Every state and the District of Columbia use voluntary acknowledgments of paternity. Created pursuant to federal law, the acknowledgment is signed by the purported biological parents and establishes paternity without requiring court involvement. Intended to be a "simple civil process" to establish paternity where the parents are unmarried, the acknowledgment is used by state governments to expedite child support litigation. But federal policy and state laws governing the acknowledgments do not sufficiently protect the interests of those men who have signed acknowledgments and who subsequently discover that they lack genetic ties to the children in question. A signatory who learns that he is not the child's biological father and who wishes to challenge the validity of the acknowledgment must navigate a difficult process for relief. The very act of signing an acknowledgment may subsequently prevent him from offering any scientific evidence of the absence of a biological connection to the child. As a result, he may be obligated to pay child support for years on the basis of that erroneous paternity acknowledgment, and a parent-child relationship may be imposed even if it is not in the child's best interests. Using the District of Columbia as a model to highlight the need for procedural reform, this Article examines the federal and D.C. legislation that created voluntary acknowledgments of paternity as well as the process for either rescinding or challenging their validity. The Article then analyzes the practical implications of these processes and discusses why the presumptive weight of the acknowledgment, a conclusive presumption of paternity, is problematic. In particular, the Article questions the need for a conclusive presumption of paternity, a difficult evidentiary burden for a challenger to overcome, and whether the conclusive presumption of paternity runs afoul of constitutional protections. Finally, the Article offers possible solutions to improve the establishment process.


We used a metagenomic approach to identify viruses that may be involved in the ecology of Daphnia spp. in Oneida and Cayuga lakes (upstate New York). We identified several highly represented, putative eukaryotic, circular, single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) viral genomes. Among these, we discovered a genotype similar in both sequence and genomic architecture to a virus previously reported from a hyperthermal lake that shares characteristics of both single‐stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) and single‐stranded DNA viruses. We used quantitative polymerase chain reactions to study the prevalence and viral load of both positive‐sense and negative‐sense strands of the Daphnia mendotae‐associated (Cladocera) hybrid virus (DMClaHV) over a summer season in Oneida and Cayuga lakes. DMClaHV had high prevalence within Daphnia populations, where viral load and the proportion of virus‐positive individuals were higher preceding host population decline. DMClaHV viral load was different between two species of Daphnia (D. mendotae and D. retrocurva), and the dynamics between viruses and their hosts varied between the two lakes. We detected DMClaHV in eggs (ephippia) retrieved from Oneida Lake sediments with an estimated age of 30 yr. Using transmission electron microscopy, we observed small (20 nm diameter) virus‐like particles in Daphnia that were well away from gut tissues and not associated with intracellular parasites. Because Daphnia plays a critical role in many lake ecosystems, DMClaHV may have important effects on herbivory and thus carbon flow through the lake ecosystem.


ABSTRACT The authors discuss the development of self-organizing artworks. Context Machines are a family of site-specific, conceptual and generative artworks that capture photographic images from their environment in the construction of creative compositions. Resurfacing produces interactive temporal landscapes from images captured over time. Memory Association Machine's free-associative process, modeled after Gabora's theory of creativity, traverses a self-organized map of images collected from the environment. In the Dreaming Machine installations, these free associations are framed as dreams. The self-organizing map is applied to thousands of images in Self-Organized Landscapes—high-resolution collages intended for print reproduction. Context Machines invite us to reconsider what is essentially human and to look at ourselves, and our world, anew.


Abstract This paper outlines a study of play development practices in key state-subsidised English theatres in 2014 and 2015. Literary managers, dramaturgs and directors were interviewed about their approach to play development in the nine theatres in which they worked: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Plymouth Drum, The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Mercury Theatre, The Liverpool Everyman, The Manchester Royal Exchange, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal Court Theatre and The National Theatre. This paper outlines the context of this study, including an examination of existing theoretical and empirical research on contemporary, English play development. It outlines the methodology used for the data collection, presents the interview responses and concludes with a short summary of some key findings.


Let X = (X1,...,Xp) be a stochastic vector having joint density function fX(x) with partitions X1 = (X1,...,Xk) and X2 = (Xk+1,...,Xp). A new method for estimating the conditional density function of X1 given X2 is presented. It is based on locally Gaussian approximations, but simplified in order to tackle the curse of dimensionality in multivariate applications, where both response and explanatory variables can be vectors. We compare our method to some available competitors, and the error of approximation is shown to be small in a series of examples using real and simulated data, and the estimator is shown to be particularly robust against noise caused by independent variables. We also present examples of practical applications of our conditional density estimator in the analysis of time series. Typical values for k in our examples are 1 and 2, and we include simulation experiments with values of p up to 6. Large sample theory is established under a strong mixing condition.


We propose a novel unsteady Stokes solver for coupled viscous and pressure forces in grid-based liquid animation which yields greater accuracy and visual realism than previously achieved. Modern fluid simulators treat viscosity and pressure in separate solver stages, which reduces accuracy and yields incorrect free surface behavior. Our proposed implicit variational formulation of the Stokes problem leads to a symmetric positive definite linear system that gives properly coupled forces, provides unconditional stability, and treats difficult boundary conditions naturally through simple volume weights. Surface tension and moving solid boundaries are also easily incorporated. Qualitatively, we show that our method recovers the characteristic rope coiling instability of viscous liquids and preserves fine surface details, while previous grid-based schemes do not. Quantitatively, we demonstrate that our method is convergent through grid refinement studies on analytical problems in two dimensions. We conclude by offering practical guidelines for choosing an appropriate viscous solver, based on the scenario to be animated and the computational costs of different methods.


In this weird and wonderful museum catalogue, the optician's prescription for the 1966 World Cup Russian linesman appears next to a news report of an ear-biting scandal in the Roman Gladiatorial arena, and an advert for Roger Bannister's four-minute egg timer is featured alongside Andrew Flintoff's bar bill from the 2005 Ashes celebrations. Tutenkhamen's Tracksuit ransacks the dusty lockers and forgotten corners of the world's dressing-rooms to present a unique collection of subverted reality. Satirical, surreal and completely invented, fans of every sport will enjoy this knowing and mischievous hijacking of the defining moments of popular sporting culture. The book illuminates the most famous moments, lives, personalities and controversies in sport with a unique collection of found (i.e. made-up!) objects drawn from throughout history. From match-fixing in Ancient Egypt to Twittering kiss-and-tells, no sporting stone is left unturned. The hundred objects are presented as a unique collection of sporting ephemera curated by Gideon Rupert, Acting Director of the National Museum for Sport and Fishing, Orkney. From spoof diaries, school reports, news articles and intercepted emails to postcards, seating plans, tactical diagrams and cave paintings, each tells the story of a well-known sporting event or personality in a completely irreverent way, alongside curator's notes and spurious academic references. After reading Tutenkhamen's Tracksuit, you'll never look at a museum catalogue in the same way again.


This chapter investigates the depiction of cognitive processes within two "autofictional" novels, Serge Doubrovsky's Fils and David Williams's Eye of the Father. Both works feature literary scholars as the main protagonists, who recognize their own emotional predicament through their emotional and rational interpretations of literature. These texts speak in interesting ways to – and challenge – recent work in cognitive poetics, raising the question whether rational or emotional reading processes trigger epiphanies. Both novels suggest that the two different literary responses are interdependent, thus rendering suspect the possibility of purely rational, objective approaches to literature. Reading the novels at the nexus of emotion, "autofiction", and interpretation, we argue that literary scholarship needs to account for emotional-subjective and rational-objective approaches.


Background Oxytocin (OT) and Vasopressin (AVP) are phylogenetically conserved neuropeptides with effects on social behavior, cognition and stress responses. Although OT and AVP are most commonly measured in blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), these approaches present an array of challenges including concerns related to the invasiveness of sample collection, the potential for matrix interference in immunoassays, and whether samples can be collected at precise time points to assess event-linked endocrine responses. New Method We validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the measurement of salivary OT and AVP in domestic dogs. Results Both OT and AVP were present in dog saliva and detectable by ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). OT concentrations in dog saliva were much higher than those typically detected in humans. OT concentrations in the same samples analyzed with and without sample extraction were highly correlated, but this was not true for AVP. ELISA validation studies revealed good accuracy and parallelism, both with and without solid phase extraction. Collection of salivary samples with different synthetic swabs, or following salivary stimulation or the consumption of food led to variance in results. However, samples collected from the same dogs using different techniques tended to be positively correlated. We detected concurrent elevations in salivary and plasma OT during nursing. Comparison with Existing Methods There are currently no other validated methods for measuring OT/AVP in dog saliva. Conclusions OT and AVP are present in dog saliva, and ELISAs for their detection are methodologically valid.


Environmental, climatic and economic human influences contribute to the problem of water scarcity in arid and semi-arid areas of the world, particularly in the less developed countries. This has impeded economic development in these regions. Thus, the call is for better methodological approaches for investigating the problem from an interdisciplinary perspective and at a local scale, i.e., the bottom-up approach. This study investigates the nature of water use in a selected drought-inflicted village and develops an analytical framework for assessing the water demands of alternative economic development scenarios. A review of hydro-climatologically characteristics, land use practices, and technological development provides information on water resources availability and human activities in the region. Surveys of human activities and water use in the study village, Kutum indicate the following conditions: water scarcity, unsustainable agricultural development, and subsequent food and economic insecurity. Further investigations indicate that groundwater is the most dependable source of water. Its use is dominated by agricultural activities especially irrigation and animal rearing. These are the most water intensive activities based on the ratio of water use to income generation. Results of the study provide useful information for the development of predictive models and water conservation strategies. Estimates of direct and total requirements of both economic and ecological commodities showed sparse sectoral interdependence within the economic system but a heavy dependence of the economy on the environment. Such dependence is more on water, a scarce commodity in this semi-arid environment. The most intensive users of water based on the direct effects include animal husbandry, building and irrigated agriculture; based on total effects are catering, building and animal husbandry, in descending order.


This study was to assess community participation in the Lao
Ngam Selected Field Area Project (LSFAP) and its influencing factors.
It was conducted in 12 villages in the Lao Ngam district, the province
of Saravanh, Laos, where the LSFAP was implemented. The general
objectives of the study were to assess the level of participation and the
factors influencing it during the third phase of the project (1992-1995). The specific objectives were to: (1) describe the operation of the
LSFAP; (2) examIne the socio-demographic background of
participants; (3) determine the level of participation existing in the
villages in various activities; and (4) identify factors that influenced
participation in the LSFAP. A total of 123 respondents involved in the 2 main activities: rice
field ploughing and poultry raising in 12 villages were sampled using
the proportionate sampling technique. Data for the study consisted of
both qualitative and quantitative nature. The quantitative data was
gathered by formal interviews while the qualitative data was collected
using group discussion. Additional data were obtained by informal
interviews and field observations. Structured questionnaires formed
the main tool for the data collection. The quantitative data was
analysed using descriptive frequency distribution to present and
summarise the data. Pearson Correlation and Chi-square were used
to determine the association between participation and all
independent variables. The qualitative data was analysed by an
inductive content technique.
The study revealed that the level of participation of the project
members in the LSFAP was at the medium level in all three stages:
decision-making, implementation and benefit sharing. Education,
politico-administrative support, project leadership, Community
Development Board (VCDB) leadership, project member-project
member (PM-PM) linkage and project member-project staff (PM-PS)
linkage were found to have significant relationship with all the three
stages of participation. However, in this study, only organisational membership had
positive relationship in two stages of participation: decision-making
and implementation.


Immunity that is cross-protective between different influenza A virus subtypes (termed heterosubtypic immunity) can be demonstrated readily in some animals but only rarely in humans. Induction of heterosubtypic immunity in humans by vaccines would provide public health benefit, perhaps offering some protection against pandemics or other new influenza A strains. Therefore, we studied mechanisms mediating heterosubtypic immunity in mice. Immunization with either A/H1N1 or A/H3N2 virus protected mice against mortality following heterosubtypic challenge while providing modest reductions in lung virus titers. No cross-protection was seen with distantly related type B influenza virus. Depletion of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells or both around the time of challenge had no significant effect on survival, indicating that these cells are not required at the effector stage. beta2-microglobulin knockout mice could be protected readily against heterosubtypic challenge, confirming that class I-restricted T cells are not required. In beta2-microglobulin -/- mice, depletion of CD4+ T cells partially abrogated heterosubtypic immunity, showing that they play a role in these mice. Passive transfer of Abs to naive recipients protected against subsequent challenge with homologous but not heterosubtypic virus. Because a role for secretory Abs has been suggested, we studied dependence on the J chain, which is required for polymeric Ig receptor-mediated IgA transport. J chain knockout mice were readily protected by heterosubtypic immunity, indicating that polymeric Ig receptor-mediated transport is not required. Better understanding of heterosubtypic immunity should be valuable in analyzing new vaccines, including peptide and DNA vaccines, intended to induce broadly cross-reactive immunity.


Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated gluten-dependent enteropathy induced by ingestion of gluten-containing products, characterized by intestinal malabsorption and subtotal or total atrophy of intestinal villi, which improves after gluten-free diet (GFD). Untreated patients affected by the classic form of CD are at high risk of malnutrition, but an impairment of nutritional status is frequently reported also in patients with the subclinical form of the disease. Strict adherence to a GFD greatly improves nutritional status, inducing an increase in fat and bone compartments, but does not completely normalize body composition. A lack of improvement in nutritional status may identify incomplete adherence to GFD treatment. Evidence has shown lower body weights and lower fat mass and fat-free mass contents in CD patients. Untreated CD patients oxidize more carbohydrates as energy substrate compared to treated subjects. In addition, circulating ghrelin concentration was reduced after GFD treatment as a possible consequence of body composition improvement, while leptin did not correlate with the changes in body composition and substrate oxidation in patients with CD. A significant correlation was reported between ghrelin and the degree of severity of intestinal mucosal lesions. CD patients might show an alteration in lipid metabolism, i.e. low serum total and high- density lipoprotein-cholesterol as a consequence of lipid malabsorption and decreased intake. In conclusion, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies are relevant clinical features in CD. Thus, an early and accurate evaluation of nutritional status and energy metabolism represents a fundamental tool in the management of CD patients.


Youth in many low-income countries are entering the labor force in unprecedented numbers, yet many struggle to secure rewarding livelihoods. This paper outlines the economic development challenges that constrain youth's transition into employment, and it parses the evidence on which programs and policies appear to speed that transition. It concludes that it may be time for a fundamental reassessment of approaches for addressing youth employment and the youth transition in low-income countries. Employment opportunities in low-income countries reflect the pace of economic and structural transformation. In designing strategies, policies, and programs to meet the entry-into-employment challenge for youth, the starting point is to diagnose the economy and current/future employment opportunities. Combined with the analysis of youth employment problems from a structural transformation perspective, evidence from rigorous evaluations of youth employment interventions provides new insight into which kinds of interventions are more likely to help youth succeed in certain contexts. The evidence reviewed here casts serious doubt on the efficacy and value of training interventions to help youth enter formal wage employment. The case is stronger for interventions that speed the transition to self-employment in farming or non-farm household enterprises. Support for development of transferable character skills and social integration among youth through positive youth development programs should be tested further for employment and earnings impacts, perhaps along with cash transfers to youth or access to finance. In reviewing the evidence on the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of youth employment impacts, the paper also notes the need for better measures of displacement and general equilibrium effects.


Across the globe, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft have accumulated power in ways that existing regulatory and intellectual frameworks struggle to comprehend. A consensus is emerging that the power of these new digital monopolies is unprecedented, and that it has important implications for journalism, politics, and society. It is increasingly clear that democratic societies require new legal and conceptual tools if they are to adequately understand, and if necessary check the economic might of these companies. Equally, that we need to better comprehend the ability of such firms to control personal data and to shape the flow of news, information, and public opinion. In this volume, Martin Moore and Damian Tambini draw together the world's leading researchers to examine the digital dominance of technologies platforms and look at the evidence behind the rising tide of criticism of the tech giants. In fifteen chapters, the authors examine the economic, political, and social impacts of Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft, in order to understand the different facets of their power and how it is manifested. Digital Dominance is the first interdisciplinary volume on this topic, contributing to a conversation which is critical to maintaining the health of democracies across the world.


Campus Festival, organized each year, is listed as one amongst the music festivals in Hungary attracting crowds, with a target audience formed by higher education students. The organizers of Campus Festival set as their main highlighted objective, in addition to providing with musical events, the enhancement of the sporting life of the visitors stopping by. As a side event, Campus Sports Festival is launched each time along with it, with the intention to promote sports and doing sports, creating an event for the public suitable for the development of crossborder student relationships, between fans and contenders. This study is to demonstrate student expectations with a view to the questionnarebased needs assessment prepared on sports festivals.


Background: Eating disorders (ED) are one of the most common psychiatric problems faced by adolescents, and are characterized by a persistent course, comorbid psychopathology, medical complications, and elevated mortality.

Aims & Objective: To assess the prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in a sample of adolescent Indian females.

Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 120 adolescents females (age: 13-17 years) filled out questionnaires on eating attitudes and behaviors at one independent school. ED was measured with the 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). Participants who scored ≥ 20 on the EAT were considered to have disordered eating and effect of psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental variables in individuals with and without eating disorders, were assessed.

Results: Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were present in 26.67 % of adolescents girls in the sample studied. This group was significantly older, had earlier menarche and lower BMI. Mean scores and percentage scores on all the scales to assess psychological risk factors were found to be significantly higher in the ED group i.e. there were significant associations (p< 0.0001) between elevated EAT scores and dieting behavior, higher drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction, external pressures, mood susceptibility of feeding patterns, perfectionism, occurrence of negative life events and presence and adequacy of emotional support system.

Conclusion: Eating disorders and subthreshold eating conditions are prevalent in a sample of adolescent girls and were strongly associated with various psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental domains. Future prospective and experimental studies are warranted to advance our understanding of the risk factors to enable better preventive programme planning.


This article reviews the role currently played by corpora in translation teaching and practice. With regard to the former, classroom experiences involving corpusinformed approaches to translation teaching are discussed, and it is argued that such approaches should adopt an educational rather than a training attitude, giving more weight to awareness-raising uses of corpora, along with their obvious documentation roles. Examples of introductory e-learningmaterials about corpus use are presented which are addressed to students and professionals and which take an education-oriented view of translation teaching.With regard to the related issue of corpora in translation practice, the article presents the results of a survey that aimed to find out whether professional translators use corpora or at least know what they are. On the basis of the respondents' replies, it argues that a more widespread use of these resources is likely to depend on the availability of fast and user-friendly tools for constructing and consulting corpora, and describes some available tools that address this need.


This book offers a highly accessible introduction to natural language processing, the field that supports a variety of language technologies, from predictive text and email filtering to automatic summarization and translation. With it, you'll learn how to write Python programs that work with large collections of unstructured text. You'll access richly annotated datasets using a comprehensive range of linguistic data structures, and you'll understand the main algorithms for analyzing the content and structure of written communication. Packed with examples and exercises, Natural Language Processing with Python will help you: Extract information from unstructured text, either to guess the topic or identify "named entities" Analyze linguistic structure in text, including parsing and semantic analysis Access popular linguistic databases, including WordNet and treebanks Integrate techniques drawn from fields as diverse as linguistics and artificial intelligence This book will help you gain practical skills in natural language processing using the Python programming language and the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) open source library. If you're interested in developing web applications, analyzing multilingual news sources, or documenting endangered languages -- or if you're simply curious to have a programmer's perspective on how human language works -- you'll find Natural Language Processing with Python both fascinating and immensely useful.


Proper lubrication of moving parts is a critical factor in internal combustion engine performance and longevity. Determination of ideal lubricant change intervals is a prerequisite to ensuring maximum engine efficiency and useful life. When oil change intervals are pushed too far, increased engine wear and even engine damage can result. On the other hand, premature oil changes are inconvenient, add to vehicle maintenance cost, and result in wasted natural resources. In order to determine the appropriate oil change interval, we have developed an oil condition sensor that measures the electrical properties of engine oil, and correlates these electrical properties to the physical and chemical properties of oil. This paper provides a brief background discussion of the oil degradation process, followed by a description of the sensor operational principles and the correlation of the sensor output with physical and chemical engine oil properties.


Abstract. For frequencies above 30 mHz the instrument intrinsic noise level of typical fluxgate magnetometers used at geomagnetic observatories usually masks ambient magnetic field variations on magnetically quiet days. This is especially true for stations located at middle and low latitudes, where variations are generally smaller than at high latitudes. INTERMAGNET has set a minimum quality standard for definitive 1 s data. Natural field variations referred to as pulsations (Pc-1, Pc-2, Pi-1) fall in this band. Usually their intensity is so small that they rarely surpass the instrumental noise of fluxgate magnetometers. Moreover, high-quality magnetic field observations in the band 30 mHz–0.5 Hz contain interesting information, e.g., for the study of ionospheric electron interactions with electromagnetic ion cyclotron plasma waves. We propose a method to improve 1 Hz observatory data by merging data from the proven and tested fluxgate magnetometers currently in use with induction coil magnetometers into a single data stream. We show how measurements of both instruments can be combined without information loss or phase distortion. The result is a time series of the magnetic field vector components, combining the benefits of both instruments: long-term stability (fluxgate) and low noise at high frequencies (induction coil). This new data stream fits perfectly into the data management procedures of INTERMAGNET and meets the requirements defined in the definitive 1 s data standard. We describe the applied algorithm and validate the result by comparing power spectra of the fluxgate magnetometer output with the merged signal. Daily spectrograms from the Niemegk observatory show that the resulting data series reveal information at frequencies above 30 mHz that cannot be seen in raw fluxgate data.


The essential guide to building and programming LEGO EV3 interactive robots Exploring LEGO Mindstorms: Tools and Techniques for Building and Programming Robots is the complete guide to getting the most out of your LEGO Mindstorms EV3. Written for hobbyists, young builders, and master builders alike, the book walks you through fundamentals of robot design, construction, and programming using the Mindstorms apparatus and LEGO TECHNIC parts. Tap into your creativity with brainstorming techniques, or follow the plans and blueprints provided on the companion website to complete projects ranging from beginner to advanced.The book begins with the basics of the software and EV3 features then lets you get to work quickly by using projects of increasing complexity to illustrate the topics at hand. Plenty of examples are provided throughout every step of the process, and the companion website features a blog where you can gain the insight and advice of other users. Exploring LEGO Mindstorms contains building and programming challenges written by a recognized authority in LEGO robotics curriculum, and is designed to teach you the fundamentals rather than have you follow a "recipe."Get started with robot programming with the starter vehicle,Auto-DriverExplore the features of the EV3 brick, a programmable brickDesign robot's actions using Action BlocksIncorporate environmental sensors using Infrared, Touch, and Color sensorsExpand the use of data in your program by using data wires with Sensor BlocksProcess data from the sensors using Data Operations BlocksUsing Bluetooth and WiFi with EV3Build unique EV3 robots that each presents different functions: the Spy Rabbit, a robot that can react to its surroundings; a Sea Turtle robot, Mr. Turto; the Big Belly Bot, a robot that eats and poops; and a Robotic Puppy GuapoDiscover ideas and practices that will help you to develop your own method of designing and programming EV3 robotsThe book also provides extensive programming guidance, from the very basics of block programming through data wiring. You'll learn robotics skills to help with your own creations, and can likely ignite a lasting passion for innovation. Exploring LEGO Mindstorms is the key to unlocking your EV3 potential.


A review of the American Petroleum Institute Standard 650 and Appendixes points out the advantages of using high strength steel and the variable point design method (Appendix K) to obtain reasonably uniform shell stresses. Design limitations imposed by notch toughness and residual stresses are pointed out. Design considerations for the installation of an internal floating roof in a standard cone roof tank are discussed. Methods of calculating evaporation losses and an economic justification for a floating roof are included. Budget estimate figures have been compiled as a function of tank capacity for tanks, site preparation and tank ringwall or piled mat foundations. Installation of a storage tank is subject to government approval by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Industry and Environmental Protection. A review of title 12:133 of the New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) "Flammable and Combustible Liquids" as it applies to tank construction was made. The requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) follow (NJAC) specifications.


The nucleotide sequence of the tetracycline resistance gene tetM encoded by streptococcal conjugative shuttle transposon Tn1545 has been determined. The resistance gene was identified as a coding sequence of 1917 base pairs corresponding to a protein with a Mr of 72,500 daltons. This value is in good agreement with that, 68,000 daltons, estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Escherichia coli minicell extracts. The tetM gene product does not exhibit any sequence homology with either the Gram-negative (tetA, tetB and tetC), or the Bacillus and Staphylococcus tetracycline resistance proteins. The average hydropathy value of the tetM gene product (-0.21) contrasts with those calculated for the other TET proteins which are markedly hydrophobic (0.76 to 0.93). Hybridization experiments performed with an intragenic tetM probe do not support the claim [Taylor, D. (1986), J. Bact. 165, 1037-1039)] that tetracycline resistance in Campylobacter is due to acquisition of tetM.


Abstract. Automatic 3D point cloud registration is a main issue in computer vision and photogrammetry. The most commonly adopted solution is the well-known ICP (Iterative Closest Point) algorithm. This standard approach performs a fine registration of two overlapping point clouds by iteratively estimating the transformation parameters, and assuming that good a priori alignment is provided. A large body of literature has proposed many variations of this algorithm in order to improve each step of the process. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the knowledge of the optimal neighborhood of each 3D point can improve the speed and the accuracy of each of these steps. We will first present the geometrical features that are the basis of this work. These low-level attributes describe the shape of the neighborhood of each 3D point, computed by combining the eigenvalues of the local structure tensor. Furthermore, they allow to retrieve the optimal size for analyzing the neighborhood as well as the privileged local dimension (linear, planar, or volumetric). Besides, several variations of each step of the ICP process are proposed and analyzed by introducing these features. These variations are then compared on real datasets, as well with the original algorithm in order to retrieve the most efficient algorithm for the whole process. Finally, the method is successfully applied to various 3D lidar point clouds both from airborne, terrestrial and mobile mapping systems.


Accompanying an exhibition of Oldenburg's seminal early work, this publication examines in depth the breadth of his artistic career from the late-1950s to 1970. It features works including the landmark installations The Street and The Store and their accompanying Happenings; the highly influential spectacular sculptures of everyday objects, as well as drawings and preparatory collages for public projects from the 1960s. The book traces the development of Oldenburg's practice as it follows his work up to the Mouse Museum. Included also in the book is an extensive chronology, alongside notes as well as a variety of installation views that showcase the careful consideration given to modes of presentation. In addition to imagery of his infamous Pop icons, the publication includes illustrations of materials that have never been shown, such as notebook pages, preparatory studies, photographs taken by the artist, drawings and collages, and clippings with amusing advertisements from the 1960s that served as models for his sculptures. Richly illustrated and including a wealth of previously unpublished materials, this volume probes diverse aspects of his work to offer fresh perspectives on Oldenburg's artistic development and unprecedented insights into the conceptual process of his artistic explorations.


Previous studies in monocytes and other cell types have provided evidence of a role for the NF-κB pathway in IL-6 induction. The purpose of the present study was to examine the involvement of NF-κB in the induction of the IL-6 promoter in skeletal muscle cells by endotoxin (LPS), TNFα or IL-1α. Transfection of C2C12 mouse myocytes with a luciferase reporter under the control of the IL-6 promoter indicated each immunomodulator enhanced IL-6 promoter activity. Mutation and inhibitor studies indicate this response was dependent on the IL-6 NF-κB binding site, but independent of NF-IL6, AP-1, CREB or C/EBP. Cotransfection with an expression vector which constitutively activates the RelA pathway increased IL-6 promoter activity, and activity could not be further enhanced by cytokines or LPS. However, cotransfecting various dominant negative upstream NF-κB kinase expression vectors which inhibited RelA or RelB pathways either individually or in combination had no effect on LPS-induced activation of the IL-6 promoter, but abolished induction from a NF-κB-based promoter. This lack of effect was not due to a lack of NF-κB pathway activation in C2C12 myocytes because both Western analysis and EMSA supershifting showed an LPS-induced increase in nuclear RelA and RelA phosphorylation. However, another protein was observed bound to the IL-6 NF-κB site that does not bind to a consensus NF-κB site. The present findings provide novel insights regarding inflammation-induced stimulation of IL-6 promoter activity in skeletal muscle which is an important but non-traditional component of the innate immune system.


We are living in a media-driven world where we all are influenced by the media messages. Media play an important role in setting the agenda of the public. The agenda setting role of media has been recognized world wide and a number of research studies have been conducted all over the world to investigate this role of media. Perhaps this study is the first ever research to investigate the agenda setting role of media in Pakistan. This research project was based on the content analysis as well as survey research. Media agenda was measured through content analysis of the two major national newspapers of the country. The daily Dawn and the daily Jang were selected for the content analysis because the earlier one is the largest widely circulated English newspaper and the later one is the largest widely circulated Urdu newspaper of the country. Six most important issues were identified for the content analysis including the issues of terrorism, Indo-Pak relations, energy crisis, food crisis, judiciary crisis and Lal Masjid (red mosque issue). These issues were selected because of their importance and vast coverage in media throughout the study period of one year. The public agenda about these issues was measured through the survey research. A comprehensive questionnaire was got filled by
the readers of the both newspapers separately. The ranking order of the issues along with their most important source of information about the issue was measured. The results of the survey research (public agenda) were then compared with the findings of the content analysis (media agenda). According to the results, it was found that the agenda setting theory worked except the issues of the food and
energy crises. These two issues got more importance in the public agenda than the media agenda because of the personal suffering of the audience members because the respondents themselves were facing the problems of the food shortage and power cut-off. It means that the personal problems of the public are not dependent on media agenda to become the public agenda. However, for the remaining issues of the study, there was strong relationship between the media
and the public agenda. Another finding of this study was that the both newspapers had a different set of news agenda except the issue of the food crisis which got fourth position in the frequency as well as length wise measurement of the both newspapers. It was found that the readers of the both newspapers followed the agenda of the
newspaper which they read (except the issues of the food and energy crises). Most of the respondents stated print media as the most important source of information which strengthens the findings of this study that formulation of the public opinion was mainly a result of print media agenda (except the two issues). The public opinion about the issues of the study has been found having a good relationship with the slant and framing of the issues in these newspapers except the issues of the food and energy crises where the public opinion was found against the media slant. The media slant and framing about these two issues was in favor of the government but the maximum public opinion was found against the government regarding these issues. It means that media could not alter the public opinion about the issues of individuals' personal problems and sufferings.


Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), widely used as a prosthodontic denture base, the denture base materials should exhibit good mechanical properties and dimensional stability in moist environment. In the present research, efforts are made to develop the properties of PMMA resin that used for upper and lower prosthesis complete denture, by addition four different types of nanoparticles, which are fly ash, fly dust, zirconia and aluminum that added with different ratios of volume fractions of (1%, 2% and 3%) to poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), cold cured resin (castavaria) is the new fluid resin (pour type) as a matrix. In this work, the Nano composite and hybrid Nano composite for prosthetic dentures specimens, preparation was done by using (Hand Lay-Up) method as six groups which includes: the first three groups consists of PMMA resin reinforced by fly ash , fly dust and ZrO2 nanoparticles respectively, the second three groups consists of three types of hybrid Nano composites, which includes ((PMMA: X% nF.A)+ (1%Al + 3% ZrO2)), ((PMMA: X% nD.A)+ (1%Al + 3% ZrO2)) and ((PMMA - X%nZrO2)+(1%F.A + 3%F.D)) respectively. The hardness and flexural tests results show that the values of the hardness, flexural strength, Maximum shear stress and flexural modules increased and with the addition of Nano powders (fly ash, fly dust, zirconia, and aluminum). And the results showed that the maximum values of hardness reach to (84.166) for ((PMMA: 3%nZrO2) + (1%F.A + 3%F.D)) hybrid Nano composite, whereas the maximum values of hardness for Nano composite reach to (83.333) for (PMMA: 3%nZrO2) Nano composite. Also, the results showed that the maximum values of flexural strength and Maximum shear stress reaches to (101MPa) and (2.4738MPa) respectively for (PMMA: 2%nF.D) Nano composite. Moreover, the results showed that the maximum values of flexural modules reaches to (13.95GPa) for ((PMMA: 3% nF.A) + (1%Al + 3%ZrO2)) hybrid Nano composite, whereas the maximum values of flexural modules for Nano composite reach to (12GPa) for (PMMA-3%nZrO2) Nano composite.


Large scale integration of stochastic energy resources in power systems requires probabilistic analysis approaches for comprehensive system analysis. The large-varying grid condition on the aging and stressed power system infrastructures also requires merging of offline security analyses into online operation. Meanwhile in computing, the recent rapid hardware performance growth comes from the more and more complicated architecture. Fully utilizing the computing power for specific applications becomes very difficult. Given the challenges and opportunities in both the power system and the computing fields, this paper presents the unique commodity high performance computing system solutions to the following fundamental tools for power system probabilistic and security analysis: 1) a high performance Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) based distribution probabilistic load flow solver for real-time distribution feeder probabilistic solutions. 2) A high performance MCS based transmission probabilistic load flow solver for transmission grid probabilistic analysis. 3) A SIMD accelerated AC contingency calculation solver based on Woodbury matrix identity on multi-core CPUs. By aggressive algorithm level and computer architecture level performance optimizations including optimized data structures, optimization for superscalar out-of-order execution, SIMDization, and multi-core scheduling, our software fully utilizes the modern commodity computing systems, makes the critical and computational intensive power system probabilistic and security analysis problems solvable in real-time on commodity computing systems.


This article explores whether a more formal bankruptcy procedure, the "Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism" (SDRM) as proposed by the IMF, or in some modified form, is needed to deal with sovereign debt problems. The key consequences of the invocation of such a procedure would be a standstill on creditors' collections of principal and interest, a stay on creditors' attachments or foreclosures on assets, and new money priority for any funds lent to a sovereign during the duration of the procedure. Negotiations would ensue between the sovereign and the creditors over the terms of restructuring, with super-majority voting on acceptance of any restructuring plan. Once accepted, creditors could not holdout by asking courts to enforce the original terms of their debt instruments. The article also explores whether more widespread use of collective action clauses (CACs) in sovereign bonds would be an alternative to SDRM. The article proposes that credible restraints be placed on IMF and official lending since without such constraints sovereigns will not have sufficient incentives to restructure. It further proposes that the G-7 efforts to encourage CACs be abandoned since they will not be adopted and cannot solve the restructuring problem. It then recommends a modified SDRM that is more creditor friendly. The modifications would require: (1) the development of a benchmark on debt valuation to insure creditors receive fair value in a reorganization; (2) the inclusion of all debt, except secured debt, in the process - specifically multilateral, official and domestic debt - to eliminate debt discrimination; (3) the use of cramdown; and (4) minimization of the role of the IMF.


This thesis explores feminism within and beyond the Scottish Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) in the run up to the 18 September 2014 referendum. Feminist literature has argued that feminism is marginalised within radical left movements. Yet, following the 2008 economic crisis, scholarship has traced a series of reconfigurations of the radical left across Europe and an increase in the visibility of grassroots feminist activism. Moreover, commentators claim this reconfigured left is more inclusive than previous iterations of radical movements. The thesis addresses the research questions: to what extent does feminism shape the broader radical left? How far does feminism in the radical left build an intersectional movement? The thesis transcends the traditional focus on feminist marginalisation to consider the activism of and marginalisations within feminism on the radical left. As such, the thesis expands theorising on the relationship of feminism and the radical left in the post-2008 crisis context, notably offering new insights into feminist activism on the radical left and the multi-dimensional nature of marginalisation.
I draw on analysis of 37 qualitative semi-structured interviews I carried out as an insider researcher during the referendum campaign, 34 with feminist radical activists and 3 with key male RIC organisers, as well as 5 follow up interviews in early 2017. Utilising the concepts of hegemony and intersectionality in the analysis of feminism in the radical left, I highlight that multiple, contradictory ideas can co-exist in the same movement at the same time. I conclude that there was a vibrant feminist radical activism in and beyond RIC. However, I argue that the movement was marked by a tension between inclusive rhetoric and a perception of ongoing multi-dimensional marginalisations along lines of gender, class, race and age. RIC organisers framed the campaign as inclusive but marginalised feminist politics. In turn, feminist radical interviewees tended to characterise their movement as intersectional but racialised minority, working class and feminists of different ages discussed feeling marginalised. This assessment indicates that perceptions of marginalisation are shaped by feminists' intersecting gendered, racialised, age, and class subjectivities.
Furthermore, while feminist radicals were explicitly opposed to neoliberalism, hegemonic neoliberal norms of individualism shaped the conditions in which they were active. This is important because while neoliberal hegemony is often cloaked in a language of inclusion, neoliberal individualism privileges the young, white, straight, cis, middle class and, therefore, operates as a form of exclusion.


The anthology "Uberwachungspraxen – Praktiken der Uberwachung" [Surveillance Practices—Practices of Surveillance] evolved from the University of Hamburg's research project "Konsum(kontroll)technologien" [Consumption Control Technologies], and is dedicated to the analysis of everyday practices in surveillance and control. These parameters are clearly underrepresented in the canon of research fields dealing with surveillance and control—only a few studies focus on how surveillance is practiced and manifested, as well as which connecting factors evolve from these topics for further research. This is, according to the editor, a blatant flaw, and one that this anthology seeks to rectify. In fact, it seems quite apparent that jurisprudential, technological and purely theoretical analyses of surveillance and control, as well as philosophical essays on the disciplinary and control society, dominate the discourse in this field (with particular emphasis on digital video surveillance). In light of this status quo, any enrichment to the current discourse through the elucidation of practices—and not just limited to video surveillance—should prove beneficial to anyone interested in analyzing surveillance and control, despite the highly variable quality of the volume's contributions, which is to be expected in an anthology on such a topic. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs120281


The secondary treated effluent (STE) of biological treatment process of Al-Quds University wastewater treatment plant was utilized to irrigate rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) using an Epuvalisation system. The Epuvalisation technology is a hydroponic treatment system in which the roots of high value crops are used to polish secondary treated wastewater. This technology is considered to be cheap in construction, easy operation, a long lifespan and needs low maintenance requirements. The plant growth parameters (plant height, fresh and dry weight) demonstrated no significant difference between irrigation with STE and fresh water (FW). Further, the plant analysis of rosemary roots, leaves and stems revealed no influence in irrigation with STE as compared to FW. In addition, no accumulation of sodium or chloride ions in the plant tissues was detected showing no effect of both ions in plants. The water quality of both STE and FW indicated a decrease of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total dissolved solid (TDS). For STE a reduction of 24 and 39%, respectively, was found, whereas for FW the reduction was 29 and 31%, respectively. The combined results suggest that the Epuvalisation technology is a promising technique for growth of high value plants using STE with additional value of further water treatment using rosemary plants that has the ability to tolerate salty water. The results show that the growth parameters and the chemical and physical characteristics of the plant in the secondary treated wastewater channels are similar to those grown in fresh water channels. Furthermore, water characteristics are analyzed during the growing season and show significant reduction in COD, BOD, TDS and TSS. Thus, the Epuvalisation system displays a benefit of polishing the secondary treated effluent to a level that could be discharged to the environment safely with the benefit of growing highly beneficial crop.


D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is an endogenous amino acid that plays a central role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and functioning of the neuroendocrine system. In line with its functions, it is abundantly present in the CNS and reproductive systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. It has been implicated in the biosynthesis and/or secretion of hormones and factors that are involved in various reproductive functions, such as GnRH from the hypothalamus and testosterone from the testis. We conducted an in vivo study consisting of acute (intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of 2 µmol/g body weight) and chronic (15 days drinking solution) administration of D-Asp to adult rats to understand the signaling pathways elicited by D-Asp in the rat testis. We found that D-Asp upregulated the expression of propyl endopeptidase (PREP), a serine protease having a pivotal role in the regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed its overexpression in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and spermatogonia. Moreover, PREP was found to co-localize with GluA2/3, an AMPA receptor subunit, whose protein expression also increased after D-Asp treatments. Finally, we found a significant increase in ERK and Akt activities in the testis of rats treated with D-Asp. Since PREP is known to be involved in regulating GnRH levels and in germ cell differentiation, we hypothesize D-Asp to play a pivotal role in regulating hormone homeostasis and spermatogenesis through activation of PREP, AMPAR, ERK, and Akt.


The performance of Panagrellus redivivus on growth and survival of
Mystus nemurus larvae was assessed in this study. Prior to the assessment
study, the optimal stocking condition for M. nemurus larvae was determined.
A stocking density of 10 larvae L-1 gave the highest growth and survival
during the 16-days rearing period. However a stocking range of 25-43 larvae
L-1 was recommended for commercial hatchery production. The performance
of P. redivivus was compared with Brachionus spp., Moina spp., Chironomus
spp. and Artemia sp. Larvae fed with Chironomus spp. exhibited the best
growth (P<0.05) compared to those fed with P. redivivus, Brachionus spp.,
Moina spp. and Artemia sp. No significant differences in growth were found
among those fed with the later live foods. Nevertheless, these live foods gave a significantly higher survival than Chironomus spp. In the following study,
M. nemurus larvae fed smaller P. redivivus on the first week followed by
bigger Chironomus spp. showed improved survival and growth than those fed
on Chironomus spp. or P. redivivus alone. This combination also gave better
results than those of Artemia nauplii.
Another study was conducted to determine the optimal feeding density of P.
redivivus for M. nemurus larvae. The results of two feeding trials showed that
the optimum feeding density on the first week and second week of feeding
were 60 nematodes mL-1 and 125 nematodes mL-1, respectively. This
feeding regime was adopted in the following experiment.
Finally, P. redivivus was evaluated as the first food for the weaning of M.
nemurus larvae to an artificial diet. The results showed no significant effect
(P>0.05) of gradual weaning from Day 4 and d irect weaning at Day 8 of
exogenous feeding with P. redivivus as the first food on the survival and
growth of catfish larvae. P. redivivus was found to be suitable as an Artemia
replacement (as the first food) for the weaning of M. nemurus larvae.


Contrary to the Court of Justice for the European Union's decision in the Asnef-Equifax case, in a world of big data, it is inefficient and ineffective to treat EU competition law and EU data protection law as entirely separate legal considerations. Reevaluating this stance is critical in sectors where customer data is highly sensitive, and therefore highly valuable to those who steal it, particularly for the financial and healthcare sectors. Looking forward, companies that store and use biometric data will have to be similarly scrutinized. To correct this problem, the EU has numerous paths it can take: (a) continue as is, treating competition and data protection as separate legal considerations, (b) enact a new body of regulatory law to specifically deal with data protection and competition, or (c) begin using existing competition law, specifically Article 101 of the TFEU, to address data protection concerns. This paper will argue that to best serve the interests of all relevant players – government, businesses, and consumers – option (c) is the optimal choice. Additionally, in implementing this change, the EU can use the FRAND patent and competition law precedence in devising a new data protection and competition framework. Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business 39:37 (2018) 38 TABLE OF CONTENTS


To date, the majority of scholars have framed the creature in Frankenstein as a monster. By focusing on a single embodiment, scholars have neglected the monstrous aspects pervasive in the novel and ignored the fact that Shelley's creature actually reflects nineteenth-century Britain. This thesis argues that there is no monster, and Shelley's intention was to display the monstrosity of her own society –– not to write a monster novel. Through a textual and historical analysis, this thesis will elucidate the spiritual, physical, mental, and social monstrosities within Frankenstein.
 Shelley addressed the monstrosities of her society through the creature, nine of which have been selected for this study and assorted into three categories: three spiritual, three physical and mental, and three social. The first three monstrosities connect the creation of the creature, his soul, and the science used to create him with the theological debates of the period regarding Christian resurrection, the status of the slave's soul, and the changing status of science in Shelley's era. The three physical and mental monstrosities address the creature's hybridity, strength, and mental acuity as a reflection of monstrous births, and Shelley's own experience with human frailty and mental instability. The last three monstrosities examine the role of animals, women, and family in the novel, and how the creature reflects these various aspects in the context of how Shelley experienced them in the nineteenth-century. All nine monstrosities appear to reflect upon Victor's creature to make him seem more monstrous, but the creature is actually the mirror of a monstrous society and not an embodiment of monstrosity himself.


The main purpose of this study was to identify specific problems and pattern of morbidities that is common in the elderly. A cross sectional study surveying the health status and needs of targeted population was conducted in selected primary health care (PHC) outpatient settings. All consenting individuals aged 60 years and above who visited the selected PHC clinics were interviewed. Information was collected using face-to-face interviews based on a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 185 people were evaluated in this study. About 75% of participants were age 60-70 years. Overall, male predominance was noted with 137 (74.1%) males and among all participant's 80% were married. The mean BMI was 26.47±4.98 kg/m2 and mean waist circumference was 90.16±12.97 cm. The prevalence of smoking, DM, HTN, dyslipidaemia and history of IHD among participants were 7.6%, 37.8%, 49.7%, 27.6% and 8.1%, respectively and males showed a significantly higher prevalence than females in smoking and HTN (p<0.05). Hypertension was common comorbid ailment with 29.2% of stage I and 19.5% of stage II hypertension among 60-70 age groups. The majority of the participants were taking shower; using toilet, feeding and get dressed independently, 88.6%, 87.6%, 87% and 87.6% respectively. These findings provide important information on high prevalence of overweight, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidaemia among elders. The other common morbidities were impaired vision, walking difficulty, and hearing problems. The activity of daily living (bathing dressing toileting feeding) is preserved in most of older people.


Liver is an attractive organ for gene delivery in order to correct various genetic (metabolic) diseases. Hydrodynamic vein injection of naked DNA/minicircles devoid of viral or plasmid backbones was demonstrated in, for example, murine phenylketonuria to allow sustained therapeutic transduction of hepatocytes. Here we show successful hepatocyte transfusion in domestic small pigs immediately after weaning upon portal vein catheterization and hydrodynamic injection of naked DNA/minicircle vectors expressing the luciferase gene from the CMV or a liver-specific promoter. First, we established a surgical method allowing hydrodynamic portal vein pressurization up to 120 mmHg and infusion of naked DNA in pigs (n = 5) with long-term survival. No acute adverse effects such as changes in liver transaminases or signs of liver cell damage were observed. We then showed efficiency of stable hepatocyte transfection at 10 and 28 days in single experiments (n = 7) where we found that up to 60% of samples (45/75) were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive for minicircle-DNA. Of these samples, 13% of the positive specimen (6/45) showed low but stable luciferase expression when driven by a liver-specific promoter, as well as appropriate copy numbers per diploid genome. In conclusion, we accomplished a safe procedure for stable transfection of liver cells upon hydrodynamic gene delivery using minicircle vectors in small pigs as a prerequisite to potentially treat infants with genetic liver diseases.


'Metaphor in Educational Discourse is a superb piece of applied linguistics research that integrates Vygotsky's theory of concepts with current work on metaphor into a coherent framework for investigating how teachers and learners negotiate figurative language in order to promote development in the classroom setting. In what is likely to become the standard for future studies in this area, Lynne Cameron meticulously demonstrates the central role of linguistic metaphors in classroom learning - designed to lead learners to a deeper understanding of complex mathematical and scientific concepts.' James P. Lantolf, Professor of Applied Linguistics, The Pennsylvania State University. This book reports research into metaphor in use with school students. The setting for the research is a UK school and the participants are around ten years old, with their first language well established but still developing concepts and understandings. Close examination of a corpus of classroom spoken discourse reveals how metaphor is employed by their teachers, not just in explaining ideas, but, in managing and mediating the activity of the classroom and the learning of the students. Particular issues discussed include: the problems of identifying metaphors in spoken discourse, the conventionalism of metaphors in the discourse of socio-cultural groups, and how a socio-cultural approach can account for systematicity in metaphor use.


EXCEPT FOR A CERTAIN period during the English Reformation -an exception that supplies the topic for the following paragraphs -King John has been despised with near unanimity for centuries. His poor reputation began early: soon after his death the chroniclers recalled him as a young prince habitually plotting against his brother Richard (who forgave him each time with suave contempt), and as an arbitrary king who vexed his own nobles into civil war. They remembered his stamping rages and appalling cruelties, his sloth, his gluttony; and they accused him of lechery so befuddling that once he lay in bed all morning with his young new wife while his army floundered to a defeat in the field.' And since the chroniclers were churchmen, they remembered John's sullen defiance of Pope Innocent III with special clarity. In 1206 he rejected Stephen Langton as archbishop of Canterbury, even though Innocent himself had designated him for the post. When negotiations over Langton failed, Innocent placed the whole of England under papal interdict, a favorite sanction of his.2 John ignored this prod, and Innocent took the further step of excommunicating him. John ignored this also. At length, however, when the French threatened to invade, John capitulated. Not only did he accept Langton but also yielded his kingdom to Innocent as a papal fief. He did so as a matter of policy, to gain the pope's support against France, a move that many of his nobles thought so astute that they tried to claim credit for thinking of it.' To others, of course, John's behavior looked like abject hysteria, proving him cowardly as well as impious. This view of John as a coward, a bully, and a voluptuary would last for centuries; indeed it may still be the consensus that John is the worst monarch to rule England. For a time, however, during the advent of the English Reformation and for some years afterward, John's reputation underwent-at least officially-a complete rehabilitation: the medieval villain became a hero of English liberty, a kind of anticipant Protestant, a lonely pioneer in resisting the tyrannies of Rome.


This Note examines whether nominal damages should sustain an otherwise moot constitutional claim. A majority of circuit courts have held that a lone claim for nominal damages is sufficient. A minority of circuit courts have determined that nominal damages are insufficient because there is no practical effect in determining such a case. The courts in the minority analogize nominal damages to declaratory judgments and justify their rulings on the basis of judicial economy. This Note proposes that the minority rule is impermissible under current precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court. However, this Note also proposes that the majority rule be adjusted slightly to address the concerns and criticisms of the minority rule. This Note argues that courts should scrutinize the lone claim for nominal damages and require that plaintiffs allege a specific incident of constitutional deprivation to ensure that there is an ongoing case and controversy. Finally, this Note suggests that the Supreme Court provide more guidance to federal courts on the doctrine of mootness.


Knowledge is becoming the chief currency of the modern age and a decisive resource for sustainable development. This paper reflects on the concept of knowledge and discusses the current state of knowledge in Africa, as it relates to the radical transformations that are necessary for achieving a meaningful transition to sustainable development. This transition is far from being on track for at least half of the region and it desperately needs a boost for scientific and technological knowledge. In fact, the region may be losing the global knowledge race that characterises the development effort at the beginning of this 'Knowledge Millennium'. Various types of knowledge are considered and assessed, and critical knowledge challenges are formulated. The role of scientific and technical knowledge is particularly emphasised as the main driver of sustainable development, and the potential contribution of indigenous and mythological knowledge is also stressed. In conclusion, the paper calls for the initiation of a long struggle of self-exorcism and for a profound reform of knowledge based on the premise that freedom is the infinite fountain of knowledge.


The laminar flow in two-dimensional diffusers may produce either symmetric or nonsymmetric steady solutions, depending on the value of the Reynolds number as compared with some critical value. The stability properties of the flow are studied in the context of linear theory. In this context, a sensitivity analysis of the flow instability is carried out with respect to perturbations that may be produced by a realistic passive control, thus providing qualitative hints and quantitative information for the control design. Following the so-obtained information, a passive control is built by introducing a small cylinder in the flow with the aim of stabilizing the unstable symmetric flow configuration in the diffuser. The effectiveness of this control is finally assessed by direct numerical simulation. It is shown that the introduction of the cylinder, placed following the indications of the linear sensitivity analysis in the stable asymmetric flow configuration, allows a steady completely symmetric or less asymm...


The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences some teachers in preschool have of how the social interaction looks like in play of children with autism spectrum disorder.The study relied on the following questions: • How do teachers describe their experiences of children within the autism spectrum disorder?• How do teachers describe these children's social interaction in play?• How do teachers talk about how play is designed in preschool to promote social interaction among children with autism spectrum disorder? To be able to answer the questions above, qualitative semi-structured interviews have been used. Four interviews have been conducted with active teachers in preschool who all have experience with children with autism spectrum disorder. Results from this study shows that teachers' have experience of that social interaction in play is difficult for children with autism spectrum disorder. In play they do not seem to experience self-comfort in comparison with other children. They often play next to each other rather then together. At the same time teachers' experiences shows that play can work if the right support is given. KeywordsAutism spectrum disorder, social interaction, play, preschool, preschool teacher.


Abstract Social cohesion is increasingly present and prioritised on the European political agenda. Generally defined as some combination of trust, solidarity and identity, social cohesion is considered the 'glue' that binds societies together. Due to its interactive nature and supposedly universal appeal, sport has been called upon to play a role in fostering social cohesion across the continent. Accordingly, the European Union has invested considerable policy attention and financial resources into related sports projects. Despite this growing attention, we still have little understanding of how social cohesion is conceptualised in EU sport policy or how political priorities and funding requirements influence funded projects. Therefore, this paper aims to contribute to discussions on the role of (sport) policy and funding priorities on our understanding of social cohesion as well as the implementation of sport for social cohesion projects. This paper's findings are generated through a Critical Discourse Analysis of European policy texts and over 200 Erasmus + Sport project descriptions. Based on this, I argue that the Erasmus + funding mechanism and its associated policies take a broad, politically convenient view of social cohesion and endorse a predominantly individual-centred, technical approach to fostering social cohesion. Ultimately, this ignores the systems or privileged groups that inhibit social cohesion and fails to address the root causes of and barriers to social cohesion.


Abstract The predictive validity of four risk assessment instruments: the RRASOR, SVR-20, RM2000-V and the ARMIDILO-Stable and -Acute dynamic client subscales were assessed on a sample of 88 offenders: 44 mainstream and 44 sexual offenders with special needs, who had been matched on risk items within the RRASOR tool. Instruments were coded retrospectively from file information. Sexual reconviction data was used, in conjunction with sexual recidivism data based on unofficial data sources, over a mean follow-up period of 8.8 years. The results of this study found that the ARMIDILO instrument was the best predictor for sexual reconviction among offenders with special needs (ARMIDILO-Stable, AUC=0.60; ARMIDILO-Acute, AUC=0.73), while the predictive validities of the RRASOR (AUC=0.53) and the RM2000-V (AUC=0.50) were little better than chance. In contrast, the SVR-20 yielded a higher score (AUC=0.73) for the non-ID sample, than for the intellectually disabled sample (AUC=0.45). Within the special needs group, the ARMIDILO-Acute, SVR-20 Psychosocial Affect, and Overall scales were better predictors of sexual recidivism for the intellectually disabled subgroup (AUCs ranging from 0.75 to 0.88). These results are discussed in the context of current practice.


Current research efforts in the areas of automotive control aim at developing new control algorithms so engine can work efficiently with different fuel compositions. Progressing in this direction, this thesis pioneers and researches novel control strategies to reduce the engine emissions gasses, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitric Oxide (NOx), while keeping optimum performance with unknown fuel mixtures.
A two-zone engine combustion model is developed and thoroughly validated against the computational data from commercial engine simulation packages. The engine model is suited for the development and testing of control systems. The simulation uses the following fuel mixtures: isooctane (C8-H18), methanol (C1-H4-O1) and ethanol (C2-H6-O1). The results obtained provide better understanding of the control parameters, including fuel-to-air ratio, ignition timing, exhaust-valve timing and intake-valve timing. Moreover, the model facilitates control design.
The novel engine controller is studied on the fuel composition as the additional parameter where such parameter has not been widely considered in engine control research. Efficient methodologies to estimate the original fuel composition by using the exhaust gas composition obtained from the engine are proposed and investigated. Two novel approaches based on feed-forward neural network and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interface System (ANFIS), respectively, are proposed. The portion of mixture for Isooctane-Methanol and Isooctane-Ethanol are effectively calculated. Moreover, results suggest that the feed-forward neural network outperforms the ANFIS approach and that the performance of the fuel estimator is stable in the continuous time process.
Further in this research, a Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) engine control system is developed. The methodology used is a system identification employing a state-space model. In order to reduce the complexity of the state-space model, the developed AI fuel estimator is used to facilitate on the model reduction by feeding gains to controllers for the individual components. In addition, it uses the linear quadric regulator (LQR) method to find the closed-loop gain in the development of the closed-loop control system.
The above techniques have been evaluated and results show that the controller is able to identify the minimum levels of the emission gases in terms of CO2, O2, CO and NOx in a continuously changing engine speed.


Oxfam's participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA) tool is a risk analysis process designed to help staff and partner organisations engage with communities in contexts where natural disasters are significant drivers of poverty and suffering. PCVA has its roots in two proven social development methodologies. First, it stems from capacity and vulnerability analysis (CVA) methodology. This has long enabled development and humanitarian aid workers to design programmes based on a community's capacities as well as its vulnerabilities. It recognises that vulnerable people have capacities to cope with adversity and can take steps to improve their lives, however difficult their situation may be. Second, it is rooted in the belief that enabling communities to genuinely participate in programme design, planning, and management leads to increased ownership, accountability and impact, and is the best way to bring about change. PCVA draws on a wide range of participatory learning and action (PLA) techniques and tools that are designed to channel participants' ideas and efforts into a structured process of analysis, learning, and action planning, with the overall aim of reducing a community's disaster risk.


The benefits of physical activities on depressive symptoms have increasingly been reported in the literature, but the effect through which a Web-based physical activity promotion program alleviates depressive symptoms is not clearly known, especially among ethnic minority midlife women. The purpose of this pilot randomized control study is to examine the preliminary efficacy of the Web-based physical activity promotion program in enhancing the depressive symptoms of Asian American midlife women through increasing physical activity. This study adopted a randomized repeated measures pretest/posttest control group design. This study consisted of two groups of research participants: 18 in an intervention group and 15 in a control group. By using multiple instruments, the participants' background and health status, depressive symptom experience, and physical activity experience were measured at three time points (pre-, post 1-month, and post 3-months). The data were analyzed using a modified intent-to-treat linear mixed-model growth curve analysis. After controlling for covariates, random intercept, and random slope, only discrimination stress showed statistical significances in the group effect (0.18, p = .08 for control) and time effect (-0.04, p = .04), but not in the group × time effect (p = .51). The active living habits scores showed statistical significances in the group effect (0.82, p < 0.01 for control), time effect (0.29, p < 0.01), and group × time effect (-0.31, p = 0.03 for control). Findings support the significant effect of the Web-based physical activity promotion program on the women's discrimination stress and active living habits.


Data augmentation is commonly applied to improve performance of deep learning by enforcing the knowledge that certain transformations on the input preserve the output. Currently, the data augmentation parameters are chosen by human effort and costly cross-validation, which makes it cumbersome to apply to new datasets. We develop a convenient gradient-based method for selecting the data augmentation without validation data during training of a deep neural network. Our approach relies on phrasing data augmentation as an invariance in the prior distribution on the functions of a neural network, which allows us to learn it using Bayesian model selection. This has been shown to work in Gaussian processes, but not yet for deep neural networks. We propose a differentiable Kronecker-factored Laplace approximation to the marginal likelihood as our objective, which can be optimised without human supervision or validation data. We show that our method can successfully recover invariances present in the data, and that this improves generalisation and data efficiency on image datasets.


Orientation: Industry 4.0 promotes technological innovations and human–robot collaboration (HRC). Human–robot interaction (HRI) and HRC on the manufacturing assembly line have been implemented in numerous advanced production environments worldwide. Collaborative robots (Cobots) are increasingly being used as collaborators with humans in factory production and assembly environments. Research purpose: The purpose of the research is to investigate the current use and future implementation of Cobots worldwide and its specific impact on the African workforce. Motivation for the study: Exploring the gap that exists between the international implementation of Cobots and the potential implementation and impact on the African manufacturing and assembly environment and specifically on the African workforce. Research design, approach and method: The study features a qualitative research design. An open-ended question survey was conducted amongst leading manufacturing companies in South Africa in order to determine the status and future implementation of Cobot practices. Thematic analysis and content analysis were conducted using AtlasTi. Main findings: The findings indicate that the African businesses were aware of the international business trends, regarding Cobot implementation, and the possible impact of Cobots on the African work force. Factors specifically highlighted in this study are fear of retrenchment, human–Cobot trust and the African culture. Practical implications and value-add: This study provides valuable background on the international status of Cobot implementation and the possible impact on the African workforce. The study highlights the importance of building employee trust, providing the relevant training and addressing the fear of retrenchment amongst employees.


Side-stream cigarette smoke (SSCS), a major component of secondhand smoke, induces reactive oxygen species, which promote oxidative damage in tissues and organs. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and heart failure. The present 4-month study examined the effect of various chronic SSCS exposure levels on splenic inflammatory cytokine secretion, heart contractile function, and pathology at 60- and 120-min per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 16 weeks. Tissue vitamin E level and lipid peroxide production also were tested to estimate the oxidative stress. The study found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β, significantly increased in 120-min SSCS-exposed mice. Decreased stroke volume and increased peripheral arterial resistance were observed in mice exposed to 120-min SSCS per day. Heart pathology was only found in 120-min SSCS-exposed mice. Cardiac and hepatic antioxidant vitamin E levels were decreased as a result of oxidative stress. Hepatic lipid peroxides were Increased upon 60-min SSCS exposure. The data also demonstrated that the cardiac α-tocopherol level has a strong correlation with stroke volume; splenic IL-1β has a strong negative correlation with stroke volume; splenic TNF-α has a very strong negative correlation with stroke volume. In conclusion, SSCS exposure induced systemic inflammatory responses. SSCS exposure also accentuated systemic lipid peroxidation with depletion of cardiac and hepatic antioxidant vitamin E level. Finally, SSCS exposure at 120 min per day decreased stroke volume and increased vascular resistance. Systemic IL-1 β and TNF-α production are responsible for heart contractile dysfunction. Free radicals may be responsible for the progression to heart contractile dysfunction induced, in part, by SSCS. Oxidized lipoprotein could contribute to the vascular functional changes. Exploring the mechanism of vascular dysfunction in mice is warranted. A more precise quantification of the smoking exposure dose in mice needs to be determined as well.


For processes with gauge bosons in the final state we show how to continuously connect with a single Born-improved amplitude the resonant region, where resummation effects are important, with the asymptotic region far away from the resonance, where the amplitude must reduce to its tree-level form. While doing so all known field-theoretical constraints are respected, most notably gauge-invariance, unitarity and the equivalence theorem. The calculations presented are based on the process $f\bar{f}\to ZZ$, mediated by a possibly resonant Higgs boson; this process captures all the essential features, and can serve as a prototype for a variety of similar calculations. By virtue of massive cancellations the resulting closed expressions for the differential and total cross-sections are particularly compact.


The Romance of the Forest (1791) heralded an enormous surge in the popularity of Gothic novels, in a decade that included Ann Radcliffe's later works, The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Italian. Set in Roman Catholic Europe of violent passions and extreme oppression, the novel follows the fate of its heroine Adeline, who is mysteriously placed under the protection of a family fleeing Paris for debt. They take refuge in a ruined abbey in south-eastern France, where sinister relics of the past - a skeleton, a manuscript, and a rusty dagger - are discovered in concealed rooms. Adeline finds herself at the mercy of the abbey's proprietor, a libidinous Marquis whose attentions finally force her to contemplate escape to distant regions. Rich in allusions to aesthetic theory and to travel literature, The Romance of the Forest is also concerned with current philosophical debate and examines systems of thought central to the intellectual life of late eighteenth-century Europe. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.


Konig aims to identify the most distinctive or enduring elements of fashion text appearing in Vogue between 1980 and 2001; and to analyse closely the content, tone, lexicon, and cultural references in order to identify patterns of continuity or change. Once these parameters have been established, the author argues that it becomes possible to contextualise findings within a framework of existing work in this area, and to discuss broader cultural issues pertaining to the language of fashion and textual constructions of the fashion world. The article concludes that written fashion is less rigid and predictable than has previously been suggested. The language of fashion might best be regarded as multidimensional, with a range of different qualities and conventions utilized at different times and in different contexts. However, over the past twenty years there has been a shift toward less critical and more homogenous fashion writing. Over the years Vogue has tried to move on from its traditional and partly elitist roots, yet Konig argues this may have been at the expense of an assured and recognisable identity. Given that words mediate our understanding of fashion, the subject's scope could be impoverished by a lack of linguistic variety.


An electromechanical moving-actuator TAH was developed and implanted for 5 days in a calf experiment. The efficiency and durability were further improved using pendulous motion of the actuator. This new pendulum pump has a circular motion produced by gear mechanisms connected to the motor. It has a height (from valves to housing bottom) of 7 cm and centrally directed inlets and outlets for good fittability. Active filling (-10 mmHg) inside inner blood sacs was produced by the suction effects of the outer sacs attached to a moving actuator. Two acute animal experiments were performed using the pendulum pump with a Coridale sheep (50 kg weight), and a male calf (70 kg weight). A test was made of 30 minutes of tether-free operation of the implanted pendulum pump inside the small chest of the calf. The pump shows the engineering feasibility of the implantable electrical TAH inside a human chest cavity.


Introduction: The ability of physicians to achieve successful outcomes for their patients is a challenge given the increasing demands on physicians in the conventional healthcare world. Patients are becoming more involved with their healthcare management and, as such, their satisfaction with their physician is increasingly important. MD-Value in Pre- vention (MDVIP) is a network of primary care physicians who promote smaller practice sizes in an effort to allow the physician to focus on prevention, wellness and chronic issues. Methods: An online patient satisfaction survey with MDVIP members and a representative population of patients in the conventional healthcare system (CHC) was conducted. Results: MDVIP members were significantly more satisfied with their ability to reach their physician when needed, including their ability to contact their physician during business hours (90-91% of MDVIP patients versus 53% of CHC patients) and contact their physician after business hours (71-74% of MDVIP patients versus 31% of CHC patients), p<0.05 for both parameters. In addition, 97% of MDVIP members were satisfied with their relationship with their physician compared to just 58% of CHC patients (p<0.05). Patient-reported physician loyalty was much higher in the MDVIP groups compared to the CHC population (68-72% in the MDVIP groups versus 44% in the CHC group, p<0.05). Conclusion: The MDVIP model significantly enables a better primary care physician-patient relationship versus the con- ventional healthcare system, which ultimately may lead to better health outcomes. Patients in the MDVIP model have bet- ter access, are more satisfied and more loyal to their physician compared to their CHC counterparts.


The inflammatory and proapoptotic cytokine TNF possesses a compelling potential as an antitumoral therapeutic agent. Possible target cells include the malignant cells themselves, the tumor vasculature, or the immune system. As the clinical use of TNF is limited by systemic toxicity, targeting strategies using TNF-based fusion proteins are currently used. A major obstacle, however, is that homotrimeric TNF ligands are prone to activity loss due to dissociation into their monomers. In this study, we report the construction of single-chain TNF molecule, a TNF mutant consisting of three TNF monomers fused by short peptide linkers. In comparison to wild-type TNF, single-chain TNF was found to possess increased stability in vitro and in vivo, displayed reduced systemic toxicity yet slightly enhanced antitumoral activity in mouse models. Creation of single-chain variants is a new approach for improvement of functional activity of therapeutics based on TNF family ligands.


In 1991 the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) published "Postgraduate Training Guidelines". Throughout the document emphasis is placed on the need for universities to make postgraduate research students aware of the methodological issues that affect their work. This text explores the relationship between knowledge, methodology and research practice across the broad spectrum of the social sciences in language that is accessible to researchers at all levels of their research careers. It follows the themes that there is no single practice or correct methodology, and that the diversity and variety in terms of methodology and disciplinary focus are a sign of the sophistication and complexity of the procesess of social research. The text examines socio-cultural contexts of social research and relates them to contemporary shifts in focus such as feminism, critical theory and postmodernism. The importance of selecting the research methodology most appropriate to the subject discipline concerned is emphasized


Two problems with breeding the forage legume crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) are how to incorporate genotype x environment effects in the evaluations and how to use destructive measurements and still cross selected genotypes. One solution is a multistep process: Produce families by inbreeding plants, produce half-sib progenies of each inbred family and evaluate for spedfic characters, and use remnant seed of selections to produce plants which are intercrossed to produce an elite population for selection or a synthetic. The objectives of this research were to estimate the impact of pollen parent and level of inbreeding of families on effectiveness of this selection procedure. Selection was effected in the greenhouse for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum (Schlect.), plant regrowth, and resistance to Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood. Moderately and highly inbred crimson clover families were evaluated as two topcrosses and one polycross half-sib families. For each trait, the different half-sib progeny tests had similar rankings for the moderately inbred families but not for the highly inbred families. Evaluations of synthetics produced from selections showed resistances to F. oxysporum and to M. incognita were improved but not the plant regrowth. A link was found between level of heterozygosity and resistance to M. incognita, and high levels of inbreeding had unpredictable effects on selection. Plant breeders need to determine the level of inbreeding of families that does not seriously bias measurement of a trait, but which minimizes sampling errors within the family selected for production of synthetics.


Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising thermally-driven membrane separation technology for water desalination. In MD, water vapor is being separated from the hot feed water solution using a micro-porous hydrophobic membrane, due to the difference in vapor pressures across the membrane. In the present work, experiments are conducted to compare the performance of water gap membrane distillation (WGMD) and air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) modules under the main operating and design conditions including the feed and coolant temperatures, membrane material and pore sizes, and the gap width. Results showed that the WGMD module produced higher fluxes as compared to the AGMD module, for all test conditions. The feed temperature is the dominant factor affecting the system flux. The permeate flux increases with reducing the gap width for both water and air gap modules. However, WGMD module was found to be less sensitive to the change in the gap width compared to the AGMD module. The PTFE membrane produced higher permeate flux as compared to the PVDF membrane. Bigger mean pore diameter enhanced the permeate flux, however, this enhancement is marginal at high feed temperatures. With increasing the feed temperature, the GOR values increase and the specific energy consumption decreases.


OBJECTIVE
To describe caregivers' reasons for transfer from home hospice to inpatient facilities, preferences for site of care and death, and their experiences during these transfers.

DESIGN
Retrospective qualitative analysis of interviews with caregivers of deceased hospice patients who had undergone transfer.

SETTING
A university-affiliated community hospice provider.

SUBJECTS
Caregivers of deceased hospice patients who transferred to an acute care hospital, a freestanding inpatient hospice facility, or a nursing home while enrolled in hospice and died between January 2003 and February 2004.

MEASUREMENTS
A semistructured interview protocol was developed and used for all interviews. Interviews were coded for reasons for transfer, preferences for site of care and death, and experience upon transfer using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS
Patients transferred because of an acute medical event, an uncontrolled symptom, imminent death, or inability to provide needed care safely at home. Although all caregivers expressed a strong preference for care at home, other concerns such as pain and symptom control, safety, and quality and quantity of life became more important with time. We found significant variation in specific preferences regarding care and site of death. Satisfaction with care at the transfer facilities was determined by clarifying goals of care, following treatment preferences, providing personalized care, and the patient's environment.

CONCLUSIONS
Hospice patients usually transfer to facilities to accomplish goals consistent with good end-of-life care. We can improve their experience by treating patients and their caregivers as unique individuals, exploring and respecting treatment preferences, and creating a pleasant physical environment.


A key objective of recent Federal Reserve policy actions is to address the deterioration in financial market functioning. The U.S. Treasury securities market, in particular, has been the subject of Fed and market participants' concerns, and the venue for some of the Fed's initiatives. In this post, we evaluate a basic metric of market functioning for Treasury securities— market liquidity—through the first month of the Fed's extraordinary actions. Our particular focus is on how liquidity in March 2020 compares to that observed over the past fifteen years, a period that includes the 2007-09 financial crisis.


Micro-thermoelectric hydrogen sensor (micro-THS) with the combination of the thermoelectric effect of Si0.8Ge0.2 thin film and the Pt-catalyzed exothermic reaction of hydrogen oxidation was prepared by microfabrication process. In the viewpoint of high sensitivity of micro-THS, the thermoelectric properties of the Si0.8Ge0.2 thin film could be improved by optimizing carrier concentration using helicon sputtering with an advantage of easy doping control, and sensitivity of the device with this thin film was investigated. As the result, the boron-doped Si0.8Ge0.2 thin film is considered to be the better choice ensuring the reliable monitoring of hydrogen concentration down to ppm level.