Abstract The High-Variety, Low-Volume (HVLV) scheduling problem is one of the most arduous combinatorial optimization problems. This paper considers an interesting formulation of the HVLV scheduling problem using (max, +) algebra while periodic Preventive Maintenance (PM) is considered. Maintenance is time based since activities are periodically fixed: maintenance is required after a periodic time interval (all periods are equals on each machine). In this paper, the maintenance tasks of machines are controllable.The jobs and the maintenance operations are scheduled simultaneously. Also, the maintenance operations are scheduled between each other, so that a regular criterion is optimized. To generate feasible schedules, constrained decision variables are incorporated into the (max, +) model. The validity of the proposed approach is illustrated by simulation examples.


In recent years, many universities have already launched nano-satellite on-orbit. Many of these nano-satellites have installed horizontal polarization antenna. We have already proposed establishment of the attitude estimation method by means of the received radio power. Those measurements have been conducted for past two years since October 2006 at Hokkaido Institute of Technology Ground Station. The measurement target of spin satellite is HIT-SAT which was launched in September 23 2006, and the measurement target of spin satellite is KKS-1 which was launched in January 23 2009 [1][2]. In this study, we measured received power for spin and non spin satellite. As a result, the orbit elevation angle altered by a change in received power. The effect is guessed to be an ionosphere and the multipath fading by optical path difference.


In this work, SnO2-NiO composite thin film was successfully grown on a ceramic tube substrate directly by a simple dip-coating method combined with annealing. Characterization analysis demonstrates that uniform SnO2 film consists of a great number of nanospheres and NiO grows on SnO2 as an agglomerated block. In comparison to the pure SnO2 sample, the SnO2-NiO composite thin films gas sensor exhibits superior methanol sensing properties at 225 °C. The gas response to 10 ppm methanol reached 15.12 and the response and recovery times were 8 s and 7 s, respectively. The excellent selectivity and recovery rate are explained by the unique properties of the NiO semiconductor and the higher sensor response is attributed to the pivotal heterojunction effect.


The ultrasonic properties of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM)/water solutions, determined with high-resolution ultrasonic spectroscopy (HR-US), change during demixing and remixing. All HR-US measurements are discussed with respect to modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry results. The lower critical solution temperature type of phase behavior, in combination with the glass-transition/composition curve of PNIPAM/water, determines the evolution of the ultrasonic signals. Three different temperature regions can be distinguished: a homogeneous region and a heterogeneous region, the latter subdivided into zones without and with interference of partial vitrification of the PNIPAM-rich phase. During phase separation, the ultrasonic velocity decreases because of a change in the hydration structure around the polymer chains, whereas the ultrasonic attenuation increases as aggregation sets in. Isothermal measurements clearly show time dependence for both the velocity and the attenuation. The observed timescales are different and can be related to a changing polymer/water interphase and aggregate formation, respectively. Partial vitrification of the PNIPAM-rich phase slows the demixing kinetics and especially the remixing kinetics. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1283–1295, 2005


Abstract : The automated data processing requirements definition and documentation process does not work properly today. Users are spending more money for new or modified systems and continue to be dissatisfied with the results. Much of the dissatisfaction can be traced to seven factors that have reduced the effectiveness of the user's ability to define and communicate requirements. But, this process can be improved through user-developed prototypes supplementing the traditional ADP lifecycle. These prototypes include functioning software and hardware, a data list, a brief concept of operations, and written requirements as necessary to supplement the other documentation. User-developed prototypes offer many advantages and can vastly improve user satisfaction. This paper records many of the author's observations over the past 4 years regarding the mechanics of creating, documenting and communicating requirements. It also offers a proven method to improve requirements definition through user-produced prototypes.


The Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken a leading role in many activities which used to be made "by hand"; one of them is the musical composition. Such task now has another alternative implementation, through the support of software that can compose different musical genres to the point where a computer can compose pieces with some autonomy. This paper proposes Armin, a system dedicated to the electronic trance music composition. Armins aim is to provide a trance music composition to serve as a template or a base audio file, ready to add more instruments in a mastering (remastering) production Additionally, it seeks to enable greater collaboration between a machine and a human, both seen as musical composers.


Variation in landscape could indicate change in regional ecological functions and processes. Spatial heterogeneity of landscape does not only reflect spatial variations in landscape processes, but also variation in the driving factors. Therefore, it is an essential pre-requisite for understanding the dynamics and characteristics of the landscape patterns in a given region. Using Ji County of Tianjin City as a case, this study analyzed temporal and spatial changes in land use and landscape pattern. Landsat remote sensing images were used in the study to determine spatial variations in the landscape and the related driving factors. For the period of study, there is fragmented trend in landscape change with varying and intricate landscape forms. There also exists an increasing diversity index, implying the development of regional landscape to diversification and evenness with time. Main land use change trend is from cropland to woodland, grassland or built-up land. The spatial distribution and change of 2 landscape pattern index — Number of Patches (NP) and Largest Patch Index (LPI) analyzed at 3 km by 3 km grid-cell size, show obvious spatial variations in landscape structure. The central and south regions of the study area are increasingly more fragmented than the north and the Natural Reserve where human activity is limited. Statistical analysis indicates that the spatial variations are mainly driven by spatial differences in geomorphology, population density, road network, etc. Human activity and economic development are the primary driving factors of change in the landscape pattern.


This research explored variations to traditional international assignment. Interviews with expert informants and a survey of 43 human resource managers investigated whether or not four categories of international assignment identified in a recent European survey are occurring in Australian-based multinational enterprises (MNEs). The findings presented are illuminating, but not generalisable. It seems that within this group, a portfolio of international assignment options, in addition to expatriation, is increasingly being offered and undertaken by the Australian respondents to this study. Implications these variations present for international assignment management are presented as an agenda for future research.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with endocrine therapy in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.

METHODS
Twenty patients with prostate cancer were treated with extracorporeal HIFU device( model FEP-BY01 ) and androgen ablation, of whom 15 received orchiectomy and 5 LHRH-a. Fourteen patients of the total number were given flutamide in addition to castration.

RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 13.5 months (ranging 6 to approximately 30). Before and after the treatment, the prostate volume, prostate specific antigen (PSA), international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and maximal flow rate (Qmax) of the patients were (36.4 +/- 16.2) ml and (20.6 +/- 11.8) ml (P < 0.05), (32.2 +/- 10.4) ng/ml and (2.4 +/- 0.8) ng/ml (P < 0.01), 20. 5 +/- 6.5 and 13.6 +/- 7.5 (P < 0.05), (10.6 +/- 6.3) ml/s and (14.2 +/- 4.6) ml/s (P < 0.05), respectively. Mild hematuria and pain were noted in 5 and 8 patients respectively, and 1 patient underwent internal urethrotomy with a cold knife because of urethral stricture. er, with minimal complications.

CONCLUSION
HIFU combined with endocrine therapy is effective in the treatment of prostate canc-


On July 13, 1992, Deputy Director Duane Sewell restated the Laboratory`s policy on conversion to the metric system which was established in 1974. Sewell`s memo announced the Laboratory`s intention to continue metric conversion on a reasonable and cost effective basis. Copies of the 1974 and 1992 Administrative Memos are contained in the Appendix. There are three primary reasons behind the Laboratory`s conversion to the metric system. First, Public Law 100-418, passed in 1988, states that by the end of fiscal year 1992 the Federal Government must begin using metric units in grants, procurements, and other business transactions. Second, on July 25, 1991, President George Bush signed Executive Order 12770 which urged Federal agencies to expedite conversion to metric units. Third, the contract between the University of California and the Department of Energy calls for the Laboratory to convert to the metric system. Thus, conversion to the metric system is a legal requirement and a contractual mandate with the University of California. Public Law 100-418 and Executive Order 12770 are discussed in more detail later in this section, but first they examine the reasons behind the nation`s conversion to the metric system. The second part of this report is on applying the metric system.


Discussion is carried out on stability of submerged outlet structures of thermal power plants sited on sandy ocean beaches. The authors conceived the new scouring protection "SPAC" constructed by riprapping of the seabed just in front of the outlet. In this study, the authors investigated the plane design of the SPAC by means of 1/25 scale physical model. First of all, properties of seabed scour due to submerged discharge and monochromatic or multi-directional waves were examined. Secondly, the spreading process of the SPAC was investigated , and the necessary width of the SPAC was evaluated based on width of discharged current, and on the drift of discharged current effected by longshore current due to oblique incidence of waves. Finally, the physical model was verified by comparison with field data.


In a simple two asset portfolio problem with one-risky and one-safe asset, Landsberger and Meilijson have shown that a monotone likelihood ratio MLR improvement of random returns of the risky asset increases the demand for the asset for all investors with non-decreasing utilities. However, their comparative static statement is made only for the simpest case where the payoff function is linear in both the choice and the random variable. This paper improves the robustness of their result in two ways. One is that the same comparative static statement can also be made for cases of non-linear payoffs.


The present invention relates to special active carbon for caramel decolorization and the preparation method thereof. The solid nutshell or coal serves as raw material which is processed by a physical chemistry immersion activation method to create active carbon. The immersion liquid is a water solution mainly comprising phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, magnesia and zinc chloride, wherein the proportioning by weight of each component is phosphoric acid: sodium hydroxide: magnesia: zinc chloride = 1:0.8~2.0:0.5~1.0:1~1.5. The obtained active carbon has an iodine value of 800~1000 mg/g, a caramel decolorization ratio of 80~100%, and a mechanical strength of 95%. The material is subjected to carbonizing, immersing, drying and activating treatment to create the active carbon product. The active carbon of the present invention has excellent decolorization property for macromolecule pigment, higher mechanical strength as general physical carbon, and wide application range. The traditional powdery carbon is replaced by granular activated carbon, the decolorizing pot is replaced by decolorizing column, the active carbon is changed from the disposable usage to the repeated and regenerated usage, and the decolorizing system can be continuously operated for a long time.


15639 Background: As single agent GEM is a standard therapy for APC. CDDP is the oldest platinum compound which appears to be active in the treatment of this cancer. GEM has demonstrated activity i...


This paper recounts the continuing efforts of the Louisiana Tech University's EET program to implement Deming's (1986) 14 points in the classroom. In an effort "to remove fear from the workplace", the faculty has implemented a policy called "A, B or retry" to remove the fear of failure from the student. The paper discusses the policy and its implementation, how it is presented to the students, measures of effectiveness, and the various drawbacks of the policy. The policy also has a supplemental effect of improving student accountability toward the actual learning of the material. This new level of accountability, along with the effect it has on "adopting a new philosophy" is discussed. Finally, the paper considers how an electronic engineering department can be restructured to better remove the fear from the process of education.


Interconnection networks connect cab nets in the floors, boards in a cab net, chips on a board, and moudles inside the chip. Since protcols and network structures are not fixed unlike LAN or WAN, there are wide viriety on topologies, routing, flow control and media. As an introduction of two other tutorial sessions ("Future Low-latency Networks for High Performance Computing" and "Research Challenges on 2-D and 3-D Network-on-Chips"), typical interconnection networks and techniques around them are explained with recent examples.


Different types of bearing designs were developed to improve dynamic properties of rotor-bearing systems. Elliptical bearings, multisleeve bearings, tilting pad and other designs such as herringbone groove were utilized to increase resistance to the onset of self excited vibrations. Experimental trials are costly, two alternative methods are used to gain a qualitative insight. The first one creates mathematical model and applies both a digital or an analog computer simulation. The second one investigates phenomena occurring on the laboratory rig with the bearing replaced by an electronic simulating device, working in a feedback loop, which produces forces,which are functions of journal displacement and velocity. The simulated hydrodynamic forces are produced according to assumed characteristics matched to the bearing type. The principal benefit of the analog simulation is that nonlinear characteristics of a subsystem are precisely identified and mathematical methods applied for a wide class of problems are checked on the experimental installation.


We demonstrate that both the unconditional and the unconditional Fama and French model are not unanimously statistical significant for our long run data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange firms starting from 1977 through 2006, while the signs of the coefficients are in accordance with our prior and for some sub-periods the model is significant. This finding overrides the previous finding of the fitting of the Fama and French three factor model for Japanese data previously found elsewhere in the literature. We use both the Gibbons, Ross and Shanken test and GMM test with Hansen and Jagannathan distance measure to derive this result. Then, we extend the Fama and French three factor model by adding two additional factors; i.e., contrarian factor called Loser-Minus-Winner factor like Ken French's UMD factor and the liquidity factor (Illiquid-Minus-Liquid) as used by Pastor and Stambaugh, using the daily observations of our data. After adjusting for the risk of these five factors with the several alternative versions of the linear specifications of the conditional asset pricing theory, we find that the five factor model is marginally superior to Fama and French three factor model, in describing the return generating structure of Japanese stock returns. Moreover, given this five factor model, we find that the book-to-market ratios and the past returns of firms, which are known to be anomalous to predict abnormal returns for Japanese data, can no longer predict abnormal returns, while the turnover ratio and the size seem to be significant explanatory variables with this Fama and MacBeth test. Our result suggests that the previously found anomalies above cannot be evidence in refuting the efficient market hypothesis. Whether the turnover ratio can replace the liquidity factor is the future theme of our research.


With the advancement of CMOS technology power, supply voltage is reduced and switching speed is increased. Reducing the supply voltage makes it difficult to achieve high-precision for voltage-domain data converters. On contrary, increasing switching speed results in better performance in time-domain data converters. In VCO-based data converters, signals can be quantized in time domain. In addition, these converters have inherent noise shaping property. The benefit rose made these converters interesting for researchers. Several structures for improving performance of these converters have been presented. MASH structure increases the efficiency without need of analog components. In this paper, a two-stage MASH based on similar GRO is presented, in which a new approach is used for improvement of resolution. The main advantage of the proposed design is that not only resolution is improved by multiphase outputs, but also by offering a new technique for registration and extracting the data at the output circuit complexity is reduced. Therefore, the hardware and the power is decreased compared to the preceding works. Furthermore, in the proposed design employing equal employing GROs by PWM technique at the input prevents leakage of first stage to the next stages and also addition of distortion of first oscillator.


Isotope separation columns are complex plants, with numerous input and output variables. Accurate but still simple mathematical models are necessary both in analysis and synthesis. The present paper deals with the mathematical model of the 18O separation column based on isotopic exchange between nitric oxides-nitric acid, operated at total reflux. The simulation results proves good accuracy.


Emerging applications such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), on-chip interconnect and neuromorphic photonics demand higher complexity and integration density in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Conventional InP PICs, although offers seamless integration of actives and passives, cannot meet this demand. In this talk, a InP membrane photonics platform will be presented and its recent progress will be reviewed. It features sub-micron waveguides together with native amplifiers. Therefore it has potential to achieving active-passive photonic integration with order-ofmagnitude higher density and complexity.


The buck converter is generally utilized in many applications because of various advantages like maintaining high efficiency for the wide range of input voltage, cost reduction, low output voltage, protection against inrush current and lifetime improvement. However, when on-time of buck converter is kept constant, the input voltage and current remains out of phase that cause's low PF and high total harmonic distortion (THD). Therefore a power factor improvement technique is implemented in this paper that permits the average input current sinusoidal without need of extra converter to work in cascade with buck converter. The critical conduction mode (CRM) buck converter operating with constant on-time (COT) control scheme have low PF because of harmonic contained input current waveform. So in order to make the input current waveform as a sinusoidal by changing the on-time of buck switch, a variable-on-time (VOT) control scheme for CRM buck converter is proposed in this paper. The theoretical analysis is given, and the simulation results confirm the advantages of the proposed control scheme. The object of the research paper is to propose the control scheme to realize high PF for CRM buck converter by only modulating the on-time of buck switch and without need of extra converter to work with buck converter.


Abstract IT IS commonly believed different forms and amounts of vitamin D impregnated into feed are not destroyed by exposure to air, especially if the feed is stored for reasonable periods of time. Support for this belief is shown by experiments of Hart et al. (1925), who observed cod liver oil mixed with gound grains stored in galvanized iron cans equipped with loosely fitting covers at room temperature (about 70°F.) for three or six months retained its calcifying property when fed to chicks. Subsequent work conducted at the Ohio Experiment Station (1926) revealed the vitamin A content of cod liver oil was wholly or partly destroyed depending upon the condition of storage, while the content of vitamin D was not appreciably attenuated, although the amount of oil eaten (2 percent in a ration of grain, casein, and minerals) probably supplied greater quantities of antirachitic vitamin than are necessary to produce a . . .


Abstract Conceptual metaphor theory highlights that metaphor is a matter of thinking. This assumption indicates that metaphors exist not only in language, but also in other modes. This study examines uses of visual and visual-verbal metaphors in 50 Chinese editorial cartoons conceptualizing serious haze problem, with the intention of eliciting implicit meaning conveyed by visual signs alone or together with verbal texts. Both conceptual and critical discourse analysis of the metaphors are conducted. The study finds that the way a metaphor is realized visually and verbally in a cartoon determines the features mapped onto the topic, and further implicitly expresses a critical stance toward the topic under discussion. The metaphors in the cartoons evoke a general understanding of haze problem by activating the war scenario and familiar cultural or social context in viewers. It is found in this corpus that visual fusion and visual replacement are the most frequent kinds of visual metaphors. The study further affirms that visual metaphors are better in conveying rich and implicit conceptual and affective meaning, and can be direct manifestation of the conceptual metaphor without the mediation of language. In sum the study suggests the need for an integrated approach to visual metaphoric representation in multimodal analysis.


Early and accurate diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) has long been an elusive target for clinicians, pathologists, and patients alike. In this issue of Blood , Ralfkiaer and colleagues show that microRNAs (miRNAs), a family of single-stranded regulatory RNA molecules, are a powerful new


Most of Pre Qin Confucianists took Zhouyi as importamant. Zhouyi is one of the main classics they often studied, and they were scholars of high attainments in Zhouyi studies. They often didn't bring Zhouyi up when they made study order, because they didn't think that Zhouyi was fit for everybody, but not mean that they didn't attach importance to Zhouyi.


Recently, frequency transformation (FT) has been increasingly incorporated into deep learning models to significantly enhance state-of-the-art accuracy and efficiency in time series analysis. The advantages of FT, such as high efficiency and a global view, have been rapidly explored and exploited in various time series tasks and applications, demonstrating the promising potential of FT as a new deep learning paradigm for time series analysis. Despite the growing attention and the proliferation of research in this emerging field, there is currently a lack of a systematic review and in-depth analysis of deep learning-based time series models with FT. It is also unclear why FT can enhance time series analysis and what its limitations in the field are. To address these gaps, we present a comprehensive review that systematically investigates and summarizes the recent research advancements in deep learning-based time series analysis with FT. Specifically, we explore the primary approaches used in current models that incorporate FT, the types of neural networks that leverage FT, and the representative FT-equipped models in deep time series analysis. We propose a novel taxonomy to categorize the existing methods in this field, providing a structured overview of the diverse approaches employed in incorporating FT into deep learning models for time series analysis. Finally, we highlight the advantages and limitations of FT for time series modeling and identify potential future research directions that can further contribute to the community of time series analysis.


The nanostructured and conventional ZrO2 coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying technique (APS). The influence of the grain size and shape of feedstock and spraying parameters on the ZrO2 coating was examined. The deposition efficiency, roughness and Vikers microhardness of two kinds of ZrO2 coatings were measured. The obtained results reveal that the nanostructured ZrO2 coating possesses high and stable deposition efficiency, more uniform microstructure, higher Vikers microhardness and lower roughness than that of conventional ZrO2 coating.


a. "Camp Maintenance and Operation," Northwest Seismic Surveys, Limited. b. "Seismograph Operations on Foot." c. "Seismograph Operations with Horses," Carter Oil Company. d. "Seismograph Operations Using Small Tractors and Trailers." e. "Seismograph Operations with Weasels," Geophysical Service Incorporated--Pierson Ralph. f. "The Helicopter as Used on Gravity Operations," United Geophysical Company--Wayne Phares. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2251------------


Calculated results are presented for absorbed dose, LET spectrum, and cell-survival probability as a function of position when photons, neutrons, negatively charged pions, protons, and alpha particles are incident on a tissue phantom. The beam parameters for each type of incident particle were chosen to be approximately those appropriate to the single-port irradiation of a small cylindrical volume (1 cm in radius and 2 cm in height) centered about a depth of 15 cm in the 30-cm-thick tissue slab. Both monoenergetic (15 MeV) neutrons and neutrons produced by $35\text{-}{\rm MeV}\ {}^{2}{\rm H}$ on Be are considered. The cell-survival-probability calculations are carried out using the model developed by R. Katz et al., and results are presented for both aerobic and anoxic T-1 kidney cells. Spatially dependent OER's and RBE's for each type of particle considered are also given.


The aim of this research is to find out what strategies are implemented by the leadership of Al-Mumtaz Islamic High School, Solok City in developing students' talents, achievements and noble morals. This research uses a qualitative field research approach, a case study approach. Research site at Al Muntaz Islamic High School, Solok City. The research informants were the school principal, committee chairman, deputy principal, Head of the Achievement Education and Training Center (PPLP), teachers, students and elements within the Al Muntaz High School School environment, Solok City. The instruments of this research are interviews, observation sheets and documentation studies. The data collection technique used was through in-depth interviews, role observation and documentation studies. The data technique is by triangulation, namely source triangulation and technical triangulation. The results of the research show that the strategies used by the Principal of Al Muntaz Islamic High School in developing students' talents, achievements and morals include developing students' potential according to their wishes, while to form morals, they are guided by the morals of the Prophet SAW in everyday life and then doing everything in earnest.


This paper presents a modelling study of the ion current produced in a direct-injection diesel engine. A phenomenological diesel engine model is developed that uses established spray, entrainment and heat transfer submodels and an ionic mechanism for n-heptane to solve for heat release, species concentrations and the ion current in the combustion chamber at different engine load settings. These predictions are compared to experimental results. Good agreement is found for the in-cylinder pressure and apparent heat release rate, with average absolute errors of 2.98% and 9.36% respectively. The ion current peaks are predicted fairly well with an average absolute error of 12.56%. The widths of the ion current peaks are significantly under-predicted and their positive offset due to soot is not modelled.


AbstractSpawn timing information for Coastal Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii is typically limited to counts of adult fish at traps and tagging studies based on few samples. These types of data have suggested a protracted spawning period that occurs between November and March. We sought to determine the spawn timing and describe the redd morphology of anadromous Coastal Cutthroat Trout in a typical coastal stream of southern Puget Sound, Washington. Skookum Creek was surveyed for live and dead Coastal Cutthroat Trout and redds once weekly from early October to early June during six spawning season (2008–2014). In total, 148 live adults and 544 redds were observed. The timing of redd construction was highly variable among years, with 50% of redd detections occurring by as early as February 13 or as late as April 27. Measurements were collected from individual redds to describe redd morphology and the habitat type utilized by spawning Coastal Cutthroat Trout. Redds were typically found in substr...


Two spirochetes (designated strains LGVF01 and LGVF02T) were isolated from soil samples in San Juan, Puerto Rico in HAN media after selection using a combination of ELISA, agar plating, and colony screening by Fluorescent Antibody Testing (FAT) and PCR for lipL32 and secY. Isolates were helix-shaped, aerobic, fast-growing, and highly motile. Genome sequence analysis indicated that both strains should be classified as members of a novel species within the pathogenic (P1) clade of the genus

 Leptospira

 . The average nucleotide identity between the two strains was 99.2 %, but below 93.2 % when compared to any previously described leptospiral species. Serotyping of strain LGVF02T indicates that it does not belong within any serogroup of

 Leptospira

 suggesting it also represents a new serovar. Collectively, strains LGVF01 and LGVF02T represent a new species of pathogenic leptospires for which the name Leptospira sanjuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LGVF02T (=NVSL-LGVF02T=KIT0302T).


Fruits of rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Read cvs. Climax and Woodard) harvested by hand in 1984 and machine in 1985 were stored in air, 100% N2, and in 10%, 15%, or 20% CO2 with 5% O2. Storage of either blueberry cultivars in high-CO2 atmospheres resulted in greater percentages of marketable and firm fruit, and better sensory ratings, than did storage in air. Fruit of 'Climax' lost less weight, were firmer, and developed less decay after 21 or 42 days of storage than 'Woodard' fruit. Fruit quality characteristics of hand-harvested 'Climax' stored for 42 days and machine-harvested 'Climax' stored for 21 days in 20% CO2 with 5% O2 were similar to those of freshly harvested fruit.


We use panel data to examine consumer purchasing and retail management of an essential product, hand sanitizer, during eight seasonal flu epidemics and the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic. Data are gathered on the severity and spread of flu symptoms across the United States and on sales, assortment, and prices of hand sanitizer sold at 30,000 U.S.-based stores across five retail formats. Major insights include the following: (1) The severity and spread of flu activity are good predictors of hand sanitizer purchases;(2) Stocking, pricing, and assortment strategies of hand sanitizer varied significantly among store formats. Consumer sanitizer purchases gravitated to two formats with distinct strategies – warehouse clubs that stocked large pack sizes at low per-unit prices and drug stores that carried wide assortments of sanitizer products;(3) Retailers appeared to learn from their pandemic experiences. During the first pandemic wave, assortments declined, indicating widespread stockouts. During the second wave, retailers were prepared with greater assortments of sanitizer products, including large pack-sizes favored by consumers;and (4) Retailers did not appear to engage in price gouging after the onset of the pandemic emergency, although prices were slightly (but significantly) lower in states with the laws compared to states without the laws. Finally, the paper draws parallels between the swine flu pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sanitizer sales patterns were similar during the two pandemics, although surges were more pronounced during COVID-19. This similarity in sales patterns provides an indication that lessons learned from previous pandemics may be applied to future pandemics.


In accordance with the engineering implementation of advanced manufacturing technology research project of "the 9th five year plan"of our country,the CAD/CAPP/CAM integration applied research for the key element tracker of the feed system of TTC antenna is made basing on PDM introduced. The design is optimized and several key technolegies in manufacturing process are mastered. After these technolegies are used in the engineering,the quality of products is guaranteed and the production efficiency is improved. [


This paper proposes a simple control chart method which can be practically used for asymmetric process data where the distribution is unknown. If we use the Shewhart type control charts which are based on normality assumption for the asymmetric process data, the type I error could increase as the asymmetry increases and the effectiveness of control chart to control variation decreases. To solve such problems, this paper suggests to calculate the control limits based on the quartiles. If we obtain the control limits by such quartile method, the type I error could decrease and it looks much more practical for asymmetric distributed process data.


Delineates the Clinton administration's handing over licensing control of the Internet domain names and IP addresses from federal government to a non‐profit making organization that represents the industry (ICANN). Wonders whether the US President may have overreached his administration's area of authority.


This is the archive of a lecture given by Timothy Garton Ash, historian, author, St. Antony's College, Oxford; Respondent: Michael Ignatieff, Director, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Listen to this lecture, which originally aired on WBUR's World of Ideas at http://www.bu.edu/european/2008/04/27/could-a-united-states-of-europe-rival-the-united-states-of-america>.


A survey of fishing centres and a review of historical literature indicate that methods of linefishing have changed little since the start of this century. Comparisons between the bait, tackle and craft used in the modern fishery with those reported in the past all show minimal functional variation. The effort devoted to general linefishing at the various centres around the coast is estimated and the proportion of hottentot in the catches determined. Total linefishing effort is estimated at 1 415 121 man-hours fished per year. For 1985, the total landings of hottentot were approximately 400 tons and the importance of the species in the total catch was greatest at West Coast centres. Seasonality of catches is determined largely by operational trends in the snoek and rock-lobster fisheries. Values for the natural (M) and total (Z) mortalities of hottentot are estimated at 0,338·year−1 and 0,733·year−1 respectively. On applying a fishing mortality (F) of 0,395·year−1 to the Beverton and Holt yield-per-recrui...


ABSTRACT Starting with the study of Magnus Hundt's Antropologium (1501) and Galeazzo Capra's Anthropologia (1533), this article will first show that the comprehensive study of humankind ̶ with a focus on the unity of body and soul ̶ predates the Renaissance and has its roots in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Then, it will argue that these early anthropological works are narrowly linked to Italian fifteenth-century treatises on human dignity and to sixteenth-century commentaries on natural philosophy. Although neglected in secondary literature on Renaissance concepts of dignity, these anthropological treatises deploy much medical knowledge to buttress their portrayal of humankind. Finally, this contribution will demonstrate that both Hundt and Capra predominantly worked in the tradition of medieval authors, whose view of humankind and its possibilities was far less negative than what is often presented in scholarship on the Middle Ages. The conclusion takes a closer look at the theoretical implications of my analysis of the quest for humanity.


One-pot simultaneous debrominative decarboxylation and sulfamation of anti-3-(4-chlorosulfonyl-benzyl)-2,3-dibromopropanoic acid and aqueous ammonia(2.2 mmol)in DMF under microwave irradiation for 25 s stereoselectively afforded intermediate(Z)-4-(2-brompvinyl)benzenesulfonamides.The intermediates,without isolation and purification,were treated with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene(DBU,2 mmol)under microwave irradiation for 1 min to give desired 4-ethynylbenzenesulfonamide in a yield of 70%.The structure of the product was identified by 1H NMR,13C NMR and IR.


Human placental mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs) have never been investigated in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We characterized cells isolated from placental membranes and the basal disc of six IUGR and five physiological placentas. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed every 7 days during a 6‐week culture. Expression of hematopoietic, stem, endothelial, and mesenchymal markers was evaluated by flow cytometry. We characterized the multipotency of pMSCs and the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial content and function. Cell viability was high in all samples, and proliferation rate was lower in IUGR compared with control cells. All samples presented a starting heterogeneous population, shifting during culture toward homogeneity for mesenchymal markers and occurring earlier in IUGR than in controls. In vitro multipotency of IUGR‐derived pMSCs was restricted because their capacity for adipocyte differentiation was increased, whereas their ability to differentiate toward endothelial cell lineage was decreased. Mitochondrial content and function were higher in IUGR pMSCs than controls, possibly indicating a shift from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism, with the loss of the metabolic characteristics that are typical of undifferentiated multipotent cells.


This study investigated neglected processes by which parents create, set, and enforce rules for their children in middle childhood. Forty mothers reported their interactions with children aged 9-13 in the context of setting and enforcing rules and expectations. Data consisted of a five-day digital event diary and a semi-structured interview on parents' implicit conceptions of rules and the process by which they set and enforced rules. The data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Mothers' reports departed from traditional conceptions in socialization research and family interventions that parents have explicit, stable rules that they should firmly enforce. Mothers indicated that their rules and expectations consisted of a flexible structure of infrequent firm expectations within which most other expectations were dynamically set or offered leeway for negotiation and resistance. Mothers also indicated that their rules and expectations emerged through a co-regulated bi-directional process to which parents and children contributed. The findings support transactional socialization and communication perspectives whereby parents interpret children's behaviors and make complex choices in setting and implementing their expectations.


Research on women and politics predominantly involves the study of Anglo women. The study of minority women is needed to ascertain whether findings concerning Anglo women is applicable. Increasing numbers of Native American women are participating in elective tribal politics but their political behavior is almost unknown and unresearched. This study looks at whether ethnicity of gendre has more effect on women tribal leaders' political behavior and whether the literature concerning Anglo women political elites is ethnocentric. The most significant finding of the study may be that the disadvantaged condition of a political minority may have more influence on political behavior than either gender or ethnicity.


Flu-cured tobacco is among the most important agricultural commodities in Zimbabwe in terms of its contribution to the national economy, promoting rural livelihoods and generating employment. Tobacco production in Zimbabwe is currently very profitable due to supportive ecological and socioeconomic conditions. Given that the ecological conditions are poised to change due to climate change, we analysed the threats that climate change poses to this important industry through crop suitability modelling using Maxent species distribution model. We used current and projected climatic variables to understand the changes in potential distribution of rainfed tobacco production in Zimbabwe. Results showed that precipitation-related factors such as precipitation of the wettest quarter and precipitation seasonality are the most important variables affecting distribution of rainfed tobacco in Zimbabwe. The most suitable areas for rainfed tobacco production were identified as Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Manicaland. Mashonaland central province had the largest proportion of land suitable for rainfed tobacco production with 61.8% (17 341 km 2 ) suitable and 8% (2239 km 2 ) marginally suitable followed by Mashonaland East with 30.3% (9 763km 2 ). Under projected climatic conditions for 2080, Mashonaland Central province will remain with the largest proportion of area suitable for rainfed tobacco (59%) followed by Mashonaland West, whose proportion of suitable area is projected to increase from 22.8%(13 215 km 2 ) to 23.7% (13 727 km 2 ). The results indicated that marginally suitable tobacco production areas are projected to increase in all provinces with highest increases for Mashonaland East which will have 52.4% (16 937 km 2 ) of its area marginally suitable for tobacco production by 2080. The results indicated that the area suitable for rainfed tobacco production will decrease for Mashonaland East province (-12%) and Mashonaland Central province (-2.8%) and contribute to a national decrease in suitable area of 2.6% and an increase in marginally suitable area of 5.2% by 2080. It is therefore concluded that the suitability for rainfed tobacco will be compromised and thereby affecting the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe. There is therefore need to develop and implement adaptation measures to safeguard rural employment, livelihoods and the national economy.


The Internet has exponentially expanded to meet the new demands placed on its ever-growing network structure. However, its original data-sharing design cannot address issues, such as malware, Distributed Denial of Service, or the increased need to offer more reliable and trusted connections. With trusted connections come more revenue, reduced risks, and a greater variety of services. However, without incentives to provide better services, infrastructure and service providers have no reason to build a better Internet. The Secure Cloud Internetwork Model with Economic and Social Incentives (SCIMES) provides the framework via a new internetwork model that will support trust ratings, as well as secure social and economic choice mechanisms to promote a more secure Internet. This in turn will result in more revenue for providers and greater benefits for users.


1. The lubricating oil composition comprising (A) from 50 to 90% by weight of at least one kind of base oil of lubricating oil selected from mineral oils and synthetic oils, and (B) 10 to 50% by weight, of a copolymer of olefin and alkyl methacrylate having a molecular weight of from 1200 to 50000.2. Composition according to the lubricating oil. 1, wherein the lubricating oil base oil is a polyalphaolefin oil or GTL (based on the "gas-to-liquid" process). 3. The lubricating oil composition according to Claim. 1, wherein the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of from 7000 to 20000.4. The lubricating oil composition according to claim. 2, wherein the copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of from 7000 to 20000.5. The lubricating oil composition according to any one of claims. 1-4, wherein the lubricating oil base oil contains (C) a carboxylic acid ester in an amount of from 5 to 15% by weight relative to the total composition of a lubricating masla.6. The lubricating oil composition according to any one of claims. 1-4, wherein the kinematic viscosity at 40 ° C lubricating oil composition is from 140 to 320 mm / s, a viscosity index of not less than 150 and the amount of sediment in Dry TOST test does not exceed 1200 mg / kg.7. Composition according to claim lubricant. 5, wherein the kinematic viscosity at 40 ° C lubricating oil composition is from 140 to 320 mm / s, a viscosity index of not less than 150 and the amount of sediment in Dry TOST test does not exceed 1200 mg / kg.8 . Use of the lubricating oil composition according to any one of claims. 1-7 as lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, turbine oil, compressor oil, gear oil, oil for sliding surfaces of the bearing oil or calibration masla.9. Use of the lubricating oil composition according to any one of claims. 1-7 as transmi


Panzhihua ilmenite concentrate is a kind of important titanium resource, in which the titanium dioxide content is higher than 40 pct. Nowadays, the ilmenite concentrate is used to produce not only titanium dioxide and titanium metal but also Ti(C,N) powders and hard materials.1,2) No matter for what kind of products, the reduction process of ilmenite concentrate is crucial. Considering that ilmenite has a dense structure that is not benefit to the reduction, the oxidation process is used to change the mineral structure and improve its activity.3,4) Over the past decades, the oxidation of ilmenite has been investigated by many researchers.5–9) Zhang et al.5) found that pre-oxidation of ilmenite concentrates changed their phase composition and caused a sharp decrease in specific surface area of raw materials and an increase in carburization temperature. Fu et al.6) studied the effects of oxidation conditions on the product phases, such as temperature, particle size and oxygen pressure. The oxidation products under air atmosphere from 773 K to 1 073 K included Fe2Ti3O9, rutile and hematite, while pseudobrookite was the only stable phase above 1 073 K. Gupta et al.7–9) reported that a new phase "Fe2O3·2TiO2" was identified as an intermediate product during the heating of ilmenite or pseudorutile in oxygen. "Fe2O3·2TiO2" phase decomposed into hematite and rutile below 1 073 K and to pseudobrookite and rutile above 1 073 K. They also studied the influence of weathering on the reduction of ilmenite with carbon. It was found Influence of Pre-oxidation on Carbothermic Reduction Process of Ilmenite Concentrate


In the article the most important tools of the economic mechanism of planned economic management and leverage the efficiency of social production are finance, credit, monetary circulation. Determined that they mediate a significant part of economic relations and industrial processes. Informed that the state should pursue a proactive fiscal policy. Determined the main objective in the financial sector to increase the impact of the financial mechanism to accelerate socio-economic development of the country, provided that the formation conditions for the expansion of economic independence and improve economic responsibility of enterprises and local authorities. The basis of the whole macroeconomic policy today must lay a concerted effort of the government ( Parliament) with the NBU on ensuring reliable monetary stability. Reducing inflation and forecasting hryvnia exchange rate stability should be regarded as one of the main priorities for attracting income in banks and stabilize the economy. Extremely important is the problem of efficient management of the public debt continued cooperation with international financial institutions, including the IMF. Budget funding should only be used for strategic, priority sectors of the state economy. Revealed that the country's economic growth depends on the structure of the state budget. Ensure economic growth in the country can develop infrastructure that would lead to private investment. The current budgetary framework of economic regulation can not be considered effective. The budget system is the main part of public finances. State uses the budget as a tool to achieve its socio-economic policies.


Al_2O_3/TiC composite ceramic tapes were prepared by tape casting. After die, binder removaland hot-pressing, the multilayer composites were acquired. Several factors effecting the viscosityof slurries, such as the ratio of TiC and Al_2O_3,values of pH and dispersant concentration, werediscussed. The processing of organic additive removal was analysed by TGA. The microstructureof tapes and multilayer composites crack propagation effected under the stress was analysed bySEM and optical microgaphs respectively. The results exhibited thc fracture toughness and workof fracture were increased effectively. The cracks propagate along the weak interface and make thestress relaxation. The multiayered structure design is an effective method for preparing advancedcomposite ceramic.


Background: Altered plasma levels of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) are associated with a large number of pathologies. Rat and murine models are frequently used to study the pathophysiological role of TAFI in vivo but immunological tools to quantify rat and murine TAFI are lacking. Objective: The production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) towards rat TAFI and the development of an ELISA for the quantification of rat and murine TAFI in plasma. Methods and results: Monoclonal antibodies were raised in TAFI‐deficient mice towards (activated) recombinant rat TAFI. Pair‐wise testing of the mAb revealed three suitable ELISA combinations, namely RT36A3F5/RT30D8‐HRP, RT36A3F5/RT82F12‐HRP and RT82F12/RT36A3F5‐HRP. All three ELISAs are highly specific for rat and murine TAFI. TAFI concentrations in the lower ng mL−1 range can be determined in plasma samples with a high reproducibility. Comparing TAFI antigen levels measured by these ELISAs with TAFIa activity values determined by activity based assays revealed excellent correlations (R2 > 0.98). The average antigen levels of 20 individual rat plasma samples were 16 ± 2 μg mL−1 using the RT36A3F5‐RT30D8‐HRP, 12 ± 2 μg mL−1 using the RT36A3F5‐RT82F12‐HRP and 21 ± 2 μg mL−1 using the RT82F12‐RT36A3F5‐HRP ELISA. The determined antigen levels in rat plasma are similar to the levels reported for human plasma. Conclusions: We developed three highly specific and extremely sensitive sandwich‐type ELISAs for the quantification of rat and murine TAFI in plasma. The described ELISAs will facilitate in vivo investigation on the pathophysiological role of TAFI.


In modern society, entrepreneurial practices have evolved through the emergence of sustainable development (SD), corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the consolidation of traditional sectors in the social economy (SE) and the rise of social innovation through technological innovation. In addition, advances in information and communication technology (ICT) enable the general public to become more easily involved in organisational transformations. The term 'crowdsourcing' applies to projects that are jointly created by project initiators and citizens. This article addresses the question of whether these citizens, that is, 'crowds', should become more involved in sustainable financing organisations that seek legitimacy and socioeconomic efficiency. Ultimately, the question concerns the ability of those responsible for sustainable financing to incorporate these new forms of public involvement and provide appropriate financing for societal challenges. Is it possible for these actors to do this? If so, under what conditions, and how will they have to evolve? A longitudinal case study is carried out to develop a regional ethical, solidarity and crowdfunding investment fund in which the role of the public is clearly defined. We identify the range of possibilities in organisational transformations that are taking place amongst sustainable financing actors.


The title compound, C16H14ClN3O2S, crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. In the 1,3-thiazolidine rings, the carbonyl O atoms, the S atoms, the methyl groups and the ring carbon attached to the methyl groups are disordered with occupancy ratios of 0.509 (7):0.491 (7) in one molecule and 0.464 (14):0.536 (14) in the other. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular N—H⋯N, C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯Cl interactions. In addition, there is a π–π stacking interaction [centroid–centroid distance = 3.794 (3) Å] between the benzene and pyridine rings.


Using a two-zone thallium vapor transport furnace and a thick film ink process, we have successfully made superconducting films 10 to 50 /spl mu/m thick on a variety of substrates. Ba/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ and Bi/sub 0.22/Sr/sub 1.6/Ba/sub 0.4/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ precursor films with and without Ag additions were made by mixing powders in an organic vehicle, painting a substrate and burning the vehicle off. Films were converted to the superconducting phase by passing an O/sub 2/ carrier gas over a Tl/sub 2/O/sub 3/ source and then the sample. TBCCO 1223 films generally form over a narrow sample temperature range near 860/spl deg/C, whereas TBSBCCO films form 1213, 1223 or a mixture of these phases depending on sample annealing temperature and O/sub 2/ partial pressure. TBCCO T/sub c/'s average 104 K with zero-field J/sub c/ (77 K) /spl ap/3500 A/cm/sup 2/ while TBSBCCO T/sub c/'s are higher at 110 K with J/sub c//spl ap/6800 A/cm2. Both compounds show weak-link behavior in a magnetic field.<<ETX>>


As an efficient machine for treating fine particle ores,flotation column has found wide applications in flotation process.Study on mathematics model of flotation column is of importance in separation performance prediction,flotation column scale-up,flotation control and process optimization.The related research on mathematics modeling of flotation column home and abroad was reviewed in this paper.


Rural indebtedness has deep roots in the country. The mounting burden of rural debt has crippled the rural economy. Agricultural strategies are mainly related to farmers with large land holdings. The facilities are not accessible to small and marginal farmers. These conditions adversely affected the small and marginal farmers as they are vulnerable to crop losses and price fall. They take loan to fulfill their agricultural and non-agricultural needs. Therefore, the issue of farmers' indebtedness becomes a matter of intense debate for whole of the country and as well as for Haryana. In this background, the present study was conducted to assess the status of farmers' indebtedness in the Southern region of Haryana State in detail. The results of the study indicate that an average amount of loan of Rs. 162087.00 was taken by respondents from institutional sources and non-institutional (Rs. 67865.00) for the purpose of agricultural and non-agricultural needs. It was suggested that respondents should be motivated for taking loan from institutional sources of loan and encouraged to adopt crop insurance scheme.


The influence of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the rate of sulphate-reduction and electricity generation of microbial fuel cell fed with ethanol was studied. The experiments were performed in the laboratory installation, consisting of an anaerobic fixed-bed reactor and a microbial fuel cell with air-cathode. An effective sulphate removal was achieved at hydraulic retention times 44 and 66 h. The effectiveness of COD removal raises with increasing the hydraulic retention time. The highest maximum power density of 258 mW/m2 was obtained at 22 h HRT. The use of ethanol as an electron donor had a great impact on the composition of the microbial community. The metagenomic data obtained showed that the most abundant phylum in bacterial community was Proteobacteria – 87.8 %, and particularly Gammaproteobacteria – 53,1%. The sulphate reducing bacteria that can incompletely oxidise organic compounds usually with acetate as an end product were presented in the microbial community in anodic chamber. The dominant microbial species among sulphate reducing bacteria was Desulfomicrobium mexicanus (19,79%).


For high production of raw coal in steep coal seams, it is crucial to obtain engineer demands by enhancing section height in horizontal caving. However in-situ operations copious methods like pre-blasting was always needed to broken top-coal which was difficult to excavate commodiously and safely. Explosive wave caused by pre-blasting would destroy stress balance around entries, and definitely result in entry disturbed zone (EDZ) being loosen zone. Aimed to determine boundary of EDZ and keep rock mass in both entries steady, combined tests to EDZ of rock masses of head entry of +600 east-side stope of 43# coal seam was done in Wudong Colliery as research background with ground penetrating radar (GPR) and mono-hole ultrasonic wave experiment. It indicated that scope of EDZ here was 2.2-2.3m, which would be prerequisite to optimize supporting scheme in field.


The invention discloses a wet desulfurization catalyst. The wet desulfurization catalyst comprises the following components by weight percent: 15-25 percent of tartaric acid, 18-28 percent of malic acid, 25-35 percent of calcium chloride, 10-15 percent of fatty acid and 11-13 percent of glycerol ester.The wet desulfurization catalyst disclosed by the invention can be added to a desulfurization tower, can improve the dissolution rate of CaCO3 in limestone slurry, accelerates the absorption of SO2, and improves desulfurization efficiency.


Side-chain liquid-crystalline-b-amorphous copolymers combine the thermotropic ordering of liquid crystals (LCs) with the physics of block copolymer phase segregation. In our earlier experiments, we observed that block copolymer order–order and order–disorder transitions could be induced by LC transitions. Here we report the development of a free-energy model to understand the interplay between LC ordering and block copolymer morphology in an incompressible melt. The model considers the interaction between LC moieties, the stretching of amorphous chains from curved interfaces, interfacial surface contributions, and elastic deformation of the nematic phase. The LC block is modeled with Wang and Warner's theory, in which nematogens interact through mean-field potentials, and the LC backbone is modeled as a wormlike chain. Free energy is estimated for various morphologies: homogeneous, lamellar, cylinder micelle, and spherical micelle. Phase diagrams were constructed by iteration over temperature and composition ranges. The resulting composition diagrams are highly asymmetric, and a variety of first-order transitions are predicted to occur at the LC clearing temperature. Qualitatively, nematic deformation energies destabilize curved morphologies, especially when the LC block is in the center of the block copolymer micelle. The thermodynamics of diblocks with laterally attached, side-on mesogens are also explored. Discussion focuses on how well the model captures experimental phenomena and how the predicted phase boundaries are affected by changes in polymer architecture. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2671–2691, 2001


A b s t r a c t T. purpurea whole plant extract (TPWPE) was evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities. Antioxidant activity was measured using ABTS and FRAP methods, anti-inflammatory activity was measured by Diene-conjugate and â -glucuronidase assay. In vitro XO inhibitory activity was measured by using cow milk xanthine oxidase enzyme. The average antioxidant activity of TPWPE (1-2 µg/mL) in the reacting system revealed significant activity viz; 42.2 (ABTS) and 36.5 (FRAP) percent. The anti-inflammatory activities reveled, 45.40 and 70.50 percent inhibition. The result for XO inhibitory activity by plant extracts reveled, 95.5 % inhibition to that, off control (allopurinol) 92 % inhibition. The kinetic parameters of XO inhibition, revealed noncompetitive mode of inhibition, where, K m and V max of TPWPE extracts (25 to 100 µg/mL)) were, 0.25 mM/mL and 0.040, 0.036, 0.032 and 0.030 (µg/min) while for positive control K m and V max is 0.30 mM/mL and 0.045 (µg/min) respectively. Results suggest that, TPWPE can be exploited against diseases associated, with free radical formation and xanthine oxidase activity; further by isolation and structural elucidation of active phytochemicals from TPWPE.


Al-doped quasi-aligned ZnO submicro-rods were prepared on heavily doped n-type Si(111) substrates by the thermal evaporation method. Electrical transport measurements indicate the Al-doped ZnO submicro-rods have better conductivity than the undoped submicro-rods. The photoluminescence excitation spectrum of the annealed sample indicates an energy level ∼100 meV below the conduction band minimum, which may be due to the localized state of the Al impurity. The annealed sample exhibits a strong green emission centred at 2.45 eV that can be seen by the naked eye and an infrared emission centred at 1.10 eV. The intensity ratios of the deep-level green emission to the ultraviolet emission are 0.86 and 30 for the as-grown and annealed samples, respectively. Moreover, two emissions at 2.2 and 1.96 eV were discriminated from the PL spectrum of the as-grown Al-doped ZnO submicro-rods, which were not observed in the pure ZnO submicro-rods and the annealed Al-doped sample.


The guide is intended as a resource to aid engineers and systems contracts in the design, implementation, and operation of metrology, calibration, and measurement systems, and to assist NASA personnel in the uniform evaluation of such systems supplied or operated by contractors. Methodologies and techniques acceptable in fulfilling metrology quality requirements for NASA programs are outlined. The measurement process is covered from a high level through more detailed discussions of key elements within the process, Emphasis is given to the flowdown of project requirements to measurement system requirements, then through the activities that will provide measurements with defined quality. In addition, innovations and techniques for error analysis, development of statistical measurement process control, optimization of calibration recall systems, and evaluation of measurement uncertainty are presented.


In preparation for the launch of the next generation of geostationary satellites, considerable effort has been placed on developing new products and algorithms for operational purposes. In addition to satellite-based products and algorithms, satellite imagery can be used to evaluate numerical weather prediction models. Important first steps have already been undertaken to produce synthetic satellite imagery from numerical model output. By comparing synthetic imagery with observed imagery, model performance can be evaluated with a relatively new metric. In this paper, synthetic Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-12 imagery was used to improve the two-moment prediction of pristine ice in the RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System) mesoscale model. A thunderstorm event that occurred on 27 June 2005 over the central plains of the USA was chosen for study. Synthetic GOES-12 3.9 μm imagery of RAMS output was compared with observed GOES-12 3.9 μm imagery. A discrepancy between brightness temperatures of two anvils of thunderstorms led to an improvement in the prediction of pristine ice number concentrations. After the model was re-run, subsequent synthetic GOES-12 3.9 μm imagery of one anvil exhibited an improvement compared with observed imagery. Brightness temperatures of the second anvil became too warm, an issue that may be related to model-specified cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations. This example highlights the potential importance of using synthetic imagery to evaluate numerical weather prediction models.


The contemporary poet's relationship with the big city radicalized Baudelaire´s first perceptions. Instead of being a flâneur, the urban spectator passes by the traffic, on foot or by car, and sees the other people from a faster perspective, as an exacerbation of the sudden fulgurations of the XIXth century wanderer. Poems by Jose Paulo Paes, Sebastiao Uchoa Leite and Ana Cristina Cesar were selected because deal with this fortuitous meeting with a wider sense of time amidst displacement, as a sign of the possible "aura" still
experienced by the passerby. Although the poet also
moves swiftly, there is a widening of scope – an insight
that knocks out the lyrical subject (as it is noticed by Cortazar when he connects car, gun and photography to poetry and short story). The means of transportation can be metaphors of life in nowadays metropolis, symbolizing aspects of the fleeting experiences saved by the poet's witness, which we as readers can share.


The Internet Public Opinion(IPO) usually expresses the voice of masses,although it hdue to the common attribute of the society opinion,but due to the large scope of influence and fast propagation on Internet,it has been attracted much attention to its tendency of propagation.The paper firstly studied the computer model and its algorithm to predict the propagation of IPO,i.e.the distributed probability of positive or negative opinion.Then the simulation gave the propagation order for growing or descending.In order to modeling,the propagation of IPO was observed as a random Markov time sequence chain,and its one step transition probability between states in the Markov chain was given by a synergistic probability which developeds Dr.H.Haken in his book of synergistic theory.A Synergistic-Markov model was proposed in the paper.By the simulation,the cluster of curves which expresses different evolving states of IPO propagation with time was depicted when we changed the variable parameters at the formula of synergistic probability.The result could provide reference for the management of virtual society.


Cod of the Baltic Sea is assessed as two stocks: one comprises the ICES Sub-divisions 22-24 and the other one the Sub-divisions 25-32. The western stock consists mainly of "Belt Sea cod" (Gadus morhua morhua L., according to ITIS Gadus morhua L.) and the eastern one of "Baltic cod" (Gadus morhua callarias L.). Nevertheless both are called "subspecies" in this paper. Between the Sub- divisions a drift of eggs and larvae as well as feeding and spawning migrations take place and thus mixing of the stock members can occur. In this paper the distribution of the two "subspecies" on the fishing grounds from the Kiel Bay (SD 22) to the Bornholm Sea (SD 25) is investigated for 1995 to 2001. To identify the "subspecies", the number of the dorsal fin rays D1and D2 of cod were analysed by discriminant analysis. The "learning sample" comprised samples from SD 22 and SD 26 known as areas where mixing of the "subspecies" does not take place. The classification error amounted to 18.4% for Gadus morhua morhua L. and 31% for Gadus morhua callarias L.. Each cod was classified, and the proportion of the two "subspecies" was calculated by area, year or month, age group and compared between the units. The highest variation of the proportion was found for Sub- division 24. The proportion of cod identified as Gadus morhua morhua L. and not originated from SD 24 changed from 40% to 0% throughout the reproduction cycle form September to June of the following year. In the German landings from SD 25 only 0%-10% cod of the western stock were found during the period investigated. In 1999 19% originated from SD 24. The impact of the catch of cod originated from another stock on the assessments is discussed. Discrepancies of the distribution of the stock components between surveys and landings can have an impact on the assessment of the western as well as eastern cod stock of the Baltic Sea. The prediction of recruits and tuning XSA can be influenced. D1/D2 values summarized by year-class and area were also compared. There were no differences between the year-classes within the Mecklenburg Bay and within SD 25 but between these areas. Differences between SD 24 and the neighbouring areas varied by year-class. From the regression analysis of the mean values on the water temperature of corresponding reference stations it was concluded that in SD 22 and SD 25 the formation of the dorsal fin rays is mainly genetically controlled. Thus D1 and D2 are suitable phenotypic markers for the identification of the two "subspecies". In SD 24 the number of D1 and D2 seem to be dependent on the water temperature.


In the title compound, C24H20N2O2, the six-membered pyran ring adopts a half-chair conformation with one C atom deviating from the mean plane of the remaining ring atoms by 0.654 (6) Å. The five-membered isoxazole ring adopts an N-envelope conformation with the N atom displaced by 0.742 (5) Å from the mean plane formed by the remaining ring atoms. The carbonitrile side chain is almost linear, with a C—C—N angle of 178.6 (5)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular C—H⋯N interactions, through bifurcated acceptor hydrogen bonds formed between the carbonitrile N atom and two alternate C atoms in the unsubstituted benzene ring. The molecular structure and crystal packing are further stabilized by intramolecular and intermolecular C—H⋯π interactions.


Previous works have shown that the small-scale information of incompressible homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT) is fully recoverable as long as sufficient large-scale structures are continuously enforced through temporally continuous data assimilation (TCDA). In the current work, we show that the assimilation time step can be relaxed to values about 1 ∼ 2 orders larger than that for TCDA, using a temporally sparse data assimilation (TSDA) strategy, while the accuracy is still maintained or even slightly better in the presence of non-negligible large-scale errors. The one-step data assimilation (ODA) is examined to unravel the mechanism of TSDA. It is shown that the relaxation effect for errors above the assimilation wavenumber ka is responsible for the error decay in ODA. Meanwhile, The errors contained in the large scales can propagate into small scales and make the high-wavenumber (k>ka) error noise decay slower with TCDA than TSDA. This mechanism is further confirmed by incorporating different levels of errors in the large scales of the reference flow field. The advantage of TSDA is found to grow with the magnitude of the incorporated errors. Thus, it is potentially more beneficial to adopt TSDA if the reference data contains non-negligible errors. Finally, an outstanding issue raised in previous works regarding the possibility of recovering the dynamics of sub-Kolmogorov scales using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data at Kolmogorov scale resolution is also discussed.


Phosphate, salinity and temperature records of waters of the North Sea and English Channel have been compared for April or May in the years 1935, 1936 and 1937, and the plankton distribution has been noted. Attention is called to the appearance of stability in certain features. Thus, a high phosphate content was found to be associated with extremes of salinity and temperature, in similar areas in each year. The phosphate appears to be brought into the North Sea and Channel by oceanic water and by drainage from the land. The plankton organisms were also similarly distributed in each year.


This paper discusses the cause and circumstance of an aircraft accident, with emphasis on pilot fatigue and overall health. The pilot accumulated some 10,150 total flying hours. The results of Federal Aviation Administration toxicology testing of specimens received from the pilot-rated passenger revealed concentrations of marijuana in his urine and liver.


The methods of the objector intelligent recognition based on artificial neural networks (ANN) + Dempster-Shafter (D-S) evidence combination theory has been studied in this article. The intelligent recognition tactics has been set forth, and the method and procedure of multisensor data fusion intelligent recognition on account of calculating case has been presented; Because D-S evidence combination theory is another important uncertainty inducing method different from information processing by neural network, it is applied widely in intelligent information processing, and highly practical in engineering. On concisely introducing the Dempster-Shafer evidence combination theory frame, last put forward some questions to be inquired.


Globally, 69% of schools have drinking water, 66% sanitation and 53% hygiene on at least a basic service level. A review of 71 national education management information systems showed that only 6% of their questionnaires included soap availability, the key factor of a basic hygiene service level.


Contents: Preface. Part I: Ideas. C. Crawford, The Theory of Evolution in the Study of Human Behavior: An Introduction and Overview. H.K. Reeve, Acting for the Good of Others: Kinship and Reciprocity With Some New Twists. G.F. Miller, How Mate Choice Shaped Human Nature: A Review of Sexual Selection and Human Evolution. B.S. Low, The Evolution of Human Life Histories. M Janicki, D.L. Krebs, Evolutionary Approaches to Culture. Part II: Issues. J.M. Bailey, Can Behavior Genetics Contribute to Evolutionary Behavioral Science? A. Wells, Evolutionary Psychology and Theories of Cognitive Architecture. L. Betzig, Not Whether to Count Babies, but Which. C. Crawford, Environments and Adaptations: Then and Now. H.R. Holcomb III, Testing Evolutionary Hypotheses. Part III: Applications. D.L. Krebs, The Evolution of Moral Behaviors. M.K. Surbey, Developmental Psychology and Modern Darwinism. D.M. Buss, The Psychology of Human Mate Selection: Exploring the Complexity of the Strategic Repertoire. M. Daly, M. Wilson, The Evolutionary Social Psychology of Family Violence. C.R. Badcock, PsychoDarwinism: The New Synthesis of Darwin and Freud. D.T. Kenrick, E.K. Sadalla, R.C. Keefe, Evolutionary Cognitive Psychology: The Missing Heart of Modern Cognitive Science. N.M. Malamuth, M.F. Heilmann, Evolutionary Psychology and Sexual Aggression. R. Thornhill, Darwinian Aesthetics. Y. Hedrick-Wong, The Global Environmental Crisis and State Behavior: An Evolutionary Perspective. I. Silverman, K. Phillips, The Evolutionary Psychology of Spatial Sex Differences. D. Bickerton, The Creation and Re-Creation of Language.


Using the recently developed concept of the two-electron streak camera (see Emmanouilidou et al 2010 New J. Phys. 12 103024), we studied the energy sharing between the two ionizing electrons in single-photon double ionization of He(1s2s). We found that the most symmetric and asymmetric energy sharings correspond to different ionization dynamics with the ion's Coulomb potential significantly influencing the latter. This different dynamics for the two extreme energy sharings gives rise to different patterns in asymptotic observables and different time delays between the emission of the two electrons. We show that the two-electron streak camera resolves the time delays between the emission of the two electrons for different energy sharings.


It discloses a drive system of a volatile organic compound burning system. According to the example an aspect of this embodiment, a rotatable as driving a regenerative combustion apparatus applied to a rotatable airflow wind direction switching device in due to the air exhaust of the existing chain and the power up with the untreated gas disadvantage of the continuous drive of the belt type air pollution and of the elements who change the rotational motion of the rotating wheel into linear reciprocating motion via a push-rod to a rotating step-type ratchet gear divided into 12 chambers to the axial alignment control chamber in order to improve the processing efficiency is lowered moves to the next chamber is the ratchet by adopting a drive to move in association with the rotation value 1 of the gear way the push rod moves forward, pause, reverse, before combustion air of the working cycle of the stop quickly through the movement and stop of the correct next chamber a stable combustion and the inlet gas It relates to a drive system of a reduction that one wishes to increase the combustion of volatile organic compounds volatilize in the combustion efficiency of the system.


Title: Professional activity and social roles: "metaknowledge" managers Abstract: Recent experiences, in which knowledge systems have been implemented on corporate intranets, have highlighted the important role that information professionals can play. In these cases the professional —converted into a "metaknowledge" specialist by developing methodologies for creating, capturing, evaluating, promoting and sharing knowledge— has achieved very positive results for both the organisation and the professional's own career, as he/she takes on a leadership role within the organisation.


Our reaction to news of the death of our dear colleague and friend, Jacques Belanger, on 28 June 2018, was one of deep sadness and dismay. As so many RI/IR readers will know, Jacques was a distinguished Professor in the Industrial Relations Department at Universite Laval, a frequent contributor to RI/IR, and the co-director and co-founder of the Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work, the CRIMT.


In this article, the functional-coefficient regression models with different smoothing variables in different coefficient functions are discussed. The integrated estimates of the coefficient functions are defined by marginal integration on the initial value obtained by local linear technique. Their asymptotical normalities are studied.


Herein, we report an allyl-imidazolium ionic liquid decorated COF and its covalent composite COF@chitosan aerogel, which were shown to be excellent selective CO2 adsorbents and chemical conversion catalysts.


We discuss a method to select the velocities of ultra-cold atoms with a modified Fabry–Perot type of device made of two effective barriers and a well, created, respectively, by blue- and red-detuned lasers. The laser parameters may be used to select the peak and width of the transmitted velocity window. In particular, lowering the central well provides a peak arbitrarily close to zero velocity having a minimum but finite width. The low-energy atomic scattering off this laser device is parametrized and approximate formulae are found to describe and explain its behaviour and limits. We illustrate the velocity-selection method with an atomic wave packet prepared as a Bose–Einstein condensate.


In this paper, a half-bridge (HB) LLC resonant converter which has been used for server power supply, is controlled by digital controller. In order to increase the entire load efficiency of HB LLC converter, a synchronous rectifier (SR) should has a robust control at any condition such as PFC noise or the lack of current sensing. For these reason, digital controller with LLC SR control is preferred in server power supply market. In this paper, the optimal SR ON-time control which operates as a constant ON-time at below region, and the same ON-time of primary switch at above region, is implemented. However, the problems of optimal SR ON-time control still exist. Because of senseless operation, when the ON-time of SR is larger than the half period of LLC resonant tank, the current of converter flows reversely and it will make the big surge current which damage to active devices. From this result, the ON-time of SR should be shorter than the half period of LLC resonant tank. Moreover, in the case of current unbalance in center-tapped rectifier, the conducting time of rectifiers is different due to the parasitic components. Since the powering periods of two SR are different, the SR ON-time of HB LLC resonant converter should be determined by minimum conducting time of rectifiers. This result causes a large conduction loss of body diodes which makes the low efficiency or the reliability problem of LLC resonant converter. Therefore, HB LLC resonant converter with optimal SR ON-time control is implemented and the asymmetric duty control is proposed in this paper, which solves the current unbalance problem in center-tapped rectifier. Therefore, the LLC resonant converter which has wide input variation, can achieve the high efficiency with optimal SR ON-time control and eliminate the current unbalance problem with asymmetric duty control.


The proposed article represents the experimental experience of applying the method of blended learning at the classes of specialised translation at the Institute of Philology of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The purpose of the experiment was to assess the effectiveness of the blended learning method in comparison with the traditional methods of teaching specialised translation regarding the formation of the subject, linguistic and transfer competences of would-be translators. The introduction of the method into the process of future translators' training was carried out on the basis of the Open Educational Resource (OER) of the Virtual Academy of Sustainability (Bremen, Germany) and was accompanied by an author's set of exercises. One control group and two experimental groups of respondents participated in the translation experiment. Each group consisted of 11 participants. Before the start of the experiment, the control group had traditional face-to-face translation training, and the experimental groups studied an adapted online course using the blended learning method. In total, 33 multiple translations of the control scientific and technical text were analysed. The criteria for assessing the level of formation of the three types of translator's competences were the indicators of absolute and average frequency of structural and semantic, target discourse, professional discourse mistakes made in the control translation by each group. The results of the experiment have confirmed the author's hypothesis about the effectiveness of using the blended learning method, first and foremost, to form the subject competence of would-be translators. The experiment has shown a decrease in the absolute frequency of professional discourse mistakes, which correlates with the translator's subject competence. According to the experiment, the introduction of the blended learning method in face-to- face training serves as a means of enhancing the quality of translation by improving translator's three basic competences. The use of the blended learning method in other types of translation activities, in particular, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, is considered to be perspective for the training ofprofessionals in a variety of majors.


Stunting and Maternal Factors. Stunting is still one of the unresolved priority issues. Maternal factors greatly influence the incidence of stunting in children. This study explains the relationship between stunting and maternal factors, namely education, knowledge of nutrition, parenting patterns, and mother's motivation. This qualitative research is a type of correlational analytic research with the cross-sectional method. The subjects of this study were stunting mothers and toddlers at Dungkek Health Center (n=40), obtained using simple random sampling. Data collection using questionnaires and met lines. Data were analyzed using a contingency correlation test. The results showed a relationship between stunting in children with education, nutritional knowledge, and self-efficacy (p= 0.001; p= 0.033; p= 0.01). Edit was not related to parenting (p = 0.866). Health workers need to pay attention to maternal factors as the target of promotive and preventive activities in stunting cases because maternal factors make an important contribution in the first 1000 days of life, preventing stunting.


: Objective: The objective of this research work was to conclude the outline of CM (congenital malformations which is the abnormality in the child at the time of birth) in the live births at Mayo Hospital Lahore. Methodology: In this study the registration of all the new births at Mayo Hospital Lahore carried out. The duration of this research work was from 2016 to 2018. Dead at delivery time and children who died after some hours of birth were not the part of this research work. Four thousand six hundred and sixty new born babies were the participants of this case study. Results: Out of four thousand six hundred and sixty live births, ninety-four neonates had minimum one congenital malformation. The most important systems participating in those abnormalities were musculoskeletal, genitourinary, CNS (central nervous system), digestive problems & abnormalities of chromosomes. Conclusions: The rate of the abnormalities in the neonates in this case study was same as compared to the results of other research works, if we entered miscarriage, the dead babies at birth time and if we utilized the tests of screening & genetic studies, this rate was much higher than 20.1 per 1000.


Objective: To develop and validate stabilityindicating high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for estimation of Dapoxetine hydrochloride in bulk and in formulation. Methods: An isocratic separation was carried out using HiQ-SiL C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and Methanol: H2O (80:20 v/v) as mobile phase with quantification carried out at a wavelength of 239 nm. The stability studies under stress condition of hydrolysis (acid, base and neutral), oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation were also carried out for Dapoxetine hydrochloride. Results: The retention time for drug was found to be 5.94 ± 0.003 min. The calibration curve was found to be linear between 5-30 μg/ml. The limit of detection and Quantitation were found to be 0.135 μg/ml & 0.410 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: A new simple, accurate, precise and selective stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the determination of Dapoxetine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical dosage form. The proposed method can be applicable for the routine determination of Dapoxetine hydrochloride in bulk and formulation.


Statistics contains a lot of philosophy.So in the statistics teaching,we should not only attach importance to the teaching of statistical methods,but also pay more attention to philosophy,such as the unification of quality and quantity as well as the unification of inevitability and chance etc,accordingly it is beneficial to improving the students' ideation.


This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of fill in multiple blanks questions (FIMBQs) in an online auto-graded homework assessments. Different forms of questions that are either numerical or words or both were developed. Results analysis provided feedbacks for formative assessment of teaching and learning.


Waste stabilization ponds (WSP) are used extensively to provide wastewater treatment throughout the world. A review of the literature indicates that, understanding the hydraulics of waste stabilization ponds is critical to their optimization, the research in this area has been relatively limited and that there is a poor mechanistic understanding of the flow behavior that exists within these systems. This explains why there is no generally acceptable model for predicting its performance. The two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model developed in this study was extensively tested on the waste stabilization pond located in the campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka which was used as the field pond and also on a laboratory scale waste stabilization pond obtained from literature. Although the model may be solved by several methods, this research was limited to computational method; numerical solution using finite difference method was used in solving the two-dimensional partial differential equations at steady state conditions. In order to validate the quality of the model, its results were compared with the experimental data from the field and the lab-scale ponds. The results obtained were encouraging, prediction of pond performance with measured values shows that correlation coefficient of 0.82 was obtained, representing an accuracy of 82%. The 2-D model was then used in series of investigative studies such as; effect of single inlet and outlet structures at different positions in the pond, effect of multiple inlet and outlets on the pond's performance, variation of pond performance with depth, effect of short-circuiting on pond treatment efficiency, effect of baffles on pond performance using laboratory-scale pond data and comparison with tracer studies. In all, the results agree with literature.


Although economists have broadened their interests considerably since Robert Lucas equated economic development with income growth, the ultimate objective of development is hitherto often defined in monetary terms. Amartya Sen's capability approach offers a much richer account of a good life and has influenced development debates in academia and beyond. Nevertheless, mainstream economists appear reluctant to embrace Sen's ideas due to their immense complexity, explicit treatment of values, and operationalisation challenges. The aim of this dissertation is to propose a novel operationalisation of the capability approach, one that is sufficiently precise and simple to be applied at scale, yet at the same time remains true to the spirit of Sen's ideas. The proposal is based on the concept of human flourishing borrowed from the emerging field of positive psychology. In particular, the dissertation addresses two objectives. First, it demonstrates that flourishing is a theoretically sound operationalisation of the capability approach by critically analysing the concept in terms of the four requirements proposed by Comim (2008). Second, it demonstrates that flourishing can offer novel and useful insights about development to economics by evaluating existing evidence on the correlates and antecedents of flourishing using a rapid literature review. Taken together, the findings of this dissertation strongly suggest that flourishing could be employed as an overarching objective of development in economics. The conclusion has exciting implications for development research and practice.


In this paper, we have presented a design of onchip millimeter-wave 3-dB quadrature coupler that utilizes the coupled slow-wave coplanar waveguide (CS-CPW). The designed CMOS coupler covers the whole Eand W-band and occupies a silicon area of only 0.0115 mm which is significantly smaller compared to the conventional microstrip-line-based Lange couplers. Measurement of the quadrature coupler shows a -3.5 dB through and a -4.4 dB coupling at 90 GHz. A less than ±1dB amplitude and a ±4◦ phase errors from 55 to 110 GHz are recorded.


. In this paper, we consider a nonconvex constrained variational-hemivariational inequality problem for a star-shaped set. The existence of solutions is shown by an approach based on the equilibrium problem theory, and a penalization method. An application to a nonconvex constrained semipermeability model for the stationary heat conduction problem is provided. Our results are new and improve considerably recent results in literature.


Data sources in i-mediation, following property-based security policies, aim at supporting a wide range of potential clients, which are in general unknown in advance and may belong to heterogeneous and autonomous security domains. This raises the challenge how remote and autonomous entities can agree on a common understanding of certified properties, and other issues related to these properties (e.g. encoding formats). This paper proposes solutions that are based on secure i-mediation and a hybrid PKI model, which unifies X.509 and SPKI. We present a mediation functionality, called f-mediation. Secure f -mediation assists entities in finding partners for i-mediation and providing them with appropriate certificates and credentials. Thereby, among others, f -mediation deals with delegation and conversion of free properties into capability-like bound properties. An extension to the agent communication language KQML is used to implement the interactions among software agents in an instance of the f -mediation.


factors in the decision mechanism. The purpose of this paper is to raise the question of the relationship of emotion to decision-making and to attempt the beginnings of a partial answer. This study, however, is not concerned with decision-making in general but rather with a particular type of decision-making, namely the international decision process. We will thus be analyzing the emotional factors as they affect international decisionmaking. In particular, we will be concerned with the relationship of hostility to those decisions made by official government lead-


The life cycle and male and female courtship behavior of the burrowing wolf spider G . turricola are described . Geolycosa turricola is found to have a two-year life cycle rather than the one-year cycl e previously reported . Copulation occurs in late summer following a period of cohabitation of th e mature male and a penultimate female . Spiders were collected during cohabitation and the courtshi p video recorded . Male G. turricola engage in a series of leg waves and body movements followed by a copulatory position face down in the burrow of the female . The courtship pattern is generally similar to that of other lycosids except for the lack of palpal waving and abdominal movements . It is though t that cohabitation provides a pre-courtship opportunity for sexual communication thereby mitigatin g the loss of some elaborate display elements .


The corona virus (Covid-19) is causing global disruption. There is evidence from case studies that COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the capital market. The present worldwide epidemic of COVID-19 has a detrimental effect on financial markets, including traditional stock markets and commodities markets. The goal of this research is to empirically assess the impact of COVID-19 on the functioning of the capital market by analyzing trading volume activity and average stock price movement. Descriptive statistical tests, normality tests, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test hypothesis testing were utilized to analyze the study data. The results of the research indicate that there is no significant difference in trading volume activity before and after the first case of COVID-19 was found in Indonesia and before and after the PSBB policy was announced to be implemented. In contrast, the study findings indicate that there are substantial changes in the average closing stock prices before and after the first case of COVID-19 was found in Indonesia and before and after the PSBB policy was implemented. Thus, the findings of this research show that information about the first instance of COVID-19 and the announcement of the adoption of the PSBB policy affect the capital market's response to stock price fluctuations. This discovery is anticipated to give a contribution that may assist investors in adjusting to the execution of a superior investing plan.


Abstract Assuming geometric Brownian motion as unaffected price process , Gatheral and Schied (2011; Optimal trade execution under geometric Brownian motion in the Almgren and Chriss framework, International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Finance, 14, pp. 353–368) derived a strategy for optimal order execution that reacts in a sensible manner on market changes but can still be computed in closed form. Here, we will investigate the robustness of this strategy with respect to misspecification of the law of . We prove the surprising result that the strategy remains optimal whenever is a square-integrable martingale. We then analyse the optimization criterion of Gatheral and Schied (2011) in the case in which is any square-integrable semimartingale and we give a closed-form solution to this problem. As a corollary, we find an explicit solution to the problem of minimizing the expected liquidation costs when the unaffected price process is a square-integrable semimartingale. The solutions to our problems are found by stochastically solving a finite-fuel control problem without assumptions of Markovianity.