In the recent decade, the concept of Smart Tourism Destination (STD) has emerged to represent both a strategic aim to develop sustainable competitive advantages for tourism destinations or wider regions, and a managerial approach and dimensions to enhance data-driven development to measure and apply smart technologies for competitive and inclusive change in a tourism ecosystem. In tourism destination development globally, the aim for sustainable digital transformation in low-productivity business sectors is one of the key drivers for smart tourism and smart destination development. More recently, the global Covid-19 pandemic has given a boost to touchless, digital and green tourism development initiatives in the EU and worldwide. To advance sustainable digital transformation with agile methods in STD development, a systemic service platform approach and agile prototyping with smart emerging technologies, (eg. with AI, IoT, Augmented & Virtual Reality, 5G and Robotics), and multi-stakeholder co-creation is needed to engage key tourism industry ecosystem representatives. This conceptual paper advocates that open-source solutions combined with comprehensive multi-stakeholder co-creation aid in prototyping a systemic digital platform solution for smart tourism destinations. The paper concludes with an illustration of a conceptual model of service platform development for smart destinations, utilizing network co-creation with quadruple-helix stakeholders for sustainable regional impacts.


In this paper, we present a tagless object detection and localization method implemented by a commercial radio frequency identification (RFID) system. Tags in the RFID system have important applications in indoor locating, and these tags are often affixed to the target object. But for some special situations, it is necessary to develop the object localization method without attached tags. We increase the diversity of the RFID communication channels by pasting tags around the location scene, thus we can obtain more information of the target object and meanwhile no attached tags are needed. The target reflectivity image inside the capture volume is constructed using non-uniform Fourier domain sampling. We simulate the reflectivity image in CST Studio Suite and test the method in read-scale rooms, where high-precision location is realized and the object contour can be observed.


Abstract The influence of the alkaline delignification of hemp on its moisture uptake has been studied under the project "Preparation and functionalization of hemp for textile substrates" focussed on the reduction of cotton imports for the manufacturing of clothing, household textiles and medical devices. The project looks for the partial replacement of cotton by hemp on the production of natural cellulosic textiles. Hemp fibres are alkaline delignified at different times to evaluate its effect on their moisture uptake behaviour to evaluate the ability of replacing cotton in the next-to-skin goods manufacturing. The paper gives three easy tools to analyse the moisture uptake behaviour by determining the sorption ratio, the hysteresis and the parameters of the isotherms fitted using three different models (GAB, Hailwood-Horrobin and Dent) to the absorption desorption isotherms. The samples of the original and delignified hemp have been subjected to moisture absorption/desorption trials from 5% to 95% RH at 25 °C. Sorption ratio and hysteresis reveal the greater influence of lignin on moisture uptake at low relative humidities, while at high, was cellulose which plays the most important role. The models fitted to the isotherms show that delignification decreases the size of the monolayer that, in desorption results always greater than in absorption. The energy constants of the monolayer for delignified fibres in absorption were higher than those for the original fibres, while the opposite occurred in desorption. Lignin caused great differences between absorption and desorption. The energy constants of the multilayer show a greater range of variation in delignified samples than in the original one, and results in absorption were higher than those in desorption. Delignification time of 3 h reached the highest cellulose content which best approached to the cellulose content of cotton causing that the moisture uptake behaviour drew near to it, especially at higher relative humidity.


The invention discloses a using method of ester dialkyl carbonic acid as industrial solvent, which relates to the application of ester dialkyl carbonic acid and its composition, wherein the structural formula of ester dialkyl carbonic acid is as following; R1 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or its isomer; R2 is ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, methoxylethyl, ethyoxylethyl, propoxyethyl, butoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, ethoxypropyl, propoxypropyl, butoxypropyl or its isomer; the sum of carbon atom of R1 and R2 is not more than 10.The invention is characterized by the following: (1)degradable, friendly for environment; (2)compatible with other organic phase solvent; (3)micro-toxicity and fitful evaporating speed; (4)higher degreasing ability; (5)low cost; (6)wide usage.


Over the past ten years, Blackpool Council has undertaken several major capital works schemes within a partnering environment. During this period, the council has sought to develop the partnering process with a view to optimising the design, construction and commissioning of projects. Currently engaged in the £64 million central area coast protection scheme under a partnering contract, numerous advantages over traditional forms of contract have been realised. This paper outlines the process of partnering through contract selection and administration. The method of incentivisation through the use of key performance indicators and associated benchmarking is also described. The effect of partnering and early contractor involvement on product quality is highlighted through improved buildability and defect minimisation. Allied to this, the centralised and inclusive environment fostered by partnering contracts has lent itself to improved health and safety throughout design, construction and commissioning. Final...


This paper analyses the modes and characteristics of food safety supervision in major trading states, and presents three supervision modes at present, and points out that there is no international universal food safety supervision modes.


Aims: The National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit report (NMBRA, 2011)1 revealed that immediate implant-based breast reconstruction (IIBR) was the most common type of primary reconstruction performed in the UK (37%). The main reason given by clinicians for not offering immediate breast reconstruction was the need for adjuvant radiotherapy. Post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) decreases the rate of local recurrence as well as increase the long-term survival in patients who demonstrate intermediate to high-risk features2,3 but has been shown to increase the risk of implant complications in IIBR by up to 24% (Berry et al, 2010)4. Cordeiro et al (2004)5 showed the incidence of capsular contracture was 28% higher in the PMRT group compared with non-irradiated patients. Most patients in the UK receive hypofractionated PMRT of 40.05Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks based on the UK Standardisation of Breast Radiotherapy (START) trial6, which demonstrated that hypofractionated PMRT is as safe and effective as the conventional PMRT of 50Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks. The aim of this study was to determine whether the conventional PMRT of 50Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks (2Gy per fraction) was associated with a reduced risk of implant complications in patients undergoing mastectomy with IIBR compared with hypofractionated PMRT regiment of 40.05Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks (2.67Gy per fraction). Methods: A single centre retrospective review of data on patients who underwent IIBR followed by PMRT between September 2012 and May 2017 was conducted. Radiotherapy-related complications (surgical site infection, contracture, implant rupture or leakage, wound breakdown) were compared between the two groups of patients receiving conventional and hypofractionated PMRT. Results: Fifty-nine patients underwent IIBR followed by PMRT. Twenty-six patients received hypofractionated PMRT and thirty-three patients received conventional PMRT. Radiotherapy-related complications occurred in 62% of patients in the hypofractionated PMRT group compared with 45% in the conventional PMRT group (p = 0.30). The incidence of capsular contracture (31% in vs. 21%, p = 0.55) and wound breakdown (23% vs. 15%, p = 0.51) was higher in the hypofractionated PMRT group, but surgical site infection (SSI) was more common in the conventional group (4% vs. 6%, p = 1.00). Discussion: Possible confounding factors (BMI, smoking status, and adjuvant chemotherapy) were not analysed due to the small sample size and limitations of the retrospective nature of this study. However, our overall rate of SSI is low in comparison with national data from the NMBRA (2011), which states the SSI rate of 25% in patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery. Conclusions: This study suggests that the rate of radiotherapy-related complications is lower in patients treated with conventional PMRT compared with hypofractionated PMRT, however the sample size is too small to demonstrate statistical significance. Further research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional PMRT as an option to facilitate immediate implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy. Citation Format: Chaichanavichkij P, Arun KS, Conibear J, Ullah MZ. Post-mastectomy radiotherapy following immediate implant based reconstruction: A possible solution to a reconstructive challenge [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-16-10.


This paper proposes a new hybrid algorithm for grey wolf optimization (GWO) integrated with a robust learning mechanism to solve the large-scale economic load dispatch (ELD) problem. The robust learning grey wolf optimization (RLGWO) algorithm imitates the hunting behavior and social hierarchy of grey wolves in nature and is reinforced by robust tolerance-based adjust searching direction and opposite-based learning. This technique could effectively prevent search agents from being trapped in local optima and also generate potential candidates to obtain a feasible solution. Several constraints of power generators, such as generation limits, local demand, valve-point loading effect, and transmission losses, are considered in practical operation. Five test systems are used to evaluate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm in solving the ELD problem. The simulation results clearly reveal the superiority and feasibility of RLGWO to find better solutions in terms of fuel cost and computational efficiency when compared with the previous literature.


To increase the hosting capacity of the existing grid for distributed energy generation, Alliander implemented an autonomous grid voltage control for PV-installations and wind turbines. The control is a combination of reactive power absorption by a fixed cos(Φ) of 0.9, and a P(U)-control. This choice is based on the results of various case studies combined with load-flow simulations. The main criteria used for the selection of the control are MV-grid voltage, amount of curtailment, and robustness for implementation. The prediction of the curtailment caused by this control is based on a simulation model in which accuracy is increased by using metering data at the point of common coupling (PCC). As the voltage violations occur in the MV-grid, the setpoints of the control have to be corrected to be able to use the local voltage at the DER installations as input for the voltage control. To verify that the voltage control in the customer installation remains operational and meets the agreements of the DSO, a daily monitoring method for the grid connection is developed. The developed solution can solve ca. 30% of the voltage related transport restrictions in the Alliander grid with an average expected curtailment of ca. 8%.


This paper studies the trend in agricultural output, employment and wages; examines the patterns and dimensions of RNFE; identifies the major factors in explaining variation in the RNFE; and studies regional differences in the role of its various determinants. On the basis of the analysis of data of all the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh collected from 1991 and 2001 Censuses with corresponding data on various determinants, the study presents strong evidence of disparity in the RNFE across regions. The empirical results confirm that the variations in density of population, rural literacy, urbanisation, and infrastructure in terms of road and power significantly affect the RNFE. The study also finds that agriculture-related factors (irrigation, cropping intensity, farm mechanization, per rural worker net sown area, etc.) play a viral role in determining variations in the RNFE. A comparison of determinants of the RNFE in the Western Region (WR) and the Eastern Region (ER) evinces that non-agriculture factors are more dominating in the ER while agriculture related factors are more effective in the WR. I. INTRODUCTION Diversification of rural economy occurs both within and from agriculture. Within agriculture, it implies a shift of employment and income from traditional food and non-food products to hitech and high value horticultural and livestock products. Diversification also takes place through movement of rural workforce from agriculture to non-agriculture activities. Since employment absorption capacity of agriculture is shrinking and employment in urban organized sector is dwindling due to retrenchment and disinvestment policies in the public sector and a slower employment growth in the private manufacturing sector; rapidly growing urban informal sector has become the attraction for a large number of rural workers, adversely affecting the carrying capacity of urban areas. In this situation, growth of the rural non-farm sector (RNFS) is viewed a key rural development strategy for providing productive employment to the growing rural workforce and abating the undesirable flow of rural workforce to urban areas. The RNFE may be driven by various factors, such as, agricultural growth, infrastructure, education, farm size, urbanisation and rural development programmes which need to be studied for identifying appropriate policy interventions for its development. The study of impact of such factors becomes more relevant, as the RNFS is not a single entity and different factors may work in different regions in explaining its growth.


The last two decades have seen a revival in work that takes the role of individual leaders and elites seriously. This article surveys new research that explores how biographical factors influence t...


Background: Several environmental factors seem to be involved in childhood leukaemia incidence. Traffic exposure could increase the risk while urban green spaces (UGS) exposure could reduce it. However, there is no evidence how these two factors interact on this infant pathology. Objectives: to evaluate how residential proximity to UGS could be an environmental protective factor against traffic exposure on childhood leukaemia incidence. Methods: A population-based case control study was conducted across thirty Spanish regions during the period 2000–2018. It included 2526 incident cases and 15,156, individually matched by sex, year-of-birth, and place-of-residence. Using the geographical coordinates of the participants' home residences, a 500 m proxy for exposure to UGS was built. Annual average daily traffic (AADT) was estimated for all types of roads 100 m near the children's residence. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), UGS, traffic exposure, and their possible interactions were calculated for overall childhood leukaemia, and the acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) subtypes, with adjustment for socio-demographic covariates. Results: We found an increment of childhood leukaemia incidence related to traffic exposure, for every 100 AADT increase the incidence raised 1.1% (95% CI: 0.58–1.61%). UGS exposure showed an incidence reduction for the highest exposure level, Q5 (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.54–0.72). Regression models with both traffic exposure and UGS exposure variables showed similar results but the interaction was not significant. Conclusions: Despite their opposite effects on childhood leukaemia incidence individually, our results do not suggest a possible interaction between both exposures. This is the first study about the interaction of these two environmental factors; consequently, it is necessary to continue taking into account more individualized data and other possible environmental risk factors involved.


C ++ is a OOP language,the users can code more structured,moded,reusable,extended and easy vindicated program.The paper introduces the application of C ++ for LZW.


The usage of celebrity endorsements has been confirmed to result in more favorableadvertisement ratings and positive product evolutions (Dean and Biswas, 2001). It has evenbecome one of the most po ...


ABSTRACT Drawing on associated literature and empirical research, this paper makes a contribution towards the engagement and expertise of hotels in the new product development (NPD) process. The study provides an investigation into the development and practices of new products within the hospitality industry in Egypt. This is of considerable interest to both practitioners and academics within the field of hospitality management. The findings reported are based on a survey of marketing managers in different hotel categories. Significant differences between hotels were found based on their categories. Moreover, the results reveal that the 5 star hotels demonstrate a higher orientation towards NPD than the 4 and 3 star groups with regard to their integration of NPD goals into the overall marketing objectives of their firms. Management implications and areas for further research are discussed.


By using the technique of multiple scaling a theory of gas-bubble oscillations in a liquid is developed. Collections of bubbles of arbitrary shape under the action of surface tension, buoyancy and solid surfaces are considered. In the absence of thermal conduction in the bubbles and compressibility of the liquid a conserved 'action' is defined for each of the modes of oscillation. The equation governing the decay of the action with time is found by carrying the analysis to second order. The geometrical configuration of the bubbles, in which the oscillations take place, evolves in time under convection by an underlying 'basic' flow for which the governing equations are derived. The bubble pulsations influence the development of the basic motion. Later in the work a source of gas bubbles is brought in and its effects on the oscillations discussed. The results of the interaction of pulsating bubbles with the liquid surface are also briefly considered. The determination of the amplitude of oscillations induced by the splitting up of bubbles and by the generation of bubbles from the gas source is described. Finally, several applications of the theory to specific problems are given.


This paper discusses an Agent oriented spatial data loading model for vehicle monitor. The model divides tasks of huge static map loading and real time vehicle spatial data loading to atomic task, then displays the data. It takes full use of the Agent's feature: autonomy, pro-activity and reactivity to process map data and vehicle data. As a result, the problem of slowing down the system response caused by displaying vehicle information in real time and huge map data can be resolved. And this model is a good usable example about how to apply the thought and method of Agent to develop GIS.


We construct convex harmonic mappings in the unit disk that do not belong to the harmonic Hardy space h(1/2). This provides a negative answer to a question raised by P. Duren.


Ground water contamination by nitrate is a globally growing problem. Biological denitrification is a simple and effective method. However,this process is non-linear,complex and multivariable. This paper presents the application of artificial neural network (ANN) in denitrification process in ground water. Experimental results show that the ANN is able to predict the output water quality parameters—including nitrate as well as nitrite and COD. Most of relative error of NO3—N and COD are in the range of ±10% and ±5% respectively. The ANN model of nitrate removal in ground water prediction results produced good agreement with experimental data.


A practical technic was described for collecting serial blood samples from mice. Blood was obtained from a tail incision made immediately after the mice had been exposed to an ambient temperature of 45 degrees C. Individual samples sufficient for most tests were readily obtained without significant hemolysis. The technic was rapid, reliable, humane, and required no special skill.


The article analyzes the legal basis and considers certain aspects of the organization of the activities of the internal affairs bodies of the CIS member states to counteract the involvement of minors in destructive groups on the Internet.


Selected from 1994 to 2012in Hunan province loan balance MR financial institutions,securities market,raise the CR and the actual use of pinch FR as sample,using Johansen test shows that the financial resource allocation and economic growth there is a long-term equilibrium relationship;Build vector error correction model(VEC),through the autocorrelation LM test and normality test(J-B),it is concluded that financial short-term equilibrium relationship in the allocation of resources and economic growth,using impulse response function analysis of the impact of the effect on economic growth and financial resources allocation contribution,the results show that financial institutions deposit and balance is a negative impact on economic growth,and securities markets raised and actual using more positive impact.


Asian dust is transported over a long range via the mid-latitude westerlies when dust is lifted to the free troposphere over the source regions, whereas dust remaining in the atmospheric boundary layer is not transported far. In the Gobi Desert, a major source region of Asian dust, a ceilometer (compact lidar) monitors the vertical distribution of dust at Dalanzadgad, Mongolia. On 29−30 April 2015, the ceilometer observed a developed dust storm over the ground, followed by a dust layer within a height of 1.2−1.8 km. The dust storm had already developed in the upwind region before reaching Dalanzadgad. This feature was also shown in the ceilometer observation data. The dust layer remained at almost the same height for 12 h, because the dust became trapped within an inversion layer at a height of 1.2−1.5 km over cold air. This result suggests that the inversion layer prevented the dust from reaching the free troposphere, thereby restraining the long-range transport of the dust via the westerlies. This is the first paper that reports this type of vertical distribution of dust in the source region based on observation data. (Citation: Kawai, K., Y. Nishio, K. Kai, J. Noda, E. Munkhjargal, M. Shinoda, N. Sugimoto, A. Shimizu, E. Davaanyam, and D. Batdorj, 2019: Ceilometer observation of a dust event in the Gobi Desert on 29−30 April 2015: Sudden arrival of a developed dust storm and trapping of dust within an inversion layer. SOLA, 15, 52−56, doi:10.2151/sola.2019-011.)


Agricultural activity has been recognized as the primary source of nonpoint source water pollution. Water quality planners have needed information that is timely, accurate, easily reproducible, and relatively inexpensive to utilize to implement 'Best Management Practices' for water quality. In this paper, a case study shows how the combination of satellite data, which can give accurate land-cover/land-use information, and a computerized geographic information system, can assess nonpoint pollution at a regional scale and be cost effective.


This study was performed to develop the maufacturing processes of Makgeolli using red ginseng starch (RGS). After the fermentation of RGS with koji, nuruk, and yeast, the different temperature effects on the number of the yeast cells, the content of organic acid, free sugars, and total acid, and pH were investigated. There were no changes in the composition of the yeast cell number and content of organic acid amd during 20 days at . The content of free sugars (sucrose, glucose and mannose) and the pH value of red ginseng Makgeolli decreased during storage at . This meant that the total acid content and pH value increased after organic acid was produced from fermentation. Therefore, red ginseng Makgeolli is highly acidic and sour. Since high acidity helps improve storage conditions, so this developed red ginseng Makgeolli is considered safe for consumption. Furthermore, the total content of ginsenoside was 2.47 mg/mL, which was differentiate Makgeolli using red ginseng starch, with others. Therefore, new red ginseng Makgeolli is rich in organic acid, free sugars, and ginsenoside. As a result, its storage, taste, and flavor improved.


This study attempt to evaluate the spectral difference in serum albumin level between healthy and patients with renal failure pre and post dialysis using two methods kit assay & IR spectroscopy . The results showed a non significant difference between the level of albumin measured by kit assay & IR spectroscopy to all studied groups . Correlation studies indicated that there were a positive significant correlation between albumin assayed by kit assay & IR spectroscopy [(r = 0.59 , p = 0.004 ), (r = 0.638 , p = 0.001) and ( r = 0.478 , p = 0.024 )] in control and pre ,post dialysis patients respectively .


OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate our experience on pregnancies after cancer treatment and pregnancy-associated cancer. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical records of 96 pregnant women including previously received treatment for cancer and association of cancer with pregnancy who admitted to our department were enrolled between 2002 and 2012. Demographics, pregnancy outcomes, maternal and fetal complications, perinatal outcomes, cancer types and treatments performed were evaluated. RESULTS: The study group was consisting of 96 cases, 59 out of 96 were cancer survivors and 37 were pregnancy-associated cancer patients. Of those thirty seven, 25 were synchronous with the pregnancy and 12 were metachronic. Pregnancies resulted in 77 healthy newborns, 7 abortions and 12 medical terminations. The most common type of cancer was the breast cancer in 25 patients, followed by thyroid, leukemia, osteosarcoma, lymphoma and ovarian cancer. Patients were treated for their cancer with different modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We encountered maternal mortality in 8 cases, all occurred after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Since management of a pregnancy of a cancer survivor and pregnant woman with cancer a hard work, multidisciplinary approach involving gynecologists, pediatricians, oncologists is essential. Interval between cancer and pregnancy and timing of initiation of therapy in cases of pregnancy associated cancer are important issues in the perspective of fetal/neonatal well-being.


Martin Boob's relationship ontology has been in line with the anti-metaphysical trend of the contemporary Western philosophy. The aesthetic significance of You and Me finds itself in his theory of aesthetic activities that aesthetic activities are experimental and imaginative dialogue-type activities between aesthetic subjects, that the occurrence of aesthetic activities depends on the mode of aesthetic subjects' dealing with things and that the significance of life lies in true-sense aesthetic activities .


Structural, electronic, magnetic and mechanic properties of the inverse Heusler alloy Ti2NiIn under different pressure are systematically studied with density functional theory (DFT). The equilibrium lattice constant and electronic band structure at null pressure are obtained to be consistent with previous work. Under currently applied static pressure from 0 GPa to 50 GPa, it is found that the half-metallicity of the material is maintained and the total magnetic moment (Mt) is kept at 3 µB, which obeys the Slater–Pauling rule, Mt = Zt − 18, where Zt is the total number of valence electrons. Besides, the effect of the tetragonal distortion was studied and it is found that the magnetic property of Ti2NiIn is almost unchanged. Several mechanical parameters are calculated including three elastic constants, bulk modulus B, Young's modulus E, and shear modulus S and the mechanical stability is examined accordingly. Furthermore, the thermodynamic properties, such as the heat capacity CV, the thermal expansion coefficient α, the Grüneisen constant γ and the Debye temperature ΘD, are computed by using the quasi-harmonic Debye model within the same pressure range at a series of temperature from 0 to 1500 K. This theoretical study provides detailed information about the inverse Heusler compound Ti2NiIn from different aspects and can further lead some insight on the application of this material.


For the problems of buffeting and phase delay in traditional rotor detection in sensorless vector control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), the Sigmoid function is proposed to replace sign function and the approach of piecewise linearization is proposed to compensate phase delay. To the problem that the output of traditional low pass filter contains high-order harmonic, two-stage filter including traditional lowpass filter and Kalman filter is proposed in this paper. Based on the output of traditional first-order low-pass filter, the Kalman filter is used to get modified back-EMF. The phase-locked loop control of rotor position is adopted to estimate motor position and speed. A Matlab/Simulink simulation model of PMSM position servo control system is established. The simulation analysis of the new sliding mode observer's back-EMF detection, position and speed estimation, load disturbance and dynamic process are carried out respectively. Simulation results verify feasibility of the new sliding mode observer algorithm. Copyright © 2014 IFSA Publishing, S. L.


Purpose: The use of anorectal manometry in the evaluation of anal sphincter function has been well established. The new three dimensional (3D) high resolution anorectal manometry (HRARM) would provide additional information regarding the symmetry of the anal sphincter pressure. Methods: We prospectively recruited 17 patients with defaecation disorders: 3 patients with idiopathic constipation, 8 patients with Hirschsprung's disease and 6 patients with anorectal malformation. 3D HRARM was performed. The resting pressure and squeeze pressure at the physiological sphincter were measured and analyzed. We define the inter-quadrant pressure asymmetry index (∆p) mathematically, ∆p = (maximal pressure minimal pressure)/maximal pressure x 100%. Results: There was an increasing inter-quadrant pressure asymmetry index (∆p) observed in the anal pressure profiles in patients with history of Soave pullthrough, myomectomy, Duhamel operation and posterior sagittal anoplasty (PSARP). The asymmetry is more pronounced in squeeze pressure in the Soave pullthrough group, and less pronounced in squeeze pressure in the myomectomy, Duhamel and PSARP group. Conclusions: The inter-quadrant pressure asymmetry index (∆p) reflects the post operative status of anal sphincter, which is influenced by the different surgical maneuvers employed in the operations. The symmetry of anal sphincter pressure might provide useful anatomical parameters in the assessment of surgical outcomes.


The use virtual machine technology, typical projects will be charged with virtual objects. The comprehensive modeling system has been created by the way of the integration of the several sub systems. This system includes developed experiments such as step response and impulse response of typical links, analysis of frequency characteristics, RLC circuit, and a typical mechanical example of model simulation. The application shows that this system runs well and the result is remarkable, and this system is provided with guiding significance for the reforming and innovation of teaching practice.


Simpson, Carroll. The Whale Child. Illustrated by Carroll Simpson. Heritage House Publishing Co. Ltd. 2016.
Simpson does not list an Indigenous community affiliation so I will be referring to this work as Indigenous-inspired based on the author information provided.
The Whale Child by Carroll Simpson is a story about a young girl who is swept out to sea after her village is destroyed and develops a connection with a whale to find her way back to her sister. It features Simpson's signature West Coast First Nation inspired art style and style of storytelling creating a visually beautiful book that even younger readers might enjoy for the illustrations. Simpson acknowledges that this tale is not a traditional tale but rather one of her own creation with biological facts about whales at the end of the story; however, the artwork and phrasing in the story would likely mislead readers to believe it to be a traditional retelling. This is similar to her other titles in her Coastal Spirit Tales series which feature Indigenous-inspired art and storytelling making them a resource to be used only with critical thought.
The Whale Child has all the trappings of a book that would be easy to use as Indigenous content in early grades; however, doing so would displace Indigenous voices that could be used so I would caution against using this title only because it fits the assumptions of what Indigenous works look like.
For both librarians and educators, I would recommend engaging with your Indigenous connections prior to using this book to ensure that it is catalogued or implemented into the curriculum appropriately. It is possible that there may be Indigenous voices that your community would like highlighted in place of Indigenous-inspired works and that should be something critically discussed when looking at this book as an educational resource.
Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Lorisia MacLeod
Reviewers Biography
Lorisia MacLeod is an Instruction Librarian at NorQuest College Library and a proud member of the James Smith Cree Nation. When not working on indigenization or diversity in librarianship, Lorisia enjoys reading almost any variation of Sherlock Holmes, comics, or travelling.


Modern medicine has grown to an insurmountable level over the past decades. Today, this sector of human life is a high-tech industry, where all areas that can save lives of previously hopeless patients are successfully developing. The technical equipment of health care facilities has been substantially improved, it has become possible to diagnose diseases at an early stage and to quickly restore the working capacity of patients. Nevertheless, with all the advantages and capabilities of modern technology in this area, there are many problems. One of the most significant is the provision of privacy of medical information, which should be considered from both sides, both technical and regulatory. Ensuring the confidentiality of data in medical systems depends on the correct and timely organization of managing access to medical information. The US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the most widespread and comprehensive regulatory document for the security of medical data. Regarding the Ukrainian normative documents, they realize the rights of the patient to receive information about their state of health, and medical systems do not have a certificate on the compliance of a comprehensive system of protection of information in accordance with the requirements of normative documents on the technical protection of information. In this article, the authors are considering designing an access control model that solves the problem of providing information security for medical systems and is based on access control based on roles with minimal constraints. The model to be developed should determine the actions and resources that are available to the user, as well as provide individual access to resources. The authors examined the existing models of access control, identified the advantages and disadvantages that formed the basis of their own model. The paper describes the creation of a role-based security policy that defines the information flows permitted by the system, based on the international regulatory document HIPAA. With the help of the developed model, it is possible to execute its storage in different ways and in any case, it is very easy to convert into a relational database


This type of sensor is manufactured by using the KF-FBT type fusion taper machine to uniformly pull the same single mode optical fiber. Double tapered section cascade type singles mode fiber. When the signal light passes through the concatenation fiber cone, the cladding mode is excited after passing through the first stage cone region. After a certain distance transmission, the second stage cone region interferes with the core mode. The change of the waveform is seen from the spectrometer. When the two cones are bent by 90, the article explores a double-cone-section cascading sensor that is easy to operate and easy to perform multi-point measurements from both theory and experiment. The spectral peak-to-valley contrast of the interference fringe is more obvious, and it can serve as a sensor head to test the ambient temperature. The sensor has a temperature sensitivity of 60 pm/°C.


Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment on diffuse bullae with spontaneous pneumothorax,in order to improve the level of clinical treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 21 patients with diffuse bullae and spontaneous pneumothorax from Mar.2007 to Feb.2011 were retrospectively analyzed,all of them were given video-assisted thoracoscopic bullae resection under general anesthesia.The seventh intercostal space at midaxillary line was chosen as the observation port,the fourth intercostal space at anterior axillary line as main operation port and the seventh intercostal space at posterior axillary line as vice operation port.Different methods of excision were used according to different types of bullae.The pleura was rubbed for fixation and clinical effect was observed.Results:The surgical success rate was 100%.The average operation time was(105±11.2) min and blood loss during operation was(90±10.1) ml.Relapse occurred in 2 patients within 3 months,lung compression was less than 30%.19 cases were followed up for 1 year without recurrence.Conclusions:Diffuse bullae with spontaneous pneumothorax are not the contraindication of thoracoscopic surgery.Good therapeutic effect can be achieved with effective measures.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of optical flow velocity in a virtual reality (VR) environment on user's postural control. We hypothesized that the velocity of the optical flow will perturb user's balance indicated by an increase center of pressure (COP) distance travelled and speed. Seventeen young, healthy participants were tested in one-foot support stances. Our study showed the visual perturbations increased COP distance in one-foot support and the slowest perturbation velocity induced the highest response. For VR communities, developers could use this information to raise their awareness that any sudden shift in the virtual environment at any velocity could reduce a user's postural stability and place them at risk of falling, particularly at slower perturbation velocities.


Because the labyrinth weir extends the overflow length and increases the discharge capacity when the water head is low, it is a good choice for Liudaohe hydropower station.With the overflow chute is limited by the construction built, water head is high and chute of step type is applied for Liudaohe project. In the paper, the method of hydraulic and structural design of labyrinth weir and stepped of outlet chute is introduced.Numerical calculation is used to identify the hydraulic design for the energy dissipation.


Kuznetzov A.V, Usson Y., Leverve X., Margreiter R., Subcellular heterogeneity of mitochondrial function and dysfunction : evidence obtained by confocal imaging, Mol. Cell. Biochem.,2004, 256-257:359-365. Kuznetsov A.V., Schneeberger S., Renz O, Meusburger H., Saks V., Usson Y., Margreiter R., Functional heterogeneity of mitochondria after cardiac cold ischemia and reperfusion revealed by confocal imaging, Transplantation., 2004, 77(5):754-756. Tropres I., Lamalle L., Peoc'h M., (...)


To satisfy the requirements on low drift,high precision drive for model HDLG808CW5W(operating current is less than 5A) laser diodes,based on the principle of negative feedback,a stable current was achieved by taking the current of the laser as the feedback,corresponding transfer function expression was gave.Applying DC/DC circuit in lowering the input voltage,it solved the problem of low efficiency in voltage-to-current conversion.Based on actual experiments,the drive current was continuously adjustable within 5A,while the current ripple factor is under 0.5% and the power conversion efficiency is above 80%.The results illustrated that the driver met the demand of HDLG808CW5W model laser diodes.


For an aspherical symplectic manifold, closed or with convex contact boundary, and with vanishing first Chern class, a Floer chain complex is defined for Hamiltonians linear at infinity with coefficients in the group ring of the fundamental group. For two non-degenerate Hamiltonians of the same slope continuation maps are shown to be simple homotopy equivalences. As a corollary the number of contractible Hamiltonian orbits of period 1 can be bounded from below.


Context-aware monitoring is an emergent technology that provides real-time medical services. Detection of Arrhythmia has been a major challenge due to human's lifestyle. Due to advancement in the domain of IoT, heart monitoring has been done with help of low powered wearable sensor devices. In this paper we proposed a system for detection of an arrhythmia in early stages by using a smartphone thus making system mobile and have access anywhere. In this system we use a Pan and W.J. Tompkins algorithm is used to find the QRS complexes and RR Intervals parameter on ECG waveform. This algorithm was tested on MIT-BIH arrhythmia database and found accurate of the QRS complexes resulting in accurate classification of arrhythmias. This research attempt will benefit all heart patients across the world facing economic and medical problems with heart issues.


The first democratic election in South Africa had the effect that most of the large cooperatives were converted to investor-orientated companies. Co-operatives were initially created for members, by members and to satisfy members' needs in a non-profitable way.


Identifying methods of increase of efficiency and quality of training of police employees presupposes a thorough study of individual psychophysiological characteristics of students. The study was conducted for the purpose of the cadets' central nervous system study in different periods of the 2-year training process. Visual analyzer capacity was detected. Students were selected by simple random sampling. Statistical significance was determined on the basis of the Student's (t) criterion for dependent samplings. During the monitoring period, strength of nervous processes increased by 2.7 % (р = 0.077), sustainability and attention concentration were improved by 17.0 % (р


Purpose: The aim of this study was to
examine the possibility of using DVT for the diagnosis of OSAS
(obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) and snoring and appoint
screening parameters for risk assessment procedures. Materials and
methods: 104 existing DVT records were measured and correlated the
results with a sleep questionnaire. The patient population included
104 patients aged from 30 to 68 years (52 women, mean age 46.48
years, 52 men, mean age 46.82 years). Results: The following
anatomic changes indicate an increased risk for sleep apnea and
snoring: an elongated soft palate, a long collapse-able segment
(PNS-tip of the epiglottis), a larger distance from the hyoid to
nasalline, a smaller external angle of the ascending ramus of the
lower jaw measured relative to the frontal plane, and a smaller
sagittal dimension and area of the airway at the level of the
isthmus. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that it is in
the dental practice possible with the DVT to charge a risk
assessment for OSA and snoring.


We provide new proofs based on the Myers–Steenrod theorem to confirm that travel time data, travel time difference data and the broken scattering relations determine a simple Riemannian metric on a disc up to the natural gauge of a boundary fixing diffeomorphism. Our method of the proof leads to a Lipschitz-type stability estimate for the first two data sets in the class of simple metrics.


This article discusses the application of Rasch analysis to assess the internal validity of a four sub-scale VARK (Visual, Auditory, Read/Write and Kinaesthetic) learning styles instrument. The results from the analysis show that the Rasch model fits the majority of the VARK questionnaire data and the sample data support the internal validity of the four sub-constructs at 1% level of significance for all but one item. While this suggests that the instrument could potentially be used as a predictor for a person's learning preference orientation, further analysis is necessary to confirm the invariability of the instrument across different user groups across factors such as gender, age, educational and cultural background.


The three-dimensional resonant interaction of a plane Tollmien-Schlichting wave, having a frequency f1, with a pair of oblique waves having frequencies ½ f1, was observed and studied experimentally. In the initial stages, the interaction proved to be a parametric resonance, resulting in the amplification of small random priming (background) oscillations of frequency ½ f1, and of a packet of low-frequency oscillations. The resonant interaction of waves in a boundary layer was investigated also by introducing a priming oscillation with frequency f' = ½ f1 + Δf for different values of the frequency detuning Δf. The importance of the discovered wave interaction in boundary-layer transition is demonstrated. Causes of realization of different types of laminar-flow breakdown are discussed.


A new computation-efficient parallel prefix algorithm for message-passing multicomputers is presented. The algorithm uses only half-duplex communications. It provides the flexibility of choosing parameter values for either fewer computation time steps or fewer communication time steps to achieve the minimal running time based on the ratio of the time required by a communication step to the time required by a computation step. Thus, under certain conditions, the new algorithm can run faster than previous ones for the same multicomputer model.


Labor accidents are a serious social problem that results in damages to employees, employers, and governments, also consuming a signiĄcant portion of the WorldŠs GDP. In Brazil, The Brazilian Federal Labor Prosecution Office is the institutional service responsible for the defense of worker rights, and among its functions is the supervision and control of labor health and safety. They collect data on labor accidents in Brazilian territory and provide an anonymized version of this data publicly. This process generates a large volume of data containing important strategical information, which is often not straightforward to be extracted with manual analysis. Information visualization is a research area that studies the creation of visual representations for abstract structured or non-structured data, aiming to help people execute tasks more effectively. We propose a computational strategy employing a combination of Information Visualization techniques to perform a visual analysis of labor accident data, while not being restricted to this scenario. We developed a system that implements our strategy, and is comprised of two complementary visualizations, i) a multidimensional projection layout + a political map, and ii) a treemap layout + a parallel sets layout. We performed several exploratory analysis, in order to exploit the visualizationsŠ complementary capacities in providing simultaneous analysis of different data aspects. We obtained interesting results, identifying proĄles associated with small/large geographical areas, similarities among geographically distant localities, occurrence patterns related to citiesŠ size and economic development, the frequency distribution of labor accident types in Brazil, and characterized labor accidents in terms of occupation type, gender differences, causer agent, among other aspects. We believe that the proposed strategy facilitates and enhances the analysis of labor accident data, providing effective and efficient means to help governments to evaluate current public policies and foment the creation of new ones to reduce labor accidents and grant safety to employees, and also encourage transparency in governments and citizen participation.


SINCE the classic description of the features of pernicious anemia by Addison in 1855, considerable progress has been made in diagnosis and therapy. The Schilling test has made accurate diagnosis possible, and the availability of vitamin B12 for parenteral use has rendered treatment easy and convenient. Nonetheless, a significant number of cases have been reported in the medical literature in which treatment with folic acid, either intentionally or inadvertently, has so altered the natural history of the disease as to obscure the diagnosis, at least as it is made on a clinical basis. Yet folic acid remains an ingredient . . .


The lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) is a G protein-coupled receptor central to reproductive physiology. In addition to the complex structure formed by seven membrane-spanning helices, this receptor also contains a large amino-terminal domain whose tertiary structure is unknown. Many mutations of this receptor result in partial or complete intracellular retention of the mutant, regardless of whether the mutations are located in the extracellular domain, interhelical loops, transmembrane helices, or cytoplasmic tail. Nonetheless, as long as a mutation has not disturbed a hormone binding site, the intracellularly trapped mutant retains high affinity binding for human CG (hCG), suggesting that it is not extremely misfolded. Because temperature is known to affect protein folding, we examined the effects of reduced temperature on cell surface expression of intracellularly retained mutants of the LHR. Our studies examined three different 293 cells lines, each stably expressing a different LHR mutant t...


In the paper, we gave a phase contrast method to measure the birefringent axis orientation in polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) with matching refractive-index (MRI). The phase contrast intensity profiles in PANDA fiber and distinguishing characteristics were obtained by image analysis of side view image systems. Experiments and computer simulation showed that the difference between two crests of intensity profile was not only used for determining angular orientation but also for determining the direction of rotation. The angular resolution of orientation was less than 2 degrees in phase contrast method. The difference between geometric and birefringent axes in PMF would be the limit of accuracy in side view image system.


Many methods for control of three-phase boost-type PWM rectifier under unbalanced input voltage conditions have been presented in the last two decades. Among these methods, the input-output-power-control (IOPC) method seems the most desirable one offering ripple-free dc bus voltage, low-distortion input currents and average unity power factor on the grid side. Most of the IOPC schemes adopt rotating frame and sequential component extraction of the input voltages, rectifier pole voltages and/or input currents are almost unavoidable. Anyway, this paper presents a novel IOPC method which can regulate the instantaneous active/reactive powers in stationary frame. Compared with the conventional methods, the most important advantage of the proposed algorithm is the complete elimination of the sequential component extraction, which means much reduced time delay can be expected in the control system. Meanwhile, grid voltage phase detection and rotating transformation are also nullified. Experimental results on a 30 kVA PWM rectifier prototype show validity of the proposed method.


ABSTRACT Due to the high viscosity and the complex fluid characteristics of Caoqiao heavy oil, it is difficult for its exploitation and transportation. In order to effectively develop the Caoqiao heavy oil, the effect of temperature and water content on the rheological properties of heavy oil are experimentally studied. The results show that when the water content is in the range of 0 to 30%, the viscosity of heavy oil first changes little, then increases, and finally decreases with the increase of water content. The water content and temperature have a significant effect on the fluid type of Caoqiao heavy oil. There exists a Newtonian fluid transformation temperature point. When the temperature is higher than the point, the viscosity of heavy oil is basically not affected by the change of shear rate. The higher the water content, the lower the point there is. The temperature of the transformation point is the key factor to ensure the fluidity of Caoqiao heavy oil in the formation and wellbore. The experimental results can provide a directional guide for the efficient extraction and transportation of Caoqiao heavy oil.


OBJECTIVES
To examine rates of Grade Group (GG) 4 downgrading at radical prostatectomy (RP) among men diagnosed with high (HR)- and very-high risk (VHR) prostate cancer (PCa) at biopsy.

METHODS
A pooled cohort of 1776 patients from three tertiary referral centers who underwent RP for either National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) HR (PSA >20 ng/ml, or GG 4-5, or clinical stage ≥T3) or VHR (primary Gleason pattern 5, or more than 4 biopsy cores with GG 4-5, or ≥2 HR features) disease from 2005-2015 were reviewed. 893 patients with GG 4 disease at biopsy were identified and 726 patients were available for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to determine factors associated with downgrading to GG ≤ 3 at RP.

RESULTS
Obtained: Overall, 333 (45%) patients were downgraded to GG ≤3 at RP. 198 (27%) patients had concordant GG 4 biopsy and RP pathology and 195 (27%) were upgraded at RP to GG 5. 49% of HR patients with biopsy GG 4 had any downgrading versus 29% of VHR patients (p<.0001). Downgrading to GG ≤ 2 occurred in 16% (98/604) of HR and 7% (8/122) of VHR patients (p<0.01). Downgraded patients had a lower PSA, fewer positive biopsy cores, and lower clinical stage (p<0.01). On multivariable analysis, fewer positive biopsy cores were significantly associated with downgrading at RP (p<0.01.

CONCLUSION
In this cohort of patients with HR/VHR PCa, downgrading from biopsy GG 4 at RP occurred less frequently than in other published reports. Any downgrading was significantly less common in VHR compared to HR patients, and downgrading to GG ≤2 occurred in a minority of cases in both HR and VHR patients.


The governance of village governance is a rule made to make the village better. Village governance is inseparable from the factors of good governance. In the history of regulations on villages in Indonesia in each trip has experienced ups and downs there are still many things that have not been contained in the law before Law No. 6 of 2014. As a form of central government concern for the village, the central government established special rules for the village namely the Act Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages. The existence of these rules shows the willingness of the government to make villages the basis of development so that villages are expected to be able to be independent, empowered, prosperous and prosperous. In the implementation of village governance based on Law No. 6 of 2014 in Majangan Village it still cannot be said to be good. Based on the results of research using a qualitative research approach with descriptive types through interview techniques and field observations as well as with library and documentation techniques, that in the village of Majangan in the governance of village governance is still experiencing obstacles and problems such as the low human resources of village officials, the low participation of the community so that the lack of the process of checks and balances and community control over government, the management of village funds that are not on target, and the performance of village officials is still not good in terms of ability in village administration.


We calculate the branching ratios and CP-violating asymmetries for $B^0 \to K^{0} \ov K^{*0}$, $\ov K^{0} K^{*0}$, $K^+ K^{*-}$, $K^- K^{*+}$, and $B^+\to K^+ \ov K^{*0}$ and $ \ov K^0 K^{*+} $ decays by employing the low energy effective Hamiltonian and the perturbative QCD (pQCD) factorization approach. The theoretical predictions for the branching ratios are $Br(B^0/\ov B^0 \to K^{\pm} K^{*\mp}) \approx 7.4 \times 10^{-8}$, $Br(B^0/\ov B^0 \to K^{0} \ov K^{*0}(\ov K^{0} K^{*0})) \approx 19.6 \times 10^{-7}$, $Br(B^+\to K^+ \ov K^{*0}) \approx 3 \times 10^{-7}$ and $Br(B^+\to K^{*+} \ov K^0) \approx 18.3 \times 10^{-7}$, which are consistent with currently available experimental upper limits. We also predict large CP-violating asymmetries in these decays: $A_{CP}^{dir}(K^\pm \ov K^{*0})\approx -20 %$, $A_{CP}^{dir}(K^{*\pm} \ov K^0)\approx -49%$, which can be tested by the forthcoming B meson experiments.


Urticaria may be a unwellness characterised by erythroderma, edematous, fretful and transient urticarial plaques, and covering the skin and mucose membranes. conjointly referred to as hives among individuals. it's a awfully common entity. 8.8–20% of people within the community expertise associate degree attack of rash a minimum of once in their lifespan [1]. It are often seen all told ages and sexes however is slightly a lot of common in young adults. In 40–50% of the patients, rash and angioedema area unit seen together, solely rash or angioedema is seen in four-hundredth and two hundredth of the individuals, severally [2]. Rash unremarkably presents with intensely pruritic wheals, typically with swelling of the connective tissue or animal tissue. it's a lifespan prevalence of regarding two hundredth. though typically ending and benign, it will cause vital discomfort, continue for months to years, and uncommonly represent a heavy general unwellness or severe aversion. rash is caused by antibody Eand non–immunoglobulin E-mediated unharness of amine and different inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils. identification is formed clinically; hypersensitivity reaction should be dominated out. Chronic rash is disorder in eightieth to ninetieth of cases. solely a restricted nonspecific laboratory workup ought to be thought of unless components of the history or physical examination recommend specific underlying conditions. The mainstay of treatment is turning away of triggers, if known. The first-line pharmacotherapy is second-generation H1 antihistamines, which may be titrated to bigger than customary doses. First-generation H1 antihistamines, H2 antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, high-potency antihistamines, and transient steroid bursts could also be used as connected treatment. In refractory chronic rash, patients are often remarked subspecialists for added treatments, like omalizumab or cyclosporine. quite common fraction of patients with chronic rash can have resolution or improvement of symptoms at intervals a year [3].


Clinical laser lithotripsy in urology promises a good fragmentation combined with a minimal risk of soft tissue damage and low medical complications. This in vitro study investigates the fragmentation of salivary stones by means of two clinically used laser systems.


Objective:To bring understanding genital herpes population of Nanjing city in STD clinic of HBV,HCV and AIDS virus.Method: A toyal of 266 HSV positive cases were determined for hepatitis B virus surface antigen,hepatitis C virus antibodies and HIV antibodies infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Result:266 copies of HBV,HCV and HIV in blood samples of genital herpes infection rates were 11.65%(31/266),2.26%(6/266),1.13%(3/266).Conclusion:HSV/HBV mixed infection rate was higher than that of HSV/HCV mixed infection rate infection rate and the mixture of HSV/HIV(3/266).See more HSV/HBV dual infection in through sexual contact and HSV infection,herpes simplex virus infection in STD clinic(HSV)populations may be susceptible to HBV,HCV,HIV,particularly susceptible to HBV,should cause height to take seriously.


This study constructs multi-item scales to measure key components of JIT production and Human Resource Management (HRM) and examines the relationship between them, and the impact of both on competitive performance for manufacturing industries in seven countries: Japan, Korea, USA, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Finland. The relationship is examined for all the surveyed companies as one pooled sample. Additionally, cross-country and cross-industry differences are investigated for the impact of HRM practices on JIT production. We find that HRM practices have a positive impact on JIT production. The results show that transportation industry, among industries, and Japan, among countries, have the strongest impact of HRM on JIT production. The results also show that high JIT users have higher levels of HRM implementation while old JIT users do not differ from new users concerning the level of HRM implementation. Finally, we find that both JIT and HRM have positive impact on competitive performance.


The article examines the second novel by Julian Barnes about private investigator Nick Duffy, written under the assumed name Dan Kavanagh. Appealing to the tradition of the American «hard-boiled» detective, the author proceeds with the veiled experiments with the genre. Playing with the elements of the genre «formula», apparent in Raymond Chandler's novels about private investigator Philip Marlowe, Barnes-Kavanagh gets closer to the poetics of postmodern literature. Ironic and grotesque parodying of settled cliches reveals new social and psychological sense. The comparison of R.Chandler's «Farewell, My Lovely» (1940) and J.Barnes's «Fiddle City» (1981) analyses the type of the character, chronotope and peculiarities of the plot structure.


Polycrystalline Sr 2Fe 1-xAl xMoO 6 samples have been prepared by solid-state reaction . Magnetic measurements show that this substitution induces a significant d rop in the Curie temperature that correlates with t he Al concentration. We show that the decrease in the Curie temperature with increasing Al concentration can be interpreted in terms of 3D random site dilution. The magneto-resistance at liq uid helium temperature and up to 12 T has been measured in the pure compound where a magneto-resistance close to 30 % is found, and the electronic spin polarization is es timated to be 65 % at low temperatures.


Microstructural features of La2∕3Ca1∕3MnO3 layers of various thicknesses grown on top of (001) LaAlO3 substrates are studied by using transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Films are of high microstructural quality but exhibit some structural relaxation and mosaicity both when increasing thickness or after annealing processes. The existence of a cationic segregation process of La atoms toward free surface has been detected, as well as a Mn oxidation state variation through layer thickness. La diffusion would lead to a Mn valence change and, in turn, to reduced magnetization.


This paper studies the asset pricing implications of industrial pollution. A long-short portfolio constructed from firms with high versus low toxic emission intensity within industry generates an average return of 4.42% per annum, which remains significant after controlling for risk factors. We examine several possible explanations for this pollution premium, which include policy uncertainty with respect to environmental regulations, relatedness to existing systematic risks, investors' preference for social responsibility, market sentiment, political connection, and corporate governance. Our empirical evidence suggests that the pollution premium is attributable to environmental policy uncertainty, which constitutes a systematic risk in a general equilibrium model.


Hydrogenation of enantioenriched β-hydroxy ketones promoted by the catalyst generated in situ from commercially available and inexpensive RuCl3 and PPh3 under hydrogen pressure allowed the efficient preparation of a variety of anti-1,3-diols in good yields and with a high level of diastereoselectivity. This method should be an interesting alternative to organoboron reagents for the diastereoselective reduction of β-hydroxy ketones. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)


Tamoxifen (TAM) is awell-tolerated compound in the treatment of breast cancer and is primarily considered to act by competition with estrogen receptors (ER). Here we investigated the in vitro e⁄cacy and potentially underlying mechanisms of TAM in established cell lines of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). Using proliferation and apoptosis assays the antitumor activity of TAM in ¢ve SCCHNand the breast carcinoma line MCF-7 (positive control) was determined. MCF-7 was more sensitive to low-dose TAM (below 1 lM), whereas SCCHN showedsigni¢cant growth inhibition at higherTAM concentrations (5^10 lM). Growth curve analysis and apoptosis assays were indicative for a cytostatic e¡ect of low-doseTAM and high-dose TAM led to cell loss by apoptosis in sensitive SCCHN. In order to further characterize the observed antitumor e¡ects we determined the amount of steroid hormone receptors with the dextran-coated charcoal method and immunocytochemistry. In addition, production of transforming growth factor (TGF-)-a, -b1 and -b2 wasmeasured by ELISA, andprotein kinase C (PKC)activity was assessed with a radioligand assay. Except MCF-7, none of the SCCHN lines was positive for ER. TAM caused decreased TGF-a and increased TGF-b levels in MCF-7, but not in SCCHN supernatants. Furthermore, the antiestrogen reduced PKC activity in MCF-7, but not in SCCHN. In the present in vitro system, the observed antitumor activity of high-doseTAM in SCCHN cannot be explained by estrogen antagonism, alterations of TGF-a/b levels or decreased PKC activity. [r 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.]


OBJECTIVE
To analyze evidence of the occurrence of tuberculosis in people living on the streets provided by the literature.

METHOD
Systematic review conducted in the databases PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and SciELO electronic library. Analysis of the empirical material was guided by Hermeneutics. The main themes which give shape to the association between tuberculosis and street population were sought to be understood.

RESULTS
Initially, 343 articles were identified, but only seven met the eligibility criteria. The literature shows that homeless people with tuberculosis presented unfavorable treatment outcomes when compared to the population with fixed residence. Some of the associated reasons were abusive consumption of alcohol and other drugs and associated diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus and others.

CONCLUSION
Despite the importance of this theme, analysis of the scientific production has provided evidence of the need for studies aimed not only at comprehending the occurrence of disease in this vulnerable group, but specially ways of fighting it.


Wideband steady‐state free precession (WB‐SSFP) is a modification of balanced steady‐state free precession utilizing alternating repetition times to reduce susceptibility‐induced balanced steady‐state free precession limitations, allowing its use for high‐resolution myelographic‐contrast spinal imaging. Intertissue contrast and spatial resolution of complete‐spine‐coverage 3D WB‐SSFP were compared with those of 2D T2‐weighted fast spin echo, currently the standard for spine T2‐imaging. Six normal subjects were imaged at 1.5 and 3 T. The signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency (SNR per unit‐time and unit‐volume) of several tissues was measured, along with four intertissue contrast‐to‐noise ratios; nerve‐ganglia:fat, intradural‐nerves:cerebrospinal fluid, nerve‐ganglia:muscle, and muscle:fat. Patients with degenerative and traumatic spine disorders were imaged at both MRI fields to demonstrate WB‐SSFP clinical advantages and disadvantages. At 3 T, WB‐SSFP provided spinal contrast‐to‐noise ratios 3.7–5.2 times that of fast spin echo. At 1.5 T, WB‐SSFP contrast‐to‐noise ratio was 3–3.5 times that of fast spin echo, excluding a 1.7 ratio for intradural‐nerves:cerebrospinal fluid. WB‐SSFP signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency was also higher. Three‐dimensional WB‐SSFP disadvantages relative to 2D fast spin echo are reduced edema hyperintensity, reduced muscle signal, and higher motion sensitivity. WB‐SSFP's high resolution and contrast‐to‐noise ratio improved visualization of intradural nerve bundles, foraminal nerve roots, and extradural nerve bundles, improving detection of nerve compression in radiculopathy and spinal‐stenosis. WB‐SSFP's high resolution permitted reformatting into orthogonal planes, providing distinct advantages in gauging fine spine pathology. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


In this study, 304 stainless steel has undergone surface modification with electrical discharge al loying (EDA) by fixing the electrode polarity (anode) and electrode alloy composition (Fe-75wt%Si). The purpose is to examine the effects of machining parameters (discharge current, pulse duration and duty factor) on the thickness of the EDA modified layer and surface roughness and to analyze variations and hardness values of the microstructure and chemical composition of the modified layer. Experiment results indicate the tendency of a parallel increase in the thickness of the EDA modified layer and discharge current and pulse duration. The thickness has attained its maximum value in the case of duty factor = 33%. EPMA compositionalanalysis reveals that the silicon contained in the electrode is effectively dissolved into the modified layer of 304 stainless steel and the content of the dissolved silicon decreases as the distance from the discharge surface increases. The hardness of the modified layer does not show an evident tendency of increase in parallel with the increase in discharge current, pulse duration and duty factor. X-ray diffraction pattern of the silicon EDA modified layer indicates that γ phase, Cr7C3, Fe3Si, σ phase, CrFe and SiC are the primary compositional phases. TEM observation also demonstrates that the silicon EDA modified layer contains nano-scale grain. High resolution TEM results show an amorphous phase localized in the matrix.


Introduction. Modern economic development and strengthening of national security are impossible without the use of modern strategic approaches to the management of the companies' activity. The oil refining industry is no exception today, namely in terms of the management of the oil transport companies that play the principal role in strengthening the fuel and energy security of the country. The challenges generated by economic, social, and political factors are important because they have a direct impact on the process of functioning of all companies operating in the system.
The paper aims to outline the main tools and determine modern management strategies for oil transport companies.
Results. The paper substantiates the nature of the companies' strategic management. The structure of the oil transport system in Ukraine is examined. The current condition of the oil transport companies' activity is characterized. The modern approaches are determined and a range of activities to boost the development of modern management strategies for the oil transport companies is suggested. The legal framework of relationships in the transportation of petroleum products is analyzed. The paper proves that strategic management plays an important role in the launching and development of the entrepreneurial activity. The author emphasizes the need and importance to develop management tactics and strategy to achieve maximum benefits in the future in managerial decision-making. Special attention is paid to the need for public policy supporting the management of the oil transport companies.
Conclusions. The ways to improve the management strategies for the oil transport companies are suggested. The paper provides a range of recommendations directed at determining the principal tools and mechanisms of their application when developing the management strategy for the oil transport enterprises.
Keywords: innovations, oil transport companies, strategies, economic entities.


We report experimental results that shed light on the demand for high-fee mutual funds. Wharton MBA and Harvard College students allocate $10,000 across four S&P 500 index funds. Subjects are randomized among three information conditions: prospectuses only (control), summary statement of fees and prospectuses, or summary statement of returns since inception and prospectuses. Subjects are randomly selected to be paid for their subsequent portfolio performance. Because payments are made by the experimenters, services like financial advice are unbundled from portfolio returns. Despite this unbundling, subjects overwhelmingly fail to minimize index fund fees. In the control group, over 95% of subjects do not minimize fees. When fees are made salient, fees fall, but 85% of subjects still do not minimize fees. When returns since inception (an irrelevant statistic) are made salient, subjects chase these returns. Interestingly, subjects who choose high-cost funds recognize that they may be making a mistake.


Aims After Danish nationwide investigations (1987, 1989) demonstrated unacceptable blood glucose control in unselected young diabetic patients, we set out to estimate the present glycaemic control and the prevalence of microvascular complications in a cohort of children and adolescents participating in the two previous studies.


A bilayer magnetostrictive sensor is inserted into a cylindrical tube where air flows at a controlled rate. A circuit connected to the sensor conveys a signal that arises from changes in frequency as a function of displacement using the frequency modulation principle. The performance of the sensor was tested at air stream speeds up to 25 m/s and at a range of distances from the center of the tube. The acquired response of the sensor was compared against a displacement simulation model designed using the Comsol Structural Mechanics package. The results demonstrate that this system provides a robust solution to the problem of monitoring variable airflows as needed by the automotive and biomedical industry


This paper presents a new method for the reduction of quantization lobes produced by beam scan in an array of subarrays. These quantization lobes occur at the grating lobe angles and are decreased by the subarray pattern. It is shown that they can be further reduced by adding a random phase component to each subarray. For two element subarrays the quantization lobes (QL) suppression is roughly 10-12 dB.


Two experiments tested the coupon framing effect with both existing products and new products, whereby the percentage-off format (vs. cents-off format) held an overall advantage in consumers' value perception, thus leading to higher purchase intention. We also found that different product price levels (high vs. low) and product types (physical goods vs. services) moderated this framing effect. Moreover, the context of new products' purchase significantly made this effect more salient than that in existing products. These results could contribute to the guidance of price and promotion strategy for business practitioners, especially in new product launch management.


We are developing a real time remote measuring system based on cRIO 9004 reconfigurable controller system for wind energy measurement. We use two modules, in chassis. We measure many heterogeneous types of parameters. The purpose of our approach is to exploit the performances of high speed FPGA and/or real time implementation via TCP/IP and 802.11g. Based on these aspects we have developed LabVIEW- based virtual instruments and we have tried to optimize measurements performances taking into account the sampling time, measurements delay, time delay processing, and desktop applications behavior. Running these VI for one criterion the main related expectations have been fulfilled. For combined criteria, some improvements have to be developed into the software side. Because of the desktop configuration, into remote measuring implementation some actual facilities of LabVIEW programming philosophy must be canceled.


This work aims to study the hormonal profile changes induced by Attitude ® , dietary supplement used by athletes to increase endogenous testosterone levels by inhibiting its metabolism and subsequent transformation into estradiol. Although this product is now discontinued in the United States, It has have detected some adverse analytical findings that revealed that Colombian athletes consume this product. To achieve our objective we performed a study of two male volunteers, to evaluate their hormonal profile before and compare after of the intake. Furthermore analytical techniques were developed to detect the components of Attitude ® .


The enrichment of several P forms (Bray I, labile, inorganic, and organic), N, C, and K in runoff sediment was investigated for six soils of varying physical and chemical composition, using simulated rainfall (60 and 120 mm h-1). Differing enrichment ratios (ER) for C, N, and organic P (2.00, 1.61, and 1.47 avg for the six soils) indicate that erosion may reduce the C/N/organic P ratio of the remaining surface soil. Average ERs, for Bray I (2.45) and labile P (2.89) were significantly greater than for the other P forms (1.48). This was attributed to less aggregation of sediment compared to source soil for the major proportion (70% ) of the runoff events studied. Phosphorus desorption-sorption characteristics, buffer capacity (1.49), sorption index (1.56), equilibrium P concentration (1.80), and exchangeable K (2.46) were also enriched in runoff sediment compared to source soil. The logarithm of ER for each P form, N, C, and K was related to the logarithm of soil loss, which ranged from 10 to 800 kg ha-1. Statistically significant differences between regression equations for each nutrient indicate that more than one equation is needed to estimate different nutrient ERs. Nutrient ER was related to clay and specific surface area ER of the sediment. This is to be expected as the nutrients described are chemically associated with clay-sized particles. The potential use of ERs in estimating the effect of erosion on soil fertility is discussed. Additional Index Words: available P, Bray I P, enrichment ratio, 1 Contribution of the Oklahoma Agric. Exp. Stn., in cooperation with USDA-ARS, Water Quality and Watershed Research Laboratory, Durant, OK 74702. Published with approval of the Director as Journal Series no. 4635. Received 7 Jan. 1985. Approved 10 June 1985. 2 Soil Scientist, Water Quality and Watershed Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, P.O. Box 1430, Durant, OK 74702. exchangeable K, labile P, N, organic C, P, soil fertility, soil productivity, water quality. Sharpley, A.N. 1985. The selective erosion of plant nutrients in runoff Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 49:1527-1534. T HE SELECTIVE REMOVAL of plant nutrients with runoff sediment is important from both a water quality and soil fertility aspect. At the present time, most water quality models consider only the total amount of P and N transported with sediment (Knisel, 1980; Sharpley et aI., 1982). None of the models attempt to estimate the bioavailable fraction. Although sediment-bound nutrients may account for up to 900/0 of the total amount transported in runoff (Schuman et aI., 1973a, b), it is recognized that only a portion of this is available for biological uptake in water bodies (Sonzogni et aI., 1982). Twenty percent of the sediment total P (TP) has been assumed to be biologically available (Lee et aI., 1979). Since better estimates of the response of a water body to soil nutrient input are needed for eutrophication-agricultural management decisions, a means of estimating the transport in runoff of soil nutrients available for algal uptake is required. The impact of erosion on soil fertility and productivity has recently received national attention (Williams, 1981). The selective removal of plant nutrients P, N, and K in runoff will reduce soil fertility and


In this work, the effect of gamma and CO 2 laser radiations on the optical properties of 2% (wt/v) concentration of pure chitosan has been investigated. The optical properties (absorption, transmission, molar absorption coefficient and refractive index) of all prepared samples of chitosan solution, before and after gamma and CO 2 laser irradiated, were studied in the wavelength range (200-1100) nm for a gamma dose rate of 0.1 mR h -1 , and CO 2 laser power of 5W. The time of irradiation was five and ten days for gamma ray and 5s and 10s for laser. It has been found that there is an increase in the absorption of all samples irradiated with both types of radiation gamma and CO 2 laser. The transmission of all samples was decreased. The refractive index of all samples was decreased in the wavelength range (200-400) nm and then increased in the wavelength range (400-1100) nm for both types of radiations. It has also been found that the values of molar absorption coefficient for all irradiated samples were increased.


Television schedules demonstrate admirably how much we love a good mystery, and, within science, there are few mysteries more intriguing than dark matter and dark energy. Between them, these twin unknowns are thought to make up 95% of the universe, yet we know tantalizingly little about them. In Einstein's Telescope, cosmologist Evalyn Gates combines the hunt for these elusive phenomena with an exploration of gravitational lensing, where the warping of space–time by massive bodies can focus light like a lens.


During the COVID-19, mass media have played and continue to play a fundamental role in protecting individuals. However, the most important role of the media in a crisis is to involve people in this process in order to save their lives. Like in all corners of the world, mass media in Algeria have contributed and continue to contribute to give more information to prevent from COVID-19. This paper attempted to explore the role-played by the media during COVID-19 in giving sufficient details and convincing people about existing risks. The study tried to know people's perceptions about news related to situation pandemic in Algeria. The aim of this study was also to find out communication patterns during the pandemic period. The present research adopted a quantitative approach using an electronic survey. In order to collect data, an electronic questionnaire was conducted. A total of 329 respondents from the east of Algeria have participated in this study, 65% (215) were male and 35% (114) were female. The findings showed that the majority of respondents preferred social media to get information about the epidemiological situation.


Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are one of the most common traumatic knee injuries experienced by athletes. Return to sport is considered the pinnacle endpoint among patients receiving ACL reconstruction. However, at the time of return to sport, patients may not be participating at their previous levels of function, as defined by clinical metrics. Purpose: To establish when patients perceive maximal subjective medical improvement according to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies that reported sequential PROMs up to a minimum of 2 years after ACL reconstruction. Pooled analysis was conducted for PROMs at follow-up points of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Clinically significant improvement was determined between pairs of intervals with the minimal clinically important difference. Results: This review contains 30 studies including 2253 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. Clinically significant improvement in the KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) was seen up to 1 year after ACL reconstruction, but no clinical significance was noted from 1 to 2 years. Clinically significant improvement in the IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) and Lysholm questionnaires was seen up to 6 months postoperatively, but no clinical significance was noted beyond that. Conclusion: After ACL reconstruction, maximal subjective medical improvement is established 1 year postoperatively, with no further perceived clinical improvement beyond this time point according to current PROMs. The KOOS may be a more responsive metric to subjective improvements in this patient cohort than other patient-reported outcomes, such as the IKDC and Lysholm. Clinical Relevance: After ACL reconstruction, patients perceive interval subjective improvements until 1 year postoperatively.


We examined the horizontal measurement performance of five mapping-grade GPS receiver configurations operating simultaneously at three measurement test sites established in open sky, young forest, and closed canopy conditions. Two of the GPS receivers had external antennas, and two receivers were configured to collect data with real-time differential corrections through the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The GPS receivers collected data using 1-, 30-, and 60-point recording intervals to test the influence of the number of point recordings on position determination. We also postprocessed all data to examine the influence of differential corrections. We found statistically significant differences in measurement accuracy between GPS receiver configurations that had an external antenna and receivers that did not. The top performer for unprocessed data collected measurements with real-time differential corrections and had average measurement errors of 0.4, 0.8, and 2.2 m, in open sky, young forest, and closed canopy conditions, respectively. The top performer for postprocessed data had average measurement errors of 0.2, 0.1, and 1.2 m, in open sky, young forest, and closed canopy conditions, respectively. The influence of number of points on measurement accuracy was observed between the 1and 30-point intervals, with no statistically significant differences between the 30and 60-point intervals. No statistically significant difference resulted in WAAS measurements that were postprocessed. The measurement accuracies we report are acceptable for many natural resource measurement applications. These findings encourage the use of external antennas when using GPS receivers under forest canopy. In addition, point recording intervals of 30 appear to be efficient for accurate measurements with mapping-grade GPS receivers.


Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the viability of Candida albicans. Method: Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates were prepared that contained different concentrations of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, or MTA powder. The plates were inoculated with an overnight culture of C. albicans, and the presence of colonies that formed were observed after incubation at 37°C for 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Results: Chlorhexidine and MTA, but not calcium hydroxide, inhibited colony formation. The minimum inhibitory concentration of MTA and chlorhexidine against C. albicans was 50 mg/ml. Conclusions: We found that MTA and chlorhexidine inhibited the growth in agar of C. albicans within three days.


tomography-computerized tomography) is a powerful tool for radiotherapy planning of lung lesions, especially with promising 4D acquisitions. Our aim was to assess a new 4D reconstruction scheme: Multi-RRA (Reconstruct Register and Average) acquired 8-times faster than a standard 4D-PET-CT acquisition. This method was compared to a reference (4D-CT) and to other PET reconstructions (3D-PET and 4D-PET). Material and method: PET acquisitions synchronised to the respiratory signal were performed on patients presenting mobile lung lesions. Tumor displacement volumes were compared on each reconstruction (the reference 4D-CT, 3D-PET, 4D-PET and multi-RRA). Topologic similarity indexes from reference (Dice, Jaccard and Overlap) were also studied. Results: 22 lesions were evaluated. Volumes obtained with multi-RRA were not significantly different from reference (3.70 mL vs. 2.94 mL). Mean bias from reference was low (-0.32 mL) and better than mean bias of the other reconstructions (-0.69mL and -2.5mL for 4D-PET and 3D-PET respectively). No significant difference was found for the displacement volumes between 4D-PET and multi-RRA. Topologic similarity indexes were slightly better with multi-RRA but not different from those with 4D-PET. Multi-RRA algorithm provides information similar to the one obtained with 4D-PET with a shortened acquisition time.


Shape-memory alloys are active materials, their amazing
thermo-electromechanical behavior is at the basis of a variety of
innovative applications. Many models have been set forth in order to
describe this complex behavior. Among these the so-called Souza-Auricchio
model appears as remarkably simple in terms of
mechanical assumptions yet accurate in the description of
three-dimensional experiments and robust with respect to
approximations. Our aim is to survey here the current literature on
the Souza-Auricchio model, with a specific focus on modeling.


This article describes personal potential of students' research activity and its main functions. The author presents the substantiation of the theoretical model of a psychological support of students' research activity. The conditions of its effective implementation are considered.


Hexa-substituted benzene derivatives show larger two-photon cross sections than the corresponding dipolar counterparts and the largest values of delta(max) = 2000 GM and delta(max)/MW = 2.25 GM g(-1) have been obtained with a compound having C[triple bond]C and C=C bonds in the conjugation bridge.


The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of product quality, service quality, price, and trust on purchasing decisions either partially or simultaneously and to determine the variables are the most dominant on purchasing decisions on ShopeeFood in Bogor. The method of analysis in this study used a purposive sampling technique with data collection methods using questionnaires and the sample used 100 respondents. This study is a quantitative data types. The data analysis methods used are instrument test (validity test and reliability test), classical assumption test (normality test, multicollinearity test, and heteroscedasticity test), multiple linear regression analysis, t test, F test, and the coefficient of determination with statistical test using SPSS 25. The results of this study showed that in partially variables of product quality, service quality, price, and trust have a positive impact and significant effect on purchasing decisions. Meanwhile, variables of product quality, service quality, price, and trust simultaneously have a significant effect on purchasing decisions using ShopeeFood. And in this study, the most dominant independent variable on purchasing decisions is the price variable.


The influence of teacher beliefs on curriculum implementation was explored in two different contexts. Two middle-level teachers implemented a 20-lesson curriculum package in the presence of participant observers. Data sources included field notes and interview transcripts. The data were reviewed daily and tentative assertions were developed. Assertions and their accompanying evidence were examined weekly for recurring patterns. Case studies of the belief structures of each teacher were then prepared. In both cases, four major categories of beliefs appeared to influence curriculum implementation. These included beliefs about how students learn, a teacher's role in the classroom, the ability levels of students in a particular age group, and the relative importance of content topics. Both teachers believed that the most important student outcome is factual knowledge, that middle-grade students learn through repeated drill and practice, and that middle school students require a great deal of direction. The teachers' beliefs differed in other areas, including beliefs about a teacher's role in the classroom and beliefs regarding the curriculum and its content topics. Although certain components of both teachers' belief structures enhanced the success of curriculum implementation, overall their existing belief structures were incongruent with the underlying philosophy of the intended curriculum, thus hampering successful implementation.


Research on youth civic engagement has emphasized the importance of growing up in a civic context. We examined the relative influence of neighborhood characteristics (neighborhood opportunities and intergenerational closure), civic education at school, friends' civic engagement, and parents' civic engagement on civic attitudes and civic behaviors among youths. Participants were 403 11- to 15-year-old adolescents randomly selected from the city register of a midsized city in Italy. The hierarchical regression analysis found that all analyzed contexts were related to adolescent civic engagement. In particular, intergenerational closure, friends' civic engagement, and parents' civic engagement were associated with both civic attitudes and civic behaviors. Findings highlighted the importance of considering multiple contexts to understand what factors are associated with youth civic engagement. We discuss ways that findings can be transmitted into further research and practice to address the multiple contexts in which youths are embedded and their relative influence on adolescent civic engagement.


This study investigates the potential causes of a recent empirical regularity in the financial markets — the asset growth effect (Cooper et al., 2008) — by examining insider trading patterns. Insiders have a sophisticated understanding of their own firms, which they often use to trade on misevaluation. This study shows that insiders exploit the trading opportunities suggested by the asset growth effect, suggesting that the asset growth effect results from misevaluation instead of a rational discount result, as proposed by Watanabe et al. (2013). We further identify the specific information underlying asset growth that the stock market misevaluates. We show that the asset growth effect is more likely to be caused by a market misunderstanding of growth firms' real investment activities rather than accounting disclosure distortion (e.g., earnings management before an acquisition or IPO). A comparative analysis between CEO and CFO trading indicates that insiders do not all have the same insight as to the asset growth effect. While CEO trading leads to 13.2 percent more size-adjusted returns beyond the return to the asset growth effect (20.3 percent), CFO trading does not provide any incremental returns to investors. Based on such findings, this study proposes that when relying on insider trading to understand the asset growth effect, investors need to distinguish the roles of different insiders.


The main objective of this article is to identify and analyze the use of mobile payments in two countries, Poland and Turkey. The data for the study were collected with the application of the CAWI method in March 2021. The survey covered nearly 650 respondents in total. The basis for comparisons was populations from two culturally distinct countries, Poland and Turkey, which are at a similar level of development as regards the use of the Internet. The studies were carried out simultaneously in both countries and examined the group of young people aged 18–25. The research surveyed the population, which included the most active Internet users who are taking full advantage of the benefits of globalization, which is facilitated by the development of the Internet worldwide. The survey was translated into the respondents' native languages, initially validated during the pilot studies and then distributed and circulated among the study participants. The obtained findings were subject to comparison, and the differences between the samples were analyzed and commented on to verify the hypotheses formulated in the study. The main limitation of the conducted study was the selection of a random group—the research sample consisted only of members of the academic community. The study presented in the article fills the research gap regarding international comparisons of the use of m-payments in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The obtained results indicate the undoubted fact of increased interest in the use of m-payments in e-commerce and e-banking, and even more importantly, differences concerning 40% of the criteria/attributes applied to assess the use of m-payments in both countries. The findings can be used by business practitioners dealing with the development of m-payments. Another potential application is to attempt to bridge the gaps between countries, which may be supported by globalization processes.


This paper describes the heat source used for the ECA Stirling engine. It has been developed within the energy source program for an underwater vehicle, and consists essentially of the following components: a molten-salt reservoir capable of delivering 420 kWh (t) by utilizing the heat change between the liquid and solid states of the salt, an electric charging system, a primary sodium heat pipe system extracting the stored heat from the molten salt, an intermediate sodium loop propagated by an electromagnetic pump controlling the rate of heat extraction, and a secondary heat distributing system of four sodium heat pipes, one for each Stirling engine heater head. These components of the heating system are each discussed in this paper in terms of development status and experimental performance.