Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an essential part of advanced heart failure (HF) management, either as a bridge to transplantation or destination therapy. Patients with advanced HF have a poor prognosis and may benefit from palliative care consultation (PCC). However, there is scarce data regarding the trends and predictors of PCC among patients undergoing LVAD implantation. Aim: This study aims to assess the incidence, trends, and predictors of PCC in LVAD recipients using the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2006 until 2014. Methods: We conducted a weighted analysis on LVAD recipients during their index hospitalization. We compared those who had PCC with those who did not. We examined the trend in palliative care utilization and calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to identify demographic, social, and hospital characteristics associated with PCC using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: We identified 20,675 admissions who had LVAD implantation, and of them 4% had PCC. PCC yearly rate increased from 0.6% to 7.2% (P < 0.001). DNR status (aOR 28.30), female sex (aOR 1.41), metastatic cancer (aOR: 3.53), Midwest location (aOR 1.33), and small-sized hospitals (aOR 2.52) were positive predictors for PCC along with in-hospital complications. Differently, Black (aOR 0.43) and Hispanic patients (aOR 0.25) were less likely to receive PCC. Conclusion: There was an increasing trend for in-hospital PCC referral in LVAD admissions while the overall rate remained low. These findings suggest that integrative models to involve PCC early in advanced HF patients are needed to increase its generalized utilization.


Circulatory and respiratory changes during prolonged, non-steady state exercise in the supine position were studied by the heart catheterization technique in six healthy young men of average physical fitness. The work load was chosen so that they could perform supine exercise for one hour. This load gave a mean heart rate of about 128 beats/min after 10 min and 142 beats/min after 50 min of work. The circulatory changes during these experimental conditions were characterized by a constant cardiac output and a continuous increase in heart rate, indicating a continuously falling stroke volume. The systemic arterial blood pressure fell continuously, but the mean pulmonary arterial pressure fell markedly between 10 and 20 minutes' work and then remained unchanged. The acid base status was fairly stable during exercise. The respiratory response was characterized by a slight increase in total ventilation, an unchanged alveolar ventilation and a slight increase in dead-space ventilation. The small increase in total ventilation was due to a small increase in respiratory rate and tidal volume. The overall ventilation-perfusion relationship was unchanged. Both circulatory and respiratory changes may be explained by a decreased tonus in the capacity vessels with a shift in the distribution of the blood.


Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a tool design for assembly and disassembly using rating factors. Design engineers need an automated tool to effectively analyze the ease of assembly and disassembly of the products or subassemblies. A good assembly design helps in easier disassembly and thus makes it easier to service, repair and maintain. Reuse and recycling aspects are given importance in the present days due to environmental regulations. Designers now use the life cycle design of the products. This creates an environment for the successful application of design for manufacturing, assembly and disassembly tools. This paper addresses some of those issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis of a product design for ease of assembly/disassembly depends largely on whether the product is to be assembled/disassembled manually, with automation or a combination of these. For example, the criteria for ease of automatic feeding and orienting are much more stringent than those for manual handling of parts. The new design for assembly/disassembly (DFA/DFD) evaluation tool explained here enables the designer to review the existing design. This paper examines the existing techniques in the area of DFA/DFD and suggests a new methodology based on rating factors. Excel is used to create the interface for the user. Other popular methods were examined such as Boothroyd-Dewhurst, Lucas. Access, reuse, removal, tool, task and time method and assembly score method (Poli) were used as a base for this study.

Findings

– The end result of this research is a new approach linked to assembly/disassembly rating score.

Originality/value

– The new DFA/DFD evaluation tool enables the designer to review the existing DFA and DFD difficulties.


In The White Tiger Arvind Adiga has portrayed a picture of India just after independence. Balram Halwai is the central character and this novel shows the struggle of Balram to make himself free from the "darkness", establishing as a successful entrepreneur and thereby making his Identity. Mimicry of the colonizers is a very common thing in a colonized nation but this paper, through the examples of the characters in the novel, will show how the subjects of a colonized nation continue to imitate others even after the colonial rulers are gone and how through this imitation they constantly recreate their identity and seeks to find an establishment.
KEY WORDS: mimicry, identity, postcolonialism, Arvind Adiga


ABSTRACT Fatigue can be a major problem for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and anaemia is known to be an important contributory factor. Several studies have shown that treatment with epoetin alfa raises haemoglobin levels, reduces fatigue and improves health-related quality of life (HrQoL). However, it is often difficult for clinicians to relate reported HrQoL improvements from clinical trials to meaningful benefits for their patients. Results from a large-scale, placebo-controlled study were used to determine the minimally important difference in HrQoL, defined as the 'smallest difference in score … which patients perceive as beneficial and which would mandate … a change in the patient's management'1.


To quantitatively evaluate the production of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) in cooked rice, we inoculated 11 strains of SEA-producing Staphylococcus aureus into cooked rice, incubated the samples at 15 _ 37°C, and quantified SEA. The maximal concentrations of SEA were 0.0 (not detected)-4.0 ng/g at an incubation temperature of 15°C, 0.4 _ 8.4 ng/g at 20°C, and 2.3 _ 53.8 ng/g at 37°C with an inoculum size of 10 CFU/g. There were few correlations among the maximal concentrations of SEA at incubation temperatures of 15, 20, and 37°C or between the maximal concentrations of SEA produced in a liquid medium and in cooked rice. Although the predicted amounts of SEA produced in a rice ball under conditions of 16 h of incubation at 20°C or 4 h at 37°C appeared to reach levels capable of causing staphylococcal food poisoning, S. aureus growth under these conditions was not organoleptically detected.


A rapid, accurate and sensitive method was developed and validated for the determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etodolac and diclofenac sodium in pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed method was based on the reaction of these drugs with 7-fluoro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-F) in buffer of pH 8.5 to yield a yellow, fluorescent product. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, recovery and robustness. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range of 40-600 ng/mL for etodolac, 25-500 ng/mL for diclofenac sodium, respectively. The detection limits were found to be 0.071 ng/mL for etodolac, 0.055 ng/mL for diclofenac sodium, respectively. Statistical analysis of the results has been carried out revealing high accuracy and good precision. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the drugs in their pharmaceutical preparations with good recoveries. The developed methods were sensitive, accurate and simple. The results obtained by the proposed method were comparable with those obtained by the official method.


Since the 1990's, with the strategy of sustainable development commonly adopted by the international community, the international community is taking the development of circular economy and community-based cycle as an important way to achieve the coordinated development of environment and economy. The development of circular economy is to save resources and to protect the environment. In order to reveal that the circular economy is the fundamental protection to achieve environmental security, the function is mainly discussed, on which the development of circular economy is to raise the used efficiency of environmental resources and to improve the allocation of environmental resources.


Section 31(2A) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (as inserted by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015) requires judges to refuse relief in judicial review of administrative decisions if it is 'highly likely' that the conduct complained of did not make a significant difference to the outcome of the decision. The strongest justification for this 'Makes No Difference' principle is provided by a 'narrow instrumental view' of fair procedures, according to which their value lies only in their producing the correct outcome. This conception of procedural fairness, however, is impoverished and flawed as a matter of political morality.Fair procedures reflect a conception of citizens as participants in their own governance and play an important communicative role in democratic legal orders. Inasmuch as it leaves no room for these aspects of the value of fair procedures, the Makes No Difference principle embodied in section 31(2A) is pro tanto unjust.


The invention relates to a piston-cylinder device for conducting a hydraulic fluid under pressure to an actuating arrangement, in particular a brake system, having at least one piston which delimits a pressure chamber, which is connected to the actuating arrangement via a hydraulic line. Provision is made according to the invention that the hydraulic fluid is conducted to the pressure chamber under pressure by means of an additional arrangement.


Due to space limitation in the main paper, we present additional experimental results in this supplementary material. We show additional results for synthetic dataset, and real-world applications, such as background modeling, High Dynamic Range Imaging, outlier removal for photometric stereo and batch image alignment as well as proof of the main result, Partial Singular Value Thresholding (PSVT) operator. All the parameter not mentioned are same with the parameters used in the main paper.


The attention is focused on the processes that characterize the economy of modern type: softization and servicization. The author emphasizes their importance in the context of modernization in Russia.


The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been extensively used to solve the field equations of electric machines or devices. It is possible to reduce the complexity of the method considering plane symmetry on the behavior of the magnetic field. Nevertheless, this simplification does not include the side effects of the magnetic field. It is possible to couple into the FEM field equation, a voltage-current circuit equation which includes resistances or inductances that allow a better modeling of the field side effects. Thus, a FEM-circuit coupled equation is obtained. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to solve a FEM-circuit coupled equation, and a field FEM equation in which its forcing function is known. The method consists on obtaining an reduced equivalent equation, using a nodal reordering of the field FEM equation and performing some matrix operations. The equivalent equation can be solved in the frequency domain and in the time domain.


Architecture of information interaction platform for Distributed Numerical Control(DNC) system of networked manufacturing in the workshop level was established.This platform integrated the information of the equipment level and the workshop applications level so as to realize integration and information interactions between shop-floor equipment and top-level application systems.An information integration framework of this platform based on Multi-Agent System(MAS)and Common Object Request Broker Architecture(CORBA) was proposed.Network structure and communication mechanism were constructed.Method using DNC system in this framework to meet the equipment level integration control and integrate information within enterprise and external systems was discussed.Key technologies,such as Agent,eXtensible Markup Language(XML) and Web services,were discussed.Finally,the realization and applications of this platform were introduced and its feasibility was proved.


Given a random sample of x1,x2,…,xn size n from an unknown continuous distribution function F,this paper considers the problem of invariant estimator of the continuous distribution function F.Under the unsymmetrical loss function L(F(t),d(t))=b∫(exp{a[d(t)-F(t)]}-a[d(t)-F(t)]-1)dF(t),we get the best invariant estimator of the continuous distribution function F.


The existing sheet metal dieless forming technology has the problems of high device cost and the needed support not easy to be manufactured.To slove the problems,a method is proposed to realize the sheet metal dieless forming based on CNC machine tool and the related techniques such as forming fixture design,support manufacturing and forming tool path generation.A forming experiment has been done to verify the practicability of the method.


The role of photosynthetically active cotyledons on development of young red pine (pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings, and especially on growth of primary needles, was studied over a 30-day period. Photosynthesis of cotyledons, as measured with an infrared CO2 analyzer, was variously reduced by photosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides (atrazine, simazine, propazine, monuron), by reduced light intensity, or by combinations of these. When photosynthesis of cotyledons was completely eliminated shortly after seed germination, the primary needles failed to expand, and dry weight production by seedlings was inhibited. Partial reduction of photosynthesis by herbicides, low light intensity, or both of these was followed by proportional decrease in expansion of primary needles and reduction in dry weight increment of seedlings. Reduced photosynthesis in cotyledons inhibited expansion of primary needles rather than formation of their primordia which occurred early in ontogeny. Growth of cotyledons appeared to utilize carbo...


The slotted correlation method for the post-processing of laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) data is applied to obtain the autocorrelation and turbulent scales at the in-cylinder flow of an IC engine. The slotted correlation method can provide correlation of turbulence from random time sampling data like as LDA measurement. The experiment is performed in the steady cylinder flow through the cylinder head. The cylinder head is designed for an SI engine with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. The transparent cylinder was made by acrylic with bore of 75 mm and length of 100 mm. The experiments are made by means of sucking the air from the bottom of the cylinder by the blower. The experiments are conducted by singleor dualvalve open conditions with 8 mm valve lift under -1470Pa suction gauge pressure in order to simulate the air flow motion through the intake ports in the actual operating condition. In these conditions, mean velocities at the cross section are about 7.0m/s for dual-valve open condition, and about 4.0m/s for single-valve open condition. The LDA consists on a fiber sending optics, a photomultiplier and a burst spectrum analyzer (BSA). From the results, comparison between conventional FFT and slotted correlation method shows a little difference in the turbulent scales. The FFT results show the tendency of overestimation compared with the slotted correlation results. This tendency becomes remarkable when the LDA data rate is low. The time scale of turbulence by FFT is gradually decreased with data rate. The slotted correlation results provide stable value of the turbulent scales along the data rate except for very low data rate region. Using the time scale by the slotted correlation, the applicable range of the Taylor's hypothesis becomes wider than that of FFT. For analysis of the cyclic flow, a combination method of FFT and slotted correlation methods is also proposed. In the method, the FFT method is applied for dividing flow motion into mean/bulk flow motion which includes the cyclic flow and turbulence fluctuation. The proposed method is useful for calculating the time scale.


How to obtain the analytical Jacobian used in implicit integration method in the calculation of the dynamics of the physical system. Using this method, Jacobian with the number of significant digits of at least twice the numerical Jacobian may be calculated. This is also because it is required a small number of iterations by for solving nonlinear stage equation of motion equation, it results in a more efficient implicit integration method. Speed improvement of the computation is very useful in molecular modeling. The present invention also twist angle, it may be modeled by a rigid multibody system, the behavior of the molecules or to simulate any physical system, provides a computer code. Using the implicit integrator module in the computer code includes analytical Jacobian as described above.


With the continuous development and construction of the new power system, there would be a large number of renewable energy connected to the electric network in the future. And the uncertainty of renewable energy would have a greater impact on the power grid, such as excessively large investment and low utilization rate. In view of this, this paper fully considers the adjustable comprehensive resources of the power supply and the load side, and proposes a novel transmission network planning framework under the new power system. Further, from the aspects of economy and reliability, an evaluation system of novel transmission network planning framework is established. At last, taking a municipal 220 KV power grid as an example, the novel transmission network planning framework is applied, and the effectiveness of the proposed planning framework is verified.


Introduction Diazonium Coupling (Diazo Coupling, Azo Coupling): Due to their positive charge, diazonium cations, which are generated by treatment of aromatic amines with nitrous acid and a stronger mineral acid, may participate in an electrophilic aromatic substitution as an electrophile. The electrophilic reaction center is the terminal nitrogen of the N=N group. As a result, two aromatic compounds are coupled by a -N=Ngroup. This is known as the azo group (diazo group). The corresponding reaction is called diazonium coupling (diazo coupling, azo coupling). However, the electrophilicity of diazonium ions is only relatively weak, as their positive charge is delocalized. The unsubstituted benzenediazonium cation may react only with strongly activated aromatic compounds, such as phenolates and amines.


Objective: Visuospatial, executive function, and attention abilities have previously been identified as predictors of driving competence, however specific neuropsychological tests that accurately predict driving outcomes have yet to be clearly defined. In addition, little is known about the impact of medical comorbidity on fitness to drive. The objectives of this study are to determine which neuropsychological tests predict driving competence and to elucidate the contribution of medical comorbidity to driving risk. Method: Neuropsychological test raw scores (NPT), driving assessment scores (DA), and medical histories were collected retrospectively from a total of 138 patients who had undergone routine clinical evaluation and the computer-based DriveABLE assessment over a 5-year period. Results: Poorer NPT performance significantly predicted higher DA score (R = 0.530, p < 0.05) indicating a greater probability of failing the road test. The combination of Coding (B = -0.49, p = 0.03), Visual Reproduction Delayed Recall (B = -2.00, p < 0.001), and Boston Naming Test 60-item (B = -0.45, p = 0.08) raw scores was significantly predictive of DA (R = 0.71, F(3, 38) = 12.54, p < 0.05; adjusted R = 0.46). Medical comorbidity did not offer additional predictive value. Conclusions: These results suggest that performance on traditional neuropsychological tests can provide additional information regarding the patient's ability to drive. Future studies should examine the specificity of NPT predictive value using normal controls and the impact of medical comorbidity on driving competence in more heterogeneous samples.


Purpose – Despite the growing debate about differences in consumer attitudes and behavior in emerging and developed markets, there is little research on the differences in consumer value perceptions and their influence on purchase intentions. Focusing on the theory of impression management, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a conceptual framework incorporating the social (conspicuousness and status), personal (hedonism and materialism) and functional (uniqueness and price‐quality perceptions) value perceptions using the context of luxury goods.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a structured questionnaire‐ based study of consumers in four countries, representing two leading Western developed luxury markets (the US and the UK) and two important Eastern emerging markets (India and Malaysia). Multiple‐group SEM analysis was used to analyze the data.Findings – The findings show several differences in the influence of value perceptions on consumer purchase intentions in the Wester...


Sequence determinants responsible forpromoter recognition byRNApolymerase holoenzyme containing a38, therpoSgeneproduct, wereanalyzed. Ina previous study[Tanaka eta/. (1993) Proc. Nat!. Acad. Sci. USA,90,3511-3515], Escherichia coli promoters wereclassified intothreegroups: promoters recognized onlybyRNApolymerase holoenzyme containing a70(Ea70); promoters recognized preferentially bythat containing a38(Eo38); promoters recognized byboth Ea70andEa38. Asrepresentatives ofeachgroupof promoter, we chosethealaS, ficandlacUV5 promoters. Makinguseofa restriction enzymesite inserted between the-10and-35hexamer sequences, promoters weredivided intotheupstream (UE)and downstream (DE)elements. TheseUEsandDEswere combined inallpossible combinations andusedforin vitro transcription reactions. Promoters containing DE fromtheficorlacUV5promoter werefoundtobe recognized byEa38, while thosecontaining DEfrom thealaSpromoter werenot.Moreover, ficDEalone functioned asanefficient promoter forEa38. Thuswe conclude that thediscrimination signal resides within theDE sequence. Totesttheactivator response of EC38, invitro transcription reactions werealsoperformedwiththegalandlacpromoters. Forboth CRP-responsive P1promoters, Ea38 wasfoundtobe activated bytheCRP-cAMPcomplex.


The author's vision of the key role of the metallurgical complex in the economic system and significant systemic anthropogenic impact on the environment underlies the mining processing production monitoring and ecologization. The purpose of this paper is to develop the integrated index of economic and environmental performance as the information basis of analysis and decisionmaking of mining processin g production in the context of environmental activities. The review of scientific sources for defining the essence of the ecological efficiency of iron ore mining production was considered. The structure of informational basis for the economic analysis of mining production economic efficiency of iron ore mining plants was given. The means for improving the information basis for analysis and evaluation of mining processing and production in the context economicecological monit oring is suggested. Keywords: efficiency of environmental activities, information basis, mining production, management, economic analysis, index of economic and environmental performance.


The November 7, 1985, Rocky Mountain News, proclaimed Radiation hot spot detected at Mines. This hot spot discovery was the result of investigative reports by a local television station, with follow-up radiation monitoring by the Colorado Department of Health. Not an isolated occurrence of alpha and gamma radiation contamination, the School of Mines discovery is only the latest in a five-year series of discoveries of radioactive waste disposal sites in the Denver metropolitan area. These discoveries have involved not only the Colorado Department of Health, but also the Environmental Protection Agency, at least five consulting firms, and numerous businessmen and homeowners. In 1982, the sites were combined into a single project called the Denver Radium Site and selected for clean-up under the Federal Superfund program. This paper reviews the historical aspects of these hot spots by describing the history of radium processing in Denver; early work of the Colorado School of Mines, National Radium Institute, the Golden Experiment Station, and other institutional research; and the commercial production of radium. 20 references.


Design is a critical part of what human beings do. While the solitary genius inventor remains a romantic icon, the modern workplace is dominated by collaborative activity. As products and services have grown in complexity, collaborative design has become increasingly multidisciplinary and conducted by large teams of specialists and their clients.
This thesis examines electronic support of teams in face-to-face meetings. Electronic support, intended to enhance communication of ideas and understanding among team members, was available for the empirical study of this thesis in Rensselaer's Design Conference Room.
Four particular protocols for sharing computer-based communication tools were selected for this special study. Four teams of four members each participated in four sessions performing a different activity in each session using a different protocol. Evaluation of the protocols and their effects on team work products and productivity is based on a rich array of recorded observations.
Petri net modeling provides a theoretical structure for the evaluation of the experimental data. This laboratory documentary study has led us to extend colored Petri net models to reflect synergies between oral and electronic media occurring when teams engaged in meaningful work using oral communication to govern sharing of electronic resources. Quantitative analysis reveals significant behavior patterns including the heavy use of oral communications when passing control of the electronic floor and the adaptation of prescribed protocols for a session to the team's preferred sharing behavior.


A two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity coupled with a waveguide is proposed to realise a high sensitive force sensor, designed on a GaAs membrane. A theoretical model is developed to evaluate the change of the refractive index induced by the application of the force onto a sensing surface. A linear calibration curve is obtained relating the resonant drop position to the applied force.


Proper control of gene expression at the level of transcription and RNA processing is a fundamental process of tumor cell growth. Here we showed that a novel pre-mRNA splicing modulator, Cdc2-like kinase (CLK) inhibitor T-025, suppressed tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. To reveal the mechanisms linking aberrant splicing and tumor growth suppression by T-025, we combined transcriptomic RNA-seq and proteomic p-SILAC data. We identified MDM4 as a mediator for triggering p53-dependent apoptosis in response to T-025. CLK inhibition led to exon 6 skipping of MDM4 mRNA, a potential target for nonsense-mediated decay, decreasing MDM4 protein. Consistent with these results, overexpression of MDM4 or knockdown of p53 attenuated growth-suppressive effects of T-025. We then investigated the relationship between genomic features and sensitivity to T-025 by evaluating the antiproliferative effect of T-025 against 240 cancer cell lines. Strikingly, expression of MDM4 was correlated with that of CLK2 and cell sensitivity to T-025. In addition, we found that copy number variation and mRNA expression of MYC were correlated with cell sensitivity to T-025. T-025 exhibited greater sensitivity in MYC-expressing cells and MYC-driven spontaneous breast cancer models. Together, we demonstrated that MDM4-p53 signaling and MYC-activation have key roles in antitumor activity of CLK inhibitor. Citation Format: Kazuho Nishimura, Masahiro Yaguchi, Yukiko Yamamoto, Shunsuke Ebara, Kawakita Yoichi, Ryo Mizojiri, Yusuke Nakayama, Kozo Hayashi, Shuichi Miyakawa, Kenichi Iwai, Toshiyuki Nomura. Small molecule inhibitor of pre-mRNA splicing evokes antitumor activity via MDM4-p53 pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B060.


Critical infrastructure systems are usually widely distributed and integrated into a central control system. The connection is established using telecontrol protocols. Today, the integration of so-called remote terminal units is mostly done manually or partially automated. However, there is still potential and demand for optimizing these integration processes. With the help of the Module Type Package, the integration can be implemented completely automatically. For this purpose, this contribution introduces a model extension of the MTP CommunicationSet for the description of the IEC 60870-5-104 telecontrol protocol. Thus, the Module Type Package concept can be used for the integration of remote terminal units.


Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) imagery collected during the LIMEX'87 field program in the Labrador Sea is used to qualitatively interpret the deformation modes in play throughout the experiment. The ice cover exhibited two distinct rheologies separated by a clear line of shear: a nonlinear viscous outer regime, and a quasi-brittle inner regime. A single constitutive relation capable of effectively modeling both is unlikely within a plastic rate-independent formulation. Rate-dependent effects are discussed in relation to favoring brittle fraction in an otherwise ductile material. >


" This pedagogical experiment took place during the 1978 Spring Semester at the University of Louisville School of Business. During the semester one Business Policy section discussed ethical cases in the traditional case-study fashion. The other section inputted a solution to the ethical cases as an integral part of a business simulation, along with the usual business decisions. An analysis of the pretest-posttest scores between the experimental and control group on an attitude questionnaire and on a debriefing questionnaire indicated there was a significantly greater (positive) change in attitudes of the experimental group (i.e., the group using simulation). It is hypothesized the reason for the greater change was due to the dynamic nature of the reinforcement process provided by the simulation game. "


Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, face some of the same problems as all megacities across the world. Increased land-use and a higher amount of built areas in and around the city of Buenos Aires leads to losses in ecosystem services. Argentina's economic situation has also led to an insecure food market, especially affecting the poor population. Apart from providing food security, urban agriculture connect people and can help to create a sense of community. Urban agriculture also facilitate several ecosystem services. With the growth of dense urban structures, loss of ecosystem services and need for food security, urban agriculture could play an important role for a future sustainable development. Based on this, we were interested in urban agriculture and its chances to strengthen the adaptive capacity and resilience in Buenos Aires.
The aim with this project is to map ecosystem services at urban agricultural sites in Buenos Aires. Therefore, the objective is to study literature on urban agriculture, ecosystem services and Argentina and to conduct a field study to map ecosystem services in Buenos Aires. The objective is also to create a matrix to give an overview of the findings on the sites.
The field study consist of six case studies on urban agricultural sites in Buenos Aires, where ecosystem services are mapped at a small scale. The study was conducted in November and December 2015 as a Minor Field Study, realized by a stipend from SIDA. A theoretical framework on ecosystem services and research on urban agriculture, as well as a background study on Argentina, serve as a foundation for the empirical study.
Our mapping of ecosystem services on sites and research show that urban agriculture provide many ecosystem services. Urban agriculture create a sense of community and other social values. Also, the sites contribute with urban temperature regulation, added biodiversity and infiltration water, which might function as an important part of the green structure in the city. Lastly, urban agricultural sites could in an indirect way provide food security for the citizens. These are all aspects interesting for future research.


Abstract : The ESMAM is an automated system designed to support the Defense Explosives Safety Management Suite (DESMS). It is being developed by the U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety USATCES) of the Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), Savanna, IL as part of the Explosives Safety Information Data Base (ESIDB). The ESMAM explosives mishap data is only available to authorized military or civilian Department of Defense (DOD) personnel. The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security (DUSD(ES) is responsible for identifying migration systems to support the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) and the five sub-activities comprising the explosives safety function. The DDESB and the Defense Environmental Security Corporate Information Management (DESCIM) Program Management Office (PMO) identified systems to provide comprehensive support to the DESMS. A Beta Test for the ESMAM was hosted by this office 12-13 May 98. Users and headquarters representatives from each service and DLA attended the training session to learn how the prototype system works and to determine the focus and scope of the ESMAM development effort. Enhancements and improvements were made to the ESMAM from the Beta Test comments made by the attendees.


He deals with the argument that our moral attitude is determined by tradition and by those great exemplars we have decided to follow. 'The Christian from the beginning has seen his moral exemplar in the figure of Jesus as the Evangelists draw it. He conceives of his own morality as an &dquo; imitation&dquo; of Christ. To him Jesus is the standard of good and evil, whether the question be concerning his own resolutions or the approval or disapproval of others.' Some would suggest that this is only further proof of the contention that even in religion the standard is arbitrary, in as much as it has been created for us by an historic personality, but Hartmann deals with this contention. The


As a nation of immigrants, the United States has also been a nation of nativists...We have welcomed immigrants in periods of expansion and optimism, reviled them in periods of stagnation and cynicism...In short, American nativism has had less to do with 'them' than us...Fear and loathing of foreigners reach such levels when the nation's problems become so intractable that some people seek scapegoats. Typically, these periods feature a political or economic crisis, combined with a loss of faith in American institutions and a sense that the national community is gravely fractured. Nativists' targets have reflected America's basic divisions: class, race, religion, and, to a lesser extent, language and culture. "Cycles of Nativism in U.S. History," The National Immigration Forum


Purpose: to scientifically substantiate effective mechanisms of organism's bio-chemical adaptation of ski- racers in competition period with the help of lipid peroxidation indicators, oxidative modification of proteins and activity of hypothalamus pituitary adrenocortical system. Material: in the research 14 sportsmen of 18-25 years' age (combined team of university) with different level of sportsmanship participated. Assessment of free radical oxidation, anti-oxidant system, cortisol level was fulfilled with the help of indicators' quantitative analysis by bio-chemical methods applied to blood serum samples. Results: it was found that in the basis of bio-chemical changes under intensive physical loads is increase of catabolic processes' speed. Change of organism's metabolic orientation of ski racers at optimal level results in working muscles' energy supply improvement, increase of energy systems' power and sports efficiency. Conclusions: Application of interval trainings at stages of preparation to special significant competitions results in expected adaptation and increase of sports efficiency. We also showed their effective role in ensuring long term reactions, conditioning high sports efficiency.


Traditionally, to achieve concentrations in the order of pg/mg, as recommended by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) determination in hair is carried out with GC/MS/MS after sample derivatization. Here, a very sensitive method for the quantitation of THC-COOH down to 0.2 pg/mg in hair matrix using an Agilent 6495 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system is presented.


Maximum power point tracking (MPPTs) play an important role in photovoltaic (PV) power systems because it maximize the output power & efficiency of PV systems. MPPTs find and maintain operation at the maximum power point. This work presents in details implementation of Perturb and Observe MPPT using buck-boost converter. Some results such as current, voltage and output power for various conditions have been recorded. The simulation has been accomplished in MATLAB/SIMULINK software. The obtained results and the theoretical operation confirm the reliability and performance of the proposed model. It is more efficient, accurate, used rapid and low cost technique without need for complicated mathematical operations and is independent of device physics.


The corrosion behavior of a novel alumina-forming austenitic stainless (14Cr-24Ni-2.5Al) after 1000 hours of exposure to supercritical water (SCW) with deaerated and AVT(O) water chemistry.
 X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to investigate the microstructure evolution of oxide layers and to explain the likely mechanism.
 Although the corrosion weight gain in deaerated supercritical water was lower than in AVT(O), the weight gain curves of AFAs in deaerated SCW followed near-linear rate equations, whereas the kinetic weight gain curves in AVT(O) followed the near-parabolic rate equations.
 The oxide film of AFAs could be separated into two distinct layers in both water chemistry environments, an exterior Fe-rich later and an inner Cr-Al internal oxidation layer, and neither formed a visible continuous alumina film, which was attributed to the lower Cr concentration.
 The development of amorphous Fe2O3 oxide filling the magnetite spinel interstices may explain the reduced porosity of the outer iron oxide in the AVT(O) environment compared to the deaerated environment.
 The reasons for the differences in corrosion behavior between the two chemical feedwater conditions were discussed and explained.
 These findings revealed that while AVT(O) was not effective in short corrosion resistance, it can help with long-term corrosion resistance.


Scholarly interpretations of Boaz's sexuality in the book of Ruth largely assume that Boaz experiences sexual desires for Ruth specifically and for women generally. This essay will highlight the heterosexual bias that has commonly framed scholarly interpretations of Boaz and that imposes heterosexual attraction into the text. This essay illustrates that Boaz's sexuality, far from an obvious aspect of the text, is largely produced through interpretive imagination. Although some scholars have questioned Ruth's sexuality and her relationship with Naomi, Boaz's sexuality has largely remained under-analyzed, leaving in place the assumption that the text is clear about his desires for women.


The gut microbiota in early life, when critical immune maturation takes place, may influence the immunogenicity of childhood vaccinations. We assessed the association between mode of delivery, gut microbiota development in the first year of life, and mucosal antigen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses against pneumococcal and meningococcal conjugate vaccination at ages 12 and 18 months, respectively, in a prospective birth cohort of 120 infants. Birth by natural delivery was associated with higher IgG responses against both vaccines, which for the anti-pneumococcal IgG response could be explained by a gut microbial community composition with high abundances of Bifidobacterium and Escherichia coli in the first weeks of life. High E. coli abundance in the same period was also associated with higher anti-meningococcal IgG responses. Our results suggest that associations between mode of delivery and antibody responses to routine childhood vaccines are mediated by gut microbiota development.


The Aim of this paper is to determine if the use of inline filter (0.2 Micron filter) is an evidence based practice, wither it has
any positive impact on Decreasing CLABSI (Central Line Associated Blood-Stream Infection), Removing Large Particles or
Air from line thus at the end prevent phlebitis and air embolism. This paper is benchmarking similar institutions practice,
reviewing hospital's policy requirements in this matter, reviewing literatures related to this practice and providing a clue
about the annual coast of the use of this filter in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City –Abu Dhabi PICU.


homosexuality than the introvert. As samples of the stubjective types in nations, France and the United States are taken as representative of the enmotioinal intro-vert and subjective extravert respectively. A summary and genieral discussion of the types conicludc this long but highly interesting contribu1tioIn. C. STANFORD READ. [92] Some applications of the inferiority complex to pluralistic behaviour.-LORINE PRUETTE. Psycho-analytic Rev., 1922, ix, 28. ADLER'S theory of inferiority with its compensatory strivings in the individuial is regarded as important, and the manifold ways in which this affects thc social group are poinited ouit. Primitive religiosity develops in this way through the inventioni of ani all-powerful ally. MIan craves completion; he wants to be perfect, anid onily his gods can make hinm so. In the rcligiotus crowd-pheinomena of revivals there is a peculiar claim in offeriing compenisatoryr prominence to an clement uisually disregarded in thc commulnitv. The Christian religioni shows a strong appeal to the feclinig of inferiority and the accompanyinig desire for superiority. He who has been of Ino importance may attaini supremacy by way of the miartyr's crowni, and the infcriority complex has obviously been an important factor in the adoption of foreign religion as in the East. Out of lowered esteem rises the struggle for self-assertion. Hence the presence of moral reformers and those who feel a tremendous responsibility for regulating the morals of the comniniiity. Secuirity is sought from inferiority in a supporting network of prohibitions. Man has felt himself so inferior before the great cuirrcnt of sex affectivity that he has desperately sought any form of protectioni. The marriage vows were underwritten by the inferiority comlplex, and it is quiite possible that this feeling will always prevent men anid woomen fronm regarding themselves as secure without binding themselvcs to others aind others to themselves. At the back of the labouir miovement there, is a compenisatory desperate craving for secuirity, anid the radical feminist movements are a protest against the inferioritv complex of woman, who has for so many ycars been regarded as the weaker Avessel. In the process of evolution, those animals not developing adequate compensatory charactcristics lost out in the struggle for survival, and the niew braiii which changed the shape of man's forehead may be said to have developed as the compensation for his inferior physiquie. From this standpoint edutcation nmust be considered as buit the process of discovering suiitable compensationi for each individual. C. STANFORD READ. PSYCHONEUROSES AND PSYCHOSES. [L93_1 The causes and treatment of juvenile delinquency. -CYRIL BuRT. Psyche, 1922, iii, 56. (Contcluded.) IN the majority of the cases ainalyzed the nmotives show nmechanisns of the type with which recent psycho-analytic study has familiarized psychologists in mental disorders of a different type-hysteria, the neuiroses, and the psychopathology of everyday life. Buirt's analyses agree with those of Healy, and of the few conitinenltal 294


-Residue Number System (RNS) is a valuable tool for fast and parallel arithmetic. It has a wide application in digital signal processing, fault tolerant systems, etc. In this work, we introduce the 3-moduli set {2^n, 2^{2n}-1, 2^{2n}+1} and propose its residue to binary converter using the Chinese Remainder Theorem. We present its simple hardware implementation that mainly includes one Carry Save Adder (CSA) and a Modular Adder (MA). We compare the performance and area utilization of our reverse converter to the reverse converters of the moduli sets {2^n-1, 2^n, 2^n+1, 2^{2n}+1} and {2^n-1, 2^n, 2^n+1, 2^n-2^{(n+1)/2}+1, 2^n+2^{(n+1)/2}+1} that have the same dynamic range and we demonstrate that our architecture is better in terms of performance and area utilization. Also, we show that our reverse converter is faster than the reverse converter of {2^n-1, 2^n, 2^n+1} for dynamic ranges like 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit and 64-bit however it requires more area.


Ⅰ. Introduction = 1
Ⅱ. Experimental Procedures = 4
 1. Antibody Production = 4
 2. Preparation of Cytoplasmic Proteins and Nucleoplasm of Bovine Chromaffin Cells = 4
 3. Purification of the Vesicular Nucleoplasmic Structures = 6
 4. Recombinant Secretogra


capitalism was potentially an attribute of many regions around the globe long before the Industrial Revolution. It is no coincidence, then, that Austin is also one of the few authors in this volume highlighting the role of indigenous forces promoting capitalist practices outside the capitalist core. Austin's chapter discusses colonialism and imperialism, two of the most powerful tools in the spread of capitalism. Bob Allen underlines how the incentives resulting from factor prices, combined with government policies, shaped the ways in which the new manufacturing technologies were taken over outside the European world and its offshoots. Kristine Bruland and David Mowery highlight the role of education in the reception or rejection of industrial technologies. Labour unions made their own contribution when they discovered that lower transport costs triggered mass migrations which put an end to 'national' labour markets (Huberman). Capitalism was thus helped along by various non-capitalist allies. Perhaps it is no surprise that some of the most interesting chapters in the second volume qualify and question the whole idea of a triumphant capitalism 'spreading' across the globe. Thus, Giovanni Federico reminds us that extraordinary progress has been made in the agricultural sector, both in terms of productivity and total output, all the while remaining immune to capitalism to a large extent; family farms were, and still are, the norm. Randall Morck and Bernard Yeung point out that powerful business groups, with the help of aggressive governments, proved to be effective instruments for achieving Big Push industrialization. In the same vein, Huberman underlines how modern capitalism was most successful precisely during the decades when, and in the regions where, organized labour was most powerful as its main opponent. Likewise, Peter Lindert argues that industrialization, capitalism, and economic growth produced an unprecedented expansion of public services, collectively known as the welfare state, as an unintended but not unrelated consequence. If we broaden the definition of outcomes from GDP growth to 'human welfare', as Leandro Prados de la Escosura does, these 'non-capitalist' and non-market aspects stand out: improvements in health and education were together much more important than the increase of income. The sobering message of this history of capitalism must therefore be that, although capitalism was a significant cause, it was by no means the only cause behind the progress made by human societies in recent centuries. Or, as the editors Neal and Williamson note in their brave attempt to draw lessons from history for the future, capitalism will continue to produce its beneficial effects only by 'introducing policies to ameliorate the human condition' (p. 544). To sum up: the more than one thousand pages bound into the two volumes of the Cambridge history of capitalism provide first-rate reference material, as well as food for thought. Given not only the high quality of the chapters but also the conceptual problems created by the framing of the topic, the book provides excellent teaching material for introductory graduate courses in economic history. But its use is undermined by the prohibitive price of the hardcover set. It is hoped that the publisher will allow students to benefit from this work by bringing out a paperback edition soon.


The paper looks at the mineralogical composition of Zorka yellow clay in terms of changes related to the firing temperature. The influence of the firing temperature on the mineralogical composition was studied on fraction samples with particle sizes up to 5 μm. The samples were subjected to x-ray and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations. Zorka yellow clay was found to develop mineralogical phases of hematite, melilite and mullite during firing. In addition, it was observed that the clay's porosity decreases with increasing firing temperatures, and the presence of glassy phase is proportional to the increase of firing temperature.


The thermodynamic cycle analysis of diesel engines using the engine cycle simulation programs is feasible. The comparison of dual and LIVC miller cycles engine fueled with ED10 diesel/ethanol blends on temperature and emissions are investigated by simulation. From the comparison, +0.85 EIVC miller cycle is a selection for an optimizing point of miller cycle ratio, i.e, the intake valve timing of the engine is good for NO emission, SOOT emission and the engine power output. The difference of EIVC and LIVC miller cycle was studied. The results show the tendency of performance with EIVC miller cycle is similar to that of LIVC miller cycle. But the peak cylinder combustion temperature of EIVC miller cycle become lower relative to LIVC miller cycle, which lead to slightly lower NO emission and slightly higher SOOT emission for EIVC miller cycle.


Background and Objectives: To determine the cause of hypotensive reactions associated with platelet transfusions in coronary artery bypass surgery patients. Materials and Methods: Platelet transfusion reactions that occurred during a 3-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Eighteen transfusion reactions occurred in 16 patients. Sixteen of the reactions were hypotensive, and occurred in 14 patients transfused with platelets through negatively charged bedside leukocyte reduction filters. All 14 patients had received angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prior to transfusion. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest a new type of transfusion reaction associated with the use of negatively charged leukocyte reduction filters during platelet transfusions to patients on ACE inhibitors.


Biological treatment is the most common and economical means of ammonia removal in wastewater; however, nitrification rates can become completely impeded at cold temperatures. Attached growth processes and, specifically, moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) have shown promise with respect to low‐temperature nitrification. In this study, two laboratory MBBRs were used to investigate MBBR nitrification rates at 20, 5, and 1 °C. Furthermore, the solids detached by the MBBR reactors were investigated and Arrhenius temperature correction models used to predict nitrification rates after long‐term low‐temperature exposure was evaluated. The nitrification rate at 5 °C was 66 ± 3.9% and 64 ± 3.7% compared to the rate measured at 20 °C for reactors 1 and 2, respectively. The nitrification rates at 1 °C over a 4‐month exposure period compared to the rate at 20 °C were 18.7 ± 5.5% and 15.7 ± 4.7% for the two reactors. The quantity of solids detached from the MBBR biocarriers was low and the mass of biofilm per carrier did not vary significantly at 20 °C compared to that after long‐term exposure at 1 °C. Lastly, a temperature correction model based on exposure time to cold temperatures showed a strong correlation to the calculated ammonia removal rates relative to 20 °C following a gradual acclimatization period to cold temperatures.


Abstract In this article, we introduce the class of p-absolutely summable fuzzy real valued double sequence (2lp)Fθ We have studied some algebraic properties like solid, symmetric, convergence free, sequence algebra. Further, we establish some relation with the class of p-Cesàro summable double sequences and some other important inclusion results.


Excerpt To the Editor:Puppo and colleagues (1) reported a case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive, asymptomatic person. We have also seen two otherw...


Abstract:-Electronic waste or E-waste is relatively a novel addition to the ever-growing hazardous waste stream. It includes discarded electronic and electrical equipment. There is a lack of consensus as to whether the term should apply to resale, reuse, and refurbishing industries, or only to product that cannot be used for its intended purpose. Informal processing of electronic waste in developing countries may cause serious health and pollution problems, though these countries are also most likely to reuse and repair electronic; India is no exception to it. However, the existing management practices related to E-waste in India are reasonably poor and have the potential to risk both human health and the environment. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Discarded computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, fax machines, electric lamps, cell phones, audio equipment and batteries if improperly disposed can leach lead and other substances into soil and groundwater. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. Moreover, the policy level initiatives are not being implemented in an appropriate way During the course of the study it has been found that there is an urgent need to address the issues related to E-waste in India in order to avoid its detrimental future consequences. This project highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that can be implemented. Keywords: Key Words: E-waste, hazardous waste, risk, management, environment


Public transport interchanges are important for the multimodal travellers in getting the access to the multiple types of transportation. The supporting amenities are required in offering the better services to the users. Prayer facilities is one of the most amenities to be prepared as Malaysia is multi religion country and Islam as the national religion. Thus, this study attempts at explaining how perception, in the form of satisfaction levels, is expressed by a combination of socio-demographic and trip characteristics. The paper also aims at prescribing the improvements of worship facilities provided at public transport interchanges of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). This study adopted intercept off-board questionnaire survey method. The respondents were approached based on convenient sampling due to logistic issues and minimal disturbance to passengers' comfort level being conditioned by the buildings management's approval. From the survey, the multimodal users were short distance and local (Klang Valley) travellers whose travel time transgressed beyond a single prayer time window and for commuting purpose. Generally, passengers intercepted were satisfied with the four components namely Design, Cleanliness, Distance and Latent qualities of prayer facilities. Gender, income and employment types were socio-demographic characteristics influencing the users' perception. Traveller types, trip frequency, access egress mode and trip purpose also important roles in perceiving the qualities of worship amenities provided by the public transport interchange building managers. This paper has explained the relationships between the satisfaction of the facility provided at public transport interchange in both KLIA and the TBS. Building managers must differentiate the needs of travellers by type, by mode of access/egress, by trip frequency and purposes. The issues of quality and equality must be addressed by focusing on the items significantly correlated to the perception including PWD sensitive and universally designed buildings


In keeping with its long-standing tradition of research excellence, this Winter 2021 issue of Maritime Affairs offers its readers a number of unique perspectives on a wide range of maritime issues, encompassing history, strategy, technology, economics, and governance. To use the telescope of the present to gaze at the future with any degree of expertise, it is always prudent to occasionally look through the object-lens and gaze at the past – even if it seems distant and relatively insignificant. Accordingly, successive issues of Maritime Affairs have frequently peppered the predictive analyses of its several distinguished authors with a fair sprinkling of analyses of past events – a process of retrodiction that provides us with more sure-footed processes of prediction. Thus, in the opening article, titled "India's Strategic Vision: Imprints of K.M. Panikkar's Arc", Gitanjali Sinha Roy informs us how maritime strategist K.M. Panikkar's understanding of India's vision for the Indian Ocean highlighted the islands of Socotra and Indonesia as important components of his concept of a "strategic arc". His idea of Socotra and Indonesia was based on the linkage between the two strategic sea lanes of communication. In the present context, Panikkar's strategic arc has been incorporated into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new vision, which aims to pave the way for India to create a network of strategic ports for defence and civilian purposes. In her article, Roy endeavours to understand this "strategic arc", tracing it from the east coast of Africa to the island of Sumatra. Further, she analyses how Panikkar's strategic arc has been realigned and reinvigorated in the present scenario from Oman (replacing Socotra) to the Indonesian archipelago, which helps in furthering India's economic interests as well as protect its strategic well-being. The article concludes by offering a set of policy recommendations that could be inculcated within the larger framework of India's security and maritime policy. Mir Kamruzzaman Chowdhary's article, "From Sea to the Shore: Texts, Traditions, and the Maritime Practices in the Western Indian Ocean, 1600–1800 AD", concentrates the reader's gaze upon a somewhat more distant past and sheds light on an important period of maritime history of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) some 400 years ago. Vasco da Gama's discovery of a maritime route from Europe to India, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, ushered in an age marked first by European maritime mercantilism and thence leading to colonialism. The period from 1600–1800 AD is thus very important in the history of the IOR. Chowdhary tells us that when it comes to maritime history of the region, there are very few available textual resources and written pieces of evidence which aid in a cogent reconstruction of the times. His article attempts to recapitulate the more prominent of the maritime practices that prevailed among the mariners and sailors, on the basis of a few available written documents, such as travellers' accounts, Mughal court chronicles, European factory records, and sundry written documents. Such a historical reconstruction is important since, in the past few decades, the Indian Ocean has become a significant object of study in its own right. In that sense, Chowdhary's article, too, seeks publication at this opportune moment when there is growing interest in India's maritime heritage. The article further attempts to


Exploring the analogy between computer viruses and biological viruses is a useful way to grasp the threat of "infection" to electronic medical records and data.


The study featured the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the need for security in students with alexithymia. The authors compared indicators of alexithymia, subjective well-being, emotional intelligence, and emotional communication barriers 1) in students with alexithymia in the pre-COVID period and during the pandemic and 2) in students with alexithymia and control group during the pandemic. The research involved such mathematical statistics methods as Fisher's angular transform (φ) and Student's t-test. The data processing revealed an increase in the alexithymic manifestations and dissatisfaction with the need for security, especially in stability, predictability, and protection from the outside world against the background of deactualization of the need to be loved. Poor emotional intelligence associated with alexithymia reflected the level of understanding of one's own emotional states and the ability to control them. It resulted in a sense of global instability, associated with dissatisfaction with the need for security and a state of subjective distress. The pandemic had no significant impact on emotional competencies and skills but contributed to the development of subjective distress in alexithymics. The negative dynamics affected the cluster of social environment significance: students with alexithymia felt lonely, could not seek help, and avoided communication with family or friends.


A Strategy is an essential management contrivance in any organization today. The tests of the modern business environment and fast changing global economy demands high productivity speed and flexibility for organizations that seeks to thrive. In order to achieve the required efficiency and effectiveness, organizations must change their structure strategically. The main aim of this research work was to analyze the key drivers affecting strategy implementation in the commercial banks in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically the study endeavored to determine whether communication systems affect implementation of strategy in commercial banks, establish whether leadership styles affect implementation of strategy in commercial banks, establish whether organizational structure affect implementation of strategy in commercial banks and establish whether organizational culture affects the implementation of strategy in commercial banks in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive and quantitative design. The study targeted top management of the head offices of listed commercial banks in Nairobi consisting of a total of 191 respondents. The data generated by the study after fieldwork was edited, coded then entered into a computer for processing using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v. 21.0). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze information generated from respondents. The data collected has been presented by use of percentages, frequency distributions, tables and figures. From the research work findings, the study concluded that those listed commercial banks at NSE in Nairobi County-Kenya that invested heavily in innovation in effective communication systems, inspirational leadership, functional organization structure and culture recorded high level of strategic implementation performance revealed by unanimous consent of "Good strategies implemented has increased our profitability levels for the last five years". The study recommends that, the managers should always give direction and supervision through different phases of strategy implementation. Implementing a change is often done in phases. The listed banks at NSE leadership need to be able to identify when each phase of a strategic implementation is complete and be ready to transition the organization to the next phase.


A tube hydroformability testing system was designed and manufactured to observe the forming steps and to provide arbitrary combination of internal pressure and axial fred. The forming limit diagram of an aluminum tube was obtained from the free bulge test and the T-shape forming test using this system, giving the criteria for predicting failure in the hydroforming process. The hydroformability of aluminum tube according to different conditions of a prebending process was discussed, based on the finite element analysis and the forming limit test. The effects of 2D and 3D pretending on the tube hydroforming process of an automotive trailing arm were evaluated and compared with each other.


The present invention relates to an aqueous suspension of precipitated silica, characterized in that a solids content of 10 to 40%, having a viscosity of less than 4 × 10


"This paper empirically tested the relationship between 6 variables including earnings per share, liquidity, firm size, net asset value per share, gross domestic product and returns on assets on the stock market returns of 359 companies listed in the Hanoi Stock Exchange, by applying monthly data from year 2017 to 2021. Using correlation analysis and regression analysis, the empirical results of this study show that, there are some factors that directly affect the market returns of listed stocks, including Earnings per share (EPS); Net assets value per share (NAVPS); Return on assets (ROA). Besides, the result could not explain the effect of Liquidity, SIZE and Gross Domestic product and on stock market returns. "


Opening with an image of a Boeing airliner falling to the ground, Hito Steyerl's video In Free Fall (2010) is action-packed, supercharged, and visually enthralling. Steyerl's work presents re-edited footage from Hollywood disaster movies portraying an airliner about to crash over a nondescript suburban town. In this fast-paced montage a stunned pilot stares at the message 'system failure' flashing in the cockpit instrument panel while emergency oxygen masks drop down over the passengers' heads; the fuselage splits apart and objects inside the cabin start whirling around. This scene is, according to Steyerl, a metaphor for the mayhem generated by the 2008 banking crisis, which saw global financial institutions previously thought to be rock solid collapse in the space of few days. In In Free Fall, contemporary capitalism emerges as a precarious world, rife with destruction. Steyerl's video significantly differs from documentaries produced in the aftermath of the crisis in that the work does not embrace a straightforward and detached didactic approach. Unlike, say, Charles Ferguson's Inside Job (2010), or Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story (2009), In Free Fall shuns the use of animated graphs and statistics explaining the obscure and fraudulent mechanisms of the financial economy. Instead, it mimics the spectacular quality of consumer culture – which has been discussed by Fredric Jameson – by presenting the audience with a nerve-racking combination of theatrical performances, lively animations, clips of airliner explosions and snippets from television science programmes about recycling. This act of mimicry demands attention: is Steyerl's work an elegy to the possibility of critical distance under the conditions of financial capitalism? Indeed, the image of the falling airliner that forms the centre of Steyerl's essay recalls the apocalyptic metaphors used by Jean Baudrillard in the early 1990s to describe the 'vanishing of history' that he saw as a central feature of postmodernity. For Baudrillard, the increasing speed Third Text, 2013


T cell proliferation is essential for effective immune responses against foreign Ags but must be tempered to prevent autoimmunity and preserve tolerance. E3 ubiquitin ligases are involved in balancing T cell activation and anergy. Lin et al. (p. 5919) have shown that naive T cell expression of one such enzyme, the gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL), can inhibit IL-2R-mediatedproliferationuponactivation.NaiveTcellcostimulationwithantiCD3andanti-CD28resulted inGRAILdegradation,most likelymediated by the deubiquitinating enzyme Otubain-1 (Otub1). Subsequent induction of IL-2 production, IL-2R signaling, and activationofthemammaliantargetofrapamycin(mTOR)kinaseresulted in T cell proliferation. The signaling pathway activated by mTOR induced Otub1 expression and concomitant GRAIL degradation. The mTORpathwaywas inhibitedwithCTLA4-Igtreatmentbyblockage of CD28 engagement and IL-2 synthesis or with the addition of rapamycin or anti-IL-2 that hindered IL-2R-driven mTOR activation. Although GRAIL and Otub1 were first defined for their roles in T cell anergy, these resultshighlight their contributiontothe signalingevents linking T cell activation and proliferation.


In order to understand the effects of overlying water environment and the microbial activity on the release of phosphorus( P) from sediments,static release processes of P in sediments of reservoir under different physical and chemical conditions and microbial activity conditions were simulated in the laboratory by selecting sediments in Shibianyu Reservior as representative of the poor nutrient reservoir. Dissolved oxygen( DO),oxidation-reduction potential( ORP) and pH value in overlying water were measured during the experiment. Soluble orthophosphate( PO3-4),total phosphorus( TP) and ferrous ions( Fe2+) were regularly monitored by on-line monitoring. P of different forms including Fe-bound phosphorus( Fe /Al-P),Ca-P,inorganic phosphorus( IP),organ phosphorus( OP) and total phosphorus( TP) and alkaline phosphatase( APA) in sediments were measured before and after the reaction. The experiment showed that strong reducing conditions with ORP less than 0 mV promoted massive release of P from the sediments,accompanied by a large number of Fe2+ entering into overlying water. P released from sediments was mainly IP and Fe /Al-P,and that entered into water was mainly PO3-4,accounting for more than 50% of the TP in the water.Microbial activity in sediments promoted the decomposition and transformation of OP,which had little effect on the transformation of P from other forms to PO3-4. Microbes in the sediments also absorbed P except PO3-4in overlying water.


Detailed biostratigraphic studies of oyster faunas and brackish formations from the Santonian (upper Cretaceous) of Provence (southern France) show lateral and vertical variations of ecologic zones resulting in recurrent faunas. The basal beds correspond to a brackish near-deltaic facies, while a marine transgression is represented in the major part of the sequence. The Santonian is terminated by a second brackish sequence. These three zones pass laterally and vertically into fresh-water formations of the Valdonnian or into deltaic facies poor in fossils.


With the acceleration of urbanization in China,People's demands for homestead and construction land are in rapid expansion.The land resources become seriously inadequate because of the large population and the limited land.Therefore,it is very important to work out a system linked with the increase of urban construction land.Meanwhile,the anomalous phenomena in the use of existing homestead should be studied,and ways to optimize the allocation of rural homestead resources should be explored so as to promote the construction of a new harmonious countryside.


We introduce a data analysis procedure for color transparency experiments which is considerably less model dependent than the transparency ratio method. The new method is based on fitting the shape of the A dependence of the nuclear cross section at fixed momentum transfer to determine the effective attenuation cross section for hadrons propagating through the nucleus. The hard scattering cross section is then determined directly from the data. We apply this procedure to the Brookhaven experiment of Carroll et al and find that it clearly shows color transparency: the effective attenuation cross section in events with momentum transfer $Q^2$ is approximately $40\ mb\ (2.2\ GeV^2/Q^2)$. The fit to the data also supports the idea that the hard scattering inside the nuclear medium is closer to perturbative QCD predictions than is the scattering of isolated protons in free space. We discuss the application of our approach to electroproduction experiments.


FIELD: error-correction encoding in short message transmissions over poor- quality channels. SUBSTANCE: parallel cascade convolution code circuit employs nonrecursive systematic convolution codes with finite bit sequence. Corresponding decoder executes looping decoding using method of a posterior probability maximum for generating output results of nonprogrammable and programmable decisions. EFFECT: enhanced precision of coding/decoding for error correction in short messages. 36 cl, 5 dwg


Two distinctive, laterally traceable bentonite beds were used to construct two isochronous time slices through the marine sediments of the Upper Cretaceous Greenhorn cyclothem of the United States Western Interior basin. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages from these time slices were examined from more than 40 outcrop localities. Nannofossil presence and assemblage diversity and composition were statistically analyzed to examine the paleooceanographic conditions within the basin. The lower time slice (X bentonite) is at the stratigraphic horizon which approximately corresponds to the time at which free communication between the basin and open oceanic systems first occurred. The most striking trend in the nannofossil distribution is delineated by the presence or absence of nannofossils. The presence of common to abundant nannofossils in the center of the basin (i.e., near the hingeline of the basin) and the absence of nannofossils from the eastern and western basin margins indicate that open marine conditions conducive to significant standing crops of calcareous phytoplankton occurred only in a narrow, centrally located zone. Conditions at the basin margins were probably unsuitable for large populations due to environmental instability. Evidence indicates that atznaueria barnasae was the most ecologically tolerant form. The upper time slice (HL-3 bentonite) samples the nannofossil distributions at a point at or near the maximum transgression of the Greenhorn Sea. Similar, basinward increases in diversity and abundance are evidence but more subtly expressed. Paleolatitudinal differences in diversity and the relative abundances of some taxa indicate contributions from both tropical and boreal oceanic water masses. End_of_Article - Last_Page 538------------


The authors describe the method of surgical aortic banding for better stent-graft fixation in cases of problematic aortic neck in the endovascular infrarenal aneurysms repair.


In response to recent demands to make use of international criminal justice institutions' archives for social scientific research, this article develops a theoretical approach to international crim...


The environmental management of urban areas is increasingly challenged by the uncertainties and complexities of natural and urban systems. Environmental and political transformations operating at different spatial and temporal scales add to this complexity and uncertainty. Transformations occur when a system shifts across a tipping point and into a new state of functioning. They can result for example from extreme environmental events (e.g. floods), processes of land-use change (e.g. urban development) and/or the implementation of new governance arrangements (e.g. EIA). How governance and management adapts to these disturbances has important implications for the effectiveness of environmental management and conservation. Adaptive capacity in governance institutions, policy and plans has been widely recognised as essential to overcoming these challenges. A range of conceptual models have been developed, the most prominent being 'adaptive management'. Yet it is well established in the literature that adaptive management is only suitable in situations of high controllability and high uncertainty. Despite the significant resources that have been invested to improve the management and policies, planning and governance of urban ecological systems in recent times, institutions and policymakers struggle to flex in response to environmental and social transformations, new scientific knowledge and novel opportunities for governance. We therefore ask: "Is adaptive governance feasible and/or realistic? How is it orchestrated?" This paper reports on an investigation into the relationship between adaptive governance and environmental outcomes for urban environments. This is addressed through a comparative analysis of environmental governance in Brisbane, Australia and Portland, USA over the last two decades. The results provide an important test of the concept of 'adaptive management' and its utility for governing uncertainty and complexity and achieving ecological resilience in urban areas. The findings are of interest to practitioners concerned with the practical implementation of adaptive governance, and scholars of political and urban geography concerned with a more refined understanding of the concepts for future research.


On November 5, 2010, a significant foam liberation threat was observed as the Space Shuttle STS‐133 launch effort was scrubbed because of a hydrogen leak at the ground umbilical carrier plate. Further investigation revealed the presence of multiple cracks at the tops of stringers in the intertank region of the Space Shuttle External Tank. As part of an instrumented tanking test conducted on December 17, 2010, a three dimensional digital image correlation photogrammetry system was used to measure radial deflections and overall deformations of a section of the intertank region. This paper will describe the experimental challenges that were overcome in order to implement the photogrammetry measurements for the tanking test in support of STS‐133. The technique consisted of configuring and installing two pairs of custom stereo camera bars containing calibrated cameras on the 215‐ft level of the fixed service structure of Launch Pad 39‐A. The cameras were remotely operated from the Launch Control Center 3.5 miles away during the 8 hour duration test, which began before sunrise and lasted through sunset. The complete deformation time history was successfully computed from the acquired images and would prove to play a crucial role in the computer modeling validation efforts supporting the successful completion of the root cause analysis of the cracked stringer problem by the Space Shuttle Program. The resulting data generated included full field fringe plots, data extraction time history analysis, section line spatial analyses and differential stringer peak‐valley motion. Some of the sample results are included with discussion. The resulting data showed that new stringer crack formation did not occur for the panel examined, and that large amounts of displacement in the external tank occurred because of the loads derived from its filling. The measurements acquired were also used to validate computer modeling efforts completed by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Background Space Transportation System 133 (STS‐133) was the 133 mission in the Space Shuttle Program and the final mission for the Discovery orbiter. Discovery carried a Multipurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) "Leonardo", and an ExPRESS logistics carrier (ELC) to the International Space Station [1]. STS‐133 was scheduled to lift off from NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20120011261 2019-12-30T06:51:39+00:00Z


A father and son have been faculty members in the same discipline at separate universities for the past seven years. Some may view this as a detriment for a variety of reasons including pride, nepotism, and a potential lack of intellectual independence. On the contrary, the situation can and should lend to advantages including workplace efficiency, collaboration, and even a form of apprenticeship, simply because chances are good that communication styles, leadership methods, and interests are very similar between a parent and a son/daughter. In addition, these similarities could be used as criteria when forming a mentor relationship. This paper will elaborate on the various advantages available, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices while citing specific examples of the authors. Examples include sharing common notes and exams, project/research collaboration between universities, reinvigoration of old resources, committee and professional society involvement, guest lecturing, an ease and trust in communication on important issues to engineering programs (e.g., accreditation visits, curriculum changes, student affairs, course offerings, new initiatives), and more. These examples could also apply in a mentor relationship. In addition special note is made relating to the ease of communication and collaboration from a life-long experience of working together as a "team" (e.g., sports teams, Boy Scouts, etc.). Finally the authors note the "two-way street" advantage. For example, the son uses his father's valuable insight and time-tested resources to aid in career advancement. In turn, the son's fresh perspective and effort necessary for promotion aids the father in remaining active and current in the discipline. Again, the mentor relationship can prosper from the "two-way street" advantage.


This paper investigates how the effective tax rate for corporate income tax varies with the size of the company in Belgium. The concept of ETR that we use in this paper is an ex-post measure based on micro-data. The ETR is defined as the ratio of the assessed CIT to the "benchmark tax base". We use an unique dataset, that merges data from the tax returns with published balance sheets and accounts. This enables us to observe directly the main determinants of any gap between the statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate (ETR). It appears from the empirical investigation that there is no clear relation between the ETR and the size of the company. Dispersion of ETR is very high. In the final section of the paper, we use logistic models to explain the dispersion of ETR. It appears that the tax variables provide the largest part of the explanation of the dispersion in ETR. Among these variables, disregarded charges have the largest effect. Size may have an effect, but the magnitude and the sign of the effect remain unclear: the relationship between the ETR and the number of employees seems to be positive; the sign of the size variable "value added" is not robust and there is no clear relationship between the ETR and the total of the balance sheet


The anisotropic XY ferromagnet has been studied by Monte Carlo simulation in a three dimensional simple cubic lattice. The increase in critical temperature (ferro-para transition) has been noticed with increasing the strength of anisotropy. The effects of random fields (both with full circular symmetry and in angular window) on the critical temperature are investigated systematically in the anisotropic XY ferromagnet in three dimensions. Reduction in the critical temperature of anisotropic XY ferromagnet has been observed in the presence of random field. The compensating field (the required amount of field which preserves the critical temperature for isotropic XY ferromagnet) has been studied as a function of the strength of anisotropy. The compensating field was found to depend linearly on the strength of anisotropy. We have also studied the effects of random field confined in the angular window and observed the reduction of the critical temperature with increase of the angular extension. The critical behaviours are formalized by the usual finite size analysis and the estimation of critical exponents for the susceptibility and the specific heat. .


A multi-point coordinated transmission method of transmitting information coordinating group, the method comprising: multi-point (CoMP) cooperating set information coordinated transmission CoMP cooperating set of the base station through an X2 interface message cell belongs to a local service, and / or local services to the neighboring cell CoMP cooperating CoMP cooperating set information belongs to a group of other base stations. The present invention utilizes the X2 interface message sent CoMP cooperating set information to the neighboring base station, a neighboring base station can be received CoMP cooperating set information for optimizing handover decision, the handover decision can take advantage of such CoMP cooperating set information received by the terminal select a suitable target cell, to increase the CoMP transmission network handover success rate. Further, CoMP cooperating set information may also be used to optimize the current network configuration of CoMP coordination group, improving network performance.


Text classification is the process of classifying documents into predefined categories based on their content. Existing supervised learning algorithms to automatically classify text need sufficient labeled documents to learn accurately. Applying the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to this problem is an alternative approach that utilizes a large pool of unlabeled documents to augment the available labeled documents. Unfortunately, the time needed to learn with these large unlabeled documents is too high. This paper introduces a novel parallel learning algorithm for text classification task. The parallel algorithm is based on the combination of the EM algorithm and the naive Bayes classifier. Our goal is to improve the computational time in learning and classifying process. We studied the performance of our parallel algorithm on a large Linux PC cluster called PIRUN Cluster. We report both timing and accuracy results. These results indicate that the proposed parallel algorithm is capable of handling large document collections.


[ Objective] To investigate the relativity of children obesity and some indexes of metabolism syndrome. [Methods] 69 volunteers with obesity were randomly selected as obesity group, 30 normal volunteers matching in sex and age as control group, out of 13,702 children and adolescents (2~18 years old) in Xiangtan city. Their index of body weight (IBM), blood pressure (BP), blood lipid (BL), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), leppin (LP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting pure insulin (INS), blood uric acid (UA), and liver B-ultrasound were examined, and their mean artery pressure (MAP) and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were calculated on the basis of blood pressure and fasting pure insulin respectively, and then the differences of the indexes between two groups were compared and the relativity of the indexes was analyzed. [Results] The incidence of fatty liver, the values of MAP, triglyceride (TG), Apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), hsCRP, INS, LP and UA were significantly higher in obesity group than in control group (P 0.01), while the values of Apolipoprotein-A (Apo-A) and ISI were significantly lower in obesity group than in control group (P 0.01). The value of hsCRP was significantly positively correlative to those of FBG and INS (P 0.05 or P 0.01), while it was significantly negatively correlative to that of ISI; the value of LP was significantly positively correlative to those of BMI and INS (P 0.01), while it was significantly negatively correlative to that of ISI; the value of INS was significantly positively correlative to that of BMI (P 0.01), while it was significantly negatively correlative to that of ISI; the value of UA was significantly positively correlative to those of BMI and INS (P 0.01), while it was significantly negatively correlative to that of ISI. [Conclusions] Insulin resistance (IR), LP resistance (LR), compensatory hyperinsulinemia, liver injury, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperuricacidemia may exist in the children with obesity, and some inflammatory factors such as hsCRP may play an important role in pathogenesis of children obesity.


Objective To study the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound technique in the diagnosis of tubal infertility. Methods Thirty patients were included before laparoscopic surgery. Hysterosalpingography ultrasound imaging was after anesthesia. The real-time ultrasound images of contrast agent in the endometrial cavity and tubal lumen were observed and the results were compare with those from laparoscopy and dyeing examination. Results There was no significaat difference between the imaging results and the laparoscopic methylene blue test with the positive predictive value of 92.3% and the negative predictive value of 72.2%. The sensitivity specifity and accurancy degree of contrast-enhanced ultrasourd exanination in ulterine fallopian tuse were 87.8% ,78.3% ,86.0% ,vespectively. The positive pvedicive and negative preditie value were 92.3% and was 72.2%. Thirty one cases were diagnosed as fallopian tube stenosis by uterine fallopian tube contrast-enhanced ultrasound, 8 obstructed, 18 unobstructed. Remote water or adhesion tubal closure were found during operation in 5 cases which were diagnosed as oviduct tubes by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. But they were found obstructed by methylene blue test. Three cases were cosidered as fallopian tube or obstructed in the remote fallopian tube while methylene blue test in the laparascope showed they were open. Conclusion The technique of contrast -enhanced ultrasound in uterine fallopian tube posseses high clinical value and may reflect the cause of tubal disease with advantages of high accuracy, non-invasiveness, easy operation and non-radioactive effects.


Onboard digital processors are the emerging technological developments in the arena of satellite communication for its on-board flexibility, configurability and programmability. SSPAs (Solid State Power amplifiers) are common components in the RF chain of payloads. It can be sourced by multi carriers and can be driven into saturation by any of the individual carriers. Therefore, power limiter is required per channel for controlling the input power to SSPA from digital processor. Since the processor comprise of digital subsystems the work aims at a FPGA based design and development of feed-forward configurable power limiter having 30dB dynamic range. The architecture comprises of power detector, real time input maximum detector and input signal normalizing modules. It has two modes of operation: linear power mode and limiting power mode. It can be configured with thresholds from 0 dB to -5dB in steps of 0.5dB.


A general discrimination function and a neural network model are constructed by using RBF function.This reveals the close relation between pattern recognition and neural network.Multi-objects classification with in-plane(2-D) and out-plane(3-D) rotation invariance is implemented by using this general discrimination function and neural network model.The computer simulation shows that it is an effective method for classifying multi-objects with rotation invariance.One of the opto-electronics recognition systems is presented to implement this function and model.


ABSTRACT The two words, contagion and infection, are often used indiscriminately, and many a writer who starts with a definite idea of the word "contagion," will often before he gets through with what he has to say confuse it with the word "infection," and very few people who have not given the matter special study, can give the distinctive difference of definition between the two words. Our dictionaries are in the same confusing condition concerning these words. Thus: The Century Dictionary: In common use no precise discrimination of the two words "infection" and "contagion" is attempted. Webster: Infection, the transmission of affection without direct contact. In contradistinction to contagion. Billings: Contagion, capable of communication from one person to another either by actual contact or through the air. Foster: Contagion, the communication of disease from one individual to another by means of direct contact. Or as used as some writers (in the


The export pipelines on the tension leg platform (TLP) Auger are connected by steel catenary risers (SCRs). This is believed to be the first time steel pipe has been used for catenary risers. Significant design effort was required to prove that the SCRs could safely withstand environmental loads and the effects of TLP motions. The design effort consisted of extensive dynamic analyses as well as full scale fatigue testing of both the riser joint welds and the flexible joint that connects the riser ro the TLP pontoon. Devices which suppress vortex induced vibrations were also tested. SCR installation is accomplished by lowering the riser on the abandonment and recovery cable from the J-Lay installation vessel and transferring the riser on a chain that is run through a chain jack hung from the TLP upper deck structure. A special installation and maintenance system was built for this purpose.


J M Rennie, N R C Roberton. London: Edward Arnold, 2001, £19.99, pp 565. ISBN 0340720107

As an SHO, I bought the first edition of the Manual in 1982. It was a survival guide which provided safe certainties in the small hours of the night. It was small, light, and compact. There was no competition: the Roberton Manual was the book to have!

Nearly 20 years on, where has the 4th edition taken us? Bigger, certainly: a behemoth of a "small" manual with 550 pages. Not much taller or wider than its predecessors, but much thicker, the rather thin and closely typeset pages distinctly reminiscent of a Bible. Thirty four chapters and eight appendices. There's an awful lot of information in here.

Road testing a book like this is quite a challenge. Clearly one should not ask …


Cyber-manufacturing systems (CMS) interconnect manufacturing facilities via sensing and actuation networks to provide reliable computation and communication services in smart manufacturing. In CMS, various advanced data analytics have been proposed to support effective decision-making. However, most of them were formulated in a centralized manner to be executed on single workstations, or on Cloud computation units as the data size dramatically increases. Therefore, the computation or communication service may not be responsive to support online decision-making in CMS. In this research, a method to decompose a group of existing advanced data analytics models (i.e., family learning for CMS modeling) into their distributed variants is proposed via alternative direction method of multipliers (ADMM). It improves the computation services in a Fog-Cloud computation network. A simulation study is conducted to validate the advantages of the proposed distributed method on Fog-Cloud computation network over Cloud computation system. Besides, six performance evaluation metrics are adopted from the literature to access the performance of computation and communication. The evaluation results also indicate the relationship between Fog-Cloud architectures and computation performances, which can contribute to the efficient design of Fog-Cloud architectures in the future.


In May of this year, the Council of Biology Editors (CBE) held its annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The meeting included a panel discussion on the ethics of scientific publication. I was delighted to be one of three panelists because this is a topic which I have addressed in Current


Al3+ toxicity is a major limitation to plant production on acidic soils. Many plants have evolved mechanisms to overcome this stress and the genes controlling these mechanisms have been identified in some species. Pereira et al. (pp. 205–214) engineer greater Al3+ resistance in wheat, Triticum aestivum, by over-expressing its own resistance gene, TaALMT1. The results demonstrate that biotechnology can be used to increase the production of major food crops on acid soils.