We present a method for specification and verification of distributed systems that communicate via asynchronous message passing. The method handles both safety and liveness properties. It is compositional, i.e., a specification of a composite system can be obtained from specifications of its components. Specifications are given as labeled transition systems with fairness properties, using a program-like notation with guarded multiple assignments. Compositionality is attained by partitioning the labels of a transition system into input events, which intuitively denote message receptions, and output events, which intuitively denote message transmissions. A specification denotes a set of allowed sequences of message transmissions and receptions, in analogy with the way finite automata are used as acceptors of finite strings. A lower-level specification implements a higher-level one. We present a verification technique which reduces the problem of verifying the correctness of an implementation to classical verification conditions. Safety properties are verified by establishing a simulation relation between transition systems. Liveness properties are verified using methods for proving termination under fairness assumptions. Since specifications can be given at various levels of abstraction, the method is suitable in a development process where a detailed implementation is developed from an abstract specification through a sequence of refinement steps. As an application of the method, an algorithm by Thomas for updating a distributed database is specified and verified.


Heavy metal contamination is a severe environmental problem affecting global food production and safety. Heavy metal stress due to its toxicity, bioaccumulation, and non-biodegradability, it become quite serious in nature. The available strategies for preventing heavy metal contamination are not frequently used because of their inefficient and time- or money-consuming properties. Recent developments in nanotechnology have been made based on ameliorative strategies which have a potential alternative to physic-chemical methods. Under heavy metal stress, the application of calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NPs) significantly boosts plant biomass, anti-oxidative enzyme activities (such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GR)), and the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate and glutathione). Additionally, CaO-NPs enhance the gene expression linked to anti-oxidative enzymes. It can be suggested that CaO-NPs could be used as a potential chemical to reduce heavy metal uptake and toxicity in the plants grown under heavy metal contaminated soil. This review provides an overview of plant-CaO-NPs research in increasing heavy metal stress tolerance in plants.


The demands and needs for faster and low cost memories are increasing per individual day. Therefore, a higher performance DRAM is required by the market due to increasing bandwidth of networks and the rise of high-capacity multimedia content. Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) has continually evolved over the years to keep up with ever-increasing computing needs. The latest addition to SDRAM technology is DDR3 SDRAM. DDR3 SDRAM or Double Data Rate Three SDRAM is the 3rd generation of DDR memories that meets these demands in computing and server systems are used for high bandwidth storage of working data of a computer and other digital electronic devices. DDR3 Memory Controller is the interface between DDR3 memory and user. The memory controller manages the dataflow going to and from the main memory. It discusses the overall architecture of the DDR3 controller along with the detailed design and operation of individual sub blocks. To achieve high performance at low supply voltage and reduce power consumption, this work introduces new functions and describes their implementations. The focus of this paper is to minimize the delay and power and thus increasing the device throughput using pipelining in the design. KeywordsSDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memories), VHDL, XILINX. __________________________________________________*****______________________________________________


Silver(I) complexes of pyiridine-containing macrocyclic ligands (Pc-L) have already been demonstrated as active catalysts for some domino and multicomponent reactions. Here, we report new chiral [AgI(Pc-L*)] cationic complexes that have been synthesized and fully characterized, including structural determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes show a rich coordination chemistry, demonstrating both the σ-philic (alcohol and nitrile coordination) and the π-philic (alkyne coordination) nature of silver. The η2 coordination mode of the naphthyl pendant arm of the ligands on silver has been observed in solution by NMR spectroscopic experiments. 2D NMR spectroscopy revealed the presence of positive cross peaks resulting from rotational processes and the rate of rotation was measured by using 2D exchange spectroscopy (EXSY).


subjects of age 30 to50 years posted for Upper GI endoscopy were divided into two groups GI and GII of 30 each.Group I heard music which they selected through headphones for 10 minutes and Group II calmly rested before the diagnostic procedure. Physiological parameters (Blood pressure, Heart rate, Respiratory rate) and Psychological parameters (Speilbergers State Anxiety Inventory STAI) were assessed before and after music therapy .The behavioural parameter (Cooperation level to the procedure) was recorded after the endoscopy procedure. Statistically significant reduction in Systolic Blood Pressure, Respiratory Rate was observed in the Group I in the post music therapy interventional recording compared to pre music therapy readings. Diastolic pressure did not show significant change whereas Heart Rate mildly raised. STAI scores markedly reduced in Group I indicating they have calmed down. The cooperation level was substantially better in Group I where 60% were highly cooperative compared to 20% of the control group. We can conclude from our study results that music therapy could be employed as a mode of Complementary & Alternate Medicine (CAM) in alleviating the preoperative anxiety and musical preference of the subject has to be considered to obtain better responses.


AMBER, the near-infrared VLTI focal instrument, will produce a huge amount of data dedicated a large astronomical community, even not experts in interferometry. It will offer several observing modes, involving 2 or 3 apertures, of either 8 m or 1.8 m, providing various spectral resolution, sensitivity or accuracy. We present here the corresponding data structure and processing scheme. This scheme is designed so as to provide the observer with useful on-line indicators of the observation quality and to eventually produce calibrated (i.e. instrument and conditions independent) complex visibilities, for each observing mode. It will also enable the observer to re-do part or the whole data processing flow. Finally, the specificity of this data structure and data flow or, on contrary, its usability for other interferometric instruments will be discussed.


Purpose: To compare changes in posterior corneal elevation, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and corneal volume (CV) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK ) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low to moderate myopia by pentacam imaging Methods: In this prospective comparative case series, 105 consecutive myopic eyes randomly scheduled for LASIK (n=59) or PRK (n=46) in Farabi Eye Hospital, underwent pentacam imaging. Posterior corneal elevation, ACD, ACV and CV changes before and 6 months after operation were evaluated. Results: Mean posterior displacement was 4.55±4.12 µm (range: -4 to +18 µm) and 3.9±4.5 µm (-4 to +21 µm) in LASIK and PRK treated eyes, respectively (P>0.05). The ACV, ACD and CV were decreased in both groups but the reduction of these parameters pre and postoperatively in each group and between two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in posterior corneal displacement, ACD, ACV and CV between LASIK and PRK treated eyes.


Considering the three-dimensional wave effect of the soil-pile,the vertical vibrations of soil inside and outside the pile are solved by the method of separation variables.The coupled vibration of elastic end-fixed pipe pile in viscoelastic soil is then investigated.The complex stiffness and admittance at the pipe pile head are thus obtained.The influence of the shear modulus ratio,viscous damping coefficients ratio and ratio of inner and outer radius on the vertical dynamic impedance of pipe pile in viscoelastic soil are also discussed.


AbstractTwo new algorithms for hydrometeor classification using polarimetric radar observations are developed based on prototypes derived by applying clustering techniques (Part I of this two-part paper). Each prototype is defined as a probability distribution of the polarimetric variables and ambient temperature corresponding to a hydrometeor type. The first algorithm is a maximum prototype likelihood classifier that uses all prototypes attributed to the different hydrometeor types in Part I. The hydrometeor type is assigned as the prototype with the highest likelihood when comparing the polarimetric variables and temperature with each prototype. The second algorithm is a Bayesian classifier that uses the probability density functions (PDFs) as derived from the prototype set associated with the identical hydrometeor type. The posteriori probability in the Bayesian method is calculated from a combination of the PDFs and the prior probability, the maximum of which corresponds to the most likely hydrometeor...


The prospects for building practical automated inspection machines, capable of detecting the following faults in ordinary, everyday loaves are reviewed: (1) foreign bodies, using X-rays, (2) texture changes, using glancing illumination, mathematical morphology and Neural Net learning techniques, and (3) shape deformations, using structured lighting and simple geometry.


The paper examines the Mother's Health-seeking Behaviour and Childhood Mortality in South East Nigeria. The data for this study are partly based on the 2008 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), a nationally representative survey covering all six health zones or regions of the country (with particular interest on data from South East Nigeria); and qualitative data collected from Abia State in South East Nigeria. It was found that neonatal, infant, and child mortality rate is the highest among children of mothers aged less than 20 years. The result reveals that the education of mother has significant effect on her health-seeking behavior including attendance to antenatal and postnatal care clinics, choice of place of delivery, time and route of response to child illness and immunization. Mother's education increases the chances of survival of neonatal, infant and child. The result further revealed that both neonatal and post neonatal mortality was reduced by about 14 percent due to the use of Antenatal Clinic (ANC). Again, among children of mothers with secondary education and above, the mortality advantage continued into the post-neonatal period. The study concludes that the socio-cultural perception of disease, illness and death of children by parents in the study areas often run counter to the biomedical definitions. Mothers perceiving child diseases as caused by human agents (witchcraft activities), ancestral spirits, and breach of taboos than by infection, have their response routes affected and this leads to high mortality. The paper suggests that for the improvement of the health conditions of children in Nigeria, it is necessary to improve the educational status of mothers including health education to reduce ignorance and increase access to health care services. Introduction Infant and child mortality has traditionally been considered an important indicator of the overall social and economic well being of a country. Due to the significance of mortality in socioeconomic development, every nation desires to achieve a greater reduction in mortality rates. In the world, deaths of infants and children dropped over the last 25 years. The number of deaths of children under five fell from 15 million in 1980 to about 11 million in 1990 (United Nations, 2001). The rapid improvements before 1990 gave hope that mortality rates of children under five years could be cut by two-thirds in the following 25 years. But unfortunately, while progress slowed down almost everywhere in the 1990s, in Nigeria, infant and child mortality


We establish Poisson and compound Poisson approximations for stabilizing statistics of $\beta$-mixing point processes and give explicit rates of convergence. Our findings are based on a general estimate of the total variation distance of a stationary $\beta$-mixing process and its Palm version. As main contributions, this article (i) extends recent results on Poisson process approximation to non-Poisson/binomial input, (ii) gives concrete bounds for compound Poisson process approximation in a Wasserstein distance and (iii) illustrates the applicability of the general result in an example on minimal angles in the stationary Poisson-Delaunay tessellation. The latter is among the first (nontrivial) situations in Stochastic Geometry, where compound Poisson approximation can be established with explicit extremal index and cluster size distribution.


School going forward or even backward is largely determined by the leadership style applied in leading school residents. Principals who have the right strategies in transforming all elements of the school will be able to provide quality improvement and progress for a school. Achieving educational goals and improving the quality of schools is the duty and responsibility of the principal. The principal must be able to determine strategies so that this can be met. The strategy that can be done is to build cooperation by empowering all school residents for the realization of the vision, mission, and goals of education. When the vision, mission, and goals have been realized, this is an indication that a school is on a current that takes it towards achieving quality education. Transformational leadership eases the way for school principals to improve the quality of education. The focus of this research includes: (1) the principal's leadership at SDN Pasar Lama 1 and SDN Sungai Miai 10 Banjarmasin, (2) the principal's strategy in implementing the vision and mission at SDN Pasar Lama 1 and SDN Sungai Miai 10 Banjarmasin, (3) the principal's strategy in improving the quality of education at SDN Pasar Lama 1 and SDN Sungai Miai 10 Banjarmasin. The research approach used is qualitative multi-site type study. Data were collected through participant observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data analysis techniques used are individual data analysis techniques and cross-case analysis. Meanwhile, the validity of the data is checked by means of internal validation, external validation, reliability, and objectivity.


A murine model of aerosol inhalation, leading to sensitization to birch pollen (BP) and its major allergen Bet v 1, was established in order to try to influence type–I allergic immune responses via the mucosal route. We previously demonstrated that simultaneous inhalation of BP and cholera toxin, a potent mucosal adjuvant, induced a Th1–like immune response to the allergen in naive mice and modulated allergic immune responses in sensitized mice. In contrast to cholera holotoxin, mucosal application of the cholera B subunit (CTB) conjugated to antigen has been shown to induce peripheral tolerance in certain models of Th1–based autoimmune diseases. In the present study we investigated the potential of such an antigen delivery system to suppress Th2–based, allergic immune responses. Mucosal administration of CTB/Bet v 1 conjugates prior to sensitization led to significantly increased allergen–specific IgE/IgG1 and IgG2a antibody levels and cytokine production (IL–5, IFN–γ) in vitro. Thus, CTB coupled to Bet v 1 acted as an adjuvant rather than a tolerogen. On the other hand we noted that mucosal application of CTB coupled to ovalbumin led to marked suppression of antigen–specific IgE antibody levels and IL–5 production in vitro and thereby restricted allergic sensitization. These results indicated that the effects of CTB/antigen conjugates depended on the nature of the antigen. In contrast to Bet v 1 coupled to CTB, nasal as well as oral application of low doses of unconjugated, Bet v 1 prior to aerosol sensitization inhibited allergen–specific antibody responses of all isotypes, cutaneous type–I skin tests in vivo as well as allergen–specific lymphoproliferative responses and cytokine production (IL–4, IL–5, IL–10, IFN–γ) in vitro, suggesting that both T– and B–cell tolerance to the allergen were induced. Taken together, mucosal tolerance induction as well as the use of certain transmucosal antigen delivery systems might be promising new strategies to modulate type–I allergic immune responses


Abstract Hoare Logic has a long tradition in formal verification and has been continuously developed and used to verify a broad class of programs, including sequential, object-oriented, and concurrent programs. Here we focus on partial and total correctness assertions within the framework of Hoare logic and show that a comprehensive categorical analysis of its axiomatic semantics needs the languages of indexed and fibered category theory. We consider Hoare formulas with local, finite contexts, of program and logical variables. The structural features of Hoare assertions are presented in an indexed setting, while the logical features of deduction are modeled in the fibered one.


The traditional Square of Opposition consists of four sentence types. Two are universal and two particular; two are affirmative and two negative. Examples, where 'S' and 'P' designate the subject and the predicate, are: 'every S is P', 'no S is P', 'some S is P' and 'some S is not P'. Taking the usual sentences of the square of opposition, quantifying over their predicates exhibits non-standard sentence forms. These sentences may be combined into non-standard Squares of Opposition (an Octagon in this case), and they reveal a new relationship not found in the usual Square. Medieval logicians termed 'disparatae' pairs of sentences like 'every S is some P' and 'some S is every P', which are neither subaltern nor contrary, neither contradictory nor subcontrary. Walter Redmond has designed a special language L to express the logical form of these sentences in a precise way. I will use this language to show how Squares of Opposition, standard and non-standard, form a complex network of relations which bring to light the subtleties contained in this traditional doctrine.


In this paper, a RANS/lifting line model interaction method is proposed to consider the duct geometry in the design of propellers and tidal turbines. In the lifting line model, the LerbsWrench formulas are used for the wake alignment procedure. In the RANS solver, the blade is represented by a pressure jump profile. The blade loading is determined via a previously developed optimization algorithm which takes into consideration the effect of the duct via a simplified image model. An iterative procedure is developed in which the advance ratio (based on the ship speed) and the total thrust in the propeller case and the tip speed ratio (based on the inflow velocity far upstream) are kept constant. The procedure is tested for different cambers and thicknesses of the duct shape for the propeller case and different duct angles for the turbine case. The efficiency, inflow velocity and thrust on the blade and duct are obtained and analyzed. In the propeller case, the influence of different factors, including the blade number, drag-to-lift ratio, advance ratio and thrust coefficient, are studied. This method is proved to be reliable and efficient in designing ducted propellers and tidal turbines.


The author/narrator of Jude the Obscure presents Jude through omniscient point of view, while he portrays Sue from the perspective of Jude, limiting access to her consciousness. Author/narrator often echoes Jude's perspective on Sue, viewing her as "phantasmal, bodiless creature" and a spirit. On the other hand, author/narrator distances himself from Jude and shows Jude's misunderstanding of Sue and implies his biases. Author/narrator reveals Sue's reality by conveying her inner thought through free indirect discourse along with her dialogue and action as well. Because of the juxtaposition of two mutually inconsistent narrations, the novel seems contradictory. This incongruity, however, is not the result of Hardy's personal contradiction and division but the outcome of a well-planned narrative strategy. Hardy doesn't leave the apparent narrative contradiction unresolved, but induces readers to understand Sue as he intends, preventing readers from misinterpreting Sue. Furthermore, Hardy situates Sue within the historical context, linking her personal history to larger history of Victorian society. So Sue becomes a site for the expression of social change and its attendant social unrest.


Traditionally, maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) has been used to represent the maximum aerobic capacity. Presently, VO 2 max is used as an indicator of cardiorespiratory  tness, running performance predictor, to evaluate training related adaptations in healthy individuals and in patients with coronary arterial disease, detraining, mortality predictor and to evaluate sleeping disorder. Thereby, VO 2 max identification is important to evaluate the  tness levels in athletes as well as in high-risk groups. VO 2 max is measured via incremental tests (TI), usually performed to voluntary exhaustion. Although several variables have been considered in order to establish maximum e€ ort, the main characterization of VO 2 max is through stabilization in oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) during the final stages of TI. This VO 2 characterization during the  nal stages of TI has been termed VO 2 plateau.  eoretically, plateau refers to a stabilization or small increases (≤ 2.1 ml.kg.min) of VO 2 , even if loads are incremented in the  nal stages of TI. However, some tests are interrupted before reaching VO 2 max. In this case, the value obtained is termed as peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 peak). It has been suggested that plateau incidence may be related to athlete's training state, in which athletes with higher physical condition could tolerate higher levels of pain and fatigue and higher motivation to support higher loads in the final test, and that the higher intensities could be related to increases in energy supply by the anaerobic metabolism. Provided the relevance to establish VO 2 max parameters, previous studies used one additional test to con rm if VO 2 value, obtained in a traditional TI protocol, could be considered as maximum.  e con rmation test is performed until fatigue with constant loads and intensities near to the VO 2 max. For instance, Snell et al. performed the con rmation test with two intensities (95% and 105% of the maximum power in TI) and, in both conditions, it were not observed signi cant di€ erences between VO 2 in the veri cation test and the VO 2 max achieved in TI, even in the absence Abstract


This research aims to analyze the efficacy of using the WhatsApp application as a data medium in education. The procedure used is qualitative with a literature review research approach. The number of posts used as literature is 25 posts, taken from 2021 to 2022, and indexed by national and international databases. Posts in the type of daily indexed by the national database consist of 1 daily indexed by the Science and Technology Index (SINTA) ranked 2 or S2, 2 days indexed by S3, 7 days indexed by S4, and 4 days indexed by S5. In contrast to the international daily type as many as 11 daily. The results of the information analysis show that almost all report good efficacy in using the WhatsApp application as a medium in education. Some of the results obtained from the use of this application in education include increasing student attention, stimulating and motivating students in learning, making the teaching and learning process fun, good learning outcomes, education tends to be more efficient, and education is more flexible and not rigid. The conclusion from the research results is that during the current pandemic, the online education system must use the right method and safe media without compromising its quality.
Keywords: whatsapp application, literature review, online education.


This paper proposes a new method of solving integrated problems that consist of several sub-problems in a symmetric multi-layered structure, and also demonstrate the applicability of the method. The proposed method is named Symmetric Multi-layered Coevolutionary Algorithm (SMCA). The SMCA imitates partly the natural process of
endosymbiotic evolution, which is a special type of coevolution. The SMCA is applied to the process planning problem in flexible manufacturing system (FMS), taking account of the flexibility of machine, tool, process, and sequence. To do this, SMCA's components are studied and its strategies are developed to improve the performance. The proposed algorithm is compared with the existing ones in terms of solution quality. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our approach.


This paper presents a bi-objective approach for designing logistics network for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles. The first objective determines the optimal locations of collection points and treatment facilities, for collecting and processing of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, with aim of minimizing total costs of the system. The second objective minimizes risk associated with transport of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries for end users located along the routes of transportation vehicles. Proposed model was tested on illustrative example.


This research role of capital structure on the quality of the financial reporting in the companies accepted in the stock exchange has identified and evaluated. The statistics population of research, the companies accepted in the stock exchange in the Tehran and the research term from 2007 to 2013 is investigated. this study is part of empirical research in accounting and for the doing it of the research methods of causalcomparative and correlation have been used.in the research In order to analyze the data and test of the hypothesis of correlation test, the mean difference test and the regression model profit was used. By using of correlation test the person It was found which centralization ownership variables and margin profit and capital structure in the confidence level of 5 percent significant relationships with transparency financial reporting having also centralization ownership variables negative relationships with transparency financial reporting having and transparency financial reporting positive relationships with capital structure be having.


A novel biological species of Fusarium, Fusarium temperatum Scauflaire et Munaut sp. nov. (and its teleomorph: Gibberella temperata Scauflaire et Munaut sp. nov.) was described within the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFC), on basis of a robust polyphasic approach. The morphology, the sexual sage, the genetic diversity and its relationships with species within the GFC were analyzed.


Influence of the spin-transfer torque on the vortex state magnetic nanodisk is studied numerically via Slonczewski-Berger mechanism. The existence of a critical current is determined for the case of same-directed electrical current, its spin polarization and polarity of the vortex. The critical current separates two regimes: (i) deformed but static vortex state and (ii) essentially dynamic state under which the spatio-temporal periodic structures can appear. The structure is a stable vortex-antivortex lattice. Symmetry of the lattice depends on the applied current value and for high currents (close to saturation) only square lattices are observed. General relations for sizes of the stable lattice is obtained analytically.


Methods and systems for rapidly determining the level of platelet inhibition in whole blood, due to aspirin usage, with a single use arachidonic based assay device that can be stored at room temperature is provided. A lyophilized assay reagent that contains arachidonic acid at sufficient concentration to maximally activate platelets is utilized. An antioxidant within the same lyophilized assay reagent reduces the oxidation rate of arachidonic acid but does not interfere with platelet function. An oxygen absorber within the single use assay device packaging creates an inert environment within a short period of time after package is sealed. The assay device can have a housing with a plurality of channels and a common blood sample introduction port coupled to each of a channel of the plurality of channels. The assay device can also include a lyophilized assay reagent that contains arachidonic acid at sufficient concentration to maximally activate platelets.


The invention discloses a rainfall detection device which comprises a housing, a water container, a siphon and a camera. The water container inside the housing is connected with the top of the housing through a funnel, and the lower portion of the water container is further connected with a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and the camera are simultaneously connected to a data acquirer located inside the housing. An access hole is further formed in the side face of the housing. By the adoption of the structure, the rainfall change situation can be detected, the change situation of a surrounding geological disaster can be also monitored, and transfer is performed remotely to facilitate later reasonable taking of recourse measures according to the situations of the rainfall and the surrounding geological disaster. In addition, due to the fact that the access hole is further specially formed for the rainfall detection device, later local overhaul is facilitated, and the using cost is reduced.


In the framework of the stadtinfoeln project, the DLR (MS) is together with the ISB (RWTH Aachen) responsible for the prediction of future traffic states. Here we discuss and compare two different techniques for the forecast of traffic counts at specified detectors: a so-called fitted template technique (FTT) that fits a general detector pattern to the current traffic state and a method using a neural network (multilayer perceptron, MLP). Both techniques reproduce nicely the overall evolution, the MLP at a slightly higher precision, however at the price of being numerically less efficient. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.


Ideologues are quick to explain the current financial meltdown: it's the markets, stupid. Economists agree but add: it's politics too, stupid. Ideologues agree but counter: first and foremost it's capitalism, stupid. Economists agree but reply: §$%&?!, stupid. This is where this short paper takes us: it makes an attempt to give a brief overview of the economists' views on the ongoing financial system crisis explaining "§$%&?!, stupid".


With the development of the educational information,network teaching has become an important mode of learning.In the information age,to meet the new challenges of network and make full use of new technologies to construct a mode of 21st century higher education has become a hard issue for colleges and universities.By the survey of Blackboard network teaching in Hebei Normal University,two serious problems are found:lack of teaching activities and lack of theoretical support for network curriculum design.Then,this paper takes activity theory as the basic theory,elaborating course design,teaching activities and its implementation effect of information technology course based on Blackboard.It advances education informatization in colleges and universities as a meaningful exploration.And it gives enlightenment for the college teachers to construc effective network teaching platform.


The question of which identity, or combination of identities, most faithfully conforms to our core identity is a critical consideration for Christians voting in the EU referendum


Abstract : The overall objective of the research was to explore SiGe/Si heterostructures for optoelectronics applications. We have extensively investigated intersubband transitions of Si/Ge quantum structures including p-type Si quantum well, n-type Si(110) quantum wells, and n-type Ge(001) quantum wells. We have also studied many-body effects on the intersubband transitions. The application of these transitions for the fabrication of tunable normal incidence infrared detectors has been demonstrated. In the area of optical properties, we have also demonstrated a large Stark shift in type II SiGe/Si multiple quantum wells and luminescence from Si(sub m)Ge(sub n) superlattices. In the area of transport properties, we have studied the in-plane mobility of coupled delta doped quantum wells as a function of spacing between the wells. An enhancement of hole mobility above that of the Si was found due to the penetration of wavefunctions into the spacer where the impurity scattering is minimal. In addition to exploration of new devices, alternative growth techniques for achieving the layer thickness to the monolayer scale and doping control were also investigated. In the area of the growth control of SiGe epitaxial layers, we have constructed a gas source molecular beam epitaxy 5 stem. We have investigated the orientation dependence of as beam epitaxy. Selective epitaxy growth on SiO2-masked substrates has been demonstrated. We have also studied the role of surfactants for obtaining high quality coherently strained SiGe epitaxial layers and for providing doping control in quantum wells an superlattices. jg


Linear periodic time-varying filters are often introduced today in telecommunications. They spread the spectrum and can be used for scrambling, multi-user access or channel modeling. Recently, the authors have defined linear cyclostationary filters. In particular, this generalization has permitted us to take into account the random parameters of a transmission channel. This paper defines a new case of linear cyclostationary filter where information is included in the filter. We first recall the definition of linear periodic and linear cyclostationary filters. The paper presents then particular cases of these filters based on clock change. Thus, we introduce modulated periodic clock change. This filter can be used to transmit simultaneously an analog and a digital signal. We present the reconstruction method for the initial signals. We obtain reconstruction results in the case of the simultaneous transmission of analog and binary information.


The present invention relates to different uses, in cosmetics, compositions comprising an essential oil or a component thereof, preferably a majority constituent in the targeted treatment and prevention of benign keratoses, and more particularly radiation-induced keratoses sun on the skin of a subject. The present invention relates in particular compositions based on essential oil of oregano or rosewood, or on linalool, thymol and carvacrol. The present invention also relates to therapeutic applications of a composition as described in the prevention or treatment of keratoses without targeted tumor cell substantially in a prophylactic optics.


The invention provides a preparation method of microencapsulated flame-retardant ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)/PC (Poly Carbonate) alloy. The preparation method comprises the following steps: a, feeding the following components by mass into a stirring kettle to mix and stir for 5 to 10 minutes: 51 to 55 parts of ammonium polyphosphate, 31 to 35 parts of carbonizing agent, and 1 to 3 parts of synergistic interaction agent; b, spraying atomized polysiloxane diluent into the stirring kettle for 5 to 10 minutes, and standing for 10 minutes after the stirring, so as to obtain microencapsulated fire retardant; and c, adding ABS and PC particles, and fully stirring to adhere the microencapsulated fire retardant on the ABS and PC particles, and then discharging and drying to obtain the finished product.


Abstract The friction stir welding (FSW) process is capable of joining all aluminium alloys, especially 2xxx and 7xxx aerospace alloys, with good joint properties. Successful weld quality was obtained for a dissimilar joint 2050-T3 Al–Cu–Li alloy/7449-TAF Al–Mg–Zn–Cu alloy at 20 mm thickness thanks to pulsation of the advancing speed. This FSW dissimilar joint was post-weld heat treated: 2050-T8/7449-T79. The joint ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was 336 MPa, similar to a 7449 bead on plate with the same thickness. Moreover, the fracture location takes place in the 7449 heat affected zone (HAZ), the weakest point indicated by the microhardness profile. The 'pulsed' process induces an improved stirring based on alternation of dark and light bands, whose chemical composition is close to 2050 and 7449 respectively.


Previous studies have shown that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased stress fracture risk, potentially due to diminished skeletal adaptation. This phenomenon has been studied predominantly in high-activity individuals like dancers, athletes, and soldiers, so current data regarding the general population is limited despite the substantial economic and resource burden of stress fracture injuries within the general US population. Furthermore, our preclinical studies demonstrate that regular use of NSAIDs also diminishes the intrinsic ability of bone to resist fracture. To determine the association of regular NSAID use with stress fractures in the general population, we surveyed subjects presenting with either stress fracture or uncomplicated ankle sprain to assess their use of NSAIDs over the three months before their injury. We hypothesized that subjects with stress fractures would have increased regular NSAID usage as compared to controls. Subjects diagnosed with a stress fracture (n=56) and subjects with uncomplicated ankle sprains (n=51; control) were surveyed about their NSAID use at the time of their diagnosis and in the previous three months using a questionnaire based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects were surveyed in person on the day of their injury diagnosis or by phone within 30 days of their injury diagnosis. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significant differences in NSAID usage between stress fracture and control subjects. Subjects diagnosed with stress fractures had a statistically significant increase in both current use (p=0.03) and regular use (p=0.04) of ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib as compared to control subjects. There were no significant differences in the use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or prescription medications containing acetaminophen between groups. Consistent with previous clinical reports, we observed a strong correlation between regular ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib use and stress fracture incidence in the general population. These results indicate that any patients at high risk for stress fracture should avoid regular use of ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib.


Abstract Invasive, continuous measurements on dough and bread are generally prohibited; this partially limited full comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of different steps in the breadmaking process. After mixing, dough is highly deformable and instrumentation with thermocouples for the assessment of heat transfer (during freezing for instance), is difficult and dependent on the thermocouple position. During proving, invasive measurements may provoke dough collapse. During baking and post chilling, the fragility of the bread structure and the presence of water vapor in large proportion will induce a bias in sampling and further measurement. During the last decade, development and testing of continuous, often non-invasive, methods have been performed; this applies to freezing 1 , proving 2,3,4 and baking 5 . Nevertheless, in most studies using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) the direct relation between the MRI signal and the food parameter (ice fraction, water content, gas fraction, etc.) was not clearly established and only the raw signal was exploited. This paper will present new advances in MRI quantification in the breadmaking process. Examples from freezing and proving processes, and from bake-off bread and part-baked bread technologies, will be given. Such examples will illustrate the performance of such a tool for assessing heat and mass transfer, and food structure changes that take place during these different steps of breadmaking.


Split-half and retest reliabilities were computed on Comrey Personality Scales administered to 153 Navy Hospital Corpsmen on two occasions separated by about 5 mo. Corrected split-half reliabilities for the 8 personality trait scales were between .66 and .94, with an average of .87, on the first administration and between .68 and .94, with an average of .85, on the second administration. Retest reliabilities for these eight scales were between .59 and .74, with an average of .66. t tests comparing scale means for each administration yielded significant differences on seven of the eight personality trait scales, the Validity Check scale, and the Response Bias scale. On all of these scales, except the Validity Check, the first administration means were higher than the second administration means.


Phase and structural behaviour in the SmAlO3–TbAlO3 system has been studied in a whole concentration range by means of laboratory X-ray diffraction, in situ high temperature synchrotron powder diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Formation of the continuous solid solution Sm1−xTbxAlO3 with the orthorhombic perovskite structure (space group Pbnm) has been established. Peculiarity of the investigated system is lattice parameter crossovers resulted in the existence of three regions with different relations of the lattice parameters. Based on the results obtained, as well as an available literature data for the "pure" SmAlO3 and TbAlO3, a phase diagram of the pseudo-binary SmAlO3–TbAlO3 system has been constructed.


The transformation process from idea to product and finally to wealth creation is one of the major problems in the agriculture sector in Iran. This study used a qualitative-exploratory approach to investigate the barriers and the solutions, which were derived from the interview results of our study, to commercialization of research findings in Iranian schools of agriculture. The data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The results showed that the highest ranking barriers to commercialization were inappropriate perspectives and policymaking, financial-investment barriers, mistrust, and poor communication; the barriers related to the participation of the private sector were among the lowest ranking items. The top ranking solutions for commercialization were related to planning, legislation, policy-making, needs assessment, goal setting, and prioritization. The technical-specialized solutions were the lowest ranking items.


James Lang's Small Teaching is one of my favourite books on teaching and learning in Higher Education. The activities described in the book are very appealing to me as they can be applied to multiple settings, from lecture theatres through all sorts of 'blended learning' all the way to a fully-online environment. Importantly, they are 'small', i.e. easy-to-prepare and not-so-time-consuming techniques, and they may be able to improve the effectiveness of one's teaching without engaging in a major review – not someday, but Monday.


Thank you for reading the poetry of christian hofmann von hofmannswaldau a new reading. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their favorite readings like this the poetry of christian hofmann von hofmannswaldau a new reading, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some malicious bugs inside their laptop.


An investigation was made of the ratios of the intensity Idf of the singlet-oxygen(1O2)-sensitised delayed fluorescence of the zinc complex of tetra(4-tert-butyl)phthalocyanine (ZnTBPc), with the maximum at λ = 685 nm, to the intensity I1270 of the photosensitised phosphorescence of 1O2 with the maximum at λ = 1270 nm in deuterated benzene when excited with λ = 337 nm nitrogen-laser pulses. Depending on the energy density of the laser radiation (0.25 — 0.7 mJ cm-2) and on the concentration of ZnTBPc (0.06 — 3.4 μM), the ratio of the zero-time intensities of the delayed fluorescence of ZnTBPc and of the singlet-oxygen phosphorescence Idf0/I12700 varied from 0.01 to 0.2 in air-saturated solutions of ZnTBPc. The intensity Idf0 decreased fivefold as a result of saturation with oxygen of air-saturated solutions. The quantum efficiency of the delayed fluorescence was represented by the coefficient α =(Idf0/I12700)kr/(γf[1O2]0[ZnTBPc]), where [1O2]0 is the zero-time concentration of 1O2 after a laser shot; kr is the rate constant of radiative deactivation of 1O2 in the investigated solvent; γf is the quantum yield of the ZnTBPc fluorescence. It was established that in the case of air-saturated solutions of ZnTBPc this coefficient was approximately 200 times less than for metal-free tetra(4-tert-butyl)phthalocyanine and its absolute value was ~2 × 1011 M-2 s-1.


My childhood understanding about cod was that it was served either as part of an annual family tradition to be endured (in the form of lutefisk) or with french fries as the main event at a Friday fish fry. Beyond that, I knew that cod was, apparently, a common ocean fish. As I grew older, I picked up a few more tidbits, such as when the collapse of a cod fishery was reported in the media. Cod: A Global History by Elizabeth Townsend has expanded my knowledge and appreciation about this important species of fish, the Atlantic cod. Cod, published by Reaktion Books, is a recent entry in their "Edible" series. On their website, Reaktion described "Edible" as a series "... on food and drink which explores the rich history of man's consumption. Each book provides an outline for one type of food or drink, revealing its history and culture on a global scale." There are more than 90 titles in the series, including books about apples, edible insects, and whiskey. The author, Elisabeth Townsend, is based in New England and has been writing about food, travel, and wine for more than 20 years. This is her second book in the "Edible" series. Cod is organized into six chapters, a section on recipes, a select bibliography, a listing of websites and associations, acknowledgements and photo acknowledgements, and an index. Chapter 1 is titled "What is a Cod?" and covers Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) biology, ecology, and food habits. It also is a stage-setter for other topics that will be further developed later in the book, such as the relationships between Viking explorations and dried cod, Basques and salted cod, and the impacts of the global commerce in cod. The biology of cod, e.g., its reproductive systems and abundance, helps inform the cultural aspects throughout the remainder of the book. Chapter 2 ("Cod Fueled the Age of Discovery, 500–1500"), discusses how increasing European populations outstripped agricultural production and helped make fish a more important component of European diets. Viking explorations introduced preserved cod to other areas in Europe and Asia. As local fish stocks became depleted, nations either had to explore for new fish stock or purchase fish from others. Those needs and the establishment of the Hanseatic League contributed to cod being the first large-scale commercialized fish. "Cod Wars and the Expansion of Fishing, 1500–1976" (Chapter 3) goes into how different stocks of cod were found and conflicts that arose between different nations to control those stocks. The author writes about cod fishing seasons and methods that varied by location. She describes how different nations have different taste preferences in preserved cod, with some favoring more salt and others with less. Townsend has a lengthy section on northern New England fishing and a shorter section on the slave trade and cod. She finishes the chapter with the long history of "cod wars" especially in the vicinity of Iceland. The fourth chapter, "Trade Carries Cod Across the Globe, 1490–1970," starts with how the love southern Nigerians have with stockfish originated about 50 years ago when Norway sent dried cod as aid during the Nigerian Civil War. As Portugal established and expanded their empire starting in the 1400s, they set up new colonies and trading posts and created new culinary traditions in Africa, Asia, and South America. In addition to bringing in salt cod, the Portuguese also introduced New World foods, like maize and potatoes, to their African and Asian colonies. Local cultures, of course, took all of these new ingredients to create their own dishes. Townsend describes favored cod parts and preparations in a range of countries, such as lye-soaked lutefisk in Scandinavia. The author concludes that cod has been a critical food source in international trade since at


In its recently published draft on an Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC in its Spanish acronym), the Spanish government outlines the main elements of the design of RES-E auctions for the 2021-2030 period. Th e aim of this paper is to compare the design of the future auctions with past auctions in Spain (organized in 2016 and 2017) and with the international experiences, and to assess their advantages and drawbacks. In addition to eff ectiveness and minimization of support costs (which were also goals in the previous auctions), promotion of actor diversity and fl exibility of dispatch are explicitly mentioned as government goals. It is found out that the main design choices of the future auctions, as envisaged in the PNIEC, entail a rupture with the auctions which were organized in the past in Spain. In general, they will be less complex and more aligned with the international experiences than the previous auctions. In particular, organizing auctions within a medium and long-term energy planning strategy and a multiannual schedule of auctions, auctioning and remunerating generation and not capacity and explicitly promoting technological and actor diversity imply a key departure with respect to previous auctions and are deemed appropriate choices. However, many details on the design elements are still unknown, as they will be provided in future pieces of legislation. 1 . Introduction Spain was traditionally regarded as a world-class model in the support of electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-E). Th is was so from the late 1990s until the solar PV boom in 2008, which led to a ten-fold increase in the total support costs for this technology and, then, to retroactive cuts and a moratorium on support in 2012. For years, no support scheme was applied. Th is situation ended up in January 2016, with the organization of two auctions for wind and biomass, followed by two more auctions in May and July 2017. 8700 MW, at a zero support level, were awarded in these three auctions. All the projects should be built by the end of 2019. However, in its recently published Integrated Energy and Climate Change Plan (PNIEC, in its Spanish acronym), the government outlines the main elements of the design of RES-E auctions in the 2030 timeframe, which involves substantial changes with respect to those with a 2020 horizon. Th e aim of this paper is to compare the design of the future auctions with past auctions in Spain (organized in 2016 and 2017) and with the international experiences, and to assess their advantages and drawbacks. It is a common perception that the success of RES-E support in general and RES-E auctions in particular depends on the choice of design elements. And a given design is contingent upon several factors, 1 9 0 7 0 9 _ re lp _ b in n e n we rk_ vo l9 _ issue 3 _ july_ 2 0 1 9 .in d d 3 9 2 6 -7 -2 0 1 9 1 5 :1 9 :2 7 R E LP V o lu m e 9 I ss ue 3 | Ju ly 2 0 19 40 | The future design of renewable electr icity auctions in Spain. including government goals at the time and the socioeconomic and institutional context in which auctions are adopted. Th erefore, this paper adds to the literature by identifying such design and design context in a given setting, i.e., Spain. Accordingly, the paper is structured as follows. Th e next section provides a brief background on the features which infl uenced the design of the RES-E auctions in Spain, including institutional and socioeconomic features and government goals. Section 3 describes the main design elements envisaged for auctions in the 2021-2030 period, comparing them to previous auctions (in 2016 and 2017) and to the international experiences, and discussing their advantages and drawbacks. Section 4 concludes. 2. Background: context and goals of RES-E auctions in Spain Auctions for RES do not stand in a vacuum. Th ey are an instrument to meet government goals, rather than an end in themselves. And they coexist with other instruments, with which they interact in complementary, synergistic or confl icting ways. Th ey are adopted in a given socioeconomic, institutional and technological context and are thus partly conditioned by it. Th erefore, when discussing auction design, such broader context in which auctions are implemented, including the goals of the government when designing them, should be taken into account. In addition to structural characteristics of the Spanish electricity market/system, the design of the 2016-2017 auctions was infl uenced by a still high tariff defi cit, relatively high retail prices, the need to comply with the 2020 RES targets and the very particular features of the Spanish electricity law (Law 413/2014)(see del Río, 2016, 2017a). Spain is basically an electricity island with limited interconnections with other countries and has had a considerable overcapacity in electricity generation (del Río and Janeiro 2016). In 2012, the government established a moratorium on RES-E and, since then, only 1800 MW were added until 2015, of which 1000 MW corresponded to large hydro and only 281 and 129 MW to wind and PV, respectively. In 2015, there were 51749 MW of renewable energy installed capacity, including large hydro. In other words, the additions between 2012 and 2015 represented 3% of the total installed capacity in 2015. However, the country had a comparatively high penetration of RES and, at the time, it was in a good compliance path with its 2020 RES targets (20% in 2020).1 Retail electricity prices were higher than the EU average and the country was hard hit by a deep economic crisis.2 Th e tariff defi cit, the large increase in the costs of RES-E support and a sluggish electricity demand in the context of a deep economic crisis were the factors leading the government to stop support for new RES-E installations in 2012 (see the explanatory memorandum of Royal Decree Law 1/2012)(del Río 2017a). Th e Renewable Energy Plan (PER) 2011-2020 aims to achieve a penetration of RES of 20.8% of gross energy consumption by 2020 (a share of 39% of total electricity consumption). Th is compares to a 32% share of RES in electricity generation in 2017, mostly wind (18%) and hydro (7%), with solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and biomass accounting for the rest.3 Th e main goals of the auctions were eff ectiveness (i.e., that the projects were actually built) and minimization of support costs, i.e. to comply with the 2020 targets at the lowest support costs in order to reduce the tariff defi cit. Th e design of the 2016-2017 auctions was strongly infl uenced by the particular features of the regulatory package approved in 2013/2014, including the existing electricity Law, which tried to ensure the fi nancial stability of the electricity system and to contain the increasing tariff defi cit in the previous years. Th is regulatory framework, which is quite complex and does not have an international precedent, is summarised in the following box and fully described in del Río et al. (2015c). * Pablo del Río: Institute for Public Policies and Goods, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científi cas (CSIC). Madrid 28037, Spain. pablo.delrio@csic.


In this paper, we present a new more efficient Nystrom approximation method for boundary integral equations in a polygonal domain on the plane and show that this is not only a high convergent order and more simple method but also an adaptive one.


GPR borehole surveys provide important spatial data on the geological structures within mines. In this paper we want to show how the spatial relationships of complex geological structures are determined in a repository for radioactive waste in salt. Whether a discontinuity within a stratigraphic sequence can be detected depends on differences in the conductivity and permittivity of the geological units. In contrast to data treated in half-space, it is important to record and interpret the data of borehole radar measurements not only as a function of distance but also as a function of direction. The authors have developed GPR instruments and methods for interpreting directional data. Because the wave propagation velocity is known, the data can be a migrated in space by reconstructing the wave front. This allows the construction of reflection horizons that can be precisely oriented spatially. Case studies of GPR borehole measurements to locate anhydrite structures in salt mines will be used to illustrate the value of this method for efficient reconnaissance. The methods for interpreting the reflectors in terms of their geological meaning and for representing them in three-dimensions are discussed. Three-dimensional interpretation allows geologists and miners to better target their activities with greater safety.


A fastener member which can be suitably used to make the fixed line connected to the hand rail provided on the structure of the hypothesis the construction site for the purpose of the anti-fall of the worker or the holding material is disclosed. It said member fastener may be provided with a connecting portion for connecting and fixed to the first member state, the fixing portion and the distance to leave the deployed escape prevention part and the fixing part and the escape prevention part receiving the one side of the second member and it is opened upward in the longitudinal direction of the first member, and wherein said high is inserted in the supporting member and the wedge member engagement groove that the government or the fixing side of the wedge member along an edge binding groove of the connecting portion is formed in the second member to the phenomenon that a safety net is torn because it has a configuration including a wedge member, holding, etc. the support member is a wedge member in close contact with the member to be securely fixed that given slide towards parts the departure-avoiding to become a second member fixed can be prevented, it is provided with a projection protruding in a rear wedge members has the advantage that the wedge member does not fall easily .


Summary 1. Locusts were fastened to a force transducer in front of a wind tunnel to measure their lift and thrust during tethered flight heading into the wind. The thrust measurement was used to adapt the wind speed to the flight speed of the animals. Thus, the locusts could choose their flight speed freely in the range 0.5- 7ms- 1 . 2. At light intensities of about 0.02 lx (twilight), the locusts generally produced a maximum lift greater than 100% of their body weight. 3. A miniature motor mounted on the force transducer could alter the body angle of the locusts without further interference. Lift was found to be influenced by body angle. No 'constant-lift reaction' evoked by exteroceptive information of the aerodynamic flow was found. 4. Flight speed was almost independent of the imposed body angle. 5. Generally, a flight speed of about 3 ms" 1 was necessary for level flight. There


The current study examined predictors of undergraduate science students' intentions to attend graduate school and participate in undergraduate research. We used social cognitive career theory to test our hypothesized model using a sample (N = 411) of life science and physical science majors and examined basic interests in these disciplines as mediating variables. Among life science majors, results of structural equation modeling indicated that microbiology interest mediated the relationship between scientific self-efficacy (SSE) and graduate education intentions (GEIs) and the latter variable also mediated the relationship between microbiology interest and undergraduate research intentions (URIs). The model for physical science majors did not provide a good fit to the data, therefore path coefficients associated with this model were not interpreted. Implications for counseling interventions based on patterns of career intention formation in the life and physical sciences are discussed.


Objective:To assess the computed tomography(CT)features of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura(SFTPs),to improve the knowledge and diagnostic accuracy.Methods:The CT features and clinical findings of 33 patients with solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura were reviewed retrospectively by two independent thoracic radiologists.Of the 33 cases,24underwent contrast enhanced CT scans,12 underwent plain CT scanning,3of 33 cases underwent both plain and contrast enhanced CT.Results:35SFTPs were identified in 33 patients,since 2of the patients presented 2lesions respectively.The locations of the lesions were as follows,originating from the lateral pleura in 14 cases,to the mediastinal pleura in 12 cases,to the diaphragmatic pleura in 7cases,and to the fissural pleura in 2cases.Most(32,91.4%)of the 35 lesions were located either in the middle or in the inferior chest.The sizes of the 35 lesions ranged from 1.0to 19.0cm(median,7.7cm).15 lesions were larger than 10.0cm and 3were smaller than 3.0cm.Of the 13 lesions in 12 patients who underwent plain CT examinations(1patient presented 2lesions),homogeneous attenuation was found in 6cases(610.0cm)and heterogeneous attenuation in others(5≥10.0cm).In the 26 lesions found in 24 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT examinations(2patients were found with 2lesions respectively),homogeneous attenuation was found in 6lesions and heterogeneous with maplike pattern was found in 19 lesions,among which 13 lesions were with serpiginous vessels(8≥10.0cm),and another lesion was with serpiginous vessels only.Larger lesions(≥10.0cm)tended to have a higher incidence of necrosis or cystic degeneration(90.9%,10/11,P=0.000),or intralesional calcifications(71.4%,5/7).4malignant lesions(11.4%,4/33)were confirmed in 3patients,in which 3lesions had necrosis,cystic change,or calcifications,and evidence of tumor invasion to the adjacent structure was seen in 3malignant lesions.Conclusion:Certain characteristic CT features could be identified in SFTPs.Tumors invading the adjacent structure might suggest the malignant behavior in some SFTPs.


After we analyze, historically and from the side of the science of Teaching, the catalytic role played by the school book from the Middle Ages to the present day in the educational systems of most – mainly western – countries, we provide an overview of the research projects and studies relating to school books, we comment on the perceptions, prevailing among a substantial portion of the scientific community, about the important socializing effect of school books on students through the content of the texts included in their pages, and, finally, we suggest some goals and a certain methodological orientation that every research project regarding the teaching and educational function of school manuals should exhibit, explaining that its key component should be its focus on the communicative relationship of these books with the students who are their readers, the way that the latter use them and the frequency with which they use them.


Reaction of pol(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with superoxide anion was carried out in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution at 40°C under nitrogen and changes in the yield of recovered polymer, molecular weight, and chemical structure were examined. Appreciable decreases in the yield of recovered polymer and molecular weight were observed during the reaction, which indicated that a main chain scission of the polymer had occurred. Residual acetyl groups identified by the absorption peaks at ca. 1720 and 1250 cm−1 in infrared (IR) spectra were removed rapidly and β-diketone groups identified by the peaks at ca. 1640 and 1560 cm−1 in IR spectra and at ca. 255 nm in ultraviolet (UV) spectra were formed during the reaction. Formation of carboxylate groups was also assumed. The reaction mechanism was discussed on the basis of the results obtained.


The study examines emergency contraception (EC) knowledge, awareness, perceptions, and prior use and identifies predictors of EC use among a sample of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The majority (66.2%) of 154 survivors at risk of pregnancy reported EC awareness, only 15.3% reported prior EC use. Logistic regression identified perceived abusive intimate partner approval (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.15–4.41) and lack of moral/religious objections (OR = 12.83; 95% CI = 5.48–30.03) as the strongest predictors of EC use. Health care provider interventions acknowledging barriers to EC use, such as partner approval, and education that improves awareness of and knowledge about EC, may have the impact of empowering survivors in their reproductive choices, reducing unwanted pregnancies.


This paper presents some of the results of a field study carried out in 2013 in two University buildings in Paris and in Champs-sur-Marne, nearby Paris. The aim of the study was to examine students" thermal judgements and thermal adaptation by combining an objective and a subjective approach. First is presented a comparison between "real" thermal responses (thermal sensation, preference, acceptability) and predicted ones (Predicted Mean Vote, Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied), after which follows an analysis of students" actions to improve their thermal comfort. Results reveal the significance of looking at thermal comfort in naturalistic settings. They also invite to address thermal responses, behaviours and opinions in an integrated protocol based on rich information on the "subjective side" of thermal comfort.


Abstract Traditional morphology studies form the basis for the classification of canine breeds as established by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The FCI recommendations for the acceptance of a new breed include both the differentiation and the identification of close phylogenetic relationships with the previously accepted breeds. These requirements can be met in an affordable way by using the information provided by routine genetic identification procedures. In this report, a set of 21 microsatellite molecular markers is applied to the study of three non-achondroplasic Spanish 'Podenco' breeds, currently included in FCI's group five (section 7). For this purpose, factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), genetic distances and Bayesian population structure are applied to the multilocus genotypes obtained from a sample of 'Podenco' individuals of the different breeds, while German Shepherd Dogs are used as the outgroup. Molecular analysis confirms the existing classification and supports the inclusion of 'Podenco Valenciano' as a new breed in the same FCI group and section. Therefore, the FCI requirements for its acceptance are met in a cost efficient way. A similar approach is suitable for other canine populations, supplementing the traditional morphological criteria.


This chapter describes the world of sex and the erotic. It discusses movement and interrelationality by means of observing ballroom dance lessons, which is a required part of coming of age for many Czech youth. Following a daughter and her mother through the first steps of becoming a cultured ballroom dancer, the chapter looks at how sexuality, male dominance, and female sexual objectification are both encouraged and circumscribed on the dance floor. It considers the universality of sexual imagery and the prevalence of male violence across a range of domestic and public sites. The chapter also questions what sexuality means in terms of women's agency and whether or not, as Jan Patocka suggested, there is indeed an inherent liberatory potential to deeply intimate, erotic relations. It analyzes whether sex is a possible path to self-transcendence.


For the latest in the series NOTES FOR BRIDGEWORKS, the Structures Working Group of the IHT's Highways and Infrastructure Board has asked Ronald Yee, Senior Partner of Yee Associates for his views of what is necessary to achieve aesthetically pleasing bridges?.


Two important parameters influencing the concentrated distribution of theses are analyzed,and two important conclusions drawn from calculating all possible values of the parameters by a computer through estimating the related parameters and applying the generalized Egghe's formula are given:the Price's square root rule does not exit,and the results described by another statement of the Price's Law and the conclusion of the Trueswell's Law would appear in some conditions.


The invention discloses a homogeneous coordinate method based micro-checker dynamic reliability analysis method. The homogeneous coordinate method based micro-checker dynamic reliability analysis method comprises the following steps of establishing a micro-checker geometric model, establishing a micro-checker motion error model, establishing a micro-checker motion reliability model, calculating the motion reliability and analyzing micro-checker dynamic reliability. According to the homogeneous coordinate method based micro-checker dynamic reliability analysis method, a micro-checker serves as a research object, a motion scheme of the micro-checker is analyzed by means of a motion analysis method, and the micro-checker geometric model is established; then the motion error model is established by means of a homogeneous coordinate method; finally a Monte-Carlo method is utilized to calculate the micro-checker motion reliability and analyze the relation between an original error mean of a driving motor of the micro-checker and dynamic accuracy in all directions; micro-checker dynamic reliability analysis is achieved under the situation that the nonlinearity and accuracy requirements of the micro-checker dynamic accuracy reliability model are high.


The study indicates the three error causes when the Chinese students learn the auxiliary word '(l)eul' as below: the meaning and the characteristics of '(l)eul' itself, the differences between target language and mother tongue, and the teaching methods of teaching '(l)eul'. We point out that it is difficult to fully understand and express the meaning of '(l)eul' itself because of its characteristics and the different usages with other transitive verbs. The differences between target language and mother tongue show the dissimilarities between '(l)eul' and '賓語' and the differences of transitive verb between Korean and Chinese language. In addition, we state the influences of learning '(l)eul'. Furthermore, regarding the teaching methods of teaching '(l)eul' in the current Korean teaching materials, we emphasize that the current materials cannot fully cover the meaning and characteristics of '(l)eul'. The current teaching materials cannot prevent native tongue-interference when learning Korean language. On the contrary, they will increase native tongue-interference. Based on the above three error causes, we propose a teaching method designed for the Chinese students to learn Korean language.


© 2010 IFVC Summary: Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don) is used for forage or as a soil conservation plant that has shown potential for the production of ligno-cellulosic biomass in the Southeastern USA. Four genotypes of sericea lespedeza were grown at Tallassee, Alabama. Plant canopy of those genotypes was divided into three 10-cm strata. Year of harvest affected NDF, protein and hemicellulose content of leaves and stems. Cut affected NDF, cellulose and hemicellulose content and protein of leaves. No differences were measured among the four genotypes except for protein content in the stems. Leaves had a much higher protein content than stems which makes them undesirable for biofuel use. Large strata effects on stem composition were measured on all traits except lignin which had the same value across the strata. Values of NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose increased from the top of the stem to the base whereas protein content was reduced.


Disclosed is the use of a fusion protein in drugs for stimulating differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, or drugs for proliferation of granulocyte hematopoietic progenitor cells. The fusion protein has a sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. The drugs can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of (i) hematopoietic dysfunction caused by chemotherapy, (ii) hematopoietic dysfunction caused by radiotherapy, or (iii) leukopenia.


In an attempt to detect weak sub-groups of A, the blood grouping protocols of more than 158,000 individual, volunteer blood donors were scanned after their first donation; all had been grouped a t the Toronto depot of the Canadian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in a recent five-year period. Difficulties in cell grouping and discrepancies between the results of cell and serum grouping were looked for; 18 examples were found. Fresh samples of blood from 15 of these were tested; 13 grouped normally as A or 0, one was A,, and one was an extremely weak A, the subject of this report. The weak A sample came from Mr. R. C., a 60 year old regular blood donor of Italian ancestry. The blood grouping protocol of December, 1960, showed that his cells did not react with anti-A and anti-B and that his serum contained anti-B but not anti-A. A fresh sample collected in September, 1962 confirmed these findings. Further investigation showed that Mr. R. C. and a sister appear t o have a new group A phenotype.


Andrographis paniculata (kalmegh), a plant used extensively in the Indian traditional systems of medicine as a hepatoprotective and a hepatostimulative agent, was studied in a four day suppressive test against Plasmodium berghei NK 65 in Mastomys natalensis. A crude ethanol extract and fractions reduced the level of parasitaemia in a dose-dependent manner. Four diterpenes, isolated from the n-butanol fraction, also suppressed the parasitaemia level, but not in a dose-dependent manner. Chemoprophylactic activity of neoandrographolide was tested using different protocols. Fifteen days of therapy with neoandrographolide before infection suppressed the parasitaemia.


Road traffic injuries are a major health issue worldwide. There are many factors that can affect the levels of road traffic collisions which in turn increase the levels of people killed or seriously injured. When road traffic collisions occur, observed facts are recorded in relation to the incident. These facts are recorded as variable observations, and for this study, variables and indicators are defined almost equivalently. There can be hundreds of different indicators for the various collisions, as different countries face different road situations. This makes it difficult to perform a road safety assessment, which can be applied globally. The goal of this study is to select the most appropriate indicators and create a composite indicator as a function of these indicators, which can be used as summary values, allowing ease of comparisons between the countries/regions that have undergone a road safety assessment. The composite indicator will then be used to assess the current situation in Northern Ireland and provide scores for ranking policing in terms of overall road safety on their road networks.


A method for preparation of high quality Ta/GaAs Schottky barriers using of planar magnetron sputtering is presented. Thermally stimulated recovery of structural defects induced on GaAs by planar magnetron sputtering of Ta is studied and optimal time and temperature of this treatment are determined. Typical values of the ideality factors and barrier heights obtained on thermally treated structures are n = 1.03 to 1.07 and Φb = 0.7 eV, respectively. The oxidation of thermally treated Ta in the atmosphere of air, oxygen, and argon undeliberately doped with O2 is studied. It is demonstrated that at the optimum temperature for thermal treatment −400 °C and times up to 100 min – relatively thick oxide layers of about 80 nm can be formed. A model of the Ta/GaAs structures obtained under the conditions above described is presented. According to this model the Schottky barrier edge is buried in both, Ta2O5 and native GaAs oxides thus resulting in very small leakage currents — typically 10−9 A.

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What descriptors are used by clinicians when assessing their peers in an OSCE? The General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK has been using an OSCE as part of their assessment of poorly performing doctors for the last 10 years. Since 2006 these assessments have been updated and validated by 163 volunteer doctors who have all performed a 12 station OSCE. Using data obtained during these assessments we have analysed the words used to describe levels of performance to help develop anchor statements for use in future assessments. Each OSCE station is scored on a 3-point scale (acceptable - A, cause for concern - C or unacceptable - U) for all items and an overall judgement. The clinicians examining the OSCE were asked to write brief comments supporting their ratings. All the mark sheets were reviewed, written comments transferred to a database and grouped under each of the categories A, C and U. Three raters independently analysed the comments to develop emergent themes, then reviewed them together and agreed on five themes: 1. knowledge 2. communication skills 3. attitude 4. clinical/technical skill 5. overall management/diagnosis The three raters independently, then collectively, coded all the comments to one of these five themes. Results We will present the frequency of each theme by category (i.e. A, C or U) including variations of descriptors between specialties. The range of vocabulary will be explored; words that are used specifically for each category or used to describe both good and poor performance will be analysed. These descriptors will then be used to develop anchor statements to help ensure consistency for future examiners in the assessment of poorly performing doctors


Travel Information Each Congress member will arrange his journey to Stockholm himself through the travel bureaus in the respective countries. The Travel Bureau of the Swedish State Railways, which will have a branch office at the Congress Bureau for the service of the Congress members, has an office in New York, as follows: Swedish State Railways Travel Information Bureau, 52 Vanderbilt Ave. Telegrams: Swedtravel. The address of the Swedish American Line's office in New York is 21 State Street. During the Congress the above mentioned branch office at the Congress Bureau will be at the service of Congress members with information as to travelling in Sweden and trips in the vicinity of Stockholm. Details will be furnished later to members attending the Congress. The Travel Bureau of the Congress will also, if requested, furnish advice and information regarding arrangements for the return journey. Congress members should, however, make certain of their tickets in good time in fixing their routes, particularl...


An optimized high speed motor drive circuit is proposed.It's a multipath interleaved parallel Buck converter using loss-less snubber added in front of the traditional three-phase inverter circuit to realize zero current switching(ZCS)and zero voltage switching(ZVS),so as to solve the loss problem under high switching frequency,the efficiency and reliability of the system are improved.Meanwhile,sharing one diode and one inductance in the multipath loss-less snubber can effectively reduce the converter volume and improve the power density.The principles of the proposed new soft-switching Buck converter are explained detailedly.The experimental results verify the analysis of the converter and the feasibility of the design.


Classroom participation plays an important role in developing students' oral fluency, and general understanding of the subject content. However, there is a noticeable participation reluctance among English major student-teachers in the College of Ed-ucation at Kuwait University. The present study investigates the causes of such a reluc-tance. The study adopted the descriptive analytical methodology applying a 4-Likert scale to respond to a thirty questionnaire items. Two domains were covered: the English language professor, and the English major student-teachers. The sample covered a total of 150 English major student-teachers 30 males and 120 females. The study revealed significant differences α=0.05 in the means between the participants according to gender in favor of females-student teachers and according to high school specialization in favor of Arts specialization. However, there were no significant differences according to the years of study.


In the endodontic literature, only a few studies and case reports can be found demonstrating and further discussing non-surgical treatment of failed apicoectomies. As a second apicoectomy has a limited success rate, non-surgical retreatment should be discussed as an additional treatment option before extraction is considered. Depending on the reason for treatment failure or for persistence or development of apical periodontitis, and depending on the presence or absence and the type of retrofilling, treatment strategies need to be adapted to the specific clinical scenario. It is the aim of this review to describe a strategy for non-surgical orthograde retreatment of previously apicected teeth with persisting apical periodontitis, to review the literature that may be helpful to discuss such cases, to develop an individual treatment plan, to discuss several specific aspects of treatment, and to present different clinical cases.


Synopsis : The morphological analysis of recrystallized grain structures of pure iron was carried out to make clear the relation between the structure and recrystallized condition. Specimens were prepared by cold rolling to the reductions of 60% and 80% and annealing at 650•Ž or 750•Ž for 10-240 min. Photographs of the microstructures in the longitudinal cross section parallel to the rolling direction were taken and grain boundaries were traced on paper for image processing. Average morphological characteristic values of 4ƒÎA/P2, LD/BR, CP/P were calculated for each grain structure, where A, P, LD, BR and CP represent the grain area, perimeter, the longest dimension, the narrowest breadth and convex perimeter, respectively. Coefficients of variation for the distributions of grain area were 1.0-1.3 and those for the distributions of grain size were 0.54-0.60. From the average values of 47ƒÎA/P2 and CP/P, it was shown that each grain in the structures for the 80% rolled specimens showed more stable shape than that for the 60% rolled specimens. Compared with the structures obtained by computer simulation study, the recrystallized grain shapes had anisotropy generated by the ellipsoidal growth with the axial ratio of 2.0 and the growth rate directed to the major axis of 0.2(unit length/unit time) at the nucleation rate of 100 (number/unit area•E unit time). It was estimated that the anisotropy resulted from the anisotropic shape of nucleus.


The biological and physical properties of proteins aredetermined by their three-dimensional structures,which, in turn, are specified by their amino-acidsequences. Unfortunately, however, we still understandrelatively little about the relationships between proteinstructure and function; even after a protein structure hasbeen determined, it is often not obvious why that partic-ular structure has been selected by evolution to carry outa particular function. A notable exception, where aprotein structure explains many of its biological proper-ties, is the tailspike protein of bacteriophage P22, thestructure of which was recently solved by Steinbacher etal. [1]. The folding of this protein and its assembly intothe mature phage have been studied extensively, andmany biochemical and genetic results are now explainedby the structure.The structures of bacteriophages are remarkably intricate(Fig. 1), and their assembly is no mean feat. How cansuch a rigid and stable structure self-assemble? How cana protein molecule be made suitably rigid to serve as thevarious architectural elements in a phage? Geneticapproaches were used to great effect in the 1960s to mapout several phage assembly pathways. Not surprisingly, inretrospect, accessory scaffold proteins and chaperoneswere found to be involved, and the currently popularGroE chaperonin system of the host bacteriumEscherichia coli was first identified because of its role inphage assembly.the strands and connecting turns vary along the length ofthe helix, leading to a tapering of the overall structuretowards the carboxy-terminal end. Only a cursory exam-ination of the lattice of hydrogen bonds of the


This paper depends on some qualities of uniform continuity of sequence function and function,give some method on uniform convergence of a sequence function.


S amuel A maral, The Rise of Capitalism on the Pampas: The Estancias of Buenos Aires 1785–1870 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Pp. xviii +359. $64.95 hardback) B. J. Barickman , A Bahian Counterpoint: Sugar, Tobacco, Cassava, and Slavery in the Reconcavo, 1780–1860 (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1998. Pp. xx +276. $56.00 hardback) S tephen B ell, Campanha Gaucha: A Brazilian Ranching System, 1850–1920 (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1998. Pp. xv +292. $55.00 hardback) D oug Y arrington, A Coffee Frontier: Land, Society, and Politics in Duaca, Venezuela, 1830–1936 (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997. Pp. xiv +267. $19.95 paperback)


A new piece in the puzzle. Hydrido(alkoxo) complexes of late transition metals have often been postulated as intermediates or transition states in the catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds and catalytic hydrogen transfer reactions. Here the facile oxidative addition of the O-H bonds of alcohol and water to iridium(I) complexes of peraryldiphosphanes [Eq. (a)] is reported and the resulting complexes are described. R=H, Me.


Abstract:This article considers the ambiguity surrounding the lazarettos status as institutions of Mediterranean port cities by examining the contradiction between their vital economic role, the numerous regulations that proscribed access to these institutions, and the novel ways they were governed. The argumentative spine will be a comparison of the contrasting trajectories of the lazarettos of Marseille and Malta. The former complex was known as the preeminent institution in the Mediterranean as the nineteenth century began, yet the Marseille Board of Health resolutely sought to retain its traditional Independence from France's central government. The sprawling building complex itself (the Lazaret d'Arenc) was long ago dismantled. The Lazaretto of Malta took over as the busiest quarantine station in the Mediterranean by the 1830s, and it was always governed with more flexibility. This complex has survived and is the subject of a modern restoration effort. This article considers the way in which early nineteenth century histories of administration, demarcation, and proscription of access played a role in the long-term fate of both institutions after universal, mandatory quarantine broke down in the 1850s.


In the process of measuring the well depth and temperature, due to the uncertainty of the air density in the well, and the different reflection ability of different impedance of the material on the sound wave, the metrical error is usually large. In this paper, we designed the temperature control system based on STC89C52 Single Chip Microcomputer (SCM) and DS18B20 chip, which used the DS18B20 temperature sensor to measure the well temperature and transmitted the temperature to the single chip microcomputer. Furthermore, we used the ultrasound to simulate infrasound to measure the well depth, realizing the temperature data acquisition, reading, processing, LCD1602 display, and the design of the alarm system for well depth, enhancing the precision of parameter measurement, ensuring the stable operation of well control system.


The vision of the city is seen by her autobiographical heroine Martha Quest during her girlhood on a Zambian farm; the ploughed land across the world to the Dumfries Hills and refashioned that unused country to the scale of her imagination. Lessing`s first book was on the British Literary scene to make on the theme that a few years later would be in full vogue and even scorned as `the colour bore` The theme of the first novel resulted directly from her observation of the colour conflict that was a matter of course in her African surroundings:


Reattachment characteristics of laminar flames in partially premixed jets are studied for propane fuel mixed with air. As the flow rate decreases, liftoff height is decreased nonlinearly and the flame reattaches to a nozzle at a certain liftoff height. Using a jet theory by taking into account a virtual origin, it is predicted that flow velocity along a stoichiometric contour has a maximum value near nozzle. With this velocity characteristics, it is shown that reattachment mechanism can be explained by a balance between flame speed and flow velocity. Predicted displacement speeds at reattachment and liftoff agree qualitatively well with experimental findings.


Venous vessels incompetence during pregnancy is assotiated with decreased venous drainage from intervillous space, myometrial sinuses and parametrial veins. These changes are connected with fetoplacental insufficiensy which is due to the systemic inflammafory response. The inflammation induces disorders of connective tissue and cell membranes of fetoplacental system. We have investigated the theraputical effectiveness of bilberry vita complex and venotonic drug phlebodia in pregnant women with fetoplacental insufficiensy. We have observed 64 patients with fetoplacental insufficiensy at term of pregnancy 34-36 weeks and 37 of them were taken bilberry vita complex 1 capsule twice per day and phlebodia 1 pill once daily. In all inverstigated patients were determined the activity of lipid peroxidation with biochemiluministry of blood serum method and intrauterine fetus well-being assessment. We have proved that fetoplacental insufficiensy was accompanied with oxidative stress that have promoted to the destruction of connective tissual structures in venous vessels. It was charactetized with low uteroplacental hemodynamics and chronic fetal distress. The application of bilberry vita complex and phlebodia have improved hemocirculation in the vessels of small pelvis, placenta and fetus and fetal well-being in higher degree than traditional therapy.


This chapter considers the legitimation of the nation state in a post-national world. It employs systems theory, according to which law is one of many normative systems and the state is one of many societal organizations, to make sense of the role of values in the state's legitimation. It argues that processes of legitimation are constituted by systemic communication between law and politics within and beyond the nation state, communication that involves the internalization of values that are external to these systems. Yet, it stresses, such values are not transcendental foundations; they are instead internally generated expectations that differentiate between legitimacy and illegitimacies in both politics and law.


Community Information Group is a public service institution as a community information center at Biting Ponorogo. Dissemination of information to the public is often an obstacle due to limited communication media. Then, word of mouth is often inaccurate, causing miscommunication. This research aims to develop a website as a community information center. As well as being a communication and information medium, this website development also aims to improve community digital literacy. This research used the System Development Life Cycle method. This study succeeded in developing a website for the Biting Community Information Group. The feedback from Biting Community Information Group peoples expected that these websites could be developed as a medium of communication and information for the community. This website can be accessed via a search engine (https://kimbiting.com/). The next research can measure the effectiveness of the Biting Community Information Group website as the communication media. Besides, future research also can develop another communication medium based on information and communication technology.


Objective
To explore the effect of the structure-process-outcome quality assessment model on limb swelling after transradial coronary intervention.

Methods
A total of 90 cases of transradial coronary intervention in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were randomly divided into study group and control group, 41 cases in each group. The control group received traditional nursing intervention, and the study group received the structure-process-outcome quality assessment model based on the control group. The limb swelling degree and visual analogue pain score of the two groups were recorded.

Results
The degree of limb swelling in the study group was (0.11±0.02) cm, which was lighter than that in the control group [(0.38±0.07) cm], and the pain score was (0.81±0.04) points, which was lower than that in the control group [(4.19±0.13) points] (P<0.05). The number of grade I, II, and III limb swelling cases in the study group were 3, 3, and 1, respectively, which were lighter than those in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion
For patients undergoing transradial coronary intervention, it is helpful to reduce the degree of limb swelling to introduce the structure-process-outcome quality assessment model, which is worthy of further promotion in clinical practice.

Key words:
Structure-process-outcome quality assessment model; Radial artery; Coronary intervention; Limb swelling


The pulsed water‐vapor laser has been operated at peak output power levels of 5 kW (all lines) and an average power of ¼ W. The frequency of the most energetic component of the emission has been measured to be ν = 357.506 ± 0.003 cm−1.


Characteristics of business cycles are quite different across developed countries. As Gordon (1982) pointed out, in the United States real wages and the adjustment of working hours are less flexible than in Britain and Japan. Using a business cycle model with a microeconomic foundation, this paper provides an economic explanation of these differences across the countries. The cost of on-the-job training plays a crucial role. Since the training is a sunk cost, a worker seldom quits his job after participating such training. Hence, the training cost, sometime causes hysteresis. In an economy with high training cost, variances of employment and output are relatively small. In the case of high training cost, exogenous shocks tend to be absorbed by the adjustment of working hours and real wages instead of the emplyoment level. Since a stable employment level and flexible real wages are influences by high traing cost, these characterisitics of time series do not necessarily indicate higher efficiency of the economy. Our model also explains some important characteristics of actual macroeconomic time series, which have not been given enough consideration in existing real business cycle models such as those of Kydland and Prescott (1982) and Hansen (1985). Specifically, in our model the correlation between the employment level and output is low in an economy with high training cost. In addition, in our model labor hoarding phenomena occur and labor productivity is negatively correlated with past output, as is the case in actual economies.


Prototyping of subsystem and system components is most often thought of as a development task. This paper shows the usefulness of prototyping as an activity in the requirements elicitation process, prior to any development activities. It is approached from the field of engineering and technology management. It uses the Requirements Engineering approach to identify tools and methods for the development of the requirements for an underground unmanned aerial system for use in South Africa's' gold mines to inspect box-holes and ore-passes. Box-holes and ore-passes are vertical tunnels through which the ore must pass in moving from the stope, where it is mined, to the shaft, where it is hauled to the surface for processing. The more familiar new product development framework is compared to the requirement engineering process. The prototypes of a number of subsystems are presented, namely, a quadrotor platform, a platform preservation sensor array, an optical flow sensor for position holding, a vision sensor for operator visualization, and an operator interface. The perceived significant technological challenges are discussed as motivation in the choice of these subsystem prototypes that will be used in the interviews that are to form the basis of the requirements elicitation activity.