Rainy season upcountry rural Gambia, is green. It is a warm, inviting blend of a thousand greens. It is a mixture of beautiful, calm, peaceful mingling greens.

Digging beneath the surface, however, it is immediately clear that soil erosion is out of control, crop yield is extremely low, people are poor, many children are malnourished, many adults have type 2 diabetes, pneumonia is common, malaria is widespread especially among pregnant women, and the division of labour is anything but equal in this green landscape. Necessities are scarce. Luxuries are almost non-existent. There are very few commodities here, except time. Time is one commodity everyone has plenty of. Time is relative. People take their time. They have nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with. The hours seem to pass more slowly upcountry, especially for the women.

As I look around and soak in the reality of it all I remember that life, for most of the women, is hard; toiling long hours in the fields, tending domestic livestock and vegetable gardens, gathering firewood, fetching water, cleaning clothes, preparing and cooking food, taking care of children and managing household food distribution. The average rural Gambian woman works at least 16 to 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. The workload is never-ending and even now, during the fasting period of Ramadan, the rural women are still working in the fields, still carrying out their domestic chores and still carrying all the heavy loads on their heads.

Young girls walk along the paths carrying even younger children on their backs and small bundles of fire wood on their heads, practising for their future roles. Up here in the now-green rainy season fields, it is very clear that women are women and girls are women in waiting. And like their mothers and grandmothers and aunts and older sisters and 140 million other girls and women worldwide, most of these young girls will be circumcised. Because no formal studies have been done, it is difficult to estimate how many females in The Gambia have been circumcised. Rough estimates run from 68% to 93%.

In The Gambia, female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation or female genital cutting, usually involves the removal of the clitoris and excision of the labia minora, by a 'circumcision doctor', usually the traditional birth attendant. The girl is usually blindfolded, held down and cut with a dirty razor blade. Anaesthetics are not used and the wound is sometimes doused with bleach, covered in cow dung or smeared with Vaseline.

The type and seriousness of the immediate complications depends on the skill of the circumciser, her eyesight, the sharpness of the instrument used and the cooperation of the initiate; a girl who struggles may be more damaged than a girl who does not. In many cases if health problems develop, they are not seen as a consequence of circumcision but blamed on evil spirits or witchcraft.

Because women are often circumcised in groups with the same dirty razor or knife, HIV could be transmitted between them. Certainly there is a higher incidence of HSV2 and bacterial vaginosis among circumcised as opposed to uncircumcised individuals – whether this is due to the same blade being used over and over again is not clear.

Female circumcision has been condemned by the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the World Medical Association, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 1999 neighbouring Senegal legally banned the practice. Burkino Faso, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea and Togo followed suit. Not The Gambia.

In The Gambia, female circumcision is widely accepted and practiced. Over the years I have heard many reasons given to justify the practice. Some people claim it is a duty under Islam; some say that it marks the beginning of womanhood; some say that it is for protection against the evil eye; some say that it is done to reduce a woman's sexual pleasure and stop her from being promiscuous; some say that it is done to 'stop the ugly clitoris from growing too long and damaging the penis during sex or harming the infant during childbirth'.

This evening I can hear the drums in the neighbouring village heralding the presence of the female 'circumcision doctor'. One woman from the village tells me that she has not allowed her daughters to be circumcised and that 'many people are stopping it now because they are aware of the problems it can cause. Radio programs tell us that it is a violation against children.' In some cases, however, the radio programs may be counterproductive.

I know a father of two young girls who feels that 'the aid agencies are walking into our country with their ideas and theories and calling female circumcision female genital mutilation. They have no right to interfere in our culture. I was not going to have my girls circumcised but as soon as the aid agencies and the radio programs said that it was wrong I immediately sent my girls to be circumcised. No one, especially not foreigners who know nothing about our traditions or people who talk about sex on the radio, has the right to tell me what to do and not do.'

This father is not alone. There are many, men and women, who view Western opposition to female circumcision as just another form of colonial domination and cultural imperialism.

Unfortunately, the anti-female circumcision messages are also having unforeseen effects. Nene, a rural health worker, explains to me that women are now circumcising their babies because young girls are being taught in schools that circumcision 'is an abuse against their person'. Mothers and grandmothers, unwilling to put up a fight, now arrange for circumcision when the girls are too young to know better and too small to struggle. The idea that circumcision marks an important step into womanhood is gradually being dispelled as younger and younger girls – some of them only a few months old – are being circumcised.

When the circumcision doctor arrives in a village, the women, old and young, rejoice. The girls, almost always unaware of what is about to happen to them, dance and sing. This secret ritual, seen as barbaric in the West and full of immense joy in some parts of The Gambia, binds the women together. It cements them as a group, separates them from the 'others' – the men and the world outside. It ties the initiates to their mothers and their grandmothers and all the women before them. The perpetuation of female circumcision occurs because the mothers and grandmothers insist upon it. It is a traditional practice, maintained by women on young girls so that everyone fits in and no one is considered a 'freak'. In many communities it would be unthinkable to not be circumcised. Community identity is important. One must conform to the community's rules and traditions. Being circumcised is considered a necessary part of this. The mothers and grandmothers who perpetuate this practice are not doing so out of cruelty. They are simply re-enacting an age-old custom so that their daughters and granddaughters will become accepted members of society.

Nene feels very strongly that 'this tradition does not represent the best of Gambian culture. It simply represents what has survived from the past and has no place in today's world.' She has tried to convince many of the circumcisers that this traditional practice must stop. She is not sure, however, how much success she is having. 'Sometimes', she says, 'I just feel as though it will never end and generations of young girls will continue to be harmed and violated because of this barbaric practice. Village life may seem exotic to some but for many of the young girls and women here it is full of personal violence and for some of them it is full of death.'

But, I think things are changing. And so I ramble off some facts to Nene. Sitting with her, waiting for the fast to break so we can sip tea and eat loaves of tapa lapa bread I say 'ten years ago no one ever discussed it. Many men did not even know that it occurred. It was a woman's secret. It being the operative word. The secret word about a secret world. Now female circumcision is discussed by members of the National Assembly, some Islamic religious leaders are actually calling for its elimination, newspapers are printing articles about it and schools are incorporating anti-female circumcision messages into the curriculum. Gamcotrap, a Gambian NGO, campaigning for the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and children and against harmful traditional practices, has had much success in educating the public and getting some traditional birth attendants to put down their circumcision blades. Don't you think this is encouraging?'

Looking at me Nene says 'Our village just buried a two-month-old. She bled to death after being circumcised and the mother blamed it on witchcraft. There is nothing positive or encouraging about that.'


Systems based on distributed agent architectures require an agent communications language having a clearly defined semantics. This paper demonstrates that a semantics for an agent communications language can be founded on the premise that agents are building, maintaining, and disbanding teams through their performance of communicative acts. This view requires that definitions of basic communicative acts, such as requesting, be recast in terms of the formation of a joint intention - a mental state that has been suggested underlies team behavior. To illustrate these points, a semantics is developed for a number of communication actions that can form and dissolve teams. It is then demonstrated how much of the structure of popular finite-state dialogue models, such as Winograd and Flores' basic conversation for action, follows as a consequence of the logical relationships that are created by the redefined communicative actions.


The reproductive cycle of the pedunculate barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes from two intertidal levels (mid and low) at Cabo de Sines, south-west coast of Portugal has been described. Pollicipes pollicipes larger than 12.5 mm (rostrocarinal distance, RC) are simultaneous hermaphrodites. Minimum size for maturity of the female gonad was 12.5 mm (RC) whilst sperm production is achieved at a smaller size (10 mm). The breeding season was from April to September. Reproductive activity was similar at both tidal levels and was significantly correlated with seawater temperature. Brooding activity was most pronounced in late spring and summer when seawater temperature ranged from 18 to 21°C. Throughout the year, sperm was stored in the seminal vesicles, although the testes regressed from October–December. The female gonad was resting in October–January and active during March–September. During resting, only a few empty ovarioles were observed. At the beginning and in the middle of the reproductive season (March to August), the ovary was completely disrupted after fertilization and ovary recovery occurred simultaneously with egg development. During the end of the reproductive season (September–October), synchrony was retarded as recovery of the ovary was slower than egg development. The pattern of functioning of the female gonad should allow production of several broods during the season.


Abstract Introduction Decades of mining in South Africa has given rise to hundreds of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and several tonnes of waste. These TSFs have contributed to air pollution due to the lack of proper rehabilitation measures. Currently, it is not known whether tailings emissions could be the cause of respiratory-related ill effects. In addition, the physicochemical properties that may govern their toxicity have not yet been identified. Aim The aim of this research was to determine the toxicity of tailings dust and identify the physicochemical properties likely to govern toxicity. Methods Dust samples were collected from five TSFs in the Gauteng and North West Provinces of South Africa and sieved to enrich the airborne particle fraction more likely to be inhaled. Thereafter, their physicochemical characteristics were assessed i.e. size distribution, specific surface area, shape, surface elemental composition, mineral composition, total elemental composition and surface activity. In addition, the toxicity and cellular internalization of the particles were assessed using the BEAS-2B epithelial and U937 monocytic-macrophage cell lines. Results: The results showed that all tailings dusts showed toxicity, particularly in the BEAS-2B cell line. This toxicity could have been governed by either their elemental composition, e.g. high transition elements e.g. Fe, Cu, Cr and V in the dusts from TSF 4, or a combination of other physicochemical properties, e.g. higher quartz content, lower size and higher surface area in the dusts from TSF 1. Conclusion These results provide mechanistic evidence to support future epidemiological studies attempting to link tailings dust exposure to adverse health effects.


The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Part 1 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 enshrine New Labour's youth justice strategy for England and Wales. Some have claimed that this is just a development of the previous Conservative government's ideas. This article sets out to challenge this, and show the unique development of Labour thinking over the past decade, and then bring together, in the form of a review article, a wide range of published academic critique of the main components of the new legislation.


Image hosted by LoosenArt in the 'Vanitas#2' exhibition held in Cagliari – Italy, gallery LAB-A, 8th – 14th December 2016

Study after the Dutch masters of still life and the vanitas, entirely in plastic.
Where Claesz and his contemporaries set out to highlight the transience of life and futility of object based wealth, this vanitas set entirely in cheap plastic considers objects, which in their organic form would be fleeting – subject to decay and the ravages of time. Their plastic counterparts, however are practically immortal, destined to outlive their owners and manufacturers in landfill. This is a most digital response to a classical theme, which questions what death means in the age of the infinite archive and a world of largely valueless mechanical reproduction and replication.


*A list of acronyms used in this article is provided on page 29. "...[For] Canada, it is better to have clear rules and fair-minded referees on the playing field than to be scrambling on someone else's terrain and playing, as often as not, according to their rules and without any referees at all." (1) Many other Canadians have made similar pleas for Canadian-American relations to be "rules-based." The assumption is that if bilateral dealings on particular issues were more or less formally regulated, the asymmetry in power between the North American neighbors would tend to be ironed out. The result would be greater equity in treating matters of mutual concern, whether the two countries were competing or cooperating (or both at the same time). The rules would usually be elaborated and enforcement would be supervised by an appropriate organization established by formal agreement between the two states. In such an organization, Canada might participate on a par with its more powerful neighbor in deciding matters under the auspices of that entity. How has this worked out in practice? This study focuses not on the negotiating phase but on implementation of particular bilateral agreements in order to determine if a "rules-based system" does in fact diminish the general inequality of influence in the relations between a great power and the adjacent middle power and, if so, when. It will examine experience under the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which went into force in 1989, and its successor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which the two partners concluded with Mexico in 1993. (The Mexican relationship will be omitted in this study.) In addition to trade issues, the study will investigate environmental issues mostly related to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972, revised in 1978 and amended by a protocol in 1987; the Air Quality Agreement of 1991; and the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation under NAFTA. Annette Baker Fox is an associate research scholar at the Institute of War and Peace Studies, Columbia University. She is the author of The Power of Small States: Diplomacy in World War II (1959), The Politics of Attraction: Four Middle Powers and the United States (1977), "Settling U.S.-Canada Disputes: Lessons for NAFTA," Canadian-American Public Policy II: September 1992, co-author of NATO and the Range of American Choice (1967), and co-editor of Canada and the United States: Transnational and Transgovernmental Relations (1976). In 1987 she received the Donner Medal for her contributions to Canadian Studies in the United States. Why should Canadians care about rules-based systems? Aside from the widespread sense of being vulnerable to the behavior of their super-power neighbor, segments of Canada's population have frequently experienced specific American trade actions which were clearly arbitrary and harmful to their interests. "Aggressive unilateralism" has often marked United States foreign relations. Disregard for interests beyond the United States borders looks like caprice even when there was no intent to assert an extraterritorial jurisdiction. Since foreign trade amounts to over forty percent of Canada's economy (well over three times its significance in the American GOP), this issue area is of very great importance to Canadians. Although each country is the other's largest trade partner, the ratio of total Canadian trade going to the United States (about eighty percent) is far higher than the ratio of total United States exports going to Canada (about twenty-two percent). For geographic and demographic reasons, environmental damage to Canadians from American sources is generally greater than that flowing in the opposite direction, especially when it consists of acid rain and other toxic substances. Thus in both environmental and trade areas, it was primarily Canada which sought a bilateral agreement. Trade and the environment are only two of the many kinds of relationships between the two North American countries, but they are covered by more formal agreements than most other issue areas except for defense and fisheries. …


This paper examines the impact of an experiment in North Macedonia in which vulnerable unemployed individuals applying to a subsidized employment program were randomly selected to attend job interviews. Employers hiring a new employee from the target population receive a subsidy covering the wage cost of the worker for the first six months. Using administrative employment data, we find that attending the job interview led to an increase of 15 percentage points in the likelihood of being employed 3.5 years after the start of the intervention. We also find positive and statistically significant effects on individuals' non-cognitive and work-related skills.


The Miocene epoch (23.03–5.33 Ma) was a time interval of global warmth, relative to today. Continental configurations and mountain topography transitioned toward modern conditions, and many flora and fauna evolved into the same taxa that exist today. Miocene climate was dynamic: long periods of early and late glaciation bracketed a ∼2 Myr greenhouse interval—the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO). Floras, faunas, ice sheets, precipitation, pCO2, and ocean and atmospheric circulation mostly (but not ubiquitously) covaried with these large changes in climate. With higher temperatures and moderately higher pCO2 (∼400–600 ppm), the MCO has been suggested as a particularly appropriate analog for future climate scenarios, and for assessing the predictive accuracy of numerical climate models—the same models that are used to simulate future climate. Yet, Miocene conditions have proved difficult to reconcile with models. This implies either missing positive feedbacks in the models, a lack of knowledge of past climate forcings, or the need for re‐interpretation of proxies, which might mitigate the model‐data discrepancy. Our understanding of Miocene climatic, biogeochemical, and oceanic changes on broad spatial and temporal scales is still developing. New records documenting the physical, chemical, and biotic aspects of the Earth system are emerging, and together provide a more comprehensive understanding of this important time interval. Here, we review the state‐of‐the‐art in Miocene climate, ocean circulation, biogeochemical cycling, ice sheet dynamics, and biotic adaptation research as inferred through proxy observations and modeling studies.


The impact on the territory of important archaeological sites and related human activities has induced, as a rule, modifications in the local environmental system. An example is represented by the sanctuary of the goddess Mefitis in Macchia Rossano, in the territory of Vaglio Basilicata, close to the town of Potenza (southern Italy). This archaeological site has been affected by swelling in historical times that occurred in the allochthonous, chaotic, heterogeneous, and anisotropic polychrome scaly clays of the geological formation called Argille Varicolori. In such structural conditions, the collapse mechanisms of the Argille Varicolori seem to be strongly influenced by pre-failure phenomena and, therefore, the application of the limit equilibrium method does not always seem to be suitable. Nonetheless, the analysis in terms of total stress and the in situ assessment of the relationship between rainfall and fluctuations of the groundwater level by long-term monitoring have allowed to determine the amount of rainfall related to the piezometric level of collapse and, consequently, to assess the conditions of the sanctuary in the historical times when the landslides occurred.


This Policy Forum, based on the results of an 18-month study of five interdisciplinary research centers, provides data on the practices and processes of interdisciplinary collaboration. The
 authors
 used techniques of network and interview analysis. They find that, although many young scientists are drawn to the intellectual rewards of interdisciplinary research as graduate students, they may also be deterred by the professional risks as early-career tenure-track scientists.


We present a probabilistic framework to automatically learn models of recurring signs from multiple sign language video sequences containing the vocabulary of interest. We extract the parts of the signs that are present in most occurrences of the sign in context and are robust to the variations produced by adjacent signs. Each sentence video is first transformed into a multidimensional time series representation, capturing the motion and shape aspects of the sign. Skin color blobs are extracted from frames of color video sequences, and a probabilistic relational distribution is formed for each frame using the contour and edge pixels from the skin blobs. Each sentence is represented as a trajectory in a low dimensional space called the space of relational distributions. Given these time series trajectories, we extract signemes from multiple sentences concurrently using iterated conditional modes (ICM). We show results by learning single signs from a collection of sentences with one common pervading sign, multiple signs from a collection of sentences with more than one common sign, and single signs from a mixed collection of sentences. The extracted signemes demonstrate that our approach is robust to some extent to the variations produced within a sign due to different contexts. We also show results whereby these learned sign models are used for spotting signs in test sequences.


Supernates of human T cells stimulated with TT antigen contain a factor that induces mitogenesis and immunoglobulin synthesis in autologous as well as allogeneic B cells. A fraction of the IgG produced has specificity against TT. The T-cell-derived LMF-TT eluted after albumin on Sephadex G 200 and did not contain immunoglobulin heavy chain determinants. LMF-TT was active on B cells from TT immune as well as TT- nonimmune individuals but in the latter instance the IgG secreted had no specificity against TT. B cells incubated with LMF-TT in the presence of a second antigen (DT) made IgG with specifity to that antigen provided the B-cell donor was immune to that second antigen. LMF-TT-containing supernates were depleted of TT antigen by Sephadex G 200 chromatography followed by passage over anti-TT immunosorbent columns. The antigen-free supernates were able to induce mitogenesis and IgG synthesis in B cells but the IgG produced failed to exhibit specificity against TT unless the TT antigen was readded to the B-cell cultures. The optimal concentration of LMF-TT (50 percent) inducing B-cell mitogenesis was different from the optimal concentration (20 percent) causing IgG synthesis by B cells. At low LMF concentrations (less than or equal 10 percent) addition of a second antigen to which the cell donor was immune caused an increase in the degree of B-cell mitogenesis. Submitogenic concentrations of LMF-TT (less than or equal to 5 percent) were still capable of inducingimmunoglobulin synthesis in B cells At these low concentrations of LMF-TT the proportion of anti-TT IgG over total IgG increased sharply. B cells from TT immune donors were separated on TT immunosorbent columns. Cells that bound to the column were more sensitive to the mitogenic and IgG synthetic effects of LMF-TT than unfractionated B cells. Thus, LMF is a nonspecific human T-cell helper factor which behaves like a polyclonal B-cell activator. However, in the presence of specific antigen (TT) the antigen-specific B cell is preferentially triggered by LMF. The experimental design of the present study does not rule out the additional presence of an antigen-specific helper factor in the supernates of TT-stimulated human T cells.


India has submitted notifications to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on domestic support to agricultural producers in 1995-2003. This paper reviews India's notifications and summarizes the related discussion in the WTO Committee on Agriculture of some key issues relating to the rules of the Agreement on Agriculture on domestic support. It calculates price gaps for rice, wheat, cotton and sugarcane in 1995 to 2013 under four scenarios regarding the external reference price and calculates the resulting market price support using total production and procurement quantities. It compares the associated Aggregate Measurements of Support (AMSs) to their limits based on value of production. The AMSs show large excesses above their limits over many years until 2013 for several crops under some readings of the Agreement but much less so if certain adjustments are made. This highlights the differences among alternative interpretations of the Agreement in determining compliance with a country's obligations, in particular the understanding of the fixed external reference price and the production eligible to receive the applied administered price. The paper puts India's administered pricing in the context of the 2013 decision of WTO ministers regarding protection under some conditions against challenge under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.


Background: The National Practitioner Databank is a database that lists all malpractice cases against healthcare professionals. There is no study considering the trends in pharmacy malpractice using official data from the National Practitioner Databank in recent times. Methods: In the current study, we used the National Practitioner Databank for period 2006-2015 to evaluate trends numbers of malpractice payments and adverse actions enforced against pharmacists in the United States. JMP was utilized to visualize and evaluate data. Results: During the decade of the study there were 646 malpractice payments made against pharmacists and 2015 represents the fifth consecutive year of increase in the annual number of malpractice payments against pharmacists. Contrastingly, numbers of adverse actions against pharmacists has experienced the fifth consecutive year of reduction. Hence, malpractice payments are trending upward while adverse actions against pharmacists are trending downward. Conclusion: Although the pharmacy profession implements multiple processes to protect patients from medication errors the number of malpractice payments against them continues to rise. Key words: Malpractice, Malpractice Payments, Licensure, Adverse Action, Healthcare Delivery.


The aim of the book is to introduce students to the basic ideas of inorganic chemistry and to show where they come from. It starts from chemical observations, and develops the ideas from these. It complements texts that start from the quantum theory of atoms and molecules and take a more physical approach.


Among various distance functions for graphs, graph and subgraph edit distances (GED and SED respectively) are two of the most popular and expressive measures. Unfortunately, exact computations for both are NP-hard. To overcome this computational bottleneck, neural approaches to learn and predict edit distance in polynomial time have received much interest. While considerable progress has been made, there exist limitations that need to be addressed. First, the efficacy of an approximate distance function lies not only in its approximation accuracy, but also in the preservation of its properties. To elaborate, although GED is a metric, its neural approximations do not provide such a guarantee. This prohibits their usage in higher order tasks that rely on metric distance functions, such as clustering or indexing. Second, several existing frameworks for GED do not extend to SED due to SED being asymmetric. In this work, we design a novel siamese graph neural network called GREED, which through a carefully crafted inductive bias, learns GED and SED in a property-preserving manner. Through extensive experiments across 10 real graph datasets containing up to 7 million edges, we establish that GREED is not only more accurate than the state of the art, but also up to 3 orders of magnitude faster. Even more significantly, due to preserving the triangle inequality, the generated embeddings are indexable and consequently, even in a CPU-only environment, GREED is up to 50 times faster than GPU-powered baselines for graph / subgraph retrieval.


Obesity is a health condition, but its consequences extend far beyond the realm of health. To illuminate an important route by which the experience of obesity can filter into the status attainment process, this study drew on nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to test a social psychological model of the gendered link between obesity and education. Obese girls were less likely to enter college after high school than were their nonobese peers, especially when they attended schools in which obesity was relatively uncommon. Additional analyses revealed that increasing rates of internalizing symptoms, self-medication, and academic disengagement explained about one-third of the obese girls' lower odds of college enrollment. Obese boys, on the other hand, did not differ from their peers—no matter what their school context—in college enrollment.


The New Classical macroeconomic models seek to explain observed cyclical fluctuations in real activity by agents' reactions to nominal demand disturbances, about which they have incomplete information. While these models are driven by incomplete information about stochastic shocks, it is invariably assumed that agents have comprehensive information about the structure of the model, the associated probability distributions and the past values of all relevant variables. This paper analyses a simple New Classical model where agents cannot observe any lagged values of the true aggregate of an important variable – the money stock – but can see (lagged values of) an imperfectly measured estimate of this aggregate. Agents filter this noisy signal and all other available information to produce optimal estiimates (i.e., rational expectations) of the current and lagged aggregate money stocks. Analytically tractable expressions are obtained from the stationary solution to the inherent recursive Kalman filtering problem. It is found that, under fairly general conditions, this filtering process induces serially correlated errors into the agents' expectations of the money stock, even though their expectations are rational. This serial dependence feeds through to generate a persistent response of real activity to demand shocks. Futhermore, it is shown that the correlation of unanticipated movements in the measured money stock with movements in real activity, may not be indicative of the relationship between activity and the true money stock. These results suggest that incomplete information about macroeconomic variables may explain some of the observed business cycle persistence and some of the instances of a lack of a sizeable measured correlation between real output and money supply innovations.


The structural behaviour and analysis of high-rise building components and supporting transfer girders have received added emphasis due to its importance in connection with modern tall buildings. Traditional theories consider such kind of structures as simple wall beams. Approximate formulas for estimating the behaviour of the supporting beam were developed. However, because of the lack of clear understanding of structual behaviour and analysis of transfer beams supporting various high-rise building components, approximate formulas are not widely used. In the present work, analysis and structural behaviour of supporting transfer girders supporting various high-rise building components like solid shear walls, coupled shear walls and rigid frames are presented. Unlike normal deep beams, there is no particular span/depth ratio for estimating the structural behaviour and failure mechanism of transfer girders. The supporting transfer beam acts either as a full tension member, deep beam or as a ordinary beam in bending depending on the type of upper structure form and there relevant parameters such as span/depth ratio of the transfer beam, stiffness of the support columns, span of the shear wall and degree of coupling on the coupled shear walls, and etc. Detailed finite element analysis has been conducted using finite element code ABAQUS. Square plane stress elements were used to generate stress results. The selected finite element model was calibrated by applying to deep beams whose stresses are known. Realistic limits for span/depth ratios are defmed for transfer beams to act as a tension member supporting different upper structural forms. The interactive zone of the system in which distribution of the internal stresses are complicated has been indicated in the analysis. Conclusions of the invetigation are drawn from the structural behaviour, analysis and parametric studies.


We derive a general linear-response many-body theory capable of computing excitation spectra of trapped interacting bosonic systems, e.g., depleted and fragmented Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). To obtain the linear-response equations we linearize the multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree for bosons (MCTDHB) method, which provides a self-consistent description of many-boson systems in terms of orbitals and a state vector (configurations), and is in principle numerically-exact. The derived linear-response many-body theory, which we term LR-MCTDHB, is applicable to systems with interaction potentials of general form. From the numerical implementation of the LR-MCTDHB equations and solution of the underlying eigenvalue problem, we obtain excitations beyond available theories of excitation spectra, such as the Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) equations. The derived theory is first applied to study BECs in a one-dimensional harmonic potential. The LR-MCTDHB method contains the BdG excitations and, also, predicts a plethora of additional many-body excitations which are out of the realm of standard linear response. In particular, our theory describes the exact energy of the higher harmonic of the first (dipole) excitation not contained in the BdG theory. We next study a BEC in a very shallow one-dimensional double-well potential. We find with LR-MCTDHB low-lying excitations which are not accounted for by BdG, even though the BEC has only little fragmentation and, hence, the BdG theory is expected to be valid. The convergence of the LR-MCTDHB theory is assessed by systematically comparing the excitation spectra computed at several different levels of theory.


Abstract Tipping of restaurant servers is expected in the USA and is a major source of their income. However, tipping of servers in Australia is not normally expected. This study of sixty-four USA servers and seventy-five Australian servers showed significant differences in job satisfaction, degree of satisfaction with total earnings and degree of control over earnings. A review of literature also revealed cultural differences between the USA and Australia that may explain differences in tipping customs. Keywords: Tipping, Satisfaction, Labour Turnover Introduction Factors associated with tourist satisfaction have been a topic of study for many years (see, for example Pizam, Newman and Reikel 1978). In that the consumption of food in restaurants represents a major expense for tourists, the levels of service provided in restaurants is an important variable for study. It is reasonable to assume that job satisfaction of restaurant servers is associated with the level of service they provide. For example, Lynn and Graves (1996) stated that people work primarily to make money and dissatisfaction with income is a significant cause of labour turnover. They further stated that restaurant managers could attract and keep competent workers by promising and delivering a high income to them. In the United States (USA), tips are considered a primary source of income for many restaurant servers. In fact, tipping is so ingrained in the USA culture that federal wage and hour law allows restaurateurs to pay servers less than the minimum wage by means of a `tip credit'. That said, tips do not amount to a significant portion of restaurant servers' incomes in all countries. In Australia, for example, tipping servers is not expected and in some instances is discouraged. Indeed, the great differences that tipping plays in remuneration of restaurant servers in the USA and Australia prompts a number of questions: * Are there cultural differences between the two countries that might explain tipping/ non-tipping customs? * Are the overall levels of job satisfaction of USA (tipped) servers different from Australian (non-tipped) servers? * What differences, if any, are there between USA and Australian servers as to satisfaction with their total earnings? * What differences, if any, do servers from the two countries perceive in the relationship between their efforts on the job and their total earnings? A review of the literature has shed some light on the first question. Lynn (1997) provided evidence that cultural differences may indeed explain differences in tipping customs. He opines that tipping may function as a form of conspicuous consumption; a practice that allows wealthy and status-conscious consumers to demonstrate that they are successful people. Specifically, his data show that North Americans place a higher value on recognition than Australians and that the number of tipped professions in the USA is double that found in Australia. Lynn's (2000) findings suggest that North Americans have a higher level of `extraversion' (i.e. social, expressive and dominant) than do Australians and suggests that high levels of national extraversion may increase the prevalence of tipping. He also presented data that indicates tipping is more prevalent in countries where people regard power and status differences as legitimate and acceptable. There is anecdotal evidence that suggests a difference between North Americans and Australians regarding this last point. For example, in the USA, most college students are expected to address faculty members by degree or title. In Australia, students and faculty members are generally on a first-name basis. Research Method The purpose of this study was to ascertain: a. if there were differences in overall levels of job satisfaction between USA and Australian servers; b. what differences, if any, there were between USA and Australian servers as to satisfaction with their total earnings; and c. …


In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in public and private investment in university research parks (URPs). URPs are important as an infrastructural mechanism for the transfer of academic research findings, as a source of knowledge spillovers, and as a catalyst for national and regional economic growth. We present international evidence on the growth of URPs, review the academic literature on URPs, and outline an agenda for additional theoretical and empirical research on this topic.


Abstract. Cocoa agroecosystems are a major land-use type in the tropical rainforest belt of West Africa, reportedly associated with several ecological changes, including soil degradation. This study aims to develop a composite soil degradation assessment index (CSDI) for determining the degradation level of cocoa soils under smallholder agroecosystems of southwestern Nigeria. Plots where natural forests have been converted to cocoa agroecosystems of ages 1–10, 11–40, and 41–80 years, respectively representing young cocoa plantations (YCPs), mature cocoa plantations (MCPs), and senescent cocoa plantations (SCPs), were identified to represent the biological cycle of the cocoa tree. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 20 cm in each plot and analysed in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Factor analysis of soil data revealed four major interacting soil degradation processes: decline in soil nutrients, loss of soil organic matter, increase in soil acidity, and the breakdown of soil textural characteristics over time. These processes were represented by eight soil properties (extractable zinc, silt, soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus, total porosity, pH, and clay content). These soil properties were subjected to forward stepwise discriminant analysis (STEPDA), and the result showed that four soil properties (extractable zinc, cation exchange capacity, SOM, and clay content) are the most useful in separating the studied soils into YCP, MCP, and SCP. In this way, we have sufficiently eliminated redundancy in the final selection of soil degradation indicators. Based on these four soil parameters, a CSDI was developed and used to classify selected cocoa soils into three different classes of degradation. The results revealed that 65 % of the selected cocoa farms are moderately degraded, while 18 % have a high degradation status. The numerical value of the CSDI as an objective index of soil degradation under cocoa agroecosystems was statistically validated. The results of this study reveal that soil management should promote activities that help to increase organic matter and reduce Zn deficiency over the cocoa growth cycle. Finally, the newly developed CSDI can provide an early warning of soil degradation processes and help farmers and extension officers to implement rehabilitation practices on degraded cocoa soils.


A system is described which relates to the FAA's developmental Discrete Address Beacon System (DABS). However, the DABNLS is an integrated system and would provide not only air traffic control surveillance data and a two-way data link (including ground derived traffic advisories) of DABS, but it would also provide precision area navigation and versatile landing guidance with a full Category IIIc capability. Further, its transmissions include three-dimensional position data on all aircraft, thus supplying simple straight forward means for a cockpit traffic environment display on an effective and economic collision avoidance system with horizontal as well as vertical escape maneuver capabilities.

For the enroute structure the DABNLS would utilize a single pair of L-band frequencies for the discretely addressed up-link interrogations and down-link replies. The ground facility would make precise azimuth and range measurements on the bi-phase coded reply pulses, and, with the reported altitude data, digitally process the data to obtain the aircraft's latitude/longitude and other parameters. This data is broadcast on the following interrogation for navigation by the addressed aircraft, and for collision avoidance purposes by all other aircraft. The ground facility uses the data for ATC purposes. Multiple channels would be used in the terminal areas, each with the addition of elevation facilities for landing guidance.

Substantial economies would be accrued with both ground and airborne equipment, as well as added operational capabilities, with implementation of DABNLS. Even a single channel airborne transponder would provide ATC surveillance, area navigation, and collision avoidance for the smallest aircraft throughout the country, and make practical for the first time the longstanding FAA desire of surveillance of all aircraft.


Air quality is far from being a new concern but remains an issue demanding increasing attention. The dispersion and ground-level concentration of pollutants are determined by the complex interactions of many factors. These include meteorological conditions at or near the site, the topography of the surrounding areas, physical characteristics of stack or other emission points as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of the pollutants. Many measurements of the concentrations of specific air pollutants at selected monitoring locations are made throughout the world. However, there is always a need to predict future air pollution levels or to estimate air quality where no monitoring data are available. Computer models are a relatively inexpensive and expedient way of providing such air quality information. They also provide an important planning tool because of their ability to evaluate a variety of options for managing air quality. Projects that either introduce new sources of emissions or aim to reduce emissions require careful scrutiny to assess any risks as far as possible. By employing tools such as modelling and exposure assessment, risk based decision-making considers the current and potential risks posed by a release. This knowledge is then used to make decisions about corrective action required for processes, as well as implications for site management and emergency response. For many sources, this will typically require mathematical modelling of the changes in ambient concentrations that result from the changes.
Official guidelines from government bodies note that the selection of models and the interpretation of their results are not straightforward. This book aims to clarify some of these points. Practical examples are included throughout, and illustrations of modelling software are integrated in the text. Further aims of this book are as follows:
• Describe the characteristics influencing the transport of harmful materials through the air.
• Outline the general theoretical principles underpinning dispersion modelling.
• Introduce several types of model used for air quality management.
• Identify the limitations of dispersion models.
• Provide the skills to use simple dispersion models.
• Enable the reader to understand and interpret the output from models of real problems involving continuous or accidental releases to the atmosphere.
The first four chapters place modelling in the context of the current practice of air quality management, and outline sufficient theoretical background to allow the novice modeller to understand the requirements and limitations of input data. Chapter 5 outlines basic features of the Gaussian plume model, although other books go into more theoretical detail on this. The next three chapters follow the staged approach to modelling, starting with simple models and progressing to refined models for both continuous and emergency releases. Chapter 9 focuses on how models match reality and illustrates validation issues, while guidelines for good practice conclude the book.
As the title implies, this book is intended to offer a practical introduction to atmospheric dispersion modelling. The serious mathematician is encouraged to explore other books that deal with the theoretical background, while practitioners will need to focus on issues relevant to their own models and applications.


People are immersed in electromagnetic fields from such sources as power lines, domestic appliances, mobile phones, and even electrical storms. All living beings sense electric fields, but the physical origins of the phenomenon are still unclear. Magnetobiology considers the effects of electromagnetic fields on living organisms. It provides a comprehensive review of relevant experimental data and theoretical concepts, and discusses all major modern hypotheses on the physical nature of magnetobiological effects. It also highlights some problems that have yet to be solved and points out new avenues for research. Why do some people feel unwell during a lightning storm? Why is there a correlation between the level of electromagnetic background and the incidence of cancer? Why do so many medical centers use electromagnetic exposures to treat a wide variety of disorders in humans? The international scientific community is extremely interested in a theory of magnetobiology and the answers to these and other questions, as evidenced by the growing number of research associations in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named electromagnetic contamination in occupational and residential areas as a stress factor for human beings. This book stands out among recent texts on magnetobiology because it draws on a strong foundation of empirical and theoretical evidence to explain the various effects of magnetic fields on the human body. It contains the first comprehensive collection of experimental data bearing physical information, frequency and amplitude/power spectra, and original research data on how electromagnetic fields interfere with ions and molecules inside the proteins of living organisms. Introduction is written so that it will be understandable to a wide scientific community regardless of their specialisation First comprehensive collection of experimental data bearing physical information, frequency and amplitude/power spectra Original theoretical research data on the interference of ions and molecules inside proteins Appendix covers physical questions most relevant for magnetobiology. In particular there is an original exposition of the magnetic resonance basic principles


Three distinct phytoplankton blooms lasting 4–9 d were observed in approximately 15‐m water depth near Huntington Beach, California, between June and October of 2006. Each bloom was preceded by a vertical NO3 flux event 6–10 d earlier. NO3 concentrations were estimated using a temperature proxy that was verified by comparison with the limited NO3 observations. The lower–water‐column vertical NO3 flux from vertical advection was inferred from observed vertical isotherm displacement. Turbulent vertical eddy diffusivity was parameterized based on the observed background (< 0.3 cycles h−1) stratification and vertical shear in the horizontal currents. The first vertical nitrate flux event in June contained both advective and turbulent fluxes, whereas the later two events were primarily turbulent, driven by shear in the lower part of the water column. The correlation between the NO3 flux and the observed chlorophyll a (Chl a) was maximum (r2 = 0.40) with an 8‐d lag. A simple nitrate–phytoplankton model using a linear uptake function and driven with the NO3 flux captured the timing, magnitude, and duration of the three Chl a blooms (skill = 0.61) using optimal net growth rate parameters that were within the expected range. Vertical and horizontal advection of Chl a past the measurement site were too small to explain the observed Chl a increases during the blooms. The vertical NO3 flux was a primary control on the growth events, and estimation of both the advective (upwelled) and turbulent fluxes is necessary to best predict these episodic blooms.


The anodic stripping voltammetric determination of gold was accomplished on a chemically modified glassy carbon electrode in a solution containing chloride ions. A modifying polymer, polyvinylferrocene, was coated by immersing the glassy carbon surface in its solution in methylene chloride followed by solvent evaporation. Tetrahalo complexes of gold, tetrachloroaurate(III) and tetrabromoaurate(III) ions, were found to be reduced to metallic gold by chemical reduction during immersion of the polymer coated electrode into the solution containing aurate(III) ions. This reaction was utilized as means of preconcentration without the need for cathodic electrolysis prior to the anodic stripping of metallic gold. The effects of the preconcentration period, film thickness and the presence of Cu(II) ions as possible interferants were investigated.


This paper outlines a tripartite approach to ecology, based on the ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. It proposes a holistic approach to life based on a philosophical trinity that encompasses: ecology, spirituality and humanity. This trinity is sourced from and outlined in the Sanskrit concepts of human/nature relationships (yagna), human/divine relationships (tapas) and human/human relationships (dana). These terms are translated into the conceptual themes of 'Soil', 'Soul' and 'Society', and explored in light of current environmental issues and trends. Taking inspiration from the Hindu text, it is proposed: that we must realise, rather than being separate, we are interdependent and part of nature (Soil); that we must reconnect with our souls, and become at peace with ourselves if we are to have a harmonious relationship with nature (Soul); and that a movement is needed to create fairer conditions for humanity, that foster social harmony, and align with care for the earth and our own souls (Society). It is argued that each element of this tripartite philosophy must be applied together because they are interdependent; only in this way can we solve the disharmony, violence and destruction being caused to humanity and the environment.


E-life and the number of relevant e-applications have grown up rapidly depending upon the high speed technology and so high speed economy. Therefore, all the organizations as well as governmental organisations, especially municipalities, have been influenced by the emerging e-trends. On the other hand, Human Resources Management takes an important place within the organizations. The management of the period from selecting the proper staff to their retirement is an important issue and needs to be cared. Hence, in this study the role of Human Resources Information System (as a part of E-municipality applications) on the management of the human resources as well as some e-municipality issues will be studied by the help of a survey-based study which is conducted in some Turkish municipalities. In the conclusion and discussion parts the results of the survey are discussed and future research areas and limitations of the research are addressed.


The α-maxmin model is a prominent example of preferences under Knightian uncertainty as it allows to distinguish ambiguity and ambiguity attitude. These preferences are dynamically inconsistent for nontrivial versions of α. In this paper, we derive a recursive, dynamically consistent version of the α-maxmin model. In the continuous-time limit, the resulting dynamic utility function can be represented as a convex mixture between worst and best case, but now at the local, infinitesimal level. We study the properties of the utility function and provide an Arrow-Pratt approximation of the static and dynamic certainty equivalent. We derive a consumption-based capital asset pricing formula and study the implications for derivative valuation under indifference pricing.


The book is an account of the British rule, particularly the period from the "Quit India Movement" to "Partition" The author who was in the Indian Administrative Service served in various capacities in the government of Uttar Pradesh both in the Raj and the period of Independence. The account goes right up to the four months of the present year (1995). Though in the form of an autobiography, the experiences related are of universal interest, the foibles of the members of the ICS, both British and Indian, and the caprices of ministers forming interesting vignettes. The author critically assesses our achievements in various fields, after Independence, particularly in the fulfilment of the constitutional directives. The book deals with the various problems facing up today like corruption, internal security and law and order, the exploitation of child labour and the victimisation of women, the nature of politics, politicians and the political system and many other matters that require earnest thought and introspection. The author firmly believes that unless character, integrity and discipline can be created by the right kind of education and a sense of 'country above self be inculcated, our democracy cannot long survive. The book seeks to trigger serious thinking on the part of all who desire to bring this country in the group of the world's developed nations.


Water is scarce in many countries. One instrument to improve the allocation of a scarce resource is (efficient) pricing or taxation. However, water is implicitly traded on international markets, particularly through food and textiles, so that impacts of water taxes cannot be studied in isolation, but require an analysis of international trade implications. We include water as a production factor in a multi-region, multi-sector computable general equilibrium model (GTAP), to assess a series of water tax policies. We find that water taxes reduce water use, and lead to shifts in production, consumption, and international trade patterns. Countries that do not levy water taxes are nonetheless affected by other countries' taxes. Taxes on agricultural water use drive most of the economic and welfare impacts. Reductions in water use (welfare losses) are less (more) than linear in the price of water. The results are sensitive to the assumed ability to substitute other production factors for water. A water tax on production would have different effects on water use, production and trade patterns, and the size and distribution of welfare losses than would a water tax on final consumption.


Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus that affects several species of mammals. Rabies remains a global public health threat that kills more than 55,000 people per year mainly in developing countries, this disease once established do not have a specific treatment. The RV envelope is composed of a glycoprotein, known as a unique antigen capable of conferring immune response against the rabies, and therefore, is the focus of research for development an efficient and safe recombinant vaccine based on this viral antigen. Cell line stably transfected S2 Drosophila melanogaster have been used in the production of many heterologous proteins and has been studied for the production of the rabies virus glycoprotein (RVGP) in our laboratory. This approach involves the selection of high producing cell populations; procedure that requires considerable periods of time (months), increasing management and costs of production. In this sense, in recent decades, many systems focused on the expression of heterologous proteins by transient expression of genes, were analyzed because they allow obtaining significant quantities of recombinant protein in a short period of time (weeks). For the use of transient transfection technology can be found a variety of methods and available agents, such as electroporation, cationic lipids, cationic polymers and calcium phosphate precipitated. The choice and optimization of each of them depends mainly on the cell type and protein being expressed. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the transient expression of the glycoprotein gene of rabies virus (RVGP) in insect cells of Drosophila melanogaster S2 lineage, evaluating the vehicles transfection: calcium phosphate, cationic lipid (Cellfectin) and cationic polymer (ExGen500 and JetPEI). In order to determine the most efficient transfection agent, experiments were performed in 6 well plate and bottle of 100 mL of culture, which analyzed the influence of cell density, the concentration of DNA and transfection reagent volume on the expression of RVGP assessed by ELISA and fluorescence microscopy. Yields ranging from 50-90 ng/10 7 cel were obtained in different experiments on multiwell plate, suggesting strong effect of ratio DNA: transfection agent used. Comparison of transfection agents showed no significant differences. In transfections made in suspension culture was analyzed the effect of the plasmid (whether or not the signal of BiP cell secretion) on the expression RVGP. When we used the plasmid containing the signal BiP (pMTiRVGP) were obtained 160 ng/10 7 cel of RVGP production, and 200 ng/mL of volumetric production without significant differences between the different transfection agents. However, significant differences were found when we used the plasmid not containing the signal BiP (pMTRVGP), with the RVGP production was 60 ng/10 7 cells in cells transfected with Cellfectin, ExGen500 and calcium phosphate, except in cells transfected with JetPEI was reached a production of 120 ng/10 7 cells. In preliminary experiment bottle type "spinner" with a working volume of 60 mL were achieved expressions of 140 ng/10 7 cel of RVGP in cells transfected with JetPEI and calcium phosphate. This suggests that optimization of culture conditions and transfection are possible to increase recombinant protein expression in cultured on a large scale.


The Japanese weatherloaeh ( Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Cantor) can exchange gases both with water, via gills and skin, and with air, via the posterior region of the alimentary canal (intestine). Air breathing occurs by unidirectional ventilation of the alimentary canal with air taken in at the mouth and simultaneous expulsion of intestinal gas from the vent. Although the weatherloaeh is not an obligate air-breather, aerial gas exchange normally occurs even at 10°C in air-saturated water.

The alimentary canal was examined histologically to assess differences in capillary density and distribution and the diffusion distance for gases across those regions modified for aerial respiration. A respirometer system specifically designed for 2- to 3-g fish allowed continuous measurement of O2 and CO2 exchange via both aquatic and aerial routes at rest and at various ambient temperatures, and respiratory gas partial pressures. Air ventilation volumes, O2 and CO2 partial pressures of exhaled gas, O2 extraction, and O2 and CO2 exchange via the intestine were also determined, allowing the role of the intestine in total gas exchange in the weatherloaeh to be determined and compared with aerial gas exchange organs in other fishes.

The alimentary canal is divided into three zones, an anterior glandular portion separated by a spiral section from the posterior, respiratory zone which has the greatest capillary densities and shortest gas diffusion distances. At rest (20°C), the intestine takes up about 20% of total O2 but accounts for less than 3 % of total CO2 elimination (gas exchange ratio = 0.08 for intestine). O2 extraction averages 50%. Increasing temperature causes only slight increases in total metabolic rate (Q10 for MOO2= 1.5-1.8), but highly significant increases in intestinal gas exchange relative to total gas exchange develop as temperature rises. Intestinal gas exchange also rises with decreasing O2 availability. A strong hypoxic drive and weak hypercapnic drive exist for aerial ventilation of the intestine, but are reduced or absent for aquatic ventilation of the gills. In spite of having to function in respiration, absorption, secretion and buoyancy regulation, the potential effectiveness of intestinal gas exchange is shown to be similar to that of other structures used for aerial gas exchange in facultative air-breathing fish.


As described by this now famous quote "The art challenges technology, and the technology inspires art", technology has always played an important part in Pixar's movie making process. This course will show how we develop and utilize new technical advancements to tell more appealing stories, using real-world examples from our latest movie Incredibles 2. This is a direct refresher of the previous course from Siggraph Asia 2015. Since that time, Pixar's pipeline has been heavily restructured, switching its main rendering algorithm to pathtracing. We will describe how that technology has now matured, and how we were able to reintroduce complete artistic control in this new physically based world. At the same time, the pipeline kept evolving and we introduced a new stage that didn't exist before, in the form of deep compositing. Finally we'll focus on USD, OpenSubdiv and the Hydra render engine, to showcase how the whole pipeline is moving toward real-time feedback, not only for rendering, but also for many other departments such as animation, simulation and crowds.


Extrinsic factors such as the physical environment can control the activities of animals, but their effect on behaviour can vary substantially among individuals within a given population depending on more intrinsic factors such as differences in the need to search for food or mates. We examined the activity of the brooding intertidal gastropod Littorina saxatilis under a range of dif- ferent physical stressors experienced during high tide to test 2 hypotheses: (1) activity is affected by hydrodynamic conditions and (2) different reproductive groups respond in different ways to these conditions, specifically that gravid females exhibit more risk-avoidance behaviour in relation to other individuals. Two components of activity (magnitude of movement and shelter use) were measured for 3 reproductive groups (males, non-gravid females and gravid females) under temporally varying conditions of different environmental factors, including water flow, maximum wave force and water temperature. Movement (specifically, net distance displaced) of snails decreased with increases in water flow and maximum wave force. Reproductive groups did not differ in the form of their response function to water flow, but instead differed in the magnitude of their response, with gravid females moving the shortest distances. Gravid females were also the only group to increase their use of shelters in response to increases in maximum wave force, and this response was positively related to their fecundity. We interpret these behaviours as responses to increased risk of dislodgment and conclude that the behaviour of gravid females (i.e. use of shelters and reduced movements) should increase their survival as well as that of the offspring they carry.


Aim
This research programme aimed to investigate issues relating to the management of patient non-adherence with antipsychotic medication. The findings from the patient-related studies and the systematic literature review informed the development of a medication management staff training programme; which was evaluated in terms of the effects on mental health professionals' understanding and clinical practice in Hong Kong.

Background
Medication management interventions which are designed to maximise the potential benefits of antipsychotic medication for severe mental illness have shown promise in improving symptoms, reducing relapse rates and addressing non-adherence. Subsequent medication management studies which involve training mental health professionals in similar psychosocial interventions have also demonstrated that improvements in mental health professionals' knowledge, attitudes and skills can result in improved patient outcomes; however, the studies have not been replicated outside western general psychiatry settings and therefore the effects of training mental health professionals in other clinical contexts have not been established.

Methods
This research programme consists of a series of five studies that utilised a variety of methodological approaches. Three cross-sectional surveys were used to identify and explore clinical problems central to medication management in order to refine the staff training programme; the first investigates the extent of, and associations with, antipsychotic medication non-adherence in prisons. Qualitative interview data from the prison study provides additional context to the requirements for medication management training interventions by exploring prisoners' experiences of taking antipsychotic medication. The second survey ascertains and explores the problem of non-adherence with antipsychotics in an Asian population, and the third provides an estimate of potential treatment-related physical health problems. A systematic literature review investigates studies which measure the effects of medication management training on clinicians' knowledge, attitudes and skills. Finally concept mapping and clinicians' narratives are used in a longitudinal case series 2 study in order to establish the transferability of medication management training to an Asian setting and evaluate the effects of training on clinicians' understanding and clinical practice.

Results
Patients' positive attitudes towards antipsychotic medication, particularly awareness of the need for treatment predicted higher levels of adherence, and concerns about the adverse effects of these medications are closely related to the environmental context of treatment. Concerns associated with antipsychotic side effects appear to be less prominent when patients are not working or in prison but they may influence adherence when demands on functioning change. The modified medication management training was effective in improving clinicians' understanding and was felt to be transferrable to an Asian setting, but patients' and families' traditional cultural beliefs about mental illness and concerns about the effects of western medication on physical health were found to be particular challenges when implementing adherence interventions. Patients with severe mental illness in Hong Kong are twice as likely compared to the general population to have developed metabolic syndrome, consequently medication management interventions could require greater focus on the identification and management of physical health problems; which may help to address patient and family concerns about long-term treatment. The staff training programme requires psychopharmacology teaching, provision of clinical supervision and side effects management content in order to improve clinicians' confidence when implementing medication management interventions.

Conclusions
Concerns about the adverse effects of treatment that influence adherence are environmentally bound. As influences on medication adherence are different in different settings, staff training programmes should place more emphasis on the local context in order to improve efficacy and the feasibility of implementation. The results suggest that in Hong Kong medication management interventions should have an increased focus on families and that treatment satisfaction could be a suitable target for interventions. The findings also present a question about whether previous medication management studies have given due consideration to predicting and managing concerns about the impact of side effects on functioning over the longer term and the potential effects of medication on patients' physical well-being. The outcomes of this programme also demonstrate that future medication management training studies need to use robust study designs in order to more certainly attribute clinicians' improvements to the training intervention and could consider measuring treatment satisfaction as a primary patient outcome measure.


This report summarizes an investigation of the technical, aesthetic, and economic feasibilities of incorporating special noise barrier applications into a highway noise control program. The intent of the report is to take as a starting point the thin, vertical, reflective barrier now used in most applications. Special barrier applications are those beyond the thin, vertical, reflective barrier. The investigation of technical feasibility relates to the mathematical formulation of the effects of absorptive treatments, slanted tops, T-tops, and other special applications. The economic and aesthetic feasibility investigations examine the value of employing these special applications in lieu of thin, vertical, reflective barriers. The research reported on herein was performed on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation. The intent of the research was for background studies of the effects of special barrier treatments, so the Department could be in a position to implement pilot projects at a later date.


We derive a framework for sampling online communities based on the mean hitting time of its members, considering that there are multiple graphs associated with the same vertex set V representing the social network. First, we formulate random walk models on the multi-graph ensemble and define the essential properties of the mean hitting times associated with the corresponding Markov chains on the vertex set V . Then, we design a branch and bound optimization technique for computing the subset of vertices A that exhibits the shortest mean hitting time across the multi-graph, given a constraint on the size of A. We also design a greedy optimization method that computes an approximation to the optimal subset, at lower complexity, and that lends itself to a decentralized implementation, for further complexity reduction. We examine the performance of the sampling framework through a series of simulation experiments involving synthetic and actual samples of online community graphs. We demonstrate substantial improvements in terms of sampling (network) cost reduction and information dissemination speed relative to the state-of-the-art methods of node degree and eigenvector centrality.


Title of Document: AN EPISTEMIC FRAMING ANALYSIS OF UPPER LEVEL PHYSICS STUDENTS' USE OF MATHEMATICS Thomas Joseph Bing, Doctor of Philosophy, 2008 Directed By: Professor, Edward F. Redish, Department of Physics Mathematics is central to a professional physicist's work and, by extension, to a physics student's studies. It provides a language for abstraction, definition, computation, and connection to physical reality. This power of mathematics in physics is also the source of many of the difficulties it presents students. Simply put, many different activities could all be described as "using math in physics". Expertise entails a complicated coordination of these various activities. This work examines the many different kinds of thinking that are all facets of the use of mathematics in physics. It uses an epistemological lens, one that looks at the type of explanation a student presently sees as appropriate, to analyze the mathematical thinking of upper level physics undergraduates. Sometimes a student will turn to a detailed calculation to produce or justify an answer. Other times a physical argument is explicitly connected to the mathematics at hand. Still other times quoting a definition is seen as sufficient, and so on. Local coherencies evolve in students' thought around these various types of mathematical justifications. We use the cognitive process of framing to model students' navigation of these various facets of math use in physics. We first demonstrate several common framings observed in our students' mathematical thought and give several examples of each. Armed with this analysis tool, we then give several examples of how this framing analysis can be used to address a research question. We consider what effects, if any, a powerful symbolic calculator has on students' thinking. We also consider how to characterize growing expertise among physics students. Framing offers a lens for analysis that is a natural fit for these sample research questions. To active physics education researchers, the framing analysis presented in this dissertation can provide a useful tool for addressing other research questions. To physics teachers, we present this analysis so that it may make them more explicitly aware of the various types of reasoning, and the dynamics among them, that students employ in our physics classes. This awareness will help us better hear students' arguments and respond appropriately. AN EPISTEMIC FRAMING ANALYSIS OF UPPER LEVEL PHYSICS STUDENTS' USE OF MATHEMATICS


Abstract. The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)'s Working Group on Climate Modelling (WGCM) Infrastructure Panel (WIP) was formed in 2014 in response to the explosive growth in size and complexity of Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects (CMIPs) between CMIP3 (2005–2006) and CMIP5 (2011–2012). This article presents the WIP recommendations for the global data infrastructure needed to support CMIP design, future growth, and evolution. Developed in close coordination with those who build and run the existing infrastructure (the Earth System Grid Federation; ESGF), the recommendations are based on several principles beginning with the need to separate requirements, implementation, and operations. Other important principles include the consideration of the diversity of community needs around data – a data ecosystem – the importance of provenance, the need for automation, and the obligation to measure costs and benefits.This paper concentrates on requirements, recognizing the diversity of communities involved (modelers, analysts, software developers, and downstream users). Such requirements include the need for scientific reproducibility and accountability alongside the need to record and track data usage. One key element is to generate a dataset-centric rather than system-centric focus, with an aim to making the infrastructure less prone to systemic failure.With these overarching principles and requirements, the WIP has produced a set of position papers, which are summarized in the latter pages of this document. They provide specifications for managing and delivering model output, including strategies for replication and versioning, licensing, data quality assurance, citation, long-term archiving, and dataset tracking. They also describe a new and more formal approach for specifying what data, and associated metadata, should be saved, which enables future data volumes to be estimated, particularly for well-defined projects such as CMIP6.The paper concludes with a future facing consideration of the global data infrastructure evolution that follows from the blurring of boundaries between climate and weather, and the changing nature of published scientific results in the digital age.


Communication Channels: The Effects of Frequency, Duration, and Function on Gratification Obtained by Laura Zizka MA, Northern Arizona University, 2006 BA, Xavier University, 1993 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University December 2014 Abstract The way people choose to communicate can affect current and future relationships between sender and receiver. Business professionals communicate internally and externally using a variety of communication channels, such as e-mail, letters, phone, or face-to-face and must choose the best channel for the message they are trying to convey.The way people choose to communicate can affect current and future relationships between sender and receiver. Business professionals communicate internally and externally using a variety of communication channels, such as e-mail, letters, phone, or face-to-face and must choose the best channel for the message they are trying to convey. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how business professionals choose between the available channels, the premise being that users choose communication channels due to the gratification obtained (GO). Guided by gratifications theory, which proposes that choice of a communication channel depends upon the GO, this study assessed 15 communication channels to gauge how well frequency, duration, and function predict GO. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect the research data from a random sample of currently employed alumni from an international hospitality school in Switzerland. Multiple linear regression was conducted to assess statistically significant relationships between the independent variables of frequency of use (how often), duration (how long), and functions (specific tasks) and the dependent variable: GO. The results confirmed that the regression model of frequency of use, duration, and function predict GO with a 52% variance. This study concluded with implications for positive social change for employees in higher education and the workplace and recommendations for further research on other channels or variables to improve the model for predicting GO. Communication Channels: The Effects of Frequency, Duration, and Function on Gratification Obtained


The Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) is the standard method for detecting latent tuberculosis and has been provided by pharmacists since at least 2006. In the largest published study of pharmacy-based TST involving 578 patients, the most common reason for obtaining the test were employment or school requirements.Pharmacists have demonstrated high rates of follow-up for the reading of the test, reported to be 92.8% to 94.4%. The biggest barrier to pharmacy-based TST is that a prescription is required for the two tuberculosis (TB) purified protein derivative products available on the market in the United States. States have adopted three strategies to enable pharmacy-based TST prescribing: 1) collaborative practice agreements; 2) statewide protocols; and 3) independent prescribing. These three approaches are reviewed, with a focus on the New Mexico statewide protocol and the recent statutory authority in Idaho that grants pharmacists independent prescriptive authority for TST. States may consider pursuing more autonomous models of TST prescribing given the safety and track record of this service at pharmacies.

Type: Commentary


Cell therapies are a promising approach for the treatment of a variety of human conditions including stress urinary incontinence, but their success greatly depends on the biodistribution, migration, survival, and differentiation of the transplanted cells. Noninvasive in vivo cell tracking therefore presents an important aspect for translation of such a procedure into the clinics. Upon labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, cells can be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but possible adverse effect of the labeling have to be considered when labeling stem cells with SPIOs. In this study, human muscle precursor cells (hMPC) were labeled with increasing concentrations of SPIO nanoparticles (100-1600 μg/mL) and cell viability and differentiation capacity upon labeling was assessed in vitro. While a linear dependence between cell viability and nanoparticle concentration could be observed, differentiation capacity was not affected by the presence of SPIOs. Using a nude mouse model, a concentration (400 μg/mL) could be defined that allows reliable detection of hMPCs by MRI but does not influence myogenic in vivo differentiation to mature and functional muscle tissue. This suggests that such an approach can be safely used in a clinical setting to track muscle regeneration in patients undergoing cell therapy without negative effects on the functionality of the bioengineered muscle.


Introduction Little is known about fatigue experienced by adults with a visual impairment and the impact this can have on their daily activities. This study explored the lived experiences of adults with a visual impairment who experience fatigue when performing daily activities. The aim was to enhance occupational therapists' knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon and to suggest future interventions for clients who have a visual impairment and fatigue. Method An interpretative phenomenological analysis was performed. Five adults with a visual impairment who experienced fatigue were recruited via purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were audiotaped and transcribed for analysis. Findings: Three superordinate themes emerged: causes, expressions and perceptions of fatigue; fatigue in daily life; and managing activities of daily living. The findings suggest that although fatigue challenges the performance of activities and roles, and thus occupational balance, the participants applied strategies to manage and adapt to fatigue, limiting its consequences. Conclusion The findings have implications for occupational therapists' adoption of person-centred interventions. We can learn from the participants' experiences to explore the individual needs of future clients to facilitate person-centred strategies that match the individual and their experience of fatigue, and to promote balance in performance of their daily activities.


This Article challenges the culture clash view of human rights law, which posits a clash between Western countries' presumed respect for women's human rights and non-Western countries' presumed rejection of these rights on cultural and religious grounds. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, this view has taken on new significance, in light of the perceived civilizational divide between the Western and Muslim worlds. The Article calls into question this view, by examining cultural stereotypes of women used to oppose U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. My reading, therefore, is at odds with the conventional understanding that U.S. failure to ratify the Convention based on constitutionalism (rather than culture). A fresh look at the ways constitutionalism has masked cultural assumptions about women is particularly urgent given recent concerns over clashes between gender and culture in the evolving constitutional frameworks of Afghanistan and Iraq. Unlike these countries, the U.S. has largely been able to avoid international criticism of its women's human rights record by veiling traditional cultural assumptions about women behind the claim of constitutionalism. Drawing on John Rawls's veil of ignorance idea as a heuristic device, the Article uses the veil metaphor to call for a more transparent and participatory process of implementing human rights law in the U.S. (and abroad). Thus, this Article builds on my earlier work criticizing the current structure of international law for its traditional reliance on opaque notions of the nation-state, which operate to exclude women.


Using recent results in the measurement error literature, we show that the official U.S. unemployment rates substantially underestimate the true levels of unemployment, due to misclassification errors in labor force status in Current Population Surveys. Our closed-form identification of the misclassification probabilities relies on the key assumptions that the misreporting behaviors only depend on the true values and that the true labor force status dynamics satisfy a Markov-type property. During the period of 1996 to 2009, the corrected monthly unemployment rates are 1 to 4.6 percentage points (25% to 45%) higher than the official rates, and are more sensitive to changes in business cycles. Labor force participation rates, however, are not affected by this correction. We also provide results for various subgroups of the U.S. population defined by gender, race and age.


Although language variation is widespread and natural, it is subject to judgement. Where a standard language has developed, other varieties tend to be judged against its 'standard'. While a number of overseas studies have found that this type of linguistic bias occurs in education and negatively impacts on dialect speakers, there has been little research in Australia. This study investigates how teachers judge the speech of school-aged students and what influences that judgement. Twelve teachers met in four school-based groups to rank tape-recorded samples of speech from students who were not known to them. They determined the criteria to be used in the ranking process which was tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed. The results suggest that teachers' perceptions of speech were most strongly influenced by the students' use of non-standard varieties of English. This is of particular concern where the use of nonstandard varieties is also associated with lower ability as seemed to be the case in the present research. These findings have implications for education, particularly given the emphasis on oral language competence in recent curriculum documents and the increasing reliance on teacher judgements of students' learning outcomes.


Conservation is an aspect of Urban Design in order to enhance the quality of the Old city area. For reaching the development that heritage buildings its needed revitalization internal and external as well. The efficient Use of accumulated capital are : more intensive use of infrastructure, promote the more efficient functioning of the inner city and city and less pressure on peripherac rural land. Beside the conservation of cultural and Historical heritage, also the tradisional and historic urban ensembles.It should introduce points of dynamic activities or developing the special sectors for the revitalization of the old city area .There are three points of Rehabilitation : 1) Rehabilitation of buildings of historic or cultural interest for public uses;2) Redevelopment of empty land lots or with not recuperable structure for private or public use;3)Recuperation of architectural compounda of interest to private use legislation such as structure of ownership, zonification of land use and building norms and standards. Its tried to investigate the driving force and the restraining force or constraint of revitalization or heritage building in Old City in Semarang. Keyword : building heritage, revitalization, restraining force. THE INTEGRATED PLAN. The integrated Plan mean that how to bring this historical area back to life again but at the same time taking precautiary measures to protect and preserve its priceless heritage. A number of studies have been prepared for development of Kota Lama. Those studies are generally not action oriented and tend to be more conceptual in nature.To answer challengeit is felt that an integrated action oriented plan for The Kota Lama is needed. On the 1999 The Semarang Local Government and Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies ( IHS) have joined to held the study about Semarang Inner City Renewal on revitalizing The Kota Lama of Semarang is formulated. The various aspects of the studies groups into the following main classification are Planning and Sustainable Development, Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Sosial Development. At the end of the six months periode a concluding session conducted in Semarang which is tentatively set for February on 2000. Seeing how far the action plans have been implemented, what constraint were met, and what measure can be taken to remove those constraints. Furthermore, this session looked at what possible new actions can be conducted building on the successes of the previous actions. Unfortunately, after the report finished, its many financial problem appeared and miss understanding are happened among the team. After changing the leader of The local Government in Semarang, the policy for revitalization of Kota Lama were different spirit to continue. THE ROLE OF CULTURAL POLICY Semarang is the city that have a plural and multi ethnic, cultural precisely should be a crucial component for economic development. At the time being, Central Javanese cultural which influence governmental system, centralization causes undemocratic atmosphere.It is hopless to propose opinion even culture. Not every ethnic can express them selves.It can be said as Javanization. It is reflected in Parliement house, which the names of rooms are taken from Javanese words. Learnt from other cities like Bali or Jogyakarta which their culture reflected in ther life and cultural activities, people of Semarang,and the local government should concider upon this issue. It has to be realized that the stronger idiosyncratic, the more enticing a city or community..Morever it becomes tourist destination. As a result it will influence economic development in a certain area. With the political changing, which influence the system to be decentralization, is a good occasion to decide local cultural policy . In order to achieve the short term objective it is important to understand the possible driving forces and restraining forces which can effect the strategies which will be chosen. The driving forces are Culture as part of economic development. And it can learn from other cities experience such as Rotterdam, Bologna and Gereja Blenduk in Kota Lama Semarang 4 International Symposium of NUSANTARA URBAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NURI) "CHANGE + HERITAGE IN ARCHITECTURE + URBAN DEVELOPMENT" November 7, 2009, Architecture Department of Engineering Faculty, Diponegoro University, Tembalang Campuss ‐ Jl.Prof.H.Sudharto, SH, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia


Video data generated from wearable cameras is now available online, as the concept of "lifelogging" has been introduced to many citizens due to the spread of wearable camera equipment. Usually, these wearable cameras automatically capture images or record videos from a first-person point of view; they collect a new form of information that cannot be captured through other means. Citizen data Harvest in Motion Everywhere (CHIME) project pays close attention to the value of this new type of resource, particularly regarding the video data that cyclists record using wearable cameras over a long period of time. These contextually rich data capture community members' infrastructure experiences and interactions with other transit modes, as well as environmental changes. If curated and made publicly accessible, there is great potential for various stakeholders, including public historians, researchers, city planners, and citizens, to use the data. However, making these videos open to the public and to researchers raises ethics issues, as the data include sensitive, location-based information that may intrude into private lives. Additionally, the videos include the accidental collection of data from secondary participants (bystanders). In this paper, we will describe the potential value of citizen-generated video data using the CHIME project example and discuss the privacy and ethical considerations related to the use of this type of data for scientific and citizen research.


Many scholars highlight the importance of work-related self-directed learning (WRSDL) in the workplace, which brings benefits for the employees and the organization. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate WRSDL practices among staff and managers from various job fields in order to get in-depth understanding and ways how to cultivate it in the organization. This study was conducted in a prominent motorcycle-manufacturing company in Indonesia by using qualitative method in order to get an in-depth understanding of WRSDL phenomenon. In this company, improvement and innovation had always been the central issues and become a way of life ingrained among the employees. A total of thirty staff and managers were purposefully selected and interviewed by using semi-structured questions. Data collected were analyzed using content analysis approach. Results of this study have indicated several influencing factors that essential in the emergence of WRSDL and ways how to cultivate WRSDL also notified. In general, this study provides a deeper understanding of WRSDL and has identified some good contribution and recommendation to the body of knowledge, practitioner as well as for future research which explain later.


Many different surgical VATS procedures are performed. In our thoracoscopic VATS, four ports are used with thoracoscopic vision alone. In our hybrid VATS, two 2-cm ports are combined with muscle-sparing mini-thoracotomy with a slightly opened metal retractor with direct vision and thoracoscopic vision. Both procedures are performed by an operator, one assistant, and a scopist. Forceps, electrocautery, and ultrasonic scissors were used. VATS segmentectomy is an ideal surgical procedure to treat primary lung cancer from the perspective of minimally invasive surgery. The most important issue in segmentectomy is to maintain a sufficient surgical margin from the tumor. We think that it is important to determine whether thoracoscopic VATS segmentectomy without direct visualization or rib spreading can achieve an adequate surgical tumor-free margin. Delicate surgery is required to keep the surgical margin in segmentectomy. Therefore, the hybrid approach seems to be reasonable for obtaining sufficient surgical margins.


This volume poses a series of key questions about the practice of probation as an integral part of the European criminal justice system. The contributors are established experts in their respective fields of study and together their questions address the legitimacy, and perhaps continued existence, of probation.
The book offers analyses of why people offend and stop offending, and the wide ranging impacts of probation. This includes the impact on offenders' social reintegration, as a form of reparation for victims and communities, on public desire for justice and punishment, and on probationers themselves. The contributors further assess the state of probation and its adaptation to the current state of penality and society, the role of probation officers in pre-sentencing decision-making and the promotion of community sanctions and measures. By providing important recommendations and suggestions for application to practice, the book will be of great interest to academics, students, policy makers and practitioners alike.