This article builds on earlier studies that have examined "the economic cost of homosexuality," by using data from the 2000 U.S. Census and by employing multilevel analyses. Our findings indicate that partnered gay men experience a 12.5 percent earnings penalty compared to married heterosexual men, and a statistically insignificant earnings penalty compared to partnered heterosexual men, when both individual- and state-level characteristics are taken into account. Partnered lesbians experience about a 3.5 percent earnings advantage compared to married heterosexual women, and a 9 percent earnings advantage compared to partnered heterosexual women. Although individual-level characteristics are the primary determinants of their earnings, we find that some contextual characteristics affect the earnings of partnered gay men and lesbians, relative to partnered heterosexuals, and that these effects vary by sex.


This paper presents a condensed review of the European smart body area network (BAN) standardization work and its already published standards. The work is carried out under the ETSI Technical Committee (TC) SmartBAN. The goal of ETSI TC SmartBAN is to define and develop new European BAN standards; fostering the successful market adoption of wireless BAN technology by providing a standardized way to bring new interoperable products into the health, medical, sport, leisure and IoT markets, targeting to global exploitation. TC SmartBAN covers wireless communications, especially the physical and medium access control layers, associated security, semantic interoperability and open data representation, which are necessary features in the data transmissions, as well as building blocks of the future smart coordinator. The use of smart coordinator centralizes the network intelligence to the hub, which enables implementation of simple nodes. The SmartBAN approach will be computationally light, and it supports reliable operations across heterogeneous networks. Due to the semantic approach in all functional levels, SmartBAN also supports high interoperability. For emergency traffic, SmartBAN provides different priority classes and fast channel access associated with a low latency. Novel concept adopted in the SmartBAN for high-priority traffic is a multi-use channel access, which can also improve the spectral efficiency. Not only on-body nodes and applications, TC SmartBAN is considering in-body communications for capsule endoscopy. In addition, SmartBAN collaborates with other standardization groups, such as oneM2M and AIOTI, to widen the impact of its work.


Efficiency and effectiveness are not sufficient in the global era. Explicability and ethics - not only doing the things right but also doing the right things - are emerging as major components of corporate success. Key aspects of competitiveness have moved from data and information to knowledge and wisdom. Strategy and strategic action have upstaged efficient performance and flawless execution. The world has changed. In the world of information, the notion of strategy has been reduced to the 'mission-vision' descriptions, declarations and statements. In the world of knowledge, the notion of strategy has reinstated the action in the center. Your strategy is what you are doing, not what you are saying and, significantly, what you are doing is your strategy, no matter what you say. Each company has a powerful strategy, whether they know it or not. Modern view of the strategy is not about a statement and its implementation, but about transforming one action portfolio into another action portfolio, one implicit strategy into another. Here we present a methodology for overcoming the knowing-doing gap in the area of strategic management.


Effective conservation decision-making requires robust estimates of population trends. It is often assumed that, as long as monitoring methods remain consistent over time, trends in relative abundance are valid proxies for actual abundance. However, if the bias and uncertainty of relative abundance estimates change over time, this can have a serious impact on the validity of monitoring programmes. We developed a simple model for the retrospective assessment of the likely error and bias in abundance estimates from aerial surveys of the saiga antelope. Due to dramatic reductions in group size and density, current estimates of abundance are probably substantially lower than the true population size, and the level of uncertainty surrounding these estimates precludes their use for mon- itoring trends. This has implications for the Government of Kazakhstan's ability to monitor progress towards their agreed conservation goals. The method is potentially widely applicable to species for which historical data on relative abundance and group size are available.


Economists now appreciate that resource allocation in less economically developed economies is profoundly influenced by nonfirm economic institutions. However, our theories of nonfirm institutions often suggest different answers to many questions including those of policy. This paper illustrates a method for discriminating between alternative theories using data from German credit cooperatives from nineteenth and early twentieth century Germany. We build a model of credit cooperatives designed to provide monitoring incentives and test this using nineteenth century data.


Multi-task learning commonly encounters competition for resources among tasks, specifically when model capac-ity is limited. This challenge motivates models which al-low control over the relative importance of tasks and total compute cost during inference time. In this work, we pro-pose such a controllable multi-task network that dynami-cally adjusts its architecture and weights to match the de-sired task preference as well as the resource constraints. In contrast to the existing dynamic multi-task approaches that adjust only the weights within a fixed architecture, our approach affords the flexibility to dynamically control the total computational cost and match the user-preferred task importance better. We propose a disentangled training of two hype rnetwo rks, by exploiting task affinity and a novel branching regularized loss, to take input prefer-ences and accordingly predict tree-structured models with adapted weights. Experiments on three multi-task bench-marks, namely PASCAL-Context, NYU-v2, and CIFAR-100, show the efficacy of our approach. Project page is available at https://www.nec-labs.com/-mas/DYMU.


Relationships amongst the different stock markets have previously been examined many times; whereby such studies help market players better understand and grasp the equity markets. This paper is based on the comparison of the Equity Markets of both the SAARC and the European Union nations. Changes within one market (whether good or bad) and the subsequent effects on the other market are both measured and analyzed. The study focuses upon SAARC and European Union markets, since these are two of the largest markets of the world. The study data includes the countries of: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka (SAARC Contrives), France, Germany, Portugal, and also the Czech Republic (European Union countries). The trends between the outlined markets, with respect to Closing Share Price (CSP) and Trading Volume (T.V) are analyzed using the Johansen Cointegration Test in this paper while findings of this paper confirmed the presence of a co-movement is between the two market clusters.


In 1-year experiments, the final population density of nematodes is usually modeled as a function of initial density. Often, estimation of the parameters is precarious because nematode measurements, although laborious and expensive, are imprecise and the range in initial densities may be small. The estimation procedure can be improved by using orthogonal regression with a parameter for initial density on each experimental unit. In multi-year experiments parameters of a dynamic model can be estimated with optimization techniques like simulated annealing or Bayesian methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). With these algorithms information from different experiments can be combined. In multi-year dynamic models, the stability of the steady states is an important issue. With chaotic dynamics, prediction of densities and associated economic loss will be possible only on a short timescale. In this study, a generic model was developed that describes population dynamics in crop rotations. Mathematical analysis showed stable steady states do exist for this dynamic model. Using the Metropolis algorithm, the model was fitted to data from a multi-year experiment on Pratylenchus penetrans dynamics with treatments that varied between years. For three crops, parameters for a yield loss assessment model were available and gross margin of the six possible rotations comprising these three crops and a fallow year were compared at the steady state of nematode density. Sensitivity of mean gross margin to changes in the parameter estimates was investigated. We discuss the general applicability of the dynamic rotation model and the opportunities arising from combination of the model with Bayesian calibration techniques for more efficient utilization and collection of data relevant for economic evaluation of crop rotations.


While human capital is one of the strongest predictors of economic development today, its importance for the Industrial Revolution is typically assessed as minor. We differentiate average human capital (worker skills) from upper tail knowledge both theoretically and empirically. We introduce the two types of human capital in a simple multi-sector model of industrialization that differentiates between traditional and modern manufacturing. While average worker skills are more important in the former, upper tail knowledge raises efficiency in the latter. The model predicts that the local presence of knowledge elites is unimportant in the pre-industrial era, but drives growth thereafter; worker skills, in contrast, are not crucial for growth. To measure the historical presence of knowledge elites, we use city-level subscriptions to the famous Encyclopedie in mid-18th century France. We show that subscriber density is a strong predictor of city growth after 1750, but not before the onset of French industrialization. Variables that proxy for the level of development confirm this pattern: soldier height and industrial activity are strongly associated with subscriber density after, but not before, 1750. Literacy, on the other hand, does not predict growth. Finally, joining data on British patents with a large French firm survey from 1837, we show that locations with higher subscriber density were significantly more productive in operating innovative industrial technology.


During the 1980s, public concern and government regulations have spawned the huge hazardous waste management industry. But the industry has opened a Pandora's box for site engineers, most notably concerning the site characterization process. As the decade draws to a close, billions of dollars have been spent, but few sites have been cleaned up. Engineers are forced to work on site with chemistry and biology experts. Attorneys are around, reminding the engineers of their liability factor. Under this pressure, engineers try to eliminate all uncertainty in a site analysis (which is impossible) and they conduct test after test at the site. The result: a data explosion. Site characterization has evolved from dams and buildings, to offshore drilling sites, to nuclear plants, and now at hazardous waste sites. More borings and samples are now taken, but it does not correlate with the risk factor. Automation and a partial return to the classic observation method may be a remedy.


This Article offers a critique of, and alternative to, the American Bar Association's efforts, supported by the United States government, to promote the requirement of a college education in law as prerequisite for becoming a lawyer in developing countries. Using the examples of China, which currently has a far more open system for becoming a legal services provider, and South Africa, which already has a system consistent with the goals of the ABA, the Article argues that more stringent education requirements actually undermine democracy, human rights, and rule of law. In China, where the most significant advocates for human rights under law are peasant lawyers without college degrees, the requirement would directly harm human rights efforts. Moreover, the requirement would dramatically decrease the number of legal services providers in a country with few college graduates, thereby minimizing access to justice and public education on rule of law, while increasing authoritarian government control of the legal profession. In South Africa, the existing requirement of a college degree in law extends the harmful legacy of apartheid in the legal system, delaying the entry of non-whites into a legal profession that is overwhelmingly white, in addition to promoting continuing inequality in a system where the college attendance rates of non-whites are still below the rate for whites. Accordingly, the requirement impedes the realization of democracy and equal justice in the South African legal system, while preventing lawyers from serving the important function of educating the public on human rights and rule of law. As an alternative, the Article suggests the model that the United States employed prior to the 1930s,when entrance into the legal profession was relatively open. As a result of less restrictive admissions standards, lawyers played a key role in promoting equal rights and justice for, and democratic values among, nineteenth and early twentieth century white Americans - most prominently, communities of immigrants from authoritarian nations, while at the same time laying the foundation for efforts to secure formal legal rights for Women and People of Color. Drawing from these examples, the Article proposes that reform advocates abandon efforts to replicate the modern American model in favor of more inclusive education standards no greater than necessary to ensure a threshold level of competence in legal representation. This approach would instill a greater sense of empowerment throughout the legal system and a stronger sense of respect for the law among all members of society.


RSSB and the University of Southampton's GeoData Institute have collaborated to research and develop a toolkit for managing large volumes of rail risk data. The pilot system encompasses concepts of highly complex geospatial 'big data', open standards, open source development tools and methodologies, and enables stakeholders to filter, analyse and visualise risk across the rail network, for a range of risk models. These include train derailments, suicides and passenger slip, trips and falls, and feature a wide range of spatially dependent parameters that affect the causal, escalation and consequence mechanisms. The risk has been calculated to a high resolution, splitting 2,100,000 m of track typically into 10 m sections. By creating geospatial representations of risk, the tool can help to identify risk hotspots and in this way contribute to the improvement of rail safety. Once scaled up to a National level and full range of risk models, the tool will deliver a powerful capability, unique across Europe. Further research is extending the prototype to incorporate live and historic environmental and related rail incident data to augment and improve the risk model.


The replacement of diesel fuel by ultra-carbofluids was perceived to offer the potential to decrease the emissions of environmental pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons (HC's) and smoke. Such ultracarbofluids consist of a suspension of coal in fuel oil and water generally in the ratio of 5: 3: 2 plus a small amount of stabilising additive. The literature relating to the economies of coal and fuel oil production, and the production and properties of charcoal and vegetable oils has been critically reviewed. The potential use of charcoal and vegetable oils as replacements for coal and fuel oil are discussed. An experimental investigation was undertaken using novel bio-ultracarbofluid formulations. These differed from an ultracarbofluid by having bio-renewable charcoal and vegetable oil in place of coal and fuel oil. Tests were made with a Lister-Petter 600cc 2-cylinder, 4-stroke diesel engine fitted with a Heenan-Froude DPX 1 water brake dynamometer to measure brake power output, and Mexa-321E and Mexa-211E analysers to measure exhaust pollutants. Measurements were made of engine brake power output, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and smoke emissions over the speed range 1000 to 3000 rpm at 200 rpm intervals. The results were compared with those obtained with a standard diesel reference fuel. All the bio-ultracarbofluid formulations produced lower brake power outputs (i.e. 5.6% to 20.7% less brake power) but substantially improved exhaust emissions of CO2, CO, HC's and smoke. The major factor in the formulation was found to be the type and amount of charcoal; charcoal with a high volatile content (27.2%) and present at 30% by mass yielded the best results, i.e. only slightly lower brake power output and significantly lower exhaust pollutants.


Surveys have revealed a class of object displaying both high X-ray luminosities (L X > 10 42 erg s − 1 ), and a lack of a discernible active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the optical band. If these sources are powered by star formation activity alone, they would be the most extreme X-ray luminosity star forming galaxies known. We have investigated the mechanism driving the X-ray luminosities of such galaxies by studying the X-ray emission of three moderate redshift (z ∼ 0.1) examples of this class, selected from a cross-correlation of the SDSS-DR5 and 2XMMp-DR0 catalogues. X-ray spatial and long-term variability diagnostics of these sources suggest that they are compact X-ray emitters. This result is supported by the detection of rapid short term variability in an observation of one of the sources. The X-ray spectra of all three sources are best fitted with a simple absorbed power-law model, thus betraying no significant signs of star formation. These results indicate that the X-ray emission is powered by AGN activity. But why do these sources not display optical AGN signatures? We show that the most likely explanation is that the optical AGN emission lines are being diluted by star formation signatures from within their host galaxies.


Tourism is on course to thwart humanity's efforts to reach a zero carbon economy because of its high growth rates and carbon intensity. To get out of its carbon predicament, the tourism sector needs professionals with carbon literacy and carbon capability. Providing future professionals in the full spectrum of tourism-related study programmes with the necessary knowledge and skills is essential. This article reports on ten years of experience at a BSc tourism programme with a carbon footprint exercise in which students calculate the carbon footprint of their latest holiday, compare their results with others and reflect on options to reduce emissions. Before they start, the students are provided with a handout with emission factors, a brief introduction and a sample calculation. The carbon footprints usually differ by a factor of 20 to 30 between the highest and lowest. Distance, transport mode and length of stay are almost automatically identified as the main causes, and as the main keys for drastically reducing emissions. The link to the students' own experience makes the exercise effective, the group comparison makes it fun. As the exercise requires no prior knowledge and is suitable for almost any group size, it can be integrated into almost any tourism-related study programme.


A saccade brings a retinal locus to a target in the visual field. For normally sighted individuals, this retinal locus is the fovea. Central field loss (CFL) caused by macular degeneration often leads to the adoption of a preferred retinal locus (PRL) in the peripheral retina for saccades and fixation. Factors underlying the development of a PRL are not known. Here we show that a conceptually simple computational model can account for the formation of a PRL and its idiosyncrasies. We assume that the visual system always intends to aim the retinal locus with the highest expected post-saccade acuity at the saccade target. The expected post-saccade acuity of a retinal locus is a function of the physiological acuity at and around the locus and the expected saccade error. The expected saccade error is a combination of motor error that is proportional to the saccade amplitude (vector error) and the spatial uncertainties associated with the retinal locus and the saccade target (endpoint errors). We assume that the motor error does not improve, but the spatial uncertainties associated with the neural representation of the endpoints are optimally re-estimated after each saccade from the observed saccade error. A generic forgetting function is assumed to prevent spatial uncertainty from vanishing. Simulations showed that immediately after CFL, the utilized retinal loci are close to the edge of the scotoma on the side nearest to saccade targets. After each saccade, spatial uncertainties associated with the pre-saccade target and utilized retinal locus decrease. Decrease in spatial uncertainty increases the expected post-saccade acuity of the retinal locus. The net effect is that a previously selected retinal locus is more likely to be selected for a future saccade, further reducing its spatial uncertainty, and forming the PRL. Idiosyncrasies at the early stages of CFL strongly influence PRL formation. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.


BACKGROUND
To investigate the variation between coroners in the verdicts given to deaths thought by researchers to be probable suicides and analyse factors associated with the coroners' verdict.

METHODS
Data were collected from 12 English coroner districts on all deaths in 2005 given a suicide, open, accidental or narrative verdict where suicide was considered a possibility. The data were reviewed by three experienced suicide researchers. Regression models were used to investigate factors associated with the coroners' verdict.

RESULTS
The researchers classified 593 deaths as suicide, of which 385 (65.4%) received a suicide verdict from the coroner. There was marked variation between coroner districts in the verdicts they gave. The suicide method was associated strongly with the coroners' verdict; deaths from poisoning and drowning were the least likely to be given suicide verdicts. The other factors strongly associated with a coroner's verdict of suicide were: whether a note was left, age over 60 years and being married or widowed compared with being single.

CONCLUSION
Coroners vary considerably in the verdicts they give to individuals who probably died by suicide. This may compromise the usefulness of suicide statistics for assessing area differences in rates for public health surveillance.


Finance provides a dramatic example of the successful application of advanced mathematical techniques to the practical problem of pricing financial derivatives. This self-contained 2002 text is designed for first courses in financial calculus aimed at students with a good background in mathematics. Key concepts such as martingales and change of measure are introduced in the discrete time framework, allowing an accessible account of Brownian motion and stochastic calculus: proofs in the continuous-time world follow naturally. The Black-Scholes pricing formula is first derived in the simplest financial context. The second half of the book is then devoted to increasing the financial sophistication of the models and instruments. The final chapter introduces more advanced topics including stock price models with jumps, and stochastic volatility. A valuable feature is the large number of exercises and examples, designed to test technique and illustrate how the methods and concepts can be applied to realistic financial questions.


All hydraulic turbines containing a casing with stay vanes face the potential dynamic problem of stay vane von Karman vortex shedding. For hydraulic efficiency purposes the stay vanes tend to be relatively slender in the direction normal to the flow thus being flexible in this direction. As a result structural vibrations may be excited by the von Karman vortices shedding at the trailing edge of the vanes. When the excitation frequency coincides with one of the natural frequencies of the stay vane, resonance occurs, causing vibration and potentially initiating cracks in the vane geometry if the amplitude of the excitation force is sufficient. Although the problem occurs rarely for high head or medium head Francis turbine, it is particularly true for low head turbines such as Kaplan and propeller type turbines. The frequency and amplitude of the von Karman vortices are highly dependent on the free stream velocity and on the trailing edge profile of the vane. At the design stage, it is important not to match the vortex shedding frequency with the vane natural frequency. The traditional method of determining the vortex shedding frequency is by using the empirical Strouhal number with the given wake thickness and free stream velocity at the vane trailing edge. But this approach is not valid for geometries that are very different from standard geometries and the dependency of the Strouhal number on the flow Reynolds number prevents us from obtaining a good empirical correlation with experimental data. The Strouhal number varies in the range of 0.15 to 0.3, and it is dependent on the vane geometry and the local Reynolds number. The determination of the Strouhal number from the literature is usually for model testing where the flow Reynolds number is usually not higher than 3.0E5, but for prototype size operating condition, the local Reynolds number (based on the stay vane length) may vary from 1.E6 to 5.E7. A CFD methodology for the prediction of the von Karman vortex shedding frequency using unsteady flow computation has recently been developed at GE Energy, Hydro. An accurate prediction of excitation frequency and exciting forces is paramount in order to prevent damage to the structure in the prototype. The validation of the CFD results were made for both prototype and model sizes. The validation with site measurements from prototype size is important in order to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction in the context of the machine as a whole where there are a lot of unknowns such as: measurement precision, presence or absence of lock-in, actual local incidence angle to stay vane, 3D effects etc. This kind of validation gives us an indication of the level of confidence we can have in the prediction method. However, with prototype frequency measurements at site, it is impossible to validate the CFD code regarding its ability to predict frequencies and flow patterns correctly due to the quite often presence of lock-in phenomena. On the other hand, the study of the stay vane vortex shedding phenomena with a whole turbine assembly in model size is difficult due to limited access for instrumentation. Therefore an experimental investigation of the vortex shedding phenomena of a NACA profile in the EPFL high-speed cavitation tunnel has been initiated in the context of the Hydrodyna project. The reliable high fidelity experimental measurements help to benchmark and to fine tune the CFD tool such as the choice of mesh size, computational time step, type of turbulence model or wall function, etc.


Called "one of the best books ever about human communication," and a perennial bestseller, Pragmatics of Human Communication has formed the foundation of much contemporary research into interpersonal communication, in addition to laying the groundwork for context-based approaches to psychotherapy. The authors present the simple but radical idea that problems in life often arise from issues of communication, rather than from deep psychological disorders, reinforcing their conceptual explorations with case studies and well-known literary examples. Written with humor and for a variety of readers, this book identifies simple properties and axioms of human communication and demonstrates how all communications are actually a function of their contexts. Topics covered in this wide-ranging book include: the origins of communication; the idea that all behavior is communication; meta-communication; the properties of an open system; the family as a system of communication; the nature of paradox in psychotherapy; existentialism and human communication.


Most performance studies of AES make traditional space versus time tradeoffs by allowing large lookup tables to accelerate operations that would normally be calculated by the processor. However, AES is a versatile algorithm and can also be optimised for low-memory use in constrained environments. We investigate the possibility of getting the best of both worlds - an application specific hardware and software solution that has a low dependency on memory yet still executes fast enough to consider for use in production systems. The resulting software is attractive in high level design since it allows AES to be more easily deployed as a composable element in larger systems and scale better as processor speed increases.


Market pressure is forcing New Zealand greenhouse tomato growers to shift from conventional to more environmentally-friendly pest control methods such as IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Growers can access IPM manuals, but these tend to provide generalized advice, which they find difficult to apply to their own situations. Alternatively, growers can use consultants to tailor IPM strategies to their own situations. One method of providing growers with better advice is to capture the knowledge of "expert" consultants and translate this into a form that can be used by growers. To this end, two consultants with expertise in IPM strategy were studied and their knowledge documented. This paper focuses on the strategies the expert consultants used to tailor Encarsia formosa, a natural enemy of greenhouse whitefly, to individual greenhouse's specific needs. Both consultants used an IPM template and seven to eight decision criteria to tailor their advice to individual grower's situations. These decisions were represented as hierarchical decision trees. One consultant started with low Encarsia rates for a short time before increasing them while the other consultant started with high Encarsia rates for a longer period before decreasing them later. Growers' risk perceptions and acceptance of the consultants' pest threshold levels influenced the success of the IPM strategy.


The term "learning styles" refers to the concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. Proponents of learning-style assessment contend that optimal instruction requires diagnosing individuals' learning style and tailoring instruction accordingly. Assessments of learning style typically ask people to evaluate what sort of information presentation they prefer (e.g., words versus pictures versus speech) and/or what kind of mental activity they find most engaging or congenial (e.g., analysis versus listening), although assessment instruments are extremely diverse. The most common—but not the only—hypothesis about the instructional relevance of learning styles is the meshing hypothesis, according to which instruction is best provided in a format that matches the preferences of the learner (e.g., for a "visual learner," emphasizing visual presentation of information). The learning-styles view has acquired great influence within the education field, and is frequently encountered at levels ranging from kindergarten to graduate school. There is a thriving industry devoted to publishing learning-styles tests and guidebooks for teachers, and many organizations offer professional development workshops for teachers and educators built around the concept of learning styles. The authors of the present review were charged with determining whether these practices are supported by scientific evidence. We concluded that any credible validation of learning-styles-based instruction requires robust documentation of a very particular type of experimental finding with several necessary criteria. First, students must be divided into groups on the basis of their learning styles, and then students from each group must be randomly assigned to receive one of multiple instructional methods. Next, students must then sit for a final test that is the same for all students. Finally, in order to demonstrate that optimal learning requires that students receive instruction tailored to their putative learning style, the experiment must reveal a specific type of interaction between learning style and instructional method: Students with one learning style achieve the best educational outcome when given an instructional method that differs from the instructional method producing the best outcome for students with a different learning style. In other words, the instructional method that proves most effective for students with one learning style is not the most effective method for students with a different learning style. Our review of the literature disclosed ample evidence that children and adults will, if asked, express preferences about how they prefer information to be presented to them. There is also plentiful evidence arguing that people differ in the degree to which they have some fairly specific aptitudes for different kinds of thinking and for processing different types of information. However, we found virtually no evidence for the interaction pattern mentioned above, which was judged to be a precondition for validating the educational applications of learning styles. Although the literature on learning styles is enormous, very few studies have even used an experimental methodology capable of testing the validity of learning styles applied to education. Moreover, of those that did use an appropriate method, several found results that flatly contradict the popular meshing hypothesis. We conclude therefore, that at present, there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning-styles assessments into general educational practice. Thus, limited education resources would better be devoted to adopting other educational practices that have a strong evidence base, of which there are an increasing number. However, given the lack of methodologically sound studies of learning styles, it would be an error to conclude that all possible versions of learning styles have been tested and found wanting; many have simply not been tested at all. Further research on the use of learning-styles assessment in instruction may in some cases be warranted, but such research needs to be performed appropriately.


The study investigated whether examiners find the marking of coherence and cohesion (CC) in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 more difficult than the marking of the other criteria; what features of CC examiners are looking for in marking Academic Writing Task 2; the extent to which they differ in their marking of CC compared to their marking of the other criteria; whether qualifications and experience had an impact on assessment reliability; and how much current examiner training materials clarify understandings of CC. The study involved think-aloud protocols and follow-up interviews with 12 examiners marking a set of 10 scripts, and a quantitative study with 55 examiners marking 12 scripts and completing a followup questionnaire. The quantitative data revealed that examiner reliability was within the acceptable range for all four criteria. The marking of CC was slightly less reliable than the marking of Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Lexical Resource, but not significantly different to Task Response. No significant effects could be found for examiners' qualifications or experience, which suggests that the training is effective. The findings showed that examiners found the marking of CC more difficult than the other criteria. Examiners were conscientious in applying the band descriptors and used the terminology of the descriptors for CC most of the time. They also introduced other terms not explicitly used in the CC descriptors, such as 'flow', 'structure' and 'linking words', as well as the terms, 'essay', 'introduction' 'conclusion' and 'topic sentence'. The introduction of terms such as these, together with variation in the degree to which examiners focused on particular features of CC, has implications for the construct validity of the test. Suggestions for improving the construct validity include: possible fine tuning of the CC band descriptors; clarification of the expected rhetorical genre; further linguistic research to provide detailed analysis of CC in sample texts; and refinements to the training materials, including a glossary of key terms and sample scripts showing all cohesive ties.


A performance analysis based on the maximum power density criterion has been carried out for an irreversible regenerative reheating Joule-Brayton engine. The obtained results were compared with those obtained using the maximum power performance criterion. The design parameters under the optimal conditions have been derived analytically and their effects on the engine's performance have been discussed. The overall effects of reheating, regeneration and internal irreversibilities are investigated. The obtained results may provide a general theoretical tool for the optimal design and operation of real non-regenerative and regenerative reheating gas turbines.


We characterize and prove the existence of Nash equilibrium in a limit order market with a finite number of risk-neutral liquidity providers. We show that if there is sufficient adverse selection, then pointwise optimization (maximizing in p for each q) in a certain nonlinear pricing game produces a Nash equilibrium in the limit order market. The need for a sufficient degree of adverse selection does not vanish as the number of liquidity providers increases. Our formulation of the nonlinear pricing game encompasses various specifications of informed and liquidity trading, including the case in which nature chooses whether the market-order trader is informed or a liquidity trader. We solve for an equilibrium analytically in various examples and also present examples in which the first-order condition for pointwise optimization does not define an equilibrium, because the amount of adverse selection is insufficient.


This ambitious and fascinating book traces the history of fashion in every part of the world, from Greco-Roman woven-cloth clothing and the silk court dress of the Chinese Tang dynasty to contemporary sportswear designers and Japanese street culture. Organized chronologically, the book traces the evolution of fashion period by period and trend by trend, while detailed timelines provide historical and cultural context. Fashion: The Whole Story is indispensable for everyone who loves the line of a superb suit or knows the joy of wearing a great pair of shoes.


Dalit women farmers in the district of Medak, Andhra Pradesh, India formed a mutual aid credit cooperative (MACC) in the early 1990s with the support of a development NGO, the Deccan Development Society (DDS). In India, mutual aid credit cooperatives come out of a new wave of reform that emerged within the Indian cooperative movement as transnational financial institutions began to gain control of microfinance banking. Taking the DDS-MACC as an example of the "new cooperativism," this essay reports on the work and struggle of nonliterate and landless Dalit women farmers in organizing a network of credit and marketing cooperatives into an egalitarian political body of production they call a Sangham (a term derived from Buddhist traditions). The essay outlines the conjunctural transformations through which the subordination of Dalit small farmers to national and world-scale assemblages of domination and accumulation by dispossession have increased in recent decades; it describes the formation of the Sangham network and its projects for gaining autonomy and draws some general theoretical conclusions from the Sangham strategy regarding the historical situation of the new cooperativism.


Data collected during four heavy rainfall events that occurred in Ardeche (France) with the help of a 2D video disdrometer (2DVD) are used to investigate the structure of the raindrop distribution in both space and time. A first type of analysis is based on the reconstruction of 36-m-height vertical rainfall columns above the measuring device. This reconstruction is obtained with the help of a ballistic hypothesis applied to 1-ms time step series. The corresponding snapshots are analyzed with the help of universal multifractals. For comparison, a similar analysis is performed on the time series with 1-ms time steps, as well as on time series of accumulation maps of N consecutive recorded drops (therefore with variable time steps). It turns out that the drop distribution exhibits a good scaling behavior in the range 0.5-36 m during the heaviest portion of the events, confirming the lack of empirical evidence of the widely used homogenous assumption for drop distribution. For smaller scales, drop positions seem to be homogeneously distributed. The notion of multifractal singularity is well illustrated by the very high-resolution time series.


The main objective of this thesis is to study the application of the maturity method in slipforming operations so as to provide more efficient means of the construction planning of a project. The main target of this research is to use the maturity method to establish the initial setting times and then apply those times to estimate the slipform mockup time and speed.

In this research various maturity functions are compared and the most efficient one is used. The apparent activation energy (E) and the temperature sensitivity factor (B) are, examined so as to understand their effect on the maturity function and also to establish a relationship between them and the retarder dosage. Furthermore, the "FHP Strength Model (SFHP)" and the "Rate Constant Model (SkY' are used to evaluate their competence in representing the strength development of a concrete mixture in the laboratory and in the field. Also, the maturity method is used to estimate the times of mockup and then compared with the "Penetration Resistance", "2°C Temperature Increase", "Rod", and "Conductivity" methods. Furthermore, an example is presented and the mock-up times are established based on various initial concrete temperatures and slipform layer arrangements. Finally a computer program is developed to establish the mockup times, time of concrete placement, and the slipform speed during the removal process.

The results of this research showed that the Carino and Tank maturity function is preferred for the calculation of the maturity indexes. Also, it is found that a linear relationship between the retarder dosage and E or B can be established. Moreover, it is shown that E or B can be estimated by the method suggested by Pinto and Hover. In addition, a new strength-maturity model is suggested. Finally, it is found that the maturity method can be used with efficiency to establish the slipform mockup times, the time of the concrete layer, and the slipform speed.


A simplified box ocean model for the North Atlantic is used to study the influence of multiplicative short-term climate variability on the stability and long-term dynamics of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation. A timescale separation between fast temperature and slow salinity fluctuations is used to decouple the dynamical equations resulting in a multiplicative stochastic differential equation for salinity. As a result the qualitative behavior and the stability of the thermohaline circulation become a function of the noise level. This can be understood in terms of the concept of noise-induced transitions. Furthermore, the role of nonvanishing noise autocorrelation times on the dynamics of the thermohaline circulation is investigated. Red noise temperature forcing generates new equilibria, which do not have a deterministic counterpart. This study suggests that noise-induced transitions might have climate relevance.


: The goal of spatial data mining is to discover potentially useful, interesting, and non-trivial patterns from spatial data-sets (e.g., GPS trajectory of smartphones). Spatial data mining is societally important having applications in public health, public safety, climate science, etc. For example, in epidemiology, spatial data mining helps to find areas with a high concentration of disease incidents to manage disease outbreaks. Computational methods are needed to discover spatial patterns since the volume and velocity of spatial data exceed the ability of human experts to analyze it. Spatial data has unique characteristics like spatial autocorrelation and spatial heterogeneity which violate the i.i.d (Independent and Identically Distributed) assumption of traditional statistic and data mining methods. Therefore, using traditional methods may miss patterns or may yield spurious patterns, which are costly in societal applications. Further, there are additional challenges such as MAUP (Modifiable Areal Unit Problem) as illustrated by a recent court case debating gerrymandering in elections. In this article, we discuss tools and computational methods of spatial data mining, focusing on the primary spatial pattern families: hotspot detection, colocation detection, spatial prediction, and spatial outlier detection. Hotspot detection methods use domain information to accurately model more active and high-density areas. Colocation detection methods find objects whose instances are in proximity to each other in a location. Spatial prediction approaches explicitly model the neighborhood relationship of locations to predict target variables from input features. Finally, spatial outlier detection methods find data that differ from their neighbors. Lastly, we describe future research and trends in spatial data mining.


The book analyzes the evolution of decentralization of natural resource management in the Brazilian Amazon using a comparative approach. It is a collection of eight case studies: the municipalities of Mâncio Lima and Xapuri, in the State of Acre, and Altamira, Moju, Paragominas, Porto de Moz, Santarem, and Uruara, in the State of Para. The research was a joint effort of CIFOR, three Brazilian NGOs (LAET, IPAM, and PESACRE) and a Federal University (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN). Besides the case studies, the authors discuss how the existing institutions affect decentralization and shape the role of the municipal governments in forest management. In spite of the small number of cases studied, the research also analyzed the role of population size, area, revenues, political economy and other factors that may affect local governance of natural resources. The authors concluded that the local political economy, the expansion of the agricultural and forest frontiers, the presence of strong social movements, and the preferences of the mayors are some of the most significant factors that affect local forest management.


PURPOSE
To assess the impact of the current curriculum for physician assistant (PA) students in palliative medicine and end-of-life care.

METHODS
PA students were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey evaluating seven domains of knowledge in palliative medicine coupled with a self-assessment in competence. Participants were also asked to identify current and desired educational formats in palliative medicine education. There were 1,313 emailed surveys with 139 total responses.

RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that a year of clinical training only resulted in minimal improvement in factual knowledge. This suggests that there is insufficient exposure to palliative medicine education during their clinical training.

CONCLUSION
PA students recognize their knowledge gaps and lack of exposure in palliative medicine. A more focused curriculum is needed in training experiences for PA students.


The use of possibilistic networks for representing conditional preference statements on discrete variables has been proposed only recently. The approach uses non-instantiated possibility weights to define conditional preference tables. Moreover, additional information about the relative strengths of these symbolic weights can be taken into account. The fact that at best we have some information about the relative values of these weights acknowledges the qualitative nature of preference specification. These conditional preference tables give birth to vectors of symbolic weights that reflect the preferences that are satisfied and those that are violated in a considered situation. The comparison of such vectors may rely on different orderings: the ones induced by the product-based, or the minimum-based chain rule underlying the possibilistic network, the discrimin, or leximin refinements of the minimum-based ordering, as well as Pareto ordering, and the symmetric Pareto ordering that refines it. A thorough study of the relations between these orderings in presence of vector components that are symbolic rather numerical is presented. In particular, we establish that the product-based ordering and the symmetric Pareto ordering coincide in presence of constraints comparing pairs of symbolic weights. This ordering agrees in the Boolean case with the inclusion between the sets of preference statements that are violated. The symmetric Pareto ordering may be itself refined by the leximin ordering. The paper highlights the merits of product-based possibilistic networks for representing preferences and provides a comparative discussion with CP-nets and OCF-networks.


The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical analysis of the performance of an L1 Japanese automated essay scoring system which was on L2 Japanese compositions. In particular, this study concerns the use of such a system in formal L2 Japanese classes by the teachers (not in standardised tests). Thus experiments were designed accordingly. For this study, Jess, Japanese essay scoring system, was trialled using L2 Japanese compositions (n = 50). While Jess performed very well, being comparable with human raters in that the correlation between Jess and the average of the nine human raters is at least as high as the correlation between the 9 human raters, we also found: 1) that the performance of Jess is not as good as the reported performance of English automated essay scoring systems in the L2 environment and 2) that the very good compositions tend to be under-scored by Jess, indicating that Jess still has possible room for improvement.


We focus on mitigating strong interferences that can jam underwater acoustics emissions aimed for detection or communications. We consider two types of interferences: narrowband like continuous waveform and wideband like chirp. Both the types are assumed to be strong, such that, without interference cancellation, performance is poor. We offer two interference canceling algorithms, each corresponding to a different interference type. The two algorithms are designed to mitigate strong interference, while maintaining the desired signal intact. These algorithms can be executed sequentially to manage both types of interference simultaneously. Our solution takes advantage of the sparsity of the underwater acoustic channel, as well as the assumed correlation of the interference signals. Numerical simulations, as well as results from a sea experiment, show that our algorithms significantly reduce the effect of strong interferences for the fast time-varying and long-delay spread underwater acoustic channel.


We conducted two usability studies that included a total of 49 participants ranging in age from 20 to 82. The goal of Study 1 was to learn whether there were differences in how older adults interact with the Web and whether changes in text size would affect performance. Users completed tasks on a prototype employee/retiree benefits site using various text sizes. We learned that older users (55 years or older) had significantly more difficulty using the Web site than younger users. Text size did not significantly affect performance in any age group. In Study 2 new participants performed the same tasks on a version of the site that was redesigned to address the usability problems encountered by older users in Study 1. The goal was to learn whether we could redesign the prototype to improve the performance of older adults. Performance improved significantly for both older and younger users.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the fairness of dental capitation insurance provider compensation amounts being paid by one of the nation's largest capitation insurance companies.

STUDY DESIGN
Analysis of insurance company documents.

METHODS
The article first reports and then analyzes the capitation amounts paid by one of the nation's largest capitation plans over the past 13 years as retrieved directly from the insurance company documents. The annual rates of change in the capitation amounts are then compared with the annual rates of change in the mean dental office overhead expenses across the United States, as well as with the rates of change in income and expenses of the average US worker.

RESULTS
The compensation (capitation amount) paid to participating providers decreased dramatically every year over the past 13 years, while the mean office overhead costs of participating providers increased every year.

CONCLUSIONS
Solo general dentists with office overhead costs greater than or equal to the national mean likely find that the capitation amounts paid by insurance companies are an unfair compensation or are incompatible with their income objectives. Participation by solo general practitioners in capitation plans with such compensation levels would be problematic or unlikely.


This paper presents a structural model of production and inventory accumulation based on the hypothesis of cost minimization. It differs from previous attempts in several respects. First, it integrates the analysis of input inventories with output inventories, treating the two stocks separately. Second, it distinguishes between temporary and permanent fluctuations in sales as they are anticipated by the industry. Third, it allows for a more general structure of adjustment costs, and in particular for a cost changing the production level rather than only for deviations of the production level from a fixed target. Empirically, there are three principal conclusions. This model performs much better than those with no cost of production adjustment allowed. Disaggregation of inventories provides significant insights into the dynamics of the adjustment process. However, the restrictions on our model implied by the continuous-time stochastic control theory that we utilize are rejected by the data. We believe that a more disaggregated specification or a more detailed econometric treatment of the discrete-time nature of the observations would avoid this difficulty.


PURPOSE
To develop a stochastic time-resolved model that accounts for spatiotemporal changes in tumor over the extended course of the treatment. Furthermore, we aim to mitigate the effect of uncertainties, yet generate clinically acceptable plans even in worst-case scenarios. The performance of the method is demonstrated based on a clinical lung cancer case.

METHOD
Distinct tumor regression scenarios (from slow shrinkage to fast shrinkage) and their associated probabilities are constructed based on data from past studies. We minimize deviations from prescribed dose by taking all regression scenarios into account. These deviations are taken with respect to entire volume of interest, which consists of (right lung, left lung, heart, esophagus, spinal cord, tumor and tissue), over all time-periods (5 weeks).

RESULTS
Conventional models disregarding tumor regression lead to significant overdose on OAR as time progresses, producing V 2 0 > > 30%, hence beyond the threshold. The nominal time-resolved model allows for redistribution of the dose based on tumor regression, leading to a V 2 0 < 19%, whilst improving the tumor coverage. On the other hand, when regression assumptions deviate from the realized, tumor coverage is sub-optimal and clinically not acceptable. The proposed stochastic time-resolved model mitigates the effect of lack of specific knowledge about tumor regression. In particular, it meets dose criterion for tumor, whilst sparing the OAR (V2 0 < 23%) even in the worst-case scenario.

CONCLUSION
Traditional models degrade amidst tumor regression, especially at latter time-periods. The nominal time-resolved model allows redistribution of doses based on tumor regression, enhancing OAR sparing, but holds only when assumptions are met. The stochastic model accounts for uncertainties in tumor regression and produces clinically acceptable plans, even in the worst-case scenario when assumptions are not met.


Harmonized System (HS) is a list of classifications of goods that are made systematically with the aim of facilitating discretion, trade transactions, transportation and statistics. The HS code is determined by certain exporters / importers based on the description of the goods. Although it speeds up the customs clearance process by standardizing traded goods, it remains difficult to effectively have proper HS codes for each traded item. It is an extremely difficult task to provide accurate customs identification. This identification system remains complicated for non-experts. Importers / exporters and customs can determine different HS Codes on the same goods description. This happens because of differences in interpretation of goods descriptions. This research conducted a survey of several studies that have been conducted to translate HS codes using intelligent systems. Several studies have developed applications for determining the HS Code by requiring human intervention. Other studies have successfully developed a model of classification of goods based on HS codes. The input used varies between text, image and a combination of both. Based on the evaluation of the obtained model performance, the combination of text and image provides the best performance, with the highest f-score.


In this paper, the social constructivist's dramaturgical model of personality is used to define the field of artificial personality for embodied agents. The dramaturgical model views personality from three perspectives: that of the actor (which is concerned with the internal organization of personality and its expression), that of the observer (which is concerned with the perception and interpretation of personality), and that of the self-observer (which is concerned with the management of selfpresentations). Not only does the dramaturgical model of personality shed light on current research concerns and problems in artificial personality but, because it includes the observational perspectives, it also points out new directions for exploration.


This article seeks to explore the implications of neo-liberalism on women-centred reproductive health programmes, particularly in advancing their goals of political empowerment. The article develops a critique of reproduction and women as citizens of the public space in neo-liberal economies. It argues that the rhetoric of consumer freedom and high-quality services belie women's position as subjects of an economic growth-led society where reproduction is another resource to be harnessed for capitalism. Contrary to feminist intent, the public awareness of the 'personal' or the 'reproductive' does not necessarily lead to a concomitant enhancement of political aims.


A UK-wide deposit return scheme (DRS) can be expected to increase recycling rates for beverage bottles and cans from 70-75% to 85-90%, but at a disproportionate cost. A DRS is expected to cost over £1 billion in its first year and £814 million per annum thereafter. The tangible economic benefits are expected to be less than £100 million per year. In financial terms, a DRS would be highly inefficient, largely because kerbside collection already recovers 72% of these containers. The government's impact assessment is only able to claim a net economic gain by including intangible benefits of £986 million per annum from a reduction in litter. This figure is highly questionable. The impact assessment neglects to include the much larger costs of unpaid labour that will be incurred by households having to collect, store and return empty containers. When the full costs and benefits are included in the analysis, there seems to be no economic case for a deposit return scheme.<br>


Light-matter interaction at the nanoscale is of particular interest for future photonic integrated circuits and devices with applications ranging from communication to sensing and imaging. In this Letter a combination of transient absorption (TA) and the use of third harmonic generation as a probe (THG-probe) has been adopted to investigate the response of the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of vertically aligned indium tin oxide rods (ITORs) upon ultraviolet light (UV) excitation. TA experiments, which are sensitive to the extinction of the LSPR, show a fluence-dependent increase in the frequency and intensity of the LSPR. The THG-probe experiments show a fluence-dependent decrease of the LSPR-enhanced local electric field intensity within the rod, consistent with a shift of the LSPR to higher frequency. The kinetics from both TA and THG-probe experiments are found to be independent of the fluence of the pump. These results indicate that UV excitation modulates the plasma frequency of ITO on the ultrafast time scale by the injection of electrons into, and their subsequent decay from, the conduction band of the rods. Increases to the electron concentration in the conduction band of ∼13% were achieved in these experiments. Computer simulation and modeling have been used throughout the investigation to guide the design of the experiments and to map the electric field distribution around the rods for interpreting far-field measurement results.


The earth is our sustainer, the chain of ecologic survival. Renew ability is the key to our human continuum and our prime resource for architecture. Earth sheltering earth handling and earth escaping are more clearly pronounced in the vocabulary of architectural planning and design . Many of us had percept the positive effect in underground tunnels by traveling through the metro. The vital and efficient sustainable energy which can be used by us is underground thermal inertia; we can become aware of that, the earth can serve in many climates as a heating or cooling source. Its high thermal capacity keeps the soil temperature, below a certain depth, considerably lower than the ambient air temperature during summer and higher than the ambient air temperature during winter. Seasonal variation of the earth temperature decreases with increase of depth, moisture content of soil and soil conductivity. It is estimated that a small number of meters below the earth surface, the earth temperature remains constant during the year. In regions with temperate climate such as Denmark, the temperature of the soil at depth of 2-3 meters can be low enough during summer or high enough during winter, to serve as a cooling or heating source. Using of the underground constant temperature can be useful for architects and designer because the temperature is between 8oC-13oC, and2- 3 m above the earth, can help us to find a competent solution which help us to controlled thermal comfort in houses.


In this paper, we examine net emigration from Mexico over the period 1960 to 2000. The data are consistent with labor supply shocks having made a substantial contribution to Mexican emigration, accounting for two-fifths of Mexican labor flows to the United States over the last two decades of the twentieth century. Net emigration rates by Mexican state birth year cohort display a strong positive correlation with the initial size of the Mexican cohort relative to the corresponding U.S. cohort. In states with long histories of emigration, the effects of cohort size on emigration are relatively strong, consistent with the existence of preexisting networks.


Congress must reauthorize the sweeping 1996 welfare reform legislation by October 1, 2002. A number of issues that were prominent in the 1995-96 battle over welfare reform are likely to resurface in the debate over reauthorization. Among those issues are the five-year time limit, provisions to reduce out-of-wedlock births, the adequacy of child care funding, problems with Medicaid and food stamp receipt by working families, and work requirements. Funding levels are also certain to be controversial. Fiscal conservatives will try to lower grant spending levels, while states will seek to maintain them and gain additional discretion in the use of funds. Finally, a movement to encourage states to promote marriage among low-income families is already taking shape. The need for reauthorization presents an opportunity to assess what welfare reform has accomplished and what remains to be done. The New World of Welfare is an attempt to frame the policy debate for reauthorization, and to inform the policy discussion among the states and at the federal level, especially by drawing lessons from research on the effects of welfare reform. In the book, a diverse set of welfare experts uliberal and conservative, academic and nonacademic uengage in rigorous debate on topics ranging from work experience programs, to job availability, to child well-being, to family formation. In order to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on welfare reform, the contributors cover subjects including work and wages, effects of reform on family income and poverty, the politics of conservative welfare reform, sanctions and time limits, financial work incentives for low-wage earners, the use of medicaid and food stamps, welfare-to-work, child support, child care, and welfare reform and immigration. Preparation of the volume was supported by funds from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Contributors include Thomas L. Gais, Richard P. Nathan, and Irene Lurie (Rockefeller Inistitute, SUNY-Albany), Thomas Kaplan (University of Wisconsin), Lucie Schmidt (University of Michigan), Charles Murray (American Enterprise Institute), Hugh Heclo (George Mason University), Lawrence M. Mead (NYU), ), Julie Strawn, Mark Greenberg, and Steve Savner (Center for Law and Social Policy), Ladonna Pavetti (Mathematica Policy Research), Dan Bloom (Manpower Demonstration Research Corp.), Charles Michalopoulos and Gordon Berlin (Manpower Demonstraton Research Corporation), Jason A. Turner (Commissioner of Welfare, State of New York), Thomas Main (Baruch College of the City University of New York), Sheila Zedlewski and Pamela Loprest (Urban Institute), Robert Greenstein and Jocelyn Guyer (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities), George Borjas (Harvard University), Greg Duncan and Lindsay Chase-Landsdale (Northwestern University), Wade F. Horn (National Fatherhood Initiative), Isabel V. Sawhill (Brookings Institution, Irwin Garfinkel (Columbia University), Douglas Besharov and Nazanin Samari (American Enterprise Institute), Lynn A. Karoly, Jacob A. Klerman, and Jeannette A. Rogowski (RAND Corp.).


Due to the universality of blackbody radiation the constant in the Stefan–Boltzmann law connecting the energy density and temperature of blackbody radiation is either a universal constant, or built out of several universal constants. Since the Stefan–Boltzmann law follows from thermodynamics and classical electrodynamics this constant must involve the speed of light and the Boltzmann constant. However, a dimensional analysis points to the existence of an additional universal constant not present in the two classical theories giving birth to the Stefan–Boltzmann law. In the most elementary version this constant has the dimension of an action and is thereby proportional to Planck's constant. We point out this unusual phenomenon of the combination of two classical laws creating a quantum law and speculate about its deeper origin.


Extracted from text ... CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF SOUTH AFRICA Vol 16, No. 3, May/June 2005 171
Lionel H. Opie, Bernard J. Gersh
ISBN 0-7216-2839-7
6th edition 2005, 437 pages
Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Future large-scale galaxy surveys have the potential to become leading probes for cosmology provided the influence of baryons on the total mass distribution is understood well enough. As hydrodynamical simulations strongly depend on details in the feedback implementations, no unique and robust predictions for baryonic effects currently exist. In this paper we propose a baryonic correction model that modifies the density field of dark-matter-only N-body simulations to mimic the effects of baryons from any underlying adopted feedback recipe. The model assumes haloes to consist of 4 components: 1- hot gas in hydrostatical equilibrium, 2- ejected gas from feedback processes, 3- central galaxy stars, and 4- adiabatically relaxed dark matter, which all modify the initial dark-matter-only density profiles. These altered profiles allow to define a displacement field for particles in N-body simulations and to modify the total density field accordingly. The main advantage of the baryonic correction model is to connect the total matter density field to the observable distribution of gas and stars in haloes, making it possible to parametrise baryonic effects on the matter power spectrum. We show that the most crucial quantities are the mass fraction of ejected gas and its corresponding ejection radius. The former controls how strongly baryons suppress the power spectrum, while the latter provides a measure of the scale where baryonic effects become important. A comparison with X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich cluster observations suggests that baryons suppress wave modes above k∼0.5 h/Mpc with a maximum suppression of 10-25 percent around k∼ 2 h/Mpc. More detailed observations of the gas in the outskirts of groups and clusters are required to decrease the large uncertainties of these numbers.


Low temperature detectors have been a subject of intense interest to the scientific community over the last decade. These detectors work at very low temperatures, often well below 1 Kelvin, to minimize the noise in the measurement of photons. This leads to very powerful detectors applicable to a broad wavelength range. Since these detectors are so sensitive even single pixels and small arrays (up to several hundred pixels) enable deeper explorations of the cosmos than ever before. Instruments based on these technologies have been used at submillimeter, optical, and X-ray wavelengths. The scientific prospects for these detectors increase as they grow in pixel count. For some applications, especially for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization work, a large focal plane will not only increase efficiency but will also enable new and vital science. Current superconducting technologies, such as Transition Edge Sensors (TESs), can currently deliver extremely high sensitivity in the submillimeter and read-noise free imaging spectroscopy at Optical/UV and X-ray wavelengths, but the largest arrays contain less that 100 pixels. In order to make real progress these arrays must contain many thousands of pixels. This is a formidable technical challenge. This thesis will explore a promising emerging technology called Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs). MKIDs make use of the change in the surface impedance of a superconductor as incoming photons break up Cooper pairs. This is accomplished by making the strip of superconductor part of a microwave resonant circuit, and monitoring the phase of a signal transmitted through (or past) the resonator. The primary advantage of this technology is that by using resonant circuits with high quality factors, passive frequency domain multiplexing will allow up to thousands of resonators to be read out through a single coaxial cable and a single HEMT amplifier. This eliminates the cryogenic electronics (SQUIDS) and wiring problems associated with current superconducting devices. Inexpensive and powerful room-temperature readout electronics can leverage the microwave integrated circuits developed for wireless communications. When this project started four years ago MKIDs were just a concept. In this thesis I will recount the progress we have made in taking this concept and turning it into a detector technology, building on the work we published in Nature in 2003. I will demonstrate that we have overcome the major technical obstacles and shown conclusively that MKIDs work, and should provide much larger arrays than are possible with other technologies. Due to our work at Caltech and JPL, MKIDs are considered one of the leading technologies to reach the ambitious goals set for future ground and space missions. The noise performance is already good enough for sky-limited, ground-based, submillimeter astronomy. Despite MKIDs acceptable noise performance for ground-based astronomy, there are many applications which require lower detector noise. The simple MKIDs we measure in this thesis still exhibit a noise higher than theory would predict which could limit their usefulness for some applications. In Chapters 7-9 we perform several experiments which identify the source of the excess noise as the substrate. In the course of these experiments to characterize and identify the noise, we successfully demonstrate two distinct approaches which dramatically reduce the noise excess.


Abstract The rapid ecological expansion of grasses with C4 photosynthesis at the end of the Neogene (8-2 Ma) is well documented in the fossil record of stable carbon isotopes. As one of the most profound vegetation changes to occur in recent geologic time, it paved the way for modern tropical grassland ecosystems. Changes in CO2 levels, seasonality, aridity, herbivory, and fire regime have all been suggested as potential triggers for this broadly synchronous change, long after the evolutionary origin of the C4 pathway in grasses. To date, these hypotheses have suffered from a lack of direct evidence for floral composition and structure during this important transition. This study aimed to remedy the problem by providing the first direct, relatively continuous record of vegetation change for the Great Plains of North America for the critical interval (ca. 12-2 Ma) using plant silica (phytolith) assemblages. Phytoliths were extracted from late Miocene–Pliocene paleosols in Nebraska and Kansas. Quantitative phytolith analysis of the 14 best-preserved assemblages indicates that habitats varied substantially in openness during the middle to late Miocene but became more uniformly open, corresponding to relatively open grassland or savanna, during the late Miocene and early Pliocene. Phytolith data also point to a marked increase of grass short cells typical of chloridoid and other potentially C4 grasses of the PACMAD clade between 8 and 5 Ma; these data suggest that the proportion of these grasses reached up to ∼50–60% of grasses, resulting in mixed C3-C4 and highly heterogeneous grassland communities by 5.5 Ma. This scenario is consistent with interpretations of isotopic records from paleosol carbonates and ungulate tooth enamel. The rise in abundance of chloridoids, which were present in the central Great Plains since the early Miocene, demonstrates that the "globally" observed lag between C4 grass evolution/taxonomic diversification and ecological expansion occurred at the regional scale. These patterns of vegetation alteration imply that environmental change during the late Miocene–Pliocene played a major role in the C3-C4 shift in the Great Plains. Specifically, the importance of chloridoids as well as a decline in the relative abundance of forest indicator taxa, including palms, point to climatic drying as a key trigger for C4 dominance.


Introduction Similar to other populations, full blood count reference (FBC) intervals in Malaysia are generally derived from non-Malaysian subjects. However, numerous studies have shown significant differences between and within populations supporting the need for population specific intervals. Methods Two thousand seven hundred twenty five apparently healthy adults comprising all ages, both genders and three principal races were recruited through voluntary participation. FBC was performed on two analysers, Sysmex XE-5000 and Unicel DxH 800, in addition to blood smears and haemoglobin analysis. Serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and C-reactive protein assays were performed in selected subjects. All parameters of qualified subjects were tested for normality followed by determination of reference intervals, measures of central tendency and dispersion along with point estimates for each subgroup. Results Complete data was available in 2440 subjects of whom 56% (907 women and 469 men) were included in reference interval calculation. Compared to other populations there were significant differences for haemoglobin, red blood cell count, platelet count and haematocrit in Malaysians. There were differences between men and women, and between younger and older men; unlike in other populations, haemoglobin was similar in younger and older women. However ethnicity and smoking had little impact. 70% of anemia in premenopausal women, 24% in postmenopausal women and 20% of males is attributable to iron deficiency. There was excellent correlation between Sysmex XE-5000 and Unicel DxH 800. Conclusion Our data confirms the importance of population specific haematological parameters and supports the need for local guidelines rather than adoption of generalised reference intervals and cut-offs.


Abstract 974 Background: We and others showed that the TKI erlotinib (Erlo) has in vivo and in vitro efficacy in MDS and AML (Boehrer et al., Blood, 2008) and clinical studies defining more closely its therapeutic benefit are underway in MDS, including by our group (NCT00977548, NCT01085838). We tried to define in this preclinical study the potential interest of combining Erlo to hypomethylating agents, which have become reference treatments in MDS. Methods: Erlo (10mM) was combined to AZA, (2mM) or decitabine (DAC, 2mM) and apoptosis over-time (24, 48, 72h) quantified by DioC3(6)/PI staining in MDS- and AML-derived cell lines (MOLM-13, KG-1, HL-60) and ex vivo patient (pt) MDS and AML cells. To fully evaluate the extent of Erlo-induced sensitization, efficacy was compared to apoptosis induced by AraC (100nM), doxorubicine (Dox, 100nM), VP-16 (1mM) +/− Erlo. Single drug dosages had been chosen since they caused little to no apoptosis. Efflux via P-gp (by staining with DioC23), MRP (by calcein) and was quantified by FACS, specific biochemical efflux inhibitors (CSA, MK-571, KO143) served as controls, intracellular retention of mitoxantrone (MTZ) assessed overall functionality of ABC-transporters. Surface expression of P-gp was quantified by FACS. Results: Whereas co-incubation of Erlo with DAC did not increase apoptosis in any of the myeloid cell lines, combination of Erlo with AZA exhibited synergistic effects already observed at 24h (HL-60: Erlo: 3%, AZA: 10%, Erlo+ AZA: 30%), and increasing over-time (72h: Erlo: 6%, AZA: 15%, Erlo+ AZA: 40%). Noteworthy, the degree of apoptosis observed by combining Erlo+ AZA was comparable to cell death induced by 1mM VP-16, and largely exceeded apoptosis observed with 100nM Dox and 100nM AraC in the respective cell lines. To determine if Erlo also impacts on apoptosis in MDS- and AML-derived cells, we first screened 5 pt samples (with MDS or AML) for apoptosis observed under AZA and DAC, and demonstrated that, in all samples, AZA-induced apoptosis exceeded DAC-induced apoptosis (by up to 40% at 24h). Noteworthy, the "peak" of apoptosis in sensitive pt cells occurred at 24h and – under single agents - did not increase over-time. Co-incubation with Erlo and AZA was able to induce synergistic effects already at 24h (AML post MDS: Erlo: 10%, AZA: 33%, Erlo+ AZA: 55%) and apoptosis increased over-time. In addition, whereas malignant CD34- cells already showed a high rate of "spontaneous" apoptosis (that is in the absence of any drug, about 50% of apoptosis at 48h), CD34+ blasts not only exhibited a lower rate of spontaneous apoptosis (remaining below 15% at 72h), but also a considerable degree of chemoresistance (48h: no increase of apoptosis under AraC, Dox or VP-16). Testing if the combination of Erlo+ AZA also targets this resistant population, we showed that it is particularly efficient in CD34+ progenitors (inducing 80% cell death at 72h), exceeding efficiency of all other tested agents/combinations (AraC, Dox, VP-16, Dec+/−Erlo). Hypothesizing that this pattern of sensitization might be due to a decreased drug efflux via ABC-transporters (overexpressed on malignant myeloid progenitors), we tested this concept on cell lines and ex vivo pt cells. We found that erlotinib can inhibit drug efflux via P-gp (as evidenced by increased intracellular retention of DioC23) and MRP (increased retention of calcein). Notably, Erlo increased intracellular accumulation of MTZ in MDS- and AML-derived CD34- and CD34+ blasts, and exhibited - as single agent - a comparable degree of efflux inhibition as the combination of all three biochemical inhibitors. To more closely define the advantageous effect of Erlo+AZA in pt cells, we quantified drug-induced changes in P-gp expression separately in CD34+CD38dim and CD34dimCD38+ blasts. We found that Erlo down-regulates P-gp surface expression (decrease of 50% at 48h), and that this down-regulation is more pronounced in the immature CD34+CD38dim population than in the CD34dimCD38+ blasts. Conclusions: Our study shows erlotinib9s ability to reverse the drug-resistance phenotype in malignant blasts and its interesting combination with AZA. We also provide novel evidence that Erlo (combined to AZA) can target chemoresistant myeloid progenitors by diminishing functionality as well as surface expression of ABC-transporters. Those results suggest a potential clinical interest of combining erlotinib to AZA in MDS Disclosures: Fenaux:CELGENE, JANSSEN CILAG, AMGEN, ROCHE, GSK, NOVARTIS, MERCK, CEPHALON: Consultancy.


The Free University of Amsterdam offers refugees preparing for university in the Netherlands a special course called the Preparatory Year for Refugee Students (VJV). The aim of this course is twofold:- to upgrade the proficiency in Dutch and English and in some subjects (mainly mathematics) and to provide them with the study skills necessary for Dutch university;- to make them familiar with Dutch society in general and Dutch universities in particular.In this article an attempt is made to develop a method which can help teachers to acquire some insight into the combination of factors responsible for the success or failure of a student.Three reasons are discussed why a student might fail at a certain task: insufficient proficiency in Dutch or English (the language factor), insufficient knowledge of subject matter (the content factor) and inadequate mastery of study skills (the study skills factor) .The main point made in the article is that these three factors interact; in the VJV it is important to distinguish between these interacting factors both when assessing students at the beginning of the pre-sessional course and when actually preparing them for university. Ideally, teachers should be able to unravel these factors i.e. to analyse students1 products in terms of their separate effects.Two examples of the interaction of these factors are given:taking notes during lectures, which is practised in the Dutch lessons, and solving a mathematics problem.


Among chalcogenide semiconductors for thermoelectric applications, alkali-metal bismuth compounds occur in many complex compositions favorable for high performance. Although LiBi3S5 had been announced in 1977, the potential 1D lithium-ion conductor has hitherto eluded selective synthesis and structure determination. In this study, we present a solid-state route to phase-pure LiBi3S5 powder starting from LiBiS2 and Bi2S3. Neutron diffractograms and lithium-NMR spectra reveal its crystal structure to be a cation-disordered variety of the AgBi3S5 type (synthetic pavonite; monoclinic, C2/m). Topological analyses and lithium-NMR relaxometry suggest that correlated lithium-ion diffusion with activation energies up to 0.66(2) eV occurs along the channels in b direction including tetrahedral voids. Because of cation disorder, immobile bismuth(III) ions clog these pathways, making LiBi3S5 a moderate to poor ionic conductor. The synthesis route reported is nonetheless promising for new lithium bismuth sulfides with, possibly ordered, structure types of the pavonite homologous series.


In large parts of the world, the gas market has changed dramatically due to the fracking of rock, including shale. It is also anticipated that significant changes will take place in the oil market due to the rapid introduction of the processing of shale for the purpose of oil and gas generation. Many fear that there will be substantial consequences for the environment, especially in the long term. The purpose of the present paper is to share some experiences from related historical activities in Sweden where alum shale has been used for oil extraction, burning of lime, alum production and uranium beneficiation. Legacies exist in terms of shale ash and fines as well as residues from the leaching of uranium, in quantities of a total of tens of millions of tonnes, and at various stages of remediation. The long-term integrity of these residues is analyzed with regard to the possibility of development of acid mine drainage, and in view of the low Ca and high S content. It is found that such developments cannot be excluded for the cases in which the alum shale had not been (properly) combusted. Waste materials having appropriately high pH acid buffering capacities to inhibit acidification are identified together with injection as a promising method of application. The need for mixing on a local scale is discussed together with the possible influence of the injection of slurry on ongoing fires. It is found that further knowledge is needed on a number of issues.


The seemingly intractable economic debates in Christian ethics evoke both strong defenses and deep critiques of the market economy. To suggest a way forward, I first analyze the kinds of argument that each side of the debate tends to make. I argue that the promarket arguments tend to be protological and penultimate in focus, while the antimarket arguments tend to be redemptive-eschatological and ultimate in focus. Then I suggest that a version of the two-kingdoms doctrine allows us to appreciate the insights of both lines of argument without jettisoning one for the sake of the other. A free-market economy is a morally fitting organization for the life of God's common kingdom. Christians, especially in the visible church, are also called to embody, though imperfectly, the life of abundance and extravagant generosity that marks the eschatological kingdom of Christ, though it stands in some tension with market virtues. David VanDrunen, "The Market Economy and Christian Ethics: Refocusing Debate through the Two-Kingdoms Doctrine," Journal of Markets and Morality 17, no.1 (Spring 2014): 189-191. Click here to discus this article at Journaltalk.


To understand the dynamics of an autonomous ridesharing transport mode from the perspectives of different stakeholders, a single model of such a system is essential, because this will enable policymakers and companies involved in the manufacture and operation of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) to develop user-centered strategies. The model needs to be based on real data, network, and traffic information and applied to real cities and situations, particularly those with complex public transportation systems. In this paper, we propose a new agent-based model for SAV deployment that enables the parametric assessment of key performance indicators from the perspective of potential SAV users, vehicle manufacturers, operators, and local authorities. This has been applied to a case study of three regions in London: central, inner, and outer. The results show there is no linear correlation between an increased ridesharing acceptance level and average trip duration. Without a fleet rebalancing algorithm, over 80% of SAVs' energy expenditure is on picking up customers. By reducing pickup distance, SAVs could be a contender for a nonpersonal transportation system based on trip energy comparisons. The results provide a picture of future SAV systems for potential users and offer suggestions as to how operators can devise an optimal transportation strategy beyond the question of fleet size and how policymakers can improve the overall transport network and reduce its environmental impact based on energy consumption. As a result of its flexibility and parametric capability, the model can be utilized to inform any local authority how SAV services could be deployed in any city.


The environment in which we live relentlessly threatens to decay or destroy our built cultural heritage through climatic and man-made means. Fire presents the most severe threat to the fabric and content of historic buildings. The destruction, when it occurs is extremely swift, the loss caused is often complete and the indirect damage from smoke and water can also be significant. The incidences of fires in churches is currently exceeding those in all other historic building types. This trend is destroying irreplaceable national treasures as arguably, England and Wales contains the greatest collection, in terms of number and antiquity, of ancient parish churches in the world. This thesis presents an investigation into the fundamental principles underlying fire safety in parish churches. It identifies that the danger to life from fire is not high, due to the fact that the natural layout of churches facilitates good evacuation routes and travel distances. The threat to church property, however, is considerable as churches generally possess very limited fire safety measures. In addition, problems of building isolation, restricted access and limited water supply means that early intervention is unlikely. Such evidence prompted the need for a decision making tool to aid the custodians of churches in the management of fire safety and in the allocation of scarce resources. The aims of this thesis were to develop a prototype fire safety evaluation procedure for the property protection of parish churches and to examine, using a sample of churches, the effectiveness of the methodology. This has been achieved by developing a 'points scheme' technique to enable the judgement on the adequacy of fire safety to be undertaken. The work involved assigning numerical values to qualitative descriptions of events, techniques and processes by a group of experts representing the interests of those involved in the use, management, and preservation of churches as well as fire safety engineering. The opinions gathered were brought to a consensus in a series of Delphi group meetings, through discussion and matrix manipulation. A 'collated norm' was established, from a collection of fire safety guidance documents for places of worship, against which technical value judgements are made and the acceptable level of fire safety is adjudicated. The procedure is unique in its evaluation configuration, in that it balances the level of fire safety against the vulnerability of property fabric and content. The assessment is undertaken through an 'observational survey'. This is conducted by an expert, knowledgeable in ecclesiastical building construction and fire safety, observing all parts of the building and making judgements on the adequacy of eighteen identified fire safety components. Features of the building which are highlighted through the assessment as being a high fire risk can receive a more in-depth survey, beyond the scope of this evaluation procedure. The practical operation of the evaluation procedure has been tested on ten churches. The outcome shows a broad spread of results. An independent qualitative observational assessment by experts support the outcome of the evaluation procedure in nine out of ten cases. Preliminary repeatability application trials have also been conducted. They showed an encouraging level of consistency, illustrating further that the developed procedure is of positive value and utility. The versatility of the evaluation procedure enables a direct link to be made between potential improvements in the assessment score and the actual cost of making fire safety improvements. This facility enables decision makers to evaluate fire safety upgrade options.


Introduction: Pediatric empyema is the most common complication of childhood pneumonia. Our aim is to share the characteristics and treatment methods of pediatric empyema treated with surgery.
Materials and Methods: 66 pediatric patients with pleural empyema were included in the study. Patients were classified as patients treated with tube thoracostomy and thoracotomy. The characteristics of the groups were investigated. The factors that are effective in the application of tube thoracostomy and thoracotomy were evaluated. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The mean age was 5.36 ± 3.85. While 38 (%58) of the patients were male, 28 (42%) were female. 52 (79%) of patients were underwent tube thoracostomy, while 14 (%21) of patients were performed thoracotomy. The average age, the presence of loculations, purulent fluid aspiration with thoracentesis, the average pH, the average glukoz and the average LDH were found to have a significant effect on the application of thoracotomy (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Pediatric empyema requires a multidisciplinary approach. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Tube thoracostomy is the primary method of treatment. However, decortication with thoracotomy should be the primary method in the case of loculations and purulent fluid aspiration with thoracentesis.


The description of a new species is a key step in cataloguing the World's flora. However, this is only a preliminary stage in a long process of understanding what that species represents. We investigated how long the species discovery process takes by focusing on three key stages: 1, the collection of the first specimen; 2, the publication of the species name; and 3, the date when a minimum number of 15 accurately named specimens are available. We quantified the time lags associated with these stages for several groups of plants with different numbers of species and from different regions, including the 20 most species-rich Angiosperm families. Our analyses reveal that it takes decades to accumulate a minimum number of specimens to allow subsequent studies of any kind. The time lag between stages 1 and 3 is consistently over 70 years with groups such as the tropical genus Aframomum reflecting an average time lag of over 100 years. In light of our results, we suggest that species discovery is most accurately characterized as a lengthy process of knowledge accumulation, often spanning decades, rather than a one-off event.


The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the amount of costs, revenues, profits, and profitability value of tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru. 2) to determine the level of efficiency of cassava tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru. 3) to determine the added value of cassava tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru. This research was conducted from January 2014 unti Mei 2014. The data collection technique was cencus technique. The respondents of this research were all active to tapai entrepreneurs in Pekanbaru. This research used qualitative and quantitative methods. The analysis scopes of this research were costs, revenues, profits, profitability, efficiency, and added values analysis. The results of this research showed that the average total cost of tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru was Rp. 11.786.066,66 per month. . Total revenues of tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru was Rp.18.116.343,99 per month. Total Profit of tape agroindustry in Pekanbaru was Rp. 6.330.277,33 per month. The number 53,71 percent of Profitability value meant that tapai agroindustry in Pekanbaru was a profitable industry because the value of profitability > 1,53 Ratio of R / C value meant that every Rp.1.00 costs in the production process of tape will provide 1,53 times profit. The average added value of tapai was Rp.5.666,67/kg. Keywords : Tapai, Agroindustry, Efficiency, Value Added


We show how to implement a calculus with higher-order subtyping and subkinding by replacing uses of implicit subsumption with explicit coercions. To ensure this can be done, a polymorphic function is adjusted to take, as an additional argument, a proof that its type constructor argument has the desired kind. Such a proof is extracted from the derivation of a kinding judgement and may in turn require proof coercions, which are extracted from subkinding judgements. This technique is formalized as a type-directed translation from a calculus of higher-order subtyping to a subtyping-free calculus. This translation generalizes an existing result for second-order subtyping calculi (such as F ≤).We also discuss two interpretations of subtyping, one that views it as type inclusion and another that views it is the existence of a well-behaved coercion, and we show, by a type-theoretic construction, that our translation is the minimum consequence of shifting from the inclusion interpretation to the coercion-existence interpretation. This construction shows that the translation is the natural one, and it also provides a framework for extending the translation to richer type systems. Finally, we show how the two interpretations can be reconciled in a common semantics. It is then easy to show the coherence of the translation relative to that semantics.