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A dual‐port, tapered‐fed fractal antenna with a partial ground is proposed for effective implementation in portable ultra‐wideband–multiple‐input multiple‐output devices. The array is modeled on a 41 × 71 × 1.57 mm3 dielectric FR4 substrate. Each circular radiator defected with a modified Koch–Snowflake fractal (4th iteration) provides 46.7% size miniaturization. The array yields 14.7 GHz bandwidth (3.3–18 GHz, 138%) by defecting the partial ground and offsetting the tapered feedlines. By embedding an H‐shaped decoupler and plus‐shaped slots in the ground, significant isolation (S21/S12 ≤ −16 dB) is accomplished. Various diversity metrics are investigated and are found to follow their permissible standards. To justify the simulated results, the fabricated array is tested where a favorable match between the results makes it a suitable candidate for high data‐rate wireless applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Readout of multiparametric environmental signals typically uses discrete sensing formats that individually require unique signal conditioning circuitry and/or processing pathways. Here, adaptable sensor networks composed exclusively of passive material architectures that enable spectrometric comonitoring of chemical or physical environmental signals are proposed. Herein, a single radio frequency (RF) reader wirelessly interacts first with an intermediate wireless relay coil—this is tunable in length and can be designed to conform around surfaces. This relay (that is fused on textiles or surfaces) is then wirelessly coupled to arrays of passive RF sensors with individually programmable flexibility/reactivity to environmental signals. Multiple chemical and physical signals can then be monitored within the single spectral readout of a wearable reader. This technique can probe over tunable length scales, and is robust to mechanical disturbances that limit present techniques. As a proof of concept, this approach is used to comonitor chemophysical metrics such as nutrients, temperature, pressure, pH, and more on the skin or in utensils with a single readout. This technique may form a cornerstone of zero‐microelectronic sensor networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the revolutionary utilization of plant fibers in polymer laminates significantly influenced environmental effects. Presently, there is progression attention in advancing bio‐based materials by acquiring plant fibers from lignocellulosic components for different applications like non‐structural, structural laminates, automobile components, ballistics, flooring, household utensils, and aerospace parts. These bio‐based, eco‐friendly components have been recognized as next‐generation contestants for higher‐efficacy, sustainable, cheap, environmentally friendly, and lightweight composites. Different kinds of synthetic and natural biopolymers and bio‐based nanoparticles have been applied to produce sustainable materials. Bio‐based polymer composites manifest unique characteristics of both eco‐reinforcement and sustainable resin. This review comprehensively communicates the general characteristics and principles of nanoparticles, polymers, and their respective composites. In addition to the machining characteristics, challenges and future perspectives of the polymer composites have also been reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We present an overview of hybrid Casper the Friendly Finality Gadget (FFG), a proof‐of‐stake checkpointing protocol overlaid onto Ethereum's proof‐of‐work blockchain. We describe its core functionalities and reward scheme and explore its properties. Our findings indicate that Casper's implemented incentives mechanism ensures liveness, while providing safety guarantees that improve over standard proof‐of‐work protocols. On the basis of a minimal impact implementation of the protocol as a smart contract on the blockchain, we discuss additional issues related to parametrization, funding, throughput, and network overhead and detect potential limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive Gadgets is a book about the cultural evolution of distinctively human cognitive mechanisms. Responding to commentators with different and broader interests, I argue that intelligent design has been more important in the formation of grist (technologies, practices and ideas) than of mills (cognitive mechanisms), and that embracing genetic accommodation would leave research on the origins of human cognition empirically unconstrained. I also underline the need to assess empirical methods; query the value of theories that merely accommodate existing data; and ask whether acquiring literacy is more laborious than learning to imitate, to talk and to read minds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main thesis of Heyes' book is that all of the domain‐specific learning mechanisms that make the human mind so different from the minds of other animals are culturally created and culturally acquired gadgets. The only innate differences are some motivational tweaks, enhanced capacities for associative learning, and enhanced executive function abilities. But Heyes' argument depends on contrasting cognitive gadgets with cognitive instincts, which are said to be innately specified. This ignores what has for some years been the mainstream nativist/anti‐empiricist view, which commits only to partially specified learning systems that become elaborated and built through domain‐specific learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heyes argues that human metacognitive strategies ("cognitive gadgets" or "mills") are the products of cultural evolution based on domain‐general cognition with few simple biases. Although like Heyes, we believe that the evolution of domain‐general cognitive processes played a crucial role in the evolution of human cognition, we argue that Heyes' distinction between mills and grist is too sharp, that associative learning evolved gradually to become more complex and hierarchical, something that is not captured by the system 1/system 2 distinction, and that human cognitive plasticity required the genetic accommodation of gadget‐specific processes that led to more plasticity‐enhancing human‐specific biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is one of the most dangerous invasive species in the world. Fire ants can spread by hiding among plant material and soil that are transported from infested areas in vehicles and vessels. Therefore, efficient repellents may be used to prevent fire ants from infesting transported goods. Although some fire ant repellants have been identified, novel, cost‐effective and environmentally friendly materials for fire ant control are still needed. Recent studies with other model insects have suggested readily available, non‐toxic alternatives (e.g., anthranilates) to commercial repellents. RESULTS: We measured the repellent effects of the food additives ethyl anthranilate and butyl anthranilate against nesting by fire ant workers, and the results demonstrated that extremely low concentrations of these compounds can prevent fire ant nesting in pots. The tested compounds remained active at concentrations < 100 µL/L, which is many times lower than the minimum active concentration of any other proposed compound, including the established insect repellent N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide (DEET). CONCLUSION: These inexpensive chemicals are safely used by the food and cosmetics industries, and their high efficiency differentiates them as the most promising chemicals for use in preventing the spread of fire ants; thus, these chemicals should be evaluated for further potential applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry The results herein reported provide compelling indications of a new class of potent repellents against RIFA. We propose their immediate application for fire ant quarantine measures in targeting the protection of soil‐containing transported goods leaving RIFA‐infested regions, mainly potted plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a cross‐coupling control approach for the coordinated formation of multiple marine surface vessels with direct communication topology in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances is presented. To synchronize the vessels' relative position errors while tracking their assigned trajectories, a cross‐coupling formation controller is designed, in which a sliding mode surface in terms of the velocity tracking error and position cross‐coupling error is introduced. Then, an adaptive radial basis function neural network is incorporated into the controller to learn the upper bound of model uncertainties and external disturbances. Utilizing Barbalat's lemma and topology theory, all of the error signals in the closed‐loop system are proved to converge to zero asymptotically. Finally, numerical simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed coordinated formation control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The wall thickness of microprocess apparatuses is not comparable to those of stirred vessels used in chemical industries. Already changes of the composition of corrosion resistant alloys in the range of the specification may cause severe deviations of the corrosion rate. Ideally, for micro process apparatuses, completely suppression of corrosion should be accomplished. Therefore, tantalum is the material of choice due to its superior corrosion resistance. It is demonstrated that microchannels possessing a small cross section but large length could be homogeneous coated with tantalum by means of a CVD process without any defects. Corrosion tests in 70 % sulfuric acid proved that no loss of weight or corrosion occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending previous research on the hedonic benefits of spending money on doing rather than having, this paper investigates when people prefer to consume experiential and material purchases. We contend that the preferred timing of consumption tends to be more immediate for things (like clothing and gadgets) than for experiences (like vacations and meals out). First, we examine whether consumers exhibit a stronger preference to delay consumption of experiential purchases compared to material goods. When asked to make choices about their optimal consumption times, people exhibit a relative preference to have now and do later. In the next set of studies, we found that this difference in preferred consumption led participants to opt for a lesser material item now over a superior item later, but to wait for a superior experiential purchase rather than settle for a lesser experience now. This tendency is due to the fact that consumers derive more utility from waiting for experiences than from waiting for possessions. Finally, we provide evidence that these preferences affect people's real-world decisions about when to consume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effect of individual transferable quota regimes on technology choice, such as choice of vessel size, by using the laboratory experiment method. We find that even if vessel sizes change over time, the quota price can converge to the fundamental value conditioned on the vessels chosen. We also find that subjects choose their vessel type to maximise their profits based on the quota trading prices in the previous period. This result implies that the efficiency of quota markets in the beginning period is important because any inefficiency in quota markets may affect vessel sizes in ensuing periods. Moreover, we find that the initial allocations may significantly influence vessel sizes through two channels: first, a higher initial allocation to a subject increases the likelihood that the subject invests in a large-sized vessel; second, the quota price may be higher and more unstable under unequal allocation than under equal allocation; thus, whether the allocation is equal influences subjects' choice of vessel type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: nose reshaping; profilometry; rhinoplasty EN nose reshaping profilometry rhinoplasty 3429 3430 2 12/01/20 20201201 NES 201201 INTRODUCTION Rhinoplasty is one of the challenging surgical procedure of the human face which can alter the face dramatically. A difference between a good and a poor result can be of millimeter.1 The surgical rhinoplasty result should be coupled with patient's satisfaction. Nose reshaping, profilometry, rhinoplasty. [Extracted from the article]

Therefore, this could reflect that though most of the nurses and respiratory therapists know the different inhaler devices, their knowledge is not enough to instruct their patients on the proper techniques of inhaler use, each step is necessary for an effective inhaler use and necessary in order to maximize inhaler medications. P1-85: Knowledge, awareness and practices of nurses and respiratory therapists regarding administering inhaler gadget education to admitted patients prescribed with an inhaler device 1 University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Philippines Asthma and COPD are some chronic diseases that cause the narrowing of the airways of patients. [Extracted from the article]

Fused glass prepared without the addition of a flux is generally more homogeneous than a pressed powder pellet and thus ideal for analysis of bulk samples by LA- ICP- MS. In this work, a new glass-making method using a boron nitride crucible was developed to prepare homogenous glass samples from silicate rock powder. The apparatus consisted of a small boron nitride vessel with net volume of about 34 mm3 and two molybdenum strips. Applying the summed metal oxide normalisation technique, both major and trace element contents in the fused glass were measured by LA- ICP- MS. Analyses of five geochemical reference materials (spanning the compositional range basalt-andesite-rhyolite) indicated that the measured Si O2, Al2 O3 and P2 O5 contents matched the preferred values to within 5%, and the other major elements generally matched the preferred values to within 8%. Except for the transition metals, the measured trace element contents generally matched the preferred values to within 10%. Compared with the iridium heater method developed by Stoll et al. (2008), element volatilisation during high-temperature melting was effectively suppressed in our method, but metal segregation caused by reduction of BN may cause loss of Cr, Ni and Cu. Although analysis with a large spot size has the advantage of improving counting statistics, matrix effects induced by mass loading of the ICP may hamper the accurate determination of some elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the seminal work of Bruner and Kumar (2007) on gadget loving, this paper views gadget loving as the attachment individuals have toward advanced electronic items and how such an attachment relates to actual use (i.e., actual gadgets ownership). It extends existing research in two important ways. First, it provides a retest of the reliability and validity of the gadget-loving scale in two new countries (Israel and Sweden), thus adding to the generalizability of the scale across cultures. Second, it develops and tests an integrative model that includes gadget loving as a central construct as well as several antecedents and consequences proposed as important topics for future research in the extant literature. The results show that inherent novelty seeking, technological innovativeness, and technical curiosity predict the gadget-loving trait, which in turn affects technological opinion leadership and gadget ownership. These findings have theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex economic decisions - whether investing money for retirement or purchasing some new electronic gadget - often involve uncertainty about the likely consequences of our choices. Critical for resolving that uncertainty are strategic meta-decision processes, which allow people to simplify complex decision problems, evaluate outcomes against a variety of contexts, and flexibly match behavior to changes in the environment. In recent years, substantial research has implicated the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) in the flexible control of behavior. However, nearly all such evidence comes from paradigms involving executive function or response selection, not complex decision-making. Here, we review evidence that demonstrates that the dmPFC contributes to strategic control in complex decision-making. This region contains a functional topography such that the posterior dmPFC supports response-related control, whereas the anterior dmPFC supports strategic control. Activation in the anterior dmPFC signals changes in how a decision problem is represented, which in turn can shape computational processes elsewhere in the brain. Based on these findings, we argue for both generalized contributions of the dmPFC to cognitive control, and specific computational roles for its subregions depending upon the task demands and context. We also contend that these strategic considerations are likely to be critical for decision-making in other domains, including interpersonal interactions in social settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of table and cooking ware, dating back to the Byzantine period of the ancient Greek colony of Cuma, were analysed by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, in order to reconstruct the main technological properties of these manufactures. The comparison of minero-petrographical data from these samples with those of some kiln wastes allowed us to hypothesize a local manufacture for most of the investigated specimens and to confirm the relative reference groups. A restricted number of samples did not link with the main groups, indicating a regional (or maybe extra-regional) production, in agreement with the widespread circulation of this high-medieval ceramic production in southern Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of a system to automate the digging cycle of an electric rope shovel, a machine which is widely used in open-pit mining. Achieving optimal digging performance requires path planning strategies to ensure dipper (bucket) filling, as well as methods to detect when to disengage the dipper from the bank. To this end, techniques to detect and avert dipper stall, and the online estimation of dipper “full-ness,” are described along with in-field experimental results using a one-seventh scale-model electric rope shovel. Over 100 autonomous excavation cycles, in a variety of digging conditions, resulted in cycle times consistent with a human operator, but with lower overall motor loading. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws attention to thirty unpublished Iron Age softstone vessels from Qarn Bint Sa'ud held in the Al Ain Museum. They are compared with softstone vessels from other Iron Age sites in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Mesopotamia, in order to study distribution patterns and exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-two softstone vessels found at the coastal site of ed-Dur, Umm al-Qaiwain (U.A.E.), less than 1% of the total amount of artefacts registered at the site, are examined for evidence of (inter)regional exchange. Emphasis is laid on the vessels from the PIR C phase. In recent research much attention has been paid to the spatial distribution and trade of softstone vessels of earlier times. An attempt will be made to do the same for the dark grey softstone vessels dating ca . 300 BC–300 AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rak 5115 is a unique example of a tri-compartmentalised soft-stone vessel from the Oman Peninsula. This vessel was reconstructed, having been found in a fragmentary from in the National Museum of Ras al-Khaimah. It appears that the vessel comes from the lomb of Wa'ab 4 in the Wadi al-Qawr. Rak 5115 is datable on stylistic grounds to the earlier part of the Iron Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lymphangiectasia results from acquired dilation of lymphatic vessels. Areas of skin affected by obstruction or destruction of lymphatic drainage are said to be prone to the development of lymphangiectasia. Cirrhosis is a cause of alterations of lymph flow. Methods Case report. Results We report a case of acquired late-onset, lymphangiectasia associated with alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis. Lesions were scattered over the right, lower, anterior abdominal wall, a region that is drained by a common group of lymphatic vessels that were probably disordered. Conclusion We think that this is the first reported case of lymphangiectasia associated with altered lymph flow in cirrhosis and ascites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The histone complement of chromatin from early gastrula, late gastrula and from fully differentiated gut cells of the sea urchin Parechinus angulosus has been fractionated by molecular sieve and ion exchange chromatography. Several of the subfractions thus isolated have been characterized by amino acid composition and partial amino acid sequences as a series of variants of the histones H1, H2A and H2B. Specific histone variants are present in chromatin at specific stages of differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates consumers' attitudes with a view to discovering their implications for the general interchangeability of goods, the process of increasing the utility of goods and the classification of economies dependent primarily on exchange without the use of coin or paper money. Leaving aside the economy based on the extensive use of money and related to complex class structures two widely representative types of economy may be distinguished. The first is characterized by the existence of three groups or categories of goods namely raw materials, implements and personal treasure. In the second type of economy, raw materials are not kept separate from the implements, and there is no class of goods which has value solely as personal treasure. Whatever arrangements are made for the distribution of the raw materials once they are gained, two conditions are preserved. First is that no object belonging to the first group is exchanged for objects belonging to either of the other groups. Second, any object into which raw material has been transformed is disengaged from the primary economic cycle.

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children suspected of child abuse. Penetrating cranio-facial injuries are generally rare in the pediatric age group and are caused by both accidental and inflicted mechanisms. We report an unusual case of a 2-year-old female who was admitted to a pediatric emergency room with an industrial stainless steel coat hanger impaled in her skull. Pertinent clinical forensic medicine examination, coupled with home inspection and interviews by the local law enforcement, revealed a horrible episode of domestic violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel may be found in prepared foods (tinned foods) at markedly higher concentrations than the safe threshold laid down for hypersensitive patients. Some foodstuffs cooked in stainless-steel utensils attack the metal and thus contain much more nickel than when enamel or aluminum saucepans are used. Among the natural organic acids which may be responsible for dissolving stainless-steel, oxalic acid is the most active at equivalent concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rohe Eier sind, zwischen Daumen und Zeigefinger gehalten, sehr stabil. Das gilt auch für kugelförmige Christbaumkugeln. Mit solchen Feiertagsutensilien lassen sich interessante physikalische Experimente zur Inkompressibilität von Flüssigkeiten anstellen - und mit Hochgeschwindigkeitskameras studieren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates several products including a new data recording version of Atrato ultrasonic flowmeter software interface from Titan Enterprises, reaction vessels from Asahi Glassplant AG, and dirty water ultrasonic flowmeter from Titan Enterprises.

View From the Chalkboard essays share readers' reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hairdressers often develop nickel hypersensitivity through contact with utensils such as scissors and clips. The hair-dressers are in contact with permanent wave liquids which contain ammonium thioglycollate. It is known that thioglycollic acid can form complexes with nickel ions. For these reasons the Department of Occupational Dermatology, in Sweden, investigated if nickel was released from plated utensils and stainless in the presence of thioglycollates. Sheets of nickel-plated metal and of stainless steel and hairclips, were soaked in pH, solution of thioglycollic acid and ammonium hydroxide giving a pH for one hour at room temperature.

The catalyst is grafted onto the internal surface of the round-bottomed flask which serves as a reaction vessel and a catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]