The common-envelope process is a complicated phase in binary evolution. A lot of effort has been dedicated to study the common-envelope stage, but many questions related to this process are yet to be answered. If one member of the binary survives the common-envelope phase, the binary will emerge as a white dwarf accompanied by a low-mass main sequence star in close orbit, often referred as a post common-envelope binary (PCEB). SDSS J0745+2631 is among the list of newly found PCEBs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). This star is proposed to be a strong eclipsing system candidate due to the ellipsoidal modulation in its light curve. In this work, we aim to conrm the eclipsing nature of SDSS J0745+2631 and to determine the stellar and orbital parameters using the software Binary Maker 3.0 (BM3.0). We detected the primary eclipse in the light curve of SDSS J0745+2631 in our follow-up observation from January 2014 using the ULTRASPEC instrument at the Thai National Observatory. The data obtained on 7th and 8th January 2014 in g filter show an evident drop in brightness during the eclipse of the white dwarf, but this eclipse is less prominent in the data taken on the next night using a clear filter. According to our preliminary model, we find that SDSS J0745+2631 hosts a rather hot white dwarf with an eective temperature of 11500K. The companion star is a red dwarf star with a temperature of 3800K and radius of 0.3100 R⊙. The red dwarf star almost fills its Roche lobe, causing a large ellipsoidal modulation. The mass ratio of the binary given by the Binary Maker 3.0 (BM3.0) model is M2/M1 = 0.33.

The physical and chemical properties of prestellar cores, especially massive ones, are still far from being well understood due to the lack of a large sample. The low dust temperature (< 14 K) of Planck cold clumps makes them promising candidates for prestellar objects or for sources at the very initial stages of protostellar collapse. We have been conducting a series of observations toward Planck cold clumps (PCCs) with ground-based radio telescopes. In general, when compared with other star forming samples (e.g. infrared dark clouds), PCCs are more quiescent, suggesting that most of them may be in the earliest phase of star formation. However, some PCCs are associated with protostars and molecular out ows, indicating that not all PCCs are in a prestellar phase. We have identied hundreds of starless dense clumps from a mapping survey with the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) 13.7-m telescope. Follow-up observations suggest that these dense clumps are ideal targets to search for prestellar objects.

The surfaces of most atmosphereless solar system objects are referred to as regolith, layers of loosely connected fragmentary debris, produced by meteorite impacts. Measurements of light scattered from such surfaces provides information about the composition and structure of the surface. A suitable way to characterize the scattering properties is to consider how the intensity and polarization of scattered light depends on the particle size, composition, porosity, roughness, wavelength of incident light and the geometry of observation. In the present work, the effect of porosity on bidirectional re ectance as a function of phase angle is studied for alumina powder with grain size of 0.3 μm and olivine powder with grain size of 49 μm at 543.5 nm. The optical constants of the alumina sample for each porosity were calculated with Maxwell Garnett eective medium theory. On using each of the optical constants of alumina sample in Mie theory with the Hapke model the variation of bidirectional re ectance is obtained as a function of phase angle with porosity as a parameter. Experimental re ectance data are in good agreement the model. For the olivine sample the effect of porosity is studied using Hapke (2008).

William Butler Yeats’s poem “Among School Children” is a meditation on love, essence, and change. This paper attempts to relate the Buddhist theories of essence and change to the core philosophical premises of the poem itself. Furthermore, through two specific Buddhist texts, Milindapanho by Nàgasena and Mūlamādhyamikakārikā by Nagarjuna, the paper illustrates similarities in terms of imagery and philosophical ideas in the specific stanzas of the poem, highlighting a philosophical foundation in musings on love and essence as they emerge in the poem.

As the rapid adoption of the Internet around the globe made digital marketing an indispensable means of gaining competitive advantage for many sectors (Leeflang, Verhoef, Dahlstrom, & Freundt, 2014), its appropriateness for luxury products remains debatable. The main lures to luxury products for many consumers are their exclusivity and rarity, two valuable attributes that are at odds with digital medias’ ubiquitousness and pervasiveness (Hennigs, Wiedmann, & Klarmann, 2012). The main purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of online promotion of luxury brands on different aspects of their brand image. Additionally, the paper checks how the impact of the Internet on luxuries’ brand image varies across different segments of luxury consumers and levels of brand luxuriousness. The main hypothesis of the study, that the Internet affects luxury brand image, is grounded in the McLuhan’s (1964) assertion that "the medium is the message". The congruence of the medium to the advertised brand has a positive effect on brand evaluations (Dahlén, 2005). Given that the Internet could serve as a tool for luxury firms to enhance their creative aspects (Okonkwo, 2009), the question arises as to how congruent the Internet is as a medium to luxury brands that sell on the basis of their exclusivity. The congruence of the Internet to the luxury brands is moderated by: the level of luxuriousness of the brand and the perceived luxury values. Dahlén, Granlund & Grenros (2009) have shown that the use of new media benefit more the “low reputation” brands rather than the “high reputation” ones. In high reputation brands consumers have expectations of higher standards from the medium and are more attentive to changes in the advertising medium. Moreover, by definition the higher the level of brand luxuriousness the higher its exclusivity and rarity. Hence, it is hypothesized that the Internet’s appropriateness as a medium will be negatively related to the luxuriousness of the brand. Luxury values influence consumer choices for luxury brands and brand image perceptions. Luxury value activation by contextual cues like the advertising medium is expected to align image perceptions to the expressed values. As a result, we expect brand image attributes that express specific luxury values to be influenced by the extent to which the medium promotes or inhibits the expression of such values. In luxuries, Wiedmann, Hennings and Siebels (2007) identified four categories of luxury values (financial, functional, individual and social) that are hypothesized to have a differential impact on the effect of the Internet to luxury brand image. To test the hypothesized relationships, an experimental design was used. Facebook was selected as a platform for “online” promotion and the stimuli were luxury watches. The results indicated online luxury promotion adversely affects luxury brand’s perceptions hedonism and uniqueness. The effects were more pronounced to the most luxurious brands and to specific luxury value segments. The results provide useful insights for the development of luxury brand strategies.

The analytical method for the determination of phosphorus in foods was validated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in terms of precision, accuracy, recovery efficiency and linearity. Regression analysis revealed good correlation coefficient, higher than 0.999. Recovery efficiencies of the minerals ranged from 90.36% to 110.63%, and the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0745 mg/ kg and 0.2482 mg/kg, respectively. The value of inter-day and intra-day ranged from 1.43 to 3.23% and from 0.40 to 1.77%. The recovery efficiencies ranged from 97.8 to 110.6%. The method was also compared with Molybdenum blue colorimetric method using certified and statistically significant difference was also not observed in the between two different analytical methods. The ICP-OES method was applied to phosphorus determination in commonly consumed foods. The obtained results suggest that the method verified in the present study may be used as an official analytical method for clear understanding of phosphorus database for national health promotion.

This study was aimed at assessing the fumigant toxicity to adult Thrips palmi and Orius strigicollis of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil compounds and structurally related compounds using vapour-phase toxicity bioassays. Results were compared with those for dichlorvos. Against adult T. palmi, linalool (LD50, 0.0055 mg cm–3) was the most toxic fumigant and was 15.2–fold more effective than dichlorvos (0.0837 mg cm–3). Strong fumigant toxicity was also observed in pulegone (0.0095 mg cm–3), (±)-camphor (0.0097 mg cm–3) and 1,8-cineole (0.0167 mg cm–3). Moderate toxicity was produced by camphene, 3-carene, (–)-menthone, (+)-α-pinene, (+)-β-pinene, α-terpineol and (–)-α-thujone (0.0215–0.0388 mg cm–3). Against adult O. strigicollis, dichlorvos (LD50, 9.0 ×10–10 mg cm–3) was the most toxic fumigant, whereas the LD50 values of these compounds ranged from 0.0127 to >0.23 mg cm–3. Based upon selective toxicity ratio (STR, O. strigicollis LD50/T. palmi LD50), the compounds described (STR, 0.7–>10.7) are more selective than dichlorvos (STR, 10.8×10–9 mg cm–3). Basil oil compounds described merit further study as potential insecticides for control of T. palmi in greenhouses because of their generally lower toxicity to O. strigicollis and their greater activity as a fumigant than dichlorvos.

The effects of seed soaking treatment with the solutions of plant growth regulators IAA, GA3 and BAP on seed germination and shoot and bulb growth of Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Korean wild garlic) were determined. A significant variation in the seed germination rate was recorded at all treatments for various soaking periods. Maximum seed germination was obtained when seeds were soaked in IAA or GA3 solution at 200 mg L-1. The MAP treated seeds started to germinate after 3 months. Among treatments, IAA was found to be most effective in improving seed germination, but further seedling growth was not correlated to the soaking time. Seed soaking in IAA or GA3 solution enhanced further growth of seedlings compared with water control treatment. Shoot and bulb growth was highest in GA3 treatments.

Regional education experts from various developing countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia) of west Africa and Asia-Pacific regions and experts in ICT in education from Korea cooperated to analyze the current situation of ICT utilization for schools in developing countries. From their research and reflections of participants' countries situation following things are recommended to be considered with priorities. Firstly, the expected problems and difficulties of introducing ICT in developing country schools from six levels including (teachers level, schools level and communities level). Then, solutions thereto are derived for the following six aspects: motivation of teachers, awareness building, Funds, ICT training for teachers, ICT equipment for the teachers, transparency and accountability.

Researcher in the western world have studied corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, and marketing procedures for combining CSR and sustainability, but Asian awareness has been limited on both corporate and state levels. Asian researchers need to improve sustainable marketing theory because China, especially, urgently needs to confront the problem in sustainability management. The authors argue that Confucian principles, which are built on five constant virtues that have guided family and commercial life in China for more than 2,500 years, are relevant to theory regarding CSR and sustainability. To analyze sustainability in China in relation to Confucian principles, the authors develop and refine a questionnaire to be used in China, and use SPSS to analyze reliability and EFA. They use CFA and SEM to analyze sustainable marketing performance and customer equity and derive conclusions and implications.

While the relationship between market orientation and new product performance has been extensively investigated, the mechanism by which market orientation contributes to new product performance was further studied in a business-to-business context. We developed a set of alternative research models to examine the roles of timing of entry and positional advantage in the market orientation—new product performance relationship. The results showed that industrial firms’ positional advantage is a key step in the process. Market orientation does not directly influence new product performance. Instead, market orientation helps to establish a firms’ positional advantage, which, in turn, positively influences new product performance in the marketplace. Timing of entry, shown to be an outcome of positional advantage, is not a determinant of new product performance in the business-to-business context. The findings revealed that market-oriented firms achieve superior new product performance through thoughtfulness indicated by a well-defined positioning strategy, not rapidity of action.

A study was carried out on 16 indigenous ewes in Bangladesh in order to assess the reproductive physiology, the pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation and progesterone profiles during the estrous cycle period. The mean estrous cycle length and duration of estrus were 15.8±0.12 days and 31.1±0.57 h respectively. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorized into parabasal, intermediate, superficial and keratinized and their relative occurrences. The percentages of parabasal, intermediate and superficial cell type during proestrus were similar. The percentage of superficial cell type during estrus was 61.7%, which was significantly (p<0.01) differ from other types of cells and stages of estrus cycle. Metoestrus was predominant with neutrophils in addition with other cell types. Dioestrus was dominated by neutrophils. On days 0 to 5 of the cycle the progesterone concentration was 0.09 to 1.6±0.07 ng/ml. The length of diestrus was 5∼10 days with a range of mean progesterone level of 1.6±0.07 to 2.8±0.11 ng/ml. Progesterone levels increased significantly (p<0.01) after Day 5 and maximum level was 2.8±0.11 ng/ml observed on Day 10 of the estrous cycle. Thereafter it dropped rapidly to basal level of 0.11±0.04 ng/ml on Day 0 (p<0.01). These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells along with progesterone concentration could be used to determine the reproductive stages of indigenous ewe.

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of anthelmintics against gastrointestinal parasitic infestation in periparturient dairy cows and its effect on milk yield and quality. Sixty pregnant cows of 1st & 2nd parity were divided into four groups. The efficacy of anthelmintic treatment was evaluated by counting faecal egg per gram (EPG) compared with pre-treatment values. The milk yield of each cow was recorded in pre and post treatment lactations. Cows of group A were treated with Nitroxynil 10 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously 30 days before parturition, group B were treated with combination of triclabendazole and levamisole 19.5 mg/kg body weight orally at calving and group C treated with Endex® at calving and 42 days after. The mean change in EPG 14 days after treatment was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated (79.1%) cows than control. Average milk yield of group C (2.8 ± 0.8) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than group A (2.6 ± 0.7). Similarly, the average milk yield in all the treated cows was significantly (p<0.01) higher in treated lactation (2.5 ± 0.7) than in the previous lactation (2.2 ± 0.7). The average milk yield in all treated cows was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control cows. Although, milk yields were higher in second parity than the first, there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The milk protein percentage was significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated group than the control group. Therefore, it may be concluded that periparturient anthelmintic treatment effectively reduced the gastrointestinal parasitic load and improved milk yield.

The present study was designed to observe the oestrus responses in the indigenous ewe induced by cloprostenol sodium manufactured by two different companies (Ovuprost®, BOMAC, Newzealandand Prostenol®, Techno, Bangladesh). Twelve local ewes were divided into 3 groups (n= 8). The ewes in Group I and II were induced by intramuscular injection of 100 μg (0.4 ml) of cloprostenol sodium (Ovuprost® and Prostenol®), respectively. The 2nd injection in each group was given at 9 days apart. The ewes in Group III were kept as control for observing natural oestrus characteristics and comparing the responses with induced oestrus. Hundred and 75% ewes showed oestrus following 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol®, respectively. The average time of onset of oestrus following 1st and 2nd injection of Ovuprost® and Prostenol® were 50.5 ± 3.5 vs 48.0 ± 0.0 h and 49.9 ± 1.9 vs 49.5 ± 1.7 h, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two types of cloprostenol sodium group on the onset of oestrus. The average duration of oestrus was 27.5 ± 0.7 vs 27.5 ± 0.0 h and 25.9 ± 3.3 vs 24.2 ± 0.3 h in Ovuprost® and Prostenol® treated ewes, respectively. For natural oestrus, the duration of oestrus was 25.2 ± 3.3 h. There was no significant difference among the cloprostenol sodium produced by two different companies and natural oestrous ewes on the duration of oestrus. The higher percentages of cornified cells were present in induced oestrus (90 and 85%) compared with natural oestrus (80%), although there was no significant difference among them. The pregnancy rates were 75, 66.7 and 100% in Ovuprost®, Prostenol® and natural oestrous ewes, respectively. The above results indicate the suitability of using cloprostenol sodium for synchronization of oestrus in indigenous ewes in Bangladesh.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva of the head and neck cancer patients. Twenty three cancer patients (19 males, 4 females) who had undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy and twenty four healthy volunteers (14 males, 10 females) as a control were included. Salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva were examined. Compared to saliva of the control group, salivary flow rate (p<0.001) and salivary pH (p<0.001) were significantly lower in head and neck cancer patients. The colony counts of Lactobacilli was higher in head and neck cancer patients (p<0.05) than in control group. These salivary factors and cariogenic activity can increase the prevalence of dental caries in head and neck cancer patients.

An assessment is made of the anti-proliferative activity of cicada slough-derived materials against 10 human cancer cell lines, including PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines, using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results were compared with those of the commercially available anticancer agent with broad spectrum cisplatin. The ethanol extract of Cryptotympana spp. slough was proved to have anti-proliferative activity against A549 lung, AGS stomach, PC-3 and DU145 prostate, Hela cervix, HT-29 colon, MCF-7 breast, and SK-Hep-1 liver cancer cell lines except for Hep-2 larynx and SK-OV-3 ovary cancer cell lines. The biologically active constituent was characterized as the nonprotein α-amino acid theanine [2-amino-4-(ethylcarbamoyl)butyric acid] by spectroscopic analysis, including EI-MS and NMR. Theanine was isolated from the cicada slough as a new cytotoxic principle. Fifty percent inhibition concentration (IC50) values of the constituent against PC-3 was 6.52 μg/mL, respectively. The activity of theanine (IC50,6.52μg/mL) did not differ significantly from that of the anticancer agent cisplatin (IC50,7.39μg/mL) toward PC-3. In conclusion, further studies on the cicada slough-derived materials containing theanine as potential anticancer products or a lead molecule for the prevention or eradication from human prostate cancer.