A technique to reconstruct the electron density of the ionosphere starting from total electron content values has
been developed using the NeQuick ionospheric electron density model driven by its effective ionization parameter
Az. The technique is based on the computation of Az values for a suitable worldwide grid of points. A simple
way to obtain relevant Az grids is to use global vertical Total Electron Content (TEC) maps to define for each
grid point as Az value, the one that minimizes the difference between the experimental and the modeled vertical
TEC. Having a global grid of Az values it is possible to compute the electron density at any point in the ionosphere
using NeQuick. As a consequence, slant TEC values for specific ground station to satellite links or ionosphere
peak parameter values at any location can be calculated. The results of the comparisons between experimental
and reconstructed slant TEC as well as experimental and reconstructed peak parameters values indicate
that the proposed reconstruction method can be used to reproduce the observed ionosphere in a realistic way.


Abstract This agent-based financial market model is a generalization of the model of Westerhoff (The Use of Agent-Based Financial Market Models to Test the Effectiveness of Regulatory Policies) by traders who are allowed to have different investment horizons as introduced by Demary (Who Does a Currency Transaction Tax Harm More: Short-Term Speculators or Long-Term Investors?). Our research goals are, first, to study what consequences the introduction of heterogeneous investment horizons has for agent-based financial market models, and second, how effective transaction taxes are in stabilizing financial markets. Numerical simulations reveal that under sufficiently small tax rates traders abstain from short-term trading in favour of longer investment horizons. This change in behavior leads to less volatility and less mispricings. When the tax rate exceeds a certain threshold, however, mispricings increase as also found in Westerhoff (Heterogeneous Traders and the Tobin Tax and The Use of Agent-Based Financial Market Models to Test the Effectiveness of Regulatory Policies). This emergent property is due to the fact that taxation reduces short-term fluctuations and causes longer lasting trends in the exchange rate. As a result, the longer term fundamentalist trading rule becomes unpopular in favor of the longer term trend-chasing rule.


During the 25 years of its existence, the War on Drugs has transformed the criminal justice system, to the point where the imperatives of drug law enforcement now drive law enforcement and corrections policies in counterproductive ways. One significant impetus for this transformation has been the enactment of forfeiture laws which allow law enforcement agencies to keep the lion's share of the drug-related assets they seize. This financial incentive has left many law enforcement agencies dependent on drug law enforcement to meet their budgetary requirements. In this article we present a legal and empirical analysis of these laws and their consequences. The empirical data show that the corruption of law enforcement priorities and wholesale miscarriages of justice can be attributed to the operation of these incentives, and also help explain why the drug war continues with such heavy emphasis on law enforcement and incarceration. The legal analysis questions the constitutionality of the forfeiture funding scheme under the due process clause, the appropriations clause, and the separation of powers.


1. Rapid steady-state CO2 responses were determined in six normal subjects at rest and five subjects at four different work loads up to 125 W, by injecting pure CO2 at constant flow into a small mixing chamber in the inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit. 2. The time course of the response of ventilation (V) and mean alveolar PCO2 (PACO2) was checked in separate experiments, where the flow rate of injected CO2 was changed abruptly and the effects were followed for 10 min. 3. V and PACO2 were measured every breath, and the results ensemble-averaged for each subject (two or three runs per subject) and then for the groups as a whole, in 30 s or 60 s time bins. 4. PACO2 during exercise was estimated by graphical reconstruction from the sloping alveolar plateau, and separately by the empirical equation of Jones, Robertson & Kane [1]. At rest, PACO2 was assumed equal to end-tidal PCO2 (PetCO2). 5. With the constant inflow technique, 4 min was required to reach steady-state V and PACO2 during exercise, and 6 min at rest. 6. At rest, with 4 min steps (doubtful steady state) the averaged CO2 response was concave up. With 6 min steps the response was almost linear. In neither case was the deviation from linearity statistically significant. 7. During exercise, the averaged CO2 responses were essentially isocapnic at work loads greater than 75 W with either method of deriving PACO2.


The Visible Tunable Filter (VTF) is a narrowband tunable filter system for imaging spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry based on large-format Fabry Perot interferometers that is currently built by the Kiepenheuer Institut fuer Sonnenphysik for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). The control software must handle around 30 motorised drives, 3 etalons, a polarizing modulator, a helium neon laser for system calibration, temperature controllers and a multitude of sensors. The VTF is foreseen as one of the DKISTs first-light instruments and should become operational in 2019. In the design of the control software we strongly separate between the high-level part interfacing to the DKIST common services framework (CSF) and the low-level control system software which guarantees real-time performance and synchronization to precision time protocol (PTP) based observatory time. For the latter we chose a programmable logic controller (PLC) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH which supports a wide set of input and output devices as well as distributed clocks for synchronizing signals down to the sub-microsecond level. In this paper we present the design of the required control system software as well as our work on extending the DKIST CSF to use the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) standard which provides a cross-platform communication standard for process control and automation as an interface between the high-level software and the real-time control system.


Background: The present work was aimed to carry out volatile component analyzes in Vaccinium arctostaphlyos L., V. uliginosum L., V. vitis-idaea L. and V. myrtillus L leaf growing at different altitudes of the East Blacksea Region of Turkey. Methods: The leaf of Vaccinium species were harvested from twenty-one different altitudes (748-3035 m) from six cities (Artvin- Ardahan-Rize-Trabzon-Gumushane-Giresun) of Turkey. The diversity of volatiles in the leaf was investigated by SPME GC-FID/MS. Results: The major constituents of the Vaccinium leaf showed variation with changes in altitudes. The identified volatile components of V. arctostaphlyos and V. uliginosum were represented mainly by aldehydes in all altitudes, whereas monoterpenes were found the major constituent of V. vitis-idaea at Posof-Ardahan (2376 m) and Artvin (2553 m) samples. In all altitudes, capronaldehyde (7.23-28.96%) and 2(E)-hexenal (8.90-53.59%) in the leaf of V. arctostaphlyos; capronaldehyde (17.04-37.09%) and limonene (16.50- 47.51%) in the leaf of V. vitis-idaea and capronaldehyde (4.55-39.90%), 2(E)-hexenal (25.08-80.99%) and hexadecane (2.97-11.32%) in the leaf of V. uliginosum; and capronaldehyde (14.66-37.26%) and 2(E)-hexenal (18.18-37.59%) at the altitudes of 1912m, 2533 m and 2565 m in the leaf of V. myrtillus were the major constituents with the different percentages, respectively. 2-Bornanone (32.86%) at the altitude of 2613 m and 3-penten- 2-one (93.60%) at the altitude of 2811m in the leaf of V. myrtillus were found to be the major compounds. Conclusion: Comparisons of the volatile components of V. arctostaphlyos, V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea and V. myrtillus in different sites showed significant differences among populations at different altitudes.


In this work, a novel method of optical code division multiple access (OCDMA)
communication system is proposed. This method is based on a code changes
dynamically as a function of time and frequency. Thus, the system is referred to as
dynamic frequency hopping OCDMA (DFH-OCDMA). The fundamental principles
are defined and described with implementation solutions for DFH-OCDMA system.
DFH-OCMDA system implementation based on tunable optical filter is found to be
an effective solution. Tunable optical filter is found to be able to provide a simple,
programmable, and effective solution for the encoding and decoding functions. Only
one filter at the encoder and one more at the receiver are required to implement the
proposed coding scheme. Special simple codes based on orthogonal sinusoidal
functions are also proposed for DFH-OCDMA system. These codes are generated
and used to control the tunable optical filters. The effectiveness of the new system
with the proposed special codes has been verified and demonstrated using theoretical analysis and computer simulations. Theoretical analysis has been done using 4 MATLAB and MathCAD softwares, while Optisystem 3.0 is used for the computer simulations. A clipping scheme at the receiver is also proposed to enhance the performance of the system and reduce the multiple access interference. The performance results of DFH-OCMDA system shows that the effect of all types of noise, specifically, multiple access interference, phase induced intensity noise, and shot noise have been reduced compared to other OCDMA systems. Thus, the signal to noise ratio and bit error rate performance parameters are improved. For example, at an error rate of 10−¹¹, DFH-OCDMA can accommodate up to 80 users, whereas for other systems, the maximum simultaneous users are 32 for spectral amplitude coding system using Hadamard code, 52 for spectral amplitude coding system using modified quadratic congruence code, 58 for spectral amplitude coding system using modified frequency hopping code, and 24 for fast frequency hopping system. The BER of the DFH-OCDMA system is increasing at a slower rate than that of the other systems, which indicates that there is a significant improvement in performance at large number of users. Indeed it is shown that the BER for DFH-OCDMA is better than any other system at any number of users of more than 50. However, for less than 50 active users, spectral amplitude coding systems gives BER better than that of DFH-OCDMA system. It should be noted that for this range of users, the error rate is too small (less than 10−14).


In the next generation of linear particle accelerators, challenging alignment tolerances are required in the positioning of the components focusing, accelerating and detecting the beam over the accelerator length in order to achieve the maximum machine performance. In the case of the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC), accelerating structures, beam position monitors and quadrupole magnets need to be aligned in their support with respect to their reference axes with an accuracy of 10 um. To reach such objective, the PACMAN (Particle Accelerator Components Metrology and Alignment to the Nanometer Scale) project strives for the improvement of the current alignment accuracy by developing new methods and tools, whose feasibility should be validated using the major CLIC components. This Ph.D. thesis concerns the investigation, development and implementation of a new non-destructive intracavity technique, referenced here as 'the perturbative method', to determine the electromagnetic axes of accelerating structures by means of a stretched wire, acting as a reference of alignment. Of particular importance is the experimental validation of the method through the 5.5 mm iris-mean aperture CLIC prototype known as TD24, with complex mechanical features and difficult accessibility, in a dedicated test bench. In the first chapter of this thesis, the alignment techniques in particle accelerators and the novel proposals to be implemented in the future linear colliders are introduced, and a detailed description of the PACMAN project is provided. The feasibility study of the method, carried out with extensive electromagnetic fields simulations, is described in chapter 2, giving as a result, the knowledge of the theoretical accuracy expected in the measurement of the electromagnetic axes and facilitating the development of a measurement algorithm. The conceptual design, manufacturing and calibration of the automated experimental set-up, integrating the solution developed to measure the electromagnetic axes of the TD24, are covered in chapter 3. The future lines of research and developments of the perturbative method are also explored. In chapter 4, the most significant results obtained from an extensive experimental work are presented, analysed and compared with simulations. The proof-of-principle is completed, the measurement algorithm is optimised and the electromagnetic centre is measured in the TD24 with a precision less than 1 um and an estimated error less than 8.5 um. Finally, in chapter 5, the developments undertaken along this research work are summarised, the innovative achievements accomplished within the PACMAN project are listed and its impact is analysed.


The concept of sustainable development is becoming more and more common in environmental, policy and business circles. Yet it is difficult to operationalise, and when operationalised, it often reflects a narrow disciplinary and/or thematic background and value spectrum. In this paper, we present an integrated assessment model, TARGETS, with which some aspects of the long-term dynamics of the global system are explored. In this exploration, we introduce explicitly uncertainties stemming from different positions viz-a-viz large controversies by implementing divergent cultural perspectives. The results give an indication of the risks involved in adhering to certain combinations of worldviews and management/policy styles.


Almost a year back, we started working on an exploratory research project Pyr.mea.IT [1]. "The bottom of the pyramid is the largest but poorest socio-economic group. In global terms, this is the four billion people who live on less than $2 per day, typically in developing countries [2]". Since almost all of our research in computer science and information technology has until recently focused on the top of the pyramid, we thought it might be a good idea for us to get at least somewhat acquainted with our end users. All of the authors have lived and grown up in India, so we have a reasonable understanding of the people around us, or so we thought. We conducted some initial surveys, in about 10 cities and towns in India, with fruit sellers, milk-delivery men, auto rickshaw drivers, plumbers, and the like, to get a firsthand idea of the way technology, not just IT, impacts their lives and their level of comfort in using it. Two things, seemingly contradictory, are inescapable in today's India: the lack of literacy and the penetration of mobile phones. While the former has been around for years, the latter is a recent phenomenon. Even people whose monthly salary is one-fifth the cost of a mobile phone are carrying one around with them (the mobile is shared with the family). One milkman we talked to does not use the address book to store and retrieve numbers! He dials the number every time. Another young man plays games on his, although he cannot read or write. Invariably, all the folks surveyed use the mobile phone to talk and stay connected with family and clients. Although sending a text message is often cheaper than making a phone call, lack of literacy makes that a nonexistent option for most of these people. Somewhat interestingly, it is also true that many educated people in India do not use the mobile except for talking. One thing becomes clear: Services relevant to various sections of the society are either nonexistent or the interface is practically unusable. Until as recently as four to five years ago, mobile phones were still expensive, and getting a landline phone connection was complicated. Many of the plumbers, electricians, and carpenters come to the city from neighboring towns and villages and stay with friends and relatives, so address verification becomes an issue, and it could take several months to get a connection. The processes were slow, and there was no competition for the telecom company. As a result, freelance plumbers, electricians, and carpenters used to associate themselves with an electrical shop or a hardware store to find job assignments. People typically call up these shops for such services, and the shopkeeper sends the workers on assignments and collects a fee from them. The falling price of the mobile phone has changed this Raising a Billion Voices


Exhibition of Ceramics from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland Portfolio of Artists at the Solomon Gallery, Dublin Ireland.To coincide with the Year of Irish Design, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland in partnership with the Solomon Gallery Dublin and The Doyle Collection presented works of Irish Ceramic Artists selected by an International Panel.


Abstract: Three dated (U–Pb, zircon) ash beds from biostratigraphically constrained Avalonian successions of Shropshire (England) and Pembrokeshire (Wales) delimit the traditional 'Lower'–'Middle' Cambrian boundary and resolve a problematic regional correlation. In Shropshire, a date of 514.45 ± 0.36 [0.81 including tracer calibration and 238U decay constant errors] Ma from near the top of the Lower Comley Sandstone Formation provides a maximum age for the boundary between Cambrian Stages 3 and 4, and a date of 509.10 ± 0.22 [0.77 including tracer calibration and 238U decay constant errors] Ma from the basal Quarry Ridge Grits, Upper Comley Sandstone Formation, provides a minimum age for the boundary between Cambrian Stages 4 and 5 (and thus Series 2 and 3). These dates offer a calibration of early metazoan evolution by directly constraining the age of the intervening Comley Limestones, which contain diverse small shelly fossils in addition to trilobites, and also a key early occurrence of exceptional, three-dimensionally preserved arthropods. In Pembrokeshire, an ash bed from the Caerfai Bay Shales Formation dates to 519.30 ± 0.23 [0.77 including tracer calibration and 238U decay constant errors] Ma, equivalent to a horizon low in the Lower Comley Sandstone Formation of Shropshire, possibly around the level at which trilobites make their first local appearance. Supplementary material: Appendix 1, a table of isotope data, is available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18444.


Ethnography, as a scientific method of describing people, played a significant role in the policy of integration undertaken by the newly established American colonial government as regards the non-Christian population of the Philippines in the early 1900s.  Such an assertion requires an interrogation of the colonial institution, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes, which was tasked, among other things, to conduct "special investigation" of the different ethnic groups ("pagans" and "Mohammedans") living in the far-flung areas of the archipelago. This paper underscores the politics of ethnological research of the Bureau, and critiques its methodology using David Prescott Barrows' guidelines for fieldworkers as a lens through which to examine the conduct of research. It analyzes the implications of the racialized methodology for the colonial policy of the United States towards the Philippines, and attempts to explore how such investigation, with the colonial knowledge that it produced, was translated into the native discourse. In its dual capacity as an agent of science and advocate of change, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes stands in history as the precursor of the Philippine government agencies that established a highly contested policy of integration of the so-called "ethnic minorities" into the main body politic.  The 'expert knowledge' that it produced was deemed instrumental in the material and moral uplift of colonial subjects, particularly the non-Christians. The "scientific expeditions" of the bureau generated data which eventually formed the corpus of knowledge for state legislation concerning the newly colonized peoples. However, the bureau advanced notions of racial typologies derived from the assumption of Western civilization as a standard for cultural evolution. Far from its professed agenda, the bureau also created artificial and heightened ethnic differences among Filipinos that easily translated into institutionalized dichotomies.


The balance between energy demand and the conservation of natural resources is a worldwide issue that people have been confronted with for over a thousand years and will continue to be an issue for future generations. Consequently the environment has been more or less destroyed by human activities with the boom of industrialization and modernization especially for non-renewable natural resources. Environmental problems such as increasing global population, water resource shortage, greenhouse gas emission and oil spills have persisted due to the unlimited human demands on obviously limited natural resources. -- Contamination due to discharges from various manufacturing outfits and environmental degradation due to exploration and other associated highly economic human activities have resulted in consistent pollution problems requiring urgent attention. Many oil clean-up treatments have been developed and proved to be effective both in the laboratory and real situations, but the factorial analysis of diesel removal application under different weather and water environments might be a new research field. This study is based on the ide of using peat as an environmentally friendly material with easy application to clean up diesel-contaminated water from freshwater bodies especially lakes and rivers with low water turbulence. -- An experimental water environment was simulated using varied impact factors such as water temperature, water turbulence and added diesel volume. A 200mL beaker was placed in a 2L cuboid tank which was filled with ice cubes to realize the simulation (for those combinations with 4°C). A 75mL sample of lake water and diesel was added to the beaker to simulate the water body, the 2L cuboid tank was filled with ice cubes and a thermometer was inserted to adjust the environmental temperature under selected combinations. Two types of peat (poorly humified and highly humified) were applied on simulated contaminated water with different combinations of factors that could have an effect on the remaining Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) n the water. TPH analysis was conducted in the laboratory of Maxxam Analytic Inc., St. John's. Optimum external conditions and both floating and dissolved oil removal efficiency were analyzed and obtained. -- Peat showed a high adsorbing ability as it could adsorb diesel at least 2.6 times its weight in water, and the diesel removal efficiency could be as high as 99.99% with optimum treatment conditions. Experimental results and statistical analysis using Design Expert 7.0® and Minitab15® showed the optimum condition for high removal efficiency was to apply fine horticultural peat for 0.25 h which could remove 99.99% of floating diesel and 82.03% of dissolved diesel. The average remaining TPHs in the treated contaminated water under different external conditions was 3.3.mg/L. Short-time application, lower water turbulence and lower water temperature were suggested to obtain lower remaining TPHs. -- This study analyzed the optimal conditions for applying peat on the surface of diesel-contaminated water. Experimental results and analyses showed that lower water turbulence and lower water temperature were appropriate conditions for the removal of diesel by using peat and shorter reaction time between the peat and diesel was preferred to obtain less remaining TPH in the water -- The reaction mechanisms between functional groups n peat particle surface and oil droplets were not investigated. Other meteorological factors such as wind and marine water were not included in the current experiment.


This paper describes the construction process of an additional 192 SF storage area for an existing Nature Center, along with a new 1000 SF deck around the entire structure. The scope of work included the excavation and pouring of concrete piers and stem walls, framing of the subfloor, shear walls, roof, and deck, electrical rough-in and finish, roofing system, windows, doors, insulation, drywall, and decking. All work on this project was managed by the author, and construction was done by the author, subcontractors, local hires, and volunteers. Construction of the project took place between December 2016 and June 2017, and cost approximately $40,000. This paper will focus on means and methods, deliverables, knowledge and lessons learned, and how this knowledge will be brought into the construction industry.


Freemium represents an essential business model in the accelerating mobile applications industry. While Freemium models contribute more than 90% of the revenue generated in Google Play and Apple's app store, extant research lacks to date a systematic typology. Therefore, this paper aims at developing a classification scheme for Freemium business models. Using theoretical sampling, we identified 40 apps from which we derived an empirically grounded typology comprising nine distinct Freemium types. We differentiated each type by two key themes, which are its premium revenue stream and the relationship between the free and premium offering. The developed typology contributes to a better understanding of the differentiating criteria of Freemium business models and enables risk-return considerations in the decision-making of app publishers. In addition, the typology provides a generalizable framework for different kinds of Freemium offerings. Finally, we developed three testable propositions from the typology which relate to the monetary advantage of certain Freemium types. These propositions give strategic advice on how to position existing Freemium offerings in quasi-monopolistic markets.


— The use of powder tempeh in making coconut water soy sauce (CWSS) is an effort in increasing CWSS protein levels. The results of this study indicate that soaking the powder tempeh in coconut water affects the levels of dissolved protein. In addition, the presence of dissolved protein in the substrate is also affected by the tempeh fermentation time. The highest level of dissolved protein was produced from fermented tempeh for 4 days with a protein content (%) of 7.70. The use of powder tempeh also causes low CWSS water content, and increases the taste and aroma of CWSS.


Researchers analyzed different methodologies handball training. One method combines strength and technique the same (integrated training) the other traditional principles separate training and practice. during technical action contrast that a more traditional method of handball training. Subjects: 16 Aged Members of CDU Granada Sport Club Granada). into groups of 8 members each. One group served the control (GC), training to traditional principles, and other group the experimental doing integrated Both groups trained two times a week for seven consecutive The intensity and weight training for both of the groups was the same. The measures were ght of jump in CMJ, SJ25, and AB the third seventh week training, with platform pressure.Results: The doing the training experienced increases in types of strength training, in AB. This increase was better in the control group in the load jumps. Conclusions: The integrated training with weights (70% of 1RM) throws improved differents sort dinamic force.This study indicates younger handball might improve play, in respect to maximum force, by training with the integrated method. KEY WORDS: Integrated training, strength training in younger players, team handball .


In this splendid group portrait, David Laskin tells the stories of four friendships that helped to define the course of American literature: Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville, Henry James and Edith Wharton, Katherine Anne Porter and Eudora Welty, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Written with uncommon grace and insight, A Common Life is a fascinating narrative of the entanglements of art and life, and an illuminating study of the nature of friendship itself. In each of these pairings, the two writers met at a critical turning point in their lives and careers, and the friendship profoundly affected the course of both. The friendships came as great shafts of light, throwing open new possibilities and relieving the numbing isolation of American literary life. The "shock of recognition" that passed between Melville and Hawthorne when they met in the Berkshires in 1850 changed the course of Melville's masterpiece, Moby-Dick. Edith Wharton was nearly forty, rich, and unhappily married when she met the sixty-year-old Henry James in London in 1903. His thunderous advice to "Do New York!" steered her toward her first triumph with The House of Mirth. Each friendship sprang from shared literary and personal admiration. But in time, each showed the strains of rivalry, resentment, anger, disappointment, and nasty gossip - hazards perhaps inherent in intimate relationships between writers. Welty became furious when the publication of her first book had to be postponed because the notoriously unreliable Porter had failed to finish her introduction to the book on time. Bishop and Lowell teetered for years on the brink of a love affair, and Bishop felt all the more betrayed when Lowell took apassage from her most anguished letter to him and "versed" it word for word into one of his poems. Love and loathing, reverence and revenge played their roles in all four of these intense relationships. A Common Life also uncovers the remarkable strands of influence and common heri


Many citrus groves in Florida were affected by hurricanes in Summer 2004. A commercial 42-acre 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) grove of 2980 trees was routinely scanned with an automated ultrasonic system to measure and map tree canopy volumes. We estimated tree damage by comparing canopy volumes measured before and after the hurricanes of 2004. Ultrasonically sensed tree canopy volume was mapped and the relative tree canopy volume loss percentage (TCVL%) for each tree was calculated and classifi ed into six categories [≤0 (no damage), 1% to 24%, 25% to 49%, 50% to 74%, 75% to 99%, and 100%]. Authenticity of the ultrasonically sensed missing trees was established by ground truthing or matching visually observed and georeferenced missing tree locations with ultrasonically sensed missing trees in the grove. Ninety-one trees were found missing during ground inspections after hurricanes and they exactly matched with ultrasonically sensed missing tree locations throughout the grove. All of the missing trees were in TCVL% categories 5 and 6 (≥75% damage). Some canopy volume was still detected with ultrasonics at the missing tree locations because of the presence of tall grass, weeds, or branches of large adjacent trees. More than 50% of trees in the grove were damaged (completely or partially) and generally larger trees (>100 m3) were damaged more by the hurricanes than small or medium size trees in each tree canopy volume loss category. The automated ultrasonic system could be used to rapidly identify missing trees (completely damaged) and to estimate partial tree canopy volume loss after hurricanes.


During global health emergencies such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, the decontamination of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes a necessary means to keep up with the growing demand from healthcare workers and patients alike. Many unverified methods are being considered, which can pose the risk of incomplete decontamination and lead to catastrophic results. Several factors come into play when determining the suitability of such methods including the quality of the decontamination technique, the targeted pathogen, cost, ease of installation and use, rate of sterilization, and the surface or material to be sterilized. The germicidal properties of ultraviolet-C are well known. This review will cover the most commonly described methods for the sterilization of N95 respirators, namely, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, hydrogen peroxide vaporization, microwave-generated steaming, and dry heating. These techniques have been tested previously and have demonstrated efficacy in reducing or inactivating viral and bacterial pathogens, although testing against SARS-CoV-2 specifically has not been done. Moreover, it must be emphasized that proper disposal after a single use is still ideal under normal circumstances.


Antibiotic resistance is a growing health concern. Resistance mechanisms have evolved that provide bacteria with a growth advantage in their natural habitat such as the soil. We determined that B. subtilis, a Gram-positive soil organism, has a mechanism of resistance to tylosin, a macrolide antibiotic commonly used in the meat industry. Tylosin induces expression of yxjB, which encodes an enzyme that methylates 23S rRNA. YxjB-dependent methylation of 23S rRNA confers tylosin resistance. NusG-dependent RNA polymerase pausing and tylosin-dependent ribosome stalling induce yxjB expression, and hence tylosin resistance, by preventing transcription termination upstream of the yxjB coding sequence and by preventing repression of yxjB translation. ABSTRACT Macrolide antibiotics bind to 23S rRNA within the peptide exit tunnel of the ribosome, causing the translating ribosome to stall when an appropriately positioned macrolide arrest motif is encountered in the nascent polypeptide. Tylosin is a macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces fradiae. Resistance to tylosin in S. fradiae is conferred by methylation of 23S rRNA by TlrD and RlmAII. Here, we demonstrate that yxjB encodes RlmAII in Bacillus subtilis and that YxjB-specific methylation of 23S rRNA in the peptide exit tunnel confers tylosin resistance. Growth in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of tylosin results in increased rRNA methylation and increased resistance. In the absence of tylosin, yxjB expression is repressed by transcription attenuation and translation attenuation mechanisms. Tylosin-dependent induction of yxjB expression relieves these two repression mechanisms. Induction requires tylosin-dependent ribosome stalling at an RYR arrest motif at the C terminus of a leader peptide encoded upstream of yxjB. Furthermore, NusG-dependent RNA polymerase pausing between the leader peptide and yxjB coding sequences is essential for tylosin-dependent induction. Pausing synchronizes the position of RNA polymerase with ribosome position such that the stalled ribosome prevents transcription termination and formation of an RNA structure that sequesters the yxjB ribosome binding site. On the basis of our results, we are renaming yxjB as tlrB. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance is a growing health concern. Resistance mechanisms have evolved that provide bacteria with a growth advantage in their natural habitat such as the soil. We determined that B. subtilis, a Gram-positive soil organism, has a mechanism of resistance to tylosin, a macrolide antibiotic commonly used in the meat industry. Tylosin induces expression of yxjB, which encodes an enzyme that methylates 23S rRNA. YxjB-dependent methylation of 23S rRNA confers tylosin resistance. NusG-dependent RNA polymerase pausing and tylosin-dependent ribosome stalling induce yxjB expression, and hence tylosin resistance, by preventing transcription termination upstream of the yxjB coding sequence and by preventing repression of yxjB translation.


We present a detailed theoretical study of valence-shell photoionization of the oxygen molecule by using the recently proposed XCHEM method. This method makes use of a hybrid Gaussian and B-spline basis in the framework of a close-coupling approach to describe electron correlation in the molecular electronic continuum at a level comparable to that provided by multi-reference configuration interaction methods in bound state calculations. The computed total and partial photoionization cross sections are presented and discussed, with emphasis on the series of autoionizing resonances that appear between the first and the fourth ionization thresholds, i.e., photon energies between 12 and 18 eV. More than fifty autoionizing states are identified, including series not previously reported in the literature, and their energy positions and widths are provided. The present results illustrate the potential of the XCHEM approach to accurately describe molecular autoionization, which is mostly due to electron correlation. This is relevant in view of current experimental efforts aimed at providing real-time (attosecond) imaging of autoionization dynamics in molecules.


Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the population distributions in reconstituted, subsaturated 208-12 nucleosomal arrays. The features found in these distributions vary with the average nucleosome loading per template molecule (n(av)): at n(av) < 4, the distributions show a single peak whose breadth is equal to that expected for a random loading process; at n(av) = 4-8, the distributions are broader than random distributions and are complex; i.e., they contain multiple peaks and/or shoulders. Moreover, the peaks/shoulders typically occur at two nucleosome intervals, i.e., 2, 4, 6 or 3, 5, 7 nucleosomes. This two-nucleosome periodicity is statistically significant. The precise cause for such discrete features within the distributions is unknown, but at least these features would seem to indicate some pairwise preference in nucleosome occupation at these loading levels. In these intermediate-level (n(av) = 4-8) distributions, the major peak contains a larger fraction of the total templates than a random nucleosome loading process would produce. This feature indicates that at these intermediate population levels there is some tendency for correlated nucleosome loading among the templates. Hyperacetylated nucleosomal arrays show only subtle differences in their population distributions compared to nonacetylated arrays and demonstrate the above features. AFM allows one to study unfixed chromatin arrays; we find that nucleosomes on the 208-12 template demonstrate significant lability when they are not glutaraldehyde-fixed.


Recent evidence indicates that mammalian atria contain a substance that produces a rapid onset natriuresis in anesthetized rats. In the present experiments, small portions of human right atria obtained from patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, as well as monkey atria and ventricles obtained from the Regional Primate Center, Seattle, were boiled or acid extracted and lyophilized. These materials (30 μg/kg) were dissolved in Ringer's lactate and injected intravenously into anesthetized monkeys to determine their effects on renal function. Their effects were also compared with those of furosemide (0.1 μg/kg) and chlorothiazide (10 μg/kg). Human and monkey atrial extracts produced significant increases in sodium and calcium excretion that were independent of changes in creatinine clearance. Monkey ventricular extract had no consistent renal effects. Furosemide, but not chlorothiazide, mimicked the renal responses to human and monkey atrial extracts in terms of time of onset, duration, and pattern of electrolyte excretion. These data suggest that primate atrial tissue contains a heat- and acid-stable natriuretic factor similar to that first described in the rat, suggesting that mammalian atrial natriuretic factors are cross-reactive among species. In addition, atrial natriuretic factors may have a mechanism of action similar to that of furosemide.


Abstract Ordovician clastic rocks of the Antalya unit in SW Turkey bear mineralogical/ geochemical evidence of Triassic extensional rift timing and spatial relations. The crystal chemistry of the phyllosilicate assemblages (illite, chlorite, kaolinite, mixed-layer illite-smectite, chlorite-vermiculite and chlorite-smectite) is consistent with the rock experiencing a multi-generational burial history. The appearance of kaolinite and illite-smectite-bearing rocks in the Antalya unit is characteristic of diageneticanchimetamorphic conditions and is of higher grade than their anchi-epizonal equivalents in other regions of the Tauride belt. Illites and chlorites are of both detrital and authigenic origin, whereas I-S and kaolinites are authigenic. Detrital micas have been altered to chlorite and K-white mica stacks in which relicts suggest the chlorites were derived from detrital biotites. The broad X-ray diffraction illite peaks show that they are composed both of illite and illite-smectite. Na,K-mica and paragonite occur within the chloritemica stacks as replacements of muscovite, probably driven by Na-rich solutions. The authigenic clayswere formed within the microporous matrix and the interplanar spaces of {001} planes of chlorite-mica stacks, with textures independent of the bedding and foliation planes of the rocks. The authigenic chlorites exhibit higher Si and Fe and lower Mg contents than their detrital counterparts. Authigenic chlorite thermometry indicates rift-related temperatures of 50-150°C, whereas pre-rift detrital chlorites formed at temperatures of >200°C. Authigenic illite and illite-smectite are phengitic in composition and contain more Si, Mg, Fe and Ca and less Al and K than detrital K-white micas. The textural, mineralogical and chemical characteristics support the hypothesis that the mineral assemblages were a result of a two-step mode of formation with diagenetic overprints of previously anchizonal rocks in extensional basin conditions.


Herein, we report the facile synthesis of an efficient roll-like carbon nitride (C3N4) photocatalyst for hydrogen production using a supramolecular complex composed of cyanuric acid, melamine, and barbituric acid as the starting monomers. Optical and photocatalytic investigations show, along with the known red shift of absorption into the visible region, that the insertion of barbituric acid results in the in situ formation of in-plane heterojuctions, which enhance the charge separation process under illumination. Moreover, platinum as the standard cocatalyst in photocatalysis could be successfully replaced with first row transition metal salts and complexes under retention of 50% of the catalytic activity. Their mode of deposition and interaction with the semiconductor was studied in detail. Utilization of the supramolecular approach opens new opportunities to manipulate the charge transfer process within carbon nitride with respect to the design of a more efficient carbon nitride photocatalyst with cont...


Among the most prolific of American writers, Langston Hughes gained international attention and acclaim in nearly every genre of writing. While scholars and general readers have enjoyed relatively easy access to most of his writings, Hughes's work in one genre "the essay" has gone largely unnoticed. From his radical pieces praising revolutionary socialist ideology in the 1930s to the more conservative, previously unpublished "Black Writers in a Troubled World," which he wrote a year before his death, Hughes used the essay form as a vehicle through which to comment on the contemporary issues he found most pressing at various stages of his career.Hughes generated some of his most powerful critiques of economic and racial exploitation and oppression through his masterful essays. It was the essay as a literary form that allowed Hughes to document the essential contributions made by African Americans to literature, music, film, and theater, and to chronicle the immense difficulties black artists faced in gaining recognition, fair remuneration, and professional advancement for these contributions. Finally, it was in certain essays that Hughes most fully represented the unique and endearing persona of the blues-poet-in-exile.Many of the essays and other pieces of short nonfiction included in this volume have long been out of print and will be new to most readers. Through them, Langston Hughes reaffirmed a belief in the political potential of African American writers that remained consistent throughout his forty-six-year professional writing career: "Ours is a social as well as a literary responsibility." Such a belief resounds everywhere in this volume "a true testament of a man committed to the capabilities of language to generate social awareness and, ultimately, to compel social change."


ABSTRACT AIM: The psychiatric and psychosocial aetiology of Functional dyspepsia is not well known. In the present study, our aim is to determine the relative contributions of psychiatric predictors – i.e. depression, anxiety, somatization, alexithymia – in relation with socio-psychological factors, specifically their personal characteristics (i.e. emotional attachment) and perceived social support, in distinguishing FD from organic dyspepsia and healthy samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An estimated 30 functional dyspepsia, 29 organic dyspepsia patients who were admitted to our gastroenterology outpatient clinic and 27 healthy controls were enrolled to our study. Beck Depression Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Adult Attachment Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and somatization sub-scale of Symptom Checklist-90 were provided to all patients and healthy controls. All participants were examined by a gastroenterologist and a psychiatrist. RESULTS: Healthy controls were younger than organic dyspepsia group and women/men rate was lower in organic dyspepsia than other two groups. Depression score was higher in functional dyspepsia group than in healthy controls and functional dyspepsia group's attachment syle was more secure than that of the healthy control group. Somatization rate was seen higher in functional dyspepsia group with psychiatric examination. There was no significant difference seen in anxiety, alexithymia and social support between the three groups. DISCUSSION: Anxious-avoidant attachment profile as well as the higher propensity to have depressive and anxiety symptoms might be critical psychiatric and psychosocial factors underlying FD's aetiology. A multidisciplinary approach is needed in the follow up of functional dyspepsia patients. Psychological evaluation and treatment would increase the life quality of dyspepsia patients.


Title of Document: AN XML APPLICATION-BASED INTERFACE TO DEVELOPING MODULAR SYSTEM SIMULATIONS Jens Nguema Weisflog, Master of Science in Systems Engineering, 2008 Directed By: Dr Ray Adomaitis, Institute for Systems Research and Department of Chemical Engineering We introduce a framework for the development of modular lumped and distributed parameter system models, the latter described by boundary value problems. The simulation of such systems requires careful analysis and a rigorous approach to development to provide both accuracy and computational efficiency. We explain the current implementation, which solves such systems in a MATLAB environment using object-oriented programming principles as part of the Modular Distributed Parameter System Analysis and Simulation (MDPSAS) package. We propose a mechanism for creating user-defined simulation elements using a webbased collaborative interface. The creation of a novel semantic vocabulary built into an XML application language called ModSimML is presented as a tool for data structuring and exchange. The development of a schema for the XML application formalizes of our data model. The utility of this interface is described via an application to research in Biological Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (BioMEMS), whose simulations require assembly from modular components. AN XML APPLICATION-BASED INTERFACE TO DEVELOPING MODULAR DISTRIBUTED PARAMETER SYSTEM SIMULATIONS.


This research aims to assess the strategic tool of Critical Success Factors (CSFs)
within the UK four and five star hotel industry by developing a strategic
framework incorporating CSFs within the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach.
Success in the hotel industry at all market levels and locations is determined by
the ability to clearly formulate and implement a coherent strategy. Considering the
importance of the hotel industry for the UK economy, it is essential to enhance
overall strategic understanding within the hotel sector in order to increase
efficiencies, performance and overall success. A major factor in identifying and
understanding what needs to be done comes in identifying CSFs. This concept
combines the strategic aims of the company and condenses them into a number of
manageable factors that are absolutely critical to success. In addition, the BSC
approach as a strategic tool that utilises CSFs to measure the performance and
success of businesses is utilised. For the three stages of primary data collection, a
mix of quantitative techniques, questionnaires and Delphi rounds, were used. The
first stage included 33 questionnaires with hotel managers to update the existing
list of CSFs; followed by three Delphi rounds with hotel industry experts to
reduce the number of CSFs. These final factors were then ranked in importance by
61 general managers and owners of UK four and five star hotels. Confirmatory
factor analysis identified a total of 19 CSFs for the UK four and five star hotel
industry. Overall, there are four to five factors within each of the four BSC
categories. Out of these, yield maximization, hygiene and cleanliness, staff
friendliness and customer loyalty were identified to be the most important CSFs
of each BSC category. A key finding is that even within a relatively homogenous
set of hotels there are distinct differences in CSFs importance based on hotel
characteristics such as size, location, star rating and ownership structure.
Therefore, a significant result of this study is the creation of a framework for
business strategy incorporating CSFs and the BSC for UK four and five star hotels
for a coherent strategy formulation and implementation. Overall, the research also
provides academia and the UK four and five star hotel industry with a tool for the
prioritisation of strategy creation and implementation.


With widely usingof computer and mobile devices available, people share information more frequently on the online social network (OSN) than before, so information spread faster and wider, especially misinformation andrumors. Rumors on the OSN often make E-commerce companiessuffermuch financial losses.Once there is a rumor, the companies always try to control the rumor propagating so that they suffer the least loss by using a certain budget. In this paper,an effective method on information blocking maximization with cost budget (CIBM) is proposed to solve rumor containment problem with cost budget in e-commerce environment. First, CIBM is proved as NP-hardproblem withthe characteristic of sub-modular and monotone.Then a community dividing algorithm based community structure is presented to optimize containment of the rumors. To verify our proposed method, a lot of experiments are conducted on real dataset and random generated datasets. And the experiment results show that our algorithm has advantage over traditional methods.


Linear scaling relations between reaction intermediates pose a fundamental limitation to the CO2 reduction activity of transition‐metal catalysts. To design improved catalysts, we propose to break these scaling relations by binding key reaction intermediates to different sites. Using density functional theory, we demonstrate this principle in the active edge sites in MoS2, MoSe2, and Ni‐doped MoS2. These edges show the unique property of selectively binding COOH and CHO to bridging S or Se atoms and CO to the metal atom. DFT calculations suggest a significant improvement in CO2 reduction activity over the transition metals. Our results point to the broader application of the active edge sites of transition‐metal dichalcogenides in complex electrochemical processes.


In many lakes, zooplankton show a distinct diel vertical migration (DVM) behavior, especially during periods of stratification. Excretion products of these zooplankton could potentially cause an upward nutrient transport and consequent nutrient enrichment for phytoplankton in the epilimnion. We quantified the upward transport of phosphorus by the cladoceran Daphnia DVM experimentally by adding a radioactive tracer (33P) to the hypolimnion of large indoor mesocosms and measuring tracer accumulation in the epilimnion over time. During the daytime, when all Daphnia were found in the hypolimnion, no phosphorus transport from the hypolimnion into the epilimnion took place. As soon as the Daphnia started their upward migration, around dusk, we observed a continuous increase in phosphorus concentration in the epilimnion. The amount of phosphorus transported was in a biologically meaningful range. Our results strongly suggest that Daphnia vertical migration presents a continuous nutrient supply for the epilimnion.


This study is based upon material of family Pompilidae collected from different localities in Turkey between 2000 and 2009; the other related studies on the Pompilidae in Turkey were reviewed. Dicyrtomellus kizilkumii (Radoszkowski, 1877) is a new record for Turkish fauna. The authors present also an updated checklist of the Pompilidae fauna of Turkey. Including the new taxon determined in this study a total of 200 species and 5 subspecies from 35 genera of the family Pompilidae were recorded from Turkey to date. Among them, the type localities of 23 species and 1 subspecies from Pompilidae are situated in Turkey. Separately, 19 species are considered endemic. In addition, new localities were found for some species and subspecies that have already been reported in Turkey.


The environmental justice movement aims to eradicate disparate siting of environmental hazards in minority and low-income communities. Prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Alexander v. Sandoval, environmental justice advocates had focused their efforts on enforcement of EPA's disparate-impact regulations. These regulations prohibit recipients of federal funding from administering any program that has the effect of racial discrimination. However, the Sandoval decision declared that no private right of action existed to enforce the regulations. Despite this signiacant setback, the regulations may still be enforceable in circumstances where an appropriate statutory handle exists. For example, section 110(a)(2)(E) of the Clean Air Act requires states to provide assurances that their plans comply with federal law. To the extent the disparate-impact regulations remain valid federal law, they may be enforced through actions to compel EPA to reject plans that do not include the requisite assurances. This Note explores the substantive and procedural issues surrounding such actions.


Inorganic nitrate/nitrite have been shown cardioprotective against ischemia-reperfusion injury and recently also against acute high-dose anthracycline (ANT) cardiotoxicity. However, translatability of the latter findings to clinically more relevant chronic ANT cardiotoxicity remains elusive. Hence, we wanted to clarify whether inorganic nitrate/nitrite may overcome chronic ANT cardiotoxicity just as effectively as dexrazoxane (DEX). Chronic cardiotoxicity was induced in rabbits with daunorubicin (DAU, 3 mg/kg, weekly for 10 weeks). Sodium nitrate was administered orally in the water (1 g/L), sodium nitrite (0.15 and 5 mg/kg) and DEX (60 mg/kg) were administered parenterally before each DAU dose. DAU induced significant decrease of LV systolic and diastolic function (p<0.05), rise of cardiac troponin T in plasma, serious degenerative changes and premature death. DEX effectively prevented all these changes, whereas nitrate supplementation had no impact on ANT cardiotoxicity. Similar results were also found in low-dose nitrite group. All animals receiving nitrite 5 mg/kg survived whole experiment, albeit with the significant decline in systolic as well as diastolic function. Morphological findings in this group resembled those in DAU group, but with lower total severity. Interestingly, several molecular parameters concerning apoptosis and mitochondria showed lower alterations in the LV myocardium of the nitrite groups, whereas number of other cardiotoxicity markers were not improved (e.g., HO1 or desmin expression). Inorganic nitrate and nitrite are unable to effectively prevent chronic ANT cardiotoxicity which contrasts with powerful cardioprotectant DEX. Supported by IGA NT13457-4-2012 and by the European Social Fund and state budget of the Czech Republic (CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0022).


Background. The therapeutic goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is sustained immune recovery and viral suppression. However, some patients experience poor CD4 cell count responses despite achieving viral suppression. Such discordant immune responses have been associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Objective. We aimed to determine the prevalence of discordant immune response and explore associated factors in a retrospective cohort of patients attending 2 large public sector clinics, during the 6 months following ART initiation.

Methods. Data were analysed from 810 HIV-infected adults initiated on first-line ART at 2 clinics in Johannesburg, between 1 November 2008 and 31 December 2009. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) to determine associations between discordant immune response and clinical and demographic factors.

Results. At ART initiation, 65% (n=592) of participants were female, with a mean age of 38.5 years. Median baseline CD4 cell count was 155 cells/mm3, 70% (n=645) of patients had a haemoglobin level >11 g/dl and 88% (n=803) were initiated on stavudine-lamivudine-efavirenz/nevirapine (D4T-3TC-EFV/NVP). Six months after ART initiation, 24% (n=220) of patients had a discordant immune response and 7% (n=67) a discordant virological response. On multivariate analysis, baseline CD cell count ≥200 cells/mm3 (AOR 3.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.08 - 4.38; p<0.001) and moderate anaemia (8.0 - 9.4 g/dl) at baseline (AOR 2.30; 95% CI 1.25 - 4.59; p=0.007) were independently associated with the development of discordant immune response, after adjustment for education level, World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage and ART regimen.

Conclusions. Discordant immune response following ART initiation was common and associated with baseline anaemia and CD4 cell count in our cohort. Intensive monitoring of at-risk individuals may improve clinical outcomes.


In recent years, deep learning for de novo molecular generation has become a rapidly growing research area. Recurrent neural networks (RNN) using the SMILES molecular representation is one of the most common approaches used. Recent study shows that the differentiable neural computer (DNC) can make considerable improvement over the RNN for modeling of sequential data. In the current study, DNC has been implemented as an extension to REINVENT, an RNN-based model that has already been used successfully to make de novo molecular design. The model was benchmarked on its capacity to learn the SMILES language on the GDB-13 and MOSES datasets. The DNC shows improvement on all test cases conducted at the cost of significantly increased computational time and memory consumption.


Gunshot wounds to the neck are diagnostically and therapeutically challenging cases. We report such a case with vascular and neurologic injuries and describe the therapeutic options. Initial treatment is aimed at hemodynamic stabilization. Zone II neck injuries are managed selectively, and physical examination alone may dictate emergency surgical exploration. Spinal cord injury must be suspected and assessed clinically, as well as by computed tomography and angiography. Deteriorating or stable neurologic status and cord compression by bullet or bone fragments require surgical decompression. Improving neurologic status may be managed conservatively. In gunshot wounds to the neck, treatment should be individualized and multidisciplinary.


Uncertainty in estimating a true population parameter from survey data is a result of imperfect detection, imperfect observation, spatial and temporal variation, and sampling error. Some level of uncertainty is inevitable in all surveys. We discuss the sources of uncertainty in surveys of bird counts and show how we have used Monte Carlo simulations to illustrate the effect of uncertainty.


About the Book This Official Study Guide for the CWTS exam features complete coverage of the exam objectives, as well as hands-on exercises, Real World Scenarios, chapter review questions, a detailed glossary, objective map, and a pre-assessment test. The enhanced CD includes two bonus exams, 150 flashcards, Case Studies, and demo software. Exam coverage includes: Wi-Fi Technology, Standards, and Certifications Hardware and Software Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals Site Surveying and Installation Applications, Support, and Troubleshooting Security & Compliance About the CWTS Certification The Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS) is a vendor-neutral certification administered by CWNP. This brand new certification is the only entry-level vendor neutral wireless certification for IT Professionals, and was developed for IT support staff who work with wireless technologies. It is a springboard to the foundation-level Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA), and more advanced Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) and Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE) certifications. The exam is offered in over 100 countries through both Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers. The cost of the exam is $125. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.


Application of selected separation techniques and obtained total Hg concentrations in studied plant species indicate relatively low Hg phytoavailability in studied soils. Calculated separation yields for applied separation techniques were in many cases comparable with soil-plant transfer recovery values for studied plant species. Distribution of Hg in roots of studied root vegetables showed the tendency of increasing amount of Hg from basal towards terminal part of root.


System composing of two high pressure heaters (HPH1 and HPH2), one deaerator-feed water tank (DEA) and four low pressure heaters (LPH4, LPH5, LPH6 and LPH7). This study aims to conduct a performance evaluation during full load on each unit's regenerative feed water heaters, both closed and open type, using ASME PTC 12.1 and an analysis on the heater off design condition at 5% load intervals. Off design conditions on a heater occurred on several occasions, where unit is at low load or derating, and may affect overall efficiency of a plant. The parameters needed such as load, extraction steam pressure, heater drain temperature and inlet and outlet feed water temperature on a heater were collected on the Distributed Control System (DCS) at Central Control Room (CCR) station. Other necessary data like steam and drain enthalpies were collected using CATT 3 software or steam tables. There were five tests collected at random dates on each unit where it is in operation. The data result features like Temperature Terminal Difference (TTD), Drain Cooler Approach (DCA) and Temperature Rise (TR) across heater were indicators used to determine and evaluate each heaters performance. Extraction Steam Flow Requirement was also calculated for additional performance verification. The evaluation results at maximum load shows that Unit No.2 HPH1 and HPH2 has lower TTD (4.35°C and 3.39°C respectively) and DCA (-0.37°C and 14.68°C respectively) and a higher TR (21.97°C and 46.94°C) were remarkably good. The results also showed that as the low-pressure heaters goes to the last stage heater (LPH4 to LPH7), the TTD was increased on all units. A highest TTD (49.86°C) and lowest TR (2.95°C) on Unit 1 were observed which could be quiet alarming and an indication of off design even at full load. The ranges between minimum and maximum load at 5% load intervals showed that HPH1 and HPH2 (TTD and TR) were proportional to the load while LPH4 and LPH5 (TTD) were inversely proportional to load adjustments on all units. The last stage heater, LPH7, on Units 1 and 2 poorly performed during the load adjustments with its TR maintained only around 4°C at any load is an indication of off design condition. A mathematical approach of non-linear regression was also simulated using MATLAB R2013A on each heater's TTD, DCA, TR and Extraction steam flow requirement to allow other researcher or performance engineer for future framework. Thus, the results of the tests regarding the performance of regenerative feed water heaters proves that last stage heaters mostly encounter off design and high-pressure heaters are the most efficient. Finally, based from the evaluation results, it recommends inspecting or improve the last stage heaters to prevent equipment breakdown and conduct more routine plant performance on regenerative feed water heaters to monitor the heaters degradation or improvement.


The historical background of Indonesian Islamic University is very phenomenal thing especially for mapping of progress of Indonesia as afree country. Some of the founding of Ull are the leaders of the Republic of Indonesia. They 're the true statesmen who aimed to accelerate the development of the nation through education and politics. Than they iniciated to build an Islamic University (IIU ) in accordance with the need of musiim' country especially and for the nation in general. IIU's vision and mission shows up the goal of it and of course it's Islam to be assured of making Islamic system of education based on Qur'an's message namely 'rahmatan IH'alamin - benevolence for Universe (Q 21:107). It will gives guaranty in the long run good output: high dedicated and integrated alumnies for glorifieng Islam and muslim's people. For now on it's the duty of IIU for preparing hard ware and soft ware taking a high role as a center of excellence, of IIU in ASEAN, sublimized the loss glory of Andalusian' Islamic University. Key words: UII, Indonesia, vision, mission


In the depths of Antarctic winter, hundreds of miles from land or rescue, a small fishing boat is swallowed by waves as high as houses. The captain is fatally slow to act, and then paralyzed by fear. The officers flee for their lives. Only the actions of Matt Lewis, a 23-year-old British marine biologist and one of the most inexperienced men aboard, will save the lives of the South African crew. Lewis is the last man off the sinking boat, and leads the escape onto three life rafts. There the battle for survival begins.


This research will explore the result of studying different aspects of identity seeking and establishing it as a liminal-prone one in a hybridized atmosphere among the colonized in terms of post-colonial discourse, based on Bhabha's theories in his book, The Location of Culture, and on Isabel Allende's novel, The Japanese Lover (2015). This study strives to expose the way through which the colonized characters' identities in the novel undergo radical transformation through the third space which is heavily laced with qualities like ambivalence, stereotype, mimicry, and unhomeliness. Isabel Allende is an author whose novels mostly are an attempt to delineate the process of identity shaping particularly in the USA, since identity has always been an obsession for human which is defined based on different properties, one of which refers to the nation, culture and the territories based on Bhabha's notion of hybridity which stems from confrontation of the cultures of the oppressor and the oppressed in the process of colonization. Generally, subject of identity in post-colonialism discourse is one in which people especially the colonized seeks for attachment. It will be divulged through this analysis that how liminal quality which is created as the consequence of colonial discourses will result in creating a space in which the oppressed one undergo radical changes in forming identity and how their identities are susceptible to alteration and likely to be unstable and fugitive.


Why do some governments succeed in creating a greater sense of legitimacy for their nation-state than other governments? Although modernization was a part of their respective governments' plans for both India and the Philippines upon independence, modern nationalism offers different routes to reach the objective. The Indian National Congress party under Jawaharlal Nehru went out of its way to gain as much support as it could among the masses and parts of the elites. Nehru's plan was to use protectionism and let India's economy develop until it was ready to compete globally, while trying to help women, the poor, and those most badly affected escape the worst excesses of capitalism. In other words, he offered something to all the classes of India. Even after Nehru's death, his vision was more or less embraced by almost all of his successors. The same could not be said about the Philippines. It has been argued that landholding classes largely made up the small oligarchy that dominated the Philippines, and this group was only interested in benefitting itself. When the political parties were not competing democratically, there was something much worse in place, the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. This implies that the way nationalism develops pre- and post- independence radically influences development and legitimacy.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To identify symptom clusters that include urinary and erectile dysfunction among men treated for prostate cancer.

DESIGN
Secondary data analysis.

SETTING
University-affiliated urology clinic.

SAMPLE
Data collected on 402 men for a longitudinal prostate cancer quality-of-life study.

METHODS
Data were collected from an eight-month time point. Four analytic approaches were applied to determine whether consistent clusters of symptoms were identifiable.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Pain, fatigue, emotional distress, and urinary, sexual, and bowel dysfunction.

FINDINGS
Thirty-three percent of patients reported scores on three or more quality-of-life measures falling in the lowest quartile for that measure. Although composition of the clusters was not consistent, poor mental health or poor energy was a component of any cluster made up of three or more symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS
Using a four-way analytic approach enabled the authors to explore how symptom clusters measuring general and disease-specific quality of life occurred in patients who have been treated for prostate cancer. When clusters occur, fatigue and emotional distress often are included.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
Fatigue and emotional distress may be seen together or in combination with prostate cancer-specific symptoms. Nurses should be more alert to the possibility of additional treatment-related symptoms when fatigue or emotional distress is present.


We study the screening problem of a firm that needs to hire a worker to produce output and that observes neither the productive ability nor the intrinsic motivation of the job applicant. We completely characterize the set of optimal contracts according to whether motivation or ability is the main determinant of the worker's performance. We show that it is always in the firm's interest to hire all types of worker and to offer different contracts to different types of employees. Interestingly, when motivation is very high, incentives force the firm to pay higher informational rents, to increase effort distorsions for motivated workers, and to offer a strictly positive wage to workers enjoying a positive utility from effort provision, who thus become paid volunteers. These results suggest that, from the principal's viewpoint, very high motivation might not be a desirable worker's characteristic.


The purpose of this study is to indicate the impact of green supply chain practice on company's performance. There are five independent variables used in this study which are internal
environmental management, green purchasing, cooperation with customers, eco-design and warehouse and green building. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between all independent variables with company's environmental, economic and operational performance, to identify the factors that influence company's environmental, economic and operational performance the most and to evaluate whether there are differences in the average environmental, economic and operational performance of companies based on the type of environmental management system that they adopt. For this study, the researcher has collected
questionnaires from logistics companies in Kemaman, Terengganu. In order to collect the questionnaires, researcher used convenience sampling technique where the researcher randomly picks the logistics companies in Kemaman including in Kemaman Supply Base (KSB) area as her respondents. Besides that, for testing the objectives of this study, researcher was used three method of SPSS data analysis which is Pearson Correlation Analysis, Multiple
Regression Analysis and One-way ANOVA. From the findings, the result for first objectives shows there is a significant relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. For second objective, the result shows eco-design is the factor that influences company's performance the most. For last objectives, is shows environmental management system only affected environmental performance. However, in order to complete this study, there are some limitations faced by researcher. The first limitation is in term of gaining accurate and correct information and second limitation is in term of sample size. For this study, there
recommendation was given by researcher which is adding others variables, give more attention to eco design and have effective internal environmental management.


We study multiview geometry and some of its applications through the use of polynomials. A three-dimensional world point gives rise to n ≥ 2 two-dimensional projections in n given cameras. The object of focus in this thesis is the multiview variety, the space of all possible n-tuples of such projections. By applying tools and techniques from algebraic geometry, representation theory, optimization, and others, we are able to provide a more complete picture of the multiview variety than has existed before. We apply this understanding to solving triangulation, the problem of reconstructing a world point from noisy projections.


The demand of electrical energy in general and the wind energy specifically is increasing worldwide. The challenges to this energy especially issues related with reactive power compensation and voltage support are increasing. Adama-I Wind Farm (WF) is one of these wind energy systems in Ethiopia. To compensate reactive power, the wind farm is using static capacitor banks and magnetically Coupled Reactors (MCR) type Static Var Compensators (SVC). However, the capacitor banks are not fast enough to alleviate the problem. To mitigate the problem of the existing wind farm, a new emerging technology photo voltaic-static synchronous compensator (PV-STATCOM) device is conducted at the main substation or point of common coupling (PCC) of the wind farm. The solar inverter is used to act as STATCOM, at the main substation or at Point of Common Coupling (PCC) for active power regulation and voltage/reactive power regulations during night-time and daytime. In this regard, 10 MVAR rated capacity of PV-STATCOM is needed to compensate the given reactive power depending on the capacitive reactive demand of the wind farm generators. For validation of the system, power world and MATLAB/PowerSim software are used for steady state analysis system and temporary over voltage analysis respectively


In mid-2009, the Radiative Heating in the Underexplored Bands Campaign II (RHUBC-II) was conducted from Cerro Toco, Chile, a high, dry, remote mountain plateau, 23°S , 67.8°W at 5.4km, in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. From this site, dominant IR water vapor absorption bands and continuum, saturated when viewed from the surface at lower altitudes, or in less dry locales, were investigated in detail, elucidating infrared (IR) absorption and emission in the atmosphere. Three Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) instruments were at the site, the Far-Infrared Spectroscopy of the Troposphere (FIRST), the Radiation Explorer in the Far Infrared (REFIR), and the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI). In a side-by-side comparison, these measured atmospheric downwelling radiation, with overlapping spectral coverage from 5 to 100μm (2000 to 100cm-1), and instrument spectral resolutions from 0.5 to 0.643cm-1, unapodized. In addition to the FTIR and other ground-based IR and microwave instrumentation, pressure/temperature/relative humidity measuring sondes, for atmospheric profiles to 18km, were launched from the site several times a day. The derived water vapor profiles, determined at times matching the FTIR measurement times, were used to model atmospheric radiative transfer. Comparison of instrument data, all at the same spectral resolution, and model calculations, are presented along with a technique for determining adjustments to line-by-line calculation continuum models. This was a major objective of the campaign.


Given a poverty line, a person who is non-poor (poor) currently may not be treated as non-poor (poor) in a vulnerable situation. The poverty line is adjusted in the presence of vulnerability such that the utility of a person at the current poverty line and that at the adjusted poverty line become identical. Using an additive model of vulnerability, it is shown that if the utility function obeys constant Arrow-Pratt absolute risk aversion, then the harmonized poverty line is a simple absolute augmentation of the current poverty line. On the other hand, under a multiplicative model of vulnerability with constant Arrow-Pratt relative risk aversion, the revised poverty line is a simple relative augmentation of the current poverty line. Empirical illustrations assume that constant relative risk aversion applies to Asia and the Pacific. Upward adjustment of the poverty line under increased vulnerability, as captured through the value of the risk aversion parameter, is also observed.


The critical infrastructure protection is a key point from a social and economic point of view. The FP7 MICIE project has achieved promising results in evaluating impact of failures and faults in interdependent physical systems, as critical infrastructures. In order to achieve this goal, the consortium developed an online risk prediction tool, able to acquire information by local physical systems through their control centres and obtain accurate and synchronised predictions using shared interdependency models. However, results of MICIE project are not enough in order to quickly and effectively react to all adverse events that may occur over the system of systems and, in particular, to face cyber threats and attacks. The EC FP7 CockpitCI project aims to improve resilience and dependability of CIs through the design and the implementation of an alerting system that provides to CI operators an efficient tool to support them in the prevention of cyber attacks impact on real systems and in the implementation of possible consequence containment strategies in case of attack.


The pigmentation of a cyanobacterial mat located in Rangiroa atoll (French Polynesia) was characterized using low‐altitude (500 m) Compact Airborne Spectrometer Imager hyperspectral measurements. Peaks in second and fourth derivatives of the reflective absorptance can be explained by chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, which were independently identified by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Phycobilin pigments were also detected from airborne measurements. The study confirms the extensibility of derivative spectroscopy from in vivo to highresolution remote sensing measurements for biology and geochemistry investigations in marine communities.


The treatment of older, unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is challenging. Based on preclinical data of Bruton tyrosine kinase expression/phosphorylation and ibrutinib cytotoxicity in AML blasts, we conducted a randomized phase 2 multicenter study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the addition of ibrutinib to 10-day decitabine in unfit (ie, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index ≥3) AML patients and higher risk myelodysplasia patients (HOVON135/SAKK30/15 trial). In total, 144 eligible patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to either 10-day decitabine combined with ibrutinib (560 mg; sequentially given, starting the day after the last dose of decitabine) (n = 72) or to 10-day decitabine (n = 72). The addition of ibrutinib was well tolerated, and the number of adverse events was comparable for both arms. In the decitabine plus ibrutinib arm, 41% reached complete remission/complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CR/CRi), the median overall survival (OS) was 11 months, and 2-year OS was 27%; these findings compared with 50% CR/CRi, median OS of 11.5 months, and 2-year OS of 21% for the decitabine group (not significant). Extensive molecular profiling at diagnosis revealed that patients with STAG2, IDH2, and ASXL1 mutations had significantly lower CR/CRi rates, whereas patients with mutations in TP53 had significantly higher CR/CRi rates. Furthermore, multicolor flow cytometry revealed that after 3 cycles of treatment, 28 (49%) of 57 patients with available bone marrow samples had no measurable residual disease. In this limited number of cases, measurable residual disease revealed no apparent impact on event-free survival and OS. In conclusion, the addition of ibrutinib does not improve the therapeutic efficacy of decitabine. This trial was registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NL5751 [NTR6017]) and has EudraCT number 2015-002855-85.


In this paper, we perform 3-Dimensional (3D) clustering based on the Outdoor-to-Indoor (O2I) wideband 3D multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel measurement at 3.5 GHz. Clusters are identified by KPowerMeans algorithm. Based on analysis on clustering results, we modified the definition of Multiple component distance (MCD) to split the bounding of azimuth and elevation, which can obtain larger number of clusters and the clusters are more intra- compact and inter-separated. Then, Calinski-Harabasz (CH) and Davies-Bouldin (DB) indices are used to further validate the proposed MCD. Finally, intra cluster and inter cluster statistics are both provided, which provides insights in 3D MIMO channel modeling.


Nursery rhymes have frequently been regarded as a testing ground for hypotheses concerning metrical and prosodic unmarkedness. The recurrence of tetrametric patterns and the unmarkedness of binary feet, for example, have been interpreted as a universal of child(-directed) verse, and of folk verse in general. According to other approaches, however, nursery rhymes as part of poetic folklore emerge on the basis of language-specific prosody in the characteristic ways of Natural Versification. In our contribution we have analyzed corpora of French and German counting-out rhymes. In French, both lines containing ternary alternation and lines with more than four beats are of marginal frequency. By contrast, stress clash as well as shorter lines occur, albeit typically with nonce items. By analyzing Standard German as well as dialectal German data, we have investigated the impact of some varieties of German on metrical patterns. Unlike French, almost one third of the German counting-out rhymes have ternary feet; in a number of cases, ternarity is even enhanced by the use of nonce items. Interestingly, German nursery rhymes regularly show a stress clash pattern at the end of lines with a final reduced syllable. We suggest that this pattern is best understood as a historical residue. On the basis of cross-linguistic and cross-dialectal comparisons, we conclude with a discussion of the relative importance of markedness, naturalness, poetic traditions, and text-pragmatic factors.


This thesis incorporates the results of studies into
the distributions of the Cumacea whose members are one of
the groups of animals living in shallow water sands off
eastern Tasmania.
My approach assumes that patterns of animal distribution
exist. This may be regarded as an expression of
belief. However, as MacArthur (1927) has pointed out
most investigations of biological distributions reveal
pattern at some scale. The approach is supported also
by the work of Taylor, Woiwod and Perry (1978) who
suggested that spatial randomness is highly improbable
because the behavioural responses of living organisms
mediate dispersive processes.
1.1 Layout
The text of this account is divided into two main
sections. The first deals with the zoogeography of
shallow water cumaceans in eastern Tasmania. The
second section contains an account of cumacean spatial
distribution at the benthic interface and, briefly,
the place of these animals in the water column.
1.2 Timing
This project commenced in March, 1977. The formal
cut-off point for literature survey was June, 1979. All
literature quoted after that date results from browsing
or the intermission of friendly gatekeepers.
1.3 Statement of Intent
During a period of eleven years as a working
naturalist in Tasmania the geographic distribution of
the Tasmanian marine fauna has been of interest. The
concept of the Maugean marine province (Iredale and
May, 1916) proved a useful working hypothesis if only
because it provided a framework upon which to hang
observed distributions. This descriptive approach was
emphasized in a paper upon Tasmanian littoral biogeography
(Dartnall, 1974). Other work which is referred to
later in this text suggested that marine animal
distributions along the east coast of Tasmania were
interrupted by a discontinuity at the approximate
latitude of Maria Is. (c. 42o
31'S). Vernacular evidence
from other working zoologists offered nothing to refute
this view. It was with some surprise, therefore, to
read the work of King (1972) and to discover that the
distribution of littoral algae did not support the concept
of a Maugean marine province. Both King and myself
have suggested that marine biogeographic regions should
reflect oceanographic conditions and that investigation
of Maugean distributions might continue profitably
offshore. This thesis is the result of that suggestion.
The pathways followed during this work are summarized
in a flow diagram following the conclusions. Logical
pathways are direct but labyrinthine logic plots its own
web. The actual routes followed are indicated.


Written by a veteran in mission-critical computer system problem resolution, problem prevention, and system recovery, this book discusses solving problems on their FIRST occurrence while emphasizing software supportability and serviceability. Who should read this book? Software professional engineers and managers; End-users, system administrators and their managers; Software engineering students. What will the readers of this book learn? How to optimize use of pre-existing software problem solving features; How to choose the best products to improve first fault problem-solving; How to get the best results when problems occur on outsourced and cloud-placed work; How to choose amongst first-fault tools, second-fault tools, and manual problem solving methods to best advantage for difficult problems; How to be an educated consumer or creator of future problem-solving software. What is the business value of reading this book? Saving money on problem solving resources (servers, storage, network, software, power, space, cooling, personnel); Keeping customers happier since their issues are resolved sooner; Reducing the durations of computer service outages that affect external clients; Decreasing operational overhead and encouraging sustainable, higher-performing organizations and enterprises through best problem-solving practices. What else is special about this book? 21 original illustrations to feed the soul and tickle the funny-bone; 21 thought-provoking quotes to feed the intellect and the spirit; An extensive bibliography to aid in clarification and personal growth.


We present ultrafast slotted optical time-division multiplexed networks as a viable means of implementing a highly capable next-generation all-optical packet-switched network. Such a network is capable of providing simple network management, the ability to support variable quality-of-service, self-routing of packets, scalability in the number of users, and the use of digital regeneration, buffering, and encryption. We review all-optical switch and Boolean logic gate implementations using an ultrafast nonlinear interferometers (UNIs) that are capable of stable, pattern-independent operation at speeds in excess of 100 Gb/s. We expand the capability provided by the UNI beyond switching and logic demonstrations to include system-level functions such as packet synchronization, address comparison, and rate conversion. We use these advanced all-optical signal processing capabilities to demonstrate a slotted OTDM multiaccess network testbed operating at 112.5 Gb/s line rates with inherent scalability in the number of users and system line rates. We also report on long-haul propagation of short optical pulses in fiber and all-optical 3R regeneration as a viable cost-effective means of extending the long-haul distance of our OTDM network to distances much greater than 100 km.


Mattar, E. (2019). Physiological quality of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray seeds as a function of harvest period and storage conditions. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 25 (6), 1133–1142 Tithonia diversifolia is a shrub of the Asteraceae family native to Central America and found on all continents. It has multiple functions with emphasis on use in animal feed and as a medicinal plant. It is usually propagated vegetative, with little information on seed propagation. For this reason, the aim of this study was to defi ne the ideal time for harvesting the seeds and to evaluate the quality of the seeds according to time and storage condition. Therefore, achenes were collected on different days after the anthesis (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 days) of infl orescence. Following harvesting, the following variables were evaluated: seed dry matter mass, germination percentage, germination speed index, germination speed and percentage of full achenes. Moreover, these variables were analyzed as a function of two storage conditions (refrigerated and non-refrigerated environment) and two storage times (6 and 12 months). The ideal harvest period comprised the period from 28 to 36 days after anthesis, in which seeds with germination percentages exceeding 75% and percentage of full achenes of 100% were obtained. The chilled environment provided the highest percentages of seed germination. Moreover, germination speed increased throughout the storage time. The seeds showed a high percentage of germination after 12 months of storage, both in refrigerated and non-refrigerated conditions.


Global Climate Models (GCMs) are known to suffer from biases in the simulation of atmospheric blocking, and this study provides an assessment of how blocking is represented by the latest generation of GCMs. It is evaluated (i) how historical CMIP6 (Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) simulations perform compared to CMIP5 simulations, and (ii) how horizontal model resolution affects the simulation of blocking in the CMIP6-HighResMIP (PRIMAVERA) model ensemble, which is designed to address this type of question. Two blocking indices are used to evaluate the simulated mean blocking 5 frequency and blocking persistence for the Euro-Atlantic and Pacific regions in winter and summer against the corresponding estimates from atmospheric reanalysis data. There is robust evidence that CMIP6 models simulate blocking frequency and persistence better than CMIP5 models in the Atlantic and Pacific and during winter and summer. This improvement is sizeable so that, for example, winter blocking frequency in the median CMIP5 model in a large Euro-Atlantic domain is underestimated by 33% using the absolute geopotential height (AGP) blocking index, whereas the same number is 18% for the median CMIP6 10 model. As for the sensitivity of simulated blocking to resolution, it is found that the resolution increase, from typically 100 km to 20 km grid spacing, in most of the PRIMAVERA models, which are not re-tuned at the higher resolutions, benefits the mean blocking frequency in the Atlantic in winter and summer, and in the Pacific in summer. Simulated blocking persistence, however, is not seen to improve with resolution. Our results are consistent with previous studies suggesting that resolution is one of a number of interacting factors necessary for an adequate simulation of blocking in GCMs. The improvements reported 15 in this study hold promise for further reductions in blocking biases as model development continues.


This paper provides a global review of the link from forests to poverty alleviation. Definitions are clarified and the key concepts and indicators related to livelihoods and policy reduction and prevention are explored--distinguishing between the analysis and the measurements of poverty. Reviewing the macro-level literature on the relationship between economic growth, inequality and poverty, the authors found that economic growth usually does trickle down to the poor and that poverty reduction without growth is in practice very difficult to achieve. The potentials and limitations of forests in regard to poverty allevition are canvassed and their possible roles as safety nets, poverty traps and pathways out of poverty are explored. The core discussion addresses how forests can contribute to poverty reduction, distinguishing three main benefit categories. Firstly, non-timber forest products serve subsistence needs, may have important gap filling or safety net functions. Secondly, timber has not traditionally been very pro-poor but the current trends of increased local ownership of natural forests, growing tree commercialisation and small scale wood processing could modify that picture. Thirdly, ecological service payments are emerging rapidly but it is uncertain how much the poor will benefit. In conclusion, this paper outlines ten promising research topics, within three broader fields: assessing current forest-based benefits to the poor; exploring emerging market opportunities; and evaluating cross-cutting institutional and extra-sectoral issues.


The detail design of the jacket for the Mossgas FA platform was simply based on good engineering. It encompassed many disciplines of engineering and naval architecture and was checked by independent audits by the certifying authorities. This paper describes the jacket and outlines the design procedures that were necessary to ensure its safe installation and the requirement for a 30-year operational life.


OBJECTIVE: To describe the management of a population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected pregnant women in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to assess factors associated with maternal viral load of 1,000 copies/mL or more and with infant HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Eligibility criteria were enrollment in the prospective cohort study as of March 2006; delivery of a liveborn, singleton infant; and completion of the 6-month postpartum or postnatal visit. RESULTS: Of 955 women enrolled in Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, and Mexico, 770 mother-infant pairs were eligible. At enrollment, most women were relatively healthy (87% asymptomatic, 59% with viral load less than 1,000 copies/mL, 62% with CD4+% of 25% or more). Most (99%) received antiretrovirals during pregnancy (56% prophylaxis, 44% treatment), and 38% delivered by cesarean before labor and before ruptured membranes. Only 18% of women had a viral load of 1,000 copies/mL or more after delivery (associated in adjusted analyses with receipt of antiretrovirals at conception, CD4+% [lower], viral load [higher], and country at enrollment, enrollment late in pregnancy, and inversely related to antiretroviral regimen [two nucleoside or nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus one nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor] during pregnancy). None of the infants breastfed, and all received antiretroviral prophylaxis. Seven infants became infected (0.91%; 95% confidence interval 0.37–1.86). Low birth weight infants and those whose mothers had a low CD4+% at hospital discharge after delivery and were not receiving antiretrovirals at enrollment were at higher risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSION: Only a minority of women had a viral load of 1,000 copies/mL or more around delivery, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV occurred rarely (1%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II


Abstract : United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) force flow analysts perform the daunting task of determining feasibility of vehicle mixtures that will support theater distribution. Analysts conduct sensitivity analysis on the vehicle mixture solution to determine proper feasibility. Their current tool, the Improved Theater Distribution Model (ITDM) uses a multimodal, mixed set of vehicles to model the pickup and delivery of a set of requirements within a given time window. Although, the model is a sufficient tool, it may provide incorrect feasible solutions, which in turn may lead to an improper vehicle mixture for a set of given requirements. Improving upon the ITDM, a Properly Splitting Theater Distribution Model (PSTDM) was created. The PSTDM, like the ITDM, is a mixed integer programming model that allocates specific vehicle types to deliver requirements in a way that minimizes cost and late deliveries. The PSTDM improves upon the ITDM solutions by taking into account and identifying oversized/outsized equipment, preventing improper splitting of requirements and matching vehicles capabilities within requirement demands. The new set of solutions provides analysts the necessary insight on vehicle combinations that provide proper feasible pickup and deliveries.