Property is the most ancient, the most vital institution, with which man became concerned. Its original function is to secure physical existence. It is a social concept and being a social concept is a creation of law. According to Bentham, Property and law are born together and die together. He felt that before laws were made there was no property and that if the laws were taken away property would cease . If the definition of property is examined from the Anglo-American Jurisprudence and from the Russian Jurisprudence, they apparently reflect the contradictory views. The 5th and 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America says that, "No person shall be deprived of his life, liberty or property, without due process of law". According to it, property, the term in its broader sense, is the right of dominion, possession, and power of dispossession which may be acquired over a physical thing, and not the thing itself. Property, in a sense, is the projection outside, of a man's personality. Man is identified by his physical and mental characteristics. And in the image of the person must be included not only his tastes, preferences, but also the objects of personal possession indissolubly associated with him. These things achieve an immorality of their own. The Indian view has always been that property, or at any rate, the right to the possession of it, belonged to the person who put the land first to beneficial use. There is nothing anti-social in the concept of personal possession. Even in socialistic countries, the private ownership of articles that are manufactured by the persons themselves is recognized. Ownership of property was an item in the Declaration of Human Rights. In the American Constitution, the importance of this aspect was recognized to the extent that it was said that the guarantee of liberty of a person by itself included protection of the rights of property and it was not necessary to have word 'property' included in the amendment to the constitution. A citizen of India has the right to acquire, hold and disposed of the property. The ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to sub serve the common good.


Background: Measles still causes significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of measles relies on early recognition of clinical manifestations. We identified a group of young infants who presented with a modified clinical picture after contracting measles, but there is scarce literature describing this observation. Method: We conducted a retrospective study of all infants <1 year old with measles confirmed by serological or virological methods in Princess Margaret Hospital, a territory-wide tertiary referral centre for infectious diseases in Hong Kong, over a period of 10 years from 1999 to 2008. The study population (n=165) was divided into 2 groups: 29 infants were aged <7 months and 136 infants were 7-12 months of age. Their clinical manifestations were compared and analysed, which included the timing of skin rash in relation to onset of fever, duration of fever, presence or absence of characteristic clinical features of measles such as coryza, cough, conjunctivitis, Koplik's spots, staining of convalescent rash, and other associated features and complications. Results: The mean duration of fever in infants aged <7 months and 7-12 months were 4.6 and 6.8 days, respectively (p<0.001, 95% CI 1.24-3.04). Shorter duration of fever was noted in the younger age group with a positive correlation observed for age and duration of fever (r=0.307, p<0.001). The onset of skin rash was 2.3 and 3.7 days after the onset of fever for the 2 age groups, respectively (p=0.001, 95% CI 0.58-2.12). Earlier onset of skin rash was noted in the younger age group with a positive correlation observed for age and timing of skin rash from the onset of fever (r=0.255, p=0.001). Conjunctivitis (p=0.001) and staining of skin rash during convalescence (p=0.026) were significantly less common in the younger infant group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding presence of coryza (p=0.07), cough (p=0.28), Koplik's spots (p=0.18), diarrhoea (p=0.72), pneumonia (p=0.74) and the use of antibiotics (p=0.74). Conclusion: Our study revealed a modified clinical picture of non-specific and milder form of measles in young infants. The presence of modified features may be due to partial protection provided by maternally derived measles antibody (anti-measles IgG). We should maintain a high index of suspicion for measles presenting in this group of patients because of the possibility of atypical presentation. The use of rapid diagnostic test (e.g. anti-measles IgM) in such situation facilitates early diagnosis, proper treatment and institution of appropriate infection control measures. Early airborne isolation of hospitalised infants should be considered in all suspected cases to interrupt transmission and prevent potential nosocomial outbreaks.


Both European and national governments see the insulation of the existing housing stock as an effective method of reducing energy use across the UK and the EU. Although the proportion of insulated 'hard to treat' properties remains low, a variety of government initiatives has resulted in the insulation of a high proportion of accessible lofts and cavity walls. In relation to the insulation of lofts, anecdotal feedback from residential surveyors indicates an increase in condensation problems in loft spaces. Although this problem has been described and solutions proposed in a variety of publications, the defect is still misunderstood by many in the surveying and contracting sectors. In this paper the author draws on a range of published guidance and research and separates the myths from reality. The paper discusses the factors that cause condensation in loft spaces; describes how condensation can be distinguished from other forms of dampness and outlines how loft space condensation can be reduced to manageable levels.


We study whether leaders influence the unethical conduct of followers. To avoid selection issues present in natural environments, we use a laboratory experiment in which we form groups and assign leadership roles at random. We study an environment in which groups compete, with dishonest behavior enhancing group earnings to the detriment of social welfare. We vary, by treatment, two instruments through which leaders can influence follower conduct—prominent statements to the group and the allocation of monetary incentives. In general, the presence of active group leaders gives rise to significantly more dishonest behavior. Moreover, appointing leaders who are likely to have acted dishonestly in a preliminary stage of the experiment yields groups with significantly more unethical conduct. The analysis of leaders' strategies reveals that leaders' statements have a stronger effect on follower behavior than the ability to distribute financial rewards, and that leaders' propensity to act dishonestly correlates with their use of statements or incentives as a means for encouraging dishonest follower conduct.


The majority of terrestrial net primary production decomposes, fueling detrital food webs and converting dead plant carbon to atmospheric CO2. There is considerable interest in determining the sensitivity of this process to climate warming. A common approach has been to use spatial gradients in temperature (i.e., latitude or elevation) to estimate temperature sensitivity. However, these studies typically relate decomposition rates to average temperatures at each site along such gradients, ignoring within-site temperature variation. To evaluate the potential effects of temperature variation on estimates of temperature sensitivity, we simulated plant litter decomposition using both randomly generated and real time series of temperature. This simulation approach illustrated how temperature variation leads to higher decomposition rates at a given mean temperature than is predicted from simulations in which temperature is held constant. Increases in decomposition rate were most evident at cooler sites, where temporal variation in temperature tends to be greater than at warmer sites. This unbalanced effect of temperature variation shifted the slope of the relationships between average temperature and decomposition rate, resulting in lower estimated temperature sensitivities than were used to simulate decomposition. For example, estimates of activation energy (Ea) were as much as 0.15 eV lower than the true Ea when decomposition was simulated with the true Ea set to the canonical respiration value of 0.65 eV. We found that the estimated Ea was lower than the true Ea for surface, soil, and air temperatures, but not for stream temperatures, for which there was only a weak relationship between temperature variation and mean temperature. Our results suggest that commonly used methods may underestimate the temperature dependence of litter decomposition, particularly in terrestrial environments. We encourage publication of temperature data that include variation estimates and suggest an alternative method for calculating temperature sensitivity that accounts for variation in temperature.


Nowadays, so many people are connected to the internet to access the different resources of their use and different companies are using distributed environment to provide their services to the customers. So there is a need of more secure distributed environment in which all transaction and operations can be complete successfully in a secure way. In distributed System environment it is very important to provide service at anytime, anywhere to the customers, this require proper time management of all computing and networking resources, resource allocation on time and their proper utilization. In distributed environment security is primary concern.


Ultrasonic cutting has existed in surgery since the 1950s. However, it was not until the end of the 20th century that advances in ultrasonic tool design, transduction and control allowed commercially viable ultrasonic cutting devices to enter the market. Ultrasonic surgical devices, like those in other power ultrasonic applications such as drilling and welding, require devices to be driven at high power to ensure sufficient output motion is produced to fulfil the application it is designed to perform. With the advent of novel surgical techniques surgeons require tuned ultrasonic tools which can reduce invasiveness while giving access to increasingly difficult to reach surgical sites. To fulfil the requirements of novel surgical procedures new tuned tools need to be designed. Meanwhile, it is well documented that power ultrasonic devices, whilst driven at high power, are inherently nonlinear and, if no attempt is made to understand and subsequently control these behaviours, it is likely that these devices will suffer from poor performance or even failure.

The behaviour of the commercial ultrasonic transducer used in bone surgery (Piezosurgery® Device) is dynamically characterised through finite element and experimental methods whilst operating in conjunction with a variety of tuned inserts. Finite element analysis was used to predict modal parameters as well as stress levels within the tuned devices whilst operating at elevated amplitudes of vibration, while experimental modal analysis validated predicted resonant frequencies and mode shapes between 0-80kHz. To investigate the behaviour of tuned devices at elevated vibrational amplitudes near resonance, responses were measured whilst the device was excited via the burst sine sweep method. In an attempt to provide an understanding of the effects that geometry, material selection and wavelength of tuned assemblies have on the behaviour of an ultrasonic device, tuned inserts consisting of a simple rod horn design were characterised alongside more complex cutting inserts which are used in maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery. From these results the aim will be to develop guidelines for design of tuned inserts.

Meanwhile, Langevin transducers, commonly known as sandwich or stack transducers, in their most basic form generally consist of four parts; a front mass, a back mass, a piezoceramic stack and a stud or bolt holding the parts together under a compressive pre-load. It is traditionally proposed that the piezoceramic stack is positioned at or close to the vibrational nodal point of the longitudinal mode, however, this also corresponds with the position of highest dynamic stress. It is also well documented that piezoceramic materials possess a low linear stress threshold, therefore this research, in part, investigates whether locating the piezoceramic stack away from a position of intrinsic high stress will affect the behaviour of the device.

Through experimental characterisation it has been observed that the tuned devices under investigation exhibited; resonant frequency shifts, jump amplitudes, hysteretic behaviour as well as autoparametric vibration. The source of these behaviours have been found to stem from device geometry, but also from heating within the piezoceramic elements as well as joints with different joining torques.


BACKGROUND
Cluster headache is a severe primary headache with a similar prevalence to that of multiple sclerosis. Cluster headache is characterised by unilateral trigeminal distribution of pain, ipsilateral cranial autonomic features, and a tendency to circadian and circannual periodicity.

AIM
To explore the perceptions, experiences, and understandings of cluster headache among GPs and neurologists.

DESIGN AND SETTING
Qualitative interview study in primary care surgeries and neurology departments in the north of England.

METHOD
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs and neurologists, recorded, and transcribed. A thematic analysis was applied to the dataset.

RESULTS
Sixteen clinicians participated in this study: eight GPs and eight neurologists. Four main themes were identified following thematic analysis: challenges with the cluster headache diagnosis; impact of cluster headache; challenges with treatment; and appropriateness of referrals to secondary care. Clinicians recognised the delays in the diagnosis of cluster headache, misdiagnosis, and mismanagement, and were aware of the potential impact cluster headache can have on patients' mental health and ability to remain in employment. Findings highlighted tensions between primary and secondary care around the cost of medication and the remit of prescribing treatment regimens. Patients' anxiety, their need for reassurance, and their insistence about seeing a specialist are some of the reasons for referrals.

CONCLUSION
Clinicians acknowledged delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and mismanagement of cluster headache. The responsibility of prescribing causes ongoing tensions between primary and secondary care. Clear referral and management pathways for primary headaches are required to improve patient outcomes and healthcare costs.


The Fed's asset acquisition practices should adhere to two closely related principles that would support monetary policy by strengthening the Fed's independence: asset acquisition should respect the integrity of fiscal policy and minimize the risk of political entanglements involving Fed credit allocation. Restricting Fed assets to Treasury securities conforms well to both principles. By extending its credit to the Treasury, the Fed minimizes its participation in private credit markets and transfers directly to the government all the revenue (net of the Fed's operating expenses) from money creation. The authors propose that the Fed and the Treasury cooperate, under the auspices of Congress if need be, to enable the Fed to continue to rely on Treasury securities even as the publicly held debt is paid down.


There has been a growing interest in the transformation of major urban squares in Istanbul in recent years. This heightened trend in the urban renewal of prominent areas within the city has led to multiple pedestrianization projects aimed to revitalize urban cores in terms of infrastructure and pedestrian activity. Despite their strategic schemes, these proposed projects lack an objective methodology to implement systematically at various scales. This paper focuses on the walkability of 3 historical urban squares in Istanbul by analyzing their street configuration and land use compositions and comparing it with the levels of pedestrian movement. The main objective of this study is to determine the existing relationship between space allocation and pedestrian activity and to assess the efficiency of proposed pedestrianization projects developed by local authorities for these areas. Overall, the analyses presented in this study emphasize the importance of measures of street connectivity in walkability studies. It is shown that street network configuration; measured using both metric and directional connectivity measures at the road-segment scale is strongly associated with pedestrian movement when controlling for land use compositions at the parcel-level. Based on the spatial analysis and statistical models produced for the research area, a pedestrian-oriented strategical framework that takes into account the existing spatial configuration, parcel-based land-use compositions, as well as pedestrian movement distributions within the areas is proposed for the study areas and their surroundings. With its systematic methodology, efficient spatial models, and strategical approach, this study is anticipated to be used as a unique design framework for prospective urban design and pedestrianization projects for Istanbul.


Abstract— Comparison between clasts of the Tatahouine diogenite, collected the day of the fall in 1931 and 63 years later in 1994, allows the evaluation of mineralogical and chemical effects of terrestrial residence on meteorites. Secondary minerals are found in the 1994 samples: iron stains and carbonate rosettes. Major and trace element abundances have been determined on fallen and found clasts. No significant differences have been observed for most elements with the exception of Rb, Sr, and (in a single case) the light rare earth elements (LREE). In this case, the REE pattern of a 1994 clast displays a weak positive Ce anomaly, probably linked to the presence of iron hydroxide. The contents of Rb and Sr are significantly higher in the 1994 samples than in the 1931 clasts and reflect the formation of calcite inside some of the clast fractures. These results demonstrate that weathering processes may change the chemistry of meteorites in a very short time.


When entering into a legal agreement, it is not unusual for one of the parties to ask the other to provide some security so as to ensure that the latter's obligations under the agreement will be fulfilled. There are two basic forms of security, personal and real. In personal security for a loan, the borrower arranges for a third party to come forward and to promise the lender that he will fulfil the borrower's obligations in the event that the borrower does not make interest payments or repay the principal. In real security, the borrower pledges some of his property, either movable or immovable, as security to the creditor. If the borrower defaults, the creditor has the right to seize the property pledged as security, and, if he wishes, to sell it for cash in lieu of repayment.


Introduction Universities prepare people for professional careers. This enables individuals to participate with greater understanding in community affairs. The 21st century has brought enormous change in higher education throughout the world as a result of new information and technological developments. Rader and Allan (2006) observe that these changes affect every segment of society and all levels of education. New learning centres are evolving based on the concepts of resource-based teaching and lifelong learning. Students need high levels of literacy in every phase of their education. Given the complex information and communication technology environment and the increasing global interactions, students must attain excellent communication and information skills to function productively in the work force of the future. Higher education is undergoing major changes globally. Stallings (1997) states that legislators, funding agencies and consumers of higher education are demanding approximate learning outcomes and graduates prepared to function successfully within the global economy. The effect of technology on libraries has been especially noteworthy during the past decade. Many consider the library less important since they believe that the Internet is the world's library, yet libraries are one of the most important components of the information age, dealing successfully with technological advances. Accordingly, librarians are helping society understand the value and contributions of libraries, particularly in organizing, preserving, and providing access to information. Statement of the Problem The use of information for research is an important basis for academic progress. In light of this, this study explores students' use of information and communication technology (ICT) for research and the reason for choosing ICT as a tool. Objectives of the Study Determine: * Students' proficiency in using ICT * The extent to which ICT solves their research problems. * Source of Internet connection * Type of information sought * Preference for Internet over library resources. * Problems in using the library. * Problems in using the Internet. Research Questions * What kinds of information do users look for? * Which Internet sources fulfill their research needs? * What are the major constraints on their Internet use? * What are the benefits of using the Internet? Methodology The study uses a questionnaire to collect data. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed to both library users and the users of e-library and e-learning. One hundred questionnaires were returned. Background Tai Solarin University of Education, located in Ijagun, Ijebu-ode, Ogun State Nigeria, was established in the late 1970s years ago as a college of education. The institution became a university of education in February 2005. It is the premier university of education in Nigeria with a student population of 18,114 and staff strength of about 1,050. The institution offers degree programmes in science, social science, arts and vocational education. It has an e-learning centre that provides Internet and other services to the academic community. Furthermore, the university library is centralized and the collection is being upgraded. The collection has just under 17,000 volumes, with a library building that provides study space and work areas. Literature Review Information technology, as defined by Oketunji (2002), is the application of computer and communication technology to information handling. The use of these technologies requires training, which brings about information literacy. Information literacy includes library literacy, media literacy, computer literacy, research literacy, and critical thinking skills. …


– The purpose of this paper is to address the design, implementation, performance and limitations of an environment that emulates a secure element for rapid prototyping and debugging. Today, it is difficult for developers to get access to a near field communication (NFC)-secure element in current smartphones. Moreover, the security constraints of smartcards make in-circuit emulation and debugging of applications impractical. Therefore, an environment that emulates a secure element brings significant advantages for developers. , – The authors' approach to such an environment is the emulation of Java Card applets on top of non-Java Card virtual machines (e.g. Android Dalvik VM), as this would facilitate the use of existing debugging tools. As the operation principle of the Java Card VM is based on persistent memory technology, the VM and applications running on top of it have a significantly different life cycle compared to other Java VMs. The authors evaluate these differences and their impact on Java VM-based Java Card emulation. They compare possible strategies to overcome the problems caused by these differences, propose a possible solution and create a prototypical implementation to verify the practical feasibility of such an emulation environment. , – While the authors found that the Java Card inbuilt persistent memory management is not available on other Java VMs, they present a strategy to model this persistence mechanism on other VMs to build a complete Java Card run-time environment on top of a non-Java Card VM. Their analysis of the performance degradation in a prototypical implementation caused by additional effort put into maintaining persistent application state revealed that the implementation of such an emulation environment is practically feasible. , – This paper addresses the problem of emulating a complete Java Card run-time environment on top of non-Java Card virtual machines which could open and significantly ease the development of NFC secure element applications.


We present an efficient low-rank approximation algorithm for non-negative tensors. The algorithm is derived from our two findings: First, we show that rank-1 approximation for tensors can be viewed as a mean-field approximation by treating each tensor as a probability distribution. Second, we theoretically provide a sufficient condition for distribution parameters to reduce Tucker ranks of tensors; interestingly, this sufficient condition can be achieved by iterative application of the mean-field approximation. Since the mean-field approximation is always given as a closed formula, our findings lead to a fast low-rank approximation algorithm without using a gradient method. We empirically demonstrate that our algorithm is faster than the existing non-negative Tucker rank reduction methods and achieves competitive or better approximation of given tensors.


INTRODUCTION
When in December 1960 the R.A.O.U. Checklist Committee was reorganised and the various tasks in hand were divided over its members, the owls were assigned to the author. While it was first thought that only the Boobook Owl, the systematics of which have been notoriously confused, would need thorough revision and that as regards the other species existing lists, for example Peters (1940), could be followed, it became soon apparent that it was impossible to make a satisfactory list without revision of all species.
In this paper the four Australian species of Strigidae are fully revised, over their whole ranges, and the same has been done for Tyto tenebricosa. Of the other three Australian Tytonidae, however, only the Australian races have been considered: these species have a wide distribution (one of them virtually world-wide) and it was not expected that the very considerable amount of extra work needed to include extralimital races would be justified by results.
Considerable attention has been paid to geographical distribution, and it appears that some species are much more restricted in distribution than has generally been assumed. A map of the distribution of each species is given; these maps are mainly based on material personally examined, and only when they extended the range as otherwise defined, have I made use of reliable field observations and material published but not seen by me.
From the section on material examined it will be easy to trace the localities; where other information has been used, the reference follows the locality.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The revision was carried out, besides the Western Australian Museum,


In 2012, Cleveland State University implemented a comprehensive program, called Operation STEM (OpSTEM), funded by two National Science Foundation grants, federal work study, and Cleveland State University. Its goal is to increase retention and graduation rates among mathematically underprepared Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students by helping them complete the precalculus-calculus sequence successfully. OpSTEM provides support to all mathematically underprepared students, and it also creates a special cohort of under-resourced students that become OpSTEM Scholars and receive additional supports. OpSTEM Scholars are predominantly freshmen pursuing STEM majors who are members of minority groups that are underrepresented in STEM, first-generation college students, and/ or women. The majority of OpSTEM Scholars begin their mathematics coursework at the beginning of the precalculus sequence. OpSTEM provides these students with many services: a two-week summer institute, mandatory supplemental instruction, project-based instruction, mentoring, STEM speakers, free summer calculus, college success workshops, social activities, and stipends based on participation in these activities and successful completion of coursework. The implementation of the OpSTEM program created an experimental design with two treatment groups, where one group received all the treatments and one group received only mandatory supplemental instruction. They were both compared to a control group from before OpSTEM began. Student data collected have demonstrated that mandatory supplemental instruction alone is effective at increasing the pass rate for precalculus courses, and the additional services and incentives provided to the OpSTEM Scholars group increases the pass rate even further. This is especially significant because the population that received all the services (OpSTEM Scholars) is a population that is more at-risk than the typical population. The ultimate goal of OpSTEM is to increase retention and completion among STEM students by helping them succeed in the precalculus-calculus sequence. Additional time is needed to assess the rates at which these students are completing STEM degrees, but preliminarily data show that OpSTEM Scholars' retention rate is higher than the university's retention rate as a whole and higher than the university's retention rate in STEM fields in particular.


ABSTRACT Analytic objectivity as a standard for the US Intelligence Community appears to have been drawn from idealized conceptualizations of the scientific method as a kind of value-neutral epistemological framework used to develop knowledge "objectively." But this embrace of objectivity provides a poor foundation for contemporary conceptualizations of the applied epistemology of intelligence analysis, as well as performance standards. Instead, intelligence analysts should embrace a more realistic goal of aspiring to but never actually achieving analytic objectivity through the reduction of subjectivity while embracing the values of honesty, neutrality, and integrity encapsulated in the phrase "calling it as you see it".


This research explored and validated value-based organizational indicators in order to enable coconstruction of the American Red Cross Leadership Academy. Participation in the leadership experience would foster deeper membership accountability toward fulfilling requisite disaster response functions. Through an appreciative inquiry method, a cohort discovered and acknowledged individual, collective, and organizational strength-based values. An emergent cohort profile was generative in nature and cultivated vision statements that synchronized collective strengths and values with organizational responsibilities. Self-identified strengths and values provided tangible traction upon which associates could foster design and deployment accountability strategies. The cohort was able to create a customized leadership curriculum to endow skill and capacity development germane to organizational obligation.


Politically fomented restrictions on citizenship eligibility are on the rise in Africa. This has proven particularly so in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where, over more than 40 years since independence, the citizenship of the "Rwandophone" minority (peoples of Rwandan/Burundese heritage, including the much-discussed "Banyamulenge"), has been switched on and off as expediency dictated, a key element in the divide-and-rule strategies of political elites, and in the outbreak of two recent wars. Recognizing this, in 2004, the post-war Transition Government promulgated a new law on nationality. But it is far from clear that this will resolve the core problem. First, at the level of legal principle, this law does not seem likely to eliminate the many ambiguities concerning the national status of Rwandophones. Second, citizenship in the DRC has as much to do with the politics of implementing the law on the ground as with the law itself. Third, does the political relationship between the individual and the state really encompass everything that it means to be a full "citizen"? There are two important dimensions of full citizenship in Africa which continue to be denied to Rwandophones: local rights and obligations between the individual and customary authority, with implications for land allocation and other vital entitlements; and the ethically vital, lived sense of belonging and existential security for the individual within society as a whole. Without addressing these other dimensions, the question of Rwandophone citizenship remains open to further manipulation—an injustice and a potential cause for conflict to resume.


What do respect, responsibility and rights have in common? Many commentators criticise the South African Constitution and our emerging constitutional jurisprudence on the basis that they are all about rights, and not responsibility. This criticism is misplaced, in my view. For me, respect, responsibility and rights are the building blocks of the Constitution.
In the course of my remarks, I will put forward a proposition concerning constitutional principle, and then substantiate it and make a few further comments about it. I should start, however, by noting that on putting up a proposition of this sort I am painfully conscious of the dangers of judicial self-delusion. It was the early German legal thinker Otto Kirchheimer who analysed the dangers of judging in a divided society (he was analysing the judiciary in the Weimar Republic).


The paper highlights the role of reading culture as an aspect of the educational system in the development of a nation. With Nigeria as the nation in focus, it laments the neglect of its education sector including libraries over the years in terms of funding and inadequate infrastructures for human resource development; and emphasizes on the fact that qualitative and functional education remains the focal point for development. The paper also enumerates constraints to the improvement of reading culture. Strategies for the improvement and development of reading culture in Nigeria were suggested, of which if implemented will see the country on the part to sustainable development.


(No paper) There is an increasing interest and implementation of water markets as an allocation mechanism for water in the Western U.S. However, the importance of the timing and location of water supplies offered to the market requires a similar level of disaggregation of the measures of water value. An optimization model of Californian agriculture is used to simulate monthly marginal value product functions for water. The value functions are calculated for twenty-one regions in the state that differ by water institutions or growing conditions. The regional model is calibrated to a four-year database on cropping patterns, cost, returns and water use. The driving force is a calibrated output cost function based on the PMP method ( Howitt 1995). In this model the approach is generalized to incorporate a full matrix of direct and indirect costs from the combination of crop output observed in the base data set. Given the limited data set available, the full cost matrix results in an ill-posed calibration problem. A Maximum Entropy estimation procedure is used to reconstruct a cost matrix that calibrates the model. The agricultural production model is calibrated to an annual profit and cropping pattern. Monthly water values are embedded in the annual optimization by use of monthly crop and regionally specific water requirements and a constraint that restricts stress irrigation in any given month. The potential for substituting improved water application technologies is modeled using a Constant Elasticity of Substitution production function whose elasticity of substitution determines the rate of technological adoption. The value functions are defined as step functions that are used to drive an optimizing network flow model.


The industrial assessment of ceramic clays commonly consists of the determination of just two parameters, the particle-size distribution and the chemical composition; other parameters may also be important, however. The aim of the present study was to show that a careful determination of the mineralogical phase content provides valuable additional information on the processing behavior of ceramic clays.Two ceramic clays (W1 andW2) from theWesterwald area, Germany, were evaluated as being the same with respect to industrial screening criteria, but showed different processing properties. In order to elucidate the different behaviors, both clays were investigated comprehensively using a multi-method approach combining physical-chemical and mineralogical methods.Different aggregation characteristics for the two clays were revealed by determining the grain-size distribution with and without Na-pyrophosphate as a dispersant. In addition, W1 showed a greater electrical conductivity and soluble-salt concentration which promoted dispersion behavior.The phase content was identified both for bulk materials and for several grain-size fractions by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld analysis. The quantitative phase content was crosschecked with the chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Additional information was gathered by thermal analysis, cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and optical microscopy. While bulk samples of W1 and W2 showed nearly the same mineralogical and chemical compositions, investigation of the clay-size fractions (0.6–2 μm, <0.6 mm) revealed differences in the composition of the 2:1 layer silicates. The percentages of smectite in the mixed-layer I-S, as well as the amount of kaolinite, discrete illite, and smectite were determined by one-dimensional XRD profile fitting (ODPF). Best-fitting results for W1 were achieved for a physical mixture of an illite-rich I-S mixed-layer mineral (R3 I(0.9)-S) with discrete smectite, whereas W2 was characterized by a greater proportion of smectite in the mixed-layer (R1 I(0.8)-S), without discrete smectite. Based on the different structural features of the swellable clays, a qualitative delamination model for the 2:1 layer silicates during processing of the clays was derived. The model provides a further approach, aside from aggregation characteristics, to help understand the clay-processing behavior, which was found to be different for the two ceramic clays investigated.


The connection between Bayesian statistics and the technique of regularization for inverse problems has been given significant attention in recent years. For example, Bayes' law is frequently used as motivation for variational regularization methods of Tikhonov type. In this setting, the regularization function corresponds to the negative-log of the prior probability density; the fit-to-data function corresponds to the negative-log of the likelihood; and the regularized solution corresponds to the maximizer of the posterior density, known as the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator. While a great deal of attention has been focused on the development of techniques for efficient computation of MAP estimators (regularized solutions), less explored is the problem of uncertainty quantification, which corresponds to the problem of determining the shape, at least to some degree, of the posterior density in high probability regions. One way to do this is to sample from the posterior density using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. In this paper, we present an MCMC method for use on linear inverse problems with independent and identically distributed Gaussian noise and Gaussian priors (quadratic regularization functions). From the MCMC samples, an estimator (regularized solution), and measures of variability in the estimator, are computed. Additionally, samples of the noise and prior precision parameters are computed, making regularization parameter selection unnecessary.


Problem. The role of the school principal is paramount in the operation of a school system, and affective behavior is an essential part of that role. It was the purpose of the study to determine if a discrepancy exists between the self-perceptions of principals as affective educators and their actual performance. Method. Thirty-two school principals, their superintendents, and a sampling of their teachers were studied. The self-perceptions of the principals were identified concerning eight affective traits and eight school-climate factors. The superintendent and teachers evaluated their principal's performance on these traits and factors. The Charles F. Kettering Foundation "School Climate Inventory" and an affective trait questionnaire developed by the researcher were used to measure the principal's performance. Data was analyzed using mean scores, a Chi square analysis, and the Pearson product-moment formula to develop correlation coefficients. Results. A school principal possessing strong positive self-perceptions on the stated affective traits does not necessarily perform as a professional leader in those areas. A similarity, but no significant relationship, existed between the perceptions of the superintendents and the perceptions of their principals regarding the principals' performances. No similarity or significant relationship existed between principals and their teachers regarding the principals' performances. No similarity, but a significant relationship, existed between the perceptions of the superintendents and the teachers regarding their principal's performance. Conclusions. Differences exist between the way principals perceive their affective performance and the reality of that performance as evidenced by their superintendents, their teachers, and the building climate within their buildings. Superintendents rate the performances of their principals considerably higher than do the teachers. Principals perceive themselves as strong in the affective domain, but their performance does not support those self-perceptions.


AbstractThe domain of narrative is often assumed to be the first extended discourse genre accessible to young children, and a natural mode for representing and remembering information. Ultimately, however, children must move beyond narrative to include other genres within their competency, such as explanation. Furthermore, narrative and explanation share a number of features that might lead one to expect more or less parallel development. We studied the occurrence of narrative and explanatory sequences of talk during mealtimes in 31 lowincome families with preschool-aged children. Narrative and explanatory sequences constituted approximately equal percentages of the total talk, but explanatory sequences were much briefer and more frequent than narrative sequences. Equivalent measures of narrative and explanatory talk showed moderate correlations, suggesting that families that engaged in one type of discourse also engaged in the other; this suggestion was confirmed by the finding that a large proportion of explanatory utterance were also parts of narratives. As 3- and 4-year-olds, children participated more competently in narrative than in explanatory discourse, though they requested many explanations at all ages. (Discourse Genres; Explanation; Development)


The article deals with various forms of flexible employment including possibility to choose one's activity or to choose not to work or to work part-time, to engage in flexi-time schemes or so called flexible working hours. Annualisation of working hours, volunteer jobs, self-employment, aid works and other forms of flexible employment are also covered. The article analyses Lithuanian employment legislation providing for or restricting the possibility to apply such forms of employment, as well as amendments to legislation and perspectives for its development. Comparative and logic methods were chosen as a basis for analysis. After surveying present situation, Lithuanian legislation and its relationship with socio-economic and demographic conditions, the conclusion can be drawn that legislative guarantees of work time regulation are not sufficient in order to promote part-time employment. Legal definition of flexible employment is lacking, there have been no agreements between social partners in respect to such employment forms, some of the present legislative provisions are not being implemented in practice. The author proposes to legally define status of those who work part-time, to provide for specific financial incentives (for example, tax reduction), establish the right to freely choose work time regime and change it, as well as the right to work at home. Legal grounds for performing volunteer jobs and self-employed jobs, as well as possibility to work under temporary employment contracts, legal status of such employees (their social insurance, holiday and absence leave payment) should be legally defined. It is proposed to encourage employers and employees to conclude collective agreements providing for part-time employment conditions at the level of enterprise or branch of industry.


Abstract The new computer code K-SKIN has been developed for use in skin dose assessment. The K-SKIN code calculates the dose distribution over the contaminated area using point kernels of monoenergetic electrons. These kernels are averaged over the beta spectra of contaminated radionuclides to obtain the dose distributions. Then, beta dose rates to the skin are calculated by numerical integration of point-kernel data over the contaminated area. Photon dose rates, if involved, are calculated using the specific gamma-ray constant for the radionuclides. Three predefined source types are arranged: point, disk, and cylinder. Backscattering correction, source self-shielding of a volume source, and reduction by the shielding material and air gap are considered during dose calculation. K-SKIN employs MATLAB as the coding tool and provides a graphical user interface. To verify K-SKIN, the dose rates from the point and disk source of several radionuclides over 1.0-cm2 area at 70 μm skin depth were calculated and compared with results obtained from another point-kernel code VARSKIN 3 and the Monte Carlo simulation code MCNPX. The calculated results agreed within ±20%. The skin dose at various depths showed that the inclusion of energy-loss straggling in the point kernel improves the accuracy of the beta dose calculation at the deep region. The K-SKIN computer code will facilitate assessment of skin exposure at nuclear facilities.


The technical note studies the problem of sliding mode control design for linear systems with incomplete and noisy measurements of the output and additive/multiplicative exogenous disturbances. First, we construct a linear minimax observer to have an estimate of the system's state with minimal worst-case error. Second, we establish the optimality of the constructed observer in the class of all observers represented by measurable functionals of the output. Finally, we propose an algorithm, generating continuous and discontinuous feedbacks, which steers the observer as close as possible to a given sliding hyperplane in finite time. The optimality (sub-optimality) of the designed feedbacks is proven for the case of bounded noises and additive (multiplicative) disturbances of  ${L}^2$-class. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by a numerical example.


The Nagoya Storm-Tide-Preventing Breakwater is a large-scale Breakwater built as a link in the general Ise Bay Storm-Tide-Prevention Project. The entire length of this breakwater is about 8,250 meters, which extends from the mouth of the Nabeta River, transversing the northern part of Ise Bay, to the Chita town. (Pig. 4) The greater half of this breakwater was built on an extremely unstable foundation, the nature of ground being of soft clay stratum with a thickness of 10 m - JO m. The sand-drain method was adopted for improving the ground on which caissons were laid, forming a composite type section. For this reason, during the process of construction a close work control was maintained constantly by applying boring, observation on the sinking, pore water pressure and other conditions to ascertain whether the sinking by consolidation took place according to the calculations laid in the design specification. Based on the date obtained in this manner the speed of the work was regulated and the work was conducted under strict control of soil mechanics. The required volume of materials for the construction of the breakwater was so immense that a special care had to be given to ensure their smooth and efficient supply. And to speed up the work with a view to reducing the effects of wind and waves to a minimum, large machinery were employed. The present paper describes the engineering features of this great 8,250-meters breakwater project which was completed in a short period of 2 years and 8 months at a cost of 30 million dollars after overcoming numerous obstacles.


One of the most significant and integral part of project management is risk management. Depending on the adopted risk management approach, the construction project may fail or succeed. Despite the paramount importance of risk management as one of the subfields of project management, unfortunately less attention has been paid to risk management in Iran. In very few organizations, employers or contractors can be seen who have a proper insight into risk management. Whereas risk management is a new field, there are only several seminars, university projects, and a few researches have taken place in this field in Iran. This study aims to improve the implementation of risk management within contractor companies in the Iranian construction industry through the evaluation of the contractors' perception of risk management. The main methodologies considered for this study starts with preliminary interviews with construction practitioners followed by comprehensive literature review. The data collection stage conducted through interview sessions using semi-structured questions and questionnaire surveys. Moreover, the methods considered for analysis of data are Frequency Analysis and Likert scale using mean index, Risk Analysis Matrix, and Single Sample T-Test. All in all, fifty four (54) risk factors were identified through conducting comprehensive literature review, classified into five (financial, technical, design and construction, policy and political, and weather and environmental risks) groups and their level of risk were evaluated and ranked. The results of study showed that the most critical risk group is financial risks followed by weather and environmental risks. Through questionnaire survey, fifteen out of fifty four risk factors identified from literature were found to have the high level of risk, while the remainder have moderate risk level. Furthermore, the survey results showed that there are eleven barriers in the Iranian construction industry preventing contractors from implementing risk management, seven of which evaluated as important, whereas the rest had average importance. Among identified barriers, unsupportive culture in construction industry evaluated as the most important barrier. Finally, a theoretical risk management strategy was proposed on the basis of the outcomes of literature review and questionnaire survey. The proposed theoretical strategy is composed of seven main stages.


During the LHC run in December 2009 beam-induced background events were identified with
the CMS pixel detector. The background consists mostly of collimated particle jets that traverse
CMS parallel to the proton beam. The rate and origin of these events were studied, as well as the
possible effects on the lifetime of the detector. In addition, a pixel-based method to remove the
background for physics analyses was developed.


The dynamics of a satellite involves orbit and attitude motion. Both orbit and attitude motion are required to be controlled for achieving any mission objectives. This thesis examines both of these motion with a focus on formation flying and attitude stabilization using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. The concept of satellite formation flying involves the distribution of the functionality of a single satellite among several smaller, cooperative satellites. Autonomous multiple satellite formation flying space missions offer many promising possibilities for space exploration. A large quantity of fuel is typically required onboard any conventional satellite to carry out its attitude and orbital positioning, and satellite formation flying has a higher fuel requirement. As on-board fuel is a scarce commodity, it is important to have control methods requiring little or no fuel. Keeping this in mind, this thesis presents the results of using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite formation flying. This methodology has potential to have significant commercial advantage as it pertains to almost negligible fuel requirements. A leader/follower formation architecture is considered for the formation flying system. The control algorithms are derived based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. Aerodynamic drag is used to accomplish multiple satellite formation flying in low Earth orbit whereas solar radiation pressure is used in geostationary orbit. Due to the nature of the aerodynamic drag, in-plane control can only be accomplished by the suitable maneuvering of the drag plates mounted on the satellites. Solar radiation pressure is able to accomplish in-plane and out-of-plane control by maneuvering of the solar flaps. Efficacy of the control methodology in performing various scenarios of formation flying including formation reconfiguration is validated by numerical simulation in both the cases. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques for satellite formation flying using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. Formation flying accuracies of less than 5 m are achieved in both the cases. Next, this thesis investigates the use of aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite attitude control. In the case of the aerodynamic drag stabilized satellite, the drag plates are considered to be attached to the satellite while the solar flaps are fixed to the satellite in the case of the solar radiation pressure stabilized satellite. In both the cases, the control algorithm is developed based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. The effectiveness of this methodology is numerically evaluated under various scenarios including the pressure of failure/fault in the solar flaps or drag plates attached to the satellite. The satellite attitude is stabilized within reasonable limits in all the cases thereby demonstrating robust performance in the presence of external disturbances.


9-(2-Phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA), the acyclic phosphonate analog of adenine monophosphate, is a promising antiviral drug with activity against herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and retroviruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus. In order to be active, it must be converted to the diphosphate derivative, the putative inhibitor of viral DNA polymerases. The metabolic pathway responsible for activation of PMEA is unclear. The metabolism of PMEA was investigated in human T-lymphoid cells (CEMss) and a PMEA-resistant subline (CEMss(r-1)) with a partial deficiency in adenylate kinase activity. Experiments with [3H]PMEA showed that extracts of CEMss phosphorylated PMEA to its mono- and diphosphate in the presence of ATP as the phosphate donor. No other nucleotides or 5-phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate displayed appreciable activity as a phosphate donor. Subcellular fractionation experiments showed that CEMss cells contained two nucleotide kinase activities, one in mitochondria and one in the cytosol, which phosphorylated PMEA. The PMEA-resistant CEMss mutant proved to have a deficiency in the mitochondrial adenylate kinase activity, indicating that this enzyme was important in the phosphorylation of PMEA. Other effective antiviral purine phosphonate derivatives of PMEA showed a profile of phosphorylating activity similar to that of PMEA. By comparison, phosphorylation of the pyrimidine analog (S)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl) cytosine proceeded by an enzyme present in the cytosol. We conclude from these studies that adenylate kinase which has been localized in the intermembrane space of mitochondria is the major route for PMEA phosphorylation in CEMss cells but that another hitherto unidentified enzyme(s) present in the cytosol may contribute to the anabolism of the phosphonates.


Introduction: The objective was to analyze the modification of eating habits, lifestyles and emotional disorders in obese children (6 to 12 years of age) and their families through a motivational intervention. Material and Methods: Intervention study with pre- and post-intervention evaluation through Familias en Movimiento program. This program included 11 children (10 girls and 1 boy) aged 6 to 12 years who had been unsuccessfully treated with other weight loss programs. The following parameters were evaluated at the beginning and at the end: Body Mass Index (BMI), the results of the questionnaires: Mediterranean Diet and anxiety in children, and the weight and anxiety of adults after the intervention. Results: The BMI decreased from a median of 25.2 (interquartile range of 23.3–28.0) to 23.9 and (22.9–27.6) after the intervention, a change not statistically significant (p<0.086). Median adherence to the Mediterranean Diet increased significantly by 2.2 points (7.1 to 9.3), mainly due to the fact that more children ate breakfast (44%) and there was a decrease in the consumption of sweets and pastries industrial breakfast (22.2%). The intervention significantly reduced anxiety in children by 8.7 points. 9 of the adults participated in the initial assessment, the average weight loss was 3.6kg and the decrease in anxiety step from 45.6 to 27.3 (p=0.02). Conclusions: The application of the "Families in movement" program decreased the BMI, increased the score in adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and decreased the anxiety in the children. In addition the weight and anxiety were reduced in the adults who accompanied the program to the children.


In this paper, we describe a robotic ultrasound (US) probe scanning system for reducing the manual tasks of US technicians and assisting in interventional procedures. The system consists of a probe scanning robot that uses McKibben arti cial muscles, an optical tracking device, and in-house software for volume reconstruction and automatic guidance of surgical tools. The proposed system is lightweight and safe due to the use of arti cial muscles, and allows positional control of the B-scan plane through transformation of US calibration. We applied the robotic system to robotic three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and automatic ultrasound guidance. To clarify the system's feasibility, we performed phantom and human liver volume reconstructions, as well as needle guidance. The volume qualities of the reconstruction were validated by cross-correlation with reference echograms and reslicing of the reconstructed volumes. The correlation values were 0.80 ± 0.06 for the phantom and 0.53 ± 0.06 for the human liver. Regarding needle guidance, we con rmed that the B-scan plane automatically followed the needle. The translation error was −0.10 ±  1.26 mm and rotation error was −0.22 ±  1.81 degrees. Analysis of frequency response con rmed that the system was able to stably follow a motion at frequencies less than 0.3 Hz. The experimental results demonstrate that the robotic probe scanning system has great potential for yielding acceptable 3D volumes using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound and assisting interventional procedures under US guidance.


office. During more than 30 years of practice, Mr. Ivans has served as lead counsel in numerous complex business, corporate, real estate and real estate finance transactions. These transactions have involved mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, formations of business entities and joint ventures, employment and non-competition agreements, shareholder agreements, corporate governance, licensing and franchise agreements, arbitration of disputes arising out of the sale of a business, real property acquisitions and development, construction law, condominium and planned unit development, formation and governance of condominium and homeowner associations, commercial leasing, and real estate and asset backed finance transactions on behalf of both lenders and borrowers. He also has substantial experience counseling businesses in situations involving financially troubled companies, advising both debtors and creditors of their alternatives in these situations. During the course of his career, Mr. Ivans has represented foreign and domestic clients of all sizes, from large business entities to start-up businesses, financial institutions, and individuals conducting transactions throughout the United States.


Bunyaviruses are a large family of enveloped RNA viruses that are distributed globally and include many important human and agricultural pathogens. Compared with other pathogenic viruses, bunyaviruses are relatively understudied. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or antivirals to treat bunyavirus infections in the United States. To better understand bunyavirus interactions with their mammalian hosts in the hopes of uncovering novel therapeutic targets, we utilized a forward genetic screening approach in a human haploid cell line (HAP1). We performed insertional mutagenesis of the HAP1 cells with a retroviral gene-trap vector and subsequently challenged the cells with recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) encoding heterologous glycoproteins from representative bunyaviruses, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Andes virus (ANDV). The use of rVSV-SFTSV and rVSV-ANDV allows us to specifically interrogate the early steps of bunyavirus entry, as replication of VSV is uniformly cytotoxic. Selection of cells resistant to rVSV-SFTSV or rVSV-ANDV and sequencing of mutagenic integrations sites identified genes important for virus entry. For SFTSV, the synthesis of the glycolipid glucosylceramide was found to play a role in the proper trafficking and/or fusion of incoming virus particles. Selection with rVSV-ANDV uncovered a profound dependence upon cholesterol synthesis and a requirement for cholesterol in membranes for efficient internalization and fusion. In addition to discovering novel aspects of bunyavirus biology, both of these cellular pathways have FDA approved pharmacological inhibitors and future studies aim to determine whether these factors can serve as targets for antiviral intervention. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology First Advisor Paul Bates


Mapping of snow avalanche tracks based on topographic maps, aerophotos and field data to achieve inventories for the whole mountaineous areas in Romania is an important step in snow avalanche risk assessment and other related geomorphic processes. This requires experience and it is a time consuming process. In the absence of field data, the process of snow avalanche tracks mapping is influenced by the subjectivity of those who digitize. Thus, we propose a semi-automated method for detection of snow avalanche tracks based mainly on geomorphometric parameters that can be extracted from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) like slope gradient, plan and profile curvature, mean curvature, runoff. In this study we used an object based analysis to detect snow avalanche tracks in central part of the Făgăraș Mts. This approach has two steps, segmentation and classification. First, we segmented the area based on plan curvature (which is the most important parameter that describes these snow avalanche tracks) in order to obtain objects. In the process of classification we added other conditions such as fuzzy function for slope gradient, thresholds for altitude and runoff and a shape index of objects. The results obtained were very close to the mapped tracks using digitizing techniques. The maps resulted from the classification were compared to the those resulted from digitizing in both number of objects and spatial agreement of the class of objects. There was a very good fit in case of the number of objects and total area of objects. The method could be improved if we apply on high resolution DEMs and also on more case studies with different topography and existing vector database.


Defined as the relation between two propositions, conditionals are composed of a protasis -"p"- and an apodosis -"q"-. Languages employ different strategies to construct a conditional. The most common way is to express the protasis in an explicit manner (Bhatt & Pancheva 2005: 642). This study is based on the hypothesis that the positions of the protasis and apodosis determine the functions of the Turkish conditional clauses with the conditional copula ise , its cliticized allomorph - (y)sA, and the conditional suffix -sA ". With this objective in mind, the answers to the following research questions have been sought; "What are the positions of protasis/ if -subordinate clause and apodosis/main clause in conditionals of Turkish?", "What are the functions of the conditional clause depending on the positions of the protasis/ if -subordinate clause and apodosis/main clause?" To answer these research questions a database consisting of eight different detective novels was studied, and these novels were analyzed according to Declerck and Reed's (2001) approach to the conditional clauses. According to the findings of our analysis the unmarked order of the conditionals in Turkish is 'protasis + apodosis' and Turkish conditional clauses mostly undertake the purely case-specifying function and maintain this through the conditional clauses named ' purely case-specifying P-clause specifying the circumstances under which the perception of the Q-situation may take place' . We have observed that the conditional information can be processed with the help of the case-specifying function of Turkish conditional clauses which occupies the unmarked order in the listener/reader's mind. In terms of their unmarked orders, however, Turkish conditional clauses mostly assume the comment function by encoding "Hedging-P conditionals" and the speaker presents the content of the apodosis via the functions of protasis.


GerGovska, Z., Y. Mitev, t . anGelova, D. YorDanova and t . Miteva, 2011. effect of changes in body condition score on the milk yield of Holstein-Friesian and Brown swiss cows. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 17: 837-845 the effect of BCs at calving, loss of BCs, the duration of loss after calving and the reached minimum BCs during lactation on milk yield for 305 days have been studied. the object of study are 37 cows, of which 20 Holstein and 17 Brown swiss ones. the cows from both breeds are reared together with the same technology and nutrition. the body condition score of cows has been recorded on a monthly basis by using a 5-grade scor ing system and accuracy of recording up to 0.5 points. BCs at calving, loss of BCs and the duration of loss after calving have significant effect on milk yield. The reached minimum BCS during lactation has no significant effect. in the Holstein cows BCs before calving is lower (2.8 points), loss of BCs is greater (1.95 points) and longer (3.8 months compared to the Brown cows (3.0, 1.75 and 2.8, respectively). Cows from both breeds with higher BCS (≥3.5 points), with greater loss of BCS after calving (≥2.5 points) and longer loss of BCS at the beginning of lactation (≥5 months) have the highest milk yield for a 305-day lactation.


The Path Computation Element (PCE) Architecture introduces the concept
of policy in the context of path computation. This document provides
additional details on policy within the PCE Architecture and also
provides context for the support of PCE Policy. This document
introduces the use of the Policy Core Information Model (PCIM) as a
framework for supporting path computation policy. This document also
provides representative scenarios for the support of PCE Policy.
Contents


Embedded socio-ecological problems urgently require novel approaches with a long-term orientation, including reflexive and adaptive policy design and conceptualisations which move far beyond business as usual approaches and which meaningfully address underlying complexes of technologies and institutions. The transitions literature has stimulated debate to increasingly recognise the multi-dimensional shifts required for delivery of sustainable modes of production and consumption. However, transition studies have to date focused heavily on technological and on historical analyses. Within this emerging body of investigation, there is a need for research which more exclusively and explicitly addresses organisational and community level responses to sustainability in a strategic and forward looking manner. While there is growing consensus that human behaviours need to change to a more sustainable paradigm, community driven approaches, such as social enterprise, have yet to be explored as serious instruments of sustainability transition. Social enterprises sit within the third sector of the economy, typically where market or governmental failures exist in the provision of social welfare, and have increasingly become a key driver of social progress. The autonomous nature of the social-economic model applied by such organisations can represent a viable means to reduce state social welfare dependence, and as a proven model for social change. The capability of social enterprises to create both social and economic value is considered a 'win-win'. However, there are clear potentials for social enterprise models to be more extensively applied to address contemporary ecological challenges of neo-liberal market economies, moving towards 'win-win-win' outcomes across social, economic and ecological domains; particularly as these organisations are not motivated by a relentless profit imperative. This paper investigates the value of utilising social enterprises as a driver of sustainability at the community level, with an emphasis on application in the energy sector. Evidence from four social enterprises in the UK is presented and a socio-technical transitions conceptual framework is applied to analyse these social enterprise operations as a form of social innovation. The paper critically evaluates the characteristics of social enterprises which suggest potential for wider socio-technical systemic transformation and appraises the potential for such organisational models to act as 'engines of socio-technical transformation'. Barriers to the widespread diffusion of social enterprise models are identified, as well as operational and strategic challenges in actively delivering on the 'win-win-win' potential of these organisations for sustainability.


In carbonates, the petrophysical interpretation is strongly controlled by the porosity exponent used in Archie's Law due to the variety of the pore types, the complexity of the pore geometry and the topology. Traditionally, the petrophysical model modifies the porosity exponent with consideration of the porosity based on experimental resistivity. Additionally, the porosity models can be used to predict porosity exponent based on the equivalent resistance network, in series or parallel or both. However, these models do not consider the intrinsic factors, affecting the porosity exponent, such as pore geometry and topology and simplify the arrangement of pore types. In order to further build the formulation between porosity exponent and these intrinsic factors for accurately predicting porosity exponent, non-destructive pore scale measurement-CT imaging is used to extract pore geometry and topology, and to determine the main pore types. At the same time measurements of porosity exponent in the lab can be used to calibrate the pore scale modelling and used to investigate the influence of the pore geometry, topology and pore type on the porosity exponent. It is found that the key factors affecting porosity exponent are the ratio of pore cross section area ratio to the pore throat cross sectional area ratio (PTAR) and Euler number representing the connectivity. With the increase of the PTAR and Euler number, the porosity exponent increases. Both of them are related to the pore types. Fracture-like (FT) pores can reduce the PTAR and Euler number resulting in the decrease of the formation factor, porosity exponent and the anisotropy while vuggy-like (VG) pores increase PTAR and Euler number resulting in the increase of porosity exponent with less influence on anisotropy. The effect on formation factor is related to the type of VG, whether connected or non-connected. In coquinas from the Morro do Chaves Formation (Lower Cretaceous, NE Brazil) there are many combinations of pore, pore shape and pore connectivity that make numerical modelling of resistivity in these rocks such a useful addition to help explain the laboratory measurements and add an understanding of the dominant pore structure which was found to vary from sample to sample. Some interesting concavo-convex pore systems have been identified.


The area of Kahrood is a small village located in the north-east of Damavand in the center of the Alborz range, north of Iran. Kahrood is located in Haraz valley exactly below the land slide area. To monitor the temporal evolution of the landslide, the conventional small baseline subset (SBAS), a radar differential Synthetic Aperture Radar interferometry (DInSAR) algorithm is used for time-series analysis. 19 Interferograms characterized by small spatial and temporal baselines are generated using 14 images. In order to remove the topographic effects, a digital elevation model from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), with a spatial resolution of 90 m, is used. In the time-series analysis the first image was selected as the temporal reference. In the least squares solution, in order to increase the number of observational equation as well as decrease the temporal fluctuations due to atmospheric and unwrapping errors, a smoothing constraint is incorporated into the inversion problem. We divide the deformation time-series into two main parts. The maximum deformation rate estimated from the first part of the time-series is estimated as 3.3 cm within the landslide area. According to the time series results the land surface is moving away from the satellite. The second part of the deformation time-series showed a small landslide rate up to 0.7 cm. According to the time series results the land surface is moving toward the satellite. The deformation is estimated along the Mean line of sight (LOS). Considering the whole time series, the maximum LOS deformation rate is estimated as 14 cm.


This bulletin describes forest resources of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in the State of South Carolina. It is based on sampling from the eighth forest inventory conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Research Work Unit. Findings suggest that South Carolina's national forests are recovering from destruction caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. This bulletin addresses forest area estimates; timber growth, removals, and mortality; forest health; and trends across 23 years.


Abstract Context. The population dynamics of many wildlife species are associated with fluctuations in climate. Food and abundance may also influence wildlife dynamics. Aims. The present paper aims to evaluate the relative effects of climate on the annual instantaneous population growth rate (r) of the following three bird species: grey heron and barn owl in parts of Britain and malleefowl in a part of Australia. Methods. A priori hypotheses of mechanistic effects of climate are derived and evaluated using information theoretic and regression analyses and published data for the three bird species. Climate was measured as the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) for herons and owls, and rainfall and also the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) for malleefowl. Key results. Population dynamics of grey heron were positively related to the winter NAO, and of malleefowl were positively related to annual rainfall and related in a non-linear manner to SOI. By contrast, population dynamics of barn owl were very weakly related to climate. The best models for the grey heron differed between time periods but always included an effect of the NAO. Conclusions. The annual population growth rate of grey heron, malleefowl and barn owl show contrasting relationships with climate, from stronger (heron and malleefowl) to weaker (barn owl). The results were broadly consistent with reported patterns but differed in some details. Interpretation of the effects of climate on the basis of analyses rather than visual assessment is encouraged. Implications. Effects of climate differ among species, so effects of future climate change may also differ.


Using data envelopment analysis with principal components, we calculate an adoption-intensity index for herbicide-resistance best management practices (BMPs). Empirical results for over 1,100 farmers in twenty-two U.S. states suggest that many farmers could improve their herbicideresistance BMP adoption. Two-limit truncated regression results show that higher yields and a greater proportion of acres planted with Roundup Ready R seeds motivate weed BMP adoption. While soybean and corn farmers have lower adoption intensity than cotton farmers, farmer educational attainment and greater concern for herbicide effectiveness and for human and environmental safety are found to help increase the adoption of weed BMPs.


Previous studies found that providing infants with repeated opportunities for reaching improved the emergence and quality of the behavior, presumably via exploratory and selective processes (Bojczyk & Corbetta, 2004; Lobo et al., 2008). Here we further examined the effects of opportunities for reaching by exposing infants to multimodal objects that were activated either continuously by a hidden motor or contingently by hand-toy contact. We asked if such objects would motivate infants to try to reach for them even more than still and silent objects. Forty-four pre-reaching infants were recruited within the week prior to turning three months of age and were seen for 16 consecutive days. Three groups received daily exposure to objects that either moved and made noise continuously (continuous), moved and made noise only on hand-object contact (contingent), or did not move or make noise when touched (repeated task exposure). A control group received no daily experience. On day 1, all infants were assessed in the laboratory to ensure they were not reaching. From days 2-15, an experimenter tested the repeated groups in the home. On day 16, all infants" reaching was reassessed in our laboratory. Arm kinematics were recorded during laboratory visits. All testing was the same: infants were seated in an infant chair behind a table and an experimenter placed 1 toy on the table at midline for one minute. Infants received ten trials per day. We measured amount of intentional reaches, hand-toy distance, and peak movement speed. Intentional reaching significantly increased for all repeated groups. Examination of infants that improved showed that the contingent group displayed a significantly higher gain in reaching over time relative to the repeated task exposure and continuous groups. Kinematic measures indicated that these young infants modulated the speed of their reaching movements to vi match task demands. Specifically, infants in the continuous group displayed increased peak speeds of their movements in order to contact a moving object. Results suggest that repeated opportunities to reach for objects underlies the emergence of reaching; however this process may be aided by providing a salient, multimodal link that highlights the effects of successful action.


Resistance of prostate cancer cells to the next-generation antiandrogen enzalutamide may be mediated by a multitude of survival signaling pathways. In this study, we tested whether increased expression of NF-kB2/p52 induces prostate cancer cell resistance to enzalutamide and whether this response is mediated by aberrant androgen receptor (AR) activation and AR splice variant production. LNCaP cells stably expressing NF-kB2/p52 exhibited higher survival rates than controls when treated with enzalutamide. C42B and CWR22Rv1 cells chronically treated with enzalutamide were found to express higher levels of NFkB2/p52. Downregulation of NF-kB2/p52 in CWR22Rv1 cells chronically treated with enzalutamide rendered them more sensitive to cell growth inhibition by enzalutamide. Analysis of the expression levels of AR splice variants by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting revealed that LNCaP cells expressing p52 exhibit higher expression of AR splice variants. Downregulation of expression of NFkB2/p52 in VCaP and CWR22Rv1 cells by short hairpin RNA abolished expression of splice variants. Downregulation of expression of either full-length AR or the splice variant AR-V7 led to an increase in sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to enzalutamide. These results collectively demonstrate that resistance to enzalutamide may be mediated by NF-kB2/p52 via activation of AR and its splice variants. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(8); 1–9. 2013 AACR.


This paper presents the results of study on the probability distortion. The distortion is studied at two levels: (i) in the decision maker's perception (expressed as subjective judgements), and (ii) in the decision maker's choices (expressed in decision weights). The study examined how the two types of distortion – concerning perception and weights – depend on the way information on probability is presented. Two formats of probability information were distinguished: descriptive (expressed in numbers) and experience. The results confirmed the hypothesis of lower perceptual distortion of objective probability when the information on payout distribution was presented using the experience-based format than when the information was given as a description. The hypothesis on the lower distortion of probability in decision weights with the experience probability format was not confirmed. An unexpected result was a lower risk seeking with the experience format. This effect seems to be a result of attributing lower weights than with the descriptive format. Furthermore, it appears that the probability distortion in decision weights at least partly results from the distortion in perception.


The aim of this investigation was to provide the data on the status of ecological conditions referring to a possible chemical contamination of water and littoral by analysing the content of nutrients and heavy metals in tissue of dominant aquatic macrophytes (mostly Potamogeton species) of nine littoral sites of the Danube (Serbia). Also, our aim was to define the role of the macrophytic vegetation in remediation of pollutants, nutrients and heavy metals, in particular, from water and sediments. Sampling sites were selected to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities upon the quality of the Danube water and therefore upon plant world. An elevation of the Danube organic load was confirmed by nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) content in plant tissue. In general, P concentrations were rather low, amounting mainly about 250 mg/100g dry matter (0.25%). Purification efficacy and the degree of uptake and accumulation of studied heavy metals relied upon the investigated species and sampling site. Fe accumulation in all the studied species was extremely high (about 2% in Potamogeton species). The linear regression points to increase in Mn concentrations at downstream sites (approaching the hydroelectric power station). The distribution of plant tissue Pb and Cd pointed to an elevation of water and littoral pollution at downstream sites. A significantly elevated contamination with heavy metals, of downstream sites, is due to the metallurgical complex-steelworks, wastewaters from power station, municipal and rural localities along the Danube stream in Serbia.


Abstract. With advancement in technology, new and sophisticated models of vehicle are available and their numbers are increasing day by day. A traffic accident has multi-facet characteristics associated with it. In India 93% of crashes occur due to Human induced factor (wholly or partly). For proper traffic accident analysis use of GIS technology has become an inevitable tool. The traditional accident database is a summary spreadsheet format using codes and mileposts to denote location, type and severity of accidents. Geo-referenced accident database is location-referenced. It incorporates a GIS graphical interface with the accident information to allow for query searches on various accident attributes. Ajmer city, headquarter of Ajmer district, Rajasthan has been selected as the study area. According to Police records, 1531 accidents occur during 2009–2013. Maximum accident occurs in 2009 and the maximum death in 2013. Cars, jeeps, auto, pickup and tempo are mostly responsible for accidents and that the occurrence of accidents is mostly concentrated between 4PM to 10PM. GIS has proved to be a good tool for analyzing multifaceted nature of accidents. While road safety is a critical issue, yet it is handled in an adhoc manner. This Study is a demonstration of application of GIS for developing an efficient database on road accidents taking Ajmer City as a study. If such type of database is developed for other cities, a proper analysis of accidents can be undertaken and suitable management strategies for traffic regulation can be successfully proposed.


The C7 gene was identified in a project aimed to characterize differential gene expression upon attachment of cells to extracellular matrix proteins in vitro. C7 is the homologue of Drosophila L82, a late puff gene (Stowers et al. (1999) Dev. Biol. 213, 116-130) and human OXR1, a gene, which protects cells against oxidation (Volkert et al. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97, 14530-14535). All are transcribed into multiple splice forms with a common 3' domain. Additional members of this novel gene family are found in a number of eukaryotic species. In the mouse, the C7 gene is highly and broadly expressed during development in at least 4 splice forms, 3 of which were sequenced. In the adult, the C7 gene is most highly expressed in brain and testis. Antibodies to recombinant C7 protein localized to nucleoli in a variety of cell types, suggesting that C7 may be involved in the formation or function of this important organelle.


Pioneer aviator, numero uno industrialist, institution-builder, philanthropist, and man manager par excellence, J.R.D. Tata was a nation builder, who was and continues to be a source of inspiration to both young and old. Having placed India on the aviation map of the world with his pioneering flight in 1932, he went on to guide the destiny of his child Air-India with the same enthusiasm and eye for perfection which informed his other ventures.


There are a lot of books around covering functional testing techniques, but relatively few cover both functional and technical testing. This book will fill that gap. Authors Graham Bath and Judy McKay are core members of the ISTQB Working Party that created the new advanced level syllabus, which will be rolled out worldwide this year. This book brings both functional and technical aspects of testing into a coherent whole, which will benefit not only test analyst/engineers but also test managers. Based on the "Certified Tester" Advanced-Level syllabus issued by the ISTQB in 2007, the book covers everything you will need to know to successfully sit the examinations for Test Analyst and Technical Test Analyst. For those planning to take one or both of these exams, the book provides a solid base for preparation and clearly indicates which sections apply to which specific examination.


Proteins show remarkable versatility as multifunctional materials for therapeutic applications. They can be easily modified with the toolkit of bioorganic chemistry and are particularly attractive because of their degradability and biocompatibility. Herein, we evaluate different methods for the attachment of multiple PEG chains on the surface of the enzyme lysozyme. For this, we activated standard 2 kDa mPEG chains with four different electrophilic groups and tested their ability to react with different amino acids on the surface of our model protein. The aim was to find an effective and at the same time mild modification method that preserves the native structure and activity of the enzyme. The amphiphilic properties of PEG induce a solubility switch of the protein material which allows the formation of nanoparticles using a nano-emulsion technique in the size range of 100–130 nm. We found that, even though all produced materials are soluble in organic solvents, the amount of introduced PEG chains and the enzyme activity significantly vary depending on the chosen PEGylation method.


Inflammation is a normal homeostatic mechanism of body for self-repair from cell damage. However, inflammation effect would give uncomfortable condition, thus drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is needed to relieve it. Traditionally, Artocarpus spp., in which number of active compounds has been isolated, is believed to have anti-inflammatory activity. This study aims to identify the anti-inflammatory property of Artocarpus spp. Utilizing the computational method such as PyRx and AutoDock Vina. A total of 53 active structures (isolates) of genus Artocarpus were obtained from literature (as ligand). They were then studied by molecular docking with three enzymes, which is believed to be responsible for inflammation, such as cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-11), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-12), and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) (as receptor). It was then compared to a common drug structures such as the nine NSAIDs classification and one publicpulled due to its increasing side effect. Data analysis utilizing the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that each 63 ligand (53 Artocarpus isolates structure and 10 drugs) significantly differed each other according to its binding affinity (p = 0.000). A significant difference for macromolecules (receptor) (p=0.000) were also found out in this study. Duncan's multiple range test also showed that the highest rank were engelitin (a) ( = -9.137 kcal/mol) and artonolD (b) ( = -8.692 kcal/mol). Other isolates including common commercial drug were ranked lower. The findings of this study suggest studying these two substances further for their antiinflammatory property.


OECD countries require billions in infrastructure investment for new projects and the rehabilitation of old assets. Public pensions are likewise underfunded and in need of stable, inflation-linked investment opportunities uncorrelated with the rest of their portfolio, making infrastructure a seemingly strong fit. This has led to calls to facilitate more direct investment by public pension funds in infrastructure. In truth there are many impediments to such programs. Under the right policy and institutional conditions, however, direct public pension investments can yield considerable value for taxpayers and retirement beneficiaries alike, in part by overcoming the market inefficiencies and valuation problems inherent to infrastructure investment. This paper uses the case of a toll road network in Queensland, Australia to examine the potential for direct public pension investments in infrastructure. In 2011, the Queensland Government transferred a 40-year concession to operate Queensland Motorways to the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) – a government-owned company that manages that state's defined benefit public pension.


This paper presents and analyzes the encoding of aspect in Heritage Russian (HR), an incompletely acquired language spoken by those for whom another language became dominant at an early age. The HR aspectual system is distinct from the baseline. Aspectual distinctions are lost due to the leveling or loss of morphological marking. As a result, heritage speakers often maintain only one member of a former aspectual pair. Such HR verb forms are underspecified for aspect. To compensate for that, heritage speakers regularly express aspect through the use of analytical forms with the light verbs 'be', 'become', 'do'. The frequent occurrence of these forms supports the notion that aspectual distinctions are universal, belonging with the conceptual representation of events. What varies is the actual linguistic encoding of these distinctions, but not the underlying distinctions themselves.


Around the nation, a lack of government resources and / or expertise has forced state attorneys general to resort to outsourcing of prosecutorial efforts in order to ensure that the needs of the state and its citizens are adequately represented. Such arrangements have often been challenged on the grounds that they violate either state constitution separation of powers provisions, or the demands the neutrality doctrine places on government officials. As the relevant case law indicates, the neutrality doctrine in particular raises valid concerns about the propriety of contingency fee arrangements; concerns that have yet to be adequately addressed by any of the reforms proposed to date. This Note presents a novel set of best practices for state attorneys general who choose to utilize contingency fee agreements. The best practices in this Note are intended to do what other reform suggestions have failed to achieve. They constitute innovative ways of honoring the principles of the neutrality doctrine through a reimagining of contingency fee arrangements to prioritize government control and authority. I. INTRODUCTION The American legal system has traditionally permitted individuals to hire attorneys on a contingency fee basis.1 The contingency fee arrangement has long been regarded as the means by which individuals who lack the economic resources to hire private attorneys may be granted access to the legal system and a legal advocate.2 Under such an arrangement, the attorney is not paid unless his client "wins"; if the client does not prevail, the attorney charges no fee.3 If the client wins, the attorney collects a percentage of the amount awarded.4 The use of contingency fee arrangements has spread to government, with state attorneys general hiring private counsel on a contingency fee basis to manage and try certain cases on behalf of the state.5 State attorneys general justify their use of private attorneys on the grounds that they are able to bring suits on behalf of the citizens of their states that would otherwise be impossible due to a lack of personnel resources, expertise, and money.6 Proponents of the system also point out that while some attorneys general employ contingency fee arrangements in a wide array of cases and contexts, most of the attorneys general who use them do so sparingly.7 The use of private attorneys on a contingency fee basis by state attorneys general is often associated with the tobacco litigation of the 1990s. Following the Master Settlement Agreement ("MSA") of 1998, trial attorneys across the nation received $14 billion in attorney fees under the $246 billion tobacco settlement.8 In the years following the MSA, private attorneys have continued to represent government interests through contingency fee contracts.9 In Rhode Island, for example, Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch and former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse used private attorneys to represent the state in a fight against lead paint manufacturers from 2003-2008.10 In 2007, Oklahoma Attorney General W.A. Drew Edmondson retained three plaintiffs' attorney firms to take on poultry companies he claimed had polluted the state's waterways with chicken manure.11 In California, several counties have hired private attorneys on a contingency fee basis to file a class action lawsuit based on a public nuisance claim against former lead paint and pigment manufacturers.12 The practice is not without opposition. Many contingency fee arrangements are criticized on the basis of the personal and political connections between state attorneys general and the private firms retained to represent the state.13 The arrangements are also lamented by some critics for enabling "regulation by legislation."14 Most common, however, are two particular allegations: 1) that the contingency fee agreements violate state separation of powers doctrines; and 2) that the standard of neutrality required of government attorneys is violated when private attorneys, with their own agendas, strategies, and goals, represent state interests. …