Introduction For many years now I have been intrigued by the considerable diversity of the Tai dialects spoken in Kharnrnouan province in Laos and in neighboring locations. This interest sterns from 1974 when I happened to meet a number of Tai speakers from Kharnrnouan living in a refugee camp at Pak Sap in Vientiane Province. Among the languages found in this camp was a dialect called Mene I rnen4 1 originating from Kharn Keut District, in the villages of Tharn Bing and Chorn Thong. Of particular interest were several lexical items normally associated with languages of the Northern Branch of the Tai ethnolinguistic family that are found much further north in the provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi in southeastern China. There is another language with Northern Branch affinities spoken in Kharnrnouan, Saek, which Gedney (1989 : 373) has suggested may have split away from the Tai mainstream prior to the period normally associated with ProtoTaL After a brief tantalizing contact I was unable to work further on any of these languages and finally, in 1984, what little I knew of the area was included in a paper written for the journal entitled Science of Language published at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, hoping at least to stimulate inte~est in this little-known and unstudied area, noting in particular that many of the speakers traced their ancestral homeland to Nghe An Province in Vietnam. Then, in March of 1990, in the Na Pho refugee camp in Nakhon Phanorn Province, Thailand, I discovered another speaker of the Mene dialect, Mrs. Viengthong Tharnrnavong. My work with her has convinced me, while taking into consideration the risks involved in presenting a linguistic description based on evidence from a single speaker, that this language is important enough in the study of comparative Tai to venture making available a preliminary analysis with the hope that in the near future more of the Tai languages from Kharnrnouan and Nghe An will become accessible.1 To comprehend something of the linguistic and cultural environment in which she was brought up, a few biographical details will be useful. Born in 1945 in the village of Ban Sop Vieng, near the old LS 28 airstrip at Ban Done, the point where the three provinces of Xieng Khwang, Borikhan and Kharnrnouan intersect, Viengthong was the youngest of five children born to Toul tuu3 I and Khen1Khen4 I of the Vy 1 vii4/ lineage. This was a Tai Moey I mey C1 I village in which her parents were the only Mene speakers. They had come from Nghe An when her eldest brother, estimated to be 10 years older than Viengthong, was one month old, that is in 1935 or 1936. She also recalls that they carne with two other Mene families who settled at Chorn Thong and Ban Done. Mrs. Viengthong's father, Tou Vy, was formerly a sub-district headman with the title of Quan (/kwaanl <'mandarin'). He adopted the Lao surname of Manivong. In the meantime one of the villages formerly under his jurisdiction had moved nearby to the village of Khang Vieng, next to the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) base at Muang Mok, Xieng Khwang Province. These villagers, in need of leadership, asked Quan Tou to move there as a respected elder. Even after they moved, however, Viengthong returned frequently to her birthplace, a journey of two days, in order to pursue her weaving, a lifelong interest which she still maintains.


We have previously reported that the direct intraperitoneal (IP) injection of murine stem cell virus (MSCV)-based retroviral vectors into preimmune fetal sheep results in the induction of stable long-term immune tolerance to an antigenic transgene product that enables post-natal antigen boosting without eliciting an immune response. These results suggested that in utero gene therapy (IUGT) may be an ideal approach for treating diseases such as the hemophilias, in which post-natal attempts at both gene therapy and protein replacement therapy have often been thwarted by the formation of immune inhibitors. In the present studies, we performed experiments to delineate the mechanism of the observed immune tolerance following IUGT and to define the optimal window during gestation when gene transfer should be performed to ensure induction of transgene immune tolerance. To this end, we performed IUGT on fetal sheep at various gestational ages (55–110 days of gestation; term: 150 days). At 30 days post-IUGT, sheep were euthanized and thymic cryosections analyzed by immunohistochemistry using an antibody specific to the vector-encoded NeoR transgene product (NPT) and either a pan-cytokeratin antibody to label thymic epithelial cells, or an anti-CD45 antibody to label thymocytes. We determined that thymic tissue is in fact transduced in the majority of animals following IUGT regardless of the age at which IUGT is performed. Importantly, however, efficient transduction of thymic epithelial cells that are thought to be one of the key cell types responsible for presentation of self-antigen during T cell thymic selection only occurred if the gene transfer was performed prior to 72 days of gestation (term: 150 days). If IUGT was performed at day 72 or later, transduction was limited to predominantly thymocytes. These results suggest that IUGT may only result in successful induction of central immune tolerance if performed prior to 72 days of gestation in this model. These ongoing studies have also revealed that epithelial-like thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)+ cells comprising the Hassall's corpuscles are also transduced if IUGT is performed early in gestation (prior to 72 days of gestation), but not if it is performed after that point. Since recent studies have shown that one of the main functions of the Hassall's corpuscles is to instruct dendritic cells to induce the formation of CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory cells in the thymus, we performed FACS analysis on the peripheral blood of animals that received IUGT at varying gestational ages, focusing on subtypes of immune effector cells. These analyses revealed that animals that received IUGT early in gestation (prior to 72 days) have significantly higher percentages of CD4+CD25+ cells within their periphery than do animals transduced later in gestation. This finding is particularly interesting, given that CD4+CD25+ cells are thought to be T-regulatory cells that are involved in maintenance of peripheral tolerance. In conclusion, we have shown that by performing IUGT early in gestation, one can take advantage of multiple tolerogenic avenues present in the fetus, transducing both thymic epithelial cells which may promote induction of central immune tolerance and cells of Hassall's corpuscles, which can then in turn lead to the instruction of dendritic cells to induce the formation of T-regulatory cells that can help maintain peripheral immune tolerance to the transgene products.


Macunaima, the trickster-hero from old Amerindian legends, was in the 1960s an icon of the Brazilian Cinema Novo – a new wave film movement that was a response by artists to class and racial disparities. Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, the director of Macunaima (1969), moves the eponymous hero out of his jungle and puts him into the modern, mechanized and restless big city. Not only are social problems strongly emphasized in the film – equally important is here the aspect of myth itself. Macunaima enters the new world as a real old-time god who sees the city as his opponent. During his battle – full of trickery and plotting – it emerges that the difference between the Amazonian jungle and the concrete jungle are barely visible.


Most of the developing Commonwealth countries are spending up to a quarter of their annual recurrent revenues on formal educational provision for half their children, half of whom will drop out before completing the course. In return they appear to be acquiring increasing numbers of increasingly educated young people whose expectations cannot be fulfilled and whose articulate frustration threatens the political and social order. Even ten years ago government plans talked optimistically about investment in education, implying that money spent on schools would be returned with interest in the form of an educated and skilled workforce building economic prosperity and social content. Last year, however, the World Bank itself had to admit:


1 M. Tech Student , Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar institute of Technology,Bangalore-560056 2 Professor, Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Dr. Ambedkar institute of Technology,Bangalore560056 ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract Natural disasters and unreal conflicts typically generate Brobdingnagian volumes of debris/dust. Destruction of homes and public infrastructure as a result of a flood, earthquake, landslide or conflict will contribute to insecurity, loss of life, displacement of populations, and therefore the interruption of public services. Wireless Sensor Networks play a crucial role in disaster debris detection and management system. Debris flows square measure a sort of mass movement that happens in mountain torrents. They comprise a high concentration of solid material in water that flows as a wave with a steep front. Debris flows may be thought-about a development intermediate between landslides, earthquake and water floods. They are amongst the foremost venturesome natural processes in mountainous regions and should occur due to completely different weather conditions. Their quality is attributable to completely different factors: their capability of transporting and depositing Brobdingnagian amounts of solid materials, which can additionally reach giant sizes (boulders of many three-dimensional meters square measure ordinarily transported by dust flows), their steep fronts, which can reach many meters of height and additionally their high velocities. A disaster management system is designed using N-mote and Ngateway such that the flow of debris can be measured and alert is sent to the public and rescue team by using cloud services in advance so that there is less loss of life and property.


We propose a fast algorithm for the room impulse response (RIR) simulation for a shoe-box shaped room with arbitrary reflection coefficients. Our basic contribution is a numerical procedure that removes the restrictions imposed on earlier results that use the IFFT algorithm to compute the RIRs for multiple observation points simultaneously. We furthermore demonstrate that the RIRs can be computed accurately from only a small number of so-called kernel coefficients, which significantly reduces the computational complexity of our approach. The simulation results show that the new method is highly accurate and orders of magnitude faster than the basic mirror image source method that forms the main alternative.


The major aim of this study was to investigate and explores the linkage between economic growth, electricity access, energy use and population growth in Pakistan. To check the variables stationarity, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron unit root test was applied and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to co-integration was applied to investigate the dynamic causality link among the study variables. These tests shed light on the long-run connection among the variables; further, the results revealed that electricity access to population, electricity access to urban population, energy usage, population growth, and urban population growth had a significant impact on economic growth, while the electricity access to rural population and rural population growth has a negative impact on the economic growth in Pakistan. According to these findings, study commends that government of Pakistan pay further attention to increase its electricity production from different sources including, hydroelectric, solar, oil and gas and nuclear in order to fulfill the country's demands. By using ARDL bounds testing approach, this study filled the literature gap regarding economic growth, electricity access, energy use and population growth in Pakistan.


Geothermal reservoir Recica was discovered with two wells: Ka-2 and Ka-3. Based on the results of investigations from abovementioned wells, the reservoir temperature of 140 Celsius degrees was determined. Ka-3 would be production well and Ka-2 injection well. Depth interval from 1 900 to 3 523 meters is designed for hot water production in Ka- 3 well and depth interval from 3 200 to 4 145 meters is designed for injection of chilled water in Ka-2 well. Gradual utilization of reservoir heat energy can be planned by, applying Clausius- Rankin process. In view of total efficiency factor, energy output of geothermal source should be expressed as maximum useful work or exergy where reversible processes lead working fluid into mechanical and thermal environment conditions equilibrium. Chilled geothermal water would be returned through injection well to the same reservoir what assures heating reproducibility and pressure maintenance in the reservoir. Economic analysis estimated total investment costs needed for development of geothermal power plant, and economic indicators of profitability of geothermal project. The production of electricity from Recica reservoir would be economically viabl


The Rural Interior relates the story of the last r ural enclave in Mexico City, where still, a strong link to the inhabitants' lacustrine past can be found. The document describes the challenges an d difficulties that Xochimilco has confronted through out its history, especially after being abruptly incorporated to the expansion process of the megalo polis, as the main water supplier. Based on researc h and analysis of the past and present, the document prop oses alternatives to highlight some qualities that is territory still possesses to improve the current re lationship between inhabitants and water. At the sa me time it intends to provide people with information to gener at a platform for discussion about the problematic of water in Xochimilco and in the rest of the city.


The title complex, Na 2 [V 2 O 4 (C 4 H 6 O 3 ) 2 ].7H 2 O, contains the {[V{OC(CH 3 ) 2 COO}(O 2 )] 2 } 2- complex anion in which two five-coordinate inversion-related vanadium centres are doubly bridged by hydroxyl-O atoms and each vanadium centre has distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. In the crystals, there are also two Na + cations and seven molecules of water of crystallization.


The national identity is an important bond to maintain existence and development of a country,and it has an important ideological function.Globalization and its by-products regional identity and ethical identity plays an important role in destruckion of national identity.But it also provides an opportunity for remodeling the national identity.The government should build system of Interests,institution systems and belief systems to formate the positive interaction of regional identity,ethical identity and national identity.


Background: Niemann-Pick (NP) disease is an autosomal recessive lipid-storage disorder. NP type E, an uncommon type of NP disease, has seldom been reported, and renal involvement is rare in this type. Here we report a patient with NP type E with renal involvement and review the pertinent literatures. Case presentation: A 43-years-old Chinese female patient was admitted to our hospital with complaints of abdominal distension, weakness, anorexia and weight loss of 5 kg in a month. On physical examination, vital signs were within normal limits. The patient was presented with Abdominal bulge and positive shifting dullness, without hepatosplenomegaly. The laboratory findings showed hypolipidemia, elevated serum creatinin (3.7 mg/dl), hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin 31 g/L), and proteinuria (2.5 g/24 h). Abdominal ultrasonography showed diffused hyper echo in both the parenchyma of liver and the renal cortex with paraumbilical vein opened and large amounts of ascites. Abdominocentesis revealed transudate ascites. Kidney and liver biopsy identified diffused foam cells. Bone marrow examination identified the presence of NP cells. Acid sphingomyelinase activity was normal in leukocytes and chitotriosidase activity was elevated with 768.7 μmol/L.h. Chest radiograph showed infiltration in the left lower lung field and left diaphragmatic lift. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed mild encephalatrophy, and degeneration in bilateral hippocampi. With symptomatic treatment, the patient achieved clinical improvement and, the symptoms did not progressive rapidly during her follow-up visits. Conclusion: Lysosomal storage diseases with renal involvement are rare. Nevertheless, Niemann-Pick disease should be considered in differential diagnosis in patients with lipidosis and renal insufficiency.


The central theme ofWar as Business is simple and persuasive. As the business of war becomes increasingly shaped by technological change, modern armed forces have come to rely more and more on private companies for almost everything they do. This trend towards "military privatisation" includes not only the supply of defense assets, but also the outsourcing of a wide range of services from the armed forces to the private sector. In examining this phenomenon, the author adopts an essentially technologically deterministic perspective, arguing that "technological change is at the root of the present drive towards privatization" (p. 3) in the US and Europe and central to the processes of military globalization and proliferation. In presenting his thesis, Krishnan begins by tracing the evolution of the Western military and draws a parallel between the development of a technologically-driven civilian services' economy and the emergence of a services-oriented defense sector. As technology impinges more and more on military organization and tactics, he warns that the military becomes increasingly dependent on its societal environment, including outside expertise and support. This interplay between the civilian and military sectors he places against the geo-political and technological developments of the later twentieth century, pointing to the emergence of a smaller, post-modern military increasingly dependent on high-tech solutions to operational imperatives and to the concomitant restructuring of the defense industry with its shift in emphasis from manufacturing towards service provision. Having set the broad context within which military privatization has emerged, the author then focuses on the technical services increasingly being provided by private businesses to national armed forces. The result is three detailed and informative chapters covering a range of military activities, from research and wargaming to military training/consultancy and operational support services. The analysis shows that the pace of privatization of these services has tended to quicken since the end of the Cold War, thereby enhancing the role of the private sector in the preparation, organization and prosecution of war, with contractors having a growing presence on the battlefield and becoming more directly involved in military operations. In the final section of the book, the author rightly asks whether the putative advantages of military privatization outweigh the potential problems (if not dangers) it might engender. To do this, he looks at three aspects: military; economic; and political implications. Key issues examined include questions of command Book Reviews Defense & Security Analysis Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 329–337, September 2008


Aim. Chronic heart failure is one of the factors of the development and progression of cognitive disorders. To study the relationships between risk factors of atherosclerosis and condition of the central nervous system in patients with chronic heart failure of ischemic etiology. Material and methods. Cognitive tests, echocardiography, ultrasound investigation of carotid arteries, MRI of the brain and measurement of homocystein, CRP, lipid profile in venous blood were performed in 57 patients with I–IV functional class of chronic heart failure. Program STATISTICA7 (methods of incremental regression analysis) were used to assess the results. Results. Strong interactions between worsening of cognitive functions and increase of homocystein level, increase of thickness of IMC, decrease of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were revealed. Decrease of thickness of the cerebral grey matter and increase of apparent diffusion coefficient of water molecules of the brain were associated with increased C-reactive protein levels, cholesterol of low density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins and with decrease of the thickness of carotid IMC. The decrease of thickness of middle legs of cerebellum was associated with reduced levels of low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusion. The relationship between risk factors of atherosclerosis, cognitive functions, and morphological changes of the brain was revealed.


A handbook of Nebraska grasses : with illustrated keys for their identification, together with a general account of their structure and economic importance" (1915). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Paper 424.Title: A handbook of Nebraska grasses : with illustrated keys for their identification, together with a general account of their structure and economic importance


Abstract Psychological distress (PD) is usually based on the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms while psychological well-being (PW) is usually conceptualized as some combination of positive affective states such as happiness, optimism, satisfaction with life, and hope. This paper addresses the question of whether psychological distress and psychological well-being are the opposite poles of the same axis of mental health or independent constructs that should be measured on two independent axes. Methods: The sample consisted of (510) Kuwait University students, (240) males with a mean age of (24.08 ±5.10) and (270) females, with a mean age of (21.68 ±2.70), (f=46.77, p< 0.001). The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to participants to assess Psychological Distress. In addition, the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) were administered to participants to assess Psychological well-being. Results: The explanatory factor analysis (PCA) extracted one bipolar factor with the following loading: (.88) for OHI, (.84) for LOT-R, (.81) for SWLS, (.74) for AHS, (-.70) for BDI-II, and (-.53) for BAI which explains 56.16% of the total variance. The Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) extracted one bipolar factor with the following loading: (.70) for OHI, (.81) for LOT-R, (.77) for SWLS, (.69) for AHS, (-.72) for BDI-II, and (-.44) for BAI which explains 48.88% of the total variance and was labeled psychological well-being vs. psychological distress. Factor Structural analysis confirms that these 6 scales can be viewed as components of two-dimensional latent constructs (psychological distress and well-being) which reflects a higher-order concept of mental health. Conclusions: We conclude that assessment of mental health in general populations should use concomitant measures of psychological distress and well-being.


The worst drought in 100 years in southwest China occurred in the winter-spring period in the year of 2009—2010,causing forest fires as a secondary disaster.The effect of fire on the physicochemical properties of soil in a artificial secondary forest of Pinus massoniana in the center of Guizhou Province,China was investigated.The trees had an average diameter at breast height(DBH) of 5.6 to 19.4 cm,an average height of 4.11 to 18.60 m,and average density of 500 to 2400 clumps/hm2,and were studied using a comparison of burnt and unburnt plots in a karst mountain area covered by a Quaternary clay.In the surface soil(depth determined by the influence of the fire) of the burnt plots,capillary porosity and total porosity increased,and the soil bulk density and non-capillary porosity decreased,becoming 104.0,102.2,96.0 and 79.9% of their previous values,respectively.The water content of the soil quality and soil volume,and the maximum and minimum values of the soil′s water holding capacity were 92.5,86.9,110.0,and 111.4% respectively.Also,the relative amount of organic matter,total nitrogen,total phosphorus,and total potassium and the pH increased to 130.8,138.0,148.7,108.3,and 101.6% of their previous values,respectively,while the cation exchange capacity was reduced to 74.2%.In contrast,the relative amount of hydrophilic dissolved organic nitrogen,effective phosphorus,available potassium and exchangeable bases were increased,being 185.7,301.7,201.3 and 109.7%,respectively.As a result of the forest fire,the organic matter carbonized,soil biota was reduced,the soil aggregates collapsed and the soil water stability was reduced with changes in the osmotic potential;hence,the texture was degraded in the surface soil.Because of the carbonization of the organic matter of the different litter layers of the burnt forest,a considerable amount of ash,small carbon particles and organic debris covered the surface soil,and infiltrated into the soil through the action of gravity and rain,and as a result the fertility of the surface soil increased.There were two changing trends for soil physicochemical properties: one of them was the influencing factors of the surface soil(IFS) which were much greater than those for the profile soil(IFP),and included variables such as soil bulk density,capillary porosity,total porosity,water contents of soil quality or soil volume,the maximum or minimum water holding capacities,the amount of soil organic matter,total phosphorus,total potassium,hydrophilic dissolved organic nitrogen,available potassium and pH value;the other was when soil properties representing IFS were less than the IFP,such as non-capillary porosity,the amount of total nitrogen,and effective phosphorus,cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases in the burnt amd non-burnt forest soil.Physicochemical indices of the burnt and non-burnt forest soil rose or fell in the soil profile,and trends simulated either the power or logarithmic curve well.The changes in the physicochemical indices between the burnt and unburnt forest in the surface soil reflected mainly the impact of the fire,and mirrored chiefly the difference of the natural soil properties and the effect of the biological community on the regolith.The coefficients for the relationships between the plant dead ratio of tree layer and the surface soil bulk density(R=-0.8250*,r0.05=0.7545,the same was as follows),the maximum and minimum water holding capacity,(R=0.7615* and R=0.7689*,respectively),the amount of organic matter,(R=0.9035**,r0.01=0.8745,the same was as follows) and total nitrogen(R=0.7558*) were remarkable.The dependence coefficients of the plant dead ratio of shrub layer to the surface soil bulk density(R=0.8547*),capillary porosity(R=-0.7597*),total porosity(R=-0.7629*),water content of soil quality(R=-0.7593*),maximum and minimum water holding capacities(R=-0.9573** and R=-0.9124**,respectively),the amount of organic matter(R=-0.9436**),total nitrogen(R=-0.8335*),total phosphorus(R=-0.7599*),and available potassium(R=-0.7995*) were also notable.The correlation coefficients for the shrub biomass loss ratio to surface soil bulk density,amount of organic matter and available potassium were R=0.7684*,R=0.7763* and R=-0.7600*,respectively.Coefficients for the litter biomass loss to the pH value of surface soil indicated a very strong relationship existed between these two variables(R=0.7550*).In addition,the correlation coefficients for the average DBH of the burnt forest to the surface soil bulk density,capillary porosity,total porosity,water content of soil quality,maximum and minimum water holding capacities,amount of organic matter,were notable,being R=0.8085*,R=-0.8162*,R=-0.8077* and R=-0.9556**,R=-0.9153** and R=-0.9049** and R=-0.8120*,respectively.


PURPOSE: A complex configuration composition polarizer set and an in-plane switching mode liquid display device including the same are provide to reduce a dispersion level of polarization state on Poincare sphere, thereby minimizing the distortion of color according to the time. CONSTITUTION: A front phase difference value of a first phase difference film(24) is 50 to 200nm. A refractive index ratio of a first phase wave film is -1 to -0.01. A ground axis(25) of the first phase difference film is parallel to absorbing axis(22) of neighboring polarizer(21). A front phase difference value of a second phase difference film is 50 to 250nm. A refractive index ration of the second phase difference film is -2 to -0.5. A ground axis of the second phase difference film crosses at right angles to absorption axis neighboring polarizer. The front phase difference values of the first phase difference film and the second phase difference film is 200 to 350nm.


A new self-assembled monolayer has been obtained on silver using a new ester of lasalocid with 2,2 ′-dithiodiethanol (Las11). The densely packed monolayer has been shown to remain stable and not to undergo desorption from the Ag electrode on the potential cycling. The structures of Las11 and its complex with Na+ cations have been studied by FT-IR spectroscopic methods and the AM1d and PM5 semi-empirical methods.


Personal liability - a growing risk general principles criminal liability of directors consent, connivance and neglect non-executive directors, shareholders, and others an inspector calls whistle-blowing will they prosecute? the consequences of conviction civil liability liability for overseas activities insurance and indemnity some practical advice managing a crisis.


In the present study,the formula of the yogurt ice cream was optimized by central composite design combined with response surface analysis.Results showed that the optimal component were as follows: yogurt 51 %,cream 10.8 %,sucrose 15.6 % and compound stabilizer 0.71 %.Under this condition,the sensory evaluation was 89.2.


Electrical machines are devices that convert the mechanical to electrical energy or vice-versa. The need for electrical machines cannot be over emphasized as they are used in various applications in the world today. Its design is to meet the specifications as stated by the user and this design has to be an economical one. The design therefore involves the stipulated performance required, the cost available and the lasting life of the machine. This work aims to eliminate the tediousness involved in the manual hand calculations of designing the machines by making use of a graphical user interface and using iterations in situations where the data would have been assumed. MATLAB programming is extensively used for the design aspects and the interface to CAD tool help the user to develop a machine based on the requirement ready to fabricate.


Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has been implemented in bridge construction for anti-corrosion purposes in costal and marine environment and regions utilizing de-icing salts in North America and Canada. However, the durability of cracked UHPC has not been systematically studied. In particular, the influence of cracks and crack patterns on the chloride penetration resistance of UHPC is not well understood. This paper reviewed the existing literature regarding the chloride penetration of uncracked and cracked UHPC. It shows that the chloride penetration through uncracked UHPC is one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of uncracked normal strength concrete. Limited studies reported that cracks significantly increase chloride penetration in UHPC. However, due to lack of quantitative studies, the influence of crack width, geometry, and patterns have not been fully understood, neither has an acceptable crack width been established for UHPC to ensure long-term durability for design and maintenance. Based on the current knowledge gaps, a comprehensive study is carried out to examine the influence of crack width on the chloride penetration through UHPC by a modified non-steady chloride migration test. This research is expected to establish the correlation between crack characteristics to the chloride penetration resistance of UHPC, and ultimately to corrosion resistance of UHPC structures, which will provide a guide to the design and maintenance of UHPC structures under coastal and marine environments.


any species of butterflies obtain protection from predators by sequestering in their bodies unpalatable or toxic compounds derived from the plants on which they fed when they were caterpillars. Such butterflies often have on their wings a distinctive color pattern of bright contrasting black, yellow, orange, or red bars and spots that serves as a warning to potential predators. Experienced predators generally avoid butterflies that bear such warning coloration. Consequently, it is believed that butterfly species that do not sequester toxins can obtain a certain


The invention relates to an automatic control system of a hot rolled strip steel leveling unit, which comprises a production management control station MNG, a man-machine interface operator workstation HMI, a basic automatic controller and a communication network; the production management workstation MNG is used for receiving from the network or manually inputting through an interface steel coil production data, generating production strategies, collecting production filing data and uploading the data and the strategies to a tertiary computer system; and the basic automatic controller adopts SIMATICTDC, and is used for realizing the logic order control, the speed coordination control, the gap setting control, the elongation control and the tension control functions of the hot rolled strip steel leveling unit, and completing the production process control to the hot rolled strip steel leveling unit. The automatic control system of the hot rolled strip steel leveling unit displays the operation, the communication and the control potential to the SIMATICTDC control system, improves the production quality of the hot rolled strip steel leveling unit, and has the advantages of high efficiency in production management control, friendly interface, and a secondary computer system which is convenient to operate.


Distributed generators in a microgrid and their loads have random characteristics.In order to study the operating perfovmancas of a microgrid,controllers with different control strategies are introduced.For instance,the P/Q control is used to realize the constant outputs of the active and reactive power,and the V/f control with droop characteristics is used to give the frequency and voltage references when in island mode.By using the Matlab/Simulink to built the microgrid simulation platform,the P/Q-V/f control strategy is proposed to realize the comprehensive control of a microgrid with the grid-connected and island operation modes,and switching between the two different modes under different external conditions,which will be the changes of sunshine intensity,wind speed and load,and the performances are simulated,which shows that the new control strategy is feasible and correct.


The following Tardigrada were collected from a few Antillean localities which were studied by Dr. P. WAGENAAR HUMMELINCK in 1930 and 1936. One discovery on floating Sargassum north of the Azores was added. It may be expected that much richer material will result from more thorough microscopic examination of the many samples still awaiting further study. Styraconyx sargassi ..... on floating Sargassum, north of the AZORES. Echiniscoides sigismundi . . in salt-water ponds, BONAIRE. Macrobiotus rubens . . . . in a shallow cave, Isla de Conejo, Los TESTIGOS, Ven. Macrobiotus spec. on a hill top, Morro Grande, Los TESTIGOS, Ven. Macrobiotus spec. .....on a hill top, CURACAO. Milnesium tardigradum . . . at a brackish-water spring, CURACAO.


Au/SiO2 nanocomposite films were prepared by radio frequency sputtering technique and annealing.The structure of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and atomic force microscopy(AFM).The surface of the nanocomposite films was uniform with Au particles with the size of 100 to 300 nm.The size of Au crystallites increases with the increasing annealing time.The luminescent behavior of the nanocomposite films was characterized by photoluminescence(PL) with different excitation wavelengthes.Two emission peaks at around 525 nm and 560 nm were observed with the excitation wavelength at 325 nm.An intensively emission peak at around 325 nm was observed with the excitation wavelength at 250 nm,which is related to the defective structure of the amorphous SiO2 layer.


INDERA is the first Indonesian maritime radar that works using the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology. In the surveillance mode INDERA continuously transmits modulated electromagnetic waves to detect targets in the surrounding area. Since the transmitted signal is a continuous wave, INDERA needs only a very small power to transmit its signal. Consequently, the level of signals arrived on the Rx-antenna part is also very low. The frequency of the transmitted signal is varied with time. As a result, the signal reflected by a target will generate a beat signal with a frequency proportional to the target distance. Thus basically we can compose a two-dimensional image from such signals. In this paper we present a method to reconstruct a 2D radar image from the signals received by radar INDERA.


The comparability of examinations in different subjects has been a controversial topic for many years and a number of criticisms have been made of statistical approaches to estimating the 'difficulties' of achieving particular grades in different subjects. This paper argues that if comparability is understood in terms of a linking construct then many of these problems are resolved. The Rasch model was applied to an analysis of data from over 600,000 candidates who took the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations in England in 2004. Thirty‐four GCSE subjects were included in the final model, which estimated the relative difficulty of each grade in each subject. Other subjects failed to fit, as did the fail grade, U. Significant overall differences were found, with some subjects more than a grade harder than others, though the difficulty of a subject varied appreciably for different grades. The gaps between the highest grades were on average twice as big as those between the bottom grades. Differential item functioning (DIF) was found for male and female candidates in some subjects, though it was small in relation to variation across subjects. Implications of these findings for various uses of examination grades are discussed.


Today, the robot and robotics are the subject of countless publications. However, it is difficult to obtain a clear picture of reality when some praise the robot as the indispensable technological tool of the year 2000, and others attack it as a cause of unemployment and of other ills. Regardless of who is right and of examples of faultless applications such as those seen in the automobile industry, the development of robotics is much less rapid than experts had anticipated early in the 1980s. What are the reasons for this slowdown? Prohibitive costs, technological difficulties or organizational obstacles? The present paper covers the history of the implementation of a robotic installation in the steel industry in France (the firm where the actual study was conducted required anonymity). The authors attempt to analyse the positive, as well as the negative comments gleaned from the participants at the plant. Most of the difficulties encountered are related to the technological modifications required in the...


This paper is based on the A.'s doctoral dissertation intitled Right to infancy : Mario de Andrade and the playground for children of worker families at the City of Sao Paulo. It analyzes the creation of the first playgrounds as non-formal educational project for city children from 3 to 12 years old. The article describes the origins of the public municipal network of childhood education which was at the time pioneering in guaranteing the right to infancy, in assuring the right to play and creation of infantile culture of preschool children from 3 to 6 years old as well as those of 7 to 12 years old who attended the playgrounds in an alternate schedule to that of the then elementary school. The poet Mario de Andrade, director and idealizor of the Department of culture of City of Sao Paulo in 1935, among the several programs proposed for the worker class, comtemplated the small children, who were educated in contact with nature and with Brazilian culture and folklore


A method is provided for displaying images from a reverse view camera system of a motor vehicle on a display, and includes, but is not limited to generating an image of a rearward environment of the motor vehicle with the aid of the reverse view camera system, providing an information system in the motor vehicle, displaying the image of the rearward environment on the display, and displaying a parameter associated with the information system on the display whilst driving.


A previously well 21-year-old male non-smoker from Afghanistan was admitted with a 5- week history of right-sided pleuritic chest pain, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Two days before admission he developed a productive cough with frank haemoptyses. He had arrived into the UK 6 months previously as a political asylum seeker. On examination, he was unwell with an oral temperature of 39.0°C and tachypnoeic at 20 breaths per minute. Respiratory examination revealed signs consistent with a right basal consolidation and an effusion. Cardiovascular and abdominal examinations were unremarkable.


A new detection method with confidence-based neural network and ROC analysis technology for determining threshold is proposed in this paper.With the scheme,the properties of spending pattern are converted to confidences.The abnormal detection model for credit card is established with algorithm of BP neural network.Test results show that the detection model is not dependent on a single card user and the introduction of ROC analysis technology ensures the accuracy and effectiveness of the abnormal detection.The model possesses preferable practicability and self-adaptability


The invention relates to high-purity aluminum oxide powder and in particular relates to a method for preparing micron-sized ultra-high-purity aluminum oxide powder by virtue of full-process regulation control. The method comprises the following steps: melting a high-purity aluminum ingot, repeatedly vacuumizing at a high temperature, filling nitrogen gas for protection, performing ultrasonic pneumatic nebulization, centrifuging, quenching and dispersing of a high-speed pure aluminum turntable and quick cooling of high-purity de-ionized water on molten aluminum by virtue of a ceramic liquid guide pipe to obtain high-activity aluminum slurry, producing an active hydrolysis reaction to generate aluminum hydroxide, repeatedly diluting and filtering through the high-purity de-ionized water to further remove impurities, drying and grinding products, and calcining at 1000-1300 DEG C to obtain the micron-sized (less than 2 microns) aluminum oxide powder with the purity of 99.999%. According to the method, the processes in different stages are optimized, so that the purity of active aluminum powder, the aluminum hydroxide and the final aluminum oxide are well controlled and the cost is reduced; the pollution is avoided, the operation is convenient, and the industrial production is facilitated.


The incidence of prostatic carcinoma (PC) is increasing worldwide. Despite the discovery by Huggins in 1941 of the hormone dependency of this tumour, the overall prognosis and survival for patients with advanced disease has not changed. The prognosis for individual patients with PC cannot be accurately predicted by factors such as clinical stage and histological differentiation of the tumour. There is therefore a need to investigate new prognosis factors to assess their role.


The human communication is not only a verbal exchange, but also a psychological process. Translation, as an inter-language communication, is a complex psychological process. An exploration into this would help us understand the psychological process in translators' mind and improve translating skills.


In order to analyze the influence of gas liquid ratio to lag angle of rotor oil-gas mixture pump's outlet ball valves,the knowledge about geometry and engineering thermodynamics was used to deduce the formula between gas liquid ratio and rotor oil-gas mixture pump outlet ball valves' lag angle.Through the theoretical calculation,the lag angle that gas liquid ratio is 0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9 or 1,of rotor oil-gas mixture pump export ball valves was obtained when the outlet pressure is 1,1.2,1.4 MPa.From the calculation results,the following conclusions were drawn.The influences of gas liquid ratio to lag angle is big.The lag angle is increasing when the gas liquid ratio is increasing.Lag angle and gas liquid ratio are of direct proportion relationship,and the scale factor is determined by the rotor size,the ball valves' size,the density of the ball,the inlet and outlet pressure of pump and the specific heat of gas.In order to reduce gas liquid ratio influence to lag angle,it can be used to reduce internal compression ratio.


Matrine is an effective anticancer compound in traditional Chinese medicine Sophora flavescens Ait,which is endowed with anticancer mechanisms,including inhibiting activity of telomerase,and tumor proliferation,preventing invasion of tumor cells and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells.In recent years,new progress in the research of anticancer mechanisms of matrine has been made,with some reaching molecular and genetic level.This paper presents a summary of anticancer mechanism of this compound in recent years,and a research trend of anticancer effect of matrine.


The present investigation explores the association between nonverbal sensitivity (i.e., the Social Skills Inventory) and accuracy of flirting detection in videos of third-party zero-acquaintance interactions. The results showed no sex differences in detection accuracy and no association between nonverbal sensitivity and overall flirting detection accuracy. Participants' (N = 257) social sensitivity, however, was negatively associated with accurately judging flirting in female targets. The results are discussed in light of past research on courtship and nonverbal sensitivity.


e19012Background: Options for relapsed/refractory (R/R) classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) after failure of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and ASCT are limited. cHL is associated with genetically determine...


The author uses the view of the scientific development view,has analyzed new period university's university students' change at first,then discussed to the key idea of university student's education management of new period,carried on the discussion to the basic task of university student's education management of new period and route to realize basic task finally.Aim at,educate,manage for university student worker do a good job of university student educational management offer reference function in new period.


Abstract This paper presents a discrete event simulation model of a nickel laterite smelting process, with particular focus on the Calcine Transfer System. The model achieves a good level of accuracy by carefully modeling calcine production, crane dispatching, and equipment delays. The benefits of using discrete event simulation models at various stages of the engineering studies are demonstrated through two case studies to evaluate new process design and major plant expansion options.


. Muscle weights were examined and compared among Japanese Game (Shamo), Thai Game (Kai Chon), Sonia, Fayomi and Rhode Island Red to investigate the morphological characteristics and the functional significances of muscular systems in standing-type cocks including game breeds. The following functional-morphological relationships of the muscular system in the fighting cocks, especially the Japanese Game and Thai Game, were recognized: 1) The total muscular weight ratio was relatively higher in the Japanese Game and Thai Game than in Sonia, Fayomi and Rhode Island Red. 2) Muscle weight was concentrated in the hindlimb to adapt to running, jumping and an upright stance in the Japanese Game and Thai Game. 3) Although flexibility and quick movements are needed in the neck region of fighting cocks, weight ratios and weight indices of the muscles in the neck structure were smaller in the Japanese Game and Thai Game than in the other breeds. 4) The Japanese Game and Thai Game had similar weight ratios and weight indices for each muscle. cervicis muscle, CS:cervical semispinalis muscle, LC:longus colli muscle, SP:superficial pectoral muscle, DP:deep pectoral muscle, EC:external coracobrachial muscle,IC:internal coracobrachial muscle, BB:biceps brachii muscle, BF:biceps femoris muscle, SG :superficial gluteal muscle (cranial part), MG:middle gluteal muscle, ST:semitendinosus muscle, SM:semimembranosus muscle, QF:quadriceps femoris muscle (except for medial vastus muscle), MV:medial vastus muscle, AD:adductor muscles, PL:peroneus longus muscle, TS:triceps surae muscle.


Bid 22 tunnel of Shanghai railway Line 6 crosses Jiyang Rd. Its construction faces more troubles because of a combined sewerage pipe with 5 700 mm×3 000 mm, and the pure distance is 4.63 m between the top of interval tunnel and the pipe. Several technical measures such as controlling shield front balanced stress, shield cor-rection number, synchronous pouring quantity, serous quality and second pouring have completed the shield crossing construction successfully.


The paper industry plays an important role in people life. This study aimed at getting a clearer view of the level of satisfaction of the contract employees working in the TNPL Paper industry. The main areas of focus are the relative importance and the different job satisfaction factors and how they contribute to the overall satisfaction of the employees. The sample size was 130. From this study the author found that majority of employees belong to the age group of 26–30 years and there is a significance relationship between experience and promotion, and there is a significance relationship between age and working condition. From this research it is suggested the company to provide transport facilities to the employees in order to come to work on time and to provide training to the employees at frequent intervals.


aim of this paper is to study a generalized 𝑝 -term method for unconstrained optimization. One substantiates the properties of this algorithm for quadratic functions and proves that it relates to conjugate direction methods. The goal of computational experiment was to compare the results of minimization with different number of terms 𝑝 and find the "optimal" value for the 𝑝 . The numerical results for some well-known test functions are given.


Balloon cell melanoma, an uncommon histopathological variant of malignant melanoma was first described by Gardner and Vazquez in 1970. This is histopathologically characterized by the presence of balloon cells with varying sizes and atypical nuclei. A 45-year-old man presented with asymptomatic, solitary, dome shaped, 1.5 cm-diameter black nodule on the left upper arm for 7 years. Histopathologically, lobulated tumor mass revealed copious melanin pigments and many balloon cells with clear cytoplasm, atypical nucleic and variable size. Immunohistochemically the tumor mass showed positive reaction to S-100 protein and HMB 45 staining. Chest CT, MRI for the extremities, bone scan, bone marrow biopsy and routine laboratory tests were within normal limit or negative. Gallium scan showed increased density only on the skin lesion. There was no evidence of lymphadenopathy and metastasis. We herein report a typical case of balloon cell melanoma, which developed primarily on the skin.


Although there is a considerable amount of evidence that self‐control has an important impact on academic achievement, little is known about the role played by its different components in that process. This issue is the main goal of the present work. The data come from a longitudinal study in which several hundred participants were followed up from primary school until their late twenties. Self‐report measures were used to assess self‐control in adolescence and educational attainment in adulthood, whereas information regarding sociodemographic variables and possible learning difficulties were collected from teachers in elementary school. Results revealed a modest but significant effect of self‐control in all measures of academic achievement, even when the confounding variables were statistically controlled for. However, only some components of that construct had a consistent impact in academic achieve‐ ment: preference for simple tasks, preference for physical activities and, to a lesser extent, impulsivity. It would be interesting to assess in future studies if similar effects are found when other criteria are used to define academic achievement, and whether those three dimensions of low self‐control provide a secure basis to develop new intervention strategies aimed at improving young adults' educational level.


Customers can be territorial, which results in reactive behaviors that can hurt firm profitability. This study aims to expand the typology of customer territorial responses previously identified in the environmental psychology and marketing literature.,The authors use a mixture of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The exploratory studies elicit and test a typology of consumer territorial responses using critical incident technique and factor analysis. Two surveys use the typology. Study 1 examines intrusiveness in grocery store settings. Study 2 expands the model with specialty store shoppers to examine how rapport, employee greed, entitlement and time pressure interact with intrusion pressure and relate to customer territorial responses.,The results indicate a new category of territorial responses – deferential verbalizations – and show relationships between intrusion pressure and deferential actions, retaliatory verbalizations, retaliatory actions and abandonment. The relationships are affected by the moderators, including rapport, which interacts with intrusion pressure to increase the likelihood of switching.,Collecting data near closing time restricted observations and consumer time to participate using self-report data. The results should be replicated with other populations and service providers.,Managers should monitor customer treatment during closing time. The results indicate consumer responses to closing time cues not only impact their shopping trip but also affect whether they will patronize the store in the future.,The study provides an expanded typology of territorial responses, identifies moderating factors that may affect responses and links employee intrusiveness and territorial responses to store patronage.


Democracy plays an ideological role by helping people to envision social changes they seek as desirable. According to Lynn Davies (1999, 131), democracy "is one of the current 'grand narratives'" with "the discursive power to legitimate very different value systems." The democratic concepts of freedom, equality, and agency are central to this grand narrative, and the presumed task is for citizens to actualize those aspects in their respective environments. Although comparative educators have explored a host of global-local dichotomies, much less attention has been given to the complex intersection of the global and the local in relation to democracy and culture and, in particular, the role that both theoreticians and practitioners play in conceptualizing democracy and citizenship within democratic nation-states. My purpose in this article is to explore the roles of knowledge in constructions of democracy. First, I discuss theoretical ways to differentiate among some of the existing perspectives on democracy and citizenship within democratic states. I examine Western conceptions of democracy and democratic citizenship, which draw distinctions between the individual and the citizen, to show how they separate the public and private spheres of citizens' lives. From the perspective of these distinctions, local culture and indigenous knowledge are often devalued, and capitalism is paired with democracy to form a closely aligned economic and political structure. Implicated in this totalizing narrative are relations between indigenous and nonindigenous groups and between men/boys and women/girls. Second, to explore how global-local aspects shape democracy and citizenship, I consider teachers' voices from two democratic African nations, South Africa and Kenya. Both countries face challenges to strengthening democratic environments and governance institutions. It is at the local level that "the sharpest institutional conflicts about poverty, entitlement and governance play out" (Brown and Folscher 2005, xv), for party-political dominance has led to corrupt administrations. Citizens' needs for services, such as housing, are largely unmet. Third, I draw on Western and on African viewpoints to construct a conception of democracy as freedom of mind and human agency. Drawing upon discourse on democracy and democratic citizenship


Under the background that the society advocates quality education, Colleges and universities should pay enough attention on college and university students' proprieties education. Starting with the basic theory of proprieties, this paper explained the meaning of proprieties education to college students, and discussed how to strengthen it.


What does socialism contribute to social planning, in the sense of shaping the social and physical environment over the long term (as distinct from the ever-present matter of short-term coordination of activities)? Can it incorporate genuine entrepreneurialism and/or inventiveness? What are the prospects for growth, and how will socialist growth differ from capitalist growth? How can/must socialism build into its core processes the transcendence of inherited inequalities and oppressions, such as gender oppression, invidious separations of mental from manual labor, non-functional stratifications, etc.?


The aim of the present review was to look at the role of ureteroscopy (URS) for treatment of paediatric stone disease. We conducted a systematic review using studies identified by a literature search between January 1990 and May 2013. All English‐language articles reporting on a minimum of 50 patients aged ≤18 years treated with URS for stone disease were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data from each study. A total of 14 studies (1718 procedures) were reported in patients with a mean (range) age of 7.8 (0.25–18.0) years. The mean (range) stone burden was 9.8 (1–30) mm and the mean (range) stone‐free rate (SFR) 87.5 (58–100)% with initial therapeutic URS. The majority of these stones were in the ureter (n = 1427, 83.4%). There were 180 (10.5%) Clavien I–III complications and 38 cases (2.2%) where there was a failure to complete the initial ureteroscopic procedure and an alternative procedure was performed. To assess the impact of age on failure rate and complications, studies were subcategorized into those that included children with either a mean age <6 years (four studies, 341 procedures) or a mean age >6 years. (10 studies, 1377 procedures). A higher failure rate (4.4 vs 1.7%) and a higher complication rate (24.0 vs 7.1%) were observed in children whose mean age was <6 years. URS for paediatric stone disease is a relatively safe procedure with a reasonably good SFR, but there seems to be a higher failure and complication rate in children aged <6 years.


Plant parts used for food and fiber, and crops grown for animal feed, do not produce most of the phytomass harvested annually by the world's agriculture-crop residues do. More than half of all absolutely dry matter in the global harvest is in cereal and legume straws; in tops, stalks, leaves, and shoots of tuber, oil, sugar, and vegetable crops; and in prunings and litter of fruit and nut trees. Consequently, it would not be inappropriate to define agriculture as an endeavor producing mostly inedible phytomass. Unfortunately, we cannot either accurately quantify this enormous harvest or satisfactorily account for its fate, which may help to explain why so little attention has been paid to crop residues: The latest US agricultural encyclopedia has no entry for either crop residues or straw (Arntzen 1994), and the only comprehensive interdisciplinary overview of cereal straw was published nearly a generation ago (Staniforth 1979). Nevertheless, there is no doubt that a large part of the residual harvest is handled inappropriately, weakening the world's food-production capacity and contributing to undesirable biospheric change. Such malpractice is particularly common in low-income countries, where inadequate amounts of residues are recycled


Based on attachment theory, a path model was constructed in which adult children 'sfeelings of attachment lead to their attachment behaviors and in turn to their present helping behaviors and commitment to provide future help. Also included in the model were filial obligation, dependency, interpersonal conflict, and negative feelings resulting from helping behaviors. Field survey data were obtained from 148 adult children with living elderly mothers. Results indicated that present helping behaviors, attachment behaviors, and feelings of attachment had the strongest influence on commitment to provide future help. Filial obligation had an indirect influence mediated by attachment behaviors.


Asbestos-containing rocks near local abandoned asbestos mines such as serpentine have been exposed to weathering for many years and much concern is being voiced about the risk of asbestos particle dispersion. One of the most serious concerns is asbestos fibers liberated from the various sources generating soil contamination through atmospheric dispersion over an extended area. Thus, this paper aims at predicting the extent and distribution of asbestos soil pollution and defining the target area requiring remediation. Two stages of the study were carried out: (1) a particulate re-entrainment study in the wind tunnel; (2) atmospheric contaminant transport simulation using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) atmospheric dispersion model. The planetary boundary layer was created in the wind tunnel to simulate the surface boundary layer from which the settled particulates are re-entrained into the air stream. Since turbulent intensity is known to be the most critical parameter to determine the re-entrainment, it was controlled during the experiments. Also, a series of study have been carried out to see how the moisture content in soil samples affects the re-entrainment. The maximum value of dispersion rate from the sources defined as grams across unit area per unit time was derived for the subsequent atmospheric transport simulation study. ISCST3 (the US EPA's regulatory model) was applied to predict the short-term as well as long-term transport and settling rate. Meteorological and topographic data at the study site were used for the analysis. The final outcome will be used for determining the target areas for soil treatment.


The domestic relations provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 overhaul the divorce tax system, including new provisions for alimony and child support payments. The new alimony system's effective date is set for January 1, 1985. Because all new divorce settlements and agreements will be governed by these provisions, practitioners and tax payers alike must understand them. Various changes to the proposed domestic relations pro visions of the House Bill (Subtitle B of Title IV of H.R. 4170) were implemented by the House/Senate Conference, all of which related to the alimony rules. The Senate's tax bill, however, had contained no provisions in the domestic rela tions area. Most unfortunately (as discussed below) some of the Conference changes bear little resemblance to the House's proposed provisions, and the House/Senate Con ference Report favors the public with little explanation about why these changes were deemed necessary. Further more, the new alimony rules are complex, establishing new traps for the unwary, imposing devastating and uncontrol lable results on taxpayers in some situations, and failing to mesh with local law. Some troublesome areas of current law are eliminated by the new rules, however. The "periodicity" rule, for exam ple, a requirement necessitating payments being made over a period of time, is stricken. The new system completely does away with the term "periodic payment." The complex and rigid six-year rules (discussed below) at least in part seem to be a substitute for the periodicity requirement. Also substantially eliminated is the Section 71 support re quirement?a requirement that limits the right to alimony treatment only for periodic payments made in discharge of a local law obligation of support. Over the years, this require ment has been a prolific source of Tax Court litigation, par ticularly regarding the "alimony/property" distinction, and the problems have increased as more states have adopted the "equitable distribution" doctrine. Under the new system, the support requirement of Section 71 is eliminated, except in the case of predivorce temporary court decrees. In addition, the current rules on principal sums, ones due and payable over a period in excess of ten years, are stricken. These rules have caused much controversy over the years, partly due to their complexity.


The invention relates to an electric vehicle real-time measurement system which comprises a PC, a whole vehicle controller, a power battery, a first inverter, a second inverter, a motor, an electric auxiliary motor system and a power analyzer. The PC is connected with the input end of the whole vehicle controller, and the whole vehicle controller is connected with the first inverter and the second inverter. The output end of the first inverter is connected with the motor through the power analyzer, the output end of the second inverter is connected with the motor and the electric auxiliary motor system through the power analyzer, and the input end of the first inverter and the input end of the second inverter are connected with the power battery through the power analyzer. According to the system, real-time data of the electric vehicle motor, the inverters, the battery, the electric auxiliary motor system and the like are collected in a systematized mode, calculated efficiency values are more accurate, meanwhile, the system is simple in measurement process and convenient to use, not only is testing efficiency improved, but also labor consumption and financial consumption are saved.


The radiation characteristics of an annular slot cu t in an ideally conducting ground plane are discussed. The voltage impressed between the conce nt ric edges is assumed to be constant around the slot. The annular slot is backed by a hemispherical cavity which has imperfectly conducting walls. For a specified voltage, t he power radiated in t he upper half-space and t he power absorbed by t he hemisph erical cavity are calculated. It is indicated that the power absorbed can be reduced greatly by lining t he walls of t he cavity \YiLh a wire mesh. A flush-mounted antenna of t his type a t low frequencies may have certain practical advantages over the more conventional monopole.


BACKGROUND: The widespread occurrence of COVID-19 has caused people to seek information from various sources such as virtual social networks, which can positively or negatively affect one's mental status. In this article, we present the role of virtual social networks in shaping people's attitudes toward COVID-19 in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an applied descriptive study, in which 1010 users of virtual social networks were surveyed through an electronic questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS, Excel, and Rapid Miner software. The FP-growth technique was used to investigate the concurrence of choices in multiple-choice questions, and the Mann–Whitney and the Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine the correlation of the mean of each dimension with demographic data. Moreover, the Wilcoxon signed-rank, the Shapiro–Wilk, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests were used. RESULTS: Virtual social networks use increased significantly (40%) after the COVID-19 outbreak. According to users, the greatest psychological impact of virtual social networks was the induction of anxiety (46.43%) and the most common use was to learn about COVID-19 prevention and treatment (69.3%). Based on the findings, there were no significant differences between the "awareness," "behavior intention," and "attitude and trust" and the users' marital status, age group, educational degree, and gender. CONCLUSION: Although social networks have enriched the public knowledge, they increased the individuals' anxiety mostly because of controversial news and disperse of misinformation which in turn misled the users. The social networks play an important role in directing the behavioral inclinations. Accordingly, it is recommended that the authorities in healthcare system establish authentic and formal webpage in these social networks to manage controversial and voluminous information.


In order to solve the problems such as low efficiency, heavy task, low mechanization and potential safety hazards in the process of underground roadway repair in coal mines, a multifunctional mechanical arm with large folding expansion ratio is developed to improve the roadway adaptability of the roadway repair robot and ensure that it can successfully complete the designated roadway repair task in the confined space. This paper introduces the structure composition, working principle and structural characteristics of the multi-functional roadway repair manipulator, and then uses the computer virtual simulation technology to verify the rationality and safety of the manipulator structure. The finite element analysis is carried out in the ANSYS Workbench environment, including the static analysis, dynamic analysis and modal analysis of the manipulator under two extreme working conditions. The analysis results show that the strength of the manipulator meets the requirements; The amplitude of the first six modes of the boom is too large, so it is necessary to increase the rib plate or the thickness of the plate at the appropriate position to improve its stability.


Abstract : Uncertainty of evaluation of each factor (separation laminar-turbulent transition combustion and turbulization) hinders mathematical simulation of the joint effect on gas dynamic and thermal characteristics of the boundary layer. The characteristics may be most reliably determined experimentally. The work objective is the experimental study of the boundary layer structure comparison of the fields of temperature velocity and its pulsation with data on heat and mass transfer.


A process for the manufacture of a decorative board, which includes at least one impregnated with thermosetting resin paper layer, wherein a decor paper in the form of a sheet provided with a plurality of decor sections to each represents a decor of a decorative panel placed as a surface layer on a base layer and is connected thereto by pressing under elevated pressure, wherein a plurality of press plates or press foils, each equipped with a surface structure intended to match at least one decor section of the decor paper, placed exactly on top of the thermosetting impregnated paper layer before the pressing and after the is pressing the laminate produced was separated again, and wherein the laminate is formed with a decorative surface that coincides with the surface structure, which in turn is in alignment with the decor of the decor paper.


Release post AAPG ACE conference presentation. Code still in alpha state. Works but not yet stable. Documentation is in progress but basics are done.


Each of four clones from the Synura petersenii complex was grown at different pHs (5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5) in batch culture experiments. Growth response curves and exponential growth rates were compared among clones and pH treatments in order to examine growth trend variation among the clonal groups. The clones were isolated from geographically distant North American localities. The clonal groups represented distinct mating types, an isolate and its subisolate, and S. petersenii‐ and S. glabra‐like scale morphologies. No consistent relationship existed between growth response curve, and culture medium pH. Additionally, the trends across time differed according to clone and pH combination. Pairwise comparisons of linear trends from transformed growth response curves indicated two distinct clonal associations. Although the clonal associations corresponded with the final cell density of the cultures, growth response curves did not correspond with mating type, the parent‐isolate and subisolate, or scale morphology. Clones with glabra‐like scales had greater growth rates than the clone with petersenii‐like scales. The conflicting results generated from growth response curve and growth rate analyses support the concept that S. petersenii and S. glabra form a highly variable, homogeneous grouping.


MARY S. ADAMS, MTS, is administrator, and DENNIS A. CONRAD, MD, is chairman of the institutional review board of Santa Rosa Health Care, San Antonio, Texas. ing: number of subjects accrued; a description of any adverse events or unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others; withdrawal of subjects from the research, or complaints about the research; a summary of any recent literature, findings, or other relevant information, especially information about risks associated with


Power sources for electrical actuation systems need to be made as compact as possible for many potential applications. Size and weight constraints require that the energy and power densities of the source be as large as possible. While, in general, it is not possible to optimize both these parameters simultaneously, chemical double-layer (CDL) capacitor technology offers an excellent combination of the desirable energy and power density characteristics required in a source for these applications. In this paper, the authors describe the design, construction and testing of a 270-V, 1-F chemical double layer capacitor bank made using a composite electrode structure and sized for a particular electromechanical actuator application.


The research approach used in the procurement of this research is quantitative dekskiptif approach. This method is used to collect and interpret data through the collection, compile and analyze the data so as to provide a clear picture of the Effect of Service Quality and Work Discipline Employees Public Administration Bureau of Student Satisfaction. Multiple linear regression analysis is used to know the influence of service quality and employee discipline to student satisfaction. The variable of service quality (X1) simultaneously gives significant effect to student satisfaction at University X with probability value b1 is 0.017 less than 0.05. Employee discipline variable (X2) simultaneously give a significant influence to student satisfaction at University X with probability value b2 is 0,031 smaller than 0,05. The service quality variable (X1) has regression coefficient (β) equal to 0,149, employee work discipline (X2) equal to 0,123, hence can be said that service quality variable (X1) have dominant influence to student satisfaction at Universitas X. Keywords: Service Quality, Employee Discipline, Student Satisfaction


This article will present an overview of the considerable impact that donor oocyte IVF has had on the clinical approach to the woman with ovarian failure


The representation of the calibration results are discussed for Digital Real-Time Oscilloscopes and an algorithm is described that selects calibration frequencies to avoid instrument impairments. Measurement examples are given.


INTRODUCTION: Approximately 25% of women in the United States are obese (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2). Obese women are at risk for poor perinatal outcomes, and studies imply that inadequate, late onset, or both of prenatal care are contributing factors in this population. We previously demonstrated that maternal obesity is actually associated with improved adequacy of prenatal care as measured by the Kotelchuck index and now further examine the use of specific prenatal services by otherwise uncomplicated obese women. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of medically uncomplicated women who initiated prenatal care and delivered at our institution from January 2009 to December 2011. Maternal history and delivery information were obtained through chart abstraction. Use of specific prenatal care services including diabetic screening, ultrasound examinations, and hospitalization was compared between nonobese and obese women. RESULTS: A total of 320 women were evaluated, of whom 38% were obese. Mean (±standard error) length of hospital stay for combined intrapartum and postpartum care was 3.0±0.1 days in obese women compared with 2.9±0.1 days in nonobese women (P=.4). Both populations had similar diabetic screening compliance of 86.4% for nonobese and 86.8% for obese women (P=.9). However, obesity was significantly associated with more obstetrical ultrasonographic examinations with 48% obese women having five or more ultrasound scans compared with only 25% of nonobese women (P<.05). CONCLUSION: In our population, obesity in otherwise uncomplicated pregnant women is associated with increased use of obstetric ultrasound services, but there were no differences in use of other prenatal services.


We thank Mercuri and Mondoux for their commentary1 on our study which introduced Physician Navigators as a novel intervention to improve ED productivity and efficiency.2 The authors expressed concern about the potential trade-off between improved productivity and compromised patient outcomes, and described Physician Navigators as limited to improving timely care with potential negative consequences on the other dimensions of quality. This is a limited approach to understanding the utility of Physician Navigators.

The Province of Ontario started to systematically tracked ED return rates to any hospital within 72 hours of discharge and rates of sentinel diagnoses (ie, missed acute myocardial infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, paediatric sepsis) within 7 days of discharge from an ED. Although collection of this data started after our study's conclusion, our current rates of ED return and sentinel diagnoses …


Ground based experiments on acoustically levitated samples are being conducted in an effort to simulate containerless materials processing in the microgravity environment of space. Remote laser based diagnostic techniques are being investigated for real-time monitoring of drop stability and fluid dynamics as well as physical parameters related to materials processing. We present results of elastic light scattering used for monitoring and studying the rotational dynamics and evaporation behavior of levitated transparent millimeter-sized drops.


The invention relates to a management method in the technical field of the automation of a power system, in particular to a multi-version management method for a model set and difference model-based power grid model. The method comprises the following steps of: 1) expressing a difference model; 2) storing the model; 3) loading the model; 4) browsing the model; 5) merging the model; 6) checking the model; 7) transforming the model; and 8) carrying out the on-line distributing and putting of the model. The method divides a space-dimensional model and an application-dimensional model into corresponding versions through the type of a model space and a model tree, and takes the model set as a base wire to realize the multi-version management of the model time dimension by overlapping the modes which become effective at different times.


The subject innovation relates to a construction system for a photovoltaic solar cell module that is installed at the equipment support, and more particularly, a triangular truss with Perlin (purlin) for fixing and supporting the solar cell module is installed on the roof panel U- easily installed and locked position control module through the bolts and the bracket relates to a solar cell module, a support structure for the system to be. Designed present for this purpose are, doedoe panel (panel, 10) in the solar cell module support structure system for installing and fixed to support the solar cell module is installed on the roof of a building comprising, fixed to the panel 10 is installed, corresponding to the locations where the triangular truss installation panel by bracket plurality dog disposed on a top surface of the panel (panel bracket, 100) and; Is fastened to the upper surface of the panel, the bracket, the side U- bolt L- bracket holes 210 are formed for the (L-bracket, 200) and; Is fastened to the U- bolt fastening hole 210 of the L- bracket and so that a triangular truss is fastened to the L- bracket, two U- bolts (310a, 310b) are spaced apart with a predetermined distance with one another in a linked shape claim 1 U- bolt module 300, and; By the first module 1 U- bolt is fastened to the L- bracket and triangular truss (400) is a plurality dog mounted to the panel; Is in close contact with the inclined surface 410 formed at an upper portion of the triangular trusses, and a plurality of the installation, a top surface, the U- bolt fastening hole 510 is formed, for " "U- bracket (U-bracket, 500) having a cross-sectional shape of the; Claim 2 U- bolt module 600, which is fastened to the U- bolt holes for the U- bracket Perlin (purlin) is to be fastened to the inclined surfaces of the triangular trusses and; 2 by the first module and the U- bolt U- bracket is fastened to the inclined surface of the triangular trusses, Perlin 700, the solar cell module is fixed and supported so as to be a plurality of modules fastening holes 710 are formed for and; Provides a solar cell module, a support structure for the system, characterized in that mounting holes corresponding to the holes for the fastening of the module to be formed on the back of the Perlin includes a solar cell module 800 is fixed to the upper portion of the Perlin. Therefore, according to the present invention, facilitates the solar cell module support assembly and a locked position modification of the structure for, and can improve the working efficiency because the installation of the structure corresponding to the solar cell modules having various specifications can, structure than conventional structures simple, and there is an effect that it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and sigongbi.


Adherent/invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) pathovar strains are associated to dysbiosis of gut microbiota in Crohn's disease (CD) patients in which they show increased abundance. In particular, AIEC LF82 strain shares many genetic and phenotypic characteristic of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) such as uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), representing an important etiological agent of bacterial prostatitis. Hence in addition to their suspected role in CD, AIEC strains could be involved in extraintestinal disease, including urinary  and urologic infections. The reference AIEC LF82 and UPEC EC73 strains were compared for their adhesion, invasion and persistence ability in RWPE-1 cells. Phylogenetic groups, virulence-gene carriage, intracellular localization, and cellular response such as signal transduction pathways, cytokines expression and production were also evaluated. Results show that LF82 is able to adhere, invade and survive in RWPE-1 cells. Furthermore LF82 strain shares B2 phylogroup, strong biofilm production and virulence genes with UPEC EC73 strain. Infections with both E. coli strains induce IL-8 and IL-6 expression and production, although AIEC LF82 strain provokes stronger induction than EC73 strain and possess different ability in modulating NF-κB and MAPK phosphorylation in RWPE-1 cells.


Several clinical studies have demonstrated that increased macrophage infiltration into tumors confers metastatic potential and poor prognosis in cancer. Preclinical studies are needed to develop new strategies for countering metastasis. Our study was designed to investigate the impact of pulmonary macrophages on lung metastasis of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). ATC (CAL‐62) and macrophage (Raw264.7) were transfected with the effluc (CAL‐62/effluc, Raw264.7/effluc). Coculture and migration assays were used to assess the effect of Raw264.7 or THP1 (human macrophage) (or conditioned medium) on the proliferation and/or migration of CAL‐62/effluc cells in vitro. The effect of clodro‐lipo or PBS‐lipo on macrophage depletion was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. CAL‐62/effluc cells (1 × 106) were intravenously injected into nude mice 24 h after clodro‐lipo or PBS‐lipo administration. Effect of clodro‐lipo on the lung metastasis of CAL‐62/effluc was assessed by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Micro computed tomography (micro‐CT) and histology. BLI signals of CAL‐62/effluc and Raw264.7/effluc increased to cell number. Raw264.7 cells and THP1 cells promoted CAL‐62/effluc proliferation, and conditioned medium of Raw264.7 cells promoted CAL‐62/effluc migration. Clodro‐lipo significantly depleted pulmonary macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Intensity of BLI signals in ATC lung metastasis was weaker in the clodro‐lipo group than PBS‐lipo control. Micro‐CT imaging and hematoxylin/eosin staining revealed smaller tumor masses in the clodro‐lipo group than PBS‐lipo control. Our findings indicate that pulmonary macrophages have an important role in initiation of lung metastasis of ATC. New therapeutic strategies that preclude initiation of pulmonary metastasis could potentially be developed by targeting pulmonary macrophages.


BACKGROUND
In people living with HIV (PWH), long-term telomere length (TL) change without/with suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the contribution of genetic background to TL are incompletely understood.

METHODS
We measured TL change in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by quantitative PCR in 107 Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants with longitudinal samples available both before and during suppressive ART. We applied mixed effects multi-level regression to obtain uni-/multivariable estimates for longitudinal TL dynamics including age, sex, and CD4:CD8 ratio. We assessed the effect of individual antiretrovirals and of an individual TL-polygenic risk score (TL-PRS; based on 239 single nucleotide polymorphisms) on TL in 798 additional participants from our previous longitudinal studies.

RESULTS
During untreated HIV infection (median observation, 7.7 [interquartile range, IQR, 4.7-11] years), TL declined significantly (median -2.12%/year; IQR, -3.48% to -0.76%/year; p=0.002). During suppressive ART (median observation, 9.8 [IQR, 7.1-11.1] years), there was no evidence of TL decline or increase (median +0.54%/year; IQR, -0.55% to +1.63%/year; p=0.329). TL-PRS contributed to TL change (global p=0.019) but particular antiretrovirals did not (all p>0.15).

DISCUSSION
In PWH, TL is associated with an individual polygenic risk score. TL declined significantly during untreated chronic HIV infection but no TL change occurred during suppressive ART.


There is increasing recognition that the externalizing disorders continue into adulthood or cause substantial impairment that may persist into adulthood. These disorders place substantial demands on the health care, education and legal resources and have considerable public health importance. The concept and the nosology of the externalizing disorders have evolved considerably over the last few decades. Efforts were made to keep DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) close to each other to enhance international consensus and subsequently the validity of these disorders. This article aims to review the conceptual basis and the debate over the nosology of externalizing disorders with a view to examine the validity of ICD-10 diagnoses.


outcomes. She is particularly interested in why regimes decide to decentralize or not, and then how they use these measures to strengthen their own ruling coalitions and their own regime's security and survival. Although authoritarian regimes in general can be expected to resist international pressures to decentralize or devolve power, Clark shows that these measures may actually help preserve their rule. "This study," she argues, "demonstrates how decentralization provides a greater stabilizing function for authoritarian regimes then does centralization" (p. 11). The book provides in-depth analyses of the historical development of the regime and the state in both Jordan and Morocco, and it then turns to the different strategies of centralization and decentralization in both cases. At face value, Morocco has decentralized, certainly far more than Jordan has. But Clark's book shows how the state in Morocco has achieved an "unofficial recentralization of power" (p. 7): economic and political reform processes have "disaggregated the state," but they have not lessened the power of the regime (p. 283). To the contrary, they have strengthened it by allowing it to broaden its ruling coalition and bases of support both locally and nationally. Clark notes that similar outcomes have emerged in Jordan via more limited and inconsistent disaggregation of state responsibilities, specifically with the huge role that royal NGOs (RONGOs) play in the delivery of public services. The state, in short, still plays the largest role in politics, society, and the economy, even after decades of privatization and its more recent discourse on decentralization. Clark's comparison of Jordan and Morocco also highlights the vitally important roles of political parties. With far more developed and institutionalized party structures nationally and locally than in Jordan, Morocco's parties were able to engage decentralization efforts via their own patron-client structures, while the regime was able to steadily broaden its ruling coalition by co-opting everything from opposition parties to civil society organizations, all in the name of decentralization and reform. In contrast, Clark argues, Jordan has a weak and underdeveloped party system, with electoral systems (a new one for every election) generally designed to weaken parties but reinforce representation for the tribal Transjordanians who dominate rural areas and municipalities, while curbing the power of the largely Palestinian Jordanian cities. These implications matter not only for local politics and the delivery of basic services but also for stability at the core of the state itself. Clark argues that "while decentralization in Morocco offers pro-regime elites increased access to resources, centralization in Jordan has consistently reduced access by the very elites considered the bedrock of regime support" (p. 196). She continues, "Yet in a context of shrinking resources and a crisis in municipal service provision, particularly in rural Transjordanian-dominated municipalities, the regime's strategy of centralization has exacerbated the competition between tribes and fragmented them along clan and family lines" (p. 284). Clark notes that these previously bedrock communities of regime support are increasingly in crisis, and hence so is the regime. This carries rather stark implications for governance and stability in the kingdom. Jordan's ruling bargain—a monarchical regime that has based its power on support from tribal Transjordanians— works less and less well as time goes on. Clark argues that the combination of centralization, persistent economic and fiscal crises, and the prevalence of wasta (personal influence) networks in Jordan serves to continually destabilize the state and society, increasing divisions even within and between the Transjordanian tribal communities who make up most of Jordan's municipalities. This is not necessarily a new phenomenon and seems to have been part of the protests of 1989, 2001, and beyond; yet it may be getting steadily worse, as seen in the many protests during and after the 2011 "Arab Spring" period. These findings underscore the differences in strategies and outcomes of the two cases. Clark notes, "Decentralization is far more stabilizing vis-à-vis the regime in Morocco than centralization is vis-à-vis the monarchy in Jordan. While in Jordan, elites have few to no new avenues for patronage and compete against each other for shrinking resources, decentralization in Morocco offers local elites new opportunities to access resources and maintain patron-client ties." (p. 238) Having compared in exhaustive detail politics and policy in Jordan and Morocco, Clark provides arguments that transcend these cases and indeed can be applied across the Middle East and beyond. The findings, in short, are in no way limited to these two countries or their regime types. This book is an excellent contribution to the literatures on local and municipal politics, authoritarian survival, and comparative political and economic development. It is rich both theoretically and empirically and will be of great interest to any student or scholar of comparative politics.


Abstract : Meteorological observations are subjected to extensive objective quality control (QC) before they are stored in the operational atmospheric data base at Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC, Monterey, CA). This QC identifies erroneous observations that could adversely affect the quality of operational products produced by the Navy's global and regional atmospheric prediction models and stratospheric analysis. These QC procedures have recently been substantially modified and improved. This report describes the QC system currently in use operationally with the Navy Operational Global/Regional Atmospheric Prediction Systems (NOGAPS/NORAPS) on the FNMOC supercomputers. A primary change was the inclusion of the Complex OC developed at the National Meteorological Center; other QC procedures were updated to reflect those in use at the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasts. (AN)


As for the ground based Extensive Air Shower (EAS) experimen t, to go to higher altitude is an effective way to decrease the energy threshold and to enhanc e the scientific potential. While existing EAS experiments at 4000m have already demonstrated that the gam ma-ray energy threshold can reach sub-TeV, 100GeV threshold energy is pursued by the next generation EA S gamma-ray experiment. In recent years, higher altitude sites have been searched in Tibet and some ca ndidate sites have been found above 5200m. This paper studies the effective area, angular resolution and ga mma-ray sensitivity for a large area water Cherenkov experiment at 5200m a.s.l..


List of included articles and study characteristics; cost ingredient checklist. This table includes all articles that met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review. The table also shows study characteristics as well as the cost ingredient checklist, based on which homogeneity among studies was assessed.


Design is one of the most important stages in product development. Product design has witnessed significant changes during the last few decades in the objective from meeting basic functions to customization. Sustainability is a new concept for assessing product design leading to the low level of adverse impact on environments. This paper examines different methods in sustainable design. A new method, known as integrated TRIZ and Eco-checklist with Function Impact Matrix, is proposed to improve the existing methods. Design of a novel wheelchair is used as an example to apply the proposed method from conceptual design to final design to meet sustainable design outlines. Environmental footprints of product components, including air acidification, energy consumption and carbon footprint, are evaluated in the material selection and manufacturing process.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


The feasibility of All-weather monitoring on people's movements near a depot with seismic observing technique is studied on the basis of actual observing data in this paper.The characteristics of ground tremor and the relationship between maximum intensity of ground tremor and people's movements are analyzed.Monitoring results show that the horizontal short-period seismometer is fit for monitoring people's movements,and the controllable distance around a seismometer is 20m by recorded raw data.Special features of people's movements can be clearly reflected on the recorded vibrating diagram.This offers a possibility to increase the controllable distance of the monitoring by means of wave filtering and mode analysis.


A new tetraphenylated heterocyclic diol, 2,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenylthiophene, was synthesized in three steps starting from 4-methoxydeoxybenzoin. The tetraphenylthiophene-containing polyarylates having inherent viscosities of 0.29—0.84 dlg−1 were prepared by the high temperature solution polycondensation of the diol with various aromatic dicarboxylic acid chlorides. All the polyarylates were crystalline or semicrystalline, and the crystalline polyarylates were quite insoluble in organic solvents, while the others dissolved readily in a variety of solvents including N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and sym-tetrachloroethane. These polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 209—260°C, with no weight loss below 400°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres.