A key and expensive part of coupled atmospheric chemistry–climate model simulations is the integration of gas-phase chemistry, which involves dozens of species and hundreds of reactions. These species and reactions form a highly coupled network of differential equations (DEs). There exist orders of magnitude variability in the lifetimes of the different species present in the atmosphere, and so solving these DEs to obtain robust numerical solutions poses a "stiff problem". With newer models having more species and increased complexity, it is now becoming increasingly important to have chemistry solving schemes that reduce time but maintain accuracy. While a sound way to handle stiff systems is by using implicit DE solvers, the computational costs for such solvers are high due to internal iterative algorithms (e.g. Newton–Raphson methods). Here, we propose an approach for implicit DE solvers that improves their convergence speed and robustness with relatively small modification in the code. We achieve this by blending the existing Newton–Raphson (NR) method with quasi-Newton (QN) methods, whereby the QN routine is called only on selected iterations of the solver. We test our approach with numerical experiments on the UK Chemistry and Aerosol (UKCA) model, part of the UK Met Office Unified Model suite, run in both an idealised box-model environment and under realistic 3-D atmospheric conditions. The box-model tests reveal that the proposed method reduces the time spent in the solver routines significantly, with each QN call costing 27 % of a call to the full NR routine. A series of experiments over a range of chemical environments was conducted with the box model to find the optimal iteration steps to call the QN routine which result in the greatest reduction in the total number of NR iterations whilst minimising the chance of causing instabilities and maintaining solver accuracy. The 3-D simulations show that our moderate modification, by means of using a blended method for the chemistry solver, speeds up the chemistry routines by around 13 %, resulting in a net improvement in overall runtime of the full model by approximately 3 % with negligible loss in the accuracy. The blended QN method also improves the robustness of the solver, reducing the number of grid cells which fail to converge after 50 iterations by 40 %. The relative differences in chemical concentrations between the control run and that using the blended QN method are of order ∼ 10−7 for longer-lived species, such as ozone, and below the threshold for solver convergence (10−4) almost everywhere for shorter-lived species such as the hydroxyl radical.


A variety of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases are associated with altered zinc metabolism or deficiency. Acute and chronic diarrheal disorders may cause deficiency because of increased losses, altered immunity or decreased absorption. When the small intestinal barrier is altered by inflammation, zinc supplementation may be beneficial not only in correcting the deficiency but also because it improves the small bowel mucosal capacity of absorbing water and electrolytes. Zinc is known to have antioxidant properties being a membrane stabilizer, scavenging reactive oxygen metabolites and regulating cytokine synthesis through the activation of transcription factors and this has relevant potential in inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, the element stimulates tissue healing and repair in experimental ulcers directly through promoting cell proliferation, protein synthesis and growth factors production and scavenging free radicals. Interest is growing in supplementary therapies with elements and vitamins but current research suggests great caution and to balance the benefits and dangers of uncontrolled administration, since zinc can also stimulate an increased acute phase response and this can exacerbate chronic relapsing diseases. Zinc plays an important role in inflammation. The metal has catalytic, co-catalytic and structural functions in many zinc-dependent enzymes of the body through the regulation of gene expression. Moreover, the involvement of zinc finger proteins in the genetic expression of growth factors has been established. Zinc stabilizes cellular membranes especially interacting at the SH levels and preventing depolarization of phospholipids. The effects on cellular immunity and especially on the activity of serum thymulin and natural killer cells, T-lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production are also well-known. A growing body of evidence suggests a role for zinc in antioxidant defence systems. The metal has only one stable oxidation state (divalent) and is not affected by free radicals or oxidative stress. It may act as a scavenger of radical products through the synthesis of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and metallothionein (MT) or it may affect cytokine-activated transcription factors. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 13:33–39, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


Meta-learning has been proposed as a framework to address the challenging few-shot learning setting. The key idea is to leverage a large number of similar few-shot tasks in order to learn how to adapt a base-learner to a new task for which only a few labeled samples are available. As deep neural networks (DNNs) tend to overfit using a few samples only, meta-learning typically uses shallow neural networks (SNNs), thus limiting its effectiveness. In this paper we propose a novel few-shot learning method called meta-transfer learning (MTL) which learns to adapt a deep NN for few shot learning tasks. Specifically, "meta" refers to training multiple tasks, and "transfer" is achieved by learning scaling and shifting functions of DNN weights for each task. In addition, we introduce the hard task (HT) meta-batch scheme as an effective learning curriculum for MTL. We conduct experiments using (5-class, 1-shot) and (5-class, 5-shot) recognition tasks on two challenging few-shot learning benchmarks: miniImageNet and Fewshot-CIFAR100. Extensive comparisons to related works validate that our meta-transfer learning approach trained with the proposed HT meta-batch scheme achieves top performance. An ablation study also shows that both components contribute to fast convergence and high accuracy.


RL-Glue is a standard, language-independent software package for reinforcement-learning experiments. The standardization provided by RL-Glue facilitates code sharing and collaboration. Code sharing reduces the need to re-engineer tasks and experimental apparatus, both common barriers to comparatively evaluating new ideas in the context of the literature. Our software features a minimalist interface and works with several languages and computing platforms. RL-Glue compatibility can be extended to any programming language that supports network socket communication. RL-Glue has been used to teach classes, to run international competitions, and is currently used by several other open-source software and hardware projects.


Speech activity detection (SAD) is an essential component for a variety of speech processing applications. It has been observed that performances of various speech based tasks are very much dependent on the efficiency of the SAD. In this paper, we have systematically reviewed some popular SAD techniques and their applications in speaker recognition. Speaker verification system using different SAD technique are experimentally evaluated on NIST speech corpora using Gaussian mixture model- universal background model (GMM-UBM) based classifier for clean and noisy conditions. It has been found that two Gaussian modeling based SAD is comparatively better than other SAD techniques for different types of noises.


Low fidelity modelling approaches remain attractive due to an unrivalled ability to predict full turbine performance maps quickly compared to high fidelity approaches such as CFD, especially in the preliminary design process. As improvements in performance on a component level approach a point of diminishing returns, the ability to efficiently optimize the complete charging system for a given duty is a topic attracting significant research interest. In the case of turbocharging applications, existing engine and powertrain simulations require turbine maps to calculate the turbine performance, which are usually obtained from experimental testing. Unfortunately, the need for extrapolation is unavoidable because of the limited range of testing data available, leading to inaccuracies especially at off-design conditions. To enable intensive modelling and optimization of complete vehicle powertrains for different drive cycles, the current piece of work seeks to combine the advantages of machine learning techniques and physical meanline modelling to facilitate faster, more accurate predictions of complete turbocharger maps.
 This paper presents a novel methodology for turbocharger turbine rotor and nozzle performance prediction based on hybrid modelling. The turbine rotor and nozzle were parameterized to conduct CFD simulations for a wide variety of turbine geometries, which were used to form a database to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The predicted losses provided by the ANN were then utilized in the meanline code, substituting for the conventional empirical loss models. As well as removing the need for empirical loss models, modifications were undertaken to the meanline approach to further enhance modelling accuracy. Firstly, in order to accurately characterize the stage mass flow capacity, the losses occurring in the nozzle and rotor were subdivided into those occurring before and after the throat. A second novel aspect is that the aerodynamic blockage level at the rotor throat was implemented as a variable rather than a constant value. By training the ANN to predict the variation of blockage with geometry and operating condition, a more accurate depiction of the changing secondary flow fields could be achieved.
 The capabilities of the hybrid meanline modelling method were evaluated on several unseen test cases. The resulting predictions of efficiency and mass flow rate demonstrated strong correlation with CFD results and experimental test results. The hybrid meanline modelling method therefore displays great potential in wide range radial turbine performance prediction with enhanced accuracy in comparison to traditional approaches.


This work is devoted to analyzing the syntax contents of an animation. In the paper we present the ANIMATION system – a system for animation scene and contents creation, retrieval and display. The object recognition mechanism in the ANIMATION system includes three steps: (1) Low level animation images analysis - element recognition based on the Attribute Relational Graphs (ARG); (2) Object recognition, based on production rules with degree of recognition; (3) Image interpretation, based on the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. An example of the functioning of the ANIMATION system is also given.


Summary A review of relevant properties of Keuper Marl indicates that much of the Marl is likely to be suitable for cement stabilization, exceptions being marls which are either too plastic or contain deleterious proportions of sulphates. The results of static, rapid and repeated compression tests carried out on a 'typical' marl stabilized with cement are reported. The stiffness of the material as measured by the modulus of deformation is shown to be a function of cement content, moulding moisture content, rate of strain and stress history. Repeated load tests showed that when the intensity of stress applied was 65 per cent of the initial compressive strength, fatigue failure was imminent after 104 applications of load. Of particular significance was the fact that the modulus of resilient deformation was independent of the number of load cycles applied and sensibly constant over a range of stress intensities. Values of Poisson's ratio were of the low order of 0·04 to 0·20 and increased rapidly as samples approached failure. The marl containing 10 per cent cement had a 7-day compressive strength of the order of 300 lb/sq in and would therefore fail to comply with the Ministry of Transport's proposed new specifications requiring 400 lb/sq in. It is concluded that although the stabilized marl may not be acceptable for road base construction, it should serve satisfactorily for sub-bases. Two construction problems previously encountered when stabilizing Keuper Marl, are discussed and suggestions made for overcoming them.


Abstract An interpolated bedrock topography is presented for Flask Glacier, one of the tributaries of the remnant part of the Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula. The ice thickness distribution is derived by combining direct but sparse measurements from airborne radio-echo soundings with indirect estimates obtained from ice-flow modelling. The ice-flow model is applied to a series of transverse profiles, and a first estimate of the bedrock is iteratively adjusted until agreement between modelled and measured surface velocities is achieved. The adjusted bedrock is then used to reinterpret the radio-echo soundings, and the recovered information used to further improve the estimate of the bedrock itself. The ice flux along the glacier center line provides an additional and independent constraint on the ice thickness. The resulting bedrock topography reveals a glacier bed situated mainly below sea level with sections having retrograde slope. The total ice volume of 120 ±15 km3 for the considered area of 215 km2 corresponds to an average ice thickness of 560 ± 70 m.


This paper examines transnationalism across migrant generational statuses in three urban centers. The objective of this study is to explore how immigrant integration influences the maintenance of social and economic connections with the communities-of-origin. To accomplish this objective we examine the impact of socio-economic status and generational status (first to third) on whether respondents remit, visit their communities-of-origin, or desire to return. The data for this study is based on survey data collected in New York City, New York, U.S.A.;El Paso, Texas, U.S.A.;and Paris, France. We find that transnational practices differ across the three locations. In Paris we find evidence of reactive transnationalism — looking abroad due to exclusion in the new society. In New York, however, there is more support for resource-based transnationalism — better legal and socioeconomic integration that allows for more transnational involvement. Transnationalism in El Paso differs from NYC and Paris in large part due to being located along the U.S.-Mexico border. Surprisingly, we find that El Paso respondents are less transnational than those in Paris or New York when it comes to remittances, visiting, and the desire to return to the sending community. We conclude by proposing a new typology of transnationalism that accentuates the contextual aspects of these practices.


The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a hematophagous ectoparasite of major veterinary importance both globally and in Australia. Australian beef cattle producers in the tropical and subtropical regions of the continent suffer estimated annual losses of AU$175m. The development of a novel tick vaccine has therefore been identified as a high priority research goal by all stakeholders of the Australian beef industry (Playford 2005). A novel bioinformatics methodology for the identification of potential vaccine targets in the R. microplus expressed sequence tags sequences was developed and applied resulting in the identification of 68 potential tick vaccine candidates. Furthermore, the applicability of RNA interference (RNAi) for tick gene functional studies was assessed. This study comprehensively characterized the major components of the RNAi pathway in both R. microplus and Ixodes scapularis, which resulted in the identification of an I. scapularis homologue of Dicer protein, as well as the identification of Argonaute-1 and -2 homologues in both I. scapularis and R. microplus. Most notably, homologues of a C. elegans RNA-dependent RNA polymerase were found in both R. microplus and I. scapularis, a protein involved in the amplification of the RNAi signal and previously not identified in any other arthropod species. A comparative RNAi study targeting 10 highly conserved R. microplus homologues of Drosophila genes with known RNAi phenotypes was conducted. The R. microplus homologue of D. melanogaster Ubiquitin-63E showed the strongest phenotypic changes in both cell culture and in adult female ticks injected with dsRNA. This Ubiquitin-63Esilencing effect in fully engorged females was subsequently investigated by microarray analysis. The contribution of potential off-target effects to phenotypic changes was assessed by developing an in silico analysis and combining the prediction results with the microarray data. A total of 224 unique transcripts were detected as differentially expressed. The off-target analysis revealed that 11 off-targets predicted by the in silico analysis were present in the list of differentially expressed genes. The research presented in this thesis has contributed to the development of novel approaches for reverse vaccinology in ectoparasites and it has furthermore improved the understanding of the mechanisms of RNAi and the delivery of double-stranded RNA in ticks.


We examined the effects of periodic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer applications on the O horizon and mineral soil in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations over a 12-year period. To accomplish this, we used 9 experimental sites located across the south, which were grouped using the CRIFF Classification System. Group 1—CRIFF A, B (poorly-drained Ultisols); group 2—CRIFF C, D, G (sandy Spodosols and Entisols); and group 3—CRIFF E, F (well-drained Ultisols). Fertilization rates were 135, 202, and 269 kg N ha at 4 years application frequency. This resulted in a cumulative N application rate of 540, 808, and 1076 kg ha. P was added at 10% of the N rate. Fertilization increased the mass, N content, and P content of the O horizon in all soil groups. Fertilization did not impact mineral soil N. No significant increases in total N trends were observed to a depth of 1 m. Likewise, total inorganic N (NH4 + + NO3 ) was not affected by fertilization. These results suggest that N fertilization will have little effect on longterm soil N availability regardless of soil types. In contrast, fertilization increased extractable P in soil CRIFF groups 1, 2, and 3 by 26, 60, and 4 kg P ha respectively suggesting potential for long-term soil P availability and site quality improvement. However, the low extractable P in soil group 3 implies additional fertilization with P for the next rotation for sites included into this soil group.


Abstract Previous numerical simulations (TeraShake1) of large ( M w 7.7) southern San Andreas fault earthquakes predicted localized areas of strong amplification in the Los Angeles area associated with directivity and wave-guide effects from northwestward-propagating rupture scenarios. The TeraShake1 source was derived from inversions of the 2002 M w 7.9 Denali, Alaska, earthquake. That source was relatively smooth in its slip distribution and rupture characteristics, owing both to resolution limits of the inversions and simplifications imposed by the kinematic parameterization. New simulations (TeraShake2), with a more complex source derived from spontaneous rupture modeling with small-scale stress-drop heterogeneity, predict a similar spatial pattern of peak ground velocity (PGV), but with the PGV extremes decreased by factors of 2–3 relative to TeraShake1. The TeraShake2 source excites a less coherent wave field, with reduced along-strike directivity accompanied by streaks of elevated ground motion extending away from the fault trace. The source complexity entails abrupt changes in the direction and speed of rupture correlated to changes in slip-velocity amplitude and waveform, features that might prove challenging to capture in a purely kinematic parameterization. Despite the reduced PGV extremes, northwest-rupturing TeraShake2 simulations still predict entrainment by basin structure of a strong directivity pulse, with PGVs in Los Angeles and San Gabriel basins that are much higher than predicted by empirical methods. Significant areas of those basins have predicted PGV above the 2% probability of exceedance (POE) level relative to current attenuation relationships (even when the latter includes a site term to account for local sediment depth), and wave-guide focusing produces localized areas with PGV at roughly 0.1%–0.2% POE (about a factor of 4.5 above the median). In contrast, at rock sites in the 0–100-km distance range, the median TeraShake2 PGVs are in very close agreement with the median empirical prediction, and extremes nowhere reach the 2% POE level. The rock-site agreement lends credibility to some of our source-modeling assumptions, including overall stress-drop level and the manner in which we assigned dynamic parameters to represent the mechanical weakness of near-surface material. Future efforts should focus on validating and refining these findings, assessing their probabilities of occurrence relative to alternative rupture scenarios for the southern San Andreas fault, and incorporating them into seismic hazard estimation for southern California.


Attrition continues to be a major issue in higher education. Attrition rates for classes taught through distance education are 10 – 20% higher than classes taught in a face-to-face setting. Educators should engage students early and often, using different learning strategies customized to the class content and the students' pre-existing knowledge. The goal for the professor is to develop relationships with the students such that they feel comfortable in the environment. The professor should facilitate learner-learner integration and collaboration so that they will learn from one another and expand their knowledge base together. Through an integrative literature review, this article presents key concepts in online learning and a review of different methods of engaging students with the goals of enhancing the learning process and reducing attrition rates.


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Airplanes were invented by hobbyists and experimenters, and some personal computers were as well. Similarly, many open-source software developers are interested in the software they make, and not focused on profit. Based on these cases, this paper has a model of agents called tinkerers who want to improve a technology for their own reasons, by their own criteria, and who see no way to profit from it. Under these conditions, they would rather share their technology than work alone. The members of the agreement form an information network. The network's members optimally specialize based on their opportunities in particular aspects of the technology or in expanding or managing the network. Endogenously there are incentives to standardize on designs and descriptions of the technology. A tinkerer in the network who sees an opportunity to produce a profitable product may exit the network to create a startup firm and conduct focused research and development. Thus a new industry can arise.


Production of the phytotoxin thaxtomin A by pathogenic Streptomyces spp. is essential for induction of common scab disease in potato. The disease can be significantly reduced by a range of chemicals applied as foliar sprays before tuber initiation. We tested a range of chemicals that had previously demonstrated varying capacities to reduce common scab for both disease suppression and their ability to inhibit thaxtomin A toxicity in both 'Desiree' and 'Russet Burbank' potato. Our results for disease suppression generally supported previous studies. Our tuber slice assays with thaxtomin A showed a strong correlation between the ability of the chemical to suppress common scab symptom development and the ability of the chemical to inhibit thaxtomin A toxicity. A Bayesian measurement error linear regression model was derived for each cultivar and trial and demonstrated a clear positive relationship between disease and thaxtomin-A-induced necrosis. The relationships obtained were much stronger than would have been obtained without adjustment for measurement error. This demonstrates that disease mitigation using chemical foliar sprays is strongly correlated with the ability of the chemical to inhibit thaxtomin A toxicity, suggesting this mechanism as a key mode of action for understanding this novel disease control strategy.


Abstract The eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus) is relatively common and widespread throughout the eastern United States. In recent decades, the distribution of P. subflavus has expanded westward across the Great Plains, and little information exists on its natural history in this region. In east central Nebraska, we monitored the use of a mine by eastern pipistrelles for >1 year. A few males occupied the roost in summer, but during the period of hibernation (late September–early May), the mine was used by at least 30 individuals composed of both sexes. Most individuals first entered the mine during late September through mid-October and exited by mid-May, with numbers of individuals fluctuating throughout winter. In winter, most individuals roosted along outer passageways of the mine, but in other seasons individuals were scattered throughout the mine. Females had significantly greater body masses than males upon entering the mine in autumn and before exiting the mine in spring. Both sexes had significantly heavier body masses in autumn than in spring. Overall, 55% of individuals marked in spring returned in autumn. Males had a higher return rate (69%) than females (46%) over a single summer. Many aspects of the natural history of P. subflavus in Nebraska are similar to those reported from eastern but not from southern parts of its distribution.


Background: Limited data exist on drug resistance and antiretroviral treatment (ART) outcomes in HIV-1–infected children in West Africa. We determined the prevalence of baseline resistance and correlates of virologic failure (VF) in a cohort of ART-naive HIV-1–infected children <10 years of age initiating ART in Mali. Methods: Reverse transcriptase and protease genes were sequenced at baseline (before ART) and at 6 months. Resistance was defined according to the Stanford HIV Genotypic Resistance database. VF was defined as viral load ≥1000 copies/mL after 6 months of ART. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with VF or death >1 month after enrollment. Post hoc, antiretroviral concentrations were assayed on baseline samples of participants with baseline resistance. Results: One-hundred twenty children with a median age 2.6 years (interquartile range: 1.6–5.0) were included. Eighty-eight percent reported no prevention of mother-to-child transmission exposure. At baseline, 27 (23%), 4 (3%) and none had non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or protease inhibitor resistance, respectively. Thirty-nine (33%) developed VF and 4 died >1 month post-ART initiation. In multivariable analyses, poor adherence [odds ratio (OR): 6.1, P = 0.001], baseline NNRTI resistance among children receiving NNRTI-based ART (OR: 22.9, P < 0.001) and protease inhibitor–based ART initiation among children without baseline NNRTI resistance (OR: 5.8, P = 0.018) were significantly associated with VF/death. Ten (38%) with baseline resistance had detectable levels of nevirapine or efavirenz at baseline; 7 were currently breastfeeding, but only 2 reported maternal antiretroviral use. Conclusions: Baseline NNRTI resistance was common in children without reported NNRTI exposure and was associated with increased risk of treatment failure. Detectable NNRTI concentrations were present despite few reports of maternal/infant antiretroviral use.


This text is a comprehensive review of the issues in Special Educational Needs, taking the reader through the case law as well as providing specific guidance on disability case law which is new to those specialising in SEN. It includes coverage of the constitution and conduct of special schools which is largely omitted from other works, and focuses on cases dealing with the liability of schools/LEAs for failing to detect and address individual children's needs. Written by a respected author, this publication is the first to combine the two disciplines of special educational needs and disability and has a strong case law emphasis. It is essential reading for barristers and solicitors dealing with education and public law, as well as all professionals working within this area.


Despite the diversity of contexts and circumstances in which competition laws are developed and exist, many countries have enacted competition laws that are broadly similar. To learn more about the dynamics shaping the development of competition law at the national, regional, and international levels, this article investigates the development of competition law in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, a region whose competition laws remain underexplored. This article undertakes a case study on the drafting of competition law in the ASEAN member states with the most recently drafted and/or enacted new comprehensive competition laws, that being Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines. It finds that, while there were differences in the processes of drafting and enacting competition law in these countries as well as in their local contexts, their competition laws are similar in many respects. The case study also finds that intermediaries facilitated the processes of translation and adaptation that occurred in developing competition law in these ASEAN member states. This article argues that the important role that intermediaries played in developing competition laws was a key reason for the broad convergence of these competition laws across their diverse local settings.


The well-dispersed CoSb3 nanoparticles within mesoporous carbon had been fabricated by wet-impregnation followed by reduction route. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to analyze the synthetic process. These CoSb3 nanoparticles had spherical morphologies with sizes around 20 nm. The use of mesoporous carbon effectively avoided the aggregation of these CoSb3 nanoparticles and kept them dispersed well. The results showed the proper ratio of Sb/Co (= 5), a short reaction duration and high temperature played key roles on obtaining pure CoSb3.


Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) shares virulence attributes with strains
 of E. coli that cause extraintestinal infections in humans and it is considered that
 it could cause a zoonosis; therefore, the objective of this work was to determine
 prevalence in a group of APEC isolates of twelve genes associated with virulence
 as well as identifying the phylogenetic groups to which they belong. According to
 the results it was found that one of the isolates harbors 91.6% of the virulence
 genes analyzed and that most of these have between 7 and 8 of these genes.
 feoB and iss had the highest prevalence with 95.6% and the genes related to
 iron acquisition were present in more than 60% of APEC, while those of the ibeA
 invasin and vat toxin were those that were detected with the lowest prevalence
 The results showed the great genetic diversity of APEC isolates and suggest that
 bacterial systems of iron acquisition, as well as those related to resistance to host are fundamental virulence factors in these bacteria, however, the presence The
 rest of the virulence genes is important, since it provides valuable information for
 the development of vaccines against avian colibacilosis. It was determined that a
 high percentage of APEC belongs to the phylogenetic group B1 group from which
 mainly commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains derive, this result strengthens
 findings on the evolution of pathogens through the acquisition of virulence genes
 through the horizontal route.


This Article identifies and critiques a trend to criminalize the infliction of emotional harm independent of any physical injury or threat. The Article defines a new category of criminal infliction of emotional distress ("CIED") statutes, which include laws designed to combat behaviors such as harassing, stalking, and bullying. In contrast to tort liability for emotional harm, which is cabined by statutes and the common law, CIED statutes allow states to regulate and punish the infliction of emotional harm in an increasingly expansive way.In assessing harm and devising punishment, the law has always taken nonphysical harm seriously, but traditionally it has only implicitly accounted for emotional harm; it has not made emotional harm an element of criminal liability. CIED statutes represent a break in this narrative. The Article uses these statutes as an entry point to examine the role that victim emotion does and should play in substantive criminal law, and it finds that CIED statutes may endanger free expression and equality and provide insufficient notice to defendants. These statutes thus offer a cautionary tale, illustrating problems that can arise when victim emotion plays an explicit role in criminal culpability. CIED statutes also reveal the comparative benefits of the implicit approach, which acknowledges the significance of nonphysical harm yet does not predicate criminal liability on the existence of emotional harm.


In many developing countries, handwashing with soap offers huge potential for improved public health due to its unique effectiveness as a barrier against a variety of important diseases such as diarrheal disease, respiratory infections, trachoma, and others. Based loosely on the lessons from the sanitation marketing approach, the HappyTap commercialization project leverages the private sector to manufacture, distribute, and activate household demand for an aspirational handwashing device. This briefing paper shares early lessons and experiences from a pioneering program to develop and market a handwashing device for rural households in Vietnam. Initial experience is promising and suggests potential for mass scale uptake of aspirational devices.


The expression of transfected HLA class I Ag has previously been shown to protect human target cells from NK-mediated conjugation and cytolysis. In this same system, transfected H-2 class I Ag fail to impart resistance to NK. In this study, we have mapped the portion of the HLA class I molecule involved in this protective effect by exploiting this HLA/H-2 dichotomy. Hybrid class I genes were produced by exon-shuffling between the HLA-B7 and H-2Dp genes, and transfected into the class I Ag-deficient B-lymphoblastoid cell line (B-LCL) C1R. Only those transfectants expressing class I Ag containing the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the HLA molecule are protected from NK, suggesting the "protective epitope" is located within these domains. Since a glycosylation difference exists between HLA and H-2 class I Ag within these domains (i.e., at amino acid residue 176), the role of carbohydrate in the class I protective effect was examined. HLA-B7 mutant genes encoding proteins which either lack the normal carbohydrate addition site at amino acid residue 86 (B7M86-) or possess an additional site at residue 176 (B7M176+) were transfected into C1R. Transfectants expressing either mutant HLA-B7 Ag were protected from NK. Thus, carbohydrate is probably not integral to a class I "protective epitope." The potential for allelic variation in the ability of HLA class I Ag to protect C1R target cells from NK was examined in HLA-A2, A3, B7, and Bw58 transfectants. Although no significant variation exists among the HLA-A3, B7, and Bw58 alleles, HLA-A2 appears unable to protect. Comparison of amino acid sequences suggests a restricted number of residues which may be relevant to the protective effect.


We give in this article a general frame for propagating temporal constraints over events, these events being exclusively considered as sets of possible occurrences (SOPOs). These SOPOs are the numerical expression of an uncertainty about the exact occurrence of an event, while this exact occurrence is constrained by the possible occurrence of other events. This key-problem of scheduling is an instance of the consistent labeling problem and is known to be NP-complete. We introduce a graphical representation of SOPOs which is a useful tool to understand and help solving the problem. We give a constraint propagation algorithm which is a Waltz-type filtering algorithm. Theoretically, it does not discard all the inconsistent occurrences; however, under a number of relatively weak assumptions, the problem can be transformed into a solvable one.


Greenspace is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective end use for brownfield and contaminated sites. These sites are often unsuitable for vegetation establishment, either due to the presence of contaminants, or because the soil is of insufficient quality to support plant growth. The remediation of contaminated sites may also result in a material that is incapable of sustaining vegetation. This paper details the results of a nursery trial to assess the potential of combining a number of soils from contaminated and remediated sites with different amounts of greenwaste compost, in order to establish vegetation. Trials were conducted with grasses, alder (Alnus cordata) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa) over two growing seasons, and the effectiveness of the soil/compost combination was evaluated by soil and plant nutrient analyses and plant growth response. The addition of compost increased the concentrations of P, K, and Mg in soil and leaf tissue, and generally increased the survival, growth and biomass of the grass and trees established in the soils. There was very little improved response from doubling the compost incorporation rate, except for a soil contaminated with hydrocarbons and its thermally remediated counterpart. The study demonstrates that vegetation can be established on remediated materials combined with an appropriate level of compost addition, thus potentially removing a significant portion of contaminated soil from the waste stream. © 2010 EPP Publications Ltd.


Over the past decades star formation has been a very attractive field because knowledge
of star formation leads to a better understanding of the formation of planets and
thus of our solar system but also of the evolution of galaxies. Conditions leading to the
formation of high-mass stars are still under investigation but an evolutionary scenario has
been proposed: As a cold pre-stellar core collapses under gravitational force, the medium
warms up until it reaches a temperature of 100 K and enters the hot molecular core (HMC)
phase. The forming central proto-star accretes materials, increasing its mass and luminosity
and eventually it becomes sufficiently evolved to emit UV photons which irradiate
the surrounding environment forming a hyper compact (HC) and then a ultracompact
(UC) HII region. At this stage, a very dense and very thin internal photon-dominated
region (PDR) forms between the HII region and the molecular core.
Information on the chemistry allows to trace the physical processes occurring in these
different phases of star formation. Formation and destruction routes of molecules are
influenced by the environment as reaction rates depend on the temperature and radiation
field. Therefore, chemistry also allows the determination of the evolutionary stage of
astrophysical objects through the use of chemical models including the time evolution of
the temperature and radiation field.
Because HMCs host a very rich chemistry with high abundances of complex organic
molecules (COMs), several astrochemical models have been developed to study the gas
phase chemistry as well as grain chemistry in these regions. In addition to HMCs models,
models of PDRs have also been developed to study in particular photo-chemistry. So far,
few studies have investigated internal PDRs and only in the presence of outflows cavities.
Thus, these unique regions around HC/UCHII regions remain to be examined thoroughly.
My PhD thesis focuses on the spatio-temporal chemical evolution in HC/UC HII
regions with internal PDRs as well as in HMCs. The purpose of this study is first to
understand the impact and effects of the radiation field, usually very strong in these
regions, on the chemistry. Secondly, the goal is to study the emission of various tracers
of HC/UCHII regions and compare it with HMCs models, where the UV radiation field
does not impact the region as it is immediately attenuated by the medium. Ultimately we
want to determine the age of a given region using chemistry in combination with radiative
transfer.


This book follows the global trail of one of the world's most unremarkable and ubiquitous objects – flip-flops – from extraction of raw materials, to manufacture, distribution and consumption. Through this unique lens, Caroline Knowles takes a ground-level view of the lives and places of globalisation's backroads, providing new insights that challenge contemporary accounts of globalisation. The book shows that globalisation along the flip-flop trail is a tangle of unstable, shifting and contingent connections, rather than an orderly product chain. Knowles examines this instability, exploring the complexities, personal topographies and skills with which people navigate global uncertainties. In doing so, Knowles provides new ways of thinking about globalisation from the vantage point of the shifting landscape crossed by a seemingly ordinary and everyday commodity.

'Innovative, insightful, and by turns disturbing and inspiring. Caroline Knowles leads a journey through globalisation's backroads that will inform and engage students and push professors to connect human experience and political economy.' Professor Craig Calhoun, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science

'If you are invited to Davos, shiny shoes, high heels or ski boots may be in order. For understanding much of the rest of the world, Caroline Knowles shows, you think better with flip-flops.' Ulf Hannerz, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology, Stockholm University


In certain implementations of the brane inflationary paradigm, the exit from inflation occurs when the branes annihilate through tachyon condensation. We investigate various cosmological effects produced by this tachyonic era. We find that only a very small region of the parameter space (corresponding to slow roll with tiny inflaton mass) allows for the tachyon to contribute some e-folds to inflation. In addition, non-adiabatic density perturbations are generated at the end of inflation. When the brane is moving relativistically this contribution can be of the same order as fluctuations produced 55 e-folds before the end of inflation. The additional contribution is exactly scale invariant and enhances the tensor/scalar ratio. Additional non-Gaussianities will also be generated, sharpening current constraints on Dirac–Born–Infeld-type models which already predict a significantly non-Gaussian signal.


The state of the art of the Monte Carlo studies of randomly modulated optical waves in regular and randomly inhomogeneous nonlinear media is reviewed. A wide range of phenomena dealt with in nonlinear statistical optics are discussed, including self-phase noise pulse modulation, the self-action of partially coherent beams, the formation and instability of solitons, stimulated Raman scattering, intensive light beams in a turbulent atmosphere, and adaptive radiation focusing. Special attention is given to the justification of the phase screen model for a randomly inhomogeneous nonlinear continuum, and the numerical simulation of random light fields is discussed in detail.


From the afternoon of April 1st to the morning of April 9th 2015, CAGE at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise aimed at investigating the western Barents Sea slope, western and northern Svalbard margin, methane seep sites at Vestnesa and Storfjorden Trough and the Barents Sea on R/V "Helmer Hanssen". Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): Malangen Trough, Bjørnøya Trough Mouth Fan south and mid, Storfjorden Fan, Vestnesa Ridge, the northwest Svalbard slope to north of Schmeerenburgfjorden. On the track towards Tromsø we sampled in Storfjorden Trough. The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: "CAGE -Centre for Arctic Gas hydrate, Environment and Climate", in which the sub-projects "Paleo-CIRCUS", "OA-Ocean Acidification" is included.
A total of 2 gravity cores, 8 plankton net casts and 22 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed along the route to Northern Svalbard at the western Barents Sea slope. Data were also collected in Storfjorden Trough and the mouth of Storfjorden. In addition, CTD's and a small chirp and multibeam survey was performed off Schmeerenburgfjorden, north of fjorden and in its northernmost part.
Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and during the survey of outer Schmeerenburgfjorden. The recording started from c. 71 N on the western Barents Sea slope and ended at 70.00 N.
The cruise may be known as: CAGE15_1_CO2


We investigate numerically the supercontinuum generation (SCG) phenomenon, using femtosecond pulses in the subnanoscale of energies through the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation that includes non-Kerr terms. Our results with 50 fs pulses in the anomalous dispersion regime show that, in comparison to the single cubic Kerr nonlinearity (CKN) case, the cooperative nonlinearities improve the spectral broadening, while the competing ones compress the spectral SCG bandwidth. Surprisingly, with the reduction of the pulse width, the cooperative nonlinearities induce a spectral compression while the competing ones keep the SCG bandwidth nearly constant from the input to the output of the considered waveguide. The increase of both the energy and the nonlinearity confirms this feature, showing that spectral compression is also obtained in the single CKN case, but less than in the case of cooperative nonlinearities.


Background and purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common nosocomial pathogens especially among burn patients. Aminoglycoside is usually used in combination with other antibiotics for treatment of serious S. aureus infections. Resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics is one of the most important problems in treatment of S.aureus infections. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of aminoglycoside resistance genes in S. aureus isolated from burn patients. Materials and methods: A total of 81 isolates of S.aureus were collected from burn wounds of patients hospitalized in Taleghani hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Conventional laboratory tests were used for identification of S. aureus at species level and then confirmed by detection of nucA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was tested against 11 different antibiotics by Disc Agar Diffusion Method. Frequency of aminoglycoside resistance genes (aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'')-I, aph(3')-IIIa, and ant(4')-Ia) were evaluated by multiplex-PCR method. Results: Highest rate of resistance were observed against Penicillin (97.53%), Erythromycin (77.78%) and Ciprofloxacin (76.54%). None of the isolates were resistant to Vancomycin. MRSA detection rate was 87.65%. In isolates that showed resistance to Aminoglycosides, 28.57% have only aac(6')-Ieaph(2'')-I gene and 46.03% have both aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'')-I and aph(3')-IIIa genes simultaneously. None of the isolates were positive for ant(4')-Ia gene. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of MRSA isolates and also aminoglycoside resistance gene in S. aureus, continuous surveillance in infection control policy is necessary in hospitals to prevent resistant bacteria spreading.


Foundations in China's nonprofit sector have been increasing in both number and importance. However, scholarly research and nonacademic reports have left a question in the literature waiting to be answered: What led to the recent development and landscape of foundations in China? To answer this question within the framework of "manufactured civil society," the typological method was used, in which 3342 foundations founded before 2014 were divided into seven types with regard to their founders and policy-related issues, namely government-created, corporate, school, family, religious, community, and independent. The results show that, to a large degree, (1) the government has been one of the major drivers behind the foundations' development and (2) the government's attitude and policy toward foundations have shaped and will continue to shape the foundation landscape in China.


The employment of deaf school leavers is considered by means of data from a recent study conducted in South Australia (Winn, 2005). Its findings are compared with those of three other Australian studies conducted over the past several decades (Australian Federation of Adult Deaf Societies, 1973; Deaf Society of New South Wales, 1998; Hyde, 1988). Compared to the rest of the community, deaf adults have had and continue to have higher unemployment rates, are underemployed in terms of the range of occupations, and typically earn less than the general population in similar occupations. The most recent study (Winn, 2005) provides evidence that Australian deaf adults have poor employment outcomes despite access to higher education and legislation prohibiting discrimination. That employment outcomes have not altered dramatically since earlier studies suggests that positive programs are required to address the general community's attitude about deafness as a disability.


In the last decade there has been rapid growth of the New Zealand export education industry. However, research has shown that having a large international student body present on campus is insufficient to promote cross-cultural interactions. This study explores the intercultural competencies of, and interactions between 88 students enrolled at a New Zealand tertiary institution. Interaction was found to primarily occur between co-ethnic students, yet when students did interact in cross-ethnic groups it tended to be for academic rather than social activities. The attitudes and perceptions of both student groups regarding each other were established to be generally positive; suggesting the lack of interaction is not attitudinally based. International students were more open-minded but scored lower on social initiative competencies than domestic students. The findings from this study suggest that the low levels of interaction between students are related to social self-efficacy in a cross-cultural context.


This paper is an initial review of literature, investigating qualitative research, to show its relevance in information system disciplines. Qualitative research involves the use of qualitative data, such as interviews, documents, and participant observation data, to understand and explain social phenomena. Qualitative research can be found in many disciplines and fields, using a variety of approaches, methods and techniques. In Information Systems (IS), there has been a general shift in information system research away from technological to managerial and organizational issues, hence an increasing interest in the application of qualitative research methods. Frequently used methods are the action research, case study, ethnography and grounded theory. Review of each research approaches in qualitative methods, will be discussed. Important considerations in the methods are identified, and cases for each research method are described. Then we will present some benefits and limitations of each method. Based on the result, a framework of an action research was proposed and might be useful in starting a research project in information system using qualitative method.


History of the Internet Although the Internet is a fairly recent entity, it is based on ideas and technologies spanning centuries. The physical architecture of the Internet dates back to 1971, but its primary growth spurt was not until 1993, and use has since risen exponentially. The percentage of the U.S. population using Internet access has grown from six percent in 1995 to just over half of the population at the end of the year 2000. The history of the Internet has been documented extensively and a summary of highlights is given in Table 1.


Amid rising criticism of aid effectiveness coupled with tight budgets in many donor countries at a time of economic crisis, donor agencies are under pressure to deliver value for money and to demonstrate development results. In response to these pressures, more and more donor agencies are adopting standard indicators, which allow for results to be aggregated across interventions and countries, in order to report agency-wide results. This paper analyses the reporting practices of ten bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and assesses the implications of agency-wide results measurement systems for aid effectiveness. The analysis shows that the data on aggregate results provided by donor agencies is only of limited informational value and does not provide an adequate basis for holding donor agencies to account. Moreover, reporting on agency-wide results may have a number of adverse effects. Given the various limitations and risks identified in this paper, I suggest that donor agencies should explore complementary options or alternatives to standard indicators in order to meet their reporting requirements. Donor agencies are advised to invest more in rigorous impact evaluations, to raise the transparency of individual interventions and to incorporate beneficiary feedback more systematically into their monitoring and evaluation efforts.


Community Safety Partnerships were introduced through the Crime & Disorder Act 1998 by the New Labour Government as a vehicle to address local crime and disorder issues. They have a statutory footing and the responsible authorities that make up their membership include the Police, Police Authority, Local Authority, Fire & Rescue Authority, Probation Trust and the Health Sector. Through identifying levels of crime and disorder Community Safety Partnerships are required to devise strategies to address these issues along with a range of interventions. Since their inception there have been many changes to these partnerships facilitated largely by the Home Office. Research has been conducted on Community Safety Partnerships however there is an absence in the literature and research on their impact within the community. Along with this gap in knowledge has been a changing political and economic environment. This presents an opportunity to review how community safety can be delivered now and in the future.

The purpose of the research was to examine the impact of two Community Safety Partnerships in London and to also identify areas for improvement. The aims of the research were to determine practitioners' views of the impact of these partnerships in dealing with crime and disorder at the local level and to examine practitioners' wider perspectives on the utility of these partnerships now and the future. Finally, on the basis of the evidence generated by the research it makes recommendations for improvements in the work of Community Safety Partnerships.

The research involved 18 semi-structured interviews with community safety practitioners across the two sites along with this a review of key documents, recorded crime figures and partnership records was undertaken. This then became the basis for identifying areas for improvement. The research established that both partnerships had no common agreement as to how to measure 'effectiveness'. There was moreover an overreliance on using recorded crime data as the sole measure of partnership effectiveness. This appeared to be heavily influenced by central government and their comprehensive performance management regime. If effectiveness was to be measured solely on crime rates it was evident that both partnerships had some impact. The research also demonstrated that community safety partnerships were engaged with heavy workloads however a large proportion of work undertaken by Community Safety Partnerships was not evaluated. Evaluation was indeed minimal. This was an acknowledged weakness identified amongst most practitioners interviewed.

The local authority played a crucial role in partnership business undertaking a disproportionate amount of work compared to the police and other responsible authorities. There was an overreliance on perceived benefits of partnership working by practitioners. Also potential benefits were to be highlighted rather than actually being achieved. Cost effectiveness and achieving value for money was also an area which both partnerships failed to progress. This was clear when reviewing governance structures, meetings, reports produced and time spent on these activities. All of these could have been streamlined and made more effective. Finally, it was evident that personalities played a key role in community safety partnerships. They could significantly influence the work Community Safety Partnerships undertook including their overall effectiveness. The disadvantage of this however was that good relationships amongst responsible authorities led to a lack of challenge in partnership business.

Finally, in terms of continued government support, the future of these statutory partnerships is far from clear. Significant cuts in grant along with the introduction of Police & Crime Commissioners raises questions about the future of Community Safety Partnerships. An important consideration will be a future focus on improvement and demonstrating value for money. In light of this, and in light of the research findings a number of recommendations are made. These include a view that a strong evaluation ethos is introduced to Community Safety Partnership work and also adopting a performance management framework which can be used to measure these partnerships more robustly. It recommended that the role played by the local authority requires to be rebalanced along with improving and enhancing community engagement. Lastly, the key areas identified by the research echo the findings of earlier work undertaken thus questions the degree of progress made by these partnerships, not necessarily due to factors within their control.


Currently, there is an urgent demand for more cost-effective, resource-efficient and reliable solutions to address safety and mobility challenges on highways enduring snowy winter weather. To address this pressing issue, this commentary proposes that the physical and digital infrastructures should be upgraded to take advantage of emerging technologies and facilitate the vehicle-infrastructure integration (VII), to better inform decision-makers at various levels. Driven by the paradigm shift towards more automation and more intelligent transportation, it is time to reimagine the vehicle-infrastructure ecosystem with the cold-climate issues in mind, and to enhance communications and coordination among various highway users and stakeholders. This commentary envisages the deployment of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies to bring about transformative changes and substantial benefits in terms of enhanced winter safety and mobility on highways. At the center of the commentary is a conceptualized design of next-generation highways in cold climates, including the existing infrastructure entities that are appropriate for possible upgrade to connected infrastructure (CI) applications, to leverage the immensely expanded data availability fueled by better spatial and temporal coverage. The commentary also advances the idea that CI solutions can augment the sensing capabilities and confidence level of connected or autonomous vehicles. The application scenarios of VII system is then briefly explored, followed by some discussion of the paradigm shift towards V2X applications and a look to the future including some identified research needs in the arena of CI. This work aims to inspire dialogues and synergistic collaborations among various stakeholders of the VII revolution, because the specific challenges call for systematic, holistic, and multidisciplinary approaches accompanied by concerted efforts in the research, development, pilot testing, and deployment of CI technologies.


The recent proliferation of transnational land deals has put the long-fraught relationship between international cooperation, national development and local dispossession back in the political spotlight. This article argues that transnational land access cannot be resolved as a political question without a better understanding of the material, legal and administrative geographies that accompany and enable it. Using evidence from Laos, the paper illustrates two tools for 'resolving' the global land grab geographically: first, a biographical or trajectory-based approach that connects specific land grabs to larger development landscapes (e.g. of urban infrastructuring); and second, genealogies of property formalization that interrogate and deconstruct the legal geographies of land access, both on and off the map. The paper concludes by suggesting that these tools have purchase elsewhere as well.


In this interventional study, a randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the short-term effects of xylitol-containing chewing gum on the salivary microbiota. In total, 70 healthy adult men recruited from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force participated in the study during a 2-day training at Yamaguchi camp, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The men were randomly divided into two groups: one group chewed two pieces of xylitol-containing chewing gum 7 times/day for 2 days (n = 34) and the other did not (n = 36). Baseline and follow-up stimulated saliva samples were collected and the salivary microbial composition was assessed using the 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing analysis. The total salivary bacterial count was quantified using a quantitative real-time PCR system. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding any parameter analyzed in the baseline samples; however, the follow-up samples of the test group showed significantly lower total salivary bacterial count than those of the control group. Conversely, no significant difference was observed in the overall composition of the salivary microbiota between the baseline and follow-up samples of the two groups. These results indicate that xylitol-containing chewing gum inhibits the increase in total salivary bacteria over a short time during which the salivary microbial composition is not affected.


Objective. To have additional data on the short-term safety and efficacy of sustained-release valproate (Depakine Chronosphera®, Sanofi-
Aventis, France) used as both first-line monotherapy and additional therapy in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Subjects and methods. This open-label, noncomparative, prospective, short-term survey enrolled 1010 patients aged 1 month and 72 years
(mean age 10,9±12,4 years). Three hundred (29,7%) patients had unspecified epilepsy; 40 (3,96%) had idiopathic focal epilepsy; 428 (42,38%) had presumptively symptomatic and symptomatic focal epilepsy; 117 (16,93%) had idiopathic generalized epilepsy, 71 (7,03%)
had epileptic encephalopathy; 52 (5,15%) had West's syndrome. The starting dose of Depakine Chronosphera® was 10-15 mg/day; the mean therapeutic dose was 20-30 mg/kg/day. When there was no adequate response, the dose might be increased up to 50-60 mg/kg/day, by meticulously monitoring a patient's status. Depakine Chronosphera® was used both alone and in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AED). The follow-up lasted at least 2 months. Results. The most common reason for using Depakine Chronosphera® was ineffective previous treatment with AED (24,7% of cases) and easiness to use. Due to the therapy, epileptic seizures ceased in 405 (40,1%) patients; their number reduced by 75 and 50% in 248 (24,55%) and 272 (26,93%) patients, respectively; therapy failed in 55 (5,45%) patients; seizure aggravation was noted in 7 (0,69%); there was no information on changes in the frequency of seizures in 23 (2,28%). Since Depakine Chronosphera® is intended mainly for both preschool children and older patients who have difficulties in taking the drug as tablets, the study group comprised children less than 7 years of age. Nevertheless, the drug was also actively given to children over 7 years and adults. This was associated with not only with the physician's interest in the new formulation of the drug, but also with its easiness to use. Adverse reactions were observed in 8,91% of the patients. The
spectrum and frequency of side effects corresponded to those in the similar studies. Conclusion. The study has indicated that the use of Depakine Chronosphera® as monotherapy and multimodality treatment for epilepsy in adults and children is effective and safe. The low discontinuance rate of the drug suggests its good tolerability and efficacy, as well as easiness to use, in early preschool children in particular. The use of Depakine Chronosphera® is promising in treating epilepsy in adults and children


The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of school burnout and subjective well-being for high school students. The study group included a total of 373 high school students [188 female (50.4 %) and 185 male (49.6 %)] aged from 14-17 in the 2010-2011 academic year in three regions of Ankara (Cebeci, Kecioren and Pursaklar). Secondary School Burnout Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale were used in the study. In addition to descriptive statistics, data analyzed with regressions. Findings indicated that as students' loss of interest to school and burnout emanated from family increased, their subjective well-being levels were decreased. Regression results pointed out that the following variables were significantly related to motivation to class engagement: Loss of interest to school and burnout emanated from family.


Unexploded military ordnance and toxic chemicals, some dating back to the two World Wars, are a global concern, especially when former military bases are redeveloped for housing or other civilian uses. Internationally, there are the added challenges of cleanup of battlegrounds and minefields. Experts estimate that the United States alone could spend between $50-250 billion to clean up these sites, many of which are in areas of high population density, where the demand for land for development is high. This book is unique in providing detailed guidance for cleaning up military ordnance sites - listing explosives, chemical warfare materials and breakdown products which can contaminate soil and groundwater and the tests needed to detect them, as well as cleanup techniques. Also included are remote sensing techniques, geophysical techniques, safety issues, the particular challenges of chemical weapons, etc. The author illustrates these techniques with case studies, including former battlegrounds in Europe and Asia, storage and waste disposal sites in Russia and former Soviet territories, and an extended study of the remediation of the large and complex Spring Valley site in the District of Columbia. The second edition has been fully revised and updated, and also includes new and expanded sections on: geophysical techniques for discovering buried ordnance; underwater sites and remediation techniques; use of robotics, including remotely operated vehicles; compliance and regulatory issues; and, guidance documents from US Department of Defense and other sources. The focus on test procedures, environmental remediation techniques, and learning from past case studies, makes Albright's book the most comprehensive and practical guide on the market for a topic of international importance. The only book available with clear and complete guidance for the cleanup of military ordnance sites and battlefields. The author illustrates his recommendations with real world cases including Spring Valley, DC, former battlegrounds in Europe and Asia, and storage and waste disposal sites in Russia and other former Soviet states. It is an essential reference for the test and environmental remediation procedures required to put former military sites back in to civilian use (e.g. housing). It includes 30 per cent revision, with key updates concerning regulatory changes, US Dept of Defense guidance documents, use of robotic vehicles, underwater sites and discovery of buried ordnance.


Rhetoric and law have closely and firmly related historical roots what is proved by the genesis of rhetoric itself according to which a lawyer can really "act" in a court only using his speech abilities. Law and rhetoric are related through a concept of a case as well. Rhetoric in Ancient Greece has appeared under the circumstances of democracy when there emerged possibilities that gave rights and freedom of speech in explaining and interpretation of the law norms and in persuading one's listeners such way. The young and rebellious thought of an educated and unprejudiced Greek and his freedom to believe in gods were not restricted by any dogmas or catechisms, moreover he did not recognized an unconditional obedience to truth without proof and verification of it in general. The truth of every person is different and thus this can be argued. The key point of all matters is a person but not a dogma. This has generated a juridical dualism rheton kai dianoia what was translated by Romans as justum et aequum (law and justice). It is shown in the article that citizens can search for the truth only when they are free, and the unity of justum et aequum is important in all times. When one turns away from the human rights, the true content of justice, and when the force of the state becomes an essence of justice, then rhetoric (i.e. evaluation, explanation, interpreting of juridical discourse, searching for relation of norms to the moral values, efforts of persuasion) becomes unnecessary for a lawyer. The moral principles of rhetoric, raised by A. Volanas and the other lawyers of renaissance, were based on the norms of classic rhetoric. These principles ought to become a measure of public speeches of contemporary jurists. As a matter of fact, under conditions of young democracy Lithuania still faces the same problem of relation between law and justice.


A flexible nanoparticle-based phospholipase (PL) assay is demonstrated in which the enzymatic substrate is decoupled from the nanoparticle surface. Liposomes are loaded with a polypeptide that is designed to heteroassociate with a second polypeptide immobilized on gold nanoparticles. Release of this polypeptide from the liposomes, triggered by PL, induces a folding-dependent nanoparticle bridging aggregation. The colorimetric response from this aggregation enables straightforward and continuous detection of PL in the picomolar range. The speed, specificity, and flexibility of this assay make it appropriate for a range of applications, from point of care diagnostics to high-throughput pharmaceutical screening.


Global migrations are often associated with, indeed motivated by, upward social mobility. However, the new mobilities paradigm emphasizes structural inequalities of migration mobilities that allow movement for some but mean stasis for others. This article studies the realities of marginalized marriage migrants engaged in the simultaneities of mobilities and immobilities, adopting resistant strategies against structures of social and regulatory oppression. We conducted qualitative interviews and ethnographic research with 33 Vietnamese foreign brides in Singapore. Applying an intersectionality framework reveals that, in response to multiple forms of spatial and social immobilities, the marriage migrants adopted essentialist identities at the intersection of ethnicity, gender, and class. Communication technologies, symbolic of new mobilities, were found to facilitate essentialist expression. The study reveals the complexity of intersectional marginalization and mediated essentialist strategies developed by marriage migrants facing immobilities, contesting dominant views of gender empowerment in postcolonial scholarship on identity.


This article considers how the boundaries of an undertaking or economic unit are identified in EU competition law. As an undertaking may be made up of several persons, it is not always easy to know when it comprises a natural person, a legal person or a group of persons (such as principal and agent, parent and subsidiaries or parent(s) and JV) and, consequently, whether such persons are acting unilaterally or jointly for the purposes of the competition law rules. This article scrutinizes the two principal lines of cases dealing with the notion of an undertaking as an economic unit and the relationship between them. It seeks to elucidate the principles and policy underpinning and influencing them and questions whether there is, or should be, a single concept of an undertaking which applies throughout EU competition law and, if so, how it is defined. It also discusses whether there is a need for a more holistic approach to be taken to the concept of an undertaking in the future, requiring some reconsideration of, and retrenchment in, the case-law.


Biofeedback is a noninvasive method of measurement of physiological functions where precise instruments measure the slightest changes in body functions. Many of the studies have shown that using biofeedback can reduce the occurrence of migraine or reduce the strength of the pain. Some results from a study suggest that the use of biofeedback in combination with medication is more successful than medication alone in treating migraines. Also, holistic approach by using behavioral technic is necessary to provide maximal results by methods. To more precisely work with patients who suffer from a migraine, it is also important to know the pathophysiology of a migraine. According to relevant research, we combined biofeedback treatment that consisted of a combination of three forms of biofeedback treatment: neurofeedback, breathing, and vascular biofeedback. Combination of treatments in 25 sessions helped the patient with a long history of a severe migraine. Further research of patients suffering from a migraine with different treatment protocols is needed to establish the method.


With the current concerns about sustainable development and greenhouse gas emissions in various fields, the road domain has also to contribute. Indeed, asphalt mixture production is a very important energy consuming phase in order to heat the aggregates and binder, and also maintain a low viscosity for a sufficient workability and level of compaction. In order to decrease this environmental load, warm asphalt mixtures produced between 60 and 140 °C have been developed. This paper presents the major developments and techniques in order to produce warm asphalt mixes. The advantages and potential are also discussed, followed by the description of a complete analysis of the performances. Based on this, a methodology for the development of a global multifunctional assessment tool of these innovative technologies is detailed. The main objective of the ongoing PhD research is finally to quantify and combine the various aspects for a global assessment and comparison of innovative processes.


BACKGROUND
Under the current liver-transplantation policy, donor organs are offered to patients with the highest risk of death.

METHODS
Using data derived from all adult candidates for primary liver transplantation who were registered with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network in 2005 and 2006, we developed and validated a multivariable survival model to predict mortality at 90 days after registration. The predictor variable was the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score with and without the addition of the serum sodium concentration. The MELD score (on a scale of 6 to 40, with higher values indicating more severe disease) is calculated on the basis of the serum bilirubin and creatinine concentrations and the international normalized ratio for the prothrombin time.

RESULTS
In 2005, there were 6769 registrants, including 1781 who underwent liver transplantation and 422 who died within 90 days after registration on the waiting list. Both the MELD score and the serum sodium concentration were significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio for death, 1.21 per MELD point and 1.05 per 1-unit decrease in the serum sodium concentration for values between 125 and 140 mmol per liter; P<0.001 for both variables). Furthermore, a significant interaction was found between the MELD score and the serum sodium concentration, indicating that the effect of the serum sodium concentration was greater in patients with a low MELD score. When applied to the data from 2006, when 477 patients died within 3 months after registration on the waiting list, the combination of the MELD score and the serum sodium concentration was considerably higher than the MELD score alone in 32 patients who died (7%). Thus, assignment of priority according to the MELD score combined with the serum sodium concentration might have resulted in transplantation and prevented death.

CONCLUSIONS
This population-wide study shows that the MELD score and the serum sodium concentration are important predictors of survival among candidates for liver transplantation.


Autocrine Wnt signaling in epidermal stem cells controls self-renewal. Stem cell niches provide signals that maintain populations of self-renewing stem cells and prevent excessive proliferation. Without the regulatory influence of the niche, stem cells might proliferate too much, thus forming a tumor, or differentiate prematurely, thus depleting a tissue's regenerative capacity. Wnts have been implicated in stem cell maintenance and hair growth, so Lim et al. investigated the role of Wnt signaling in the regulation of resident stem cells in mouse intrafollicular epidermis (IFE). (IFE lacks hair follicle stem cells, which may contribute to epidermal regeneration.) The basal layer of the IFE contained cells that expressed the Wnt target gene Axin2, and lineage-tracing experiments indicated that these cells gave rise to both self-renewing basal cells and various types of differentiated cells present in the suprabasal layers. These cells also participated in regeneration after wounding, consistent with these cells being epidermal stem cells. Disrupting Wnt signaling in the Axin2-expressing cells by conditionally inactivating the gene encoding the Wnt effector β-catenin or by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the Wnt inhibitor Dkk1 yielded a thin epidermis in which these cells stopped proliferating and instead differentiated. The Axin2-expressing basal cells expressed Wnt4 and Wnt10a, and basal epidermal cells isolated from human skin also expressed Wnt4. Cultured human keratinocytes produce Wnts, and treating these cells with a small-molecule inhibitor of Wnt secretion inhibited proliferation and stimulated expression of a differentiation marker. The secreted Wnt inhibitors Dkk3 and WIF1 accumulate in suprabasal layers of human skin, and the authors demonstrated that transcripts encoding Dkk3 were present in Axin2-expressing basal cells in mouse IFE, but the Dkk3 protein accumulated in suprabasal layers, suggesting that Dkk3 was produced by and diffused away from the basal stem cells. These results define a model in which autocrine Wnt signaling promotes self-renewal and prevents differentiation in the basally located epidermal stem cells, whereas Wnt inhibitors secreted from these cells inhibit Wnt signaling in suprabasal cells, thus promoting differentiation of cells as they leave the basal layer. Thus, in this tissue, self-renewal depends on signals secreted from the stem cells themselves rather than on signals from neighboring niche cells. As noted in a Perspective by Frede and Jones, it is unclear how injury stimulates the proliferation of these stem cells and whether Wnt signaling plays a role in this process. X. Lim, S. H. Tan, W. L. C. Koh, R. M. W. Chau, K. S. Yan, C. J. Kuo, R. van Amerongen, A. M. Klein, R. Nusse, Interfollicular epidermal stem cells self-renew via autocrine Wnt signaling. Science 342, 1226–1230 (2013). [Abstract] [Full Text] J. Frede, P. H. Jones, Permission to proliferate. Science 342, 1183–1184 (2013). [Abstract] [Full Text]


Disclosed are methods for detecting mammalian genes encoding proteins which can function in microorganisms, particularly yeast, to modify, complement, or suppress a genetic defect associated with an identifiable phenotypic alteration or characteristic in the microorganism. Disclosed also are mammalian DNA sequences cloned by the above method, as well as polypeptide products of the expression of the DNA sequences in procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells and antibody substances which are specifically immunoreactive with said expression products. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for cloning mammalian genes which encode products which modify, complement or suppress a genetic defect in a biochemical pathway in which cAMP participates or in a biochemical pathway which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by a RAS-related protein, to products (RNA, proteins) encoded by the mammalian genes cloned in this manner, and to antibodies which can bind the encoded proteins.


Measure for Measure, one of Shakespeare's problem plays, is a dark comedy depicting Duke Vincentio's effort to restore respect for the law after a period of lax enforcement. Peopled with a wide variety of law-enforcers and law-breakers, the play implicates numerous legal issues and has consequently attracted the attention of lawyers and judges. In the eighteenth century Sir William Blackstone contributed notes on the play, while in the twentieth century judges have quoted from it in their judicial opinions. Like all good legal dramas, Measure for Measure ends with a trial scene, but - as we would expect from Shakespeare - one with an unusual twist. When charges of corruption are brought against Angelo, the deputy appointed to enforce the law, the Duke orders an immediate trial: Come, cousin Angelo / In this I'll be impartial; be you judge / Of your own cause. When the deputy's guilt is disclosed, the Duke commands that he suffer the punishment he intended for others - measure for measure, putting the Bible-conscious play-goer in mind of the passage: Judge not, that ye be not judged. / For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you againe. By ordering Angelo to be the judge of his own cause, the Duke is inviting the deputy to measure out his own punishment. And Shakespeare is forcing us all to confront the difficulty of doing earthly justice.


Habitat selection of the Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops was studied in Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia, 180 km2) where abiotic conditions, especially climate, could be considered suboptimal for this xerothermophilic species. Data on the number and distribution of calling males were gathered in May and June 2004–06 using the playback method. A total of 137 calling males were counted (29 in 2004, 66 in 2005, 42 in 2006). To avoid pseudo-replication, 72 non-overlapping sites were selected for habitat analysis. Habitat within 250-m radius plots surrounding owl sites was compared with 136 unoccupied and non-overlapping sites. Within plots, 14 habitat variables were measured. Discriminating variables between occupied and non-occupied sites were identified with stepwise logistic regression. Scops Owl occupation was positively associated with the number of tree lines, and slightly negative with the surface area of woodland and settlements. Scops Owls preferred sites with a higher than average proportion of traditional orchards, tree lines, scrub, unimproved meadows, and tree plantations. Tree plantations were only used by owls during 2005, when the number of calling males was highest. All males were unpaired, perhaps indicating inexperienced or late-arriving males outcompeted to marginal habitat. Conservation actions needed to maintain this population of Scops Owl at the northern border of its breeding range include: (1) preserve and rejuvenate traditional orchards and isolated trees in farmyards, (2) encourage renovation of old houses and their farmyards and discourage high density housing, (3) protect and restore tree lines and copses, (4) enlarge the proportion of unimproved meadows, and (5) limit the increase of cropland and the use of biocides.


CASE DESCRIPTION When Porter Raulston, the CEO of Rain Dance Irrigation and Lighting Company, met with Jack Hatcher, the principal partner in Hatcher-Deer field, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in organizational planning, development and governance, he was interested in a new venture. Hatcher's idea was to combine Raulston's business with two other businesses - landscaping and construction - to form a new entity to serve as a one-stop shop for the homeowner. Their new company, Rain Dance Property Solutions, would merge the three companies and entrepreneurs and could even result in a template for future franchising in other markets beyond Chattanooga, TN. The case explores the merger process as well as strategic planning, mission statement development and goal setting for the new entity. CASE SYNOPSIS The primary subject matter of this case concerns issues faced when merging three entrepreneurial companies. Secondary issues examined include ways to value merging companies, issues in combining operations, employees, and managers into one entity, and personality issues involved in such an endeavor with traditional entrepreneur/owners. The case has a difficulty level of three and four - appropriate for junior and senior-level undergraduate students. The case is designed to be taught in one class period and is expected to require one to two hours of outside preparation by students. INTRODUCTION In May, 2006, Porter Raulston, the CEO of Rain Dance Irrigation and Lighting Company, made an appointment with Jack Hatcher, the principal partner in Hatcher-Deerfield, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in organizational planning, development and governance. Raulston and Hatcher had been acquaintances for many years and Hatcher had been a long-time client of Raulston's company, the state's largest residential and commercial sprinkler system and outdoor environmental lighting enterprise. When scheduling the appointment, with Hatcher, Raulston indicated he was searching for a new entrepreneurial venture and needed help identifying, formulating, and implementing that idea. Raulston did not know precisely what he had in mind for a "new entrepreneurial venture," but he had maximized the financial potential of his current business and was interested in making changes. In his early fifties, Raulston was a personable, low-key individual who had started his business over twenty years ago. His primary role had always been external, focusing on sales and customer relations. Raulston relied on his employees to oversee the operations of the company while he provided only cursory oversight activities. Ralston had come to the right person. Hatcher, in his late forties, was the epitome of a successful entrepreneur. Before starting his own business, he worked in a variety of industries to gain practical business experience, ultimately holding key management positions in the Jack Eckerd Corporation, the Chicago Tribune Company, and Salem Carpet Mills, Inc. With a background that included both staff and line positions and many intrapreneurial accomplishments for his former employers, Hatcher opened his own consulting firm in 1999 focusing on organizational development products. His firm's stated purpose not withstanding, Hatcher took advantage of his entrepreneurial skills by starting more than a dozen new ventures that ultimately were profitably harvested. During their May, 2006 meeting, Hatcher helped Raulston develop an in-depth analysis of his business in terms of potential opportunities. During the next few months, which were typically during his busy season Raulston had little time to do more than review the information and strategies that resulted from his conversation with Hatcher. In September, 2006, completely independent of his conversations with Hatcher, Raulston received a telephone call from Ed Britton. Britton, also in his early fifties, was the founder of River City Lawn and Landscaping, Inc. …


A classifier's low confidence in prediction is often indicative of whether its prediction will be wrong; in this case, inputs are called known unknowns. In contrast, unknown unknowns (UUs) are inputs on which a classifier makes a high confidence mistake. Identifying UUs is especially important in safety-critical domains like medicine (diagnosis) and law (recidivism prediction). Previous work by Lakkaraju et al. (2017) on identifying unknown unknowns assumes that the utility of each revealed UU is independent of the others, rather than considering the set holistically. While this assumption yields an efficient discovery algorithm, we argue that it produces an incomplete understanding of the classifier's limitations. In response, this paper proposes a new class of utility models that rewards how well the discovered UUs cover (or "explain") a sample distribution of expected queries. Although choosing an optimal cover is intractable, even if the UUs were known, our utility model is monotone submodular, affording a greedy discovery strategy. Experimental results on four datasets show that our method outperforms bandit-based approaches and achieves within 60.9% utility of an omniscient, tractable upper bound.


Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is an autosomal dominant craniofacial disorder with high penetrance and variable expression. Its clinical features are variably expressed, but include cleft lip and/or cleft palate, lip pits and hypodontia. All VWS families studied to date map the disease gene to a < 2 cM region of chromosome 1q32, with no evidence of locus heterogeneity. The aim of this study is to refine the localization of the VWS gene and to further assess possible heterogeneity. We analyzed four multiplex VWS families. All available members were clinically assessed and genotyped for 19 short tandem repeat markers on chromosome 1 in the VWS candidate gene region. We performed two-point and multipoint limit of detection (LOD) score analyses using a high penetrance autosomal dominant model. All families showed positive LOD scores without any recombination in the candidate region. The largest two-point LOD score was 5.87. Our assay method for short tandem repeat (STR) markers provided highly accurate size estimation of marker allele fragment sizes, and therefore enabled us to determine the specific alleles segregating with the VWS gene in each of our four families. We observed a striking pattern of STR allele sharing at several closely linked loci among our four Caucasian VWS families recruited at three different locations in the US. These results suggest the possibility of a unique origin for a mutation responsible for many or most cases of VWS.


Matrix factorization is a key component of collaborative filtering-based recommendation systems because it allows us to complete sparse user-by-item ratings matrices under a low-rank assumption that encodes the belief that similar users give similar ratings and that similar items garner similar ratings. This paradigm has had immeasurable practical success, but it is not the complete story for understanding and inferring the preferences of people. First, peoples' preferences and their observable manifestations as ratings evolve over time along general patterns of trajectories. Second, an individual person's preferences evolve over time through influence of their social connections. In this paper, we develop a unified process model for both types of dynamics within a state space approach, together with an efficient optimization scheme for estimation within that model. The model combines elements from recent developments in dynamic matrix factorization, opinion dynamics and social learning, and trust-based recommendation. The estimation builds upon recent advances in numerical nonlinear optimization. Empirical results on a large-scale data set from the Epinions website demonstrate consistent reduction in root mean squared error by consideration of the two types of dynamics.


Background: One measure of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) breast density improves 5-year breast cancer risk prediction, but the value of sequential measures is unknown. We determined whether two BI-RADS density measures improve the predictive accuracy of the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium 5-year risk model compared with one measure. Methods: We included 722,654 women of ages 35 to 74 years with two mammograms with BI-RADS density measures on average 1.8 years apart; 13,715 developed invasive breast cancer. We used Cox regression to estimate the relative hazards of breast cancer for age, race/ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, history of breast biopsy, and one or two density measures. We developed a risk prediction model by combining these estimates with 2000–2010 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results incidence and 2010 vital statistics for competing risk of death. Results: The two-measure density model had marginally greater discriminatory accuracy than the one-measure model (AUC, 0.640 vs. 0.635). Of 18.6% of women (134,404 of 722,654) who decreased density categories, 15.4% (20,741 of 134,404) of women whose density decreased from heterogeneously or extremely dense to a lower density category with one other risk factor had a clinically meaningful increase in 5-year risk from <1.67% with the one-density model to ≥1.67% with the two-density model. Conclusion: The two-density model has similar overall discrimination to the one-density model for predicting 5-year breast cancer risk and improves risk classification for women with risk factors and a decrease in density. Impact: A two-density model should be considered for women whose density decreases when calculating breast cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(6); 889–97. ©2015 AACR.


This paper analyses the logistics of The Fall, a fictional elevator through the Earth in the 2012 film Total Recall . In the film, it is claimed that the elevator can make its journey in 17 minutes by free falling through the centre of the planet. By modelling the actual free fall of an object in a vacuum through the Earth, it is shown that this trip would in fact take over 42 minutes. Drag forces were then considered, showing that without an external force The Fall would enter damped harmonic motion and would never reach its destination.


Triaxial static compression, cyclic compression, and splitting tension tests were performed to evaluate the effect of randomly distributed fiber reinforcement on the response of cemented sand to load. Test results indicated that fiber reinforcement significantly increases the compressive and splitting tensile strength of cemented sand. An increase in the compressive and tensile strength was found to be more pronounced at higher fiber contents and longer fiber lengths. Peak strength envelopes in compression indicated that both the friction angle and cohesion intercept of cemented sand were increased as a result of fiber inclusion. Inclusion of fibers also contributed to increased brittleness index of cemented sand while increasing its total energy absorption capacity. Fiber reinforcement also affected the response of cemented sand to cyclic load by significantly increasing the number of cycles, and the magnitude of cyclic strain needed to reach failure.


This research aims to investigate the different meanings for the term "nature". Moreover, it seeks to identify the major similarities and differences in the use of nature in the poetry of William Wordsworth and Robert Frost. Since this research is theoretical in nature, it depends primarily on reviewing already published works on the topic. The researchers consulted a significant number of published references on the topic as well as specialized literary dictionaries, encyclopaedias, and the internet. The research concludes that the term "nature" has not always had the same meaning or carries the same level of significance. Also, the concept of nature in British literature should be studied, not only as it was employed by English romantic poets, but also as it was used by authors before and after the English Romantic Movement in order to see if nature was used in the same way. Moreover, scholars and literary critics should also research the concept of nature as used in the United States of America before and after Robert frost. Finally, the use of nature in poetry that reflects meditation under the influence of the bible should be explored especially that composed by early colonial poets.