The definitive story of The Stone Roses by Simon Spence, with an updated final chapter covering the reunion rollercoaster ride. From the Manchester backwaters to the worldwide 2012 tour, War and Peace lays bare the irresistible tale of the last of the great bands. Based on 400 hours of interviews with over seventy of The Stone Roses' closest associates, including six former band members, War and Peace is the first major biography of the band that defined a generation. Originally planned in collaboration with Reni, the reclusive drummer, this book had been a year in the making when the Roses, against all odds, announced their re-formation. It is a remarkable coda to an astonishing story. In 1989 their debut album and the single 'Fools Gold' made them the most exciting British export since the Sex Pistols. With their incendiary aura the Roses became figureheads of the 'Madchester' movement. War and Peace traces the band's genesis, studded with violent gigs and abandoned recordings, and shaped by their infamous manager Gareth Evans. The Roses' legendary gigs culminated in the era-defining Spike Island show in 1990. From this pinnacle the unravelling was spectacular. But the true story behind their rise and fall - and resurrection - has never been told. Until now. With 40 unseen photos, including from renowned rock photographer Dennis Morris. "This is the one. It's the definitive biography of the band, stuffed with photos that have never been seen before. The writing feels really fresh and definitive. It's a classic". (Alex Heminsley BBC 6 Music Book of the Month). "A comprehensive, no-holds-barred account ...details with steely, forensic precision the story of the group's ascent, heyday and spectacular implosion. All the triumphs and disasters are here". (The Sunday Times). "An era-defining, definitive biography". (Q). Simon Spence collaborated with Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham on the acclaimed memoirs Stoned and 2Stoned. He has written for the NME, i-D, Dazed & Confused and the Independent. He was at the Stone Roses' legendary Blackpool and Alexandra Palace shows in 1989 and covered their era-defining Spike Island show for The Face.


The paper presents a multilingual approach to temporal expression recognition (TER) using existing tools and their combination. We observe that the rules based methods perform well on documents using wellformed temporal expressions in a narrower domain (e.g., news), while data driven methods are more stable within less standard language and texts across domains. With combination of the two approaches, we achieved F1 of 0.73 and 0.9 for strict and relaxed evaluations respectively on one English dataset. Although these results do not achieve the state-of-the-art on English, the same method outperformed the state-of-the-art results in a multilingual setting not only in recall but also in F1. We see this as a strong indication that combining rule based systems with data driven models such as BERT is a valid approach to improve the overall performance in TER, especially for languages other than English. Further observations indicate that in the domain of office documents, the combined method is able to recognize general temporal expressions as well as domain specific ones (e.g., those used in financial documents).


With a view to identify the effect of seed priming technology on maize in the western hills of Nepal, five different varieties of maize including farmers' local were tested during summer seasons of 2004 at three sites of Gorkha, Palpa and Myagdi districts using mother-baby scheme with primed and non-primed treatments. Results of mother trials combined over locations revealed that primed treatments silked three days earlier and matured six days prior to non-primed counterparts. Significant increase in grain yield, average of 11.6% and maximum of 27.8% was recorded. Farmers' response in baby trials combined over locations showed that plant stand after germination in primed treatment was found better as reported by 80% of the respondents. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(4): 470-478


This paper describes the collaboration between Texas Tech University School of Law and the Brain Performance Institute at the University of Texas-Dallas to implement high-performance brain training for law students. The pilot program used a variation of BPI's Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART), which teaches students to train their brains more analytically by focusing on strategies to enhance strategic attention, integration, and innovation. Grounded in evidence-based neuroplasticity concepts, SMART focuses on an individual's fluid intelligence. For law students, brain training can help in many aspects of the academic program and can be targeted to help improve bar passage. SMART also teaches that you are not your past labels, such as your LSAT score or your grades from past semesters; you can rewire your brain to improve performance. The papers traces the TTU-BPI collaboration and shares lessons learned from that pilot program.


The authors analyze eleven years of employment data for a regional grocery store chain in the United States that faced a class-action lawsuit over gender discrimination. The data include all employees' job titles, wage rates, and earnings, allowing an examination of initial job assignments, mobility between departments, and mobility into supervisory and management positions. An analysis that models the flows of individuals between different departments and jobs within the firm as a Markov process shows a pattern of intrafirm mobility and initial job assignment that generally penalized women, even when the analysis accounts for individuals' characteristics. Although the court-mandated affirmative action remedies were not formally implemented until after the period of the study, there were clear signs of relative improvement in the economic status of the firm's female employees as a result of the filing of the lawsuit and subsequent trial.


ABSTRACT The Santa Rosa-Cortes Ridge is located 60 miles west of San Pedro, California in a submerged basin and range province known as the "Continental Borderland." The ridge is flanked by two steep slopes which are believed to be fault scarps, and it is cut by transverse depressions that probably were formed by erosion along fault lines or have a structural origin. Gravel composed of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary materials is present atop the ridge. Several lines of evidence suggest that it was deposited during the Pleistocene. Rocks obtained from the ridge range in age from Eocene to Late Miocene. Middle and Upper Eocene shales, sandstones, and siltstones are limited to the area south of Begg Rock. Miocene shales were recovered from the rest of the ridge. The present distribution of bottom sediments is believed to be the result of (1) deposition during the Pleistocene of coarse detrital sediments at depths too great to be explained by present-day currents, and (2) post-Pleistocene accumulation of calcareous organic sediments over most of the ridge and medium to very fine sands immediately off the shores of the islands.


This paper presents a real-time calibration scheme for a 14-bit multi-segment, single slope ADC architecture using a 290MHz current DAC based on-chip ramp generator. The ramp generator enables the creation of a ramp with multiple slopes, allowing scaling of the ADC resolution according to a given system's shot noise limited curve. This flexibility allows various system tradeoffs to be made without the need for silicon redesign. For example, frame-rate, power dissipation, resolution, and other system-level parameters can be traded off to optimize performance for different applications, pixel characteristics or operating modes. Non-idealities resulting from the multi-slope ramp degrade the converter's linearity. A real-time calibration scheme was developed that greatly improved the converter's linearity and proved to be an enabling technology for the chosen ADC architecture.


Formal systems that describe computations over syntactic structures occur frequently in computer science. Logic programming provides a natural framework for encoding and animating such systems. However, these systems often embody variable binding, a notion that must be treated carefully at a computational level. This book aims to show that a programming language based on a simply typed version of higher-order logic provides an elegant, declarative means for providing such a treatment. Three broad topics are covered in pursuit of this goal. First, a proof-theoretic framework that supports a general view of logic programming is identified. Second, an actual language called Prolog is developed by applying this view to higher-order logic. Finally, a methodology for programming with specifications is exposed by showing how several computations over formal objects such as logical formulas, functional programs, and -terms and -calculus expressions can be encoded in Prolog.


This thesis performs a social mapping of the field of British-Asian independent film between 1976 and 1996. Through a practical application of Pierre Bourdieu's methodological approach to reading cultural production, this research examines a series of film production contexts as a means of revealing refracted homologies between particular texts, the cultural field and the broader field of power in Britain. The empirical core of the thesis identifies and examines five different film practices: an excluded film practice, an institutional film practice, a theoretical film practice, a successful film practice and contemporary film practices. The selected films are primarily analysed as cultural "barometers" of the given social contexts, providing for each of the empirical chapters a basis from which to map the genesis of a particular film practice. By mapping the relations between cultural production, the key social events and forces for change as actualised within the films, each empirical chapter aims to reveal the dominant logic which informed given film practices. Ethnicity, instead of functioning as the essential object of analysis, provides this research with a starting point and the key sampling device to map the British independent film field. In principal, this thesis examines the ways in which images of "ethnic minorities" in the British independent film field have been both liberated and regulated through the presence of dominant dispositions which have structured the field generating, and consecrating particular film-making practices over and above others.


The Whitworth Park Community Archaeology and History Project took place between 2011 and 2015. The project investigated the material, social and natural history of Whitworth Park through archaeological survey and excavation, archival research and oral history. At the same time it engaged present-day communities with Whitworth Park?s rich past and its contribution to their urban heritage. The results of the project contributed to a wide range of activities and outputs that promoted public understanding well beyond the original project brief. These included tours of the excavations and the park, open days, a project blog, a Live Tweet, an exhibition, a public leaflet, a park display board, three short films, a series of lectures and workshops, and a number of preliminary publications addressing popular, professional and academic audiences. The project touched the lives of numerous people in diverse ways, ranging from the intensive participation of c.50 volunteers in the excavations and post-excavation work, to workshops for various classes from 6 schools, to some 44.5k visitors to the exhibition, to approximately 3.5k blog visitors and approximately 44.5k twitter accounts. Collectively, the volunteers dedicated 252 days and 1763 hours to the project.The project has contributed a great deal to our knowledge and understanding of Whitworth Park, providing intimate insights into the everyday lives of those who used it in the past. It equipped volunteers with new heritage-based skills as well as generic skills in team-working, communication and public engagement. Most importantly, it provided a strong sense of camaraderie in the shared excitement of discovery. School workshops facilitated connections and comparisons between childhood past and present, and gave children ranging from primary schools to 6th form colleges a taste of the significance and excitement of history and archaeology. Diverse and rewarding partnerships were created and fostered, many of which will be sustained beyond the lifetime of the project. Above all, the project has made a contribution to the work of those who care for public parks ? their heritage and their future ? ranging from the Friends of Whitworth Park to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other national organisations.


Estimating individual cone sensitivities on the basis of their corresponding individual color matching functions is a classic problem of color vision. To solve the problem one has, in effect, to postulate constraints on the shape of the cone sensitivities. For example, Logvinenko applied a linear matching method (originally proposed by Bongard and Smirnov [4]) which excludes all but one primary to which each of the sensitivities of the visual system is supposedly sensitive and, mathematically, if this constraint is met reasonable estimates should result. However, when applied to color matching functions in general, it turns out that the method estimates middle and especially long wave sensitivity quite poorly. We propose a new method based on linear optimization, in which it is assumed only that the photo-pigment spectral absorptance functions are known a priori. In an iterative scheme, the method works by simultaneously estimating the coefficients of the linear relation between the known individual color matching functions and estimated cone sensitivities and estimating the ocular and macular filtering that multiplied by the absorptances yield the estimated cone sensitivities. The ocular and macular pre-filtration is treated as a single spectral function (i.e. a combined ocular and macular filtration). We are also able to predict the cone sensitivities proposed by Stockman and Sharpe in recent research. The method is tested on a selection of individual 1959 10 degree Color Matching Functions, with the assumption that they have the Stockman and Sharpe 10 degree photo-pigment spectral absorbtance in common. The results for the estimated cone sensitivities look very plausible. Finally we have applied the method to the CIE1964 10 degree observer and get very reasonable result as well.


The instant diffusion of digital contents via the Internet, especially on portal web sites such as YouTube, is phenomenal. The large audience (demand) pool and the potential of content's diffusion via the vast users' network give a promising market to companies willing to distribute their digital contents online. However, not all video contents are successful. While some of the contents get instant recognition, some others simply die away getting little traffic. Thus, to get any useful implementation of social network in digital content market, it is important to understand the characteristics of the diffusion of digital contents via such networks. We gather data from YouTube to understand the role of social influence on the diffusion of user-generated content. To describe the diffusion process of user-generated content in YouTube, we adopt standard Bass diffusion model with the addition of social network component.


Abstract Geodetic surveying is a core volcano monitoring technique. Measurements of how the crust deforms can give valuable insight into the mechanisms and processes that drive an eruption, and the way in which they change. Various geodetic observables, including ground deformation and gravity changes, have been recorded on Montserrat throughout the eruption. Instrumentation and surveying networks used to make such measurements have evolved significantly since 1995, providing increasingly accurate and robust observations. The detailed research that has been facilitated by these rich geodetic datasets has illuminated many aspects of the Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV) and demonstrated eruptive mechanisms that are relevant to the study of other volcanoes. We have compiled a history of the geodetic study of the eruption on Montserrat, detailing the development of surveying techniques, network design and data processing since 1995. We then underline some of the key geodetic observations and review some of the most significant research that has contributed to our understanding of this volcanic system. Finally, we apply a series of typical deformation inversion models to deformation observations, and discuss the parameter sensitivity of such modelling approaches and how confidently they can be applied to identify the characteristics of the mechanisms feeding the eruption.


This thesis focuses on developing an evolutionary art system using genetic programming. The main goal is to produce new forms of evolutionary art that filter existing images into new non-photorealistic (NPR) styles, by obtaining images that look like traditional media such as watercolor or pencil, as well as brand new effects. The approach permits GP to generate creative forms of NPR results. The GP language is extended with different techniques and methods inspired from NPR research such as colour mixing expressions, image processing filters and painting algorithm. Colour mixing is a major new contribution, as it enables many familiar and innovative NPR effects to arise. Another major innovation is that many GP functions process the canvas (rendered image), while is dynamically changing. Automatic fitness scoring uses aesthetic evaluation models and statistical analysis, and multiobjective fitness evaluation is used. Results showed a variety of NPR effects, as well as new, creative possibilities.


Scott Shapiro's theory that law is a social plan is helpful in seeing law essentially as a tool of human creation and as such is sympathetic to understanding law in terms of the social functions it performs, a method I argue for elsewhere. I focus here on two problems with the theory as presented. The planning theory does not adequately explain the persistence of law beyond the utility of those who implement it. Generally, plans can cease to exist as soon as those engaged in them have no more use for them. Laws however, must usually be declared invalid or otherwise nullified for them to have no further effect. Shapiro's use of self-certification to explain how law is differentiated from other forms of social planning is ad hoc and threatens circularity when he admits it to be a matter of degree. Both of these issues can be better solved by seeing law as an institutionalised abstract artefact, with a greater emphasis upon the nature of institutions doing much of the work done by the idea of planning.


Human cognition and decision-making related to information systems (IS) is a major area of interest in IS research. However, despite being explored since the mid-seventies in psychology, the phenomenon of cognitive biases has only recently gained attention among IS researchers. This fact is reflected inter alia in the lack of a comprehensive literature review of research on cognitive biases in IS, on which authors could build their work upon. Against this backdrop, this thesis presents a scientometric analysis of 12 top IS outlets covering the time period between 1992 and 2012, providing a comprehensive picture of the current state of research on cognitive biases in IS. Building on its results and considering the current trends in IS usage practice, this thesis further presents three articles in the IS usage contexts 'personal productivity software' and 'e-commerce'. These articles investigate the influence of cognitive biases on IS users' decision-making and the potential reasons thereof on the example of software updates and purchase pressure cues. The first two studies draw on expectation-confirmation theory and the IS continuance literature. Within the first study, a laboratory experiment reveals that feature updates have a positive effect on users' continuance intention (CI) – the update-effect. According to this effect, software vendors can increase their users' CI by delivering updates incrementally rather than providing the entire feature set right with the first release. However the results show that the update-effect only occurs if the number of updates does not exceed a tipping point in a given timeframe, disclosing update frequency as crucial boundary condition. Additionally, the study indicates that this effect operates through positive disconfirmation of expectations, resulting in increased user satisfaction. The second study expands the focus of the first study by considering feature as well as non-feature updates and elaborating on the explanatory role of satisfaction (SAT), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). Besides update frequency, the findings demonstrate update type as another boundary condition to the repeatedly identified update-effect, that is, it occurs only with functional feature updates and not with technical non-feature updates. Moreover, by analyzing the practice of employing purchase pressure cues (PPCs) on commercial websites, the third study provides another example of the effect of cognitive biases on users' decision making in the IS usage context 'e-commerce'. The results show that while limited time (LT) pressure cues significantly increase deal choice, limited product availability (LPA) pressure cues have no distinct influence on it. Furthermore, perceived stress and perceived product value serve as two serial mediators explaining the theoretical mechanism of why LT pressure cues affect deal choice.
Overall, the thesis highlights the role of human cognition and decision-making, and specifically of cognitive biases, for IS related users' decisions. It further emphasizes the importance of an alterable and malleable IS for the occurrence of biased decision-making. Moreover, the findings shed light on the underlying explanatory mechanisms of how and why biased decision-making takes place, thus answering several calls for research and elaborating on existing theories from psychology and IS. Software vendors and online retailers may use the findings described in the thesis to better understand how and why cognitive biases can be applied in a targeted way to achieve positive revenue effects. Specifically, software vendors are advised to distribute software functionality over time via updates, because feature updates can induce a positive state of surprise, which, in turn, increases users' CI. However, while the thesis' results disclose the update-effect as a useful measure for software vendors to achieve customers' satisfaction regarding a software product, it is also necessary to consider its boundary conditions in order to achieve the desired outcomes. Finally, online retailers are advised to carefully select the PPCs on their websites. While the thesis' results show that some of them are cost-effective solutions to stimulate positive value perceptions, which in turn impact online purchases, they also reveal that others have no effect on users' purchase decisions and can even be perceived as an attempt at deception.


Imprecise continuous-time Markov chains are a robust type of continuous-time Markov chains that allow for partially specified time-dependent parameters. Computing inferences for them requires the solution of a non-linear differential equation. As there is no general analytical expression for this solution, efficient numerical approximation methods are essential to the applicability of this model. We here improve the uniform approximation method of Krak et al. (2016) in two ways and propose a novel and more efficient adaptive approximation method. For ergodic chains, we also provide a method that allows us to approximate stationary distributions up to any desired maximal error.


During mammalian spermatogenesis, the mouse VASA homolog (MVH; also known as DDX4), a germ-cell-specific DEAD-box type RNA-binding protein, localizes in a germline-specific RNA granule termed the chromatoid body (CB). Genetic analyses have revealed that MVH is essential for progression through spermatogenesis, although the molecular mechanisms of its function remain elusive. We found that the acetyltransferase Hat1, and its cofactor, p46, are specifically colocalized with MVH in the CB and acetylate MVH at Lys405, leading to inactivation of its RNA-binding activity. Notably, the acetylation is developmentally regulated, paralleling the temporally regulated colocalization of Hat1 and p46 in the CB. We have identified 858 mRNAs as MVH targets, a large proportion of which correspond to previously known translationally arrested genes. Importantly, eIF4B mRNA, a target of MVH, is selectively released from the MVH–ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex when MVH is acetylated, paralleling an increase in eIF4B protein. These findings reveal a previously unknown signaling pathway that links acetylation to RNA processing in the control of spermatogenesis.


We analyze how local labor markets in Mexico adjusted in response to an increase in Chinese import competition between 1998 and 2013. We exploit the spatial variation in import exposure arising from initial differences in industry specialization. We found that the adjustment took various forms: a decline in the number of wage employees, the substitution of some wage employees by contract workers, and the substitution of formally contracted employees by informally contracted ones. The reduction in employment levels was accompanied by an increase in the population that exited the labor force. The negative employment impact was three times more severe on production workers than on nonproduction workers, indicating that workers with lower skills were more severely affected. Overall, we find significant job losses to the order of 7.6% of the working-age population.


We study how employing organizations divide up the tasks they do, and therefore how they structure their employees' jobs. Much research in the past three decades has shown that employing organizations' job structures determine the social, economic, and psychological outcomes experienced by workers, and thus determine patterns of stratification and social mobility. Although much attention has been paid to the consequences of organizational job structures, little has been done to analyze their causes. Our analysis of job structures in U.S. wineries adds to the handful of causal studies on this topic. Building on sociological theory, we predict that technical factors – scale and scope of operations – increase the complexity of job structures, specifically the number of job titles, functions delineated by those titles, and people with multiple job titles. We further predict that cultural factors – organizational age, prevailing notions of what is "normal," and organizational form – influence job structures. We find strong effects of both technical and cultural factors. We also find that these forces can conflict and complement each other, and that the identities embedded in organizational forms determine whether and how technical and cultural factors affect job structures.


Objectives The dose–response relationship for hand-transmitted vibration has been investigated extensively in temperate environments. Since the clinical features of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) differ between the temperate and tropical environment, we conducted this study to investigate the dose–response relationship of HAVS in a tropical environment. Methods A total of 173 male construction, forestry and automobile manufacturing plant workers in Malaysia were recruited into this study between August 2011 and 2012. The participants were interviewed for history of vibration exposure and HAVS symptoms, followed by hand functions evaluation and vibration measurement. Three types of vibration doses—lifetime vibration dose (LVD), total operating time (TOT) and cumulative exposure index (CEI)—were calculated and its log values were regressed against the symptoms of HAVS. The correlation between each vibration exposure dose and the hand function evaluation results was obtained. Results The adjusted prevalence ratio for finger tingling and numbness was 3.34 (95% CI 1.27 to 8.98) for subjects with lnLVD≥20 ln m2 s−4 against those <16 ln m2 s−4. Similar dose–response pattern was found for CEI but not for TOT. No subject reported white finger. The prevalence of finger coldness did not increase with any of the vibration doses. Vibrotactile perception thresholds correlated moderately with lnLVD and lnCEI. Conclusions The dose–response relationship of HAVS in a tropical environment is valid for finger tingling and numbness. The LVD and CEI are more useful than TOT when evaluating the dose–response pattern of a heterogeneous group of vibratory tools workers.


In this paper we introduce a Wasserstein-type distance on the set of the probability distributions of strong solutions to stochastic differential equations. This new distance is defined by restricting the set of possible coupling measures. We prove that it may also be defined by means of the value function of a stochastic control problem whose Hamilton–Jacobi– Bellman equation has a smooth solution, which allows one to deduce a priori estimates or to obtain numerical evaluations. We exhibit an optimal coupling measure and characterizes it as a weak solution to an explicit stochastic differential equation, and we finally describe procedures to approximate this optimal coupling measure. A notable application concerns the following modeling issue: given an exact diffusion model, how to select a simplified diffusion model within a class of admissible models under the constraint that the probability distribution of the exact model is preserved as much as possible?


Probabilistic graphical models provide a general and flexible framework for reasoning about complex dependencies in noisy domains with many variables. Among the various types of probabilistic graphical models, sum-product networks (SPNs) have recently generated some interest because exact inference can always be done in linear time with respect to the size of the network. This is particularly attractive since it means that learning an SPN from data always yields a tractable model for inference. However, existing parameter learning algorithms for SPNs operate in batch mode and do not scale easily to large datasets. In this work, we explore online algorithms to ensure that parameter learning can also be done tractably with respect to the amount of data. More specifically, we propose a new Bayesian moment matching (BMM) algorithm that operates naturally in an online fashion and that can be easily distributed. We demonstrate the effectiveness and scalability of BMM in comparison to online extensions of gradient descent, exponentiated gradient and expectation maximization on 20 classic benchmarks and 4 large scale datasets.


In this gripping chronicle of America's struggle for independence, award-winning historian John Ferling transports readers to the grim realities of that war, capturing an eight-year conflict filled with heroism, suffering, cowardice, betrayal, and fierce dedication. As Ferling demonstrates, it was a war that America came much closer to losing than is now usually remembered. General George Washington put it best when he said that the American victory was "little short of a standing miracle." Almost a Miracle offers an illuminating portrait of America's triumph, offering vivid descriptions of all the major engagements, from the first shots fired on Lexington Green to the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, revealing how these battles often hinged on intangibles such as leadership under fire, heroism, good fortune, blunders, tenacity, and surprise. The author paints sharp-eyed portraits of the key figures in the war, including General Washington and other American officers and civilian leaders. Some do not always measure up to their iconic reputations, including Washington himself. Others, such as the quirky, acerbic Charles Lee, are seen in a much better light than usual. The book also examines the many faceless men who soldiered, often for years on end, braving untold dangers and enduring abounding miseries. The author explains why they served and sacrificed, and sees them as the forgotten heroes who won American independence. Ferling's narrative is also filled with compassion for the men who comprised the British army and who, like their American counterparts, struggled and died at an astonishing rate in this harsh war. Nor does Ferling ignore the naval war, describing dangerous patrols and grand and dazzling naval actions. Finally, Almost a Miracle takes readers inside the legislative chambers and plush offices of diplomats to reveal countless decisions that altered the course of this war. The story that unfolds is at times a tale of folly, at times one of appalling misinformation and confusion, and now and then one of insightful and dauntless statesmanship.


A BiVO4/WO3/FTO (FTO: fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass) multilayer photoelectrode was found to be suitable for photoelectrochemical oxidative hypochlorous acid (HClO) production from chloride ions (Cl−). HClO was efficiently produced in the electrolyte solution by irradiating the BiVO4/WO3/FTO photoanode with simulated solar light. It was expected that Cl− would be oxidized to chlorine (Cl2) by the photogenerated holes on the BiVO4, and then converted to HClO via the disproportionation reaction in an aqueous electrolyte solution. For the first 100 s, the current efficiency for HClO production was 97%, indicating that the photogenerated hole oxidized Cl− with high selectivity in preference to H2O. Moreover, the BiVO4/WO3/FTO multilayer photoanode enabled us to achieve significant diminution of the external bias required for HClO production under solar light irradiation.


Abstract
Labraq airport located in Labraq city , 25 km east of the Albetha in Libya
circle on the spin-off 27-21 north at its intersection with longitude 74-22 east longitude
and altitude of 650 m above sea level.
This airport built in 1967, a total value of 1,000,000 dollar US by a group Bethune
Syrian national and project manager Renaissance architecture.After the military coup
stoppedin 1986, the airport return as an airport of a civilian-military joint, and in 1996 it
has not been converted to a civilian airport only. The condition of Labraq airports
nowadays isold building or already 45 years, not modern,the small size of the passenger
terminal, administration, departure halls, reception rooms, security and baggage claim
conducted in one small building which causing obstruction of the work.
Theobjective of this study isto make design for reconstruction of the terminal
building for Labraq Libya airport to be more comfortable and more modern and to
quantitatively evaluate the characteristics of the terminal configurations. The secondary
data is taken by the official report of the Labraq airport that consists of data such as the
number of passengers, the number of airplane, seat capacity, periodical flight, parking
lot capacity for departure and arrival, width of terminal building, and the number of
employees.The other secondary data supporting this research are also downloaded from
internet which consists of population growth, economic growth, and growth of tourism
industry in Libya.
Therefore with the prediction in the next ten year thetotal passangers in 2020 will
two times the existing passangers.This means that minimum terminal bulding is about
two times the existing building. The new design is also already draw by considering all
the aspects i.e. the number of passengers and be more comfortable and more modern.
Key words:terminal building, passenger, reconstruction, Labrag airport.


Teaching ethics is challenging and a teacher needs as many arrows in the quiver as possible. This article explains one approach to teaching behavioral ethics, a new and promising way of thinking about and teaching ethics. This approach focuses on helping good people minimize the number of bad things that they do by understanding how and why people make the ethical (and unethical) decisions that they do. The article goes into detail regarding the author's idiosyncratic pedagogical approach, but contains lengthy discussions of recent research to serve as a resource for those seeking more familiarity with behavioral ethics so that they can form their own approaches. The article also highlights "Ethics Unwrapped," a free ethics education resource that contains several videos that can be usefully applied to teaching behavioral ethics, as well as other ethical concepts.


Joel Alvis focuses on the relationships and tensions in the American Presbyterian Church, whose ecclesiastical boundaries never expanded significantly beyond its original territory in the Confederacy and border South. By the time of the civil rights movement, the church was actively involved in ecumenical activities despite its regional isolation; that involvement created unease in some quarters of the denomination. This institutional history describes how the church shaped and was shaped by its regional culture and explores the denomination's own culture as it struggled to determine what role racial issues and realities would have in the definition of being "Presbyterian".


Renewables Information provides a comprehensive review of historical and current market trends in OECD countries, including 2016 provisional data. It provides an overview of the development of renewables and waste in the world over the 1990 to 2015 period. A greater focus is given to the OECD countries with a review of electricity generation and capacity from renewable and waste energy sources, including detailed tables. However, an overview of developments in the world and OECD renewable and waste market is also presented. The publication encompasses energy indicators, generating capacity, electricity and heat production from renewable and waste sources, as well as production and consumption of renewables and waste.
Renewables Information is one of a series of annual IEA statistical publications on major energy sources; other reports are Coal Information, Electricity Information, Natural Gas Information and Oil Information.


Most reinforcement learning methods are based upon the key assumption that the transition dynamics and reward functions are fixed, that is, the underlying Markov decision process is stationary. However, in many real-world applications, this assumption is violated, and using existing algorithms may result in a performance lag. To proactively search for a good future policy, we present a policy gradient algorithm that maximizes a forecast of future performance. This forecast is obtained by fitting a curve to the counter-factual estimates of policy performance over time, without explicitly modeling the underlying non-stationarity. The resulting algorithm amounts to a non-uniform reweighting of past data, and we observe that minimizing performance over some of the data from past episodes can be beneficial when searching for a policy that maximizes future performance. We show that our algorithm, called Prognosticator, is more robust to non-stationarity than two online adaptation techniques, on three simulated problems motivated by real-world applications.


Background and aim Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is associated with poor quality of life and increased work disability. Treatment with lactulose and probiotics has shown some benefit. We compared lactulose with probiotics and a combination of lactulose plus probiotics in the treatment of MHE. Patients and methods One hundred and ninety cirrhotic patients without overt encephalopathy [Child's A grade 71 patients (37.4%), Child's B grade 72 patients (37.9%), Child's C grade 47 patients (24.7%)] were evaluated by psychometry (number connection tests A and B or figure connection tests A and B) and P300 auditory event-related potential (P300ERP). MHE was diagnosed by abnormal psychometry and/or P300ERP. Patients were randomized to receive lactulose [group A (n=35): dose 30–60 ml/day], probiotics [group B (n=35): dose 1 capsule three times/day, each capsule contained Streptococcus faecalis 60 million, Clostridium butyricum 4 million, Bacillus mesentricus 2 million, lactic acid bacillus 100 million] and lactulose plus probiotics [group C (n=35)] for 1 month. Response was defined by normalization of the abnormal test parameters. Results MHE was diagnosed in 105 (55.2%) patients. Of the 105 patients, 75 (71%) had both abnormal psychometry and P300ERP, whereas 90 (86%) had abnormal psychometry alone, and 89 patients (85%) had abnormal P300ERP alone. Significant improvement was seen in abnormal psychometry tests (group A: n=31 vs. n=12, group B: n=29 vs. n=14, group C: n=30 vs. n=10), P300ERP (group A: 376.8±22.3 vs. 344.3±30.6 ms, group B: 385.4±28.5 vs. 355.5±27.9 ms, group C: 387.7±27.5 vs. 347.7±31.5 ms) and venous ammonia levels (group A: 102.3±63.1 vs. 69.3±33.3 μmol/l, group B: 108.2±37.5 vs. 75.7±33.0 μmol/l, group C: 96.3±27.7 vs. 68.7±28.4 μmol/l) in lactulose, probiotics and a combination of lactulose plus probiotics groups after treatment. Normalization of abnormal psychometry and P300ERP was seen in 54.8, 51.6 and 56.6% of patients treated with lactulose, probiotics and lactulose plus probiotics groups, respectively. Conclusion A total of 55% of the patients with cirrhosis had MHE. Lactulose or probiotics or combinations of both are equally effective in the treatment of MHE.


This thesis comprises the dynamical study of star clusters in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds from early to ancient times. Much is unknown about the formation of high-mass stars and clusters — our understanding is deeply hindered by the obscuration of stars by thick columns of dust and gas. One can infer the motions of stars in star-forming regions, however, via radio observations of ionised gas. By way of example, I examine a young, bipolar H II region in the Galactic disc which lies at the centre of a massive (∼ 10^3 M⊙) infrared-dark cloud filament. Intriguingly, the region known as G316.81– 0.06, displays a large velocity gradient (47.81 ± 3.21 km s−1 pc−1) along the same direction as the filament — a phenomenon scarcely observed at this stage of evolution. Based on a qualitative comparison between G316.81–0.06 and simulations of young star-forming regions, the velocity gradient can be explained by rotation, inferred to be a direct result of the initial angular momentum of the natal molecular cloud. If true, this kinematic signature should be common in other young (bipolar) H II regions and may help to discern the scenario by which star clusters form and evolve. Star clusters at ancient times (i.e. globulars) appear in an entirely different form. Rid of their natal gaseous cocoons, globulars visibly contain 10^5 − 10^6 stars, held together by their mutual gravity. One particular conundrum appeared in recent decades: observed mass-to-light ratios (M/L) of metal-rich globular clusters (GCs) disagree with theoretical predictions. This discrepancy is of fundamental importance since stellar population models provide the stellar masses that underpin most of extragalactic astronomy, near and far. Using integral-field unit data from the WAGGS project, I have extracted radial velocities for 1,622 stars located in the centres of 59 Milky Way GCs — twelve of which have no previous kinematic information — in order to calculate dynamical masses and M/L_V ratios via N-body modelling. Most importantly, the sample includes NGC 6528 and NGC 6553, which extend the metallicity range of GCs with measured M/L up to [Fe/H] ∼ −0.1 dex. The results confirm that metal-rich clusters have M/L_V more than two times lower than what is predicted by simple stellar population models, and thus the discrepant M/L– [Fe/H] relation remains a serious concern. I have explored the potential origin of the divergence, and it appears that dynamical effects are the most likely explanation. With great technological advances in recent years, the internal kinematics of more distant star clusters can also be probed, such as massive star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds. These clusters are as young as ∼ 1 Myr and are thought to be the progenitors of ancient globulars. Thus, this provides a unique opportunity for the study of globular formation at a relatively unexplored snapshot in time. I have carried out a preliminary study of eleven (young, intermediate-age and old) massive clusters in the Clouds as an extension of the M/L–[Fe/H] study of GCs. With this, I can then test stellar population models and improve constraints on theories of dynamical evolution at early times. Newly discovered Gaia star clusters present another avenue for novel research. Home to a new area of parameter space, these clusters appear to be old and compact, yet they are faint (V-band magnitude < −2.5 mag). This is an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of (heavily dissolved) star clusters which seem to be approaching the end of their lifetime.


Scalable and diagnosable are the two most crucial needs for voice call quality assessment in mobile networks. However, while these two requirements are widely accepted by mobile carriers, they do not receive enough attention during the development. Current related research mainly focuses on audio feature analysis, which is costly, sensitive to language and tones, and infeasible to be applied to large-scale mobile networks. In this paper, we revisit this problem, and for the first time explore wireless network, the causal factor that directly impacts the mobile voice quality but yet lacks attention for decades. We design CrowdMi, a wireless analytical tool that model the mobile voice quality by crowdsourcing and mining the network indicators of cellphones. CrowdMi mines hundreds of network indicators to build a causal relationship between voice quality and network conditions, and carefully calibrates the model according to the widely accepted perceptual objective listening quality assessment (POLQA) voice assessment standard. We implement a light-load CrowdMi Client App in Android smartphones, which automatically collects data through user crowdsourcing and outputs to the CrowdMi Server in our data center that runs the mining algorithm. We conduct a pilot trial in VoLTE network in different geographical areas and network coverages. The trial shows that the CrowdMi does not require any additional hardware or human effort, and has very high model accuracy and strong diagnosability.


Background: Fruits and vegetables contain significant amounts of biologically active phytochemicals (such as polyphenols, glucosinolates, phytoestrogens, and carotenoids, amongst others), which have associated with human health and nutrition. Numerous bio-fortification strategies are employed to enhance the nutritional profile of plant-based foods to address and minimize the severe outcomes of malnutrition. Methods: Using an established high light-induced bio-fortification strategy, we aimed to augment the accumulation of health-promoting phytochemicals in a selection of Brassica micro-greens (kale and radish). High throughput tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify the     differential accumulation of phytochemicals and subsequently determined their antioxidant capacity. Using a classical DNA protection assay, we demonstrated that human genomic DNA could be protected from oxidative stress. Results: We report here on the potential link between the increased phytochemicals, total antioxidant,     capacity and potential consequent role in human DNA protection. Conclusion: Bio-fortification implemented as a future strategy could enhance the phytochemical profile and consequent antioxidant potential for the development of functional foods and food supplements. Keywords : antioxidant, bio-fortification, Brassica, DNA protection, high light, micro-greens, phytochemicals


As technology for remote communication continues to advance and become more widespread, there is a need for research to attempt to understand the manner in which such technology may most suitably support human communication. This thesis describes a series of experiments which investigated the role of proximity within video-mediated communication.

Proximity is one of the most fundamental forms of non-verbal communication used in a face-to-face interaction. Even subtle changes in interpersonal positioning are rich in information which people use to attempt to regulate the behaviour of themselves and others. At present it is unknown whether this type of non-verbal communication is preserved in video-mediated interactions. The aim of the present research project was to investigate whether impressions of proximity could be conveyed across a video link. In addition the research attempts to illuminate the physical parameters which may underpin the perception of proximity and to explore the impact upon users that any changes in perceived proximity may cause.

The research uses a wide range of approaches to study the potential impact of proximity including analyses of the structure and content of dialogue, objective and subjective task outcome measures. The research demonstrates that perceptions of proximity can exist in a video-mediated environment and when they do, they can lead to differences in the communication behaviour of individuals communicating across a video link. It is found that when participants interact with a remote interlocutor who appears to be close, they tend to be more interactive. The research goes on to investigate the perceptual basis behind this effect and also considers how this relates to other variables which are known to affect communication, most notably familiarity.


This paper examines gender differences in fund managers' risk tolerance and performance. We explore these differences in both the universe of U.S. mutual funds and hedge funds using risk and performance metrics that cover one-year, three-year, and five-year horizons. We find that funds managed by women outperform those managed by men with less risky portfolios. The outperformance persists after adjusting for risk. Overall, the results indicate that female fund managers are severely underrepresented despite their quality performance. A workgroup comprised more equally of male and female managers is likely to lead to greater stability in the financial markets due to a better blend of investment approaches and risk tolerances. 48 Fordham Business Student Research Journal


The typical phase correction term introduced in a diffraction grating-pair is rediscussed. It shows that the correction causes a conceptual difficulty in geometrical optics. A study reveals that Fraunhofer diffraction explains the correction and only mean-phase light rays are allowed for diffraction analysis. Besides, an equivalent phase formulation without correction is recommended.


ABSTRACT The influence of pH on the relative importance of the two principal decomposer groups in soil, fungi and bacteria, was investigated along a continuous soil pH gradient at Hoosfield acid strip at Rothamsted Research in the United Kingdom. This experimental location provides a uniform pH gradient, ranging from pH 8.3 to 4.0, within 180 m in a silty loam soil on which barley has been continuously grown for more than 100 years. We estimated the importance of fungi and bacteria directly by measuring acetate incorporation into ergosterol to measure fungal growth and leucine and thymidine incorporation to measure bacterial growth. The growth-based measurements revealed a fivefold decrease in bacterial growth and a fivefold increase in fungal growth with lower pH. This resulted in an approximately 30-fold increase in fungal importance, as indicated by the fungal growth/bacterial growth ratio, from pH 8.3 to pH 4.5. In contrast, corresponding effects on biomass markers for fungi (ergosterol and phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA] 18:2ω6,9) and bacteria (bacterial PLFAs) showed only a two- to threefold difference in fungal importance in the same pH interval. The shift in fungal and bacterial importance along the pH gradient decreased the total carbon mineralization, measured as basal respiration, by only about one-third, possibly suggesting functional redundancy. Below pH 4.5 there was universal inhibition of all microbial variables, probably derived from increased inhibitory effects due to release of free aluminum or decreasing plant productivity. To investigate decomposer group importance, growth measurements provided significantly increased sensitivity compared with biomass-based measurements.


In eukaryotes, alternative splicing (AS) greatly expands the diversity of transcripts. However, it is challenging to accurately determine full-length splicing isoforms. Recently, more studies have taken advantage of Pacific Bioscience (PacBio) long-read sequencing to identify full-length transcripts. Nevertheless, the high error rate of PacBio reads seriously offsets the advantages of long reads, especially for accurately identifying splicing junctions. To best capitalize on the features of long reads, we used Illumina RNA-seq reads to improve PacBio circular consensus sequence (CCS) quality and to validate splicing patterns in the rice transcriptome. We evaluated the impact of CCS accuracy on the number and the validation rate of splicing isoforms, and integrated a comprehensive pipeline of splicing transcripts analysis by Iso-Seq and RNA-seq (STAIR) to identify the full-length multi-exon isoforms in rice seedling transcriptome (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica). STAIR discovered 11 733 full-length multi-exon isoforms, 6599 more than the SMRT Portal RS_IsoSeq pipeline did. Of these splicing isoforms identified, 4453 (37.9%) were missed in assembled transcripts from RNA-seq reads, and 5204 (44.4%), including 268 multi-exon long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), were not reported in the MSU_osa1r7 annotation. Some randomly selected unreported splicing junctions were verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In addition, we investigated alternative polyadenylation (APA) events in transcripts and identified 829 major polyadenylation [poly(A)] site clusters (PACs). The analysis of splicing isoforms and APA events will facilitate the annotation of the rice genome and studies on the expression and polyadenylation of AS genes in different developmental stages or growth conditions of rice.


We study linguistic changes that failed, and their relation to successful changes. The inclusion of failed changes into Kroch's logistic model of linguistic change is possible and, in fact, necessary. The logistic functions are solutions of a differential equation that also describes how failed changes are temporal-dynamically related to successful changes: the failed change is the first derivative of the successful change. We interpret this relation in Weerman's Peripheral Rules Model: failed changes are L2 innovations supported by peripheral rules rather than by core grammar, which are subsequently accommodated and modified by L1 adopters and turned into a successful change. Two case studies support the claims: the rise of the reflexive in Dutch and the rise of do -support in English.


In order to assess the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on natural plankton communities, a large-scale mesocosm experiment was conducted in Gullmar Fjord (North Sea) from a spring bloom to a mid-summer situation.
Here, the emphasis was on the pivotal role of microzooplankton (MZP) as trophic intermediary between the microbial loop and higher trophic levels. Due to its high specific growth and grazing rates, MZP has a strong impact on phytoplankton standing stocks which can lead to dietary competition between MZP and mesozooplankton. Furthermore, the ability of MZP to act as trophic upgraders for mesozooplankton by buffering nutritional imbalances of algae might gain importance given the expected decrease in algal food quality with OA.
We present data on MZP communities (abundance, biomass, taxonomic composition) with emphasis on phytoplankton-MZP-mesozooplankton interactions. Overall, two phytoplankton peaks occurred (1st peak: around day 30, 2nd peak: around day 50). While there was no direct numerical response of MZP biomass to increases in phytoplankton biomass during the 1st peak, a clear numerical response of MZP to the 2nd peak was observed. However, no significant differences in MZP biomass with regard to the different CO2 scenarios occurred.
In general, the ciliate community was dominated by small Strombidiids and no clear CO2 impacts on the ciliate community composition could be detected. Additional grazing experiments conducted during the 1st phytoplankton peak showed negative phytoplankton growth rates throughout. MZP grazing could only be detected in some of the low pCO2 treatments, pointing towards complex responses of MZP communities to OA.


"In Marginal Workers, Ruben Garcia goes further than any previous work in describing the various ways in which [U.S. labor and employment laws] fail to protect some of the most vulnerable workers in the country." (JOTWELL: Worklaw). Undocumented and authorized immigrant laborers, female workers, workers of color, guest workers, and unionized workers together compose an enormous and diverse part of the labor force in America. Labor and employment laws are supposed to protect employees from various workplace threats, such as poor wages, bad working conditions, and unfair dismissal. Yet as members of individual groups with minority status, the rights of many of these individuals are often dictated by other types of law, such as constitutional and immigration laws. Worse still, the groups who fall into these cracks in the legal system often do not have the political power necessary to change the laws for better protection. In Marginal Workers, Ruben J. Garcia demonstrates that when it comes to these marginal workers, the sum of the law is less than its parts, and, despite what appears to be a plethora of applicable statutes, marginal workers are frequently lacking in protection. To ameliorate the status of marginal workers, he argues for a new paradigm in worker protection, one based on human freedom and rights. Ruben J. Garcia is Professor of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wiliam S. Boyd School of Law.


We present the latest development and experimental simulation studies of Statistical Temperature Molecular Dynamics (STMD) and its parallel tempering version, Replica Exchange Statistical Temperature Molecular Dynamics (RESTMD). Our main contributions are i) introduction of newly implemented STMD in LAMMPS, ii) use of large scale distributed cyber infrastructure including Amazon EC2 and the nationwide distributed computing infrastructure GENI, in addition to High-performance Computing (HPC) cluster systems, and iii) benchmark and simulation results highlighting advantages and potentials of STMD and RESTMD for challenging large-scale bio molecular conformational search. In this work, we attempt to provide convincing evidence that RESTMD, combining two advanced sampling protocols, STMD and the replica exchange algorithm, offers various advantages over not only conventional ineffective approaches but also other enhanced sampling methods. Interestingly, RESTMD has benefits over the most popular Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD) as an application maximizing its capacity in HPC environments. For example, RESTMD alleviates the need of a large number of replicas which is unavoidable in REMD and is flexible in order to exploit the maximum amount of available computing power of a cluster system. Continuing our recent effort in which RESTMD was implemented with a community molecular dynamics package, CHARMM, and the Hadoop MapReduce, in this work, we report latest development outcomes. First of all, we plugged the implementation of STMD into LAMMPS, one of the most popular public molecular dynamics packages. This is expected to position STMD and RESTMD appealing to investigators from a broad range of life science fields. Secondly, Hadoop MapReduce-based RESTMD is now able to run on Amazon EC2 and the nationwide network virtual organization, the GENI distributed computing environment. Thirdly, in order to find optimized parameters for RESTMD simulations, simulation results using test systems, water and solvated cram bin, were obtained and presented. These results, despite of relatively small sizes and short time scale trajectories, serve to underscore merits and potentials of STMD and RESTMD with respect to the strength in algorithmic advantages as well as efficient utilization of distributed resources.


The semi-Markov reliability model of the cold standby system with renewal is presented in the paper. The model is some modification of the model that was considered by Barlow & Proshan (1965), Brodi & Pogosian (1978). To describe the reliability evolution of the system, we construct a semi-Markov process by defining the states and the renewal kernel of that one. In our model the time to failure of the system is represented by a random variable that denotes the first passage time from the given state to the subset of states. Appropriate theorems from the semi-Markov processes theory allow us to calculate the reliability function and mean time to failure. As calculating an exact reliability function of the system by using Laplace transform is often complicated we apply a theorem which deals with perturbed semiMarkov processes to obtain an approximate reliability function of the system.


One of the main sources of competitiveness on the modern economy are the intangible assets of companies. In the structure of the intellectual capital assigned to human resources and human capital, the knowledge, skills, creativity, and employees' motivation play a special role. The quality of human resources affects the value of the company and human resource management practices, which in turn affect the quality of its human resources. The article focuses on a resource-based view of the firm and human capital theory as fundamental perspectives, linking human resources to achieving a sustainable competitive advantage for the company. The empirical study tested the assumption that Russian companies, the leaders on the world economy, implement management strategies and practices that facilitate the efficient use of human resources in order to achieve one's main goals, which distinguishes them from companies that have not reached a level of international competitiveness. The main tool for research is a questionnaire – the standard "Investors in People" survey — that is used to assess the effectiveness of policies and practices of the management and development of human resources at companies. The survey involved representatives in executive management positions at 41 public Russian companies; 14 of the surveyed companies were included on the Forbes Global 2000 (2014) and possessed the traits of competitiveness. The results showed that at companies with competitive features, there is a pronounced tendency for the greater involvement of employees in the process of goal-setting and decision-making. There were also some differences in the practice of management personnel between companies with and without indicators of competitiveness. In general, the assumption that Russian companies have reached a level of leadership at a global level, using more effective policies and management practices, and the development of human resources to achieve its goals, as a result of the study, is confirmed.

https://foresight-journal.hse.ru/data/2018/01/09/1160549903/5-Zavyalova et al -52-61.pdf


Purpose – In the former Yugoslavian republics, community nursing services are not well developed to support families with infants who have developmental problems. The purpose of this paper is to design an in-service training package for nurses on supporting families of children with developmental disabilities.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework evolved to guide the design and content of the training package which was further consulted on with local partners. A cascade model of training was adopted, based largely on experiential learning. A nine-session training package (around 20 hours in all) was devised and a Training for Trainers workshop held to prepare them to use the package in their locality. The in-service training of nurses is ongoing during 2014-2015.Findings – Key findings are presented in relation to perceived training needs; the key features of the Training Framework; the content and teaching methods used and the outcomes of the Training for Trainers workshop. Ongoing evaluations will assess the impact of the training on community nurses and on families.Originality/value – This study provides a conceptual model for the provision of effective in-service training on developmental disabilities for community personnel throughout the region and internationally.


Rotational rheometers are the most commonly used devices to investigate the rheological behavior of liquids in shear flows. These devices are used to measure rheological properties of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian, or complex, fluids. Two of the most widely used geometries are flow between parallel plates and flow between a cone and a plate. A time-dependent rotation of the plate or cone is often used to study the time-dependent response of the fluid. In practice, the time dependence of the flow field is ignored, that is, a steady-state velocity field is assumed to exist throughout the measurement. In this study, we examine the dynamics of the velocity field for parallel-plate and cone–plate flows of Newtonian fluids by finding analytical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equation in the creeping flow limit. The time-dependent solution for parallel-plate flow is relatively simple as it requires the velocity to have a linear dependence on radial position. Interestingly, the time-dependent solution for cone–plate flow does not allow the velocity to have a linear dependence on radial position, which it must have at the steady state. Here, we examine the time-dependent velocity fields for these two flows, and we present results showing the time dependence of the torque exerted on both the stationary and rotating fixtures. We also examine the time dependence of spatial non-homogeneities of the strain rate. Finally, we speculate on the possible implications of our results in the context of shear banding, which is often observed in parallel-plate and cone–plate flows of complex fluids.


Aims: Fourier Transform-Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectrum and instrumental texture parameters were assessed as total phenol content and extractability predictors in intact grape seeds.Methods and results:The study was carried out on Cabernet-Sauvignon seeds from grapes harvested at six different advanced physiological stages throughout ripening and calibrated by flotation to reduce the in-field heterogeneity inside each sample. Among the instrumental mechanical properties tested (i. e., break force, break energy, Young's modulus of elasticity and deformation index), the seed Young's modulus of elasticity showed an increase during the first four weeks of ripening. This parameter also showed significant correlations with phenol content and extractability, although with low R coefficients. These correlations highlighted that the springier seed tissues greatly increase phenol extractability. Nevertheless, the best prediction of seed phenol content, performed directly on intact seeds, was found using FT-NIR spectroscopy in transmittance mode. The standard error of prediction for total phenol content was less than 8 %, while that for phenol extractability was worse.Conclusion: On the basis of these results, the two analytical methods could be applied in oenology for the rapid monitoring of seed phenolic maturity.Significance and impact of the study: The phenolic composition of grapes at the harvest time is a key factor determining their quality, and thus the quality of the finished wine. The chemical methods used for the determination of seed phenol content and extractability are generally slow because they require a preliminary extraction. Therefore, a rapid evaluation of these parameters could be highly interesting for the oenological sector.


Orographic lifting of air masses and other topographically modified flows induce cloud and precipitation formation at larger scales and preferential deposition of precipitation at smaller scales. In this study, we examine orographic effects on small‐scale snowfall patterns in Alpine terrain. A polarimetric X‐band radar was deployed in the area of Davos (Switzerland) to determine the spatial variability of precipitation. In order to relate measured precipitation fields to flow dynamics, we model flow fields with the atmospheric prediction model "Advanced Regional Prediction System." Additionally, we compare radar reflectivity fields with snow accumulation at the surface as modeled by Alpine3D. We investigate the small‐scale precipitation dynamics for one heavy snowfall event in March 2011 at a high resolution of 75 m. The analysis of the vertical and horizontal distribution of radar reflectivity at horizontal polarization and differential reflectivity shows polarimetric signatures of orographic snowfall enhancement near the summit region. Increasing radar reflectivity at horizontal polarization over the windward slopes toward the crest and downwind decreasing reflectivity over the leeward slopes is observed. The temporal variation of the location of maximum concentration of snow particles is partly attributed to the effect of preferential deposition of snowfall: For situations with strong horizontal winds, the concentration maximum is shifted from the ridge crest toward the leeward slopes. Qualitatively, we discuss the relative role of cloud microphysics such as the seeder‐feeder mechanism versus atmospheric particle transport in generating the observed snow deposition at the ground.


[1] It is generally thought that an increase in aerosol particles suppresses precipitation in warm clouds. The nature and magnitude of this effect are highly uncertain owing to numerous microphysical and macrophysical processes that influence clouds over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. This work addresses the need to improve the evidence for and quantification of aerosol effects on precipitation by using observational data. Previous work introduced the concept of precipitation susceptibility as a metric for changes in precipitation that result from aerosol perturbations. Motivated by the difficulty in obtaining statistically significant aerosol measurements in the vicinity of clouds, this study explores breaking up the precipitation susceptibility construct into separate components: an aerosol‐cloud interaction component and a cloud‐precipitation component. These are used to quantify precipitation susceptibility, while also accounting for meteorological factors that could obfuscate the response of clouds to aerosol perturbations. The utility of this technique is demonstrated using a diverse set of tools, including data from NASA' sA ‐Train constellation of satellites, aircraft measurements, and models of various complexities. Employing this method results in increased confidence in causal relationships between aerosol perturbations and precipitation.


This book is a compendium of knowledge, experience and insight on agriculture, biotechnology and development. Beginning with an account of GM crop adoptions and attitudes towards them, the book assesses numerous crucial processes, concluding with detailed insights into GM products. Drawing on expert perspectives of leading authors from 57 different institutions in 16 countries, it provides a unique, global overview of agbiotech following 20 years of adoption. Many consider GM crops the most rapid agricultural innovation adopted in the history of agriculture. This book provides insights as to why the adoption has occurred globally at such a rapid rate.


In 2004, Shu-Shya Heh, Lindsey Coombes, and Helen Bartlett studied the association between Chinese postpartum (post-childbirth) practices and postpartum depression in Taiwanese women. The researchers surveyed Taiwanese women about the social support they received after giving birth and then evaluated the depression rates in the same women. Heh and her colleagues focused on the month following childbirth, which according to traditional Chinese medicine is an important period that warrants a set of specialized practices to aid the woman's recovery. Collectively called zuoyuezi (doing the month), the postpartum practices require the help of someone else, typically the woman's mother or mother-in-law, to complete. Heh and her colleagues found that, generally, Taiwanese women with more social support displayed fewer postpartum depressive symptoms, and concluded that the practice of doing the month helped prevent postpartum depression in Taiwanese women.


Providing first language (L1) translations in L2 vocabulary interventions may be beneficial for L2 vocabulary learning. However, in linguistically diverse L2 classrooms, teachers cannot provide L1 translations to all children. Social robots do offer such opportunities, as they can be programmed to speak any combination of languages. This study investi-gates whether providing L1 translations in a robot-assisted L2 vocabulary training facilitates children's learning. Participants were Turkish-Dutch kindergartners ( n = 67) who were taught six Dutch (L2) words for which they knew the L1 (Turkish), but not the L2 Dutch form. Half of these words were taught by a Turkish-Dutch bilingual robot, along-side their Turkish translations; the other half by a monolingual Dutch robot. Children also completed Dutch and Turkish receptive vocabulary tests. Results of generalized linear regression models indicated better performance in the Dutch-only condition than in the Turkish-Dutch condition. Children with well-developed Turkish and Dutch vocabulary knowledge outperformed children with less well-developed vocabulary knowledge. The majority of children preferred working with the bilingual robot, but children's preference did not affect word learning. Thus, contrary to our prediction, we found no evidence for a facilitating effect of providing L1 translations through a robot on bilingual children's L2 word learning.


This study investigated the effects of working memory constraints on the comprehension of expository texts by adolescents with severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The performance of adolescents with TBI will be compared against a group of typically developing (TD) gender and age-matched peers. The research questions are: (1) How does the performance of adolescents with TBI compare to typically developing gender and age-matched peers on tasks examining comprehension of expository texts?; and (2) Does comprehension of expository text decrease when working memory constraints are increased for adolescents with TBI? Fifteen participants will participate in the study. One group of five adolescents with severe TBI and a second group of ten gender and age-matched typically developing adolescents without TBI completed a battery of assessments including: Test of Nonverbal Intelligence 3 rd Edition (TONI-3), Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals 4 th Edition (CELF-4), Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test 3 rd Edition (PPVT-3) and the Working Memory Span Task (Tompkins et al 1994). All participants also completed an experimental task which involved listening to an expository passage and answering comprehension questions. Scores were then submitted to statistical analysis using ANOVA methodology to determine the significance of any within and between group differences. Results showed that there was no significant group by task interaction effect. The study did show that there was a significant difference between the TBI and TD groups on the measure of working memory. Results of the study will enhance our understanding of how adolescents with TBI comprehend expository information. This study will also help to create a foundation for further research into this area which is critical for student"s success in secondary education.


This paper describes the development of augmented reality system using the sensor and Bluetooth technologies incorporated together with a 3D program. The system is used to produce a virtual reality that can be augmented through the projector device into real world. The concept is to create 3D environment where the virtual camera, which is placed within the 3D environment, would be controlled by the external controller in real time. The movement of the camera is controlled by the motion of the controller; therefore the projection of the 3D environment corresponds to the position of the controller. The paper also discusses research part of the project and the findings related to the users' evaluations of the system.


The mass point leak rate technique is often the methodology of choice for quantifying leak rates as it uses simple elementary measurements, applies to gas systems of low mass, proves effective for low leak rates, and does not rely on test-gas conversions. In this methodology, a number of instantaneous mass measurements are calculated through samples of volume, pressure, gas composition, and temperature measurements over time. A regression analysis of the corresponding mass-time sample set yields the leak rate of the system. A detailed uncertainty analysis is paramount for a complete, experimental characterization of the leak rate and previously was not fully implemented in the mass point leak rate method. Recent advancements in regression uncertainty analysis by propagation of errors afford the ability to quantify the uncertainty with estimates of covariance in the regression results. The mass point leak rate technique with the associated detailed measurement uncertainty analysis offers the ability to quantify both the leak rate and the uncertainty associated with the leak rate value. Detailed herein is the development of the methodology and a detailed uncertainty analysis that includes both precision (repeatability) and bias (systematic) error. Alternative leak rate methods are also discussed for comparison purposes. An example in the methodology is presented.


We propose to use a low-frequency radiation in addition to the basic pump to enhance the efficiency of high-order harmonic generation following atom tunnel above-threshold ionization. This enhancement can be achieved without an increase of basic pump intensity and, consequently, without additional saturation of ionization. A static field added to the basic pump modifies photoelectron trajectories in the continuum that leads to a high-frequency extension of harmonic spectrum. This is caused by an increase in the part of recombining photoelectrons, kinetic energy of such electrons, and recombination efficiency (owing to reduced electron wave-packet spreading). An experimental realization of this effect is proposed with use of the radiation of a powerful CO2 laser and ultrashort basic pump pulses. It is shown that the maximum-generated frequency can be tripled with this technique. Also, a multiplateau structure of the high-frequency region of the harmonic spectrum has been revealed and explained.


In Asia, Africa and other tropical areas primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) is associated with liver cirrhosis of the post-necrotic (macronodular) type. Chronic viral hepatitis is likely to be the cause of this cirrhosis in many patients from regions where chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common. More than 95% of patients with hepatoma (in Mali and Senegal) have evidence of infection with HBV, a much higher frequency than in controls. Thirty-nine of 62 PHC patients had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) (controls: 8 of 98) and 56 of 63 (controls: 26 of 100) had antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBC). In earlier studies we demonstrated a maternal effect of HBSAg. If the mother has the antigen and the father does not, the children are much more likely to also have HBSAg than if the father has the antigen and the mother does not (93/161 = 57.8% when mother is positive vs. 28/135 = 20.7% when father is positive; p = 0.6 X 10(-10)). Studies in Greece and in the Solomon Islands show that presence of HBSAg in parents affects the sex ratio of the offspring of the mating. This implies that the presence of the agent in a parent can affect the fetus early in life. Parental studies in the African hepatoma patients showed that there is a very high frequency of HBSAg in mothers (71.6%) while the frequency in fathers (18.5%) is significantly less. This suggests that the development of hepatoma in offspring is related to infection in parents. We described a vaccine several years ago which may be useful in preventing infection with hepatitis B. Strategies are discussed which might be effective in preventing the development of carriers with, it is hoped, a consequent decrease in the frequency of HBV carriers, chronic hepatitis and primary hepatic carcinoma. The strategy would employ methods for decreasing the frequency of the agent in the environment by the application of public health methods including the vaccination of appropriate newborns and other members of the population.


The purpose of this study is to apply a recently developed wavelet based de-noising filter to the analysis of human electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, and measure its performance. The data used contained subject EEG responses to two different stimuli using the `odd-ball' paradigm. Electrical signals measured at standard locations on the scalp were processed to detect and identify the Evoked Response Potentials (ERP's). First, electrical artifacts emitting from the eyes were identified and removed. Second, the mean signature for each type of response was extracted and used as a matched filter to define baseline detector performance for the noisy data. Third, a nonlinear filtering procedure based on the wavelet extrema representation was used to de-noise the signals. Overall detection rates for the de-noised signals were then compared to the baseline performance. It was found that while the filtered signals have significantly lower noise than the raw signals, detector performance remains comparable. We therefore conclude that all of the information that is important to matched filter detection is preserved by the filter. The implication is that the wavelet based filter eliminates much of the noise while retaining ERP's.


Spring balances, based on Hooke's law, have been used for weighing since the early 18th century. At the end of the century, naturalists such as Buffon felt the need to quantify the muscular force of men (humans) and animals. The first practical, portable "dynamometer" was designed in 1798 by Regnier, in Paris, using for the first time an oval, closed spring and displaying the indication of the maximum force, tension ("loins") or compression ("hand"). It was promptly used by ethnologists to test the strength of "savages". A smaller improved model (Mathieu/Collin dynamometer) is still manufactured today and sold to medical and para-medical practitioners. Used for measuring the rolling resistance of horse-driven wagons, the Regnier device is an example of a transmission dynamometer. Since the early 19th century, the development of agricultural and industrial machinery resulted in the need to measure not only the force between the motor and the load, but also the work done and the delivered power. The name "dynamometer" came to be applied not only to force-measuring devices, but also to work-measuring ones (actually, they should have been called "ergometers"). Inventors and mechanics competed to combine heavy force-measuring machinery with newly invented delicate, precise graphic-recording apparatus and/or integrators and planimeters. Focusing on transmission dynamometers, I will examine a few examples of either linear-motion ones or rotary-motion ones, as well as on the totalizing/integrating devices connected to them.


(1) A winter survey of seven species of wading birds (Charadrii) at forty intertidal sites in six estuaries in south-west England was made to identify the variables that determined the variation in bird densities between the sites and to develop a method for predicting bird densities should a tidal power barrage be built on the Severn estuary.

(2) The densities of the two smallest waders, the dunlin (Calidris alpina) and redshank (Tringa totanus), were comparable on the twelve sites in the Severn to those in the other estuaries. In contrast, the densities of the larger species, the grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola), bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica and L. limosa), curlew (Numenius arquata) and oystercatcher (Haematopus ostragleus), were comparatively low on sites in the Severn.

(3) Within most estuaries, bird densities correlated with the densities of one to three widely taken prey species. When data from all estuaries were combined, bird densities correlated with the densities of one or two prey species, the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor providing the best correlation in five cases. The densities of the larger birds were correlated with the densities of their larger-sized prey. Allowing for the effects of prey density, sediment parameters correlated additionally with the density of bar-tailed godwit and redshank and exposure-time correlated with the density of oystercatcher.

(4) When the effects of these variables were taken into account, bird densities on sites on the Severn were only significantly different from those on other estuaries for one or two species. Therefore, the low densities of larger wader species on the Severn can be explained by the low densities there of the larger-sized polychaete worms and bivalve molluscs upon which they feed: there was no reason to invoke a special unidentified factor in the Severn to account for the low densities of these species. It was concluded that other estuaries provide an analogue with which to predict post-barrage bird densities on the Severn from predicted densities of their prey.

(5) By holding back the ebbing tide, a barrage would substantially reduce the area of intertidal flats available at low water for the birds to feed. On the other hand, the productivity of the estuary, and thus the invertebrate density, could increase in the generally more benign post-barrage environmental conditions. Wader densities would have to increase approximately twofold to allow the same overall numbers of birds to remain post-barrage as occur on the Severn at present. Provisional estimates are given of the increases in prey density required to allow bird densities to increase by this amount. With the -exception of the prey of dunlin, the required values fall well within the ranges of densities found in other estuaries, and so could in principle be attained in the post-barrage Severn.

(6) An attempt was made to derive equations with which to predict post-barrage densities of invertebrates from easily measured, static environmental variables whose post-barrage values could themselves be predicted. Although the densities of six of the ten most important prey categories correlated with static environmental variables, such as the particle-size and organic content of the sediment, the fact that a site was in the Severn had a significant additional effect on invertebrate density in seven cases. This suggests that there is a special feature of the Severn, probably one associated with its highly dynamic nature, whose effect was not captured by measuring static variables. This factor must be identified, and the effect of a barrage upon it evaluated, if the post-barrage densities of invertebrates, and thus of the birds, are to be successfully predicted.


Duties of the South African Police Services (SAPS), as espoused in section 205(3) of the Constitution Act 108 of 1996, include to 'prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold the law'. In terms of section 38 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) 51 of 1977 arrest is one the SAPS' modus operandi in the prosecution of its crime prevention or combat duties. The million-dollar question has always been, and still is, whether it is justifiable and constitutional to the use of force, in particular deadly force, in order to secure the arrest of a person or to control and/or prevent crime. The question is more pressing particularly that section 11 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to life, even those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law (S v Makwanyane 1995 (3) SA 391 (CC); 1995 (2) SACR 1 (CC). It is therefore incumbent on the SAPS to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.


This study examines a series of SARS case reports produced by the News Office of China's Health Ministry between 21 April and 20 May 2003. The study first examines the change of "stages" in the generic structure of the 30 case reports, and then relates these changes to the way in which the News Office selectively included and excluded SARS case information. It is observed that, by adding and deleting stages in the case reports, the News Office attached more prominence to information that went with the interests and beliefs of its own group and downgraded information that was inconsistent with their interests and desires. Preference for some information and ignoring of other information are seen as a way of representing the anti-SARS social practice and constituting the group's particular anti-SARS ideology.


The universalistic promise expressed by a formula with the theme
"Blessing for the Nations" in the Old Testament is primarily
found in the patriarchal narratives (Gen. l2-35). This aspect
of the patriarchal narratives however has not been adequately
studied. Previous discussions of the theme, based primarily
on 12:1-3, and conducted within the framework of the Yahwist's
work, are shown to be inadequate in our survey in shedding light
on the positioning and significance of the theme in the overall
patriarchal narratives. The survey indicates a literary analysis
of these narratives could probably yield more positive results.
2. A. formulaic analysis shows that the niphal form is
used at the beginning of a
patriarchs career to express a
probationary, and the hithpael form to express a
reaffirmatory, relationship of the patriarch to the promised
universal destiny. Strikingly, the 'seed' plays a prominent
role in the destiny. The formula also serves to link the
patriarchs' calling to the primeval history and the history of
the early formative period of the Israelite people.
3. The Abraham story (Gen.12-.22) is encased by the theme. A
double-chiastic arrangement of the narratives (in two groups)
shows a movement of horizon from the particularistic to the
universalistic. The universal horizon of Abraham's initial call
(12:1-3), displaced in the first half of the structure, is
reaffirmed in the latter half. Gen. l6 stands out as the nadir
and turning-point of the overall story. The notices of Isaac's
birth are instructively "positioned' in the universalistic
sector of the double-chiasmus. Moreover, the formula is
pronounced in narratives which portray Abraham as reversing the
negative results of the key events in the primeval history.
4. The Isaac narrative (Gen. 26) is shown to be "demonstration-material" of the initial actualisation of the theme. The
narrative is coherently structured around an emphatic divine
command, a unique twin-promise, and Isaac's response in a series
of movements, climaxing in Abimelech's sudden visit to and
significant confession of Isaac's status. Gen.26 is also
shown to be a "quintessence" of the Abraham story and forms a
critique of and model for Jacob's understanding and actualisation of his destiny.
5. The theme is shown to underline the Jacob story (Gen.25-35),
especially in the Jacob-.Esau cycles. Jacob's character transformation and reconciliation with Esau are necessary pre-requisites
before the reaffirmation' of the universal destiny to him at
Bethel. Significantly, the creation mandate is re-issued to
Jacob-Israel the seed of Abraham and Isaac, when a. formula
pronouncement is expected.. Finally, Jacob-Israel is shown to
form a parallel with Abraham whose call also expresses Yahwehs
re-affirmation of his creational intentions for mankind.


The primary purpose of an interactive information product (IIP) is to display information developed/selected by the producer to have some mental impact on the user (e.g., to educate or to persuade) rather than facilitate user tasks (e.g., online stock trading) via the user interface (UI).
IIP UI design has considerations beyond UI design meant primarily for task facilitation. Compared to the latter, the field is new although widely practiced. There is considerable scholarly literature on related topics, e.g., website design. However, concepts/terms in the field are still evolving; well-defined, widely accepted conceptual and generic frameworks for IIP UI design have not emerged yet. Some discussions in the literature are stated in the context of specific application domains or technologies, although they offer ideas that can be generalized.
We formulated a conceptual framework for IIP UI design, derived by synthesizing suitable frameworks found in a selected set of ten papers, offering benefits for both scholars and practitioners. We searched four document databases, using several search strategies, to select the most salient set of papers for the synthesis. Our methodology for the conceptual synthesis is based on descriptions we found in the literature for qualitative meta-synthesis and other relevant meta-study methods.
The synthesized framework is structured into the following element groups, each containing multiple elements: Scope, Applicability, & Context; Development Process; Major Design Components/Artifacts; Product Components or Aspects; Key Terms. The first group contains only meta-elements; the remaining groups form the basic framework. Some examples of basic framework elements are: Conceptual Model: Information; Conceptual Model: Navigation; Pedagogical Model; Information Content & Media; User Interface: Appearance Design; User Interface: Interaction Design; UI (as a product component rather than design component); Information Repository.
The framework is not as comprehensive and generic as we wanted (e.g., the Pedagogical Model should preferably have been a general purpose Mental Impact Model) but is a useful first step. We provide an analysis of what it includes and lacks, offering ideas for using, improving, and extending it.
In addition to the framework, contributions of our study include the concept of an IIP and a detailed methodology for conceptual synthesis.


The most publicized element of The National Security Strategy of the United States of America (the "Strategy"), promulgated in September 2002 by the Bush administration,1 is its emphasis on the option to use preemptive military strikes to address threats to the United States before they fully materialize. This is set in the context of terrorist organizations, such as al Qaeda, or so-called rogue states, such as Iraq or North Korea, acquiring and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction-in other words, chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. The terms "preemptive attack," "preventive war," and "anticipatory self-defense" will be used interchangeably in this Article. Arguably, the term anticipatory self-defense could imply action against a truly imminent, alleged threat, while preventive war could be addressed to a threat that is yet to fully mature, with preemptive attack somewhere in between. Even though the three terms are somewhat different, the lines between them are not clear, and they all involve aggressive action. Thus, the question becomes whether a particular attack is justified under the rules of international law as a legitimate act of self-defense, given the circumstances. Section III of the Strategy states that the government will defend the United States, the American people, and our interests at home and abroad by identifying and destroying the threat before it reaches our borders. While the United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting preemptively against such terrorists.2 This Article addresses whether the implementation of this doctrine of preemptive attack or preventive war is consistent with international law. It is noteworthy that Section V of the Strategy itself places this new doctrine in the context of international law: For centuries, international law recognized that nations need not suffer an attack before they can lawfully take action to defend themselves against forces that present an imminent danger of attack. Legal scholars and international jurists often conditioned the legitimacy of preemption on the existence of an imminent threat-most often a visible mobilization of armies, navies, and air forces preparing to attack. We must adapt the concept of imminent threat to the capabilities and objectives of today's adversaries. Rogue states and terrorists do not seek to attack us using conventional means. They know such attacks would fail. Instead, they rely on acts of terror and, potentially, the use of weapons of mass destruction-weapons that can be easily concealed, delivered covertly, and used without warning.3 To emphasize that the aim of the Strategy is, in part, to adapt the international law of self-defense to an age where weapons of mass destruction are potentially in the hands of rogue states and terrorists, the Strategy also says: "We must be prepared to stop rogue states and their terrorist clients before they are able to threaten or use weapons of mass destruction against the United States and our allies and friends. ... We must deter and defend against the threat before it is unleashed."4 Evidence that the United States was prepared to engage in preemptive action in the past is beyond question. During the Cold War, if the government had received reliable information that a Soviet thermonuclear first strike was imminent, it would have contemplated using the highly accurate nuclear counterforce weapons the United States possessed, such as the Peacekeeper ICBM and the Trident D-5 nuclear missile, to remove such a threat. However, the United States was always careful to insist that it followed a second-strike policy and would only respond with its nuclear forces after being attacked, while continuing to maintain a launch-on-warning option. The Soviet Union had to assume in its nuclear planning that a counterforce attack on the United States would be ineffective because the US missiles would be launched before the arrival of Soviet weapons. …