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This paper studies the coordination problem of a three-echelon supply chain system consisting of one supplier, third-party logistics service providers (TPLSP) and one retailer that provides seasonal fresh agricultural products to customers. The market demand for the retailer is assumed to be influenced by the retail price, the product's freshness and other random variables. Both quantity and quality losses are viewed as endogenous variables of the freshness-keeping effort, which is decided by the TPLSP. Dynamic game models for both the decentralized decision mode and the centralized decision mode are developed, and asymmetric demand information is considered in the decentralized decision mode. The analysis shows that decentralized decision making could result in the distortion of the order quantity and selling price and could ultimately result in a loss of supply chain profit. The TPLSP is motivated to exaggerate the demand, which could seriously damage the supplier's interests. Based on an analysis of the major influencing factors in the supply chain system, a coordination contract based on cost and revenue sharing (RS) is designed for the two transaction processes in the three-echelon supply chain system. We illustrate the proposed models with a numerical study and conduct a sensitivity analysis of some of the key parameters in the models. It is proven that with the designed contract, the sales volume can be significantly expanded, all the supply chain members can benefit from Pareto improvement, and both the retailer and the TPLSP have no incentive to exaggerate the market demand.

Financial regulation and financial innovation tend to show a dynamic game process of ‘regulation-innovation-re-regulation-re-innovation’. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model to simulate the above phenomena for analyzing the stable equilibrium strategies between financial institutions and regulation institutions. Previous studies mainly stay in a theoretical perspective; instead, this study uses the financial and macroeconomic data of the U.S. during 1947–2007 to numerically demonstrate the dynamic evolution paths of financial regulation and financial innovation. This study finds that the financial regulation and financial innovation of the U.S. presents a dynamic adjustment process by promoting the development of each other. Both regulatory and innovative strategies should be coordinated in the evolutionary progress in a timely and coordinated reason. This study has great referential value for policy makers to balance regulation and innovation in the financial industry and for avoiding financial crises.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film samples were synthesized with the help of a thermal spray pyrolysis method. In our investigation, the effect of Al, Co co-doping on the structural, morphological, topographical, optical, and electronic properties of TiO2 thin films were investigated. The deposited films show that as-deposited samples are nanostructured and crystallite size is varied from 66 nm to 72 nm. The structural parameters are well-matched with experimental and theoretical calculations. Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) spectra show that all samples are in stoichiometric conditions. The surface roughness values are varying from 66 nm to 89 nm seen by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. The Fermi energy level tuning was investigated both experimental and theoretical simulations. The study of optical properties recognized that the absorption edge of the (Al, Co)-co-doped TiO2 sample is tuned toward the low energy region compared to the pristine sample. The calculated electrical band gap energy is matched by the optical band gap energy. A combined study of the structural, morphological, topographical, optical and electronic properties of the compound suggests that Ti1-x Al0.06 CoxO2 is a suitable candidate for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications.

Breast cancer ranked second among most frequent cancer in the world playing a significant role in mortality rate. Having prior knowledge on differentially expressed genes in breast cell carcinoma elucidated important indications to understand the molecular mechanism underneath breast carcinogenesis. In this study we have investigated the distinguished CSN1S1 expression in human breast cancer. We have analyzed CSN1S1 mRNA expression between cancer and normal tissues using TCGA datasets. Moreover, analysis including promoter methylation, mutations, prognosis, co-expression, gene ontology, and pathways of CSN1S1 were performed by the TCGA Wanderer, UCSC Xena, cBioPortal, PrognoScan, UALCAN, and Enricher server. We have observed low mRNA expression and high promoter methylation of CSN1S1 in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Furthermore, we have also identified low mRNA expression in clinicopathological patients, as well as 9 deleterious mutations with highly co-expressed protein MRC1, and significantly related signaling pathways. We have found a positive correlation between the lower expression of CSN1S1 and patients surviving with breast cancer. Here we have concluded that CSN1S1 acts as a biomarker for the surveillance and prognosis of breast cancer, and also works as a novel therapeutic target at the molecular and pathway levels., Highlights • Low transcriptional expression and low survival rate of CSN1S1 in breast cancer. • The investigation of clinical profiles and mutational positions of CSN1S1 in breast cancer. • The investigation of gene ontology and signaling pathway of CSN1S1 and their co-expressed genes. • We identified CSN1S1 and also their co-expressed proteins are the potential biomarkers in breast cancer.

In this article, theoretical and computational (CP) analysis were carried out on the experimental data for the nonenzymatic oxidation of nitrite at the modified electrode to better understand the underlying chemistry. We studied the kinetics of the electron transfer process through various electroanalytical techniques and simulated the cyclic voltammetry (CV) data using Butler-Volmer equation. The CP methods were used for understanding the molecular interaction processes at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The modified electrodes were developed by the electrodeposition of poly (brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCP) on an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) at the activated glassy carbon electrode (AGCE) (AGCE/ERGO/PBCB). The AGCE/ERGO/PBCB sensor was characterized through electrochemical and electron microscopy methods. Analysis of the characterization data supported our assumption, that AGCE is the better platform for the optimal electrochemical reduction of GO compared to the GCE for the purpose of the electropolymerization process. Simulated CV showed that the oxidation process followed a 2e− transfer pathway, but the electron transfer took place in a step wise manner. While, CP data revealed that the AGCE, ERGO, and PBCB interacted with each other through the parallel-displaced and sandwich types π – π stacking, and electrostatic interactions. H⋯O–H, and H⋯N–H hydrogen bonds between the functional groups of AGCE, and ERGO also promoted the electron transfer process. The AGCE/ERGO/PBCB was then used for the nonenzymatic detection of the nitrite species in the acidic medium using amperometric and CV techniques. The sensor was also tested for real sample analysis.

Physicochemical properties like density, ultrasound velocity and viscosity of aqueous solutions of glycine and SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate) in 0.1 m aqueous glycine solution as a function of concentration at different temperatures ranging from 293.15 K to 313.15 K have been determined. These data have been used to calculate apparent molar volume, isentropic compressibility and viscosity B-coefficient values of the studied solutions. The viscosity coefficients A and B have been determined from the Jones–Dole equation. The limiting apparent molar volumes ( ϕ v 0 ) and experimental slopes (Sv) derived from the Masson equations have been interpreted in terms of solute–solute and solute–solvent interactions. From the volumetric and viscometric data, the structural effect of SDS in glycine solution has been discussed. The change in free energy, enthalpy and entropy of activation were calculated using the Nightingale and Benck, and Eyring equations. Glycine in aqueous solution exhibits structure-breaking behaviour. The results were explained in terms of structure making and structure breaking properties.

These days companies are competing in a fast changing environment. To keep its competitiveness, the company needs not only to seek and select new investment opportunities but also to adjust its existing projects. This paper discusses an optimal project selection and adjusting problem under capital and land resource limitations. Due to the complex and dynamic nature of the economic environment, the project parameters such as initial outlays, upgrade expenditures and net cash flows are treated as random variables. Net present value method is employed to calculate the investment return, and a mean–variance optimal adjustment and selection model is developed. To solve the proposed optimization problem with big number decision variables, a cellular binary particle swarm optimization which hybridizes cellular automation and particle swarm optimization is proposed. As an illustration of the proposed algorithm, a numerical example is also presented.

The hexagonal AgB2, a hole doped system, is a potential candidate for high-Tc superconductor in accordance with theoretical studies. The recent observation of the onset of the superconductivity at 7.4 K is lower than the theoretically calculated value of Tc. The reason for the discrepancy and the role of enhanced spin fluctuation (magnons) on the critical temperature are studied in the present paper.

To investigate the origins, evolution and patterns of spread of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in Bangladesh, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction analysis using Bayesian methods. The analysis was conducted using 81 hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences from the H5N1 viruses isolated in Bangladesh from 2007 to 2011, together with 264 publicly available HA sequences of clade 2.2, 2.3.2 and 2.3.4 retrieved from GenBank. Our study provides evidence that clade 2.2.2 viruses that caused outbreaks in Bangladesh were lineages independent from the viruses introduced earlier into India. Furthermore, the Bangladesh clade 2.2.2 descendents subsequently spread to India and Bhutan. This has implications for avian influenza control in southern Asia suggesting multiple routes of entry of the virus including one pathway that spread to neighboring countries via Bangladesh.

A transient model for the free convective, nonlinear, steady, laminar flow and mass transfer in a viscoelastic fluid from a vertical porous plate is presented. The Walters-B liquid model is employed which introduces supplementary terms into the momentum conservation equation. The transformed conservation equations are solved using the finite difference method (FDM). The influence of viscoelasticity parameter ( Γ ), species Grashof number ( Gc ), Schmidt number ( Sc ), distance ( Y ) and time ( t ) on the velocity ( U ) and also concentration distribution ( C ) is studied graphically. Velocity is found to increase with a rise in viscoelasticity parameter ( Γ ) with both time and distances close to the plate surface. An increase in Schmidt number is observed to significantly decrease both velocity and concentration in time and also with separation from the plate. Increasing species Grashof number boosts the flow velocity through all time and causes a significant rise primarily near the plate surface. The study has applications in polymer materials processing.

The world has recently moved to a new economic growth path, driven by the rapid growth of developing country economies. How this new path affects the vulnerability of key biophysical systems and its resulting policy implications are assessed using a risk-based approach. Greenhouse gas emissions based on current policies are projected to 2030, with aggressive reductions from 2030 to 2100. Probabilities for global mean temperature in 2100 are applied to damage functions for four key vulnerabilities. Five conclusions are reached. CO2 emissions grow by 3.1% per annum over 2004–2030. Atmospheric CO2 concentration levels 4900ppm CO2-e and warming of 2.2–4.7 1C are attained by 2100. The four key vulnerabilities face a very high risk of adverse outcomes. The current policy mix cannot adequately manage these risks, which can be reduced but not eliminated by early global action. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental on Panel Change’s (IPCC) Special Report for Emission Scenarios (SRES) no longer provide a reliable tool for medium-term analysis in the new economy. Measures to reduce global fossil fuel consumption, accelerate the diffusion of existing non-fossil fuel technologies and to hasten the development of new technologies are urgently needed.

The growth behavior of intermetallic layer with or without adding 0.3 wt% Ni into the Sn-0.7Cu solder was studied during the wetting reaction on Cu-substrate and thereafter in solid-state aging condition. The Cu-solder reaction couple was prepared at 255, 275 and 295 °C for 10 s. The samples reacted at 255 °C were then isothermally aged for 2-14 days at 150 °C. The reaction species formed for the Sn-0.7Cu/Cu and Sn-0.7Cu-0.3Ni/Cu soldering systems were Cu6Sn5 and (CuNi)6Sn5, respectively. The thickness of the intermetallic compounds formed at the solder/Cu interfaces and also in the bulk of both solders increased with the increase of reaction temperature. It was found that Ni-containing Sn-0.7Cu solder exhibited lower growth of intermetallic layer during wetting and in the early stage of aging and eventually exceeded the intermetallic layer thickness of Sn-0.7Cu/Cu soldering system after 6 days of aging. As the aging time proceeds, a non-uniform intermetallic layer growth tendency was observed for the case of Sn-0.7Cu-0.3Ni solder. The growth behavior of intermetallic layer during aging for both solders followed the diffusion-controlled mechanism. The intermetallic layer growth rate constants for Sn-0.7Cu and Sn-0.7Cu-0.3Ni solders were calculated as 1.41 × 10-17 and 1.89 × 10-17 m2/s, respectively which indicated that adding 0.3 wt% Ni with Sn-0.7Cu solder contributed to the higher growth of intermetallic layer during aging. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new approach to well-being measurement is presented in this paper based on multidimensional hierarchical human needs and motivation. This paper empirically applies this new measure of well-being to Australia for the period 1985–2000. This hierarchical approach is underpinned by a rigorous psychological theory of human motivation. Hierarchical human needs are classified into five categories. Eight indicators have been chosen to reflect these categories. A composite indicator of these eight indicators is calculated. This paper concludes that it is necessary to consider multidimensional human needs and motivation when analysing and seeking to improve well-being through economic and social development activities.

We have grown Eu-123 single-crystal whiskers by annealing of precursor pellets containing Ca and Te. Microstructural and compositional analysis was performed on the longitudinal cross-section of a whisker and the area from where the whisker originated. Our observations elucidated some aspects of the growth mechanism from bulk precursor. While plate-like Eu-123 phase was observed in all parts of the precursor pellet, simultaneous precipitation and growth of some needle-shaped Eu-123 crystal is thought to be driven by the formation of the residual phase (Ba, Ca)3TeO6 phase. The whiskers were annealed in different oxidation conditions and their superconducting properties were studied by temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements.

Intermetallic compound (IMC) formations of Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu solder with additional 1 wt% Bi were studied for Cu-substrate during soldering at 255 °C and isothermal aging at 150 °C. It was found that addition of 1 wt% Bi into the Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu solder inhibits the excessive formation of intermetallic compounds during the soldering reaction and thereafter in aging condition. Though the intermetallic compound layer was Cu6Sn5, after 14 days of aging a thin Cu3Sn layer was also observed for both solders. A significant increase of intermetallic layer thickness was observed for both solders where the increasing tendency was lower for Bi-containing solder. After various days of aging, Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu–1.0Bi solder gives comparatively planar intermetallic layer at the solder–substrate interface than that of the Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu solder. The formation of intermetallic compounds during aging for both solders follows the diffusion control mechanism and the diffusion of Cu is more pronounced for Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu solder. Intermetallic growth rate constants for Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu and Sn–2.8Ag–0.5Cu–1.0Bi solders were calculated as 2.21 × 10−17 and 1.91 × 10−17 m2/s, respectively, which had significant effect on the growth behavior of intermetallic compounds during aging.

The interfacial reactions of Sn–Zn based solders and a Sn–Ag–Cu solder have been compared with a eutectic Sn–Pb solder. During reflow soldering different types of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are found at the interface. The morphologies of these IMCs are quite different for different solder compositions. As-reflowed, the growth rates of IMCs in the Sn–Zn based solder are higher than in the Sn–Ag–Cu and Sn–Pb solders. Different types of IMCs such as γ-Cu 5 Zn 8 , β-CuZn and a thin unknown Cu–Zn layer are formed in the Sn–Zn based solder but in the cases of Cu/Sn–Pb and Cu/Sn–Ag–Cu solder systems Cu 6 Sn 5 IMC layers are formed at the interface. Cu 6 Sn 5 and Cu 3 Sn interfacial IMCs are formed in the early stages of 10 min reflow due to the limited supply of Sn from the Sn–Pb solder. The spalling of Cu–Sn IMCs is observed only in the Sn–Ag–Cu solder. The size of Zn platelets is increased with an increase of reflow time for the Cu/Sn–Zn solder system. In the case of the Sn–Zn–Bi solder, there is no significant increase in the Zn-rich phases with extended reflow time. Also, Bi offers significant effects on the wetting, the growth rate of IMCs as well as on the size and distribution of Zn-rich phases in the β-Sn matrix. No Cu–Sn IMCs are found in the Sn–Zn based solder during 20 min reflow. The consumption of Cu by the solders are ranked as Sn–Zn–Bi > Sn–Ag–Cu > Sn–Zn > Sn–Pb. Despite the higher Cu-consumption rate, Bi-containing solder may be a promising candidate for a lead-free solder in modern electronic packaging taking into account its lower soldering temperature and material costs.

Thailand has achieved remarkable levels of economic growth over the last three decades. This sustained economic growth has played a major role in reducing absolute poverty levels from nearly one third of the population in 1975 to presently less than 10%, thus increasing the welfare of many Thais. This performance ranks Thailand as one of the world's most successful economies during this period. However, an increasing number of studies have begun to find that at a certain point achieving economic growth stops improving welfare and actually begins to diminish it due to the hidden and traditionally unreported costs of associated with this growth. With one exception, these new studies have focussed on high-income countries. This study will estimate an index of sustainable economic welfare (ISEW) for a developing country, Thailand, over a 25-year period, 1975–1999. This paper concludes that even low–middle income countries are beginning to approach the point in which economic growth produces both diminishing and, at times, negative welfare returns as the costs of achieving economic growth begin to outweigh the benefits. These results are important for policy makers and highlight the importance of implementing alternative welfare enhancing interventions that must be considered in place of simply achieving economic growth. The emphasis of this paper is not on the methodology of estimating the ISEW for Thailand, but rather on the policy implications for developing countries of diminishing and negative welfare returns brought about through the achievement of economic growth.

Sn-based lead-free solders have a high melting temperature, which often cause excessive interfacial reactions at the interface. A small amount of In is added to reduce the melting temperature and to change the intermetallic compound (IMC) phases. Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu and Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu9In lead-free solder alloys have been used to identify its interfacial reactions with 2-metal layer flexible substrates. In this paper we investigate the effect of 9 at.% In addition to Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu solder during extended reflow. During reflow, Au diffuses rapidly in the molten Sn Ag Cu solder and forms AuSn 4 IMC but in the case of In-containing solder, In Sn Au IMCs form and are uniformly distributed in the solder. Some In Sn Au IMCs have been entrapped in the Sn Cu Ni In quaternary intermetallic compounds (QIMCs) due to lower diffusion rate of Au in the In-containing solder. Initially Sn Cu Ni ternary intermetallic compounds (TIMCs) and Sn Cu Ni In QIMCs form at the interface, which have higher growth rate and consume more of the NiP layer. Low-Cu QIMCs are found in the In-containing solder after 30 min reflow which are more stable in the P-rich Ni layer and significantly reduce the dissolution rate of the NiP layer. The spalling of Sn Cu Ni TIMCs in the Sn Ag Cu solder increases the diffusion rate of Sn atoms and as a consequence both the TIMCs growth rate and dissolution rate of the NiP layer also increases. In-containing solder have lower growth rate of the QIMCs and lower dissolution rate of the NiP layer than the Sn Ag Cu solder. Consumption of the NiP layer can be reduced by adding In, because of the formation of QIMCs at the interface, QIMCs are stable and are well adhering to the P-rich Ni layer during reflow.

An investigation has been carried out to compare the dissolution of the electroless Ni metallization of the ball grid array (BGA) substrate into the molten Sn–0.7 wt.%Cu, Sn–3.5 wt.%Ag–0.5 wt.%Cu and Sn–3.5 wt.%Ag solder. A fixed volume of the BGA solder ball (760m diameter) was used on a 4m thick electroless Ni(P) metallization over a Cu pad having a circular area with a diameter of 600 m. The dissolution measurement was carried out by measuring the change of Ni(P) metallization thickness as a function of time and temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructure of the solder joint and to measure the consumed thickness of Ni(P). The dissolution in Sn–3.5%Ag solder is higher than in the other two lead-free solders. The presence of Cu in the solder plays a major role in inhibiting the consumption of electroless Ni in the soldering reaction. Despite the fact that the initial formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) is the highest in Sn–0.7%Cu solder, the formation of the IMCs and the crystallized Ni3P is much reduced in the later stage. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The superconductivity of Li under pressure is studied by a density functional method. Structural and elastic properties, transition temperature (Tc), density of states (DOS), are considered for the material at ambient and at higher pressures. The calculations, particularly of Tc and DOS as a function of pressure, are compared with other available results. This is in view of the wide difference between the previously predicted maximum Tc-value and those observed by both magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity experiments. The present calculations yield better estimates of Tc and other parameters with respect to measured values.

Lead-free solders have high Sn content and high melting temperature, which often cause excessive interfacial reactions at the interface. Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu lead-free solder alloy has been used to identify its interfacial reactions with two-metal layer flexible substrates. In this paper we investigate the dissolution kinetics of Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu solder on electrolytic Ni/electroless NiP layer. It is found that during 1 min of reflow electroless NiP layer dissolves slightly lower than the electrolytic Ni due to the barrier layer formation between the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and electroless NiP layer. Faster nucleation of IMCs on the electrolytic Ni layer is proposed as the main reason for higher initial dissolution. The appearance of P-rich Ni layer acts as a diffusion barrier layer between the solder and electroless NiP layer, which decreases the dissolution rate and IMCs growth rate than that of the electrolytic Ni layer, but weaken the interface and reduces the ball shear strength and reliability. After acquiring certain thickness P-rich Ni layer breaks and increases the diffusion rate of Sn and as a consequence both the IMCs growth rate and dissolution rate also increases. It is found that 3 μm thick electroless NiP layer cannot protect the Cu layer for more than 120 min at 250 °C. In electrolytic Ni shear strength does not change significantly and lower dissolution rate and more protective for Cu layer during long time molten reaction.

Currently, traditional development issues such as economic stagnation, poverty, hunger, and illness as well as newer challenges like environmental degradation and globalisation demand attention. Sustainable development, including its economic, environmental and social elements, is a key goal of decisionmakers. Optimal economic growth has also been a crucial goal of both development theorists and practitioners. This paper examines the conditions under which optimal growth might be sustainable, by assessing the costs and benefits of growth. Key environmental and social aspects are considered. The Ecol-Opt-Growth-1 model analyses economic–ecological interactions, including resource depletion, pollution, irreversibility, other environmental effects, and uncertainty. It addresses some important issues, including savings, investment, technical progress, substitutability of productive factors, intergenerational efficiency, equity, and policies to make economic growth more sustainable—a basic element of the sustainomics framework. The empirical results support growing concerns that costs of growth may outweigh its benefits, resulting in unsustainability. Basically, in a wide range of circumstances, long term economic growth is unsustainable due to increasing environmental damage. Nevertheless, the model has many options that can be explored by policy makers, to make the development path more sustainable, as advocated by sustainomics. One example suggests that government supported abatement programs are needed to move towards sustainable development, since the model runs without abatement were infeasible. The optimal rate of abatement increases over time. Abatement of pollution is necessary to improve ecosystem viability and increase sustainability. Further research is necessary to seek conditions under which alternative economic growth paths are likely to become sustainable.

We have grown La 2− x Sr x CuO 4 ( x =0.1–0.15) single crystalline films on different single crystalline substrates e.g., La 2 Cu 1− y Zn y O 4 ( y =0.05), La 2− x Sr x Cu 1− y Zn y O 4 ( x =0.15, y =0.05), La 2− x Ba x CuO 4 ( x =0.113), La 2− x Sr x CuO 4 ( x =0.186), LaSrAlO 4 , La 2− x Sr x Cu 1− y Al y O 4 ( x =0.25, y =0.03) etc., using infrared-heated liquid phase epitaxy technique (IR-LPE). The superconducting properties of the film were found to vary significantly depending on the lattice mismatch with different substrates. Closer lattice matching between film and substrate enhanced the Sr-concentration in film grown under identical conditions. IR-LPE technique was found to be a more effective technique to apply higher epitaxial strain on La 2− x Sr x CuO 4 films than other epitaxy techniques using smaller lattice mismatch.

This paper questions conventional approaches to measuring social welfare through gross domestic product (GDP). This paper is divided into two parts. The first part adopts a systems approach to development and incorporates this into the theory of social choice. The second part operationalises this approach through the development of a cost-benefit adjusted gross domestic product (CBAGDP) social welfare function, which overcomes certain limitations of this traditional measure of development. The CBAGDP is then used to estimate welfare in Thailand. This approach is justified because of its normative values and its plausible results.

The cuprates seem to exhibit statistics, dimensionality and phase transitions in novel ways. The nature of excitations [i.e. quasiparticle or collective], spin-charge separation, stripes [static and dynamics], inhomogeneities, psuedogap, effect of impurity dopings [e.g. Zn, Ni] and any other phenomenon in these materials must be consistently understood. Zn-doped LSCO single crystal were grown by TSFZ technique. Temperature dependent Polarized XANES [near edge local structure] spectra were measured at the BL13-B1 [Photon Factory] in the Flourescence mode from 10 K to 300 K. Since both stripes and nonmagnetic Zn impurities substituted for Cu give rise to inhomogeneous charge and spin distribution it is interesting to understand the interplay of Zn impurities and stripes. To understand these points we have used Zn-doping and some of the results obtained are as follows: The spectra show a strong dependence with respect to the polarization angle, $\theta$, as is evident at any temperature by comparing the spectra where the electric field vector is parallel with ab-plane to the one where it is parallel to the c-axis. By using the XANES [temperature] difference spectra we have determined T* [experimentally we find, T* $\approx$ 160-170 K] for this sample. The XANES difference spectra shows that the changes in XANES features are larger in the ab-plane than the c-axis, this trend is expected since zinc is doped in the ab-plane at the copper site. Our study also complements the results in literature namely that zinc doping does not affect the c-axis transport., Comment: To appear in Physica C [ISS2001 Special Issue], related talk presented at ISS2001 as PC-16, 10 pages revtex and 7 pages of figures (pdf)

An attempt is made in this study to characterize and predict runoff dynamics, using ideas gained from nonlinear dynamical theory. Daily runoff data observed over a period of 19 years (January 1, 1975–December 31, 1993) at the Lindenborg catchment in Denmark is studied using a variety of techniques. First, the autocorrelation function and the Fourier power spectrum are used as indicators to obtain some preliminary information regarding the runoff behavior. A comprehensive characterization is done next through the correlation integral analysis, the false nearest neighbor algorithm, and the nonlinear prediction method, all of which use the concept of phase-space reconstruction, i.e., reconstruction of the single-dimensional (or variable) runoff series in a multi-dimensional phase-space to represent its dynamics. The average mutual information method is used to estimate the delay time for the phase-space reconstruction. The exponential decay in the autocorrelation function plot and the sharp spectral lines in the Fourier power spectrum seem to provide some preliminary indication regarding the possible presence of chaos in the runoff dynamics. The (low) correlation dimension (of about 3.76) obtained from the correlation integral analysis, the (low) global dimension (of 4 or 5) obtained from the false nearest neighbor algorithm, and the (low) optimal embedding dimension (of 3) from the nonlinear prediction method are in close agreement with each other, providing convincing evidence regarding the presence of low-dimensional chaotic behavior in the runoff dynamics. The near-accurate predictions achieved for the runoff series (correlation coefficient of about 0.99 and coefficient of efficiency of about 0.98) indicate the appropriateness of the chaotic dynamical approach for characterizing and predicting the runoff dynamics at the Lindenborg catchment.

In this paper we discuss the use of optimal control methods for computing non-linear continuous optimal growth models. We have discussed various recently developed algorithms for computing optimal control, involving step-function approximations, Runge–Kutta solutions of differential equations, and we suggest that the discretization approach is preferable to methods which solve first-order optimality conditions. We have surveyed some powerful computer programs by matlab : riots , miser and ocim for computing such models numerically. These programs have no substantial optimal growth modelling applications yet, although they have numerous engineering and scientific applications. A computer program named scom by matlab-constr is developed in this study. Results are reported for computing the Kendrick–Taylor optimal growth model using riots and scom programs based on the discretization approach. References are made to the computational experiments with ocim and miser . The results are used to compare and evaluate mathematical and economic properties, and computing criteria. While several computer packages are available for optimal control problems, they are not always suitable for particular classes of control problems, including some economic growth models. The matlab -based riots and scom , however, offer good opportunities for computing continuous optimal growth models. It is argued in this paper, that optimal growth modellers may find that these recently developed algorithms and computer programs are relatively preferable for a large variety of optimal growth modelling studies.

We fabricated small intrinsic Josephson junctions of La 2 - x Sr x CuO 4 ( T c = 21.4 K, x ≈ 0.08 ) by focused ion beam etching. Current–voltage characteristics were investigated in the temperature range from 4 K up to around T c . Multi-branch structure was clearly observed in the temperature range of 4–12 K.

Pyrolytically deposited transparent conducting zinc oxide thin films on glass substrates have been subjected to successive post-deposition heat treatments in air and in vacuum. The effects of heat treatment on the electrical transport properties have been studied in detail. The films were polycrystalline, and oxygen chemisorption-desorption processes were found to play an important role for controlling the electronic properties. Various grain boundary and energy band parameters have been calculated by taking conventional extrinsic semiconductor theory and grain boundary trapping models into account. The samples were nondegenerate at room temperature, and the Hall mobility was found to be modulated by the grain boundary potential barrier height via the sample temperature.

The Consul distribution introduced by Consul and Shenton (1975), and modified by Islam and Consul (1990) is derived as a bunching model in traffic flow through the branching process and also through the birth-and-death process. Some applications of the model to vehicle bunch size data are also considered.

Welfare economic analysis of health issues and policies can provide well balanced orderings of the state of the economy. This paper provides an innovative framework for welfare economic analysis of the relationships between economic growth, health outcomes and social welfare for both a developing and a developed country. Economic growth can increase health outcomes and social welfare but its influence is limited by biological laws. Further, achieving economic growth may have negative externalities which reduce health outcomes (particularly when biological health limits are reached). A new health adjusted GDP indicator to investigate the relationship between economic growth, health outcomes and social welfare in both a developing and developed country using social choice perspectives is developed in this paper. This new approach to social welfare analysis is also based on cost-benefit analysis and systems analysis and is called the social choice approach. The importance of good health is crucial when determining social welfare. The major limitation of many health-based indicators is that they can fail to adequately consider social welfare issues, such as equity and efficiency. Social choice theory allows optimal health outcomes to be fully considered in terms of equity and efficiency when determining the impact of economic growth on social welfare. Social choice theory incorporates the various "social concerns" that are not adequately captured using individual preference satisfaction techniques. This paper analyses the health outcomes resulting from economic growth (costs and benefits) using Thailand and Australia as case studies, from 1975 to 1999. Two health adjusted gross domestic product (HAGDP) indices are prepared in this paper by adjusting GDP to reflect the social welfare impacts of achieving economic growth on health outcomes.

A very simple and low-cost device for the deposition of thin films by the pyrosol process has been designed Doped and undoped transparent conducting SnO 2 films have been prepared on glass substrates The films obtained were nonstoichiometric but homogeneous and polycrystalline in nature It is found that an activation energy of about 0 2 eV is associated with the film growth process The logarithm of the film thickness varies approximately linearly with the deposition time, and the sheet resistance shows a size effect below a thickness of about 0 3 micro m Doping increases the conductivity but at the cost of transparency The best compromise between transparency and conductivity was obtained at a substrate temperature of about 380°C and with 1 6 mole percent of Sb or 13 mole percent of F as dopants in the as-deposited condition The figure of ment of these films is compared to those of films obtained earlier by the spray pyrolysis method F doping produces better results than Sb doping.

Broiler carcasses, each inoculated with 30 cells of marker Salmonella heidelberg , were prechilled and chilled together with uninoculated carcasses in a simulated commercial chilling system. When either 10 or 25 ppm of PHMB [poly(hexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride)] was added to the prechill water, cross-contamination (uninoculated carcasses showing contamination with marker Salmonella after chilling) was prevented, and no viable Salmonella were found on the inoculated carcasses. When carcasses, each inoculated with 60,000 cells of marker Salmonella , were similarly chilled, and 10 ppm of PHMB was added to the prechill water, cross-contamination was not prevented, and viable Salmonella were found on the inoculated carcasses. With 60,000 cells, and 25 ppm PHMB, cross-contamination was prevented, but viable Salmonella remained on the inoculated carcasses.