In a pair of back-to-back studies, Salvador et al. defined a new pathway to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 in T cells and identified a suppressor of signaling through this pathway. MAPKs are activated in numerous cell types through a well-known cascade in which MAPK kinase kinases (MAPKKKs) activate MAPK kinases (MAPKKs), which activate MAPKs (see Rudd). Salvador et al. found that, in CD4+ T cells, T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation led to autophosphorylation of p38 MAPK through a process that did not require the conventional MAPK cascade. TCR-mediated phosphorylation of p38 did not depend on linker of activated T cells (LAT), although LAT was necessary for phosphorylation of the MAPKs ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2). The Src tyrosine kinase Lck was required for activation of p38, as was the tyrosine kinase Zap70. The TCR-mediated alternative pathway involved p38 phosphorylation on tyrosine 323 (Tyr323), leading to autophosphorylation of p38, as well as to phosphorylation of its substrates. Although Lck and Zap70 both phosphorylated p38 on Tyr323 in vitro, analysis of cells lacking Zap70 suggested that Zap70 acted downstream of Lck in p38 activation. Gadd45α (growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene) is an inhibitor of activation-induced T cell proliferation whose absence leads to hyperresponsive T cells and a lupus-like syndrome in mice. The same group showed that unstimulated T cells lacking Gadd45α exhibited enhanced p38 activity. Gadd45α directly inhibited p38 activity and also inhibited phosphorylation of p38 on Tyr323 by Zap70. Constitutive Tyr323 phosphorylation, autophosphorylation, and activation of p38 in Gadd45a−/− T cells were attenuated by inhibitors of Src tyrosine kinases. Thus, Gadd45α appears to prevent constitutive activation of T cell p38 through the alternative activation pathway. J. M. Salvador, P. R. Mittelstadt, T. Guszcynski, T. D. Copeland, H. Yamaguchi, E. Appella, A. J. Fornace Jr., J. D. Ashwell, Alternative p38 activation pathway mediated by T cell receptor-proximal tyrosine kinases. Nat. Immunol. 6, 390-395 (2005). [PubMed] J. M. Salvador, P. R. Mittelstadt, G. I. Belova, A. J. Fornace Jr., J. D. Ashwell, The autoimmune suppressor Gadd45α inhibits the T cell alternative p38 activation pathway. Nat. Immunol. 6, 396-402 (2005). [PubMed] C. E. Rudd, MAPK p38: Alternative and nonstressful in T cells. Nat. Immunol. 6, 368-370 (2005). [PubMed]


In the 1920s the name of Gerry Bouwer was on the lips of every South African motor sport enthusiast. He became the first man to do a return trip by ordinary sedan car between Cape Town and London via Cairo. The ideal of a Cape to Cairo connection dates back to Cecil John Rhodes. In the 1920s another Rand magnate and politician, Sir Abe Bailey, again mooted the immense advantages of an all-weather route from the Cape to Cairo built through British territory. In order for Abe Bailey to fulfil his political dream, he needed someone special to conquer Africa on wheels. Gerry Bouwer's determination, combined with his experience and driving skill, made him the ideal choice for the expedition. The expedition, consisting of Bouwer and two others, left Cape Town on 8 February 1928. Starting in February meant they would travel through Africa in the rainy season. The route took them through Johannesburg, Bulawayo, Abercorn, Nairobi, Khartoum, and along the Nile to Cairo. After a 94 day journey over dreadful roads, swamps, rivers and plagued by radiator-choking grass-seed and mosquitoes for weeks on end, they reached Cairo on 15 May. Bouwer started his solo return dash from London to Cape Town on 22 August. After leaving Cairo he reported that he had discovered a stowaway in his car, whom was revealed as his wife, Elaine, upon arrival in Johannesburg. On his arrival in Cape Town - within 40 days - he confessed that had it not been for her constant urging, he would never have completed the journey. The expedition showed that Africa was not as ""dark"" as expected and it was possible to travel the continent in an ordinary sedan. The venture was probably also one of the biggest advertising campaigns of its day (Chrysler, Dunlop, Mobiloil and Pegasus petrol benefitted from it). The Wall Street Crash of 1929 thwarted the ambitious all-weather route through Africa from becoming a reality.


Competition is a constitutive feature of capitalist societies. Social conflicts over the introduction, abolition and regulation of market organization are saturated with implicit moral arguments concerning the desirability of competition. Yet, unlike private property, exchange relations and social inequalities, economic competition has rarely been the explicit core of moral debates over capitalism. Drawing on a broad variety of social science literature, this article reconstructs, maps and systematizes ethical arguments about economic competition in capitalist societies. We discuss six contradictory rival views of economic competition and illustrate their influence by providing historical examples of the respective views in action in political-economic debates. This article serves as a mapping groundwork for reviving the systematic ethical debate on economic competition. In addition, our map of rival views lends itself to use as a structuring tool in empirical research on the moral economy and ideational embeddedness of capitalist societies, markets and firms.


The localized heating produced by a tightly focused infrared laser leads to surface tension gradients at the interface of microfluidic drops covered with surfactants, resulting in a net force on the drop whose origin and magnitude are the focus of this paper. First, by colocalization of the surfactant micelles with a fluorescent dye, we demonstrate that the heating alters their spatial distribution, driving the interface out of equilibrium. This soluto-capillary effect opposes and overcomes the purely thermal dependence of the surface tension, leading to reversed interfacial flows. As the surface of the drop is set into motion, recirculation rolls are created outside and inside the drop, which we measure using time-resolved micro-Particle Image Velocimetry. Second, the net force produced on the drop is measured using an original microfluidic design. For a drop 300 microm-long and 100 microm-wide, we obtain a force of 180 nN for a laser power of 100 mW. This micro-dynanometer further shows that the magnitude of the heating, which is determined by the laser power and its absorption in the water, sets the magnitude of the net force on the drop. On the other hand, the dynamics of the force generation is limited by the time scale for heating, which has independently been measured to be tau(Theta) = 4 ms. This time scale sets the maximum velocity that the drops can have and still be blocked, by requiring that the interface passes the laser spot in a time longer than tau(Theta). The maximum velocity is measured at U(max) = 0.7 mm/s for our geometric conditions. Finally, a scaling model is derived that describes the blocking force in a confined geometry as the result of the viscous stresses produced by the shear between the drop and the lateral walls.


The novel single-source surface integral equation has been recently proposed for an accurate extraction of per-unit-length resistance and inductance in 2-D conductors. This work presents a new surface integral equation for RL extraction in 3-D interconnects. The single-conductor example illustrates that the novel formulation exhibits a comparable RL extraction accuracy to traditional volume integral equation in a wide range of frequencies but at a significantly reduced cost.


This thesis is devoted to the study of optical spectra of thermonuclear supernovae, known as ``Type Ia'' supernovae (SN Ia). These violent stellar explosions, visible across a large fraction of the observable universe, are used to measure distances on cosmological scales. By directly probing the expansion dynamics of the universe, measurements of relative luminosity distances to SN Ia have shown the universal expansion to be accelerating. Such an acceleration can only be explained if the universe is pervaded by a new form of energy with negative pressure -- or ``Dark Energy'', such as Einstein's cosmological constant, Lambda.

The use of SN Ia as distance indicators requires the use of a purely empirical calibration scheme relating the shape of the SN~Ia light curve with its peak luminosity. Although this relation is well verified for SN Ia in the local universe, it lacks convincing theoretical basis. Moreover, in view of the current uncertainties in modeling the explosion mechanisms and inferring the progenitor systems of SN Ia, its extrapolation to higher redshifts could be systematically affected by evolutionary effects, thereby biasing the cosmological results.

Spectroscopy is better suited than photometry to make quantitative comparisons between SN Ia at different redshifts. Large amounts of information are conveyed by spectra on the properties of the ejecta (chemical composition, velocity/density gradients, excitation level); subtle differences, blurred together in photometric measurements, will show up in the spectra. However, comparisons of SN Ia at different redshifts have so far only been qualitative in nature. This thesis presents original results on a quantitative comparison, based on several analysis tools developed and/or tested during the course of the past three years.

The thesis is structured as follows: the first two chapters serve as an introduction to the reader on the cosmological use of SN Ia, and on their optical spectra (theory and observation). Chap. 3 (Blondin et al. 2005a) presents a two-dimensional deconvolution method to separate a supernova spectrum from the contaminating background of its host galaxy. This algorithm was used to reduce the SN~Ia spectra, taken with the ESO Very Large Telescope, presented in Matheson et al. 2005 (see Appendix A). In Chap. 4, we discuss the use of a cross-correlation tool to determine the redshift of a SN Ia based on its spectrum alone -- i.e., not relying on narrow lines in the spectrum of the host galaxy. The main focus of this thesis is Chap. 5 (Blondin et al. 2005b): using characteristics of line-profile shapes in SN Ia, we provide the first clear quantitative evidence that the high-redshift SN~Ia are indeed similar to their local counterparts, providing a confirmation of their use as reliable cosmological distance indicators. Finally, in Chap. 6 we present preliminary results on cosmological time-dilation effects in high-redshift SN Ia spectra.


A technique for temperature-insensitive force measurement using a single fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based on strain-gradient-induced reflection spectrum-bandwidth modulation and optical-power detection is demonstrated. A specially designed bending cantilever beam (BCB) is used to induce axial-strain gradient along the sensing FBG, resulting in a Bragg bandwidth modulation. The broadening of the FBG spectrum bandwidth and reflection optical power linearly change with the applied force, and both of them are insensitive to spatially uniform temperature variations. For a temperature range from 20 degC to 80 degC, a linear response of force measurement up to 20 N with fluctuation less than 0.8% full-scale is achieved without any temperature compensation. The demodulation process is simplified by optical-power detection via a p-i-n photodiode, and the sensing system is potentially cost-effective


In the Internet of Things era, an increasing number of everyday objects are able to offer innovative services to the user. However, most of these devices provide only smartphone or web user interfaces. As a result, the interaction is disconnected from the physical world, decreasing the user experience and increasing the risk of user alienation from the physical world. We argue that tangible interaction can counteract this trend and this article discusses the potential benefits and the still open challenges of tangible interaction applied to the Internet of Things. After an analysis of open challenges for Human-Computer Interaction in IoT, we summarize current trends in tangible interaction and extrapolate eight tangible interaction properties that could be exploited for designing novel interactions with IoT objects. Through a systematic review of tangible interaction applied to IoT, we show what has been already explored in the systems that pioneered the field and the future explorations that still have to be conducted. In order to guide future work in this field, we propose a design card set for supporting the generation of tangible interfaces for IoT objects. The card set has been evaluated during a workshop with 21 people and the results are discussed.


A method of allocation of Stokeslets and collocation points for the Boundary Singularity Method (BSM) is proposed to solve Stokes flows about single droplets and merging droplets settling on the surface of fibers in filtration process using moderate number of singularities. In the recent studies of optimal location of singularities for Stokes flows about spherical rigid particles, the location of Stokeslets was determined as a fraction of particle radius. The current study represents further extension to the Stokeslet allocation schemes that was developed in order to evaluate Stokes flowfield about single droplets and the "peanut-shape" clusters of merging droplets settling at relatively long cylindrical fibers. Three test problems are solved to demonstrate capability of the BSM and proposed schemes of allocation of singularities. The first problem is a cross-flow about cylindrical fiber with a spherical droplet settling at its equatorial plane. This flow is modeled for a range of ratios of droplet to fiber radii. The second problem is a cross-flow about droplet on a fiber at the range of angles between flow and fiber corresponding to position of droplet on fiber ranging from attached to equatorial point of fiber to the back of fiber. The third problem is the BSM computation of Stokes force exerted on a pair of merging droplets, one of which is sliding toward another along the fiber.


Will climate change stay below the 2 degree target in the 21st century on the basis of the COP 21 results? Looking into challenges and opportunities, this paper answers: To stay below the global 2dt is neither a real choice for the world society nor for businesses and civil societies in specific countries. It is a global guideline, scientifically developed for global negotiations, which should be broken down to national interests and actors. Key questions concerning the energy sector from the perspective of national interests are how to create and sustain a momentum for the inevitable energy transition, how to encourage disruptive innovations, avoid lock in effects, enable rapid deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energies etc. Or in other words: how to get to a competitive, economically benign, inclusive, low carbon and risk minimising energy system. With this background the paper argues that "burden sharing" is a misleading perception of strong climate mitigation strategies. It is more realistic to talk about "benefit sharing", using the monetary benefits and co-benefits of climate mitigation (e.g. energy cost savings, revenues from CO2-tax or emission trading systems) to help vulnerable national and international actors to adapt to the unavoidable climate risks. It has to be demonstrated on country level that the technologies and policy mix of strong climate mitigation and risk-minimising actions are indeed "benefit sharing" strategies which should be chosen anyhow, even if there was no climate change. For China and Germany this paper includes basic findings supporting this view.


The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is federal health care reform legislation that represents the most significant health insurance expansion since Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965. In this dissertation, I focus on how health insurance expansion affects the supply side of health care markets as well as health expenditures. While health insurance expansion potentially increases the demand for care, it also creates uncertainty, thereby impacting health care utilization, delivery, and input decisions. In my first chapter, I examine whether changes in health insurance coverage rates impact state-level health care delivery efficiency. Health care providers may vary in the accuracy of their demand forecasts, which could lead to inefficient excess capacity. My analysis reveals an average state-level efficiency score of 61 percent, suggesting significant underutilized inputs. I also find that states with higher insurance coverage rates tend to be less efficient. In my second chapter, I develop a theoretical framework that explains how a health insurance mandate impacts hospital input levels. To empirically investigate the channels of the framework, I use a ten-year panel of data to compare Massachusetts hospitals with those in other surrounding states. The results suggest that the Massachusetts health insurance mandate significantly reduced the demand for emergency care but left overall demand unchanged. It also significantly increased capacity. The increase in capacity without a corresponding increase in overall demand suggests inefficiency. In my third chapter, I explore the relationship between state-level health insurance coverage rates and Medicaid expenditures. My empirical results suggest that state


Mating signals can be used both in contexts of species recognition and mate quality assessment. This study examines species recognition abilities in oestrous females presented with male mating calls from both conspecifics and closely related allopatric heterospecifics. Red deer and sika deer are naturally allopatric polygynous species capable of hybridization during sympatry. Male mating calls are sexually selected and differ greatly between species. Previous work indicated that most but not all oestrous red deer hinds prefer male mating calls from conspecifics over heterospecific sika deer. Using two-speaker playback experiments, we extend this examination by measuring the preference responses of oestrous sika deer hinds to these stimuli. We predicted that oestrous sika deer hinds will show little flexibility in behavioural responses and prefer conspecific calls over heterospecific calls, similar to those of red deer hinds. In contrast, sika deer hinds showed high levels of flexibility and no difference in overall preference behaviours, suggesting that vocal behaviour does not provide a solid barrier to hybridization in this species. The asymmetry in heterospecific preference responses between these species is discussed in relation to possible causation and hybridization patterns observed in free-ranging populations.


This article explores the impact of structural and technological change on women's employment in the UK television industry. It looks at the challenges faced by women in working in what has become since the mid-1980s a largely freelance industry where short-term contracts, informal recruitment procedures and long, unpredictable work schedules mean that women find it increasingly difficult to combine a career and family. Through case studies of individual careers, of a women's magazine programme for S4C Digital and a survey of women's credits on a selection of the newer channels (Sky One, UK Living and Channel 5), it argues that technological advances in digital transmission and production will not improve working conditions and opportunities for women's participation in all areas of the industry if they continue to replicate existing practice.


This report describes the first of three experimental installations of open-graded friction course (OGFC) "quieter pavements" designed to reduce the noise generated at the tire/pavement interface. Experimental sections of OGFC were built using asphalt rubber (AR) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer modified asphalt binders. A section of conventional hot mix asphalt (HMA) served as the control section for the two experimental sections. The noise level of the OGFC-AR test section was audibly quieter than the HMA control section for only a period of four months after construction. The OGFC-SBS section was not initially audibly quieter than the HMA but attained that level of noise reduction for brief periods of time that extended to fourteen months after construction. The OGFC test sections were prone to excessive raveling and rutting, especially the OGFC-AR test section which in places wore through to the underlying pavement. The OGFC-AR test section was removed in the fall of 2010 after only four years of service due to safety concerns with vehicles having to cross the deep ruts during shifts of traffic necessary for the construction of new ramps for the Alderwood Mall interchange. Open graded friction course quieter pavements are not recommended for use in Washington State due to the short duration of their noise mitigation properties and higher life cycle cost.


Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO is reported for the complex, {fac-MnI([(MeO)2Ph]2bpy)(CO)3(CH3CN)}(OTf), containing four pendant methoxy groups, where [(MeO)2Ph]2bpy = 6,6'-bis(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine. In addition to a steric influence similar to that previously established [Sampson, M. D. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5460-5471] for the 6,6'-dimesityl-2,2'-bipyridine ligand in [fac-MnI(mes2bpy)(CO)3(CH3CN)](OTf), which prevents Mn0-Mn0 dimerization, the [(MeO)2Ph]2bpy ligand introduces an additional electronic influence combined with a weak allosteric hydrogen-bonding interaction that significantly lowers the activation barrier for C-OH bond cleavage from the metallocarboxylic acid intermediate. This provides access to the thus far elusive protonation-first pathway, minimizing the required overpotential for electrocatalytic CO2 to CO conversion by Mn(I) polypyridyl catalysts, while concurrently maintaining a respectable turnover frequency. Comprehensive electrochemical and computational studies here confirm the positive influence of the [(MeO)2Ph]2bpy ligand framework on electrocatalytic CO2 reduction and its dependence upon the concentration and pKa of the external Brønsted acid proton source (water, methanol, trifluoroethanol, and phenol) that is required for this class of manganese catalyst. Linear sweep voltammetry studies show that both phenol and trifluoroethanol as proton sources exhibit the largest protonation-first catalytic currents in combination with {fac-MnI([(MeO)2Ph]2bpy)(CO)3(CH3CN)}(OTf), saving up to 0.55 V in overpotential with respect to the thermodynamically demanding reduction-first pathway, while bulk electrolysis studies confirm a high product selectivity for CO formation. To gain further insight into catalyst activation, time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy combined with pulse-radiolysis (PR-TRIR), infrared spectroelectrochemistry, and density functional theory calculations were used to establish the v(CO) stretching frequencies and energetics of key redox intermediates relevant to catalyst activation.


Highlighting some of the tensions within Catholicism in Poland-Lithuania after the Council of Trent, this article offers a corrective to the traditional Jesuit-centred paradigm of Catholic renewal. While long held to be central to the successes of the Counter-Reformation, the Jesuits were opposed by large sections of the Catholic nobility, a paradox that has never been adequately explained. By exploring the conflicts between the Jesuits and the more established Dominican order, the phenomenon of Catholic anticlericalism can be understood as part of a wider dissonance in Catholic culture, and integral to the accommodation of noble and Catholic culture after Trent.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of orthopedic reinforced gloves on contamination events during small animal orthopedic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN
Prospective randomized controlled trial SAMPLE POPULATION: Two hundred and thirty-seven pairs of orthopedic gloves (474 gloves) and 203 pairs of double standard gloves (812 gloves) worn during 193 orthopedic procedures.

METHODS
Primary and assistant surgeons were randomized to wear either orthopedic reinforced gloves or double gloves. Gloves were leak tested to identify perforations at the end of procedures. Perforations detected intraoperatively or postoperatively were recorded. A contamination event was defined as at least one perforation on either hand for orthopedic reinforced gloves, or a perforation of both the inner and outer glove on the same hand for double gloves.

RESULTS
Baseline characteristics between the 2 intervention groups were similar. There was no difference in contamination events between the double-gloved and orthopedic gloved groups (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.49-1.87, P = .89). The same percentage of contamination events (8% glove pairs used) occurred in the double gloved group (17 contamination events) and in the orthopedic gloved group (19 contamination events). The odds of a contamination event increased by 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.03, P < .001) with each additional minute of surgery.

CONCLUSION
Orthopedic reinforced gloves and double standard gloving were equally effective at preventing contamination events in small animal orthopedic procedures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Surgeons reluctant to double glove due to perceptions of decreased dexterity and discomfort may safely opt for wearing orthopedic gloves, which may improve their compliance.


Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a Gram-negative bacterium, and Candida albicans, a polymorphic fungus, are both commensals of the oral cavity but both are opportunistic pathogens that can cause oral diseases. A. actinomycetemcomitans produces a quorum-sensing molecule called autoinducer-2 (AI-2), synthesized by LuxS, that plays an important role in expression of virulence factors, in intra- but also in interspecies communication. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AI-2 based signaling in the interactions between C. albicans and A. actinomycetemcomitans. A. actinomycetemcomitans adhered to C. albicans and inhibited biofilm formation by means of a molecule that was secreted during growth. C. albicans biofilm formation increased significantly when co-cultured with A. actinomycetemcomitans luxS, lacking AI-2 production. Addition of wild-type-derived spent medium or synthetic AI-2 to spent medium of the luxS strain, restored inhibition of C. albicans biofilm formation to wild-type levels. Addition of synthetic AI-2 significantly inhibited hypha formation of C. albicans possibly explaining the inhibition of biofilm formation. AI-2 of A. actinomycetemcomitans is synthesized by LuxS, accumulates during growth and inhibits C. albicans hypha- and biofilm formation. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between bacteria and fungi may provide important insight into the balance within complex oral microbial communities.


Indisputably the grande dame of modern design, Andree Putman burst onto the scene twenty-five years ago with the graphic, black-and-white interiors of the Morgans Hotel in New York. Since then Putman has gone on to redefine design for a diverse group of prestigious clients, including Karl Lagerfeld, the French Ministry of Culture, and the interior of the supersonic Concorde. Projects since 1980 range from museum interiors, a jewelry line for Christofle, private residences for global trendsetters, and a film set for Peter Greenaway. Putman's work is the epitome of chic, incorporating cashmere and leather with affordable ceramic tiles and industrial metals for interiors that speak volumes for Putman's unmistakable style of quiet luxury. The same attention to detail is given to a simple necklace as to furniture collections, grand offices, and entire spa hotels. Putman is also credited for the revival of once-forgotten early modernist designers, such as Eileen Gray, Robert Mallet-Stevens, and Jean-Michel Frank, whose designs she put back into production and used in her famous interiors. The first comprehensive monograph on Putman's essential designs in 20 years, Andree Putman Complete Works will be an indispensable road map of style and elegance to all lovers of modern design.


There is an increasing social expectation regarding the joint realisation of scientific and societal impact from publicly funded research. Achieving this goal involves facing important challenges, which affect individual researchers, research performing organisations, and the science governance system as a whole. This special section includes conceptual, methodological, and empirical papers that aim to contribute to the building of an improved appreciation of the factors and dynamics shaping the intertwined quest for scientific quality and societal impact.


U.S. Air Force (USAF) combat search and rescue (CSAR) aircrew and special duty rescue personnel are specially trained airmen with high levels of direct exposure to combat-related medical trauma. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence rate of CSAR military personnel meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition; DSM–5) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom criteria. USAF CSAR aircrew (n = 128) and rescue personnel (n = 300) across multiple units participated in the study by completing a demographics survey and the PTSD checklist based on DSM–5. Fourteen participants endorsed a pattern of symptoms of moderate to extreme level of severity meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria. Recommendations are provided for line and medical leadership to optimize health and performance among CSAR personnel.


This paper presents a single-stage alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) light-emitting diode (LED) tube lamp driver for energy-saving indoor lighting applications; this driver features power-factor corrections and soft switching, and also integrates a dual buck-boost converter with coupled inductors and a half-bridge series resonant converter cascaded with a bridge rectifier into a single-stage power-conversion topology. The features of the presented driver are high efficiency (>91%), satisfying power factor (PF > 0.96), low input-current total-harmonic distortion (THD < 10%), low output voltage ripple factor (<7.5%), low output current ripple factor (<8%), and zero-voltage switching (ZVS) obtained on both power switches. Operational principles are described in detail, and experimental results obtained from an 18 W-rated LED tube lamp for T8/T10 fluorescent lamp replacements with input utility-line voltages ranging from 100 V to 120 V have demonstrated the functionality of the presented driver suitable for indoor lighting applications.


Massive data streams from sensors and devices are prominent form of industrial data generated during condition-monitoring and diagnosis of complex systems. Data analytics and reasoning has emerged as a vital tool to harness massive data sets, providing insights into historical and real-time system conditions; enhanced decision support, reliability and cost reduction. However, application of data analytics is mainly challenged by the complexity of data-access, integration, domain-specific query support and contextual reasoning capabilities. The current state-of-the-art only uses dedicated scenarios and sensors, but this limits reuse, scalability and are not sufficient for an integrated solution. Our thesis investigates if semantic technology can be a potential solution to interact and leverage data analytics for operational use. First, we have studied related work and utilized ontology-based data access (OBDA) techniques for semantic interpretation of diagnosis for Siemens Turbine use-case. Secondly, we have extended our solution to support any analytical workflow by means of an ontology.


The Broadband Commission for Digital Development is an ITU (UN International Telecommunications Union) and UNESCO–backed body set up to advocate for greater broadband access worldwide. The commission's Declaration of Broadband Inclusion for All and other reports call for governments to support ubiquitous fixed broadband access as a vital tool for economic growth and to reach the Millennium Development Goals. Examining the evidence, however, shows that the benefits of broadband are being oversold. Several points stand out: (i) the evidence for a large positive economic impact of broadband is limited; (ii) the impact of broadband rollout on achieving the MDGs would be marginal; (iii) there is little evidence ubiquitous broadband is needed for 'national competitiveness' or to benefit from opportunities like business process outsourcing; (iv) the costs of fixed universal broadband rollout dwarf available resources in developing countries; (and so) (v) the case for government subsidy of fixed broadband rollout is very weak. There are, however, some worthwhile policy reforms that could speed broadband rollout without demanding significant government expenditure. Overselling Broadband: A Critique of the Recommendations of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development


OBJECTIVE To examine secular trends in diabetes-related preventable hospitalizations among adults with diabetes in the U.S. from 1998 to 2006. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used nationally representative data from the National Inpatient Sample to identify diabetes-related preventable hospitalizations. Based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Prevention Quality Indicators, we considered that hospitalizations associated with the following four conditions were preventable: uncontrolled diabetes, short-term complications, long-term complications, and lower-extremity amputations. Estimates of the number of adults with diabetes were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey. Rates of hospitalizations among adults with diabetes were derived and tested for trends. RESULTS Age-adjusted rates for overall diabetes-related preventable hospitalizations per 100 adults with diabetes declined 27%, from 5.2 to 3.8 during 1998–2006 (Ptrend < 0.01). This rate decreased significantly for all but not for short-term complication (58% for uncontrolled diabetes, 37% for lower-extremity amputations, 23% for long-term complications [all P < 0.01], and 15% for the short-term complication [P = 0.18]). Stratified by age-group and condition, the decline was significant for all age-condition groups (all P < 0.05) except short-term complications (P = 0.33) and long-term complications (P = 0.08) for the age-group 18–44 years. The decrease was significant for all sex-condition combination subgroups (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS We found a decrease in diabetes-related preventable hospitalizations in the U.S. from 1998 to 2006. This trend could reflect improvements in quality of primary care for individuals with diabetes.


The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for approximately 4,100 bridges and structures that are a part of the state's primary highway system, which includes the Interstate, US, and Iowa highway routes. A pilot study was conducted for six bridges in two Iowa river basins—the Cedar River Basin and the South Skunk River Basin—to develop a methodology to evaluate their vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather. The six bridges had been either closed or severely stressed by record streamflow within the past seven years. An innovative methodology was developed to generate streamflow scenarios given climate change projections. The methodology selected appropriate rainfall projection data to feed into a streamflow model that generated continuous peak annual streamflow series for 1960 through 2100, which were used as input to PeakFQ to estimate return intervals for floods. The methodology evaluated the plausibility of rainfall projections and credibility of streamflow simulation while remaining consistent with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) protocol for estimating the return interval for floods. The results were conveyed in an innovative graph that combined historical and scenario-based design metrics for use in bridge vulnerability analysis and engineering design. The pilot results determined the annual peak streamflow response to climate change likely will be basin-size dependent, four of the six pilot study bridges would be exposed to increased frequency of extreme streamflow and would have higher frequency of overtopping, the proposed design for replacing the Interstate 35 bridges over the South Skunk River south of Ames, Iowa is resilient to climate change, and some Iowa DOT bridge design policies could be reviewed to consider incorporating climate change information.


This paper seeks to inform about a feature of monetary policy that is largely overlooked, yet occupies a central role in modern monetary and financial systems, namely central bank collateral frameworks. Their importance can be understood by the observation that the money at the core of these systems, central bank money, is injected into the economy on terms, not defined in a market, but by the collateral frameworks and interest rate policies of central banks. Using the collateral framework of the Eurosystem as a basis of illustration and case study, the paper brings to light the functioning, reach, and impact of collateral frameworks. A theme that emerges is that collateral frameworks may have distortive effects on financial markets and the wider economy. They can, for example, bias the private provision of real liquidity and thereby also the allocation of resources in the economy as well as contribute to financial instability. Evidence is presented that the collateral framework in the euro area promotes risky and illiquid collateral and, more generally, impairs market forces and discipline. The paper also emphasizes the important role of ratings and government guarantees in the Eurosystem's collateral framework.


Abstract. Complex oceanic circulation and air–sea interaction make the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETPO) a highly variable source of CO2 to the atmosphere. Although the scientific community have amassed 70 000 surface fugacities of carbon dioxide (fCO2) data points within the ETPO region over the past 25 years, the spatial and temporal resolution of this data set is insufficient to fully quantify the seasonal to interannual variability of the region, a region where fCO2 has been observed to fluctuate by > 300 μatm. Upwelling and rainfall events dominate the surface physical and chemical characteristics of the ETPO, with both yielding unique signatures in sea surface temperature and salinity. Thus, we explore the potential of using a statistical description of fCO2 within sea-surface salinity–temperature space. These SSS/SST relationships are based on in situ surface ocean CO2 atlas (SOCAT) data collected within the ETPO. This statistical description is then applied to high-resolution (0.25°) Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) sea surface salinity (SSS) and Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis (OSTIA) sea surface temperature (SST) in order to compute regional fCO2. As a result, we are able to resolve fCO2 at sufficiently high resolution to elucidate the influence that various physical processes have on the fCO2 of the surface ETPO. Normalised (to 2014) oceanic fCO2 between July 2010 and June 2014 within the entire ETPO was 39 (±10.7) μatm supersaturated with respect to 2014 atmospheric partial pressures, and featured a CO2 outgassing of 1.51 (±0.41) mmol m−2 d−1. Values of fCO2 within the ETPO were found to be broadly split between the Gulf of Panama region and the rest of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. The northwest, central and offshore regions were supersaturated, with wintertime wind-jet-driven upwelling found to constitute the first-order control on fCO2 values. This contrasts with the southeastern/Gulf of Panama region, where heavy rainfall combined with rapid stratification of the upper water column act to dilute dissolved inorganic carbon, and yield fCO2 values undersaturated with respect to atmospheric fugacities of CO2.


The National Chlamydia screening programme in England screens only half the number of men compared with women, and the places men are being screened for chlamydia differ from that of women (NCSP, 2012). There is a wealth of data which shows that men are being screened in non-clinical settings, such as educational establishments, or that they are choosing to self-request screening via the internet as opposed to seeking alternative health service provision. However, we are unsure of the reasons for their choice. Furthermore, it is unclear what the impact of a positive or negative diagnosis for chlamydia has on subsequent sexual behaviour. By adopting a situational, qualitative methodology, this study aimed to understand the complex factors involved in men's sexual health decision making following a request for a home testing kit for chlamydia.

The focus for this study was young men aged 20 to 24 years who have a high rate of chlamydia infection, and who have been screened through the National Chlamydia screening programme in the North East of England. Data was collected through ten in-depth interviews, and seven follow up interviews after 12 months. Follow up interviews were primarily used to gauge any long term behaviour change. Patients' sexual health records provided additional data which was used for triangulation. Data was analysed with the use of framework analysis. Findings from the research were presented to a focus group of professionals and the outcomes from that discussion have been implemented in sexual health provision locally. This research has also fed into a national working group which reviewed chlamydia testing guidelines for positive patients.

Findings show that the decisions the young men made about sexual partners and sexual practice are based on a number of factors: pre-influencing factors, which were based on the men's perceptions and beliefs about women, categorising them as "risky" with a sexually transmitted infection or "clean" with no infections, alcohol use and contraception vs STI prevention . Situational factors including sexual gratification and sexual arousal and post rationalisation factors such as peer pressure and masculinity. Factors influencing decisions to seek testing were triggered by unprotected sex with casual partners, strengthened by catalytic influences including media campaigns. The findings suggest a negative chlamydia test result gives respondents a clean bill of health allowing them to engage in further unprotected sex. A positive diagnosis resulted in the intention to change behaviour and modify sexual practice. After follow up interviews, intention did not lead to actual behaviour change and many became re-infected within 6 months. A conceptual model based on the study findings has been developed for use in professional practice. This
model identifies the variables which influence the men's decision making at different stages in the decision making process. This study has shown that the factors that influence young men's sexual decision making and the impact of diagnosis on subsequent sexual behaviour have major implications for public health in terms of reinfection and further transmission.


This report is derived from an analysis of data from 20 in-depth interviews with individuals in recovery from substance addiction; the data was collected as part of a wider study that explored how people recover from drug addiction and how they manage the process of social reintegration. The report focuses on the role of adult education in the process of addiction recovery; specifically looking at academic education rather than vocational education.

Recent policy developments at national level have focused on promoting the use of education in addiction recovery and this report represents a first-step investigation into the role of education in addiction recovery as no other study can be located that has explored this topic. The Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation (2007) recognises that accessing education is an essential step in the continuum of care for recovering drug users. In line with the recommendations outlined in the report of the Working Group, a National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework has been published by Doyle and Ivanovic (2010). This Framework has been constructed to enhance the provision of rehabilitation services to current and former drug users and includes a role for those responsible in meeting the education needs of participants.

According to the authors of the Framework, 'The provision of rehabilitation pathways is a shared responsibility of the education, training and employment sectors alongside the health, welfare and housing sector, non-governmental organizations, communities, families and the individual themselves'. The EU Drugs Strategy 2005-2012 and the EU Drugs Action Plan 2009-2012 encourages member states to support recovering drug users to access education so as to improve their chances of achieving social reintegration. According to the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit of the Health Research Board (2009) at least a fifth of all cases reporting for treatment for problematic substance misuse in 2008 were early school-leavers. Haase and Pratschke (2010) reported that substance use is more common (with the exception of alcohol) among early school leavers than among school attendees.


ABSTRACT Background: Since the publication of the first Brazilian Consensus on Gastric Cancer (GC) in 2012 carried out by the Brazilian Gastric Cancer Association, new concepts on diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow-up have been incorporated. Aim: This new consensus is to promote an update to professionals working in the fight against GC and to provide guidelines for the management of patients with this condition. Methods: Fifty-nine experts answered 67 statements regarding the diagnosis, staging, treatment and prognosis of GC with five possible alternatives: 1) fully agree; 2) partially agree; 3) undecided; 4) disagree and 5) strongly disagree A consensus was adopted when at least 80% of the sum of the answers "fully agree" and "partially agree" was reached. This article presents only the responses of the participating experts. Comments on each statement, as well as a literature review, will be presented in future publications. Results: Of the 67 statements, there was consensus in 50 (74%). In 10 declarations, there was 100% agreement. Conclusion: The gastric cancer treatment has evolved considerably in recent years. This consensus gathers consolidated principles in the last decades, new knowledge acquired recently, as well as promising perspectives on the management of this disease.


The twentieth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) is in October 2020. It is a landmark resolution on women's role in peacebuilding, but progress on women's rights and leadership in peace and security decision making continues to fall short. This discussion paper brings together three regional essays commissioned to explore what needs to happen. What needs to happen to 'transform power' to women and communities most affected by crises and conflict so that they shape the decisions that affect their lives? What would a feminist peace and security agenda look like? The essays illustrate how transformative change rarely comes from within the system; rather, it often comes from outside: from disruption by protest, and from women's, youth, local and grassroots movements. Access the full essay collection on this page, or read the individual essays at the following links: Transforming Power to Put Women at the Heart of Peacebuilding: Introduction Feminist Peace and Security in Africa Feminist Peace and Security in the Middle East and North Africa Feminist Peace and Security in the Pacific Islands


Thomas Pynchon's work is well known for its concern with the subject of entropy. in The Crying of Lot 49, for example, the idea of entropy in thermodynamics is linked to the idea of entropy in information theory. As Oedipa Maas succinctly puts it: "there were two distinct kinds of this entropy. One having to do with heat- engines, the other to do with communication. The equation for one, back in the '30's, had looked very like the equation for the other. It was a coincidence. The two fields were entirely unconnected, except at one point: Maxwell's Demon" (105). Oedipa is correct. Until recently, however, no one knew why. But in a recent Scientific American article, "Demons, Engines and the Second Law" (November, 1987, 108-16), Charles H. Bennett takes pains to make a distinction between the thermodynamics of the physical world and the so-called thermodynamics of information theory, to have, as it were, the last word on the failure of Clerk Maxwell's gnome-like mythological sorter that could supposedly cheat the second law of thermodynamics.


In this paper, a comparison is made of available rainfall data in a localized study area of Los Angeles County, California. This particular area has also been studied by the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the National Weather Service (NWS) National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Los Angeles County (LAC) Department of Public Works. All three of these cited governmental agencies independently analyzed the rainfall data to identify rainfall trends for the study area, and then prepared statistical analyses in order to develop estimates of return frequencies for various peak durations of rainfall, among other items of interest to hydrologists. Additionally, these three agencies have available two different analyses of the available data, resulting in updates to their respective published works. Consequently, six different statistical analyses are available for comparison and assessment. In this paper, an examination is made of these six statistical studies and some of the differences between the various analyses are identified and explained.


The main purpose of this model is to simulate how anti-vaccine opinion leaders in a scale-free network spread their extremism and how it creates anti-vaccine opinion clusters that causes disease outbreaks. The model provides a new way of modeling opinion dynamics and social influence by separating the cyber space and physical space. It identifies that the influence of anti-vaccine opinion leaders is two folded: (1) direct influence: this happens in the cyber space where the large amount of the followers receives information from opinion leaders and get influenced in certain degree; (2) indirect influence: in physical space, those who have been influenced by opinion leaders in cyber space carry such anti-vaccine sentiment and further have an impact in shaping opinions in their local communities. A disease transmission sub-model is applied after these two steps of extremism formation to test the degree of disease outbreaks cause by opinion clustering.


This Article presents an evidentiary theory of substantive criminal law according to which sanctions are distributed in proportion to the strength of the evidence mounted against the defendant. It highlights the potential advantages associated with grading penalties in proportion to the probability of wrongdoing and situates this claim within both consequentialist and deontological theories of punishment. Building on this analysis, the Article reviews the doctrinal tools used to achieve the goal of evidentiary grading of sanctions and shows that key factors in criminal law are geared towards dealing with evidentiary uncertainty. Finally, the Article explores the underlying logic of the evidentiary structure of criminal law and argues that this structure can be justified on psychological, economic, and expressive grounds.


The potential for using revenues from extractive resources for inclusive growth in Africa is tremendous. However, the realisation of the transformative role that extractive industries could play in sustainable development has been elusive in most African countries. Extractive industries in most of these countries are plagued with numerous conflicts, some with serious casualties over the control, distribution, management and utilisation of the resources and revenues from extractive operations. Collaborative Governance in Extractive Industries in Africa presents the critical challenges facing extractive industries from different contexts, countries, sectors and settings. It features chapters with diverse angle of interest and analytical tools applied in examining the critical issues related particularly to mining and petroleum development in Africa. The contributors to this book have extensive academic and professional experience in policy research in the mining, oil and gas sectors in Africa and other regions. The book addresses the current gap in knowledge about appropriate governance regimes that could create the forum where the divergent interests and positions of various stakeholders of extractive resources and revenues could be handled - without any of them resorting to deadly conflicts. It presents the functionality of collaborative governance in enhancing for example, transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of extractive revenues. Governance practitioners, policy- and decision makers could use the structures, components and procedures discussed in this book to develop training manuals, governance criteria and indicators for measuring and managing collaborative governance regime at the national and local levels. They will also find useful information about some of the critical elements that should guide the strategic implementation of the collaborative process.


A number of large aquifers in various parts of the world have been identified with contamination by arsenic. Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water causes cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder and kidney, as well as skin pigmentation and hyperkeratosis. Arsenic occurs in groundwater in two valence states, as trivalent arsenite [As(III)] and pentavalent arsenate [As(V)]. As(III) is more toxic and more difficult to remove from water by adsorption on activated alumina. In this study, immobilization (adsorption) of As(III) by quaternized rice husk was examined. Batch adsorption test showed that extent of adsorption was dependent on pH, As (III) concentration, contact time and rice husk dose. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 7-8, and equilibrium adsorption was attained in 2 h. Equilibrium adsorption data were described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. According to the Langmuir isotherm, adsorption capacity of quaternized rice husk is 0.775 mg As(III)/g, which is 4.3x higher than that (0.180 mg As(III)/g) of activated alumina. Quaternized rice husk is a potentially useful adsorbent for removing arsenic from groundwater.


High fidelity human patient simulation has been used for many years by health sciences education programs to foster critical thinking, engage learners, improve confidence, improve communication, and enhance psychomotor skills. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research on the use of high fidelity human patient simulation to foster teamwork among nursing, medicine and pharmacy undergraduate students. This study compared the impact of high fidelity and low fidelity simulation education on teamwork among nursing, medicine and pharmacy students. For the purpose of this study, two innovative teaching scenarios were developed based on the care of an adult patient experiencing acute anaphylaxis: one high fidelity using a human patient simulator and one low fidelity using case based discussions. A within subjects, pretest-posttest, repeated measures design was used with two-treatment levels and random assignment of individual subjects to teams of two or more professions. A convenience sample of twenty-four (n=24) undergraduate students participated, including: nursing (n=11), medicine (n=9), and pharmacy (n=4). The Interprofessional Teamwork Questionnaire was used to assess for changes in students' perception of their functionality within the team, importance of interprofessional collaboration, comprehension of roles, and confidence in communication and collaboration. Student satisfaction was also assessed. Students reported significant improvements in their understanding of the importance of interprofessional teamwork and of the roles of nursing and medicine on the team after participation in both the high fidelity and the low fidelity simulation. However, only participants in the high fidelity simulation reported a significant improvement in their ability to function effectively as a member of the team. All students reported that both simulations were a meaningful learning experience and all students would recommend both experiences to other students. These findings suggest there is merit in both high fidelity and low fidelity simulation as a teaching and learning approach to foster teamwork among undergraduate nursing, medicine and pharmacy students. However, participation in high fidelity simulation may provide a more realistic opportunity to practice and function as an effective member of the interprofessional health care team. Keywords—Acute anaphylaxis, high fidelity human patient simulation, low fidelity simulation, interprofessional education.


OBJECTIVE
To compare how well graduates of a self-directed, problem-based undergraduate curriculum (at McMaster University [MU], Hamilton, Ont.) and those of a traditional curriculum (at the University of Toronto [UT]) who go on to primary care careers keep up to date with current clinical practice guidelines.

DESIGN
Analytic survey. Management of hypertension was chosen as an appropriate topic to assess guideline adherence. An updated version of a previously validated questionnaire was mailed to the participants for self-completion.

SETTING
Private primary care practices in southern Ontario.

PARTICIPANTS
A random sample of 48 MU graduates and 48 UT graduates, stratified for year of graduation (1974 to 1985) and sex, who were in family or general practice in Ontario; 87% of the eligible subjects in each group responded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Overall and component-specific scores; analysis was blind to study group.

RESULTS
The overall mean scores were 56 (68%) of a possible 82 for the MU graduates and 51 (62%) for the UT graduates (difference between the means 5, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 8.2; p < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis of seven factors that might affect questionnaire scores revealed that only the medical school was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The MU graduates had significantly higher mean scores than the UT graduates for two components of the questionnaire: knowledge of recommended blood pressures for treatment (p < 0.05) and successful approaches to enhance compliance (p < 0.005). The trends were similar for the other components but but were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS
The graduates of a problem-based, self-directed undergraduate curriculum are more up to date in knowledge of the management of hypertension than graduates of a traditional curriculum.


The performance of Swiss based chemical and
pharmaceutical companies regarding their working
capital management and its underlying
components, namely accounts receivable, inventories
and accounts payable differs over time and between
the single firms. The calculation of a cash potential
for the year 2008 shows that 17 billion CHF is tied
up in the companies' balance sheets if they would
realise the Swiss best practice performance. It has
also been shown that in recent years Swiss chemical
and pharmaceutical companies have a considerably
higher working capital level compared to their
European and US peers. The managerial implications
for the achievement of best practice are the
awareness of the top management, efficient
processes on the operating level as well as an
enhanced collaboration within the company as well
as throughout the entire supply chain.


The article seeks to explore the relationship between procurement in the public sector and corruption. Corruption in the procurement process is one of the biggest challenges facing the South Africa government. Procurement in the South African public sector through the tendering process has been used with a particular aim of addressing the past discriminatory practices and policies by empowering the previously disadvantaged majority. It ought to operate within a certain legislative and regulatory framework. However, the article argues that in the process of implementing the good intentions of the government, corruption illegitimises the process. There are also challenges that are associated with public sector procurement, with corruption being the main protagonist. The article also seeks to suggest possible solutions that could be used to address the anomalies. The article further concludes that the main reason for the rife corruption in the public sector is that there is nonadherence to policy prescripts including the Public Finance Management Act , 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) and the Municipal Finance Management Act , 2003 (Act 56 of 2003). This enormous predicament may only be addressed if the government were to show will and commitment by punishing offenders who do not comply with the said legislative framework.


Synthetic simulation of streamflow sequences is important for the analysis of water supply reliability. Disaggregation models are an important component of the stochastic streamflow generation methodology. They provide the ability to simulate multiseason and multisite streamflow sequences that preserve statistical properties at multiple timescales or space scales. In recent papers we have suggested the use of nonparametric methods for streamflow simulation. These methods provide the capability to model time series dependence without a priori assumptions as to the probability distribution of streamflow. They remain faithful to the data and can approximate linear or nonlinear dependence. In this paper we extend the use of nonparametric methods to disaggregation models. We show how a kernel density estimate of the joint distribution of disaggregate flow variables can form the basis for conditional simulation based on an input aggregate flow variable. This methodology preserves summability of the disaggregate flows to the input aggregate flow. We show through applications to synthetic data and streamflow from the San Juan River in New Mexico how this conditional simulation procedure preserves a variety of statistical attributes.


Epilepsy is one of the brain based disease affects human due to over electricity power passed in the brain. It is also a neurological disorder problem comes after stroke or brain fever, brain attack or while less blood flow in the brain. Recurrent attack creates epilepsy mainly. Number of death increased nowadays due to epilepsy seizures. In order to control this it is essential to identify and detect the epilepsy seizures from Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded from the patients. Certain number of symptoms led a doctor to suspect epilepsy seizures. One of the most important tools to diagnose neurological problems and epilepsy seizures is by analysing the EEG. Therefore EEG is considered as an indispensable tool for diagnosing epilepsy in medical industry. The occurrence of the epilepsy is irregular and it is difficult to predicting the seizures automatically. Hence, in this paper it is motivated to design and develop a novel approach for detecting and classifying the epilepsy-seizures from EEG signals automatically. The existing research work presents an approximate entropy method and improved approximate entropy method. But the obtained accuracy is very less. In order to improve the accuracy of the classification, this paper aimed to provide a novel approach which comprises of a sequence of signal processing steps such as: filtering, amplifying, decomposing, feature extraction and selection and classification. The experiment is carried out in MATLAB software and the results investigated and evaluated by comparing with the existing system results. The proposed approach obtained 12% of accuracy is improved than the existing approaches.


Preface. Notation. Chapter 1 Fundamentals. 1.0 Introduction. 1.1 A Famous Sequence of Numbers. 1.2 The Euclidean ALgorithm. The Oldest Algorithm. Reversing the Euclidean Algorithm. The Extended GCD Algorithm. The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic. Two Applications. 1.3 Modular Arithmetic. 1.4 Fast Powers. A Fast Alforithm for ExponentiationPowers of Matrices, Big-O Notation. Chapter 2 Congruences, Equations, and Powers. 2.0 Introduction. 2.1 Solving Linear Congruences. Linear Diophantine Equations in Two Variables. The Conductor. An Importatnt Quadratic Congruence. 2.2 The Chinese Remainder Theorem. 2.3 PowerMod Patterns. Fermat's Little Theorem. More Patterns in Powers. 2.4 Pseudoprimes. Using the Pseudoprime Test. Chapter 3 Euler's Function. 3.0 Introduction. 3.1 Euler's Function. 3.2 Perfect Numbers and Their Relatives. The Sum of Divisors Function. Perfect Numbers. Amicalbe, Abundant, and Deficient Numbers. 3.3 Euler's Theorem. 3.4 Primitive Roots for Primes. The order of an Integer. Primes Have PRimitive roots. Repeating Decimals. 3.5 Primitive Roots for COmposites. 3.6 The Universal Exponent. Universal Exponents. Power Towers. The Form of Carmichael Numbers. Chapter 4 Prime Numbers. 4.0 Introduction. 4.1 The Number of Primes. We'll Never Run Out of Primes. The Sieve of Eratosthenes. Chebyshev's Theorem and Bertrand's Postulate. 4.2 Prime Testing and Certification. Strong Pseudoprimes. Industrial-Grade Primes. Prime Certification Via Primitive Roots. An Improvement. Pratt Certificates. 4.3 Refinements and Other Directions. Other PRimality Tests. Strong Liars are Scarce. Finding the nth Prime. 4.4 A Doszen Prime Mysteries. Chapter 5 Some Applications. 5.0 Introduction. 5.1 Coding Secrets. Tossing a Coin into a Well. The RSA Cryptosystem. Digital Signatures. 5.2 The Yao Millionaire Problem. 5.3 Check Digits. Basic Check Digit Schemes. A Perfect Check Digit Method. Beyond Perfection: Correcting Errors. 5.4 Factoring Algorithms. Trial Division. Fermat's Algorithm. Pollard Rho. Pollard p-1. The Current Scene. Chapter 6 Quadratic Residues. 6.0 Introduction. 6.1 Pepin's Test. Quadratic Residues. Pepin's Test. Primes Congruent to 1 (Mod. 6.2 Proof of Quadratic Reciprocity. Gauss's Lemma. Proof of Quadratic Recipocity. Jacobi's Extension. An Application to Factoring. 6.3 Quadratic Equations. Chapter 7 Continuec Faction. 7.0 Introduction. 7.1 FInite COntinued Fractions. 7.2 Infinite Continued Fractions. 7.3 Periodic Continued Fractions. 7.4 Pell's Equation. 7.5 Archimedes and the Sun God's Cattle. Wurm's Version: Using Rectangular Bulls. The Real Cattle Problem. 7.6 Factoring via Continued Fractions. Chapter 8 Prime Testing with Lucas Sequences. 8.0 Introduction. 8.1 Divisibility Properties of Lucas Sequencese. 8.2 Prime Tests Using Lucas Sequencesse. Lucas Certification. The Lucas-Lehmer Algorithm Explained. Luca Pseudoprimes. Strong Quadratic Pseudoprimes. Primality Testing's Holy Grail. Chapter 9 Prime Imaginaries and Imaginary Primes. 9.0 Introduction. 9.1 Sums of Two Squares. 9.2 The Gaussian Intergers. Complex Number Theory. Gaussian Primes. The Moat Problem. The Gaussian Zoo. 9.3 Higher Reciprocity 325. Appendix A. Maathematica Basics. 1.0 Introduction. A.1 Plotting. A.2 Typesetting. Sending Files By E-Mail. A.3 Types of Functions. A.4 Lists. A.5 Programs. A.6 Solving Equations. A.7 Symbolic Algebra. Appendix B Lucas Certificates Exist. References. Index of Mathematica Objects. Subject Index.


The government of Indonesia had provided the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (RR) assistance to 194,636 houses for communities after 30 September 2009 earthquake in West Sumatra province. The community-based development model was adopted in this housing program aid. This study aims to explore into what extent people's satisfaction with the RR program and to identify the difference of satisfaction level between urban area and rural area. The research was carried out by conducting a questionnaire survey to 200 communities. The beneficiaries were invited to determine their satisfaction level based on 5 Likert scale from 1 as 'not satisfied at all' to 5 as 'absolutely satisfied'. The satisfaction level was assessed by two factors, process of reconstruction and result of reconstruction. It was found that the level of communities' satisfaction is at average level. The satisfaction level of urban communities is 2.75; while the rural communities is slightly higher at 2.88. The satisfaction level of urban and rural communities with the reconstruction process are at 2.63 and 2.75 respectively; while the satisfaction level with the results of the program is at 2.84 and at 2.95 respectively. Communities' satisfaction with the result of reconstruction is higher than that with the process of reconstruction. Keywords: post-disaster reconstruction, housing reconstruction, community-based, satisfaction level.


Emergency physicians should use scientific evidence to decide how to organise emergency services. Triage, staffing changes, educational interventions and short stay facilities are examples of organisational interventions that require evaluation. Applying rigorous research methods to address these issues is challenging and it may be difficult to find robust data. Nevertheless, this should not be used as an excuse for basing organisational decisions upon hunches or anecdote, rather than scientific evidence.

Appraisal of studies evaluating changes to service delivery have not traditionally been covered in great detail in texts on evidence-based medicine. However, their importance in emergency care means that it is worthwhile for us to be familiar with the key issues. If we do not consider these studies as a separate group then there is a risk that we may either attempt to apply appraisal methods used to assess clinical trials inappropriately, or accept at face value claims made on the basis of very weak methods, such as simple before-and-after intervention comparisons.

The advantages of randomisation described in the previous article in this series also apply to the evaluations of service organisation and delivery, although the practicalities of using randomisation are much more challenging. If patients, carers or researchers can select which service the patients receive in a comparison of two services, then the findings are very likely to be subject to bias. Randomly selecting patients to receive one service or another provides powerful protection against bias. However, this requires us to provide two services simultaneously, which is often not feasible. Furthermore, there are some interventions, such as triage methods, which are inevitably applied to groups of patients rather than individuals.

In these circumstances cluster randomisation may be used. Groups of patients are randomly selected instead of individual patients. For example, periods of time (such as days of the week), …


This article introduces and reviews the history of the construct of schizotypy for the special section appearing in the journal. Schizotypy offers a useful construct for understanding the etiology, development, and expression of schizophrenia-spectrum psychopathology and a unifying construct for linking a broad continuum of clinical and subclinical manifestations. The article reviews the descriptive psychopathology roots of schizotypy, Meehl and Claridge's classical formulations of the construct (including the debate about dimensional vs taxonic structure), and the need for a comprehensive, multidimensional model of schizotypy. The article briefly reviews the wide empirical literature supporting schizotypy and also examines several criticisms and misconceptions about the construct and research methods used to assess it. Finally, the article offers several suggested goals for future schizotypy research.


An in-band optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) monitor is proposed, based on an instantaneous polarization state distribution analysis. The proposed monitor is simple, and is applicable to polarization division multiplexed signals. We fabricate a high-speed Stokes polarimeter that integrates a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) based polarization filter, high-speed InP/InGaAs photodiodes and InP hetero-junction bipolar transistor (HBT) trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA). We carry out proof-of-concept experiments with the fabricated polarimeter, and successfully measure the OSNR dependent polarization distribution with 100-Gb/s dual polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) signals.


The article demonstrates a concept of state, society and politics coined by contemporary Greek religious philosopher Christos Yannaras. The concept derives from two sources: on the one hand from the criticism of the modern cataphatic forms of state and society and on the other hand from the apophatic character of the Greek polis. With this creative critical synthesis, based on the apophatic attitude, Yannaras produces a conception of a new polity, contributing to the liberation of the human subject from various aspects of alienation in the cataphatic systems.


Why does the government sometimes tie its own hands in national security operations? This article identifies four instances in which officials believed that the applicable laws allowed them to conduct a particular military or intelligence operation but nevertheless declined to do so. For example, policymakers have barred counter-terrorism interrogators from using any technique other than the fairly innocuous methods listed in the Army Field Manual. Before 9/11, officials rejected the CIA's plans to use targeted killings against Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leaders. Judge advocates sometimes use policy considerations to restrict military strikes that would be lawful. And in the 1990s, lawyers erected a "wall�? that kept intelligence officers from sharing information with criminal investigators. The article then draws from rational choice theory to suggest two possible explanations for why the government imposes these restraints. First, self restraint might be the result of systematic risk aversion within military and intelligence agencies. Second, self restraint may be the result of empire building, as officials seek to magnify their clout by vetoing the plans of bureaucratic rivals.


The genomics era has provided great opportunities for deciphering the genes that are mutated in human diseases. In their Future Directions9 article,
 Peltonen and McKusick
 discuss how the human genome sequence and the completed genome sequences of other organisms will expand our understanding of human diseases, both those caused by mutations in a single gene and those where many genes and multiple factors are involved. From SNP maps to individual drug response profiling, the human genome sequence will lead to improved diagnostic testing for disease susceptibility genes and individually tailored treatment regimens for those who have already developed disease symptoms.


Open air investment casting of superalloys for aerospace applications is a process that dates back about 80 years. The introduction of vacuum metallurgy 30 years later made the development and the use of higher strength and higher temperature resistant superalloys feasible since the very reactive alloying elements like aluminum, titanium and niobium that brought these propertied could be handled in the casting process without being oxidized. The development of the high strength weldable Alloy 718 (INCONEL 718 patented by INCO) 50 years ago enabled large size, complex geometry, structural castings to be produced efficiently and thus replacing previous weld assembly part designs made of less potent stainless steel grade alloys. With the introduction of hot isostatic pressing as a post processing step the quality of the castings could be significantly improved allowing for more critical aircraft engine applications. With increasing diameters there is a diminishing return in terms of capital investment, number of parts and capital amortization and today there is a reversed trend to build the very large diameter structures as assembly parts. Cast and wrought parts may be mixed in such structures for weight optimization. In this context the welding is the ultimately critical process not least when more temperature capable alloys are considered at the same time.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate methanolic, ethanolic, acetone and aqueous extracts from different parts of Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia) (leave, stem, and root) for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and to utilize the leaves and stem parts rather than the root, which is already used for male sexual enhancement in Malaysia.

METHODS
The study took place in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Biotechnology Engineering Department, Malaysia between January 2005 and June 2006. Methanolic, ethanolic, acetone and aqueous extracts of leaves, stems and roots of E. longifolia were investigated for their antibacterial properties using Agar-well diffusion method.

RESULTS
The alcoholic and acetone extracts of the leaves and stem extracts were active on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria except against 2 strains of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi). The root extracts had no antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested. Aqueous leaves extract showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marscesens.

CONCLUSION
The alcoholic and acetone extracts from leaves and stems of E. longifolia contain potent antibacterial agent(s). This plant can serve as a potential source of antibacterial compounds.


Most existing software development research adopts a very simplistic, 'clock-based' mechanistic interpretation of time and ignores the highly complex, multi-faceted, subtle and socially embedded nature of temporality. This is a significant limitation given that software development is a highly complex, socially embedded activity. This research applies temporality theory to examine software development teams. This research contributes to research and practice by (i) identifying any gaps, misconceptions or general conceptual issues in the application of temporal concepts to software development to date, (ii) examining the complexity of temporality that exist within software development teams (iii) examining the impact that such complexity may have, and (iv) identify strategies for resolving these temporality issues in software development. To achieve the objective of this study, the comprehensive temporality framework proposed by Ancona et al., (2001) is used to understand the various components of temporality within the context of software development.


The genotypes of two microsatellite loci were determined for the mouthbrooded progeny of 13 females, representing seven species of both rock- and sand-dwelling Lake Malawi cichlid fishes. Multiple paternity is clearly demonstrated for all but two broods. One brood contained the progeny of at least six males. Heterozygosity of these two microsatellite loci in a sample of 18 male Copadichromis cyclicos was 89% and 83%, respectively. Each locus displayed 16 alleles among the 18 males. The expected average exclusion probability using both loci, given a mother/offspring pair, is 0.968, suggesting that microsatellite variation will be useful for quantifying mate choice in these taxa. The low heterozygosity of a Melanochromis auratus brood is consistent with reduced levels of mtDNA polymorphism previously documented in this species. Thus microsatellite variation may provide insight into the genetic history of these populations.


Abstract This article discusses political setbacks related to sexual and reproductive health and rights that have occurred in Brazil in the last 5 years (2014–2018) resulting from the significant role played by Christian (Evangelical and Catholic) parliamentarians in the legislative branch. Political initiatives aimed at prohibiting the affirmation of sexual and reproductive rights, while also curtailing debate about sexuality and gender in schools and universities, have raised "moral panic" within some elements of Brazilian society. The discursive strategies used around so-called "gender ideology" stimulated the formation of civil organisations which promote morality based on right-wing political positions. For this study, we looked at official documents and bibliographic material to examine how issues related to abortion rights, health care in cases of sexual violence, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and homosexual citizenship are currently being suppressed, compromising the defence and advancement of the sexual and reproductive rights of women and the LGBTI+ population. The results point to the steady weakening of public policies that had become law in the 1980s, a time of Brazilian re-democratisation after two decades of military dictatorship. A wide range of civil, political and social rights, which saw significant growth and consolidation over the last 20 years, were rolled back after the resurgence of the extreme right wing in the federal legislature, culminating in the election of the current president in October 2018. However, social movements have increased in strength in the last few decades, especially the black feminist and LGBTI+ rights movements. These movements continue to provide political resistance, striving to affirm and protect all sexual and reproductive rights achieved to date.


ABSTRACT Aim: GC33 is a first-in-class recombinant, humanized mAb that binds to glypican-3 which is highly expressed in HCC. The aims of the analysis were to investigate AFP response after administration of GC33 in patients with advanced HCC and to assess the relationship between AFP response and PFS. Methods: Placebo and GC33 1600 mg biweekly with two loading doses were administered to previously treated patients with advanced HCC in a double-blind manner with 1:2 randomization. Seventy-one patients (placebo: GC33 = 24:47) who had AFP measurements at baseline (AFPB) and 6 weeks post treatment (AFP6W) were evaluated. Patients with steady state GC33 trough concentration higher than230 µg/ml (the median of the projected trough concentration on cycle 3 day1) were included in GC33 high exposure group. AFP response was defined as a 20% decrease in AFP at 6 weeks post treatment. Results: Twenty seven out of 47 patients treated with GC33 had trough concentration higher than 230 µg/ml. AFP change (%) from baseline at 6 weeks post treatment (calculated as (AFP6W-AFPB)/AFPB) in high exposure group was significantly lower than that in placebo and GC33 low exposure group combined (p = 0.029). In addition, 2 out of 24 (8.3%), 2 out of 20 (10%), and 8 out of 27 patients (30%) were AFP responder in placebo, GC33 low exposure group, and GC33 high exposure group, respectively. In landmark analysis (n = 71), AFP response was a prognostic factor of PFS (HR = 0.63, 80%CI: 0.41-0.97) regardless of treatment. Within GC33 treatment group, hazard ratio of PFS comparing AFP non-responder (n = 37) vs. AFP responder (n = 10) was 0.56 (80% CI: 0.34-0.91). Conclusions: GC33 high exposure group had better AFP response than placebo and low exposure group. Early assessment of AFP response may potentially be a valuable biomarker for predicting antitumor response in patients with advanced HCC. Disclosure: Yuyan Jin, Jun Shi, Alex Phipps and Ruey-min Lee have declared: is an employee of Hoffmann-La Roche; Mikiko Nakamura and Toshihiko Ohtomo have declared: is an employee of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.Ya-Chi Chen is an employee of Hoffmann-La Roche and also holds stocks of Hoffmann-La Roche.


Details how the increase aging populations in the United States and throughout the developed world, appears to correlate with a switch from acute infectious diseases to chronic diseases as the major cause of morbidity and mortality. The report also recommends new criteria be developed for evaluating the strength of association between microbes and chronic illness.


We use coupled mode theory (CMT) to analyze a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic stub structure, to reveal the existence of asymmetry in its transmittance spectra. Including the effect of the near field contribution for the stub structure, the observed asymmetry is interpreted as Fano-type interference between the quasi-continuum T-junction-resonator local-modes and discrete stub eigenmodes. Based on the asymmetry factor derived from the CMT analysis, methods to control transmittance asymmetry are also demonstrated.


CultureShock! Bulgaria is your companion to this beautiful land that was once part of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and which was under Soviet influence for close to 50 years. Discover how the people came to terms with the communist past and the changes that have taken place since they joined the European Union in 1997. Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet as you make your way around the many imposing historic buildings and understand why members of the same family may have seemingly different surnames. Enjoy a selection of delicious dishes, best washed down by a glass or two of boza—a result of the country's agrarian roots, its tradition of honey gathering and abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Practical advice on finding a home, arranging for utilities and day-to-day living make CultureShock! Bulgaria your indispensable guide to settling in Bulgaria and enjoying its delights.


Predictive models of habitat suitability for the Common Crane Grus grus in a wintering area of southern Portugal were derived using logistic multiple regression and Geographic Information Systems. The study area was characterized by landscape variables and surveyed uniformly for the presence of cranes. The most important variables were distance to roosts, to open Holm Oak woods and to villages, and the occurrence of unpaved roads, shrubby vegetation, slope and orchards. Two models were built, the second having one variable fewer than the first. The selection of the best model was based on statistical and biological criteria. Crane distribution was negatively related to: distance to open Holm Oak Quercus rotundifolia woods and roosts. Additionally, unsuitable vegetation and orchard areas are avoided. In these areas movement is difficult, food availability is reduced and the risk of predation increased. We also found that villages and roads were avoided; disturbance is a significant factor for this species. Some management guidelines are proposed for the area: (1) maintenance of open Holm Oak woodlands, (2) incentives to avoid the abandonment of traditional agriculture and pastoral use of the area, which would lead to an increase of shrubby vegetation areas, (3) preservation of suitable roosting places and (4) management of new patches of forest and orchards.


This paper presents an optimal web guiding strategy based on the dynamic analysis of the lateral web behavior and a new fiber optic lateral web position measurement sensor. First, a lateral dynamic model of a moving web is revisited with an emphasis on correct application of appropriate boundary conditions. Then the dynamic models of two common intermediate guides (remotely pivoted guide and offset-pivot guide) are investigated. The effect of various model parameters on lateral web behavior is analyzed and discussions on proper selection of the parameters are given. Based on the model analysis, we discuss the design of a linear quadratic optimal controller that is capable of accommodating structured parametric uncertainties in the lateral dynamic model. The optimal guide control system is evaluated by a series of experiments on a web platform with different web materials under various operating conditions. Implementation of the controller with a new fiber optic lateral sensor for different scenarios is discussed. Results show good guiding performance in the presence of disturbances and with uncertainties in the model parameters.


Theoretical motor control predicts that because of delays in sensorimotor pathways, a neural system should exist in the brain that uses efferent copy of commands to the arm, sensory feedback, and an internal model of the dynamics of the arm to predict the future state of the hand (i.e., a forward model). We tested this theory under the hypothesis that saccadic eye movements, tracking an unseen reaching movement, would reflect the output of this state predictor. We found that in unperturbed reaching movements, saccade occurrence at any timet consistently provided an unbiased estimate of hand position at t + 196 msec. To investigate the behavior of this predictor during feedback error control, we applied 50 msec random-force perturbations to the moving hand. Saccades showed a sharp inhibition at 100 msec after perturbation. At ∼170 msec, there was a sharp increase in saccade probabilities. These postperturbation saccades were an unbiased estimator of hand position at saccade timet + 150 msec. The ability of the brain to guide saccades to the future position of the hand failed when a force field unexpectedly changed the dynamics of the hand immediately after perturbation. The behavior of the eyes suggested that during reaching movements, the brain computes an estimate of future hand position based on an internal model that relies on real-time proprioceptive feedback. When an error occurs in reaching movements, the estimate of future hand position is recomputed. The saccade inhibition period that follows the hand perturbation may indicate the length of time it takes for this computation to take place.


DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) defines a domain-level
authentication framework for email using public-key cryptography and
key server technology to permit verification of the source and
contents of messages by either Mail Transfer Agents (MTAs) or Mail
User Agents (MUAs). The ultimate goal of this framework is to permit a
signing domain to assert responsibility for a message, thus proving
and protecting message sender identity and the integrity of the
messages they convey while retaining the functionality of Internet
email as it is known today. Proof and protection of email identity,
including repudiation and non-repudiation, may assist in the global
control of "spam" and "phishing".


This guide has been produced by the Interlaken Group, with steering support from the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). The original publication, created in 2015, was designed to support companies aiming to align their operations with the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT). It was updated in 2019 to emphasize the gendered impacts of land-based investment. The guide now draws explicit links to international legal frameworks and standards, and provides concrete recommendations for companies to understand and carry out gender-sensitive considerations throughout an investment process.


We propose a task independent neural networks model, based on a Siamese-twin architecture. Our model specifically benefits from two forms of attention scheme, which we use to extract high level feature representation of the underlying texts, both at word level (intra-attention) as well as sentence level (inter-attention). The inter attention scheme uses one of the text to create a contextual interlock with the other text, thus paying attention to mutually important parts. We evaluate our system on three tasks, i.e. Textual Entailment, Paraphrase Detection and Answer-Sentence selection. We set a near state-of-the-art result on the textual entailment task with the SNLI corpus while obtaining strong performance across the other tasks that we evaluate our model on.


Wikipedia needs to attract and retain newcomers while also increasing the quality of its content. Yet new Wikipedia users are disproportionately affected by the quality assurance mechanisms designed to thwart spammers and promoters. English Wikipedia's Articles for Creation provides a protected space for drafting new articles, which are reviewed against minimum quality guidelines before they are published. In this study we explore how this drafting process has affected the productivity of newcomers in Wikipedia. Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, we show how the process's pre-publication review, which is intended to improve the success of newcomers, in fact decreases newcomer productivity in English Wikipedia and offer recommendations for system designers.


Importance Triglycerides and cholesterol are both carried in plasma by apolipoprotein B (ApoB)–containing lipoprotein particles. It is unknown whether lowering plasma triglyceride levels reduces the risk of cardiovascular events to the same extent as lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Objective To compare the association of triglyceride-lowering variants in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene and LDL-C–lowering variants in the LDL receptor gene (LDLR) with the risk of cardiovascular disease per unit change in ApoB. Design, Setting, and Participants Mendelian randomization analyses evaluating the associations of genetic scores composed of triglyceride-lowering variants in the LPL gene and LDL-C–lowering variants in the LDLR gene, respectively, with the risk of cardiovascular events among participants enrolled in 63 cohort or case-control studies conducted in North America or Europe between 1948 and 2017. Exposures Differences in plasma triglyceride, LDL-C, and ApoB levels associated with the LPL and LDLR genetic scores. Main Outcomes and Measures Odds ratio (OR) for coronary heart disease (CHD)—defined as coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization—per 10-mg/dL lower concentration of ApoB-containing lipoproteins. Results A total of 654 783 participants, including 91 129 cases of CHD, were included (mean age, 62.7 years; 51.4% women). For each 10-mg/dL lower level of ApoB-containing lipoproteins, the LPL score was associated with 69.9-mg/dL (95% CI, 68.1-71.6; P = 7.1 × 10−1363) lower triglyceride levels and 0.7-mg/dL (95% CI, 0.03-1.4; P = .04) higher LDL-C levels; while the LDLR score was associated with 14.2-mg/dL (95% CI, 13.6-14.8; P = 1.4 × 10−465) lower LDL-C and 1.9-mg/dL (95% CI, 0.1-3.9; P = .04) lower triglyceride levels. Despite these differences in associated lipid levels, the LPL and LDLR scores were associated with similar lower risk of CHD per 10-mg/dL lower level of ApoB-containing lipoproteins (OR, 0.771 [95% CI, 0.741-0.802], P = 3.9 × 10−38 and OR, 0.773 [95% CI, 0.747-0.801], P = 1.1 × 10−46, respectively). In multivariable mendelian randomization analyses, the associations between triglyceride and LDL-C levels with the risk of CHD became null after adjusting for differences in ApoB (triglycerides: OR, 1.014 [95% CI, 0.965-1.065], P = .19; LDL-C: OR, 1.010 [95% CI, 0.967-1.055], P = .19; ApoB: OR, 0.761 [95% CI, 0.723-0.798], P = 7.51 × 10−20). Conclusions and Relevance Triglyceride-lowering LPL variants and LDL-C–lowering LDLR variants were associated with similar lower risk of CHD per unit difference in ApoB. Therefore, the clinical benefit of lowering triglyceride and LDL-C levels may be proportional to the absolute change in ApoB.


Two bills recently tabled in Parliament are set to shake up the private hospital industry and centralise decision-making over hospital tariffs as well as the regulation of new medicines and scientific trials within the health minister's office. The National Health Amendment Bill (health bill) and the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Bill (medicines bill) were both published in April and there is widespread agreement that they are the most important pieces of health legislation to be proposed in recent years.


The current study contributes to the extant literature by illustrating that airlines can enhance passenger (customer) satisfaction and loyalty by focusing on the enhancement of those aspects of the pre-flight and in-flight service experience over which they have direct control. The results indicate that airline passenger perceived pre-flight service quality and perceived in-flight service quality are distinct aspects of airline service quality that have independent and positive direct effects on airline passenger satisfaction. Moreover, perceived pre-flight service quality had a substantive, positive impact on airline passenger loyalty. Our findings illustrate the importance of airline pre-flight service quality and highlight the focal role that customer perceptions of pre-experience service quality (e.g., pre-experience communication, procedures, and interactions) play in the enhancement of customer satisfaction and fostering customer loyalty.


Sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the United States currently (2015) occur on only about one-half of their historical land area because of changes in land use, urban growth, and degradation of land, including invasions of non-native plants. The existence of many animal species depends on the existence of sagebrush steppe habitat. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a landscape-dependent bird that requires intact habitat and combinations of sagebrush and perennial grasses to exist. In addition, other sagebrush-obligate animals also have similar requirements and restoration of landscapes for greater sage-grouse also will benefit these animals. Once sagebrush lands are degraded, they may require restoration actions to make those lands viable habitat for supporting sagebrush-obligate animals. Land managers do not have resources to restore all locations because of the extent of the restoration need and because some land uses are not likely to change, therefore, restoration decisions made at the landscape to regional scale may improve the effectiveness of restoration to achieve landscape and local restoration objectives. We present a landscape restoration decision tool intended to assist decision makers in determining landscape objectives, to identify and prioritize landscape areas where sites for priority restoration projects might be located, and to aid in ultimately selecting restoration sites guided by criteria used to define the landscape objectives. The landscape restoration decision tool is structured in five sections that should be addressed sequentially. Each section has a primary question or statement followed by related questions and statements to assist the user in addressing the primary question or statement. This handbook will guide decision makers through the important process steps of identifying appropriate questions, gathering appropriate data, developing landscape objectives, and prioritizing landscape patches where potential sites for restoration projects may be located. Once potential sites are selected, land managers can move to the site-specific decision tool to guide restoration decisions at the site level.