With an overpopulated planet, hungry for electricity and resources, sustainability will be one of the biggest challenges in the future. Present production and consumption patterns are causing serious environmental and human problems and cannot be sustained in a world with rising human aspirations. The challenges and opportunities for sustainable innovation are immense, and the time horizon is shrinking. Going green isn't just about saving the planet; it's about finding a dynamic equilibrium between human and natural systems, between saving the environment, making profit and enhancing all stakeholders' quality of life. Companies, designers and engineers can play an important role in this transition process towards a sustainable and smarter society with an improved 'quality of life'. The very early phase in the product innovation process, the so-called front-end of innovation (FEI), is the stage of the innovation process where product strategy formulation, opportunity identification, idea generation, idea selection and concept development take place and decisions about new product development are taken [1]. These first phases in the engineering design process have the largest impact on the end result of the project [1, 2] and the highest payback to one's investments [1]. Accordingly, the front-end of innovation is often described as being the root of success for any company hoping to compete on the basis of innovation [2]. Notwithstanding the logic behind integrating sustainability in the early stages of an innovation process, in practice it is flawed. Front-end innovation is a hot research topic, but there is still little research done on its relationship to design for sustainability. This chapter addresses the existing knowledge in the field of sustainable product innovation and its relation to the front-end of new product development. The research in this chapter aims to contribute to the understanding and implementing of sustainability in the early stages of an innovation process. A short overview of the used research method is presented in the first part. Secondly, the concept of the front-end of new product development is introduced by its different definitions. The section also describes the importance of the FEI, different types of innovation processes and the functions, activities and characteristics of the Front End. The third part looks to the concept of Sustainable Product Innovation (SPI) together with its drivers and barriers. Furthermore, it reflects on the current practice of the use of Sustainable Product Innovation tools. Next, the importance of integrating environmental considerations in the Front-End stage is presented. Different research results, insights and challenges are discussed in the penultimate part in order to identify successful patterns. At the end of this chapter, a summary is presented.


The escalation of Covid-19 and the sharp economic slowdown and tremendous disruption in various aspects of life, especially health, social, economic and financial impacts must be mitigated on the public welfare through extraordinary policies. The Covid-19 response and economic recovery program is an extremely important program designed in an atmosphere of emergency / urgency. Speed is very important, but on the other hand, accountability, transparency and good governance principles should not be ignored. In the midst of an emergency situation in handling Covid-19, especially the PEN program, many government programs in their implementation require very fast, urgent and massive handling, which of course must be followed by strengthening good governance, through the application of the principles of prudence, accountability and transparency. The results of the review show that in the implementation of the PEN program there are problems with regulations, budget, data, coordination and technical implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and information technology. These constraints are related to one another. Based on references to evaluations of governments, institutions, and best practices in countries that have successfully implemented the program, the authors present solutions related to these problems.


Thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency is directly related to the temperature difference over which the device operates, its average temperature of operation and the transport properties of the thermocouple material represented by ZT, the dimensionless figure of merit.


For the multisensor autoregressive moving average(ARMA)signals with unknown model parameters and unknown noise variance,using the recursive instrumental variable(RIV)method,the local estimators of the unknown parameters are obtained.Using correlation method,the local estimations of noise variances are obtained,and by averaging the local estimators,the information fusion estimators can be obtained.Substituting these fused estimators into the global optimal distributed Kalman filter of the ARMA signals,a self-tuning fusion distributed fusion Kalman filter is presented.By the dynamic error system analysis(DESA)method,it is peoved that it converges to the global optimal distributed fusion Kalman filter,so that they have asymptotical global optimality.A simulation example for a tracking system with respect to the target position shows its effectiveness.


: The flower scents of 14 palm species were collected in the field in Ecuador and Puerto Rico by head-space adsorption and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Insect visitors were recorded in seven of the species in Ecuador. The floral scent of the different species was dominated by a variety of compounds, e.g., the fatty-acid derived 3-pentanone and the hydrocarbon series dodecane to pentadecane, the benzenoid compound 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, the isoprenoids (E)-ocimene, myrcene, linalool, and (E)-α-farnesene and the nitrogen-containing compound 2-methoxy-sec-butylpyrazine. Rather than mirroring the systematics of the studied palm species, the chemical composition of the floral scent reflected the pollination mode. The scent of beetle-pollinated species was characterized by large amounts of one or a few dominant compounds, whereas fly- and bee-pollinated species contained a mixture of several compounds in smaller total amounts. We suggest that specific scent compounds, as found in the beetle-pollinated species, have evolved as a response to pollinator preferences. The importance of olfactory cues in relation to visual cues is higher in beetle-pollinated species than in species pollinated by flies and bees.


The purpose of this review was to identify sleep interventions that could be utilized in primary care settings to prevent obesity in children.


We measured the elasticity of single crystal gold (Au) and its lattice parameters under high pressure using inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS). The elastic moduli were obtained at five pressure points between 0 and 20 GPa. The pressure variation of the bulk modulus displays anomalous behavior, being nearly constant up to ∼5 GPa, and then steeply increasing at higher pressure. A similar anomaly is observed in first-principles calculations. An absolute pressure scale was derived by direct numerical integration of the bulk modulus over volume change. This yields a scale that gives slightly lower pressure values than those of previous work, about 5–10% lower at ∼20 GPa.


Biodegradable nanofiber membranes from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) were prepared by electrospinning and used as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering. Operating parameters during the electrospinning process were studied in details in terms of fiber diameter and pore size of the membranes. The nanofiber membranes were characterized by SEM, FESEM, BET, AFM, and TEM. In order to improve cell attachment and growth, nanofibers were subjected to DC-pulsed oxygen plasma treatment, acrylic acid grafting, and collagen coating by covalent binding of collagen to carboxylic moieties of the polyacrylic acid. The bioactive scaffolds could be used for culture of chondrocyte with improved cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation.


The term "Delphi" has been extended in recent years to cover a wide variety of types of group interaction. Many of these are exemplified in the present volume. It is difficult to find clear common features for this rather fuzzy set. Some characteristics that appear to be more or less general are: (1) the exercise involves a group; (2) the goal of the exercise is information; i.e., the exercise is an inquiry, (3) the information being sought is uncertain in the minds of the group; (4) some preformulated systematic procedure is followed in obtaining the group output. This vague characterization at least rules out group therapy sessions (not inquiries), team design of state-of-the-art equipment (subject matter not uncertain), brainstorming (procedure not systematic), and opinion polls (responses are not treated as judgments, but as self-reports). However, the characterization is not sufficiently sharp to permit general conclusions, e.g., concerning the effectiveness of types of aggregation procedures. Rather than trying to deal with this wide range of activities, the present essay is restricted to a narrow subset. The subject to be examined is group estimationthe use of a group of knowledgeable individuals to arrive at an estimate of an uncertain quantity. The quantity will be assumed to be a physical entity—a date, a cost, a probability of an event, a performance level of an untested piece of equipment, and the like. Another kind of estimation, namely, the identification and assessment of value structures (goals, objectives, etc.) has been studied to some extent, and a relevant exercise is described in Chapter VI. Owing to the difficulty of specifying objective criteria for the performance of a group on this task, it is not considered in the present paper. To specify the group estimation process a little more sharply, we consider a group I = { Ii } of individuals, an event space E = { Ej } where E can be either discrete or continuous, and a response space R = { R i j } which consists of an estimate for each event by each member of the group. In addition, there is an external process P={ P ( Ej ) }, which determines the alternatives in E which will occur. Depending on the problem, P can either be a ð (delta)-function on E— i.e., a specification of which event will occur-or a probability distribution Pj on the event space. In general Pj is unknown. For some formulations of the group estimation process, it is necessary to refer to the a priori probability of an event. This is not the same as the external process, but rather, is (in the present context) the probability that is ascribed to an event without knowing the individual or group estimates. This a priori probability will be designated by U = { U ( Ej ) }.


Objective: To evaluate post cesarean section scars by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and analyze its relationship to menstrual disturbances. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Settings: Kasr El-Aini Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ultrasound Unit. Patients: 60 non-pregnant women with regular cycles and a history of one or more cesarean sections at least 6 months from last cesarean section. Methods: Cesarean section scars were examined by TVS for the presence of defects and measuring thickness of residual myometrium. Menstrual irregularities were investigated with history and vaginal examination to detect cause of bleeding, if present. Results: Scar defects were found in 29 patients (48.3%). The mean thickness of residual myometrium was 0.69 ±0.13 cm. The mean size of CS defect in the 29 women was 0.36±0.16 cm. Eight patients (13.3%) had postmenstrual vaginal spotting, which was significantly associated with the presence of CS scar defects (p=0.002). Conclusion: TVS is highly accurate in detecting CS scar defects. Defects are seen in nearly half of the patients and were significantly associated with thin residual myometrium and higher frequency of postmenstrual spotting.


Digital watermarking technique has been recognized as a helpful way in dealing with the copyright protection problem for high quality images and videos. Besides some practical challenges, it is adhered to provide security and currently no other technique is ready to substitute it. Watermarking an image is essentially the process of adhering an imperceptible mark within the original image in a manner that ensures that the watermark is not obtrusive and there is only indistinguishable difference between the original and the watermarked image. Many efficient techniques have been proposed but demanding security issues require more robust and complex techniques. A lot of work has been done in the area of gray-scale image watermarking, but relatively less earlier work exists for colored image watermarking. We propose a colored image watermarking technique in which the location and the strength of the watermark to be embedded is varied in accordance with the underlying content of the image to be watermarked. The algorithm classifies the image blocks based on their sensitivity to noise. A highly textured block represents a highly important part of the image and hence would be put into a higher class in comparison to blocks with flat and featureless regions. Hence, for our perception, edge information of an image is the most important factor. The embedding process is automated and the bits are embedded in the frequency domain using discrete cosine transformation.


With the development of city urbanization, modern city scale continues to expand, the density of population and economic is higher and higher, urbanization brought the social progress of the city,in the mean time,it also make the city more vulnerable in face of disaster. Taking Xi'an city as an example, analyzing calamity prevention ability of xian current park quantitative and qualitative based on GIS, Combining population data we got some results and proposed improvement measure. Finally, we analysed fire,medical and police resources around urban park, which offer strong support for calamity relief when calamity occurs.


Article history: Received 6 June, 2017 Accepted 2 October 2017 Available online 3 October 2017 The use of cement concrete as a stronger and more durable material than asphalt concrete in construction of the pavements has been increased during the past decades. This review paper investigates the effect of various input variables for the design of continuously reinforced concrete pavements. A literature review is prepared based on the efforts performed by many researchers to investigate the effect of different factors including temperature change, shrinkage, material properties of the concrete, and concrete slab/ subbase bond properties on the displacements and stresses in the concrete slab. It is found that the important role of concrete slab/ subbase bond strength has not been investigated properly as compared to other input variables.


A project in identifying hair micro-structures of seven ungulates and four carnivores as a potential Sumatran tiger prey was conducted in collaboration with Sumatran Tiger Project.  Hair morphology and characteristics of scale pattern, medulla types and the shape of cross section were examined.  Four different scale patterns were found among these hairs: flattened, crenate, acuminate and elongate serrate.  Three medulla types noted as absent, latticed and multiseriate.  The shapes of cross section includes oval elongate and round.  The hair characteristics vary among the species and may be applied for identifying the hair into species level.  The hair color and shape may support the identification. Keywords: Sumatran tiger, hair, scale pattern, medulla types and the shape of cross section, ungulates, carnivores


The treatment and disposal of wastes contaminated with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and other organic materials in an environmentally acceptable manner remains a pressing issue at many sites in North America. Circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) technology offers an attractive solution for PCB and other organic waste disposal. CINTEC Environment Inc. has been awarded a contract by the Province of Quebec in Canada to treat PCB-contaminated wastes at three sites with its 36-in. transportable CFBC. The PCB wastes to be incinerated by CINTEC consist of contaminated solids (mainly soils) and liquids that contain high concentrations of PCBs, chlorobenzenes and perchloroethylene. As relatively little reliable data was available on incineration of such highly chlorinated PCB wastes, a test program was carried out using CANMET`s pilot-scale CFBC. A non-carcinogenic compound, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, was chosen as a surrogate for PCBs because it is an aromatic halogenated compound with the same ring structure which should behave in an analogous manner to PCBs when combusted. The gas and solid phase emissions including benzene, chlorobenzenes, dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) were measured and combustion efficiency destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) were determined. The results of this testing demonstrated a stable and reliable process under the operating conditions anticipated frommore » the CINTEC`s commercial CFBC and indicated likely compliance with all applicable regulatory and project specific requirements for actual PCB incineration runs.« less


Abstract Drought has negative effects on sweetpotato production. Two experiments with two watering treatments (irrigated and water-stressed) were conducted at Umbeluzi Research Station in 2015. The objectives were to (i) determine response of 48 sweetpotato germplasms to mid-season drought, (ii) determine best traits for improvement of storage root yield under mid-season drought and (iii) assess the selection criteria for identifying drought tolerance in sweetpotato germplasms. The irrigated and water- stressed trials received 640 and 400 mm of water, respectively, throughout the season. Water stress was imposed from 30 to 70 days after planting. Each treatment had two replicates arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data collected on storage root and vine yield and derived drought tolerance indices including harvest index were subjected to analysis of variance in R. Sweetpotato germplasms with high storage root yield under mid-season drought were associated with a high harvest index. Harvest index stability and the geometric mean are key to identifying cultivars with high and stable storage root yield under both treatments. MUSGP0646-126, Irene and Ivone combined both low TOL, SSI, HI and high yield storage root yield across the treatments and over seasons. The use of drought and harvest indices is encouraged for selecting improved cultivars for varied production environments and their regular use in accelerated breeding schemes is suggested.


In this piece we introduce and contextualize the contributions to the special focus on the international theory of Carl Schmitt, and argue that Carl Schmitt's much neglected international thought can provide scholars of both international relations and international law with a new common multidisciplinary research platform pivotal in thinking about the present international predicaments of crisis in international order and legitimacy, of contested liberal hegemony, and of the issue of unipolarity and the emergence of new forms of warfare, such as terrorism and the 'global war on terror'.


The paper describes how computers have become an essential tool in metropolitan planning, and how they can and should be used to assist the planner and urban analyst in identifying relationships that exist among population, land-use, economic, and transportation elements. Metropolitan data systems should be established as an integral function to serve all phases of government in cities, counties and, eventually, throughout the states. Data systems, such as planning are a function of government and should be established to assist in the management of government at all levels. The paper discusses how the intelligent, discriminate use of the computer as a tool for data processing and urban analysis is essential to the profession and practice of city and regional planning.


The objectives of this thesis were to observe how the Canadian youth justice system has dealt with the regulation of the transfer of young offenders to the adult court and how the Canadian statutes have regulated the imposition of adult offences for young offenders.

For this, I drew a distinction between two levels of observation: first, I observed the process of "creation of statutes" by the political system. Second, I observed the process of "understanding and interpretation of statutes" by the judicial system. The notion of "political system" includes the legislation enacted by Parliament, parliamentary debates, and reports published by the Government of Canada. The notion of "judicial system" includes the decisions of the Montreal Youth Court.

For the first level of observation ("creation of statutes"), I observed and analyzed the work of the political system for the period 1842 to 2012. Starting in 1857, many statutes regulated different aspects of the criminal law system as it applied to young people. The first statute to deal with youth offenders comprehensively and different from adult offenders was the Juvenile Delinquents Act (1908); this statute was replaced by the Young Offenders Act (1982). The current statute is the Youth Criminal Justice Act (2002).

With regard to the Juvenile Delinquents Act (1908) and the Young Offenders Act (1982), I observed how the political system regulated the mechanism of transferring a young person to the adult court. This mechanism allowed the youth court to decide a question of jurisdiction: whether the young person would be processed and sentenced within the youth justice system, or whether the young person would be sent to the adult court for him to be dealt with and sentenced therein. With regard to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (2002), I observed how the political system has regulated the imposition of adult sentences by the youth court. This statute replaced the mechanism of transfer under the two previous statutes by the imposition of adult sentences within the youth justice system.

For the second level of observation ("the understanding and interpretation of statutes"), I observed how the Montreal Youth Court had understood and interpreted the statutory provision that allowed the youth court to transfer a young person to the adult court for the young person to be dealt with and sentenced therein. My period of observation is from 1911 to 1995.

I argue that both the political and the judicial systems have been strongly influenced by the theories of deterrence, denunciation, retribution, and rehabilitation. The influence that each theory has exercised on each system varies. The political system, originally focused on the rehabilitation of young people, has been slowly "contaminated" by the most punitive theories, such as deterrence and denunciation. This shift started in the 70's and slowly increased over the years. Conversely, while the judicial system does not seem to have been originally influenced by the theories of rehabilitation, its focus has slowly…


Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with various human cancers. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates most of the biological actions of the active vitamin D metabolite, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). VDR is highly expressed in small intestine and colon and has critical regulatory actions for proliferation and differentiation, intestinal barrier function, innate immunity, and host defense in the gut. Evidence strongly suggests the protective effects of vitamin D and VDR on colorectal cancer. In this review, wewill cover the recent progress of vitamin D/VDR in the genetic regulation, immunity, protein expression, and microbiome, in colon cancer. We will discuss the potential clinical application of vitamin D/VDR in prevention and treatment of colon cancer.


The oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system of the mitochondrion uses the products of ∼60 nuclear genes and 13 mitochondrial genes to generate cellular ATP. These proteins are organized into five large complexes—electron transport chain complexes I–IV and ATP synthetase (complex V) (Hatefi 1985)—of which complex I, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH):ubiquinone oxidoreductase, is the largest. Studies of the bovine heart have identified at least 35 complex I nuclear gene products, together with 7 mitochondrially encoded proteins (Walker 1992; Skehel et al. 1998). In the past year, our knowledge of the human complex I genes and gene products has made substantial progress. Here we review recent insights into these components and their roles in health and disease. Complex I, which is embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), serves to dehydrogenate NADH and to shuttle electrons to coenzyme Q. This electron transport generates a proton gradient across the IMM, which provides the proton-motive force that is used in ATP synthesis. The total human complex consists of >42 subunits, 7 encoded by the mitochondrial genome and the remainder by the nuclear genome (Smeitink et al. 1998b). The coordinated interactions between the nucleus and the mitochondrion that build and maintain this vital multiple-subunit protein complex remain poorly understood. As of last year, however, all 35 known human nuclear-encoded cDNAs for complex I proteins had been characterized (Loeffen et al. 1998b; Smeitink et al. 1998b), thanks, in part, to the work of Walker (1992), who characterized the homologous complex from cattle, and also, in part, to the increasing power of genomic methods that are readily available through public databases. On the basis of the genetic information available from prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes, we expect that knowledge about this intriguing complex will expand rapidly in coming years. For the


The semigeostrophic equations are a simple model of large-scale atmosphere/ocean flows. Previous work by J.-D. Benamou and Y. Brenier, M. Cullen and W. Gangbo, and M. Cullen and H. Maroofi proves that the semigeostrophic equations can be solved in the cases, respectively, of 3-dimensional (3-d) incompressible flow between rigid boundaries, vertically averaged 3-d incompressible flow with a free surface, and fully compressible flow. However, all these results prove only the existence of weak solutions in "dual" variables, where the dual variables result from a change of variables introduced by Hoskins. This makes it difficult to relate the solutions to the full Euler or Navier--Stokes equations, or to those of other simple atmosphere/ocean models. We therefore seek to extend these results to prove existence of a solution in physical variables. We do this using the Lagrangian form of the equations in physical space. The proof is based on the recent results of L. Ambrosio on transport equations and ODE for B...


Walter Adamson's article in Political Studies March 1990 successfully points out some features of contemporary thinking on this subject, but on many others it is misleading.' It is right to insist that the concept has fluid meanings, and right to concentrate at present on corporate governance. The recent interest in market socialism has led its advocates to seek a new locus for democratic power. It is no longer to be imposed from a democratically elected central government. Democracy within the economic enterprise offers an alternative, apparently compatible with market relationships among enterprises. The burst of interest in Europe springs from these motives. There are three issues on which Adamson's account is vulnerable. First, he relies overwhelmingly on this recent debate, in which Robert Dahl leads a parallel American contribution.* This foreshortens history to the point of illusion. Secondly, he claims a central role for the Bullock Report of 1977.' This limits the prospects disastrously. Thirdly, he obscures distinctions in the nature of the enterprise. The opening of American radicalism to this range of ideas in the 1980s gives the project a fresh dimension, a new set of cultural values. Nevertheless, the European, and in particular the British history should not be discarded. The notion of employees choosing managers was raised briefly by J.S. Mill in Political Economy in 1848. It was the standard proposal of mid-century Christian Socialists. More significantly, there was an appreciable growth of such enterprises Benjamin Jones's Co-operative Production gives a good a c c o ~ n t . ~ Later, the low voter turnouts in British consumer cooperatives after the second world war transformed them into defacto employee-controlled societies. There are plenty of other initiatives and experiments in many countries. The point is that we are not discussing an untried option. Rather than discussion of hypothetical possibilities, there needs to be more historical and political analysis of what amounts to a series of false starts that is, if what is at stake is a major transformation, not a set of fringe alternatives. The case of the Bullock Report might provide a clue to one problem. So far from providing a central discussion, it was a narrow sectarian document. More


The properties of real and virtual images formed by lenses and mirrors are reviewed. Key ideas are summarized in tables and rules of thumb. Simple conceptual problems illustrate the utility of the results. The practical significance of virtual objects is illustrated by the construction of a noninverting optical microscope. When light from an object of height h located at distance p from a mirror or lens of focal length f is reflected or transmitted by the optical element, an image of height !


An InAsBi photodiode has been grown, fabricated and characterized to evaluate its performance in the MWIR region of the spectrum. Spectral response from the diode has been obtained up to a diode temperature of 225 K. At this temperature the diode has a cut off wavelength of 3.95 μm, compared to 3.41 μm in a reference InAs diode, indicating that Bismuth has been successfully incorporated to reduce the band gap of InAs by 75 meV. Similar band gap reduction was deduced from the cut off wavelength comparison at 77 K. From the dark current data, R0A values of 590 MΩcm2 and 70 MΩcm2 at temperatures of 77 and 290 K respectively, were obtained in our InAsBi photodiode.


✓ A radiofrequency current of 100 kHz sine wave was applied to therapeutic targets in the human brain and produced unpleasant sensory responses. Increasing the applied frequency to 250 kHz eliminated all these responses.


Introduction: In Australia 20% of the population live with disabling chronic pain, costing the health system $34 billion annually. Less than 0.1% are reviewed by specialist services due to limited availability of specialist consultants. Residents in Southern New South Wales (NSW) Local Health District (SNSWLHD) are challenged due to geographical isolation, travelling long distances to access specialist services. In 2015, NSW Minister for Health, provided recurrent funding of $100,000 p.a. to support the objectives of the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) 2012 Pain Management Plan. The plan identified the need to improve access to pain services in rural and remote areas. The ACI and SNSWLHD collaboratively tendered to appoint a tertiary provider to deliver the service. St Vincent's Hospital Sydney was successful in the tender to establish a multidisciplinary outreach Pain Clinic in partnership with ACI, SNSWLHD, and South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network (SENSW PHN)-COORDINAIRE.    The challenge is to shift the burden of chronic pain management from the hospital to a more consumer accessible community Model of Care. Practice change: The new model went live in 2016 and includes: upskilling of local primary multi-disciplinary care providers, assessment and self-management education and linking of general practice with tertiary specialists using telehealth. Aim/theory of change: The aim is to deliver evidence based, multidisciplinary pain management in primary care with access to pain specialists for complex patients. Using telehealth technology enables patients to remain close to home, reducing discomfort and costs. In theory, creating local primary care expert hubs, linked with a tertiary specialist centre, will enable early intervention thereby reducing the societal cost burden. Targeted population and stakeholders People suffering chronic pain > 6 months. Stakeholders: Patients, Families and Carers, SNSWLHD Clinicians, Primary Care providers. Timeline: The service has been operational for 12 months and formative evaluation shows that key deliverables are being met. Ongoing evaluation has been embedded in the model. Highlights: The provision of integrated pain management services in the community resulting in the positive response from both consumers and clinicians. Consumer feedback is extremely positive with a 100% satisfaction rating. Sustainability/transferability: The service agreement specifies a minimum number of multidiciplinary telehealth clinics per month plus three multidisciplinary outreach workshops per annum.The relatively low cost of service provision and simple model demonstrates ease of transferability within the region. Upskilling ensures sustainability by increasing capacity within the system together with service agreement monitoring to maintain quality. Conclusions: Since introduction there have been: a) 107 Telehealth consultations. b) Evaluation of positive patient experience = 100%. c) Evaluation of 71 Providers: Positive experience = 97%, Ability to   support their patient more = 91%. Discussion/lessons learned: The move away from hospital to community care is a positive one. Skilled local multidisciplinary teams supported by telehealth enables the consumer to receive the best available service where they live.  The partnership between specialists and local providers, with support of state & federal funding, is achieving outcomes through willingness to network, share new evidence and utilise technology with the consumer at the centre of the model.


Recent advances in the field of hemato-oncology have significantly improved outcomes for patients. However, these changes have also increased the complexity of investigations required at the time of diagnosis and during the follow-up of these patients. Close interaction and exchange of information between the pathologist and the clinician is important for sucessful management of patients. This article briefly discusses the advances in the field and the impact of these changes on the management of patients. A clinician's perspective of what is required from a hematopathologist while managing patients in the current era is presented. An attempt is made to classify the requirements as to what is expected in ideal as well as in resource-limited settings.


To the Editor: The letter of Barros et al. [1] raises interesting issues. In our study on pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), we found that lack of CD15 expression was independently associated with poor overall and poor failure-free survival (HL) [2]. Barros et al. reference to the study Petrella et al. [3] inwhich they have actually reported an unfavorable outcome of CD15 negative cases. Also, that study was done prior to when the distinction between classical HL and nodular lymphocyte predominant (LP) HL was described [4]. The latter is consistently CD15 negative, and has a significantly favorable outcome [5]. The report of Petrella et al. includes 11 cases of LP, which could have been either lymphocyte rich classical HL (one of the four classical HL subtypes) or nodular LP, and therefore cannot be compared with studies on CD15 negative classical HL. There are only two studies on classical HL which report CD15 negativity to be an independent prognostic factor for overall and disease-free/failure-free survival [2,6], while no prognostic significance is reported bymany studies, possibly due to the limited number of cases studied. TheGerman study included a large number of cases and is a good support for our findings, as they found a significant association between lack of CD15 expression and higher stages at diagnosis [6]. Other studies might confirm whether CD15 negative classical HL presents with unfavorable risk factors that would lead to a poorer survival. The significant association between CD15 negativity and p53 negativity reported in our paper refers to a total absence of p53 immunostaining, that is, absence of p53 overexpression. The same association was found between CD15 negativity and low p53 expression, with a cut-off value of 10% (P1⁄4 0.009; odds ratio 5.4, 95%confidence interval 1.4–22).Wild-type p53 protein is normally below the detection sensitivity of immunohistochemistry. P53 immunodetection in Reed-Sternberg cells is thought to be the result of accumulation of a non-functional p53 protein, due to mdm2 binding, rather than p53 mutation [7]. However, Chabay et al. have shown that p53 is functional as a transcriptional activator in more than half the pediatric HL cases studied [7]. In any case, the association between loss of CD15 antigen expression and lack of p53 overexpression is a purely statistical correlation, which might be verified in further studies. The significant cut-off value for p53 expression in Reed-Sternberg cells is still to be identified. Veronique Dinand, MD, PhD* Department of Pediatrics All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, India


The invention discloses an aperture ratio adjustment device for the air inlet of a computer. The aperture ratio adjustment device comprises a loop composed of a direct-current electromagnet and a switching device, metal shielding sheets arranged in the range of the direct-current electromagnet, a computer embedded controller configured to read the temperature value of equipment, provide a first control signal enabling the switching device to be switched on to electrify the direct-current electromagnet when the read temperature value of equipment is greater than or equal to a preset value, for the switching device, and provide a second control signal enabling the switching device to be switched off to cut off the direct-current electromagnet when the read temperature value of equipment is less than the preset value, for the switching device, and an elastic component coupled to one end of each of the metal shielding sheets, and used for generating an effect opposite to the effect of the direct-current electromagnet on the metal shielding sheets.


Abstract Rangeland managers use the ecological site concept to segment rangelands into discrete areas capable of supporting a particular suite of vegetation. Ecological site data are easily accessible and standardized in the Soil Survey Geographic Database published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. While widely used in range management, wildlife managers have only recently explored the usefulness of ecological site data in delineating wildlife habitat. We undertook this study to assess pronghorn selection of ecological sites across two seasons (warm-dry and warm-wet) following translocation to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas in 2013. We observed seasonal shifts in selection with selection of draws and limestone hills in the warm-wet season and selection of clay flats in both seasons. Pronghorn avoided other sites or used them in proportion to their availability. Our results suggest that ecological sites provide a valid means of segmenting wildlife habitats and identifying important sites for management of pronghorn.


In recent years, biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric Nanoparticles have been widely studied as potential carriers for controlled delivery of drugs. Chitosan is a deacetylated derivate of chitin, present in crustaceans shells such as crab and shrimp. Due to its biocompatibility with human tissues and organs, this material has been considered for several biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Chitosan presents wound healing properties and the incorporation of other drugs can improve such qualities. Papain is an enzyme that presents anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Therefore, it may act improving the healing of injured epithelial tissues. In the present work, chitosan Nanoparticles were prepared using electrospinning process. Chitosan Nanoparticles were modified with papain and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and sodium Tripolyphosphate. The objective of this work was to evaluate papain immobilization in chitosan Nanoparticles using different crosslinking agents. Morphology and spectral structure of Nanoparticles were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the amount of release papain in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer was measured with (UV) spectrophotometer.


This paper deals with the numerical solution of the generalized Love integral equation defined on the square. The method is of Nyström type and is based on the approximation of the integral by a product cubature rule whose coefficients are approximated by a "dilation" scheme. The theoretical analysis of the presented method is discussed by proving its stability and convergence in weighted spaces equipped with the uniform norm. To support the theoretical estimates, some numerical tests are presented.


In recent years,statistical based methods have been dominating the research and application of machine translation(MT).Meanwhile,the higher and higher evaluation scores for MT campaigns raise people's confidence and expectations,which results in an increasing demand for high-quality MT systems.However,on one hand,it is difficult to have a big breakthrough on the MT theories and methodology in terms of translation quality;on the other hand,current practical systems cannot fully meet users' satisfaction.Where and how should we go forward? Therefore,the Eighth China Workshop on Machine Translation(CWMT) is held to carry out a comprehensive and in-depth discussion on challenges and opportunities for current MT research.This paper details the six MT sessions,analyzes and concludes the key points and important findings.


In order to meet the needs of telemetry test system parameters testing, we propose FPGA based on telemetry data acquisition system's overall design, and describe the methods and processes of the collection of analog signal and the reception of digital signal in detail. According to the sampling rate of the slow-changing and the rapid-changing, the frame structure is designed. Under the control of PC, data collection and coding are achived by FPGA, and real-time monitoring of data is achived through testing platform and data storage is achived by data recorders to monitor and implement, and modelsim software simulates the timing of the program. After the application of the practice, the stability and reliability of the collection system get confirmed.


The recent discovery of two distant satellites of Uranus suggests that there could be similar bodies orbiting Neptune. Previous surveys for distant satellites of Neptune have had relatively bright magnitude limits (B J ' 20:5) and would have missed satellites with magnitudes and colours similar to the 2 recently discovered Uranian satellites (R 20:4 and R 21:9). We have searched for satellites of Neptune to a limiting magnitude of R 21 in a 0:12 region centred on the planet. This search is up to 2 magnitudes deeper than the previous wide eld search for distant satellites by the UK Schmidt Telescope. Nereid was easily recovered by the search and no large variations of its magnitude were detected.


The authors report the observation of intersubband absorptions in ZnO/ZnMgO multiple quantum wells (QWs). The multiple QW structures were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The high structural and optical properties of the samples were demonstrated by high-resolution x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements. At room temperature, intersubband absorptions at ∼3 μm were observed.


In this paper, a sliding-mode control (SMC) strategy is proposed for three-phase grid-tied <italic>LCL</italic> -filtered voltage source inverters in the natural frame. The SMC in the natural frame is based on controlling the sliding surface functions of phase-legs <italic>a</italic> and <italic>b</italic>. The sliding surface function of phase-leg <italic>c</italic> is obtained from the sliding surface functions of phase-legs <italic>a</italic> and <italic>b</italic>. This eliminates the need for sensing capacitor voltage and grid current of phase-leg <italic>c </italic>. The capacitor voltage references are generated by the proportional-resonant (PR) controllers which result in zero steady-state error in the grid current. The feasibility and performance of the proposed SMC strategy is investigated under steady-state, transient, unbalanced, and distorted grid conditions. Experimental results taken from a 9.8 kW system are provided to demonstrate the validity of the proposed SMC strategy.


A minimum of adhesion strength of thin films and coatings to substrates is required for their durable applications. Practical Adhesion is measure of that strength required to pull-off coating or film from the substrate. A suitable method to measure this adhesion strength has to be one that allows quantitative repeatable hence reliable results. There are many methods and techniques to measure this practical adhesion. However, none inclusively quantifies adhesion with repeatable results. Pull-Off method involves application of tensile forces and delivers quantitative results. Here we report optimizations made in combination of parameters for Pull-Off adhesion testing. Optimized combination of adhesive mixing ratio, time for hardening (curing), time to test after hardening and applied force rate was achieved through detailed Design of Experiment study. Achieved combination delivered results which were quantitative, repeatable, consistent and uniform and allowed application of method to a variety of coatings and films with enhanced reliability. The improvements here in reported are applicable to majority of thin films and coating systems delivering some standardized parameters combination for pull-off method.


Objective To investigate outcome and risk factors of patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.Methods We registrated continuously patients with acute cerebral infarction or transient ischemia attach(TIA) from the department of neurology who had intracranial arterial stenosis confirmed by 64 slices CT angiography(CTA).All cases were followed-up.Incidence rate of stroke,overdose compliance,influence factors were analyzed.Results 142 cases with intracranied arterial stenosis were registered.121 cases(85.2%) completed the follow-up.Ischemic stroke events occurred in 16 patients(13.2%) in one year.12 cases(75%) located in the ipsilateral recurrence of vascular lesions.Single factor analysis showed that irregular use of statins(P=0.017),diabetes(P=0.017) and arterial severe stenosis(P=0.030) were a statistically significant difference between the recurrent group and irrecurrent group.Multi-factors Logistic regression suggested that irregular use of statins(OR=3.719,P=0.005),diabetes(OR=1.842,P=0.029) and arterial severe stenosis(OR=1.503,P=0.045) were related with stroke recurrence.Conclusion There is a higher subsequent rate of stroke in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.The patients with irregular use of statins,diabetes and arterial severe stenosis had higher subsequent risk of stroke.


A means of designing linear coupling controllers (LCCs) for multi-degree of freedom systems is developed. An LCC is applied to a thin plate partially clamped on one edge and free on all other edges. The LCC developed here is compared to an LCC designed using the energy monitoring algorithm and to a quadratic non-linear controller. The comparison of the frequency responses for an uncontrolled plate and for the three different controlled cases shows that the design algorithm presented provides control over a wider frequency range.


Corporate governance has gone through three decades of profound changes in terms of new regulations, new practices, and environmental conditions. Many countries drafted guidelines for best corporate governance practices following Cadbury report (Cadbury, 1992). These practices were mainly related to the board of directors (composition and functioning), internal controls, and internal audit. The Enron scandal followed by the collapse of Arthur Andersen, one of the big five audit firms, and the enactment of the "Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act" (Sarbanes-Oxley law) in 2002 were other milestones in the evolution of corporate governance. This law brought about significant changes related to public company accounting oversight, auditor independence, financial disclosure, and corporate responsibility. The financial crisis in 2008 started in the United States and has shaken the world economy. This crisis was due to weak corporate governance that led to fraudulent financial reporting and excessive risk-taking. Grove and Victoravich (2012) consider CEO duality, lack of board independence, weak management control systems, short-termism, weak codes of ethics, and opaque disclosures among the main drivers of this crisis. The COVID-19 has consistently shown that firms with better corporate governance and corporate social responsibility practices were the most resilient entities during the first quarter of the pandemic (Ramelli & Wagner, 2020). All these topics are addressed in this collection of high-quality research papers of this year's first issue of Corporate Board: Role, Duties, and Composition.


This paper deals with the modelization and detection of non-stationary random signals in the time-frequency space. A time-frequency random model of signal is derived from a given temporal model. The time model we are interested in consists in a deterministic signal embedded in an additive centered Gaussian perturbation. This Gaussian model is characterized by two parameters, which are the mean and covariance matrix of the process. The corresponding time-frequency model depends on the time-frequency transform applied to the signal. For the spectrogram, the determinant parameters are the nature and length of the analysis window and the zero-padding. We show that for a Gaussian signal, spectrogram coecients distribution can be approximated by a chi2 law defined by three parameters. A time-frequency signal detection task inspired from a Neyman-Pearson strategy is performed on the basis of this probabilistic time-frequency model. The detector determines the time-frequency regions where signal energy is present. It thus provides a time-frequency signature of the signal. This information is used for structural health monitoring techniques. Extraction of the fundamental meshing frequency and harmonics of a gearbox under varying load conditions is presented.


Objective: To study the clinical and experimental effects of Weiwei powder (WWP) in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia (IM) and dysplasia (Dys). Methods: 200 cases of CAG diagnosed through gastroscopy and pathologic examination were divided into two groups:135 cases in the treatment group took WWP orally while 65 cases in the control group took Weifuchun (WFC) tablet. At the same time, the rats with CAG were divided into two groups at random, and given WWP and saline respectively. The atrophic extent of the gastric mucosa gland was observed.Results: The total effective rate of the treatment group was 77.04 % and that of the control group 66.15% with the difference between them being significant (P0.01). However,in controlling LM and Dys the difference between the two groups was not significant (P 0.05). The results of the experiment showed that the number of CAG was decreased obviously and the gland body rehabilitated in the treatment group.Conclusion:WWP has obvious effect in the treatment of CAG and can improve the pathological changes in the precancerous lesions.


We show a neural system based calculation to recognize upright, frontal perspectives of faces in grayscale images. The calculation works by applying at least one neural networks specifically to parts of the info picture and refereeing their outcomes. Each system is prepared to yield the nearness or nonappearance of a face. The calculations and preparing strategies are intended to be general, with little customization for faces. Many face location analysts have utilized facial pictures can be portrayed specifically as far as pixel forces. These pictures can be described by probabilistic models of the arrangement of face pictures.


Objective To investigate the first and second i nter-mediate host(snail and crab)and the infection rate of Paragonimus in Zhanping city,Fujian province.Methods According to the water net and geogra phical distribution,crabs were collected for the detection of metacercariae of Paragonimus.Intradermoreaction(ID)test with the antigen prepared from adult Paragonimus worms was done on the local populatio n.Person showing positive result wa s tested for the Paragonimus antibody by ELISA technique.Results Two species of snails,namely,Semisulcospina liberitina and Tricula fujianensis were found,but with no examination b ecause of a small quantity.The four s pecies of crabs,namely Sinopotamon fujianensis,S.pinghouensis,Malayopotamon yinanensis and a Huannanpotamon sp.nov were found to serve as the second intermediate host,harbouring the metarcerariae of Euparagonimus cenocopiosus and P.westermani .The infection rate of crabs was 9.01%(10/111).The positive rates of ID test of Shan yangge,Cheko and Xianliao villages were 7.87%(40/508),5.04%(26/516)and 7.81%(40/512)respectively.The positive rate of t he ELISA test for the ID test positive individuals of these three population were 15.00%(6/40),7.69%(2/26)and 7.50%(3/40)respectively.Conclusion Zhanping city is a light endemic area of paragonimiasis with E.cenocopiosus as main etiology in west of Fujian province.


General prevalence of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive disease of lungs (COPD) dictates necessity of monitoring expenses at their treatment. All over the world these diseases require considerable share of expenses. [5, 6]. Th e economic losses owing to invalidism in connection with asthma and COPD are unclear yet. In our work the fi nancial expenses for 1 invalid with bronchial asthma and COPD per one year have been calculated. Th e cost of basic therapy of severe degree of asthma and COPD for the similar period of time has been calculated. Adequate basic therapy is 50 per cent less expensive than expenses for invalids in connection with these diseases. Adequate basic therapy of asthma and COPD is eff ective and economic way of preventing physical disability.


The effect of different recycling times on the microstructure and mechanical properties of zinc alloy for die was studied.The experimental results show that the microstructure distribution of zinc alloy for die scatters asymmetrically,the equiaxed grain changes into column crystal and dendritic crystal,the crystal grain size grows up with the increase of recycling times;as well as mechanical properties of zinc alloy decreases in the room temperature.When the ecycling times does not exceed 3,the mechanical properties of zinc alloy for die have a little decrease in the room temperature;otherwise,when the recycling times exceeds 3,the mechanical properties of zinc alloy have a great decrease in the room temperature.


In the dynamic global economy, the accuracy in fore casting the foreign currency exchange rates is of crucial importance for any future inves tment. The use of computational intelligence based techniques for forecasting has been proved ex tremely successful in recent times. The aim of this study is to identify a neural network m odel which has ability to predict the US Dollar against Sri Lankan Rupee (USD/LKR) with high er accuracy level. In this study both static and dynamic neural network architectures wer e considered. Three types of neural network models were employed: (I) Feedforward neura l network (FFNN; static neural networks) with the Backpropagation (BPR) algorithm; (II) FFNN with the Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) algorithm; (III) Time Delay neural n etwork (TDNN; dynamic neural network). Best performed models were found from eac h approach and forecastability of these models were compared to come up with the best model to predict the USD/LKR. It was found that the FFNN trained with the SCG algorithm performs better than FFNN trained with the BPR algorithm. Therefore the best static neural network for predictions is the FFNN trained with the SCG algorithm. The best TDNN outpe rforms the best static neural network model and finally this model can be proposed as the best model to predict the USD/LKR. The best performed TDNN model contains two hidden layer s, three neurons in each layer and six time delays. This model has ability to forecast uns een data with 76% prediction accuracy.


Computer generated holograms offer the potential of producing holographic optical elements for use in head up displays, laser scanning and optical computers. They are normally produced using expensive and complex materials and equipment. In this paper, the production of CGHs using 35 mm black and white film without elaborate equipment is demonstrated and the results examined.


According to the flow narrative commonly applied to high-energy nuclear collisions a cylindrical-quadrupole component of 1D azimuth angular correlations is conventionally denoted by quantity $v_2$ and interpreted to represent elliptic flow. Jet angular correlations may also contribute to $v_2$ data as "nonflow" depending on the method used to calculate $v_2$, but 2D graphical methods are available to insure accurate separation. The nonjet (NJ) quadrupole has various properties inconsistent with a flow interpretation, including the observation that NJ quadrupole centrality variation in A-A collisions has no relation to strongly-varying jet modification ("jet quenching") in those collisions commonly attributed to jet interaction with a flowing dense medium. In this presentation I describe isolation of quadrupole spectra from pt-differential $v_2(p_t)$ data from the RHIC and LHC. I demonstrate that quadrupole spectra have characteristics very different from the single-particle spectra for most hadrons, that quadrupole spectra indicate a common boosted hadron source for a small minority of hadrons that "carry" the NJ quadrupole structure, that the narrow source-boost distribution is characteristic of an expanding thin cylindrical shell (strongly contradicting hydro descriptions), and that in the boost frame a single universal quadrupole spectrum (Levy distribution) on transverse mass $m_t$ accurately describes data for several hadron species scaled according to their statistical-model abundances. The quadrupole spectrum shape changes very little from RHIC to LHC energies. Taken in combination those characteristics strongly suggest a unique {\em nonflow} (and nonjet) QCD mechanism for the NJ quadrupole conventionally represented by $v_2$.


Spontaneous hematoma within the iliopsoas muscle (SIH) is a rare complication most commonly seen in coagulopathic patients. Often, patients undergoing microvascular free tissue transfer are anticoagulated for anastomotic patency. Here we describe two cases of postoperative SIH following contralateral anterolateral thigh (ALT) free tissue transfer for reconstruction of oncologic head and neck defects. Both patients described hip pain after mobilization and had a corresponding acute blood loss anemia. Diagnosis of SIH was confirmed by CT and both patients were managed conservatively. Given that anticoagulation is a common practice following head and neck free tissue transfer, surgeons should be aware of this potential complication.


Objective To analyze and predict the structure and characteristics of enolase by bioinformatics in order to guide the experimental research for its biological function and application..Methods By the bioinformatics analyzing tools in bioinformatics websites and combining else complicated bioinformatics software such as vector NTI suit,so as to recognize enolase from the Taenia solium full-length cDNA plasmid libratory and analyze the gene structure,so as to analyze and predict the physical-chemical characteristics,epitopes,post-translational modification sites,domains,subcelluar location,topological structure,secondary structures,and 3D structural conformation..Results The gene was found to have 1 641 bp,its coding region was 133~1 096 bp,encoding 320 amino acids.The molecular weight of the gene was predicted to be 34866.8 Mr.The protein with stable physical chemical characteristics had a transmembrane region and had no sequence for subcellular location.Several phosphorylation sites and thirteen B-cell eiptopes were predicted in the enolase protein.Conclusions The gene encoding enolase protein was screened form the cDNA library of adult Teania saginata by bioinformatics method.The structure and characteristic Teania saginata of the gene and protein of enolase gene were obtained.


SAN DIEGO—Vaginal cuff brachytherapy plus chemotherapy does not provide better recurrence-free or overall survival over standard pelvic radiation in women with stage I-II high-risk endometrial cancer, according to results from a Gynecology Oncology Group phase III study from the National Clinical Trials Network group, NRG Oncology. There was no difference in recurrence or overall survival between the two approaches, but risks of pelvic and para-aortic nodal recurrence and frequency of short-term side effects were greater for women in the brachytherapy-chemotherapy approach arm of the study, according to findings presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting (Abstract LBA-1). Risks of pelvic and para-aortic nodal recurrence and frequency of short-term side effects were greater for the brachytherapy-chemotherapy approach, and high study completion rates in both treatment arms suggest that both therapies are well-tolerated by patients, said lead author Marcus Randall, MD, Professor of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky in Lexington. Earlier clinical trials found external beam radiation therapy to the pelvis after surgery reduced tumor recurrence compared with post-surgical observation alone, establishing this as standard treatment for stage I-II patients. However, in recent years, some physicians shifted to vaginal cuff brachytherapy followed by chemotherapy to reduce the risk of side effects from exposure to radiation, he explained. GOG-249 was a phase III randomized trial designed to test whether adjuvant brachytherapy plus chemotherapy improved recurrence-free survival compared with the standard treatment of pelvic radiation for early-stage, high-risk endometrial cancer. "Our trial clearly demonstrates that adjuvant pelvic radiation should remain the standard of care for highrisk, early-stage endometrial cancer patients," Randall told a press briefing. "It also suggests that the trend in our field of abandoning pelvic radiation in favor of chemotherapybrachytherapy combinations for high-risk patients is premature and not supported by clinical evidence." He also noted that the women did not get any benefit from the addition of chemotherapy, but they did experience worse nodal control rates and more short-term side effects. The patients included women with high-risk stage I-II histology, including stage II tumors, stage I-II serous or clear-cell carcinomas, and stage I endometrioid tumors if the patient had features associated with a high risk of recurrence.


The purpose of this doctoral dissertation is to illustrate and explain the connections between the establishment of new cults of Saints and the formation of an ecclesiastical organization in Scandinavia. Its main conclusion is that "the creation of new cults of native saints was not necessary for the establishment of ecclesiastical institutions" (p. 255), but that such cults in many cases helped give prestige to and even legitimize newly established dioceses. The reviewer agrees with this conclusion while suggesting that the significance of specifically native cults is overemphasized. He also finds the idea that Church leaders used such cults as instruments to enhance their own and their institutions' prestige too one-sided. The dissertation makes use of three hypotheses taken from current hagiographical research: Peter Brown's concept of "Micro-Christendoms", Alan Thacker's concept of "loca sanctorum" and Lars Boje Mortensens idea of the mythopoietic function of saints' legends. These are pertinent but their relevance could have been discussed in greater depth. The most laudable aspect of the dissertation is its careful and competent use of liturgical fragments, which leads to detailed new insights into how the cults of local saints developed in individual dioceses. (Less)


This paper presents a novel approach to control the formation of a group of unmanned ground vehicles in an outdoor environment. Using Lyapunov stability analysis, a closed loop control law for a differential-drive vehicle is derived to maintain its target position in the formation. This control law is combined with an optimal control strategy to avoid obstacles. A simple fuzzy logic supervisor balances the weight each algorithm has on the output control signals by gradually allowing the obstacle avoidance to take over the steering as obstacles become close. Simulations have shown this supervised optimal control strategy to be an effective algorithm that seamlessly allows the group of vehicles to temporarily break formation to avoid obstacles.


NH4NO3 simultaneously provides a readily assimilable nitrogen source (ammonia) and a reserve of nitrogen (nitrate), allowing for an increase in Arthrospira platensis biomass production while reducing the cost of the cultivation medium. In this study, a 22plus star central composite experimental design combined with response surface methodology was employed to analyze the influence of light intensity (I) and the total amount of added NH4NO3 (Mt) on a bench-scale tubular photobioreactor for fed-batch cultures. The maximum cell concentration (Xm), cell productivity (PX) and biomass yield on nitrogen (YX/N) were evaluated, as were the protein and lipid contents. Under optimized conditions (I = 148 μmol·photons·m-2·s-1 and Mt = 9.7 mM NH4NO3), Xm = 4710 ±34.4 mg·L-1, PX = 478.9 ±3.8 mg·L-1·d-1 and YX/N = 15.87 ±0.13 mg·mg-1 were obtained. The best conditions for protein content in the biomass (63.2%) were not the same as those that maximized cell growth (I = 180 μmol·photons·m-2·s-1 and Mt = 22.5 mM NH4NO3). Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that ammonium nitrate is an interesting alternate nitrogen source for the cultivation of A. platensisin a fed-batch process and could be used for other photosynthetic microorganisms.


In facing global competition in the future, Private Higher Education Institutions is forced to take several anticipative steps, especially by creating conducive corporate culture which enables to give positive contributions to its stakeholders.

This research aims to find out whether organizational culture in High College Private has an influence on organizational commitment in Districk of Sleman. The concept of organizational culture was used in this research refered to Miller's idea of modification that devides corporate culture into 9 (nine) principles, including objective, consensus, superiority, unity, achievement, empirical, familiarity, integrity, and cura persona. The concept of organizational commitment refered to Porter's idea including desire to strive to others, acceptance to organizational values and strong motivation to remain to to stay in organization.


The article tackles the problem of inferring information about the unknown structure of a network of dynamic systems under the assumption that the systems are connected according to a tree topology. In particular, the article introduces methodologies to address the presence of hidden (unmeasured) nodes in a scenario where only non-invasive observations are available. By non-invasive observations, it is meant that no known input signal is actively injected into the network. The whole system instead is assumed to be forced by unknown external excitations modeled as stochastic processes. No a priori assumption is made about the number and location of the hidden nodes. Current approaches are capable of consistently inferring the network structure from data, when the dynamics are linear and/or the measurements have a jointly Gaussian distribution. This work provides an approach that can also be applied to networks with nonlinear dynamics and non-Gaussian disturbances. Sufficient conditions are found under which a consistent reconstruction of the topology can be obtained.


The development of accurate propagation prediction models for outdoor/indoor communication environments is challenging and requires the development of innovative approaches to: (a) improve the accuracy of available models; (b) improve the computation efficiency; and (c) implement sufficiently general calculation procedures that would help in characterizing complicated and unique outdoor/indoor propagation features and environments. In this paper we describe a new propagation prediction model that addresses the above stated requirements. Specifically, the computational efficiency of the shooting-and-bouncing ray (SBR) was significantly improved by employing ray tracing techniques based on computer graphics approaches. The accuracy issue was addressed by employing a multi-grid FDTD method to calculate diffraction coefficients from unique and difficult to handle analytically indoor and outdoor structures. Additional improvement in accuracy was achieved by calculating reflection and transmission coefficients from walls of complex structures. Finally, the multi-grid FDTD method was used to characterize unique outdoor/indoor environments such as windows, doors, etc. The overall model was integrated, and propagation prediction results for typical outdoor/indoor communication environments are presented and compared with available data.


Using an agar cup-plate method, it was shown (Rose and Miller, 1939) that the antibacterial properties of a single dilution of mercury antiseptics varied with the blood content of the medium. The purpose of the present investigation was twofold: (1) to study the agar cup-plate method in greater detail by determining whether the relationships established for a given concentration of antiseptic would also hold true at other dilutions, and (2) to ascertain whether the results obtained by the agar cup-plate method could be correlated with an antiseptic-dilution testing procedure. Four antiseptics, mercurochrome, metaphen,f merthiolatej and mercury bichloride were studied.


Work on an artifact in the multiple correlation coefficient (Rs ) identified by Schenck and Naylor (1968) is extended. The direction and magnitude of the artifactual effect is shown to depend upon the nature of the experimental and task conditions. Use of an alternative index is recommended.


In a wide variety of scientific and technological fields, such as public health, actuarial science, biomedical studies, demography, and industrial reliability, modeling and analysis of lifetimes is an important aspect of statistical work. For modeling of such survival data, variety of probability distributions have been proposed in the literature based on failure rate types. Besides a long list of probability distributions developed in last two decades or so, exponential, gamma, Weibull and lognormal are still considered as important probability distributions for modeling real world phenomena, especially in modeling lifetime (or time-to-event) of any system or unit. In one way or other, none of the distributions, so far developed and studied, provides universal adequacy (in the light of the adequacy of fit or goodness of fit criteria) in modeling data coming from diverse field of applications and the usefulness of statistical distributions remains a need of time altogether. Hence, newer probability distributions are been developed, their theory and applications are widely studied. The interest, as well as need, in developing more flexible statistical distributions than the existing ones remains a strong focus of this research work. The entire research work presented in this dissertation can broadly be classified into three important and interlinked segments.


449 www.ijarcet.org  Normally, the problem of path finding is solved by classical algorithms, such as the Dijkstra, Bellman-Ford,Johnsonalgorithm. However, the classical path finding algorithms cannot handle the problem of dynamic environment in the realworld.This paperintroducesmodelforautonomous robot path finding based onreinforcement learning algorithms.We describe the basic concept, principle and the method of reinforcement learning algorithms, and do some simulation experiments in order to evaluate the effectivenessamong different reinforcement learning algorithms.Simulation results show that Q-learning algorithm does not work well when the environment has changed constantly and there are too many obstacles.Both SARSA algorithms and Q-learning algorithms are relatively slow in convergence.Meanwhile, Dyna-Q algorithm determines the path of the robot relatively fast and the stability rates are high.


Embryonic survival after administration of oxytocin (OT) was examined in 42 beef cows. All cows were bred by natural service and artificial insemination (Day 0) following synchronization of estrus. Cows were randomly assigned to receive 25 ml saline (CON; n = 10), ICQ lU OT + 20 ml saline (OT; n = 12), 100 lU OT + 1 g flunixin meglumine (OT+FM; inhibitor of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase; n = 10), or 100 lU OT + lutectomy (OT+LUT; n = 10) administered i.m. at 0600, 1400, and 2200 h on Days 5-8 after mating. Lutectomies were performed by transrectal digital pressure at 0600 h on Day 5. All cows were fed 4 mg/hd/d of melengesterol acetate through Days 3-30 and were bled by jugular venipuncture at 0600 and 0700 h on Day 5 for determination of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2a (PGFM). Additionally, CON, OT and OT+FM cows were bled daily during their respective treatments and every other day from Days 917 for determination of progesterone (P4) . Pregnancy rates were determined by transrectal ultrasonography at Day 30. Pregnancy rates were reduced in OT (33.3%) and OT+LUT (30.0%) groups compared to CON and OT+FM (80.0%; P = .03). Progesterone did not differ between groups during the


A method of improving the strength, endurance, speed and/or perceived workload of an athlete during an athletic performance by administering Peppermint odorant. The peppermint odorant is administered in an amount and manner sufficient to cause olfactory stimulation. Peppermint odorant is infused into training environments, applied directly to an athlete, coated onto surfaces in olfactory proximity to an athlete or impregnated on surfaces in olfactory proximity to an athlete.


We present an extension of the BELM code (Belmont et al 2008) to investigate the microphysics of particle acceleration in black holes accretion disc corona. The updated version of the code accounts for the dynamics of resonant slab waves as well as their interaction with both leptons or protons. It is found that the proton temperature is an important regulating effect of the stochastic particle acceleration process in accretion disk corona. We present a preliminary fit of the high soft spectral state of Cygnus X-1.


Resent years, sparse representation theory has been widely used in signal processing field. Researchers introduce this theory into the application of pattern recognition and classification and get the sparse representation classifier (SRC). In this paper, we use the SRC to achieve the classification of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) points. To get a better performance, we introduce the kernel method into SRC, for the advancement of kernel in solving nonlinear problem. Also, a joint sparse representation is used for the category similarity of neighboring LiDAR points.


Kaon decay experiments had considerable impact in motivating and validating the model of Kobayashi and Maskawa. We review these along with ones performing precision studies of CKM matrix elements and searching for physics outside the Standard Model.


This programme consists of notes and demonstration videos that explain how to examine a near-term, pregnant woman. In the course of the programme, the learner will encounter the terms used to describe the relationship of the fetus to the mother's anatomy, and they will be expect to interpret and describe the findings of an examination on video, using these terms.


Rehabilitation plays a central role in stroke recovery. Besides conventional therapy, technological treatments have become available. The effectiveness and appropriateness of technological rehabilitation are not yet well defined; hence, research focused on different variables impacting recovery is needed. Results from the literature identified cognitive reserve (CR) as a variable impacting on the cognitive outcome. In this paper, the aim was to evaluate whether CR influences the motor outcome in patients after stroke treated with conventional or robotic therapy and whether it may influence one treatment rather than another.


Abstract Using a unique database from Hungarian primary schools, this study investigates whether academic self-assessment and educational aspirations differ between Roma minority and non-Roma majority students with similar cognitive skills and abilities. I find that Roma students have lower self-assessment, on average, than their non-Roma classmates with similar competences. In addition, although there are no ethnic differences in educational aspirations two years before secondary school application, Roma students are less likely to actually apply to a secondary school track that provides the possibility to enter tertiary education. Roma students' lower socioeconomic status can partly explain these differences. The analysis also shows that students' self-assessment is more strongly related to teacher-given grades than to blind standardised test scores. The study highlights important mechanisms that can contribute to educational inequalities between minority and majority students.


The issue of a director production plan allows get ting a global idea concerning what it is feasible i n an organization taking into account predictable requir ements and available capacities. On the issue of th is stage, the organization has a plan which must be applied in or der to define precise fabrication and purchase orde rs. It is the net necessities calculation. Net necessities calculatio n or Material Requirement Planning (MRP) is an asse mbly of techniques using nomenclatures, supplies condition in rder to generate fabrication and purchase propo sals for the set of articles at all the nomenclatures levels starting f rom director production plan. Moreover, if there is the case, it supplies priorities among fabrication orders to be launched. It is a means of managing supplies. Today it is co nsidered a planning instrument. Taking into account the volume of data and their numerous interactions, it is necessary to be used IT MRP soft in order to perform these calculations: this i s a management pro soft for computer aided producti on management. In this work let's illustrate the principle of necessa ry components through an example, an organization w hich assembles an industrial product and manages its production start ing from a computer aided production management sys tem based on MRP principles.


This paper introduces non-local equilibrium model of the transpiratin cooling control with moving boundary. We regard the velocity of the coolant as the controlled of system, and prove that the solutio to the transpiration coolig control problem exists uniquely under the fair assumption with non-ablation. Moreover, continuous dependence of solution on the controller is presented.


That the specialized cognitive capacities of the cerebral hemispheres might interact with paranormal abilities can be considered both one of the most recent ideas of parapsychologists and at the same time one of the earliest. The current enthusiasm for this idea began only about 10 years ago when William Braud in Texas began investigations on cognitive style and paranormal abilites and Richard Broughton in Edinburgh started studies of lateralization effects and ESP. It is primarily this research and the few studies which have followed which I will review in this paper but first I would like to recapitulate some of the reasons why a few of us parapsychologists are interested in this topic.


A tuning method for two-degree-of-freedom (2-DoF) proportional−integral (PI) controllers for first-order-plus-dead-time (FOPDT) models is presented. It allows the designer to deal with the closed-loop control system performance−robustness trade-off specifying the lowest robustness level allowed by selecting a maximum sensitivity in the 1.4−2.0 range. In addition, a smooth performance is obtained by forcing the regulatory and servo-control closed-loop transfer functions to perform as close as possible to a target nonoscillatory dynamics. Controller tuning rules are provided for FOPDT models with normalized dead-times from 0.1 to 2.0. Comparative examples show the effectiveness of the proposed tuning method.


A novel approach for process variation detection (PVD) is proposed. Named "dynamic measurement", the proposed method is able to detect process corner type. Information on process variability is represented in digital signal (code). Use of such approach can exclude necessity of use of special measurement equipment or embedded test structures (ring oscillators, transistor arrays, etc.) during testing, thereby minimizing process variability evaluation time and cost. The proposed approach can further be improved for more detailed information on process corner/variation. In this paper, metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) current-voltage characteristics are used to design a circuit based on the proposed approach. With the aid of this approach one can detect not only parameter variations of n or p-type transistors, but also their combinations, resistors, transistors with short channels.


There are two aims for the second part of this paper: verifying the theory presented in the first part through parameter variation and comparison between simulation and experiment, and to study the effect of the belt structure on the cornering properties of radial tyres. Research has been carried out with a passenger car radial tyre and two different kinds of truck or bus radial tyres using both simulation and experiment. This second part of the paper shows that belt structure plays an important role in the generation of tyre forces and moments in addition to the effects of the tread stiffness and friction coefficients. The theory and method presented in this paper opens a new robust way to predict the tyre forces and moments from the tyre design and provides a reliable model for a generation mechanism.


Using a generalized derivative operator, we introduce and study a new class of harmonic univalent functions. In the present paper, we investigate some results for functions f belong to this class which include the necessary and sufficient coefficient bounds. Growth bounds and a closure property are also obtained.


AbstractWe studied the interactions between insects and the spermatial stremata of Epichloe spp. they visit in North America and Great Britain. We found that Phorbia flies formed a close associatio...


This thesis proposes an optimization-based algorithm for detecting lines of text in images taken by hand-held cameras. The majority of existing methods for this problem assume alphabet-based texts (e.g. in Latin or Greek) and they use heuristics specific to such texts: proximity between letters within one line, larger distance between separate lines, etc. We are interested in a more challenging problem where images combine alphabet and logographic characters from multiple languages where typographic rules vary a lot (e.g. English, Korean, and Chinese). Significantly higher complexity of fitting multiple lines of text in different languages calls for an energy-based formulation combining a data fidelity term and a regularization prior. Our data cost combines geometric errors and likelihoods given by a classifier trained to low-level features in each language. Our regularization term encourages sparsity based on label costs. Our energy can be efficiently minimized by fusion moves. The algorithm was evaluated on a database of images from the subway of metropolitan area of Seoul and was shown to be robust.


Stable superpositions of elemental ray contributions give new capabilities for the ray-based analysis of optical fields and systems. These field estimates are constructed so that the results are effectively independent of the width of the field elements associated with each ray. The elements are thus free to be, more or less arbitrarily, localized or distributed at will. Since such elements thus need not disperse under diffraction, the new scheme is not a traditional beam summation method. In fact, it is this definitive property that leads to remarkable simplifications, and to significantly more accurate ray-based wave models. With this approach, error estimates become easily accessible, and a asymptotic treatment can finally be developed for fundamental processes such as refraction and diffraction.


. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in seniors and can negatively influence their quality of life. In the "Slovak audit of Atrial FIbrillation in Seniors" study (4252 consecutive patients with AF aged ≥ 65 years [mean age 80.9 years], hospitalised during 2.5 years in 4 acute geriatric departments) serum potassium level was one of the analysed parameters. We proved that both hypo- and hyperkalemia are quite frequent. This can be related to the drugs used as well (we analysed 9 drugs / drug groups with the potential known to influence kalemia). We could not prove an association between diuretics and hypokalemia. Neither did a cumulation of drugs with hyperkalemic potential lead to an increased frequency of hyperkalemia: on the contrary, they significantly decreased this risk at discharge. We proved the expected mild increase in risk of hyperkalemia under sporinolactone medication, but only at admission (OR 2.06), at discharge spironolactone was "protective" against hyperkalemia. Surprisingly we revealed an association between low molecular weight heparin (at discharge) and hyperkalemia (OR 2.01), and between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (at admission) and hyperkalemia (OR 1.76). Thus in real (hospital) life we can control the expected threats of potassium disturbances induced by diuretics and drugs influencing the renin – angiotensin – aldosterone system in an effective way. This is confirmed also by the finding that potassium dysbalance occurred in all investigated drugs / drug groups less frequently at discharge than at admission. Kalemia and its disturbances can be easily and cheaply tested and are well treatable. Appropriate attention to them should be paid in seniors (with AF) during prehospital and hospital health care delivery. Tab. 1, Ref. 20, on-line full text (Free, PDF) www.cardiologyletters.sk


Equity in education includes equity in educational opportunity, educational process and educational outcome, while there are serious problems of disabled children education in the above three aspects. In the aspect of educational opportunity, compared with normal children, the enrollment rates of compulsory education and preschool education for disabled children are relatively low than those of normal children, while the rate of dropping out is higher than that of normal children. Even in the group of disabled children, different types and gender of disabled children and the economic development level of their hometown may influence their educational opportunities. In the aspect of educational process, the quality of learning in regular classes is relatively low, the quality of teachers in disabled children education is relatively low, and the quality of disabled children education can be hardly ensured. In the aspect of educational outcome, the number of disabled children who still stay in school above the sixth grade is decreasing rapidly. And the development of vocational education for disabled children is slow and weak, which forms the gap between education and employment. Therefore, there are still many challenges of equity in disabled children education in China, and we still have many responsibilities to fulfill.


We are indebted to Alex Kozulin for the stimulation that has finally led to publication of the three translated articles appearing in this issue. As thanks, the best introduction we can provide includes an extensive quote from his valuable book, Psychology in Utopia (Kozulin, 1984).


Infrared spectral emission was obtained for various thicknesses of Teflon, Mylar, and Dupont film H at temperatures below 100°C. Characteristic data are apparent for samples which exceed the thickness limits imposed by Hovis. The use of an uncooled detector to obtain such characteristic spectral data at long wavelengths (out to 40 μ) is demonstrated. Thus, it should be possible to obtain diagnostic spectral emission from the surface of the planet Mars by using proper instruments aboard a Mars probe.


This monograph offers a comprehensive survey of perestroika by 17 leading specialists, and covers key domestic and international aspects of the Soviet Union's reform movement.


Introduction: To provide stability to the unstable cervical spine, the usage of transpedicular screws is very common due to their success in providing good results in terms of fixation, stability, and strength. The size of the transpedicular screw used must be in accordance with the morphology of the pedicle of the vertebra in a particular region or group of the population. This helps avoid pedicle wall damage along with nearby neurovascular structures. Aim: The aim of the present study was to measure the body and pedicle of cervical vertebrae (third to the seventh) and to understand their morphology in relation to the need for a uniform screw size. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to March 2023, using a total sample of 102 adult human dry cervical vertebrae collected from the bone bank of the Anatomy Department at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, SRHU, Dehradun. Only cervical vertebrae from the third to the seventh were included. Digital vernier calipers were used to measure the parameters, including the Transverse Diameter (TD), Anteroposterior Diameter (APD), and Vertical Height (VH) of the vertebral body, as well as the Pedicle Width (PW), Pedicle Height (PH), and Pedicle Length (PL) of the pedicle. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft® Excel® 2019 MSO (Version 2209 Build 16.0.15629.20200) 64-bit software (Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019, Washington, USA). The parameters of the right and left sides of the pedicle (PW, PH, PL) were compared using the student's t-test, and Pearson correlation test was used to find correlations among them. A p-value of 0.05 or lower was considered statistically significant. Results: For the vertebral body, the mean APD was 16.6 mm, VH was 11.6 mm, and TD was 25.6 mm. For the pedicle, the mean PW was 5.1 mm, PH was 6.5 mm, PL was 8 mm, and Axial Length (AXL) was 30.4 mm. No significant difference was found between the right and left sides of PW (p=0.7), PH (p=0.2), PL (p=0.7), and AXL (p=0.2). A weak correlation (0.31-0.40) was observed among the parameters of the vertebral body (APD, TD, VH), whereas a moderate to strong correlation (0.60-0.89) was noticed among the parameters of the cervical vertebrae pedicle (PW, PH, PL, and AXL). Conclusion: The size of the screw used for spinal fixation in one region of the Indian population may not always be compatible with other regions. This morphological study of the cervical vertebral body and pedicle suggests its clinical relevance in the use of a cervical transpedicular screw with a diameter of less than 4 mm and a length of less than 30 mm. Additionally, using a screw along the sagittal plane of the vertebral body with a length of less than 16 mm may reduce bone breach and prevent neurovascular damage.


OBJECTIVE:To establish an optimal method for microbial limit test for ciclopirox olamine vaginal suppository.METHODS:The microbial limit test for antibacterial agents was validated by plating method and membrane filtration method,and the optimal method for the test of bacteria and mold were confirmed based on the recovery rate of artificially sprayed bacteria.RESULTS:By plating method,the recovery rate of artificially sprayed E.coli was more than 70%,whereas that of mould was 0%;however,by membrane filtration method,the recovery rates of bacterial and mould were all higher than 70% when flushing doses of bacteria,mold,and control bacteria were 200 mL,300 mL,and 200 mL,respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The membrane filtration method could be used for the microbial limit test of the preparation the drug quality can be kept under effective control,and the established method is accurate and reliable.


The present study assessed, in cervical carcinoma, expression levels of seven immune response genes and sought correlation to response to treatment. The expression levels of CD28, CTLA4, ICOS, ICOSL, CD80 and CD86 and granzyme B genes were assessed by real-time RT-PCR in pre-treatment tumor fragments. During the six-month follow-up after treatment, 8 patients presented tumor and 10 survived free of tumor. The only gene whose expression levels were higher in patients with poor outcome (p = 0.03) was granzyme B. Further evaluation, in adequately powered prospective studies is warranted to confirm the data and to translate this observation to the clinical setting.


In the past few years it has been shown that the THz spectra of many polycrystalline biomolecules show very distinct, characteristic features. The fact that these specific signatures can be used to identify many samples such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and explosives through a wide range of common packaging materials has spurred an increased commercial interest in THz-TDS and imaging. However, most of these signatures that occur in the spectra of polycrystalline samples originate from phonon-like vibrations of the well-ordered intermolecular structure. The spectra of larger biomolecules, due to the lack of such a long-range order, quite often show only a broad, featureless absorption. Furthermore, the sample preparation becomes more and more important, as many of these sample are only available in very small quantities or in liquid solutions. These hurdles constrict many biomedical applications of THz spectroscopy. In this presentation, we will show, based on a wide range of examples, the potential that THz-TDS and imaging hold for biomedical applications and discuss possibilities for overcoming the hurdles that currently obstruct their application.


The 'institutional veil' of international organizations is the linchpin for legal analysis and appraisal of the role and interrelation of international organizations, member States and organs. Through this lens the article examines in semi-broad strokes the position of international organizations' member States in the legal framework of international responsibility, with reference to pertinent provisions in the ILC ARIO. This leads to the finding that in (the discourse on) the establishment of responsibility there are four possible legal contexts, which have the institutional veil of the organization work out in different ways: subsidiary responsibility of member States (the proverbial 'piercing of the corporate veil'); the attribution of conduct to member States; the 'attribution of responsibility' to member States; and the bypassing of the institutional veil to establish independent responsibility of member States, which is then connected by a material link to the wrongful act of the organization or to the injurious circumstances originally at issue. While in the context of subsidiary responsibility the institutional veil can be seen as consistently impermeable since the 1980s Tin Council cases, in the context of attribution of conduct the institutional veil of organizations appears to be increasingly contested, engaged with and challenged for transparency.


The effects of metal coating on the near-band-edge emission of ZnO thin films have been studied by photoluminescence and atomic force microscopy. Large enhancement in emission intensity has been observed from ZnO films when they are capped by Ag while negligible effect is seen on Au-coated films. In addition, the enhancement is found to increase with Ag thickness and the intensity eventually saturates at thickness of 200nm. By introducing MgO as a spacer between the metal coating and ZnO, the enhancement is shown to decrease with increasing the spacer thickness, which suggests the presence of the local fields induced by surface plasmons. As the emission energy of ZnO matches closely with the surface plasmon of Ag, it is speculated that the resonant coupling of the spontaneous emission in ZnO into the surface plasmons enhances the emission efficiency.


This research was undertaken at an opportune time with an ongoing need to further strengthen teacher quality and increase teacher numbers to match supply with demand. Taking into account the significance and context of the research, the prime purpose of this research is to shed light on motivational factors influencing teaching as a career choice. This study found that participants' decision to teach was made in the context of being aware of both positive and challenging aspects of the profession. Interestingly, respondents tend to rely on perceived intrinsic rewards of teaching (e.g. feelings of enjoyment and fulfilment) to resist any negative thoughts or remarks about teaching as a career. Thus, conclusions drawn from the analysis suggest that participants' seemingly high motivation for teaching is likely to involve the feature of weighing or balancing the perceived positive and negative aspects of teaching. The findings have practical implications for helping future teachers fulfil their articulated professional goals and sustain their morale and enthusiasm for teaching; and, for assist teacher educators to make teacher education courses more effective and to adequately prepare students in transition to teacher status.