......................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Position Sensitive Devices .............................................................................................1 1.2 Applications ...................................................................................................................2 1.3 Purpose ...........................................................................................................................2 1.4 Overview ........................................................................................................................3 Chapter 2 State of the Art in PSDs ..................................................................................................4 2.1 Lateral Effect Photodiode ..............................................................................................4 2.1.1 Tetralateral PSD ....................................................................................................5 2.1.2 Dual Axis Duolateral PSD ....................................................................................8 2.1.3 Pincushion PSD ................................................................................................9 2.1.4 Clover PSD .........................................................................................................10 2.1.5 Summary .............................................................................................................11 2.2 Quad Detector ..............................................................................................................13 Chapter 3 New PSD Method and its Modeling .............................................................................17 3.1 Device Geometry .........................................................................................................18 3.2 Device Modeling ..........................................................................................................18 3.2.1 Formulation .....................................................................................................19 3.2.2 Simulation Setup .............................................................................................24 3.2.3 Simulation Results .......................................................................................................28 Chapter 4 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................31 4.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................31 4.2 Future Work .................................................................................................................31


The increased complexity of products and narrow lead times for product development have intensified the use of virtual prototyping, also called simulation-based design. The simulation of each indiv ...


Major mergers and interactions between gas-rich galaxies with comparable masses are thought to be the main triggers of starburst. In this work, we study, for a large stellar mass range, the interaction rate of the starburst galaxies in the local universe. We focus independently on central and satellite star forming galaxies extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Here the starburst galaxies are selected in the star formation rate (SFR) stellar mass plane with SFRs five times larger than the median value found for "star forming" galaxies of the same stellar mass. Through visual inspection of their images together with close companions determined using spectroscopic redshifts, we find that ∼50% of the "starburst" populations show evident merger features, i.e., tidal tails, bridges between galaxies, double cores, and close companions. In contrast, in the control sample we selected from the normal star forming galaxies, only ∼19% of galaxies are associated with evident mergers. The interaction rates may increase by ∼5% for the starburst sample and 2% for the control sample if close companions determined using photometric redshifts are considered. The contrast of the merger rate between the two samples strengthens the hypothesis that mergers and interactions are indeed the main causes of starburst.


We report on a bottom-up manufacturing for high-k dielectric films using a novel nanomaterial, namely, a perovskite nanosheet (LaNb2O7) derived from a layered perovskite by exfoliation. Solution-based layer-by-layer assembly of perovskite nanosheets is effective for room-temperature fabrication of high-k nanocapacitors, which are directly assembled on a SrRuO3 bottom electrode with an atomically sharp interface. These nanocapacitors exhibit high dielectric constants (k > 50) for thickness down to 5 nm while eliminating problems resulting from the size effect. We also investigate dielectric properties of perovskite nanosheets with different compositions (LaNb2O7, La0.95Eu0.05Nb2O7, and Eu0.56Ta2O7) in order to study the influence of A- and B-site modifications on dielectric properties.


We analyse the diaphasic marking of euphemistic verbal idioms in the dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy and the dictionary by Seco, Andres and Ramos (2017), starting from the data obtained from the Diccionario de locuciones idiomaticas del espanol actual (Penades Martinez 2019a). The study focuses on verbal idioms referring to the area of death, a field of linguistic interdiction which is not usually correct-ly treated in dictionaries either as regards the euphemistic label or in relation to other usage labels. The marking of euphemistic idioms presents the following problems: lack of agreement as to whether marking is necessary or possible; partial agreement in the conception of the term euphemistic; unsystematic lexicographical treatment of the euphemistic label; disagreement as regards the presentation of the label and its value; and inexistence of theoretical consider-ations regarding the possibility that a single idiom may present the euphemistic label along with other register labels.


This communication provides an inventory of the pteridophytes of Barot in the Uhl Valley of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, based on extensive field surveys carried out during 2010-2011. Ninety species of pteridophytes (85 ferns and 5 fern-allies) belonging to 31 genera and 14 families were recorded, which represents about 95% of the pteridophytic flora of Mandi district, and 35% of fern and fern-allies of Himachal Pradesh. Information on the species diversity, habitat, and current status of the taxa based on the survey are provided in this paper. Besides collecting voucher specimens of all the 90 species encountered for herbarium, live collections of 80 species of ferns and fern-allies were collected and introduced in the fernery of the institute for conservation and multiplication purposes, and most have been successfully established ex-situ . Strategies for bioprospection of selective species, and conservation of some rare threatened species are also discussed.


To verify the differences between short-and long-season cotton genotypes in K efficiency and root responses to K deficiency,two early-maturity /short-season cotton genotypes( CCRI50,BAIMIAN2) and two mid-maturity /long-season cotton ones( BAIMIAN1,CCRC28) were used to carry out the seedling hydroponic experiment,in which the seedlings of cotton were transferred to the solutions containing two different K concentrations,i. e. 2. 5mmol /L K as K-sufficiency and 0. 05 mmol /L K as K-deficiency. The results showed that,after 7 d or 13 d hydroponics,the seedlings of four genotypes were significantly different in K efficiency( defined as dry shoot weight under K deficiency) and responses of dry root weight,total root length,total surface area and total volume to K deficiency,but no consistent difference was found between short- and long-season cotton categories. And all the four genotypes exhibited a positive correlation between K efficiency and root biomass parameters( dry weight,total length and total surface area). At 13 DAT,K deficiency inhibited the fine root length and surface area more severely for two longseason genotypes( by 61. 8%- 75. 5%) than for the short-season genotype BAIMIAN2( by only 47. 7%- 51.4%) compared to K sufficiency,but increased significantly the fine root length and surface area of short-season genotype CCRI50. Simultaneously,K deficiency also inhibited the medium root length and surface area more severely for two long-season genotypes( by 40. 7%- 53. 9%) than for two short-season ones( by 18. 0%- 36. 2%). With the prolongation of solution cultivation from 7 d to 13 d,the ratios of fine root length and surface area to total root length and surface area increased,and the ratios of medium root length and surface area to total root length and sur-face area decreased for both K sufficiency and K deficiency treatments. For K deficiency,the increasing rates of fine root length and surface area were significantly higher in short-season genotypes than in long-season ones. This suggested that the growth of fine root had different responses to K deficiency between short-and long-season genotypes.


Management of the health care institutions requires a responsible management of the scarce resources and in the same time satisfying the expectations of stakeholders regarding the provision of high quality services. The most important category of stakeholders is the patient. Patient care implies promoting strong ethical values, in other words, an ethics management. Our article is a theoretical and practical insight into this topic.


Even before the 1997 Asian crisis, this had led to a sharp risein the number of financial institutions experiencing bankruptcy, including a number oflarge regional banks and an international stockbroking firm.The question we seek to address is, What effect has this economic turbulence since1985 had on the four institutional foundations of post–World War II Japanese indus-trial success?


Abstract A conjecture of Fox about the coefficients of the Alexander polynomial of an alternating knot is proved for alternating algebraic (or arborescent) knots, which include two-bridge knots.


A transport apparatus sheaves of paper including: a conveyor (10) which is able to go back and forth on a transport path of sheaves of paper (7), equipped with an ejection plate ( 14) at the front for ejecting the pack of sheets of paper and equipped with a plurality of cut portions (12a), which open at their tops in a predetermined on both left and right sides (12) interval, and unit drive transmission equipped with a plurality of drive rollers (21), each of which includes a plurality of protrusions (21b) at a predetermined interval on a single circumference around the rotation center thereof, in a predetermined interval in both left and right sides (12) of the transport path of sheets of paper packs (7), wherein a drive force is transmitted by allowing bosses (21b) of each drive roller (21) rotating recibien do a drive force of a drive source, engage in respective cutout parts (12a) of the conveyor (10) sequentially, thereby allowing the conveyor advancing in front and rear directions of the bundle transport paper sheets.


A new record of a very rarely observed mammal, the bushy-tailed opossum, Glironia venusta (Didelphimorphia), was obtained for the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil. Only 17 other records existed of this species, most from the 1980s. There were only three previous records of the species from Brazil (in the states of Para, Amazonas and Rondonia). This new record supports the notion that G. venusta is a locally rare species throughout its range, but widely distributed in Brazilian Amazonia.


Western Massachusetts purveyors of all things loud, KINDLING, have teamed with UPROXX magazine to premiere For Olive another massive song from Hush, ...


TDP-43 is a protein that forms aggregates implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In response to a recent study, this Formal Comment argues that the pH-dependent solubility of this protein is better explained by the mutual repulsion of charged groups than by the formation of hydrogen bonds.


With substantial data accumulating on the safety and efficacy of the aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapies, the use of these drugs in the treatment of postmenopausal women with breast cancer is increasing. Arthralgia, decreasing bone mineral density, and increased fracture rates represent the most serious side effects associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors, and strategies for monitoring and managing these musculoskeletal complications are required. Arthralgia can be ameliorated with a combination of over-the-counter analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and if necessary antidepressants. Strategies for reducing bone loss and minimizing fragility fractures include muscle-strengthening exercises, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, reducing alcohol consumption, cessation of smoking, and antiresorptive drugs. Dual X-ray absorptiometry scanning, currently the best method for monitoring bone mineral density loss, should be employed at regular intervals (1–2 years) to identify patients at heightened risk of fractures and to monitor the benefits of pharmacological or other interventions. A multifaceted approach to monitoring and managing bone health is vital for maintaining optimal bone health in postmenopausal women receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy.


Heyde syndrome is a triad of aortic stenosis, an acquired coagulopathy and anaemia due to bleeding from intestinal angiodysplasia. The evidence that aortic stenosis is the root cause of this coagulopathy is compelling. Resolution of anaemia usually follows aortic valve replacement. This article discusses studies linking aortic stenosis with other conditions in the triad as well as diagnosis and management of this complex pathology.


With the rapid growth of the electric vehicles (EVs) market all over the world, wireless power transfer (WPT), as an emerging way of charging batteries, has drawn the attention of researchers, manufactures, and customers recently. Various magnetic coupler configurations, which are essential in WPT systems, have been proposed and analyzed. However, the misalignment tolerances of the existing magnetic couplers are pretty small, which results in a remarkable decrease in the transmission power and efficiency when there is misalignment between two coupling coils. In order to solve this problem, novel quadrature coils and a converting circuit are proposed, which could adjust the coupler structure according to the relative position of the coils on both sides so that the transmission power and efficiency are optimal. The structure of quadrature coils is first optimized with a three-dimensional finite element analysis (3-D FEA) tool ANSYS MAXWELL. On the basis of the optimized parameters, a 3.5 kW WPT experiment platform is constructed. When the horizontal misalignment reaches 150 mm, the input and output power is 2.256 kW and 2.126 kW respectively, thus an efficiency of 94.22% is achieved. The experimental results verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.


In this paper, a novel approach is reported for the electrochemical measurement of chloride ions using chronopotentiometry. A current pulse is applied at the Ag/AgCl working electrode and the potential change is measured with respect to another identical Ag/AgCl electrode in the bulk electrolyte. The potential difference, given by the Nernst equation, follows an inverse logarithmic trend versus the Cl̅ ion concentrations. The sensitivity of the response is tuneable through the applied current pulse and the corresponding concentration window. The potential response is also influenced by the pH of the electrolyte, this effect is pronounced at low concentration of Cl̅ ions (<; 1 mM KCl) and high pH values (>12 pH). The advantage of this approach is that a bare Ag/AgCl electrode can be used as a pseudo-reference electrode. Additionally tuneable sensitivity is obtained and the dissolution of sparingly soluble AgCl membrane is counteracted. This system can be used for long term application like in-situ measurement of Cl̅ ions in concrete.


One approach to modelling spatial distributions of fractures in rock masses is by stochastic marked point processes. This paper describes the application of parametric modelling techniques to a rock fracture dataset. In particular, maximum likelihood and least square methods are used to fit a nonhomogeneous Poisson model, a cluster model and a Cox model to the data. The fitted models are then tested and verified by using the summary statistics of inter-event distance, nearest-event distance and K-function with the help of Monte Carlo simulations.


Nowdays, the development of sharia economic and financial business in Indonesia has transformed not only in economic practice and concept but also to take a role and lead all arroud economic sectors of Indonesia. Thus, sharia economic and financial business can become a major player for the next time. Ijma>' is one of the source of legal foundation in Islam, so ijma>' is a part of source of standard for the development of sharia economic. Studies on the application of some sources (masdar) of Islamic law such as qiyas, istihsan, istishab etc., in the practice of sharia economic is practically little. Of course, this is important because it can help the sharia economic actors to keep all sharia products are according to the Islamic Sharia.


THE NORMAL RANGE OF INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE (IOP), IS DEFINED BY ITS PATTERN of frequency distribution in the general population. This pattern is most commonly identified by the contours of frequency distribution histograms and of probability graphs of large population surveys. Proper identification of the distribution pattern is also important to the design of various correlation studies in which IOP data are utilized. Hence the accuracy of graphical methods used to construct IOP frequency histograms and probability grids plays a crucial role in the clinical definition of both its normal range and its correlative relationships to such other body functions as systemic blood pressure. As previously reviewed by Schwartz and others, 12 a continuing uncertainty exists concerning the true contour of large IOP survey histograms, which in turn has caused uncertainty about its normal range and correlative relationships. Histogram contours have been described as either approximately Gaussian or positively skewed, and both Gaussian normal and lognormal distribution patterns have been considered as possibilities.' However, to date neither distribution has been clearly shown to prevail. Hence, to meet clinical needs for an estimate of normal limits, it has been necessary to pragmatically assume that the normal Gaussian distribution prevails and that the normal IOP range lies within 2 equal standard deviations (SD) about a Gaussian mean. This in turn has made it


Collision between FPSO and shuttle tanker in tandem offloading operation has caused a growing concern in the North Sea. Several recent contact incidents between FPSO/FSU and shuttle tanker have clearly demonstrated a high likelihood of contact between vessels in tandem offloading. The large masses involved, i.e. high potential impact energy, make the collision risk large. Traditional ship/platform collision risk model may not be effective for tandem offloading operation. Further more in a broader sense, offshore quantitative risk analyses generally focus more on technical aspects, little on human aspects. This leads to a hardware-centered risk control approach, which may not be effective in the face of risks in complex marine operations. A collision risk modeling approach for FPSO and tanker offloading operation is presented in this paper. The collision frequency is modeled in the initiating stage and the recovery stage. In the initiating stage, this paper is focused on tanker powered forward movement (PFM) scenarios. The initiation of tanker PFM involves a complex man machine interaction. The risk model is set up which integrates technical events, human actions and their interaction in the initiating stage. This model guides us further to identify the two failure prone situations where man machine interaction happened and resulted in most collision incidents. The study to quantitatively analyze these failure prone situations and minimize their occurrence is presented in a companion paper OMAE 28101. In the recovery stage, this paper is focused on the tanker initiated recovery. Based on the proposed probabilistic model for the recovery stage, possible recovery actions are identified and the event development is modeled from initiation of tanker PFM to the final outcome, i.e. collision or near miss. The success of recovery is analyzed from the human action timing perspective. Based on qualitative and preliminary quantitative analyses, recommendations are made to reduce the failure of recovery in design and operation.© 2002 ASME


Even though it is generally recognised that new firms encounter difficulty in obtaining loans from banks, little research is devoted to the factors which influence bank lending between 2004 and 2007. More precisely, this study attempts to fill a gap in the research of bank lending practices and behaviour of bank loan officers.
This research study contributes to the body of literature in the field of lending between banks and SMEs. More specifically, the study compares the lending practices between British and German retail banks.
A qualitative approach was employed as a research design because the study related to lending practice and risk within the context of a social setting.
It is worth mentioning that whilst the empirical findings in this study predated the credit crunch, the areas discussed was about how banks managed risk and the ambiguous nature of external pressures affecting their lending practices both in the UK and Germany.
There is no doubt that after the biggest banking crisis in history, academic researchers and regulatory institutions will inevitably ask questions about how banks behaved during this period. The upshot of recent academic research is compelling and suggests that the regulatory institutions and politicians knew little about the activities of banks particularly in the UK.
The findings in this research also reveal that whilst German banks steer towards the Anglo Saxon banking model (shareholder approach); they struggle to shake off their embedded culture and values, oriented towards the goodness of communities (stakeholder approach).
The findings also show that British retail banks continue to lend by distance and SMEs continue to believe that banks in Britain orientate their strategies towards large multinational firms.


One of approaches to protect devices from unpleasant vibrating disturbances is by employing a vibration absorber. This paper explores the viability of polysiloxane as raw material, added with rice husk silica fillers to produce a vibration absorbent sheet. The polysiloxane reinforced with rice husk sheets were made using hot compression moulding technique. The samples were tested for its density and tensile tests according to related standards. As for vibration test, a portable hand grinder was used to estimate the vibration exposure experienced by the users. The polysiloxane sheets were strapped on the tool's handle and the vibration exposure was measured. The result shows that by applying the polysiloxane sheets on the tool grinder reduces the vibration magnitude by a maximum value of 38 percents. The longest vibration time exposure was recorded for 6.42 hours, improved by 150 percents from the original vibration time exposure of 2.52 hours. The results also demonstrated that polysiloxane with 4 wt. % rice husk silica was the optimum combination for vibration application since it produced highest vibration magnitude reduction and longest vibration exposure time of grinder applications.


Aim:To study the synthesis and cholesterol-absorption inhibitory activity of novel lipid-regulating drugs with monocyclic β-lactam.Methods:The target compounds were prepared in five steps including monoesterification,acylation,Staudinger ketene-imine cycloaddition,hydrolysis and amidation,using the glutaric anhydride as the starting material.The cholesterol absorption inhibitory activities were assessed by using 7-day cholesterol-fed hamster model.Results and Conclusion:The structures of ten target compounds were confirmed by MS,()~(1)H NMR,IR and element analysis.Preliminary experiments showed that all the compounds possess various extent of cholesterol-absorption inhibitory activities,and the activitiy of compound 7b,7d and 7c are more potent than those of others.


Transparent‐conductive‐oxide (TCO) materials and transparent devices combining photovoltage and thermoelectric effects are still scarce. Hence, a new transparent‐conductive‐oxide/insulating/transparent‐semiconductor‐oxide (TCO‐I‐TSO) structure combining such effects is developed. It is made of aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO)/SiO2/NiO thin films sequentially deposited on glass substrates. AZO exhibits thermo and photovoltage in response to gradient temperature and absorption of UV photons, while NIR photons absorption in the NiO layer. Photovoltage appears in the plane between the AZO and NiO layer when the whole sample is irradiated with near infrared light, and it also depends on the thickness of the SiO2 layer. This photovoltage is continuously monitored on samples placed in a glass window facing south. Throughout the day, the photovoltage varies from 0 to 300 µV proportionally to the light intensity.


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are related to disordered eating and eating disorders. These constructs have many commonalities, including a number of psychological factors. This review examines the psychological factors associated with IBS and its associated GI symptoms; and eating pathology. A systematic search of four databases was conducted and resulted in eight studies which were quality assessed and reviewed. Parental mental health; parental alcohol misuse; parental functional gastrointestinal disorders; parental separation; neuroticism; unhelpful cognitive processes; depression; anxiety; feeling sad and confused; and somatisation were found to be related to IBS, GI symptoms (associated with IBS) and eating pathology. These findings are critically discussed alongside the studies' methodological limitations. Clinical implications and ideas for future research are suggested.


We demonstrate the acquisition of signal power evolution and Raman gain spectra (RGS) in multi-span Raman-amplified links with digital backpropagation. We successfully identify the individual RGS of each Raman-amplified span separately.


Abstract
Purpose
To explore and examine cultural differences in the consumer attitudes toward social media.

Methodology/approach
Internet survey.

Findings
The influence of culture toward the consumer attitudes in social media may be less salient compared with other consumer behaviors.

Research limitations/implications
This study is exploratory in nature.

Practical implications
To encourage managers to revisit the issue of globalization versus localization, particularly in the domain of social media.

Originality/value of paper
This study is one of the first attempts in exploring cultural differences in the consumer behavior of social media.


himself assumes, as Glaser and Strauss (1964) have pointed out, that the encounter of the person with others occurs in what these authors have called an "open awareness context" in which "each interactant is aware of the other's true identity and his own identity in the eyes of the other." Mead goes further to argue that, not only are persons thus aware of their identities in others' eyes, but that they see their own identities as they perceive these others to see them: The individual experiences himself as such, not directly, but only indirectly, from the particular standpoints of other individual members of the same social group, or from the generalized standpoint of the social group as a whole to which he belongs. For he enters his own experience as a self or individual, not directly or immediately, not by becoming a subject to himself, but only insofar as he first becomes an object to himself just as other individuals are objects to him or in his experience; and he becomes an object to himself only by taking the attitudes of other individuals toward himself within a social environment or context of experience and behavior in which both he and they are involved (Mead, 1934:138). Self-Evaluation There have been a number of attempts to apply Mead's orientation to an understanding of the social process within which self-evaluations arise. The difficulty in making this application may lie in the problem of applying the "open awareness context" assumption to the field of self-evaluations. When the social origins of personal "identity" or "conception" of the "Who Am I?" variety are being sought, the hypothesis that the person adopts the views of others toward himself as his own view of himself is not easy to challenge. Role-playing to audiences clearly generates identities that match the roles played.' But the idea "I am a woman," and the idea "I am a beautiful woman," are different in the sense


s of Periodical Literature Linn, L., and Polatin, P. Psychiatric problems of the puerperium from the standpoint of prophylaxis The authors point out that close to 10 per cent of all female admissions to psychiatric hospitals are associated with childbirth. Of 123 female patients seen privately by one of the authors over a period of two years, 9 per cent became ill after childbirth. The remarks are based on the intensive study of 22 patients observed at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and in private practice over a period of two years. The disabling effects of anxiety upon the mechanism of labor are noted. Toxic-exhaustive factors played a minor role in the over-all picture of the patients. In the writers' series of cases they found a diversified psychopathology of manifestations of schizoid, hysterical, phobic, hypochondriacal, and various psychosomatic disorders existing prior to the pregnancy. Eight of the 22 patients had previous histories of severe psychotic depressions lasting several months, and 1 patient had an acute phobic reaction which started after a previous childbirth. The chances were close to 50 per cent in the authors' series that a woman with a serious illness following childbirth had had an episode of incapacitating psychiatric illness prior to the pregnancy. It was felt that the woman most susceptible to postpartum mental disease is recognizable on historical information; and they recommend that susceptible women be put under psychiatric treatment as soon as they are recognized prenatally and that the treatment be continued many months postpartum.—Psychiat. Quart. 24:375, 1950.


In this paper, the types and mechanism of soil amendments and their effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties, crop growth, yield and quality were reviewed. The problems in their application and future application prospects were also discussed, with a view to providing reference for soil treatment and improvement.


The variations laws of the contents of the main components,the heat value,the yield and the thermal efficiency of the gas were investigated.The results show that there is an upward trend for the contents of H2 and CO and the heat value of the gas with the increase of the content of oxygen,but the upward trend becomes slow when the content of oxygen goes beyond 84%.The gasification efficiency goes from 44.47% to 64.91%.During the continuously process of rich-oxygen-steam UCG,the contents of the main components(H2+CO+CH4) of the gas amount to 59.56%.And the heat value of the gas is above 8.2 MJ/m3.The temperature of the gasifier can be effectively controlled to keep the stabilities of the components and the heat value of the gas.


The poverty premium, when households pay more for essential goods and services because they are poor, remains a problem in the UK today. Previous attempts to measure it, however, have been crude. This research aimed to take the measurement of the poverty premium beyond an illustrative figure to something which better reflects the lived experiences of poorer households. To achieve this, we developed a conceptual framework to understand how the poverty premium arises, taking a process-driven rather than a traditional sector-based approach to identify components of the poverty premium. We then calculated a typical cost for each component and surveyed lower-income households to measure exposure to them. The average poverty premium incurred was £490. Finally, cluster analysis explored the underlying heterogeneity of the poverty premium. Importantly, our approach reveals the breadth and depth of people's experience of the poverty premium and the pathways which contribute to it. It has highlighted the implications of behaviour and constraint for effective practice and policy intervention, and will make it possible to monitor the poverty premium more accurately and meaningfully over time. Funding acknowledgement The Oak Foundation Introduction Given that poverty describes, rather simply, a lack of resources (Townsend, 1979), the notion that poorer households should then pay more to access essential goods and services than better-off households is counter-intuitive. However, the term 'poverty premium' was first coined in 1960s USA (Caplovitz, 1963) to reflect the recognition that poor households were indeed paying more for their essential goods and services because they were poor. Sadly, the poverty premium remains a real and important issue in the UK today, and represents structural disadvantage for those least able to afford it (for example Strelitz and Lister, 2008; Bevan, 2009; Stewart, 2010; Hirsch, 2013; Richards, 2015). A resurgence in interest began in 2007 with work by Save the Children and Family Welfare, which estimated the poverty premium to be just over £1,000. By 2010, the poverty premium had risen to an estimated £1,300 per family per year (Save the Children, 2010). These estimates were important in raising the profile of the problem, stimulating discussion and informing the social policies needed to resolve it (for example Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2016). SOCIAL RESEARCH PRACTICE // ISSUE 9 SPRING 2020 5 However, there were significant limitations to the estimates from these studies. They were essentially illustrative figures, and for the low-income households they were intended to relate to, they remained hypothetical. In particular, the calculation of the premium was predicated on the assumption that a lowincome household incurred all of the individual elements of the premium, from a home contents insurance premium costing £32 to buying a cooker costing an extra £430 (Save the Children, 2010). Yet, in reality, any given household may or may not incur a particular premium. Qualitative research has shown not only how profound the impact of the poverty premium can be on households, but also that exposure to it can vary widely (Cambium Advocacy, 2015). Without knowing the breadth and depth of the lived experience of the poverty premium, these headline figures risked overstating the scale of the poverty premium, and potentially directing disproportionate amounts of policy attention to costly but relatively uncommon poverty premiums. In addition, poverty itself was not always established clearly as a key contributory factor in the extra costs arising and this could also risk overstating the reality of the poverty premium. As such, the estimates were limited in the extent to which they reflected the reality of households' experiences. Our research (Davies et al, 2016a) undertook to measure, comprehensively, the poverty premium as it exists in Britain today. Our aim was to seek a new approach to measuring lower-income households' exposure to the poverty premium which better reflected their lived experiences of it; something previous studies had not done. This would relate poverty as a key, contributory factor to additional costs arising (defining the premium as a poverty premium) and reflect households' actual and varied exposure to these extra costs in their daily lives. The measurement challenge The study we conducted was ambitious; not just to take the measurement of the poverty premium beyond a nominal figure of what this extra cost could represent to poorer households, but also to reconceptualise the poverty premium to better reflect its contemporary nature. This ambition permeated throughout our approach: from how we thought about the essential living costs potentially affected by a poverty premium; through how we measured exposure to the poverty premium among lower-income households; to how we explored the different exposure of different groups of lower-income households. We carried out the research in 2016 in three linked stages: ◗ First, we undertook a conceptualisation exercise to identify the range of poverty premium components which exist today. This needed to take account of the changing poverty premium landscape and identify the pathways through which a poverty premium could be understood to arise. From this, we developed a new measurement framework, which we validated in focus groups ◗ Second, we completed a costing exercise to identify a representative, nominal cost for each component in the final measurement framework. At this stage, we also undertook a survey of lowerincome households to measure exposure to each one. This enabled us to calculate the average, lived cost of the poverty premium given the depth (the nominal cost) of each component and its breadth (percentage of households experiencing it) ◗ Finally, we carried out cluster analysis of the survey data to explore the heterogeneity of the lowerincome households' experiences of the poverty premium. This identified significant variations in households' experiences and highlighted important socio-demographic drivers of these For the purposes of this study, we defined lower-income households as those with incomes equivalised for household size of below 70% of national median income by life-stage (working age or state-pension age). This ensured that we included those whose incomes were below the relative poverty threshold,1 and those above the threshold whose low incomes still resulted in them incurring poverty premiums. 1 60% median income equivalised for household size. SOCIAL RESEARCH PRACTICE // ISSUE 9 SPRING 2020 6 We used a mixed-methods design, which included an extensive review of empirical literature of poverty, money management and the poverty premium; a desk-based review of the sectors in which a poverty premium might arise; and a costing exercise to identify representative nominal costs for each component in the final measurement framework. We also undertook seven focus groups in England and Scotland with lower-income householders of working and state-pension age. We developed a bespoke questionnaire to capture the main components of the poverty premium in a nationally representative faceto-face omnibus survey, with a final sample of 947 lower-income householders. A stakeholder group of research, industry and charity experts convened specially for the study was consulted at all key stages of the research. For more details about the fieldwork and definitions see Davies et al (2016b). Stage 1: from poverty to the poverty premium: developing a new framework In creating a new measurement framework to account for the poverty premium as it exists today, we needed to establish, front and centre, the extra costs that can occur when people buy essential goods and services, which could constitute a poverty premium. Our overriding concern lay in establishing that any extra costs lower-income households incurred had their roots in poverty. Viewing the poverty premium through the lens of the consumer was at the heart of this. Developing a new conceptual underpinning Unlike previous research, our approach involved developing a conceptual model which emphasised the behavioural pathways through which poverty leads to the poverty premium. This saw the poverty premium as arising from the circumstances, needs, choices and constraints of lower-income households, including the interaction of these with other factors. To ensure that our initial conceptualisation remained grounded in the lived experiences of lower-income households, we drew heavily on the empirical research literature of experiences of poverty and of household money management in this context. Key elements of our initial model were then refined and validated through focus groups with people in or near poverty and the stakeholder group convened specially for the project. The final conceptual model (Figure 1) summarises the main pathways from poverty ('living on a lowerincome') to the poverty premium. It emphasises the direct role of low incomes on consumption behaviour in dark shading and the indirect role of supply and other compounding factors in light shading. Figure 1: Conceptualising pathways to the poverty premium SOCIAL RESEARCH PRACTICE // ISSUE 9 SPRING 2020 7 Drivers, factors and their interactions The key influences in the model come from the 'consumer drivers', or demand-side factors. For lowerincome households these relate to how those with constrained finances behave; the difficulties in affording lump-sum and up-front costs and accessing money quickly; the lower spending power realised through low usage, including in smaller, more frequent shopping trips; and the need for insurance for smaller minimum values. The need for tight budgeting control in lower-income households can also result in smaller, more frequent shops and a preference for cash spending, prepayment meters or paper billing. Finally, limited resources can make lower-income households averse to risks


about the past and the present The aim of the report is to present history and achieved results of diagnostic Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases. Since 1993, when the former common state was divided, the Centre has been built gradually as a part of the largest Slovak pediatric hospital. At present, the Centre provides biochemical genetic testing including selective screening for inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) as well as lifelong biochemical monitoring of patients with confirmed IMD. Routine and urgent biochemical diagnostics is available in the Centre on the level of wide scale of metabolites in body fluids: ammonia, lactate, 3-hydoxybutyrate, amino acids, organic acids, orotic acid, biotinidase, carnitine, saccharides, oligosaccharides, sialyloligosaccharides, glycosaminoglycans and others. The qualified staff ensures also consultations and expertises for the whole Slovakia. The number of patients increased enormously from 111 to 2936 individuals investigated in 1993 and 2011, respectively. more than 80 various IMD were detected and/or monitored. The most frequent diseases registered were lysosomal disorders, aminoacidopathies, organic acidurias, disorders of carbohydrates and fatty acid oxidation. Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate organic acidurias (OAU) as rare inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) which has been detected in Slovakia so far. Selective screening for IMD including OAU has been providing in three diagnostic centres of biochemical genetics. Methods: Profiling of urinary organic acids (OA) has been performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in two centers in Bratislava and by GC in one department in Banska Bystrica. The investigation of OA was performed in random (morning) urine from children with clinical suspicion of IMD. Results: Over the period of 18 years (1993-2010), 42 cases of OA metabolism disorders were identified: Canavan disease (12), methylmalonic aciduria (10), propionic aciduria (7), glutaric aciduria type I (2), mevalonic aciduria (2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria (2), 2-oxoadipic aciduria (2), pyroglutamic aciduria (2), leucinosis (1), multiple carboxylase deficiency (1), 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (1). Conclusions: It is supposed that many cases of OAU has been undiagnosed in our country. The patients with late-onset Pompe disease. We present diagnostic scheme for Pompe disease in our institute. The presence of disease was tested by selective screening by measuring α-glucosidase activity in dried blood spots. The diagnosis was confirmed by measuring α-glucosidase activity in mixed leukocytes using acarbose as inhibitor of maltase-glucoamylase activity. Based on high prevalence of IVS1 (-13T→G) mutation in late-onset Pompe disease patients we perform detection of this mutation using PCR-RFLP method. We have found this mutation in homozygous form in one patient and in second patient we have found this mutation in heterozygous form. Presence of this frequent mutation we confirmed by sequencing. Sequencing of entire GAA gene will be offered in year 2012 at our institute. The peroxisome is a single-membrane organelle presents in nearly all eukaryotic cells. Defects in one or more peroxisomal metabolic functions are associated usually with severe clinical manifestations. The group of peroxisomal disorders now includes 17 different diseases. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is the commonest inherited peroxisomal disorder with a minimum incidence about 1:15000 This severe neurodegenerative disorder is characterised by the accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in the central nervous system, peripheral nerves, adrenal glands and body fluids. The VLCFA accumulation is associated with an impaired capacity for their degradation via β-oxidation pathway in the peroxisomes and leads to a progressive demyelination of the central and peripheral nervous system and to adrenal cortex insufficiency. The clinical presentation of X-ALD varies widely; at least six phenotypic variants can be distinguished. The two most frequent phenotypes are childhood cerebral form (ccALD) and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by expansion of a (CTG)n repeat in the DMPK gene, while myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is caused by expansion of a (CCTG)n part of a complex repetitive motif (TG)n(TCTG)n(CCTG)n. The size of healthy range alleles is highly variable in both loci and expanded alleles may contain several thousands of repeats in both DM1 and DM2. Combination of conventional PCR and "triplet" or "tetraplet" repeat-primed PCR (TP-PCR) is a commonly used approach to characterize healthy range alleles and to prove the presence or absence of expanded alleles in molecular testing for both disorders. We have designed three multiplex PCR reactions for simultaneous characterisation of the DM1 and DM2 locus using PCR based analyses and capillary electrophoresis on automatic DNA analyser. The first reaction includes bi-directionally labelled conventional PCRs for both the DM1 and DM2 locus. The second reaction contains the reverse directional DM1 TP-PCR and the reverse directional DM2 TP-PCR, while the third reaction was designed to include the forward directional DM1 TP-PCR and the forward directional DM2 TP-PCR. These three reactions were designed to be performable under the same amplification and electrophoretic conditions allowing thus their parallelisation. The of our multiplex assay Abstract Background: Neuromyotonia (NMT) is a rare disorder of spontaneous and continuous muscle fibre activity of peripheral nerve origin. There are two main forms of NMT, inherited and acquired. Most acquired cases of NMT have autoimmune origin with autoantibodies against voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC) that are present on the presynaptic motor nerve terminals ("autoimmune channelopathy"). Loss of these VGKCs leads to prolonged depolarisation, prolonged opening of calcium channels and excess acetylcholine release. Case report: We report 30-year-old male patient with 4-year-history of myokymia, muscle stiffness, muscle cramps, delayed relaxation after contraction (pseudomyotonia) and hyperhidrosis, brought on by exercise, later the complaints were continuous. A spontaneous burst of single motor-unit activity and neuromyotonic discharges 100 to 170 Hz were the most characteristic features found in EMG studies. The diagnosis of acquired neuromyotonia was confirmed by evidence of serum antibodies against VGKCc (266 pmol/l). Plasma exchange and combined long-term immunosupressive therapy (prednisone and cyclophosphamide) resulted in marked and sustained improvement. Conclusion: Acquired autoimmune NMT is a progressive disabling disorder, therefore early diagnosis and early imunotherapy is of significant importance for the prognosis of NMT. Alkaptonuria is an inherited disorder of metabolism of aromatic aminoacids phenylalanine and tyrosine. The defect activity of the enzyme homogentisic acid oxidase leads to the accumulation of homogentisic acid in organism and its excretion in urine. Its polymer – the ochronotic pigment impregnates the bradytrophic tissues. In clinical and laboratory pictures, pigmentation of scleras and ears can be seen, which are functionally insignificant; restricting changes of the locomotory system, as well as presence of homogentisic acid in urine can be found. The patients are generally of lower height and they indicate further decrease of their height. The average height of our patients with ochronotic arthropathy is 158.5cm in men and 151cm in women. Compared to the overall population, men are lower by 12.9cm and women by 6.1cm. Their height even decreases with the progress of the disease. First subjective as well as objective symptoms are localized in the area of vertebral column. The patients indicate an undefined feeling of stiffness in the lumbosacral area, which might be accompanied by a minor pain. Some patients feel a certain block while back straightening, which can be overcome only with pain. This stiffness is later accompanied by a significant pain, which is however less severe than in inflammatory diseases of the spine. The pain remains localized and limited to the lumbal area without any radiation into surrounding areas and without a periodical fluctuation in its strength. It seems, that the disproportion between the less significant pain and the progressive movement restriction is typical for ochronotic arthropathy. Among Monogenic defects of insulin secretion belong to the few chapters of medicine where the accessibility of DNA diagnostics in Slovakia started in 2004 when the DIABGENE laboratory was founded. The aim of this presentation has been to provide you with 1) the epidemiology of monogenic diabetes /M-DM/ in Slovakia, 2) with the MODY patients mutation profile, 3) brief information on relevant structure-function studies, and with 4) the DNA diagnostic-based changes of therapy with sulphonylurea (SU) of permanent neonatal diabetes (PND) and in HNF1A MODY diabetics. We have been recruiting M-DM patients since 2004 all over Slovakia. DNA sequencing has been carried out for relevant 9 genes. Parkinson disease (PD) affects motor system and is clinically manifested by characteristic motor dysfunctions consisting in four major symptoms – tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. Advanced PD is characterized by gradual failure of dopamine replacement therapy and manifested as motor and non-motor fluctuations and worsened patient's autonomy. Patients suffer from autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric disorders, sleep problems and other difficulties not present in PD early stages. The levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel therapy shows improvement of motor functions and increased quality of life without a rise of dyskinesia occurrence. The therapy is beneficial for patients with advanced PD who are still able to respond to levodopa therapy when a peroral therapy does not bring sufficien


Valvular heart disease is a common clinical syndrome that physicians face on a routine basis. Aortic stenosis (AS) accounts for a substantial amount of these cases with differing etiologies from rheumatic, congenital bicuspid to calcific AS. Clinical history and physical examination can assist in assessing the presence and severity of AS, but echocardiography has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of AS and to assess severity. Multimodality imaging including cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and 3D printing have evolved over the years, lending aid in the diagnosis and prognostication of AS. This review provides a succinct overview of the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and diagnosis of AS.

This review contains 10 figures, 3 tables and 49 references.
Key Words: aortic stenosis, cardiac computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 3D printing, low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis


The article gives an overview of the changes in the field of domestic hot water (DHW) consumption. In Eastern Europe instantaneous water heaters are widely used for DHW heating. Over the past 20-25 years there has been a significant change in DHW consumption in Eastern Europe and Estonia. The changes have been so great that new dimensioning methodology is needed. This necessity has also been stated by Dutch investigators. The developed methodology allows to reduce the capacity of instantaneous DHW heaters in residential, educational and public buildings by up to two times. The new calculation methodology of DHW heaters can significantly reduce duct size in tree-shaped district heating (DH) networks, the station power and maintenance costs. Key-Words: DHW consumption in residential buildings, DHW heating load in educational buildings, DHW heating load in public buildings, DHW influence on DH system dimensioning


The natural convection of incompressible flow confined within an enclosed right-angled triangular and isosceles cavity was investigated numerically using the multirelaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM). According to the left and inclined walls thermal boundary conditions, two cases were considered in this study. In the first case, the inclined side of the enclosure was adiabatic, and the horizontal wall was heated, while the left one was kept at a cold temperature. However, the states of the left and inclined walls were interchanged in the second case. As the flow is only transported under the convection force, this study was carried out for the Rayleigh number ranging from Ra=103 to 106. The effects of the Rayleigh number on velocity and temperature profiles, streamlines, isotherms, and average Nusselt number were investigated. The position of cold and adiabatic walls had a great effect on the results. The results obtained are in good agreement with those of the literature and show the robustness of the MRT-LBM approach. In both cases, the heat-transfer rate increases with the increase in the Rayleigh number.


Cellulose-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers were synthesized, and the thermal properties of the copolymers were investigated. The cellulose-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers showed solid–solid phase-transition behavior with a high thermal storage density and good thermal stability in the temperature region of 25–250°C. The phase-transition temperature and enthalpy of the cellulose-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers could be adjusted through changes in the poly(ethylene glycol) content. The prepared copolymers could be used as thermal energy storage materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008


For optimally-sized subunits of a large homogeneous area, we observe that the value of aggregate resources in transportation equals the value of the output ascribable to the land. At the optimal size, increasing returns to scale in production balance off transportation costs so that the economy displays local constant returns to scale.


A comparison test of different tailings used for underground backfill was conducted, using neutralized tailings from BIOX and flotation tailings of Jinfeng Mine. Laboratory comparison test results show that, with neutralized tailings, when the cement dosage is at 19%, backfill UCS after 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days are 105%–163%, 80%–102%, and 33%–43%, respectively, which are higher than those of flotation tailings. When the cement dosage is at 12%, backfill UCS after 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days are 58%–77%, 50%–60%, and 28%–51%, respectively, which are higher than those of flotation tailings. Slurry fluidity of neutralized tailings is lower than that of flotation tailings, while, in these two tailings, the difference of slump and diffusivity values is less than 6%, which is not a significant difference in slurry fluidity. The reason for neutralized tailings showing higher UCS is as follows: during backfill curing, neutralization tailings produce abundant crystals of CaSO4·2H2O in interlaced structure which helps in combining aggregates closely; CaSO4·2H2O hydrates with C3A C4AF contained in the cement and forms clavate cement bacillus which works as a micro reinforcing steel bar. The test proved that neutralized tailings are more optimal for backfilling.


Reservoir navigation is a common and integrated part of the drilling process to steer wells very precisely. It is a requirement for many of today's complex deviated and horizontal development wells steered through challenging and small geological targets that can be as small as two metres in size. The capability is a key enabler for the oil industry and has contributed significantly to the prolongation of the economic well being of most oil producing provinces around the world.
 In order to be successful, reservoir navigation must combine advanced downhole logging while drilling (LWD) tools, telemetry of LWD data to surface in real-time, the ability to steer while drilling, fit-for purpose software applications and perhaps most important of all, skilled personnel. That said, it is currently common practice for reservoir navigation to be performed with a dataset that is restricted to a vertical 'curtain' section derived from the development well. This is an unnecessary restriction that is often self imposed because of the limitations of the software applications being employed. With improving computer power, it can and should be superceded in favour of a more holistic approach.
 The new reservoir navigation analytical processes are all designed to be performed at speed and in real-time while drilling the reservoir, on demand, at any stage, within minutes. These enhancements quantitatively illuminate the critical financial consequences of a well's geological drilling results. These are usually greater than the economic benefits of more efficient well operations. It means well owners can now operate in an information rich environment leading to better multi-disciplined team work and improved operational decision making. The benefit is better wells that produce more hydrocarbons at lower cost.
 A real data set comparing a pre-well 3D model with realistic real-time geological updates and visualisations in three dimensions demonstrates the validity of the method. The pre-well and real-time 3D models can also be utilized to generate quantitative volumetrics calculations while drilling. The workflows provide an information rich environment for operational decision making leading to better wells.


he voltammetriy of piperine at
TBP chemically modified electrode has been studied. A welldefined derivative peak is obtained
at 1.40 V(vs.SCE) in Britton-Robinson buffer solution(pH4.6). The peak current is proportional to
the concentration of piperine in the range of 7.410-92.210-7mol/L. The detection limit has been
estimated as 2.210-11mol/L with 6 min accumulation. The method has been applied to
determine piperine in natural pepper with satisfactory results.


In this essay, the author reflects on the importance of accepting and expressing emotion in teachers' lived experiences. By centering emotion work in preservice teacher praxis, teacher educators can make emotion work visible and assign value to it.


Introduction DURING the last decade studies in a number of laboratories have provided evidence to suggest that the endocrine system plays an important role in regulating cardiovascular function. These studies have shown that the hormones insulin and thyroid hormone exert significant effects on key elements involved in regulating the activity of the cardiovascular system, including the distribution of myosin isozymes, the calcium pumping activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and coronary flow. Recently, investigations have shown that the hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], which is the active metabolite of vitamin D3, can also regulate cardiovascular function. The regulatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 include enhancement of cardiac and vascular muscle contractile function, modulation of blood pressure, and changes in myocardial collagen. The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of the endocrine system in regulating cardiovascular function, with empha...


Aim: of the study was to analyze the influence if ionizing radiation, age and smoking on the development of COPD in a cohort of liquidators of the Chernobyl consequences included in the Clinical and Epidemiological Registry SI "National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine". Materials and methods: The analysis included data on 7 156 of the Chornobyl liquidators, of which 6 257 (87.4 %) men and 899 (12.6 %) women who were examined between 1993 and 2010 by pulmonologist. Results: Chronic bronchopulmonary diseases were detected in 50.0 % of the surveyed persons. The overall exposure dose was significantly higher among liquidators, which developed bronchopulmonary diseases (24.29 ± 0.82 sSv) compared with those without bronchopulmonary disease (14.58 ± 0.62 sSv), p = 0.001.In smokers the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was twice higher than in those who did not smoke (10.2 and 5.16 %, respectively, p = 0.0001). Smoking appears an additional risk factor for somatic pathology on the background of ionizing radiation. At the same dose of irradiation, the incidence of COPD was higher among smokers in doses >10 sSv. Conclusion: The negative effect of ionizing radiation amplified by other risk factors for chronic bronchopulmonary disease: association between exposure doses and somatic pathology manifested in the surveyed people over the age of 45 years; at the same exposure dose risk of bronchopulmonary diseases was higher for smokers.


Makeng type iron deposit is a large deposit in the secondary NE-trending Longzhang basal fracture sag zone of the Late Paleozoic depression of Yongmei.The prospecting breakthrough has been hindered due to the fact that we are not very clear about the type of the strata hosted Makeng type iron deposits.On the basis of field investigation and conscientious study of the results of previous researches,this paper explores ore-controlling factors of the Makeng type iron deposit.It is found that the fold in the Makeng mine district is an overturned anticline instead of one limb of the anticline,and that the Yanshanian thrust nappe structure is the results generated by the subduction of Izanagi plate under the Eurasian plate from southeast to northwest.It is suggested that the Jingshe Formation-Qixia Formation(C2j-P1q)and interface between the Jingshe FormationQixia Formation(C2j-P1q)and the Wenbishan Formation(P1w)are the horizon hosted Makeng type iron deposit,and that the thrust nappe structure is also important ore-controlling factors.In addition,this paper also presents the prospecting direction.


The synergistic effect of natural and synthetic polymers as drag reducing agents in water phase during horizontal oil-water flows was studied in 12 mm internal diameter (ID) unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) pipe. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM; trade name as magnafloc 1011 or Separan), polyethylene oxide (PEO; trade name as Polyox WSR 310), Aloe Vera mucilage (AVM; as Aloe barbadensis miller), mixture of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and Aloe Vera mucilage and polyethylene oxide and Aloe Vera mucilage (HPAM-AVM and PEO-AVM) were used. Mixture Reynolds number of 62923, master solution of 2000 ppm and 20000 ppm, and total concentration (TC) of 30 ppm and 400 ppm were investigated using diesel oil (ρ = 832 kg/m3, µ = 1.66 cP) and water (ρ = 1000 kg/m3, µ = 0.89 cP) as test fluids. The results show that the drag reduction (DR) of 65.39 and 69.23%, and 69.23 and 70.77% were obtained for HPAM-AVM and PEO-AVM mixtures respectively, at mixing ratios of 3:1 and 1:19, for 25% oil input fraction and water phase Reynolds number (Rew) of 47192. These values were found to be higher than the DR obtained by individual polymer alone at the same conditions. Drag reduction decreased with increase in the oil input fraction due to the decrease in the water phase Reynolds number. The result implies drag reduction efficiency can be enhanced by combining natural and synthetic polymers.


English is required as the official working language for oceangoing seafarers across the world. In China, much time and effort has been dedicated to improving maritime students' Maritime English (ME). However, low English proficiency is still one of the main barriers for Chinese seafarers to compete in the international maritime labor market. Online technology has introduced great opportunities for ME education in China. A deep understanding of the current status of online ME education in China is essential for enhancing its quality and effectiveness. This article investigates the current status of online ME education in China from the perspectives of Chinese maritime students and ME teachers by examining four key factors: online ME materials, online assessment and feedback, online interactions, and related online support. In total, 255 maritime students and 34 ME teachers from different maritime education and training (MET) institutions in China participated in this research. The study finds that online ME education in China was underdeveloped. Limited and simple online methods were being used in ME teaching and learning. The exam-oriented teaching mode greatly impeded the implementation of creative online methods. Many online functions had not been fully exploited and individual learning needs should be highlighted.


This modulator, a cascade hybrid proposal, takes advantage of both Continuous Time (CT) and Discrete Time (DT) approaches. In order to define a set of specifications Processing Basic-Blocks (PBBs) are firstly analyzed with the help of SIMSIDES. After that transistor-based simulations are carried out not only to verify fulfil specifications, but also to analyse the effect of non-idealities on the modulator performance. The expected response of the modulator is obtained by defining a set of experiments based on analytical models, which allow us to translate all design considerations into a set of values such that the design at transistor level be established according to the desired performance of the proposed architecture. This design strategy perhaps is not the most accurate but it allows us to get a general understanding of the system under design, and also a comprehension at the highest level of abstraction. The system under study is a cascade 4th order hybrid Sigma-Delta (ΣΔ) modulator, from which the second stage is a 2nd order Low-Pass (LP) DT ΣΔ modulator. The ideal performance of the DT modulator is used to show how non-idealities must be taken into account, and also how to translate design considerations into a set of physical values not only to design PBBs at transistor level, but also to minimize the non-idealities effects up to acceptable values.


This study aims at developing a green sustainable bio-inspired composite film by combining the flexible chitin/silk fibroin matrix (CT/SF) and the rigid cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with the multi-layer chiral nematic structure. The effects of CNC concentration on the chemical bonding, optical- and micro-morphology, thermal stability and mechanical properies of chitin/silk fibroin/cellulose nanocrystal (CT/SF/CNC) were comprehensively investigated. The results indicate that a critical concentration for CNC at 2 wt% can display the obvious iridescent color domains of biocomposite films with potential optical functional property. There is a color shift from blue to yellow-red corresponding to the higher concentrations at 3.5 and 5.0 wt%, respectively. The concentration of CNC also affects the transition of conformation of SF from the random to the β-turn as well as the bonding ability between SF and CT. The CT/SF/CNC-3.5 wt% with the excellent optical and mechanical properties as well as the improved thermal stability breaks the conventional conflict between increased strength and compromised ductility. Its tensile strength and elongation at break effectively elevate by 282% and 42%, respectively.


Abstract Meeting the challenges of the energy sector relies on data – in particular sharing it internally and externally with a wide range of partners. Unfortunately, this valuable data often cannot be obtained from real objects due to location specifics or privacy concerns, although accurate, open-source data are a priority to provide researchers and energy experts with the information needed to accelerate the energy transition. In recent years, many studies have focused on the development of energy communities, using different methods to create data for case studies; however, these methods are often too broad and do not correlate with conditions in real locations. This work aims to identify the challenges associated with creating realistic datasets for energy community studies, as well as highlight the methods of defining input data, considering the factors that make energy community studies a very complex task, and discuss the flaws of commonly used methods.


As an increasing number of electric motor vehicles (EV) are reaching consumers, increasing the charge stored by an electric battery and its efficiency has become a priority of the EV industry to compete with combustion (gas) vehicles. The solution car manufacturers are turning to is termed as regenerative braking system (RBS). In this project, we build an RBS model to study its efficacy in various conditions, we estimate the mechanical energy generated by the system and its portion that was transformed into electrical energy and stored, and finally estimate real world efficiency. The purpose of this research is (1) learning about how RBS works and is built, (2) designing and building a charging circuit for storage of energy on a capacitor, and (3) analyzing the efficiency of our RBS for various RPMs. Trials of different combinations of capacitors and resistors led us to successfully build and test an efficient experimental configuration with 30% efficiency at 1,000 RMP. Our results predict a possible efficiency of 51% for 2,000 RPM, which corresponds to real-world applications.


In a rapidly growing industry, potential entrants strategically choose which local markets to enter. Facing the threat of additional entrants, a potential entrant may lower its expectation of future profits and delay entry into a local market, or it may accelerate entry due to preemptive motives. Using the evolution of local market structures of broadband Internet service providers from 1999 to 2007, we find that the former effect dominates the latter after allowing for spatial correlation across markets and accounting for endogenenous market structure. On average, it takes two years longer for threatened markets to receive their first broadband entrant. Moreover, this entry delay has long-run negative implications for the divergence of the U.S. broadband infrastructure: one year of entry delay translates into an 11% decrease in average present-day download speeds.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that concept naming alone in document annotation is not sufficient to convey the thought content of the information resource. The paper presents an outline of semantic document annotation which combines two major processes: facet analysis and concept categorisation. This is also an effort to show how RDF schema can be designed and implemented so that the properties of the schema are able to express the basic structure of the subject matter of the resource.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a methodology for representing the subject matter of a document in terms of RDF. For the purposes of faceted subject annotation, it has developed an extended RDF schema for simple knowledge organisation system (SKOS). The facets and relationships of the faceted subject indexing language postulate‐based permuted subject indexing system (POPSI) have been transformed into RDFS classes. The elementary categories of POPSI form the property classes in the POPSI/RDF...


Travel time estimation and choosing optimal routing are the research hotspot in the intelligent traffic system(ITS),especially they have the profound value to vehicle navigation system.The travel time is firstly estimated using indirect model and dynamics model based on the traditional traffic flow respectively,and the two models have been compared with emulation mode.After the road-test data have been analyzed,the traffic flow information is extracted to improve on the dynamics model.Then the Dijkstra algorithm is used to find the static state optimal routing,and the algorithm for dynamical state optimal routing is finding by using the improved dynamics model and Dijkstra algorithm,we use it to solve the problem about the expectation of travel time dependent on departure time. Finally we find the real time traffic information is very important to solve the dynamic and stochastic optimal routing problem,we use the kalman filter to solve the correlated routing condition.


Objective To investigate the application of Thinprep cytology test(TCT) screening for cervical cancer and precancerous lesions and its accuracy.Methods To conduct the retrospective analysis on 3 859 cases of TCT from January to June in 2008 in our hospital.All the cases of squamous epithelial lesions diagnosed cytologically using TBS standard including squamous cell-cannot exclude HSIL(ASC-H),low-grade intraepithelial lesion(LSIL) and above lesions accepted routine colposcopy and biopsy.The TCT results were compared with the biopsy results.Results There were 40(1.04%) cases with ASC-H,48(1.24%) cases of LSIL,31 cases(CIN Ⅱ 25 cases and CIN Ⅲ 6 cases,accounting for 0.65% and 0.16% respectively) of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL) and 2(0.05%) cases of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) in 3 895 cases of TCT,which coincidence rate with biopsy was 82.5%,70.8%,90.3% and 100% respectively.In the statistical analysis,the coincidence rate of TCT diagnosis of HSIL and above lesions to pathological biopsy by colposcopy was higher than that of LSIL with statistical difference(P0.05).In age distribution,the cytology-positive patients were mainly 31-40 year old group,accounting for 43.2%.Conclusion TCT technology combined with TBS classification standard is reliabe for screening cervical cancer and precancerous lesions,with high accuracy especially to HSIL and above lesions.It is necessary to screen cervical cancer and precancerous lesions for child-bearing women,particularly women of 31-40 years old group.


We propose a non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) method for generating arbitrarily-oriented ribbed-pattern (AORP) images from gray-scale photographic images. Ribbed patterns consist of wavy lines in a certain orientation. Ribbed-pattern images are obtained by superimposing ribbed patterns and photographic images. AORP images can arbitrarily change the orientation in which ribbed patterns occur. The proposed method is executed using autocorrelation coefficient. The proposed method can automatically generate ribbed patterns according to the change in the density of photographic images, and can arbitrarily change the orientation in which ribbed patterns occur by changing the value of the parameter. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we conduct experiments using Lenna image and other photographic images. In the experiments, we show that the proposed method can generate AORP images.


Central banks independence in most cases works as anti-inflationary tool. But some times even in the case of high autonomy of monetary authority inflation may persist. In this paper co-existence of formally independent central banks with high inflation is analyzed with rely on vision that rule of law drives institutional quality as well as society fractionalization drives macroeconomic and social instability. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the contribution of such institutional features to anti-inflationary inefficiency of independent central banks. Having the example of 150 countries it is shown that inflation is still in opposite relation with central bank independence, rule of law is strictly counterinflationary, and variables of society's structure are less statistically robust as inflation's drivers. Countries grouping shows that less successful independent central banks are associated with highly fractionalized societies, that are democracies with some resource endowment. In the same time, rule of law also vary across the countries demonstrating that weak democracies can't achieve high rule of law to protect independence of central banks even then such democracies are ready to grand it to them. Logit regression demonstrates that only rule of law variable statistically robust in determining probability of higher inflation and central bank independence co-existence. Society fractionalization proxies are not statistically significant as the predictors of probability that independent central banks can't maintain lower inflation. But the structure of society shouldn't be negligible in explaining why independent central banks may lack of successes. The more complicated doi: https://doi.org/10.33763/finukr2019.03.007


Results are presented of investigations of the physical fundamentals of the formation of gas shielding in arc welding in shielding gases resulting in the formation of a scientifically justified method of calculating the design parameters of equipment for gas shielded welding.


This paper proposes an emergency obstacle avoidance control method based on driver steering intention recognition for steer-by-wire vehicle in order to solve the problem that the response rate and stability time are unsatisfactory. The paper focuses on the method to recognize driver steering intention, and builds a driver steering behavior model by using the multidimensional Gauss HMM theory, optimizes the model by using the Baum-Welch algorithm and conducts real-time verification on steering intention recognition by means of LabVIEW and driving simulator. The results indicate that the driver steering intention recognition method has higher recognition accuracy and can help to realize emergency obstacle avoidance control effectively for steer-by-wire vehicle.


AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 1970'S THE TECHNICAL INSPECTION ASSOCIATION OF THE RHINELAND INITIATED RESEARCH INTO THE DESIGN OF AN AUTOMATIC ROAD TESTING SYSTEM. THE WORK RESULTED IN A TWO-TRACK INSTALLATION IN WHICH ALL THE TESTS INVOLVING EQUIPMENT ARE AUTOMATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE VEHICLE DRIVER CAN UNDERTAKE THE SERVICING OF HIS VEHICLE HIMSELF DURING TESTING. PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDED CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE COMPONENTS AND INCREASING THE RAPPORT BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND USERS. THE MOST UP TO DATE TECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF MICROPROCESSORS, WAS APPLIED. THE TEST RIG HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN THREE LARGE TEST CENTRES (DUESSELDORF, MAINZ AND COLOGNE) AND IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TWO FURTHER CENTRES (KREFELD AND BASLE).


Background and Aims A number of root and root hair traits have been proposed as important for acquisition of P. However, it remains unknown whether these traits are most important in determining macro- and micronutrient uptake at low soil fertility. This study investigated the variations in root and root hair traits among spring wheat genotypes and examined which root and root hair traits are most important for high uptake of macro- and micronutrients.
Methods Six spring wheat genotypes were grown in a soil with low nutrient availability. The root and root hair traits as well as the content of macro- and micronutrients were identified.
Results A significant genetic variability in root and root hair traits was found. High root growth vigour and long and dense root hairs enhanced uptake of macro- and micronutrients under low soil nutrient availability. Root growth vigour, however, was a better predictor of early nutrient acquisition than root hair length and density.
Conclusions Selection and breeding for high root growth vigour and long and dense root hairs is a promising strategy to ensure efficient acquisition of both macro- and micronutrients in the early establishment of spring wheat in nutrient-limited soil and low nutrient input cropping systems.


We have found new equilibrium configurations of nonaxisymmetric boson stars in the framework of Newtonian gravity. Two new families of solutions with different symmetries have been obtained. For these solutions, distributions of scalar fields are antisymmetric with respect to the following parity transformations: (1) $(x,y,z)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(x,y,\ensuremath{-}z)$ and $(x,\ensuremath{-}y,z),$ or (2) $(x,y,z)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(x,y,\ensuremath{-}z),$ $(\ensuremath{-}x,y,z),$ and $(x,\ensuremath{-}y,z),$ where $x,$ $y,$ and $z$ are the Cartesian coordinates. Therefore the scalar fields of our new solutions are necessarily nonaxisymmetric. Our results show that, for two families of solutions, the gravitational mass $M$ is related to the particle number $N$ by the following relations: (1) $M=mN\ensuremath{-}1.11\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{N}^{3}{m}^{5}{/M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}^{4}$ and (2) $M=mN\ensuremath{-}6.06\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}{N}^{3}{m}^{5}{/M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}^{4},$ where $m$ and ${M}_{\mathrm{Pl}}$ are the mass of the scalar field and the Planck mass, respectively.


In recent years, with the increasing improvement of digital technology, the rapid development of digital economy has become a force that cannot be ignored in the development of global economy. The Yangtze River Delta region has a good economic foundation and favorable conditions for the development of digital economy, which plays a driving role in the development of digital economy in China. In this paper, by constructing a model, we firstly use analytic hierarchy process to assign weight to each index, then use fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to give a comprehensive score for the digital economic development level of Shanghai , Jiangsu , Zhejiang and Anhui in the Yangtze River Delta, and make analysis and decision-making according to the score.


Data regarding the safety of co‐administration of ibrutinib with anticoagulants in real‐life settings are scarce. Using a nationwide database, we conducted a nested case‐control study in a cohort of new users of ibrutinib to assess the risk of clinically relevant bleeding (CRB) associated with anticoagulation. Cases were patients with a diagnosis of CRB, defined as hospitalization with a diagnosis of bleeding. The date of CRB constituted the index date. Up to four controls were matched on sex, age at index date and duration of follow‐up. The risk of CRB associated with anticoagulation in patients receiving ibrutinib was estimated using conditional logistic regression models, providing odds ratios (OR) adjusted for risk factors of bleeding. Among 614 cases and 2407 matched controls, the risk of CRB was significantly higher in patients receiving both ibrutinib and anticoagulants (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.54, confidence interval [CI] 95% [1.94; 3.32]). When considering anticoagulant class, aOR was 1.99 (CI 95% [1.19; 3.33]) for VKA, 2.48 (CI 95% [1.76; 3.47]) for direct oral anticoagulants and 3.40 (CI 95% [2.01; 5.75]) for parenteral anticoagulants. In conclusion, this study found a 2.5‐fold increased risk of CRB in patients receiving both ibrutinib and anticoagulants in real‐life settings, and similar aOR among oral anticoagulants.


Abstract Background We report results of the first interim analysis (IA) of BRG vs CRZ in ALK TKI-naive, ALK+ NSCLC from ALTA-1L (NCT02737501). Methods This open-label, multicenter study enrolled pts with advanced ALK+ NSCLC who had ≤1 prior systemic therapy; asymptomatic CNS metastases were allowed. Pts were randomized 1:1 to BRG 180 mg QD with 7-day lead-in at 90 mg or CRZ 250 mg BID. Primary endpoint: blinded independent review committee (BIRC)-assessed PFS (RECIST v1.1). Secondary efficacy endpoints included BIRC-assessed ORR, intracranial (i) ORR (iORR), and PFS (iPFS). IAs were planned at 50% and 75% of 198 expected PFS events. Results 275 pts were randomized (BRG/CRZ, n = 137/138); median age: 58/60 y. 26%/27% received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease; 29%/30% had baseline brain metastases. At data cutoff (19Feb2018), median follow-up of BRG/CRZ was 11.0/9.25 mo. With 99 PFS events, BRG met the prespecified threshold for statistical superiority vs CRZ in the primary endpoint, BIRC-assessed PFS (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.33-0.74, log-rank P=0.0007); BRG median PFS (95% CI) was not reached (NR; NR) vs CRZ 9.8 months (9.0-12.9). Investigator-assessed PFS HR 0.45 (95% CI 0.30-0.68), log-rank P=0.0001. Confirmed ORR for BRG was 71% (62-78) vs CRZ 60% (51-68). In pts with any iCNS disease (BRG/CRZ, n = 43/47), confirmed iORR was 67% (51-81) vs 17% (8-31), P Conclusions BRG showed a statistically and clinically significant improvement in PFS vs CRZ in ALK inhibitor-naive ALK+ NSCLC.


In wireless multihop ad hoc networks, nodes need to contend for the shared wireless channel with their neighbors, which could result in congestions and greatly decrease the end-to-end throughput due to severe packet loss. Several recent papers have indicated that the IEEE 802.11 fails to achieve the optimum schedule for this kind of contentions. In this paper, we present a framework of multihop packet scheduling to achieve maximum throughput for traffic flows in the shared channel environment. The key idea is based on the observation that in the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol the maximum throughput for chain topology is 1/4 of the channel bandwidth and its optimum packet scheduling is to allow simultaneous transmissions at nodes which are four hops away. The proposed fully distributed scheme generalizes this optimum scheduling to any traffic flows which may encounter intra-flow contentions and inter-flow contentions. Extensive simulations indicate that our scheme could perform well and achieve high throughput at light to heavy traffic load while the performance of the original IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol greatly degrades when the traffic load becomes heavy. Moreover, our scheme also achieves much better and more stable performance in terms of delay, fairness and scalability with low and stable control overhead.


Background: A study of newborn growth data based on male and female births in British Columbia has permitted the preparation of new gender-specific body length and head circumference charts. These are now available to supplement the recently approved BC standards and provide physicians with additional, clinically applicable references. Methods: Data on birth body length and head circumference were collected at BC hospitals from 1995 to 2000. The summary statistics were then compared with those from four other studies. Results: When anthropometric measures from BC and elsewhere were compared, body length in BC tended to be slightly greater, while head circumference closely approximated the values found in the other studies at each week of gestation. Males exhibited progressively greater median length and circumference compared to females from early gestation, with differences of approximately 1 cm at term. Conclusions: Data recording and analysis practices used in the study assured accuracy of the charts prescribed here, which can be con sidered replacements for previous versions. The charts are especially useful because they reflect the particular population mix in BC, the availability of medical care and other health-related services for infants, and the context in which health services are delivered. Background In a previous study we presented birth weight by gestational age charts 1


A non-contact three-dimensional measurement method is presented in this paper. This system consists of a laser triangulation probe, a probe head and a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Measurement principle of the system is discussed. A system calibration method employing a reference ball is proposed. The geometric model involving five frames is established to calculate the data points based on the reading of laser probe and position information from the CMM. A measuring experiment for gesso free-form surface using this system is carried out.


This paper presents an approach based on combination of Element Free Galerkin (EFG) method and Finite Element (FE) method in Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) forward problem. DOT is a non-invasive imaging modality for visualizing and continuously monitoring tissue and blood oxygenation levels in brain and breast. The image reconstruction algorithm in DOT involves generating images by means of forward modeling results and the boundary measurements. The ability of the forward model to generate the corresponding data efficiently has a sign ificant role in DOT image reconstruction. FE technique using a fixed mesh is one of the most typical techniques for solving the diffusion equation in the DOT forward problem. However, in some medical applications, meshing task is difficult and the shape and size of elements make a further approximation in the forward problem. Mesh free Galerkin approach is also utilized in DO T, but imposing essential boundary conditions is difficult. In this paper, an approach based on combination of the two methods is used. The validity of the proposed method is investigated by simulation results.


In Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets), User Equipments(UEs) in pico cells may suffer from significant co-channel interference from macro stations. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) organization has proposed the concept of Almost Blank Subframe (ABS) so as to reduce the interference of macro stations to pico UEs. Addressing the problem that the introduction of ABS makes it impossible for pico UEs to correctly obtain channel conditions on different subframes, this paper proposes an efficient scheme based on a variable parameter Lambda report and Lambda estimation to derive Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). The method is applicable to the ABS and non-Almost Blank Subframe (non-ABS). It compensates the non-restricted measured CQI with different offsets, based on ABS density and ratio of interference levels from macro cells and pico cells to obtain CQI on different subframes. Simulation and analytical results show that our proposed scheme can achieve approximately 59% gain over the 3GPP system and reduce report overhead significantly without inducing penalties on throughput.


Introduction: Incidence of hypertension is increasing in young population. Aggressive control is mandatory to preserve and protect public health in India. Several socio-demographic, anthropometric, environmental, lifestyle, biochemical and genetic factors contribute for the development of hypertension in young adults. Hypertension and its chronic complications are also linked to oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Methods: The cross sectional study involves 180 young hypertensives between the age group of 18 – 39 years and 140 apparently healthy age and sex matched controls. After obtaining relevant history, anthropometric measurements were taken. Socio-demographic characters were recorded using proforma. After taking written informed consent, five ( 5 ml) of venous blood was collected after 8-12 hours of fasting. 2 ml of blood was transferred aseptically to a sodium heparinised vacutainer for evaluating somatic DNA damages by Cytokinesis-block Micronuclei assay (CBMN assay). Remaining 3 ml of blood is allowed to clot; serum separated and was used for other biochemical investigations such as fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA). Statistical analysis done using SPSS software.
Results: Fasting blood sugar, Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine were significantly elevated in young hypertensives. Oxidative stress and DNA damage is significantly elevated in young hypertensives compared to control group. BMI and abdominal circumference are also significantly elevated in young hypertensive adults compared to control group.
Conclusion: Increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in young hypertensives contribute to the complications associated with hypertension.


The Seluma Regional Government Office area, Talang Saling, Seluma District as a case study in this study is
an office area and a vehicle crossing road. This study aims to analyze modified slope stability in several
variations using the Bishop Method and the Finite Element Method, so that it is known that the safe factor
(FK) and soil type on the slopes in the Seluma Regional Government Office, Talang Saling, Seluma District.
The study began by carrying out a physical and mechanical property test, then performed slope stability
analysis with a computer program to find out the FK. Calculation of slope stability analysis using a LEMbased program with the effect of pore water obtained results on the original slope 1, FK = 0.60, safe slope,
FK = 1.65, 2 stair terraces, FK = 1.51 and 3 stair terraces, FK = 1.25. The original slope 2, FK = 0.51, safe slope, FK = 1.50, 2 stair terraces, FK = 1.61 and 3 stair terraces, FK = 1.31. The original slope 3, FK =
0.41, safe slope, FK = 1.6, 2 stair terraces, FK = 1.98 and 3 stair terraces, FK = 1.5. Calculation of slope
stability analysis using FEM-based programs with the influence of pore water results on the original slope 1,
FK = 0.64, safe slope, FK = 1.64, 2 stair terraces, FK = 1.00 and 3 stair terraces, FK = 0.97. The original
slope 2, FK = 0.55, safe slope, FK = 1.51, 2 stair terraces, FK = 0.84 and 3 stair terraces, FK = 1.00. The
original slope 3, FK = 0.44, safe slope, FK = 1.51, 2 stair terraces, FK = 1.00 and 3 stair terraces, FK =
0.95. So, the safe slope is the slope with FK = 1.5 and is the most efficient slope modification.


€ sin ) is the share, in location l (respectively n) of responses allocated to each modality i of the I modalities of the following widely used question on social trust, which was replicated in the Life in Transition Survey: "Generally Speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you can't be too careful in dealing with people?" Responses modalities are on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 corresponding to "Complete Distrust" and 5 to "Complete Trust". Vertical transmission of preferences from parents to children implies some hysteresis in the transmission of preferences, which explains why history matters (Bisin and Verdier, 2001; Tabelini, 2010). The influence of history is reflected through different dummy variables E, which reflect how long each locality pair was included in the same empire for (see Section 2). The minimum duration of integration is 100 years and the maximum 700. A similar past history is expected to decrease cultural distance so that


In these studies, the DF32P leukokinetic technique has been modified so that neutrophil kinetics may be studied in the nonsteady state. In order to achieve this modification, an acid citrate solution was used in preparing leukocytes for radioactive assay. This results in a suspension free of cell agglutination so that a specific activity related only to neutrophils is obtained. This technique has been successfully employed in the study of the early phase of cortisol-induced granulocytosis, allowing measurement of cell flow rate in and out of the circulating granulocyte pool. This method is also useful in the study of subjects with pronounced neutropenia.


This exhibition plans the problem of the growth of a municipality that arose around the circumference of a minor cattle ranch in Zacatecas and whose urban planning rules were not clear from the beginning. Therefore, urban development was chaotic and disorderly. Here are some proposals for solutions in which citizens, but above all mediation and human peace have a strong role to


Any one who studies the methods given in the various textbooks for the titration and' adjustment of culture media, must be struck by the lack of uniformity of opinion. Not only is the beginner in media preparation bewildered but even the more experienced worker may be led into error. The difficulty arises from the fact that the complex nature of the materials dealt with is by no means fully understood, even in the case of the most fundamental culture media. In addition to this the changes that occur under even slightly different conditions and treatment are most confusing. As a result each laboratory is compelled to adopt the methods best adapted to its work and requirements, and each laboratory makes changes in these methods as need arises. The many requests constantly made for information regarding the methods employed in our laboratories for the titration and adjustment of both general and certain special culture media seem to indicate the need for a detailed account of such procedures. In this paper we have tried to incorporate the practical information gained after a number of years of experience. In addition, we have described experiments carried on with a view of clearing up, in a systematic manner, certain points upon which little, if any, information is available. The Standard Method' of titrating media for water and milk analyses was devised in an attempt to secure uniform preparations of media at all times so that comparable results might be obtained.