The effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on phenolic antioxidant extraction was studied in raspberry solid wastes. This by-product possesses high content of crude fiber (60%) and low values of protein, oil and ash. Raspberry fiber composition suggests that biocatalysts with cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase activities would be useful for carrying out an enzymatically assisted antioxidant extraction. Hydro-alcoholic extraction was done using different commercial enzymes. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity of enzyme-hydrolyzed residue extracts were measured and compared with those obtained without enzyme application.All biocatalysts evaluated increased soluble solids in comparison to the non-enzymatic control. Among them, Grindamyl and Maxoliva offered the best recovery of polyphenols. Enzymatic assisted extraction with an hydro-ethanolic mixture (75:25, v/v) during 18 hrs at 50°C increased phenolic content up to 35% and antioxidant capacity around 50%, 15% and 30% according to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl = 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl) (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, respectively. Use of a higher enzyme concentration significantly improved extraction of phenolic antioxidants.


We study the conditions under which a generic supergravity model involving chiral and vector multiplets can admit vacua with spontaneously broken supersymmetry and realistic cosmological constant. We find that the existence of such viable vacua implies some constraints involving the curvature tensor of the scalar geometry and the charge and mass matrices of the vector fields, and also that the vector of F and D auxiliary fields defining the Goldstino direction is constrained to lie within a certain domain. We illustrate the relevance of these results through some examples and also discuss the implications of our general results on the dynamics of moduli fields in string models. This contribution is based on [1–3].


A better understanding of seismic dispersion and attenuation of acoustic waves in rocks is important for quantitative interpretation of seismic data, as well as for relating seismic data, sonic‐log data, and ultrasonic laboratory data. In the present work, a new laboratory setup is described, allowing for combined measurements of quasistatic deformations of rocks under triaxial stress, ultrasonic velocities, and dynamic elastic stiffness (Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio) at seismic frequencies. The setup has been used mainly for the study of shales. For such rocks, it is crucial that the saturation of the samples is preserved, which requires fast sample mounting. The design of our setup, together with a technique that was developed for rapid mounting of strain gauges onto the sample and subsequent sealing of the sample, allows for sample preservation, which is of particular importance for shales. The performance of the new experimental setup and sample mounting procedure is demonstrated with test materials (aluminium and polyetheretherketone) and two different shale types (Mancos shale and Pierre shale). Furthermore, experimental results are presented that demonstrate the capability of measuring the impact of saturation, stress, and stress path on seismic dispersion. For the tests with Mancos shale and Pierre shale, large dispersion (up to 50% in Young's modulus normal to bedding) was observed. Increased water saturation of Mancos shale results in strong softening of the rock at seismic frequencies, whereas hardening is observed at ultrasonic frequencies due to an increase in dispersion, counteracting the rock softening. The Poisson's ratio of Mancos shale strongly increases with the level of saturation but appears to be nearly frequency independent. We have found that the different types of shale exhibit different stress sensitivities during hydrostatic loading and that the stress sensitivity is different at seismic and ultrasonic frequencies.


Young people make up the segment of society that has the greatest potential to benefit from policies and health initiatives based on sound research and information. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, through this international report on the results of its most recent survey, aims to supply the up-to-date information needed by policy-makers at various levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and professionals in sectors such as health, education, social services, justice and recreation.

This report is the first major presentation of the international data from the 2001/2002 HBSC survey. The survey covered the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of health, and the influences of the family, schools and peers on young people aged 11, 13 and 15 years in 35 countries and regions in the WHO European Region and North America. The main body of the report gives comprehensive cross-national data on health and well-being, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, eating habits and body image, oral health, bullying and fighting, injuries and – for the first time – cannabis use and sexual health. Other chapters describe the contexts of young people's health, show some relationships between the two, and discuss the implications of the survey's main findings for the future development of policies and programmes.

The impressive scope of HBSC increases the usefulness of its findings. This book provides high-quality information valuable to all who work for and with children and adolescents – be they policy-makers, planners and practitioners, educators, parents or care givers – and of course to young people themselves. This international report should reach all key people with an interest in or responsibility for promoting young people's health.


The beautiful settings found on a golf course hide the true impact it have on the environment. It was important to establish whether golf tourists prefer a golf course and destination that sustain the environment over those that did not and whether they were willing to sacrifice some aspects of the game that traditionally made golf enjoyable in order to protect the environment.
The population of this study was the members of and visitors to George Golf Club and Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay. A questionnaire was used to personally interview 277 respondents by means of the simple random sampling approach. Results indicated that respondents' considered price an important factor when choosing a golf course and destination. Unfortunately, no conscious decision was made to select a golf course and destination that was environmentally friendly. Respondents clearly indicated that a golf course should be designed to conserve the environment, but they would not pay more to play on an eco-friendly golf course.
The results implied that "green" golf is misrepresented and misunderstood in South Africa. Respondents associated "green" as an expensive lifestyle that only a few could afford. Golf tourists should know that "green" golf tourism could lead to a sustainable and responsible lifestyle.


BACKGROUND
Patients who require dialysis are at high risk for cardiovascular mortality, which may be improved by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs).

STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING & POPULATION
Adults undergoing long-term hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis with or without heart failure.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES
Randomized controlled trials evaluating an MRA in dialysis and reported at least one outcome of interest.

INTERVENTION
Spironolactone (8 trials) or eplerenone (1 trial) compared to placebo (7 trials) or standard of care (2 trials).

OUTCOMES
Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, hyperkalemia, serum potassium level, hypotension, change in blood pressure, and gynecomastia.

RESULTS
We identified 9 trials including 829 patients. The overall quality of evidence was low due to methodologic limitations in most of the included trials. The relative risk (RR) for cardiovascular mortality was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.15-0.75) for MRA-treated compared with control patients. The RR for all-cause mortality was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.23-0.69). The RR for hyperkalemia for MRA treatment was 3.05 (95% CI, 1.21-7.70). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated wide variability in RRs for cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, and hyperkalemia, suggesting further uncertainty in the confidence of the primary results.

LIMITATIONS
Trial quality and size insufficient to robustly and precisely identify a treatment effect.

CONCLUSIONS
Given the uncertainty of both the benefits and harms of MRAs in dialysis, large high-quality trials are required.


Objective: To examine the understanding of the concept peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) among children and adolescents at different ages from a developmental perspective. Methods: A total of 549 children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 were recruited and instructed to fill in a 20-item Peak VO2 Understanding Inventory developed with reference to the research literature on peak VO2. We presented the participants with twenty scenarios and asked them to indicate whether peak VO2 would "remain unchanged," "increase," or "decrease," or that there was "insufficient information for a definite answer." The cross-sectional data was analyzed by employing a series of ANOVA analyses and chi-square association tests. Additional statistical analyses were performed to examine the error patterns and if there were gender differences. Results: Except for the 8-year-old group, the overall accuracy rate did not improve with age. Age-related differences in the choice of answers ("increase," "decrease," "unchanged," and "uncertain") for determining the resulting peak VO2 after a change of antecedent were observed. Error analysis by item showed that prefactual thinking that is important to understand the concept was emerging rather than fully developed in our child and adolescent samples. Conclusion: The mastery of peak VO2 is not subject to age-related maturation but might demand the acquisition of specific logical reasoning skill such as perfactual thinking. Early introduction of peak VO2 and related concepts is advocated and should be emphasized on the reasoning rather than providing model answers in physical literacy education.


OBJECTIVE--To see whether small daily doses of prednisolone have any adverse effect on short term linear growth in children with mild asthma. DESIGN--Double blind, random order crossover trial of two dosages of prednisolone. During run in and washout periods patients were given placebo. All treatment periods were of two weeks' duration. SETTING--Outpatient clinic referrals in a secondary referral centre. PATIENTS--14 Children (10 boys) aged 7-11 years with normal growth velocity during the previous year, no signs of puberty, and no history of receiving systemic or topical steroids during the two months before the study. One child was excluded because his pulmonary function deteriorated and another was withdrawn because of varicella. INTERVENTIONS--2.5 and 5.0 mg prednisolone daily given in divided dosage in the morning and evening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Growth of the lower leg as measured twice a week by knemometry. RESULTS--A significant reduction in mean growth velocity of the lower leg occurred in both prednisolone treatment periods. The mean difference between the run in period and the treatment period with 2.5 mg prednisolone daily was 0.63 mm/week (95% confidence interval 0.47 to 0.80 mm/week) and between the run in period and the treatment period with 5.0 mg prednisolone daily 0.57 mm/week (0.38 to 0.77 mm/week). CONCLUSION--Small daily doses of prednisolone suppress short term linear growth in children with mild asthma. The clinical relevance of this finding needs further study.


The present study aimed to compare the predictive acuity of latent class regression (LCR) modelling with: standard generalised linear modelling (GLM); and GLMs that include the membership of subgroups/classes (identified through prior latent class analysis; LCA) as alternative or additional candidate predictors. Using real world demographic and clinical data from 1,802 heart failure patients enrolled in the UK-HEART2 cohort, the study found that univariable GLMs using LCA-generated subgroup/class membership as the sole candidate predictor of survival were inferior to standard multivariable GLMs using the same four covariates as those used in the LCA. The inclusion of the LCA subgroup/class membership together with these four covariates as candidate predictors in a multivariable GLM showed no improvement in predictive acuity. In contrast, LCR modelling resulted in a 10-14% improvement in predictive acuity and provided a range of alternative models from which it would be possible to balance predictive acuity against entropy to select models that were optimally suited to improve the efficient allocation of clinical resources to address the differential risk of the outcome (in this instance, survival). These findings provide proof-of-principle that LCR modelling can improve the predictive acuity of GLMs and enhance the clinical utility of their predictions. These improvements warrant further attention and exploration, including the use of alternative techniques (including machine learning algorithms) that are also capable of generating latent class structure while determining outcome predictions, particularly for use with large and routinely collected clinical datasets, and with binary, count and continuous variables.


The Anglo-American intelligence agencies' use of journalists as spies or propagandists and the practice of providing intelligence agents in the field with journalistic cover have been a source of controversy for many decades. This article examines the extent to which these covert practices have taken place and whether they have put journalists' lives in danger. This article, drawing on various methodologies, examines a number of cases where the arrest, murder or kidnap of journalists was justified on the grounds that the journalist was a 'spy'. This has been followed through with research, using a range of sources, that shows there have been many occasions when the distinction between spies and journalists has been opaque. The article concludes that widespread use of journalistic cover by spies has put lives in danger, but that the extent is unquantifiable.


Making robot technology accessible to general endusers promises numerous benefits for all aspects of life. However, it also poses many challenges by requiring increasingly autonomous operation and the capability to interact with users that are generally not skilled robot operators. This paper presents an approach to variable autonomy that integrates user commands at varying levels of abstraction into an autonomous reinforcement learning component to permit faster policy acquisition and to modify robot behavior based on the preferences of the user. User commands are used here as training input as well as to modify the reward structure of the learning component. Safety of the mechanism is ensured in the underlying control substrate as well as by an interface layer that suppresses inconsistent user commands. To illustrate the applicability of the presented approach, it is employed in a set of navigation experiments on a mobile and a walking robot in the context of the MavHome project.


Abstract Colloidal nanocrystals of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are gaining prominence among the optoelectronic materials in the photonics industry. Among their many applications, their use in artificial lighting and displays has attracted special attention thanks to their high efficiency and narrow emission band, enabling spectral purity and fine tunability. By employing QDs in color-conversion LEDs, it is possible to simultaneously accomplish successful color rendition of the illuminated objects together with a good spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of the device and the sensitivity of the human eye, in addition to a warm white color, in contrast to other conventional sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps, and phosphor-based LEDs, which cannot achieve all of these properties at the same time. In this review, we summarize the color science of QDs for lighting and displays, and present the recent developments in QD-integrated LEDs and display research. First, we start with a general introduction to color science, photometry, and radiometry. After presenting an overview of QDs, we continue with the spectral designs of QD-integrated white LEDs that have led to efficient lighting for indoor and outdoor applications. Subsequently, we discuss QD color-conversion LEDs and displays as proof-of-concept applications – a new paradigm in artificial lighting and displays. Finally, we conclude with a summary of research opportunities and challenges along with a future outlook.


SUMMARY Restorative Justice is coming into focus for many faith communities as an important shift in response to crime. This paper examines the history of our response to crime and describes the response of a number of faith communities. Extended treatment is given to the November 2000 statement by the United States Catholic Bishops, Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice. Their approach to crime and criminal justice is reviewed, including a special emphasis on the Catholic Church's teaching on the option for the poor and includes policy recommendations for church and society. Examples of activity at the local, state and national levels are given. The paper documents some effects of the bishops' statement on community and legislative activity at the local, state and national levels.


Assessing the consequences of Brexit on EU policies, institutions and members, this book discusses the significance of differentiation for the future of European integration. This book theoretically examines differentiated integration and disintegration, focuses on how this process affects key policy areas, norms and institutions of the EU, and analyses how the process of Brexit is perceived by and impacts on third countries as well as other organizations of regional integration in a comparative perspective. This edited book brings together both leading and emerging scholars to integrate the process of Brexit into a broader analysis of the evolution, establishment and impact of the EU as a system of differentiation. This book will be of key interest to scholar and students of European Union politics, European integration, Brexit, and more broadly to Public Administration, Law, Economics, Finance, Philosophy, History and International Relations.


Dengue fever is transmitted mainly by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, which breeds in water-filled containers in tropical urban areas. In this study medium- and high-resolution satellite (ASTER and QuickBird) imagery were used to map tree cover and built-up surfaces in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, where dengue fever has been endemic since 1993. Hard and soft image classification algorithms were used to generate these variables, which were analysed with respect to vector habitat distribution as measured by the potential mosquito habitats during the wet season of 2006. A multiple linear regression model revealed that built-up surfaces derived from ASTER imagery explained 63.6% of the variance in the number of larval habitats found during the wet season when transmission and incidence of dengue were highest. The results suggest that elements of urban structure such as built-up surfaces may be used to predict the presence of an important disease vector within urban areas and that medium-resolution satellite imagery may help to inform future prevention and control strategies in Costa Rica and other countries where dengue fever is endemic.


Abstract Telomere maintenance is a hallmark of malignant cells and allows cancers to divide indefinitely. In some cancers, this is achieved through the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Whilst loss of ATRX is a near universal feature of ALT-cancers, it is insufficient in isolation. As such, other cellular events must be necessary - but the exact nature of the secondary events has remained elusive. Here, we report that trapping of proteins (such as TOP1, TOP2A and PARP1) on DNA leads to ALT induction in cells lacking ATRX. We demonstrate that protein-trapping chemotherapeutic agents, such as etoposide, camptothecin and talazoparib, induce ALT markers specifically in ATRX-null cells. Further, we show that treatment with G4-stabilising drugs cause an increase in trapped TOP2A levels which leads to ALT induction in ATRX-null cells. This process is MUS81-endonuclease and break-induced replication dependent, suggesting that protein trapping leads to replication fork stalling, with these forks being aberrantly processed in the absence of ATRX. Finally, we show ALT-positive cells harbour a higher load of genome-wide trapped proteins, such as TOP1, and knockdown of TOP1 reduced ALT activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that protein trapping is a fundamental driving force behind ALT-biology in ATRX-deficient malignancies.


Smog has received a lot of attention and is still a major problem in big cities all over the world. A major contribution to smog are nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are mainly produced by road transport, industrial processes and power plants. A lot of research has been put into the reduction of these pollutants, and heterogeneous catalysts have made a major contribution to this field. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an efficient technology to reduce these NOx, and is already used in diesel cars, trucks and stationary power plants. Especially Cu-based small pore zeolites as the active catalysts, like Cu-SSZ-13, have received a lot of attention and are now implemented commercially. This is not the only reason people are investigating these Cu-based zeolite materials. It turns out these materials are also very selective in the production of methanol, directly out of methane. This reaction has been considered one of the holy grails of catalysis, since it is very hard to upgrade methane, which is the major component in natural gas, directly to useful chemicals. The aim of this PhD thesis was to contribute towards the understanding of small pore Cu zeolites, in particularly Cu-SSZ-13, used in both the SCR of NOx using NH3 (NH3- SCR), as well as the activation of methane-to-methanol, on a fundamental level. In order to do this, zeolite SSZ-13 was synthesized, modified to change its properties, and exchanged to its active Cu form using different (deactivation) procedures. The catalyst materials made were characterized using conventional laboratory-based techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-NIR DRS). They were further tested for their catalytic activity for both the NH3-SCR and the methane-to-methanol activation, whilst following the products and unreacted feed using on-line gas-phase IR, mass spectrometry (MS), or gas chromatography (GC). During these reactions, the catalysts were studied using UV-vis-NIR DRS, so called operando spectroscopy, to yield valuable information of what is exactly going on with the catalyst during real reaction conditions. In addition, thorough characterization was performed on a small selection of catalysts using atom probe tomography (APT), a technique which can tell you the exact coordinates were each atom was located inside these zeolites.


Throughout its history, professional baseball has been a mirror of many aspects of American society. This relationship extends to the evolution of attitudes and practices of management in baseball, both on the field and in the front office, and in society as a whole. From the advent of scientific baseball in the late 1800s to the use of sabermetrics and strict pitching regimens today, baseball has reflected the application of engineering and management practices for the improvement of both on-the-field and business performance. Managing a baseball team is far more complicated than the plan attributed to Casey Stengel of "keeping the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." When formally examined, team management in baseball is a multidisciplinary task requiring knowledge of statistics and mathematics as well as an understanding of the diverse areas of ergonomics, organizational behavior, and management theory. These topics are all prominent areas of study in the field of engineering, specifically in the discipline of industrial engineering. In fact, links to the field of industrial engineering can be seen throughout the history of professional baseball. One reason that this relationship is so strong is that baseball, like industry, is ever evolving. In discussing baseball of the late 1800s, Bill James states what he believes is a fundamental misunderstanding about the way baseball is and always has been played. He says that the way baseball is played is not defined largely by the rules. Instead, it is defined by the conditions under which the game is played--specifically, the ballparks but also the players, the ethics, the strategies, the equipment, and the expectations of the public. [1] Continuous changes in the game of baseball have necessitated and will continue to necessitate the constant evolution of baseball management to lead this process of change. Likewise, developments in industrial engineering have been and continue to be a bellwether of business and industry trends acceptable within and relied upon by society. Thus industrial engineering serves as a change leader in industry. This paper will analyze the development of methods and trends in industrial engineering that have also been applied to baseball throughout its history. This analysis will demonstrate the inextricable bond between the evolution of management in baseball and in industrial engineering. Likewise, it will suggest that perhaps a closer formal working relationship, such as the hiring of industrial engineers in the baseball management field, would be advantageous to the business of baseball. A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING Before looking at its relationship with baseball, we must discuss industrial engineering as a discipline because it is a little-known and often-misunderstood field of engineering. Industrial engineering can be described generally as the study of methods for the improvement of the great variety and multitude of systems used in the working world. These described improvements can be characterized as improving productivity and cost-effectiveness in accomplishing a task; improving the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of workers; and optimizing related systems achieving work. [2] In more general terms, industrial engineers strive to make things better, faster, and cheaper. Industrial engineering has four major areas of study operations research, ergonomics, manufacturing, and management. All four areas are covered to some degree in an undergraduate program in industrial engineering. Operations research encompasses the many mathematical tools used in industrial engineering, including statistical analysis, linear programming, and simulation modeling. Ergonomics is the study of improvements in the design of the work environment for human beings. The manufacturing area studies the improvement of methods for the manufacture of goods. …


Purpose of review The task of cataloging human genetic variation and its relation to disease is rapidly approaching completion. The new challenge is to discover the function of disease-associated genes and to understand the pathways that lead to human disease. We propose that achieving this new level of understanding will increasingly rely on the use of model organisms. We discuss the advantages of the mouse as a model organism to our understanding of human disease. Recent findings The collection of available mouse strains represents as much genetic and phenotypic variation as is found in the human population. However, unlike humans, mice can be subjected to experimental breeding protocols and the availability of tissues allows for a far greater and deeper level of phenotyping. New methods for gene editing make it relatively easy to create mouse models of known human mutations. The distinction between genetic and epigenetic inheritance can be studied in great detail. Various experimental protocols enable the exploration of the role of the microbiome in physiology and disease. Summary We propose that there will be an interdependence between human and model organism research. Technological advances and new genetic screening platforms in the mouse have greatly improved the path to gene discovery and mechanistic studies of gene function.


In studies it is found that there is strong link between heart disease and diabetes. There is chance of heart disease in patient with diabetes and in past some year's incidence rate of heart disease in diabetic patient has increases more than 2 times. As we know cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in men and women worldwide. There is tremendous advancement for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in past two decades has reduced the rate of death with heart attack or stroke. But since incidence of diabetes is increasing steadily so new cardiovascular complications are also increasing and till now improvement in survival of diabetic patient in less than half. So there is need for taking care of diabetes and conditions that come with it can help world to reduce the chances of heart disease or stroke. In studies it is also found that, two out of three diabetes people die from heart disease or stroke. If a person is diabetic the risk of cardiovascular disease rises for a number of reasons like Hypertension, abnormal blood lipids and obesity, all risk factors in their own right for cardiovascular disease, occur more regularly in people with diabetes. Diabetes also affects the heart muscle, causing both systolic and diastolic heart failure.


The country houses designed by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) are some of the most original and memorable works of architecture in Britain. He was rightly judged 'The Shakespeare of architects' by Sir John Soane, and was the designer of Castle Howard in Yorkshire and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, two of the great iconic houses of Britain. Vanbrugh's life was almost as remarkable as his houses. The son of a merchant of Dutch extraction, his grandfather had left Haarlem to avoid religious persecution as a protestant; his mother was related to many of the great landed families of the day. Before turning his attentions to architecture in 1699, he worked as a merchant, travelling to India in the service of the East India Company; served as an army officer; was arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of being a spy, and, as a playwright, wrote and produced successful comedies such as The Relapse. Accompanied by well-researched, fascinating accounts of his great houses and their landscapes, Jeremy Musson's book brings together 200 of the finest photographs of his country houses, taken for Country Life magazine over the last century. Complete with an introductory biography of Vanbrugh's remarkable life and character, The Country Houses of John Vanbrugh is a truly comprehensive work that will delight admirers of this great all-rounder of the Augustan age.


This research was designed to identify relationships between T4464 buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) survival and climatic and soil characteristics. At 167 buffelgrass seeding sites in North America we collected climatic and soils data where the grass: 1) persisted over time and increased in area covered (spreads), 2) persisted over time but does not increase in area covered (persists), and 3) declined over time and all plants eventually died (dies). At 30 sites in Kenya we collected climatic and soils data in the area where T4464 seed was originally collected. Only total soil nitrogen and organic carbon differed among survival regimes. Total soil nitrogen and organic carbon concentrations were least where buffelgrass spreads, intermediate where the grass persists and greatest where the grass dies. To predict buffelgrass survival among the 3 survival regimes, and between areas where the grass spreads or dies, we used discriminant function analyses. A model including organic carbon, total soil nitrogen, sand, clay, potassium and cation exchange capacity correctly classified 78% (r2=0.8) of the seeding sites in the 3 survival regimes. A model including sand, total soil nitrogen, calcium, mean minimum temperature in the coldest month, annual precipitation and winter precipitation correctly classified 88% (r2 = 0.8) of the seedling sites between spreads and dies. Survival regime selection prior to brush control, seedbed preparation and sowing will reduce planting failure probabilities, soil erosion and economic losses, and enhance long-term beef production.


Abstract. This study employs the regional Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to examine seasonal and diurnal variations of boundary layer ozone (O3) over East Asia. We evaluate the response of model simulations of boundary layer O3 to the choice of chemical mechanisms, meteorological fields, boundary conditions, and model resolutions. Data obtained from surface stations, aircraft measurements, and satellites are used to advance understanding of O3 chemistry and mechanisms over East Asia and evaluate how well the model represents the observed features. Satellite measurements and model simulations of summertime rainfall are used to assess the impact of the Asian monsoon on O3 production. Our results suggest that summertime O3 over Central Eastern China is highly sensitive to cloud cover and monsoonal rainfall over this region. Thus, accurate simulation of the East Asia summer monsoon is critical to model analysis of atmospheric chemistry over China. Examination of hourly summertime O3 mixing ratios from sites in Japan confirms the important role of diurnal boundary layer fluctuations in controlling ground-level O3. By comparing five different model configurations with observations at six sites, the specific mechanisms responsible for model behavior are identified and discussed. In particular, vertical mixing, urban chemistry, and dry deposition depending on boundary layer height strongly affect model ability to capture observed behavior. Central Eastern China appears to be the most sensitive region in our study to the choice of chemical mechanisms. Evaluation with TRACE-P aircraft measurements reveals that neither the CB4 nor the SAPRC99 mechanisms consistently capture observed behavior of key photochemical oxidants in springtime. However, our analysis finds that SAPRC99 performs somewhat better in simulating mixing ratios of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) at flight altitudes below 1 km. The high level of uncertainty associated with O3 production in Central Eastern China poses a major problem for regional air quality management. This highly polluted, densely populated region would greatly benefit from comprehensive air quality monitoring and the development of model chemical mechanisms appropriate to this unique atmospheric environment.


We examined transformational leadership behaviors are exhibited in an elite sport environment. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 9 professional county cricket players to explore perceptions of transformational leadership behaviors of their captain and head-coach. Behaviors were firstly deductively categorized based on the Differentiated Transformational Leadership Inventory, with the most frequently cited being high performance expectations and individual consideration from the coach, and appropriate role-modeling of the captain. Further inductive analyses revealed a range of other factors which may influence players' perceptions of transformational leadership. From these findings, suggestions are offered for those working in an applied context with sporting leaders.


Those who study world politics are divided between the traditional Realist paradigm, which depicts an international political system dominated by states involved in a 'power struggle' in pursuit of their 'national interest', and an emergent approach that includes in the analysis a wider range of political actors and defines the nature of politics very differently.The latter approach sees the central process of world politics as being the mobilisation of support in respect to the composition of the global political agenda and contest over the various issue positions. This thesis examines the Palestinian Question as a case study of a mobilisation process, that involved a non-state actor playing a crucial role in introducing to the global agenda an issue previously of low salience to other actors. The Palestinian Question throughout the 1950s and 1960s was treated on the global political agenda as a by-product of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It was perceived as a 'refugee problem', the solution of which was envisaged within an overall settlement of the A.rab-Israeli conflict. Yet, within less than a decade of the re-appearance of an indigenous Palestinian national movement a significant section of the international political system changed its attitude towards the Palestinian problem. It was not any more perceived simply as a 'refugee problem' but one of 'self-determination'. In this thesis the analysis of the mobilisation process that brought the Palestinian issue to the forefront of the world political agenda is guided by a dynamic model applied to four different levels of analysis. The first level is constituted by the Palestinian community. Then there is the Arab governmental level. The third level is made up of various regional groupings, such as the Non-Aligned, the Latin Americans, the European Community and the East Europeans. The final level is the global one, represented by the United Nations political system. The analysis reveals the dynamic and interactive nature of the mobilisation process across different levels of analysis and the way in which the different positions held on the Palestinian issue have converged towards a relatively common stand.


5502 Background: CA4P is a vascular disrupting agent that in pre-clinical models can increase the efficacy of a variety of therapies. A dose escalation trial of CA4P given prior to carboplatin, paclitaxel or both showed the combination was well tolerated and responses were seen in several tumor types including 6/17 with relapsed ovarian cancer. The trial was therefore extended into a phase II trial in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

METHODS
Patients with ovarian cancer that had relapsed and could start trial therapy within 6 months of their last platinum chemotherapy were given CA4P 63mg/m2 18-20 hours prior to paclitaxel 175mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 5 repeated 3 weekly. If > 2 responses were seen in first 18 patients 43 patients were to be treated to confirm response rate>19%.

RESULTS
Five of the first 18 patients responded so the study was extended and closed after 44 patients were recruited, with full data available to date on 34. Weekly blood counts have demonstrated grade 3/4 neutropenia in 11 and thrombocytopenia in only 1 patient. Other grade > 2 toxicity seen in > 1 patient was fatigue, nausea / vomiting, pain, alopecia, rapidly reversible ataxia, diarrhoea, neuropathy and was little different to what would be expected with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Hypertension is the commonest CA4P related toxicity and was easily controlled by GTN, then prophylactic amlodipine. Responses according to GCIG criteria, have been seen in 11/34 (32%) patients with an additional unconfirmed PR.

CONCLUSIONS
The addition of CA4P to paclitaxel and carboplatin is well tolerated and appears to produce a higher response rate in this patient population than if the chemotherapy was given without CA4P. A planned randomised trial will hopefully confirm this. [Table: see text].


Context: Software testing is the process of assessing quality of a software product to determine whether it matches with the existing requirements of the customer or not. Software testing is one of the "Verification and Validation," or V&V, software practices. The two basic techniques of software testing are Black-box testing and White box testing. Black-box testing focuses solely on the outputs generated in response to the inputs supplied neglecting the internal components of the software. Whereas, White-box testing focuses on the internal mechanism of the software of any application. To explore the feasibility of black-box and white-box testing under a given set of conditions, a proper test automation framework needs to be deployed. Automation is deployed in order to reduce the manual effort and to perform testing continuously, thereby increasing the quality of the product. Objectives: In this research, cloud hosted application is automated using TestComplete tool. The objective of this thesis is to verify the functionality of cloud application such as test appliance library through automation and to measure the impact of the automation on release cycles of the organisation. Methods: Here automation is implemented using scrum methodology which is an agile development software process. Using scrum methodology, the product with working software can be delivered to the customers incrementally and empirically with updating functionalities in it. Test appliance library functionality is verified deploying testing device thereby keeping track of automatic software downloads into the testing device and licenses updating in the testing device. Results: Automation of test appliance functionality of cloud hosted application is made using TestComplete tool and impact of automation on release cycles is found reduced. Through automation of cloud hosted application, nearly 24% of reduction in level of release cycles can be observed thereby reducing the manual effort and increasing the quality of delivery. Conclusion: Automation of a cloud hosted application provides no manual effort thereby utilisation of time can be made effectively and application can be tested continuously increasing the efficiency and


Basic Common Data Format (CDF) tools (e.g., cdfedit) provide no specific support for creating International Solar-Terrestrial Physics/Space Physics Data Facility (ISTP/SPDF) standard files. While it is possible for someone who is familiar with the ISTP/SPDF metadata guidelines to create compliant files using just the basic tools, the process is error-prone and unreasonable for someone without ISTP/SPDF expertise. The key problem is the lack of a tool with specific support for creating files that comply with the ISTP/SPDF guidelines. There are basic CDF tools such as cdfedit and skeletoncdf for creating CDF files, but these have no specific support for creating ISTP/ SPDF compliant files. The SPDF ISTP CDF skeleton editor is a cross-platform, Java-based GUI editor program that allows someone with only a basic understanding of the ISTP/SPDF guidelines to easily create compliant files. The editor is a simple graphical user interface (GUI) application for creating and editing ISTP/SPDF guideline-compliant skeleton CDF files. The SPDF ISTP CDF skeleton editor consists of the following components: A swing-based Java GUI program, JavaHelp-based manual/ tutorial, Image/Icon files, and HTML Web page for distribution. The editor is available as a traditional Java desktop application as well as a Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP) application. Once started, it functions like a typical Java GUI file editor application for creating/editing application-unique files.


This paper concisely reinvestigates translatorial action and observes that the 'meaning' of lexical items is not the same with the 'sense' of lexical items. The central distinctions between the two terms are that the meaning of lexical items is not only a subjective application, but is also dependent on its environment for its truth-value within any given linguistic discourse. The sense of a word however, refers to its objective use and is context independent. Meaning is viewed as having a direct link with the communicative approach to translation. The approach derives from the Communication Theory, which core assumption is that unpredictability is equivalent to informativity. Unpredictability can be unravelled by building in redundancy into the target text to avoid communication overload. Through a rigorous theoretical explications coupled with an avalanche of exemplifications, it is observed that communicatively generated texts appear smoother and more comprehensible than its semantic counter part. However, the writers, suggest that the communicative approach to translation is necessarily applicable in cases of use variations occasioned by differential discourse practice between the source and the target language socio-cultures. Sequel to that, use variations between languages and socio-cultures in contact often pose linguistic structures that resist semantic rendition, because it fails to recapture the ideational content of the source language text in such instances. It is the failure of the semantic approach to yield adequate text(s) at the target end that necessitates the communicative type.


The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of small, neutral, bimetal with LiO structure was studied by using DFT method (with a GGA xc-functional). The lowest lying isomers are obtained. The effect of LiO molecule was examined. LiO molecule can adsorb topside or bridge side. In this study, LiO molecules do not prefer hollow side. Furthermore, when LiO molecule is adsorbed, the valence electrons are shared between cobalt and oxygen instead of oxygen and Palladium. Oxygen atoms have 3-fold or 4-fold bonding in this study. Keywords—DFT,metal lnanocluster, nanoalloy, I. Introduction


We describe a stochastic economic environment in which the mix of money and trade credit used as means of payment is endogenous. The economy has an infinite horizon, spatial separation and a credit-related transaction cost, but no capital. We find that the equilibrium prices of arbitrary contingent claims to future currency differ from those from one-good cash-in-advance models. This anomaly is directly related to the endogeneity of the mix of media of exchange used. In particular, nominal interest rates affect the risk-free real rate of return. The model also has implications for some long-standing issues in monetary policy and for time series analysis using money and trade credit.


As markets are increasingly volatile today, this thesis aims to study two strategies, process flexibility and real options, that can help hedge against demand uncertainty which has posed big challenges for many manufacturing systems. We consider the process flexibility design problem for balanced but non-identical systems. While several methods and indices have been proposed in the literature, they are mostly time-consuming or do not explicitly take into account the demand variance information. In this thesis, we analytically study the effect of demand variance on the system performance and the long chain efficiency. We then develop a variance-based Hub-and-Chain method (VHC) to generate flexibility designs for the balanced but non-identical case. Numerical tests show that VHC outperforms the long chain by 45% on average and outperforms the constraint sampling method by 25% on average. Moreover, it only utilizes 1% of the computational requirements of the constraint sampling method. We then extend VHC to the unbalanced case. We benchmark VHC against the constraint sampling method and the expansion heuristic. We find that our method produces better flexibility designs than both existing methods in 99% of all the scenarios considered. Finally, we test the distributional robustness of VHC and show it is robust for the lognormal distribution and the gamma distribution. In the second essay, we prove in a multistage system the existence of a sparse process flexibility structure that is able to achieve 1− benefits of full flexibility and identify the corresponding conditions which show the number of links needed to accomplish such benefits is related to the number of stages. We also prove the dual problem of our model is a 0-1 integer program. Assuming only the moment information known, we then solve the dual problem by a completely positive cross-moment model (CPCMM). In the third essay, we consider a two-period newsvendor problem in a B2C setting. To mitigate the demand risk, the manufacturer introduces a real-option-selling scheme in period 1 despite the spot market in period 2. Customers are uncertain about their future valuations for the product and may prefer to buy the option, the right to purchase one unit product at a fixed price in period 2. By inducing customers to buy the option, the manufacturer obtains more accurate demand information for period 2. We study the joint option pricing and production planning decision faced by the manufacturer. In the first part of this essay, we introduce a fluid model where the number of customers who exercise the option in period 2 is deterministic given a specific option. We first show in the single-option and single-market-segment setting the option-selling scheme is always optimal in comparison with the newsvendor. Moreover, surprisingly we find the optimal strike price constantly equals to the unit production cost. We then extend the fluid model to the two independent market segments setting with three subcases as follows, single option for high segment, single option for both segments, one option for each segment. The findings of interest are subcase 1 is equivalent to a single-option and single-market-segment problem along with a separate newsvendor problem and subcase 2 is a classic Kalman filtering problem while subcase 3 is similar to a mechanism design problem. The dominance of option selling over the newsvendor is again confirmed. In addition the condition of subcase 3 dominating subcase 1 can be characterized by the ratios of segment sizes and marginal profit and cost. In the second part of this essay, we concentrate on a binomial model where the number of customers who will exercise the option is binomial but can be approximated by the normal distribution. The market has correlated informed and uninformed segments with homogeneous valuation distribution. The purpose of this part is threefold, to incorporate the advance selling into the option-selling framework and show the dominance of the latter, to show the dominance of option selling over the newsvendor in the expedite setting and a counterintuitive result having more information is not always optimal.


This article explores the international and Canadian dimensions of the crossroads between criminal law on one hand and the immigration and refugee law on the other, with special emphasis on the regulation and jurisprudence regarding criminal activities such as terrorism, organized crime, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. In addition to examining the context of international policy and the international criminal law in this area, the article also describes in detail the Canadian case-law in relation to the sections in the Immigration Act that address these types of serious criminality, such as the admissibility provisions and the exclusion clauses. At the same time, the policy of the Canadian government is coming to grips with its international obligations when dealing with persons involved in such criminal activities.


Background & objectives: Psychological factors play a major role in the escalation and relapse. Because Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease which is the leading cause of many psychological problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological distress, marital satisfaction and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis. Method: This research was a quasi-experimental and pretest-posttest study design using control group for follow up. Among all women with Multiple Sclerosis at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Iran, 24 MS patients with relapsing-remitting were selected through convenience sampling and they were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups respect to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, experimental group went under 8 treatment sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. During this period, the control group did not receive any intervention. Both groups were evaluated before and after treatment and at follow-up with QOL questionnaire, psychological distress and marital satisfaction questionnaires. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including mixed analysis of variance (p<0.01 meaningful level) using SPSS-22 statistical software. Results: The mean age in the experimental and control groups respectively, were 30±9.64 and 29± 10.25 years, and the mean of infection in intervention and control groups respectively, were 5±6.61 and 4±6.12 years. Both groups of patients were married and had relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. The results showed that average of variables such ad psychological distress, marital satisfaction and quality of life increased while; control group was not observed this trend. Also, mixed analysis of variance indicated that acceptance and commitment therapy resulted in a significant reduction in psychological distress, enhance the quality of life and marital satisfaction in women with Multiple Sclerosis, The effects lasted for up to three months after treatment. Conclusion: According to the present study results and impact of psychological factors in process of MS, it is suggested that acceptance and commitment therapy should be used to improve the situation of women who suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.


In a recent survey, 72% of board directors indicated that their performance ought to be evaluated. Yet only 21% of the boards of public companies actually conduct such assessments. Part of the problem is that organizations often don?t know how best to implement a board self-evaluation procedure, so many simply avoid the practice. Others have implemented the process only to become frustrated because it took so much time and produced so few results.

To investigate the different self-evaluation practices used, the authors studied eight boards that have engaged in the process for at least two annual cycles. They found two high-level variables in the protocol for self-evaluations: the structure of the data-collection methodology (low versus high) and the confidentiality of data (unimportant versus important). These dimensions define quadrants of four different approaches to self-evaluation: informal, legalistic, trusting and systematic. Each approach has important implications for a company?s board rating, directors and officers insurance and various other issues.


Introduction: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a nonconventional low-cost method of newborn care. We tried to understand the difficulties faced by mothers during KMC and profile the corrective action. Materials and Methods: Over 3½ years, mothers of inborn low birth weight babies were taught and motivated by clinical nurse researcher to implement KMC. Gross congenital abnormality or nonconsenting mothers were exclusion factors. After demonstration sessions, KMC was implemented for 1 h on 1st day, 2 h on 2nd day, 3 h on 3rd day and then scaled up for as long as a mother felt comfortable. After discharge, KMC was continued at home till the infant attained 2500 g weight or 40 weeks corrected gestational age. Difficulties being faced both in hospital and at home were probed and remedial measures suggested accordingly. Results: Of 300 mother-baby pairs studied, 35 (11.67%) mothers could not implement KMC satisfactorily in hospital itself. Causes of failure related to mother, infant or socioeconomic factors, such as mother not feeling well enough, need to visit toilet, feeling hungry, lack of self-motivation, soiling of nappies, and interfering family members (especially maternal grandmother). To overcome these problems, both mother and father, and when required, other family members were counseled. Mother was instructed to visit the toilet just before KMC session and to take adequate food beforehand. Before discharge family support person was identified. After discharge, 6 (2%) additional mothers faced problems from lack of privacy, discouragement by mother-in-law or neighbors, lack of time and uncomfortable summer environment. Motivation and counseling at every follow-up visit rescued the situation. Conclusion: Regular supervision and counseling along with adequate initial demonstration are necessary for successful implementation of KMC.


The cost of column-supported embankments depends, in part, on the spacing between the columns and the size of the columns and pile caps. Geosynthetic reinforcement is often employed in bridging layers to enhance load transfer to the columns and to increase the column spacing. The number, stiffness, and strength of geosynthetic layers are selected based on considerations of load transfer and deformation. In this research, a new method was developed for calculating the load on the geosynthetic reinforcement. The new method employs one of the existing mechanistically based approaches and combines it with consideration of the stiffnesses of the embankment, geosynthetic reinforcement, columns, and existing site soil. The new method was verified against the results of a large numerical parameter study, for which the numerical procedures themselves were verified against closed-form solutions for membranes, pilot-scale experiments, and field case histories. The new method for calculating load on the geosynthetic was integrated into a 10-step design procedure for geosynthetic-reinforced bridging layers in column-supported embankments. The design procedure addresses such details as the thickness and type of the bridging layer soil, selection of the geosynthetic reinforcement, if needed, and the embankment settlement. The necessary calculations have been programmed into a Microsoft Excel® workbook. The workbook may be accessed at http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/geogridbridge.htm.


ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of neuromuscular function, kinetics, and kinematics of the lower extremity during sprinting in track and field athletes with a history of strain injury. Ten male college sprinters with a history of unilateral hamstring injury performed maximum effort sprint on an athletic track. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the long head of the biceps femoris (BFlh) and gluteus maximus (Gmax) muscles and three-dimensional kinematic data were recorded. Bilateral comparisons were performed for the EMG activities, pelvic anterior tilt angle, hip and knee joint angles and torques, and the musculotendon length of BFlh. The activity of BFlh in the previously injured limb was significantly lower than that in the uninjured limb during the late-swing phase of sprinting (p < 0.05). However, the EMG activity of Gmax was not significantly different between the previously injured and uninjured limbs. Furthermore, during the late-swing phase, a significantly more flexed knee angle (p < 0.05) and a decrease in BFlh muscle length (p < 0.05) were noted in the injured limb. It was concluded that previously injured hamstring muscles demonstrate functional deficits during the late swing phase of sprinting in comparison with the uninjured contralateral muscles.


This paper presents new results for the (partial) maximum a posteriori (MAP) problem in Bayesian networks, which is the problem of querying the most probable state configuration of some of the network variables given evidence. First, it is demonstrated that the problem remains hard even in networks with very simple topology, such as binary polytrees and simple trees (including the Naive Bayes structure). Such proofs extend previous complexity results for the problem. Inapproximability results are also derived in the case of trees if the number of states per variable is not bounded. Although the problem is shown to be hard and inapproximable even in very simple scenarios, a new exact algorithm is described that is empirically fast in networks of bounded treewidth and bounded number of states per variable. The same algorithm is used as basis of a Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme for MAP under such assumptions. Approximation schemes were generally thought to be impossible for this problem, but we show otherwise for classes of networks that are important in practice. The algorithms are extensively tested using some well-known networks as well as random generated cases to show their effectiveness.


Abstract The geography of the creative class and its impact on regional development has been debated for some years. While the ideas of Richard Florida have permeated local and regional planning strategies in most parts of the Western world, critiques have been numerous. Florida's 3T's (technology, talent, and tolerance) have been adopted without considering whether the theory fits into the settings of a specific urban and regional context. This article aims to contextualize and unpack the creative class approach by applying the knowledge-base approach and break down the rigid assumption that all people in the creative class share common locational preferences. We argue that the creative class draws on three different knowledge bases: synthetic, analytical, and symbolic, which have different implications for people's residential locational preferences with respect to a people climate and a business climate. Furthermore, the dominating knowledge base in a region has an influence on the importance of a people climate and a business climate for attracting and retaining talent. In this article, we present an empirical analysis in support of these arguments using original Swedish data.


Commentary on: Gloy VL, Briel M, Bhatt DL, et al. Bariatric surgery versus non-surgical treatment for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2013;347:f5934.

Bariatric surgery is a widely accepted treatment for obesity, with over 340 000 procedures performed worldwide every year. It has shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, induce diabetes remission, improve obstructive sleep apnoea, and help with various other conditions. This has important implications for countries like the USA, where obesity has reached epidemic levels, affecting over a third of the population.1 Results from recent studies suggest that surgery is more effective than non-surgical treatments in producing weight loss and in decreasing related morbidity and mortality.1–3 The outcomes of the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes study), focusing on lifestyle-induced weight …


Whereas researchers have long seen the benefits of using corpora to enhance the description of language, the regular use of corpora in the EFL classroom is still a rare occurrence. One reason is likely to be that learning how to use corpora is seldom part of teacher training courses. As a result, teachers themselves – both at university level and at lower levels – lack the skills needed to use this "native-speaker consultant". If training in how to use corpora were integrated into university level courses such as syntax, written proficiency and translation, in time it could become just as natural to consult a corpus as to look up an item in a dictionary or a grammar book.The present paper, which is based on almost a decade's experience of using corpora in the teaching of EFL syntax at the university level, outlines how teachers can utilize this resource both to design exercises and to make grammar "come alive" in the classroom. Furthermore, it summarizes students' attitudes regarding hands-on exercises using corpora, and discusses the problems as well as the benefits of involving students directly in interpreting edited and unedited corpus data.


On the snowy afternoon when we first knocked on Pang Toua Yang's door, he thought he had won something. Actually, we were there to tell him that his house is going to be the subject of a new Minnesota Historical Society exhibit: Open House will tell the story of a single, existing house—Pang Toua's house on St. Paul's East Side—and the people who lived within its walls, from the German immigrants who built it in 1888 to the Italians, African Americans, and now Hmong who have followed. The exhibit will be at the Minnesota History Center—Pang Toua's house will be untouched—but we wanted his support and feared he would tell us, translator Foung Heu and myself, the Hmong equivalent of "hit the road."


The proposed paper presents: the description and the analysis of an Analytic Network Process Model for the evaluation and the management of maintenance projects in engineering plant field. The study was made in Ansaldo Energia (AEN), Italian company active in the energy sector, one of the world's major power plant producers. The test cases are three power plants belonging to three important Service customers. Three service contracts that respectively represent, from an HSE (Health Safety Environment) point of view, the "as was", the "as is" and the "to be" are presented and discussed aiming to demonstrate that HSE could be improved in a systematic way. These three examples are characterized by an increase in HSE preventive activities more than the simple actions required to be compliant with HSE laws and rules. The complex of the HSE measures, known in Ansaldo as "HSE package", are generally proposed in service contracts with the aim of improving the overall Customer Satisfaction that, recently, is strictly connected with HSE. Due to a rising general awareness of HSE, many general contractors are facing the complex trade-off among HSE performances improvement and other project KPI (Key Performance Indicator) related to cost saving, making this business even harder than expected. Finally this paper tries to answer these research questions: Is the HSE project with more preventive actions effectively the best project to be implemented by Ansaldo? How much does an improvement of Customer Satisfaction and HSE cost to the company in terms of time and effort?


Abstract This paper considers the system dynamics associated with a hydraulic system moving a large flexible structure, namely the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The hydraulic components possess a range of non-linear characteristics, which become coupled to the bridge structural dynamics. The bridge structure is lightly damped and may be represented by a linear model, provided that the amplitudes of vibrational modes are small enough to maintain positive cable tensions. The limiting amplitudes were known at the design stage and the hydraulic circuit had to ensure that these were not exceeded during operation, which may include various conditions of wind loading, emergency stops and variability of components. System design was achieved through an extensive iterative process of simulation that included all operational procedures to eliminate problematic circuits that would have caused instability or excessive bridge oscillations. The actual bridge and coupled hydraulic circuits underwent a series of commissioning trials and no undue problems were experienced. This indicated that the simulation procedures developed greatly reduced the risks associated with a unique structure actuated by a bespoke hydraulic circuit.


Formulating a model which summarises transportation costs, uncertainty and price, we describe how a switch to ICT procurement can impact more readily procured services rather than materials. Uncertainty represents a catch-all factor describing the dovetailing of operations between two neither culturally nor geographically proximate, independent firms. Using a 3-year panel, we find that ICT 'switchers' report increases in services offshored by between 1.9 and 1.6 percent. Uniquely, we also report a 2-3 percent reduction in the level of materials offshoring following a switch to internet procurement.


Depending on the regulatory regime they are subject to, governments may or may not be allowed to hand out state aid to private firms. The economic justification for state aid can address several issues present in the competition for capital and the competition for transfers from the state.
First, there are principal-agent problems involved at several stages. Self-interested politicians might enter state aid deals that are the result of extensive rent-seeking activities of organized interest groups. Thus the institutional design of political systems will have an effect on the propensity of a jurisdiction to award state aid.
Secondly, fierce competition for firm locations can lead to over-spending. This effect is stronger if the politicians do not take into account the entirety of the costs created by their participation in the firm location race.
Thirdly, state aid deals can be incomplete and not in the interest of the citizens. This applies if there are no sanctions if firms do not meet their obligations from receiving aid, such as creating a certain number of jobs or not relocating again for a certain amount of time.
The separation of ownership and control in modern corporations leads to principal-agent problems on the side of the aid recipient as well. Managers might receive personal benefits from subsidies, the use of which is sometimes less monitored than private finance. This can eventually be to the detriment of the shareholders.
Overall, it can be concluded that state aid control should also serve the purpose of regulating the contracting between governments and firms. An extended mandate for supervision by the European Commission could include requirements to disincentive the misuse of state aid. The Commission should also focus on the corporate governance regime in place in the jurisdiction that awards the aid as well as in the recipient firm.


Before it happened, Allan had spend five excruciatingly long months attending the final details of his master piece; weird, one may think, since he had finished a fully praisable oil?clearly first-class?just twenty-three days after the first brush. Annabel, his daily muse and loveable companion, constantly emphasized the wholeness of the artwork and often commented on both, the artist and the picture, about each having in them particularities that rendered them unique, odd, and above all beautiful. But Allan relentlessly discharged her complements as they were, he thought, exceedingly influenced by the overwhelming seduction of her own features competently imprisoned in the canvas and, of course, the profound love between them.


Animals living in tropical regions may be at increased risk from climate change because current temperatures at these locations already approach critical physiological thresholds. Relatively small temperature increases could cause animals to exceed these thresholds more often, resulting in substantial fitness costs or even death. Oviparous species could be especially vulnerable because the maximum thermal tolerances of incubating embryos is often lower than adult counterparts, and in many species mothers abandon the eggs after oviposition, rendering them immobile and thus unable to avoid extreme temperatures. As a consequence, the effects of climate change might become evident earlier and be more devastating for hatchling production in the tropics. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have the widest nesting range of any living reptile, spanning temperate to tropical latitudes in both hemispheres. Currently, loggerhead sea turtle populations in the tropics produce nearly 30% fewer hatchlings per nest than temperate populations. Strong correlations between empirical hatching success and habitat quality allowed global predictions of the spatiotemporal impacts of climate change on this fitness trait. Under climate change, many sea turtle populations nesting in tropical environments are predicted to experience severe reductions in hatchling production, whereas hatching success in many temperate populations could remain unchanged or even increase with rising temperatures. Some populations could show very complex responses to climate change, with higher relative hatchling production as temperatures begin to increase, followed by declines as critical physiological thresholds are exceeded more frequently. Predicting when, where, and how climate change could impact the reproductive output of local populations is crucial for anticipating how a warming world will influence population size, growth, and stability.


The family plays a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of substance use. Parental styles are among the family variables most widely studied. This review covers the studies published in the last 30 years on the relationship between parental styles and their offspring's drug use. Research indicates that the authoritative style is the most protective against substance use, whilst the neglectful style would increase the risk of drug use; research on the authoritarian and permissive styles is as yet inconclusive. We discuss the need to take into account other family variables in addition to parental style, such as parents' drug use, emotional support and warmth, family structure and the influence of culture.


The present paper reports on the problems of culture elements representation in a bilingual dictionary. It is proved that cultural information on a realia is necessary for a dictionary definition. Taking into account cultural value of a feature the following elements of a realia description should be present in a bilingual dictionary: a) attributes (appearance, components, traditions); b) estimation; c) historical markedness (time of usage, actions); d) social status (functions); e) function (purpose, role); f) popularity / unpopularity of a realia; g) symbolic meaning. The article emphasizes the importance to represent the culture of the indigenous people. Certain comments will depend on the proximity of cultures of the languages compared. The article shows, that during lexicographical processing of culture elements for a bilingual dictionary, information selected should be defined by cognitive and contrastive principles to estimate knowledge of a dictionary user and help people of two different cultures understand each other.


ABSTRACT Introduction: Environmental factors and an altered fecal microbiome are believed to be central to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Vitamin D and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are environmental factors that are associated by several pathways, including changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome, with the development and course of IBD. Area covered: This review explores the interaction of vitamin D, and UVR, with the intestinal innate and adaptive immune systems, and how they may influence the gut microbiome and the subsequent development, and progression, of IBD. Expert opinion: Vitamin D and UVR both regulate innate and adaptive immunity through a combination of common and independent mechanisms, with the overall effect being the promotion of immune tolerance. Vitamin D, and to a lesser extent UVR, can modify the gastrointestinal microbiome either directly, or through immune-mediated mechanisms and this may explain the effect on intestinal inflammation in animal models of IBD and some clinical studies. Thus, both vitamin D and UVR exposure can be considered potential 'master regulators' of gastrointestinal immunity, fine-tuning the complex interaction between genetics, host immunity and the gut microbiome. Further research and increased understanding of environment-host interactions is essential to achieving the ultimate goal of preventing and curing IBD.


ABSTRACT We piloted a pedagogical experiment to find out whether students can benefit from explicit demonstrations on critical thinking skills through live debates between two instructors on current political issues that are relevant to but not necessarily a specific part of the curriculum. The empirical results show that, through a series of interventions in the form of explicit demonstrations and debriefs on critical thinking skills in these issue-based live debates, students' academic performance can significantly improve over a relatively short period of time. Training students' critical skills through explicit, engaging pedagogy is not only economical in practical and pragmatic terms but also has significant and immediate short-term effects in a setting where there is a high proportion of first-generation undergraduate students of varying abilities and backgrounds.


Aim Athletes with poor neuromuscular control of the lower limb and pelvis are more susceptible to non-contact injuries such as primary1 and secondary2 ACL injury. Neuromuscular screening methods can be utilised to identify individuals that may benefit from injury preventative methods. The aim of this pilot study is to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a visual rating criteria that does not limit focus to knee valgus alone and has not previously been used in a prospective study. The null hypothesis for this study is: poor neuromuscular control does not predispose an athlete to an increased risk of injury. Methods 21 male footballers and 9 hockey players (4 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 21.5 years (SD 7.74) performed 3 repetitions of the single leg squat test on each limb whilst 2D video analysis software captured the movement in the sagittal plane. A single-leg loading qualitative assessment tool (QASLS) proposed by Herrington et al 3 was used to grade the neuromuscular control and injury statistics were collated throughout the remaining seasons of both sports. Results Individuals that sustained injury (n=7), were found to have a poorer QASLS score than those that did not. Statistical significance was observed (p=0.01) between the two groups and inter-reliability of the assessment tool was good with no statistical difference (P=0.72) between two examiners who independently scored the athletes. Conclusions The findings indicate that the QASLS is an effective and reliable tool for predicting injuries in athletes and as such can be used as a neuromuscular screening method as part of an injury preventative screening approach. These findings offer great potential for larger repeat studies of longer duration.


Electrospinning has been considered a promising and novel procedure to fabricate polymer nanofibers due to its simplicity, cost effectiveness, and high production rate, making this technique highly relevant for both industry and academia. It is used to fabricate non-woven fibers with unique characteristics such as high permeability, stability, porosity, surface area to volume ratio, ease of functionalization, and excellent mechanical performance. Nanofibers can be synthesized and tailored to suit a wide range of applications including energy, biotechnology, healthcare, and environmental engineering. A comprehensive outlook on the recent developments, and the influence of electrospinning on biomedical uses such as wound dressing, drug release, and tissue engineering, has been presented. Concerns regarding the procedural restrictions and research contests are addressed, in addition to providing insights about the future of this fabrication technique in the biomedical field.


ABSTRACT The Netherlands' colonial empire was a source of wealth, pride and prestige, being seen by some as an essential element of Dutch identity and the key to the Netherlands' status as a European power. The most prized of the empire's components was Indonesia. When nationalists declared the independence of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 August 1945, Dutch colonialists refused to take it seriously, but they soon discovered that the Indonesians were willing to fight for their newly-declared freedom. They also found that international opinion, especially as expressed in the new United Nations (UN), defended the Republic's right to exist. Australia has been acknowledged as an important contributor to international recognition of Indonesian independence through its actions in the UN Security Council and its membership of the UN Committee of Good Offices (CGO). This article, however, focuses on a lesser-known part of the story: Australia's role in the UN Consular Commission, established at the same time as the CGO. Although the Commission was active for only a short period in late 1947, it deserves recognition on a number of counts: for its pioneering work in UN peacekeeping; as an early example of Australian diplomacy in its region; and for how an examination of its activities, and the responses of the Dutch, the Indonesians and others, can be useful for understanding the course of the Indonesian independence struggle in the years that followed.


The purpose of this paper is to address two basic performance questions for market advisory services: 1) Do market advisory services, on average, outperform an appropriate market benchmark? and 2) Do market advisory services exhibit persistence in their performance from year-to-year? Data on corn and soybean net price received for advisory services, as reported by the AgMAS Project, are available for the 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 crop years. Performance test results suggest that, on average, market advisory services exhibit a small ability to "beat the market" for the 1995 through 1998 corn and soybean crops. It is debatable whether the performance of advisory services also is economically significant. The predictability results provide little evidence that future advisory service pricing performance can be predicted from past performance.


Over the past twenty-five years the relationship between art and advertising has become increasingly varied and complex, with artists appropriating the billboards and neon displays of the ad world, and advertising strategies borrowing both the tactics and imagery of contemporary art. This wide-ranging book charts key points of contact, overlap and exchange between the two fields. Joan Gibbons looks at the work of a number of artists from Barbara Kruger, Les Levine and Victor Burgin though to Sylvie Fleurie and Swetlana Heger and at cutting edge advertising campaigns including Benson's Silk Cut, Benetton's Shock of Reality and US agency Wieden and Kennedy's work for Nike. She discusses too the various collaborations and crossovers between art and advertising: the work of artist, director and creative Tony Kaye; adman turned collector Charles Saatchi and the issues of celebrity and branding that surround him; and the endorsement of art by highly branded products such as Absolut Vodka, to show that art and advertising are more mutually enriching than ever.


Cell-wall skeleton prepared from Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG-CWS) is known as a potent adjuvant and has been shown to possess antitumor activity in many non-clinical and clinical studies. As there are no approved BCG-CWS formulations for cancer therapy, we investigated the potential for cancer immunotherapy of SMP-105, our originally produced BCG-CWS. For optimizing SMP-105 emulsion, we compared the effects of drakeoland squalane-based SMP-105 emulsions on IFN-γ production in rats and evaluated their ability to induce skin reaction in guinea pigs. Both emulsions had the same activity in both experiments. We selected squalane as base material and produced two types of squalane-based formulations (vialed emulsion and pumped emulsion) that can easily be prepared as oil-in-water emulsions. Although the vialed emulsion showed the same pattern of distribution as a usual homogenized emulsion, the pumped emulsion showed more uniform distribution than the other two emulsions. Whereas both emulsions enhanced strong delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in a mouse model, the pumped emulsion induced slightly smaller edema. Data on oil droplet size distribution suggest that few micrometer oil droplet size might be appropriate for oil-in-water microemulsion of SMP-105. The antitumor potency of SMP-105 emulsion was stronger than that of some of the launched toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists (Aldara cream, Picibanil, and Immunobladder). Aldara and Picibanil showed limited antitumor effectiveness, while Immunobladder had almost the same effect as SMP-105 at the highest dose, but needed about 10 times the amount of SMP-105. These findings first indicate that SMP-105 has great potential in cancer immunotherapy.


Assessment of groundwater samples obtained from shallow wells in different parts of Iwo was investigated for their trace metal levels in order to determine their portability status. Samples were collected for two months each during the peak periods of wet and dry seasons. The levels of trace metals in the samples were profiled using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF) methods. The overall mean concentrations (mg/L) of these metals were of the order Mn (0.06±0.01) = Cu (0.06±0.01) > Mg (0.56±0.12) > Zn (0.05±0.01) = Cr (0.05±0.06) > Fe (0.03±0.01) > Cd (0.02±0.01) > Pb (0.01±0.02) = As (0.01±0.00) > Hg (0.00±0.00). The VLF electromagnetic applied showed that the metals found their ways into these wells through fractures and joints that characterised the study area. Seasonal mean levels showed no significant variations in most of the trace metals with exception of some non-essential trace elements. The findings revealed that the levels of Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd were either equal to or exceed the permissible limits while the remaining metals were below these limits.


Gaussian process (GP) models are a flexible means of performing non-parametric Bayesian regression. However, the majority of existing work using GP models in healthcare data is defined for univariate output time-series, denoted as single-task GPs (STGP). Here, we investigate how GPs could be used to model multiple correlated univariate physiological time-series simultaneously. The resulting multi-task GP (MTGP) framework can learn the correlation within multiple signals even though they might be sampled at different frequencies and have training sets available for different intervals. We illustrate the basic properties of MTGPs using a synthetic case-study with respiratory motion data. Finally, two real-world biomedical problems are investigated from the field of patient monitoring and motion compensation in radiotherapy. The results are compared to STGPs and other standard methods in the respective fields. In both cases, MTGPs learned the correlation between physiological time-series efficiently, which leads to improved modelling accuracy.


The consensus reaching process is the most important step in a group decision making scenario. This step is most frequently identified as a process consisting of some discussion rounds in which several decision makers, which are involved in the problem, discuss their points of view with the purpose of obtaining the maximum agreement before making the decision. Consensus reaching processes have been well studied and a large number of consensus approaches have been developed. In recent years, the researchers in the field of decision making have shown their interest in social networks since they may be successfully used for modelling communication among decision makers. However, a social network presents some features differentiating it from the classical scenarios in which the consensus reaching processes have been applied. The objective of this study is to investigate the main consensus methods proposed in social networks and bring out the new challenges that should be faced in this research field.


We are at the cusp of a historic transformation of both communication system and electricity system. This creates challenges as well as opportunities for the study of networked systems. Problems of these systems typically involve a huge number of end points that require intelligent coordination in a distributed manner. In this thesis, we develop models, theories, and scalable distributed optimization and control algorithms to overcome these challenges. This thesis focuses on two specific areas: multi-path TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and electricity distribution system operation and control. Multi-path TCP (MP-TCP) is a TCP extension that allows a single data stream to be split across multiple paths. MP-TCP has the potential to greatly improve reliability as well as efficiency of communication devices. We propose a fluid model for a large class of MP-TCP algorithms and identify design criteria that guarantee the existence, uniqueness, and stability of system equilibrium. We clarify how algorithm parameters impact TCP-friendliness, responsiveness, and window oscillation and demonstrate an inevitable tradeoff among these properties. We discuss the implications of these properties on the behavior of existing algorithms and motivate a new algorithm Balia (balanced linked adaptation) which generalizes existing algorithms and strikes a good balance among TCP-friendliness, responsiveness, and window oscillation. We have implemented Balia in the Linux kernel. We use our prototype to compare the new proposed algorithm Balia with existing MP-TCP algorithms. Our second focus is on designing computationally efficient algorithms for electricity distribution system operation and control. First, we develop efficient algorithms for feeder reconfiguration in distribution networks. The feeder reconfiguration problem chooses the on/off status of the switches in a distribution network in order to minimize a certain cost such as power loss. It is a mixed integer nonlinear program and hence hard to solve. We propose a heuristic algorithm that is based on the recently developed convex relaxation of the optimal power flow problem. The algorithm is efficient and can successfully computes an optimal configuration on all networks that we have tested. Moreover we prove that the algorithm solves the feeder reconfiguration problem optimally under certain conditions. We also propose a more efficient algorithm and it incurs a loss in optimality of less than 3% on the test networks. Second, we develop efficient distributed algorithms that solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem on distribution networks. The OPF problem determines a network operating point that minimizes a certain objective such as generation cost or power loss. Traditionally OPF is solved in a centralized manner. With increasing penetration of volatile renewable energy resources in distribution systems, we need faster and distributed solutions for real-time feedback control. This is difficult because power flow equations are nonlinear and kirchhoff's law is global. We propose solutions for both balanced and unbalanced radial distribution networks. They exploit recent results that suggest solving for a globally optimal solution of OPF over a radial network through a second-order cone program (SOCP) or semi-definite program (SDP) relaxation. Our distributed algorithms are based on the alternating direction method of multiplier (ADMM), but unlike standard ADMM-based distributed OPF algorithms that require solving optimization subproblems using iterative methods, the proposed solutions exploit the problem structure that greatly reduce the computation time. Specifically, for balanced networks, our decomposition allows us to derive closed form solutions for these subproblems and it speeds up the convergence by 1000x times in simulations. For unbalanced networks, the subproblems reduce to either closed form solutions or eigenvalue problems whose size remains constant as the network scales up and computation time is reduced by 100x compared with iterative methods.


As part of a 3-year project focusing on improving the livelihoods of poor livestock keepers by improving availability of fodder, testing of new groundnut varieties incorporated Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Field Days as platforms of learning. The approaches were limited in attempting to address the complexity of the groundnut system and therefore constraints to uptake of improved varieties continued to be elusive. Evolution of the project approach recognized the potential of multi-stakeholder approaches to take a broader view of how novelty in a system and innovation occur. Interactions between a range of actors including traders, oil-seed merchants, private seed companies, etc. were facilitated and a process of action and reflective learning explored. As a result a new set of constraints and opportunities were identified that prevented innovation related to the use of new groundnut varieties. Documentation and analysis of the type and quality of the linkages between the actors within the system helped to catalogue the process, and the platform created provided the opportunity to learn from each other. Lessons and implications are discussed.


This paper discusses the integration of computer assisted instructions (CAI) with traditional class room teaching. It describes a teaching method to bring real-world of industrial work into the classroom that underscores the need to learn fundamental principles while adding excitement and relevance to the experience. This paper presents results of a case study undertaken to understand the effect of computer assisted teaching methodology on learning effectiveness in classroom environment. The effects of computer assisted instructions on different levels of cognition of individual learners have also been evaluated. The computer aided drawing (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC) courses at the Bahrain institute are an integral part of this attempt. These courses emphasize the development of a 3-D geometric computer model and application of this digital database to all phases of the design process. The students make freehand sketches, build computer models, mate assemblies of parts, perform various analysis, create kinematics simulations, generate final design drawings, import engineering drawing as DXF file, generate NC file to build rapid prototypes as shown in the table 1 below.

Keywords: Computer Technology, C.N.C and AutoCad Software


This paper encapsulates remarks made at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of International Law on a panel devoted to considering the new amendments to the ICC Statute adding the crime of aggression to the Court's subject matter jurisdiction. It addresses the interpretive understandings adopted at the Review Conference in Kampala Uganda vis-a-vis the definition of the crime, the negotiations surrounding the crime's jurisdictional regime, and lingering confusion over the way in which the ICC Statute's amendment provisions should apply to the codification of the crime of aggression. The paper argues that the plain language reading of Article 121(5) should govern the question of when states parties are "bound" by the amendments such that the Court can prosecute the crime when committed by their nationals or on their territories.


Analogical reasoning depends fundamentally on the ability to learn and generalize about relations between objects. There are many ways in which objects can be related, making automated analogical reasoning very challenging. Here we develop an approach which, given a set of pairs of related objects S = {A:B, A:B, . . . , A :B}, measures how well other pairs A:B fit in with the set S. This addresses the question: is the relation between objects A and B analogous to those relations found in S? We recast this classical problem as a problem of Bayesian analysis of relational data. This problem is nontrivial because direct similarity between objects is not a good way of measuring analogies. For instance, the analogy between an electron around the nucleus of an atom and a planet around the Sun is hardly justified by isolated, non-relational, comparisons of an electron to a planet, and a nucleus to the Sun. We develop a generative model for predicting the existence of relationships and extend the framework of Ghahramani and Heller (2005) to provide a Bayesian measure for how analogous a relation is to other relations. This sheds new light on an old problem, which we motivate and illustrate through practical applications in exploratory data analysis.


In July 2017, IDS hosted a workshop on 'Unpicking Power and Politics for Transformative Change: Towards Accountability for Health Equity', with the aim of generating dialogue and mutual learning among activists, researchers, policymakers, and funders working towards more equitable health systems and a commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).  This issue of the IDS Bulletin is based around three principal themes that emerged from the workshop as needing particular attention. First, the nature of accountability politics 'in time' and the cyclical aspects of efforts towards accountability for health equity. Second, the contested politics of 'naming' and measuring accountability, and the intersecting dimensions of marginalisation and exclusion that are missing from current debates. Third, the shifting nature of power in global health and new configurations of health actors, social contracts, and the role of technology.For the first time in IDS Bulletin history, themes are explored not only in text but also through a selection of online multimedia content, including a workshop video, a photo story and a documentary. This expansion into other forms of communication is explicitly aimed at galvanising larger numbers of people in a movement towards UHC and the linked agenda of accountability for health equity.The articles and multimedia in this IDS Bulletin reflect the fact that while the desired outcome might be the same – better health for all – accountability strategies are as diverse as the contexts in which they have developed.


Synthetic biology builds on the achievements and uses the techniques of genetic engineering, which involves the alteration of an organism's genetic material using biotechnology. Synthetic biology has been defined as "the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, and the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes" (Nature). It has also been described as "the construction of customized biological systems to perform new and improved functions, through the application of principles from engineering and chemical synthesis" (ter Meulen, 2014). Synthetic biology represents the convergence of technologies from the life sciences, such as DNA recombination, with other fields like engineering, computational technology and nanotechnology (OECD, 2014).