An inlet cross-section is considered in equilibrium when there is no net import or export of sediment
from the inlet channel, and cross-sectionally stable when small deviations from this state return
the inlet to the equilibrium. It is common to assess the cross-sectional stability of tidal inlets
using zero dimensional pumping-mode (PM) models in combination with the stability concept of
Escoffier (1940). It is currently unknown what the influence of basin geometry and basin friction
is on the stability of tidal inlets. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of basin
geometry and friction on the hydrodynamics and cross-sectional stability of tidal inlets and to
evaluate the validity of using PM models to assess inlet stability.
This is done by formulating an idealised, linear, horizontal depth-averaged two dimensional
(2DH) model for single inlet systems. The model is applied on the Frisian and Texel inlet systems.
Both systems are part of the Dutch Wadden Sea inlets. Both inlets are schematised as three
adjacent compartments: the ocean, inlet and basin. Each compartment is characterised by a
width Wj , length Lj , depth Hj and offset to the system centre �j . Derived characteristics are
the basin surface area Ab = WbLb, basin aspect ratio Sb = Wb
Lb
and inlet cross-sectional area
Ai = WiHi. The model is forced by an incoming Kelvin wave in the ocean compartment.
Formulating the model required choosing representative values for the ocean compartment and
the amplitude of the incoming Kelvin wave to ensure a desired tidal range in front of the inlet
mouth, amongst others. Bottom friction in the inlet and basin was determined using an iterative
method to assess the value of Lorentz' linear friction coefficient, which involves a velocity scale. A
PM-model was formulated accounting damping through friction in the inlet and radiation damping.
Regarding hydrodynamics, it was found that the frequency of maximum tidal amplification
due to Helmholtz-mode resonance is sensitive to basin geometry. This is attributed to tidal wave
propagation through the basin. It was furthermore found that the PM model corrected for radiation
damping better predicts the trend of the 2DH model at short inlet channels. This suggest
that radiation damping is more important for short inlets. The Texel inlet system is much more
dissipative than the Frisian inlet system.
Regarding cross-sectional stability it was found that basin geometry has a greater influence on
large systems. The aspect ratio of the basin is found to have a profound influence on inlet stability
at large basins. In the Texel inlet case, the case-study presented in chapter 6 showed that the
aspect ratio of the basin could even result in the absence of a stable root.
The influence of two damming projects in theWadden Sea, which altered the basin geometry, are
studied in case studies. The case studies showed that the damming of the Lauwerzee in 1969 causes
the Frisian inlet channel to diminish in size. Basin depth has a negligible effect on the predicted
stable inlet cross-sectional area. The PM- and 2DH model results show similar predictions.
The Texel inlet is predicted to increase its cross-sectional area as a response to the closure
of the Zuiderzee, assuming that the closure of the Zuiderzee led to a higher average basin depth.
Basin depth has a large influence on the predicted cross-sectional area. Retaining the average basin
depth before closure, the stable cross-sectional area will even slightly decrease, while a very steep
increase in depth could lead to a cross-sectional area which is twice as big as before the closure.
It is concluded that in such systems, basin depth is the most uncertain and important parameter
for determining the stable cross-sectional area. It is concluded that the PM model is only valid for
relatively small or deep basins.


A primary factor in manufacturing high-quality cold-rolled sheet is the ability to accurately predict the required rolling force. The rolling force directly influences roll-stack deflections, which correlate to the resulting flatness quality of the rolled sheet. Increasingly high demand for thin and ultra-thin gauge for cold-rolled sheet metals, along with the correspondingly larger sensitivity of flatness defects when rolling thin gauges, makes it more important to accurately and rapidly predict the rolling force before the rolling operation begins. Accurate rolling force predictions enable assignment of appropriate pass schedules and flatness mechanism set-points early in the rolling process, thereby reducing rolling time, improving quality, and reducing scrap. Traditionally, force predictions in cold rolling have employed two-dimensional analytical models such as those proposed by Roberts and by Bland & Ford. These simplified methods are prone to inaccuracy, however, because of several uncertain, yet influential, model parameters that are difficult to establish deterministically for wide-ranging products. These parameters include, for example, the average compressive yield strength of the rolled strip, frictional characteristics relating to low and high mill speeds, and the strain rate dependency of yield strength. Conventionally, these unknown parameters have been evaluated deterministically by comparing force predictions with actual rolling force data and using a best-fit regression approach. In this work, Bayesian updating using a probability mass function (PMF) is applied to identify joint posterior probability distributions of the uncertain parameters in rolling force models. It is shown that the non-deterministic Bayesian updating approach is particularly useful as new evidence becomes available in the form of additional rolling force data. The aim of the work is to incorporate Bayesian inference into rolling force prediction for cold rolling mills to create a probabilistic modeling approach which can also "learn" as new production data is added. The goal is a model that can better predict necessary mill parameters based on accurate probability estimates of the actual rolling force. The rolling force data used in this work for applying Bayesian updating is actual production data of grades 301 and 304L (low carbon) stainless steels, rolled on a 10-inch wide 4-high cold rolling mill. This force data was collected by observing and averaging load cell measurements at steady rolling speeds.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Background: We examined guideline-concordant care among women with HER2+ MBC and determined the magnitude of differences in guideline-concordant care between those with positive and negative hormone receptor (HR) status by utilizing a non-linear decomposition technique. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results-Medicare linked database. The study cohort consisted of women age >66 years diagnosed with HER2+ MBC in 2010–2013 (N=241). Guideline-concordant initial care within 6 months of cancer diagnosis was defined as per NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines). A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the significant predictors of guideline-concordant care. A post-regression non-linear decomposition was conducted to examine the magnitude of disparities in guideline concordant care by women's HR status. Results: 76.8% of the study cohort received guideline-concordant care, while 23.2% did not. As compared to those who did not receive guideline-concordant care, women who received guideline-concordant care were significantly more likely to have positive HR status (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.11; P=.04), had good performance status (AOR=3.46; P=.0008), and had a higher number of oncology visits (AOR=8.05; P<.0001). With 1 year increase in age at cancer diagnosis, there was 5% lesser likelihood of receiving guideline-concordant care (AOR=0.95; P=.04). From the decomposition analysis, 19.0% of the disparity in guideline-concordant care between women with positive and negative HR status was explained by differences in their characteristics. Enabling characteristics (marital status, census-level income, and education) explained the highest (22.8%) proportion of the disparity, followed by external environmental factors (location of residence, SEER region, hospitals offering oncology services) at 5.3%, and need-related factors (tumor grade, comorbidity, performance status, number of metastases) at 3.2%. Conclusion: Almost one quarter of the study cohort did not receive guideline-concordant care. There are opportunities to improve cancer care for women with negative HR status who have lower socioeconomic status. The high unexplained portion of differences in guideline-concordant care (81.0%) can be due to patient preferences for treatment, propensity to seek care, and organizational and physician-level factors not captured in the database.


In order to enhance the Quality of Service in LTE, femtocell architecture has been proposed as a promising solution. However, interference is the main weak point in femtocell scenarios which causes a serious impact on multimedia services performance. Femtocell interference mitigation in LTE networks is the principle objective of this paper. We propose an enhancement of the well known four-coloring method for interference mitigation by combining it with cooperative game theory. Our proposed scheme aims to provide a solution to effectively achieve femtocell interference mitigation while guaranteeing the bitrate application for real-time services. The basic metrics of quality of service (QoS) such as throughput, Packet Loss Ratio (PLR), delay and Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise-Ratio (SINR) are investigated. Our simulation environment is derived from realistic scenarios in order to study the performance of real-time service like Video and VoIP applications. Throughout our numerical results, we demonstrate the improvement of QoS constraints along with balancing between interference reduction requirement and resource allocation efficiency for real-time applications.


Using population-based data, the authors identified 24 MS index cases whose parents were related. Twenty-two had 67 sibs of whom 6 also had MS, yielding a recurrence risk of approximately 9%, significantly higher than for sibs of MS index cases from nonconsanguineous parents. These findings support the concept that multiple interacting genes increase the risk of MS.


AIM
The purpose of this manuscript was to: 1) report our experience with the Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM) for the treatment of peripheral, visceral and aortic aneurysms; 2) review the published literature regarding the outcomes of patients treated with the MFM; and 3) develop initial treatment guidelines regarding the MFM.

METHODS
We reviewed our clinical experience with the MFM in 58 high surgical risk patients. Thirty-one peripheral (PAAs), 9 visceral (VAAs) and 18 aortic aneurysms (10 thoracoabdominal [TAAA]; 8 abdominal) were treated. In addition, the PubMed database through April 2013, along with relevant websites and scientific presentations at international meetings, were quered regarding the MFM. Seventeen articles and 3 presentations were identified. Data regarding 178 patients treated with the MFM were included for analysis including 57 PAAs, 31 VAAs and 90 complex degenerative aortic lesions. Outcomes including technical success, 30-day mortality, endoleak rate and aneurysm-related survival were studied.

RESULTS
In our experience, there were 47 males and the mean age was 62 years (16-80). In patients with PAAs and VAAs, technical success with the MFM was 100%. At 30 days, there were no deaths. Initial MFM patency was 97.5% (39/40) with patency of the thrombosed MFM successfully restored. Longer-term follow-up (mean 16 ± 8 months) demonstrated progressive thrombosis and shrinkage of the aneurysm sacs and all side-branches were patent. In patients with aortic aneurysms, technical success was 100%, with no complications and no deaths at 30 days. Longer-term follow-up (8 ± 7 months) demonstrated aneurysm-related survival of 100%, all-cause survival of 83.3%, intervention-free survival of 100% and 100% patency of the side branches. The longest duration for aneurysm sac thrombosis was 18 months. A significant mean diameter reduction was observed at 6 months (17.3 mm for the transversal maximal diameter and 13.83 mm for the antero-posterior diameter) in the TAAA group. In the literature review, there was 100% technical success and a 97.7% 30-day survival rate in patients with PAAs and VAAs treated with the MFM. In follow-up (range 5-26 months), there were no aneurysm-related deaths or aneurysm ruptures and the overall survival was 95.5%. Complete aneurysm exclusion was observed in 94.3% of the patients with significant aneurysm shrinkage in 83% of the patients. Nine (10%) MFMs occluded with most occlusions resulting from pre-existing conditions. Patency of 5 occluded MFMs were restored and 4 occluded MFMs were not treated and were asymptomatic. All covered side branches were patent except in a patient with thrombophilia who also had an occluded MFM. The treatment of complex aortic degenerative lesions with MFM demonstrates a 95.5% 30-day survival with 2 aneurysm ruptures for contrindicated use (previously ruptured aneurysm; mycotic aneurysm). Over the follow-up (range 3-28 months), all-cause survival was 87.8% and aneurysm-related survival was 96.7% (1 late rupture due to a type 1 endoleak). Side branches were patent for 97.7% of the treated cases and a 13.3% endoleak rate was reported. There were no neurological, renal or respiratory complications. Complete exclusion and size stability were achieved for most of the cases.

CONCLUSION
Clinical experience with the MFM is increasing. The MFM has been used to treat many types of aneurysms including peripheral, visceral and aortic. Early results suggest that use of the MFM can help prevent aneurysm-related mortalities while maintining branch vessel patency. Additional study and investigation is needed.


Graph matching, set covering, and partitioning problems are both theoretically and practically important in decision support systems. Numerous decision support applications have been modeled as graph matching, set covering, and partitioning problems. These include applications in the areas of task assignment, marriage problem, airline crew scheduling, truck deliveries or vehicle routing, political redistricting, and the like. Currently, these applications are supported through programs written in external (to the database system) programming languages that use only the data in the database system. Thus, decision makers or application programmers require extra effort to get required decision support information. As opposed to database systems, the purpose of a model management system (MMS) is to make a wide variety of models available to decision makers so they can apply these models without having to become involved in technical and/or procedural aspects of implementation. The goal of this research is to integrate database systems and model systems for zero-one integer programming problems especially concerning graph matching, set covering, and partitioning problems. Users utilize a single integrated language for both problem formulation and model execution. In order to achieve this goal, we extend relational operators and the query language SQL. The relational operators are extended with six operators, namely, match, maxmatch, cover, mincover, partition, and minpartition. Some of these operators may take a very long time to find an optimal solution. In this article, we adopted genetic algorithms to find a near-optimal solution of this kind of operators. We found they performed well both on the computational effort and on the quality of the solutions through a variety of test problems. These algorithms are bounded by a polynomial time. Therefore, they enable a DBMS to respond to queries involving proposed operators in a restricted amount of time.


Ever since the signing of the agreement in London on 8 August 1945 by representatives of the British, French, American and Russian Governments ('London agreement'), followed by the presentation to the International Military Tribunal sitting at Berlin on 18 October 1945 of the indictment against twenty four of the most prominent German military and political leaders, and the proceedings at Nuremberg which culminated in the judgement delivered on 30 September and 1 October 1946, there has been widespread and persistent controversy among lawyers, academics, scholars, historians and others, who have found ''Nuremberg Law" a fascinating research subject. The principal issue was, and remains, whether or not the trials conducted pursuant to the Charter annexed to the London Agreement had a sound jurisdictional basis.
For the most part the views publicly expressed by writers on the issue have been firm and diametrically opposed.
It will be submitted that much of the literature, whether it expresses concurring or dissenting views with respect to the validity of 'Nuremberg Law', places too much emphasis on the judgment of the Tribunal and not enough on the three basic documents. The London Agreement and Charter were a code which prescribed provisions designed to ensure, so far as it was practicable to do so, a fair trial, before the world, of German major war criminals, following the virtually undisputed acts of atrocity and inhumanity of a dimension never previously experienced. The International Military Tribunal went beyond the constituent documents and propounded a number of obiter propositions. Thereby the Tribunal itself sparked much of the controversy which the trial engendered.
A further object of the study is to demonstrate that many of the critics of 'Nuremberg Law' ignored the facts that the German Reich had surrendered unconditionally to the major Allied Powers and that, in reaching agreement on the terms of the London Agreement and Charter, they were exercising sovereign legislative authority, analogous to that of the Parliament of the state of Israel when it enacted the Nazis and Nazi Collaborators (Punishment) Law of 1950.
The study also includes, in as much detail as is practicable, an assessment of the procedural and evidential fairness of the Nuremberg trial. The object of such an evaluation is to demonstrate, from the perspective of a trial lawyer, that in such an emotive criminal trial as that at Nuremberg, courtroom 'atmosphere' and rulings on questions of evidence and procedure were more fundamental in ensuring a fair trial than dogmatic assertions concerning legal principles, such as the ex post facto doctrine and the maxim of nullum crimen nulla poena sine leae. The basic fact will always remain that the London Agreement and Charter were paramount and binding.


Barack Obama's election marked a significant step in what black Americans call the long road to freedom. A survey conducted after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 revealed that 82 percent of blacks believed they were "unlikely to soon achieve racial equality." After Obama's election, only 45 percent held that belief. Many black people regarded his victory as a personal triumph, a vindication or renewal of their faith in the American Dream. And so it was. This fall, most African Americans will undoubtedly support the president's re-election, and not simply because of racial solidarity. For them, the Republican alternative is no alternative. The Republican primaries, which featured Newt Gingrich's veiled appeals to white supremacy and Rick Santorum's new spin on Reaganite talk of "welfare queens" ("I don't want to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money") left most African Americans feeling that a political reunion with the GOP was impossible. And though Mitt Romney has said nothing so repulsive, that's only because he has failed to address the issue of race at all; his rhetoric is colorblind. It's no wonder that about 90 percent of African Americans approve of the job Obama is doing. But approval is not the same as satisfaction. The president scored his lowest rating among blacks during the week of January 16–22, 2012, a period that began with the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Perhaps they were reflecting on how far many still had to go to achieve the American Dream. Black unemployment, which has been above 10 percent for most of the last fifty years, peaked at over 16.7 percent last year and, this spring, was at 14 percent. In addition, the net worth of black families was cut in half by the Great Recession, and there are more poor Americans today than at any time since the Second World War due both to population growth and failed antipoverty polices such as the Welfare Reform Act; a disproportionate number of these people are black. The economic plight of many black Americans is not a result of Obama's policies. The recession was raging before he took office. Still, the economic realities will have an impact in November. In 2008, 52 percent of black youth aged eighteen to twenty-four years old turned out to vote—the highest rate for that age group since the voting age was lowered to eighteen. But today, almost half of those young people are unemployed, and most have just a high school diploma and lack a ladder out of poverty. The ambivalence many African Americans feel when they reflect both on their current problems and on the monumental victory of 2008 points to the irony of the Obama presidency. The first black president makes it more difficult for black activists to speak out and organize and thus helps to slow continuing improvements in the lives of black Americans.


Traditionally, debates about digital exclusion have been concerned with a lack of
access to the internet by certain groups. Currently, the debate is shifting towards
quality of use. Yet, it remains unclear which processes underlie differences in digital
inclusion. By combining macro, micro and meso theoretical perspectives, this thesis
examines the influence of resources, context, confidence and social identity through
the application of three different research elements: nine preparatory interviews; a
survey with 730 students; and an experiment with 200 students from fifteen schools in
the Greater London Area. The focus was on teenagers from different gender,
ethnicity, physical ability and sexuality groups.
The findings show that gender and context are important explanatory factors of
internet use. At school, meso (social-identity) factors contributed to explaining
internet use; at home, micro (psychological) and macro (resource) factors were more
important. This suggests that schools offer equalising environments in which
differences in digital inclusion based on socio-economics are evened out. The findings
also suggest that personalised and anonymous use at school makes teenagers less
vulnerable to peer-pressure. By contrast, anonymity increases undesirable uses at
home especially for boys. The experiment shows that addressing teenagers in a neutral
(anonymous) way might steer internet behaviour and the perception of skills in a nonstereotypical
direction.
Finally, the level of digital inclusion at the group level determined the effect of socioeconomic
status on internet use. Internet use of (White and Asian boys') groups with
high internet status was mainly influenced by macro and micro factors. Group
processes and social identification also influenced those (girls, African Caribbean, and
disabled) of low internet status. The processes behind internet use were found to be
more consistent for digitally advantaged groups than for disadvantaged groups. The
thesis concludes that theory regarding digital inclusion should be diversified to
address different types of exclusion.


Developed countries have dominated the hosting of major sports events for many decades, however recent years have witnessed cities and nations from 'developing countries' bidding to stage and actually hosting these events. This thesis examines the growing interest of developing countries in hosting major sports events.
There were three main objectives. First, to outline the relationship between African countries and the global sports system (GSS), with a specific focus on Kenya and South Africa. Second, to critically assess the understandings of key actors and agencies in Kenya with respect to the possibilities and challenges of hosting major sports events, in comparison with actors and agencies in South Africa. Third, to investigate the knowledge transfer process with respect to the hosting of major sports events, using Kenya as an example.
The thesis adopted a critical realist theoretical framework to examine the structures and agencies of the GSS in order to understand the relationship between it and actors and agencies of sports events in Africa. The thesis argues that, though countries like Kenya may aspire to host one of the major sports events, the actual reality of hosting these events depends on many external factors which are out of their control.
The research methodology used in the thesis involved a two-stage qualitative approach through the analysing of archival data and conducting of expert interviews. The researcher reviewed past literature (on sports mega-events, sports policy issues, policy learning and transfer and the history of sport in Kenya) and constructed semi-structured interview guides.
The thesis concludes that the structure of the GSS and global sports organizations are not favourable to and are often prohibitive to developing countries in terms of enabling these countries to compete equally with developed countries in hosting sports events, competing in international sports events, and taking part in decision making at the international level. This is contrary to these organizations' claims to adhere to the values of equality for all their members.


Personal finance author and lecturer Robert T. Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective from two very different influences - two fathers. One father (Robert's real father) was a highly educated man but fiscally poor. The other was the father of Robert's best friend - that dad was a college drop-out who became a self-made multi-millionaire. In this follow-up to the bestselling "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", he reveals the secret of how the wealthiest people become wealthier by presenting some simple investing secrets and explaining how anyone can enjoy cash benefits merely by knowing where and how best to invest their money. The author's nuts-and-bolts approach to personal finance and understanding the real earning power of money has gained him a huge following, particularly as he knows all he describes from first-hand experience. Once so cash poor that he and his wife were forced to sleep in their car, today the Kiyosakis are multi-millionaires and highly sophisticated and experienced investment experts.


In order to protect authors and artists from unremunerative transfers of copyright, Congress for the first time created, in the Copyright Act of 1976, an inalienable right to terminate transfers of copyrights during a five-year window beginning 35 years from the date of the transfer. Such inalienablity, however, posed substantial uncertainty to the exploitation of many works of authorship. In particular, works combining multiple copyrighted elements — such as collective works and motion pictures — could become unavailable due to the difficulty of relicensing all of the constituent components. For that reason, Congress provided a mechanism for precluding termination of at least some transfers. In the case of a "work made for hire," the hiring party acquires ownership of the copyright upon a work's creation, thereby dispensing with any transfer from the author and hence obviating any termination of such transfer 35 years later. To avoid the exception swallowing the rule, Congress circumscribed the situations under which a work qualifies for treatment as a "work made for hire." It must either be prepared by a true employee or specially ordered or commissioned and fall within one of nine categories, such as "contribution to a collective work" and "part of a motion picture or other audiovisual work." This article examines a potentially significant and heretofore unrecognized conundrum of the 1976 Copyright Act relating to the "contribution to a collective work" category. Congress defined "collective works" as comprised of "preexisting materials." Yet the work made for hire provision contemplates "contributions to collective works" being specially ordered or commissioned. How is it possible for a publisher or record label to specially order or commission contributions that already exist? The authors' journey into the complex evolution of the 1976 Copyright Act reveals that Congress did not intend that "contributions to collective works" preexist their commissioning, even though the inartful drafting of some of the Section 101 definitions suggest otherwise. For purposes of applying the work for hire doctrine, courts should either ignore the use of the term "preexisting" in the definition of "collective work," or interpret the term "contribution to collective work" to include "contribution to yet-to-be-assembled collective work" in the definition of "work made for hire." The article also elucidates the legislative history underlying the right to terminate transfers, a right which will have justiciable implications beginning in 2003.


We report on an investigation on autoionization of Rydberg electrons of the nitric oxide molecule in strong, static electric fields. The excitation was done via various rotational states of the A 2Σ+ intermediate state (v′=0) and with polarization parallel or perpendicular to the electric field. The splitting of the autoionizing Rydberg states into overlapping Stark manifolds is resolved for excitation above the saddlepoint created by the field. We observe that the competing decay between photoionization and predissociation can lead to an incorrect interpretation of threshold energy. The photoionization spectrum of NO Rydberg series attached to various rotational thresholds is very similar owing to weak rotational coupling. The experimental results are accurately simulated by quantum calculations based on multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT). A more intuitive formulation of the average behavior of the photoionization cross section is developed that accounts for the suppression of ionization near the ...


Ontologies are widely used in biological and biomedical research. Their success lies in their combination of four main features present in almost all ontologies: provision of standard identifiers for classes and relations that represent the phenomena within a domain; provision of a vocabulary for a domain; provision of metadata that describes the intended meaning of the classes and relations in ontologies; and the provision of machine-readable axioms and definitions that enable computational access to some aspects of the meaning of classes and relations. While each of these features enables applications that facilitate data integration, data access and analysis, a great potential lies in the possibility of combining these four features to support integrative analysis and interpretation of multimodal data. Here, we provide a functional perspective on ontologies in biology and biomedicine, focusing on what ontologies can do and describing how they can be used in support of integrative research. We also outline perspectives for using ontologies in data-driven science, in particular their application in structured data mining and machine learning applications.


Monetary policy is running out of gas. Six years ago, in the heat of crisis, the Federal Reserve's response was awesome. The Fed created trillions of dollars and flooded the system with easy money--enough to stabilize financial markets and rescue wounded banks. It brought short-term interest rates down to near zero and long-term mortgage rates to bargain-basement levels. It provided a huge backstop for the dysfunctional housing sector, buying $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities, nearly one-fourth of the market. Flooding Wall Street with money saved the banks, but it didn't work for the real economy, where most Americans live and toil. And official Washington now appears to have opted for an unspoken policy of complacency. The Fed knows, even if politicians do not, the danger of sliding into a liquidity trap, which would utterly disarm its monetary tools. So the Fed wants Congress and the White House to borrow and spend more because, when the private sector is stalled and afraid to act, only the federal government can step in and provide the needed jump start. The country needs a stronger Fed--a central bank not afraid to use its awesome powers to help the real economy more directly. One of the ways it can do this is by revisiting--and extending--its bold ideas on debt relief. By harnessing the power of money creation, the Fed can help clear away the overhang of mortgage and student debt holding back the economic recovery. This policy note draws from articles originally published in "The Nation". Portions are republished with permission.


Power consumption has become one of the biggest challenges in design of high performance microprocessors. In this paper we present a design technique using GALs (Globally-Asynchronous Locally- Synchronous) for implementing asynchronous ALUs, which aims to eliminate the global clock. Here ALUs are designed with delay insensitive dual rail four phase logic and CMOS domino logic. It ensures economy in silicon area and potentially for low power consumption. This has been described and implemented in order to achieve a high performance in comparison with synchronous and available asynchronous design. Also simulation results, show significant reduction in the number of transistors as well as delay.


Advances have been made in the theory and implementation of constructability in many developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. This is not observed in the Malaysian construction industry. This research aimed to narrow this gap. The first objective of this study is to establish statistical models to describe constructability implementation in the Malaysian construction industry so that an insight on the factors contributing to the constructability implementation can
be established. The second objective is to evaluate the independent factors affecting constructability implementation in the Malaysian construction industry.
The research findings were based on an industry wide questionnaire survey and four case studies: two highways projects, a cable stayed bridge and a sport complex. These case studies underpinned the results of the survey. A series of logistic predictive models were developed to assist managers in predicting the probabilities of successful implementation of the constructability concepts in their organizations, based on the estimates and the odds ratios of the independent factors. This provides a quantitative approach to constructability implementation in the Malaysian construction industry. The study reveals that five out of the eight examined factors significantly (p<O.50) affect constructability implementation. These are organization type, level of education, design experience, construction experience and engineers' attitude. The five significant factors can be used to enhance the Malaysian construction industry. The first significant factor of education level is more difficult to control than the other factors. The second and third significant factors of design experience and construction experience can be controlled through acquiring of knowledge and better access to information. The fourth significant factor of the engineers' attitude towards constructability implementation can be enhanced through publishing constructability guides. The fifth significant factor of organization type entails targeting engineers in client and consultant organizations more than the engineers in contracting and construction management organizations.


Self-propelled microswimmers are biological organisms or synthetic objects that propel themselves through the surrounding fluid. Examples are sperm, various swimming bacteria such as Escherichia coli, the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and artificial bimetallic rods that catalyze chemical reactions in the surrounding hydrogen peroxide.
Even though these swimmers differ in their size and driving mechanism, they can be classified as having pusher or puller polarity, which means that they are driven from the rear or the front, respectively.
To study the differences in the dynamics of swimmers of different polarity, we develop a general model of rod-like swimmers and perform simulations in three dimensions, employing a particle-based mesoscopic simulation technique (multi-particle collision dynamics) for the hydrodynamic interactions.

In the center of our interest are the interactions of swimmers with walls and with each other at higher densities. In the dilute case, we find that all polarities (pusher, puller and neutral) show surface adhesion, the strongest in the pusher case.
For pushers, this adhesion originates from sterical alignment with the wall and hydrodynamic attraction towards the wall, making them swim closest to the wall.
For pullers, we show that they swim at a slightly larger distance from the wall than pushers, and that they are inclined towards the wall by a hydrodynamic repulsion of their middle part, which also leads to strong surface adhesion.
We also measure the attractive force between pusher and wall and compare it to the dipole model, which is a commonly used far-field approximation for the flow surrounding polar swimmers.

Previous studies of self-propelled swimmers at high density were mostly performed in two dimensions or neglected either hydrodynamics or excluded-volume interactions.
Using an efficient parallelization on GPU hardware, we are able to study the collective behavior of rods in three dimensions at various densities and driving forces, taking into account hydrodynamics and excluded-volume interactions. Our findings emphasize the importance of the polarity of swimmers:
Neutrally propelled rods interact weakly via hydrodynamics, but display an isotropic-nematic phase transition at lower critical densities than passive rods.
Pusher rods align parallel with each other and form medium sized motile clusters that can develop into flow defects such as jets and swirls. The clusters primarily swim close to the surfaces, where the rod concentration is highest. The surface aggregation decreases with increasing rod density. While polar order is apparent at short distances within the clusters, at longer scales the flow defects destroy the order. However, nematic order is found to be slightly positive at a system-wide scale for high-density systems, indicating that clusters can align with each other.
The clusters in puller systems are radically different. At low rod densities several small non-motile hedgehog-like clusters are formed at the walls, merging into one giant, system-spanning cluster at high rod densities. These giant clusters usually include a large fraction of all rods in the system. While these are jamming clusters, they are not static but deform slowly.
We conclude that the puller clusters are due to aster-like defects, which have been predicted for puller fluids, combined with excluded-volume interactions.

A more specific model for sperm swimming is also being investigated. This model has been shown to display surface adhesion in the dilute solution and the capability to cluster and synchronize motion between two sperm. In multi-sperm simulations, we demonstrate the formation of small clusters by straight swimming sperm, but we find the interactions to be too weak for cluster formation among bent sperm. In order to strengthen interactions, we modify the sinusoidal beat pattern such that it displays an increasing amplitude towards the end of the tail. This indeed extends the time of two synchronized sperm swimming together, compared to the previous model.


Unit 1 Shopping Day Unit 2 Mary Walks Home Unit 3 Elevator Romance Unit 4 A Son for Mr. and Mrs. Aversa? Unit 5 Is There a Face on Mars? Unit 6 Neighbors Unit 7 A Smart Mother Unit 8 Stuck! Unit 9 Binti to the Rescue Unit 10 Where Is Mrs. Zimmer? Unit 11 Fast Money Unit 12 Returning a Favor Unit 13 Help! I Can't Find My Apartment! Unit 14 A Big Tip


Under the current Major League Baseball Collective Bargaining Agreement ("CBA"), professional players are eligible to file for salary arbitration or free agency once they reach certain thresholds of service time in the league. In recent years, however, Major League Baseball teams have taken advantage of the construction of service time rules in order to artificially keep players under their control at lower salaries for one year longer than the rules appear to contemplate. The controversy surrounding service time manipulation hit its apex in 2015, when Chicago Cubs prospect Kris Bryant was kept in the minor league system just long enough to ensure that his team would gain an additional year of control over his contract before he would be eligible to file for free agency. This Note discusses the potential for players like Bryant to allege violations of the current CBA for service time manipulation, and argues that the service time manipulation debate should set the stage for a reformed service time system in negotiations for the next CBA.


Air pollution is a threat to cultural heritage because it accelerates the natural deterioration of monuments, palaces, churches, and archaeological ruins, which have an irreplaceable value. In the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA), there are 19 968 buildings registered as archaeological, historic, or artistic monuments. Some are built with calcareous rocks (limestone and marble) but many of them are made with andesite, tezontle and tuff stone. This paper reports for the first time the spatial distribution of the potential risk of deterioration on calcareous rocks in terms of surface recession with regard to Mexican cultural heritage in the MCMA for the base year 2007. The risk estimate was performed using Lipfert's damage function, only applicable to carbonate stones of medium and low porosity. These include mainly medium/high density limestone and marble. Carrara white marble has a density of 2.69 g cm –3 and a porosity of 0.37%, and limestone has a density of 2.2-2.6 g cm –3 and a porosity of 5-20%. For high porosity (low density) limestone the function would be applicable with a potential under-estimation. In this function, annual recession rate is a function of annual averages of precipitation, pH, and dry deposition of SO 2 and HNO 3 . Data from several meteorological monitoring networks, the MCMA air quality and acid deposition monitoring networks, and a 3D air quality model (MCCM) were interpolated in a GIS in order to obtain map layers for these variables. These overlaid maps were used to apply the Lipfert functions at the specific coordinates of a small sample of relevant historic or artistic monuments. The complexity of climate gradients, wind patterns, and emissions distribution within the Mexico Megacity leads to gradients as large as 50% in estimated recession rates using the Lipfert function at nearby sites made of the same type of building materials. The Comision Ambiental de la Megalopolis (Environmental Commission of the Megacity) divides the MCMA into five sectors. Differences in recession rates between them were, in 1990, as large as those between estimated values for Oviedo, Paris, and Prague in Europe for the period 1980-2000. Recession rates decreased by about 50% from 1990 to 2007, the base year for this report, due to the success of air pollution control actions focused on the protection of public health. Nevertheless, strong recession gradients are still expected for carbonate stone within the MCMA. The recession values reported in this work must be taken as conservative estimates due to the not yet optimal performance of 3D air quality models in urban meteorology and the high degree of uncertainty in modeling emissions inventories. Most notable is the SO 2 emissions inventory. These maps call for a program of experimental determination of recession rates for building materials that comprise a very large part of Mexico's unique cultural heritage. These maps should also be added to the critical level maps obtained for human exposure, crops, and ecosystems in order to properly estimate the actual cost of air pollution in the MCMA and the area under its influence.


Management practices for incarcerated terrorists is an important counterterrorism policy consideration. Moreover, there is a misconception that once incarcerated, terrorists cease to be a risk. If correctional management regimes are implemented poorly, terrorist prisoners may be afforded the opportunity to remain active while incarcerated, including the recruitment of other prisoners, and the planning of future attacks. Equally, they may be viewed as role models or martyrs for sympathisers to aspire to. Despite the magnitude of the consequences, there is no agreed approach to managing Australian terrorist prisoners. As such, a dichotomy of dominant models has emerged; that is, to either segregate terrorist prisoners, or conversely, to disperse them throughout the wider prisoner population. Each strategy presents its own set of benefits and risks. This paper compares the management practices for terrorist prisoners in the states of New South Wales and Victoria to determine the strengths and vulnerabilities of each of these approaches. The paper concludes that policy-makers should consider reassessing current strategies. It suggests that a focus that extends the immediate containment considerations to encompass post-release factors would bring benefits for society


Integrated community case management (ICCM) is a program that allowed Health Extension Workers (HEWs) treat the three most common childhood illnesses: pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria through delivering a closer and accessible care. In Ethiopia, this proven strategy was being implemented in selected districts of the regions but there were no sufficient evidences to decision-makers for improvement interventions. Cross-sectional study was conducted by including all functional health posts and HEWs from four randomly selected districts. Pre-tested structured questionnaires and observation checklist were used to collect data. Data was entered into Epi data version.3.1 and transported to SPSS v.21.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the determinants. 60 (60.6%) of the Health post were in good implementation category. 24 (15.3%) had only one HEW each, 26.8% had recommended three HEWs and 16 (16.2%) had no. HEWs mentored quarterly had three times better implementation (AOR) 3.14, 95% CI [1.65-6.52]). The services were less likely implemented in kebelles lacking any CHAs (AOR 0.47, 95% CI [0.19-0.83]). Health posts which were serving community for greater than eight hours per day had five times better implementation (AOR 5.33, 95% CI [2.58-9.33]). The study revealed that there is still a long way to go for better implementation of the program. Improving the program implementation needs a coordinated effort of all stakeholders at different levels. Nationally, preparing a system-wide approach towards resolving multifaceted challenges facing the programs will help attain the sectorial mission of reducing child mortality.

 Key words: Integrated community case management, health extension workers, community health agents.


Statistics have shown that 30% of women in the UK experience childbirth as traumatising, and some may as a consequence go on to experience symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, some women do not go on to develop PTSD. As this is a relatively common occurrence, an important question is: How do women who experience a difficult birth develop resilience? Research has mainly focused on the development of PTSD in such women and researchers have therefore recently tried to shift the focus to positive outcomes following a traumatic birth. The focus of positive outcomes has mainly been around post-traumatic growth and researchers have called for more investigations into the area of resilience. At present, research is still sparse in the area of traumatic birth and resilience. Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the process of fostering resilience after a traumatic birth. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight female participants aged 30 to 50 years who experienced a traumatic childbirth. A constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse interviews. Results: A new model of the process of resilience following a traumatic birth was devised, which emerged from the data. The core category of 'The Journey towards Resilience following a Traumatic Birth' was described and connected to the five following categories: Category 1: Traumatic birth: To be cared for ‒ who's accountable?; Category 2: Moving towards faith and spirituality; Category 3: Motherhood becomes you; Category 4: Supportive relationships; Category 5: Self-care ‒ as a way of owning my journey. Discussion: The model suggests that the journey towards resilience is a process whereby women move towards internal or external resources or both at different points on their journey. This study brings new findings to the area of traumatic birth and resilience which will help guide counselling psychologists and health professionals on how to promote resilience in birthing mothers.


The representation of complex biomolecular structures and interactions is a difficult challenge across life sciences. Researchers and students use unintuitive 2D representations to gain an intuitive understanding of 3D space and molecular interactions. Since this is cumbersome for complex structures, such as protein-ligand interactions, several solutions have been proposed to help elucidate the 3D space. However, these representations are often static or do not fully leverage the interactivity that modern computing systems can provide. Our solution, Molecular Interaction using New Technology (MINT), is the first "gaming" platform to effectively represent and manipulate structures in 3D space using virtual reality while simultaneously scoring biomolecular interactions in real-time. Utilizing this combination of manipulation and real-time feedback, MINT provides scientists with an intuitive and effective method for drug discovery. We hope the combination of an intuitive interface with a powerful chemistry backend will expand molecular understanding and drug discovery for scientists and non-scientists.


Under the Article 22 of the Slovenian Constitution the right to equal protection of rights guarantees the right to state the facts and submit evidence, the right to be present at the taking of evidence and to be informed on the results of the taking of evidence. The principle of free assessment is a fundamental principle in Slovenian civil procedure included in Article 8 of the CPA. In the system of free assessment the judge is the one to evaluate the evidence without being bound by any formal rules on probative value of certain evidence. Probative value depends only on individual belief or conviction of the trial judge in each matter separately. The free assessment of evidence is the right and duty of the court to assess each piece of evidence separately and collectively. In the evidence-taking stage the CPA includes the special rules for each type of evidence, meant as a minimum guarantee for the right free assessment of the taken evidence and the free assessment of evidence presupposes that the evidence were taken by this rules. Even though, court decides which evidence will be produced for determination of the ultimate facts, the court is bound by the parties' right to propose evidence – with their procedural burden of proof. If the court rejects the proposal of a certain piece of evidence this rejections must be explained. In the following book the author discusses the key principles of the law of evidence in Slovenian civil procedure. The book provides analysis of the law of evidence, while placing the subject within its theoretical context. The subject is presented in a logical structure following on from the introduction of the basic principles through the rules for burden of proof, types of evidence, costs of evidence, the question of unlawful evidence, and the cross-border taking of evidence.


To characterize the fungal pathogen responsible for loquat scab and establish differences in pathogenicity in loquat, eight strains identified as Fusicladium eriobotryae were isolated from either loquat leaves or fruit showing scab symptoms in Spain. Loquat plants belonging to the cv. Peluche were infected via a newly developed infection system that was based on spraying susceptible loquat plants with fungal spore suspensions, keeping the plants for 1 week in 100% humidity, and then transferring the plants to ambient relative humidity in greenhouses. Scab symptoms were analyzed and pathogenic characterization of all F. eriobotryae strains revealed different degrees of aggressiveness. Based on infection progression and severity of scab symptoms, strain ST1 was confirmed as the most aggressive in cultivars in the Mediterranean region. Strain ST1, which even caused chlorotic spots in loquat stems, is so aggressive it can be used to identify highly resistant cultivars using this in vivo system. Molecular characterization of internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA and, particularly, the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, clearly distinguished loquat strains from Venturia inaequalis. Moreover, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite-primed polymerase chain reaction techniques were used to qualitatively discriminate between species and report the variations within fungal populations. Molecular variability was checked by comparing all the different strains and enabled the specific identification of F. eriobotryae. Although no association was observed between any pattern and phenotypic traits, such as aggressiveness, RAPD provided a specific profile that allowed fungal identification.


Abstract An animal model was applied to predict genetic merit for Ayrshire milk yield. The model included fixed herd-year-season (32,287) and random herd-sire interaction (32,159), permanent environment, animal, and residual effects. Animals evaluated included 119,541 cows with 301,799 records, 5762 sires, and 11,893 dams without records. Genetic groups (36) were defined for unknown parents and parents not contributing ties or records. Groups were defined by sex of parent and by birth year and sex of animal with unknown parent. Evaluations included combinations of these group effects derived from tracing each path in pedigree back to an unknown parent group. Iteration was by Gauss-Seidel for herd-year-season, permanent environment, and herd-sire interaction effects and by second-order Jacobi for animal and genetic group effects. Iteration was conducted without forming mixed model equations; instead one copy of data sorted by herd and sire was read each round. About 3.5s of central processing unit time on a Cray X-MP/48 was required per round for the complete model; herd-sire interaction contributed .7s and later lactations, 1.6s. Large memory requirements were reduced by evaluating most animals in groups of herds including up to 2500 cows. Information for animals with progeny outside their herd group remained in memory throughout iteration. Genetic evaluations by an animal model that includes factors presently in the national evaluation system can be computed with present computer resources. Application to major dairy cattle breeds appears possible.


ABSTRACT "Taking back" has long been a rallying call of urban social movements asserting land rights. This call often involves seeking to ward off dispossession by taking possession. Scholars rethinking property beyond the normative "ownership model" have explored the seeming paradoxicality of resisting dispossession through legal forms of possession that reproduce deprivation. In this paper, I consider the possibilities for taking back the concept of possession itself by examining claims to "vacant" property in Philadelphia. I put taking back through a citywide "land bank" in conversation with the taking over of a poor people's movement that occupies government-owned properties as a means of survival and political mobilization. I argue that outside or on the edge of legal recognition, the effort to take back property functions not as an end in itself, but rather as an explicitly political taking on of the notion of possessive ownership.


Basic granulites frequently occur in garnetiferous quartzo-feldspathic gneisses and rarely in garnetiferous sillimanite gneisses, calc-silicate rocks and quartzites in the entire Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB). Commonly these basic layers are parallel to the foliation and are occasionally boudinaged. These share a common tectonic and metamorphic history with those of the associated litho-units. There are also unusual basic granulite dykes which crosscut the foliation in quartzo-feldspathic gneisses, folded calc-silicate rocks and basic granulites at Maruturu near Anakapalle in the EGGB. The two generations of basic granulites are even grained with a polygonal annealed mosaic and characterised by the mineral assemblage: coexisting pyroxenes and plagioclase. The mineral composition data of coexisting pyroxenes indicate large scale equilibrium at granulite facies conditions. Both types of basic granulites have almost similar bulk composition and have tholeiitic affinity. The basic granulite dykes have low contents of REE with a smooth distribution pattern and a general decrease from LREE to HREE. The revival of basic magmatism during post D1 and D2 at Maruturu reveals that extensional set-up recurs in the EGGB. The basic granulites of Maruturu are correlated with Proterozoic metabasic dykes in East Antarctica and Western Australia. The 1300 Ma basic granulites reported in Maruturu and Rayagada in the vicinity of Maruturu indicate that these intrusive basic bodies are coeval with the dyking events in Eastern Albany Mobile Belt in Western Australia and Vestfold Hill Block in Prydz Bay region in East Anatarctica.


The identification of various life stages of three species of cockroaches was accomplished by using gas chromatography for the quantitative determination of cuticular hydrocarbon components. Dried and frozen specimens of wild and laboratory samples of the closely related species, Blattella asahinai Mizukubo and B. germanica (L.), were identified by inspection of chromatographic data. The cuticular hydrocarbons of each species were identified by mass spectrometry and found to be quite unlike those of the distantly related B. vaga Hebard. A statistical technique is described that provides a quantitative approach to numerical pattern recognition of chromatograms for identifying Asian and German cockroaches. In an experiment conducted to evaluate the operational efficiency of this technique for species identification, 63 blind samples of whole cockroaches (37), oothecae (6), and legs, wings, or cast skins (20) from German-like cockroaches including hybrids, were successfully identified.


The idea of preference reversal and construction of preference is not new to literature in decision making. Indeed, several theories have been developed to explain it. (Lichtenstein and Slovic, 2006). The present paper considers heuristics activated in different elicitation procedures applied in time preference research. I show that activation of these rules in correspondence with different elicitation methods leads to observation of a particular pattern most frequently reported in time preference literature: hyperbolic discounting. In particular, I analyze two most diffused elicitation procedures, matching task and two variations of choice task in multiple price list format (MPL). In a series of experiments I demonstrate that matching task is characterized by choice of focal amounts and anchoring to previously reported amount. At the same time, choice in MPL format largely depends on the structure of the list from which the choice is made. I study two widely used structures of MPL choice task format: (a) MPL with nominal structure (Green et al, 1997), where choice alternatives correspond to the same nominal amounts that are available at different time horizons; (b) MPL with interest rate structure (Coller and Williams, 1999), in which monetary alternatives at each time horizon in consideration are constructed as increases corresponding to a fixed interest rate. Although these two elicitation structures activate similar decision processes they lead to observation of qualitatively different results that are in large part defined by the underlying structure of the list of alternatives. I show that matching task and MPL with nominal structure lead to observation of hyperbolic evidence, that could be of different kinds depending on the structure of MPL table. At the same time, elicitation with MPL with interest rate structure leads to observation of rather stable time preference that can be well approximated by exponential discounting.


Herein, we report the preparation of nucleobase-containing synthetic amphiphilic diblock copolymers using RAFT polymerization. Well-defined spherical micelles can be formed in aqueous solutions through the self-assembly of the amphiphilic copolymers, with the nucleobase functionality sequestered in the core of the particles. Following assembly, copolymers with the complementary nucleobase were introduced into the preformed micellar solutions. This addition induced a change in nanostructure size and morphology and this reorganization was fully characterized by DLS, TEM, SLS and SAXS analysis. The insertion of copolymers with the complementary nucleobase into formed micelles was also confirmed by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. For micelles consisting of moderately short hydrophobic blocks, upon the addition of complementary nucleobase copolymer a decrease in size was observed but without any accompanying morphological change. For micelles formed from longer hydrophobic blocks, a morphological transition from spheres to cylinders and then to smaller spheres was observed upon increasing the amount of the complementary copolymer. This work highlights how complementary nucleobase interactions can be used to induce nanostructure reorganization and through a simple mixing process provide access to different nanostructure sizes and morphologies.


This thesis investigates the innovation process of frugal innovations at the grassroots level from ideation, to development and finally market entry. Existing literature is focused mostly on frugal innovations in a corporate environment. Nevertheless, also people living at the bottom of the pyramid have potential to innovate useful products. For these innovations the thesis establishes the concept local frugal innovations to emphasize their uniqueness inside the general frugal innovation discourse. The research is an exploratory case study using three cases from India representing frugal innovations at the grassroots level. Firstly, Mitticool which is a refrigerator made out of clay. Secondly, low-cost sanitary napkins and a machine to produce these napkins locally in villages. Thirdly a milking machine which operates without electricity. The data material is collected mainly from secondary sources using online data and visual data. The innovation process of frugal innovations at the grassroots level is different in comparison with the traditional innovation process. Local frugal innovators get the idea for the innovation from a problem either he or his family members suffer from it. In the case of local frugal innovations studied in this thesis, the innovator is not highly educated nor a scientist, but rather learning by doing and by using the means at hand. Throughout most of the innovation process the innovator acts alone. The contribution to literature is the understanding of local frugal innovations and the innovation process. The study shows that the process for local frugal innovations is rather simple, flowing from idea to research and development, finally arriving at a final product. It is only at this point that external support enters the picture. The innovators have the capacity to conduct necessary research on their own, despite the limited access to financial and other resources. The solution is a holistic answer to the problem, including for instance also the aspect of local rural employment. The innovation can be used widely to people like the innovator himself.


EGYPT Pyramids and Nightclubs: A Travel Ethnography of Arab and Western Imaginations of Egypt, from King Tut and a Colony of Atlantis to Rumors of Sex Orgies, Urban Legends about a Marauding Prince, and Blonde Belly Dancers, by L.L. Wynn. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2007. xv + 225 pages. Notes to p. 246. Bibl. to p. 265. Index to p. 279. $24.95 paper. Reviewed by James Jankowski The sprawling title of this work is appropriate; it is a sprawling book. Yet it is not unstructured. Its main focus, a comparison of the differing nature of Western and Arab tourism in Egypt and how contact with each group contributes to the Egyptian sense of national identity ("through encounters with Others, the Self is defined"; p. 21), is original in conception and by and large well executed in practice. It is also an enjoyable book: the work's personal tone, its reliance on the vivid narration of Egyptian experiences and of popular opinion as gathered in interviews, and its lavish use of photographs, all contribute to making the work an evocative portrait of contemporary Egypt. Substantively, three themes are interwoven in its Introduction and six chapters. The first, developed most fully in Chapter One ("Ethics and Methodology of a Transnational Anthropology") but discussed intermittently thereafter, is a candid account of the practical as well as the ethical difficulties of a Westerner doing anthropological fieldwork in Egypt. The author is admirably transparent in analyzing the limitations imposed on her research by both bonds of friendship and official barriers, and how such restraints determined the nature of the study (qualitative rather than quantitative; relying on "thick description" through the extended narration of key anecdotes and case studies). The candor with which the author discusses methodological issues makes it a useful primer for anyone intending to do research in Egypt, as well as a nostalgic read for anyone who has experienced the joys of dealing with the Egyptian bureaucracy. Chapters Two and Three, ostensibly devoted to examining the nature of Western tourism in Egypt, in reality devote most of their attention to the history of the Western fascination with ancient Egypt and to the impact of different Western interpretations of ancient Egypt on Egyptian perceptions of their history. The discussion of the historical development of the discipline of Egyptology in Chapter Two is conventional and somewhat sensationalist, stressing the swashbuckling origins of the discipline and the resulting plunder of Egypt's antique heritage by Western archeologists and institutions. …


Objective: The bio-efficacy of Tephrosia purpurea leaf extract and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus sphaericus larvicidal activity was assessed against the first to fourth instars larvae of Aedes aegypti, under the laboratory conditions. Methods: The plant material was shade dried at room temperature and powdered coarsely. T. purpurea and B. sphaericus show the various concentrations of larvicidal and pupicidal activity against various instars larvae of A. aegypti. Results: The LC50 of T. purpurea against the first to fourth instars larvae were 139.24, 176.24, 219.28, 256.27, and 326.29 ppm and the 480.72, 541.21, 580.34, 672.20, and 762.80 ppm, respectively. B. sphaericus against the first to fourth instars larvae the LC50 values were 46.16, 56.23, 69.82, 80.81 and 96.12 ppm and the LC90 values 141.68, 172.46, 184.21, 193.31 and 218.16 ppm, respectively. However, the combined treatment of T. purpurea + B. sphaericus (1:2) material shows highest larvicidal activity of the LC50 values 80.08, 82.21, 88.00, 92.21 and 98.16 ppm; The LC90 values of 108.39, 118.71, 136.75, 149.02 and 153.24 ppm, against A. aegypti in all the tested concentrations than the individuals and clearly established that there is a substantial amount of synergist act. Conclusion: The present study reported that both T. purpurea and B. sphaericus materials could serve as a potential larvicidal agent. Since, A. aegypti is a container breeder vector mosquito this user and eco-friendly and low-cost vector control strategy could be a viable solution to the existing dengue disease burden. Therefore, this study provides first report on the mosquito larvicidal activity the combined effect of T. purpurea leaf extract and B. sphaericus against as target species of A. aegypti.


Most books on architecture start when a building is completed, carefully editing out any evidence
of the design and production process. As a result, architecture is often seen as a product
rather than a process.
The Architecture Chronicle is about architecture as a practice. It has two parts. The book Blur:
the Making of Nothing, by Diller and Scofidio, has informed the format of part one. Blur book
reports on the design and construction process of Blur building from initial design ideas to the
completion of the building. Part one is a diary reporting on the realisation of five stage sets
and one urban intervention realised over a period of four years, starting on 16 December
2003. The diary is intercepted by references that are, where appropriate, carefully integrated
in the overall design. The book Delirious New York: A retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan, by
Rem Koolhaas, tells the story of the building of New York with the author taking on the role of
a 'ghost writer'1, putting into perspective the 'mountains of evidence'2 to discover patterns,
methodologies and strategies. Part two is such a 'retroactive manifesto'3, mining the projects
in the diary for strategies that re-appear and fortify throughout The Architecture Chronicle.
In his book Words and Buildings: A Vocabulary of Modern Architecture, Adrian Forty observes
that the pre-Renaissance architect worked on the building site amongst other tradesmen in an
environment of dispersed authorship. It was his ability to draw and to write, acquired during
the Italian Renaissance, that allowed the architect to remove himself from the site of construction
and to upgrade his status from anonymous craftsman amongst others to artistic creator.
New procurement methods have changed the role of the architect in contemporary construction
projects. To minimise liability, and as a result of the increased specialisation of building
professionals, contemporary buildings are designed by a design team. This threatens the status
of the architect as artistic creator. Today, the architect operates once again in an environment
of dispersed authorship as a member of the design team working alongside other design
professionals. Drawings are more often produced by visualisers, engineers and sub-contractors
than by architects while text is more often written by surveyors or specifiers.
To maintain his status as artisitc creator, the architect in The Architecture Chronicle takes on
three distinct characters. The architect-inventor challenges conventions and questions the
social status quo. The architect-activist transgresses the boundary of the profession and
enters the construction process. The architect-arbitrator engages the audience to realise the
ambitious project. The Architecture Chronicle concludes that the contemporary architect still
draws and writes, but that it is often the architect's ability to engage and direct that asserts
his or her status. To assert his or her status in the design team, the architect's ability to talk
and to act is more important than his or her ability to draw and write.


This article employs data on current volume and contracts approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to document the history of approvals, launches, and successes of all contracts in U.S. futures and futures options markets. Approximately 59 percent of futures contracts and 73 percent of options that have been launched, no longer trade. Futures contracts on financial instruments have been the most successful futures, while options on financial futures have been the least successful options. For exchanges with at least 20 launches, the most successful in launching futures has been the New York Cotton Exchange, while the most successful in launching options has been the New York Mercantile Exchange. The article examines 13 cases in which competing products were launched nearly simultaneously and finds no clear-cut winner in head-to-head competition. In the majority of cases, both contracts failed.


Aims: To explore: how satisfied people with severe mental illness (SMI) are with the support received during the pandemic; understand any difficulties encountered when accessing both mental health and primary care services; consider ways to mitigate these difficulties; and assess the perceived need for future support from mental health services. Materials and Methods: A representative sample was drawn from a large transdiagnostic clinical cohort of people with SMI, which was recruited between April 2016 and March 2020. The sample was re-surveyed a few months after the beginning of the restrictions. Descriptive frequency statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. The free text responses were analysed thematically. Results: 367 participants responded to the survey. Two thirds were receiving support from mental health services with the rest supported in primary care or self-managing. A quarter thought they would need more mental health support in the coming year. Half had needed to used community mental health services during the pandemic and the majority had been able to get support. A minority reported that their mental health had deteriorated but they had either not got the supported they wanted or had not sought help. The biggest service change was the reduction in face-to-face appointments and increasing use of phone and video call support. Nearly half of those using mental health services found this change acceptable or even preferred it; acceptability was influenced by several factors. Participants were more likely to be satisfied with support received when seen in person. Discussion: Although most participants were satisfied with the mental health support they had received, a minority were not. This, couple with findings on future need for mental health support has implications for post pandemic demand on services. Remote care has brought benefits but also risks that it could increase inequalities in access to services.


A major goal of contemporary neuroscience research is to map the structural connectivity of mammalian brain using microscopy imaging data. In this context, the reconstruction of densely labeled axons from two-photon microscopy images is a challenging and important task. The visually overlapping, crossing, and often strongly distorted images of the axons allow many ambiguous interpretations to be made. We address the problem of tracking axons in densely labeled samples of neurons in large image data sets acquired from marmoset brains. Our high-resolution images were acquired using two-photon microscopy and they provided whole brain coverage, occupying terabytes of memory. Both the image distortions and the large data set size frequently make it impractical to apply present-day neuron tracing algorithms to such data due to the optimization of such algorithms to the precise tracing of either single or sparse sets of neurons. Thus, new tracking techniques are needed. We propose a probabilistic axon tracking algorithm (PAT). PAT tackles the tracking of axons in two steps: locally (L-PAT) and globally (G-PAT). L-PAT is a probabilistic tracking algorithm that can tackle distorted, cluttered images of densely labeled axons. L-PAT divides a large micrograph into smaller image stacks. It then processes each image stack independently before mapping the axons in each image to a sparse model of axon trajectories. G-PAT merges the sparse L-PAT models into a single global model of axon trajectories by minimizing a global objective function using a probabilistic optimization method. We demonstrate the superior performance of PAT over standard approaches on synthetic data. Furthermore, we successfully apply PAT to densely labeled axons in large images acquired from marmoset brains.


Using Monte-Carlo modelling, an investigation into a suitable loaded scintillator for localising neutron capture in a novel neutron survey meter has been undertaken. A comparison of estimated neutron capture location in a scintillator with Geant4 and MCNP simulations was undertaken and a good general agreement between the two models was observed. The interactions of γ emissions from neutron capture in the scintillator are investigated. The results show that the γ emission from neutron capture will not aid neutron capture localisation and will only inhibit it. It is observed that the lithium-loaded scintillator has the lowest neutron capture efficiency when compared with boron and gadolinium scintillators. However, it is the most promising of the detectors investigated in this research for use in a novel neutron survey meter design.


Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease, affecting many organs including the liver, intestines, respiratory and reproductive tracts, bone, heart, spleen, gall bladder, and pancreas (Table 1) [1]. It is the pulmonary manifestations that account for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with CF [2]. The CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein is central to CF disease. CFTR is a cyclic adenosine monophosphateactivated, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter protein (Figure 1). Expressed in submucosal glands and the apical membranes of epithelial cells in the liver, pancreas, intestines, reproductive tract, and lungs, the CFTR normally functions as a chloride channel. Individuals with CF have mutations in the CFTR gene. More than 1800 CFTR mutations have been identified to date. A subgroup of CFTR mutations are disease-causing and, as CF is an autosomal recessive disease, two alleles with such mutations are required to cause the disease. CFTR mutations can be grouped into six classes (I–VI) depending on whether they affect the expression, processing, or activity of CFTR, or a combination of these [3,4]. For example, the class III glycine to aspartic acid mutation at codon 551 (G551D) leads to a CFTR channel defect, whereas the class II deletion of phenylalanine mutation at codon 508 (ΔF508) results in a CFTR protein that is aberrantly folded and defectively processed in the endoplasmic reticulum. CFTR alleles with the ΔF508 mutation account for approximately 70% of mutated CFTR alleles worldwide; 64% of the Irish CF population is homozygous for ΔF508, while 94% carry the ΔF508 mutation on at least one chromosome [5].


Increased upper airways (UA) collapsibility has been implicated in the pathogeny of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). An increased UA instability during expiration has recently been shown in healthy subjects. The present study assessed UA collapsibility in SDB patients by applying negative pressure during expiration. Full-night polysomnography was performed in 16 subjects (all snorers) with a wide range of SDB, and in six healthy control subjects. Physical examination, spirometry, and maximal inspiratory and expiratory flow rates were within normal limits for all 22 subjects. Negative expiratory pressure (NEP) (-5 cmH2O) was applied during quiet breathing in seated and supine position. Flow limitation (FL) during NEP was expressed as the percentage of tidal volume during which expiratory flow was less than or equal to the flow recorded during quiet breathing (%FL). The mean desaturation index (DI) of the 16 subjects was 27.3+/-26.4 (+/-sD) and the average FL in supine position was 38.4+/-37.9%. A close correlation between %FL supine during wakefulness and DI during sleep (r=0.84, p<0.001) was found. All obstructive sleep apnoea subjects had >30%FL supine. There was no FL in the six control subjects. In conclusion, negative expiratory pressure application during expiration appears to be a useful, noninvasive method for the evaluation of subjects with sleep-disordered breathing. Present results suggest that upper airway collapsibility can be detected in these subjects during wakefulness.


This study aims to develop the persuasive theory model in explaining the adoption of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB). DMB services were unveiled in Korea on December 1, 2005, marking the beginning of a full-fledged mobile TV era for the country. I established hypothesis under the objectives of study such as which factors can explain customers' adoption most properly and how it can be structured based on expanded technology acceptance model (ETAM). The results are threefold. First, the applicability of technology acceptance model (TAM) based on research of Davis (1989), was revealed to be supported. Second, two factors, socio-cultural influence (SCI) and network externalities, were derived as the external factors that can expand TAM in explaining adoption of DMB. Finally, results support use of the extended TAM as an explainer in the context of DMB adoption as information technology (IT).


This paper assesses the validity of the perception-based governance indicators used by the US Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) for aid allocation decisions. By conducting Explanatory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of data from 1996 to 2009, we find that although the MCA purports to measure seven distinct dimensions of governance, only two discrete underlying dimensions, the perceived 'participatory dimension of governance' and the perceived 'overall quality of governance,' can be identified. Our results also show that some of the doubts that have been raised concerning the validity of perception-based governance indicators are less warranted when the indicators are applied exclusively to developing countries. UU


This article presents findings from a study carried out in Keko Machungwa informal settlement in Dar es Salaam under the auspices of the Disaster Management Training Centre of Ardhi University, Tanzania. The settlement has experienced frequent flooding in the past five years, and this study explores the causes, risks, extent of flooding and coping strategies of residents as well as municipality and city officials. Key methods employed in capturing empirical evidence included mapping of zones by severity of flooding, interviews with households, sub-ward leaders, and municipal and city officials. Non-participant observation, primarily taking photographs, complemented these methods. Laboratory tests of water samples taken from shallow wells in the settlement were performed to establish the level of pollution. In addition, records of prevalence of water-borne diseases were gathered from a dispensary within the settlement to corroborate flooding events, water pollution and occurrence of such diseases. Findings show that flooding is contributed to by the lack of a coordinated stormwater drainage system; haphazard housing development within the valley; and blocking of the water stream by haphazard dumping of solid waste and construction. Risks associated with flooding include water and air pollution, diseases, waterlogging and blocked accessibility. The most common coping strategies at household level are use of sandbags and tree logs; raised pit latrines and doorsteps; provision of water outlet pipes above plinth level; construction of embankments, protection walls and elevation of house foundations; seasonal displacement; and boiling and chemical treatment of water. Recommendations for future action at household, community and city level are made.


Optimal solutions to Stochastic Shortest Path Problems (SSPs) usually require that there exists at least one policy that reaches the goal with probability 1 from the initial state. This condition is very strong and prevents from solving many interesting problems, for instance where all possible policies reach some dead-end states with a positive probability. We introduce a more general and richer dual optimization criterion, which minimizes the average (undiscounted) cost of only paths leading to the goal among all policies that maximize the probability to reach the goal. We present policy update equations in the form of dynamic programming for this new dual criterion, which are different from the standard Bellman equations, but produce the same solution if there exists one policy leading to the goal with probability 1 from the initial state. We demonstrate that our equations converge in infinite horizon without any condition on the structure of the problem or on its policies, which actually extends the class of SSPs that can be solved. We experimentally show that our dual criterion provides well-founded solutions to SSPs that can not be solved by the standard criterion, and that using a discount factor with the latter certainly provides solution policies but which are not optimal considering our well-founded criterion.


This paper presents results from a calibrated welfare model of the UK mobile telephony market which includes many mobile networks; calls to and from the fixed network; networkbased price discrimination; and call externalities. The analysis focuses on the short-run effects of adopting lower mobile termination rates (MTRs) on total welfare, consumer surplus and profits. Our simulations show that reducing MTRs broadly in line with the recent European Commission Recommendation to either "long-run incremental cost"; reciprocal termination charges with fixed networks; or "bill-and-keep" (i.e. zero termination rates), increases social welfare, consumer surplus and networks' profits. Depending on the strength of call externalities, social welfare may increase by as much as £360 million to £2.5 billion per year. The analysis thus lends support to a move away from fully-allocated cost pricing and towards much lower MTRs, with bill-and-keep frequently leading to the highest increase in welfare when call externalities matter. We also apply the model to estimate the welfare effects of the recently-approved merger between Orange and T-Mobile under two different scenarios concerning MTRs.


Exosomes play an important role in intercellular communication by delivering microRNAs to recipient cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived exosomes improve functional recovery after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was performed to determine efficacy of miR-17-92 cluster-enriched exosomes (Exo-17-92) harvested from human bone marrow MSCs transfected with a miR-17-92 cluster plasmid in enhancing tissue and neurological recovery compared to exosomes derived from MSCs transfected with an empty plasmid vector (Exo-empty) for treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adult male rats were subjected to a unilateral moderate cortical contusion. Animals received a single intravenous injection of miR-17-92 cluster-enriched exosomes (100 µg/rat, approximately 3.75x1011 particles, Exo-17-92) or control exosomes (100 µg/rat, Exo-empty) or Vehicle (phosphate-buffered solution) 1 day after injury. A battery of neurological functional tests were performed weekly after TBI for 5 weeks. Spatial learning and memory were measured on days 31-35 after TBI using the Morris water maze test. All animals were sacrificed 5 weeks after injury. Their brains were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of lesion volume, cell loss, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neuroinflammation. Compared to the vehicle, both Exo-17-92 and Exo-empty treatments significantly improved sensorimotor and cognitive function, reduced neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal cell loss, promoted angiogenesis and neurogenesis without altering the lesion volume. Moreover, Exo-17-92 treatment exhibited a significantly more robust therapeutic effect on improvement in functional recovery by reducing neuroinflammation and cell loss, enhancing angiogenesis and neurogenesis than did Exo-empty treatment. Exosomes enriched with miR-17-92 cluster have a significantly better effect on improving functional recovery after TBI compared to Exo-empty, likely by reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing endogenous angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Engineering specific miRNA in exosomes may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of unilateral moderate cortical contusion TBI.


In ruminant-forage systems herbage allowance (HAL) has a major impact on grazing intensity and sward structure, affecting animals, plants, and ultimately, pasture yield. Data on HAL responses of tropical cultivated pastures are scarce and this information may be useful in optimizing pasture utilization. The objective of this study was to describe and contrast sward structure and herbage accumulation responses of 'Marandu' palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (A.Rich.) Stapf] pastures to HAL during two grazing seasons (warm-rainy season of 2003 and 2004). Treatments were four daily HAL levels, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg herbage mass per 100 kg live weight (%) in a rotational stocking system with 35 days of grazing cycle (28-day rest; 7-d grazing). Post-graze swards were shorter (~17 cm) under 5% HAL. For the other HAL levels, postgraze sward height increased throughout the experiment (21 to 50 cm). Changes in sward light interception (LI) were highly associated with height, but differed across HALs in 2004. Early in the 2003 season, HAL increases resulted in linear increase of the daily herbage accumulation rate (HAR; 47, 66, 78, and 98 kg DM ha-1 d-1 for 5, 10, 15 and 20%-HAL, respectively). For the subsequent grazing cycles of 2003 and all through 2004, HAR decreased with increasing HAL. This was associated with the excessive increase in sward height and mean forage mass, caused by lower grazing intensity. The use of lax (high) HAL to maximize animal performance, especially 10, 15 and 20%-HAL, resulted in decreased pasture performance (lower herbage accumulation, HAC) in palisadegrass pastures.


When scheduling drivers for public transport, in addition to covering the demand and dealing with the spatial dimension, a range of legal requirements, collective agreements and company policies need to be respected. The level of concentration required while driving leads to strict rules for break assignments. This results in a complex problem where creating cost-efficient and employee-friendly schedules is challenging. This paper deals with bus driver scheduling using the rules of the Austrian collective agreement for private omnibus providers. The contributions are the formalization of the complex Austrian rules for bus drivers, a new set of publicly available instances based on the characteristics of real-life instances, and a metaheuristic solution approach for the problem. The algorithm was able to significantly improve the solutions of real-life instances and is evaluated on the generated instances. Further we provide insight in the necessity of objectives for employee satisfaction and their effects. Our method can even be successfully applied to improve results on a problem with very different constraints from Brasil.


The motion of a gas-liquid interface in a cylindrical capillary was studied. Stream function and vorticity equations were set up to describe a two dimensional flow in the liquid phase. Only momentum transfer is of interest; no heat transfer and mass transfer are involved. The driving force for flow is the pressure in gas phase; the surface tension is assumed negli¬ gible . Numerical solutions were obtained for a few time steps. The deformation of interface and the pattern of stream lines have been plotted.


Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells respond to bradykinin, and it has been suggested that the receptors on these cells do not fall into the normal B1/B2 classification of bradykinin receptors [J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 244:646-649 (1988)]. The present study describes a detailed characterization of the subtypes of bradykinin receptors on CPAE cells. The B1-selective agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin and the B2-selective agonist bradykinin both activated polyphosphoinositide phospholipase C (PLC), caused an elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and increased the rate of 45Ca2+ efflux in CPAE cells. The pharmacology of these responses was consistent with interactions with B1 and B2 receptors. The effects of maximal concentrations of bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin on the activity of PLC in populations of cells were not additive, suggesting that the two subtypes were expressed on the same cells. Indeed, des-Arg9-bradykinin and bradykinin both evoked increases in [Ca2+]i in 85% of single cells tested. The Ca2+ entry blocker NiCl2 inhibited bradykinin-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and 45Ca2+ efflux. In contrast, NiCl2 did not inhibit the increase in 45Ca2+ efflux evoked by des-Arg9-bradykinin and induced oscillatory increases in [Ca2+]i in response to the B1 agonist. NiCl2 had no effect on [3H]inositol trisphosphate generation by either agonist, indicating that its inhibitory effects on bradykinin-mediated Ca2+ responses were distal to B2 receptor-induced activation of PLC. LaCl3 did not differentiate between the 45Ca2+ efflux responses evoked by bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin, attenuating both to a similar degree. Bradykinin-induced [3H]inositol trisphosphate formation was desensitized after pretreatment with bradykinin, but the response to des-Arg9-bradykinin was unchanged. Pretreatment with the B1 agonist did not inhibit responses evoked by subsequent challenges with either des-Arg9-bradykinin or bradykinin. These results provide pharmacological evidence for the existence of two distinct bradykinin receptor subtypes (B1 and B2) on CPAE cells, with no evidence for heterologous desensitization. Although both subtypes operated similar signal transduction pathways, the Ca2+ responses evoked by the two receptors could be differentiated by NiCl2.


Nonlinear processes that rely on phase matching in optical fibers can be highly sensitive to the dispersive properties of the fibers. As an example of this sensitivity and of the resulting complex behavior that may occur, we show that multiple frequencies can be generated from a single pump frequency owing to stimulated four-photon mixing on single-mode fibers. We compare the nature of this multiple-frequency generation in two fibers with widely different dispersion characteristics.


Public acceptance of matters relating to radioactive waste management can properly be sought through education, but what are the particulars to be considered and what is the strategy for success? The issues of science, technology and society which must be addressed are explored here and seen to be inextricably related, so that none of them can gain adequate attention except it be presented in the context of the others. Such issues include the concept of acceptable levels of risk, which must become familiar and applied with no greater severity to the nuclear industry than to other aspects of life.


The death penalty is in decline in America and most death penalty states do not regularly impose death sentences. In 2016 and 2017, states reached modern lows in imposed death sentences, with just thirty-one defendants sentenced to death in 2016 and thirty-nine in 2017, as compared with over three hundred per year in the 1990s. In 2016, only thirteen states imposed death sentences, and in 2017, fourteen did so, although thirty-one states retain the death penalty. What explains this remarkable and quite unexpected trend? In this Article, we present new analysis of state-level legislative changes that might have been expected to impact death sentences. First, life without parole (LWOP) statutes, now enacted in nearly every state, might have been expected to reduce death sentences because they give jurors a non-capital option at trial. Second, legislatures have moved, albeit at varying paces, to comply with the Supreme Court's holding in Ring v. Arizona, which requires that the final decision in capital sentencing be made not by a judge, but by a jury. Third, states at different times have created state-wide public defender offices to represent capital defendants at trial. In addition, the decline in homicides and homicide rates could be expected to contribute to the decline in state-level death sentencing. We find that contrary to the expectations of many observers, changes in the law such as adoption of LWOP and jury sentencing, did not consistently or significantly impact death sentencing. The decline in homicides and homicide rates is correlated with changes in death sentencing at the state level. However, this Article finds that state provision of capital trial representation is far more strongly and robustly correlated with reduced death sentencing than these other factors. The findings bolster the argument that adequacy of counsel has greater implications for the administration of the death penalty than other legal factors. These findings also have implications beyond the death penalty and they underscore the importance of a structural understanding of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel in our system of criminal justice.