This article aims to analyze the production process of nonviolent collective action in a Afro-Colombian community in response to the social, political, environmental, labor conflicts that have jeopardized their stay in the territory. The artvile presents elements of analysis of ethnographic work conducted by the author in 2012 and 2013 in the municipality of Santander de Quilichao are presented. The theoretical development of the paper takes the concept proposed by Elisabeth Wood on "social processes of the Civil War" (2010) to establish correspondences between social dynamics generated by conflict –increased since 2008 in the region– and processes of collective action and identity agency of Afro-Colombians. Some of these conflicts are territorial tensions between different social actors in the processes of legalization and expansion of ethnic territories, mining, the process of Land Consolidation; and the strengthening of interethnic organizational alliances, and organizational process of black communities in the area. Under these conditions, the narratives of "ancestral", "being black" and "autonomy" have become guiding axes of collective action that legitimizes the territorial presence of the study community and its demand in the access to rights such as collective ownership and consultation.


Estonian folk lullabies belong to the common heritage of Baltic-Finnic runosong tradition. The article surveys the older layer of lullaby recordings that are kept in the Estonian Folk Archive, in order to throw light on the essence of Estonian lullabies. The history of collecting lullabies, their content, form, performance and use will be discussed. The author concludes that performed lullabies were created by combining the traditional elements on the one hand, and improvised, situation-based elements on the other. Archived recordings represent mostly the more stable, traditional parts of lullabies. Nevertheless, several features of the corpus indicate the importance of improvisation in the performance of traditional lullabies.


Abstract In the present study the relationship between teaching and learning was examined using a conceptual framework that links dimensions of instructional tasks with gains in student learning outcomes. The greatest student gains on a performance assessment consisting of tasks that require high levels of mathematical thinking and reasoning were related to the use of instructional tasks that engaged students in the "doing of mathematics" or the use of procedures with connections to meaning. In addition, student performance gains were greater for those sites whose tasks were both set up and implemented to encourage the use of multiple solution strategies, multiple representations, and explanations. Whereas, student performance gains were relatively small for those sites whose tasks tended to be both set up and implemented in a procedural manner and that required a single solution strategy, single representations, and little or no mathematical communication.


SUMMARY The interaction between Cu2-xS (1<(2-x)<2) coatings without elemental sulphur and 0.01 M Na2S4 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry in 0.05 M H2SO4. It has been shown that elemental sulphur forms in the Cu2-xS coating exposed to Na2S4 solution. The highest So amount (2·10−8 mol cm2 during the first 30 s) has been found to be formed when the coating held in Na2S4 solution was Cut1.25S. This is explained by the fact that during interaction of a Cu2-xS coating with Na2S4 solution the unstable mixed polysulphides of Cu(I) and Cu(II) can be formed, e.g. in the case of Cu1.25S (Cu2S4) the compound Cu5S7 can arise: CuI2CuII3S4 + Na2S4 → CuI2CuII3S7 + Na2S which is again decomposed, initially into Cu5S4 and So: CuI2CuII3S 7 → CuI2CuII3S4 + 3So It is supposed that this process can recur and due to this four modifications of So arise as the time of treatment is increased. Stoichiometric sulphide Cul.99S does not interact and CuS interacts insignificantly with Na2S4 (after 30 s 0.4·108 mol cm2 of S is formed). In a real process the contribution from the coating is supposed not to exceed several per cent.


"Making redundancy redundant" — this may seem a strange title for a contribution written as high interest rates threaten a further spate of bankruptcies, closures and redundancies. It is a sad commentary on the 1970s, however, that the new decade opens with the issue of redundancy dwarfed in significance by the overall prospect of deepening recession and worsening unemployment. The term "redundancy" first became fashionable as a way of describing labour made superfluous by the technological and market changes sustaining the slow but reasonably steady economic growth of the post‐war years. The term expressed a distinction between job losses and unemployment — between the sack and the dole queue — whose practical and ideological significance was rooted in economic growth and the associated high levels of employment. These conditions no longer pertain. Though the term itself may survive the conditions which gave it currency, it can be expected, as job losses lead more inexorably to the dole queue, to lose its peculiar resonance and acquire a less distinctive — if altogether more menacing — meaning. Redundancy may go out of fashion. It seems unlikely, for example, that the 1980s will produce a crop of redundancy studies comparable to those of the last two decades. At least in this — superficial — sense, redundancy may become redundant as a subject of academic enquiry or public debate.


The motive force back of immigration into the United States has shown interesting variations. Appealing first to victims of religious tyranny as a haven, the United States of America assumed a new importance in the middle of the nineteenth century as a refuge for victims of political tyranny, and somewhat later for individuals seeking relief from economic poverty. Its democratic form of government offered an undreamed of freedom to millions of politically oppressed people, and its marvelous stores of natural wealth held forth fabulous opportunities for an immigrant to improve his material well-being. The cumulative and collective effects of these inducements resulted in an increasing annual influx of immigrants seeking surcease from oppression of one kind or another which culminated in the most extensive movement of people from one continent to another ever recorded by history.


This paper presents the results of a computer study of supervised learning and generalization in a new neural architecture that has extremely tight bounds on learning convergence. LAPART-2 is an extended version of the LAPART-1 introduced previously by the authors (1998). This paper explores the architectural generalisation through a series of numerical experiments using challenging problems in classification. This class of problem is used in this study because of the simplicity of correctness analysis and the availability of theoretical bounds on performance. Three classification problems were picked to initially study the generalization in LAPART-2 learning. Bayesian classification performance was calculated for each of the test problems for comparison. These experiments demonstrate that the generalization performance of LAPART-2 closely matches that of Bayesian for each of the problems, and converge in two or less epochs. LAPART-2 has one of the tightest theoretical bounds on learning convergence and excellent generalization performance.


For the purpose of improving the dispersion stability, Si02-coated TiO2 particles grafted with poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) was treated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). The endcapping effect with HMDS on the dispersion stability was observed in all the systems tested. The stability increases with an increase in molecular weight of grafted PDMS. The HMDS treatment also enables the particles to be dispersed in PDMS more easily. These results are reasonably explained in terms of the decrease in the interaction energy of the surface of Si02 and PDMS by the HMDS treatment. The energy was estimated to decrease by a factor of ca. 0.13 with the treatment from the calculation, based on the frequency shift of the freely vibrating silanol group accompanied by its hydrogen bond formation with PDMS. Key-words : Dispersion stability, Grafting, Endcapping, Poly(dinzethyl siloxane), Hexamethyldisilazane, Silica coating, Titania particles.


According to Mahatma Gandhi "There is no school equal to decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent". Beyond that teachers serve many other roles in classrooms. Teachers set the tone of their classrooms, build a warm environment, mentor and nurture students become role models and listen and look for signs of trouble. The most common role a teacher plays in the classroom is to teach knowledge to students. Based on curriculum given by the teachers to the students is beyond the behavioral practices on their basic development of knowledge. The one of most needed to be thought by the teachers is about the behavior of saving the money from when they comes to know ,what is money and what is about saving the money. In such way of practices the teacher can be build the model of saving is to be turned into investment in future as the behavioral personality by themselves and also to students as future investors .This research paper details about the habit exposed by teacher as investor. Accordingly the paper revels the perception of investors towards saving and investment avenues with special references to government school teachers in Tiruchirappalli city.


The article substantiates the principles of realizing the given technology on the base of revealed dependence of catering consumer services request satisfaction from knowledge integration about the peculiarities of ethno-etiquette from different studying subjects, the level of developing multicultural features of food services specialists-to-be.


Abstract Small angle tilt boundaries consisting of uniformly spaced edge dislocations were observed in cementite extracted from an annealed steel. The Burgers vector of the dislocations was identified as [0b0] from their average spacing and the tilt angle between both grains. The [0b0] type dislocation was related with two displacement vectors required in formation of (010) growth faults


AFSTEACT Picou, J. Steven; Hernandez, Pedro F. Perceived Sources of Personal Aid and Influence for the Occupational Aspirations of Black High School Seniors: A Rural-Urban Comparison. Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge. Agricultural Experiment Station. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Feb 70 19p.; Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Southern Agricultural Workers, Rural Sociology Section (Memphis, Tennessee, Febuary 1970)


In this essay, the emergence of Caravaggist naturalism has been analyzed at the intersection of two historical configurations. The first was a macro-process, an epochal crisis that the Reformation brought with it. The Reformation turn caused a comprehensive crisis of legitimacy that manifested itself in all spheres of life in Western culture: from religion to politics and to the status of images. The most important element of this early modern paradigm was the gradual formation of a new episteme (or system of knowledge organization) that can be defined as postclassical or modern. The classical episteme implied a fixed, stable, and static relationship between images, i.e. phenomena and words, i.e. discourse. The modern episteme was the moment of disintegration of this static worldview, when the organic connection between things and words, the visible and the sayable, came into danger and even a complete discrepancy. The second process took place on the micro-level and was related to the social structuring of Rome at the end of the 16th century, when there was an obvious gap between the "official" policy of the Church and the taste of high aristocratic circles; from this structuring arose the difference between the "official" art of the Counter-Reformation (which nurtured the aesthetics of the altarpiece) and the "unofficial" art, intended for the art market and consumption in a semi-private or completely profane social setting. The once unquestionable space of religion was thus split into the "micro-spaces" of politics and art, with their own special systems of legitimization.


The object of the utility model is to provide a line winding ring made of iron for effectively solving problems of bad cold-resisting property, bad fire-resisting property, bad stability, easiness of deformation and the like of the prior art. The utility model relates to a line winding ring made of iron, the line winding ring made of iron comprises a line winding ring of which the material is steel or iron. The line winding ring of the utility model has advantages of wear, environment effect resistance, good stability, non-easiness of deformation to make the whole line laying effect more simple and beautiful.


In this paper, a repetitive controller design method is proposed for optimal performance. Firstly, to compensate for phase lag introduced by the low‐pass filter in the scheme, the dead time of the repetitive controller is modified. Secondly, a lead compensator is introduced to the repetitive controller, which not only widens the bandwidth of the low‐pass filter, but also improves system gain at high frequencies. The optimal parameters of the repetitive controller are obtained by solving two optimization problems. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.


This paper outlines a low-cost multimaterial, integrated passives approach involving suspension wicking of high-K dielectric and ferromagnetic nanoparticles into capillaries comprising inductor and capacitor passive devices. The suspension is deposited into a "target well" and nanoparticles are delivered to the passive via fluidic self-assembly, resulting in inductor and capacitor value improvements. The universality of this approach has been demonstrated through the fabrication and testing of both MEMS inductors and capacitors on a single substrate, which would otherwise be fabrication-intense using traditional fabrication methods. This approach has demonstrated inductance improvements of 45% up to 500 MHz with roll-off in quality factor past 225 MHz after wicking of a NiFe2O4 nanoparticle core. In addition, capacitance was increased 400% and 600% after wicking of BaTiO3 nanoparticles/polymer composite into 1- and 2-mm-long capacitor constructs, respectively.


This literature review surveys palliative care received by people with dementia, and identifies challenges and barriers to its delivery. These include communication problems, lack of understanding of dementia as a terminal disease, difficulty with prognostication, and lack of training of general and mental health care staff in palliative care and the specific needs of this client group. A gap in research mirrors the gap in practice. The literature shows that individuals with end-stage dementia have a number of symptoms for which they do not receive effective palliation and often the dying phase goes unrecognised. Further investigation resulting in evidence-based action should address these issues without delay.


In this paper an asymptotic solution to the wave equation for a thin curved layer with periodically inhomogeneous permittivity is derived. The wave equation and field components are expanded in the thickness h of the layer. A propagator, i.e., an operator that maps the fields from one side of the surface to the other, is derived. This propagator is used to derive a higher order impedance boundary condition. The solution is expressed as an asymptotic expansion in the thickness h for a layer coated on a perfect electric conductor (PEC). The problem treated is two-dimensional and the TE case is considered. A couple of numerical examples are given with comparisons to solutions obtained by integral equation based techniques.


Alcohol when consumed in large quantities is associated with acute and chronic liver injury (1). Several well-recognized types of alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) exist. The most common histological finding is hepatic steatosis with macrovesicular fat accumulation within the hepatocyte. With cessation of alcohol intake, hepatic steatosis recedes and pathological findings are reversible. Often, a concomitant necro-inflammatory component is seen that is comprised of polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltrating the hepatic lobule and associated with hepatocellular necrosis characterized by "ballooning" degeneration and intracellular accumulation of eosinophilic fibrinoid material ("alcoholic hydine"). Early fibrosis may also be present. ALT levels are usually less than 250 IU/L and do not always adequately reflect the severity of the underlying liver injury, which progresses to cirrhosis in a substantial number of these individuals. Alcoholic hepatitis, therefore, may be suspected clinically but can be confirmed only by liver biopsy (1). Finally, it has been been suggested that chronic consumption of alcohol may lead directly to cirrhosis, in the absence of a florid necro-inflammatory component such as alcoholic hepatitis, if early lesions with perivenular central vein fibrosis are seen (2). Little doubt exists that excessive chronic alcohol abuse (more than 60 gm/day) is a major cause of liver injury and cirrhosis in the western world. Liver disease may be more complicated in some individuals, however. For example, one may encounter a cirrhotic patient who abuses alcohol and in whom a prominent lymphocytic infiltration of the portal triad and lobule is found on liver biopsy. Indeed, piecemeal necrosis and erosion of the limiting plate may exist. These histological features suggest a viral component and CAH. In addition, a low-grade portal triaditis characteristic of chronic persistent hepatitis may exist in addition to the cardinal pathological manifestations of ALD mentioned above. Such cases were recognized more than a decade ago and were thought to represent a histological variant of ALD (3). In view of the paper by Mendenhall et al. (4) in this issue and a recent publication in HEPATOLOGY by Takese et al. (51, the possibility of a superimposed viral hepatitis infection in an alcoholic patient with liver disease must now be strongly considered. Recent advances in hepatitis B research have led to the observation that HBV may exist in the serum and


The present study proposes to evaluate the development of the institutionality in Ecuador from 1980 to 1992. The starting point was the return of democracy as the fundamental antecedent and axis of the most important institutional change of the time...


From 1961 through 1967, thirty two patients with congenital muscular torticollis was treated surgically at the Tamatsukuri Orthopedic Hospital.We examined fifteen cases of the patients, one year or more after the operation.The results obtained so far may be summerized as follows.1) All cases have not residual wry neck, but have slight motor disturbance of the neck.2) Two patients of 19 and 23 years old have had the asymmetry of the face and moderate motor disturbance of the neck. All others had good results.3) Partial resection on the insertion of the sternocleidnmastoid muscle gives relatively poor results.4) The asymmetry of the skull and face will correct itself as long as growth is present.


ADONIS is a portable data analysis package using the interactive facilities of APL. The system consists of modules which can be easily connected to investigate fastly and progressively the data set. The modules are multivariate analysis oriented and emphasize french practices. The dynamic organization of the system makes it easy to introduce new options. The package is described, a complete documentation is available.


ABSTRACT The extensively published models of the ESR process assume a singular value of the slag thermal conductivity and employ that value in a format which assumes heat conduction entirely by a phonon mechanism. In this work we investigate the possibility that the mechanism is a phonon/photon mechanism in a slag which is diathermanous. The conclusion is that such a model assumption better represents the practical behaviour of the process and should be used in model structures. It is also suggested that the concept has a wider application to other metallurgical processes which use slags having some degree of photon conductivity.


Here, we present a review about the quantization of spherically-symmetric spacetimes adopting loop quantum gravity techniques. Several models that have been studied so far share similar properties: the resolution of the classical singularity and some of them an intrinsic discretization of the geometry. We also explain the extension to Reissner–Nordstrom black holes. Besides, we review how quantum test fields on these quantum geometries allow us to study phenomena, like the Casimir effect or Hawking radiation. Finally, we briefly describe a recent proposal that incorporates spherically-symmetric matter, discussing its relevance for the understanding of black hole evolution.


Detecting area of radar(DAR) under suppression can reflect the battle ability of radar under suppression visually.The DAR calculated in theory may be much different from the actual one.In order to obtain accurate DAR,a method to adjust theoretic DAR based on an adjustor calculated after outfield flight tests under equivalently simulative suppression is put forward.Digital simulation is performed to validate the feasibility of the equivalently simulative suppression technology,and digital simulation for flight tests is fulfilled to validate the feasibility of the method of adjusting DAR.The digital simulation is preparatory and it may provide support for adjusting DAR based on outfield flight tests in the future.


This study raises issues related to the roles of Bhabinkamtibmas and the constraints of Bhabinkamtibmas in implementing restorative justice against criminal acts of persecution in the North Bengkulu Police. This study aims to find out and analyze what the roles and constraints of Bhabinkamtibmas in implementing the process of restorative justice against criminal acts are. This research is an empirical legal research type from the facts that exist in a society, legal entity or government agency. The results of this study indicate that the existence of Bhabinkamtibmas has helped many Police institutions especially North Bengkulu Resort Police starting from the early detection of criminal acts (pre-emptive functions), the process of preventing criminal acts (preventive functions) and the process of problem solving and law enforcement (repressive functions) one of its role is as a mediator and facilitator in the process of restorative justice. The constraints or obstacles of Bhabinkamtibmas in carrying out their roles from the internal of the National Police and the personnel of Bhabinkamtibmas itself are related to knowledge, skills and ethics as well as external constraints such as the lack of a legal culture or response from the public and the absence of positive laws governing. The results of this study suggest that it needs legal reforms that accommodate the process of restorative justice in order to improve the legal culture and effectiveness of criminal law enforcement in Indonesia.


Add‐Vision has brought a new perspective to OLED commercialization, devices, and manufacturing, based on doped organic semiconductor device chemistries and air stable cathode technology to enable low cost printing tools and flexible, lamination encapsulation. Add‐Vision's balance of cost, performance, and form factor are enabling advantages for new printed electronics opportunities outside of conventional high resolution display applications, and complex and high capital cost processing.


According to the experiment research on the relevant parameter which influnce draught flow rate.Analysis the parameter which effect on draught flow rate.Expression of draught jet capacity is taked out.


An electrically conductive surface strap contact (20) is in a DRAM memory cell (101) with grave capacitor (1) and planar selection transistors (2) a connection between a diffusion region (3) of the transistor (2) and the grave capacitor (1) fro wherein he is the diffusion region (3) at least partially covering horizontal and formed above the substrate surface. The memory node (15) of the grave capacitor (1) is at least one oxide collar (21) for isolation from the substrate-side diffusion regions (3, 4) enclosed. Directly on the oxide collar (21) lies on an oxide cap (23). An opening (24) in said oxide cap (23) which is filled with electrically conductive material and connected to the contact surface strap, leading vertically from the surface to the storage node (15). In an advantageous layout of an array of MINT memory cells each having an area of 8


This paper details the signal processing techniques used to produce novel speech metrics for the quantitative assessment of dysarthric speech. A number of different processing methods are used to produce measures designed to aid speech therapists and patients alike in therapy and the assessment of speech quality. The three measures also have the potential for diagnosis of condition and tracking of trends in speech.


Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening neurologic emergency associated with the use of dopamine receptor-antagonist properties or the rapid withdrawal of dopaminergic medications. NMS is characterized by refractory hyperpyrexia, altered mental state, dysautonomia, and rigor. If hyperpyrexia persists, it can result in multiorgan failure. Herein, we report a case of NMS occurring after metoclopramide administration in a patient with pontine hemorrhage, which was successfully treated with targeted temperature management using a surface cooling device.


For the inverted pendulum which is nonlinear, strong coupling, multivariate and natural unstable system, a clouds model controller is designed by combining clouds model with fuzzy set theory and applied to the control of double inverted pendulum. Based on information fusion technique, state feedback matrix with quadratic optimal performance index is adopted as fusion function to reduce dimension of the multiple inputs vector, and decrease the difficulty of controller design process. The simulation results show that the control method has excellent dynamic performance and strong robustness, and reflect the superiority of cloud model theory which combining qualitative analysis with quantitative analysis in dealing with uncertainty problems.


This paper considers the possible fields of cooperation between the Acoustical Society and its membership with groups interested in noise abatement on a nation‐wide scale. It emphasizes the fact that the ultimate objectives of acoustical research and technology lie in their application to humanitarian ends rather than in the advancement of pure science. Hence, there arises an obligation on the part of the Society to promote actively a movement directed toward the alleviation of noise in the working and living conditions of the community as a whole. Various ways and means of participation in a long range program for noise abatement are suggested.


Abstract Primary objective: To study predictors of community integration (CI) and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in a sample of Canadian adult, urban, multi-ethnic persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) receiving publicly-funded community services. Hypothesis 1 examined the predictive utility of age, ratings of disability, functioning and cognition for CI and HRQoL. Hypothesis 2 examined the correlation between CI and HRQoL. Research design: Cohort study. Methods and procedures: A convenience sample of community-residing clients completed measures with their care co-ordinators: Resident Assessment Instrument-Home Care (RAI-HC), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Quality-of-Life after Brain Injury Instrument (QOLIBRI). Results: Regression analysis showed DRS scores explained significant variance in CIQ and QOLIBRI. Correlations also showed that cognitive skill and ADL/IADL functioning are strongly related to CI and the Daily life and autonomy QOLIBRI sub-scale. The CIQ Total was not correlated with QOLIBRI Total, although there were some significant correlations between the CIQ social sub-scale and QOLIBRI. Conclusions: Lesser degree of disability is a key predictor of greater CI and QoL. The present findings suggest that rehabilitation efforts should focus on minimizing disability and promoting social integration and involvement to avoid adverse long-term effects of ABI for community-resident persons.


A new quantitative densitometric high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for the analysis of ranolazine (RZ) both in bulk and formulations. RZ was separated and identified on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates with butanol—acetic acid—water (6:2:2 v/v) as the mobile phase. Densitometric quantification was performed at λ = 270 nm by reflectance scanning which facilitated well-resolved band for the main drug (RF 0.56 ± 0.02). Response to RZ was a linear function of concentration in the range of 100–400 ng, with a correlation coefficient, slope, and intercept of 0.99912 ± 0.00017, 8.684 ± 0.582, and 492.147 ± 2.67, respectively. The minimum amount of RZ that could be authentically detected and quantified was 14.90 and 49.67 ng band−1, respectively. Additionally, the peak identities as well as the purities were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The electrospray ionization (ESI+) mass spectra showed the [M + H]+ ion for RZ detected at m/z 428.3 being acquired directly from the sample bands by an elution-based interface. The proposed method was validated with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, and specificity.


We will count the number of possible coalitions. In combinatorial terms we will count the number of k-combinations formed from an n-set under certain restrictions. In contrast to the usual definition of a coalition in quantitative sociology, our k-combination needs not to cover the entire set. We will discern among disjoint and conjoint k-combinations and among those with or without the empty set and the n-set itself as allowed subsets. Several relations to and among certain integer sequences will be outlined.


The fast Fourier transform is considered to owe its speed to the fact that a certain matrix, none of whose elements is zero, can be factored into matrices with very many zeros. This paper describes and discusses a procedure for explicitly carrying out such a factorization.


Ontologies are everywhere in today's discussion of knowledge related technologies, from the vision of an upcoming Semantic Web to routine organizational knowledge management. While some still deplore the proliferation of a formerly august philosophical term in increasingly mundane applications, others try hard to make sense of an emerging concept in systems design. The notion of (formal) ontologies has been adopted in artificial intelligence (AI) and in information systems (IS) as a basis for modeling domains of the real world and 'sharing and reuse of knowledge'. While AI embodies a cognitive-representational view of knowledge amenable to automatic processing, in IS design knowledge needs to be related to human activity in different contexts. Thus, the notion of formal ontologies is no longer sufficient. The problems associated with this have recently been discussed by Wyssusek (2004). The notion of situated ontologies has been proposed to denote world models used as computational resources. In this paper it is further elaborated as a basis for ontologies in IS design. Situated ontologies are based on conceptual views. They are computer-implemented as tools or media for organizing and accessing knowledge and adopted to facilitate work and communication in communities of practice. Depending on their function in the computational application, situated ontologies can be likened to user interfaces, data models, and object-oriented application models, thus motivating to draw on experiences from system development and software engineering. Motivated by examples from ontology practice, the principles of use orientation, flexible architecture and iterative development are recommended for ontology design.


Three nano-copper-coated iron plates with different thicknesses of the copper coating from 29 to 56 nm were prepared by sputtering and their adhesion properties to rubber compounds were examined. At the optimum cure of rubber, the nano-copper-coated iron plate with thick copper coating (56 nm) showed the best adhesion to rubber compound, whereas the thin copper coating (29 nm) showed the best adhesion to rubber compound at overcure. This may be explained as follows: at optimum cure, diffusion of iron to the copper surface in the adhesion interphase is dominant, whereas copper sulfide formation in the adhesion interphase is dominant at overcure. This fact was confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) depth profiles of adhesion interphases using Ar+ ion sputtering.


Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare disorder of choline metabolism reported in 6 patients since its first description 10 years ago. We have found 3 more cases in unrelated caucasians, ages 9-14yrs, with body odor of putrid fish. Urinary TMA concentrations were determined by gas chromatography of alkalinized urine volatiles. Basal TMA concentrations (ug/ml) ranged from 25-100 in patients. As controls random urines were obtained from 96 patients with a variety of disorders without regard to choline ingestion, including 51 children 0-15 yrs. 84/96 values were < 2.0, 91/96 < 7.5. Of the 5 outliers, 3 had vaginal disorders (14-27.8), 2 are unexplained (26.5, 400.8). The 2 TMA-patient mothers assayed showed intermediate concentrations of 10 and 21 ug/ml. For 2 patients, oral choline loading (50mg/kg) produced a several-fold increase in urinary TMA while dietary choline restriction markedly relieved odors. The third patient has not shown this strong choline correlation and is undergoing further metabolic study. We speculate that the incidence of TMAU among individuals with body odors may be much higher than suggested by the few case reports. Physician awareness and wider availability of the assay may help to diagnose and dietarily manage a greater number of patients with this repugnant odor, avoiding the sequelae of psychosocial disturbances and severe emotional disorders.


Electron emission from the surface of copper target irradiated with femtsecond pulsed laser (wavelength 800nm, pulse width 100fs) was measured at the atmospheric pressure. A tiny metal probe was used to detect the electric potential made by the charged particles. It was found that the energy of emitted electrons became higher gradually when laser irradiation was repeated on the same spot.


(Mr. Michalski, of the English Language Institute of the University of Michigan, has just returned from Peru, where he served as the English Teaching Specialist for the Education Division of the Institute of Inter-American Affairs. For the last four years he has been training and working with teachers of English in Peru, Chile, Puerto Rico and Bolivia.)


Objective To explore the prediction of bone-conduction of audiometric(BC-A)threshold in normal-hearing adults using multiple auditory steady-state response(ASSR).Methods BC-ASSR and BC-A were recorded in 20 normal-hearing adults(10 males and 10 females).The response thresholds and the behavioral thresholds were compared at 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 kHz to get the correlation and regression formulae.Results There were no significant differences between the men and women for the response thresholds.There was a significant difference at 4 kHz for BC-ASSR.At the other three frequencies,no significant differences were found.Pearson correlation coefficients between the response thresholds and the behavioral thresholds were 0.95,0.91,0.26 and 0.29 at 0.5,1.0,2.0 and 4.0 kHz.Conclusion BC-ASSR can only be used to predict the BC-A at 0.5 and 1.0 kHz.The correlation between the response thresholds of BC-ASSR and BC-A is not strong.


The discussers appreciate the authors and their valuable study, but consider it necessary to clarify the several issues to prevent misunderstandings and wrong evaluations regarding the application of the differential evolution (DE) method to the nonlinear Muskingum model. The authors state that they applied the procedure given in Geem (2006) as a routing algorithm. However, although the χ, m, and SSQ values that the authors obtained conform to the results of the study given in literature, the K parameter is considerably different. The routing procedure proposed in Tung (1985) and Geem (2006), also used by the authors, were coded in a Matlab environment by the discussers. When the parameters that the authors give as an optimum solution (K 1⁄4 0.5175, χ 1⁄4 0.2869, m 1⁄4 1.8680) were placed in this code, the values given in Table 1 were obtained. It is necessary to state that unit time was used in the routing procedure proposed in Tung (1985) and Geem (2006), and this situation was explained in the related references (Geem 2011; Karahan et al. 2013). The authors stated that they used the routing procedure proposed in Geem (2006) in their studies. In this case, as shown in the fourth column of Table 1, outflow values calculated forΔt 1⁄4 1 h are so different than the measured values that the measured SSQ value becomes 19956.4461. Outflow values given by the authors are only obtained for Δt 1⁄4 6 h; this value was calculated by the discussers and presented in the last column of Table 1. If the authors, as they state, have exactly followed routing procedure proposed in Geem (2006), like other parameters for the same objective function, the K parameter should conform to the values given in literature. This situation has to be clarified. Generally, the selection of the solution space of the parameters in optimization problems plays an important role with respect to solution quality. If the approximate solutions of these parameters are known a priori, then an optimal parameter value can easily be determined by using any heuristic or gradient-based method (Karahan 2013). Input and output hydrograph values are used to determine nonlinear Muskingum model parameters. Wilson data (Wilson 1974), which was used for test purposes in this study, was also used by many researchers in the literature and is a problem whose solution space was known formerly. The parameter space used for Wilson data in literature is generally K 1⁄4 0–0.20, χ 1⁄4 0.2–0.3 and m 1⁄4 1.5–2.5 (Kim et al. 2001). The authors did not explain which range they selected as parameter space in the paper. This is a significant absence in terms of testing analysis. Since there is no information about this subject in the paper, random solution vectors of the same number as the population number (NP 1⁄4 30) that the authors used were produced by using the solution space given above and presented in Table 2. Let r1, r2, and r3 values be randomly chosen as 5, 9, and 21, respectively. In this case, the obtained trial vector is (0.0993039, 0.314946, 1.374150) in the mutation step. The output hydrograph corresponding to this vector is given in Table 3. As seen in Table 3, output hydrograph values in between 84–126 hours are complex numbers and meaningless in a physical sense. SSQ value for the stated output hydrograph is −3.73Eþ 05-ð2.58Eþ 05Þi. The calculated SSQ value is also a complex number, which results in preventing the application of the selection operator of the DE algorithm and the collapse of the optimization algorithm. Routing procedure that will be applied for the application of the DE in determination of nonlinear Muskingum parameters must be different than the one given in the paper—or, to apply the given procedure, it is necessary to know the solution previously and to search it in a narrow range around the optimum solution. Undoubtedly, if the solution is known formerly, an optimization process is not required. Therefore, the authors must clearly state the routing procedure they followed and the parameter space they used. The discussers downloaded differential evolution (DE) code (Price and Storn 2012) and determined nonlinear Muskingum model parameters for three different solution spaces given in Table 4 by using the routing procedure given in Geem (2006). All calculations were repeated 1,000 times in order to reduce to a minimum level the dependence of the used algorithm on the initial values, and analyses results were summarized in Table 5 and Table 6. The global solution, near-global solution, and unfeasible solution expressed in Table 5 and Table 6 show the values of SSQ 1⁄4 36.7679, SSQ 1⁄4 36.7680, and SSQ > 36.7680, respectively. Table 1. Computed Outflow Values


The design of a mechanically simple TEon (n ? 2) mode filter for overmoded circular waveguide is described. The filter operating from 26.14 to 47.85 GHz, presents a higher attenuation to all TEon-modes than any currently available alternative design.


In order to research the energy characteristics of the new type,high efficiency,low head,large discharge,bidirectional shaft tubular turbine for a tidal power station,the mode test and numerical simulation were employed.The parameters such as the head,discharge,and torque under different conditions of positive and negative directions,turbine blade angles,and guide vane openings of the shaft tubular turbine were determined and used to draw the synthetic characteristic curve of the turbine model,which was compared with the numerical simulation results.The test results indicated that the positive and reverse efficiency of the turbine can reach 89.68% and 84.08%,respectively under the standard running conditions,which can satisfy the operation requirements of tidal power station.The test results were similar to the numerical simulation results,which validated the reliability of numerical simulation.In addition,comparing the prototype test results and CFD numerical simulation results,we found that when the designed point is deviated but the rated head is the same,the discharge variation caused by the changing of the guide vane opening has more effects on the numerical simulation results than that caused by the changing of the blade angle.


Performance of solar cells needs accelerated improvements. Optimized photon management is crucial for further improvement. By means of optical modeling light trapping techniques will be reviewed, losses discussed and potential improvements using nanostructures presented.


The MSME plays a vital role in providing large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital than large scale industries. It also helps in industrialization of rural and backward areas and assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. However this sector is continuously facing many challenges and the biggest bottleneck to this sector is the weak institutional financial support. Therefore, in order to provide more institutional finance to the sector, "funding the unfunded" and promote entrepreneurship and self employment in the country government need a specialized financial institution. Thus, Government has created MUDRA. The main objectives of MUDRA are to create an inclusive, sustainable and value based entrepreneurial culture for achieving economic success and financial security and more income and employment opportunities which are the preconditions for inclusive growth. Through establishment of MUDRA, this sector can be used an important tool to achieve financial inclusion and inclusive growth. MUDRA provides refinance support to banks and MFIs for lending to micro units having loan requirements up to 10 lakh.


A procedure is described for a simple and highly sensitive quantitative assay of various sucrose and glucose ester mixtures extracted from plant tissue surfaces and of certain synthetic sugar esters of commercial importance. The method involves staining sugar esters with Rhodamine B followed by spectrophotometric detection of the «complexed» stain. The only instrumentation required consists of a colorimeter, spectrophotometer, and microplate reader or, alternatively (for higher sensitivity), a spectrofluorometer. The minimum detectable level at A 550nm is 10 μg, while that measuring fluorescence is 0.1 μg. The stain does not appear to differentiate among sugar ester types


A new type composite of high efficiency sound attenuation was cured. The superfine tungsten powder, plasticizerand stabilizer are added into the PVC resin and blended in the mixing chamber of a HAAKE rheometer. The effect ofthe filler modification is considered in the composite cure. The properties of modified composite and unmodified oneare studied by SEM morphology viewing, acoustic and mechanical measurement. The test results indicate that thereason of the better soundproof and mechanical properties is the particle uniform dispersion and stronger adhesion.


As global warming, ecological environment imbalance and other adverse problems continue to ferment, people begin to realize the importance of environmental protection. The promulgation of low carbon policy enterprises try to improve the environmental performance of products, and Consumers increasingly favor low-carbon and environmentally friendly products. Environmental sustainability, product greening, and other issues have attracted extensive attention from low-carbon supply chain management researchers. However, enterprises pay particular attention to the fairness of profit distribution in the supply chain. When profits are not matched with efforts, enterprises can generate psychological tendencies towards unfairness. At present, it has been confirmed that green effort behavior and sense of fairness play key roles in promoting the sustainability of low-carbon products. A Stackelberg game decision model of two level low-carbon supply chain is constructed which consists of a retailer as a leader and a manufacturer as a follower. The impacts of sense of fairness and green effort behavior on the optimal decision in the low-carbon supply chain are comparatively analyzed.


Omowiono cechy petrograficzne gornośląskich wegli typow 31–42. Wskazano warstwy lito stratygraficzne oraz rejony GZW, w ktorych nalezy poszukiwac wegli cennych z punktu widzenia przydatności dla uwodorniania i koksowania. PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON USABILITY OF ROCK COALS OF THE UPPER SILESIAN COAL BASIN IN COKE- AND CARBOCHEMISTRY IN THE LIGHT OF PETROGRAPHIC DATA Petrographic features of coals from an the lithostratigraphic horizons in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin are discussed. The coals represent types 31 to 42 in the Polish classification. The analysis of Upper Silesian coals of the types 31 and 32 showed that mean content of intertinite is the lowest in the scale of the Basin (± 10%) in coals in the Upper Zaleze Beds (seam group 300) in the Jankowice mine. Petrographic composition is also advantageous for coal liquefying processes and the intertinite content does not exceed 15% in coals of the remaining stratigraphic members (except for the seam group 500) in the Chwalowice basin, exploited in the Jankowice and Chwalowice mines. In the remaining parts of the Coal Basin, the following coals are characterized by advantageous petrographic composition (below 15%) of inertinite): – the whole group 200 – Łaziska Beds (Piast and Budryk mines and the Miedzyrzecze–Bierun drilling area); – group 303–326 – the Orzesz Beds (Budryk mine and Miedzyrzecze-Bierun drilling area); – group 327–364 - the Upper Zaleze Beds (Siersza, Debiensko, Brzeszcze-Jawiszowice and Bielszowice mines and the Miedzyrzecze–Bierun drilling area); – group 401–406 – the Lower Zaleze Beds and group 500 – Siodlowe Beds, characterized by high content of intertinite; coals occurring in these strata, assigned to the Upper Silesian Sandstone Series, are inappropriate as a raw material for coal liquefying; – group 600 – the Poreba Beds (Anna, Rymer and Pstrowski mines). Coals of the types 34 (gaseous-coke), 35.1 and 35.2 (orthocoke) occur in western part of the Basin. In accordance with the present state of knowledge, 30% content of inertinite was accepted as critical for applicability of these coals in the coke industry and the content below 20% – as an index of most advantageous petrographic composition. Coals of the type 34 with especially advantageous inertinite content are practically present in all the mines exploiting the Zaleze Beds, except for those situated in the Warszowice–Pawlowice area and the Szczyglowice mine (where inertinite content equals 27 and 25%, respectively) and coal seams in the paralic series (Anna, 1 Maja and Pstrowski mines). In turn, coal seams of the Upper Silesian Sandstone Series are rich in intertinite, the mean content of which usually exceed 30% in the Siodlowe Beds seams (except for those in the Pstrowski mine), ranging from 20 to 30% in the Ruda Beds, and dropping to below 20% in the Szczyglowice mine only. Orthocoke coals of the types 35.1 and 35.2, with intertinite content below 20%, occur in the Upper Zaleze Beds in the Borynia, Manifest Lipcowy and Kaczyce mines and the Warszowice–Pawlowice area. Such coals known from the Lower Zaleze Beds yield 20% of inertinite at the average, except for those occurring in the Warszowice–Pawlowice area and Jastrzebie mine, in which the content ranges from 20 to 30%. Mean intertinite content in the Ruda Beds seams is higher than in the Zaleze Beds, equalling 20–30% in the Jastrzebie, Manifest Lipcowy and Kaczyce mines and the Bzie– Debina area and even over 30% in the Moszczenica mine. The seams of the Siodlowe Beds yield over 30% of inertinite on the average in the Jastrzebie, Moszczenica and Kaczyce mines and even up to 50% in the Bzie–Debina area. Petrographic studies on coals in the scale of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin show that petrographic composition is most advantageous from the point of view of widely understood coal processing in the case of coals poor in intertinite in the Orzesz and Zaleze Beds (Siltstone Series) whereas inertinite- rich coal seams of the Upper Silesian Sandstone Series, especially those of the Siodlowe Beds, may appear troublesome for processing in coke industry as well as in eventual production of liquid fuels.


Due to the limited bandwidth and transmission congestion of the vehicle platoon's communication, it is inevitable to induce time delay, which significantly degrades the control performance of the vehicle platoon, even resulting in instability. This paper aims to realize the fast computation of the exact delay margin (EDM) for the second-order vehicle platoon stability analysis. In this paper, we propose an analytical method of searching the most exigent eigenvalue (MEE) of the second-order vehicle platoon under generic communication topology. The MEE refers to the critical eigenvalue of the Laplacian matrix, which corresponds to the EDM of the whole vehicle platoon. Especially, the influences of the modules and phases of the complex conjugate eigenvalues on searching the MEE are both taken into consideration. By our proposed method, the inherent relationship between the EDM of the whole vehicle platoon and the generic communication topology is revealed, and then the computational burden of calculating the EDM of the whole vehicle platoon is reduced elegantly. Finally, simulations are conducted to demonstrate the correctness of the theoretical claims.


Firstly,the evaluation index system about the investment benefit of grid enterprise is established under the background of power industry structural reforms.Furthermore,the target layer is the proportion of investment benefit and investment and the sub-target layer is net capital investment,the net power main grid construction investment,the net distribution network construction investment and the maintenance and technical transformation of grid construction investment.These indexes are discussed.Secondly,the comprehensive appraisement model of the investment benefit of grid enterprise is established and the comprehensive appraisement method is formed according to the characteristics of grid enterprise.Finally,it puts emphases on an empirical study showing the model correct.


Objective To examine the clinical characteristics,and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for congenital horseshoe kidney and complications.Methods The clinical data of horseshoe kidney patients(n=10)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Out of ten patients with horseshoe kidney,ten were complicated with nephrohydrosis,five with calculi,and one with urinary tract infection.Prior to the surgery,all the ten patients received intravenous pyelography and CT scan.Five patients underwent Anderson-Hynes′ procedure,resulting in the alleviation of nephrohydrosis and the absence of symptoms.Two patients received the strictureplasty and the resection of ipsilateral non-functional kidney,in whom the contralateral kidneys exhibited mild compensatory nephrohydrosis postoperatively.Two patients received percutaneous pelviostomy and ureteroscopic lithotomy.The overall removal rate of calculi was 100%.One patient received antibiotics.Conclusion The diagnosis of horseshoe kidney depends mainly on intravenous pyelography and CT scan.The treatment for horseshoe kidney targets at complications.Surgical interventions are used to dilate the stricture and resolve complications.


This strong Norwegian paper by Kari Glavin spells out the central roles of nurses in the prevention, diagnosis and management of perinatal depression, and gives the necessary management structures for this public health intervention to be sustained. That the study replicates earlier findings from other regions of the world (Pakistan, Chile, Sweden and UK), and the work I carried out with Jenifer Holden over 20 years ago (Holden et al., 1989), is not surprising but should encourage and enable policy makers in Norway, with their enviable resources, to fund further studies of the cost-effectiveness of this service, and of the ethics and practicalities of universal national screening with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Furthermore to determine the optimal care pathways to the specialist perinatal mental health services, without which this municipality study would not have been feasible, or ethical. Other contributions to this literature have come from Elliott et al. (2001) and Gerrard et al. (1993). Yet several unanswered questions remain. Where precisely are the specialist perinatal psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in this care pathway? If they became disinterested in Norway, would this service flounder? How do the Norwegians manage without designated specialist mother and baby in-patient units for women with severe Puerperal Psychoses? Answers to these questions would keep the Marcé Society Biennial Scientific committee buzzing for many years to come! The Oslo paper also appropriately coincides with the first 25 years of the EPDS. Scandinavian researchers were amongst the inspirational pioneers at the forefront of infant and perinatal research: Bengt Jansson, for example, first welcomed me warmly to Gothenburg on my return from Uganda in 1974, and more recent community work in Sweden by Birgitta Wickberg and her colleagues has continued that Swedish tradition. Moreover, when I was visiting Tromsö in Norway, above the Arctic Circle, in 2007 with my wife, we unexpectedly met, at a local fish restaurant, off-duty psychiatric nurses who,


A Multi-Agent Tool Management System (MATMS) for automatic tool procurement in a supply network was developed and implemented. The MATMS realization involved the engineering design of an agent system that operates in the framework of a negotiation-based multiple-supplier network where an aircraft engine producer (buyer) requires from external tool manufacturers (sellers) the purchase of new cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding wheels and the performance of dressing operations on worn-out CBN grinding wheels for turbine blade fabrication. The main purpose of the MATMS is the optimized tool management for nickel-based alloy turbine blade grinding while operating in a supply environment made uncertain by external tool manufacturers providing unreliable tool delivery time responses.


Objective To review the clinical manifestation of primary central nervous system lymphoma and to assess the role of the Gamma knife radiotherapy in the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphama. Methods Thirty-two patients with pathology proven primary central nervous system lymphama were treated with Gamma knife radiotherapy. Results Thirty patients were followed up after treatment. All lesions treated with Gamma knife radiotherapy diminished in size or disappeared within one or two months after treatment,and the neurological deficits had improved dramatically. The survival time of the thirty patients after Gamma knife radiotherapy treatment was 1 to 34 months with mean 15. 5 months. Conclusion After diagnosis has been made of primary central nervous system lymphama,single or two focus can be treated by Gamma knife radiotherapy and dexamethasone. When the patient's clinical symptoms are improved,chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be conducted. The treating programme has less side effect.


This paper presents the investigation and improvement of an automated cryogenic current comparator resistance bridge's shielding for a stable and accurate operation in an unscreened environment under adverse electromagnetic interference condition


8′,8″-Demethyl manassantin-8 in total yield of 1.79% was synthesized from 2-methoxyphenol,succinyl chloride and ethyl L-lactate by a twelve-step reaction.The structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and MS.


We address the peculiarities of optical radiation absorption in a poly-layer spherical microparticle which simulates an inorganic/organic poly-shell absorbing microcapsule with a water-based cargo. By means of the finite-difference time-domain technique, the spatial distribution of absorbed light power in microcapsules of various sizes and internal structure is numerically simulated. We have engineered the optimal structure of a capsule that provides for light absorption enhancement and consists of a strong refracting transparent coating and an absorbing layer which covers a liquid core. The proposed multi-layer microcapsule prototype provides for a manifold increase in the absorbed light power density in comparison with usual single-layer absorbing capsule. We show that for wavelength-scale microcapsules it is optimal to use a material with the refractive index larger than 2 as an outer shell, for example, titanium dioxide. The highest values of the absorbed power density can be obtained in microcapsules with absorbing shell thickness of approximately λ/10. When laser radiation is scattered by a dimer constituted by two identical absorbing microcapsules the absorbed power density can be maximized by choosing proper dimer spatial configuration. In the case of strongly absorbing particles, the absorption density is maximal if the distance between capsules is about one capsule diameter. For weakly absorbing particles, light absorption increases when particles in the capsule are in geometrical shades of each other.


This article analyzes the significance of the 1977 California International Women's Year (IWY) Conference, one of fifty-six state and territorial meetings held ahead of the 1977 National Women's Conference (NWC) in Houston, Texas. The NWC was the first and only time that the U.S. federal government funded and authorized an event focused on women's rights. Utilizing primary and oral history sources, we examine the political mobilization of women of color and lesbians from California. We focus on the efforts of these minoritized women to reach their respective communities and to form coalitions with one another, before and during the state meeting, in order to make collective impacts at the NWC. We make three arguments. First, these California activists built upon a longer tradition of political mobilization within and across communities defined in terms of race, indigeneity, and sexuality. Second, the timing of political engagement by women of color and lesbian-identified activists with the NWC, namely in the late 1970s, challenges the temporal understanding of so-called second-wave feminism, which tends to focus on the 1960s and early 1970s. Finally, the range of political ideas and strategies expressed at the California IWY Conference and the NWC reveals the intertwining of various ideologies and approaches to creating change. The NWC was a state-sponsored political event, but the grassroots mobilization that occurred at the local, state, and national levels enabled women of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to articulate and advocate for their political vision.


Binocular parallax ranging is one of the important methods in the passive optoelectronic ranging. Here the image registration in binocular parallax ranging is mainly discussed, and a region-based fast matching algorithm is identified. OpenCV Block Matching algorithm and Graph Cut image segmentation method are compared for achieving the double CCD ranging system based on Block Matching algorithm. Finally, the experimental results were analyzed and verificated. The results show that the system is effective and practical.


The domination number for grid graphs has been a long studied problem; the first results appeared over thirty years ago [Jacobson 1984] and the final results appeared in 2013 [Goncalves 2013]. Grid graphs are a natural class of graphs to consider for the eternal dominating set problem as the domination number forms a lower bound for the eternal domination number.  The 3 x n grid has been considered in several papers, and the difference between the upper and lower bounds for the eternal domination number in the all-guards move model has been reduced to a linear function of n. In this short paper, we provide an upper bound for the eternal domination number which exceeds the lower bound by at most 3.


This article develops a supplier-centered approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in global value chains (GVCs) by answering the research question: why are suppliers in the Global South that are integrated into GVCs often highly skeptical of CSR? As CSR constitutes a vague and contested term, we undertake a short review of some of the most dominant CSR conceptions that have emerged in the last 20 years. We argue that these CSR definitions are often framed and promoted by key actors in the Global North, the home of many lead firms, in ways that overlook the unique challenges and broader circumstances faced by suppliers and countries in the Global South. We conclude by combining the key considerations of local suppliers in a more consolidated supplier perspective on CSR in GVCs.


A method using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) equipped with multi-angle laser-light scattering (MALLS) and refractive index detector (RID) was presented for determining molecular features of starch. Results indicated that the weight-average molecular weight (Mw), z-average radius of gyration (rz) and polydispersity index could be obtained using the Berry extrapolation method with a third-order polynomial fitting. The Mw (rz) of common maize starch, waxy maize starch, wheat starch, sticky rice starch, rice starch and potato starch were measured to be 17.94 × 107 g/mol (79 nm), 18.11 × 107 g/mol (81.1 nm), 7.86 × 107 g/mol (50.4 nm), 13.04 × 107 g/mol (62.9 nm), 64.3 × 107 g/mol (64.3 nm), and 7.73×107 g/mol (75.9 nm), respectively. This method can provide a convenient and easy approach for starch molecule structure analysis.


Pinhole-free Pd/Ni alloy composite membranes with a diffusion barrier have been fabricated on mesoporous stainless steel supports by vacuum electrodeposition. To improve the structural stability of Pd alloy/Ni−316-L stainless steel (SUS) composite membranes, a thin intermediate layer of TiN by a sputtering method was introduced as a diffusion barrier between the Pd/Ni active layer and a modified SUS substrate. The composition and phase structures of the alloy film were studied by energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray diffractometry; the typical Pd/Ni plating had a composition of 82% Pd and 18% Ni. The electron probe microanalyzer profiling analysis indicated that the improved membranes were structually stable. The Pd/Ni alloy composite membrane with a diffusion barrier of TiN yielded a high separation performance for hydrogen. The composite membrane with a diffusion barrier of TiN shows very good stability under the mixture gas of 50% H2/50% N2 for an operation time of more than 60 days. The ...


Abstract We show that certain criteria for selforganizing systems, namely thermodynamic control and structural specificity of the products, determined by weak bonding therein, are met by the photolabile silver halides which yield Ago n clusters on irradiation. Laser flash photolysis (35 ps pulse, 355 nm) of sub-μm, cubic photographic emulsion grains, AgBr and Ag(I)Br, dispersed in gelatin, leads to reversible formation of light absorbing transients assigned to these clusters. Under our conditions two unique values, or, at least, narrow distributions of cluster nuclearity appear to obtain. Nucleation and cluster growth occur at the grain surfaces, i.e. AgBr-gelatin interface. Further studies are required to establish size and structure of the clusters which evolve under these conditions to see if the criterion of modular construction, as envisioned in the clusters of clusters model1, is actually realized in this chemistry.


e15246 Background: Satellite repeat RNAs HSAT II belongs to an heterogeneous group of non-coding transcripts, namely long non-coding RNAs. HSAT II transcripts, recently found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), reflect global alterations in heterochromatin silencing and could potentially useful in tracking malignant progression in IPMNs. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 37 patients (median age 69y, range: 43y-83y) with histological diagnosis of IPMN (2010-2013) obtained from Pathology Departments of Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome. 19 were associated with PDAC, 8 with biliary tract cancer, 2 with colloid adenocarcinoma, 1 with neuroendocrine tumor, 1 with ampullary adenocarcinoma (intestinal-histotype). In 6 cases, IPMN was not associated with invasive carcinoma. Patients were divided into: low (n = 15), moderate (n = 13) and severe grade dysplasia (n = 9) IPMN. For statistical analysis (Fischer exact test), moderate and severe grade dysplasia were grouped as high grade dysplasia. A semiqu...


By summarizing and analyzing the main problems in the current development process of the Internet of Vessel (IoV), a universal architecture for software-defined Internet of Vessels is proposed and discussed in this paper. This architecture can meet the demands for heterogeneous interconnection, resource management, reliability and security, thus it should have a good application prospect and can satisfy multiple requirements of IoV users. Finally, taking marine rescue as an example, the advantages and prospects of software-defined IoV applications are clarified.


Abstract Sulfonated poly(oxa-p-phenylene-3,3-phthalido-p-phenylene-oxa-p-phenylene-oxy-phenylene) (PEEK-WC) membranes with various degrees of sulfonation (DS) were prepared, and their electrochemical and thermal properties were studied. Composites were formed by adding the hydrated phosphotungstic acid (PWA). The membrane (DS = 0.96, PWA = 50 %) conductivity was increased to 3.5 x 10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature and 6.0 x 10-2 S cm-1 at 80 °C. The composite membrane with a low amount of PWA embedded, showed lower methanol crossover in comparison to Nafion®. The addition of PWA increased the water retention of the composite membrane.


In Laos, the extent of rural groundwater use is largely unknown. This paper presents results of a study conducted in Champasak province, Southern Laos, to examine rural household attitudes to groundwater use and management; and to gauge farmer perceptions of the opportunities/constraints of increased groundwater use for smallholder agriculture. Significant differences in groundwater use, total cash income and perceived groundwater quality were found. Further agricultural expansion was constrained by insufficient labour and the limited area of individual landholdings, not by the limited groundwater supply, which was the preferred source to fulfil increased demands for domestic/agricultural use. There were no groundwater regulations.


The article describes the main factors in Russian mining-and-geological terminology forming, the function of intensively rising Russian-German industrial, scientific and academic collaboration in mining and metallurgical development in Russia in 18 th century. German borrowings in mining, geological and metallurgical terminology as well as German polytechnical terms are analysed. Terminoelements, indicating the belonging to the fields of work are marked, the term structure is analysed. German borrowing terms for nominating occupations, minerals and chemical elements, mineral deposits peculiarities, mine varieties, equipment and installations, materials, alloys and mining-and-metallurgical products are considered.


Studies over the past decade have shed light on how proteases activate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Two ENaC subunits ( α and γ ) have short stretches of embedded amino acid residues that inhibit the channel. Following protease-dependent cleavage of these subunits at sites flanking these


Method and system for functionalizing a collection of car- bon nanotubes (CNTs). A selected precursor gas (e.g., H, or F, or C,H,) is irradiated to provide a cold plasma of selected target particles, such as atomic H or F, in a first chamber. The target particles are directed toward an array of CNTs located in a second chamber while suppressing transport of ultra- violet radiation to the second chamber. A CNT array is functionalized with the target particles, at or below room temperature, to a point of saturation, in an exposure time interval no longer than about 30 sec. CNT'son a Substrate Chamber Transport Target Chamber


Hydrolysis reactions of MCl3(≡CCH═C(ArCl)2)(PPh3)2 (M = Ru, Os) were investigated. Treatment of OsCl3(≡CCH═C(o,o′-C6H3Cl2)2)(PPh3)2 with water produced the six-membered metallacycle OsCl(κC,κCl-CH═...


A S HESIOD contemplates the nature of love and the sexual sphere, he is beset with anxiety. Ambivalence characterizes Hesiod's view of femininity, on both a divine and human level, as he explores the theme of love in all its complexity through his portrayal of Aphrodite and Pandora. From the first, deception (4a1Tr6rq) appears among Aphrodite's attributes (Theog. 203-6), adjoining her smiles (get8gara) and erotic delight (ikpqjtq). Aphrodite is the irresistibly attractive embodiment of the sexual urge, and even when she seems an obvious good she retains a destructive potential. Hesiod, in fact, associates the sexual act with pain and a certain loss of control; love and its cares are said to be "limbgnawing" (Op. 66 yvto,36pos) and "limb-unnerving" (Theog. 121, 911 Xvo-L/8,XqA), physiological reactions which in Homer accompany sleep and death. I The irrational procreative urge is present from the beginning of creation in the vague figure of Eros (Theog. 120-22). In the feminine form of alluring Aphrodite, however, this fundamental urge is explicitly connected with notions of seduction and deception and becomes distinctly threatening. Although Hesiod names Eros among the first deities in the cosmos, he clearly prefers to treat of love in a feminine context, for Aphrodite, as a more striking symbol of love's ambivalence, virtually eclipses Eros in the Theogony and Eros is relegated to a position as one of her attendants (201). The complexity of the sexual sphere is mirrored in Aphrodite's nature. From the first, she is physical love incarnate and, like Eros, she affects gods and men, but there is always a disturbing, sensual concreteness about her. In fact, her very name is synonymous with the sexual act (e.g. Theog. 822, 962, 1005). As in the longer Hymn to Aphrodite where the goddess herself is a victim of the sexual drive she embodies, Aphrodite also appears in the Theogony as an active participant in the sexual union, bearing offspring to Ares (933-34) and Anchises (1008-9). The ambivalence of Aphrodite is further emphasized by her proximity to the goddess Night in the Theogony. The statement of Aphrodite's sexual domain (205-6) is followed closely by the enumeration of Night's offspring (211-25), figures such as Doom (Mopos), Death (0cvaros), Blame (M6toq),


In this article we describe the development and implementation of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) multisite Women, Co-Occurring Disorders and Violence Study (WCDVS), highlighting some of the challenges encountered, decisions made, and lessons learned. Four themes are discussed. First, the unique contributions of the consumer/survivor/recovering (C/S/R) women to the research process are described through instances where their knowledge and advocacy were clearly influential. Second, the solutions chosen to address research design challenges are recounted, as are the ways in which these choices played out. Third, the procedures for standardizing recruitment, data collection, and data management across sites are described. Finally, the strategies employed by the nine sites to retain contact with this challenging population are reviewed and successful techniques are highlighted. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 33: 411–427, 2005.


of solution. Table I gives the pH of the stored solutions after different periods. The solution with added phenol had retained its original pH and colour whereas the unstabilised solutions became more acidic and reddish in colour; traces of sediment were observed in all 3 solutions. For some years a more sensitive litmus solution has been prepared in these laboratories from the official solution by diluting, and subsequently adjusting the pH. Litmus solution is prepared as directed in the British Pharmacopoeia and 100 ml. of this solution then diluted with 150 ml. of water, just sufficient dilute acetic acid being added to give a very slight red colour. The solution is boiled for a few seconds then cooled and any slight acidity removed by adding dilute solution of ammonia until a purple colour is obtained, followed by boiling. The solution may then be stabilised by the addition of 0.5 g. of phenol per 100 ml. This procedure normally results in a solution having a pH of 7 to 7.5 but a more accurate adjustment may be made if the pH be determined during adjustment. Two drops of this stabilised solution in 10 ml. of distilled water gave a reddish-purple colour, changing on the addition of 0.03 ml. of either 0.01N acid or 0-01N alkali. A litmus solution prepared and stabilised as above (initial pH 7.29) was found to be stable during 3 months general laboratory use (final pH 7-24).


Heather Murdoch, Lecturer in Special Education at the University of Birmingham, suggests that the repetitive or stereotyped behaviours displayed by many severely disabled children, and which often cause concern to parents and educators, may be used as part of an educational development programme. This programme might focus on developing the child's social and/or exploratory skills, depending on the behaviours shown and the individual's perceived educational priorities.


A description is given of the research on a device to control the exit steam quality in the individual fuel element assemblies of boiling water reactors. A proof-of-principle device has been constructed and successfully operated using an air-water mock-up of a boiling water reactor flow channel. The basic theoretical and experimental work in two-phase fluid flow in support of the design was also conducted. (auth)


In one embodiment, a system, comprising: a first non-magnetic conductive electrode; a second non-magnetic conductive electrode; a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, the dielectric layer extending between the first and second electrodes; and first and second layers comprising plural pairs of magnetically coupled pairings of discrete magnets, the first and second layers separated by a non-magnetic material, wherein the magnets of at least the first layer are conductively connected to the first non-magnetic conductive electrode.


Compounds of Formula (A) and (B) are described herein and the uses thereof for the treatment of diseases, conditions and/or disorders mediated by sodium-glucose transporter inhibitors (in particular, SGLT2 inhibitors).


S A N D I E G O — Febuxostat was more effective than allopurinol for management of gout, even in patients with moderate renal impairment, according to data from a company-sponsored trial. The 28-week trial, Febuxostat vs. Allopurinol and Placebo in Subjects With Hyperuricemia and Gout, known as APEX, revealed that 4 of 9 gout patients with moderate renal impairment (serum creatinine between 1.6 and 2 mg/dL) who received febuxostat at a dose of 80 mg/day achieved a serum urate level less than 6 mg/dL in their final three measurements, as did 5 of 11 patients who received 120 mg/day and 3 of 5 patients who received 240 mg/day. None of the 10 patients with moderate renal impairment who received allopurinol, at 100 mg a day, achieved that goal, Dr. H. Ralph S c h u m a c h e r said at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. Phase III results from the company-sponsored trial on febuxostat for gout were first reported at last year's annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. The presentation at the most recent ACR annual meeting included data on more patients as well as on those with renal impairment; the trial was shorter than the earlier investigation. Dr. Schumacher's new report included data on 1,067 patients with gout and a serum urate level greater than 8 mg/dL followed for 28 weeks. Last year's report was on 760 patients, followed for 52 weeks. The new results were very similar to last year's. Febuxostat at a dose of 80 mg a day decreased serum urate levels below 6 mg/dL in the last three measurements in 48% of patients. A dose of 120 mg a day reduced the last three measurements below 6 mg/dL in 65% of patients, and 240 mg a day reduced the last three measurements below 6 mg/dL in 69%. The patients without renal impairment who received allopurinol received a dose of 300 mg a day, and, in those patients, the allopurinol reduced the last three measurements below 6 mg/dL in 20% of the group. No such decrease occurred in patients on placebo. Noting that the study's primary requirement that patients have all three of their final serum urate measurements below 6 mg/dL to be considered a success is a "rigorous and demanding end point," Dr. Schumacher also noted that 90% of the patients on febuxostat had at least one serum urate measurement below 6 mg/dL during the trial. That compared with 40% of those on allopurinol and none on placebo. Seventy-five percent of the subjects on 240 mg a day of febuxostat got at least one serum urate measurement below 4 mg/dL. Tophi of the hands and feet decreased in size in patients on either active treatment, but the change was more significant among patients taking febuxostat, said Dr. Schumacher, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Types of adverse events were similar in the patients with and without moderate renal impairment; dose of febuxostat did not have an effect on adverse events, Dr. Schumacher added. Gastrointestinal adverse events were most common and included diarrhea in 2%-4% of the patients on febuxostat and 7% of those on allopurinol. Liver function abnormalities occurred in some patients and were deemed to be the result of colchicine use, used to manage gout flares and of little clinical concern, Dr. Schumacher said. Patients in all the groups had flares, particularly those on the highest dose of febuxostat, though the flares decreased over time. Serum creatinine levels did increase slightly with febuxostat treatment. But those levels did not increase to any greater degree in the patients with moderate renal impairment than they did in those without renal impairment, added Dr. Schumacher, who reported receiving funding from the company that makes febuxostat, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Lake Forest, Ill. ■


Abstract: Two circuits have been simulated in the Optisystem 20 software. One circuit has M-QAM and the other has PAM-n. Both the circuits have been compared on the basis of Bits per symbol, signal power,Noise power, etc. The total power and noise power havebeen calculated in the electrical power meter visualizer.In both the circuits, PRBS generator is used to generate the sequence of the bits. In M-QAM,return to zero pulse generator is used and in PAM-n notreturn to zero pulse generator is used. The full width pulse is also known as NRZ (not return to zero) and halfwidth pulse is also known as RZ (return to zero). The main objective of the simulation is to get perfect Eye diagram in the Eye Diagram Anaylzer. The parametriccomparison of different types of QAM have also be doneon the basis of number of samples, sequence length, samples per bit and output power in dBm andcomparison is done by state of art. In the final result, itwill be concluded that M-QAM performs much better than the PAM-n as it is capable of transferring higher data rates. The different types of M-QAM and PAM-n eye diagrams have been plotted like 16-QAM, 64-QAMand PAM-3.


This article interrogates the Americanization/cultural imperialism thesis' presumptions about the textual encoding of "America" by examining the semiotics and reception of notions of America in the global hit television program, The Simpsons. While in recent years, the cultural imperialism thesis has been both questioned and revised from a variety of angles, often the key assumption remains that all American cultural products are encoded with a uniform and chauvinistic attitude that promotes America as a nation and culture, and that champions contemporary American capitalist values. This article examines both the text of The Simpsons and its reception by a group of international viewers, showing how, contrary to many of its televisual colleagues, one of America's most globally successful television products may actually be circulating a parodic-satiric suspicion of America and American capitalist values.


Conilon coffee and Robusta clones belonging to the Coffea canephora species are being planted on a large scale in Brazil, mainly in the states of Espirito Santo, Bahia and Rondonia. In Sao Paulo state, there is a large area provides the planting of coffee Conilon and Robusta. Thus, it is very important to evaluate those clones in this state. The objective of this study was to evaluate in Cafelândia, SP, the average yield and agronomic behavior of 19 Conilon coffee clones INCAPER and two Robusta coffee clones (Ipiranga 501 and 502), used as controls. The results led to the following conclusions: 1) the ten most productive clones of Conilon coffee were EMCAPA 11, 3V, EMCAPA 75, EMCAPA 139, 2 V, 13V, EMCAPA 120, 10V, 11V and EMCAPA16 with average yield of 63.2; 51.9; 48.3; 41.4; 39.7; 39.6; 34.6; 34.5; 32.0; and 32.0 bags of green coffee per hectare and per year, respectively; 2) the average yield of Robusta clones type Ipiranga 501 and 502 (controls) were 34.5 and 43.0 bags of green coffee per hectare and per year, respectively, and 3) the data from this study show the possibility of planting with success clones of Conilon and Robusta coffee clones in Sao Paulo, since the trees are kept under irrigation.


The energy‐sensing AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated by low nutrient levels. We showed that AMPK mediates lifespan extension by some dietary restriction regimens in C. elegans. Functions of AMPK other than its role in cellular metabolism are beginning to emerge. To identify novel AMPK substrates in mammalian cells, we used an unbiased chemical genetic screen. We created an analog‐specific version of AMPK that uses a bulky analog of ATP and transfers the phosphate group to specific substrates in cells. Coupled with mass spectrometry, this approach allowed us to identify 30 novel AMPK substrates. Our results indicate that AMPK phosphorylates components of the mitotic apparatus, providing an intriguing link between energy sensing and the completion of mitosis. Our findings indicate that AMPK coordinates nutrient status with mitosis completion, which may be critical for the organism's response to low nutrients during development, or in adult stem and cancer cells. These studies may also help uncover mechanisms by which dietary restriction extends lifespan.


A quantitative theoretical analysis of the heat capacity of metamagnetic shape memory alloy (MMSMA) is reported. It describes the peculiarities of the heat capacity of Ni-Mn-Sn alloy, which undergo a paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase transition and a magnetostructural phase transformation (MPT) from ferromagnetic austenite to a weakly magnetic martensite. Good agreement between the experimental and theoretical temperature dependences of the heat capacity is observed. It is shown that the heat capacity of MMSMA can be presented as the sum of three terms: (i) a nonmagnetic term describing the heat capacity of crystal lattice, when the alloy temperature is well below the MPT temperature or above Curie temperature; (ii) a nonmagnetic term caused by the martensitic lattice distortion, which arises in the course of magnetostructural transformation; and (iii) a magnetic term related to the magnetic ordering of austenite and martensite. For Ni-Mn-Sn alloy, all terms appeared to be comparable in magnitude and, ther...


Reaction of the hydrogenheptaphosphide dianion, [HP(7)](2-), with one equivalent of bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide yielded the exo-functionalized cluster [P(7)C(NDipp)(NHDipp)](2-) (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl). This species was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, multielement NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass-spectrometry. DFT calculations on the dianion were also conducted.


The transformation of China from a poor and egalitarian country to an upper middle-income country with the level of income inequality greater than in the United States has been the subject of innumerable publications. The Chinese transformation is a unique event in world economic history: never have so many people over such a relatively short period of time increased their income so much. China's GDP per capita in 1978, at the time of the initiation of rural reforms, was about $1,500; by 2015, it was more than $12,000 (both in constant PPP dollars, data from the 2018 update of the Maddison Project Database.). For comparison, UK GDP per capita was (expressed in the same units) around $12,000 in 1953, while its GDP per capita at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution is estimated at more than $3,000. Thus, it took the UK about a century-and-half to increase its GDP per capita by half as much as China did in less than 40 years (see Figure 1).


We study the dijet production in Randall-Sundrum model at the LHC with QCD next-to-leading(NLO) order accuracy. Our results show that the QCD NLO corrections can increase the total cross sections by more than $80\%$ and reduce the scale dependence. We also explore in detail several important kinematic distributions at the NLO level. Moreover, we discuss the upper limits of the KK graviton excluded mass range and the allowed parameter space for the coupling constant and KK graviton mass, using the experiment data.


Present methods of obtaining quantitative measurements of spinal deformities for the clinical assessment of scoliosis from routine spine radiographs are inaccurate and inadequate. Two-dimensional measurements are used to assess three-dimensional deformities. This paper describes a method of digitizing orthogonal spine radiographs and fitting to the data third order three-dimensional parameter spline functions representing the deformed spine. The method has been used for clinical assessment and monitoring of paralytic spinal deformities at The Hospital for Sick Children for the past 3 yr.


Intracellular thiols play vital roles in living systems, and their in situ monitoring is of great importance. Here, we report on a bioorthogonal chemistry based fluorescent probe, which is capable of monitoring intracellular thiols in living cells for up to 36 hours with an obvious blue-to-green fluorescence change.


Background:The study's objective is to investigate the perspectives of pre-service teachers and in-service teachers in the College of Education at Kuwait University about using online streaming media services as a facilitative and innovative tool for teaching and learning, and for professional development and teacher preparation.Material and methods:Five research questions were used to construct the questionnaire and guide the analysis of the data. Different descriptive methods of analysis were applied on the collected data (e.g., frequencies and percentages to describe/summarize the demographic data, and means and standard deviations to answer the research questions).Results:The study revealed that participants' awareness level of the availability of such services is considered to be low (M = 2.49, and SD = 0.57). Yet, their perspectives about using online streaming media as an innovative tool for teaching and learning, as well as for professional development and teacher preparation, yielded a significantly positive satisfaction level among all subgroups, with a high mean score (M = 4.5213, and SD = 0.27707).Conclusions:Thus, online streaming media prepares teachers and students alike for a marvelous voyage of imagination and discovery. No school can afford to be without this tool, which is a gateway to a new world of educational possibilities.


180 nm photomasks require resolution and CD control that is normally not available from laser based systems. This paper describes the new Micronic Omega6000 laser pattern generator targeted at 180 nm as well as results from the system. The Omega6000 uses an architecture based on acousto-optics that improves the CD control. A 0.86 NA lens results in a high resolution. A dose modulation method provides a 5 nm address grid using single pass writing. The system incorporates a multi-processor data path designed to handle complex 180 nm patterns without reducing the writing speed. The data path is scalable which allows expansion with increasing data complexity.


Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) may originate from a wide variety of explosion scenarios and progenitor channels. They exhibit a factor of ≈10 difference in brightness and thus a differentiation in the mass of 56Ni → 56Co → 56Fe. We present a study on the fate of positrons within SNe Ia in order to evaluate their escape fractions and energy spectra. Our detailed Monte Carlo transport simulations for positrons and γ-rays include both β + decay of 56Co and pair production. We simulate a wide variety of explosion scenarios, including the explosion of white dwarfs (WDs) close to the Chandrasekhar mass (M Ch), He-triggered explosions of sub-M Ch WDs, and dynamical mergers of two WDs. For each model, we study the influence of the size and morphology of the progenitor magnetic field between 1 and 1013 G. Population synthesis based on the observed brightness distribution of SNe Ia was used to estimate the overall contributions to Galactic positrons due to escape from SNe Ia. We find that this is dominated by SNe Ia of normal brightness, where variations in the distribution of emitted positrons are small. We estimate a total SNe Ia contribution to Galactic positrons of <2% and, depending on the magnetic field morphology, <6–20% for M Ch and sub-M Ch, respectively.


This paper presents a multi-stage software design approach for fault-tolerance. In the first stage, a formalism is introduced to represent the behavior of the system by means of a set of assertions. This formalism enables an execution tree (ET) to be generated where each path from the root to the leaf is, in fact, a well-defined formula. During the automatic generation of the execution tree, properties like completeness and consistency of the set of assertions can be verified and consequently design faults can be revealed. In the second stage, the testing strategy is based on a set of WDFs. This set represents the structural deterministic test for the model of the software system and provides a framework for the generation of a functional deterministic test for the code implementation of the model. This testing strategy can reveal the implementation faults in the program code. In the third stage, the fault-tolerance of the software system against hardware failures is improved in a way such that the design and implementation features obtained from the first two stages are preserved. The proposed approach provides a high level of user-transparency by employing object-oriented principles of data encapsulation and polymorphism. The reliability of the software system against hardware failures is also evaluated. A tool, named Software Fault-Injection Tool (SFIT), is developed to estimate the reliability of a software system.


Introduction: The incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Children in high TB burden countries are rapidly being reported to be affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of drug sensitivity among children suffering with TB. Methods: Known cases of pulmonary TB, with sputum smear positive for acid-fast bacilli after two months of compliance to 1st line anti-tuberculous therapy were included after gaining informed consent. Specimens used for drug sensitivity testing were either sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage. Patient age, gender, history of TB contact, and duration of treatment were also recorded. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.22. Results: Fifty children, 32 male (64%) and 18 female (36%) were included in the study. Their mean age was 12.84 ± 2.54 years. History of household TB contact was positive in 29 (58%) children. Among 1st line anti-tuberculous therapy, rifampicin resistance was highest at 33/50 (66%), and resistance to streptomycin and ethambutol were the lowest (6/50; 12%). There were 18 (36%) children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). A positive history of household TB contact (either resistant or non-resistant) was seen to have a statistically significant impact on incidence of MDR-TB (p value=0.03) Conclusion: Pediatric drug-resistant TB is a rising concern. Awareness programs on national and international levels are needed to educate general population regarding the importance of preventing TB household contact, especially amongst children. With the selected method used to identify mainly older children with drug resistance, the yield for drug-resistant TB was found to be high.


This presentation discusses using Z39.50. The topics include framing the "finding it all" question, a resource discovery service project, and update on Z39.50 profiles, and the next generation of Z39.50.


Abstract The principle "Every result in classical homological algebra should have a counterpart in Gorenstein homological algebra" was given by Henrik Holm. We give support to the principle. We prove that the Gorenstein weak global dimension of a ring R equals the supremum of the Gorenstein flat dimensions of the finitely presented cyclic (left or right) R-modules. We also show that, if R is a coherent ring and x is a central nonzero-divisor in R contained in the Jacobson radical of R, then Finally, we give the Gorenstein counterpart of the well-known Hilbert's Syzygy Theorem.


Abstract : High resolution optical measurements were made of a series of high altitude barium releases at Eglin AFB during January 1971. Data was obtained on the individual cloud motions (ion and neutral), morphology, and fine structure striation development viewed up the geomagnetic field lines.


The uptake of gas phase nitric acid by half‐micron‐diameter ice crystals has been studied at 230 K by measuring the nitrate content of ice particles which have been exposed to 5 × 10−6 torr of nitric acid in a low temperature flow tube. A cold NaOH‐coated denuder is used to distinguish gas‐phase nitric acid from adsorbed nitric acid. Ice particle diameters were determined by fitting measured aerosol infrared extinction spectra to spectra calculated via Mie theory, and their number density is measured directly with a CN counter. Under conditions in which the surface is saturated and not all the gas‐phase nitric acid adsorbs, the measured uptakes are 1.2 × 1014 molecules/cm² where the surface area is the geometric area of the particles. Within experimental uncertainties, this surface coverage is the same as that measured on thin films of ice formed by freezing liquid water. These results are the first quantitative study of the nitric acid uptake capacity of ice particles, and they provide additional support to the suggestion that ice and snow provide a route for the efficient scavenging of nitric acid from the atmosphere.


In [13], we showed that the structure of centrohermitian matrices and Lee's transformation can be used to transform the search for centrohermitian solutions of a rank factorization problem − at the core of a new demodulation approach arising in gearbox vibration analysis − into the search for real solutions of a polynomial system. Hence, in [13], we parametrized a class of centrohermitian solutions of the rank factorization problem that is interesting in practice. Despite its effectiveness, Lee's transformation can be seen as a black box hiding information on the resolution of the rank factorization problem for centrohermitian solutions. To get more insight, in this paper, we develop an alternative approach to the centrohermitian rank factorization problem.