The invention relates to an anti-striking electrode plate or base plate for a detected part electrifying electrode of a fluorescent magnetic particle flaw detector, and belongs to a detection technology in physics. On the electrode for electrifying the part and of the flaw detector, the anti-striking electrode plate or base plate overcomes the defects of easy damage, toxicity and incomplete striking elimination existing in the conventional anti-striking component using soft lead and a thin copper wire pad. The electrode plate or base plate is made of copper, zinc and tin alloy and contains the following metals in parts by weight: 10 parts of copper, 25-35 parts of zinc and 55-65 parts of tin. The anti-striking electrode plate or base plate has the beneficial effects that when the contact surface of the electrode plate and the part has bad local contact, because electric energy is intensive to heat to 500-600 DEG C, and then a fusing membrane can be formed on the surface of the electrode plate, the electrode plate consumes accumulated electric energy, repairs the contact surface, eliminates striking generation factors and ensures the safety of the part in a flaw detecting process.


Objective To investigate the impact of chemotherapy on CD4+CD25+CD127-T regulatory cells in breast cancer patients.Methods We analyzed the peripheral blood cells,including NK,B lymphocyte CD19,and the T lymphocyte subgroups of CD3,CD4,CD8 and CD4+CD25+CD127-regulatory T cells in l29 patients with cancer before and after chemotherapy by flow cytometry.The ratio of CD4/CD8 was dynamically observed during the treatment.Results The cell counts of CD4,CD3 and the ratio of CD4/CD8 increased while the cell counts of CD8,NK,CD19 and the ratio of CD4+CD25+ CD127-regulatory T cells CD4+ decreased after chemotherapy among breast cancer patients(P0.05).The change of regulatory T cell numbers was associated with the clinical status of patients and the differentiation levels of cancer cells.Conclusion The function of immune modulation decreased during chemotherapy in the patients of breast cancer.


This paper research and analysis the patent status in the major countries/regional of domestic and foreign major enterprises in LED lighting industry,summarize the lack and difference between domestic and foreign major enterprises in LED lighting industry.


This conceptual framework proposes a multi-level, multi-dimensional course alignment model to implement a contextualised constructive alignment of rubric design that authentically evidences and assesses learning outcomes. By embedding quality control mechanisms at each level for each dimension, this model facilitates the development of an aligned curriculum. The use of rubrics is a crucial theme for many higher education institutions owing to the binding requirement by universities to provide evidence to quality assurance agencies. The success of evidencing learning outcomes through rubrics, however, is only one piece of the puzzle. The other is the contextualised constructive alignment of intertwined factors. Despite the significance of embedding these factors, there has been little, if any, systematic framework in this area. The two key instrumental forces underpinning the conception of this model are: seeking external accreditation and the implementation of programme enhancement thus realising the strategic agenda for an Australian university.


Schwarzschild black holes with quantum corrections are studied under scalar field perturbations and electromagnetic field perturbations to analyze the effect of the correction term on the potential function and quasinormal mode (QNM). In classical general relativity, spacetime is continuous and there is no existence of the so-called minimal length. The introduction of the correction items of the generalized uncertainty principle, the parameter β, can change the singularity structure of the black hole gauge and may lead to discretization in time and space. We apply the sixth-order WKB method to approximate the QNM of Schwarzschild black holes with quantum corrections and perform numerical analysis to derive the results of the method. Also, we find that the effective potential and QNM in scalar fields are larger than those in electromagnetic fields.


"The diverse papers that were presented at the 1996 Mogollon Conference reveal the geographic, intellectual, and temporal scope of contemporary Mogollon archaeology, and almost nothing of the historical controversy surrounding the Mogollon culture concept" (Whittlesey 1999:vii). With these words, Stephanie M. Whittlesey makes it clear in the preface that Sixty Years of Mogollon Archaeology: Papers From the Ninth Mogollon Conference, Silver City, New Mexico, 1996 (SRl Press 2000) contains few papers on the history of Mogollon archaeology. It might therefore be more appropriately titled "Current Research in Mogollon Archaeology." The volume was apparently named to honor the sixtieth anniversary of Emil Haury's 1936 publication The Mogollon Culture of Southwestern New Mexico, which described the Mogollon for the first time.


Objective To investigate the effects of either combining amlodipine with amiloride or with telmisartan on carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.Methods The patients were randomly divided into amlodipine with amiloride group (Group A,n=207) or amlodipine with telmisartan group (Group B,n=211).Carotid arterial mean intimal|medial thickness (MIMT),carotid inner diameters and blood flow parameter were measured with high resolution ultrasound and later again after 12 and 24 month treatment.Results There was no significant difference in reducing blood pressure between two groups (P0.05).Compared to baseline,in both groups,the artery diameters after 12,or 24 month treatment became larger A group (7.92±1.51) vs (8.32±1.47) vs (7.45±1.36) mm;B group (7.95±1.55) vs (8.33±1.62) vs (7.39±1.44) mm,Crouse points decreased A group (3.12±2.76) and (2.61±2.10) vs (3.67±2.87)mm;B group (2.97±2.32) and (2.34±1.87) vs (3.71±3.02),peak systolic velocity (PSV),end diastolic velocity (EDV) became quicker,and resistance index (RI) became less.With prolonged treatment,the trend is more evident (all P0.05).With the treatment combing amlodipine with telmisartan,at 12,24 month,MIMT reduced significantly from baseline (0.94±0.16) vs (0.91±0.14) vs (0.98±0.15) mm,P0.05,however with combing amlodipine with amiloride,at 12 month,MIMT was not significantly reduced (0.95±0.15) vs (0.97±0.12) mm,P0.05 while at 24 month,reduction of MIMT appeared significantly (0.91±0.14) vs (0.97±0.12) mm,P0.05.Compared to combined with amiloride,amlodipine combined with telmisartan in patients after 12 and 24 month treatment,the MIMT reduction,Crouse points decrease,RI decrease,all are significant (P0.05).Conclusion The combination therapy of amlodipine with amiloride/HCTZ or amlodipine with telmisartan are similar in lowering BP,easing atherosclerosis,and are more significant with a longer treatment time.However combing amlodipine with telmisartan has a better effect on correcting abnormal function and structure of large arteries,which may delay the progression of atherosclerosis.


A different approach is suggested for introducing special relativity. This approach exploits the distinction between the Doppler effect for sound and for light. With the Doppler effect for sound the difference in the frequency when the observer is in motion is not the same as when the emitter is in motion. This is exhibited already in the second order for sound, but for light there is no such shift in any order. An experiment suitable for an advanced undergraduate laboratory has been designed which can detect this second‐order difference in the acoustical shift. The system oberver (microphone) or emitter (loudspeaker) is mounted on an air track and measurement is made with a specially built frequency meter. The theoretical expression for the shift was confirmed in our laboratory for speeds from 3 to 7 m/s at an emitted frequency of 40 kHz.


Objectives: The rarity of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) and the lack of prospective clinical trials has resulted in the limited knowledge of its clinical features and prognosis. We aimed to understand the clinical characteristics and developed a nomogram to better predict the prognosis of patients with MMHN.Methods: Based on a total of 300 patients with nonmetastatic MMHN, multivariable Cox regression was performed to analyze independent prognostic factors. The overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) of MMHN patients could be monitored using the nomogram. To facilitate clinical application, an online dynamic nomogram was established.Results: Multivariate analysis identified primary tumor site, T stage and N stage as independent risk factors for survival. This factor-based nomogram had prognostic value for OS, DFS, DMFS, and LRRFS. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated the high diagnostic accuracy of the nomogram (AUC > 0.7). Kaplan–Meier survival curves indicated that the risk score of the nomogram effectively stratified MMHN patients with poor survival into a high-risk group (all P<0.001). Conclusions: The nomogram is conducive to stratifying MMHN patients into clinically meaningful taxonomies and subsequently providing individualized treatment.


Background: Colon is the site of broad array of diseases and is frequently affected by infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. It is the most common site of gastrointestinal neoplasia in western population. Many benign lesions if not detected in time can progress to malignancy over time. Cancer diagnosis very often results in an enormous change in patient's psychological well being but at the same time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment plays a very important role in survival of the patient. Flexible colonoscope is well established in procuring histologic and cytologic material for microscopic evaluation. Colonoscopic direct vision brush cytology has several advantages that are not equally possessed by tissue biopsies. Objectives were to study cytomorphological features of colonic lesions, to correlate them with histopathology and evaluate sensitivity and specificity of cytological evaluation. Methods : In present study, 200 cases of colonic lesions were evaluated cytologically and cytohistopathological correlation was done where possible. Result : In present study sensitivity of 96.6 % and specificity of 100 % was observed for cytological evaluation. Conclusion: Brush cytology is a reliable, safe, inexpensive and rapid method of diagnosing gastrointestinal lesions.


Two Alabama pain specialists who took kickbacks from an opioid manufacturer to prescribe immense quantities of fentanyl have been sentenced to 20 and 21 years' imprisonment.

John Patrick Couch received a 20 year sentence and his business partner Xiulu Ruan 21 years after both were convicted of a slew of federal charges, including mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to receive illegal kickbacks, conspiracy to prescribe controlled substances including fentanyl, and racketeering charges.

Couch and Ruan ran two clinics as part of their company Physicians' Pain Specialists of Alabama.1 They also owned a pharmacy attached to one of their clinics that processed most of the opioid prescriptions. Both were heavy prescribers of fentanyl, a drug heavily implicated in the epidemic of …


Vaccination against the ongoing COVID-19 is the key point in fight against the pandemic. The Spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is the major target of the neutralizing humoral response. We evaluated analytical and clinical performances of a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) (iFlash-2019-nCoV Nab assay, Ylho, China) compared to the conventional neutralization tests (cVNT) and anti-S eCLIA assays (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) in recovered and/or vaccinated health care workers. Our results indicate that sVNT displayed high specificity and no cross reactivity. Both Roche and iFlash immunoassays were good in identifying cVNT serum dilution > 1:16. Optimal thresholds in identifying cVNT titers ≥ 1:16, were 74.5 U/ml and 49.4 IU/ml for anti-S eCLIA and sVNT, respectively. Our data show that Nab neutralizing antibodies titers depend on individuals and may abate over time. Specific assays such as sVNT may be a reliable complementary tool to routine anti-S serology assays.


The classical SEPIC ripper tools, presents one step-up/step-lower static gain in most cases can be used being an HPF preregulator in applications in which the output current should be less than the height from the ac input current. The theoretical and experimental analysis of the modified form of the SEPIC electricity-electricity ripper tools utilized as preregulator operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is presented within this paper. The suggested ripper tools presents a minimal input current ripple operating in DCM, and also the switch current is gloomier compared to output current. Furthermore, an electronic control strategy is put on the suggested ripper tools to be able to lessen the third-harmonic input current distortion resultant from the operation in DCM. Finally, one hundred-W prototype was created operating with efficiency comparable to 95.6%. The switch current reduction boosts the ripper tools reliability along with a low drain-to-source on-resistance (RDSon) MOSFET may be used with respect to the ripper tools specs.


Plasticity in the dentate gyrus (DG) is strongly influenced by ethanol, and ethanol experience alters long‐term memory consolidation dependent on the DG. However, it is unclear if DG plasticity plays a role in dysregulation of long‐term memory consolidation during abstinence from chronic ethanol experience. Outbred male Wistar rats experienced 7 weeks of chronic intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (CIE). Seventy‐two hours after CIE cessation, CIE and age‐matched ethanol‐naïve Air controls experienced auditory trace fear conditioning (TFC). Rats were tested for cue‐mediated retrieval in the fear context either twenty‐four hours (24 hr), ten days (10 days), or twenty‐one days (21 days) later. CIE rats showed enhanced freezing behavior during TFC acquisition compared to Air rats. Air rats showed significant fear retrieval, and this behavior did not differ at the three time points. In CIE rats, fear retrieval increased over time during abstinence, indicating an incubation in fear responses. Enhanced retrieval at 21 days was associated with reduced structural and functional plasticity of ventral granule cell neurons (GCNs) and reduced expression of synaptic proteins important for neuronal plasticity. Systemic treatment with the drug Isoxazole‐9 (Isx‐9; small molecule that stimulates DG plasticity) during the last week and a half of CIE blocked altered acquisition and retrieval of fear memories in CIE rats during abstinence. Concurrently, Isx‐9 modulated the structural and functional plasticity of ventral GCNs and the expression of synaptic proteins in the ventral DG. These findings identify that abstinence‐induced disruption of fear memory consolidation occurs via altered plasticity within the ventral DG, and that Isx‐9 prevented these effects.


The value of the concept of procedure justice in law system that originated from Anglo-American law system is analyzed. In relation to China's concrete national conditions,the necessary lawsuit system reform required for implementing procedure justice concept and relevant matching measures are explored.


The aviation is a highly engineered industry. It has precise manufacturing requirements. Because of these requirements, the aviation has been forced to be a pioneer for implementation of novel manufacturing techniques such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and newly-developed materials such as carbon fiber composites. These technologies and materials were firstly adopted by the aviation industry. Many processes and materials were used by other sectors such as automotive, ship construction and white goods etc. after the aviation industry used those as regular ones. On the other hand, the aviation industry is a booming sector because it is leveraged by increasing passenger traffic. Passenger traffic projections show that the aviation industry will continuously expand. Naturally, this expansion will attract many companies into the aviation industry and therefore attraction will conclude a fiercer competition environment in the aviation industry. At the conclusion, the companies in the aviation industry will look for implementation of novel technologies since they will not want to fall behind their competitors. On the other hand, the airworthiness authorities always keep their decision and regulation maker position while the companies are the followers. It can be put forward that the most difficult side of the implementation of novel technologies into aviation industry is to get along with the strict rules and regulations which are put by international and national airworthiness authorities. In this context, the question of how to qualify the additively manufactured parts (AMPs) is waiting for the answer. The additive manufacturing (AM) is a strong process which has been implemented into aviation industry rapidly while the qualification and certification processes still have many challenges. This paper provides the pathway and the steps of qualification for additively manufactured parts (AMPs) besides the categorization of AM technologies and the impact of weight reduction over flight operation cost.


Background: There remains an unmet need for molecularly targeted imaging agents in multiple myeloma (MM). The integrin, very late antigen-4 (VLA4), is differentially expressed in malignant MM cells as well as in the pathogenic inflammatory microenvironmental cells. [Cu]Cu-CB-TE1A1P-LLP2A (Cu-LLP2A) is a VLA4 targeted, high-affinity radiopharmaceutical with promising utility for managing patients diagnosed with MM. Here, we evaluated safety and human radiation dosimetry of Cu-LLP2A for potential use in MM patients. Methods: Single dose [Cu]Cu-LLP2A (Cu-LLP2A) tolerability and toxicity study was performed in CD-1 (Hsd:ICR) male and female mice. Cu-LLP2A was synthesized in accordance with the good manufacturing practice compliant procedures. Three MM and six healthy participants underwent Cu-LLP2A-PET/CT or PET/MR scans up to three time points to help determine tracer biodistribution, pharmacokinetics and radiation dosimetry. Time-activity curves were plotted for each participant. Mean organ absorbed doses and effective doses were calculated using the Organ Level INternal Dose Assessment (OLINDA) software. Tracer bioactivity was evaluated via cell binding assays and metabolites from human blood samples were analyzed with analytical radio-high performance liquid chromatography. When feasible, VLA4 expression was evaluated in the biopsy tissues using 14-color flow cytometry. Results: 150-fold mass excess of the desired imaging dose was tolerated well in male and female CD-1 mice (no observed adverse effect level (NOEL)). Time-activity curves from human imaging data showed rapid tracer clearance from blood via kidneys and bladder. The effective dose of Cu-LLP2A in humans was 0.036 ± 0.006 mSv/MBq, and spleen had the highest organ uptake of 0.142 ± 0.034 mSv/MBq. Among all tissues, the red marrow demonstrated highest residence time. Image quality analysis supports early imaging time (4-5 h post injection of the radiotracer) as optimal. Cell studies showed statistically significant blocking for the tracer produced for all of the human studies (82.42 ± 13.47%). Blood metabolism studies confirmed a stable product peak (> 90%) up to 1 h post-injection of the radiopharmaceutical. No clinical or laboratory adverse events related to Cu-LLP2A were observed in the human participants. Conclusions: Cu-LLP2A exhibited a favorable dosimetry and safety profile for use in humans.


As Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAV) technology becomes mature and more capable, its use for automating risky and repetitive tasks has been explored, even in challenging environments. This has resulted in a wide array of expensive platforms specialized for solving specific problems that sometimes do not generalize to other applications. In this work we develop a MAV system, UTAINS, capable of navigating in GPS-denied environments for indoors and outdoors applications. The main design target for the platform is autonomous aerial inspections of power plants, so we first introduce a survey about flying robots for inspection and exploration tasks in GPS-denied environments, presenting the proposed systems in terms of their autonomy level. Furthermore, we present the design of a modular low-cost system that can easily scale for a wide range of applications, both from a software and a hardware perspective. The software architecture is subdivided in modules that implement the key competences for autonomous navigation: motion control, perception, localization, and planning. We show the successful implementation of a design aimed for power plants inspection in GPS-denied environments through real flights following a planned trajectory, both in indoors and outdoors scenarios.


SUMMARY High-accuracy GPS positioning is being used in hydrography to resolve vertical movement of the survey vessel. Combining GPS heights with ellipsoid-to-chart datum separation models provides chart datum referenced depths for nautical chart production. Utilization of this technology to remove the tidal effect is a significant change from the traditional use of tide gauges, co-tidal charts and tide zoning. Standards and " best practices " used by the hydrographic community to create nautical charts are based on the traditional technology and methods. A thorough vetting of the new technology and methods is necessary for the development of new standards and best practices. This paper provides some background of the traditional and new technology and methods. It also outlines the issues and provides some recommendations.


Abstract Nation-building occurs not only through the creation of formal institutions, but also through struggles in cultural and symbolic contexts. In apartheid South Africa, the rugby union Springboks both symbolised and institutionalised a racially based form of 'bounded citizenship'. In post-apartheid South Africa, the Springboks have emerged as a contested and significant site in the attempt to build a non-racial nation through reconciliation. To explore these contests, we undertook a qualitative thematic analysis of newspaper discourses around the Springboks, reconciliation and nation-building in the contexts of the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups. Our research suggests, first, that the Springboks have been re-imagined in newspaper discourses as a symbol of the non-racial nation-building process in South Africa, especially in 'media events' such as the World Cup. Second, we find that there are significant limitations in translating this symbolism into institutionalised practice, as exemplified by newspaper debates over the place of 'merit' in international team selection processes. We conclude that the media framing of the role of the Springboks in nation-building indicates that unless the re-imagination of the Springboks is accompanied by a transformation in who is selected to represent the team, and symbolically the nation, the Springboks' contribution to South African nation-building will be over.


This paper describes analytical, numerical and experimental results for reducing 50 Hz magnetic fields originating from secondary substations. Attention is given to economically effective solutions. The global framework applied was to reduce the field at the sources instead of doing it at the affected area. For this purpose, a manifold of techniques were developed, such as, conductive and ferromagnetic shielding, passive and active compensation. These techniques take into account all the major sources within a substation.


Background. A recent Danish study showed that the prevalence of nickel allergy decreased among young female patients and increased among older female patients with dermatitis patch tested between 1985 and 2007 at Gentofte Hospital, Denmark. The prevalence of cobalt allergy remained unchanged.


Introduction : Entrepreneurship CMIE 1022 module was introduced in February 2012 and was made compulsory to all first year undergraduate students in all faculties of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The main objective of CMIE 1022 is to expose the students to entrepreneurship with implementation of online teaching and business game simulation. Method : Module evaluation form was distributed among medical and nursing students at the end of the module. Result : One hundred seventy-seven students responded to the survey with 50.3% of the respondents agreed that their soft skill have improved, 37.8% for increased awareness of entrepreneurship, 25.6% has increased their interest in entrepreneurship and 22.22% agreed to apply in their own courses. More than three quarter of the students agreed that the lecturers and teaching assistants teaching methodology were acceptable. However, only 18.4% agreed that this course should be taken by all students of UKM. Conclusion : This study showed despite increase in soft skills and interests including high performance of the academics, most students disagreed on the introduction of CMIE 1022 course to all UKM students. It is suggested that the course curriculum to be reviewed in order to achieve the objectives.


A variety of minerals transform to an amorphous material when statically compressed to a few tens of GPa. With quartz and the quartz-type forms of GeO2 and A1PO4 as examples, pressure-induced amorphization is first described with reference to differential stresses, crystalline transformations, compression mechanisms and shearing processes. Less comprehensive information is available for the amorphization of other minerals, but similar features are nevertheless observed for framework silicates, pyroxenes, olivines and hydrous silicates. The differences and similarities between amorphous substances obtained by cooling of liquids, static compression or decompression of crystals, moderate heating of high-pressure minerals at 1 atm, and shock waves are then reviewed. Finally, the thermodynamics of amorphization is discussed and the mechanistic interpretations of amorphization are presented, with special reference to elastic and dynamic instabilities and shearing processes. Key-words: amorphization, high-pressure transformations, densified glasses, diaplectic glasses.


Soluble and insoluble chromium (Cr) agents are concomitantly released with ozone (O 3) during welding. Although pulmonary implications from exposure to each agent individually have been investigated, the effects from simultaneous exposure, as occurs under actual working conditions, are unclear. To investigate the retention/distribution of inhaled Cr, male F-344 rats were exposed nose-only to atmospheres containing soluble potassium chromate (K 2CrO4) or O3, either alone or in combination, at 360 µ g Cr/m 3 and 0.3 ppm O3. In a second phase of the study, insoluble barium chromate (BaCrO 4) was used in place of K2CrO4. Rats were exposed for 5 h/day, 5 days/wk for 2 or 4 wk. One day after the final exposure, rats were euthanized and their lungs either removed intact or lavaged for quantitation of tissue-, lavaged cell‐ , and acellular lavage fluid‐ associated Cr. In general, rats inhaling insoluble Cr had greater total lung Cr burdens than did rats exposed to soluble Cr. Simultaneous inhalation of O 3 and K2CrO4 led to reduced lung Cr levels compared to those in rats receiving K 2CrO4 only; with BaCrO 4, coexposure to O 3 resulted in increased lung BaCrO 4 levels compared to BaCrO 4 alone. Particle solubility also affected Cr levels in lavageable cells, with those from rats inhaling BaCrO 4 alone or BaCrO 4 + O3 consistently having greater burdens than their K 2CrO4 counterparts; the presence of O 3 itself had no effect upon cell Cr levels when either compound was used. Solubility-dependent differences were also apparent in acellular lavage fluid, with Cr levels initially being greater in fluids from rats inhaling K 2CrO4 alone; as exposures continued, these burdens became greater in the rats inhaling BaCrO 4 alone. Although inhalation of either Cr/O 3 mixture yielded significant differences in fluid Cr levels, the presence of O 3 did lead to reductions in levels compared to those in rats inhaling either Cr agent alone. In postlavage lung tissue, there were time-dependent increases in Cr levels in rats from all exposure groups; however, the most dramatic increase occurred with rats exposed to BaCrO 4 + O3. Lastly, while significant solubility-dependent differences in the relative distribution of Cr among the three pulmonary compartments were discerned, a specific effect attributable to O 3 itself was not evident. The results of this study indicate that Cr retention and distribution within the lungs, as well as any effect from coexposure to O 3, are modulated by the solubility of the inhaled Cr particles.


In this study, fractional order indirect model reference adaptive control method is used to control a class of fractional order systems. Unlike the traditional integer order case, the controller is obtained by Lyapunov method and the closed-loop stability is achieved via indirect Lyapunov method rather than the certainty equivalence principle. Moreover, for the knowledge that the fractional order integral rate is much slower than the integer order case, fractional order updating laws are considered to achieve more steady performances in the system output, parameter estimation, and control input. Finally, a careful simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.


Socio-cyber-physical systems (SCPSs) are cyber-physical systems with social concerns. Many emerging SCPSs, often qualified as "smart", need such concerns to be addressed not only at design time but also at runtime, often by adapting dynamically to surrounding contexts, to keep providing optimal value to users. A comprehensive requirements and design modeling approach is needed to incorporate social concerns (e.g., using goal modeling) into SCPS development activities. This paper introduces an optimization method that provides design-time and runtime solutions for self-adaptive SCPSs while supporting the validation of their design models. The method helps satisfying the goals of the SCPS and its stakeholders by monitoring the system's environment and qualities, while enforcing correctness constraints specified in a feature model. We integrate arithmetic functions generated automatically from goal and feature models to build a combined goal-feature model and synchronize the values of the features shared between i) the objective function represented by goal functions, and ii) the constraints represented by feature functions. The goal-feature model is solved by an optimization tool (IBM CPLEX) in order to calculate optimal adaptation solutions for common situations at design time. Runtime optimization is also used by the system for adapting to situations unanticipated during design. We use a Smart Home Management System case study to assess how well the method can be used to manage selection among alternatives according to monitored environmental conditions while solving emergent conflicts. Further experiments on the use of the method for runtime adaptation show good performance for realistic models and good scalability overall. Some remaining challenges and limitations exist, including the availability of quantitative models as inputs.


A newly developed technique to analyze structureborne sound transmission in fluid filled piping system elbows based on wave theory is described. It is believed that generalization of the technique can be used to analyze structureborne sound transmission in fluid filled nonplanar piping systems that include bends and branches. To illustrate some of the basic principles of the method, an example is included. The wave theory approach is commonly used in analyzing electromagnetic and acoustic wave transmission in thin waveguides. Use of the technique to analyze structural vibrations is not as common. Other methods used to analyze the dynamics of structures include the differential equation and energy methods. Comparison of the experimental results with that using computational techniques based on the various theories show that the wave theory leads to much more accurate results than the differential equation solution method. Both the differential and the wave theory are based on force and moment analysis usin...


The time efficacy is defined as the time taken by the implicit learning process and the change of the performance of implicit learning.This concept provides a new framework to reexamine the characteristics of implicit learning,the relationship between implicit learning and explicit learning,and the knowledge representation.The implication of time efficacy in improvement and utilization of implicit learning for daily life is also discussed.


Judicial acts of any state operate within the territory under its jurisdiction. In the Russian Federation the conditions for the recognition and enforcement of judicial acts of a foreign state are stipulated in Chapter 31 of the Arbitration Procedural Code of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the "APC of the Russian Federation"),1 which can be called "international enforcement proceedings".2


To improve the gain of decoding BCH code message in satellite navigation system,using structural properties of BCH codes,a low complexity decoding scheme of soft information was designed.Considering the performance and computation through algorithm level simulation,parameters that were suitable for information software decoding of satellite navigation system were chosen,and hardware implementation was realized.The actual validation results show that the hardware scale becomes larger but in the acceptable range,the performance of decoding soft information is greatly improved on the premise of increasing little complexity.


In the metadata for Milani, G., Demattè, G., Ferioli, M., Dallagà, G., Lavezzi, S., Basaglia, N., & Straudi, S. (2021). Telerehabiltation in Italy During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study . International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6334, acceptability was misspelled in the title (i.e., acceptability) by the journal editor.
The metadata for the original article has been corrected.


EVALUATING YOUR OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION AND TWO WEALTH-BUILDING INVESTMENTS: Personal Wealth and Income Analysis Evaluating Direct Real Estate Investments Analyzing Direct Small Business Investment EVALUATING INVESTMENT INTERESTS IN LARGE CORPORATIONS: Introduction to Corporate Financial Statement Analysis Evaluating Overall Sales and Profit Performance Analyzing Expense Levels and Asset Management Measuring Returns to the Stockholders Analyzing Corporate Debt Levels Cash Flow Analysis Financial Profiles and Key Ratios Index.


In this work, we exploit the idea of composite pulses to achieve robust population inversion in a three-level quantum system. The scheme is based on the modulation of the coupling strength, while the other physical parameters remain unchanged. The composite pulses sequence is designed by vanishing high-order error terms, and can compensate the systematic errors to any desired order. In particular, this scheme keeps a good performance under the disturbance of waveform deformations. This trait ensures that population inversion can be nearly obtained even when the pulse sequence has a short jump delay. As an example, we employ the designed composite pulse sequence to prepare the W state in a robust manner in the superconducting circuits. The numerical results show that the fidelity can still maintain a high level in a decoherence environment.


The orientation to customer satisfaction is not a recent phenomenon, many very successful business people from the beginning of the 20th century, such as Sir Henry Royce, a name synonymous with Rolls-Royce vehicles, stated the first principle regarding customer satisfaction, "Our interest in the Rolls-Royce cars does not end at the moment when the owner pays for and takes delivery of the car. Our interest in the car never wanes. Our ambition is that every purchaser of the Rolls-Royce car shall continue to be more than satisfied (Rolls-Royce)." The following paper tries to deal with the important qualities of the concept for the measuring of the gap between expected custumer services satisfactions, and perceived services like a routine customer feedback process, by means of a relatively new model, the Servqual model.


This paper studies the extraction process of hydroxyphenylglycine tosylate(p-TSA) in the p-hydroxyphenyl-glycine mother liquor with the D 301 macroporous weakly basic ion exchange resin,including solution concentration on the column,adsorption temperature,the choice of elution agent and the stability of resin,and the quality of p-TSA was also measured.


Objective To study the situation of psychotolytic used in psychiatric hospital. Methods With the defined daily dose (DDD) system and the daily drug cost, the Psychotolytic consumption from 1996 to 2006 were analyzed. Results and Conclusion Both the drug cost and DDDs were increasing by years. Atypical antipsychotics and new types of antidepressants were increasing by years. The sales value and DDDs of Fluoxetine was the first in all the antidepressant; the DDDs of TACs was almost stable, but had a trend of decrease by years. BZ plays an important role in the anti-anxiety drugs.


A device for radial reshaping of rod-shaped tube, or wire-shaped workpieces (W), at an angular distance from one another, with a tool holder (4) about the longitudinal axis (x) of the workpiece (W) arranged tools (5) in an orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (x) of the workpiece (W) acting oscillating radial movement are displaceable, wherein the oscillating radial motion is achieved by subjecting the tools (5) with ultrasound, and the length (l) of the tools (5) of the half wavelength of the ultrasonic vibration or integer multiple thereof, where the fixing of the tools (5) on the tool holder (4) in a vibration node (K) of the ultrasonic vibration is, each of the tools (5) with an ultrasonic exciter (6) and the fixation the tools (5) to the ultrasonic exciters (6) in a maximum (M) is the oscillation amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration.


Educational transformation can occur when teachers are directly involved in seeking change through self-diagnostic measurements to have a clear picture of Indonesian teachers' capacity as a teacher, professional and Indonesian character educator.  The instrument discussed in this research is the Indonesian Teacher Engagement Index (ITEI). This research is the result of the literature review to produce the ITEI model. The research used Neuroresearch method with an exploratory stage through journal study and focus group discussion. The result of the research found that there is a teacher engagement model that is suitable for the characteristics of teachers in Indonesia.


Significance Unconscious reactions to threat orchestrated by subcortical brain structures are critical to save the individual at peril. The innate behavioral responses can be modulated by associative learning processes in which the amygdaloid complex gates active motor commands to avoid danger. At the cellular level, glutamatergic neurotransmission through postsynaptic NMDA receptors drives threat-induced changes in synaptic function. Here, we show that the availability of NMDA receptors in the postsynapse is modulated by secretagogin, a Ca2+ sensor protein. Chemogenetic inactivation of secretagogin-expressing neurons, or ablation of secretagogin itself, provides causality for the role of Ca2+-dependent feedback regulation at the cellular level. The perception of and response to danger is critical for an individual's survival and is encoded by subcortical neurocircuits. The amygdaloid complex is the primary neuronal site that initiates bodily reactions upon external threat with local-circuit interneurons scaling output to effector pathways. Here, we categorize central amygdala neurons that express secretagogin (Scgn), a Ca2+-sensor protein, as a subset of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)+ interneurons, likely "off cells." Chemogenetic inactivation of Scgn+/PKCδ+ cells augmented conditioned response to perceived danger in vivo. While Ca2+-sensor proteins are typically implicated in shaping neurotransmitter release presynaptically, Scgn instead localized to postsynaptic compartments. Characterizing its role in the postsynapse, we found that Scgn regulates the cell-surface availability of NMDA receptor 2B subunits (GluN2B) with its genetic deletion leading to reduced cell membrane delivery of GluN2B, at least in vitro. Conclusively, we describe a select cell population, which gates danger avoidance behavior with secretagogin being both a selective marker and regulatory protein in their excitatory postsynaptic machinery.


In order to evaluate its quality as food for spiders, the springtail Sinella curviseta was compared with three other commonly used prey species: the springtails Isotoma viridis and Lepidocyrtus cyaneus and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The dwarf spider Oedothorax gibbosus was used as a predator, and we also investigated its active prey choice. The longevity, fecundity (rate of cocoon production and number of eggs) and progeny developmental rate (hatching success and offspring size) were used as fitness parameters. In addition to single-species diets, the quality of a mixed-species diet consisting of S. curviseta and fruit flies was investigated. S. curviseta, I. viridis and D. melanogaster were high-quality prey, in contrast to the low quality of L. cyaneus. Spiders fed on L. cyaneus died during early juvenile instars. S. curviseta was superior to I. viridis because a significantly smaller consumption rate of S. curviseta yielded better performance for three of the five fitness parameters investigated. A mixed diet of the two high-quality prey species S. curviseta and D. melanogaster did not yield beneficial effects. Prey choice of O. gibbosus did not completely concur with prey quality; juveniles and adults preferred I. viridis to S. curviseta despite the better quality of the latter. S. curviseta is one of the best prey species for culturing dwarf spiders, and in combination with fruit flies, also certainly for other spiders.


Predictors of improved quality of life after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are still incompletely known. To determine the predictors of improving the quality of life six months after coronary artery bypass surgery. We studied 208 consecutive patients, who underwent elective CABG. The Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire part 1 was used as the model for quality of life determination. Questionnaire contains 38 subjective statements divided into six sections: physical mobility, social isolation, emotional reaction, energy, pain and sleep. We distributed the questionnaire to all patients before CABG and six months after CABG. The mean age of patients was 58,8 ± 8,2 years, 82% were males. The comparison between mean preoperative and postoperative scores showed that improvement was found in 53.7% of patients, worsening in 12.5%, quality of life before and after the intervention was normal in 26.7%, and no changes in quality of life was at 7.08%. Independent predictors of patients improvement by CABG were as follows: absence of previous myocardial infarction in the physical mobility section (p=0.03; OR=0.59; CI 0.40-0.92), higher CCS angina class in the physical mobility (p=0.006; OR=2.34; CI 1.46-3.32), energy (p=0.02; OR=1.70; CI 1.29-2.64) and pain sections (p<0.001; OR=4,64; CI 2.27-7.31), mail gender in the pain section (p=0.03; OR=0.45; CI 0.26-0.62) and younger age in the pain section (p=0.01; OR=0.69; CI 0.41-0.85). The predictive factors for quality of life improvement six months after CABG are higher CCS angina class, absence of previous myocardial infarction, mail gender and younger age.


HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS WITH COMORBID OBESITY IN BRAZIL Orlic Z1, Dibonaventura MD2, Gupta S3, Pomerantz D3, Isherwood G1 1Kantar Health, Epsom, Surrey, UK, 2Kantar Health, New York, NY, USA, 3Kantar Health, Princeton, NJ, USA OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to assess the patient characteristics, treatment patterns and health outcomes of adult patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with and without comorbid obesity in Brazil. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Brazil 2011 National Health and Wellness Survey, a self-reported patient survey of the adult Brazilian population (N 12,000). Obese T2D patients (n 155) were compared with non-obese T2D patients (n 320) on demographics, HbA1c, insulin usage, health behaviors and prevalence of hypertension and high cholesterol. Differences amongst the two groups on levels of health status (assessed with the SF-12) were also analyzed in a series of multiple regressions, controlling for the effects of patients' socioeconomic status. RESULTS: T2D patients were mostly male (53.89%) and had a mean age of (54.97). A total of 87.79% of patients did not know their HbA1c and only 16.21% were on an insulin, neither of which varied by presence of obesity. Obese T2D patients were significantly more likely to belong to B1 socioeconomic group and significantly less likely to belong to C1 socioeconomic group than non-obese T2D patients (30% vs. 21% and 10% vs.19%, respectively, all p 0.05). Hypertension was significantly more prevalent among obese T2D patients than among non-obese T2D patients (61% vs. 43%, p .05). Adjusting for differences in socioeconomic status, obese T2D patients reported significantly lower levels of PCS (Adjusted Mean (Madj) 42.7 vs. 44.6, p .05) and had significantly lower health utilities than non-obese T2D patients (Adjusted Mean (Madj) 0.68 vs. 0.72, p .05). CONCLUSIONS: Few patients in Brazil were aware of their HbA1c, suggesting a lack of patient education. ObeseT2D patients were more likely to report comorbid hypertension and worse health status yet were no more likely to use insulin than their non-obese counterparts. Improved patient education and management of obese T2D patients may improve health outcomes for these patients.


We describe the best organizational practices, ceremonies, and rituals of mass participation sports events. In addition to participant observation of endurance races in distance running, triathlon, cycling, swimming, and cross-country skiing between 2003 and 2019, statistical and document analysis was used as the research methodology. Special focus was placed on triathlon in Europe. We argue that the phenomenon of mass participation sports is a consequence of the Expressive model of sports (EMS) as a social construct shared by the community. We explain how the EMS is implemented in the organization of events through rituals, conventions, and institutions. Firstly, within the EMS, the race finish is recognized as an achievement by the organizers and the participant's community. Secondly, the EMS focuses on ordinary, non-elite amateurs as main event participants. This means an open entry to participation, with no selection by skill level; permissive time limits; equal distances, entry fees, and service levels for both elite and non-elite athletes; a joint festival and event venue; competition schedule comfortable for amateurs (non-elite races on the weekend). Thirdly, the EMS revises the linear ranking of competitions through a new hierarchy model, an age-weighted presentation of results, and an inclusive celebration ritual. This includes the grouping of athletes into ordinary amateurs with no reward and elite/professionals, who compete for absolute an ranking and/or prizes, a broad division of amateurs by age groups (95–99, 90–94, 85–89 and down to 20–24, 15–19) and the celebration of the oldest athletes and last finishers. The theoretical framework combines the insights from the civilization process, evolutionary and symbolic anthropology. Since endurance races are seen as rites of passage and liminal processes, we emphasize the importance of rituals as a means of a reconciliation of communitas.


ABSTRACT A free-ranging, adult female eastern bluetongue skink, Tiliqua scincoides scincoids, was presented to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre with multiple skull fractures secondary to presumed road trauma. Fracture reduction and stabilization was accomplished using a combination of non-absorbable suture material and an intramedullary pin. Fracture healing was complete by three and a half months post surgery and the animal was subsequently released at the capture point.


A class of dynamical system in biochemistry reaction is discussed by using the method of qualitative analysis.In addition,the existence,nonexistence and uniqueness of a limit cycle are proved.Existence of limit cycle for singular point is confirmed.


We congratulate Drs. Kim et al.1 on their article. Their sample was nearly 8-fold higher than preceding work from the Oxford Vascular Study, cited by the authors2; in addition, they included invaluable data on the use of recanalization therapies. It was surprising, however, that recanalization therapies did not decrease the poststroke costs but rather increased the costs in their models. We know that recanalization therapies such as thrombolysis3 and thrombectomy improve the 3-month mRS,4 which is the main driver of poststroke costs as confirmed in this study. If the association of recanalization therapy with costs is estimated from a model adjusted for 3-month mRS, we suspect that any decrease in the cost from this therapy would likely be "adjusted out." Did the authors include an interaction term in their model for the interaction between 3-month mRS and recanalization therapies? Because this high-quality data set is likely to influence the perceptions of policy makers and future cost-effectiveness analyses, it would be helpful to further clarify this point.


Reports the findings of recent empirical research into the job satisfaction of an original sample of 1,326 UK marketing managers. Provides data on the nature and sources of job satisfaction/dissatisfaction and on the assessment of the relative importance of various intrinsic (content) and extrinsic (context) occupational characteristics. Analyses the satisfaction criteria against a variety of variables such as age, gender, tenure and career development. Discusses the implications for the marketing practitioner at the workbench level within organizations.


Globalization makes the double senses of "globalization" and "root" strengthen rapidly in every country's culture.The developing trend of the world's culture presents on two levels.There are both cultural cooperation and exchanges,and the maintenance of their own cultural characteristics.Cultural competitiveness has become important soft power in comprehensive national strength.To deal with the challenges posed by globalization,the great role of university and its cultural mission should be played.


Much the most important part of any answer we give to our initial query into the nature of Jewish philosophy is that Jewish philosophy is an academic discipline. It is an invention, for reasons important to ponder, of nineteenth-century historians, intent on bringing together certain think-ers,while simultaneously excluding others. Before the invention of Jewish philosophy as an academic discipline no one asked or wondered about the nature of Jewish philosophy, quite simply because the subject did not exist. [ … ] No one in premodern, indeed, in much of modern times understood Jewish philosophy as a subdiscipline of philosophy, as a way of philosophizing. No one felt the need to ascertain the essence of Jewish philosophy [ … ] distinguishing it from every other kind of philosophy or mode of theological interpretation.³


Ensemble learning constitutes one of the most popular directions in machine learning and data mining currently. And in ensemble learning, feature subspace selection and corresponding classifier ensemble for classification becomes the principal topic, in which base classifiers(also called subclassifiers) are generated by different subspaces. However, very little work has been done for effectively selecting the subclassifiers induced by different subspaces. In this paper, we introduce a novel Genetic Algorithm for subspace ensemble based subclassifier selection, that is, the newly developed algorithm attempts to select significant and relevant subclassifiers using genetic algorithm for improving the classification performance of ensemble. The experimental results show that the algorithm of this paper has better or comparable performance than those obtained by the well-known ensemble methods such as Bagging, AdaBoost and Random Subspace. Of course, how to determine the number of subclassifiers and the parameters used in genetic algorithm is our ongoing work.


Resumen IberLEF is a comparative evaluation campaign for Natural Language Processing Systems in Spanish and other Iberian languages. Its goal is to encourage the research community to organize competitive text processing, understanding and generation tasks in order to define new research challenges and set new state-of-the-art results in those languages. This paper summarizes the evaluation activities carried out in IberLEF 2021, which included twelve tasks dealing with emotions, stance and opinions, harmful information, health-related information extraction and discovery, humor and irony, and lexical acquisition. Overall, IberLEF activities were a remarkable collective effort involving 359 researchers from 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.


Using ryanodine and verapamil, we compared the effects of dietary salt on the relative contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and gated Ca2+ entry to arterial contractions induced by norepinephrine (NE) in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats. Aortic rings freshly excised from 14DS rats and 13DR rats that had been on low- (0.3%) or high- (8%) NaCl diets for 4 weeks were superfused with physiological saline and isometric tension was measured. The inhibition of the NE (3×10-8M) -induced contraction of aortic rings by ryanodine (3μM) was significantly greater in DR rats on the low-salt diet than in those on the high-salt diet (p<0.02), but there was no such difference in DS rats. The inhibition of the NE-induced contraction of aortic rings by verapamil (10μM) was significantly greater in DS rats on the high-salt diet than in those on the low-salt diet (p<0.02), but there was no such difference in DR rats. These observations suggest that the effects of dietary salt on gated Ca entry and SR Ca release in NE-induced contraction differ between DS and DR rats. They also suggest that gated Ca2+ entry might play an important role in Ca2+ control and that the mechanism by which Ca release from SR is reduced might be impaired, or that the ryanodine receptor might be altered in these tissues of salt-fed DS rats. These changes might lead to an elevation of intracellular calcium and contribute to the mechanism of hypertension. (Hypertens Res 1994; 17: 165-171)


CLIO, THE MUSE OF HISTORY and the mythological daughter of Jove, was one of a numerous family. Her name in Greek means to celebrate or glorify, which gives us a clue to the earliest purpose of historical writing. Her statues in the Vatican, the Louvre, and elsewhere usually represent this primate of the Muses with a wreath on her brow, a scroll in one hand, and a trumpet in the other. Thus, it would seem, the history of the Attic race was not to be valued for the lessons that it might teach but for the patriotic pride that it could be used to stimulate. In general, the idea that history might have usefulness in directing the course of national policy seems to have been foreign to the Hellenic mind. The future of the race, as the Greek historians and philosophers saw it, was destined to follow a downward curve, away from the Golden Age of primeval days. This descending course was in the order of nature, hence no man, or race of men, by taking thought for the morrow could stop it. In a world that had been supernaturally created, and launched in perfection, there could only be decay and degeneration as time went on. History, therefore, ought merely to serve as a stimulus to the national pride by turning the thoughts of men back to the time when things were better.


We report measurements of resistivity $\ensuremath{\rho}$ in ${\mathrm{UGe}}_{2}$ at temperatures $T$ down to $0.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, pressures $P$ up to $19.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kbar}$, and magnetic fields ${B}_{\mathrm{appl}}$ up to $17.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$ applied along the magnetic easy $a$ axis. The coefficient $A$ of the ${T}^{2}$ term of $\ensuremath{\rho}(T)$ is determined as a function of ${B}_{\mathrm{appl}}$ and $P$. In the large-moment ferromagnetic phase (the $\mathrm{low}\text{\ensuremath{-}}P∕\mathrm{high}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{B}_{\mathrm{appl}}$ phase), $A$ is found to be a function of the single parameter $({B}_{\mathrm{appl}}\ensuremath{-}{B}_{x})$ and approximately obeys a power law $A\ensuremath{\propto}({B}_{\mathrm{appl}}\ensuremath{-}{B}_{x}{)}^{\ensuremath{-}1∕2}$, where ${B}_{x}$ is the transition field from the small- to the large-moment ferromagnetic phase. The $T$ dependence of $\ensuremath{\rho}$ at fields just above ${B}_{x}$ suggests a contribution to $\ensuremath{\rho}$ from excitations with a gapped spectrum.


RESULTS According to the breed and the marketing channel, highly significant differences (P <0.05) were found in the freshness of the eggs (Haugh units), egg prices, eggs weight, egg shell, the white and the yolk of the egg. Though the chicken breed and marketing channels do not significantly affect (P> 0.05) the freshness of the eggs, however, they have a significant effect (P <0.05) on the size of the eggs marketed in Hanoi.


Large stream of articles devoted to the study of metamaterial waveguide and metamaterial scattering (reflecting) structures points that there is a need for development devices possessing unique characteristics, as multifunctionality, reconfigurability, certain frequency bandwidth, ability to operate at high-powers and high-radiation conditions. The importance of diffraction problems for scattering structures is based on their great practical utility for many applications, such as reflector antennas, the analysis of structures in open space, electromagnetic (EM) defence of structures, the scattering modeling for remote sensing purposes, high frequency telecommunications, computer network, invisibility cloaks technology and radar systems (Li et.al., 2011; Zhou et.al.; 2011, Zhu et al., 2010; Mirza et al., 2009; Abdalla & Hu, 2009; Engheta & Ziolkowski, 2005).


We study and generalize the class of qubit topological stabilizer codes that arise in the Abelian phase of the honeycomb lattice model. The resulting family of codes, which we call 'matching codes' realize the same anyon model as the surface codes, and so may be similarly used in proposals for quantum computation. We show that these codes are particularly well suited to engineering twist defects that behave as Majorana modes. A proof of principle system that demonstrates the braiding properties of the Majoranas is discussed that requires only three qubits.


The amount of manure available on farms in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil is usually insufficient to fertilize the cultivated areas. Besides this, in most cases the manure available is of low quality and may immobilize soil nitrogen. For these reasons, the use of green manures, such as gliricidia prunings, or the mixture of these with animal manures, may be a good alternative to increase the availability and quality of organic fertilizers. The initial growth and uptake of nutrient by cotton and castor bean fertilized with manure and/or gliricidia were measured in two consecutive growing periods in the greenhouse. The treatments were: incorporation 20 t ha-1 of manure; incorporation of 20 t ha-1 of gliricidia prunings; incorporation of the mixture of 10 t ha-1 of manure and 10 t ha-1 of gliricidia; and a control without fertilization. The treatment with gliricidia incorporation resulted in better development of both crops, greater soil N availability, greater accumulation of nutrients in the dry biomass of the crops, and greater apparent recovery of N, P and K, relative to the other treatments. The manure did not increase soil N availability, but the mixture of manure and gliricidia increased availability of soil N, P and K in relation to the control treatment, proving to be a promising practice capable of improving the quality of animal manure.


remainder, to a degree which must be considered pathological. If these are omitted, the mean urinary red cell count for the controls is found to be 0·2 red cell per cubic millimetr-e. In the case of the female patients on phenindione therapy, the mean urinary red cell count was 24·2 red cells per cubic millimetre. Th-e female controls had a mean urinary red cell count of 1·2 red cells per cubic millimetre.


(57) Abstract: The present invention is a 8 to 64 amino ions of elements of atomic numbers 21-29,39,42-44 or 57-83, the following formula (I): (Wherein, A, X and b means different contents respectively.) Novel dendritic polymer metal complexes containing polymeric complexing ligand represented by the drug containing these compounds, and diagnostic related to its use for the purpose. The present invention also relates to preparation of complexes and agents.


(57) Abstract: The present invention uses a lipase from Pseudomonas sp., 3,3-diethyl-4 - in [(4-carboxy) phenoxy] -2-corresponding S acids racemic mixture of acetylene, dimethylsulfoxide ester It relates to a method for conversion. By the method, the desired acid is obtained in high enantiomeric excess.


The Red-browed Amazon Parrot A mazona rhodocorytha is endemic to the country of Brazil where it is found in a narrow coastal strip down the eastern sea coast of the country. It is found in the state of Alagoas and f rom Bahia and eastern Minas Gerias, south locally to Rio de Janeiro. Its preferred habitat is generally lowland humid forest although it has also been recorded at altitudes of up to 1,000m in the interior of undisturbed forests. Most reports refer to this species being located mainly in primary forest, with little sign that it can adapt to areas which have suffered large scale disturbance. The primary threat against the survival of the wild population of Redbrowed Amazon has come from longterm habitat clearance across its natural range. A trade of wild-caught birds has existed in the past, but Brazilian national legislation has now stopped any trade in these birds being exported from Brazil. A limited local trade in the removal of nestlings for sale as pet birds within Brazil has continued in recent years but only in very small numbers and this is also now being tightly controlled. Probably the most clear need for in situ conservation of this species is to secure protection of some of the key regions of its habitat. The most important region, Bahia, is now protected but other areas of its range are still vulnerable to disturbance. In size the Red-browed Amazon measures around 36cm (14.4 inches) in overall length and weighs around 450- 480 grams, making one of the larger species of Amazona which is found in mainland South America. The coloration of this species is particularly beautiful. As with most Amazona species, the main body plumage is green with the most striking visual feature of this species being the color on the head. The forehead and crown is red. The cheeks and throat are blue and in between the red of the forehead and blue of the lower face is an area of yellow which covers the lores. The extent of this yellow colour is a highly variable feature which on some birds is only a few feathers while on others all of the lores and the top of the cheeks are completely yellow. In our experience with a large number of these birds, the amount of yellow is a variation among individuals and does not represent any indication of sexual dimorphism. In aviculture the Red-browed Amazon has always been a rare bird which was exported in small numbers from Brazil in the past. The captive population in Europe is therefore based upon a group of founder birds which have been in captivity for many years. yet only a small number of these birds have initiated reproductive behavior during this long period. The small number of founder birds that did begin to breed have proved consistent in their breeding for several years which has produced a first generation population which is very closely related. These first generation birds were sold by the main private keeper who was breeding the species, often with little information on the exact parentage. As birds have passed from keeper to keeper around Europe, often a new bird has been purchased by an aviculturist in the belief that it is unrelated when in fact the new bird is just as closely related as the other birds already held. Indeed, most current first generation pairings are of birds both from the same set of parents. The overall picture for the future of this species in captivity was therefore not very hopeful with a founder population showing little breeding activity despite many years in captivity and with a few first generation birds being reared and, in most cases, paired to a clutch-mate. When the results of a survey of Amazon parrots in European Zoos was then analyzed to see which species were most important for captive population management, the Red-browed Amazon was a very clear choice. Loro Parque was the obvious institution to coordinate this EEP scheme because a large number of Red-browed Amazons are part of the collection owned by the Loro Parque Foundation. A proposal to form the EEP for the Red-browed Amazon was presented in early 1994 and this was approved in late summer of the same year. The first step was to more clearly identify the captive population of birds in Europe which could be included in a managed population. All known holders of this species who had been identified in the European survey [including private sector breeders) were sent studbook registration forms and by early 1995 the first edition of a European regional studbook for the Red-browed Amazon was produced (for the year ending December 31st 1994). The first edition of the studbook listed 71 living birds from collections willing to...


Considerable progress has been made in the adhesion science of soft polymers, which is a good base to study the influence of molecular and structural parameters on the adhesion performance of pressure sensitive adhesives, characterized by tack, peel strength and shear resistance. High tack and peel strength are connected with a particular mechanical behaviour: cavitation and fibrillation. A crucial parameter for tack and peel strength is the molecular mass between entanglements; a large entanglement length is advantageous for contact formation and for the formation and growth of fibrils during bond separation. Experience has been accumulated concerning the influence of crosslinks. A very loose and imperfect network structure with a large fraction of uncrosslinked material, found just above the gel point, gives rise to high tack and peel strength as well as good shear resistance. Inhomogeneous deformations are also observed in shear tests, leading to a catastrophic failure within the adhesive.


School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA(Received 12 January 2014; published 29 May 2014)The distribution of Coulomb blockade peak heights as a function of magnetic field is investigatedexperimentally in a Ge/Si nanowire quantum dot. Strong spin-orbit coupling in this hole-gas system leadsto antilocalization of Coulomb blockade peaks, consistent with theory. In particular, the peak heightdistribution has its maximum away from zero at zero magnetic field, with an average that decreases withincreasing field. Magnetoconductance in the open-wire regime places a bound on the spin-orbit length(l


Smart Home system is the use of home life associated with hardware and related application technology, the introduction of home appliance automation, remote control, intelligent processing technology in a traditional home environment, to design a provide users with comprehensive information exchange capabilities, in order to enhanced home life safety, comfort and convenience of home systems. At present, there are problems such as complicated wiring, single service, and high price in this field. In response to these problems, this paper designs a smart home system based on Zigbee and WIFI. The system consists of a terminal node, a gateway node and a remote control terminal. The terminal node and the gateway node form a home internal network through Zigbee technology, and the remote control terminal accesses and controls the home internal network through WIFI.


Based on the research and analysis of integrated circuit routing problem, this paper puts forward a judgment method of no solution for one layer metal channel routing, establishes an optimal routing model for one layer metal routing problem based on 0-1 integer linear programming, an optimal routing algorithm for multi-layer metal routing problem with via, and an improved model for multi-layer metal routing problem with via spacing.


the Nuer (p. 112), and thus it would seem that, logically, marriage cannot be dissolved by divorce after it has been completed by the birth of a child. Professor Evans-Pritchard is therefore right in rejecting the use of the term ' divorce' as applied to a separation before a child has been born, because there has been no marriage to break up. But if the completed marriage is indissoluble, how then can there be a divorce after the birth of even one child ? This, of course, does not mean that every marriage is stable : it means only that it cannot be broken up, though there may be a separation, the result of which is that the wife may live with someone else and bear children to her husband's name, but be unable to remarry. When Professor Evans-Pritchard speaks of the payment of cattle as a recognition of stability—the fact that a man has cattle with which he can marry indicates that he has at least one of the qualities of a good husband— he is not only referring to an essential factor in marriage, but is stressing the place of cattle in the life of a people like the Nuer who, as he says, ' cannot live for long without cattle ' (p. 27). Other forms of union occur. One is the marriage of one woman with another, when, as among the Nandi, the female husband has the legal status of a husband and father (p. 108). Another is what he calls ghost-marriage, in which a kinsman of a man who dies without legal male heirs takes a wife to the name of the dead man, the legal husband being the ghost of the dead man (p. 109). The children of a widow born after the husband's death count as his, no matter who their genitor may be; and, as among the Nandi, a widow cannot remarry. There is an interesting difference of status between the brother of a dead man who lives with the widow, and a man with whom a widow lives who is not one of her husband's kin : the former has a legal status, the latter has not. This book is one of the best that Professor Evans-Pritchard has written. It tells clearly and concisely what it is necessary to know about the subject, and is thus eminently readable. The descriptive parts, such as the account of courtship and marriage (p. 49 seq.) and family life (p. 124 seq.) produce a vivid picture of the events and actions they describe, and the reader can almost imagine himself watching what is going on. One notes the complete absence of n for the velar nasal, which Professor Evans-Pritchard writes both ng and ng'. A slightly longer index would have been helpful, and a table of . relationship terms would have been useful, though possibly the statement on p. 171 that ' even within the family and close kin Nuer use kinship terms so unprecisely that it is only possible to know more or less, when one hears


The present invention provides a method for packaging and storage apparatus and concatenation, cascading method comprising the steps of: S1: The address decode control module and the control module is compatible to the interior of the sub-memory; S2: address control signals with a [max + n: max + 1] and decode control signal HLS [n-1: 0], where max is the highest bit of input data and user address, n being an integer, 2n are desirable cascaded memory number; S3: HLS each sub-memory [n-1: 0] of each package are at a fixed encoding pulled over the n types corresponding to GND or VDD from all "0" to all "1", and into the high n-bit address pattern; S4: high n-bit address signal input by the user a [max + n: max + 1] and HLS [n-1: 0] are compared, to obtain an address signal selection information to the AS [ max: 0]; S5: the AS [max: 0] address signal is input to the control module, the control module in accordance with the address AS [max: 0] to generate the final address of a sub-address signal memory a [ max: 0], addressing is done. The present invention, no additional controllers, small capacity can be expanded to large capacity.


The intelligent adjustment method of the shearer drum is the key technology to improve the intelligent level and safety degree of fully mechanized mining face. This paper proposes a shearer drum intelligent height adjustment model based on rough set significance attribute reduction (AR) and fuzzy rough radial basis function neural network (FRRBFNN) optimized by adaptive immune genetic algorithm (AIGA). The model first selects the parameters of shearer process monitoring based on the importance attribute reduction algorithm of rough set, and establishes the attribute reduction set of shearer operation characteristic parameters and the drum height decision rule base. Next, a fuzzy rough radial basis function neural network determined by the decision rule space is proposed. By introducing the fuzzy rough membership function as the connection weight, the network can accurately describe the complex nonlinear relationship between the working characteristic parameters of the attribute shearer and the drum height, and measure the uncertainty of the coal seam distribution. Finally, to further optimize the performance of FRRBFNN, the adaptive immune genetic algorithm is introduced to optimize its parameters, to build a high-precision shearer drum height prediction system. For the evaluation method of the model, we use three indicators: mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and root mean square error. Based on the measured data in Yujialiang area, Shaanxi Province, the experimental results show that—compared with the FRRBFNN and support vector regression (SVR) models, a gated current neural network (GRU), a radial basis function neural network (RBF), the memory strengthen long short-term memory (MSLSTM) model, and the adaptive fuzzy reasoning Petri net (AFRPN)—the MAE of the AR-AIGA-FRBFNN model for predicting the height of the left and right rollers are 18.3 mm and 17.2 mm, respectively; the MAPE is 0.96% and 0.93%, respectively; and the RMSE is 21.2 mm and 22.4 mm, respectively. The AR-AIGA-FRBFNN model is therefore more effective than the other considered methods.


Some number theoretical aspects on periodic orbits of a one-dimensional dynamical system x"n"+"1 = @?(x"n) are presented, where @?(x) is a special map called a tent map. Using the symbolic dynamical method, a certain number theoretical transformation and a subset of odd integers are introduced and discussed in connection with MSS sequences (or finite shift maximal sequences).


We calculate the static and dynamic transport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas in a Si quantum well of thickness a at zero temperature. Background doping, remote doping, and surface roughness are considered as the relevant scattering mechanisms. Multiple-scattering effects are included in the theory and the phase diagram for the metal-insulator transition is evaluated. Due to the anomalous wave-vector dependence of the polarizability the correction to the conductivity, which is linear in the temperature, is derived for quantum-well structures. The frequency dependence of the scattering rate is calculated. We compare our results on the mobility with recent experiments in superlattices of Si-${\mathrm{Si}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$ and discuss the upper limits of the mobility. For electron density n${g10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ and ag40 A\r{} remote doping limits the mobility. But for n${l10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ homogeneous background scattering also becomes important. Surface roughness scattering becomes dominant only for thin quantum wells with thickness smaller than 40 A\r{}.


In this paper I evaluate critically the use of deterrence to tackle the participation of the unemployed in paid informal work. On the basis of the assumption that the paid informal work of the unemployed is low-paid employment conducted for unadulterated economic reasons, the aim is to deter these rational economic actors by ensuring that the expected cost of being caught and punished is greater than the benefit of participating in such activity. Using structured interviews with the unemployed in UK lower income urban neighbourhoods, however, I found that pure economic motivations do not predominate when the unemployed participate in this work. Instead, such work is principally used to help out others, or to cement or forge social networks, or both. In consequence, I argue that there is a need to couple deterrence with the provision of alternative coping mechanisms in order to eradicate paid informal work. I conclude by proposing several policy initiatives that could act as a substitute for such work.


Large haemorrhoids. The dentate line, which should be halfway up the anal canal, can be clearly seen separating the prolapsed anal cushions (autonomic innervation) from the secondarily congested external plexus (somatic innervation). Haemorrhoids and related conditions are not popular with patients or doctors and are commonly relegated for treatment to a junior member of the surgical team. This is a pity because .they are so common and may cause considerable distress, and with expert assessment many can be cured by outpatient measures. Haemorrhoids (or piles) are displaced anal cushions. The cushions are normal structures that have a rich arterial supply leading directly into distensible venous spaces. They help seal the upper anal canal and contribute to continence. Constipation and straining disrupt the supporting framework of the cushions, causing them to become displaced and congested. In some patients this is aggravated by a tight internal sphincter, which leads to high intra-anal pressure during a bowel action.


We survey the status of decidabilty of the consequence relation in various axiomatizations of Euclidean geometry. We draw attention to a widely overlooked result by Martin Ziegler from 1980, which proves Tarski's conjecture on the undecidability of finitely axiomatizable theories of fields. We elaborate on how to use Ziegler's theorem to show that the consequence relations for the first order theory of the Hilbert plane and the Euclidean plane are undecidable. As new results we add: (A) The first order consequence relations for Wu's orthogonal and metric geometries (Wen-Tsun Wu, 1984), and for the axiomatization of Origami geometry (J. Justin 1986, H. Huzita 1991)are undecidable.
It was already known that the universal theory of Hilbert planes and Wu's orthogonal geometry is decidable. We show here using elementary model theoretic tools that (B) the universal first order consequences of any geometric theory $T$ of Pappian planes which is consistent with the analytic geometry of the reals is decidable.


In this work a new technique to grow epitaxial graphene on 6H-SiC(0001) silicon carbide wafers is employed to achieve a better controllable growth and higher quality samples. Epitaxial graphene is a reliable candidate for all kind of applications as it has similar properties to carbon nanotubes and exfoliated graphene but is more appropriate for the design of electronic devices as it can be grown in wafer-sized pieces. However, to this date it is still a big issue to control graphene thickness and to achieve large domains. The new face-to-face growing method, which is based on a higher partial silicon pressure during the growth, is believed to improve the homogeneity in terms of terrace size as well as graphene thickness. In this project samples have been grown in this new geometry at many di erent temperatures and for di erent substrate orientations. The samples have been characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), low energy electron di raction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). AFM measurements provide information about surface morphology and terrace size. AES is used to determine the amount of carbon on the sample, which is related to the number of graphene layers. LEED and ARPES are useful tools to estimate the number of graphene layers and give a sense of the sample quality. The graphene thickness is studied extensively as a function of the growth temperature. The overall temperature which is necessary for the formation of graphene with the face-to-face method is considerably higher than for the usual growth of graphene in UHV. A closer analysis reveals a clear relation between growth temperature and graphene thickness with an increasing number of graphene layers at increasing temperatures. Actually the measurements suggest that in the interesting range of monolayer to few-layer graphene the growth temperature is a very sensitive parameter. In the temperature range 1500− 1550 ◦C several samples with monoto trilayer graphene have successfully been grown. AFM as well as ARPES measurements con rmed a improved surface quality compared to UHV grown samples. These promising results ratify the idea of the new technique and support the further development of the face-to-face method. As an unwanted side e ect a di erence in graphene thickness has been observed between the middle and the border of the sample. Beside the temperature dependence the in uence of the relative direction of the heating current to the vicinal miscut of the substrate has been studied. No signi cant dependence of the relative orientation has been observed at our samples.


Closed set speaker identification experiments were performed on a SPIDRE subset of the switchboard corpus with matched and mismatched telephone handset conditions. The impact of mismatched and matched conditions was evaluated. The tested conversations were divided into fixed block lengths of 10 ms. It was found that the confusion between speakers was mainly due to the strong telephone handset influence.


After completing this article, readers should be able to:

1. Explain why immature infants are at a greater risk for mechanical ventilation-induced airway damage than are more mature infants.

2. Describe the effect of ventilatory pressures on components of the airway.

3. Delineate how mechanical ventilation disrupts airway mechanics.

4. Characterize how mechanical ventilation affects immature airway smooth muscle.

5. Describe techniques of optimizing ventilation to minimize respiratory damage.

Although the air passages take on a mature appearance well before a fetus is viable, they undergo significant maturational changes in late gestation. During development, the airways are more susceptible to damage. In fact, although controversy still surrounds the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and other neonatal airway complications, it appears that the duration and higher pressures of mechanical ventilation, along with the use of oxygen, are related to the development of airway-related problems in preterm infants. As a result, because of their greater need for ventilatory assistance, very preterm infants are at substantially increased risk of airway damage.

With recent and continuing advancements in neonatal care, a growing number of immature infants survive premature births. One of the primary hurdles that must be overcome in these infants is respiratory system immaturity. In this context, an understanding of the embryologic development and physiologic maturation of the respiratory system is imperative.

The respiratory system can be subdivided grossly into the airways and the lung parenchyma. Developmental changes in the mechanical properties of these two components predispose the immature airway to injury. The immature lung is a relatively noncompliant structure. During neonatal development, lung compliance increases with lung maturity. However, the opposite is true for airways. Immature airways are relatively more compliant than their mature counterparts, with airway maturation resulting in a decrease in airway compliance. This produces an interesting predicament when contemplating the administration of mechanical ventilation …


Normalizing the decision matrix is an important procedure in the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS).The five well known normalization methods are investigated in this paper,including vector normalization method,max-min method,max/min method,sum method and exponent transformation method.Those methods were compared in terms of their ranking consistency index(RCI) when used with TOPSIS to solve the general multi-attribute decision making(MADM) problem with various problem sizes and data ranges.The higher the RCI is,the better normalization method.The results show that,among the five normalization methods,the vector normalization method is the best one for TOPSIS.It could deal with the general multi-attribute decision making(MADM) problems with various problem sizes,data ranges and attribute types effectively.


Human lymphocytes sensitized with HL-A antibodies could not be killed by the addition of complement if the lymphocytes were incubated for periods of 1 to 5 hours at 37° C. This phenomenon was not produced by simple dissociation of the antibodies or by loss of antigens (modulation), but rather is postulated to result from an active release or pinocytosis of HL-A antigens together with the attached antibody. "Escape from sensitization" is followed closely by reformation of antigens, for the cells can readily be resensitized and killed by addition of complement. Loss of sensitization is an active process, since one-day-aged lymphocytes or lymphocytes treated with actinomycin D or puromycin were unable to express this activity. A differential escape rate for different specificities was encountered indicating that HL-A9 was produced more rapidly than several other specificities present on the same lymphocytes. A correlation was noted between the rate of HL-A antigen synthesis by lymphocytes (indicated by escape rate) and the quantity of HL-A antigen in the serum.

Inhibition of lymphocyte cytotoxicity was used to detect the presence of HL-A antigens in serum. Certain specificities, such as HL-A9, were generally present in serum whereas others, such as HL-A8, could not be detected. Cross-inhibition tests with over 100 sera clearly showed an association of inhibition with specificity, although nonspecific inhibition was often observed. Sephadex fractions of sera tested at different concentrations revealed the greatest inhibitory activity in the 19S and 7S fractions.


We analyse the production and decay of the scalar particles of the Randall - Sundrum model. The mixture of the original Higgs and radion causes the interesting physical results. In this work, the production and decay of radion φ and Higgs h in high energy e+e- and µ+ µ- collisions through φ, h propagator are studied in detail.


Very high temperature bio-waste treatment using plasma-based modules has been tested in Sweden and at IEERAS in Russia, producing impressive results in terms of CO 2 and toxin reduction, and in production ofsyngas.


Within the framework of a detailed survey of the algal community in salt marshes of the Vojvodina Province (Northern Serbia), we rather unexpectedly found the blue-green alga Anabaena bergii ostenf. (forma minor (Kisselev) Kossinsk.) in water samples from Slatina Pond near opovo. our finding represents its first record in Serbia. the pres - ent paper gives general characteristics of this alga and of the habitat in which it was found. Based on analysis of a large number of works dealing with characteristics and the taxonomic status of the genus Anabaena, the species A. bergii, and its forma minor, it is concluded that there are numerous problems in taxonomy of the given genus, with no consensus among researchers. In light of the available data, the authors retain the name of the species A. bergii, but accept forma minor with some reserve.


The utility model discloses a device used for assembling diodes on a rectifier substrate. The device comprises a pedestal mounted and fixed on the operating platform of a pressure device. Guiding top columns are fixed and springs are mounted in grooves disposed on the pedestal. The top ends of the springs are arranged on the bottom of a movable plate mounted in the grooves on the pedestal. Guiding holes used for placing the diodes are disposed on the movable plate. The guiding top columns are disposed in the guiding holes and are in clearance fit with the guiding holes. Two positioning pins used for installing and positioning the processed rectifier substrate are disposed on the movable plate. The device not only has advantages of high operating efficiency and high product qualified rate, but also has advantages of low labor intensity, easy manipulation, and safe and easy use.


Nowadays, many tools are available for drawing entity relationship(ER) diagram and data flow graph, but the graph layout is manually designed and the drawing process is tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, the management of business model is independent of the data model, the inconsistency is frequently occurred. This paper proposes an entity-based process model called Entity-Process Model (EP-Model) to build up the linkage between the business model and data model. Based on the EP-Model, this paper gives the construction algorithms of ER diagrams and data flow graph. Finally, a modeling tool is developed for business process modeling and data modeling. Using this platform, the consistency between business model and data model is guaranteed, and the ER diagram and data flow graph can be built automatically. It plays an important role in the process modeling, data modeling and the integration of information systems in the future.


required than by Chettiar and other credit sources. A careful reading of the chapters on land-tenure and agricultural credit provides valuable background for anyone contemplating ' land reform ' and should serve as a warning of the dangers of ill-thought-out schemes which aim to ' solve' highly complex problems. Dr. Cheng is to be congratulated for demonstrating the interactions which occurred between tenure and credit problems. While Europe provided markets for rice and a source of cheap consumer goods imports and European firms provided milling, shipping, and marketing services, the impact of these firms on the Burmese economy was not entirely favourable. There were a number of attempts by millers to establish price agreements. Dr. Cheng gives some discussion of the operations of the Bullinger Pool and argues that it was possibly involved in the increase in rail rates on rice which occurred in 1922. This damaged the small up-country rice mills which had proved to be economic ventures since, by utilizing cheap labour in the slack season, they were complementary to agricultural production and provided a useful source of rural employment. Although the discussion of these matters is brief, the author provides enough material to show the critical role that public utility pricing policies can have on the development of an economy. She also gives brief mention of the rate-fixing activities of the shipping conferences which resulted in the RangoonEurope freight rate being little below the Bangkok-Europe rate despite the shorter distance involved.


o Even the most casual glance at a map of the world today provides the onlooker with a satisfying sense of completion. The globe has been divided up into legally equal sovereign states, and all territories and peoples fall under the jurisdiction of one or another of these units. The world is a complete matrix of colours and lines that leaves nothing to chance. The blank spots have been filled in. Home in on the part of the map that covers the former Soviet Union, and the satisfaction is undisturbed: all of the territory has been divided up. Formal jurisdiction has been claimed across all of the post-Soviet space. At least, so it seems. In late November 2000 the city of Tiraspol, formally under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Moldova, held an unusual summit.1 The summit brought together the foreign ministers of the four separatist regions that have declared independent statehood in the former Soviet Union: the Pridnestrovyan Moldovan Republic (PMR) inside Moldovan borders; the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia within Georgian borders; and the NagornoKarabakh Republic inside Azerbaijan.2 The separatist foreign ministers agreed to create a permanent forum called the Conference of Foreign Ministers to coordinate their activities. There had been similar meetings among the separatists in the early 1990s, none of which had much impact on the conflicts in which they were severally engaged. This summit also is unlikely to have any dramatic effect. However, it performed an important service in highlighting an enduring and forgotten reality of security in the post-Soviet space ten years after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In addition to the fifteen successor states that emerged in 1992,


An important place in meeting the needs in food of the population has fisheries. The development of this industry, the increase in production and ensuring the high quality of fish as a food product greatly depend on the animal health of the farms and timely conducting veterinary and preventive measures – the basics of providing the mepizootic well-being. Fisheries in Ukraine engaged in more than 6 thousand individuals and legal entities. However, as evidenced by the practice of recent years and results of ichthyoparasitic studies, almost all fish planting and uterine young in the fish farms of Ukraine is infested by invaders of invasive diseases, including ichthyophthiosis, argulosis, lerneosis, fingerprinting, hydrodactylosis, diplozoonosis and others. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantaged regions of Ukraine with invasive fish diseases is west. In the pond farms of Rivne and Volyn regions it is wide the parasites were distributed: diplastomids and filometers, the larvae of which affect the muscle tissue and internal organs of the fish. In the ponds of Western Polissya of Ukraine has identified 23 species of parasites belonging to the classes of Monogenea, Hirudinea, Bivalvia and Crustacea. It should be noted that in most farms mainly mixed infestations are common in the western region. In the south of Ukraine, diplo- stomosis, metogonimosis, filometridosis, lerneosis and hepaticosis were registered. In the natural reservoirs of Mykolaiv invasiveness of fish of different species by P. ovatus metacercariae was revealed. Fishes of artificial and natural reservoirs of Kharkiv region were found 16 species of parasites belonging to the classes of Trematoidea, Cestoidea, Nematoda,Acanthocephala, Crustacea, Mastigophora, Infusoria and Monogenoidea. In the fish farms of Cherkasy, Zhytomyr and Kyiv areas in most cases the fish was struck by monogeneas. In the natural waters of Sumy region were registered trienophorosis and rafidoscaridosis. It is known that the infection of fish with parasites causes a delay in its growth and development, reduction of fatness, deterioration of product and taste, impaired reproduction and even death. Therefore regular monitoring of parasitofauna of fish in the pond farms of Ukraine is necessary because study of patterns of occurrence and spread of fish diseases, prediction of those diseases affect the efficiency of aquaculture breeding and preservation of fish products.


In this paper we design a new iterative space-frequency equalizer, based on iterative block decision feedback equalization (IB-DFE) principle, for multiplexing MIMO CE-OFDM millimeter wave (mmW) based systems. Linear frequency domain equalizers are not the most efficient to separate the spatial streams due to inter-carrier interference. Therefore, we design a non-linear equalizer that takes into account both inter-block and residual inter-carrier interferences by efficiently exploit the high space-frequency diversity order inherent to these systems. The feedforward and feedback matrices for the proposed iterative space-frequency equalizer are obtained by minimizing the overall mean square error (MSE) of all data streams at each subcarrier. Our iterative scheme significantly outperforms the linear frequency domain equalizers, recently considered for CE-OFDM, with only a few iterations.


A conventional clutch performs a specific duty of interrupting the transmission of power without shutting off the power source. This is an essential function in many applications such as in road vehicles where there needsto be either intermittent operation of the vehicle in traffic or when the transmission characteristics need to be changed by shifting a different gear. As in any friction dependant operation, a conventional clutch suffers from wear. In addition, it is quite likely that undesirable vibrations will be induced in the power train during engaging and disengaging. Alternative clutch systems have been proposed to avoid the inherent problems. One such design makes use of an Electro-Rheological (ER) fluids as a coupling medium. Such a clutch would have no moving components, smooth operation, low power consumption and a fast reaction time. This paper details simple experiments with a laboratory prototype of an ER fluid clutch.