Attempts to broach 'fortress Europe' have created a border management crisis for EU member states, and a humanitarian disaster of proportions not seen since World War II. In response, EU institutions and member states have given priority to security-driven (home affairs) and military concerns. The launch of the EU's naval Operation Sophia signalled the start of a more proactive engagement to restore stability in the wider Mediterranean, and the new thrust given to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) approximates measures adopted in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ).

As the objectives and mandates of the EU's internal and external security activities blur, questions about the limits of the Lisbon Treaty will come into sharper focus. In this paper, the author argues that it is time to step up the comprehensive approach to EU external action and involve AFSJ elements and actors on a more structural basis. Only then will the indistinct boundaries between internal and external security become a continuum and enable a more effective handling of the security crises confronting the European Union.


Emergency medical service (EMS) providers have a higher potential exposure to infectious agents than the general public (Nguyen et al., 2020, "Risk of COVID-19 Among Frontline Healthcare Workers and the General Community: A Prospective Cohort Study," Lancet Pub. Health, 5(9), pp. e475-e483; Brown et al., 2021, "Risk for Acquiring Coronavirus Disease Illness Among Emergency Medical Service Personnel Exposed to Aerosol-Generating Procedures," Emer. Infect. Disease J., 27(9), p. 2340). The use of protective equipment may reduce, but does not eliminate their risk of becoming infected as a result of these exposures. Prehospital environments have a high risk of disease transmission exposing EMS providers to bioaerosols and droplets from infectious patients. Field intubation procedures may be performed causing the generation of bioaerosols, thereby increasing the exposure of EMS workers to pathogens. Additionally, ambulances have a reduced volume compared to a hospital treatment space, often without an air filtration system, and no control mechanism to reduce exposure. This study evaluated a containment plus filtration intervention for reducing aerosol concentrations in the patient module of an ambulance. Aerosol concentration measurements were taken in an unoccupied research ambulance at National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Cincinnati using a tracer aerosol and optical particle counters (OPCs). The evaluated filtration intervention was a containment pod with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered extraction system that was developed and tested based on its ability to contain, capture, and remove aerosols during the intubation procedure. Three conditions were tested (1) baseline (without intervention), (2) containment pod with HEPA-1, and (3) containment pod with HEPA-2. The containment pod with HEPA-filtered extraction intervention provided containment of 95% of the total generated particle concentration during aerosol generation relative to the baseline condition, followed by rapid air cleaning within the containment pod. This intervention can help reduce aerosol concentrations within ambulance patient modules while performing aerosol-generating procedures.


Asteroids and comets are of strategic importance for science in an effort to uncover the formation, evolution and composition of the Solar System. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are of particular interest because of their accessibility from Earth, but also because of their speculated wealth of material resources. The possibility of retrieving entire NEOs from accessible heliocentric orbits and moving them into the Earth's neighbourhood is today a credible possibility considered by NASA, within its Asteroid Initiative Framework, and examined in several recent scientific publications. This paper searches for asteroid retrieval trajectories that benefit from several resonant Earth encounters to decrease at each encounter the transfer Δv cost. Particularly, the paper focuses on the Amor asteroid population, which have the encounters always occurring outside the Earth's sphere of influence. Thus, the patched conic approximation is rendered essentially not applicable. Numerical exploration in the framework of the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP) becomes computationally expensive when combined with the sensitivities of multiple Earth encounters. Hence, this paper proposes a 3D extension of the energy kick function to rapidly assess all possible third-body effects into the asteroid's trajectory. The osculating elements of the asteroid can be updated by means of Picard's first iteration on each Keplerian element, where the perturbing forces of the third body (i.e., the Earth) are given by the Lagrange's planetary equations. This allows a rapid scanning process of sequences of Earth encounters that may in turn allow a favourable perturbation to the asteroid orbital elements.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to numerically analyze the mixed convection and entropy generation in an annulus with a rotating heated inner cylinder for single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)–water nanofluid flow using local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) model. An examination of the system behavior is presented considering the heat-generating solid phase inside the porous layer partly filled at the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

Design/methodology/approach
The discretized governing equations for nanofluid and porous layer by means of the finite volume method are solved by using the SIMPLE algorithm.

Findings
It is found that the buoyancy force and rotational effect have an important impact on the change of the strength of streamlines and isotherms for nanofluid flow. The minimum average Nusselt number on the inner cylinder is obtained at Ra$_E$ = 10$^4$, and the minimum total entropy generation is found at Re = 400 for given parameters. The entropy generation minimization is determined in case of different nanoparticle volume fractions. It is observed that at the same external Rayleigh numbers, the LTNE condition obtained with internal heat generation is very different from that without heat generation.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no previous paper presenting mixed convection and entropy generation of SWCNT–water nanofluid in a porous annulus under LTNE condition. The addition of nanoparticles to based fluid leads to a decrease in the value of minimum total entropy generation. Thus, using nanofluid has a significant role in the thermal design and optimization of heat transfer applications.


Abstract. The Australasian spiny trapdoor spiders of the family Idiopidae (subfamily Arbanitinae) are revised at the generic level, using a multi-locus molecular phylogenetic foundation and comprehensive sampling of all known lineages. We propose a new family- and genus-group classification for the monophyletic Australasian fauna, and recognise 10 genera in four tribes. The Arbanitini Simon includes Arbanitis L. Koch, 1874 (61 species), Blakistonia Hogg, 1902 (one species) and Cantuaria Hogg, 1902 (43 species). The Aganippini Simon includes Bungulla Rix, Main, Raven & Harvey, gen. nov. (two species), Eucanippe Rix, Main, Raven & Harvey, gen. nov. (one species), Eucyrtops Pocock, 1897 (two species), Gaius Rainbow, 1914 (one species) and Idiosoma Ausserer, 1871 (14 species). The Cataxiini Rainbow and Euoplini Rainbow include just Cataxia Rainbow, 1914 (11 species) and Euoplos Rainbow, 1914 (12 species), respectively. Two distinctive new genera of Aganippini are described from Western Australia, and several previously valid genera are recognised as junior synonyms of existing genus-group names, including Misgolas Karsch, 1878 (= Arbanitis; new synonymy), Aganippe O. P.-Cambridge, 1877 (= Idiosoma; new synonymy) and Anidiops Pocock, 1897 (= Idiosoma; new synonymy). Gaius stat. rev. is further removed from synonymy of Anidiops. Other previously hypothesised generic synonyms are supported by both morphology and molecular phylogenetic data from 12 genes, including the synonymy of Neohomogona Main, 1985 and Homogona Rainbow, 1914 with Cataxia, and the synonymy of Albaniana Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918, Armadalia Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918, Bancroftiana Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 and Tambouriniana Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 with Euoplos. At the species level, the identifications of Eucy. latior (O. P.-Cambridge, 1877) and I. manstridgei (Pocock, 1897) are clarified, and three new species are described: Bungulla bertmaini Rix, Main, Raven & Harvey, sp. nov., Eucanippe bifida Rix, Main, Raven & Harvey, sp. nov. and Idiosoma galeosomoides Rix, Main, Raven & Harvey, sp. nov., the latter remarkable for its phragmotic abdominal morphology. The Tasmanian species Mygale annulipes C. L. Koch, 1842 is here transferred to the genus Stanwellia Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 (family Nemesiidae), comb. nov., Arbanitis mestoni Hickman, 1928 is transferred to Cantuaria, comb. nov. and Idiosoma hirsutum Main, 1952 is synonymised with I. sigillatum (O. P.-Cambridge, 1870), new synonymy. In addition to the morphological synopses and an illustrated key to genera, molecular diagnoses are presented for all nominal taxa, along with live habitus and burrow images to assist in field identification. The Australasian idiopid fauna is highly diverse, with numerous new species known from all genera. As a result, this study provides a taxonomic and nomenclatural foundation for future species-level analyses, and a single reference point for the monographic documentation of a remarkable fauna.


Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaM-KK) is a novel member of the CaM kinase family, which specifically phosphorylates and activates CaM kinase I and IV. In this study, we characterized the CaM-binding peptide of αCaM-KK (residues 438–463), which suppressed the activity of constitutively active CaM-KK (84–434) in the absence of Ca2+/CaM but competitively with ATP. Truncation and site-directed mutagenesis of the CaM-binding region in CaM-KK reveal that Ile441 is essential for autoinhibition of CaM-KK. Furthermore, CaM-KK chimera mutants containing the CaM-binding sequence of either myosin light chain kinases or CaM kinase II located C-terminal of Leu440, exhibited enhanced Ca2+/CaM-independent activity (60% of total activity). Although the CaM-binding domains of myosin light chain kinases and CaM kinase II bind to the N- and C-terminal domains of CaM in the opposite orientation to CaM-KK (Osawa, M., Tokumitsu, H., Swindells, M. B., Kurihara, H., Orita, M., Shibanuma, T., Furuya, T., and Ikura, M. (1999) Nat. Struct. Biol. 6, 819–824), the chimeric CaM-KKs containing Ile441 remained Ca2+/CaM-dependent. This result demonstrates that the orientation of the CaM binding is not critical for relief of CaM-KK autoinhibition. However, the requirement of Ile441for autoinhibition, which is located at the −3 position from the N-terminal anchoring residue (Trp444) to CaM, accounts for the opposite orientation of CaM binding of CaM-KK compared with other CaM kinases.


For robust measures of location associated with J dependent groups, various methods have been proposed that are aimed at testing the global hypothesis of a common measure of location applied to the marginal distributions. A criticism of these methods is that they do not deal with outliers in a manner that takes into account the overall structure of the data. Location estimators have been derived that deal with outliers in this manner, but evidently there are no simulation results regarding how well they perform when the goal is to test the some global hypothesis. The paper compares four bootstrap methods in terms of their ability to control the Type I error probability when the sample size is small, two of which were found to perform poorly. The choice of location estimator was found to be important as well. Indeed, for several of the estimators considered here, control over the Type I error probability was very poor. Only one estimator performed well when using the first of two general approaches that might be used. It is based on a variation of the (affine equivariant) Donoho-Gasko trimmed mean. For the second general approach, only a skipped estimator performed reasonably well. (It removes outliers via a projection method and averages the remaining data.) Only one bootstrap method was found to perform well when using the first approach. A different bootstrap method is recommended when using the second approach.


2008 ii ABSTRACT Increasing competition between offstream and instream water uses emphasizes the need for accurate and equitable river management decisions. Minimum instream flow requirements necessary to sustain aquatic diversity can best be determined through habitat classification and modeling. Although previous studies focused on fish communities, the flow needs and responses of other organisms to inevitable flow disturbances vary greatly depending on the trophic level and mobility of the species considered. This research attempts to quantify and describe the available habitats and the suitability of those habitats for macroinvertebrates in the Eno River, as well as highlight management strategies consistent with invertebrate preferences. Through field sampling two sets of data were collected: macroinvertebrate counts and measurements of the physical habitat parameters of depth, velocity, and substrate. The habitat parameters were subset into utilization and availability data. Utilization data described parameters where macroinvertebrates were collected and availability data described all parameters whether macroinvertebrates were collected or not. Results showed that the habitat used by macroinvertebrates was the same as the available habitat meaning, in theory, that the macroinvertebrates can choose their habitat because it is the most suitable for them not because it is the only habitat available. Suitability indices for several macroinvertebrates revealed that low and mid depths and low and mid-high velocities were the most common optimal habitat types. Substrate suitabilities were greatly varied although many species favored aquatic vegetation, sand-gravel, and cobble-boulder combinations. The results of this study will be an important element in the formulation of instream flow management plans in the state of North Carolina. Additionally, the suitability curves could be used by professionals interested in stream restoration, water quality, and aquatic resource management to help them preserve macroinvertebrate diversity and in the process the health and functionality of aquatic ecosystems.


Reformed Confessions of the Sixteenth Century makes available a number of confessional documents that are not easily accessible elsewhere. Arthur Cochrane's introduction to the work and to each confession indicates each document's importance and its theological emphases. A new introduction by Jack Rogers focuses on developments in the study of Reformed Confessions since the first appearance of Cochrane's book in 1966.


Egypt and American Foreign Assistance, 1952-1956: Hopes Dashed, by Jon B. Alterman. New York and London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. xxiv +134 pages. Notes to p. 176. Bibl. to p. 194. Index to p. 200. $55. Reviewed by Ray Takeyh The subject of US-Egyptian relations during the turbulent 1950s has been a perennial preoccupation of historians. Despite such exhaustive examination, there are still shadows to illuminate and ambiguities to clarify. Jon Alterman's Egypt and American Foreign Assistance, 1952-1956: Hopes Dashed draws attention to a neglected dimension of this period, the question of economic assistance as a tool of US foreign policy. Although this slim monograph does not alter the demarcations of the debate, it does contain its own share of insights. On the surface there should have been a coincidence of interests between the Eisenhower Administration and the Egyptian Free Officers movement that assumed power in 1952. Jamal 'Abd al-Nasir and his Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) arrived in power with a determination to rationalize Egypt's economic institutions and more equitably distribute the national wealth. Alterman carefully dissects reams of Egyptian memorandums and internal studies that advanced the imperative of economic modernization for Egypt's new rulers. In the meantime, a central tenet of America's Cold War policy was addressing issues of poverty and under-development, which provided an avenue for Soviet entry into the Third World. So, what went wrong? Alterman notes correctly that American bureaucratic inflexibility and the RCC's suspicion of external powers hampered many well-intentioned initiatives, ranging from rural improvement projects to the august Aswan Dam. However, a persistent problem with this monograph is absence of context. Alterman is determined to explore the deliberations of mid-level officials while displaying a measure of indifference toward high politics. The problem with this analysis is that much of America's aid policy was conditioned by the much-disdained high politics, as Eisenhower viewed assistance as a means of compelling Nasir's support for key US initiatives. Issues such as Egypt's approach to the US-sponsored Arab-Israeli peace plan (Alpha), the evolving nature of the Arab Cold War, the ebbs and flows of the Anglo-American alliance and domestic political considerations ultimately determined whether Cairo was to be a recipient of American munificence. A disregard for power politics leads the author to treat many critical influences on Egyptian-American dynamic in a cursory and superficial manner. For Alterman, the relationship between the US and Egypt ultimately went sour because American policymakers were unable to take advantage of Free Officers' pragmatism. …


Protective or Counter-Productive? Labor Market Institutions and the Effect of Immigration on EU Natives We estimate the effect of immigrant flows on native employment in Western Europe, and then ask whether the employment consequences of immigration vary with institutions that affect labor market flexibility. Reduced flexibility may protect natives from immigrant competition in the near term, but our theoretical framework suggests that reduced flexibility is likely to increase the negative impact of immigration on equilibrium employment. In models without interactions, OLS estimates for a panel of European countries in the 1980s and 1990s show small, mostly negative immigration effects. To reduce bias from the possible endogeneity of immigration flows, we use the fact that many immigrants arriving after 1991 were refugees from the Balkan wars. An IV strategy based on variation in the number of immigrants from former Yugoslavia generates larger though mostly insignificant negative estimates. We then estimate models allowing interactions between the employment response to immigration and institutional characteristics including business entry costs. These results, limited to the sample of native men, generally suggest that reduced flexibility increases the negative impact of immigration. Many of the estimated interaction terms are significant, and imply a significant negative effect on employment in countries with restrictive institutions. JEL Classification: J23, J61, O52


We present measurements of the properties of the central radio source in M87 using Event Horizon Telescope data obtained during the 2017 campaign. We develop and fit geometric crescent models (asymmetric rings with interior brightness depressions) using two independent sampling algorithms that consider distinct representations of the visibility data. We show that the crescent family of models is statistically preferred over other comparably complex geometric models that we explore. We calibrate the geometric model parameters using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) models of the emission region and estimate physical properties of the source. We further fit images generated from GRMHD models directly to the data. We compare the derived emission region and black hole parameters from these analyses with those recovered from reconstructed images. There is a remarkable consistency among all methods and data sets. We find that >50% of the total flux at arcsecond scales comes from near the horizon, and that the emission is dramatically suppressed interior to this region by a factor >10, providing direct evidence of the predicted shadow of a black hole. Across all methods, we measure a crescent diameter of 42 +/- 3 mu as and constrain its fractional width to be <0.5. Associating the crescent feature with the emission surrounding the black hole shadow, we infer an angular gravitational radius of GM/Dc(2) = 3.8 +/- 0.4 mu as. Folding in a distance measurement of 16.8(-0.7)(+0.8) gives a black hole mass of M = 6.5. 0.2 vertical bar(stat) +/- 0.7 vertical bar(sys) x 10(9) M-circle dot. This measurement from lensed emission near the event horizon is consistent with the presence of a central Kerr black hole, as predicted by the general theory of relativity.


To promote the labor participation of parents with young children, governments employ a number of fiscal instruments. Prominent examples are childcare subsidies and in-work benefits. However, which policy works best for employment is largely unknown. We study the effectiveness of different fiscal stimuli in an empirical model of household labor supply and childcare use. We use a large and rich administrative data set for the Netherlands. Large-scale reforms in childcare subsidies and in-work benefits in the data period facilitate the identification of the structural parameters. We find that an in-work benefit for secondary earners that increases with income is the most effective way to stimulate total hours worked. Childcare subsidies are less effective, as substitution of other types of care for formal care drives up public expenditures. In-work benefits that target both primary and secondary earners are much less effective, because primary earners are rather unresponsive to financial incentives.


Objective: To examine associations of estrogen preparations with an index of health risks versus benefits. Methods: Using data from 45,112 participants of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (average follow-up 5.5 years), we examined associations of estrogen type and oral conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) dose with time to first global index event (GIE), defined as coronary heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, pulmonary embolism, hip fracture, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, or death. Results: Oral CEE less than 0.625 mg/d + progestogen (P) users had a lower risk of a GIE (adjusted hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.56-0.97) than oral CEE 0.625 mg/d + P users. GIE risk in oral CEE 0.625 mg/d + P users was greater with at least 5-year use (adjusted hazard ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.41) than with less than 5-year use. In women with prior hysterectomy, compared with women taking oral CEE 0.625 mg/d for less than 5 years, GIE risk was similar with oral CEE below 0.625 mg/d, oral estradiol (E2), and transdermal E2, whether used for less than 5 years or for at least 5 years. There was no difference in GIE risk between users of the following: oral CEE + P versus oral E2 + P; oral CEE + P versus transdermal E2 + P; oral E2 + P versus transdermal E2 + P. Findings were similar among women with hysterectomy taking estrogen alone. Conclusions: The summary index of risks versus benefits was similar for oral CEE versus oral or transdermal E2-containing regimens. CEE + P containing less than 0.625 mg/d of CEE (vs 0.625 mg/d) for less than 5 years appeared safer.


The research presented, discussed the results with respect to the sense of the common as democratic experience in young sectors of extreme poverty in Chile. Units of study corresponded to six Chilean schools, under the design of case studies collective and instrumental collective. Product analysis of the data (speech, observation records, interviews, focus groups and documents), emerges discursive lines that coalesce around five matrices categories. In this paper, we develop a category of poverty, as the most dense and extensive. Here we found that the common sense of democratic experience fades as democratic experience in schools that reproduce the deep social cleavage posing Chile in its social fabric. Segmentation resulting in perceptions of both worlds: the "top" and "bottom". In this logic both pubic school, as the space of health, housing, neighborhood, civil protection and transport services are poor quality for a sector of the population that can not buy better quality services. In their school, in their neighbourhood, and in their social experiences, these young people go through a threatened life which is surrounded by landfills, and by the absence of the right to have rights.The loss of hope in the meritocracy (i.e. equal opportunities) is evident in their stories, which reflect the distances in their social positions, indicating that they can not compete with the cultural and social capital that gives the cradle of origin and school in the Chilean context of public policies reproduces, preventing and precluding the rise of a political and citizenship space of the common.


This article deals with the roller conveyor which constitutes a part of a machine line to separate the hops harvested from low trellises. Various parameters affecting the right operation of this roller conveyor are examined. In the last season a model of roller conveyor designed and constructed for this purpose was subject to experimental verification with the objective of integrating it in the actual line. Dependency of hop matter falling through on the gap size between rollers was examined. They were standard, commonly used rollers. In 2015 rollers with a different diameter and different profile of metal welded collars were designed and produced. The new construction allows for reducing the gap between rollers up to 20 mm. As compared to the former solution including rollers of 60 mm in diameter, this one constitutes a difference of 28 mm. The measurements in the season of 2015 were conducted using these new rollers and there were two parameters to examine. They were the gap size between rollers and rotation frequency of the rollers. The measurements were carried out using a hop matter sample taken from low trellises. The dependency of the hop matter falling through was being examined for 3 gaps (28, 24 and 20 mm) between rollers and for three rotation frequencies of the rollers. The measurements revealed that with a setting resulting in the smallest possible gap between rollers (20 mm) by up to 15% more leaves can be separated, compared to the rollers of 80 mm in diameter, and by approx. 60% more leaves compared to the former solution including the rollers of 60 mm in diameter. Furthermore it was found that a change in rotation frequency of the gaps does not affect the separation of leaves in any significant way.


The tiny and low-cost sensors cannot simultaneously sense more than one channel since they do not have high-speed Analog-to-Digital-Convertors (ADCs) and high-power batteries. It is a critical problem when they are used for multichannel sensing in cognitive sensor networks (CSNs). One solution for this problem is that the sensors sense various channels at different sensing periods. Due to the energy limitation in these scenarios, the lifetime maximization will become an important issue. In this paper, maximizing the lifetime of a CSN is investigated by selecting both the cooperative sensors and their detector threshold, such that the desired detection performance constraints are satisfied. This is a NP-complete problem, and obtaining the optimum solution needs exhaustive search with exponential complexity order. Here we have proposed two convex-based optimization algorithms with low order of complexity. First algorithm applies the known instantaneous Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) and obtains the proper detector thresholds by solving an equation for every channel. Investigation the effect of detector thresholds on the energy consumption, the false alarm probability and the detection probability shows that we can minimize the detector thresholds such that the detection constraints are met. In the second algorithm in order to reduce the needed time for obtaining answers, the Bisection method is proposed for determining detector thresholds. Because knowing the instantaneous SNR is difficult, we have investigated the performance of the second algorithm by average value of SNR. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms improve the performance of the network in case of lifetime and energy consumption.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
As obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a higher risk of motor vehicle crashes, there is increasing regulatory interest in the identification of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers with this condition. This study aimed to determine the relationship between subjective versus objective assessment of OSA in CMV drivers.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional survey.

SETTINGS
Heavy vehicle truck stops located across the road network of 2 large Australian states.

PARTICIPANTS
A random sample of long distance commercial vehicle drivers (n = 517).

INTERVENTIONS
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS
Drivers were interviewed regarding their driving experience, personal health, shift schedules, payments, and various questions on sleep and tiredness in order to describe their sleep health across a range of variables. In addition, home recordings using a flow monitor were used during one night of sleep. Only 4.4% of drivers reported a previous diagnosis of sleep apnea, while our at home diagnostic test found a further 41% of long-distance heavy vehicle drivers likely to have sleep apnea. The multivariable apnea prediction index, based on self-report measures, showed poor agreement with the home-monitor detected sleep apnea (AUC 0.58, 95%CI = 0.49-0.62), and only 12% of drivers reported daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10). Thirty-six percent of drivers were overweight and a further 50% obese; 49% of drivers were cigarette smokers.

CONCLUSIONS
Sleep apnea remains a significant and unrecognized problem in CMV drivers, who we found to have multiple health risks. Objective testing for this sleep disorder needs to be considered, as symptom reports and self-identification appear insufficient to accurately identify those at risk.


This study was conducted with the aim to investigate cultural awareness in the Malaysian ESL literature classroom. The descriptive study comprised 30 ESL teachers from 6 public secondary schools from Selangor and Kelantan. The study employed a mixed-methods research design where data were collected using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data were statistically analysed using SPSS version 20 while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to trace emerging themes. The validity and reliability of instruments were established through experts" opinions and a pilot study. The overall reliability was established at 0.887 alpha level. The findings revealed that teachers think cultural content in the current literary texts is suitable. However, the integration of cultural awareness was at a minimal level. Teachers highlighted that they were not trained and it was not a tested component in the major public examinations. Among challenges faced are students" low proficiency of English, followed by students" and teachers" lack of cultural knowledge, students" negative perceptions and lastly, time constraint. The findings imply that the integration of cultural awareness in the Malaysian ESL literature classroom leaves much to be desired. Therefore, more local texts reflecting Malaysian diverse ethnic groups ought to be included in the KBSM English Literature Component. More importantly, the Ministry of Education (MOE) needs to provide appropriate training and teaching and learning materials to help teachers address cultural awareness. Such a move may serve as a platform to improve the integration of cultural awareness in the Malaysian ESL literature classroom


Background Population datasets and the Internet are playing an ever-growing role in the way cancer information is made available to providers, patients, and their caregivers. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Cancer Survival Calculator (SEER*CSC) is a Web-based cancer prognostic tool that uses SEER data, a large population dataset, to provide physicians with highly valid, evidence-based prognostic estimates for increasing shared decision-making and improving patient-provider communication of complex health information. Objective The aim of this study was to develop, test, and implement SEER*CSC. Methods An iterative approach was used to develop the SEER*CSC. Based on input from cancer patient advocacy groups and physicians, an initial version of the tool was developed. Next, providers from 4 health care delivery systems were recruited to do formal usability testing of SEER*CSC. A revised version of SEER*CSC was then implemented in two health care delivery sites using a real-world clinical implementation approach, and usage data were collected. Post-implementation follow-up interviews were conducted with site champions. Finally, patients from two cancer advocacy groups participated in usability testing. Results Overall feedback of SEER*CSC from both providers and patients was positive, with providers noting that the tool was professional and reliable, and patients finding it to be informational and helpful to use when discussing their diagnosis with their provider. However, use during the small-scale implementation was low. Reasons for low usage included time to enter data, not having treatment options in the tool, and the tool not being incorporated into the electronic health record (EHR). Patients found the language in its current version to be too complex. Conclusions The implementation and usability results showed that participants were enthusiastic about the use and features of SEER*CSC, but sustained implementation in a real-world clinical setting faced significant challenges. As a result of these findings, SEER*CSC is being redesigned with more accessible language for a public facing release. Meta-tools, which put different tools in context of each other, are needed to assist in understanding the strengths and limitations of various tools and their place in the clinical decision-making pathway. The continued development and eventual release of prognostic tools should include feedback from multidisciplinary health care teams, various stakeholder groups, patients, and caregivers.


We describe an effort to translate the Interlisp KL-ONE system into Franzlisp to enable it to be run on a VAX . This effort has involved Tim Finin, Richard Duncan and Hassan Ait-Kaci from the University of Pennsylvania, Judy Weiner from Temple University, Jane Barnett from Computer Corporation of America and Jim Schmolze from Bolt Beranek and Newman. The primary motivation for this project was to make a version of KL-ONE available on a PDP 1 1/780 VAX . A VAX Interlisp is not yet available, although one is being written and will soon be available . Currently, the only substantial Lisp for a Vax is the Berkeley FranzLisp system. As a secondary motivation, we are interested in making KL-ONE more available in general - on a variety of Lisp dialects and machines.


The formalization of music has not always covered so readily the form of music, particularly from a psychological angle that takes the listener into account. Some novel forms have been organizational by-products of the top-down application of grammars or probability distributions. Many works have utilized bottom-up generation of material ready for human arrangement, or accepted existing stylistic templates from music theories. Whilst material might be generated to fill particular sections, the relations between sections and between hierarchical layers, and particularly the control of musical tension through transition, have received far less attention. Algorithmic music often seems stuck in a static moment form, able to abruptly jump between composed sections but unable to demonstrate much real dramatic direction. In part, this is because such ebb and flow engages with seemingly unformalizable attributes of the human musical experience, with musical expectancy, memory and emotion. Nevertheless, since automated music has not been shy about formalizing other aspects of musical structure, and human beings are intimately involved in authoring musical systems, it would seem a highly productive avenue to explore further the possibilities of algorithmic musical form from a psychological angle.


Abstract Movement and space use are important components of animal interactions with the environment. However, for hard-to-monitor raptor species, there are substantial gaps in our understanding of these key determinants. We used noninvasive genetic tools to evaluate the details of space use over a 3-yr period by White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Naurzum Zapovednik in northern Kazakhstan. We genotyped, at 10 microsatellite markers and one mitochondrial marker, 859 eagle feathers and assigned naturally shed feathers to individuals. We identified 124 White-tailed Eagles, including both members of 5–10 pairs per year, and were able to monitor birds across years. Distances between eagle nests and hunting perches were always greater than nearest neighbor distances, eagles never used the closest available hunting perch, and hunting perches were always shared with other eagles. When eagles switched nests between years, the nests they chose were almost always well outside the space that theory predicted they defended the prior year. Our data are inconsistent with classical territorial and colonial models of resource use; they more closely resemble semi-colonial behavior. It is unlikely that standard methods of animal tracking (e.g., marking and telemetry), would have provided a similarly cost-effective mechanism to gain these insights into spatial and temporal aspects of eagle behavior. When combined with existing information on space use of other local species, these data suggest that partitioning of spatial resources among White-tailed Eagles and other eagles at the Zapovednik may be facilitated by the alternative strategies of space use they employ.


The demand of multicast service In ATM network such as video
teleconferencing, broadband telephony and large file transfer makes the multicast
switch very important. The multicast switch is needed to multicast an input cell to
a number of selected output or broadcast it to all outputs. Since the cell loss and
delay will decrease the performance of an ATM multicast switch, it should be
designed so that the degradation is minimised. Hence, to improve the
performance, which is characterised by cell loss probability and mean cell delay,
this thesis proposes a new architecture of a multicast switch.
In this thesis, the traffic is classified into three categories with different
requirements: real-time, near real-time and non real-time. Since the real-time cell
is very sensitive to delay, it is given the first priority to be served. Near real-time
cell can tolerate a small delay while the non real-time cell is less sensitive to delay. Hence, the arriving cells of those traffic can be buffered to wait their tum
to be transmitted. Two buffering schemes which respectively realise the buffer of
near real-time and non real-time cell are implemented: First In First Out with
Ordinary Blocking (FIFO-BL) and First In First Out (FIFO). To achieve a better
performance, Largest Queue First Serve (LQFS) as a scheduling algorithm is
implemented.
The proposed architecture with the above buffering schemes and traffic
classes is studied by developing appropriate simulation models. Subsequently, the
effect of arrival rate, immediate rate, requested copy number, buffer size and
RealTC rate on the switch performance are studied quantitatively and
qualitatively. It is concluded that the proposed architecture can support the future
different multimedia traffic types, where cell loss probability and delay
requirement will be the main factors.


The sensitivity in surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRS) strongly depends on where the resonant excitation is spectrally located compared to the molecular vibration that is to be enhanced. In this contribution, we study the effect of coupling in the electromagnetic properties of 2D gold nanorod arrays in the IR. We also study the SEIRS activity of higher order resonant excitations in long nanoantennas to identify polaritonic signals of a supporting SiO 2 layer with nanometer thickness (3 nm) on a silicon substrate.


Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive disorder of the central nervous system, affects every 1 in 100 persons, aged around 70 in Europe. PD is characterized by abnormalities affecting both the motor system and the non-motor systems that include tremor, gait disorder, bradykinesia, depression, cognitive impairments, dysautonomia and sleep disturbances. Both surgical and drug treatments are available for the treatment of PD, but none has been able to halt the progression of the degenerative disease. We present the case of 65-year old male patient with PD who was treated with human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The patient showed significant improvement in his health following the treatment; such as reduction in tremors, bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder and low back and improvement in the range of movements of the neck. The patient was able to balance himself while walking, had reduction in numbness in his left hand and both of his legs. He was able to speak louder and had improved writing skills. No adverse event or teratoma formation was observed. hESC therapy in our study showed beneficial effects in the patient with PD, but future clinical trials are needed to gather more evidence to support our findings.


Encoder-decoder based neural architectures serve as the basis of state-of-the-art approaches in end-to-end open domain dialog systems. Since most of such systems are trained with a maximum likelihood (MLE) objective they suffer from issues such as lack of generalizability and the generic response problem, i.e., a system response that can be an answer to a large number of user utterances, e.g., "Maybe, I don't know." Having explicit feedback on the relevance and interestingness of a system response at each turn can be a useful signal for mitigating such issues and improving system quality by selecting responses from different approaches. Towards this goal, we present a system that evaluates chatbot responses at each dialog turn for coherence and engagement. Our system provides explicit turn-level dialog quality feedback, which we show to be highly correlated with human evaluation. To show that incorporating this feedback in the neural response generation models improves dialog quality, we present two different and complementary mechanisms to incorporate explicit feedback into a neural response generation model: reranking and direct modification of the loss function during training. Our studies show that a response generation model that incorporates these combined feedback mechanisms produce more engaging and coherent responses in an open-domain spoken dialog setting, significantly improving the response quality using both automatic and human evaluation.


This thesis explores the increased risk of genetic breast cancer for
Ashkenazi Jews who are at significantly increased risk of carrying three
specific mutations in the high risk breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and
BRCA2. The Ashkenazi Jewish population has the highest known risk of
genetic breast cancer and are the most well researched in relation to genetic
disease. They are believed to have a particularly supportive and unique
relationship with genetics, despite also having a history of discrimination
that includes claims of biological inferiority.
The use of racial or ethnic groups in genetic research is highly contentious
and the implications for those populations being studied are usually
assumed to be negative. There is also significant discussion about the
potential of new genetic knowledge to transform individual and collective
identity and alter how individuals conceive of themselves and the groups to
which they belong.
This thesis contributes to both of these areas of debate by exploring the
implications for individuals of knowing that they are at increased risk of
genetic breast cancer because they are of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It
specifically addresses whether being at increased risk has an impact on how
Ashkenazi Jewish women feel about their own Jewish identity, whether they
have concerns about current genetic research related to them, and if they are
particularly supportive as if often claimed.
Evidence is provided principally from qualitative interview material with
Ashkenazi women at increased risk of genetic breast cancer as well as non
high risk individuals. The qualitative data is supplemented by a quantitative
survey.
Ethnic identity can be an important mediating factor for the ways in which
genetic knowledge is interpreted and genetic medicine can become
intertwined with culturally specific issues. Ashkenazi Jews conceive of
themselves, their history and their future in ways that are compatible with
new genetic knowledge. While it is important not to assume there are necessarily damaging or transformative consequences for those populations
that are the subjects of genetic research, there were implications for
Ashkenazi women and their disease was interwoven with their identity in
complex ways.


State space models (SSMs) provide a flexible framework for modeling complex time series via a latent stochastic process. Inference for nonlinear, non-Gaussian SSMs is often tackled with particle methods that do not scale well to long time series. The challenge is two-fold: not only do computations scale linearly with time, as in the linear case, but particle filters additionally suffer from increasing particle degeneracy with longer series. Stochastic gradient MCMC methods have been developed to scale inference for hidden Markov models (HMMs) and linear SSMs using buffered stochastic gradient estimates to account for temporal dependencies. We extend these stochastic gradient estimators to nonlinear SSMs using particle methods. We present error bounds that account for both buffering error and particle error in the case of nonlinear SSMs that are log-concave in the latent process. We evaluate our proposed particle buffered stochastic gradient using SGMCMC for inference on both long sequential synthetic and minute-resolution financial returns data, demonstrating the importance of this class of methods.


A novel design of a test pattern generator (TPG) for built-in self-testing (BIST) of path delay faults, is proposed. For an n-input CUT, the TPG generates a sequence of length (n.2/sup n/+1), that includes all n.2/sup n/ single-input-change (SIC) test pairs, and hence optimal. The generation of such a sequence of minimum length (i.e., n.2/sup n/+1) was an open problem. A simple iterative circuit of the TPG is then constructed. This provides minimum test application time for testing path delay faults, and compares favorably with the earlier BIST designs.


This study addresses an Early Warning System (EWS) of currency crisis, as well as proposes EWS with an approach of early detection of vulnerability to crisis. Detecting vulnerabilities is a more effective step because it gives the policymakers plenty of time before determining the right policy responses to anticipate and prevent a crisis. The data used are monthly macroeconomic data from January 2002 to December 2012. The steps taken were to identify currency crises, determine indicators of currency crises, determine vulnerability indicators to currency crises with logistic regression, and build vulnerability index to currency crises with fuzzy logic. This research builds vulnerability index to currency crisis with vulnerability level consisting of normal, alert, standby, and crisis suspected condition. This research provides EWS with the approach of early detection of vulnerability to currency crisis and builds vulnerability index that can be used in assessing and monitoring economic condition.


Our works handles problematic of colour images processing and segmentation, in particular on cellular medical images. At first, a deep study was elaborated on colour image models and on colour space representation, mainly the RGB and the HSI spaces. In the following we apply one of our algorithms on the available image samples. The main purpose is to extract useful regions and the interesting colours in order to provide better cellular image analysis and synthesis.

Several traditional algorithms were tested as: pixels classification, enhancing area. In this paper we propose original method, based on colour spaces transformation for colour variability reducing and then on a fuzzy colour segmentation model.


Spatial databases incorporate the notion of space in order to accommodate the requirements for databases that allow reasoning about 2D and 3D such as geographical applications( GIS). Their study exists for more than twenty years. Lately, is triggered even more by the progress achieved in the power of computers which permits them to accommodate graphics and easily perform geometrical calculations. Spatial databases form an autonomous, active research community and a series of International Conferences are regularly organised (series of Symposium on Spatial Databases and Symposium on Spatial Data Handling). A number of Journals concern with spatial Databases as well(Cartographica, International Journal of Geographic Information Systems). The National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA, USA) is an established body coordinating research in Spatial Databases and their beneficial application in geography. OpenGIS is an International Consortium trying to bring Interoperability into Geographic Information Systems.Temporal databases incorporate the concept of time to create high-level abstractions useful in database applications. This has been an active area of research for about twenty years. In the last few years the importance of the temporal database area has been recognised by the international scientific community. This recognition came in part in the form of the ARPA/NSF sponsored International Workshop on Temporal Database Infrastructure in 1993, a VLDB-affiliated temporal workshop in 1995, a special section of the IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering on temporal and real time databases published in August 1995, and the incorporation of temporal constructs, proposed by the temporal database community, in the soon-to-be standardised SQL3 language.The main objective of the seminar was to bring together researchers from the two areas that have been working independently from each other and only recently have started to talk to each other. For example, research work on integration has started appearing on the main conferences and publications of each discipline.One of the main issues discussed was whether it is feasible and if yes, how the research should be further integrated and if possible, what the mechanisms that the community can define so as to accelerate the process of developing a spatiotemporal infrastructure.The ?Integrating Spatial and Temporal Databases? seminar focused on establishing the foundations of a new discipline and also the future directions of that discipline, with respect to both research issues and the means to incorporate spatiotemporal databases into main-stream application development. A list of topics discussed at this seminar follows:? Strategic discussions about the future of spatiotemporal databases as a discipline. Evaluation of the current state of the art with respect to the current trends in the DBMS tools and standards.? Research Issues in Spatial and Temporal Databases: What is important? ? Spatiotemporal data models: relational, object-oriented, deductive and hybrid models. Where do the spatial and temporal capabilities fit in? ? Spatiotemporal user interfaces and languages. Update and retrieval languages for various types of temporal data models. ? Implementation issues in spatiotemporal databases. Issues that arise from experience of implementors and users and the agenda for research into these areas and transition to use in practice. ? Issue a "call for action" to the community (academia and vendors alike) This seminar brought together over sixty researchers from fifteen countries that have dealt with different disciplines (spatial and temporal), as well as developers of databases and users, to conduct a fruitful discussion and evaluation of the activities thus far with a view on establishing the foundations of a new discipline that of spatiotemporal databases. There was a general agreement that there is still work to be done in Spatiotemporal Design, Data Models, Query Languages and Indexing while areas such as Temporal Data Models and Algebras are almost complete. Spatiotemporal Data Mining, Query Processing and Optimisation will produce significant results in the next ten years.


An overview is presented of the medical image processing literature on mutual-information-based registration. The aim of the survey is threefold: an introduction for those new to the field, an overview for those working in the field, and a reference for those searching for literature on a specific application. Methods are classified according to the different aspects of mutual-information-based registration. The main division is in aspects of the methodology and of the application. The part on methodology describes choices made on facets such as preprocessing of images, gray value interpolation, optimization, adaptations to the mutual information measure, and different types of geometrical transformations. The part on applications is a reference of the literature available on different modalities, on interpatient registration and on different anatomical objects. Comparison studies including mutual information are also considered. The paper starts with a description of entropy and mutual information and it closes with a discussion on past achievements and some future challenges.


This article attempts to offer a concise overview of the main developments relating to the Hungarian presidency, notably in the areas of regional stability and interethnic relations. The first year in office of the new Hungarian government-elected with unprecedented popular support in April 2010-was characterized by groundbreaking legislative changes and fevered domestic political debates (especially on a new media law and on the new constitution).1 These debates received broad media coverage and public attention both at home and in the international arena, which threatened to overshadow Hungary's turn in the presidency of the European Union (EU). In this context the Hungarian government attributed outstanding importance to its performance during the rotating presidency semester. As with each member state, during its presidency Hungary attempted leave a strong imprint of its own vision on European politics. In the first half of 2011 three main policies reflect this approach: efforts to strengthen economic cooperation in the EU, the improvement of regional cooperation in Central Europe, and the adoption of a European Roma Strategy. The EU Council and the Hungarian presidency There are two main approaches to understanding the role of the presidency. One school of thought argues that the EU Council presidency is a supranational, technical role which, although a great responsibility for the state that holds it, does not return any particular political power.2 It offers no significant opportunities to member states to pursue their own agenda, but is restricted to the management of a common EU policy agenda. However, a second school of thought promotes a more intergovernmental approach, arguing that the presidency offers a unique opportunity for member states to lead the European agenda and to pursue their national interest from a privileged position.3 One can find relevant periods in the history of European integration that support both interpretations, but a convincing argument is perhaps that: [...] the significance of the Presidency for the member states has varied throughout the process of European integration in accordance with the transformation of this institution and that such transformation has been driven by the institutional decisions taken by the member states at critical points in the history of European construction.4 From this perspective, since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force the role of the member state holding the presidency has been more limited than before-both in its competencies and in its shared role with the permanent president of the European Council- reflecting a lower profile position than in earlier phases of integration. We thus need to take into consideration Hungary's restricted ability to manoeuvre in accordance with its own priorities and initiatives. In fact the main elements of the presidency's program are broadly reflective of issues that have been on the EU policy agenda for a longer period of time-for example, enlargement, closer economic cooperation, and macro-regional strategies. However, prioritization is important here and may provide the best indication of the political preferences of the member state presidency. Hungary's strong support for closing accession negotiations with Croatia, its support for Romania and Bulgaria in their quest to join the Schengen group, and the promotion of regional cooperation through the Danube Region Strategy, all underpinned the importance of neighbourhood relations. The adoption of a Roma Strategy was quite uniquely associated with Hungary's long-time policy to address problematic minority issues, including within the EU. Hungary took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January 2011, launching its program under the slogan, "Strong Europe with a Human Touch". The Hungarian government identified four main priorities: growth and employment for preserving the European social model; strengthening EU policies in the field of energy, food and water; the creation of a citizen friendly Union; and the promotion of enlargement. …


AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been proposed to be a therapeutic target for patients with type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. In skeletal muscle AMPK stimulates glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation, whereas in liver it inhibits fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. The Rab GTPase activating proteins Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160) and tre-2/USP6, BUB2, cdc16 domain family member 1 (TBC1C1) have been identified as potential targets of both protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) and AMPK which mediate glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in response to insulin and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) respectively in muscle. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that AICAR modestly stimulates basal glucose transport, yet inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which is in contrast to the effect of AICAR in skeletal muscle. Currently the role of AMPK in adipocytes remains poorly characterised despite the importance of fat tissue in energy homeostasis. To address this, the molecular mechanism of AMPK activation by known stimuli, the acute effect of various AMPK activators on glucose transport, the effect of AMPK inhibition and knockdown on AICAR mediated inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport and the effect of acute AICAR treatment on PKB substrate phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated. In addition the effect of sustained AMPK activation on glucose transport and insulin signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the effect of sustained AMPK activation on insulin signaling in human adipose tissue was also investigated.
The AMPK activators; sorbitol, metformin, rosiglitazone, arsenite, azide, hydrogen peroxide and isoproterenol were all shown to stimulate AMPK activity in the presence of the Ca2+/Calmodulin dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) inhibitor STO-609, suggesting that these activators activate AMPK via a CaMKK-independent pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, A23187-stimulated AMPK activity was abrogated in the presence of STO-609. Isoproterenol, sodium azide and rosiglitazone, were all shown to cause an increase in the ADP/ATP ratio in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to control as assessed by high performance liquid chromatography, suggesting that they stimulate AMPK activity in an LKB1-dependent manner. These results suggest a possible role for CaMKK as an upstream AMPK kinase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in addition to LKB1. There may also exist other upstream AMPK kinases in 3T3-L1 adipocytes that are both nucleotide and calcium independent since sorbitol, metformin, arsenite, hydrogen peroxide and leptin were found to activate AMPK independently of CaMKK and also showed no significant effect on adenine nucleotide ratios.
Sorbitol, rosiglitazone, AICAR, isoproterenol and A769662 all significantly inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Furthermore, in the presence of the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C, the inhibitory effect of AICAR on insulin-stimulated glucose transport was no longer apparent. However, AICAR still displayed a tendency to inhibit insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes infected with adenoviruses expressing a dominant negative AMPK mutant.The effect of AICAR on basal and insulin-stimulated AS160/TBC1D1 phosphorylation at phospho-Akt substrate (PAS) sites, was assessed. AICAR did not alter AS160/TBC1D1 phosphorylation compared to basal levels, nor perturb insulin-stimulated AS160/TBC1D1 phosphorylation at PAS sites. In addition, AICAR did not appear to alter the phosphorylation of any other proteins at PAS sites. Prolonged AMPK activation by AICAR in 3T3-L1 adipocytes also significantly inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose transport and was not associated with altered PKB protein expression or insulin-stimulated PKB Ser473 phosphorylation. In addition, chronic AMPK activation by metformin in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic subjects was not associated with altered expression of three key insulin signalling molecules; PKB, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p85 subunit and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1). Overall these results suggest a prominent role for LKB1 as an AMPK kinase and a potential role for CaMKK as an AMPK kinase in adipocytes. This study also suggests that both acute and prolonged AMPK activation in adipocytes inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, however the precise mechanism of inhibition has yet to be elucidated.


Recent improvements in the understanding of glioblastoma (GBM) have allowed for increased ability to develop specific, targeted therapies. In parallel, however, there is a need for effective methods of delivery to circumvent the therapeutic obstacles presented by the blood-brain barrier and systemic side effects. The ideal delivery system should allow for adequate targeting of the tumor while minimizing systemic exposure, applicability across a wide range of potential therapies, and have existing safe and efficacious systems that allow for widespread application. Though many alternatives to systemic delivery have been developed, this paper will focus on our experience with convection-enhanced delivery (CED) and our focus on translating this technology from pre-clinical studies to the treatment of human GBM.


The stress experienced by parents at the time of diagnosis and hospitalization for their infant's congenital heart defect (CHD) is well recognized by healthcare professionals. Increased parenting stress has been negatively correlated with development in low birthweight infants. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the parenting stress as experienced by parents of infants with CHD during their first six months of life. In addition, the relationship between parenting stress and the growth and development of infants with CHD was explored. Due to the transactional nature of mother-infant interaction, both directions of this relationship were examined, the factors of parenting stress predictive of growth and development and the factors of growth and development predictive of parenting stress. The change in stress over time was also evaluated. From a larger parent study examining feeding and energy balance in infants with CHD during their first year of life, 60 mother-infant dyads with complete data were selected. Thirty-five of these infants had a CHD (11 with single ventricle [SV] physiology) and 25 were healthy controls. Mothers completed infant temperament questionnaires and the Parenting Stress Index at 3 and 6 months, growth was also measured at these time points, and development was measured at 6 months utilizing the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. There were marked differences between subjects and controls; however, infants with SV physiology were found to bear an unequal share of adverse outcomes for infant temperament, parenting stress, and growth. Parenting stress correlated with and predicted growth and development. Growth and development however, did not predict parenting stress. It was predicted by temperament characteristics that comprise the "difficult" child constellation. Parenting stress decreased over time for all three groups. These original findings support the incorporation of parenting stress as a psychosocial variable in the exploration of biological phenomena such as infant growth and development. The importance of anticipatory guidance for parents of infants with SV physiology is stressed as well as the continued investigation of dyads to determine if the reported relationships in the first 6 months existed throughout the first year of life. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Nursing First Advisor Barbara Medoff-Cooper Second Advisor Martha A. Q. Curley This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/74 Third Advisor Janet A. Deatrick


The aim of this investigation is to study the capabilities of Capillary Electrophoresis for the separation of metal cations particularly group I, group II and transition metals in liquid samples. An acac, oxalic acid and acetic acid were employed for the separation of mono and divalent cations via UV/Vis detection. However, the separation of metal cations from group I & II are not possible with the buffer alone without a complexing reagents. In addition, the presence of background electrolyte such as 4-methylbenzylamine and methanol at different concentration in the buffer solution will affect the peak separations. Therefore, the optimisation of the background electrolyte was required to eanable the simultaneous separation of the metal cations. Other factors such as pH, ionic strength and viscosity were also demonstrated for the high performance of the separation of metal cations. An increases the pH buffer, the migration times of all solutes decrease due to an increase in the EOF. As the pH of buffer is increases, the metal cations becomes progressively less protonated and its apparent mobility decreases. An oxalic acid shows poor separation compared to other complexing reagent (K, Na, Ca, Mg and Cd). Good reproducibility for migration times (SD 0.03-0.29, n = 10; F-0bs < Fcrit-)* sensitive detection limits (0.1-0.5 ppm), not satisfactory working ranges (0-1 ppm, R = < 0.97), baseline separation, peak efficiencies (52,341-265,047 theoretical plates) were obtained for K, Na, Ca, Mg and Cd. The combination of 20 mmol/L acetic acid, 10 mmol/L 4-methylbenzylamine and 50% methanol (pH 3.5) was enabled a separation of 14 metals in less than 7 min. However, separation of Fe did not prove possible with this buffer. Good reproducibility for migration times (SD 0.07-0.19, n = 10; Fobs < Fcrit.), sensitive detection limits (0.12-0.94 ppm), satisfactory working ranges (1-40 ppm, R-2 = 0.9841 to 0.9977), baseline separation, peak efficiencies (204,494-609,667 theoretical plates) were obtained for Na, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Al, Cu and Pb. A complete separation of 8 metal cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Co, Ni, Cd and Pb) was achieved in less than 8.5 min using 10 mmol/L acac, 10 mmol/L 4-methylbenzylamine and 50% methanol (pH 4.0). Good reproducibility for migration times (SD 0.10-0.23, n = 10; Fobs sensitive detection limits (0.17-0.76 ppm), not satisfactory working ranges (1-25 ppm, R-2 < 0.95), baseline separation, peak efficiencies (178,163-223,749 theoretical plates) were obtained for K, Na, Ca, Mg, Co, Ni, Cd and Pb. The separation of metal cations in mineral water by CE is quite straight forward compared to ion chromatograph (IC). Lactic acid was found as an excellent complexing reagent for the separation metal cations in acid mine discharges by CE-UV/Vis detection. Good sensitivity and satisfactory working ranges (1-20 ppm, R-2= 0.9907 to 0.9928), baseline separation, peak efficiencies (114,719-774,365 theoretical plates) were obtained for K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe. A new developed method for the separation of 13 metal cations (K, Ba, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Cu) was achieved in less than 8.5 min using the buffer conditions of 20 mol/L lactic acid, 15 mmol/L LiOH, 10% MeOH (pH 4.3) by CE with conductivity detection. Good reproducibility for migration times (standard deviation, SD 0.03-0.23, n = 10, Fobs < Fcritt.), sensitive detection limits (0.4-2.9 ppm), satisfactory working ranges (1-100 ppm, R-2 = 0.9905 to 0.9960 except for Fe), baseline separation, peak efficiencies (311,782-770,735 theoretical plates) were obtained for K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe in acid mine discharged. Further development need to be carried out for improving the accuracy and precision of result in quantitative analysis for CE-Conductivity detection.


There is a growing appreciation that the regulation of the melatonergic pathways, both pineal and systemic, may be an important aspect in how viruses drive the cellular changes that underpin their control of cellular function. We review the melatonergic pathway role in viral infections, emphasizing influenza and covid‐19 infections. Viral, or preexistent, suppression of pineal melatonin disinhibits neutrophil attraction, thereby contributing to an initial "cytokine storm", as well as the regulation of other immune cells. Melatonin induces the circadian gene, Bmal1, which disinhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), countering viral inhibition of Bmal1/PDC. PDC drives mitochondrial conversion of pyruvate to acetyl‐coenzyme A (acetyl‐CoA), thereby increasing the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production. Pineal melatonin suppression attenuates this, preventing the circadian "resetting" of mitochondrial metabolism. This is especially relevant in immune cells, where shifting metabolism from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation, switches cells from reactive to quiescent phenotypes. Acetyl‐CoA is a necessary cosubstrate for arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase, providing an acetyl group to serotonin, and thereby initiating the melatonergic pathway. Consequently, pineal melatonin regulates mitochondrial melatonin and immune cell phenotype. Virus‐ and cytokine‐storm‐driven control of the pineal and mitochondrial melatonergic pathway therefore regulates immune responses. Virus‐and cytokine storm‐driven changes also increase gut permeability and dysbiosis, thereby suppressing levels of the short‐chain fatty acid, butyrate, and increasing circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The alterations in butyrate and LPS can promote viral replication and host symptom severity via impacts on the melatonergic pathway. Focussing on immune regulators has treatment implications for covid‐19 and other viral infections.


Despite continuous measures to control air pollution, large fractions of the population across the world are still exposed to potentially dangerous pollutant concentration levels. Research continues to increase in the area of air pollution with focus on different pollutants and regions. A particular emphasis is on the understanding of the formation of secondary pollutants as their relationships with primary pollutants are complex. One of the key factors that influences these complex relationships is the regional characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, and solar radiations. Arid regions are of particular concern as the characteristics, especially, extreme temperatures and dust storms, deteriorate air quality significantly. The study area chosen for this research is the Riyadh region in Saudi Arabia. Improving the air quality in this region requires further understanding of the formation of secondary pollutants, particularly ozone (O₃). Generally, Photochemical Air Quality Models (PAQM) are employed to study the formation of secondary pollutants in the atmosphere. This research configured high-resolution Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model over the area to study the research objectives. This model could be utilized to study various strategies to mitigate photochemical smog formation in the region.
The regional characteristics have significant roles in atmospheric chemical mechanisms, and an effective mitigation plan is important for successful air quality management; hence getting a better understanding of the chemical mechanisms is pivotal. This thesis investigated various chemical mechanisms that are present in PAQM constraining with the observed data resulting in the identification of the most appropriate mechanism for arid regions. The key chemical reactions and corresponding kinetics were also ascertained. The identified chemical mechanism will serve as a benchmark for any future implementation of PAQM in Riyadh as well as similar regions.
Conventionally, deterministic PAQMs are applied to evaluate the efficacy of a control strategy to achieve air quality standards. Uncertainties are inherent in any mathematical model, including PAQM, and are specific to regional characteristics. Ignoring model uncertainties might yield a false sense of precision about pollutant response to emission controls. Hence, such uncertainties must be identified and quantified for the selection of control policies. This research identified key factors influencing the O₃ precursor responsiveness and characterized the parametric uncertainties influencing the prediction of O₃ to precursor emissions.
Devising an appropriate mitigation plan also requires running PAQM for a number of scenarios, which is computationally challenging. To overcome this computational burden, an efficient Reduced Form Model (RFM) was developed. It characterizes the impact of uncertainties in model input parameters on O₃ response to not only precursor emissions (NOₓ and VOCs) but also to dust emissions.
The development of an efficient RFM allowed the use of a probabilistic framework to study the impact of various emission mitigation and dust increase scenarios. This RFM enabled the understanding of the impact of various emission reductions on the formation of O₃. The newly incorporated dust parameter in the RFM revealed that the relationship of dust concentrations with O₃ formation is nonlinear. Initially, O₃ concentration decreased with the increase of dust and later increased.
The configured PAQM, the identified atmospheric chemical mechanism, and the developed RFM (incorporating the new dust parameter) would facilitate the responsible authorities in devising appropriate O₃ reduction strategies for the study area and similar regions.
The endeavour undertaken in this research to advance the understanding of PAQM in arid conditions opens up several avenues of further research. The developed RFM has a potential to be improved, such as adding more types of uncertainties (structural and meteorological) and further validating with comprehensive observed data. Additionally, the RFM could be integrated with economics and health uncertainty models to study the cost of mitigation plans and health impacts. Moreover, air chambers can be setup to get more insight into chemical kinetics under arid conditions especially the role of heterogeneous reactions of NOₓ with dust particles.


A range of parameters thought to contribute to intra-specific variation in mercury levels were investigated using the feathers and blood of adult great skuas Catharacta skua from 2 northeast Atlantic colonies as sampling units. Different feather types and blood were taken to represent intake over different temporal scales Mercury concentrations and stable isotope signatures of these tissues were determined. General linear models demonstrated that trophic status, as indicated by FI5N, had an influence on tissue mercury concentrations. However this effect was relatively minor compared to that of foraging area. Samples of the same feather types from the same individuals in consecutive years suggest that a factor other than dietary specialisation and foraging area is of major importance in determining intra-specific variability in mercury levels. It was concluded that there are a number of interacting factors contributing to intra-specific variability in mercury levels and the relative importance of these factors varies both spatially and temporally.


by Jonathan W. Nauser Research concerning the effects of music has historically focused on the effects of mood, physiology, and other aspects of human cognition but little research has examined the temporary personality effects from watching violent music videos. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of viewing violence-based music videos on several personality traits. Data were gathered from 201 undergraduate students at the University of Central Missouri. Participants were placed into one of three groups varying in violence present in the music video, and completed a self-report packet of questionnaires. Analysis showed that responses from the varying conditions differed in the Dark Triad while indicating that the groups did not differ on the word search paradigm and empathy measure. Further investigation is suggested to better understand the relationship between the Dark Triad personality factors and empathy. It is also suggested that music videos continue to be in regard to the Dark Triad traits. VIOLENCE IN MUSIC VIDEOS: EXAMINING TEMPORARY PERSONALITY EFFECTS ON THE DARK TRIAD By Jonathan W. Nauser February 2015 APPROVED: Thesis Chair: Dr. David Kreiner Thesis Committee Member: Dr. Hyeyeon Hwang Thesis Committee Member: Dr. Steven Schuetz ACCEPTED: Chair, Department of Psychological Science: Dr. David Kreiner UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI


This article uses post-referendum Flash-Eurobarometer surveys to analyse empirically voter attitudes towards the EU Constitution in four member states. The theoretical model used incorporates first and second order variables for voting to ascertain whether the outcome of the vote was a reflection of either first or second order voting behaviour. It is hypothesised that the cleavage politics over integration in the European arena had a major impact on the four votes, as captured by three first order variables: 'Europhile' and 'Constitution-phile' attitudes and 'Egocentric Europeanness', respectively. The quantitative analyses – controlling for a number of dimensions – strongly supports the hypothesis when compared with a model using solely second order party identification variables. These findings establish that how voters understood the EU polity, in particular whether membership is beneficial to one's own country, was a crucial factor in all the referendums. Implications for future research include the need to discover the cues or proxies influencing first order voting within domestic politics.


Decades after the wave of penal codification set in motion by the Model Penal Code project (1953-1962), American penal law is still taught largely as a common law subject. Penal law casebooks, which have remained the dominant teaching tools, continue to collect court opinions from various times and places with little regard for the complexities of comparative legal analysis or the systematic unity of penal law. Despite their often breathtaking cross-temporal and cross-jurisdictional sweep, traditional casebooks fail to capture the enormous variety of norms and sources of modern penal law, ranging from genocide proscriptions to provisions pertaining to the proper operation of a bicycle, on the one hand, and from penal codes and other legislative enactments at the state and federal level, along with regulations issued by state and federal executive agencies, to penal norms promulgated by lower-level governmental entities, including counties, cities, towns, and villages, on the other. This paper instead develops an approach to the study and teaching of American penal law that is code-based, comparative, and comprehensive. Concluding that a new approach to American penal law also requires a new medium, the paper then outlines web-based teaching materials designed to put the proposed approach into pedagogic practice.


Our main goal in this paper is to set the foundations of a general continuous-domain framework for designing steerable, reversible signal transformations (a.k.a. frames) in multiple dimensions (d ¿ 2). To that end, we introduce a self-reversible, Nth-order extension of the Riesz transform. We prove that this generalized transform has the following remarkable properties: shift-invariance, scale-invariance, inner-product preservation, and steerability. The pleasing consequence is that the transform maps any primary wavelet frame (or basis) of L 2( \BBR d) into another ¿steerable¿ wavelet frame, while preserving the frame bounds. The concept provides a functional counterpart to Simoncelli's steerable pyramid whose construction was primarily based on filterbank design. The proposed mechanism allows for the specification of wavelets with any order of steerability in any number of dimensions; it also yields a perfect reconstruction filterbank algorithm. We illustrate the method with the design of a novel family of multidimensional Riesz-Laplace wavelets that essentially behave like the N th-order partial derivatives of an isotropic Gaussian kernel.


Maximization of power from a solar photovoltaic module is of special interest as the efficiency of the solar PV module is very low. A peak power tracker is used for extracting the maximum power from the solar PV module. In the present work we analyze the design and the simulation of the maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for the solar PV array connected to three phase grid. In our studies, we conceived a PV system where the PV generator is the panel NA-901(WQ). The MPPT system has been tested on Solar PV Module (Micro-amorphous silicon thin-film) rated 90Wpeak at 49.3V, 1.83A at 25 degree Celsius and 1000W/m2 (STC). The simulation studies are carried out in MATLAB /SIMULINK.


Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a key role in hy- drological impact studies and operational flood forecasting models as ET represents a loss of water from a catchment. Although ET is a major component of the catchment wa- ter balance, the evapotranspiration input for rainfall-runoff models is often simplified in contrast to the detailed estimates of catchment averaged precipitation. In this study, an existing conceptual rainfall-runoff model calibrated for and operational in the Bellebeek catchment in Belgium firstly has been validated and its sensitivity to differ- ent available potential ET input has been studied. It has been shown that when applying a calibrated rainfall-runoff model, the model input should be consistent with the input used for the calibration process, not only on the volume of ET, but also on the seasonal pattern. Secondly, estimates of the actual evapotranspiration based on measurements of a large aper- ture scintillometer (LAS) have been used as model forcing in the rainfall-runoff model. From this analysis, it has been shown that the actual evapotranspiration is a crucial factor in simulating the catchment water balance and the resulting stream flow. Regarding the actual evapotranspiration estimates from the LAS, it has been concluded that they can be considered re- alistic in summer months. In the months where stable condi- tions prevail (autumn, winter and (early) spring), an underes- timation of the actual evapotranspiration is made, which has an important impact on the catchment's water balance.


A Research Report submitted to the
Faculty of Business Administration,
University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the Degree
of Master of Management.


Like some of our predecessors we begin our tenure as editors of The Weta by considering the remit and scope of the bulletin, and making a request for the submission of more papers. We realize that there is increasing pressure for professional entomologists to develop a portfolio of published work of increasing size and quality. These days, a CV containing an impressive publication list in terms of numbers of papers and a presence in high impact journals is almost an essential prerequisite for achieving even steady career advancement. In New Zealand this phenomenon is compounded by the Performance-Based Research Fund exercise, which rewards establishments whose staff members have published high numbers of papers in high-ranking journals. These high quality publications generally require high quality funding, but without the papers the funding is difficult to obtain, and without the funding it is difficult to carry out high quality research... and so the circle continues. Not surprisingly, this situation tends not to motivate authors to publish their findings in a society bulletin such as this, especially if there is even the slimmest of chances the work may eventually find its way into a more prestigious journal.


Carbon-13 and oxygen-18 abundances were measured in large mammal skeletal remains (tooth enamel, dentine and bone) from the Chiwondo Beds in Malawi, which were dated by biostratigraphic correlation to ca. 2.5 million years ago. The biologic isotopic patterns, in particular the difference in carbon-13 abundances between grazers and browsers and the difference in oxygen-18 abundances between semi-aquatic and terrestrial herbivores, were preserved in enamel, but not in dentine and bone. The isotopic results obtained from the skeletal remains from the Chiwondo Beds indicate a dominance of savannah habitats with some trees and shrubs. This environment was more arid than the contemporaneous Ndolanya Beds in Tanzania. The present study confirms that robust australopithecines were able to live in relatively arid environments and were not confined to more mesic environments elsewhere in southern Africa.


Rapid education expansion and rising income inequality are two striking phenomena occurring in China during the transitional period. Using the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data collected in 1997 and 2006, this paper studies how education affects individual earnings during the transitional process. We find that education accounts for only a small fraction of the personal earnings and income gap between different groups. We analyze the underlying mechanism of the impact of education on earning. More educated people tend to enter state-owned sectors, have a low probability of changing jobs in the labor market and work less time; all of these will have a pronounced impact on earning and income inequality. Quantile regression analysis shows that the low-income group's education return rate is lower, which helps little in narrowing the income gap. We decompose the earning gap into four factors: population effect, price effect, labor choice effect and unobservable effect. In explaining the earning gap in China, the price effect is more important than the population effect. The labor choice effect is also significant. We conclude that increasing educational expenditure with no complementary measures such as reforming the education system and establishing a competitive labor market helps less in reducing income inequality. 2010


It is nearly universally presumed that redistribution can be carried out effectively only at the national or even global level, because local redistribution will be negated through personal mobility: recipients will move to high-paying jurisdictions while taxpayers will move away from those jurisdictions. To avoid this situation requires redistribution to be concentrated at national and not at local levels. In contrast to this standard line of argument, we explain how it is that redistribution is more effectively pursued at local than at national levels. To explain this reversal from standard analytical implications, we integrate three concepts that are not present in the standard analysis. These concepts are the Samaritan's dilemma, co-production, and polycentricity. It is interaction among these three concepts that reverses the implications of the standard analysis of redistribution.


Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, policy makers, supported by a plethora of publications, favoured a marketing approach to the management of educational institutions. While the origins of the approach could be traced to US practice and British legislation, its application found support throughout the Anglophone world. Unlike the application of marketing principles in business, which is uniform, a variety of approaches were applied in education. Similarly, unlike in business where marketing principles are still generally applied, the application of marketing principles in education has all but disappeared. This article uses concepts drawn from the work of Michael Foucault, and undertakes a critical discourse analysis of international literature on marketing in education, with a reflection of the application of marketing principles to the South African education environment. Summary statement of contribution: The study on which this article is based used discourse analysis to analyse the application of marketing principles to the field of education, with a particular focus on education in South Africa. The article provides a summary of various approaches applied and accounts for lack of acceptance of marketing principles by the education community in South Africa.


Abstract. Despite the potential influence of iodine chemistry on the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere, reactive iodine distributions and their impact on tropospheric ozone remain almost unexplored aspects of the global atmosphere. Here we present a comprehensive global modelling experiment aimed at estimating lower and upper limits of the inorganic iodine burden and its impact on tropospheric ozone. Two sets of simulations without and with the photolysis of IxOy oxides (i.e. I2O2, I2O3 and I2O4) were conducted to define the range of inorganic iodine loading, partitioning and impact in the troposphere. Our results show that the most abundant daytime iodine species throughout the middle to upper troposphere is atomic iodine, with an annual average tropical abundance of (0.15–0.55) pptv. We propose the existence of a "tropical ring of atomic iodine" that peaks in the tropical upper troposphere (~11–14 km) at the equator and extends to the sub-tropics (30° N–30° S). Annual average daytime I / IO ratios larger than 3 are modelled within the tropics, reaching ratios up to ~20 during vigorous uplift events within strong convective regions. We calculate that the integrated contribution of catalytic iodine reactions to the total rate of tropospheric ozone loss (IOx Loss) is 2–5 times larger than the combined bromine and chlorine cycles. When IxOy photolysis is included, IOx Loss represents an upper limit of approximately 27, 14 and 27% of the tropical annual ozone loss for the marine boundary layer (MBL), free troposphere (FT) and upper troposphere (UT), respectively, while the lower limit throughout the tropical troposphere is ~9%. Our results indicate that iodine is the second strongest ozone-depleting family throughout the global marine UT and in the tropical MBL. We suggest that (i) iodine sources and its chemistry need to be included in global tropospheric chemistry models, (ii) experimental programs designed to quantify the iodine budget in the troposphere should include a strategy for the measurement of atomic I, and (iii) laboratory programs are needed to characterize the photochemistry of higher iodine oxides to determine their atmospheric fate since they can potentially dominate halogen-catalysed ozone destruction in the troposphere.


The transformation of e-Government to Smart Government services triggered many research in the area of business process change, information use and nature of business integration in the changing work system environment to realize organizational benefits. This paper addresses the question, "How can IS sustainability (ISS) benefits be conceptualized in the transformation of Government services?" This study build on the BeliefAction-Outcome (BAO) Framework that leverage on the Information System Integration (ISI) and Work System Theory (WST) and suggest that organizational memory and informational system's ability to achieve organizational knowledge sustainability in realizing ISS benefits. The study couple this theoretical understanding and previous research on ISS benefits embedded in ISI under grids the explanation of our approach to measure an organization's ISS benefits. Our measurement approach considers (1) the ability of organizational memory and informational system's integration in the business processes that enable ISS realization, (2) the collaborations of stakeholders in business and system change, and (3) the organization's ability in maintaining the equilibrium between work system elements. The research contributions is on ISS and government service transformation in specifying a conceptual model that link ISS benefits and ISI building upon BOA framework and WST, simultaneously giving adequate understanding of the implication and realization practice of ISS benefits during business change and government service transformation. In sum, the study provides insights into social and organizational perspective of sustainability, i.e. organizational knowledge as a valuable asset in sustaining government services.


The Ogaki Dam Reservoir is one of the principal irrigation dam reservoirs in the Fukushima Prefecture and its upstream river basin was heavily contaminated by radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. For the purpose of environmental assessment, it is important to determine the present condition of the water in the reservoir and to understand the behavior of sediment-sorbed radioactive cesium under different modes of operation of the dam, as these factors affect further contamination of arable farmlands downstream of the reservoir through sediment migration. This paper addresses this issue with numerical simulations of fluvial processes in the reservoir using the two-dimensional Nays2D code. We distinguish three grades of sediment (clay, silt, and sand), as cesium adherence depends on sediment grain size and surface area. Boundary conditions for the simulations were informed by monitoring data of the upstream catchment and by the results from a separate watershed simulation for sediment transport into the reservoir. The performance of the simulation method was checked by comparing the results for a typhoon flood in September 2013 against field monitoring data. We present results for sediment deposition on the reservoir bed and the discharge via the dam under typical yearly flood conditions, for which the bulk of annual sediment migration from the reservoir occurs. The simulations show that almost all the sand and silt that enter into the reservoir deposit onto the reservoir bed. However, the locations where they tend to deposit differ, with sand tending to deposit close to the entrance of the reservoir, whereas silt deposits throughout the reservoir. Both sand and silt settle within a few hours of entering the reservoir. In contrast, clay remains suspended in the reservoir water for a period as long as several days, thus increasing the amount that is discharged downstream from the reservoir. Under the current operating mode of the dam, about three-quarters of clay that enters the reservoir during the flood is discharged downstream during and in the days following the flood. By raising the height of the dam exit, the amount of clay exiting the reservoir can be reduced by a factor of three. The results indicate that the dam can be operated to buffer radioactive cesium and limit the contamination spreading into lowland areas of the Ukedo River basin. These results should be a factor in considerations for the future operation of the Ogaki Dam, and will be of interest for other operators of dam reservoirs in areas contaminated by radioactive fallout.


BACKGROUND & AIM
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). In the last years many efforts have been dedicated to the research of widely accepted criteria for the early diagnosis of SSc. Since studies on the prevalence of early SSc in PBC patients are lacking, our aim was to investigate its hitherto unknown prevalence in a large cohort of PBC patients.

METHODS
We studied 80 PBC patients and 72 patients with other chronic liver diseases. Diagnostic workup included research into signs of connective tissue disease, determination of autoantibody profile, and examination of capillary abnormalities through nailfold videocapillaroscopy.

RESULTS
Ten PBC patients (12.5%) satisfied diagnostic criteria for early SSc and 5 (6.3%) had definite SSc. None of the patients in the control group were diagnosed either with early or definite SSc. No differences were observed in terms of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and liver function tests between PBC patients with and without associated SSc.

CONCLUSIONS
Early SSc is significantly frequent in PBC patients. The detection of early SSc in PBC patients may lead to a prompt treatment of its complications, preventing inabilities and preserving the chance of liver transplantation.