The purpose of this treatise is to analyze the regional structure of the medical instrument industry in Tokyo, which is one of the typical small industries.The production center of the medical instrument industry in Japan is Tokyo, with about one half of the country's production. The majority of makers are very small in scale and employ 29 workers or less.Medical instruments are of many kinds and the users are widely dispersed. However, the wholesalers, mostly located in Bunkyo Ward (Central Tokyo), have an overwhelming control of the market, and with their control of distribution, they have power over the manufacturers.Under the control of the wholesalers, the majority of the medical instrument makers are located in Bunkyo Ward and extends into Arakawa Ward, Sumida Ward in the eastern district of the Keihin Industrial Area.The makers are tightly and functionally connected with the wholesalers.In this concentrated area, there are various kinds of subcontractors that form the bottom structure of the areal production system of the medical instrument industry in Tokyo.


In a recent issue of the Journal, Whayne analyzed the results of the Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression (ENHANCE) trial, and proposed several explanations to the lack of effect of a more intensive low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering with ezetimibe (beyond the level achieved with simvastatin) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, he pointed out that the ENHANCE trial lasted only 24 months, and a longer period could be required to see benefit from cholesterol lowering by ezetimibe. However, he did not consider that the concentration of cholesterol by itself seems to be unimportant in familial hypercholesterolemia, and that a long-lasting therapy with ezetimibe and statin may raise some safety concerns. Mounting evidence suggests that in familial hypercholesterolemia neither the incidence nor the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is associated with the lipid levels. This striking observation has been explained by the narrow range of LDL concentrations. The argument is untenable, however, because total and LDL cholesterol in some individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia may be more than twice as high as in others. A possible cause of cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia may be inborn errors of the coagulation system. Indeed, in cohorts of people with familial hypercholesterolemia, it has been found that plasma fibrinogen and factor VIII were significantly higher in those with coronary heart disease than in those without, whereas total and LDL cholesterol did not differ significantly. It has also been documented that polymorphism in the prothrombin gene is strongly associated with cardiovascular risk in people with this disorder. The reason why statin treatment is of benefit in familial hypercholesterolemia may therefore be mediated by their well-known antithrombotic effects, not their effect on cholesterol. However, the results of the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) trial have been recently published. During a follow-up of 52.2 months, simvastatin and ezetimibe, as compared with placebo, did not reduce the composite outcome of combined aortic valve events and ischemic events in patients with aortic stenosis. But, of more concern, an excess of incident cancers was observed in the simvastatin–ezetimibe group, with 105 in that group as compared with 70 in the placebo group (P 1⁄4 .01). In addition, deaths from cancer were more frequent in the active treatment group (39 deaths vs. 23 in the placebo group), achieving a borderline statistical significance (P1⁄4 .05). Of note, the average age in the ENHANCE trail was 46 years, and in the SEAS trial 68 years. It is well known that statins are immunomodulatory drugs, which might promote growth increase of occult cancers, especially in the elderly individuals who already harbor cancers. Furthermore, ezetimibe inhibits the absorption of phytosterols and other phytonutrients that are linked to protection against cancer. Therefore, the increased cancer incidence associated with cholesterol-lowering treatment cannot be dismissed as being coincidental, also because many observations from the statin trials are in accord. Although the ENHANCE trial was a treatment failure, it has contributed valuable knowledge about the pathogenesis of premature coronary disease in familial hypercholesterolemia. A relevant question to answer in future research is whether attempts to normalize the coagulation system may be more


It has been shown, in the kernel splitting method for support constrained deconvolution recently presented, that the restored signal can be obtained from an infinite series of time-functions. In the present work it is proved that the series is finite when the convolution kernel is left-time-limited. Each function of the series is itself a series built from delayed replicas of the convolved signal multiplied by weighted and delayed rectangular windows. The non-overlapping time-regions of the windows are first located and then by zero trivial multiplication are not computed. Then an in-time non-iterative fast algorithm is deduced. Finally the input recovery of a linear system whose transfer function vanishes at several points is investigated both with a noise-free or a noisy output signal. In these conditions where inverse filtering fails, the present algorithm works well.


We propose and implement tests for the existence of a common stochastic discount factor (SDF). Our tests are agnostic because they do not require macroeconomic data or preference assumptions; they depend only on observed asset returns. Our test statistic is immune to the form of the multivariate return distribution, including its factor structure. After examining test features and power with simulations, we apply the tests empirically to data on U.S. equities, bonds, currencies, commodities and real estate. The empirical evidence is consistent with a unique positive SDF that prices all U.S. assets and satisfies the Hansen/Jagannathan variance bound.


Hypoxia-inducible factors 1α and 2α (HIF-1α/2α) transcription factors are the major regulators of the cellular response to hypoxia and also play a key role in renal fibrosis associated with acute and chronic kidney disease. Jumonji domain-containing 1a (JMJD1A), a histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase, is reported to be an important target gene of HIF-α. However, whether JMJD1A and H3K9 methylation status play a role in renal fibrosis is unclear. Here, we investigated the involvement of HIF-α, JMJD1A, and monomethylated/dimethylated H3K9 (H3K9me1/H3K9me2) levels in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of FG4592, an inhibitor of HIF-α prolyl hydroxylase (PH), which controls HIF-α protein stability, significantly attenuated renal fibrosis on days 3 and 7 following UUO. FG4592 concomitantly increased JMJD1A expression, decreased methylated H3K9me1/me2 levels, reduced pro-fibrotic gene expression, and increased erythropoietin expression in renal tissues of UUO mice. The beneficial effects of FG4592 on renal fibrosis were inhibited by administration of JMJD1A-specific siRNA to mice immediately following UUO. Incubation of NRK-49F normal rat kidney cells with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in vitro resulted in upregulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin and H3K9me1/me2, and these effects were inhibited by co-treatment with FG4592. In contrast, FG4592 treatment further enhanced the TGF-β1-stimulated upregulation of JMJD1A but had no effect on TGF-β1-stimulated expression of the H3K9 methyltransferase euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2. Collectively, these findings establish a crucial role for the HIF-α1/2-JMJD1A-H3K9me1/me2 regulatory axis in the therapeutic effect of FG4592 in renal fibrosis.


This amicus brief was filed before the United States Supreme Court in CIC Services, LLC v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 19-930, supporting the petitioners on the merits. The issue in the case is whether the Anti-Injunction Act, 26 U.S.C. s. 7421(a), precludes pre-enforcement judicial review of Administrative Procedure Act challenges against Treasury and IRS rules and regulations -- specifically in this case, IRS Notice 2016-66. Building on previous scholarship, the brief argues that statutory text, history, and purpose support a narrow interpretation of the Anti-Injunction Act that harmonizes with the Administrative Procedure Act and allows pre-enforcement judicial review.


The authors will show how off-the-shelf personal computers can be used in a variety of ways and at a number of levels to enrich the study of computers at small colleges. It is not our intent to suggest that personal computers replace larger mainframes in computer science courses. Rather, we intend to show how these computers can be used to give small colleges the ability to teach meaningful courses in subjects which until recently could be taught only at universities fortunate enough to possess large computer laboratories and their own hardware experts.


The heterodimeric complex, formed by Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and its accessory protein Myeloid Differentiation factor 2 (MD-2) is responsible of activating the innate immune system when sensing the presence of particular pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from bacteria. The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is primarily populated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which are essential for their growth and survival. These LPSs are specifically recognized by the TLR4/MD-2 complex as follows: an LPS binds to MD-2 inside a deep molecular hydrophobic pocket causing molecular rearrangements of the receptorial complex resulting in the dimerization of another TLR4/MD-2 unit. TLR4 ectodomains dimerization event brings together the TLR4 intercellular domains initiating the activation of innate immune system signaling pathways. Interestingly, this activation is not only modulated by naturally occurring LPSs from many different Gram-negative bacteria but also by non-naturally occurring glycolipids and other non-LPS like molecules...


This paper describes a preliminary investigation of l/f noise in three infrared detector materials used in the MWIR (3-5um). Noise measurements of HgCdTe, PtSi, and InSb detectors were conducted and the results are presented. The various noise sources are discussed.


Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) relative humidity (RH) sensors are fabricated in commercially available polyimide (PI)-coated optical fibers with diameters of 50 and 125 μm. Infrared (800 nm) femtosecond pulse duration laser pulses and a phase mask are used to inscribe Type-I and Type-II FBGs directly through the protective polyimide coatings of both 50 and 125 μm diameter fibers without typical fiber processing such as hydrogen loading, cryogenic storage, stripping, recoating or annealing. The devices are then evaluated for their performance as humidity sensors. At telecom wavelengths, the 50 μm diameter fiber devices with a 10 μm thick PI coating had a wavelength shift of the Bragg resonance at a constant temperature of 2.7 pm/%RH, whereas the 125 μm diameter fiber devices with a 17 μm thick PI coating had a wavelength shift of 1.8 pm/%RH. The humidity sensors in the 50 µm diameter fiber demonstrated a more rapid response time to small changes in humidity and a weaker hysteresis when compared to the 125 µm diameter fiber devices. No modification to the PI coatings was observed during fabrication. No difference in RH sensitivity was observed for Type-I devices when compared with Type-II devices with the same fiber. The applicability of this approach for fabricating distributed RH sensing arrays with hundreds of sensing elements on a single fiber is discussed.


In 1938/39, the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera published the competition Camillo Boito entitled Project for a theatre to be used for performances of lyrical art. A group of students, G. Belloni, A. Fiocchi, A. Magnaghi-Delfino, M. Terzaghi, from the Regio Politecnico di Milano attended to the contest and won the first prize. The design of the theatre, which was meant to arise on a free area in a public garden, with a seating capacity of 3000, plus 200 on the stages, had as its motto Tremila 3000. All seats, as often happens in Italian theatres, had to be in conditions of visibility as uniform as possible. Bibliographic sources are limited to a single article published on Costruzioni Casabella signed by Giuseppe Pagano. The documentary and iconographic sources were found in the Historical Archive of the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera and at the CASVA (Centre for Advanced Studies on Visual Arts) in Milan. This work analyses the drawings for the identification of the basic module and the rational schemes used by the creators for the definition of the project presented in the competition. The research shows a rational use of the square module, learned during the years of apprenticeship at Terragni's Como studio, which will be the common denominator in most of the projects that will be carried out by the Magnaghi-Terzaghi studio, in particular in the Casa dei Nidi (House of the Nests) (1939) and in the BICA building (1955).


M ANUEL DIAZ RODRIGUEZ'S Sangre patricia, first published in 1902, has often been used as an example of "modernista" prose, of carefully crafted writing with stress on aesthetic effects and on exotic settings.1 Yet much confusion remains regarding this work. Several critics, noting that it reveals the mind of its protagonist Tulio Arcos, have called it a psychological study; Enrique Anderson Imbert rejected such readings, indicating that the novel conveys metaphoric impressions, not character studies.2 Another critic has condemned Sangre patricia for its lack of action and dialogue, and for its stress on minor characters.3 All this, aside from creating confusion, seems to make the work a heterogeneous and unsuccessful mixture of poetic language and of character study.


[Aims]The aim is to study the degradation mechanism of carbendazim. [Methods] The degradation capability and pathways of of a newly isolated strain to carbendazim were investigated by culture experiment and UV spectroscopy. [Results][Results] The results show that Raoultella sp. MBC is a effi cient degrading strain which make the carbendazim and its degradation products be the sole carbon source for growth. After 72 h incubation under the experimental conditions, the degradation rate of carbendazim is 100%. UV spectra results show that the C=N bond in imidazole molecule structure is destroyed. [Conclusions][Conclusions] The degration pathway of the newly isolated efficient strain is carbendazim→ 2-aminobenzimidazole→2-hydroxybenzimidazole→O-phenylenediamine, which was identified according to the degradation products. But the O-phenylenediamine was not the fi nal degradation product.


Abstract : Numerical integration of orbits of near earth satellites is usually carried out in a Cartesian Coordinate System. When performing the differential correction of an initial orbit to match observations, the parameters of the solution are sometimes the corrections to the position and velocity vector of the satellite at epoch. At the Naval Surface Weapons Center, however, the parameters chosen are Kepler parameters modified to avoid singularity for circular orbits. The rate of convergence for a sample case was not found to be significantly different for the two parameterizations, but a significant gain in numerical accuracy was obtained with the set of Kepler parameters.


This article analyzes the approach given to international human trafficking in entertainment venues of television, specifically, from the telenovela Salve Jorge (broadcasted by Globo Network between October 2012 and May 2013). The inclusion of social issues in the plots of soap opera is recognized as social merchandising, therefore, it is in this privileged media space that the story of a social problem is also constituted. One seeks to question the maintenance and the impact of the subject of human trafficking as a dialogue between fiction and reality portrayed by Brazilian television. The study is addressed to the discussion of the power of the telenovela to dramatize issues of public interest, having as the driving factor the broadcasting and the audience of Salve Jorge. Telenovelas generate visibility to social issues. Human trafficking, besides being part of the plot of the soap opera, orbited the Brazilian media agenda in the period between 2013 and 2014. It happened through awareness and engagement campaigns triggered by social and religious institutions, such as the launch of the Fraternity Campaign (CNBB 2014) and the expansion of media coverage on public policies and plans to counter this crime within the government. Therefore, human trafficking emerges as the central theme of this study over the main plot of Salve Jorge.


A method of operating a wind turbine, a controller usable for operating a wind turbine, and a wind turbine are provided. The wind turbine includes a voltage converter being connectable to a power grid via a filter arrangement. The method includes determining a line voltage; and adding the determined line voltage to the output of the voltage converter with a time delay, wherein the time delay is adjusted such that resonant effects occurring at the filter arrangement are decreased.


of Research Papers 3. vehicular Emission Ranking of major road corridors in Thiruvananthapuram urban centre P. Kalaiarasan and Dr. B.G. Sreedevi 19 4. Renovation of Inland Waterways for Tourism and Passenger Transport-a Case study of Kadambrayar River in Kochi Sabitha N.M. and Dr. B.G. Sreedevi 20 5. Transportation Demand management for an IT park with direct access to National highway Wilson K.C., Salini P.N., V.S. Sanjay Kumar 21 URbAN POLLUTION ANd wASTE MANAGEMENT


In the eastern Ionian Sea, the deep-water shrimps Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antennatus constitute a virgin fishing resource, since their maximum abundance depth exceeds commercial exploitation depths. The two sympatric species share a number of common reproductive features, such as summer reproduction. A slight temporal shift in mating activity, ovarian maturation, and spawning period was observed between species. The most notable difference was the more pronounced seasonality in reproductive activity of Aristeus antennatus compared to that of A. foliacea as evidenced by the frequency of inseminated females and functionally mature males, as well as by the shorter ovarian maturation period. Nevertheless, regarding the whole life span, both sexes of Aristeus antennatus exhibit a more extended reproductive activity in comparison to A. foliacea. No notable differentiation of both species existed in comparison to other Mediterranean regions.


The new FMC Act completes the reform of the New Zealand exchange oversight regime which started with the creation of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in 2011. This paper tracks these changes, considers some inconsistencies in the new framework and discusses the efforts taken by the New Zealand Exchange (NZX) and the FMA to address potential conflicts of interest.


Recent studies of radar target signatures at a missile range, revealed errors in some of the formulas on the echo area of the prolate spheroid of the above paper (see abstr. b23863 of 1969). These errors originated from a report referenced in the paper. The report contains tables of values needed to calculate Moffatt's impulse response. Two of these tables, Tables II and III, contain incorrect values. While computed echo areas and transient responses of the spheroid do not seem overly sensitive to the effects of these errors, they should be eliminated to avoid compounding errors in the model with errors in the calculations. The correct versions of Tables II and III and those equations found to be in error in the report, as well as those equations found to be in error in the paper are presented here. The original numbering is retained here for the sake of identification


Early detection of rapidly developing hazardous storms requires rapid-scan radar. The National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) collects data from 10-cm, singlefaced, phased array radar (PAR) that supports adaptable scanning strategies and volumetrically scans a storm in time scales of seconds instead of several minutes. Such high temporal sampling provides unprecedented opportunity to research rapidly evolving phenomena and improve warning lead-time for severe weather. Another significant advantage of the PAR is the ability for making cross-beam wind, shear, and turbulence measurements (Zhang and Doviak 2006). Other meteorological benefits are considered in Doviak et al. (2001).


Rhageletis cerasi (L.) is the most important pest in cherry orchards and it's attak can affect the quality of fruit on a large percentage (45-100%). The European cherry fruit fly is prezent in all cherry and sweet cherry orchards, therefore monitoring this population is required as an element of integrated protection. The aim of this study is to establish population dynamics in Cluj area. Adult flight was monitored twice a week on yellow sticky panels. Traps were placed in different parts of the orchard. The first captures were recorded in May 29, with a number of 4 adults/orchard and in 24 June we recorded the maximum number, 89 adults/orchard. By monitoring population dynamics we can determine the correct time for application of chemical treatments.


Based on the introduction to forest eco-tourism resources in Fujian Province and according to the hierarchical structure model of dominating relations,this article confirms the relative importance and structure of the decisions and plans through in-depth analysis of the main factors influencing the forest eco-tourism resources and applying the method of Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) to evaluate the capability of forest eco-tourism resources and proposes the relative countermeasures.


Summary Overall, Evaluation '85 was viewed by the participants in a very positive manner. A high percentage of pre-session participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of their sessions. The most popular features of Evaluation '85 (paper presentation, panels/symposia, and invited speakers) were rated as effective. The exhibits at Evaluation '85 were less favorably viewed by the participants.


A novel method for direct electronic "fast-timing" lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states via γ-γ coincidences using an array equipped with N very fast high-resolution LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors is presented. The generalized centroid difference method provides two independent "start" and "stop" time spectra obtained without any correction by a superposition of the N(N − 1)/2 calibrated γ-γ time difference spectra of the N detector fast-timing system. The two fast-timing array time spectra correspond to a forward and reverse gating of a specific γ-γ cascade and the centroid difference as the time shift between the centroids of the two time spectra provides a picosecond-sensitive mirror-symmetric observable of the set-up. The energy- dependent mean prompt response difference between the start and stop events is calibrated and used as a single correction for lifetime determination. These combined fast-timing array mean γ-γ zero-time responses can be determined for 40 keV < Eγ < 1.4 MeV with a precision better than 10 ps using a 152 Eu γ-ray source. The new method is described with examples of (n,γ )a nd (n,f,γ) experiments performed at the intense cold-neutron beam facility PF1B of the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France, using 16 LaBr3(Ce) detectors within the EXILL&FATIMA campaign in 2013. The results are discussed with respect to possible systematic errors induced by background contributions.


This paper studied the gaps of typical warm temperate forest in Taiyue Mountain in Shanxi Province.The authors choosed four gap characteristics indexes: gap area,gap age,average height of edge-trees and height under living branches of edge-trees.Through principal component analyses,these four indexes and the effect of formation on diversity of forest gap renewing seedlings are analyzed.The results showed that the species numbers and Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes increased with the expansion of gap area.They increased at the beginning of gap formation and reduced at metaphase and anaphase;other gap characteristics indexes had less effect on species numbers and Shannon-Wiener diversity;difference of gap disturbance had unobvious effect on Pielou evenness indexes.


Today we deal with growing demands of wireless broadband access, which further goes on increasing. Problem of under utilization of licensed spectrum motivates us to find out different techniques to improve the efficiency of spectrum usages. Here in this paper we discuss an overview through different shades of spectrum sharing. Which deals with cognitive radio meant to provide a better technique to fulfill the utilization of radio frequency spectrum? How primary and secondary user i.e. licensed and unlicensed allocates the spectrum without degrading its own performance. Self organizing networks (SON) are essential for complicated cellular networks. Using this technology we are able to organize and optimize energy, expenditure and performance.


This paper discusses the strategictransformation and upgrade of health services in China.It covers the following four aspects: the transition from medical socialization to health in social decision,the transition from unitary governance to multigovernance,the transition from health education to health management,and the method of strategic transformation and upgrade.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of classroom questions used by the teachers of social and national education at UNRWA schools from their point of view, a questionnaire consisting of 50 items has been developed, it distributed into three main domains: formulation of classroom questions, purposes, and asking, it was applied to a sample of (152) teachers from social and national education teachers. The results showed high degrees of estimation of the characteristics of questions used by the teachers, the study found no statistically significant differences between the teachers in the degree of questioning skills due to sex of the teacher (male and female), scientific qualification (diploma, bachelor, diploma after bachelor, and master or above), and number of experience years as a teacher (less than 5 years, 5-10 years, and greater than 10 years), also, a statistically significant difference between the teachers in questions' formulation was found, due to the specialization of the teacher, in favor of the history and geography teachers. The study concluded some recommendations, including training teachers in skills related to classroom questions that measure higher-order thinking and problem-solving.


We applied a simple method to estimate the Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference (MRTD) of an LWIR and an MWIR camera. A so-called Siemens star, in our case a thin, black aluminum plate framing a circle that is missing (cut out) every other spoke, is mounted in front of a black body whose temperature is relatively close to room temperature. From short recordings of the black body and Siemens star both the Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) and the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) are extracted and a simple estimate of MRTD = NETD/MTF is obtained. The imaged Siemens star almost completely covers the focal plane array; hence, an MRTD curve for the whole array is obtained. We investigated the effect of Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) and Bad-Pixel Removal (BPX), two often applied pre-processing techniques, on the MRTD estimate. We find that (1) BPX has only limited effect on the result; (2) NUC is required to obtain a good MTF; and (3) NUC is not a prerequisite to obtain a good NETD estimate, but this is contingent on having a proper segmentation tool or template available. Without a segmentation algorithm, NUC together with simple intensity thresholding provides a sufficiently good segmentation and accordingly a good estimate of NETD.


This study aims to determine the relation between values of some functional and morphological variables with performance level in the 100 m medley swimming for young swimmers. In addition, the study aims to determine the contribution percentage of the most significant functional and morphological variables with performance level in the 100 m medley swimming for young swimmers. This study has been applied on a sample of (50) young swimmers. The researcher used the descriptive survey method by taking the necessary measurements using devices appropriate to the nature of measurements and the study. Through measures of this study and results obtained, the researcher found that there are significant relations between each of the time the 100-meter medley and variables of vital capacity, physical pattern and body mass index. Besides, the findings showed that body mass index is the variable with the most influential contribution at the duration of the 100m Medley where the percentage of contribution value was (93.2%). In light of that, the equation to predict the period of 100-meter medley was reached for sample of the study with significance of its variables.


The present invention relates to the field of enzyme chemistry, particularly the use of the disclosed methods improve fucose maleic acid cis-trans isomerase enzyme activity, in particular in adding fucose maleic acid enzymatic reaction system involved in the cis-trans isomerase . The present invention is optimized through experiments fucose addition concentration, so that the maximum extent to improve the enzyme activity of cis-trans maleic isomerase. The method of the present invention is simple, maleic acid, cis-trans isomerase in the reaction process with the amount of enzyme can be saved, the advantage of improving the reaction efficiency.


Objective: To detect the residual cells in chronic myelocytic leukmia. Methods:RT-PCR method was used to study the bcr/abl mRNA in 20 cases chronic leukemia (including 6 cases allogeneic bone marrow transplantation).Results:At the beginning, chromosome Ph was negative in 1,and positive in19 of 20 cases. All cases expressed bcr/abl gene. Continue monitoring found that chromosome Ph had become into negtive in 5,and still positive in 1 of 6 allogeneic bone marrow transplantation patients. Conclution: RT-PCR is a useful method to study the residual cells in choronic myelocytic leukemia.


Robert Hodge reports there are still issues with mergers despite confirmation in the 2012 Federal Budget that the Government would amend the law to ensure income tax considerations do not prevent mergers of super funds.


Among the alternatives to avoid waste, stands out the use of parts of foods that are usually neglected. Considering the need to provide a healthy diet rich in nutrients, the use of plant parts is an alternative to improve the nutritional quality of the menu and reduce food waste. Thus, the aim was to develop a product, from stalks and husks, banana, chayote and cabbage. To evaluate the new product were analyzed centesimal composition, fatty acid profi les and sensory analysis. As to composition, it was found that the streusel has reduced total carbohydrate (42.84g/100g) and energy value (323.59kcal/100g). Among the saturated fatty acids was identifi ed in greater quantities, the acid stearic acid (30.34%) and palmitic (16.46%); the highlight was the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid (29.27%). The sensory analysis showed that the product had developed a good level of acceptance, with high purchase intent (97%). Thus, the crumbs had to be a viable alternative, contributing to the reduction of organic waste, as well as having good nutritional value


Approximately 90% of malignant tumors are derived from the epithelium. Epithelium has well-developed tight junctions (TJs), which become deregulated and disrupted during epithelial transformation. Claudin-4, a pivotal functional and structural component of TJs, is often overexpressed in human cancers. In the present study, we prepared a claudin-4 binder, the C-terminal fragment of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C-CPE), fused to a cytotoxic molecule (C-CPE-PSIF) and found that C-CPE-PSIF is toxic to claudin-4-expressing cells. Interestingly, C-CPE-PSIF was less toxic in polarized than depolarized cells, and treatment of polarized cells with C-CPE-PSIF from the basal but not apical side was cytotoxic. C-CPE-PSIF also exhibits antitumor activity. C-CPE mutants with alanine substitutions were more cytotoxic than C-CPE. These findings indicate that the claudin-4 binder, C-CPE, is a potent lead molecule for the development of claudin-targeted tumor therapy.


How does an electric stimulus affect the transmembrane potential in tissue far from the stimulating electrode?1 Plonsey and Barr2 proposed one of the Ž rst hypotheses for such "far-Ž eld" stimulation, known as the "sawtooth effect." Current  owing in the tissue encounters a periodic increase in resistance at the intercellular junctions coupling adjacent cardiac cells. As current approaches a junction, it leaves the intracellular space to take advantage of the relatively lowresistance extracellular space, thereby depolarizing the membrane. After passing the junction, current reenters the intracellular space, hyperpolarizing the membrane. This redistribution of current occurs at every intercellular junction, causing each cell to depolarize at one end and hyperpolarize at the other. Krassowska et al.3,4 developed this idea further, and others have used it to explain cardiac deŽ brillation.5,6 Is the sawtooth hypothesis true? In the case of single isolated cells, it undoubtedly is.7 However, attempts to observe the sawtooth potential in intact tissue have failed.8,9 The article by Sharma and Tung10 in this issue of the Journal examines a system intermediate between a single cell and intact tissue: an isolated cell-pair. They chose an excellent system to study, because it is the simplest system that contains at least one intercellular junction. Isolated single cells are interesting but they lack any cell junctions, and the in uence of junctions is the very essence of the sawtooth effect. I have grown accustomed to describing the sawtooth effect as "each cell is depolarized at one end and hyperpolarized at the other," so I was startled when Sharma and Tung demonstrated that this is not always correct. For two cells of different lengths, the transmembrane potential is discontinuous at the cell junction, but it may or may not change sign, depending on the junctional resistance. I wonder if this interesting result is applicable near the center of a long strand of cells, many length constants from the ends? One crucial parameter for any analysis of the sawtooth effect is the resistance of the intercellular junction. Sharma and Tung review several studies that suggest a junctional resistance of tens or even hundreds of M V . These values are higher than expected, given the reported macroscopic conductivity of the intracellular space. For example, Plonsey and Barr2 assumed a microscopic intracellular resistance per unit length of 1.6 3 108 V /cm (Sharma and Tung assume the same value) and then calculated the junctional resistance required to make the macroscopic intracellular conductivity match that measured by Clerc.11 Their result was 0.85 M V . How do we reconcile Clerc's data with a junctional resistance of tens or hundreds of M V ? Simple calculations may not capture the structural complexity of cardiac tissue, and certainly Plonsey and Barr's calculation is based on a simple model. Yet, regardless of the tissue structure, the intracellular current can hardly avoid passing through at least one intercellular junction every cell length. If we believe Clerc's value for the effective intracellular conductivity, we can calculate an upper limit for the junctional resistance of about 1.6 M V .* I can think of ways to justify a junctional resistance lower than this, but I cannot image how the junctional resistance could be much higher, at least in healthy tissue. This issue is important, because the magnitude of the sawtooth effect increases with the junctional resistance (see Sharma and Tung's Fig. 1C). If we overestimate this resistance, we overestimate the magnitude of the sawtooth effect. Although studies of cell-pairs are necessary and useful, the important question is what impact the sawtooth effect has on the heart. For instance, is the magnitude of the sawtooth effect large enough to be responsible for reentry induction or deŽ brillation? We can set an upper limit for the sawtooth effect by assuming the cells are completely decoupled. In that case, the change in transmembrane potential from one end of the cell to the other equals the electric Ž eld strength times the cell length. If a 22 V/cm electric Ž eld stimulates a cell 120 mm long, the change in transmembrane potential from one end to the other should be 260 mV (130 mV depolarized on one side and 130 mV hyperpolarized on the other). Sharma and Tung present data from cell-pairs uncoupled by heptanol that are consistent with this estimate. Frazier et al.13 suggested that 5 V/cm is the minimum electric Ž eld strength necessary for reentry induction by formation of a critical point. An electric Ž eld of 5 V/cm corresponds to cells depolarized by at most 30 mV at one end and hyperpolarized by at most 30 mV at the other. Here my analysis becomes difŽ cult, because 30 mV is not a huge depolarization, but it is not tiny either. It corresponds roughly to the threshold depolarization needed to excite a resting membrane. Remember, 30 mV is an upper limit, found by assuming that the cell has no lateral connections to other cells and that the entire intracellular voltage drop occurs across the junctional resistance, with no voltage drop across the myoplasmic resistance. Juhlin and Pormann14 examined a more realistic model and found maximum depolarizations of 10 to 15 mV. Moreover, reentry induction and deŽ brillation require excitation of relatively refractory tissue, where the threshold is high. Finally, excitation of a cell that is half depolarized and half hyperpolarized is a complicated process.4 Having just one end of the cell depolarized to threshold may not be sufŽ cient to excite the entire cell. All things considered, I remain skeptical that the sawtooth effect alone can explain a 5 V/cm threshold for


Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an increase in the effectiveness of learning discus by using the media to print on the timber modification of the fourth grade students at SDN 05 Terduk Dampak. Forms of research is classroom action research. The subjects in this study were teachers collaborate with fifth grade students of SDN 05 Terduk Dampak as many as 29 students. Learning discus with wood molding at siswa class V give suasanan new that has never been done before, the positive impact of such students do not experience fear , feel good and appropriate to the capabilities of the students, the decision value at start prasiklus, the first cycle and the second cycle increased systematically. The first cycle of completeness by the number of 22 students (75%) and was not finished with the number 7 students (25%) Keywords : Discus Throw , Modified Wood


Various layered double hydroxides (LDHs), including MgAl, CoAl, NiAl, and ZnAl-LDHs, were synthesized and modified using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. Nonhalogen flame-retardant PS/LDHs nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method. The structure of PS/LDHs nanocomposites was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern technique, and scanning electronic microscope. Results from XRD indicated that intercalated/exfoliated structure was achieved in the polystyrene matrix. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis suggested that the storage modulus and Tg for the PS/LDHs nanocomposites was efficiently improved. Thermal and flammability properties of PS nanocomposites were investigated using thermogravimetry and cone calorimetry. Thermal analysis was evaluated and the prepared nanocomposites showed slightly lower thermal stability probably due to the presence of LDH, which starts to decompose at a lower temperature. Compared with neat PS, the peak heat release rate of PS/MgAl and PS/ZnAl-LDHs nanocomposites filled with 5 wt% LDHs is reduced by 7% and 12%, respectively. Among all LDHs, MgAl, and ZnAl-LDHs had a better smoke suppression effect with a reduction of peak smoke production rate and CO release rate of 37% and 44%, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1680–1688, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers


Ayahuasca is a tea used in original indigenous rituals with the aim of expanding the mind and consciousness. Some studies have pointed to Ayahuasca as a potent antidepressant with reduced side effects when compared to other conventional synthetic allopathic treatments. Over the years, tea has come to be known by both the popular community and the scientific community. The species used are Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, the leaves of Psychotria viridis have around 0.1% to 0.6% DMT. Psychotria viridis alkaloid, when ingested through Ayahuasca, exerts an agonist effect on 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, while Banisteriopsis caapi has a high concentration of β-carboline alkaloids such as Harmine, Harmaline and tetrahydroarmine, responsible for inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO), however, as well as the difficulties encountered in studies associated with the therapeutic benefits of the Cannabis sativa plant, especially in the face of traditional conservative movements, there are also few studies that indicate or position themselves on the neurotoxic and therapeutic potential, especially when used as possible treatments for the depression. Therefore, new natural therapies, including Ayahuasca, should be investigated for their toxic and therapeutic potential so that, as soon as safe parameters are identified, they can serve society, especially for depressive patients.


As a crucial component, carbon substrates with appropriate porous structures are highly desired in developing sulfur–carbon cathodes for Li–S batteries with superior performance. Here we show that the electrochemical performance of the sulfur–carbon cathode can be easily adjusted by tuning the pore structure of the carbon substrate. With potassium hydroxide as the activation agent, a series of micro-/mesoporous carbon hosts have been prepared via chemical activation of hydrothermal carbon precursors. The pore structure of the carbon host can be easily controlled by adjusting the activation concentration of KOH, and is found to be directly related to the battery performance of sulfur loaded inside. An optimized pore structure is yielded at a KOH concentration of 1 M, at which the sulfur–carbon cathode shows a high specific capacity, favourable rate capabilities and a long cycle life of 800 cycles at 1 C. The impressive electrochemical performances benefit from the advanced micro-/mesoporous carbon spheres with a large percentage of micropores, moderate activation and surface area.


The authors evaluate the performance of a direct sequence spread spectrum system based on a differential-encoding binary phase shift keying (DE-BPSK) scheme. A non-coherent sequence tracking loop and a squaring loop are used at the receiver for sequence synchronization and carrier recovery, respectively. The performance evaluation considers the degradation related to the tracking loop and the squaring loop. It appears that degradation at low SNR (<10 dB) is caused by both loops. As the SNR increases (>10 dB), the tracking loop becomes the main contributor to the performance degradation. In fact, the use of lead-lag sequences in the tracking loop imposes a limit on the synchronization error variance reduction for high SNRs. However, this phenomenon does not occur for the squaring loop.<<ETX>>


This paper illustrates a stabilization approach of the passive bipedal locomotion of the compass-gait biped model based on an exclusively developed enhanced design of the closed form of the Controlled Poincaré Map (CPM). The followed technique relies on transforming the impulsive hybrid nonlinear dynamics of the passive motion into a linear form around a period-1 limit cycle. Forward, we simplify the complicated resulted expression using the second order of the Taylor Series. This technique, enables us to design a closed form of the CPM. The control of the passive bipedal locomotion starts with the identification of the period-1 fixed point of the non-CPM and continues with the determination of the linearized PM around such fixed point. Next, a feedback controller is adopted to stabilize this identified fixed point. Some simulation results are provided at the end to illustrate the efficiency of the control process of the passive walking motion of the compass-gait robot model.


This paper presents a hybrid controller for a solar air conditioning plant, located at the University of Seville, Spain, and used as a benchmark for the HYCON NoE of the EU. The plant uses two sources of energy: solar and gas, plus a set of accumulation tanks and an absorption tower to provide conditioned air to an university building. The hybrid control is based on a model predictive control strategy developed with the objective of operating the air conditioning system using the smaller amount of energy from gas. A novel approach incorporating an internal model with embedded logic control is used to transform the hybrid problem in a continuous-nonlinear one. Simulation results are presented, showing promising results.


An algorithm for the automatic modelling of fundamental frequency curves as a quadratic spline function was applied to a continuous text in French. The output of the model, a sequence Of target pitches <ms; Hp, was then coded using four successrvely more complex models whrch were subsequently used to generate synthetic versions of the recording, each version respecting the statistical distribution of the modelled target pitches. The resulting recordings were evaluated subjectively by native speakers. The two more complex codings obtained over 80% of the score obtained by the resynthesis Of the text using the measured targets. l INTRODUCTION A number Of speech synthesis systems are available today for several different languages, capable of intelligibly synthesrstng isolated sentences. Results for continuous texts, however, are far less satisfactory. It is generally agreed that one Of the principal weaknesses of such systems is the inadequate modelling of prosodic parameters : fundamental frequency, Intensity and segmental duratron. In this paper we present the preliminary results of a project investigating the fundamental frequency structure of continuous texts in French. 2 METHOD The research makes use of an automatic fundamental frequency modelling program MOMEL [6] combined with the PSOLA technique for time domain prosodic modification of speech [2].The F0 modelling program uses a dissymetn'c versron _of robust regression to provide an optimal fit for a sequence of parabolas,.factoring the F0 curve into two components, a microprosodic profile and a macroprosodic profile [1]. The output of the program is in the form of a sequence of target-points <ms; Hz>. These target-points can subsequently be used. to generate a quadratic spline function [3] which is then directly usable as Input. for PSOLA resynthesis. For very high quality synthesis the microprosodic profile can be reintroduced, although owing to the high quality Of the PSOLA synthesis, even Without microprosodic correction, the resynthesis using this technique is practically indistinguishable from an ongrnal recording as far as the intonation rs concerned. 3 CORPUS The corpus used in the experiment was recorded from an introduction to science for French children. The text consists of 3 paragraphs, 8 sentences, 140 words and 232 syllables and develops a single topic "the atom". The text, presented in normal orthography with its original punctuation, was recorded in an anechoic chamber by 6 subjects : 3 male and 3 female, all nattve speakers Of French. The recording used for the experiment described here was that of a 30 year Old female.subject whose reading was considered the most satisfactory of the six, presenting a harmonious rhythm and no hesitations. The complete recording including pauses lasted 553ecs.


The photodissociation of molecules and the interaction of the products with the surrounding cage atoms is an important field of research in solvation dynamics. The targeted generation of clusters with known size distributions and the placement of molecules on the surface or in the interior of these clusters allows us to carry out such investigations for finite systems as function of the size. We will present results of the photodissociation of HBr and HI molecules at 243 nm interacting with different rare gas clusters Nen, Arn, Krn, and Xen in the size range from n = 50 to 830. We mainly measure the kinetic energy of the outgoing H atoms in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The amount of fast, unperturbed or slow, caged and recombined H atoms depends strongly on the site, the special surface state, the cage material, the cluster size, and the kinetic energy available. The results are compared with calculations using mixed quantum-classical methods. In the photodissociation of HI in Xen clusters we obser...


The dependence of the plasmon dispersion in semiconductor superlattices on the dimensionality of subbands is investigated minutely. For this purpose, we present a method to calculate the polarization function of superlattices which explicitly takes account of subband widths and overlaps of electron wavefunctions in neighboring wells. The numerical results for the intrasubband plasmon in the GaAs–Al x Ga 1- x As superlattice clearly demonstrate the close interrelation between the plasmon dispersion and the dimensionality of subbands.


A 14-month field study was made of the Austin, Texas, waste- stabilization pond system, consisting of 3 waste-stabilization ponds, 3 Colorado River stations, the dilution water, and an associated fresh-water pond not receiving organic loadings, with special attention to certain physical and chemical aspects and algal composition and periodicity. These field studies revealed that water tempera- tures varied with the season (particularly in the waste-stabilization ponds). The pH values of all collections were always alkaline. Dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide were quite variable in the waste-stabilization ponds, fluctuating in a diurnal cycle. Biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia-nitrogen, and phosphate were in greater concentration in the waste-stabilization ponds than in the other stations, and nitrate-nitrogen was of about equal concentration at all stations. Oscillatoria and Anacystis were the predominant algal genera present in the waste-stabilization ponds during the warmer, summer months, and several green algae were predomi- nant or codominant at other times. Diatoms were the predominant or codominant algae in the waters of other stations. It is believed that the reason for increased algal concentration in the waste-stabilization ponds is the increased ammonia-nitrogen resulting from increased organic loadings and not to the increased phosphate. Since the turn of the century, waste-stabilization ponds have been a part of the American sewage-treatment practice. In the beginning, most of the ponds constructed were designed mainly as holding ponds to conserve water which was later used for irrigation. This practice was especially prevalent in the southwest where water was scarce. In the process of impounding this water, an algal, bacterial, and fungal flora developed and the sewage was converted to less objectionable material (Smallhorst, 1960). Early in this century, prior to serious study of waste or sewage ponds, public health officials and limnologists were aware of the fact that oxygen concentration was increased during the day in those streams where there was increased aquatic vegetation, including algae, the oxygen concentration decreasing during the night. Birge and Juday (1911), in a study of dissolved gases in Wisconsin lakes, attributed the high content of dissolved oxygen to photosynthesis. Chambers (1912) stressed that depletion of carbon dioxide and in- crease in oxygen were due to photosynthesis. Cumming (1916) re-


Zhang Songxi was so highly respected for his boxing skills that the emperor�s
grand secretary, Shen Yiguan (1531�1616), was inspired to write the Biography of Boxer
Zhang Songxi. Later the historian Huang Zongxi (1610�1695) wrote an epitaph for a
resistance fighter named Wang Zhengnan. In the biography he labeled both Wang and
Zhang as practitioners of the �internal school of boxing,� versus what he called the
Shaolin or �external school.� Since Shen Yiguan never mentioned Zhang as an internalschool
practitioner, it appears that Huang was using the internal-external concept to
symbolically express his dissatisfaction with China�s Manchu rulers. The Zhang Songxi
biography provides some evidence that the internal-external school concept was more
political than martial arts oriented.


After nearly 10 years research,Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(NOTES) has become a preliminary clinical application from an idea conception. Because of some limitations of equipments and techniques,NOTES has not been used widely. Based on the conception of "NO scar",laparoendoscopic single site surgery(LESS) is now regarded as a feasible procedure of NOTES. This technique has been rapidly developed in recent years,however,it still need to be improved at some aspects,including surgical skills,instruments and conceptions. The research and application of LESS will provide useful experiences for NOTES. The hybrid minimally invasive approaches,laparoscope combining with flexible endoscope,will demonstrate more safe,effective and less invasive treatment over the traditional operations. Therefore,the young laparoscopists should be given more endoscopic training.


The invention discloses a lubricating agent for a piston type cam engine. According to the lubricating agent, poly-internal-olefin and metallocene PAO (synthetic base oil) are compounded into base oil and are matched with a plurality of additives. The lubricating agent comprises a cleaning agent, a dispersing agent, an anti-oxidization preservative, an anti-oxidant, an aid, an extreme pressure agent, an anti-wear agent, a friction improver, a metal deactivator, an anti-rusting agent and an anti-foaming agent. The lubricating agent can be directly applied to a lubricating system of the piston type cam engine and has the beneficial effects that the lubricating property, cooling property, sealing property, cleaning property, rust resistance, liquidity and startability are good, the neutralization capacity for dispersing oil sludge and acid is strong, the surface smoothness of a kinematic pair is high, the base value holding period is long, the operation is convenient, and the cost is low.


Forgiveness is one of the most important concerns in criminal law, with the result that Forgiveness helps the community achieve stability, rehabilitation, and well-being by allowing the offender to be improved. Amnesty is granted under the law and is considered a cause of prosecution and dismissal of criminal proceedings. Pardon is only oversight of punishment and is subject to revocation, on the recommendation of the judiciary and with the approval of the head of state. In amnesty, prosecution and criminal proceedings are dropped, the sentence is suspended, and the effects of the conviction are removed. Pardon also removes the effects of a conviction. But it does not affect compensation and debt. Amnesty is applicable at all stages of a criminal case (detection, investigation, prosecution, and execution of a sentence), whereas a pardon is applicable only after the issuance of a final order and can't be applied before.


This paper reflects and focuses on Energy Efficiency (EE) for commercial institutions and public utilities. The EE of a building is the extent to which the energy consumption per square meter of floor area of the building (kWh/m/annum) measures up to established energy consumption benchmarks for that particular type of building under defined climatic conditions. Building energy consumptions benchmarks are representive value for common building types against which a building actual performance can be compared. Benchmarks are applied mainly to heating, cooling, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, fans, pumps and controls, office or other equipment and electricity consumption for external lighting. In Egypt, there are important opportunities to improve EE in government facilities, operations, and public infrastructure and services. Benefits include lower government energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less demand on electric utility systems, and reduced fuel. In the paper five case studies are carried out. The steps are preparing the auditing, monitoring the electrical parameters, analyzing the measurement result and inspection data and option solution to provide EE improvement. I. ENERGY AUDIT Governments have a responsibility to ensure that there is secure supply of energy to ensure economic growth. In many countries there is normally very little margin between existing power supply and electricity demand. With increasing electricity use from existing consumers and new connections, new generations needs to be brought on line to meet increasing demand. To reduce the energy consumption and costs, and to improve the indoor environment, it is necessary to renovate and implement EE measures in the building. To identify the actual potential and ensure sustainable results, projects should be developed and implemented in a structured and efficient way. This requires good energy auditing, management methods and tools, as well as good skills of specialists. Energy auditing includes an inspection of the building, an evaluation and analysis of the existing situation and the different measures that could be implemented to reduce the energy consumption and improve the indoor environment. The results are presented in an energy audit report describing the recommended measures with corresponding investments, savings and profits. Energy auditing should be done by specially trained and experienced energy auditors. When performing an energy audit, all the factors influencing the energy consumption and indoor environment must be evaluated: • Building envelope (windows, roofs, area) • Air conditioning system. • Lighting system. • Automatic control systems. In addition, it is also necessary to take into consideration how the building and its installation are being operated and used. II. ENERGY EFFICIENCY (EE) Saving energy through EE improvements can cost less than generation, transmission and distribution energy from power plants, and provides multiple economic and environmental benefits. EE also helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improves energy security and creates jobs. The EE of building can be improved with the following measures: EE building cooling. Reducing consumption of office equipment and appliances. Reducing energy use for lighting. Benchmarking the EE of Administrative Buildings Ibrahim Yassin Kamelia Youssef Michael Nagy UNDP email@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com firstname.lastname@example.com


This paper describes a high-level simulation model and its application to determine bandwidth requirements for the hardware implementation of a digital control system. The simulation model is based on Ptolemy II and describes a heavy-ion synchrotron and its control systems for resonance frequency, beam phase, and cavity synchronisation. Simulations are used to verify the suitability of the chosen system structure and to obtain minimum update rates for the coefficients of the adaptive digital controllers. These update rates translate into bandwidth requirements for a fiber optical network connecting the different controller subsystems. Our modelling approach as well as our method to determine the low-level requirements are described in detail and simulation results are presented and discussed.


Birpai the Aboriginal community people who lived in the Manning River Valley for thousands of years sought to maintain their old way of life and hence there was collision between the European civilization and the Aboriginal one. A description of Birpai life and history in the Manning River Valley and how Purfleet Station, established in 1900, became a central part their lives, is provided.


Purpose: This paper aims to consider enforced working from home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it may differ from working from home through choice In particular, the authors discuss how lockdown may be affecting work-family arrangements Design/methodology/approach: This is a thought piece Findings: The paper briefly examines the extant research on remote working It is argued that as many of the (beneficial) outcomes found for both employees and employers are associated with feelings of greater autonomy and gratitude on the part of employees for being able to exercise choice over their working arrangements, these outcomes may not be found where working from home is required of employees The authors contend that women, and mothers in particular, have had little choice in relation to when work has taken place, and how much work has been done Practical implications: The authors urge employers to consider the positive and negative outcomes of emerging evidence as they review their flexible working policies They call for a widespread review of childcare provision in supporting women and men in the labour market Originality/value: The authors explore this unexpected context of the pandemic and highlight the need for research which examines these different circumstances © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited


This paper discusses in the first instance the expected sea level rise, partly based upon historic evidence. It presents an expected range of sea level rise of 40 – 100 cm during the 21 st century. It further discusses the way sea level rise and changes in rainfall intensity have been tested in a sensitivity analysis as part of the Review of the Drainage Master Plan for the districts North and Yuen Long in Hong Kong. The values used in this study were already in line with the values reported in the 5 th IPCC Report. Subsequently, examples are given of phenomena perceived as resulting from climate change, while other factors play an important role as well. It points at the need to separate facts from myths. Finally, the paper discusses way to mitigate the impacts of climate change and new visions on the management of floods.


The human ear is the organ of hearing and equilibrium that identifies and analyzes sound by transduction and keeps up the sensation of equalization. The ear comprises three sections outer ear, center ear, and inner ear. The WHO assessed that in 2012 there was a high extent of people worldwide with impairing hearing loss (360 million individuals or 5.3% of the entire populace), albeit incapacitating hearing loss in East Asia is assessed to be tons higher at 22% [1]. The outer ear collects sound waves and guides them to the tympanic film. The middle ear may be a restricted airfilled cavity within the worldly bone. It is crossed by a sequence of three tiny bones the malleus, incus, and stapes, on the entire called the auditory ossicles. In the hearing cycle, waves of different frequencies came and collapse with the eardrum by which the eardrum vibrates and acts as an amplifier. These sound vibrations clear their path through the ossicles to the cochlea so stable vibrations make the liquid within the cochlea travel like sea waves [2,3]. The development of liquid thus makes the hair cells move. Hair cells toward one side of the cochlea move low-frequency sound data and hair cells at the far edge move high-frequency sound data. The hearable nerve moves signs to the mind where they're then converted into unmistakable and important sounds [4].


This essay examines Hegel's variegated understanding of the relationship of religion and politics, especially as articulated in his idea of state as a "secular deity" or "earthly divinity." It does so by engaging and expanding upon themes explored by Ludwig Siep in his Der Staat als irdischer Gott: Genese und Relevanz einer Hegelschen Idee. Its focus is fourfold: ) It af irms the special role played by a civil religion in sustaining and maintaining institutions of modern states. ) It details the religious dimension of Hegel's theory of the corporation to explicate an account of rights understood not just formally but with reference to substantive claims oriented to considerations of social justice. ) It ascribes to Hegel a political theology rooted in the uniquely self-causative elements of his constitutional theory and directed to ongoing re lection by community members on the conditions of their commonality. ) It asserts that Hegel's notion of Weltgeist furnishes elements of a transnational account of human rights, yet one that both depends upon and entails proper development of Hegel's notion of state as an earthly divinity.


Recently, huge quantities of organised, unstructured, and semi structured data are being produced by different systems and machines around the world. Such a huge volume of heterogenous data set that typically cannot be managed by traditional system is described as big data. The healthcare sector continues to be confronted by the importance of managing the fundamental information created by numerous sources, known for creating high volumes of heterogeneous information. Different big data analytics programs, as well as strategies, have already been created for managing these substantial quantities of information in the healthcare market. In this particular paper, we go over the effect of big data on healthcare, as well as different methods offered in the Hadoop ecosystem for managing it. We also examine the conceptual structure of big data analytics for healthcare, which involves the information collecting historical past of various limbs, the genome database, electronic health records, text/imagery, and then the medical conclusions support program.


Pure mainstream economics, based on methodological and sociological individualism usually ignores politics; development economics, on the contrary frequently integrates social and political factors in order to explain economic progress. Within this branch of economics, politics can mainly be dealt in two different approaches. The classical and neoclassical approach takes politics essentially as an obstacle to the expression of agents? rationality, and, therefore considers it a disturbance. A more heterodox approach of development, on the contrary, puts politics at the heart of the process, development being an economic as much as a political process. Those, like A. Sen, that take human rights, both as a means and an end to development do not separate the two processes as well. Be that as it may, and despite the opposed ways in which these approaches take politics, all consider governance, and its democratic or authoritarian character, a key factor in the development process. The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of the issue of democratic governance within the development process. In the first part of the paper I will make a review of the main literature concerning the impacts of democracy on economic development and the importance of promoting democracy. In the second part of the paper the analysis will focus on the political economy of democratization, namely on the obstacles standing before democracy, and on the economic policies and reforms needed to facilitate democratization. The diagnosis states that democratization needs to deal with inequality of income distribution, with institutional design in order to overcome cultural divisions within the nations, with diversification of the sources of income and with a new economic order characterized by an erased debt burden and a more equitable distribution of the benefits of international trade.


Objective To investigate the risk factors of elderly patients with pulmonary fungal infection in intensive care units,and to evaluate the clinical effect of the preemptive therapy.Methods 120 cases of elderly patients in ICU who achieved clinical diagnosis standard of PFI from Jan.2008 to Jun.2011 were divided into group-A(59 cases) and group-B(61 cases).Group-A were treated with voriconazole,and group-B initiated antifungal therapy after diagnosis.The data were recorded on the pathogens detection time of group-B,and the APACHE Ⅱ scores,MODS incidence,the mortality rate of the both groups.Results The risk factors of PFI included the time of using broad-spectrum antibiotics,the invasive operation,mechanical ventilation time≥7 d,the time of staying in ICU≥14 d,immunocompromised,the time of using hormone≥3 d,or accompanied with diabetes mellitus;The incidence rate of MODS,APACHE Ⅱ scores of the group-A were significantly lower than those in the group-B(P0.05),and the hospitalization time was less than that in the group-B(P0.01).Conclusions Preemptive therapy can improve the prognosis of elderly patients in ICU with PFI,and decrease the hospitalization time.


A theory for the design of deadlock-free adaptive routing algorithms for wormhole networks has been proposed previously. This theory supplies the sufficient conditions for an adaptive routing algorithm to be deadlock-free, even when there are cyclic dependencies between channels. Also, two design methodologies have been proposed. Multicast communication refers to the delivery of the same message from one source node to an arbitrary number of destination nodes. Two multicast wormhole routing methods have been presented previously for multicomputers with 2D-mesh and hypercube topologies. This paper develops the theoretical background for the design of deadlock-free adaptive multicast routing algorithms for wormhole networks. Some basic definitions and two theorems are proposed, developing conditions to verify that an adaptive multicast routing algorithm is deadlock-free, even when there are cyclic dependencies between channels. As an example, the multicast routing algorithms presented previously are extended, so that they can take advantage of the alternative paths offered by the network.<<ETX>>


In this study, we tried to propose a method to assess the success of the harvest broiler using internal factors found on farms in Prabumulih. To be able to measure the success rate of harvest broiler, we use the Performance Index (PI) as a parameter. By looking at the results of measuring the degree of success of the crop expected broiler breeder who owns the farm, especially in Prabumulih, can better utilize and maximize the potential that can increase crop yields. After going through a testing phase, the percentage of harvest success rate reached 90% when the results of calculation of the value of PI reached the high category. This proves that by looking at the value of PI, farmers, especially in the farm group in Prabumulih can predict the success rate of harvest in a period. By calculating the value of PI and learn all variables breeders can develop appropriate measures to avoid the occurrence of crop failure. With reference to the value of PI, farmers can also make better planning in preparing the development of broiler chickens for the next period.Key words :success rate, Performance Index, Broiler


Cohabitation may imply various forms of joint life but, in the legal sense, cohabitation is an extramarital community of a couple living together without being legally married. Legal regulation of cohabitation, as a family law issue, is primarily a matter of national law. However, in the modern 21st century world of social changes, globalisation, international integrations and freedom of movement of people, international law has to give some response to the existence of a large number of cohabiting families. Since national legislators have different approaches to the legal protection of cohabitation, it is not very easy to provide clear legal standards for the protection of cohabitating families at the international level. In this paper, we will first provide the definition of the legal term of cohabitation. Then, we will focus on the legal status of cohabitating families under international (human rights) law. As European based scholars, we will further emphasise the relevance of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union as the most relevant judicial institutions involved in the legal protection of the cohabitants' right to family life in Europe. We will also offer some useful insights on the matter of international regulation of cohabitation on a broader, global scale. Finally, we will try to provide an answer to the question whether cohabitants have an adequate legal status in international law and EU law, and discuss the content and scope of cohabitants' family protection in those legal regimes.


To assess the microbial risk of groundwater works the capacity of natural as well as artificial groundwater recharge to reduce microorganisms needs to be estimated. There are many parameters affecting the reduction of microorganisms during the infiltration process, which need to be assessed. The aim of this study was to analyse occurred events related to microbial contamination of groundwater supplies and to evaluate the applicability of a model for quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) on artificial groundwater recharge. Artificial groundwater recharge is commonly applied in, for example, Sweden and additional studies on microbial risks are needed to better understand the processes determining the reduction of microorganisms. News articles describing microbial contamination events were reviewed to identify the causes and the magnitude of the problem. A clear correlation was observed between contamination events and rainfall events. This emphasises the importance of preventing surface water flows reaching groundwater wells and causing contamination. For the QMRA part, the parameters affecting the microbial pathogen reduction in artificial groundwater recharge were analysed and literature data for the reduction potential was compared with the default values used in the evaluated model by the Swedish Water and Wastewater Association. The default values for the reduction are only valid for slow sand filtration with filtration depth less than 1.5 meters. The data found in the literature is valid for larger filtration depths and thus show a higher reduction potential. In the evaluated QMRA model it is not possible to define the filtration depth or other parameters in order to adjust the level of microbial pathogen reduction. The knowledge about microbial pathogen reduction in artificial groundwater recharge is limited today and to enable more reliable risk assessments site investigations are needed. Guidelines on what important parameters to consider and the reasonable levels of reduction would be of great help in order to assess the risk when no site investigation has been made.


This experiment was established in greenhouse at Embrapa Clima Temperado, Pelotas, RS, with the objective to evaluate the effects of different doses of phosphorus and potassium on dry matter production of aerial biomass and roots, length of above ground parts and roots and efficiency and score of nodulation of three cool season annual forage legumes. The treatments were five doses of P (0,0; 1,08; 2,15; 3,23 e 4,30 mg de P2O5/dm3) and K (00,0; 0,43; 0,85; 1,28 e 1,70 mg de K2O/dm3) representing to 0,0 (control ) and 1, 2, 3 and 4 times the soil analysis recommendation, in pots, filled up with 8 kg de soil type Planossolo, mapping unit Pelotas. The legumes used were: Trifolium resupinatum L. cv. Kyambro (persian clover), Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Woogenellup and Lotus subbiflorus Lag. cv. El Rincon. The experimental design consisted of a 5x5x3 factorial treatment arrangement, in a completely randomized design, with three replications. The experiment was carried out from May to October 2000, and the data were collected at the end of the experimental period, approximately 170 days after sowing. The majority of variables were not affected by K, but by P fertilization. For the variables related with production, persian clover was the most productive species. For nodulation, subterranean clover and Lotus El Rincon showed higher nodule numbers and efficiency.


Harmful viruses and fungi in plant material, and vectors occur worldwide. This resulted in a large economic lost over years. As many pathogenic viruses remain latent in the planting material, it is rather difficult to detect them. Diagnostic methods, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its variants to detect plant pathogens, have been widely applied in detection of plant viruses and fungi. They are reliable, specific and sensitive.


G angliocytic paraganglioma, which is a rare neuroendocrine tumor, typically occurs in the descending part of the duodenum.1 In addition, bronchogenic gangliocytic paraganglioma is very rare, with only 5 cases reported in the English literature, including our case.2–5 The tumor has distinctive features, consisting of 3 components: epithelioid cells, ganglion-like cells, and spindle cells. The most common treatment for the tumor is lobectomy, but bronchoscopic resection with a high-frequency snare and Nd: YAG laser ablation can be a viable alternative and may provide good disease control over the long term.


This article proposes a novel fixed-time converging forward-backward-forward neurodynamic network (FXFNN) to deal with mixed variational inequalities (MVIs). A distinctive feature of the FXFNN is its fast and fixed-time convergence, in contrast to conventional forward-backward-forward neurodynamic network and projected neurodynamic network. It is shown that the solution of the proposed FXFNN exists uniquely and converges to the unique solution of the corresponding MVIs in fixed time under some mild conditions. It is also shown that the fixed-time convergence result obtained for the FXFNN is independent of initial conditions, unlike most of the existing asymptotical and exponential convergence results. Furthermore, the proposed FXFNN is applied in solving sparse recovery problems, variational inequalities, nonlinear complementarity problems, and min–max problems. Finally, numerical and experimental examples are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed neurodynamic network.


Conventional dimensionality reduction algorithms aim to attain low recognition errors, assuming the same misclassification loss from different misclassifications. In some real-world applications, however, this assumption may not hold. For example, in the doorlocker syetem based on face recognition, there are impostor and gallery person. The loss of misclassifying an impostor as a gallery person is larger than misclassifying a gallery person as an impostor, while the loss of misclassifying a gallery person as an impostor can be larger than misclassifying a gallery person as other gallery persons. This paper recognizes the door-locker system based on face recognition as a cost-sensitive subclass learning problem, incorporates the subclass information and misclassification costs into the framework of discriminant analysis at the same time, and proposes a dimensionality reduction algorithm approximate to the pairwise Bayes risk. The experimental results on face datasets Extended Yale B and ORL demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm.


This volume summarizes the presentations at a two-day World Bank conference on the welfare effects of privatization, held in Washington, D.C. on June 11-12, 1992, and attended by some 100 senior policymakers, academics, and advisers from around the world. Its objective was to disseminate the findings of two years of research conducted by the Bank and Boston University analyzing twelve cases of privatization of state-owned enterprises in four countries (United Kingdom, Chile, Mexico, and Malaysia). Research findings in this volume support the view that privatization can bring substantial gains. In eleven of twelve cases, the gains were positive and large, amounting to an average 2.5 percent permanent increase in GDP. Several reasons are given for this outcome and commented on by many of the participants. For one thing, all the countries regulated the private monopolies in ways that reduced or eliminated the chances to exploit consumers. For another, the shift to private ownership allowed other beneficial changes to occur: an increase in investment, a rise in prices toward levels that reflect scarcity values, greater productivity thanks to managerial effort, better marketing and diversification, and the freedom to shed excess labor. The volume concludes by assessing policy implications and by calling for further research, particularly on the implications for poor economies and the former command economies, which may be in a low-level equilibrium unconducive to privatization.


Waterlogging and ill-aeration of soil are of wide ecological importance. It is clear from observations that species of plants differ in their tolerance of poor aeration but the physiological nature of these differences is unknown. Studies of soil aeration involve a complex of conditions which are often difficult to separate. Oxygen deficiency and high concentrations of carbon dioxide in poorly aerated soils are well known (Russell & Appleyard 1915) and the associated micro-biological reduction reactions which concern the availability and solubility of, notably, nitrates, sulphates, iron and manganese have also been recognized (Russell 1952). However, although numerous papers have been published attributing poor plant growth to conditions of poorly aerated soils, only a few investigations have attempted to ascertain which aspect of poor aeration is most critical to plant growth. Mercurialis perennis is one of the commonest European woodland plants and has long been recognized to be very sensitive to either waterlogging per se or ill-aeration of the soil. The present paper describes a comparative experimental study of a group of woodland species undertaken to elucidate more fully the factors which cause a particular distributional pattern shown by M. perennis in the boulder-clay woodlands of Cambridgeshire.


With the combination of the Fourier synthesis method and the time-dependent linear stability analysis, a simple model was developed to describe the dynamic evolution of the initial interface instability. By using this simple model, the early instability stage of a planar interface during directional solidification of binary alloys is predicted and how the interface microstructure generates from the background infinitesimal fluctuations is also revealed. The results from this model are in good agreement with those from quantitative phase field simulations and previous experiments.


 Abstract — Manuela´s Beltran University has developed in their virtual unit specific projects that are focused in the creation of digital educational resources for the careers and post graduate studies. This article has evidence the develop of the virtual platform of learning called Virtualnet 2.0 for an special use of mobile devices with a WebApp, the impact that this device has become in the distance apprentice has been preceding by the digital tools, and the educational contents.


Pityriasis versicolor also called Tinea versicolor (Bahaq) is a superficial fungal infection of the skin characterized by hypo or hyperpigmented macules or patches on upper trunk and neck. Most commonly affects adolescents and young adults.According to Unani system, it is humoral disease characterized by alteration in the quality or quantity of phlegm or black bile, resulting in hypo or hyperpigmentation. The treatment of bahaq has been extensively studied in Unani medicine by ancient scholars such as Rabban Tabarī, Zakariya Razi, Ibn Sina, Ajmal Khan and various others have described drugs single as well as compound formulations for its treatment. This review paper is intended to highlight the concept and various treatment methods of Unani in the management of Bahaq

Keywords: Pityriasis versicolor, Tinea Versicolor, Bahaq, Unani medicine.


The breakdown of short-term funding markets was a key feature of the global financial crisis of 2007/2008. Drawing on ideas from global games and network growth, we show how network topology interacts with the funding structure of financial institutions to determine system-wide crises. Bad news about a financial institution can lead others to lose confidence in it and their withdrawals, in turn, trigger problems across the interbank network. Once broken, credit relations take a long time to re-establish as a result of common knowledge of the equilibrium. Our findings shed light on public policy responses during and after the crisis.


Objective: To identify the level of knowledge of the lay population of a Higher Education Institution about Acute Myocardial Infarction. Methods: Cross-sectional, prospective and observational study, carried out in a Higher Education Institution in the State of Piaui. The sample consisted of 340 (three hundred and forty) students from the human and exact areas and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Results: 15% of respondents said they did not know what Acute Myocardial Infarction is, 64% did not know the time to check the pulse and identify a cardiac arrest and only 9% knew how to answer the correct place to place the External Automated Defibrillator electrodes. Conclusion: The studied population, despite being characterized as young and with a higher educational level, failed more than half of the time to identify risk factors, such as signs and symptoms, as well as the conduct indicated in these cases. The study showed that the level of knowledge of the interviewees is still considered insufficient, revealing the need for intervention.


The earthquakes that occur in the Indonesia are caused by several primary factors such as the tectonic plate shifts which lead to the increased activity of earthquakes and volcanoes. Moreover, the geological condition and the rock structure of swathes of Indonesia constitute the secondary factor that contributes to the danger of the disaster in Indonesia. Various disasters having occurred in the last 2 years are summarized in this article. This study was aimed to provide information concerning the history as well as attempts to cope with disasters and impacts on society following the disasters in Indonesia. The qualitative case study methodology was selected along with sources derived from various community groups as well as governmental agencies such as BNPB (The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure) and BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency) that serve as a reference in this study. The results of the study delineated that the community's response to the natural disasters led to increased security mitigation efforts made by the community and the government. In addition, it affected social relationship between communities in a positive manner evidenced by participation in helping with the post-disaster recovery.


What is orthodontics? This may seem an odd question to be posed in an orthodontic journal, but there is no doubt that we are living through changing times within our speciality. There has recently been an explosion of new, exciting and heavily-marketed techniques to offer our patients including self-ligating bracket systems, aesthetic appliances and 'do it all' removables. These systems are revolutionizing contemporary practice. Never before have patients been faced with such choice in orthodontics. Around every corner, on every high street and on the internet there appears to be someone who does not take teeth out and offers 'invisible' braces. It is now possible to offer our patients the 'six month smile', with a minimum of fuss and inconvenience not to mention financial outlay. The fear of being left behind prompts many of us to buy the latest brackets systems, however untested they are; and sign up to yet another accreditation course, however expensive it is. All this to become versed at providing better-marketed, although not necessarily better treatment. However, we sleep soundly in the knowledge that we remain 'contemporary' in our practice and happily feel part of the zeitgeist that is sweeping through our speciality. However, by broadening our armamentarium, are our clinical outcomes likely to improve? There is of course no doubt that these systems can align teeth and there is some evidence to support this. However, the question that remains is not whether we can move teeth but where should we move them to? Specialist orthodontic teaching in the UK has traditionally been based upon several bedrocks and whilst there are no absolute truths in what we do, these have proved to be good tenets on which to base clinical practice. It was believed that there was a limit to where the dentition could be placed both transversely and anteriorly, in general terms the lower labial segment position was regarded as inviolable and of course, the lower intercanine width was seen as sacrosanct. These principles formed a foundation for treatment planning, and were based upon many years of clinical practice. However, now the paradigm is shifting. We are now told not to extract for space but rather for the face; we are led to believe that big protrusive smiles are what our patients want, and there is an increasing acceptance of long-term retention. So where should we now put the teeth? Anywhere it seems. Suddenly the house of cards on which we based our treatment philosophies has come tumbling down. Or has it? Haven't we been here before? The appliances have become more sophisticated, even gift wrapped with their own philosophy in some cases, but the arguments remain the same. The biology of our patients has not changed, nor have the causes of malocclusion. Is orthodontics now just treating tooth malalignment or should we still be trying to treat malocclusion? Surely we should have some watertight treatment principles and definite individualized treatment goals, and not feel obliged to treat each case without extractions just because we have the ability and the mechanics to so do. The exciting thing about our specialty is that every malocclusion we treat is different. We should therefore try to avoid a formulaic approach to treatment planning. The orthodontist should dictate treatment, not the appliance or indeed the manufacturer. Whilst innovations such as self-ligation allow us to rethink our mechanics, these mechanics should not drive our treatment planning; in fact, the reverse should be true. Just because you may have recently taken delivery of a new bracket system and some very bendy wires, it does not mean that your postgraduate training should be eschewed and your treatment philosophy irrevocably changed to make every case that walks into your office a non-extraction case. After all, brackets and wires are the tools of our trade but practicing orthodontics involves more than being a mere slave to the appliance. It is deceptively easy to straighten teeth and there are many new, user-friendly and exciting ways to do it. However, comprehensive treatment is a more complex process, with a premium on placing the dentition in the correct position relative to the soft tissues and to the opposing arch. In the current climate of increased marketing, high patient expectation and the orthodontist as salesman, it can be difficult to remain committed to this. Of course there is always room for compromise and in certain cases it is appropriate to treat the complaint as opposed to comprehensively addressing the malocclusion. Notwithstanding this, such compromised treatment would represent the exception occasionally pre-empted by patient choice, rather than becoming a pervasive form of 'orthodontics'. Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 36, 2009, 71–72


Side Scan Sonar (SSS) is an instrument that is usually used in surveys to perform seabed imaging. SSS was able to show two-dimensional images of the seabed with contour, topographic, and target conditions simultaneously. This technology is capable of distinguishing seabed types such as rocks, sand, or others. In addition, the usefulness of this technology can also detect the existence of marine pipes and cables, shallow structures of the seabed, dredges, environmental studies, military, archaeology, fisheries, and mining. The aims of this research were to identify and interpret the seabed, measure the acoustic backscatter (dB) and amplitude (mV) of the seabed substrate, and compute SSS data using Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) in the Yos Sudarso Bay, Jayapura. Processing data was performed by radiometric Beam Angle Correction (BAC), Automatic Gain Control (AGC), and geometric (bottom tracking) corrections using SonarWiz 7 software. Pre-processed SSS data were then converted to XtfToSegy and the amplitude values were exported by SeiSee software, and CWT was calculated using Matlab. Amplitude data was visualized using Microsoft Excel to display a relation between amplitude, time, and CWT graph. The results of seabed detection were three areas of sand and one coral target. The amplitude value of sand 1 ranged from 4319 to 30976 mV with the = backscatter value was -17.10 dB. The amplitude value of sand 2 ranged from 1411 to 12288 mV with the backscatter value was -18.79 dB. The amplitude value of sand 3 ranged from 1391.625 to 12032 mV with the backscatter value was -18.70 dB. The amplitude of the coral ranged from 24960 to 32640 mV with the backscatter value was -2.30 dB. The CWT analysis results show that the yellow-coloured coral's energy represents a rougher and harder object. The energy generated from the blue-coloured sand represents the object has smooth and non-hardening characteristics.


Balmer lines emitted from a Penning discharge in hydrogen gas show a Doppler shift indicating rotation around the axis of the discharge column. This effect is explained as a result of the charge exchange collisions of the drifting plasma ions with the neutral atoms, and the fast neutral particle thus produced being excited by the plasma electrons. Accordingly we identify this rotation with the drift motion of the plasma. The velocity of rotation vrot is obtained as a function of radius from the measured Doppler shifts for two values of the confining magnetic field strength Bz The results show that for plasma layers with radial distances r smaller than or equal to the radius of the hollow anode cylinder, that means inside a tube which contains radial currents Ir, the rotational speed vrot can be expressed by the following very simple formula: vrot = (IrBz / nimin0 ?coll2?rL)1/2. A derivation of this expression is given.


For economists who study markets—whether wholesale or retail, goods or services, commodities or highly differentiated products—these are extraordinary times. The Internet and related technologies have caused the costs of many kinds of market interactions to plummet. As with any dramatic technological change, the most obvious and earliest effects are incremental: we find easier and less costly ways of doing the things we are already doing. Over time, however, the shifts are more drastic: we discover that we can do entirely new things, or completely restructure the way in which certain business activities are carried out. Such long-term impacts of technological change are always hard to forecast, but that task is especially difficult in the case of e-commerce, where markets are currently very far from equilibrium. In the "land rush" to secure Internet real estate, to gain first-mover market position and other advantages, many firms are pursuing strategies that are properly interpreted as the payment of one-time, largely sunk entry costs. In some cases the focus of these expenditures is on "customer acquisition," through pricing that is not likely to be sustainable, while in others it is building infrastructure to achieve minimum efficient scale. These expenditures—fueled by inflows of venture capital—may represent reasonable investments for a chance of a future stream of profits that might accrue to the


This study explores the effects of autonomous cars and how they may affect the design of transportation systems. The research investigated the determinants of consumer adoption of autonomous vehicles in Thailand. The research was driven by increasing environmental protection awareness and the need to conserve it through revolutionary technology. The study adopted the extended UTAUT model, where a quantitative method was adopted using primary data from 381 respondents. The results indicated that consumer adoption of autonomous vehicles in Thailand is influenced by performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, environmental benefits, and purchase subsidy. The recommendations developed were that, to enhance the consumers' intention to adopt autonomous vehicles, the concerned stakeholders should improve on aspects, such as the ability to improve job performance, increase productivity, ease of use, flexibility, clarity, and understanding, as well as improve social status. The government should also consider subsidizing autonomous vehicles as this would encourage consumption. A limitation of the study is the generalization of the findings as it is limited to Thailand.


This paper presents a design of wireless power transmission based on distributed retro-reflective beamforming. The power transmitter consists of two 1 × 4 antenna arrays,well separated in space. All the 8 antenna elements receive pilot signals broadcasted from a mobile target device,and then jointly focus the wireless power on the mobile device using the retro-reflective scheme. Simulation results show that the scheme of distributed retro-reflective beamforming can track the mobile device's location within a certain region and accurately deliver wireless power onto the device's location.