voltage (VDD) and the second transistor (22) having a connection for a reference voltage (GND) and the positive supply voltage (VDD) has a higher voltage value than a positive high-level of an input signal (IN) which - an output (25) for outputting an output signal (bout), wherein the output (25) to the connection node (24) is connected, - having an input (23) for receiving the input signal (IN), the input (23) to a control terminal (G) of the second transistor (22) is connected, - with a holding circuit (4) connected to the output (25) and a further output for providing a further output signal (OUT), and - with a...