This thesis is divided into two parts. Part 1 covers the biosynthesis of the fungal metabolite tenellin, and Part 2 the metabolism of β-aminoisobutyrate m Streptomyces sp. Tenellin is a yellow pigment of the fungus Beamaria bassiana. It is of mixed biosynthetic origin, being derived from a polyketide moiety and the amino acid L-phenylalanine. The timing of the C-methylations of the polyketide chain is discussed in Chapter 2, which describes attempts to incorporate deuterium labelled partially assembled putative intermediates into the polyketide. The biosynthesis of the pyridone ring of tenellin requkes the condensation of the polyketide moiety with a rearranged phenylpropanoid unit derived from phenylalanine. The nature of this intriguing intramolecular rearrangement is discussed in Chapters 3 and 4. A phenylalanine derived tetramic acid, proposed as an intermediate in the biosynthesis, has been synthesised, and used in biosynthetic investigations. The results of these investigations and the subsequent identification of tyrosine as a closer precursor to tenellin argue against its intermediacy. The failure of [2-(^13)C(^2)H(^15)N]-phenylalanine to become incorporated intact suggests a transamination process for phenylalanine / tyrosine prior to incorporation. Preliminary investigations suggest para-hydroxy phenyllactate may be die substrate for the rearranging enzyme and a more direct precursor to tenellin. β-Aminoisobutyrate, the end product of reductive thymine catabolism, contributes to both the propionate and butyrate pools in Streptomyces sp. The pathway of incorporation into the isobutyrate / butyrate pool has been investigated, and confirmed to be the reverse of that known to occur in L-valine metabolism. A mutant strain of Streptomyces avemitilis, unable to produce isobutyrate, was used due to low level incorporations into the branched-chain fatty acids. This work was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Hamish McArthur, Pfizer Central Research Division, Groton, USA, and Dr. Kevin Reynolds, Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Maryland.


Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have gained popularity in recent years. This is because they have great potential to provide a promising infrastructure for numerous applications. The rapid deployment and reduction in cost of broadband internet connectivity has made it affordable to have these networks exchange and manage information over the public network. To use conventional security architectures in this regard pose a major challenge since available cryptographic algorithms are computationally intensive. On the other hand WSN nodes are resource constrained in terms of computational power, storage memory, communication bandwidth, and battery power/energy. However the energy constraint of all is very crucial and needs to be addressed since WSN nodes are typically power limited. The performance of WSNs can be improved by introducing powerful processors with large memory capacities and high bandwidth radio technologies demanding additional energy requirements. It is well known that communication overheads consume more energy than performing cryptographic computations. Thus additional control overheads introduced on top of the data plane by cryptographic mechanisms come at a huge cost. This paper provides an overview of existing cryptographic mechanisms applicable to WSNs along with their energy requirements, strengths and weaknesses.


With rare exceptions, mammalian mitochondria are inherited through the female. This probably serves to minimize lethal cytoplasmic gene competition and to prevent the inheritance of sperm mitochondrial DNA that has been subject to degradation by free radicals. In general, organisms are intolerant of mitochondrial heteroplasmy and, when this occurs in humans, it frequently presents as progressive and lethal bioenergetic or neurological disease. The mitochondria of spermatozoa are specifically destroyed by proteolysis in early embryonic development, in mice at the 4- to 8-cell transition. While there are concerns in human assisted reproduction that microinjection of abnormal or immature sperm cells could lead to lasting harm in the offspring through transmission of abnormal mitochondria, there is no clinical evidence to support this. There is more potential for harm through attempts to 'rescue' poor quality oocytes by cytoplasmic or nuclear transfer, as it is not currently possible to control the final fate of the donated mitochondria in relation to nuclear-mitochondrial interactions or the embryonic axes. Moreover, the balance between nuclear and mitochondrial genes and the role of cytoplasmic factors in epigenesis are still poorly understood. The future challenge for biologists is to comprehend the nature of the selective destruction of paternal mitochondria, as it appears to be a species-specific recognition phenomenon.


[1] The Pallett Creek paleoseismic record occupies a keystone position in most attempts to develop rupture histories for the southern San Andreas fault. Previous estimates of earthquake ages at Pallett Creek were determined by decay counting radiocarbon methods. That method requires large samples which can lead to unaccounted sources of uncertainty in radiocarbon ages because of the heterogeneous composition of organic layers. In contrast, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates may be obtained from small samples that have known carbon sources and also allow for a more complete sampling of the section. We present 65 new AMS radiocarbon dates that span nine ground-rupturing earthquakes at Pallett Creek. Overall, the AMS dates are similar to and reveal no dramatic bias in the conventional dates. For many layers, however, individual charcoal samples were younger than the conventional dates, leading to earthquake ages that are overall slightly younger than previously reported. New earthquake ages are determined by Bayesian refinement of the layer ages based on stratigraphic ordering and sedimentological constraints. The new chronology is more regular than previously published records in large part due to new samples constraining the age of event R. The closed interval from event C to 1857 has a mean recurrence of 135 years (σ = 83.2 years) and a quasiperiodic coefficient of variation (COV) of 0.61. We show that the new dates and resultant earthquake chronology have a stronger effect on COV than the specific membership of this long series and dating precision improvements from sedimentation rates.


The sample design of the USDA Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) with respect to a three-dimensional population (forest area X time) of tree attributes is formally defined and evaluated. The definitions for both the traditional components of growth, as presented by Meyer (1953, Forest Mensura- tion), and a discrete analog to the time invariant redefinition of the components of change given by Eriksson (1995, Forest Sci. 41(4):796-822), are compared and contrasted. Special problems in the application of the traditional definitions due to the continuous and overlapping temporal intervals featured in the sample design are explored. This exploration supports a contention that the traditional definitions are at a theoretical disadvantage because they are not based purely on the population(s) of interest, while the redefinitions dubbed the components of change by Eriksson (1995) were based solely on population attributes. The temporally discrete analog to the Eriksson definitions are used in this article to define the three-dimensional populations in terms of a set of mutually exclusive component matrices that can be summed to represent the entire population, independently of the sample design. FOR. SCI. 53(3):406-413.


In decentralized Supply Chains, each member decides based on his own interests. Conflict of interests results in suboptimal decisions and poor performance for entire supply chains, as well seriously harms credibly information sharing across them. In this thesis, coordination of decisions in supply chains in the context of Capacity Procurement problem are studied in different situations in form of three models. In first model, a dyadic supply chain with stochastic demand and exogenous price is investigated by taking various costs into account. PARD and RCRS contracts are designed and proposed in order for coordination of decisions respectively in full and partial information updating situations. It is mathematically shown that coordination is achieved by using each contract in its corresponding situation. In second model, endogenous price is assumed. That is, demand is modeled as sum of a decreasing linear function of price and a stochastic parameter. The model is first examined in a dyadic structure, and RSRP contract is proposed for coordinating of price, production time and production rate decisions. It is proved that coordination is achieved by RSRP contract in the dyadic structure. The application of RSRP contract is then extended to be employed in a divergent supply chain with multiple retailers, and shown that the supply chain performs considerably better than the same supply chain with a wholesale contract. In third model, a divergent supply chain comprising a supplier and multiple retailers is studied where retailers face stochastic and price-dependent demand. Since main decision makers in supply chain interactions are human, paying attention to human decision making process and their biases from theoretical predictions are important in designing coordination mechanisms. One of the non-pecuniary factors which cause deviations in human-decisions is Trust. In this model, the retailers have more accurate demand forecast information due to their proximity to market. In order to secure availability of products during the selling season, the retailers have incentives to inflate their private forecast information. A coordination mechanism is proposed, which consists of an optimization model, a scoring system and a rewarding-punishing system, in order to coordinate the supply chain. Using simulation approach, performance of the mechanism is then compared to those of two other mechanisms, namely Without Trust an Asymmetric mechanism. According to the results, employing the mechanism in situations with any demand variability is advised. More accurately, in situations with high demand variability, the mechanism achieves a proper profit improvement and moderate capability for identifying deceptive agents, while in situations with low demand variability, the mechanism shows insignificant profit improvement and considerable ability in identifying deceptive agents.


We present a deep-dive into a real-world robotic learning system that, in previous work, was shown to be capable of hundreds of table tennis rallies with a human and has the ability to precisely return the ball to desired targets. This system puts together a highly optimized perception subsystem, a high-speed low-latency robot controller, a simulation paradigm that can prevent damage in the real world and also train policies for zero-shot transfer, and automated real world environment resets that enable autonomous training and evaluation on physical robots. We complement a complete system description, including numerous design decisions that are typically not widely disseminated, with a collection of studies that clarify the importance of mitigating various sources of latency, accounting for training and deployment distribution shifts, robustness of the perception system, sensitivity to policy hyper-parameters, and choice of action space. A video demonstrating the components of the system and details of experimental results can be found at https://youtu.be/uFcnWjB42I0.


In this study we have investigated a photosensitive thermoset (OSTEMER 322-40) as a complementary material to readily fabricate complex multi-layered microdevices for applications in life science. Simple, versatile and robust fabrication of multifunctional microfluidics is becoming increasingly important for the development of customized tissue-, organ- and body-on-a-chip systems capable of mimicking tissue interfaces and biological barriers. In the present work key material properties including optical properties, vapor permeability, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility are evaluated for cell-based assays using fibroblasts, endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells. The excellent bonding strength of the OSTEMER thermoset to flexible fluoropolymer (FEP) sheets and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membranes further allows for the fabrication of integrated microfluidic components such as membrane-based microdegassers, microvalves and micropumps. We demonstrate the application of multi-layered, membrane-integrated microdevices that consist of up to seven layers and three membranes that specially confine and separate vascular cells from the epithelial barrier and 3D tissue structures.


"Americanization of the Common Law" remains one of the standard works on the transformation of law in America from the late colonial period to the end of the early republic. In a straightforward manner, William E. Nelson analyzes the profound ideological movement that grew out of the American Revolution and caused substantial structural change in the legal and social order of Massachusetts and, by extension, in the nation at large. The Revolution, Nelson argues, transformed a hierarchical and communitarian legal and social order into an egalitarian and individualistic one.For this edition, Nelson has written a new preface in which he discusses the book's initial reception and the relevant historiographical issues that have arisen since it was first published in 1975.


PURPOSE
We set out to revise/improve the Radiation Detection Instrumentation and Data Analysis course at our institution due to negative student evaluations of this course. Initially, we began with changes to the syllabus, adding important topics that were not being covered and expanding the teaching faculty to include board-certified physicists with practical clinical experience. Although this led to improved student course evaluations compared to the previous years, we were still not satisfied that enough material was being covered in the course. Because the time in the semester was limited, we considered alternative teaching methodologies in an effort to broaden the scope of the course.

METHODS
We implemented project-based learning because it allowed us to keep instructor-led lectures, which provide the students with fundamental knowledge that we believe essential for a core course. We also expanded the breadth of the topics covered in the course through assignment of a class project. The class project broadly aims to provide opportunities for each group of students to investigate meaningful real-world topics related to radiation detection in medical physics. For this assignment, the students assume the role of director of the medical physics radiation therapy department at a comprehensive cancer treatment center and are asked to develop a capital equipment list of detectors and associated equipment to perform all necessary QA for this department. They are expected to submit a detailed report and give a presentation to the class.

RESULTS
The class project was first assigned in 2010 and has been required every year since. The project has increased the breadth of the course and student course evaluations have improved (82% positive compared to 36% positive).

CONCLUSION
Overall, our students are learning more material in the revamped course and are exposed to one of the many facets of a career in clinical medical physics.


Executive summary The impact of population trajectories on our social fabric and our natural environment is a critical consideration for the health of Australia as nation, as community and as locality. The 2012 Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank brought 60 early to mid-career researchers together with expertise in disciplines across economics, social sciences, ecology, biology and technology to consider how a vision for Australia's future might be shaped by population. Researchers worked in four groups to consider specific contexts in which population trajectories might affect different aspects of our social and natural environments. Each group considered one of the following questions: 1.Who will we be? 2.How will we share activities and resources? 3.What will we do? 4.How shall we live in our habitat? As a fundamental basis of discussion, it was agreed that no optimal population size should be sought. There is widespread recognition that no such (scientific) optimum exists and there are very few effective mechanisms that can be used to manage population size. There was also a consensus that continuous growth, either of population or the economy, will not in itself resolve the significant challenges facing Australia. Rather, growth was seen by participants as bound up with other complex and changing dynamics that need to be better understood. Finally, almost all participants were concerned that scientists and science have been relatively absent from debates on Australia's future population. Science has a crucial role in finding solutions to the challenges that are associated with a changing and growing population. In any envisaging of the future, the ethical dimension is present, and our desired future will influence how we value different decisions and trajectories. Whilst science can inform what we do, the decisions we take will be affected by what we value. The work groups expressed this by articulating shared values that could help guide the development of an Australia we would prefer to see. These commonly shared ideas were equity, sustainability, opportunity, diversity, justice and agency. This last principle of agency was a commonly occurring theme, in particular when twinned with the question of how science might contribute to an understanding of future trajectories. Participant discussions centred on determining what it is we value, and what kind of future we want for our population. However these are questions not just for scientists, but for everybody, therefore the key recommendation of the Think Tank was for an informed national conversation on Australia's future population. A national conversation would be an initiative established by universities and researchers, but must be open to a broad cross-section of communities across urban and rural Australia. This conversation would take place at a grass roots community level. Communities would come together through a range of mechanisms to consider what kind of future we would like to see for our population. Science would inform this debate by showing what kinds of scenarios are likely to follow our current choices, and what kinds of decisions we need to make to help us realise a better future. The role of scientists and science in facilitating this hoped-for increased dialogue about population and Australia's future is multi-faceted. The groups identified three areas where science could contribute to such a conversation: through better access to data, presentation and interpretation of research findings, and improved communication between science and the community. Facilitation of access to quality data and information. Improved data linkage and dissemination are important supports for more informed debate. Data could be presented using models that inform planning in ways that people can easily relate to. Provision and translation of research outcomes. Improved communication processes within and around the scientific community through media, education and leadership in debate would increase the utility of science for the wider community. This includes presenting relevant research outcomes to a variety of audiences and providing the broader context to communities considering options. Facilitation and participation in community conversations. Scientists can bring expertise in methods and approaches to dialogue and participatory exercises, as well as being able to individually act as change agents for communities. They can also participate within the conversation, bringing another aspect to crossdisciplinary thinking and encouraging other forms of science– community participation such as citizen science. The two-day Think Tank saw enthusiastic contributions from all participants. Discussion was vigorous with passionate debate about a very wide range of possibilities such as obesity disincentives, technological salvation, euthanasia, managing finite resources, robots for aged care and industrial photovoltaic programs. Eventually, however, it was accepted that it is not for scientists to determine the role of such different possibilities in our future. Instead, science can be used to underpin the principles that ought to inform a proper public discussion, that is, the national conversation. The Think Tank recognised that the current public debate on population issues would benefit from being more adequately informed by best available data and knowledge, an observation publicly shared by several academics and researchers in Australia. Scientists have an important role to play in taking the issues, and the science, directly to the community for consideration. A well-hosted conversation is informative and rewarding to all involved. By participating in such a conversation scientists would also learn how their science can be more relevant and better integrated into societal decision-making. This would help to address the relative absence of science and the role of the community in recent population policy papers such as the 2011 Sustainable Australia — sustainable communities, where the questions of what kind of sustainable Australia and sustainable communities the public might want, and how science can help us get there, are largely absent. All of the different future population scenarios examined by the groups showed that Australia will face big and challenging questions, particularly with pressures on our social and ecological systems. Finding solutions to such problems might come about by considering alternative entry points to population debates, such as consumption, productive ageing, and urban planning. However, we believe the impact of a changing and growing population is a necessary question that needs to be considered, and one that should be part of a national conversation on what Australia we would like to create. Science has played a remarkably small part in public debates on Australia's future population. Community engagement on this issue has been largely absent within population policymaking. Involving the community through a national conversation, a conversation informed by science but driven by determining what we want for the future, will bring both purpose and direction to some of Australia's most pressing challenges.


Aim. To study the views and attitudes of pregnant women with severe fetal anomalies regarding late termination of pregnancy (LTOP). Methods. Data were collected over a 3-month period using semi-structured interviews of pregnant women with severe fetal anomalies (lethal and non-lethal) detected after 24 weeks' gestation at a single tertiary/quaternary fetal medicine unit in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The interviews were conducted both during pregnancy and within 2 weeks after delivery. The women who underwent LTOP and those who continued with their pregnancies were compared in respect of a variety of demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Results. During the study period, 15 pregnant women with severe fetal anomalies were interviewed. Of these, 5 (33.3%) requested termination and 10 (66.6%) opted to continue the pregnancy. The women who continued their pregnancies were significantly younger (mean age 25 years, range 20 - 32 years) than those who requested termination (mean age 31 years, range 22 - 35 years) (p<0.05). Mean parity was 1 (range 0 - 3) in the patients who continued the pregnancy and 2 (1 - 3) in those who terminated it. The majority of the women were Christians, and there was no significant difference between the groups in their choices. Many women indicated that their partners and immediate family members influenced decision making. All the women said that they were given sufficient time by the hospital staff to make their decision whether to terminate or continue the pregnancy after the options had been explained to them in a non-threatening manner. Before delivery, the common reasons for continuing with the pregnancy included fear of killing an unborn baby, that a baby is God's gift and the baby will be well after it is born, that nature should be allowed to take its course, and that there should be no interference with the pregnancy. The main reasons for opting for LTOP were the cost implications of raising an abnormal baby, that the baby would suffer during his or her life, and being unable to cope with a severely handicapped child. After delivery and seeing the baby, most women felt that they made the correct choice. Conclusion. Despite the small numbers from a single academic institution, this study illustrates that even while pregnant with an anomalous fetus, patients' views and attitudes regarding LTOP for severe fetal anomaly were variable. Younger primigravidas were more likely to continue the pregnancy in the hope that the baby would be born normal. Good support from partner and family after delivery was associated with less regret about the decision that had been made. Larger follow-up studies assessing long-term views and attitudes of women regarding LTOP will be important for comparison with the initial decision-making process and for future prenatal counselling.


The gene encoding mt-tRNALeu(UUR), MT-TL1, is a hotspot for pathogenic mtDNA mutations. Amongst the first to be described was the 3302A>G transition which resulted in a substantial accumulation in patient muscle of RNA19, an unprocessed RNA intermediate including mt-16S rRNA, mt-tRNALeu(UUR) and MTND1. We have now been able to further assess the molecular aetiology associated with 3302A>G in transmitochondrial cybrids. Increased steady-state levels of RNA19 was confirmed, although not to the levels previously reported in muscle. This data was consistent with an increase in RNA19 stability. The mutation resulted in decreased mt-tRNALeu(UUR) levels, but its stability was unchanged, consistent with a defect in RNA19 processing responsible for low tRNA levels. A partial defect in aminoacylation was also identified, potentially caused by an alteration in tRNA structure. These deficiencies lead to a severe defect in respiration in the transmitochondrial cybrids, consistent with the profound mitochondrial disorder originally associated with this mutation.


A soil coring protocol was developed to cooptimize the estimation of root length distribution (RLD) by depth and detection of functionally important variation in root system architecture (RSA) of maize and bean. The functional-structural model OpenSimRoot was used to perform in silico soil coring at six locations on three different maize and bean RSA phenotypes. Results were compared to two seasons of field soil coring and one trench. Two one-sided T-test (TOST) analysis of in silico data suggests a between-row location 5 cm from plant base (location 3), best estimates whole-plot RLD/D of deep, intermediate, and shallow RSA phenotypes, for both maize and bean. Quadratic discriminant analysis indicates location 3 has ~70% categorization accuracy for bean, while an in-row location next to the plant base (location 6) has ~85% categorization accuracy in maize. Analysis of field data suggests the more representative sampling locations vary by year and species. In silico and field studies suggest location 3 is most robust, although variation is significant among seasons, among replications within a field season, and among field soil coring, trench, and simulations. We propose that the characterization of the RLD profile as a dynamic rhizo canopy effectively describes how the RLD profile arises from interactions among an individual plant, its neighbors, and the pedosphere.


The structure of molten Au0.81Si0.19, Au0.72Ge0.28 and Ag0.74Ge0.26 alloys with a composition at or near to the eutectic was investigated by using neutron diffraction (ND). The results suggest that the Au-Au distance in the alloys is similar to that of liquid Au, there is a preference for Au-Si bonds and show that there are pre-peaks in the total structure factors for Au0.72Ge0.28 and Ag0.74Ge0.26 at 1.3(2) and 1.6(3) ˚, A−1 respectively. The asymptotic decay of the pair correlation functions was found to agree both with a theoretical prediction based on simple pair potentials and a fractal model for metallic glasses. The structure of glassy (R2O3)0.2(Al2O3)0.2(SiO2)0.6, where R denotes Dy, Ho or a 50:50 mixture of Dy and Ho, was investigated by using the method of isomorphic substitution in ND, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The network is made from SiO4 tetrahedral units with a distribution of AlO4, AlO5 and AlO6 units giving an average coordination number of 4.5(1). There is a distribution of RO5, RO6, RO7, RO8 and RO9 units with an average coordination number of 7.2(3) and an average R-O distance of 2.33(2) ˚ A. The EXAFS results confirmed that Dy and Ho are isomorphic and were used to refine an RMC model of the structure. R-Al and R-Si nearest neighbour shells with average distances of 3.15(3) and 3.6(1) ˚A were required to fit the EXAFS results. The structure of glassy and liquid ZnCl2 was studied by using ND and XRD. The material has a network structure made from ZnCl4 tetrahedra units which is retained in the liquid at temperatures near to the boiling point. An increase of temperature promotes edge sharing connectivity as inferred from a decrease of the Zn-Zn nearest neighbour distance and average Zn-Cl coordination number. An EXAFS study on crystalline ZnCl2 at room temperature shows that Zn remains 4fold coordinated at pressures less than 1 GPa, is 4+2-fold coordinated at 2-4 GPa, and is 6-fold coordinated above 4 GPa. For liquid ZnCl2, Zn is 4-fold coordinated by Cl at a pressure of about 1 GPa and could be 6-fold coordinated at 2-3 GPa.


Thirty-one ethnographic interviews were conducted with health and well-being sector businesses to examine the dynamics of innovation in the UK (Cornwall) and across Finland. The Nordic countries are at the leading edge of these types of public health nature-based interventions, consequently, Finland was chosen as a comparator to the UK. We found that the construction of natural environment based services for health and well-being follows a five-step model: (1) Services are specifically designed for individuals' needs; (2) These services are based around routine behaviours of that individual and their personal and social habits; (3) This creates a process of normalisation that relates to former states of health prior to being ill; (4) These routines generally function at a habitual level if they are to be of use on a daily basis (we are not conscious of all of our actions all the time); and (5) nature is used to embed these new routines because it allows access to the latent forms of thought, not ones that require direct conscious learning. We found this emergent process closely resembles Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus. A number of health and well-being businesses have moved towards mixed models of service provision– combining profit-making activities in the tourism and leisure markets with care services to create a sustainable service model in response to increasing pressures on funding sources. However, more still needs to be done in terms of training for public health and well-being businesses if this service model is to become financially sustainable for all.


Current treatment of unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is only directed to the afflicted arm. Near-infrared fluorescent imaging (NIRF) of arm lymphatic vessel architecture and function in BCRL and control subjects revealed a trend of increased lymphatic abnormalities in both the afflicted and unafflicted arms with increasing time after lymphedema onset. These pilot results show that BCRL may progress to affect the clinically "normal" arm, and suggest that cancer-related lymphedema may become a systemic, rather than local, malady. These findings support further study to understand the etiology of cancer-related lymphedema and lead to better diagnostics and therapeutics directed to the systemic lymphatic system.


Two different two-component resin systems were cured, via Differential Scanning Calorimetry, for the times recommended by their respective manufacturers. The resin cure schedules were designed to simulate typical and attainable processing conditions; they were cured at 120°F, 140°F, and 160°F, and in-mold postcured at 200°F, 230°F, and 260°F. The resulting scans were then compared to a baseline cure for each resin system, consisting of two heating-cooling cycles at a constant rate of temperature change. These baseline cures were then used to determine the percent cure of each sample and the shift in glass transition temperature between the baseline cure and the samples. Analysis showed that all samples were fully (100%) cured. This was confirmed by producing partially cured samples for each resin system, which all used a lower curing temperature than the regular samples. The first resin system displayed 91.8% cure with a curing temperature of 167°F, while the second system showed 92.1% cure at a curing temperature of 150°F. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant effect of cure temperature or in-mold post-curing temperature on the shift in glass transition temperature of the resin, nor was there any significant interaction between the two factors. The glass transition temperature of resin A was 154.5°F with a standard deviation of 13.9°F, while the glass transition temperature for resin B was 164.4°F with a standard deviation of 22.0°F. Tensile samples were made using the same processing temperatures, but were also thoroughly mixed and degassed to reduce porosity once the resin was poured into the mold. The samples were then tested and analyzed based on tensile strength; the average tensile strength of the resin A samples was 60.44 MPa with a standard deviation of 2.40 MPa, and the average tensile strength of the resin B samples was 63.19 MPa with a standard deviation of 5.87 MPa. It was discovered that the cure schedule did not have a statistically significant effect on the tensile strength of the resin.


As computing components get smaller and people become accustomed to having computational power at their disposal at any time, mobile computing is developing as an important research area. One of the fundamental problems in mobility is maintaining connectivity through message passing as the user moves through the network. An approach to this is to have a single home node constantly track the current location of the mobile unit and forward messages to this location. One problem with this approach is that, during the update to the home agent after movement, messages are often dropped, especially in the case of frequent movement. In this paper, we present a new algorithm which uses a home agent, but maintains information regarding a subnet within which the mobile unit must be present. We also present a reliable message delivery algorithm which is superimposed on the region maintenance algorithm. Our strategy is based on ideas from diffusing computations as first proposed by Dijkstra and Scholten. Finally, we present a second algorithm which limits the size of the subnet by keeping only a path from the home node to the mobile unit.


As the number of children with obesity continues to grow, the health implications of the condition are becoming increasingly evident: an unprecedented epidemic of type 2 diabetes is emerging in obese and overweight young people. At the time of diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular disease may already be present, even in young adults. The close association between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease led to the hypothesis that the two may arise from a common antecedent, the metabolic syndrome – a cluster of metabolic disorders. This syndrome affects up to 30% people in many populations and clearly has enormous importance in terms of clinical and public health, even at its earliest stages. Sonia Caprio looks at the development and impact of the metabolic syndrome in young people and makes a call for unified paediatric definition of the condition.


In the design and construction of waterfront bulkhead systems, it is essential to consider the coastal effects of tides, waves, boat wakes, currents, bottom sediment movement and bottom scour. Many improperly designed bulkhead systems experience severe loss of backfill and toe materials with the bulkhead eventually failing if it is not corrected in time. Inadequate drainage, joint connections, and/or inadequate toe protection are typically the causes of failure. This paper describes an investigation of a bulkhead system supporting a large waterfront development in southern California which was experiencing widespread sinkhole development in the bulkhead's backfill and was on the verge of losing toe material. The objective of this investigation was to determine the extent and cause of ongoing subsurface erosion, to evaluate its effect on the bulkhead stability, and to recommend and design mitigative measures. The cause of the erosion was determined to be piping of fine grained soils due to inadequate backfill drainage. A remedial drainage scheme was designed and field-tested, and several structural repair schemes were suggested for portions of the bulkhead where accumulated damage affected the integrity of the structure.


Recent trends in German life expectancy show a considerable increase. Most of this increase has resulted from decreasing mortality at older ages. Patterns of oldest old mortality (ages 80+) differed significantly between men and women as well as between East and West Germany. While West German oldest old mortality decreased since the mid 1970s, comparable decreases in East Germany did not become evident until the late 1980s. Yet, the East German mortality decline accelerated after German reunification in 1990, particularly among East German females, attesting to the plasticity of human life expectancy and the importance of late life events. Medical care, individual economic resources and life-style factors are discussed as potential determinants of the decline in old age mortality in Germany. (AUTHORS)


Genetic crosses between the dioecious Bryonia dioica Jacq. (Cucurbitaceae) and the monoecious B. alba L. in 1903 provided the first clear evidence for Mendelian inheritance of dioecy and made B. dioica the classic case of XY sex determination in plants. We use chloroplast (cp) and nuclear (nr) DNA sequences from 129 individuals representing all morphological species to study species relationships and distribution, sexual system evolution, and association of ploidy-level with dioecy in Bryonia. Chloroplast and nuclear trees mostly fit morphological species concepts; there are seven dioecious and three monoecious species, together ranging from the Canary Islands to Central Asia. Bryonia verrucosa, the morphologically most differing species from the Canary Islands is sister to all other species. Our data argue for the inclusion of the narrowly endemic Central Asian species B. lappifolia and B. melanocarpa in B. monoica. Conflicts between cp and nr topologies imply that the dioecious hexaploid B. cretica arose from hybridization(s) involving the diploid species B. dioica, B. syriaca, and/or B. multiflora. The tetraploid B. marmorata likely originated via autopolyploidy. The nr phylogeny implies at least two transitions between dioecy and monoecy, but no correlation between change in sexual system and ploidy level. Fossil-calibrated molecular clocks using family-wide rbcL data with a Bryonia-centered sampling suggest that the deepest divergence in Bryonia occurred ca. ten million years ago and that monoecious and dioecious species crossed in the classic studies are separated by several million years of evolution. Traits, such as annual regrowth from a tuberous rootstock and other adaptations to a seasonal climate, as well as species and haplotype abundance, point to an origin of Bryonia in the Middle East. Species and haplotype poverty north of the Alps together suggest recolonization there after the last glacial maximum. Most species of Bryonia have 10 chromosomes (as confirmed by my own counts), and there appears to be no morphologically distinct pair that would represent the sex chromosomes. However, we know from the crossings carried out by Correns and others that in B. dioica, sex shows monofactorial dominant inheritance, setting up the hypothesis that B. dioica may have a pair of chromosomes on which key sex-determining gene(s) and sexlinked genes have accumulated. To gain insight into the possible presence of such a pair of sex chromosomes in B. dioica, it is necessary to sequence a fairly long sex-linked region to study its substitution behavior and to eventually visualize its physical placement using FISH. As a first step towards this goal, I developed a sex-linked SCAR marker for B. dioica from AFLP bands and sequenced it for individuals representing the full distribution range of the species from Scotland to North Africa. The region north of the Alps harbours distinct Y and X alleles that differ in a 197-bp indel, with the Y allele being perfectly linked to the male sex. In southern Europe, however, the XY system appears to break down (to an extent that is not clear), and there are signs of recombination between the Y and X homologues. Population genetic analyses suggest that the sex-linked region I amplified (i.e., the SCAR marker) experienced different evolutionary pressures in northern and southern Europe. These findings fit the evidence from my phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses that the XY system in Bryonia is evolutionarily labile. Overall, my work suggests that Bryonia may be a good, but very complex, system in which to study the early steps of plant sex chromosome evolution.


Performance and energy efficiency in memory have become critically important for a wide range of computing domains. However, it is difficult to control and optimize memory power and performance because these effects depend upon activity across multiple layers of the vertical execution stack. To address this challenge, we construct a novel and collaborative framework that employs object placement, cross-layer communication, and page-level management to effectively distribute application objects in the DRAM hardware to achieve desired power/performance goals. In this work, we describe the design and implementation of our framework, which is the first to integrate automatic object profiling and analysis at the application layer with fine-grained management of memory hardware resources in the operating system. We demonstrate the utility of our framework by employing it to more effectively control memory power consumption. We design a custom memory-intensive workload to show the potential of our approach. Next, we develop sampling and profiling-based analyses and modify the code generator in the HotSpot VM to understand object usage patterns and automatically determine and control the placement of hot and cold objects in a partitioned VM heap. This information is communicated to the operating system, which uses it to map the logical application pages to the appropriate DRAM ranks according to user-defined provisioning goals. We evaluate our framework and find that it achieves our test goal of significant DRAM energy savings across a variety of workloads, without any source code modifications or recompilations.


Globalization and competition have made organizations to come up with newer management strategies to save on costs and to improve effective use of available resources. Firms have reduced their employees in non-core functions and acquire the same from outside vendors in what is known as the human resource outsourcing. Past researches have concentrated on searching for risk and benefits of human resource outsourcing and the process of outsourcing. Little efforts have been put to find out how the outsourcing strategy has affected the performance of remaining employees and the firm in general. This research sought to find effects of human resource outsourcing on performance among some selected parastatals. The research will benefit outsourcing vendors and their clients to understand the effects of outsourcing on performance. Twenty five out of 126 parastatals were sampled but only 41 responses were received from senior managers in human resource department and those of corporate affairs of the parastatals who had been targeted in this descriptive research design. The questionnaires issued were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to yield both qualitative and quantitative data which were then summarized in frequencies and measures of central tendency. The findings were classified according to study objectives. The study concluded that outsourcing improved the social responsibility and corporate image as well as productivity but did not reduce costs. The researcher recommended that outsourcing should be done in a benevolent way so that it does not affect the workers negatively. Areas for further research were proposed.


BACKGROUND
Dietary selenium intakes in many countries, including the United Kingdom, are lower than international recommendations. No functional consequences of these lower intakes have been recognized, although experimental studies suggest that they might contribute to reduced immune function, increased cancer incidence, and increased susceptibility to viral disease.

OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess whether administration of small selenium supplements to otherwise healthy UK subjects leads to functional changes in immune status and the rates of clearance and mutation of a picornavirus: live attenuated polio vaccine.

DESIGN
Twenty-two adult UK subjects with relatively low plasma selenium concentrations (<1.2 micromol/L, approximately 60% of those screened) received 50 or 100 microg Se (as sodium selenite) or placebo daily for 15 wk in a double-blind study. All subjects received an oral live attenuated poliomyelitis vaccine after 6 wk and enriched stable (74)Se intravenously 3 wk later.

RESULTS
Selenium supplementation increased plasma selenium concentrations, the body exchangeable selenium pool (measured by using (74)Se), and lymphocyte phospholipid and cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activities. Selenium supplements augmented the cellular immune response through an increased production of interferon gamma and other cytokines, an earlier peak T cell proliferation, and an increase in T helper cells. Humoral immune responses were unaffected. Selenium-supplemented subjects also showed more rapid clearance of the poliovirus, and the poliovirus reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction products recovered from the feces of the supplemented subjects contained a lower number of mutations.

CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that these subjects had a functional selenium deficit with suboptimal immune status and a deficit in viral handling. They also suggest that the additional 100 microg Se/d may be insufficient to support optimal function.


Being a postcolonial narrative, Things Fall Apart experiences a wide critical acclaim. From the pen of Chinua Achebe, the Igbo cultural complexity has come into being a theme that opens up a historical account of the clash of two cultures. Okonkwo, a very well-known public figure in his community falls under the threat of a new culture brought by the white missionaries preaching the gospels of the Christianity. After the arrival of the Christian culture, the first collision that takes place is the division at the individual, and then at the societal levels. When a number of the Igbo people, including Okonkwo's son, change their religion, it creates chaos and confusions throughout the community. Although the Igbo people have a well-established way of life, the Europeans do not understand. That is why they show no respect to the cultural practices of the Igbo people. What Achebe delivers in the novel is that Africans are not savages and their societies are not mindless. The things fall apart because Okonkwo fails at the end to take his people back to the culture they all shared once. The sentiments the whites show to the blacks regarding the Christianity clearly recap the slave treatment the blacks were used to receive from the whites in the past. Achebe shows that the picture of the Africans portrayed in literature and histories are not real, but the picture was seen through the eyes of the Europeans. Consequently, Okonkwo hangs himself when he finds his established rules and orders are completely exiled by his own people and when he sees Igbo looses its honor by falling apart.


This article contributes to the fundamental rethinking of New Testament scholarship being undertaken by New Testament scholars attached to the University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa. The thrust of the article holds that the historical Jesus research is of the utmost importance and it puts the emphasis on the individuality of an event and the contribution of nineteenth century reflection on history. As point of departure and further elaboration it accentuates the notion that history writing must be a form of homecoming.


The world is becoming more complex due to the increasing occurrence of social-ecological change. This is particularly evident in the developing world, especially on the African continent, where existing vulnerabilities (i.e. endemic poverty, weak governance, over population and HIV/AIDS) are being exacerbated by the impact of climate change. Climate change poses a very real threat to millions of Africans, especially those who rely on the natural world for their livelihoods. The increasing variability of climate and rainfall patterns are said to have dire consequences on agricultural production which is the main livelihood activity of rural dwellers across the continent. The impacts of such change and variability include, changes in the frequency and intensity of droughts, flooding and heavy storms, leading to worsening soil conditions, desertification as well as disease and pest out-breaks which will likely result in reduced crop and livestock yields. A reduction in agricultural production will likely have a negative effect on the food security of millions of people. This study was conducted in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, in two rural villages, Fairbairn and Ntloko located in the former Ciskei homeland, with the purpose of exploring the nexus between climate change, cultivation and food security. This study combined social-ecological thinking with that of political ecology to create a robust lens, in which to analyse the complex interactions between humans and the environment. A mixed methods approach was used to gather the data which consisted of a household survey, using a structured questionnaire as well as semi-structured interviews with various respondents. Quantitative data were analysed using Excel and Statistica 13, whilst coding was used for qualitative data. The main aim of the study was to explore the extent and characteristics of cultivation in the two study sites, the role of household food production in food security as well as the challenges that local cultivator's face with regards to climate change. In recent decades, there has been a decline in rural agricultural production with many fields that were previously cultivated, lying vacant and unused. However, as this study found, cultivation is still important as over 50% of sampled households cultivated a small area within the homestead. This was mainly done to supplement household food expenditure in order to save cash incomes. The results also found that although participants had perceived negative changes in climate and rainfall (amount, onset, duration), it was not considered the most important challenge for own production. Rather, lack of fencing and capital were seen as major hindrances to efficient own production.


Hip fracture occurrence was examined cross-sectionally in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Between January 2005 and June 2006 we studied RA outpatients with a past history of hip fractures. Patients included 1 man and 25 women. As 3 women had bilateral hip fractures, the total number was 29. Age at the time of fracture was 72.1 ± 4.5 years. Of the 29 fractures, 22 were cervical and 7 were trochanteric. Four fractures were spontaneous while the others occurred in falls. 24 fractures were associated with oral steroid administration. All 5 fractures unassociated with prednisolone were cervical. Of the 26 patients, 8 were taking bisphosphonate when fracture occurred. Cervical fracture was treated with total hip arthroplasty in 1 patient whose hip showed RA changes. In others whose hip joint lacked RA change, procedures included osteosynthesis in 2 patients with good function over 6 years; and hemiarthroplasty with a bipolar system in 19 displaced fractures, with good function over 4.1 years. Osteosynthesis was performed for all 7 trochanteric fractures. Trabeculae were thin, and fewer transverse trabeculae could be found in specimens from cervical fracture. Hip fracture in RA patients occurred 10 years earlier than in the general population, and many fractures were cervical.


Mouse-to-rat cardiac transplants survive long term after transient complement depletion by cobra venom factor and T cell immunosuppression by cyclosporin A. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by the graft vasculature is critical to achieve graft survival. In the present study, we asked whether this protective effect was attributable to the generation of one of the catabolic products of HO-1, carbon monoxide (CO). Our present data suggests that this is the case. Under the same immunosuppressive regimen that allows mouse-to-rat cardiac transplants to survive long term (i.e., cobra venom factor plus cyclosporin A), inhibition of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin, caused graft rejection in 3–7 days. Rejection was associated with widespread platelet sequestration, thrombosis of coronary arterioles, myocardial infarction, and apoptosis of endothelial cells as well as cardiac myocytes. Under inhibition of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin, exogenous CO suppressed graft rejection and restored long-term graft survival. This effect of CO was associated with inhibition of platelet aggregation, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and apoptosis. We also found that expression of HO-1 by endothelial cells in vitro inhibits platelet aggregation and protects endothelial cells from apoptosis. Both these actions of HO-1 are mediated through the generation of CO. These data suggests that HO-1 suppresses the rejection of mouse-to-rat cardiac transplants through a mechanism that involves the generation of CO. Presumably CO suppresses graft rejection by inhibiting platelet aggregation that facilitates vascular thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Additional mechanisms by which CO overcomes graft rejection may involve its ability to suppress endothelial cell apoptosis.


We present pomegranate, an open source machine learning package for probabilistic modeling in Python. Probabilistic modeling encompasses a wide range of methods that explicitly describe uncertainty using probability distributions. Three widely used probabilistic models implemented in pomegranate are general mixture models, hidden Markov models, and Bayesian networks. A primary focus of pomegranate is to abstract away the complexities of training models from their definition. This allows users to focus on specifying the correct model for their application instead of being limited by their understanding of the underlying algorithms. An aspect of this focus involves the collection of additive sufficient statistics from data sets as a strategy for training models. This approach trivially enables many useful learning strategies, such as out-of-core learning, minibatch learning, and semi-supervised learning, without requiring the user to consider how to partition data or modify the algorithms to handle these tasks themselves. pomegranate is written in Cython to speed up calculations and releases the global interpreter lock to allow for built-in multithreaded parallelism, making it competitive with---or outperform---other implementations of similar algorithms. This paper presents an overview of the design choices in pomegranate, and how they have enabled complex features to be supported by simple code.


Real-world machine-learning applications require robust models that generalize well to distribution shift settings, which is typical in real-world situations. Domain adaptation techniques aim to address this issue of distribution shift by minimizing the disparities between domains to ensure that the model trained on the source domain performs well on the target domain. Nevertheless, the existing domain adaptation methods are computationally very expensive. In this work, we aim to improve the efficiency of existing supervised domain adaptation (SDA) methods by using a subset of source data that is similar to target data for faster model training. Specifically, we propose O RIENT , a subset selection framework that uses the submodular mutual information (SMI) functions to select a source data subset similar to the target data for faster training. Additionally, we demonstrate how existing robust subset selection strategies, such as G LISTER , G RAD M ATCH , and C RAIG , when used with a held-out query set, fit within our proposed framework and demonstrate the connections with them. Finally, we empirically demonstrate that SDA approaches like d -SNE, CCSA, and standard Cross-entropy training, when employed together with O RIENT , achieve a) faster training and b) better performance on the target data.


Since the 1970s, an inverted yield curve has been a reliable signal of an imminent recession. One interpretation of this signal is that markets expect monetary policy to ease as the Federal Reserve responds to an upcoming deterioration in economic conditions. Some have argued that the yield curve inversion in August 2006 did not signal an imminent recession, but instead was triggered by an unusually low level of the term premium. This article examines whether changes in the term premium can distort the recession signal given by an inverted yield curve. The authors use the Kim and Wright (2005) decomposition of the term spread into an expectations component and a term premium component to compare recession forecasting models with and without the term premium. They find that the expectations component of the term spread is a leading indicator of recession, while the term premium component is not. Their analysis of recession forecasting performance provides some evidence that a model based on the expectations component is more accurate than the standard model that uses the term spread.


Telepresence conferencing systems seek to create an environment that
gives users (or user groups) that are not co-located a feeling of co-
located presence through multimedia communication that includes at
least audio and video signals of high fidelity. A number of techniques
for handling audio and video streams are used to create this
experience. When these techniques are not similar, interoperability
between different systems is difficult at best, and often not
possible. Conveying information about the relationships between
multiple streams of media would enable senders and receivers to make
choices to allow telepresence systems to interwork. This memo
describes the most typical and important use cases for sending
multiple streams in a telepresence conference.


This workshop will provide an introduction to the specialist area of visual arts research data and its management, drawing on the training plans, online learning materials, institutional policies, and experiences of the VADS4R project team.

The VADS4R project is developing and piloting a research data management (RDM) training programme tailored to the needs of early careers researchers and postgraduate students in the visual arts. The project is led by the Centre for Digital Scholarship (formerly known as VADS), at the University for the Creative Arts. This collaborative venture is working in partnership with Falmouth University and Glasgow School of Art to develop, deliver, and evaluate an RDM training programme across each of the three specialist arts institutions. VADS4R is running from 2013 to 2014 and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).


For Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems with bounded rates of parameter variations and bounded parameter measurement errors, a feedback Robust Model Predictive Control (RMPC) is designed by utilising the information on system parameters. A sequence of feedback control laws is designed based on the model with parameter-incremental uncertainty. Since the sequence of feedback control laws corresponds to the future variations of system parameters and introduces additional freedom, the control performance of RMPC can be improved. The recursive feasibility and closed-loop stability of the proposed RMPC are also proven.


In a two-stage screening procedure using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Goldberg's Standardised Psychiatric Interview, 232 women six months after delivery were compared with control women individually matched for age, marital status and number of children, obtained from general practitioner lists, who were not pregnant nor had had a baby in the previous 12 months. No significant difference in the point prevalence of depression at six months was found between the postnatal (9.1%) and control women (8.2%) nor in the six-month period prevalence (13.8% postnatal, 13.4% controls), but a threefold higher rate of onset of depression was found within five weeks of childbirth. The possible explanations relate to the long duration of depression in women with young children, and the stressful effect of childbirth and its psychosocial sequelae.


This paper examines whether managerial ability facilitates corporate innovative success. First, we show that managerial ability is positively associated with innovative output. Second, we show that the positive association between managerial ability and innovative output is weaker for older CEOs and managers who stay in the same job for longer, suggesting a preference for a 'quiet life' by long serving CEOs. Third, we find that the equity market values patents generated by more able managers more positively, suggesting that equity holders deem better skilled managers more effective at converting innovative ideas into valuable new products. Finally, we show that managerial ability is positively associated with more 'radical' innovations, which are outside of the firm's knowledge base. Overall, our results suggest that managerial ability is an essential component of corporate innovative success.


Financial institutions (FIs) are increasingly looking to deploy machine learning approaches to manage and mine regulatory reporting data and unstructured information. This article aims to introduce the machine learning field and discusses several "regtech" application cases within FIs, based on discussions with the sector and with technology ventures: credit risk modeling, detection of credit card fraud and money laundering, and surveillance of conduct breaches. Two tentative conclusions emerge on the added value of applying machine learning in the financial services sector. First, the ability of machine learning methods to analyze very large amounts of data, while offering a high granularity and depth of predictive analysis, can significantly improve analytical capabilities across risk management and compliance areas, such as money laundering detection and credit risk modeling. Second, the application of machine learning approaches within the financial services sector is highly context-dependent. Data quality and availability can be an issue; more importantly, the predictive performance and granularity of analysis of several approaches can come at the cost of increased model complexity and a lack of explanatory insight. This is an issue particularly where analytics are applied in a regulatory context, and a supervisor or compliance team will want to audit and understand the applied model.


Weakly electric fishes emit electric organ discharges (EODs) from their tail electric organs and sense feedback signals from their EODs by electroreceptors in the skin. The electric sense is utilized for various behaviors, including electrolocation, electrocommunication, and the Jamming avoidance response (JAR). For each behavior, various types of sensory Information are embedded in the transient electrical signals produced by the fish. These temporal signals are sampled, encoded, and further processed by peripheral and central neurons specialized for time coding. There are time codes for the sex or species Identities of other fish or the resistance and capacitance of objects. In the central nervous system, specialized neural elements exist for decoding time codes for different behavioral functions. Comparative studies allow phylogenetic comparison of time-coding neural systems among weakly electric fishes.


We present new radio continuum observations of NGC 253 from the Murchison Widefield Array at frequencies between 76 and 227 MHz. We model the broadband radio spectral energy distribution for the total flux density of NGC 253 between 76 MHz and 11 GHz. The spectrum is best described as a sum of a central starburst and extended emission. The central component, corresponding to the inner 500 pc of the starburst region of the galaxy, is best modeled as an internally free–free absorbed synchrotron plasma, with a turnover frequency around 230 MHz. The extended emission component of the spectrum of NGC 253 is best described as a synchrotron emission flattening at low radio frequencies. We find that 34% of the extended emission (outside the central starburst region) at 1 GHz becomes partially absorbed at low radio frequencies. Most of this flattening occurs in the western region of the southeast halo, and may be indicative of synchrotron self-absorption of shock-reaccelerated electrons or an intrinsic low-energy cutoff of the electron distribution. Furthermore, we detect the large-scale synchrotron radio halo of NGC 253 in our radio images. At 154–231 MHz the halo displays the well known X-shaped/horn-like structure, and extends out to ∼8 kpc in the z-direction (from the major axis).


Welcome to this special edition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Mount Kembla Mine Disaster where we focus on the work of performers and artists who still record our Labour History. The mining disaster of 1902 left an indelible mark on the community of Mount Kembla, the death of 96 men and boys, the scared fabric of family and community life has become an integral part of the rich cultural history of the Illawarra Region. The contributions to this edition are representative of creative and ongoing 'voices' that record and mark the significance of events that contribute to Labour History. These 'voices' emerge as ongoing testimony of the importance to community of maintaining the memory of specific historical events and as such are an important contribution to the understanding of links between Labour History and Community. This journal article is available in Illawarra Unity Journal of the Illawarra Branch of the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History: http://ro.uow.edu.au/unity/vol3/iss1/1


Participatory research studies utilizing qualitative data drawn from large, diverse samples appear increasingly common in the social sciences, particularly in international development. This reflects demand for participatory approaches to researching human well-being at scale, comparative research on globalization and development, and breadth and scale in evidence-based policy making. "Big Qual" studies in international development increasingly combine qualitative with participatory methods and incorporate action research, oral histories, case studies, and visual methods. Apart from their scale (more sites and research participants than conventional "face-to-face" research) and diversity of contexts, these studies broadly share a focus on application, and an epistemological and ideological commitment to hearing and amplifying the voices of research participants and contributing to positive change in their lives. Some ethical challenges of Big Qual research—for example, reuse, storage, and sharing of third party data—have been thoroughly debated. Less is known of how complexities across time, space, and culture may shape researcher relations in large-scale participatory research, biasing results against context-specificity and meaningful local political analysis. Drawing on almost a decade's experience with large participatory research, this article explores why and how scale, encompassing a complex network of institutions, relationships, contexts, and cultures, affects the ethics of these studies. We propose that Bradbury and Reason's (2001) five criteria for judging the value and contribution of social inquiry are helpful: (a) the quality of relationships built, (b) the usefulness of the research, (c) its trustworthiness, (d) its relevance to vital issues of human society, and (e) its enduring consequence. Drawn from an action research tradition, these criteria constitute a comprehensive ethical framework particularly applicable to Big Qual participatory work in development studies. Through an empirical application of these criteria, the article highlights emerging ethical challenges facing applied social research in increasingly complex, multiscalar, and globalized contexts.


The aim of the dissertation is to present biologically active substances contained in Manuka plants. This plant is characterized from the botanic viewpoint and its existing utilization is assessed. The emphasis is laid on important substances contained in it and their properties with respect to both chemical and pharmacologic aspects. Possibilities and forms of obtaining important substances are analyzed and other potential methods of utilization of the biologically active substances contained in Manuka for food processing, pharmaceutical and other applications are proposed.


Background: Mutations in the imprinted gene CDKN1C account for approximately 10% of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) cases. Fibroblasts from BWS patients with loss of methylation (LOM) at the imprinting control region (ICR) KvDMR1 have reduced CDKN1C expression. Another group of BWS patients with downregulated CDKN1C expression but with normal methylation at KvDMR1 has been identified. Objective: To investigate the mechanism of CDKN1C silencing in BWS in these two classes of patients. Methods: The CDKN1C promoter region was analysed for changes in DNA methylation using bisulphite sequencing, and for alterations in chromatin structure using the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Results: There was only spurious CpG methylation of the CDKN1C promoter in fibroblast DNA from both normal individuals and patients with BWS, irrespective of the methylation status of KvDMR1. There was no detectable change in chromatin structure at the CDKN1C promoter in patients with LOM at KvDMR1. BWS patients with downregulated CDKN1C and normal methylation at KvDMR1 had depletion of dimethylated H3-K4 and enrichment of dimethylated H3-K9 and HP1γ at the CDKN1C promoter, suggesting that in these cases gene silencing is associated with repressive chromatin changes. Conclusions:CDKN1C may be downregulated by multiple mechanisms including some that do not involve promoter methylation. In BWS patients with normal methylation at KvDMR1 and reduced expression of CDKN1C, repressive chromatin may play a role, but the absence of methylation and repressive chromatin structure at the CDKN1C promoter in BWS patients with LOM at KvDMR1 argues for a direct role of this epimutation in silencing CDKN1C.


Herein, we report a new light-harvesting mixed-ligand Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF), with underlying fcu topology, encompassing the [Zr6(μ3-O)4(μ3-OH)4(O2C-)12] cluster and an equimolar mixture of thiadiazole- and imidazole-functionalized ligands. The successful integration of ligands with similar structural features but with notable chemical distinction afforded the attainment of a highly efficient energy transfer. Notably, the very strong spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of benzim-idazole (energy donor) and the absorption spectrum of thiadiazole (energy acceptor) provided an ideal platform to achieve very rapid (picosecond time scale) and highly effi-cient energy transfer (around 90% efficiency), as evidenced by time-resolved spectroscopy. Remarkably, the ultrafast time-resolved experiments quantified for the first time the anticipated close proximity of the two linkers with an aver-age distance of 17 Å. This finding paves the way for the design and synthesis of periodic MOFs affording very efficient and fast energy transfer to mimic natural photosynthetic systems.


ARE YOU READY FOR AN AMAZING NEW VERSION OF THE PHOTOSHOP BOOK THAT BREAKS ALL THE RULES?Scott Kelby, the best-selling Photoshop author in the world today, once again takes this book to a whole new level as he uncovers the latest, most important, and most exciting new Adobe Photoshop CS4 techniques for digital photographers. This major update to his award-winning, record-breaking book does something for digital photographers thats never been done beforeit cuts through the bull and shows you exactly how to do it. Its not a bunch of theory; it doesnt challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure it out on your own. Instead, Scott shows you step-by-step the exact techniques used by todays cutting-edge digital photographers, and best of all, he shows you flat-out exactly which settings to use, when to use them, and why. Thats why the previous editions of this book are widely used as the official study guide in photography courses at colleges and universities around the world.LEARN HOW THE PROS DO ITEach year Scott trains thousands of professional photographers how to use Photoshop, and almost without exception they have the same questions, the same problems, and the same challengesand thats exactly what he covers in this book. Youll learn: The sharpening techniques the pros really use. The pros tricks for fixing the most common digital photo problems fast! The step-by-step setup for getting what comes out of your printer to match exactly what you see onscreen. A whole chapter on how to process HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. How to master new CS4 interface and workflow features. How to color correct any photo without breaking a sweat. How to process RAW digital camera images (plus how to take advantage of all the new Camera Raw features in CS4!). How to add real automation to your work. How to show your work like a pro! A host of shortcuts, workarounds, and slick insider tricks to send your productivity through the roof!Plus, Scott included a special bonus chapter with his own CS4 workflow, from start to finish. If youre a digital photographer, and youre ready to learn the tricks of the tradethe same ones that todays leading pros use to correct, edit, sharpen, retouch, and present their workthen youre holding the book that will do just that.


Whether they focus on the bewitching song of the Sirens, his cunning escape from the cave of the terrifying one-eyed Cyclops, or the vengeful slaying of the suitors of his beautiful wife Penelope, the stirring adventures of Ulysses/Odysseus are amongst the most durable in human culture. The picaresque return of the wandering pirate-king is one of the most popular texts of all time, crossing East-West divides and inspiring poets and fimmakers wordwide. But why, over three thousand years, has the Odyssey's appeal proved so remarkably resilient and longlasting? Edith Hall explains the enduring fascination of Homer's epic in terms of its extraordinary susceptibility to adaptation.Not only has the story reflected a myriad of different agendas, but - from the tragedies of classical Athens to modern detective fiction, film, travelogue and opera - it has seemed perhaps uniquely fertile in generating new artistic forms. Cultural texts as diverse as Joyce's "Ulysses", Suzanne Vega's "Calypso", Monteverdi's "Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria", the Coen Brothers' "O Brother Where Art Thou?" , Daniel Vigne's "Le Retour de Martin Guerre" and Anthony Minghella's "Cold Mountain" all show that Odysseus is truly a versatile hero. His travels across the wine-dark Aegean are journeys not just into the mind of one of the most brilliantly creative of all the ancient Greek writers. They are as much a voyage beyond the limits of a narrative which can plausibly lay claim to being the quintessential global phenomenon.


The ability to judiciously utilize gel-polymer electrolytes (GPEs) that replace liquid electrolytes is widely recognized as an attractive route to solving the safety concerns of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In this context, novel LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA)/graphite GPE and NCA/graphite–Si/C GPE batteries with high energy density and excellent electrochemical and safety performances are developed via in situ polymerization of pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA) in a liquid electrolyte. Notably, the capacity retention of NCA/graphite and NCA/graphite-Si/C GPE batteries after 200 cycles at the discharge rate of 5C is 92.5% and 81.2%, respectively, which are much larger than those implementing liquid electrolytes (i.e., only 55.9% and 51.4%, respectively). Interestingly, the GPE batteries also displayed considerably lower gas production, especially the graphite-Si/C anode battery, and did not undergo a violent combustion during the nail penetration test compared to the liquid electrolyte batteries. The markedly enhanced performances noted above can be attributed to the three-dimensional framework of the GPE which promoted the formation of a very tight protective film on the surface of the electrodes during cycling, thereby inhibiting the cyclable Li consumption and side reactions with the electrolyte. Furthermore, such a protective film effectively retained the structural integrity of the electrodes during the cycling process and reduced the heat reactions between the electrodes and electrolyte.


Abstract
Rationale: The traditional illicit drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine (MA) have had the attention of general public. Designer drugs were created in the 1960s by preparing analogs or derivatives of currently available drugs to avoid legal restrictions. MA is a psychostimulating drug with significant abuse potential and neurotoxic effects. 4-bromo-2,5- dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B), 4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-I), and paramethoxy- methamphetamine (PMMA) are all phenylethylamine derivatives that are popular new synthetic psychoactive phenylethylamines. There is a substantial lack of evidence about their psychostimulating, addictive, and neurotoxic effects in the scientific literature.
Objectives: In this study, we performed behavioral tests to explore the psychoactive, addictive, and neurotoxic effects induced in mice after drug treatments.
Methods:Mice were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of saline, MA, 2C-B, 2C-I, and PMMA for 4 consecutive days. After no injections for one week, another 4 days of injections were repeated.
Results:The behavioral tests showed impaired locomotion performance, rotarod balance performance, and water maze tests, increased conditioned preference place (CPP), and decreased time spent in the open field in the plus maze after injection. Neurochemical studies showed abnormal NOx, LPO, and Na+,K+-ATPase activities in brain tissues after injection. Body weight decrease and gross appearances like untidy fur, back hump, and awkward stance were also noted in mice receiving injections. Our results demonstrated that injections of MA, 2C-I, 2C-B and PMMA in mice can impair motor activities, balance and memory performance, induce addiction and depression, and cause neurochemical abnormalities in brain tissues.
Conclusion: In studies of the psychoactive, addictive, and neurotoxic effects of MA, 2C-I, 2C-B and PMMA in


Religious rituals, while comforting for believers, may be uncomfortable
for those who do not share their manifold meanings. Catholic Filipinas who marry
Muslim Iranian men face mandatory conversion to Islam, necessitating ongoing
negotiations between Christianity and Islam. My research suggests that these
Filipinas held their first religion dear while participating in – for them – unpleasant
Shi'a Muslims rituals. Their Filipino/Iranian children, familiar from birth with
Shi'a Islam, felt at home with both religions, no matter which one they chose for
themselves. The discussion of converts' perceptions of Shi'a rituals contributes to
the literature on transnational marriages and marriage migration.


We develop a new approach to solving minimum-cost circulation problems. Our approach combines methods for solving the maximum flow problem with successive approximation techniques based on cost scaling. We measure the accuracy of a solution by the amount that the complementary slackness conditions are violated.

We propose a simple minimum-cost circulation algorithm, one version of which runs in On3lognC time on an n-vertex network with integer arc costs of absolute value at most C. By incorporating sophisticated data structures into the algorithm, we obtain a time bound of Onm logn2/mlognC on a network with m arcs. A slightly different use of our approach shows that a minimum-cost circulation can be computed by solving a sequence of On lognC blocking flow problems. A corollary of this result is an On2log nlognC-time, m-processor parallel minimum-cost circulation algorithm. Our approach also yields strongly polynomial minimum-cost circulation algorithms.

Our results provide evidence that the minimum-cost circulation problem is not much harder than the maximum flow problem. We believe that a suitable implementation of our method will perform extremely well in practice.


Using low-loss energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) imaging, we map surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) at optical wavelengths on single triangular silver nanoprisms. We show that EFTEM imaging combining high spatial sampling and high energy resolution enables the detection and for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, mapping at the nanoscale of an extra multipolar SPR on these nanoparticles. As illustrated on a 276.5 nm long nanoprism, this eigenmode is found to be enhanced on the three edges where it exhibits a two-lobe distribution.


A series of alternating oligothiophene (nT)–isoindigo (I) copolymers (PnTI) were synthesized to investigate the influence of the oligothiophene block length on the photovoltaic (PV) properties of PnTI:PCBM bulk-heterojunction blends. Our study indicates that the number of thiophene rings (n) in the repeating unit alters both polymer crystallinity and polymer–fullerene interfacial energetics, which results in a decreasing open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the solar cells with increasing n. The short-circuit current density (Jsc) of P1TI:PCBM devices is limited by the absence of a significant driving force for electron transfer. Instead, blends based on P5TI and P6TI feature large polymer domains, which limit charge generation and thus Jsc. The best PV performance with a power conversion efficiency of up to 6.9% was achieved with devices based on P3TI, where a combination of a favorable morphology and an optimal interfacial energy level offset ensures efficient exciton separation and charge generation. The structure–property relationship demonstrated in this work would be a valuable guideline for the design of high performance polymers with small energy losses during the charge generation process, allowing for the fabrication of efficient solar cells that combine a minimal loss in Voc with a high Jsc.


This study evaluated through simulation management strategy that stabilise catch levels by setting bounds on the inter-annual variability in Total Allowable Catches (TACs). An integrated modelling approach was used, which modelled both the 'real' and observed systems and the interactions between all system components. The modelling framework therefore allowed evaluation of the robustness of candidate management strategies to both the intrinsic properties of the systems, and the ability to observe, monitor, assess and control them. Strategies were evaluated in terms of level of risk (measured as the probability of spawning stock biomass falling below the biomass limit reference level for the stock) and cumulative yield. The simulation approach used provides a powerful tool for the examination of the performance of candidate management strategies. It has shown that better management is not necessarily going to be achieved by improving the assessement, since even with a perfect assessment (where the simulated working group knew stock status perfectly) stocks may crash at fishing levels that standard stochastic projections would suggest were safe. Also explicitly modelling the assessment process can result in quite different outcomes than those predicted by the simple projection traditionally used by stock assessment working groups. This is because the simple projection assumes that the status of the stock in the current year is known without error and that the target fishing mortality can be achieved without error. However, in practice the assessment is based on last years data and the effect of any management measure on SSB is only manifest, following the implementation of the quota, at the end of the following year. The choice of target and fishing mortality levels and minimum stock levels results from ICES interpretation of the precautionary approach. This lead to the definition of fishing mortality and biomass reference points that are intended to prevent over-fishing and to trigger recovery plans when a stock is overfished respectively. Although, fishing mortality and biomass reference points were originally intended to be independent, a fishing mortality level implies a corresponding biomass level. In the case of saithe a fishing mortality of 0.40 (i.e. the FPA level) would drive the stock to Blim, suggesting that the choice of biomass and target reference points are not consistent for this stock.


Interspecific hybridization can lead to the evolution of a new hybrid species or extinction of parental species due to competition or excessive backcrossing. When parental populations differ in abundance, hybrids tend to backcross more frequently with the more abundant parent, resulting in asymmetrical introgression. The objective of this study was to determine the extent and apparent direction of hybridization between shoal bass (Microptems cataractae), a rare endemic species to the Apalachicola drainage, and spotted bass (M punctulatus), an introduced and more abundant species. Pelvic fin tissue (N = 130) was taken from bass species in the Chattahoochee River between Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama and analyzed for hybridization using a combination of four microsatellite markers, morphometries, and mtDNA. While morphometries proved to be inadequate at confirming hybridization, microsatellite analyses identified 15.4% (N = 20) of bass samples as hybrids. Analysis also showed significantly more hybrids backcrossed to the more abundant M. punctulatus, suggesting asymmetrical introgression. Mitochondrial DNA were utilized to confirm asymmetrical introgression; instead, barcoding revealed the potential for three additional interspecific interactions involving M. floridanus (Florida bass), M. coosae (redeye bass), and M. salmoides (largemouth bass). Although mtDNA analysis did not confirm hybridization between M. cataractae and M. punctulatus, interspecific hybridization does pose a threat to populations of M. cataractae and warrants additional research. To protect populations of M. cataractae, priorities should focus on restoring shoal habitat and if necessary augmenting existing populations with genetically, pure shoal bass from within their range.


Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 20 million people in the US, or nearly 7% of the population. It is expected to increase by 70% within the next 25 years, and numerous epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that type 2 diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is estimated to cost over $92 billion in health care costs and lost productivity. The increased risk is due to the detrimental vascular effects of prolonged exposure to a hyperglycemic, oxidant-rich environment yielding associated cardiovascular risk factors: atherosclerosis, hypertension and clotting abnormalities. Hypertension and dyslipidemia in diabetic patients produces substantial decreases in cardiovascular and microvascular diseases. Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions for Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome provides an overview of the current epidemic, outlines the consequences of this crisis and lays out strategies to forestall and prevent diabetes, obesity and other intricate issues of metabolic syndrome. The contributing experts from around the world give this book relevant and up-to-date global approaches to the critical consequences of metabolic syndrome and make it an important reference for those working with the treatment, evaluation or public health planning for the effects of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. * Scientific discussion of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of the relationship between diabetes and metabolic syndrome* Includes coverage of Pre-diabetes conditions plus both Type I and Type II Diabetes* Presents both prevention and treatment options


ABSTRACT The Great Australian Bight (GAB), the largest sector of the southern Australia continental margin, is a site of cool-water carbonate sedimentation throughout, ranging from locally warm-temperate inboard to cool-temperate outboard. Surficial sediments are a mixture of calcareous Pleistocene skeletal and lithic intraclasts (relict grains), and Holocene biofragments, with minor amounts of quartz inboard. The inner shelf is an area of abundant macrophytes and seagrasses, active carbonate sediment production and accumulation, and little relict sediment. The huge middle portion is a "shaved shelf" with active sediment winnowing and mostly relict sediment. The outer shelf and upper slope is a variably productive sediment factory characterized by prolific calcareous epibenthic growth on hard substrate subaqueous "islands" shedding particles into surrounding sands and muds. Patterns of Holocene sedimentation are linked to modern oceanographic parameters in this high-energy setting characterized by overall downwelling. Prolific rhodoliths occur on the NW inner shelf, where shallow summer waters are the warmest in the GAB. These warm, saline, nutrient-depleted waters then drift eastward across the shelf, suppressing heterozoan carbonate production on the central and eastern mid-shelf. This arrested production in the eastern GAB is countered locally by summer coastal upwelling along western Eyre Peninsula, with bryozoan-rich sediment extending well inboard onto the mid-shelf. The outer shelf and upper slope is an area of prolific bryozoan growth, likely linked to upwelling, except in the central GAB, a region of year-round downwelling, where the area is one of off-shelf fine sediment transport and carbonate mud deposition. These patterns, in the central GAB at least, are present in the underlying Holocene and Pleistocene, suggesting that the general modern oceanographic dynamics and resultant carbonate sedimentation have persisted throughout the Quaternary.


Practical implementation techniques and guidance for delivering business solutions with Alfresco Deep practical insights into the vast possibilities that exist with the Alfresco platform for designing business solutions. Each and every type of business solution is implemented through the eyes of a fictitious financial organization - giving you the right amount of practical exposure you need. Packed with numerous case studies which will enable you to learn in various real world scenarios. Learn to use Alfresco's rich API arsenal with ease. Extend Alfresco's functionality and integrate it with external systems. In Detail Alfresco is the renowned and multiple award winning open source Enterprise content management system which allows you to build, design and implement your very own ECM solutions. It offers much more advanced and cutting edge features than its commercial counterparts with its modularity and scalability. If you are looking for quick and effective ways to use Alfresco to design and implement effective and world class business solutions that meet your organizational needs - Your search ends with this book. Welcome to Alfresco 3 Business Solutions - Your practical and easy to use guide which, instead of teaching you just how to use Alfresco, teaches you how to live Alfresco. It will guide you through implementing real world solutions through real world scenarios. Each ECM problem is treated as a separate case study and has its own chapter, enabling you to uncover the practical aspects of an ECM implementation. You want more than just the theoretical details - You want practical insights to building, designing and implementing nothing less than world class business solutions with Alfresco - and Alfresco 3 Business Solutions is your solution. This practical companion cuts short the preamble and you dive right into the world of business solutions with Alfresco. Learn all techniques, basic and advanced, required to design and implement different solutions with Alfresco in easy and efficient ways. Learn all you need to know about Document Management, Records Management- the lot. Connect Alfresco with directory servers. Learn how to use CIFS and troubleshoot all types of problems. Migrate data when you have an existing network drive with documents and want to merge them into Alfresco. Implement Business Process Design Solutions with Swimlane diagrams. Easily extract content from Alfresco and build mashups in a portal like Liferay. Gain insights into mobile access and email integration. This book will teach you to implement all that and more, in real world environments. What you will learn from this book High level requirements for the initial phase of your ECM implementation. Hook up Alfresco to directory servers for authentication and synchronization of user and group information Integrate and manage mobile and email content in Alfresco Learn business process automation and workflows. Design different types of Business Process Implementation Solutions Integrate different applications in Alfresco with Enterprise Application Integration Solutions Aggregate and extract content from many sources of information in the enterprise in a portal like Liferay Set up a development environment and a Release Process when implementing extensions Implement your very own custom authenticators for authentication with all kinds of different systems Easily design and implement Document Management and Records Management. Learn all you need to know about content models in Alfresco Set up your own custom made content models Approach This book guides you through all the practical aspects of the Alfresco CMS with numerous case studies and real life scenarios. It is packed with illustrative examples and diagrams to make learning easier and straightforward. Who this book is written for This book is designed for system administrators and business owners who want to learn and implement Alfresco Business Solutions in their teams or business organizations. General familiarity with Java and Alfresco is required.