THOMAS AQUINAS ON THE APPREHENSION OF BEING: THE ROLE OF JUDGMENT IN LIGHT OF THIRTEENTH-CENTURY SEMANTICS Rosa E. Vargas Della Casa, M.A. Marquette University, 2013 Aquinas' famous comments in his early Scriptum on the Sentences (In I Sent., d. 38, q. 1, a. 3) regarding the intellect's apprehension of essence and esse have traditionally been interpreted as grounding Aquinas' doctrine on the judgment of esse. For Aquinas, it appears, what the intellect apprehends in a simple concept is essence. Since esse, for him, is not an essence, it cannot, on the received view, be the object of conceptualization. Therefore, esse is grasped by the intellect only in judgment. The claim that no genuine concept of esse is possible, however, is inconsistent with Aquinas' theory of signification. A term's signification is constituted, at least in part, in its "signing relation" with some "concept" in the mind. If, as on the traditional reading, there is no concept of esse, the term 'esse' is left without signification. To respond that the term 'esse' signs, not a concept, but the judgment in which esse is apprehended is in direct conflict with Aquinas' claim elsewhere that no term, including 'ens' and 'esse', signifies a judgment. I propose an alternative interpretation to In I Sent., d. 38, q. 1, a. 3, one that allows for the possibility of a conceptual apprehension of esse. The alternative reading explains Aquinas' remarks there in light of the theoretical context of the discussion, in particular the theory of propositions and their objects. I show how and why Aquinas develops a distinctive theory of the object of the proposition, that it is concerned with "the esse of a thing" as a complex. Although this complex includes the simple act of being, as for the traditional position (contrary to its major critics), it cannot be reduced to anything simple. Despite the Sentences' affirmation of a real distinction between a thing's esse and essence, to which correspond two different operations of the intellect, it does not follow that the human intellect cannot conceive esse, just as it conceives essences, in a simple conception.


For the empires of Germany and Austria-Hungary the Great War - which had begun with such high hopes for a fast, dramatic outcome - rapidly degenerated as invasions of both France and Serbia ended in catastrophe. For four years the fighting now turned into a siege on a quite monstrous scale. Europe became the focus of fighting of a kind previously unimagined. Despite local successes - and an apparent triumph in Russia - Germany and Austria-Hungary were never able to break out of the the Allies' ring of steel.

In Alexander Watson's compelling new history of the Great War, all the major events of the war are seen from the perspective of Berlin and Vienna. It is fundamentally a history of ordinary people. In 1914 both empires were flooded by genuine popular unity and resolve and their troubled elites were at one with most of the population. But the course of the war put this under impossible strain, with a fatal rupture between an ever more extreme and unrealistic leadership and an exhausted and embittered people. In the end they failed and were overwhelmed by defeat and revolution.


Problem Statement: To Iranian policy makers, higher education plays a key role in realizing the country's development visions. This has led to the mapping of visions of higher education in upstream resources. In this regard, curriculum is an essential tool for higher education to fulfil its functions optimally. However, despite its significance, the clarification of the missions of future curricula is almost entirely neglected in Iran as the subject of research. Purpose of Study: This study aimed to clarify the missions of future curricula of Iranian higher education based on the visions of the country's higher education on the horizon of 2025 (Iran's 20-Year Vision Plan) . Research Methods: The present research was developmental in terms of purpose, and was conducted through a combined exploratory method in the academic year 2014-15. The qualitative method was used to analyse the qualitative content of the upstream resources (e.g., artefacts and policy documents) as well as interviews with 14 experts from higher education. In addition, the quantitative method was used to collect data from 338 faculty members and PhD students. In this research, the data obtained from qualitative content analysis of the interviews was used to build the questionnaire. Findings: Findings indicated that the emphasis on research and technological functions, alongside that of education and service, pursues the goal of translating the knowledge acquired in the country into product. The results also revealed that, the approach to future curricula is society-oriented, and the accountability to the society should be at the centre of strategies of curriculum development. Implications for Research and Practice: The present study emphasized making Iranian universities more mission-oriented and aligned with the realization of higher education perspectives as well as the realization of sustainable development through following the established missions for the curriculum.


Most doctors are regarded by their patients as experts. But what is expertise? If we knew more about it, we might be able to cultivate it more efficiently. An article summarises recent progress. Expertise can be seen as (a) a set of discrete skills, together with perspicacity about when to use each skill; (b) the application of theory and general principles; (c) critical analysis, using a framework for examining and interpreting situations or events; or (d) as a continuing interaction between analysis and action, in which experience is used to increase expertise. Universities tend to focus on (b) and (c), with a particular emphasis on creating theory, developing applicable rules, and generating knowledge. In the professions, though, where that knowledge comes from and how best it is learnt have been at the heart of major controversy.

Within the interactive notion of expertise, a further distinction could be made between "experts," "experienced non-experts," and "routine experts." Experts solve problems that increase expertise. Experienced non-experts work in environments that …


Controlling the geometric accuracy of manufactured products is seen as an important issue, since it affects both production costs and quality. Optical measurement technology has been found suitable for various geometric control applications, and laser rangefinder devices in particular are now being used to measure large objects and structures. This thesis describes the development of a concept of CAD model-based automated 3D measurement and the evaluation of its feasibility in cases drawn from industrial needs. Automated 3D measurement can be seen as comprising two steps: measurement planning and measurement execution. Measurement planning takes place interactively using the information contained in the CAD model of the object, to yield a measurement plan in a form readable by the measurement system. In the second step, the planned measurement sequence is executed automatically under computer control using sensory feedback. The analysis and use of the results, e.g. for quality control or for guiding parts assembly, which is naturally the following step, is touched on only briefly in this work. The concept was evaluated by implementing a graphical measurement planning tool and two automatic measurement systems. The tool was built using the development environment of a commercial CAD package, which ensured compatibility with existing CAD data. The experimental automatic measurement systems were based on optical co-ordinate measuring devices and were equipped with vision systems for sensory feedback. The operation chain from CAD modelbased measurement planning to comparison between the measured and designed geometries was demonstrated. Successful experiments with automatic operation controlled by the measurement plan and vision guidance were carried out and the key performance criteria were met.


In this study, the signal transmission and the spiking patterns of a CA3 pyramidal neuron were simulated through a 69-compartment model with branching dendritic structure. For the simulation, we numerically solved coupled first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations using fourth order Runge-Kutta method with step size of 2.5×10-3ms. By introducing steady current into the soma, action potentials (APs) were induced. Results reveal two main firing properties of CA3 pyramidal neuron under constant stimulation current: spike frequency adaptation and intrinsic bursting. Results also show AP is initiated in the axon-initial segment 12.5µm - 87.75µm from the center of the soma and propagated retrogradely (backpropagation) into the dendrites. APs propagated in the axon displayed no attenuation while APs backpropagated in dendrites demonstrated decrease in amplitude and increase in spike duration. The calculated backpropagation ratio, (15.6±0.18) × 10-2, suggests that backpropagating APs underwent significant attenuation.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To apply the Hanahan and Weinberg conceptual framework for tumor development to the specific biomarkers observed or expressed in ovarian cancer.

DATA SOURCES
Data-based publications, topical reviews, and book chapters.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Articles specific to ovarian cancer were reviewed to examine whether the six rules from the Hanahan and Weinberg conceptual framework were applicable to biomarkers of ovarian cancer. This approach allows for the application of a general framework for the development of solid tumors to the development of ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS
The six rules for tumor cell development outlined in the Hanahan and Weinberg conceptual framework are applicable to biomarkers expressed or observed in patients with ovarian cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
Oncology nurses can enhance their clinical teaching by integrating this information into their practice. Nurses who conduct research on ovarian cancer can use this framework to guide the selection of biomarker(s) for these studies. Finally, nurse educators can use this framework when teaching students key concepts in the care of patients with cancer.


The unfair trade practice of dumping has been regulated for many years. Dumping distorts competition by selling exports at exceedingly low prices in foreign markets. Over the years, anti-dumping measures designed to counter dumping through the imposition of duties have become the most effective and popular way employed to protect domestic industries under threat. The 1980s, however, ushered in a counter measure: circumvention. As a means of avoiding anti-dumping duties, circumvention threatens the effectiveness of the anti-dumping system by undermining the protection provided for domestic industries. In response, anti-circumvention measures have been designed and implemented to combat those activities. This is the first book to offer a detailed analysis of this significant issue in anti-dumping practice.


Resistor-loaded bow-tie antennas are analyzed thoroughly to find out their performance on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) applications. The analysis is done with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. The antenna is pulse driven and enclosed in a rectangular conducting cavity. The ability to detect a buried conducting sheet using two such identical antennas for transmitting and receiving is investigated. Simulations are carried out for various antenna parameters like end resistor values, flare angle, and antenna length. The gap between the two antennas and their height above the ground are also varied. Moreover, the results are obtained for different sizes, depths, and positions of the buried sheet. It is studied how the broadband impedance characteristics and better target discrimination with low clutter can be achieved by optimally selecting these antenna parameters. Also, it is shown that apart from the total parallel end resistance, the individual end resistor values and the number of resistors connected have no significant effect on the input impedance and the received signal.


Activated Sludge and Aerobic Biofilm Reactors is the fifth volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment. The first part of the book is devoted to the activated sludge process, covering the removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus.A detailed analysis of the biological reactor (aeration tank) and the final sedimentation tanks is provided. The second part of the book covers aerobic biofilm reactors, especially trickling filters, rotating biological contractors and submerged aerated biofilters. For all the systems, the book presents in a clear and informative way the main concepts, working principles, expected removal efficiencies, design criteria, design examples, construction aspects and operational guidelines. About the series: The series is based on a highly acclaimed set of best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other titles in the series are: Volume 1: Waste Stabilisation Ponds; Volume 2: Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment; Volume 3: Waste Stabilization Ponds; Volume 4: Anaerobic Reactors; Volume 6: Sludge Treatment and Disposal


Christianity, not religion in general, has been important for American democracy. With this bold thesis, Hugh Heclo offers a panoramic view of how Christianity and democracy have shaped each other. Heclo shows that amid deeply felt religious differences, a Protestant colonial society gradually convinced itself of the truly Christian reasons for, as well as the enlightened political advantages of, religious liberty. By the mid-20th century, American democracy and Christianity appeared locked in a mutual embrace. But it was a problematic union vulnerable to fundamental challenge in the Sixties. Despite the subsequent rise of the religious right and glib talk of a conservative Republican theocracy, Heclo sees a longer-term, reciprocal estrangement between Christianity and American democracy. Responding to his challenging argument, Mary Jo Bane, Michael Kazin, and Alan Wolfe criticize, qualify, and amend it. Heclo's rejoinder suggests why both secularists and Christians should worry about a coming rupture between the Christian and democratic faiths. The result is a lively debate about a momentous tension in American public life.


The development of internal stress during cure of epoxy and hyperbranched polymer-modified epoxy resins was characterized, taking into account the evolving viscoelastic properties, the volumetric shrinkage due to the chemical reaction, and the thermal expansion. A criterion for void formation during cure in a constrained mold was proposed, providing guidelines for the construction of a process window for manufacturing of void-free composites. It was shown that the internal stress development in epoxy resins during cure is strongly influenced by the presence of hyperbranched polymer modifiers. The role of these modifiers was illustrated for the case of autoclave processing of glass fiber/epoxy composites. This study showed that higher fiber volume fractions could be used with hyperbranched polymer-modified resins than with unmodified resins, for producing void-free laminates. It also appeared that by suitable tailoring of the process cycle, a fully stress-free laminate could be obtained after cure, using the modified resin.


Criticism of government is prevalent on news websites all over the world, but not many studies have investigated its influence on citizen satisfaction with government. This study proposes an inconsistent mediation model, which theorizes impacts on citizen government satisfaction coming from both the content of criticism and the context within which the message is delivered. The model is contextualized to and tested in China where Internet censorship is heavy and widespread. Based on an experiment, this study finds that the context-based impact of online criticism leads to an increase in perceived freedom of speech and citizen satisfaction with government. The context-based effect largely offsets the negative influence incurred by the content of criticism, but the patterns are not consistent across news genres.


Abstract. Within minutes after emission, complex photochemistry in biomass burning smoke plumes can cause large changes in the concentrations of ozone (O3) and organic aerosol (OA). Being able to understand and simulate this rapid chemical evolution under a wide variety of conditions is a critical part of forecasting the impact of these fires on air quality, atmospheric composition, and climate. Here we use version 2.1 of the Aerosol Simulation Program (ASP) to simulate the evolution of O3 and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) within a young biomass burning smoke plume from the Williams prescribed fire in chaparral, which was sampled over California in November 2009. We demonstrate the use of a method for simultaneously accounting for the impact of the unidentified intermediate volatility, semi-volatile, and extremely low volatility organic compounds (here collectively called "SVOCs") on the formation of OA (using the Volatility Basis Set – VBS) and O3 (using the concept of mechanistic reactivity). We show that this method can successfully simulate the observations of O3, OA, NOx, ethylene (C2H4), and OH to within measurement uncertainty using reasonable assumptions about the average chemistry of the unidentified SVOCs. These assumptions were (1) a reaction rate constant with OH of ~ 10-11 cm3 s−1; (2) a significant fraction (up to ~ 50 %) of the RO2 + NO reaction resulted in fragmentation, rather than functionalization, of the parent SVOC; (3) ~ 1.1 molecules of O3 were formed for every molecule of SVOC that reacted; (4) ~ 60 % of the OH that reacted with the unidentified non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) was regenerated as HO2; and (5) that ~ 50 % of the NO that reacted with the SVOC peroxy radicals was lost, presumably to organic nitrate formation. Additional evidence for the fragmentation pathway is provided by the observed rate of formation of acetic acid (CH3COOH), which is consistent with our assumed fragmentation rate. However, the model overestimates peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) formation downwind by about 50 %, suggesting the need for further refinements to the chemistry. This method could provide a way for classifying different smoke plume observations in terms of the average chemistry of their SVOCs, and could be used to study how the chemistry of these compounds (and the O3 and OA they form) varies between plumes.


Aim: This study aims to determine the eating habits of people 65 years of age and above. Method: This cross sectional study was done using survey forms in face-to-face interviews with 276 people 65 years of age and above at a family health center. The participants' Body Mass Index values were calculated on the basis of their weight and height. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: The average age of the participants was 71.4±6.2 (minimum=65, maximum=96). Of them, 51.8% were primary school graduates, 46.7% were slightly overweight, 64.1% had health problems, 63.0% regularly used medicines, and 45.7% ate 3-4 meals a day. First-degree obesity was found in 58.3% of the elderly women, 50.0% of the primary school graduates, 75.0% of those who regularly used medicines and 73.3% of those with health problems. Of these elderly people, 28.6% said they were informed about nutrition. Conclusions: This study indicated that elderly people were not sufficiently informed about nutrition, that women were fatter than men according to their BMI, and that most of these elderly people were overweight and obese. Developing healthy eating habits and a well-balanced diet in old age will promote a better quality of life and healthier aging.


Leukocyte interactions with vascular endothelium at sites of inflammation can be dynamically regulated by activation-dependent adhesion molecules. Current models, primarily based on studies with polymorphonuclear leukocytes, suggest the involvement of multiple members of the selectin, integrin, and immunoglobulin gene families, sequentially, in the process of initial attachment (rolling), stable adhesion (arrest), spreading and ultimate diapedesis. In the current study, IL-4-activated human umbilical vein endothelium, which selectively expresses VCAM-1 and an L-selectin ligand but not E- selectin, and appropriate function blocking monoclonal antibodies, were used to study monocyte-endothelial interactions in an in vitro model that mimics microcirculatory flow conditions. In this system, L- selectin mediates monocyte rolling and also facilitates alpha 4 beta 1- integrin-dependent arrest, whereas beta 2-integrins are required for spreading of firmly attached monocytes on the endothelial cell surface but not their arrest. These findings provide the first in vitro evidence for human monocyte rolling on cytokine-activated endothelium, and suggest a sequential requirement for both beta 1- and beta 2- integrin-dependent adhesive mechanisms in monocyte-endothelial interactions.


Abstract. In the present work, a test particle simulation is performed in a model of analytic Ultra Low Frequency, ULF, perturbations in the electric and magnetic fields of the Earth's magnetosphere. The goal of this work is to examine if the radial transport of energetic particles in quiet-time ULF magnetospheric perturbations of various azimuthal mode numbers can be described as a diffusive process and be approximated by theoretically derived radial diffusion coefficients. In the model realistic compressional electromagnetic field perturbations are constructed by a superposition of a large number of propagating electric and consistent magnetic pulses. The diffusion rates of the electrons under the effect of the fluctuating fields are calculated numerically through the test-particle simulation as a function of the radial coordinate L in a dipolar magnetosphere; these calculations are then compared to the symmetric, electromagnetic radial diffusion coefficients for compressional, poloidal perturbations in the Earth's magnetosphere. In the model the amplitude of the perturbation fields can be adjusted to represent realistic states of magnetospheric activity. Similarly, the azimuthal modulation of the fields can be adjusted to represent different azimuthal modes of fluctuations and the contribution to radial diffusion from each mode can be quantified. Two simulations of quiet-time magnetospheric variability are performed: in the first simulation, diffusion due to poloidal perturbations of mode number m =1 is calculated; in the second, the diffusion rates from multiple-mode ( m =0 to m =8) perturbations are calculated. The numerical calculations of the diffusion coefficients derived from the particle orbits are found to agree with the corresponding theoretical estimates of the diffusion coefficient within a factor of two.


The main focus of the present work is the recovery process for spent fuels based on catalytic hydrogenation of liquid organic hydrides (LOH). To gain the knowledge about the possible hurdles of hydrogen loading process, the hydrogenation of 9-ethylcarbazole as a model compound was elected to be studied in more detail. The structures of the intermediates and products of this reaction were characterized for the first time using combined GC-MS and NMR analysis with reference to DFT calculations. The fully saturated product was found to be a mixture of stereoisomers. A reaction model was developed which agreed well with the experimental results. The combined theoretical and experimental approaches were also undertaken to identify catalytic sites on the metal surface and their role in the hydrogenation of 9-ethylcarbazole. Kinetically stable intermediate (Plus 8 [H]) containing a central unsaturated "pyrrole" ring was found to be accumulated in the solution over a ruthenium black catalyst. Its further hydrogenation was found to involve its unusual shuttling from terraced sites to higher indexed sites. The stability of Plus 8 [H] was found to be influenced by the type of active sites present on the surface of the catalyst, as well as by the electronic structure of the metal. In addition, the kinetics of the hydrogenation was analyzed experimentally and the activation energies were obtained for all of the intermediate steps. Further understanding of how the molecules interact with the catalyst surface was provided by examining the hydrogenation activity and selectivity of a series of LOH. The general factors involved in LOH structure- catalyst –activity trend were outlined. Overall, due to a number of defined challenges in the LOH spent fuel recharging, it is believed that this complex H2 storage strategy is not likely to meet the targets for wide scale applications.


Abstract As regards this study, it was aimed to determine the knowledge level of pre-service teachers in YYU faculty of education about student rights. The population of the study consisted of 3538 undergraduates in 2010-2011 academic year of YYU. By stratified and multi-phase sampling, 538 students from all departments and grades were -andomly selected. As a data collection tool, "Student Rights Knowledge Survey" which was developed the researcher, was used. The data were analysed by using SPSS statistical package. The survey was examined in terms of factorial structure and model appropriateness through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. As a result t was found out that the rights' knowledge of prospective teachers studying at faculty of education was over the .evel. Another finding showed that they were knowledgeable enough about educational rights, registration rights exemption and seeking justice, average about social rights and course selection. According to another finding female students were more knowledgeable about seeking justice, educational rights and exemption rights, FAPT students had more knowledge about seeking justice rights than science students, and science students had less knowledge about educational rights than FAPT students and social students. It was also seen that junior students nad less knowledge about social rights than senior students; freshman students had less knowledge about registration rights than senior students, and freshman students had also less knowledge about course selection rights than junior and senior students. The current research was ended by results and discussion. Key Words Student Rights, University Students, Faculty of Education, Knowledge about Rights Right is a benefit of an individual for being protected which is described by law (Akinturk, 2008). Law defines an order; right, on the other hand refers to a benefit protected by law (Akyuz, 2006). The right gives individuals necessary power and opportunities about a subject, provides freedom about behaving and acting according to law or not, and means legal usage which can be used against others (individuals, groups, society, delegates of society, humanity) (Tice, 1976). The rights are divided into two as public rights and private rights (Karaman Kepenekci, 2004, 2008). Public rights are also divided into two: Generally qualified public rights and specially qualified public rights (Akyuz, 2006). Student rights are specially qualified public rights. Each right bases on a law rule. Each right has an owner. Beings that have rights are called as individuals in law (Akinturk, 2008). College students studying at a university have rights as being individuals. Student rights, from general to specific, are human rights, participation rights in organizations and structural and other legal rights (Tice). It is possible to order these rights in the specialty of university as educational, participation, seeking justice, social, cultural rights (Resmi Gazete, 2010). Student rights are found first in forensic documents and national legislation. According to Universal Declaration of Human Rights accepted in December 10, 1948, each individual has the educational right. Education should be free at least during basic educational grades. Basic education is compulsory. Everyone should benefit from technical and vocational education. Higher education, on the other hand, should be open to every person according to their abilities ($isman, 2006; Tice, 1976). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by United Nations made Universal Declaration of Human Rights strengthened. The covenant, which was accepted on December 16, 1966, became effective on January 3, 1976. In the covenant, educational right was regulated comprehensively, and by the covenant countries were nominated to form basic facilities of educational system and to provide educational organizations and opportunities (Sencer, 1988). …


Trust in the citizens of a potential partner country may affect the decision to trade with or to migrate to a foreign country. This paper employs panel data to examine the causal impact of such bilateral trust on international trade and migration patterns. We apply instrumental variables (IV) approaches that capture the exogenous variance of bilateral trust separately with eight indicators of genetic ("somatic") distance between country-pairs. These indicators work equally well at the first stage. However, second-stage results very much depend on the exact measure employed as instrument. Overall, we find little evidence that bilateral trust affects international movements of goods and labor. More generally, we highlight the potential fragility of IV estimations even when the instruments seem plausible on theoretical grounds and when standard statistical tests confirm their validity.


NATUROPATHIC therapies are increasing in popularity in the United States, and many of them rely primarily on alterations in diet. Although diet and nutrition are recognized as important adjuncts in cancer therapy,1conventional medicine rejects the concept of cancer therapy relying solely on dietary changes, and unlicensed practitioners of such therapy have been discouraged or prevented from practicing in the United States. Although these therapies may be of questionable therapeutic value, they are usually considered harmless. One regimen that relies primarily on a diet of natural foods combined with the ingestion of mixed potassium salts, Lugol's solution, thyroid extract, niacin, and pancreatin also includes coffee enemas administered as often as every two hours. This therapy has been recommended not only to patients with cancer but also to those with chronic, degenerative diseases. In the last two years we have noted two deaths in which the common factor was the


Polyploidy has been centrally important in driving the evolution of plants, and leads to alterations in gene expression that are thought to underlie the emergence of new traits. Despite the common occurrence of these global patterns of altered gene expression in polyploids, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Using a precise framework of highly conserved syntenic genes on hexaploid wheat chromosome 3DL and its progenitor 3L chromosome arm of diploid Aegilops tauschii, we show that 70% of these genes exhibited proportionally reduced gene expression, in which expression in the hexaploid context of the 3DL genes was approximately 40% of the levels observed in diploid Ae. tauschii. Many genes showing elevated expression during later stages of grain development in wheat compared to Ae. tauschii. Gene sequence and methylation differences accounted for only a few cases of differences in gene expression. In contrast, large scale patterns of reduced chromatin accessibility of genes in the hexaploid chromosome arm compared to its diploid progenitor were correlated with observed overall reduction in gene expression and differential gene expression. Therefore, that an overall reduction in accessible chromatin underlies the major differences in gene expression that results from polyploidization.


Astrin prevents the association of mTOR and raptor to limit mTORC1 activation in response to stress. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a kinase that assembles with the regulatory component raptor to form mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) or the regulatory component rictor to form mTORC2. mTORC1, which couples metabolic and stress signals with pathways that mediate cellular growth and proliferation, is both stimulated and inhibited by oxidative stress. Thedieck et al. sought to characterize how mTORC1 is inhibited by oxidative stress. Mass spectrometry analysis of immunoprecipitates of endogenous mTOR, raptor, and rictor from HeLa cells identified astrin as a binding partner for raptor but not for mTOR or rictor. Astrin promotes mitotic progression, and increased expression of the mRNA encoding astrin correlates with a poor prognosis in breast and lung cancer. Treatment of cells with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin did not affect the binding of astrin to raptor, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of astrin increased the association of mTOR with raptor. Phosphorylation and activation of the mTORC1 target S6K1 was increased by knockdown of astrin in unsynchronized HeLa cells but not cells that were arrested in G2/M, which led the authors to suggest that astrin inhibited mTORC1 independently of its role in mitosis. In insulin-treated cells, knockdown of astrin increased the phosphorylation of S6K1, an effect that was blocked by rapamycin and the nonselective mTORC inhibitor PP242. Furthermore, knockdown of astrin enhanced the phosphorylation of the S6K1 target IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1) and accelerated that of S6K1 and PRAS40, another mTORC1 substrate. Astrin tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) colocalized with the stress granule component p54. In cells treated with arsenite to induce the formation of stress granules, GFP-astrin colocalized with the stress granule marker G3BP1 and HA-tagged raptor. Compared with unstressed cells, the interaction of astrin with raptor or G3BP1 was increased, whereas raptor association with mTOR was decreased in arsenite- or hydrogen peroxide–treated cells, an effect that was reduced by astrin knockdown in arsenite-treated cells. Arsenite increased the phosphorylation of S6K1, an effect that was increased by astrin knockdown and that was attenuated by rapamycin or knockdown of raptor. Astrin knockdown increased the phosphorylation of S6K1 in response to various treatments that induce the formation of stress granules, suggesting that astrin limits mTORC1 activity during stress. mTORC1 is active at lysosomes, and astrin knockdown or arsenite treatment decreased the association of raptor with the lysosomal marker Lamp2. In arsenite-treated cells, the ability of astrin to limit mTORC1 activity was reduced by cycloheximide treatment, which prevents stress granule assembly. Tumor cells must cope with redox stress, a condition that can induce apoptosis, and increased mTORC1 activity can promote apoptosis. In hydrogen peroxide–treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells, astrin knockdown enhanced apoptosis, an effect that was reversed by mTORC1 inhibition, and accelerated the onset of apoptotic membrane blebbing, an effect that was reduced by cycloheximide treatment. Thus, astrin limits mTORC1 activation in response to stress by preventing the association of raptor and mTOR; astrin could be targeted to sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis. K. Thedieck, B. Holzwarth, M. T. Prentzell, C. Boehlke, K. Kläsener, S. Ruf, A. G. Sonntag, L. Maerz, S.-N. Grellscheid, E. Kremmer, R. Nitschke, E. W. Kuehn, J. W. Jonker, A. K. Groen, M. Reth, M. N. Hall, R. Baumeister, Inhibition of mTORC1 by astrin and stress granules prevents apoptosis in cancer cells. Cell 154, 859–874 (2013). [Abstract]


The research conducted in this thesis is on distributed termination detection in multiagent systems.

Agents engage in complex interactions by executing behaviour specifications in the form of protocols. This work presents and experiments with a framework for making termination in a multiagent system explicit. As a side effect, the mechanism can be exploited to aid management of agent interactions, by providing visibility of the interaction process and can be extended to drive multiagent system management tasks such as timely garbage collection.

Results from previous attempts to deploy agents systems when scaling up, e.g. Agentcities, have shown and exposed a big gap between theory and practice especially in the reliability and availability of deployed systems. In particular more work needs to be done in the area of supporting agent infrastructures as much as in theoretical agent foundations.

There are two aspects to this problem of termination detection in multiagent systems, firstly, the formal verification of behaviour at compile-time and secondly, monitoring and control at run-time. Regarding the former, there has been some work on the ver- 13 ification of agent communication languages. But overall verification is difficult and often requires knowledge of internal states of agents at compile time, and as yet has not been satisfactorily solved to be deployed in real systems. The second, the runtime approach is adopted in here.

The research is not about protocol engineering but assumes correct protocols, and protocol specifications to be finite state machine graphs. Given these correct verified protocols, the thesis proposes a number of definitions culminating in identification of minimal information in the form of sub-protocols that agents being autonomous, can make available for the termination detection. An off line procedure for deriving these sub-protocols is then presented.

The thesis then considers a termination detection model, and within this model, proposes an conversationmodel encompassing protocol executions, with hierarchical conversations modelled as diffusing computation trees and defines a number of predicates to derive termination in centralised and distributed environments. Algorithms that implement these predicates are sketched and some complexity analysis is performed. The thesis then considers a prototype implementation evaluated over some defined detection delays metric.

The evaluation approach is heavily empirical, with an experimental approach adopted to evaluate various configurations of the termination detection mechanism. The evaluation employs robust resampling and bootstrapping methods to analyse and obtain distributions and confidence intervals of the detection delays metric for the termination detection mechanism.


We report on the micro second harmonic (µ-SH) and micro Raman (µ-Raman) images of ion implanted channel and planar waveguides in KTiOPO4 (KTP) crystals. The μ-SH images reveal that the nonlinear properties in the waveguides have not been deteriorated during the implantation process. This is consistent with the μ-Raman images that evidences that lattice distortions are minimal at waveguide's volume. Both the structural and nonlinear properties of the KTP lattice have been only modified at the end of ions' trajectory, which is in good agreement with the positions with maximum refractive index changes.


Background: Polygonum minus (Kesum) is an annual plant that grows throughout South East Asian countries. The Leaf of P. minus is commonly used as diet ingredient in Malaysia. Traditionally the decoction of leaves of this plant is used to treat stomach ache and digestive problems. The plant has known antioxidant activity, and its pharmacological properties are remaining unclear. Hence the study is planned to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antipyretic activity of kesum. Materials and methods: P. minus leaves was extracted with methanol and distilled water by simple maceration. The dried extract was used for further phytochemical and pharmacological analysis. The analgesic effect of methanol and aqueous extract of P. minus was studied using acetic acid, tail immersion and formalin induced pain in rats. The anti-inflammatory effect of both extracts was studied using carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The pyloric ligation model was used to study the antiulcer effect. The antipyretic effect was studied using Brewer′s yeast induced pyrexia. Results: The percentage yield of aqueous and methanol extract of P. minus leaves were 1.15 and 2.57% w/w respectively. Both the extract showed significant analgesic effect against acetic acid writing, tail immersion and formalin induced pain methods, but the effect was not equivalent to that of standard. Aqueous extract showed significant anti-inflammatory action and methanol extract showed significant anti-ulcer effect. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of the P. minus has significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, whereas methanolic extract showed presence of analgesic and anti-ulcer activity. Both aqueous and methanolic extract did not show any significant antipyretic activity.


Modern economic theory rests on the basic assumption that agents' choices are guided by preferences. The question of where such preferences might have come from has traditionally been ignored or viewed agnostically. The biological approach to economic behavior addresses the issue of the origins of economic preferences explicitly. This approach assumes that economic preferences are shaped by the forces of natural selection. For example, an important theoretical insight delivered thus far by this approach is that individuals ought to be more risk averse to aggregate than to idiosyncratic risk. Additionally the approach has delivered an evolutionary basis for hedonic and adaptive utility and an evolutionary rationale for "theory of mind." Related empirical work has studied the evolution of time preferences, loss aversion, and explored the deep evolutionary determinants of long-run economic development.


Rhenium(V) complexes containing the [ReX(PPh 3 ) 2 ] 4+ (X = Br, I) moiety were studied. The reaction of N-(2-aminophenyl)salicylideneimine (H3pna) with trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] produced the complex salt [Re(pna)Br(PPh3)2]0.5Br.0.5(ReO4) (1), in which the tridentate ligand pna is coordinated via a doubly  deprotonated nitrogen (as an imide), an imino nitrogen and a deprotonated phenolate oxygen atom. The reaction of trans-[ReO(OEt)I 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] with two equivalents of 2-aminophenol (H3ap) in ethanol led to the isolation of the '2+1' complex salt [Re(Hap)(H 2 ap)I(PPh 3 ) 2 ]I (2) in good yield. TheHapligand is coordinated  monodentately via the doubly deprotonated imido nitrogen, and H2ap is chelated bidentately through the neutral amino nitrogen and a deprotonated phenolate oxygen atom. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Spectroscopic results and DFT calculations are also reported. KEYWORDS : Rhenium(V), tridentate imido, '2 + 1' coordination, X-ray crystal structures, DFT.


In this paper phase state and phase transitions of nano-scale cellulose crystallites have been studied. It was found that conditions of the phase transitions of rod-like nanocrystallites are depended on their lateral size (Lcr). Small nanocrystallites have instable phase state; as a result they have tendency to co-crystallization with forming of larger crystallites having a low specific surface. After treatment in boiling water small nanocrystallites of CIII easily recrystallize into crystallites of CI, whereas for CIII having large crystallites this phase transition cannot be implemented. It is also found that after heating in glycerol at 533 K three allomorphs, CI, CII and CIII, can be transformed into CIV, when the lateral size of nanocrystallites Lcr ≤ 4.3 nm; whereas the larger crystallites of these allomorphs cannot be converted directly into CIV. Furthermore, small nanocrystallites of CI are more soluble, and their transformation into CII occurs at lower concentrations of mercerizing agents.


The growing development in and possibly greater diffusion of biotechnology products have further accentuated the intensity of trade restrictions on the entry of these goods in countries like EU, Japan and South Korea. While India initiates the various measures to implement the Biosafety protocol it is essential that specific trade policy responses are thought of on priority. This would be important for effective implementation of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) as well. In this context apart from other measures certain institutional initiatives need to be launched; for instance regional and sub-regional cooperation, focus on development of necessary skills for quarantine and other agencies, precautionary measures without affecting the trade facilitation measures. At the regional level, initiatives like Biosafety Clearing House and risk assessment mechanism should be effectively put in place. In order to facilitate this the policy specific scientific responses for risk assessment and risk management may also be finalised at the earliest possible.


The ionization produced by adding alkali metal salts to coal-gas/air flames has been studied by measuring the attenuation of 3 cm. waves, this attenuation arising from free electrons. In a previous paper (Belcher & Sugden 1950) the coefficient relating attenuation to electron population has been determined and is used in applying the present results to the problems of chemical equilibrium involving ions in the flames. An examination has been made of the degree of equilibrium obtained in a number of chemical reactions in the flame by varying the electron content, the amount of added alkali metal salt, and its nature. Flame temperatures were measured by the sodium line-reversal method, considered to be the most suitable for the purpose. In the case of potassium bicarbonate the results are compatible with chemical equilibrium of the ions if suitable account is taken of other equilibrated reactions involving potassium hydroxide, oxide and hydroxyl ions. Some evidence of disequilibrium has been observed when potassium halides are added, where both formation of negative halide ion and halogen acid affect the electron content. This appears to be connected with concentrations of hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl groups (chain centres) which diverge from the values expected at equilibrium. Addition of extra free halogen confirms the anomalies. In the case of the chlorides and fluorides, the halogen appears to be completely removed as halogen acid. A comparison of the alkali chlorides on the whole supports the use of the Saha equation relating equilibrium ionization and flame temperature, providing account is taken of side reactions.


Outsourcing is now a strategic choice for many companies and a continuing issue for managers and consultants. The transfer, negotiation and ongoing management of outsourced contracts all demand a great deal of people management. Yet, while the implications for those directly affected may be numerous and wide-ranging, very little has been written on how to sensitively and successfully manage the transfer of such individuals - along with the emotional needs of those left behind. This book considers The Human Side of Outsourcing, integrating theory and practice to offer state-of-the-art advice for those responsible for implementation in the field along with insightful analysis for researchers and students of work psychology. Examining problems and solutions from employee and employer perspectives, Stephanie J. Morgan provides an in-depth study of the psychological theory, management practice and level and type of support required to engage staff and improve outcomes. Real-world case studies illustrate all the key issues involved, along with their implications for HR, line management, organizational performance and employees themselves.


It is acknowledged that caring interactions between younger, adolescent student nurses and young adolescent patients could precipitate particular difficulties and concerns for both parties during their journeys toward successful self-identity. The research undertaken identified two key dimensions: that of professional identity of the student nurses and that of illness identity for the young patients. These issues have been critically analysed using the theoretical underpinning of the seminal identity development theorists.

In order to understand the true meaning behind the lived experience of both groups of participants during these caring interactions, a hermeneutic, Heideggerian, phenomenological study was undertaken. In line with this methodology individual, unstructured interviews were undertaken with 11 student nurses (aged between seventeen years five months to eighteen years eleven months) and nine young patients (aged between thirteen years and seven months and eighteen years and one month).

Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) Messy boundaries; (2) Emotional security; (3) Being Younger making a difference. The findings highlight both concerns and benefits brought about by these caring situations. Concerns raised by the students relate to emotional distress, perceived lack of knowledge, confidence and professional identity. Also of concern is dealing with sensitive information disclosed by the young patients. Benefits identified by the students relate to being able to spend quality time with the young patients, being on the same level as them in informal 'normative' relationships, relieving their boredom and helping to momentarily distract them from their illness.

Concerns highlighted by the young patients centre around issues of trust and confidence in the students' professional abilities, the perceived lack of knowledge of the students in relation to their illness, and the students' lack of understanding of their feelings. In common with the students, the young patients felt that the opportunities afforded them to 'chill out', be normal young people, and to be able to forget about the business of getting better, were invaluable. The friendships formed represent crucial therapeutic relationships which were not explicitly recognised by either party.

The research has led to recommendations for improving student nurse education relating to young people/adolescents which it is anticipated will more appropriately meet the needs of the students and the patients. It has also enabled the creation of two models to support the unique engagement of the nurse-patient interaction, particularly in relation to the care of young people with a chronic illness:

i) A Model for Processing Sensitive Information Revealed by Young Patients who may have a Chronic Illness

ii) A Model of Adolescent Care Which Promotes Normalcy


Attribution theory is a constructive and effective application in understanding the behavioural psychology of consumers. Psychologically, individuals normally make some kind of inference from their personal analysis of behavioural facts and figures encountered on-site in order to explain an event or outcome. Subsequently, causal inferences influence individuals' actions regardless of accuracy, quick form or biased attributions. This paper proposes an attributional model of visitors' event experience in an attempt to search for an understanding of how people explain and account for causality of outcomes. This model provides an understanding of causal attributions of visitors' event experience and its consequences within special event settings. According to Attribution theory, the many causal attributions may be aggregated into two dimensions (internal and external) to allow greater understanding and generalisation. Hence, it is proposed that event visitors assign causality (blame or credit) of their event experience based on event features provided by event managers as well as, external factors and social interactions with various people on-site.


A two dimensional (2D) transient thermal model with line-heat-source was developed by Finite Element Method (FEM) for laser surface glazing of H13 tool steel using commercial software-ANSYS 15. The geometry of the model was taken as a transverse circular cross-section of cylindrical specimen. Two different power levels (300W, 200W) were used with 0.2mm width of laser beam and 0.15ms exposure time. Temperature distribution, heating and cooling rates, and the dimensions of modified surface were analysed. The maximum temperatures achieved were 2532K (2259°C) and 1592K (1319°C) for laser power 300W and 200W respectively. The maximum cooling rates were 4.2×107 K/s for 300W and 2×107 K/s for 200W. Depths of modified zone increased with increasing laser power. From this analysis, it can be predicted that for 0.2mm beam width and 0.15ms time exposer melting temperature of H13 tool steel is achieved within 200-300W power range of laser beam in laser surface glazing.


The aim of this article is to highlight the issue of religiousness from the epistemological perspective. This involves, on the one hand, a scientific approach, and on the other hand the relation between science and religion as the basis of the spirituality of the entire existence, by approaching the religious exposure at social level. If at the scientific level religion occupies a secondary place in terms of the object of research, at the social and anthropological level it plays a vital role by approaching the divine-human relationship of all human expressions in relation to the creation and the Creator. Addressing this type of knowledge in such a sensitive field indicates the moment when the question surrounded by a whole plea that defines the relation between mystical and metaphysical knowledge is raised. We cannot not pretend to know religion as we know biology, but we also cannot say that we will know religion as we know mathematics, even if in they all lead to the same result. Since they are metaphysical or transcendental, religious sciences require a special approach regarding the object of research, because everything that is said or approved will permanently reflect uncertainty and ambiguity within not knowing, precisely by the very essence of the great mystery of the central point that gives vitality to the whole circle of religious knowledge. We shall systematically present the relation between the religious content and what can be perceived and known by using all our systems of understanding and exposure in order to provide a satisfactory answer both from the symbolic point of view as well as by indicating the type of knowledge applied for finding the epistemological relevance.


Bernard, Benjamin Joseph. M.S., Department of Physics, Wright State University, 2012. On the Quantization Problem in Curved Space The nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of particles constrained to curved surfaces is studied. There is open debate as to which of several approaches is the correct one. After a review of existing literature and the required mathematics, three approaches are studied and applied to a sphere, spheroid, and triaxial ellipsoid. The first approach uses differential geometry to reduce the problem from a threedimensional problem to a two-dimensional problem. The second approach uses three dimensions and holds one of the separated wavefunctions and its associated coordinate constant. A third approach constrains the particle in a three-dimensional space between two parallel surfaces and takes the limit as the distance between the surfaces goes to zero. Analytic methods, finite element methods, and perturbation theory are applied to the approaches to determine which are in agreement. It is found that the differential geometric approach has the most agreement. Constrained quantum mechanics has application in materials science, where topological surface states are studied. It also has application as a simplified model of Carbon-60, graphene, and silicene structures. It also has application as in semiclassical quantum gravity, where spacetime is a pseudo-Riemannian manifold, to which the particles are constrained.


The communicative movement in language instruction (from the seventies) pays special attention to language used in context. In connection to this, performance-based assessment became important. The communicative movement is seen in several models of language competence. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (2001) is also aimed at functional language competence in context. It describes knowledge and skills that language learners have to develop. With the communicative movement and the CEF as background this article looks at two language-tests for L2-learners: the Swedish sfi-test and the Dutch NIVOR 3.4-test. Three areas of attention are looked at:1. The Swedish and Dutch language policies concerning immigrants.2. The theoretical backgrounds of the two tests and their connection to the CEF.3. The differences and similarities between the tests concerning test-assignments.It can be concluded that the Dutch language policy is stricter than the Swedish; that in both tests, functional language competence plays a big role, but that the Swedish test shows it more than the Dutch test.


The Kabiria document management system, which represents the knowledge needed by document producers and users as a component of document semantics, is discussed. Kabiria supports the classification, filing, and retrieval of office documents through three levels of knowledge representation: a static level, bound to the structure and textual content of documents; a procedural level, related to the operational aspects of office work; and a domain level, related to the specific application domain and its governing regulations. While documents are represented at a deep level of detail, the office context of procedures, agents, events, and regulations is represented in terms of elements that are modeled according to their links to documents.<<ETX>>


Often, software providers ask users to insert personal data in order to grant them the right to use their software. These companies want the user profile as correct as possible, but users sometimes tend to enter incorrect information. This thesis researches and discusses approaches to automatically verify this information using third-party web resources. Therefore, a series of experiments is done. One experiment compares different similarity measures in the context of a German phone book directory for again different search approaches. Another experiment takes the approach to use a search engine without a specific predefined data source. Ways of finding persons in search engines and of extracting address information from unknown websites are compared in order to do so. It is shown, that automatical verification can be done to some extent. The verification of name and address data using external web resources can support the decison with Jaro-Winkler as similarity measure, but it is still not solid enough to only rely on it. Extracting address information from unknown pages is very reliable when using a sophisticated regular expression. Finding persons on the internet should be done by using just the full name without any additions.


The voxelization process is an essential stage in three dimensional (3D) graphics pipeline. Its implementation should precede displaying objects in the pipeline. In this paper, different Voxelization algorithms are modified and parallelized to accelerate the operation of this stage. The 3D Digital Differential Analyzer (DDA) algorithm is used for line voxelization. This algorithm is utilized in triangle filling using the scan-line and the edge-function algorithms. The first one is designed to produce lines in parallel while the second can produce voxels. All these algorithms are parallelized using CUDA architecture and implemented on GPU processor. The actual implementation of these algorithms is examined and optimized according to the occupancy and block size metrics. The experimental results show that the acceleration amount of 3D DDA was about 4352x max compared to the OpenGL implementation, and the edge function implementation has been executed at a higher speed than the scan-line for object triangles voxelization.


There are few studies on unemployment duration in developing countries. This is the first study on duration aspect of unemployment in Turkey. We use the results of the Household Labor Force Surveys of 2000 and 2001 to construct a cross-section of durations of unemployment spells. We analyze the determinants of probability of leaving unemployment or the hazard rate. The effects of the personal and household characteristics and the local labor market conditions are examined. Non-Parametric and parametric estimation methods are used. Unobserved heterogeneity were not significant. Two alternative definitions of unemployment are considered. The analyses are carried out for men and women separately. Our results indicate that women are experiencing higher unemployment durations then men. Age has a negative and education has a positive effect on the hazard rate. The effect of the local unemployment rate is large and negative. Duration dependence of the exit rate from unemployment is different for men and women. For men, there is slight U-shaped duration dependence, while for women there is no duration dependence.


Current transportation practices are not sustainable as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector are increasing at a faster rate than any other energy using sector, especially in urban environments. Technology based behavioural change interventions towards adopting transportation habits that rely more on the use of public transportation, bicycles and walking and less on private cars can provide the means to reduce GHG emissions, mitigate the effects on the environment and improve the quality of life in urban areas. In this paper, we present our approach to support sustainable transportation decisions and nudge users to select more environmental friendly routes through a set of personalized persuasion services which are embedded in route planning applications. The proposed services leverage a multitude of relevant information elements including user profile characteristics and contextual information in order to nudge users to follow green transportation routes.


Foodborne pathogens comprise microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that can be transmitted by food and affect public health worldwide. The most common viruses transmitted via food are hepatitis A virus and Norwalk-like caliciviruses. Also, the most common bacteria involved in foodborne illnesses are Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp, Escherichia coli O157:H7; and the most important parasites that can cause these conditions are Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spiralis, Taenia saginata and/or solium, Entamoeba histolytica, Anisakis spp. and Diphyllobothrium spp. Because of their eventual small number in the sample, their detection and identification is not always easy. On the other hand, conventional methods like cultures are almost labor intensive, time consuming and costly. Recently, molecular techniques have been developed for rapid, sensitive and specific identification. The most common molecular methods are polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques. In this article, the sensitive and specific molecular tests for routine detection and identification of foodborne pathogens are reviewed.


Background: There is a growing need for palliative
care research in developing countries to evaluate
initiatives and identify areas for expansion of services.
However it is acknowledged that undertaking palliative
care research is not without both practical and ethical
dilemmas due to the vulnerable population involved.
Within the western world there are formally established
research ethics processes that act to provide quality
mechanisms and to protect participants. In developing
countries there are limited formal systems in place,
coupled with low literacy rates that may prevent truly
independent informed consent and could potentially
result in exploitation. It is widely accepted that the key
principles inherent in undertaking research in
developing countries include the duty to alleviate
suffering, to show respect for people and to avoid
exploitation of the vulnerable. Although the Nuffield
Council on Bioethics provides guidance regarding
clinical research that clearly highlights issues for
consideration, in particular surrounding gaining
informed consent, there is limited guidance available
for palliative care researchers on the practical
implementation of key ethical principles.
The aim of this paper is to discuss how palliative care
researchers can transfer good practice surrounding
ethical principals to developing countries. Practical
issues surrounding recruitment, obtaining informed
consent, the use of interpreters, payment for
participants and the role of the researcher once the
project is completed will be discussed. Examples from
palliative care research undertaken in sub-Saharan
Africa will be given to illustrate examples of good
ethical practice


This case study explores students' perceptions of the creation and reuse of digital teaching and learning resources in their work as tutors as part of a volunteer community development organisation at a large South African University. Through a series of semi-structured interviews, student-tutors reflect on their use and reuse of digital educational resources, and identify the challenges they experience in curating, adapting, and reusing educational resources for use in their teaching activities. The data is analysed qualitatively within the framework of an activity system (Engeström, 1987) to surface the primary systemic tensions that student-tutors face in the reuse of resources found online as well as open educational resources (OER). This study found that student-tutors sourced and used educational materials from the Internet, largely irrespective of their licensing conditions, while also creating and remixing a substantial number of educational materials to make them suitable for use in their context. We conclude that greater awareness of the availability of OER and explicit open licencing for works sourced and created within community development organisations could enhance sharing, collaboration, and help sustain high impact resources.


Mechanisms underlying relaxation in response to inhibitory NANC nerve stimulation and putative neurotransmitters of these nerves have been examined in the guinea-pig internal anal sphincter (IAS) and compared with those in the bovine retractor penis muscle (ERP) and guinea-pig taenia caeci. Two types of techniques were employed. One which measured the effects of nerve stimulation and drugs on electrical membrane properties where intracellular microelectrode and simultaneous mechanical recording techniques were used. Drugs, for example ATP or cromakalim were applied by perfusion in the Krebs' solution, microinjection into the bath, or by hydrostatic pressure ejection. A second method assessed the underlying biochemical changes accompanying relaxation by measuring alterations in second messenger systems, for example cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP using radiomimmunoassay techniques. Electrical events were clearly an important accompaniment to mechanical inhibition in the IAS. Field stimulation (single pulse and 5 pulses at 5, 10 and 20 Hz; 0.5ms; supramaximal voltage) produced large inhibitory junction potentials of up to 15mV in amplitude which accompanied relaxation of 80% of muscle tone. Indeed, hyperpolarising electrotonic current passed into the IAS produced relaxation. The neurotransmitter which is released by field stimulation of the inhibitory nerves is probably ATP since exogenous application of purine by hydrostatic pressure ejection (5.8x10-4M; 10-55ms) produced a dose-dependent hyperpolarisation. The membrane potential change was similar in size, rate of decline and duration to the ijp. Neither hyperpolarisation nor relaxation could be achieved with the P2x-purinergic agonist, betaMeATP (10-5-10-3M) or the P2-purinergic agonist adenosine (10-3M) thus ATP was acting on the P2y-purinergic receptor. Inhibitory NANC neurotransmission was not peptidergic since VIP (10-7-10-5M), bradykinin (10-3M), neuropeptide Y (10-5M), bombesin (10-5M), leu-enkephalin (1.8x10-4M), met-enkephalin (1.8x10-5M), somatostatin (10-6-10-3M) and substance P (7.6x10-6 - 7.6x10-4M) each had no effect on the membrane potential of the IAS. There is also evidence that stimulation of -adrenoceptors by isoprenaline (10^-9 - 10^-5M) produced relaxation which was accompanied hyperpolarisation of the IAS. In all cases where hyperpolarisation and relaxation are associated in the IAS, the mechanism underlying the electrical change appeared to be an increase in K^+ conductance. Apamin (4.5 x 10^-6M) which blocks certain Ca^2+-mediated K^+ channels, antagonised the electrical and mechanical responses produced by field stimulation and ATP. Similarly, TEA (8x10^-2M), which blocks most K^+ channels, antagonised the hyperpolarisations and relaxations produced by field stimulation, ATP and isoprenaline. Indeed, the K^+ channel activator cromakalim (10^-9-10^-5M) produced hyperpolarisation and relaxation of the IAS suggesting that an increase in K^+ conductance is important in the mediation of mechanical inhibition of the IAS. Relaxation of the IAS was also produced without a significant change in membrane potential by altering the levels of cyclic nucleotides within the smooth muscle cells of the IAS. Forskolin (10^-9-10^-5M), which activates adenylate cyclase with a subsequent increase in cyclic AMP, relaxed the IAS. Similarly, sodium nitroprusside (10^-9-10^-4M) - a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (10^-4M) each increased cyclic GMP and produced relaxation of the IAS. Direct measurement of cyclic nucleotide levels of the IAS showed that field stimulation (80 pulses at 8H_Z; 0.5ms; supramaximal voltage) and ATP (10^-4) elevated the cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP contents of the IAS. All other stimuli which produced slow, prolonged electrical and mechanical changes increased the level of only one cyclic nucleotide. Isoprenaline (10^-4M), cromakalim (10^-5M) and forskolin (10^-5) increased cyclic AMP content while sodium nitroprusside (10^-5M) increased the cyclic GMP content. Further investigation of other second messenger systems involved in relaxation of the IAS showed that increase in inositol phosphate turnover was not associated with stimulation of inhibitory P_2y-purinoceptors by ATP (10^-2M) in the IAS. However, an increase in inositol phosphate accumulation was produced by noradrenaline (10^-4M) and associated with contraction. A method was devised to measure the intraluminal pressure changes of the internal anal spincter in the anaesthetised guinea-pig using a Millar pressure transducer. Using this method the in vitro results were largely confirmed by this in vivo study. Basal intraluminal sphincter pressure was increased by noradrenaline acting on -adrenoceptors and decreased by isoprenaline acting on -adrenoceptors, ATP on P_2y-purinoceptors and 2-chloroadenosine on P_1-purinoceptors.


Because of the non-stationary property of seismic signals, time-frequency transforms have widely used in seismic data processing and interpretations. Spectral decomposition can reveal the characteristics that are not easily observed in the time representation or the frequency representation alone. Conventional spectral decompositions such as short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and Wigner–Ville distribution (WVD) have some restrictions, ________________________________________________________________________________  طبار هدنراگن : firstname.lastname@example.com Corresponding author: 62 لدنشور ك وها و يتاجن هتلاك دلج ،ناريا كيزيفوئژ هلجم 6 هرامش ، 1 ، 1391 such as Heisenberg uncertainty principle and cross terms. In this paper, we used the deconvolution of a short-time Fourier transform spectrogram to overcome the mentioned restrictions. The resolution of a time–frequency representation using STFT is strongly dependent on the length of the window function. A short window length will result in a good time resolution but a poor frequency resolution; a long window length will result in a poor time resolution but a good frequency resolution. No window function is used to calculate the WVD of signals. Therefore, WVD has a high resolution in time and frequency simultaneously. However, the existence of the cross–terms has limited the application of this distribution (Boashash, 2003). Auger et al. (1996) introduced the smoothed pseudo WVD (SPWVD) to eliminate these cross-terms. Smoothing the WVD leads to a tradeoff between the time–frequency resolution and crossterm elimination. When the smoothing function is the WVD of the window function used in STFT, the SPWVD will become the STFT spectrogram (Qiang and Wen-kai, 2010). There are no cross-terms in the STFT spectrogram, and yet it has a low resolution both in time and frequency. Therefore, a 2D deconvolution operator can be used to generate a high timefrequency representation of the signal with no cross-terms. To perform the 2D deconvolution, we used the iterative Lucy–Richardson algorithm. The resulted spectrogram after 2D deconvolution is nominated as deconvolutive STFT or DSTFT. The efficiency of this method is evaluated by applying on both synthetic and real seismic data. The results of synthetic example show that the deconvolutive short-time Fourier transform spectrogram (DSTFT) has the fine resolution as the Wigner–Ville distribution (WVD) has but with no cross-terms. Castagna et al. (2003) used the spectral decomposition to detect the low-frequency shadows associated with hydrocarbons. In fact, these shadows are often related to an additional energy occurring at low frequencies, rather than the preferential attenuation of higher frequencies. One possible explanation is that these are locally converted shear waves that have traveled mostly as P-waves and thus arrive slightly after the true primary event. We used a deconvolutive short-time Fourier transform spectrogram to illuminate the low-frequency shadow corresponding to a gas reservoir at one of the gas fields in the South West of Iran. The results of the real data example show that the DSTFT analysis has a much better resolution than the conventional spectral decomposition and can potentially be used to detect hydrocarbons from a gas reservoir directly using lowfrequency shadows.


On the basis of Brewsterian angle measurements, a procedure is here outlined which yields refractive indices with uncertainties in the third decimal place. Since "bulk" refractive indices are desired, it is shown that the errors due to surface films may be eliminated by making measurements only on freshly ground and polished surfaces. Attention is directed to applicability of this procedure when the refractive indices of black materials are to be determined.


Abstract As firms try to replace outdated legacy systems and modernize their information systems, they seriously consider implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) packages. However, the firm selecting an ERP vendor is faced with several difficult issues besides the typical issues of software vendor selection, and the process is fraught with risks. Such issues include: the degree of fit of the package with existing business processes, the possible restructuring of the business, and the degree of business integration. In addition, the typical factors include vendor selection criteria as well as the management of the selection process. In this case, Custom Fabrics wrestled with many of the issues either implicitly or explicitly. The case describes many of the objective and subjective processes Custom Fabrics went through. In spite of much care and attention to the process, what is interesting is that in the end Custom Fabrics reversed its original decision.


Envision Energy is an emerging energy solution provider from China which entered the wind power market in 2007. Envision became the 3th biggest turbine manufacturer in China and the 9th largest in the world in 2015. Thus, the purpose of our research is to explore the underlying factors to Envision's successful business model for internationalization. This qualitative research is based on interviews with key personnel at Envision. Our analysis has identified four major elements of their business model for internationalization that are crucial in the success of Envision. Those four are grouped on two major clusters:Upfront elements representing the face of the Envision to market and customers:1. Market positioning by the clear positioning of Envision on the market areas left open by the lack of understanding of the market logic by competitors.2. Customer orientation by clear focus on identified customer needs and desire for quality products also here left aside by competitors.Backend elements representing the value creation and value deliverance elements:3. Human resources as the key element through interaction with customers, creating bond and relations with customers and delivering promised values to customers and delivering.4. Supply chain by the capacity of Envision to utilize the entire supply chain to create and deliver high quality products synchronized with Envision'sofferings to customers and customer's expectations.Our research shows that Envision represents a new kind of high-tech Chinese company which works systematically to develop new business models that can enable high growth and high level of internationalization that goes beyond the capacity of technology, products as tradition goes.


Most ant species have lost the ability to spin cocoons. To explore the evolution of cocoon loss within Formicidae, we perform an ancestral state reconstruction of cocooned pupae across a genus-level phylogeny and use a sister clade analysis to determine the impact of cocoon evolution on ant speciation. Then, we fit models of correlated evolution between cocoon status and several other organismal traits. We find that the re-emergence of cocoons is rare and that "naked" lineages display an increased rate of speciation in 5 out of 9 sister group comparisons. Models of correlated evolution with cocoon status were favored for metapleural gland and worker polymorphism. Metapleural gland favored rates of evolution were inconclusive, while worker polymorphism displayed a higher transition rate towards polymorphism coupled with cocoon loss. These results suggest that cocoon loss may allow for other complex traits to develop and may represent a novel example of relaxed selection.


The compromise effect—i.e., the preference for the middle option—is an established bias in behavioral economics, but has not been experimentally validated in the field. In the current study I test the compromise effect in a natural context, and whether this bias can be used to stimulate active choice—the (un)compromise effect. In a mail fund raiser for a large US hospital, I evaluate their baseline ask string [$10, $50, $100, $ ] to an extended version [$10, $50, $100, $250, $500, $ ]. In line with the compromise effect, the extended ask string increases the average amount given and the share of donors giving $100, which is now the middle option. Importantly, however, and in line with a model of contextual inference, revealing the middle option is not necessary for the effect to arise. The (un)compromise ask string [$10, $500, $ ] generates the same average amount given and same share giving $100, as the extended ask string—the only difference being that 90 percent of donors, instead of 30 percent, use the open-ask alternative. Hence, by only providing informative end points of a distribution, organizations can benefit from the compromise effect and at the same time promote individuality by stimulating active choice. I discuss theoretical and practical implications of the results.


What if you could condense Java down to its very best features and build better applications with that simpler version? In this book, veteran Sun Labs engineer Jim Waldo reveals which parts of Java are most useful, and why those features make Java among the best programming languages available. Every language eventually builds up crud, Java included. The core language has become increasingly large and complex, and the libraries associated with it have grown even more. Learn how to take advantage of Java's best features by working with an example application throughout the book. You may not like some of the features Jim Waldo considers good, but they'll actually help you write better code. Learn how the type system and packages help you build large-scale software Use exceptions to make code more reliable and easier to maintain Manage memory automatically with garbage collection Discover how the JVM provides portability, security, and nearly bug-free code Use Javadoc to embed documentation within the code Take advantage of reusable data structures in the collections library Use Java RMI to move code and data in a distributed network Learn how Java concurrency constructs let you exploit multicore processors


Coherence-based approaches are quite popular to reason under inconsistency. Most of them are defined with respect to totally preordered belief bases such as the lexicographic inference which is known to have desirable properties from theoretical, practical and psychological points of view. However, partially preordered belief bases offer much more flexibility to represent efficiently incomplete knowledge and to avoid comparing unrelated pieces of information. In this paper, we propose a lexicographic inference for partially pre-ordered belief bases that extends the classical one. On one hand, we define a natural inference relation which consists in applying classical lexicographic inference from all compatible totally preordered belief bases. On the other hand, we propose a novel cardinality-based preorder between consistent subbases. This cardinality-based preorder can be indifferently applied on partially or totally preordered belief bases. Then, applying classical inference on the preferred consistent subbases, according to this preorder, provides another lexicographic inference relation for partially preordered belief bases. Interestingly enough, we show that these two inference relations are equivalent. Lastly, a semantic characterization of these two equivalent definitions is provided.


Two hundred eighty three uniaxial ellipsoids with sizes from 4 mm to 11 mm were measured with a coordinate measuring matching (CMM) and also scanned using a medical computed tomography (CT) machine. Their volumes were determined by counting voxels over a threshold, as well as using equivalent volumes from the length given by the RECIST 1.1 criterion (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors). The volumetric measurements yield an order of magnitude reduction in residuals compared to the CMM measurements than the residuals of the RECIST measurements also compared to the CMM measurements.


Until recently it has been widely accepted that protoliths to metasediments of the Harts Range Metamorphic Complex (central Australia) were deposited prior to c. 1.75 Ga and form part of the Palaeoproterozoic Arunta Inlier. However, new sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U–Pb analyses of detrital zircon, together with recently published data, suggest that they were deposited coeval with c. 545–520 Ma sediments from the adjacent, little metamorphosed Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic Centralian Superbasin. Protoliths of the Harts Range Metamorphic Complex were deposited in the Irindina sub-basin, an early- to mid-Cambrian rift located between the present-day Amadeus and Georgina Basin remnants of the Centralian Superbasin. Deposition occurred during a widespread and long-lived interval of extension in parts of central Australia associated with eruption of the voluminous Kalkarinji Continental Flood Basalts. The Harts Range Metamorphic Complex was metamorphosed to upper amphibolite- to granulite-facies conditions within c. 40 Ma of deposition of its sedimentary protoliths.


Background and Study Aim: Passive overheating and exercises influence the genes expression, especially encoding heat shock protein and interleukin. The aim was the effect of one-time sauna and moderate exercise on selected genes expression in judo athletes and untrained people. Material and Methods: Ten athletes trained judo (JA group aged 21.5 ±0.43 years) and 10 untrained (CON group aged 20 ±0.7 years) were subjected to 30 min cycling with load 80% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). and 30 min onetime sauna (temperature of 98.2°C and humidity 10 ±2%). Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after exercise or sauna to measured express of genes related to cellular stress response using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Sauna induced higher changes in genes expression than exercise in both groups. After passive overheating HSPA1A and HSPB1 mRNA increased significantly in both groups (p˂0.05), while IL6 mRNA only in CON and IL10 mRNA only in JA. Exercise significantly affected HSPA1A in both groups. HSPB1 and IL6 mRNA significantly increased only in CON (p = 0.03 for HSPB1 and p = 0.02 for IL6) but in JA these changes were not significant. Generally in JA the expression of tested genes was lower both after exercise and sauna compared to CON. Conclusion: Applied exercise caused lower (but insignificant) changes in the expression of tested genes than passive overheating in the sauna. Sauna induced similar changes to exercise and can be used in maintain adaptive changes to physical effort in judo training or can be useful during forced breaks in training, e.g. due to injury.


There is a prevalent view outside Greece that promotion of competitiveness is tantamount with price reductions for Greek goods and services. Massive horizontal salary cuts appear, at first, to promote competitiveness by reducing unit labor costs and to reduce fiscal deficits by reducing the wage bill of the public sector. Upon closer look, however, horizontal salary cuts have been much greater than needed for Greek competitiveness, providing an alibi vis a vis the Troika for reforms that are still to be implemented, but at the same time undermining both competitiveness and the potential to reduce public debt through sustainable development.


Abstract. Bangladesh hosts most of what is left of Indian Skimmer (Rhynchops albicollis) populations, a globally endangered species. Each October-March from 2015-2020, 21 surveys of nonbreeding birds were made in Nijhum Dweep National Park, Bangladesh. High tide or evening roosts were counted from vantage points whenever a buildup or breakdown of skimmer concentrations was noticed, and site use noted by marking all observations of presence and activity on maps. The largest single count was 3,108 skimmers on 18 February 2020, constituting 30-50% of the known global population. Indian Skimmers mostly occurred in Damar Char West and at the tip of the Majher Char. Throughout the day with incoming tide, skimmers moved between preferred roosting areas to forage in the shallows. We describe a unique group-foraging strategy in which skimmers chase fish from deep water to shallow water along the shoreline. Circling high over the tidal channel, the flock of skimmers dives down in unison to just above the water surface, then spreading like a net towards the shore. Raptors caused disturbances to roosting skimmers, and we observed one instance of predation of a skimmer by a White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster). Human fishing activities disturbed nearshore foraging and shoreline roosting skimmers. We suggest protecting Damar Char West by regulating human activities to minimize disturbance from December to March.


One-dimensional (1D) electronic materials with inherent nanoscale features are considered to be promising components for achieving unprecedented future technologies. Much effort has been devoted to the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials and, as a result, unique size- and structure-dependent properties have been identified in those nanomaterials. Owing to the technical difficulties in fabricating and manipulating them, however, relatively little research has been done on the applications of polymeric nanomaterials. Moreover, there is still a lack of a theoretical interpretation as to how the polymerization proceeds at the nanometer regime. Conducting polymers may be an alternative materials against metals and inorganic semiconductors in future applications. Here, we prepare multidimensional conducting polymer nanomaterials using single-nozzle co-electrospinning, followed by vapor-deposition polymerization. We, for the first time, suggest the concept that the morphology of deposited polymer nanomaterials is subject to substrate curvature, as well as synthetic conditions. Nanonodules and nanorods were grown on a nanofiber surface by controlling critical kinetic factors such as temperature and pressure during vapor deposition polymerization, leading to the formation of multidimensional polymer nanostructures. On the other hand, no remarkable nanostructures were generated on bulk flat substrate under the same conditions. structures for filtration, separation, sensing, and energy conversion/storage. polar groups that can with and is also soluble in


ABSTRACT An estimated 26 million American citizens per year have been victims of an identity-based crime. This study contributes to the scholarship on financial crimes facilitated through identity-based criminal activity by examining the views on technological approaches to the prevention of identity theft among 50 professionals working in the identity-based crime victim services, including those from the public sector and private industry. The professionally diverse sample included private investigators, fraud examiners, victim service providers, and executives of firms offering victim services and protection services. Data were collected during a series of focus groups held at professional conferences. The paper reports on the views held by focus group participants on specific technological solutions to identity theft victimization, including biometric scanning, dark web scanning, subscription -based monitoring programs, and broader thematic observations about the current environment for protecting information, emerging sources of risk, and policy recommendations identified by focus group participants. Perspectives from insiders about the pros and cons of each approach can provide researchers and enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity to avoid empty technological promises that fail to protect victims from subsequent victimizations.


The German schooling system selects children into different secondary school tracks already at a very early stage in life. School track choice heavily influences choices and opportunities later in life. It has often been observed that secondary schooling achievements display a strong correlation with parental income.We use sibling fixed effects models and information on a natural experiment in order to analyze whether this correlation is due to a causal effect of income or due to unobservable factors that themselves might be correlated across generations. Our main findings suggest that income has no positive causal effect on school choice and that differences between high- and low-income households are driven by unobserved heterogeneity, e.g. differences in motivation.


What accounts for the troubled condition of liberal democracy today? Standard explanations cite factors such as slowing economic growth and rising economic inequality, political polarization and gridlock, globalization, and moral and cultural decadence. Yet such explanations cannot account for the speed with which democracy's decline has surged to the forefront of political discourse around the world. And it can hardly be a coincidence that disaffection with liberal democracy and support for populist parties are growing in both new and longstanding democracies alike. Simultaneously, authoritarian regimes of various stripes are showing a new boldness as the confidence and vigor of the democracies wane. Liberal democracy will regain its former health only if voters become convinced not only of democracy's intrinsic merits but also of its superiority to all possible alternatives.


The paper presents the results of thermoanalytical studies by TG/DTG/DTA, FTIR and GC/MS for the oil sand used in art and precision foundry. On the basis of course of DTG and DTA curves the characteristic temperature points for thermal effects accompanying the thermal decomposition reactions were determined. This results were linked with structural changes occurred in sample. It has been shown that the highest weight loss of the sample at temperatures of about 320°C is associated with destruction of C-H bonds (FTIR). In addition, a large volume of gases and high amounts of compounds from the BTEX group are generated when liquid metal interacts with oil sand. The results show, that compared to other molding sands used in foundry, this material is characterized by the highest gaseous emissions and the highest harmfulness, because benzene emissions per kilogram of oil sand are more than 7 times higher than molding sand with furan and phenolic binders and green sand with bentonite and lustrous carbon carrier.


In this article, the authors discuss critically the use of "anthropomorphic" metaphors in organization studies (e.g., organizational knowledge, learning, and memory). They argue that, although these metaphors are potentially powerful, because of frequent usage they are at risk of becoming taken for granted and contextually disconnected from their source domain, the human mind. To unleash the heuristic potential of such metaphors, it is necessary to take into account the inherent dynamics and bidirectionality of metaphorical language use. Therefore, the authors propose a methodology for the context-sensitive use of metaphors in organization studies. They illustrate this approach by developing the new metaphor of organizational insomnia, which is informed by recent neuroscientific research on human sleep and its disruptions. The insomnia metaphor provides an alternative way of explaining deficits in organizational knowledge, learning, and memory, which originate in a state of permanent restlessness.


Polyesters of bisphenol-A, bisphenol-P, catechol, and sebacic acid are prepared and different synthetic methods are compared. The diphenols are condensed with sebacoyl chloride either in dichloromethane/pyridine or in refluxing chlorobenzene without HCl-acceptor. Furthermore, bisphenol-A acetate is polycondensed with sebacic acid in bulk. All experiments are worked up so that fractionation is avoided. The extent of cyclization is estimated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) and the molar mass distribution by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Polycondensations in solution yield larger fractions of cyclics and higher dispersities (up to 11). Polycondensations in bulk give lower fractions of cycles and dispersities from 4.6 to 6.3 for high molar mass polyesters or 2.8 to 3.5 for low molar mass products. Characteristic curves describing the dependence of the dispersity on the initial monomer concentration are elaborated.


Inverting geophysical data for reservoir properties of interest requires linking the underlying geology to the observed data. In order to do so, the geologic heterogeneity needs to be modeled to examine how it controls the reservoir properties and affects any geophysical measurements. This task becomes exceedingly complex because of the infinite number of possible geologic models that could be constructed even though most of them are unreasonable from a geologic standpoint. If seismic data are used to constrain that modeling process, then the ambiguity in the problem may be reduced. Two reservoir parameters of interest for both fluid-flow and geologic modeling are saturation (Sw) and net-to-gross (N/G). Rock-physics trends indicate that the elastic and seismic responses of these two properties typically overlap one another. In seismic applications, therefore, a change in one property can be easily misinterpreted as a variation in the other. Within a reservoir-modeling scenario, how can these two parameter...


The advertising industry has evolved considerably during the history, going from simple
drawings on a rock to the use of digital channels we have nowadays. With this evolution,
its professionals have been forced to adapt to new methodologies, strategies and ways
of working, in order to take full advantage of the evolving technologies and systems.
However, the adaptation is not always as easy, fast and smooth as one would want it to
be, since a great amount of new concepts and ideas must be understood before one
can fully apply a new approach to an activity that has been performed for some time.
Nowadays, with digital channels such as websites or apps, a gigantic change has
occurred: from consuming advertisement to use it. Therefore, a new approach to its
design is necessary in order to increase the success of the results, the approach
Interaction design offers. Interaction design provides a set of methodologies and ideas
focused on the design of the use, the experience, with a closer relationship and
attention to the future users. However, despite the big synergy this field has with the
new paradigm digital interactive content design offers, many have failed to start this
relationship, due to either a lack of knowledge of the field itself, or about how to apply
it successfully.
With this master thesis I intend to provide a clear and detailed set of methods, which
make up an improved design process for digital interactive content within the
advertising industry. In order to do this, I studied how these companies work and which
are their specific needs.
The results from this thesis are useful for any advertising company, but especially for
those having troubles adapting to the new paradigm digital channels introduce to their
activities. However, and secondarily, other professionals such as smaller companies or
freelance designers can find use to the resulting design process, since their way of
working would benefit from the knowledge the leading advertising agencies have
gathered through their experiences during the years.