Nine species of Australian warblers (Acanthizidae) occur together in open eucalypt forests near Sydney, New South Wales. The ecological segregation of six of these species, which foraged primarily in shrub and tree vegetation and are similar sized (5-8 g), was studied during 1984. Seasonal data were obtained for five species; Weebill Smicromis brevirostris, White-throated Warbler or Gerygone Gerygone olivacea, Striated Thornbill Acanthiza lineata, Little Thornbill A. nana and Buff-rumped Thornbill A. reguloides. The sixth species, Brown Thornbill A. pusilla, was uncommon and seasonal comparisons were not possible. As has been reported for similar species associations in the northern hemisphere, the species studied differed in prey attack behaviour, foraging heights, use of plant species and selection of foraging substrates. There were significant seasonal differences in the use of foraging resources. For example, bark was more important as a foraging substrate in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. A. reguloides foraged more on the ground outside the breeding season than when nesting. The increased abundance of flying insects during summer correlated with an increased use of hawking and snatching as prey attack behaviours by all species. Despite their differences, species broadly overlapped in their use of resources and had similar niche breadths. Overlaps in the use of resources were greatest during spring, when prey resources were probably most abundant, and least in autumn when prey decreased in abundance. The forest in which the study was conducted was dominated by two species of eucalypts. Birds selected between these species but used the same foraging behaviours in each. Despite the selection between eucalypt species, the limited array of plant species had little effect on species richness. Comparison of niche breadths for the same species at other sites where there were different numbers of co-existing species suggests that niche breadth and overlap may be primarily determined by the availability of resources (e.g. substrates, plant species) and not by competitive interactions between the species themselves.


Urban sprawl and income segregation are two undesired urban patterns that occur during urban development. Empirical studies show that income level and inequality are positively correlated with urban sprawl and income segregation, respectively. However, the relationship between urban sprawl and income segregation is not only rarely investigated but also shows ambiguous empirical results when it is. Therefore, in this study, we built a stylized agent-based model with individual behaviours based on Alonso's bid rent theory and ran simulations with different combinations of income level and income inequality. We measured the overall emergent patterns with indicators for urban sprawl and income segregation. The model confirms the established positive correlations between income level and urban sprawl and between income inequality and segregation. Furthermore, the model shows a negative correlation between urban sprawl and income segregation under free market conditions. The model indicates that without any policy implementation, a city will either suffer from urban sprawl or income segregation. Thus, this study serves as a starting point to study the effects of different urban planning policies on these two urban problems.


A method is presented for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of 16S rRNA gene clones targeting in vivo transcribed plasmid inserts (Clone-FISH). Several different cloning approaches and treatments to generate target-rRNA in the clones were compared. Highest signal intensities of Clone-FISH were obtained using plasmids with a T7 RNA polymerase promoter and host cells with an IPTG-inducible T7 RNA polymerase. Combined IPTG-induction and chloramphenicol treatment of those clones resulted in FISH signals up to 2.8-fold higher than signals of FISH with probe EUB338 to cells of Escherichia coli. Probe dissociation curves for three oligonucleotide probes were compared for reference cells containing native (FISH) or cloned (Clone-FISH) target sequences. Melting behaviour and calculated T(d) values were virtually identical for clones and cells, providing a format to use 16S rRNA gene clones instead of pure cultures for probe validation and optimization of hybridization conditions. The optimized Clone-FISH protocol was also used to screen an environmental clone library for insert sequences of interest. In this application format, 13 out of 82 clones examined were identified to contain sulphate-reducing bacterial rRNA genes. In summary, Clone-FISH is a simple and fast technique, compatible with a wide variety of cloning vectors and hosts, that should have general utility for probe validation and screening of clone libraries.


KaiC, a core protein of the cyanobacterial circadian clock, is rhythmically autophosphorylated and autodephosphorylated with a period of approximately 24 h in the presence of two other Kai proteins, KaiA and KaiB. In vitro experiments to investigate the KaiC phosphorylation cycle consume considerable time and effort. To automate the fractionation, quantification, and evaluation steps, we developed a suite consisting of an automated sampling device equipped with an 8-channel temperature controller and accompanying analysis software. Eight sample tables can be controlled independently at different temperatures within a fluctuation of ±0.01°C, enabling investigation of the temperature dependency of clock activities simultaneously in a single experiment. The suite includes an independent software that helps users intuitively conduct a densitometric analysis of gel images in a short time with improved reliability. Multiple lanes on a gel can be detected quasi-automatically through an auto-detection procedure implemented in the software, with or without correction for lane 'smiling.' To demonstrate the performance of the suite, robustness of the period against temperature variations was evaluated using 32 datasets of the KaiC phosphorylation cycle. By using the software, the time required for the analysis was reduced by approximately 65% relative to the conventional method, with reasonable reproducibility and quality. The suite is potentially applicable to other clock or clock-related systems in higher organisms, relieving users from having to repeat multiple manual sampling and analytical steps.


A new approach to recruitment overfishing diagnosis is presented. We hypothesize that condition of recruits should increase when recruitment failures are caused by fishing activity. This would be a consequence of the increase in trophic resource availability, because the population is smaller than that which the ecosystem could support. Temporal series of hake recruit condition were calculated from MEDITS survey data collected in Mediterranean geographical sub-areas (GSAs) 1, 6, 17 and 19 from 1994 to 2015. Multiple linear regressions were used to analyse the relationship between mean annual condition and abundance of recruits and climatic indices in each GSA. Significant correlations were only detected in GSA 6, where 69% of condition variability was explained by the negative correlation with recruit abundance, and with two climatic indices, the Western Mediterranean Oscillation and the standardized air temperature anomaly at surface from the Gulf of Lions. Despite the differences in recruit abundance among GSAs, their mean annual condition oscillated around the same basal value during most of the time series, pointing to density-dependent mortality rates as an important mechanism stabilizing hake recruitment to levels close to the carrying capacity when populations do not suffer recruitment overfishing. This pattern changed when the decreasing recruit abundance trend drove GSA 6 condition values persistently above those of the rest of the GSAs. According to our hypothesis, hake in GSA 6 is in recruitment overfishing.


Problem statement: The Semantic Region Based Image Retrieval (SRBIR) system that
automatically segments the dominant foreground region, consisting of the semantic concept of the
image, such as elephants, roses and does the semantic learning, is proposed. Approach: The system
segments an image into different regions and finds the dominant foreground region in it, which is the
semantic concept of that image. Then it extracts the low-level features of that dominant foreground
region. The Support Vector Machine-Binary Decision Tree (SVM-BDT) is used for semantic learning
and it finds the semantic category of an image. The low level features of the dominant region of each
category image are used to find the semantic template of that category. The SVM-BDT is constructed
with the help of these semantic templates. The high level concept of the query image is obtained using
this SVM-BDT. Similarity matching is done between the query image and the set of images belonging
to the semantic category of the query image and the top images with least distances are retrieved.
Results: Experiments were conducted using the COREL dataset consisting of 10,000 images and its
subset with 1000 images of 10 different semantic categories. The obtained results demonstrate the
effectiveness of the proposed framework, compared to those of the commonly used region based
image retrieval approaches. Conclusion: Efficient image searching, browsing and retrieval are
required by users from various domains, such as medicine, fashion, architecture, training and teaching.
The proposed SRBIR system aims at retrieving images based on their semantic content by extracting
the dominant foreground region in the image and learning its semantic concept with the help of the
SVM-BDT. The proposed SRBIR system provides an efficient image search based on semantics, with
high accuracy and less access time.


This comprehensive resource provides a thorough introduction to the principles of electronic circuits operating in the radio, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequency ranges. The book highlights the fundamental physical laws of classical electromagnetics using a foundation of Maxwell's equations to give insight into the operating principles of circuit elements of all kinds, from lumped elements to transmission lines, waveguides, optical fibers, and quasi-optical structures. Standard passive system components like filters, splitters, couplers, hybrids, baluns, and antennas are explained to acclimate the reader to considering multiple technological solutions for common design problems. A basic overview of active circuit designs, such as amplifiers, mixers, and multipliers is also provided, along with discussion of the performance characteristics of electronic systems, including noise and linearity. Emphasis is placed on visualization and understanding of how and why electronic circuits of all frequencies are built and operate the way they do. Readers learn how to match an amplifier for optimum noise performance over the broadest bandwidth with the fewest number of elements and how to visualize the coupling of various modes in a mixed waveguide-type structure and avoid resonances due to trapped, higher-order modes. The book provides the tools needed to design and optimize a launcher from microstrip into waveguide, and whether the best characteristics can be achieved by incorporating matching elements in the microstrip section, the waveguide section, or both. Packed with references and examples, readers learn not only how to do the math but what the math means.


This paper constructs an intellectual property rights (IPR) index based on the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for 53 developing countries. TRIPS agreement attempts to standardize the minimum level of IPR protection for all 153 WTO member countries regardless of their income levels, and allows recourse to an effective dispute settlement mechanism, unlike previous international IPR agreements. The Agreement is thus applicable to a large number of countries and enforceable both at the national and international levels, making it an important legal agreement to study. This TRIPS-specific index takes into consideration the seven IPR categories defined by TRIPS agreement and the transition period for their implementation. In addition, it assumes the governments of the developing countries investigated would not necessarily implement the legislations for the seven IPR categories simultaneously. National IPR legislations, various IPR-specific reports and legal experts and practitioners, whenever possible, are consulted to build the index. Analysis of the data collected show three implementation trends. Firstly, almost all developing country members availed themselves to the transition period afforded by the Agreement, and in some cases have exceeded the time limit imposed by the transition period. Secondly, implementation efforts of developing countries vary, and not necessarily because of their income levels. And lastly, countries in regional trade agreements (RTAs) that specify IPR obligations tend to comply with the TRIPS agreement earlier than the rest. The results collected in this study show that TRIPS does imply a convergence of global IPR protection across countries, and that the implementation of this Agreement is an external factor, not influenced by the countries' level of economic development.


OBJECTIVES
Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) is an important quality tool for measuring outcome of treatment in health care. The objective of this article is to summarize the evidence base that supports the provision of feedback on ROM results to (mental) health care professionals and patients. Also, some relevant theoretical aspects are considered.

METHODS
Literature study (Pubmed, Medline, PsychINFO, Embase Psychiatry, 1975-2009) concerning randomized controlled trials (RTC's) of ROM and feedback on physical or mental health status of patients of all ages. Main search terms were routine outcome monitoring/measurement, feedback, health status measurement, patient reported outcome measures.

RESULTS
Included were 52 RCT's concerning ROM and feedback with adult or older patients: of these seven RCT's were exclusively focused on physical health and 45 RCT's (also) on the mental health of the patient, although not always in a mental health care setting or as primary outcome measure. There appears to be a positive impact of ROM on diagnosis and monitoring of treatment, and on communication between patient and therapist. Other results were less clear. There were no published RCT's on this topic with children or adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS
ROM appears especially effective for the monitoring of patients who are not doing well in therapy. Further research into this topic and the clinical-and cost-effectiveness of ROM is recommended, especially in mental health care for both adults and children. Also, more theory-driven research is needed with relevant conceptualizations such as Feedback Intervention Theory, Therapeutic Assessment.


This paper describes the multi-mode research methodological steps during the development of a competitive intelligence (CI) framework for cricket coaches. Currently no framework exist to guide coaches to gain a competitive advantage through competitor analysis. A systematic literature review (SLR) ascertained the similarities and differences between the business CI and sport coaching and performance analysis (PA) domains. The qualitative document analysis performed in ATLAS.TITM rendered a reputable inter- and intra-document analysis validity with κ = 0.79 and 0.78 respectively. The document analysis contributed towards the compilation of a semi-structured interview schedule to investigate the business-related CI process occurrence within the sport coaching context. The interview schedule was finalised after university-peers' interviews provided input on the proposed schedule. Thereafter data collection entailed semi-structured interviews with high-level cricket coaches and support staff on CI activities in their coaching practices. The coach interviews were verbatim transcribed and analysed with ATLAS.TITM . A codebook of the codes created in the analysis was compiled. The researcher established the inter- and intra-reliability with a Cohens' Kappa of 0.8. A constant comparative method of data analysis guided the analysis, which was performed until data saturation was reached. The 4338 interview code incidences were quantitized ‒ the conversion of qualitative data to numerical data. A coefficient cluster analyses on all indices detected clusters with a linkage distance set at four was performed, from which five themes emerged. The 71 codes were conceptually concatenated into 28 categories, linked to the five different themes. The multi-method research design rendered a conceptual and applicable CI framework for cricket coaches


We present a two-level model of organizational training and agent production. Managers decide whether or not to train based on both the costs of training compared to the benefits and on their expectations and observations of the number of other firms that also train. Managers also take into account the sum of their employees' contributions and the average tenure length within their organization. Employees decide whether or not to contribute to production based on their expectations as to how other employees will act. Trained workers learn over time and fold their increased productivity into their decision whether or not to contribute. We find that the dynamical behavior at the two levels is closely coupled: the evolution of the industry over time depends not only on the ehuracteristics of training programs, learning curves, and cost-benefit analyses, but on the vagaries of chance as well. For example, in one case, the double dilemma can be resolved for the industry as a whole and productivity then increases steadily over time. In another, the organizational level dilemma may remain unresolved and workers may contribute at fluctuating levels. In this case the overall productivity stays low. We also find a correlation between high productivity and low turnover and show that a small increase in training rates can lead to explosive growth in productivity.


After Dark, My Sweet is not one of Jim Thompson's better-known works, and the critics have had relatively little to say about it; even Michael J. McCauley, in his biography of Thompson, allows the book a mere two pages. However, what little the critics have had to say has been extremely positive. McCauley calls it an "important Thompson psychotic narrator novel" (188), and Robert Polito has included it amongst "Thompson's boldest writing about criminals" (3). Max Allan Collins has gone further, ranking it as "the most accessible, best-crafted of Thompson's psychopath-as-narrator novels" (51). Published in 1955, After Dark, My Sweet came as the last in a remarkable string of thirteen novels written in an inspired three-year burst beginning in 1952. In any estimate, these thirteen novels (including established noir "classics" like The Killer Inside Me [1952] and Savage Night [1953]) represent the definitive Jim Thompson. Although between 1957 and 1973 he would produce another thirteen, only in Pop. 1280 (1964) would he again recapture the frenzied intensity of psychopathic schizophrenia that in different forms stamps the narratorial worlds of The Killer Inside Me or Savage Night. After Dark, My Sweet rounds off the series by striking an altogether milder and comparatively bloodless note (the novel contains no gratuitous sadism, no psychic disintegrations, and only two deaths -- apart from the climactic shooting of the narrator -- and both of these are "lawful" police killings); but it nevertheless deserves attention because of its deviations from the pattern set by the preceding novels; these deviations open up a wider and more subtle range of perspectives than Jim Thompson, hard-boiled crime novelist, is usually given credit for. The most interesting variations are to be found in the character and predicament of the ex-boxer narrator, William "Kid" Collins. He is a very rare Thompson protagonist in the way he struggles to overcome his psychological disorder rather than be swept under by it, and appears to end the novel, as McCauley has put it, "as a true savior -- rather than a deluded savior like Lou Ford of The Killer Inside Me or Nick Corey of Pop. 1280" (189). What also makes After Dark, My Sweet an untypical Thompson novel is the fact that it moves toward the protagonist's final affirmation of moral certainty (even though Collins's realization comes only hours before his death at the hands of his beloved, Fay) as opposed to the indecipherable moral ambiguity and the sense of life's absurd meaninglessness which finally swamp Thompson protagonists like Nick Corey in Pop. 1280 and Charlie "Little" Bigger in Savage Night. After Dark, My Sweet is that rarest of all things in the Thompson oeuvrea -- novel in which, albeit momentarily, the protagonist appears to have found "a reason for his actions, his unknowable nature, his seemingly meaningless existence," as McCauley puts it. These are strong and surprisingly positive words to find applied to a crime novelist whose work is often thought of as being unremittingly nihilistic and which, according to at least two commentators, lacks any moral center whatsoever.(1) On the surface, After Dark, My Sweet is the suspenseful tale of a kidnap plot that goes disastrously wrong, ending in the deaths of two of the three conspirators. In its deeper structure, however, the novel is also a study in doomed love and the death of innocence in an indecipherable and morally vacuous postmodern world, where nothing and nobody are what they seem. The novel is given coherence and direction by William "Kid" Collins's three main objectives -- to reintegrate himself into the "normal" world after a life spent in and out of mental asylums, to arrive at a comprehensible "reading" of that world and its inhabitants, and to search out another human being whom he can love and who can restore his sense of personal worth (all common but usually unfulfilled aspirations of the Thompson protagonist). …


The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was initiated in 1995 and is highly motivated by the mutual interests that both parties have. The Mediterranean countries involved see it as a vehicle to associate themselves with their partner in the north and secure technical assistance provision for the development of their energy sector, while for EU the process is expected to create a favourable and stable climate for energy investments and to secure access to the energy sources available in the region. The energy cooperation is directed by the three common energy policy objectives, namely security of supply, competitiveness of the energy industry and environmental protection. The paper discusses the challenges derived from this cooperation and presents the level of achievement of the energy policy objectives adopted. A set of energy policy indicators have been developed in order to provide a quantitative assessment of the status of the above objectives. The use of these indicators is expected to provide an impetus for the identification of policy actions and guidelines for the achievement of the objectives of the partnership.


The aid allocation literature has neglected gender-specific needs for aid. We assess the hypothesis that gender inequality in education is more likely to affect the aid allocation of donor countries with female leadership in the relevant ministry. We find no evidence for a needs-based allocation of aid for education. Female as well as male leaders appear to have rewarded countries with more years of schooling of all children, or specifically of girls. Our estimates indicate just minor gender differences in the allocation behaviour.


This study investigated emotional reactions to cybersecurity breaches. Based on prior research, a context-specific instrument was developed. This new instrument covered all five emotion components identified by the componential emotion approach. In total, 145 participants that experienced a cybersecurity breach reported on their appraisals, action tendencies, bodily reactions, expressions, subjective feelings, and regulation attempts. A principal component analysis on a total of 75 emotion reactions revealed a clear three-dimensional structure. The first dimension represented the extent to which the person was generally emotionally affected. The second dimension revealed constructive action tendencies and subjective feelings that were opposed to unconstructive action tendencies, expressions, and bodily reactions. The third dimension revealed cognitive motivational reactions that were opposed to affective reactions. This study clearly indicated that cybersecurity breaches do not only form a challenge for engineers, but also have important psychological ramifications that need to be addressed. Although some people have a tendency to react with constructive and proactive actions that are likely to limit the negative consequences of the cybersecurity breach, others experience a strong negative affective stress reaction and are unlikely to take the appropriate steps to deal with the security breach situation. These people, especially, can be expected to be vulnerable to psychological complaints and possibly psychopathology. The newly developed instrument uses a comprehensive approach to assess emotional reactions to cybersecurity threats and provides an efficient way to identify potentially problematic reactions.


Nowadays, due to the increasing rate of divorce and betrayals, the marital commitment has been concerned in marriage and family studies. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) program in marital commitment of couples. The method was quasi-experimental and the design was pretest-posttest with a control group. The convenience sampling method was employed to choose 16 couples whose marital commitment score was below the mean in Isfahan, Iran. These couples were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (N=8 in each group). Data gathering was carried out using Adams and Jones dimensions of commitment inventory (DCI) that was filled out by the members of both groups in the pretest stage. Then, the experimental group received the PAIRS training program in thirteen 90-minute sessions. 35 percent of the total variance belongs to the group membership due to the effectiveness of this educational program. This educational program attempts to make couples aware of themselves and their spouses, enhance, intimacy and empathy and develop effective relationship skills and problem-solving skills. The results demonstrated that the PAIRS program showed a positive effect on marital commitment. Hence, the PAIRS program can be employed to prevent divorce by increasing marital commitment in couples.


We study observables in a conformal field theory which are very closely related to the ones used to describe hadronic events at colliders. We focus on the correlation functions of the energies deposited on calorimeters placed at a large distance from the collision. We consider initial states produced by an operator insertion and we study some general properties of the energy correlation functions for conformal field theories. We argue that the small angle singularities of energy correlation functions are controlled by the twist of non-local light-ray operators with a definite spin. We relate the charge two point function to a particular moment of the parton distribution functions appearing in deep inelastic scattering. The one point energy correlation functions are characterized by a few numbers. For = 1 superconformal theories the one point function for states created by the R-current or the stress tensor are determined by the two parameters a and c characterizing the conformal anomaly. Demanding that the measured energies are positive we get bounds on a/c. We also give a prescription for computing the energy and charge correlation functions in theories that have a gravity dual. The prescription amounts to probing the falling string state as it crosses the AdS horizon with gravitational shock waves. In the leading, two derivative, gravity approximation the energy is uniformly distributed on the sphere at infinity, with no fluctuations. We compute the stringy corrections and we show that they lead to small, non-gaussian, fluctuations in the energy distribution. Corrections to the one point functions or antenna patterns are related to higher derivative corrections in the bulk.


The thermal properties of three light-curable filling materials were determined. The materials under test were: compomer Compoglass® F, and two hybrid composites, Tetric® and Valux tm Plus. The heat capacity measurements were conducted by power-compensated differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal diffusivity was investigated with the use of a laser-flash apparatus. Measurements were based on the modified Parker method. In both cases basic experiments were carried out within a narrow temperature range around 35 °C, ie from about 20 °C to about 50 °C, which corresponds to estimated typical operating temperatures for dental fillings. The obtained thermal characteristics of the specific heat and the thermal diffusivity were used for calculation of the thermal conductivity of the investigated materials.


In this Essay, we challenge the conventional typology of constitutional takings by bringing to light a previously unrecognized type of taking-the derivative taking. We show that virtually every exercise of the power of takings generates derivative takings that have largely evaded takings scholars. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the failure of existing takings doctrine to account for derivative takings leads to inefficient and inequitable results. In particular, this failure disproportionately harms the poor. To remedy this problem, we craft an economic model of self-assessment to optimize constitutional protection at low administrative cost. Importantly, our self-assessment mechanism incentivizes property owners to report truthfully the losses they suffer as a result of government takings. We accomplish this by basing our mechanism on the principle of probabilistic enforcement accompanied by weighted penalties on exaggerations. By lowering the administrative cost of compensation, our self-assessment mechanism enables the compensation of currently uncompensated property owners, and enhances economic efficiency as it forces the government to fully internalize the cost of its actions. We further show that the utilization of our self-assessment mechanism can illuminate and resolve many of the shortcomings of existing takings doctrine. Our self-assessment mechanism may be used to compensate victims of physical takings and perform this function at a much lower cost than the judicial mechanism currently in place. Its utilization in the context of regulatory takings offers the opportunity to reduce dramatically the cost of administering claims and to clarify such currently ambiguous rules as when a regulation "goes too far" and becomes an exercise of the power of eminent domain. Finally, the information garnered from the self-assessment report may enable us to distinguish between uses of the taxation power that legitimately go uncompensated and takings that demand compensation. We submit that the aggregation of these effects would result in a better and fairer use of the takings power, and begin the process of injecting coherence into a desperately confused area of the law.


Diffusion processes in networks are increasingly used to model dynamic phenomena such as the spread of information, wildlife, or social influence. Our work addresses the problem of learning the underlying parameters that govern such a diffusion process by observing the time at which nodes become active. A key advantage of our approach is that, unlike previous work, it can tolerate missing observations for some nodes in the diffusion process. Having incomplete observations is characteristic of offline networks used to model the spread of wildlife. We develop an EM algorithm to address parameter learning in such settings. Since both the E and M steps are computationally challenging, we employ a number of optimization methods such as nonlinear and difference-of-convex programming to address these challenges. Evaluation of the approach on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker conservation problem shows that it is highly robust and accurately learns parameters in various settings, even with more than 80% missing data.


While several studies have focused on the actual adoption of agricultural apps and the relevance of the apps' content, very few studies have focused on drivers of the farmer's intention and initial decision to adopt. Based on a survey of 394 smallholder farmers in 2019, this study investigated willingness to adopt an agricultural advice app in Guanajuato, Mexico. A structural equation modeling approach, based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), was applied. To understand the farmers' adoption decisions, extended constructs were studied (e.g., mastery-approach goals) along with the farmers' age and participation in an innovation hub. Results showed that the intention to adopt the app is predicted by how farmers appraise the technical infrastructure and acquire new knowledge by using an app. The multi-group analysis revealed that performance expectancy is a relevant predictor of the intention to adopt, whereas the mastery-approach goal is relevant only for younger farmers and farmers not connected to the innovation hub. This study provides valuable insights about the innovation hubs' role in the intention to adopt apps, offering precision agriculture advice in developing countries. The findings are useful for practitioners and app developers designing digital-decision support tools.


The influence of the avant-garde manifested itself very early in French children's literature in pioneering works such as Edy Legrand's Macao et Cosmage (1919). In the 1930s, Constructivism and Surrealism inspired the children's books of Nathalie Parain, and Lise Deharme and Claude Cahun respectively. In the 1960s and 1970s, the avant-garde continued to play a significant role in the works of innovative publishers, such as Delpire, Harlin Quist, Le Sourire qui mort, and Ipomee, who were determined to revolutionize children's books. This chapter examines several landmark books of the avant-garde period and traces the lasting influence of the movement on French children's books into the twenty-first century, including the legacy of crossover picturebooks that appeal to both children and adults.


In this paper, we review recent developments that aim to achieve further understanding of the structure of atomic nuclei, by capitalizing on exact symmetries as well as approximate symmetries found to dominate low-lying nuclear states. The findings confirm the essential role played by the Sp(3, ℝ) symplectic symmetry to inform the interaction and the relevant model spaces in nuclear modeling. The significance of the Sp(3, ℝ) symmetry for a description of a quantum system of strongly interacting particles naturally emerges from the physical relevance of its generators, which directly relate to particle momentum and position coordinates, and represent important observables, such as, the many-particle kinetic energy, the monopole operator, the quadrupole moment and the angular momentum. We show that it is imperative that shell-model spaces be expanded well beyond the current limits to accommodate particle excitations that appear critical to enhanced collectivity in heavier systems and to highly-deformed spatial structures, exemplified by the second 0+ state in 12C (the challenging Hoyle state) and 8Be. While such states are presently inaccessible by large-scale no-core shell models, symmetry-based considerations are found to be essential.


Many health care providers are experiencing financial distress, and if the predicted wave of health care bankruptcies materializes, the entire U.S. economy could suffer. Unfortunately, health care providers are "bankruptcy misfits," in the sense that bankruptcy does not work for them the way it works for other businesses. This is so for two primary reasons. First, the Bankruptcy Code is insufficiently specific with respect to health care debtors. Second, the Code lacks an organizing principle to allow the court to reconcile the competing players and interests in a health care bankruptcy case.

Previous attempts to address these issues have not succeeded. Notably, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 scattered reforms across the Code, making bankruptcy more complicated for health care debtors. As a result, some have argued that these debtors are better off using bankruptcy alternatives such as state receiverships to address their debts.

This Article asserts that despite their bankruptcy misfit status, health care providers can realize distinct benefits from bankruptcy relief. To be effective, however, this relief must respond to health care providers' unique needs. Creating separate Bankruptcy Code subchapters for health care business bankruptcies would allow Congress to clarify many aspects of health care bankruptcy and enable the development of specific procedures and a distinct organizing principle unique to health care provider bankruptcies. Although this proposal contemplates a significant structural change to the Bankruptcy Code, the Article also explains why this change is warranted as part of the Code's necessary evolution.


BACKGROUND
Intragastric balloons have several advantages such as easy placement and low complication rates over other bariatric procedures. It is very rare for intragastric balloons to dislodge and give rise to pancreatitis. In this article, we present a case of duodenal obstruction caused by a gastric balloon leading to pancreatitis.

CASE REPORT
A 38-year-old obese female patient had undergone intragastric implantation one month before admission. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of sudden onset of abdominal pain. On the abdominal ultrasonography and tomography, edematous pancreatitis and cholelithiasis were observed. The patient was given medical treatment for pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography was repeated on the next day, and a distended gallbladder was revealed. Thus, the patient was operated on with the pre-diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and biliary pancreatitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. During the operation, a hard and trapped object was determined in the second part of the duodenal lumen. The patient was reevaluated on the second postoperative day as her pain had increased. On direct abdominal X-ray and computed tomography scan, the tubular part of the gastric balloon was found to be stuck in the duodenum. A gastroscopy was performed, but the balloon could not be removed. Therefore, an immediate laparotomy was performed, and the balloon was removed via gastrotomy.

CONCLUSION
Although intragastric balloons are designed to reduce the risk of displacement, all unexpected patient complaints should lead to a thorough examination of the position and status of the balloon.


A series of hydrazones, as potential therapeutic agents, were successfully synthesized in a vibratory ball-mill from various substituted organic hydrazines and phenol aldehydes. The degree of conversion was increased by high electronic density on the amino group of the hydrazine reactant, as well as low steric hindrance around both reactive sites. In this particular case, the flexibility of the chain bearing the amino reactive site of hydrazine was highlighted as a factor influencing the reaction rate. The results showed that hydrazones could be obtained with more than a 99% transformation, without concurring by-products. This is highly adapted to the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients, requiring a high level of purity. Owing to the fact that neither an environmentally unadvisable reagent nor additives or catalysts were added to achieve the transformation, this synthesis provides a good example and a prefiguration of an efficient green pharmaceutical process.


Flow has been described as a state of cognitive efficiency and intrinsic enjoyment, whereby a person feels at one with the activity. The existence of an autotelic personality', an inter-individual difference dimension characterised by the propensity with which a person experiences flow, has been proposed, but the construct has proven to be relatively elusive. The overall aim of this PhD dissertation was to advance flow theory, and in particular enhance the knowledge of individual differences in flow experiences by the investigation of a new construct, flow metacognitions. Flow metacognitions were defined as people's metacognitive knowledge and beliefs on flow as a state of optimal cognitive functioning. Building upon the concepts of adaptive and maladaptive metacognitions (Beer & Moneta, 2010; Wells, 2000) that were found to impact self-regulation efforts during demanding situations, it was postulated that people would also hold metacognitions on flow, a cognitive state of deep absorption usually elicited by a demanding activity. However, to date, flow metacognitions had not been defined, measured, or tested for their relevance in the context of flow experiences (or in other contexts of optimal experience). This dissertation presents four studies that were conducted to identify flow metacognitions, comprising the development and validation of a self-report questionnaire to measure them validly and reliably, as well as the examination of the scientific relevance of the operationalised constructs.

Preliminary instances of potential flow metacognitions were identified in qualitative analyses, whereby the qualitative content of Flow Questionnaires (FQ, Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, 1988) administered to a sample of 371 workers was analysed. In addition, semi-structured interviews with 12 workers were held about their experiences of flow in work (Study 1, Chapter 2). From these analyses, two broad metacognitions emerged: people's beliefs in the 'usefulness' of being in flow, and individual differences in their beliefs and confidence in the self-regulation of flow experiences. Based on the metacognitive constructs identified in the qualitative analyses, a 53-item pilot Flow Metacognitions Questionnaire (FMQ) was developed and tested on a sample of 204 UK students. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-component solution, with item reduction procedures leading to a 12-item scale. Subsequent principal component analysis on the same sample confirmed that the 12 items loaded onto two main components: Beliefs that Flow Fosters Achievement (FMQ-1) and Confidence in Ability to Self-Regulate Flow (FMQ-2). The subscales explained a total of 52.4% of the variance; 28.3% for FMQ-1; and 24.1% for FMQ-2 (Study 2, Chapter 4). Confirmatory factor analysis performed on the data of a sample of 159 workers supported the two subscales of the final 12-item FMQ.

After gathering evidence of the construct validity, the FMQ was used to test the impact of flow metacognitions on the frequency (measured by the FQ), and the intensity of people's flow experiences, as measured by three well-established flow scales (the Short Dispositional Flow Scale-2, Jackson, Martin, & Eklund, 2008; the Flow Short Scale; Rheinberg, Vollmeyer, & Engeser, 2003; and the Short Flow in Work Scale, Moneta, 2012a). Flow was measured as a general disposition in the context of work. Analyses controlled for maladaptive metacognitions (MetaCognitions Questionnaire, Wells & Cartwright-Hatton, 2004), and adaptive metacognitions (Positive Metacognitions and Meta-Emotions Questionnaire, Beer & Moneta, 2010). Confidence in Ability to Self-Regulate Flow (FMQ-2) was found to be a significant predictor of the intensity and frequency of flow experiences in work, and outperformed established measures of flow, adaptive, and maladaptive metacognition. The results indicated a positive relationship between people's confidence in self-regulating flow experiences and work-flow. Interestingly, people's beliefs about the positive consequences of flow in terms of achievement did not predict flow in work (Study 3, Chapter 5). These findings supported the predictive and concurrent validity of the FMQ-2.

Building upon these correlational findings, a longitudinal study was conducted in order to identify potential causal mechanisms between flow metacognitions and flow at work. A sample of 101 professionals took part in a two-wave longitudinal study by completing the FMQ and the three flow scales used in Study 3, measuring the experience of flow as a domain specific trait in the context of work. A series of structural equation models (SEM) supported a longitudinal causal relationship between FMQ-2 and flow. For FMQ-1, this relationship was not found (Study 4, Chapter 6).

Overall, the findings from the four studies conducted in this dissertation indicate that the FMQ-2 could be conceptualised as an antecedent of flow and a marker of the autotelic personality, because it was found to causally influence people's experience of flow in the work context. The dissertation concludes with an outline of its limitations as well as an outlook for future research. In particular, avenues for gaining a more in-depth understanding of the underlying processes with which flow metacognitions might influence the experience of flow, e.g. by investigating moment-to-moment variations of flow as a state, are given.

It is believed that this PhD dissertation has met its aims by having identified a new and important construct that was found to be positively associated with flow as well as adaptive metacognitions. Furthermore, it has provided a starting point for future programmes of research – both in terms of flow and adaptive metacognitions, as well as applications in achievement contexts, in particular work environments.


In this volume Strindbergs accomplishments as a dramatist are set against his achievements in other fields, as an autobiographer, painter, letter writer and theatre director.There are studies of individual plays, in which Strindbergs theatre is related both to naturalism and the theatre of the absurd, and of the role played by his life-long interest in historical drama. Other essays range from studies of the problems posed by Strindbergs preoccupation with converting his own life into literature to a consideration of the importance he placed on letterwriting as a model for writing of all kinds. His letters are also used to explore his ideas about the theatre. A recurring concern is with the period of turmoil known as the Inferno Crisis, in which Strindberg refashioned himself as a writer. Robinson examines the importance of Strindbergs painting for his renewal as a writer and situates the achievement of his later works in relation to Symbolism and to Musical Expressionism.


SUMMARY STATEMENT Our study demonstrates compositional and structural differences of the nuclear pore complex between the functionally differentiated macronucleus and micronucleus within a single cytoplasm of ciliated protozoa. ABSTRACT The nuclear pore complex (NPC), a gateway for nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, is composed of about 30 different proteins called nucleoporins. It remains unknown whether the NPCs within a species are homogeneous or vary depending on the cell type, or physiological condition. Here, we present evidence for compositionally distinct NPCs that form within a single cell in a binucleated ciliate. In Tetrahymena thermophila, each cell contains both a transcriptionally-active macronucleus (MAC) and a germline micronucleus (MIC). By combining in silico analysis, mass spectrometry analysis for immuno-isolated proteins, and subcellular localization analysis of GFP fused proteins, we identified numerous novel components of MAC and MIC NPCs. Core members of the Nup107-160 scaffold complex were enriched in MIC NPCs. Strikingly, two paralogs of Nup214 and of Nup153 localized exclusively to either MAC or MIC NPCs. Furthermore, the transmembrane components Pom121 and Pom82 localize exclusively to MAC and MIC NPCs, respectively. Our results argue that functional nuclear dimorphism in ciliates is likely to depend on compositional and structural specificity of NPCs.


To further increase the areal density to 2 TB/in2, the head-disk spacing needs to be reduced to sub 1 nm by using a thermal flying-height control technique that can adjust slider pole tip protrusion dynamically. At such low spacing, the slider pole tip protrusion-disk contact is inevitable. This contact will lead to slider vibration and head-stack assembly (HSA) going offtrack. This paper focuses on HSA offtrack dynamics induced by slider protrusion-disk contact, which was observed to have significantly different characteristics with traditional HSA dynamics excited by a voice-coil motor (VCM). With VCM excitation, the most dominant modes are from the entire HSA structure. However, with slider protrusion touch down (SPTD) excitation, head gimbal assembly (HGA) local modes are dominant. Both numerical analysis and experimental verification were used to explore the major factors influencing this characteristic. It is found that the gain of HGA sway is very sensitive to bending location when slider is excited by SPTD. Moreover, if the HGA local modes are close to HSA modes, they are easily coupled, which makes the offtrack vibration increase significantly. These findings can be used as references for optimizing the design of the HGA and HSA in order to improve the offtrack dynamics of HSA.


The next generation of wireless communications systems are expected as a revolution
in the area of telecommunications, where they promise tremendous network capacity,
huge data rates for very high number of end users and simultaneous supported connections
with large sensor deployments, as well as very high gains in terms of spectral
efficiency, energy efficiency, latency, and coverage. To allow the emergence of such
networks, it is necessary to satisfy the fundamental needs of available energy supply,
and spectrum availability/efficient usage.
The wireless power transfer (WPT) techniques are shown to be strong, reliable
with the potential to replace the currently-used yet painstaking wired charging; providing
the end users with almost unlimited energy sources. Due the outstanding advantages
these techniques promise, both academic world and the industry are actively
investigating solutions for allowing networks to implement WPT, where the operating
nodes can simultaneously harvest/transmit energy, while processing data signals.
On the other hand, for solving the spectrum efficient usage/availability issue, improving
the spectral efficiency has been extensively investigated through the several past
years, and represents a very strong solution. In this regards, regular multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technique, since the last decade, and, more recently,
massive MIMO; have been widely exploited and are powerful wireless technologies for
tremendously improving the spectral efficiency, and even energy efficiency.
Thanks to the above capabilities of regular- and massive MIMO, and of the WPT,
these techniques have become strong candidates for the development and the emergence
of the next-generation wireless communications networks. Considering that
the theoretical understanding and practical deployment of these systems requires to
first evaluate their performances, while taking into account various key propagation
and networks characteristics; this thesis aims to provide a framework for channel modeling and performance analysis of next-generation wireless communications networks,
with information processing and energy harvesting, and implementing regularand/
or massive MIMO. More specifically, as a first step, in the initial part of the
thesis, a generalized analysis for the spectral efficiency of both regular- and large-scale
(massive) MIMO systems is performed, where major radio-propagation characteristics
and antenna-array parameters are taken into account, including path loss, shadowing
effect, multi-path fading, antenna correlation, antenna polarization, environmental
cross-polarization coupling and antenna cross-polarization discrimination.
The second step of the thesis conducts the modeling and performance analysis of
massive MIMO systems in terms of spectral efficiency, in both the centralized and
the distributed configurations, referred to as centralized (C-MIMO) and distributed
(D-MIMO), respectively. This is based on a novel comprehensive channel model,
which accounts for real environmental parameters and antenna characteristics, namely,
path loss, shadowing effect, multi-path fading and antenna correlation.
In the third part of the thesis, WPT is investigated. This is done by considering
massive MIMO WPT systems, operating in millimeter wave (mmWave) bands; where
both the rainy and non-rainy conditions are considered, and the channel model accounts
for rainfall effects, path loss and fast fading. Then, finally, the fourth step
of the thesis investigates the performance of networks with simultaneous energy harvesting
and information transmission. The considered system implements massive
MIMO, and operates in the mmWave bands, while accounting for rainfall effect, path
loss and fading.
While conducting the work, the adopted methodology consists of modeling the
channel, by considering major radio-propagation characteristics and antenna-array
parameters; then conducting the performance analysis, in terms of the spectral efficiency
(in the first two parts of the thesis), the harvested energy (in the third part),
and the throughput (in the fourth part). These metrics are all derived in closed-form
then studied in various key practical scenarios, to obtain important insights which
are not only highly important for the comprehension of the different technologies
in future networks, but will also benefit system designers and manufacturers in the
design of these systems and their operating nodes.


Thresholds for Mach bands were obtained by filtering discontinuous luminance gradients until the bands disappeared. Visibility was related to two properties of the stimulus discontinuity at which the bands were seen: the change in the rate of change of luminance with respect to distance and the luminance at the discontinuity. The former clearly affects visibility. The latter also appears to affect visibility, but its influence was not always demonstrable. Light and dark bands are independently perceived. Light-band thresholds vary with exposure duration according to Bloch's law.


Abstract. The Philippines relies heavily on fossil fuels. With its high energy consumption, the country is at risk economically because of possible supply constraints by exporters, and price fluctuations of fossil fuels. One alternative to fossil fuels is solar. This study aims to explore the use of satellite data analytics and Geographic Information System (GIS) in making a granular site suitability assessment for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the province of Tarlac and perform a cost-benefit analysis for rice field conversion to solar farms. Remote sensing (RS) and GIS techniques were used to estimate values of factors and constraints to generate a suitability map of solar farm installation in Tarlac considering rice yield. Input data such as Sentinel 2A image tiles and statistical data from databases online were gathered and geospatial analyst processes were done, particularly in assigning weights to the said factors and constraints. For accuracy assessment of image classification, values of kappa coefficient (k) and overall accuracy (OA) were computed. A final suitability map is then applied together with the constraints. This is then compared with existing and upcoming solar farm projects to see if the suitability map can be considered or there is analysis on whether a prime rice field had been converted. Costs, on one hand, such as the forgone net profit from the agricultural land and rice yield loss was presented. The benefits, on the other hand, include the estimated net returns of the solar farm, the amount of energy generated, and the reduced carbon emissions. Different ranges for several of the variables were considered so a more thorough analysis could be presented. Values of k and OA were 62.2% and 71.27%, respectively, indicating a satisfactory accuracy of image classification. In all instances it was shown that in terms of the costs and benefits considered, agricultural land conversion into solar farms may be beneficial for the province of Tarlac. The study showed that this would match the estimated net profit of rice farm areas selected at around ₱123 M with ₱133 M, but at best estimated net profits could go as high as around ₱5 M. This study has also emphasized the environmental benefit of converting agricultural areas to solar farms by lowering the province's dependence on non-renewable sources of energy, particularly coal in this case. The approximated reduction in emissions was 33.7% of the emissions of the whole province. It was also notable how much of the national rice supply could be affected as rice supply for more than 200,000 people for a year would have to be forgone.


In this thesis, we apply the gauge/string duality in its supergravity limit to infer some properties of field theories at strong coupling. Experiments at RHIC and at the LHC indeed suggest that the quark–gluon plasma behaves as one of the most perfect fluid ever achieved in any controlled experimental setup. Perturbative approaches fail at accounting for its properties, whereas lattice QCD methods face technical as well as conceptual difficulties in computing dynamical aspects of this new state of matter. As a result, the AdS/CFT correspondence currently is the best tool at our disposal for analytically modelling this phase of QCD. One of the contributions of this thesis amounts to deriving a stochastic Langevin equation for a heavy quark moving across a maximally supersymmetric Yang–Mills plasma at strong coupling. Even though this theory seems to describe in a surprisingly satisfactory way the high–energy, deconfined phase of QCD, it is also of much interest to try and search for a string theory dual making closer contact with QCD at lower energies. As such, the other main focus of this thesis deals with supergravity solutions of lesser supersymmetry, without conformal invariance and exhibiting confinement. We build for the first time the gravity dual to metastable states of such theories. In particular, we find the contribution from anti–branes to the inflation potential in some general scenario of string cosmology.


Study Design. A retrospective review of scoliosis radiographs of 93 patients with either idiopathic scoliosis or syringomyelia-associated scoliosis were assessed, defining their sagittal alignment. Objective. To validate an observation regarding the absence of Dickson's sagittal deformity of the thoracic spine in patients with syringomyelia-associated scoliosis. Summary of Background Data Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have a classic sagittal deformity. Dickson described that patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have an associated lordotic deformity at the apex of their coronal deformity. Materials and Methods. Retrospective reviews of standard scoliosis series radiographs of 93 patients with idiopathic or syringomyelia-associated scoliosis from two institutions were compared. Particular attention was given to the lateral radiograph of the spine assessing presence or absence of Dickson's apical lordosis. Nine patients had to be excluded because of inadequate imaging. The study group consisted of 30 patients with scoliosis from TSRH with documented syringomyelia identified between 1985 and 1997. The demographic and radiographic features of this group were compared with those of a control group consisting of a consecutive series of 54 patients from HSS with adolescent idiopathic and normal MRI. The groups were comparable for age (mean age: control 13 y; syrinx 12 y) and curve pattern but differed in curve magnitude (mean Cobb: control 50°; syrinx 40°). Results. Apical lordosis was present in 97% of patient with AIS and a normal MRI but was absent in 75% of patients with syringomyelia-associated scoliosis (P < 0.0001). The results also confirmed that male patients with scoliosis and left-side curves have a predisposition to having a syringomyelia (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Sagittal plane deformity in scoliosis can be an indicator of the presence of a syringomyelia. Our results reinforce the necessity of assessing sagittal plane deformity when treating scoliosis. If apical lordotic deformity is absent, a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis should be made with caution.


OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome may represent a paraneoplastic disorder in a significant percentage of cases. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with RS3PE syndrome at the Medical College of Wisconsin before 1995 were telephoned and asked about their rheumatologic course since initial diagnosis of RS3PE and whether they had been diagnosed with any cancer. If so, permission was obtained to review tissue pathology. Criteria used for diagnosis of RS3PE syndrome included sudden onset of painful diffuse swelling of both hands associated with pitting edema of the dorsa of the hands without other synovitis or evidence of disease, negative rheumatoid factor, absence of radiologic abnormalities, and resolution within 6-12 months without sequelae. Data from the national SEER databank on population incidence of cancers in the appropriate sex, age, and ethnic groups for the years under study were used to assess relative risk for cancer. RESULTS: There were 10 patients for whom followup data were available. Four had a cancer diagnosed following recognition of the RS3PE syndrome; 1 patient developed non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma initially diagnosed as hairy cell leukemia after 4 years; 1 developed acute lymphocytic leukemia with hyperdiploidy after 14 years; 1 was diagnosed with male breast cancer after 2.5 years; and 1 developed squamous cell lung cancer 12 months after RS3PE diagnosis. SEER data project an estimated rate of 2-3 cancers in a similar group of 10 patients of the same sex, age, and time period for this geographic area. CONCLUSION: The small sample size in this longterm followup precludes extrapolation to larger populations but suggests that there may be a slightly higher than expected rate of neoplasia in patients diagnosed with RS3PE syndrome. The interval between onset of RS3PE syndrome and diagnosis of cancer was fairly long, indicating that patients should be monitored for neoplasia with prudent age and sex specific surveillance for an extended period after diagnosis with RS3PE.


A series of potassium complexes bearing monoanionic tetradentate amino-phenolate ligands, [LK]2 (L = {(2-R1)C6H4CH2N[(CH2)2R2]CH2(4-R4-6-R3)C6H2O-}, R1 = NMe2, R2 = NEt2, R3 = CPh3, R4 = Me (1); R1 = R2 = NEt2, R3 = CPh3, R4 = Me (2); R1 = NMe2, R2 = NEt2, R3 = R4 = cumyl (4); R1 = R2 = OMe, R3 = tBu, R4 = Me (6); L = (2-NMe2)C6H4CH2N[[CH2-(S)-1-butylpyrrolidinyl]CH2(4-Me-6-CPh3)C6H2O-] (3)), have been synthesized via reactions of KN(SiMe3)2 and 1 equiv. of the corresponding aminophenols. The solid-state structures of typical complexes 4 and 6 are determined via X-ray diffraction studies, which reveal the dinuclear nature of these complexes. By contrast, DOSY measurements of 1, 4 and 6 suggest that these complexes are monomeric in solution. It is noteworthy that the coordination chemistry of these potassium complexes is versatile, which is closely related to the nature of the ortho-substituent of the phenolate ring, as indicated by the results of the corresponding spectroscopic studies. In the presence of iPrOH, 1-4 and 6 could initiate the polymerization of 500 equiv. of rac-lactide to achieve high monomer conversions within several minutes but afford atactic PLAs with slightly isotactic-enriched microstructures (Pm = 0.58-0.60). Experimental results also demonstrated that a bulky trityl substituent at the ortho-position of the phenolate ring of the ligand framework is beneficial for the enhancement of the activities of these potassium complexes.


Our paper aims at identifying the kind of assimilation experienced by children of immigrants who arrived in Italy during the first decade of the 21st century, a time of great immigrant expansion. We aim at discerning to what extent children of immigrants within the Italian education system identify with or distance themselves from natives depending on the length of their stay in their new country. We use ITAGEN2 data, the first national survey on first and second generation immigrants, focusing on children attending their third year of middle school. Our results demonstrate evident signs of downward assimilation, especially for newcomers. Moreover, first generation immigrants, more so than second generations, tend to be similar to children of the Italian working class in terms of educational expectations, individual economic resources, and social relations.


As we push for progress on issues of gender equity in 2018, can we claim that women in national security and gender perspectives on security are finally being taken as seriously as they deserve? What does the future research agenda for security studies look like when designed by women or aimed at gender-responsive defence policy? While much can still be done, a landmark conference held in Canberra in 2017 indicates that gender perspectives on security are beginning to be taken seriously by sections of
some national governments, academia, the private sector and the media. And, this research journal's landmark special edition on Women and National Security showcases a promising research agenda that can celebrate inclusion and also interrogate the need for further structural change.


This paper investigates the implications of the 2008 financial crisis on welfare states and the capitalist diversity in the post-communist world, including Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. It analyzes three political-economic varieties in the region: those of capitalism, welfare, and vulnerabilities to the crisis. The three varieties are linked, but there is also a considerable variation given the importance of political and policy factors. Economic growth models created different political and economic constraints on policies of adjustment to the crisis. In particular, currency substitution was associated with strong political preferences for defending exchange rates, with adjustment through reductions in public spending and wages. A variety of welfare models was associated with different political constituencies for welfare provision. The interplay of these constraints and political factors together with intervention of international institutions shapes the nature of welfare state adjustments. Early developments indicate also some unexpected outcomes.


"Do you want to be my friend?" asks a little mouse of a horse, a peacock, an alligator and others in this classic and charming story. Only when he meets another little mouse, is the answer unequivocally, "Yes!" 'Each page of this ingenious, all but wordless picture book affords surprise, suspense, and repeated pleasure for the viewer' - "Booklist".


Adventure Sports Photography, by renowned photographer and workshop leader Tom Bol, combines personal stories from field experience with expert photo technique. Aspiring outdoor photographers, both adventure sports shooters and outdoor photography enthusiasts, will find this book to be a valuable reference and guide. It covers everything an adventure sports shooter needs to know to get the shot-from packing and organizing gear for an afternoon shoot of rock climbing at the local crag to a month-long sea kayaking expedition. You'll explore composition and creative angles for stunning adventure sports images, and learn in-depth techniques for using speedlights and strobes for creative lighting when you're shooting in the field. This book also shows you how to create a sequence shot and set up an effective digital workflow. In addition to creating environmental portraits, you'll find out how to produce quality video of adventure sports. Tom Bol has been photographing adventure sports for more than 25 years, documenting adventures on every continent, and his work has been published worldwide. He is a regular contributor to Digital Photo magazine, and he's been recognized as one of National Geographic Adventure's "50 of America's Top Visionaries" for his photography. Tom's work has been featured by Elinchrom, LowePro, Manfrotto, and Nikon, and he is a Sandisk Extreme Team member. PDN readers voted Tom one of the photography world's best workshop leaders. He is also an instructor at Kelby Training, Maine Photo Workshops, Photo Quest Adventures, and Strabo Photo Tours.


This paper examines the current status of justice and dispute-resolution mechanisms in Bangladesh, ranging from the formal justice system to the traditional shalish (a form of dispute resolution), and focuses on the costs and benefits of utilizing nongovernmental organization (NGO)-led legal services programs as an alternative form of justice delivery and dispute resolution for the poor, with a focus on women and girls. In particular, this paper takes a closer look at a the Human Rights and Legal Aid Services (HRLS) program of BRAC, a leading NGO that works to empower the poorest and most vulnerable in Bangladesh and eleven other countries across the world. HRLS provides a combination of Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)-led shalish, human rights community based education, community mobilization through a corps of community-based outreach workers (known as shebikas), and recourse to the courts via a network of panel lawyers if needed. This paper will examine the successes of this model in rural Bangladesh as well as the challenges it faces in making an impact on solving the justice problems of the poor and contributing to gender equity. Ultimately, it aims to present a case study that illustrates the strengths and challenges of a legal empowerment model that is quickly gaining traction around the world.


China and India have always been separated not only by the Himalayas, but also by the impenetrable jungle and remote areas that once stretched across Burma. Now this last great frontier will likely vanish - forests cut down, dirt roads replaced by superhighways, insurgencies ended - leaving China and India exposed to each other as never before. This basic shift in geography is as profound as the opening of the Suez Canal and is taking place just as the centre of the world's economy moves to the East. Thant Myint-U has travelled extensively across this vast territory, where high-speed trains and gleaming shopping malls now sit alongside the last remaining forests and impoverished mountain communities. In Where China Meets India he explores the new strategic centrality of Burma, the country of his ancestry, where Asia's two rising giant powers - China and India - appear to be vying for supremacy. Part travelogue, part history, part investigation, Where China Meets India takes us across the fast-changing Asian frontier, giving us a masterful account of the region's long and rich history and its sudden significance for the rest of the world. Thant Myint-U is the author of The River of Lost Footsteps and has written articles for the New York Times, the Washington Post and the New Statesman. He has worked alongside Kofi Annan at the UN's Department of Political Affairs and currently works as a special consultant to the Burmese government.


Human tissues and organs are inherently heterogeneous. Their functionality is determined by the interplay between different cell types, their secondary architecture, vascular system and gradients of signaling molecules and metabolites. Here we propose a stratified 3D cell culture platform, in which adjacent lanes of gels and liquids are patterned by phaseguides to capture this tissue heterogeneity. We demonstrate 3D cell culture of HepG2 hepatocytes under continuous perfusion, a rifampicin toxicity assay and co-culture with fibroblasts. 4T1 breast cancer cells are used to demonstrate invasion and aggregation models. The platform is incorporated in a microtiter plate format that renders it fully compatible with automation and high-content screening equipment. The extended functionality, ease of handling and full compatibility to standard equipment is an important step towards adoption of Organ-on-a-Chip technology for screening in an industrial setting.


This investigation examined the effect of a counterirritant on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Fourteen female subjects had DOMS induced in the elbow flexor muscles of the nondominant arm through repeated eccentric contractions. Subjects returned 48 hrs after exercise and were randomly assigned to either a counterirritant ointment (CO) or placebo ointment (PO) treatment group. They were asked to quantify the amount of pain they experienced using a graphic pain rating scale while attempting to extend their elbow. Eight ml of the counterirritant or placebo ointment was applied to the anterior aspect of the arm centered directly over the biceps brachii. Pain and range of motion measurements were taken both pretreatment and 15 minutes posttreatment. Analysis of variance revealed that the CO group experienced significant pain relief and increased range of motion while the placebo group showed no significant changes. These findings suggest that counterirritants may be an effective means of treating the pain and restricted range of motion associated with delayed onset muscle soreness.


Aerial surveys of kangaroos (Macropus spp.) in Queensland are used to make economically important judgements on the levels of viable commercial harvest. Previous analysis methods for aerial kangaroo surveys have used both mark-recapture methodologies and conventional distance-sampling analyses. Conventional distance sampling has the disadvantage that detection is assumed to be perfect on the transect line, while mark-recapture methods are notoriously sensitive to problems with unmodelled heterogeneity in capture probabilities. We introduce three methodologies for combining together mark-recapture and distance-sampling data, aimed at exploiting the strengths of both methodologies and overcoming the weaknesses. Of these methods, two are based on the assumption of full independence between observers in the mark-recapture component, and this appears to introduce more bias in density estimation than it resolves through allowing uncertain trackline detection. Both of these methods give lower density estimates than conventional distance sampling, indicating a clear failure of the independence assumption. The third method, termed point independence, appears to perform very well, giving credible density estimates and good properties in terms of goodness-of-fit and percentage coefficient of variation. Estimated densities of eastern grey kangaroos range from 21 to 36 individuals km-2, with estimated coefficients of variation between 11% and 14% and estimated trackline detection probabilities primarily between 0.7 and 0.9.


Online Material: Synthetic datasets, the parameters used to generate them, and MATLAB scripts for parsing data provided through the testing center described in the text.

Over the past decade the number and size of continuously operating Global Positioning System (GPS) networks has grown substantially worldwide. A steadily increasing volume of freely available GPS measurements, combined with the application of new approaches for mining these data for signals of interest, has led to the identification of a large and diverse collection of time‐varying Earth processes.

One phenomenon that has been observed is transient fault slip (also termed slow slip events or silent earthquakes) occurring over time spans of days to years (e.g., Linde et al. , 1996; Hirose et al. , 1999; Dragert et al. , 2001; Miller et al. , 2002; Kostoglodov et al. , 2003; Douglas et al. , 2005; Shelly et al. , 2006; Ide et al. , 2007; Lohman and McGuire, 2007; Schwartz and Rokosky, 2007; Szeliga et al. , 2008). Such events have been widely observed in subduction zones but are also found in other tectonic settings (Linde et al. , 1996; Cervelli et al. , 2002; Murray and Segall, 2005; Lohman and McGuire, 2007; Montgomery‐Brown et al. , 2009; Shelly, 2010; and references therein). Although retrospective study of slow‐slip events using geodetic observations is driving the formulation of new models for fault‐zone behavior and constitutive laws (e.g., Lapusta et al. , 2000; Liu and Rice, 2007; Lapusta and Liu, 2009; Segall and Bradley, 2012a), much of the research on near‐real‐time detection and characterization of anomalous behaviors along fault zones has focused solely on the use of seismic tremor (e.g., Rogers and Dragert, 2003; Shelly et al. , 2006; Ito et al. , 2007).

The characteristics of transient slip …


"What It Means to be Palestinian" is a narrative of narratives, a collection of personal stories, remembered feelings and reconstructed experiences by different Palestinians whose lives were changed and shaped by history. Their stories are told chronologically through particular phases of the Palestinian national struggle, providing a composite autobiography of Palestine as a landscape and as a people. The book begins with the 1936 revolt against British rule in Palestine and ends in 1993, with the Oslo peace agreement that changed the nature and form of the national struggle. It is based on in-depth interviews and conversations with Palestinians, male and female, old and young, rich and poor, religious and secular, in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Occupied Territories. Presented as remembered personal narratives and as 'social' histories, these conversations provide a deep & intimate account of what it means to be Palestinian in the 21st century.


OBJECTIVES
This study explored correlates with and changes in the prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of children in the home.

METHODS
We used multiple logistic regression to explore ETS exposures as reported in the 1992 and 2000 National Health Interview Survey.

RESULTS
ETS exposure in homes with children declined from 35.6% to 25.1% (P <.001) between 1992 and 2000, whereas smoking prevalence declined 26.5% to 23.3%. Home ETS exposures were more prevalent among non-Hispanic Whites than among African Americans (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.702; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.614, 0.802), Asian Americans (AOR = 0.534; 95% CI = 0.378, 0.754), and Hispanics (AOR = 0.388; 95% CI = 0.294, 0.389). Exposures declined across all groups, with greater gains in higher education and income groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Home ETS exposure declined sharply between 1992 and 2000, more than would be predicted by the decline in adult smoking prevalence.


We present an end-to-end, multimodal, fully convolutional network for extracting semantic structures from document images. We consider document semantic structure extraction as a pixel-wise segmentation task, and propose a unified model that classifies pixels based not only on their visual appearance, as in the traditional page segmentation task, but also on the content of underlying text. Moreover, we propose an efficient synthetic document generation process that we use to generate pretraining data for our network. Once the network is trained on a large set of synthetic documents, we fine-tune the network on unlabeled real documents using a semi-supervised approach. We systematically study the optimum network architecture and show that both our multimodal approach and the synthetic data pretraining significantly boost the performance.


ABSTRACT Cholera continues to be an important cause of human infections, and outbreaks are often observed after natural disasters, such as the one following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Once the cholera outbreak was confirmed, rumors spread that the disease was brought to Haiti by a battalion of Nepalese soldiers serving as United Nations peacekeepers. This possible connection has never been confirmed. We used whole-genome sequence typing (WGST), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to characterize 24 recent Vibrio cholerae isolates from Nepal and evaluate the suggested epidemiological link with the Haitian outbreak. The isolates were obtained from 30 July to 1 November 2010 from five different districts in Nepal. We compared the 24 genomes to 10 previously sequenced V. cholerae isolates, including 3 from the Haitian outbreak (began July 2010). Antimicrobial susceptibility and PFGE patterns were consistent with an epidemiological link between the isolates from Nepal and Haiti. WGST showed that all 24 V. cholerae isolates from Nepal belonged to a single monophyletic group that also contained isolates from Bangladesh and Haiti. The Nepalese isolates were divided into four closely related clusters. One cluster contained three Nepalese isolates and three Haitian isolates that were almost identical, with only 1- or 2-bp differences. Results in this study are consistent with Nepal as the origin of the Haitian outbreak. This highlights how rapidly infectious diseases might be transmitted globally through international travel and how public health officials need advanced molecular tools along with standard epidemiological analyses to quickly determine the sources of outbreaks. IMPORTANCE Cholera is one of the ancient classical diseases and particularly prone to cause major outbreaks following major natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, where the normal separation between sewage and drinking water is destroyed. This was the case following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Rumors spread that the disease was brought to Haiti by a battalion of Nepalese soldiers serving as United Nations peacekeepers. This possible connection has never been confirmed. Sequencing the genomes of bacteria can give detailed information on whether isolates from different sites share a common origin. We used this technology to sequence isolates of Vibrio cholerae from Nepal, identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and compare these high-resolution genotypes to the complete genome sequences of isolates from the Haiti outbreak. We provide support for the hypothesis that the isolates were brought to Haiti from Nepal. Cholera is one of the ancient classical diseases and particularly prone to cause major outbreaks following major natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, where the normal separation between sewage and drinking water is destroyed. This was the case following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Rumors spread that the disease was brought to Haiti by a battalion of Nepalese soldiers serving as United Nations peacekeepers. This possible connection has never been confirmed. Sequencing the genomes of bacteria can give detailed information on whether isolates from different sites share a common origin. We used this technology to sequence isolates of Vibrio cholerae from Nepal, identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and compare these high-resolution genotypes to the complete genome sequences of isolates from the Haiti outbreak. We provide support for the hypothesis that the isolates were brought to Haiti from Nepal.


In this paper we present a source transformation-based framework to support uniform testing and model checking of implicit-invocation software systems. The framework includes a new domain-specific programming language, the Implicit-Invocation Language (IIL), explicitly designed for directly expressing implicit-invocation software systems, and a set of formal rule-based source transformation tools that allow automatic generation of both executable and formal verification artifacts. We provide details of these transformation tools, evaluate the framework in practice, and discuss the benefits of formal automatic transformation in this context. Our approach is designed not only to advance the state-of-the-art in validating implicit-invocation systems, but also to further explore the use of automated source transformation as a uniform vehicle to assist in the implementation, validation and verification of programming languages and software systems in general.


Genetic parameters were estimated for body weight at scanning (SCW) and live animal ultrasound measures of rump fat thickness (P8FT), rib fat thickness (RBFT), rib eye-muscle area (REA) and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF) for South African Angus beef cattle. A multiple-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters using the Residual Maximum Likelihood procedure (REML). Ultrasound data was used on 1 122 animals that participated in the South African National Beef Cattle Improvement Scheme. The fixed effects that were significant included contemporary group, sex and age of the animal at scanning. Random effects considered were the direct additive genetic effect and the residual. Heritability estimates were 0.38 ± 0.08, 0.34 ± 0.06, 0.33 ± 0.05, 0.32 ± 0.06 and 0.38 ± 0.06 for SCW, P8FT, RBFT, REA and IMF respectively. Genetic correlation between SCW and REA was high (0.79 ± 0.07). Genetic correlations with SCW were 0.24 ± 0.14 for P8FT, 0.25 ± 0.12 for RBFT and 0.29 ± 0.11 for IMF. Measures of body fat were genetically highly correlated with one another, with correlations ranging from 0.71 to 0.99. The magnitude of heritability estimates obtained in the current study indicates that genetic improvement for ultrasound indicators of carcass traits should be effective. However, the indirect selection of carcass traits using ultrasound data, should consider the antagonistic genetic relationship between subcutaneous and intramuscular fat. Keywords : Heritability, genetic correlations, beef cattle, real-time ultrasound


The current paper utilizes new approaches in intergroup conflict studies to examine the village guard system and its role in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict in Turkey. Recent work suggests that a two-group paradigm in researching intergroup conflict leaves out important contextual factors that influence trajectories and outcomes of conflict. The current paper is based on a project examining the views of 63 active and retired village guards in five provinces in eastern Turkey. Participants were asked how they became village guards, their experiences while holding the position and after they've retired, their relationship with neighbors and neighboring villages, as well as their views on the peace process and whether they believe a lasting peace is possible. Results indicate that village guards became guards either because their tribe took arms as a whole, they felt economically there were few other options, or were pressured by the state. Participants also reported feeling otherized by both non-village guard neighbors as well as state actors, and were generally positive about a peaceful outcome to the conflict but were concerned about the sincerity of the government.


Attainment of nutritional security is a major focus of the Millennium Development Goals. Despite efforts, Sub-Saharan Africa countries are yet to make significant progress in becoming nutritionally secure. Over the years, maternal obesity and child under-nutrition have concurrently been on the increase. The rise in obesity and child under-nutrition is attributed to, among others, urbanization-driven shifts in eating habits and lifestyle, changes in purchasing power, food assistance and stress-related medical conditions. Studies in Asia and Latin America have associated co-existence of adult obesity and child under-nutrition with urban areas. In this paper we examine the prevalence of child under-nutrition and mother obesity in rural Kenya. We find that 22 per cent of households with undernourished children have mothers that are obese. The paper also find a positive association between wealth, education and woman status and the existence of undernourished child obese mother phenomenon in the same household. The policy implication of this double burden problem is that interventions aimed at solving child malnutrition need to be targeted.


Ease of use or usability is gaining ground as a selling argument. However, designing usable consumer products still remains a complicated activity, particularly when products will be used in changing circumstances. The usability of a product is defined by ISO 9241 as the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use. From this definition can be concluded that a product's usability depends on the situation in which it is used and that this situation should be specified. However, more and more products are used by varying users, for varying purposes and/ or in varying contexts of use, for instance a vending machine or a mobile phone. These types of products therefore have a varying or dynamic usability. This variation can take place on different levels: within a use session, between use sessions or between products. The means by which a product can be adjusted to this variation or 'dynamic use situation' depends on the variation level. Products with dynamic use situations are difficult to design with regard to usability because it is difficult - if not impossible - to predict all situations a product will meet. Moreover, requirements from different use situations can conflict. In this paper we will elaborate on the principle of dynamic use situations by means of an example. Furthermore we will discuss the need for the development of a design method that supports designers in dealing with dynamic use situations. For that purpose we propose criteria the method should meet. Besides aiming at creating solutions these criteria include the analysis and prioritizing of use situation aspects as well as an evaluation in which these aspects are integrated. We believe scenarios can be a valuable tool in this process


This presentation to Pitt and CMU library faculty & staff on data sharing and the Research Data Alliance was given during Open Access Week 2015, jointly sponsored by the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries and the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh on Thursday, October 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm at the Mellon Institute Conference Room (MI 348), Carnegie Mellon University. Three years ago, the Research Data Alliance (rd-alliance.org) was launched as a community-driven international organization with a mission to develop social and technical infrastructure that supports and accelerates data sharing world-wide. Since its launch, the RDA has grown precipitously and now has over 3100 members from 100+ countries. U.S. Chair Francine Berman discusses the opportunities and challenges of sharing research data, and describes RDA's global efforts to build an agile and functional organization, a broad and cohesive community, and a pipeline of impact-focused infrastructure adopted by individuals, projects and organizations to solve problems. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Francine Berman is the Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is a Fellow of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2009, she was the inaugural recipient of the ACM/IEEE-CS Ken Kennedy Award for "influential leadership in the design, development, and deployment of national-scale cyberinfrastructure." Dr. Berman is U.S. lead of the Research Data Alliance (RDA). She also serves as Chair of the Anita Borg Institute Board of Trustees, as co-Chair of the NSF Advisory Committee for the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sloan Foundation, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Dr. Berman has served as Director of the San Diego Supercomputer Center and as Vice President for Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also served as co-Chair of the National Academies Board on Research Data and Information (BRDI), as co-Chair of the US-UK Blue Ribbon Task Force for Sustainable Digital Preservation and Access, and Chair of the Information, Computing and Communication Section (Section T) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). For her accomplishments, leadership, and vision, Dr. Berman was recognized by the Library of Congress as a "Digital Preservation Pioneer", as one of the top women in technology by BusinessWeek and Newsweek, and as one of the top technologists by IEEE Spectrum.


The common mistake in History education is the unquestioned assumption that History is all about facts and that History learning is cramming the facts. This is unfortunate. History has much more to offer. Beyond the lower-order learning outcome of fact acquisition, History education is instrumental to train mind to make sound judgments and valid arguments. In this regard, the role of the teacher in making history lessons meaningful and practically relevant is of critical importance. As such, teaching History meaningfully means facilitating real learning through engaging learning experiences with a historical inquiry at the center. This requires, from the teacher's side, critical epistemic assumption and updated theoretical understanding, deep subject matter knowledge, general pedagogical competence, and history-specific pedagogical knowledge. This book is about the instructional lived experience of History educators in Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia). Using a phenomenology approach, the study explicates conceptions and practices of the educators in relation to promoting historical thinking skills of students.


Zschenderlein was invited to present the trans-disciplinary arts and science collaborative research of The Breathing City project at the 'Bridging STEM to STEAM' (www.stemtosteam.org) event, which took place at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), USA, 20th – 21st January 2011. As keynote speaker Holger Zschenderlein was invited to provide an overview about the background and evolution of the arts and science collaborative research project, The Breathing City and to talk in particular about the group's recent large scale Ice – Traffic installation commissioned by The Royal Society for their 350th Anniversary exhibited at the Royal Festival Hall in London during the Festival of Science + Art in June –July 2010, as an exemplar trans-disciplinary collaboration with public engagement. Drawing evidence from the seven – year ongoing trans-disciplinary arts and science collaboration of The Breathing City project and the recent large-scale public installation Ice - Traffic, Zschenderlein's presentation focused on key aspects of this symposium by providing examples of how to potentially develop strategies in order to build meaningful connections between art and design disciplines and sciences. The event, funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and co-hosted by RISD together with the NSF, brought together sixty American leaders from the fields of Science, Creative IT, Engineering, Art and Design, Mathematics and Education Research to examine and develop strategies for enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education through the integration of Art and Design thinking. Participants discussed the concept of connecting STEM to the Arts (STEAM), which gained popularity in a number of American institutions in recent years and RISD has become the first arts institution in the USA to host such a high profile event. The Bridging STEM to STEAM event, as part of a series of events across various institutions in the US was intended to lead towards a white paper report, aimed to consider and explore new developments and frameworks for enhancing science education through the interaction of innovative arts-design-science pedagogy and research models. Zschenderlein's presentation has been numerously cited within the subsequent report to the National Science Foundation, January 2011.


This paper discusses grammatical replication as a possible explanation for the rise of postposed rhematic adjectives in Middle English (ME) times. It will be shown that this phenomenon, which is described by Fischer (2006) as a violation of the Old English pattern, has the potential to have been borrowed from Old French (OF) during the time when language contact between the two languages was most intense. A corpus-based study of OF will confirm that rhematic post-posed adjectives were the marked option and occurred in distinctive and highlighting contexts. This finding will be compared with findings from a corpus-based study of ME. It will reveal that the same pattern suddenly increases between 1250 and 1350, and that the postposition of adjectives correlates with the so-called French plural (marking) in texts which are based on Latin and/or French. Other sources like full texts of direct translations of French texts and mixed texts will be integrated into the study to provide as comprehensive a picture as possible about the contact situation. Although the results cannot be conclusive at present, this investigation shows that grammatical replication cannot be excluded as an explanation of the rise of this (and other) grammatical patterns during ME times.


In this thesis I describe studies of life history traits under variation in nutrition focused on ageing. The predictive adaptive response is a type of plastic response which is advantageous later in life, rather than immediately. We tested with a resource allocation model whether for a relatively short-lived organism, Bicyclus anynana increasing allocation to dispersal capability would be advantageous as an adult, when the individual would be stressed as a larva. This was indeed the case. Using a similar model we tested whether increased lifespan under dietary restriction would be evolutionary conserved. This did not seem to be the case. Then we describe how traits and gene expression in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) was affected by sustained cycles of low and high food, compared to constant food controls. Furthermore we compare predictions from a model, in which the relationship between fecundity and lifespan changes with the age of the flies measured. Lastly we test whether genetic variation in genes described in model organisms under laboratory conditions can be correlated to phenotypic variation in life history traits under natural conditions of the least killifish (Heterandria formosa). Indeed this was the case