G4 alloys (Ti51Al47Re1W1Si0.2) are developed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) with the aim to improve the creep resistance of SPS materials. The microstructure is analyzed by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopies (SEM and TEM). The mechanical properties at low and high temperatures are measured. The addition of heavy elements does not lead to an improvement of the mechanical strength.

This article is a case study on the Yunnanese scholar Li Yuanyang under the background of the Ming's incorporating and sinicizing Yunnan, exploring how he views the Ming's actions and writes Yunnan's becoming a part of China. First, it retells Li's life experiences and examines the Yunnan native things and Chinese traditions in his writings. Then, after noting his emphasis of Yunnan's belonging to China, it concentrates on his comments on the Ming's military campaigns. As it analyzes, on the one hand, he justifies these campaigns against indigenous rebellions, on the other hand, he also criticizes unnecessary wars and some imperial officials' selfish deeds. Besides, he considers the constructing and reconstructing projects as a symbol of the central state's righteous governance, which should also bring benefit and benevolence to the indigenes. In a word, Li's case reflects the deep impact of the Ming's invasion on the local elites, as well as how they react to this.

The estimation of diffusive transport of gases through tuffs is important in order to assess whether Yucca Mountain is an environmentally safe and acceptable repository for high-level radioactive waste. The purpose of this study is to provide effective diffusivity data which may be used to calculate the amount of diffusion of carbon dioxide through Yucca Mountain tuff layers to the environment. The effective diffusivity of carbon dioxide was measured for tuff samples from five different layers of the USW-G4 drillhole, which is located in the central part of the proposed repository horizon. The tuff samples studied are from the following layers and depths: Vapor Phase (83.6 m), Upper Lithophysal (130.1 m), Middle Nonlithophysal (224.5 m), Lower Lithophysal (243.9 m, 266.9 m, 297.3 m and 335.2 m), and Lower Nonlithophysal (356.3 m and 371.0 m). A steady-state, counter-diffusion method, using gas chromatographic analysis, was used to determine the effective diffusivity of carbon dioxide through tuff samples. Effective diffusivity increased with temperature between 25°C and 125°C for all layers. The effect of temperature on diffusivity correlated well using second-order polynomials. The porosity, specific surface area and mean pore radius were also determined. In general, diffusivity increased with porosity, specific surface area and mean pore radius, but did not correlate well. From the measured data , it appears that the diffusion takes place primarily in the combined Knudsen and bulk diffusion regimes.

This study traces the origins and development of the concept of Li 理 (Pattern) in early Chinese Cosmology, locating its foundation in the root metaphor derived from the natural lines or veins along which a block of jade can be split by a skilled artisan. From this relatively concrete image, li comes to eventually represent in Daoist cosmology the more abstract quality of the natural patterns or structures within the universe along which all phenomena move and interact with one another without the interference of human beings. After examining how early Confucian works emphasize the more abstract and derivative qualities of order and structure, we see that the likely Yangist authors in the Lüshi chunqiu return to the original metaphor of veins in jade but, instead, apply this to the veins through which the qi circulates through the human body.

We then see how this metaphor is expanded beyond the human body in the classical Daoist texts to come to represent the natural guidelines both within all phenomena and those that guide their movements within the cosmos. Within phenomena these include such varied things as the structures for the generation and expression of emotions within human beings as well as the natural lines along which the butcher's chopper passes in order to cleave oxen. In Daoist inner cultivation literature it is these patterns with which sages accord so that their spontaneous actions are completely in harmony with the greater forces of the cosmos. Only after long practice of the apophatic contemplative methods that include concentrating on one breathing and emptying out the normal contents of consciousness can the sage be able to accomplish this goal of “taking no action yet leaving nothing undone.” Thus the concept of li as these natural guidelines comes to serve as an explanation for why this classical Daoist dictum is effective in the world.

Finally, the Huainanzi contains the most sophisticated and sustained usages of the concept of li as the natural patterns and guidelines in the cosmos arguing that complying with them is the key to a genuinely contented life.

Human rights — Freedom of thought, conscience and religion — Neutrality — Employer policy of neutrality — Applicant dismissed for wearing religious clothing — European Union Directive 2000/78 — Discrimination — Direct discrimination — Indirect discrimination — Whether employer prohibition on religious clothing constituting discrimination under Directive 2000/78 — The law of the European Union

To improve the diagnosis of human fascioliasis caused by Fasciola gigantica, we developed a peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (peptide-based ELISA) based on the detection of specific IgG4 subclass antibody. Two identified B-cell epitopes of F. gigantica cathepsin L1 were synthesized as single synthetic peptides, acetyl-DKIDWRESGYVTELKDQGNC-carboxamide (peptide L) and acetyl-DKIDWRESGYVTEVKDQGNC-carboxamide (peptide V), and their diagnostic potential was evaluated. The sera of 25 patients infected with F. gigantica, 212 patients with other parasitic infections, 32 cholangiocarcinoma patients and 57 healthy controls were analysed. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of this assay were the same with both peptides at 100%, 99·7%, 99·7%, 96·2% and 100%, respectively. These highly sensitive and specific peptide-based ELISAs for the detection of specific IgG4 antibody could be useful for laboratory diagnosis of human fascioliasis in future large-scale surveys throughout Southeast Asia where this disease is prevalent.