The dissertation focuses on three main projects which complement the studies towards the total syntheses of biologically active natural products as well as the development of stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted piperidines. The first project introduced the first total synthesis of largazole, which is a marine natural product isolated from cyanobacterium of genus Symploca sp. in 2008. It consists of an unusual 16-membered macrocycle incorporating a 4-methylthiazoline linearly fused to a thiazole and an ester of 3-hydroxy-7-mercaptohept-4-enoic acid unit, part of which has been identified to be essential for the potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory and consequently antiproliferative activities. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies suggest that thiol group generated by hydrolysis of the thioester moiety is the warhead and is critical for its HDAC inhibitory and antiproliferative activity. The biological evaluation of the analogues focusing on macrocycle and linker chain between sulfur atom and macrocycle suggests that the four-atom linker between the macrocycle and the octanoyl group in the side chain and the (S)-configuration at C17-position are critical to potent HDAC inhibitory activity of largazole. In contrast, the valine residue in the macrocycle can be replaced with alanine without compromising activity to a large extent. These SAR results would provide insights into structural requirements for HDAC inhibitory activity including the observed HDAC selectivity of largazole and help in the design of isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors based on largazole. The second project involved the synthesis of cytotoxic mycobactin-like siderophore-brasilibactin A and its unnatural diastereomers, which are then identified to unambiguously confirm that brasilibactin A possesses the 17S, 18R absolute stereochemistry at β-hydroxy acid fragment. The convergent synthetic strategy has been applied to the synthesis of a more water-soluble analogue-Bbtan, iron-binding studies of which suggest brasilibactin A may play an important role in the iron-uptake mechanism in mycobacteria and related organisms. The third project elucidated a convergent stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-cis- and 2,6-trans-piperidines through a reagent-controlled organocatalytic aza-Michael reaction promoted by the gem-disubstituent effect introduced by 1,3-dithiane. The reaction was applicable to a broad range of substrates and proceeded with good stereoselectivities (up to 20:1 dr) and yields. The 1,3-dithiane group allowed for rapid access to substrates, promoted the intramolecular aza-Michael reaction via the gem-disubstituent effect, and improved the yield of the reaction. This synthetic method should be broadly applicable to the efficient synthesis of a diverse set of bioactive natural products with 2,6-disubstituted piperidines.


According to conventional wisdom, multinational firms undertake vertical FDI in order to take advantage of cross-border factor cost differences and source the inputs from abroad at better terms. Recent empirical findings though document that this is not always the case. We provide theoretical support to the latter by demonstrating that when there is transfer of intangible assets between a multinational's vertically related production plants, its parent firm can engage in vertical FDI in order to improve its cross-threat and its input sourcing terms domestically and not abroad as well as in order to exploit its intangible assets in another country. We also investigate the effects of trade liberalization and the welfare consequences of vertical FDI.


Specialization for a locomotor behaviour may affect limb bone morphology throughout ontogeny. Ontogenetic development of the limb skeletons of two mammalian species, which are behaviourally specialized for the half-bounding gait (Chinchilla lanigera and Oryctolagus cuniculus), were compared to two similarly-sized species which are not specialized for half-bounding (Rattus norvegicus and Monodelphis domestica). Limb bone lengths and anteroposterior diameters (mediolateral diameters for the radius and metacarpal) were measured from radiographs taken throughout the ontogeny of each species. Body mass was also measured repeatedly during growth. Bone measurements were regressed against body mass, as well as forelimb bone length vs serially homologous hindlimb bone length, bone length vs total limb length and bone length vs width. Similar comparisons were made among adults of each species using ratios. Although there were many significant differences among species, overall there were few consistent differences in adult scaling ratios or ontogenetic allometry slopes between specialized and generalized groups. Adult specialized half-bounders had significantly narrower tibiae and metatarsals than the gait-generalized runners. Specialized half-bounders usually had similar slopes for hindlimb length vs width ontogenetic comparisons, but the non-specialized species did not group together. However, there were two patterns that occurred among all four species: (1) hindlimb bone lengths nearly always grew faster than the serially homologous forelimb bone lengths in all species; (2) proximal elements usually increased in length proportionally faster than distal elements. In conclusion, small mammals may share strong developmental constraints that govern their relative growth rates. It is also likely that there are different selective pressures on juveniles and adults, but that these selective pressures may not be different between specialized and unspecialized runners during ontogeny.


This thesis investigated how performance of today's IP traffic metering and analysis applications can be improved by moving from a centralized, high-performance infrastructure, which executes these tasks, to distributed mechanisms, which combine available resources of multiple devices. The results achieved show that distributed IP traffic metering and analysis leverages bottleneck problems. The distributed IP traffic approach DITA does not solve all problems of handling such large amounts of data in very short time by itself, but proposes an orthogonal approach to existing solutions. DITA revelas that combining distributed IP traffic metering and analysis reaches better and higher performance sampling and aggregation mechanisms, which do provide a very flexible and the open solution to analyzing IP traffic in future high-speed networks. This has been achieved by the facts that all mechanisms designed for DITA — and their prototypical implementations — are based on standard protocols and open-source technologies. DITA determines the first approach to distributed IP traffic metering and analysis known today, which (a) addresses the different bottlenecks of traffic analysis in a generic way, and (b) is self-organizing, offering a scalable solution to regular traffic increases.


Russian stakeholders of joint stock companies, which shares are not traded on a stock exchange, and limited liability companies need the effective instruments which enable them to detect the facts of financial statement fraud quickly because the financial statement remains the main source of information about the companies' performance for them.  Although Institute of Auditors is one of the most reliable tools which identify financial statement manipulations, the costs, connected with audit, are too high and, and as a result, stakeholders have to look for other instruments to distinguish fraudsters, which make an attempt to overestimate or underestimate net assets and financial results, from non-fraudsters. Mathematical model of the American researcher Messod Beneish can be considered as an example of such tools.
The general purpose of this paper is to identify whether it is possible, basing on the Beneish model, to create a new one, which enables to distinguish fraudulent from non-fraudulent financial statements reporting in Russia, and determine the accuracy level of fraud status forecasts made by using this model.  In our research we are going to concentrate on identification of companies, which overestimate net assets and financial results.
Tо obtain the information on the financial ratios included in the model we use financial reports of Russian both non-traded joint stock companies and limited liability firms.
The conclusion can also be drawn that it is possible to develop the fraud detection probit model and linear model (integrated M-score index), which enabled stakeholders to identify fraud status correctly in 83% and 60 % respectively.
Developing the model we include extra parameters, connected with growth rate of other income to sales ratio and an accounting policy of the company. It was found that fraud risk increases if the company chooses accounting policy according to which administrative costs are charged to core product expenses.


Purpose – The paper aims to explore the relationship between office occupier work activity and workplace provision. It tests the proposition that location-fixed office workers are not as well-supported in the working environment as location-flexible office workers. The research also explores the perceptions of the workplace provision based upon the types of tasks completed at the desk-location, whether this was collaborative or focused.
Design/methodology/approach – The research adopts a cross-sectional approach using an online questionnaire to collect data from several offices in the Middles East. The dataset consists of 405 responses. One-way ANOVA was conducted to understand the relationship between location flexibility and perception of productivity. In addition, a series of T-Test were used to evaluate the relationship between work activities and office environment.
Findings – The results show that those workers who were location-fixed perceived the workplace provision to have a more negative impact on their productivity than those who had a greater level of location-flexibility, particularly with regards to noise levels and interruptions. In terms of types of activities, those that undertook more collaborative tasks valued the facilitation of creativity and interaction from the workplace provision.
Research limitations/implications – The research has limitations as data collection was at one-point in time and therefore lacks the opportunity to undertake longitudinal analysis. However, the research gives greater insights into the alignment of office environments based on flexibility and work activity.
Practical implications – The paper identifies implications for the design and development of office environments by identifying the need for office occupier activity profiles. These profiles can underpin data led design which should promote a tailored choice appropriate work setting that can maximise productivity.
Originality/value – This paper contributes to the research area of workplace alignment. It establishes that optimal workplace alignment requires a better understanding of office occupier needs based on location-flexibility and work activity.


This study analyzed direct and indirect relationships in water consumption by Macedonian economic sectors using virtual water in an input–output framework. Macedonia was found to be characterized by intensive water consumption, with some sectors having a significant virtual water content in their products. Virtual water multipliers were used to analyze the trade balance and determine whethernational commercial trade strategies are in line with Heckscher–Ohlin (HO) heory. It was found that Macedonia trade strategies in terms of virtual water were generally in line with HO theory. However, as a consequence of significant exports and high virtual water content in vegetables, fruit, grapes and sheep and goat products within the agriculture sector and in food and basic metal products in the manufacturing sector, the region was a net exporter of virtual water, losing about 124 million m3 of water at 2005 level or 18% of total water consumption. Reducing exports of the most waterintensive products with significant net positive exports would result in substantial water savings of42% of total water consumption. The results presented here can help policy makers in promoting production specializations that are more environmentally sustainable or in redesigning existing water pricing policies at national level to encourage rational use of water. (Less)


Nearly a third of religious liberty cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court addressed religion and education. Numbers that high, the problem definitely deserves consideration of international public. What were the main forces that shaped religious liberty in public education in one of its most formative periods? Did the introduction of religious liberty legal framework in public schools advance religious liberty of students as independent autonomous actors? The author discusses this cultural problem from a broad and complex perspective: both internationally recognized theory of a child's religious freedom rights and the American models of religious liberty. To cover a wide spectrum of viewpoints, she analyses a broad selection of documents, from state and NGO publications to media coverage.


Northeastern Mexico is a semiarid region with water scarcity and a strong pressure on water sources caused by the rapid increase of population and industrialization. In this region, rainwater harvesting alone is not enough to meet water supply demands due to the irregular distribution of rainfall in time and space. Thus, in this study the reliability of integrating rainwater harvesting with greywater reuse to reduce water consumption and minimize wastewater generation in the Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus, was assessed. Potable water consumption and greywater generation in main facilities of the campus were determined. Rainwater that can be potentially harvested in roofs and parking areas of the campus was estimated based on a statistical analysis of the rainfall. Based on these data, potential water savings and wastewater minimization were determined. Characterization of rainwater and greywater was carried out to determine the treatment necessities for each water source. Additionally, the capacity of water storage tanks was estimated. For the selected treatment systems, an economic assessment was conducted to determine the viability of the alternatives proposed. Results showed that water consumption can be reduced by 48% and wastewater generation can be minimized by 59%. Implementation of rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems in the Monterrey Campus will generate important economic benefits to the institution. Amortization of the investments will be achieved in only six years, where the net present value (NPV) will be on the order of US $50,483.2, the internal rate of return (IRR) of 4.6% and the benefits–investment ratio (B/I) of 1.7. From the seventh year, the project will present an IRR greater than the minimum acceptable rate of return (MARR). In a decade, the IRR will be 14.4%, more than twice the MARR, the NPV of US $290,412.1 and the B/I of 3.1, denoting economic feasibility. Based on these results, it is clear that integrating rainwater harvesting with greywater reuse resulted in a more feasible and reliable strategy than those strategies based only on rainwater harvesting. Furthermore, the investments can be amortized in a shorter period of time.


Shifting the tax burden from labor to consumption is proposed in many developed countries as a way to make the tax system more incentive compatible. This article deals with the simulation of such a policy change to sharpen the distributional picture. Expenditures are imputed into the EUROMOD microsimulation program. Then social security contributions are lowered and the standard VAT rate is increased to maintain government revenue neutrality. The main conclusions are that (1) indirect taxes are regressive with respect to disposable income but proportional or progressive with respect to total expenditures, and (2) indirect taxes are in any case less progressive than other components of the tax system, making the proposed measure a regressive one. A possible solution exists in increasing the progressivity of the remaining income tax. © 2010 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.


The main objective of this thesis is to identify and understand the key factors involved in the changing patterns of commuting into Central London during the
period 1981-89, in particular through a case study of Kent. The questions addressed here are threefold: (i) what changes in the temporal and spatial patterns of work-trips can be identified and related to changes in the employment structure of Central London, population and employment
relocation, and change in the rail attributes; (ii) to what extent the attributes of the transport system, the location of people and jobs, and the specialisation of the Central London market have contributed to the changes in Central
London commuting during the 80's; (iii) which other factors, apart from the ones listed above, might be identified as playing a role in the patterns of worktravel
to Central London.

This thesis initially addresses the qualitative aspect of the changes in the commuting patterns, in which a descriptive examination of the data set is carried out. This first analysis aims to provide the necessary background to investigate the interaction between the demand for rail commuting and the distribution of jobs and population. The second part of the work is comprised
of a quantitative analysis carried out through a model which aims to explain the level and the spatial distribution of commuters.

The framework developed here proved to be powerful enough to shed some light on the understanding of the changes in the patterns of commuting between Kent and London during the 1980's. The results given by the model showed that it can be an useful tool to explain the long run effects of
population and jobs location on the commuting patterns from Kent. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the rail demand from particular zones was found to be very elastic with respect to improvements in services to those zones,
disregarding the compensating changes elsewhere and allowing for long run population and job changes. Another important finding was that Mid-Kent presented significant levels of commuting to Central London alongside the
expansion of the local economy in the area. This is explained by the overall migration of people in the metropolis according to life cycle, and the availability
of employment opportunities provided by the relevant switch of jobs in Central London.


Propylene/1-pentene random copolymers are a relatively new family of random copolymers being prepared by Sasol Polymers and reveals high impact strength, good tensile properties, excellent optical properties, good rheological properties and a large pool of processing possibilities. These commercial copolymers are being prepared with stereospecific heterogeneous ZieglerNatta catalytic systems containing multiple active sites and therefore producing copolymers with a varying degree of stereoregularity. Two different groups of propylene/1-pentene random copolymers were received by Sasol Polymers and investigated in this project. The first group (Group 1, Polymers A F) consisted of six totally different batches of commercial propylene/1-pentene copolymers which were produced by different catalyst systems. All had different melt flow indices (MFIs) and different 1-pentene contents and all of the copolymers, except for one, were nucleated. The second group (Group 2, Polymers G J) were produced by the same catalyst, but with varying donor:catalyst ratios and also differing in their 1pentene content. Investigation of the Group 1 copolymers was used in order to construct a "molecular toolbox" which was then used to study the Group 2 copolymers. The original commercial copolymers were all studied by various analytical techniques: high-temperature carbon thirteen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (C-NMR), high-temperature gel permeation chromatoghraphy (HT-GPC), crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The random copolymers were all fractionated by preparative TREF and the fractions analyzed utilizing the following analytical techniques: C-NMR, HT-GPC, CRYSTAF and DSC. The results of these analyses were used to investigate inter alia the distribution of 1-pentene in the copolymers. In order to investigate the low molecular weight material of the copolymers, which were part of the room temperature fraction during TREF, solvent extractions were carried out using different solvents and different extraction techniques. A complete structural analysis study was carried out on the extracts. The percentages of xylene-solubles were also determined during the quantitative xylene extraction study of the copolymers. Characterization of the xylene non-soluble material was carried out using CNMR, HT-GPC, CRYSTAF, DSC and WAXD in order to compare the properties of the unextracted copolymers with the material after removal of the xylene soluble fraction. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used as an alternative investigation method for the Group 1 copolymers and their XNS fractions in order to determine what type of information this novel analytical method could generate and how the results compared with those of previous PALS studies on poly-olefins. A new fractionation technique, preparative solution fractionation (SF), was developed and evaluated. The commercial propylene/1-pentene copolymers were fractionated using this novel technique, the fractions were analyzed by C-NMR, HT-GPC, CRYSTAF and DSC and the results were compared with previously existing fractionation methods, namely TREF and CRYSTAF. A final study was done on the random copolymers by blending one of the commercial Ziegler-Natta catalyzed propylene/1-pentene copolymers with a tailored, low 1-pentene content, metallocene propylene/1-pentene copolymer in different ratios. The blends were analyzed by molecular weight, thermal and crystal phase analysis in order to investigate the effect of the tailored, highly isotactic propylene/1-pentene copolymer on the properties the commercial random copolymers. Throughout the project the influence of the 1-pentene as well as the donor:catalyst ratio on the copolymers was investigated. This study, in its entirety, therefore allow a better understanding of the effects that the commercial, heterogeneous, transition metal catalysts have on the make up of the copolymers and, by extension, the ultimate properties of the materials.


We present two decomposition algorithms for single product deep-sea maritime inventory routing problems (MIRPs) that possess a core substructure common in many real-world applications. The problem involves routing vessels, each belonging to a particular vessel class, between loading and discharging ports, each belonging to a particular region. Our algorithms iteratively solve a MIRP by zooming out and then zooming in on the problem. Specifically, in the "zoomed out" phase, we solve a first-stage master problem in which aggregate information about regions and vessel classes is used to route vessels between regions, while only implicitly considering inventory and capacity requirements, berth limits, and other side constraints. In the "zoomed in" phase, we solve a series of second-stage subproblems, one for each region, in which individual vessels are routed through each region and load and discharge quantities are determined. Computational experience shows that an integrated approach that combines these two...


This work is aimed at practical damage assessment in large composite panels with a view to long-term monitoring of such components. Three sets of experiments have been carried out on a carbon fibre epoxy composite to assess the possibilities for source location and also to characterise the AE associated with impacts and with various damage modes. AE wave propagation was studied using a Hsu-Nielsen source on a one-metre square CFRC plate and a new approach using features of the Gabor Wavelet Transform was developed to determine the resulting wave speeds and modes. Next, a series of tests were carried out with low speed impacts and the time and frequency features identified as a function of the incident energy, size and material of the impacting particle. In particular, it was found that the time difference between two peaks in the Gabor Transform Contour Plot could be used as a measure of the impact contact time. Finally, a set of destructive tests (tension, tearing and bending) were carried out while measuring AE to identify fibre breakage, matrix cracking and fibre/matrix de-bonding. Using a classification scheme based on the modal analysis developed in the propagation studies, the proportions of the various damage modes could be assessed. The research concludes overall that modal AE analysis, aided by the novel signal processing schemes developed here is an efficient way of identifying and locating damage in CFRC panels in a way that reduces the reliance on energy methods and the consequent problems that this raises with calibration.


Editorials define at a given time how media construct their socio-cultural environment and where they position themselves in it. In this sense, they are snapshots of media socio-cultural identities whose study is crucial for the understanding of media actions and interactions on the political stage. This book contributes to the study of media roles in politics with a methodological "discursive communication identity framework" and its application to a corpus of editorials. This allows for the definition of editorials as a genre, and it reveals that, thanks to a very adroit interweaving of their socio-cultural identities, news media can play a much more active role on the political stage than studies on framing and agenda setting have hitherto shown. The place of media in political communication models might therefore need to be reviewed. This book is intended for all those interested in media and politics whatever their academic specializations.


The European RFCS project "S+G" has developed innovative steel-glass composite systems for high-performance building skins, meeting requirements of structural and energetic efficiency, as well as aesthetical value and versatility of applications. The aim of the project has been the design, prototype and testing of unitized cells composed by a glass panel and a contouring metallic frame, twisted by cold bending into a hyperbolic paraboloid shape, to be used in free-form curved building facades. To achieve large curvatures while maintaining the stress under the limit strength, very thin glass needs to be used, with a consequent risk of loss of stability. Preliminary investigations have been conducted to evaluate the buckling load in the glass panel and the possible stiffening effect of the contouring metallic frame. Then, accurate FE analyses, accounting for geometric and material nonlinearities, have been used to optimize the design of the unitized cell. Finally, two-steps experimental tests have been performed on full-scale samples. First, the prototypes are cold-twisted, maintaining limited the displacement of the corners, so to avoid buckling. Secondly, out-of-plane loading is applied to simulate wind, snow or man load. Thanks to the curvature, the cells showed very high strength due to the synergetic coupling of steel and glass. Here, we present the experimental and numerical investigations and the main results from full-scale tests. These have been used to refine the FE model, in order to investigate the role of both the interlayer and of the steel-to-glass bonding, and to develop a simplified model for practical design applications.


The inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir) regulates resting membrane potential, K+ homeostasis, heart rate, and hormone secretion. The outward current is blocked in a voltage-dependent manner, upon the binding of intracellular polyamines or Mg2+ to the transmembrane pore domain. Meanwhile, electrophysiological studies have shown that mutations of several acidic residues in the intracellular regions affected the inward rectification. Although these acidic residues are assumed to bind polyamines, the functional role of the binding of polyamines and Mg2+ to the intracellular regions of Kirs remains unclear. Here, we report thermodynamic and structural studies of the interaction between polyamines and the cytoplasmic pore of mouse Kir3.1/GIRK1, which is gated by binding of G-protein βγ-subunit (Gβγ). ITC analyses showed that two spermine molecules bind to a tetramer of Kir3.1/GIRK1 with a dissociation constant of 26 μm, which is lower than other blockers. NMR analyses revealed that the spermine binding site is Asp-260 and its surrounding area. Small but significant chemical shift perturbations upon spermine binding were observed in the subunit-subunit interface of the tetramer, suggesting that spermine binding alters the relative orientations of the four subunits. Our ITC and NMR results postulated a spermine binding mode, where one spermine molecule bridges two Asp-260 side chains from adjacent subunits, with rearrangement of the subunit orientations. This suggests the functional roles of spermine binding to the cytoplasmic pore: stabilization of the resting state conformation of the channel, and instant translocation to the transmembrane pore upon activation through the Gβγ-induced conformational rearrangement.


Spin pumping in ferromagnets provides a source of pure spin currents. Via the inverse spin Hall effect a spin current is converted into a charge current and a corresponding detectable DC-voltage. The ratio of injected spin current to resulting charge current is given by the spin Hall angle. However, the number of experiments more or less equals the number of different values for spin Hall angles, even for the most studied normal metal platinum. This publication provides a full study of inverse spin Hall effect and anisotropic magnetoresistance for different NiFe(Py) / normal metal bilayers using a coplanar waveguide structure. Angle and frequency dependent measurements strongly suggest that spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect can be used to quantify spin Hall angles only if certain conditions are met. Ruling out the anisotropic magnetoresistance as a parasitic voltage generating effect measurements of the inverse spin Hall effect in Py/Pt and Py/Au yield spin Hall angles of 0.09 and 0.008 respectively. Furthermore, DC-voltages at ferromagnetic resonance for Py/Pt are studied as a function of temperature and the results are compared to theoretical models.


This thesis is entitled Quantum Local Asymptotic Normality and other questions of Quantum Statistics ,. Quantum statistics are statistics on quantum objects. In classical statistics, we usually start from the data. Indeed, if we want to predict the weather, and can measure the wind or the temperature, we can measure both. On the other hand the laws of physics themselves forbid us to measure simultaneously the speed and the position of an electron. We therefore have to start with the observed object itself, and choose the best measurement for our purposes.

My main result is that, for all statistical purposes, numerous copies of the same spin (magnetic state of an electron) is equivalent to a Gaussian state of a quantum harmonic oscillator, typically laser light. We can extend this to higher dimensions. As an application, we get an (asymptotically) optimal estimation scheme for unknown spins. The idea is to transform the spins into laser light, and use the already known optimal estimation methods for laser light.

The thesis furthermore includes four smaller problems, notably how to estimate a unitary (natural) evolution very quickly, and how best to decide which is the state of a quantum object, among a finite number


The role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and of the neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75(NTR)) in programmed cell death was investigated in the retina and the spinal cord of mouse embryos. Large numbers of cells express p75(NTR) in and along the developing optic nerve and in the mantle zone of the spinal cord. In embryos carrying deletions in the ngf or the p75(NTR) gene, cell death was reduced in the retina and in the spinal cord. Increased numbers of Islet-1-immunoreactive cells were detected in the dorsal spinal cord, and the mantle zone was enlarged in both mutants. These results indicate that NGF/p75(NTR)-dependent mechanisms are used to remove cells when axonal tracts elongate in developing neuroepithelia.


Recovery from mental illness is a personal experience, unique to each individual. The purpose of this study was to explore the changing focus of one woman's continuing recovery from mental illness, exploring the domains of hope, self-identity, a meaningful life, and responsibility. A case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a woman during three separate admissions to a residential mental health unit, and analyzed using a theory-driven approach. Aspects of the service that were instrumental in the woman's recovery journey were analyzed, using a content analysis of the transcripts. The analysis demonstrated changes over time in the hopes the woman expressed; redefining self-identity was an ongoing objective; seeking a meaningful life involved overcoming addictions as a priority over pursuing hobbies and work; and there were indications she was taking more responsibility for her own recovery. Features of the residential service that were instrumental in her recovery progress were the therapeutic groups, tailored clinical support, support towards self-management, instrumental support, and social interaction. Repeat admissions to the residential unit assisted this woman to progress in her recovery. Her story demonstrates how personal responsibility can be increasingly achieved with the support of a recovery-oriented service.


The Consumer Protection Act introduces consumer courts as a means of achieving protection and speedy enforcement of consumers' rights. In the medical industry, this raises the concern that medical practitioners and hospitals may soon face increased litigation by consumers exercising their statutorily enshrined rights. However, the Consumer Protection Act provides only a limited basis for complaints to the consumer court, which is likely to result in continued reliance on the common law remedies by consumers seeking to recover damages. In this article, the limitations of the consumer court as well as general considerations under the Consumer Protection Act applicable to the medical industry are discussed.


BACKGROUND: Persistent opioid use following surgery has received increasing attention from policymakers, researchers, and clinicians. Perioperative nerve blockade has been hypothesized to decrease the risk of persistent opioid use. We examined whether nerve blockade was associated with a decreased risk of persistent opioid use among patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, a procedure with high rates of persistent postoperative pain. METHODS: Using health care claims data, we constructed a sample of 6695 patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty between 2002 and 2012 and used billing data to identify the utilization of nerve blockade. We then used a multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between nerve blockade and 2 measures of opioid use: having filled at least 1 prescription for an opioid between postoperative days (PODs) 0 and 90, and between POD 91 and 365. This regression adjusted for a variety of potential confounders, such as preoperative opioid use and medical history. RESULTS: There was no association between nerve blockade and our 2 measures of persistent opioid use: adjusted odds ratio, 1.12 (97.5% confidence interval, 0.939–1.34; P = .15) for opioid use between POD 0 and 90, and adjusted odds ratio, 0.997 (97.5% confidence interval, 0.875–1.14; P = .95) for opioid use between POD 91 and 365. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of perioperative nerve blockade may offer short-term benefits, in this study, it was not associated with a reduction in the risk of persistent opioid use for patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.


This chapter analyses the discursive strategies text producers of a Flemish women's magazine adopt by using the first person plural pronoun. The analysis shows that in some instances, exclusive 'we' is used to create a distance between the editorial voice and the readers. The editorial voice gets an advisory or even compelling overtone in these cases. In other cases, inclusive 'we' is used to create a sisterly 'we'-collectivity. However, in the inclusive category, some instances of a pragmatically equivocal use can be found. This use seems to attribute the status of a role model to the editorial voice. On the whole, exclusive as well as inclusive uses of 'we' most often contribute to the persuasive and directive style this magazine adopts.


Recently, we cloned a messenger RNA (mRNA) predominantly expressed in chondrocytes from a human chondrosarcoma-derived chondrocytic cell line, HCS-2/8, by differential display PCR and found that its gene, named hcs24, was identical with that of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Here we investigated CTGF/Hcs24 function in the chondrocytic cell line HCS-2/8 and rabbit growth cartilage (RGC) cells. HCS-2/8 cells transfected with recombinant adenoviruses that generate CTGF/Hcs24 sense RNA (mRNA) proliferated more rapidly than HCS-2/8 cells transfected with control adenoviruses. HCS-2/8 cells transfected with recombinant adenoviruses that generate CTGF/Hcs24 sense RNA expressed more mRNA of aggrecan and type X collagen than the control cells. To elucidate the direct action of CTGF/Hcs24 on the cells, we transfected HeLa cells with CTGF/Hcs24 expression vectors, obtained stable transfectants, and purified recombinant CTGF/Hcs24 protein from conditioned medium of the transfectants. The recombinant CTGF/Hcs24 effectively promoted the proliferation of HCS-2/8 cells and RGC cells in a dose-dependent manner and also dose dependently increased proteoglycan synthesis in these cells. In addition, these stimulatory effects of CTGF/Hcs24 were neutralized by the addition of anti-CTGF antibodies. Furthermore, the recombinant CTGF/Hcs24 effectively increased alkaline phosphatase activity in RGC cells in culture. Moreover, RT-PCR analysis revealed that the recombinant CTGF/Hcs24 stimulated gene expression of aggrecan and collagen types II and X in RGC cells in culture. These results indicate that CTGF/Hcs24 directly promotes the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes.


For decades, the Dalai Lama has travelled the world, meeting with people from a wealth of countries who differ greatly in their background, social status and viewpoint, bringing them his own individual wisdom and compassion. In his encounters with everyone from the inhabitants of shantytowns in Sao Paulo and Soweto to heads of state in Davos and Washington D.C., the Dalai Lama saw similar problems: a set of values that have helped the very rich to advance beyond the multitudinous poor, a disregard for the environment that could lead to global catastrophe and governments in paralysis, bereft of positive, progressive policies of any sort. Now, as he turns eighty, having built up a profound knowledge of the world we live in today, as well as a penetrating grasp of its scientific context, the Dalai Lama gives us his vision for a better future. Challenging what he sees as a general mixture of cynicism and self-interest, he offers a radically different perspective and a vision that can be assimilated by people around the globe. From cultivating early on a capacity for caring that transcends religious, ideological and national boundaries, to creating an economic system that applies principals of fairness and which values fulfilment, his argument focuses on what is urgent and why it should matter to each of us. In his unique manifesto, the Dalai Lama presents perspective on the world that can bring hope to millions, that will endure beyond the present day and that has the potential to reshape humanity as we know it.


This volume provides an in-depth consideration of the challenges economic globalization poses for the effective application of multilateral environmental accords. The introductory part of the book examines particular challenges of economic globalization. Part II tackles the interrelationship of global and regional environmental agreements and free trade regimes. It first looks at trade and other economic measures mandated by various environmental agreements, then at environmental measures in economic agreements. The third part of the book turns to compliance, analyzing the potential positive and negative impact of multilateral institutions, state and transnational corporate activity. The last chapter considers the impact on compliance of modern dispute avoidance and dispute settlement mechanisms.


Two hydrodynamic and ecological models were used to investigate the effects of climate change—according to the IPCC A1b emission scenario – on the primary productivity of the North Sea and on harmful algal blooms. Both models were forced with atmospheric fields from a regional downscaling of General Circulation Models to compare two sets of 20-year simulations representative of present climate (1984–2004) conditions and of the 2040s. Both models indicated a general warming of the North Sea by up to 0.8°C and a slight freshening by the 2040s. The models suggested that the eastern North Sea would be subjected to more temperature and salinity changes than the western part. In addition, the ecological modules of the models indicated that the warming up of the sea would result in a slightly earlier spring bloom. The one model that also computes the distribution of four different phytoplankton groups suggests an increase in the abundance of dinoflagellates, whereas the abundance of diatoms, flagellates and Phaeocystis sp. remains comparable to current levels, or decrease. Assuming that Dinophysis spp. would experience a similar increase in abundance as the modelled group of dinoflagellates, it is hypothesised that blooms of Dinophysis spp. may occur more frequently in the North Sea by 2040. However, implications for shellfish toxicity remain unclear.


Imagine a spouse who can sue his or her former spouse for support every year until either dies. Imagine the suing spouse bringing an action in state court and, if unhappy with the outcome, moving to federal court for a new law suit for support, and then going back to state court to sue, yet again, for the following year's support. An impossible scenario? Not any longer. The I-864, affidavit of support, is a little-known form (outside of immigration law) that has become pertinent in family law and federal court litigation.


What, is truly "environmental" about environmental law? This Article is the first attempt to answer this question by integrating Law & Literature scholarship with the study of environmental law. I argue that competing narratives of nature and culture common to the American environmental imagination play a more significant role in environmental law and litigation than previously acknowledged. These competing narratives, communicated through a known set of environmental stories and tropes, are used by attorneys to establish, frame, narrate and argue their cases, and they are absorbed, reimagined, reframed and retold by judges in their written opinions, making environmental law a kind of expressive, literary event. To illustrate this process, the Article examines two important and highly visible case studies: the reintroduction of gray wolves into the Northern Rocky Mountains and the public nuisance climate change lawsuit that culminated in the Supreme Court's decision in Connecticut v. American Electric Power. A close reading of the pleadings, legal briefs and judicial opinions in these case studies demonstrates that courts respond to and reinforce traditional environmental stories, such as wilderness tales and the environmental apocalyptic, but evince a strong preference for a less well-known story, which I call the Progressive Management Machine. The Progressive Management Machine promises reconciliation of competing environmental narratives through administrative process and science-driven decision making, but, in so doing, masks its own contravention of those same narratives. The approach developed here launches a larger project exploring the dynamic relationship between environmental law, literature and narrative. This Article, like the larger project, seeks to elucidate not only various litigators' and judges' rhetorical strategies but also the purposes, content and significance of environmental law.


Although the many sites and opportunities available to researchers through the development and proliferation of the Internet are well known, little attention has been paid to what digital technologies and the world's developing digital infrastructure can offer qualitative researchers for the actual process of doing research. This article discusses opportunities that now exist that we have experimented with and implemented in our own research, such as viral sampling strategies, wireless interviewing, and voice recognition transcription, as well as impediments we have encountered that stand in their way. Included in the latter are research ethics boards who often lack expertise in issues that arise in computer-assisted research, hardware/software costs and technological expertise for researchers, and university administrations who have not embraced infrastructure for qualitative research to the same extent they have supported quantitative research. The article closes with a look at the implications of emerging issues, such as the trend to cloud computing, the proliferation of mobile devices, and the maturation of voice recognition software.


Interagency information sharing (IIS) is a complex endeavour in which various participants must cross the boundaries of their respective agencies and work collaboratively. Achieving success in such an undertaking can benefit from clarity of roles and responsibilities within the collaboration. Based on a national survey distributed to public managers and other actors involved in IIS in public health and criminal justice in the USA, this study aims to evaluate the influence of six determinants of clarity of roles and responsibilities on the success of an IIS project. Our findings indicate the significant roles of (a) the use of boundary objects, (b) communication skills, (c) the diversity of participating organisations, (d) respect for autonomy, and (e) the exercise of formal authority to the development of clarity of roles and responsibilities and the likelihood of attaining IIS project success. However, the influence of these predictors on the achievement of success depends largely on how success is defined and measured.


Evaluation of ultrastructure and random effects band recovery models for estimating relationships between survival and harvest rates in exploited populations.— Increased population survival rate after an episode of seasonal exploitation is considered a type of compensatory population response. Lack of an increase is interpreted as evidence that exploitation results in added annual mortality in the population. Despite its importance to management of exploited species, there are limited statistical techniques for comparing relative support for these two alternative models. For exploited bird species, the most common technique is to use a fixed effect, deterministic ultrastructure model incorporated into band recovery models to estimate the relationship between harvest and survival rate. We present a new likelihood–based technique within a framework that assumes that survival and harvest are random effects that covary through time. We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study under this framework to evaluate the performance of these two techniques. The ultrastructure models performed poorly in all simulated scenarios, due mainly to pathological distributional properties. The random effects estimators and their associated estimators of precision had relatively small negative bias under most scenarios, and profile likelihood intervals achieved nominal coverage. We suggest that the random effects estimation method approach has many advantages compared to the ultrastructure models, and that evaluation of robustness and generalization to more complex population structures are topics for additional research.


Most approaches to causal discovery assume a fixed (or time-invariant) causal model; however, in practical situations, especially in neuroscience and economics, causal relations might be time-dependent for various reasons. This paper aims to identify the time-dependent causal relations from observational data. We consider general formulations for time-varying causal modeling on stochastic processes, which can also capture the causal influence from a certain type of unobserved confounders. We focus on two issues: one is whether such a causal model, including the causal direction, is identifiable from observational data; the other is how to estimate such a model in a principled way. We show that under appropriate assumptions, the causal structure is identifiable according to our formulated model. We then propose a principled way for its estimation by extending Gaussian Process regression, which enables an automatic way to learn how the causal model changes over time. Experimental results on both artificial and real data demonstrate the practical usefulness of time-dependent causal modeling and the effectiveness of the proposed approach for estimation.


In the Preface, the focus is on the word 'standards' itself: the ineradicable human element in marking and the degree to which all marks and grades, particularly in the subject of English, are dependent upon a subjective evaluation of the quality of response - an essential component in the establishment and maintenance of standards. The various implications of the word 'standards' and the ease with with resultant ambiguities can lead the unwary commentator into wholly misleading statements are considered, and a definition is offered to serve as a touchstone for the thesis as a whole.
The main body of the thesis is divided into two sections and a conclusion. Section One (containing Chapters 1-3) is largely based upon published writings about education: books, reports and papers issued by Government-appointed Committees and Councils, and officially ratified educational statistics; illustrated where appropriate by my own experience and research into the unpublished archives of Examination Boards. Section Two (containing Chapters 4-6) deals specifically with the development of GCE '0' and 'A' level examinations in English, and is very largely dependent upon my interpretation of evidence derived from examination papers, marking schemes, examiners' reports and candidates' scripts ...
The Conclusion is an attempt to provide an answer to the obvious question as to why, if evidence of a widely-alleged decline in standards is as difficult to establish as the previous six chapters suggest, the charge is so widely accepted as proved. To do this it is necessary to see the matter of standards from a broader perspective than a factual focus on examination papers, candidates' scripts, examiners' reports, comparability studies and educational statistics. From the inception of the concept of a state education system there has inevitably been a political dimension to any discussion of standards, and political dimensions equally inevitably tend toward expediency and subjective reaction rather than objective assessment of perceived shortcomings. This is certainly true of the last two decades during which the political dimension has become more overt than ever before, and the gulf between political interpretation of educational achievements and that of the professionals involved has never been wider. It is the contention of the Conclusion that a key to this disparity lies in the history of the development of the National Curriculum, the nature of the political interventions therein, and the indications that these are based upon a consistent philosophy – which elevates knowledge above understanding, 'pencil-and-paper' testing above carefully weighted assessments, results above performance, and which supposes that the reintroduction of selective schools would be an automatic panacea.
The Conclusion therefore looks forward beyond the stated 1988 terminal point of the study to examine the developments of the 1990s, and backward beyond the stated starting point of the 1944 Act to examine the reality of grammar school achievement. It is the final contention of this thesis that it is the fallacy and self-deception of the nostalgia for the grammar school tradition which underlies and accounts for the falsity of the claims, about declining standards.


The Teaching Teachers for the Future (TTF) project engaged teacher educators from all Australian institutions in a professional learning network that provided targeted professional development and fostered collaboration within and between teacher education institutions and relevant teacher education partners to build capacity within each institution. This paper explores the Most Significant Change (MSC) method used to demonstrate the impact of the National Support Network on Information Communication Technology Education (ICTE) in teacher education that formed part of this project. The MSC approach was developed as a tool for sharing practice and monitoring project impact in a participatory way. The process involved collecting stories from the field to establish the impact of the project. These stories were shared by participants to identify the Most Significant Change across the three domains of change: Course development, ICT capacity of teacher educators and ICT capacity of pre-service teachers. The stories and comments by participants in the project represent the initial secondary data analysis presented in this paper. These data were analysed to identify the patterns of change using content analysis and Leximancer analysis. The results indicate that the development of confidence, knowledge and understanding are important when developing TPACK in teacher education.; ;


Objective: To explore the potential differences in allergen-specific T immunological responses among cow's milk allergic(CMA) patients with or without casein sensitization.Methods: A total of 25 children with IgE-dependent CMA were recruited from outpatient clinic in Beijing Children's Hospital from January to August of 2017, including 14 CMA patient with a positive sensitization to casein component, 11 CMA patient being sensitized to cow's milk, but a negative sIgE for casein component, and another 10 atopic control subjects without CMA were also included as negative control group in this study. The expression level of T cell related transcription factor in PBMCs or total CD4+ cells were detected by quantitative PCR, and the release of T cell related cytokines in donor's serum was determined by Luminex xMAP 200 System. Upon in-vitro stimulation with casein protein, the proliferation rates of PBMCs-derived T cells were assessed by flow cytometry, and T related cytokines production in culture supernatant was evaluated as well.Results: A significantly higher level of GATA3 expression transcripts in PBMCs or total CD4+ cells were detected in casein-sensitized CMA patients than those without casein sensitization. An increase in IL-4 (74.1±16.5pg/ml vs 64.9±12.8 pg/ml, P<0.05) and a decrease in IL-10 (3.1±2.4 pg/ml vs 4.9±2.8 pg/ml, P<0.05) production were found in casein-sensitized CMA patient's plasma than patients without casein sensitization. Upon in-vitro stimulation with cow's milk protein mixture, a significantly higher proliferation rate of casein-specific CD4+T cells (30.0±5.8% vs 20.7±5.5%, P<0.05) as well as increased productions of IL-4(4.1±13.6 vs 64.7±12.3pg/ml, P<0.05) and IL- 13(48.7±10.3 vs 38.7±9.4pg/ml, P<0.05) were found in casein-sensitized CMA patients compared those without casein sensitization.Conclusions: Our findings preliminarily revealed that a distinctive T cell mediated immune response among CMA patient with the different sensitized component.


The literature reports several symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in humans such as fever, cough, fatigue, pneumonia, and headache. Furthermore, patients infected with similar strains (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) suffered testis, liver, or thyroid damage. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as an entry point into cells for some strains of coronavirus (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2). Our hypothesis was that as ACE2 is essential to the SARS-CoV-2 virus invasion, then brain regions where ACE2 is the most expressed are more likely to be disturbed by the infection. Thus, the expression of other genes which are also over-expressed in those damaged areas could be affected. We used mRNA expression levels data of genes provided by the Allen Human Brain Atlas (ABA), and computed spatial correlations with the LinkRbrain platform. Genes whose co-expression is spatially correlated to that of ACE2 were then clustered into 16 groups, depending on the organ in which they are the most expressed (as described by the NCBI genes database). The list of organs where genes sharing local over-expression with the ACE2 gene are the most expressed is astonishingly similar to the organs affected by Covid-19.


We address the problem of 3D reconstruction from a single perspective view of a mirror symmetric scene. We establish the fundamental result that it is geometrically equivalent to observing the scene with two cameras, the cameras being symmetrical with respect to the unknown 3D symmetry plane. All traditional tools of classical 2-view stereo can then be applied, and the concepts of fundamental/essential matrix, epipolar geometry, rectification and disparity hold. However, the problems are greatly simplified here, as the rectification process and the computation of epipolar geometry can be easily performed from the original view only. If the camera is calibrated, we show how to synthesize the symmetric image generated by the same physical camera. An Euclidean reconstruction of the scene can then be computed from the resulting stereo pair. To validate this novel formulation, we have processed many real images, and show examples of 3D reconstruction.


Abstract
The role of Islamic finance in tackling financial exclusion in the UK
As the fundamental principles of Islamic finance are socio-economic justice and benevolence (Al-Adle Wal-ihsan), some commentators have raised serious questions about the social benefits that Islamic banks have brought to those on low incomes. This research involves an empirical study looking at the financial exclusion of less affluent UK Muslims before and since Shari'a compliant finance was introduced. The impact of the introduction of Islamic banking in enhancing the financial inclusion level of low income Muslims is assessed.

The main findings of the research are that the majority of UK Muslims are financially excluded due to the absence of banking products that would meet their needs and would also comply with Shari'a. The research also found that although UK Muslims have a preference for Shari'a compliant finance, the Shari'a compliant financial products currently on offer did not significantly enhance their financial inclusiveness. According to the research findings, the main reasons for the low take-up of the existing Shari'a compliant financial products relate to the strong skepticism about the authenticity of such products. Similarly, affordability, acceptability and accessibility of these products remained a real cause for concern for most of the less affluent UK Muslims.

The research concluded that the providers of Shari'a compliant finance need to redesign their current provision to make it more relevant to the financial services needs of the less affluent UK Muslim communities. The research further suggested that Islamic micro-financing schemes should be set up by mainstream financial institutions to cater for the financial services needs of the less affluent UK Muslims. Strong coordination between governmental institutions tackling financial exclusion, providers of Shari'a compliant financial products and local community developmental organizations was also recommended.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether the clinical features of 21-hydroxylase-deficient nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia are correlated with either age at symptom onset or age at presentation, or both, and with the degree of adrenocortical abnormality.

STUDY DESIGN
In a multicenter cohort design 220 women with nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia, with a basal or adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated 17-hydroxyprogesterone level >30.3 nmol/L, were studied, either prospectively (n = 39) or retrospectively (n = 181). Patients were stratified by age of presentation into 5 groups: (1) <10 years (n = 25), (2) 10 to 19 years (n = 64), (3) 20 to 29 years (n = 83), (4) 30 to 39 years (n = 30), and (5) 40 to 49 years (n = 16). Two patients >50 years old were excluded from the analysis because of age.

RESULTS
Ninety-two percent of patients <10 years old had premature pubarche at presentation, whereas clitoromegaly and acne were each present in only 20% of these younger subjects. With only patients > or =10 years old considered, presenting clinical features included hirsutism (59%), oligomenorrhea (54%), acne (33%), infertility (13%), clitoromegaly (10%), alopecia (8%), primary amenorrhea (4%), and premature pubarche (4%). Among the patients >/=10 years old, the prevalence but not the degree of hirsutism increased significantly with age. Basal levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in adolescents were significantly higher than the levels found either in children (<10 years old) or women 40 to 49 years old (P <.01 and P <.03, respectively), although no difference was noted in the stimulated 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels between age groups. The adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated levels but not the basal levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone were significantly higher in patients with clitoromegaly than in women without clitoromegaly. Alternatively, there were no differences in either basal or stimulated 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels between patients with and those without hirsutism, acne, or alopecia.

CONCLUSION
In children <10 years old the most common presenting complaint was premature pubarche, whereas hirsutism and oligomenorrhea were more common in older patients. The prevalence of hirsutism increased with age, suggesting the progressive nature of nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia. Furthermore, the adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone were higher in patients with clitoromegaly, which suggests that the degree of adrenocortical dysfunction in nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia determines, at least in part, the clinical presentation.


Generalized noncontextuality as defined by Spekkens is an attempt to make precise the distinction between classical and quantum theories. It is a restriction on models used to reproduce the predictions of quantum mechanics. There has been considerable progress recently in deriving experimentally robust noncontextuality inequalities. The violation of these inequalities is a sufficient condition for an experiment to not admit a generalized noncontextual model. In this thesis, we present an algorithm to automate the derivation of noncontextuality inequalities. At the heart of this algorithm is a technique called Fourier Motzkin elimination (abbrev. FM elimination). After a brief overview of the generalized notion of contextuality and FM elimination, we proceed to demonstrate how this algorithm works by using it to derive noncontextuality inequalities for a number of examples. Belinfante's construction, presented first for the sake of pedagogy, is based on a simple proof by Belinfante to demonstrate the invalidity of von Neumann's notion of noncontextuality. We provide a quantum realization on a single qubit that can violate this inequality. We then go on to discuss paradigmatic proofs of noncontextuality such as the Peres-Mermin square, Mermin's Star and the 18 vector construction and use them to derive robust noncontextuality inequalities using the algorithm. We also show how one can generalize the noncontextuality inequalities obtained for the Peres-Mermin square to systems with continuous variables.


In the post-liberalisation period, changes in the consumer purchase behaviour are seen with growing liberalisation, rise in per capita income, GDP and explosion of brands. This rise in large base of consumers has been an attraction for big global retailers and major domestic corporate sector to invest in modern retail sector in India. This unprecedented rise in multiple brands has given Indian consumers a wider choice of products and ample opportunities to take advantage of in the present scenario. The retail industry is expected to grow at a rate of 14% by 2013. The first step towards allowing Foreign Direct Investment in Retail was taken in the year 2006. Subsequently the government of India has allowed 100% FDI in single brand retail to give consumers greater access to foreign brands, with the ongoing debate whether it should be allowed in multi-brand retail or not. With emergence of new ways like E-retailing, Indian retail sector is growing at a faster rate along with the employment potential. The retail landscape is showing a marked change, along with changes in the strategies of retailers towards the suppliers so as to get the best advantage. With the rapidly changing retail scene, India is soon going to be one of the fastest growing regions having great potential. The objective of the present paper is to analyse the impact of the present retail FDI policy on Indian consumers and economy using SWOT analysis.  The analysis reveals that it will have a positive impact on the growth of Indian economy as a whole.


Understanding the genetic basis of biological processes is a fundamental component of modern ecology and evolutionary biology studies. With the recent advent of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, it is now possible to perform large genome and transcriptome projects for ecologically important non-model species. In this thesis, I focused on the development and application of genomic resources of two non-model bird species, the black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) and the great snipe (Gallinago media). Using the chicken genome as a reference, I developed a reference guided NGS pipeline to assemble the complete draft genome of black grouse. The draft genome has a good coverage of the main 29 chromosomes of the chicken genome. The genome was used to develop a vast number of genetic markers. Comparing this genome with that of other species, I identified the genomic regions which were important for the lineage specific evolution of black grouse. I also sequenced and characterised the spleen transcriptome of the black grouse. I identified and validated a large number of gene-based microsatellite markers from the transcriptome and identified and confirmed the expression of immune related genes. Using a similar RNA-Seq approach, I also sequenced the blood transcriptomes of 14 great snipe males with different mating success. I identified genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which might be related to male mating success in this species, both in terms of gene expression levels and genetic variation structure. For the immunologically important major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene region of black grouse, I constructed a fosmid library and used it to sequence the complete core MHC region of this species. This resource allowed me to perform a comprehensive comparative genomics analysis of the galliform MHC, by which I found that some genes in this region were affected by selective forces. I was also able to develop a single locus genotyping protocol for the duplicated MHC BLB (class IIB) genes and found that the two black grouse BLB loci followed different evolutionary trajectories. This thesis set an example of developing genomic resources in non-model species and applying them in addressing questions relevant to ecology and evolutionary biology.


ABSTRACT We describe the genome of a penicillinase-producing Kingella kingae strain (KWG1), the first to be isolated in continental Europe, whose blaTEM-1 gene was, for the first time in this species, found to be chromosomally inserted. The blaTEM gene is located in an integrative and conjugative element (ICE) inserted in Met-tRNA and comprising genes that encode resistance to sulfonamides, streptomycin, and tetracycline. This ICE is homologous to resistance-conferring plasmids of K. kingae and other Gram-negative bacteria.


The policy discourse around those young people who are the focus of the 14-19 agenda is one of negativity which, in its use of language such as non-academic, disaffected, disadvantaged places young people firmly within a deficit model. This model frames these young people as low achievers with low aspirations, routinely dismisses them as non-academic yet claims to offer opportunities in the form of a vocational education which, according to the rhetoric, will lead to a lifelong (nirvana?) of high skill, high paid work, personal satisfaction and opportunity (providing they continue to engage in lifelong learning), something which many young people take on trust.

Drawing on original empirical research, and working within a framework informed by Marxist and social justice concepts, this paper contests the assumption that these young people have low aspirations, arguing that falling within a deficit model, constrained by discourses of negativity, powerless to change a system which militates against them and lacking the agency for change their chances of achieving those aspirations are almost non-existent.
The paper poses a number of questions: What are 'high' and 'low' aspirations? What is 'non � academic'? Why, every year, are nearly half of all young people characterized in this way? What is, or is not, an 'opportunity'? It argues that notions of opportunity are, in fact, smoke and mirrors, a massive deception which enables the channelling of these young people into the low pay, low skill work market in readiness to fulfil government demands for cheap labour as and when it is needed.

Finally, it concludes with proposals for change in the 14-19 and PCET systems which could provide a more equitable and effective framework for young people to achieve their hopes and dreams.


For the past 500 years, the printed page has served as the basic and major means of storing and
presenting information and has become an everyday tool which most of us take for granted. Despite the
obvious usefulness and universal nature of the printed book, however, the development of electronic
technologies has led to the evolution of the concept of the electronic book. This represents a significant
new medium, which offers added value to the printed book through its potential for including other
media in addition to text on its pages. The thesis takes the electronic book as its main theme, putting
particular emphasis on its relevance to children.
The thesis includes a discussion of whether electronic books can encourage children to read both more
electronic and printed books, which establishes that television, film and audio versions of texts do
encourage the reading of printed editions (and vice versa). The conclusion is reached that electronic
books may have the potential to exhibit the same effect, depending how similar they are to television,
film and audio. The nature of classic texts and their currently decreasing popularity are considered, in
addition to whether the electronic medium can and should encourage children to read more classics. An
increasing awareness of the classics derived from media other than print is identified, leading to children
having misconceptions about the texts. It is concluded that electronic books might have the power to
bridge the gap between print and other media, introducing children to the classics in a form which is
closer to the original text.
An attempt was made to identify the elements which make an author popular in order that these could
be incorporated into electronic books to make them more desired as reading material. Emphasising the
views of children themselves, rather than critics, parents and other adults, a study investigated the
popularity with young readers of the writer Roald Dahl. Participants found some qualities and
characteristics in common between works by Dahl, thereby rendering them different from other books.
Identifying what children like about a certain author would enable the inclusion of the desired elements
into electronic books, thus encouraging children to read such books.
Leading on from the potential increase in children reading electronic texts, the proposition is
investigated that the medium on which a book is presented affects the reader's comprehension of, and
satisfaction with the book. In order to investigate the effect of the electronic medium on comprehension,
reading ability and speed, a study of user interaction with electronic books was carried out comparing
children reading an electronic book incorporating the book metaphor with children reading the same
text in two different printed versions. No evidence was found to suggest that the added effects and visual
dimension offered by the electronic book reduced participants' comprehension of the text. Indeed,
there was an indication that electronic books of this kind might actually aid the reader's comprehension
of a text.
If children are to read electronic books, where will they get them from? The embracing of the
technology of electronic books is likely to have an effect on the principal book suppliers. The
thesis therefore reports two questionnaire studies. The first investigates the opinions of children's
librarians on the subject of electronic books, and the second concentrates on booksellers. Notable
conclusions were that there is a positive attitude towards including electronic books as part of the
children's library service, and a high proportion of libraries offer access to them, the majority
through main libraries. Smaller book shops had not entered the field of selling electronic books in
great numbers, and that there was general uncertainty about the place of such texts in such outlets.
Respondents to both surveys believed that electronic books are durable, and can exist alongside the
printed items within their concerns.
Lastly, parents and schools have a role in making electronic books available to children. Due to the
lack of research on the attitudes of parents and representatives of schools concerning electronic
books, the thesis includes a discussion of existing surveys and studies of computer equipment in
homes, schools and public libraries in order to gauge the involvement of parents and schools. This
research shows that the picture of access to computer equipment for children is fairly inconsistent
across the three sources under consideration.
A general discussion follows, and overall conclusions are drawn, including that: the suggestion that
electronic books can encourage children to read represents an area that is lacking in research and
which would merit further work; the relationship between the printed book and its electronic
counterpart is a symbiotic one; and the portability of electronic books is currently not of major
significance, although this is likely to change with the increasing prominence of dedicated e-book
readers.


This paper demonstrates how corner solutions raise difficulties for the specification, estimation, and use of incomplete demand systems for welfare measurement with disaggregate consumption data, as is common in the outdoor recreation literature. A simple analytical model of consumer behavior is used to elucidate the potential biases for welfare measurement arising from modeling the demand for M goods as a function of M + N prices (N > 1) and income when individuals do not consume all goods in strictly positive quantities. Results from a Monte Carlo experiment suggest that these biases can be substantial for large-scale policy shocks when prices are highly correlated.


Abstract Bats are ancient hosts of Trypanosoma species and their flying ability, longevity and adaptability to distinct environments indicate that they are efficient dispersers of parasites. Bats from Acre state (Amazon Biome) were collected in four expeditions conducted in an urban forest (Parque Zoobotânico) and one relatively more preserved area (Seringal Cahoeira) in Rio Branco and Xapuri municipalities. Trypanosoma sp. infection was detected by hemoculture and fresh blood examination. Isolated parasite species were identified by the similarity of the obtained DNA sequence from 18S rDNA polymerase chain reaction and reference strains. Overall, 367 bats from 23 genera and 32 species were examined. Chiropterofauna composition was specific to each municipality, although Artibeus sp. and Carollia sp. prevailed throughout. Trypanosoma sp. infection was detected in 85 bats (23·2%). The most widely distributed and prevalent genotypes were (in order) Trypanosoma cruzi TcI, T. cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii, T. cruzi TcIV and Trypanosoma rangeli. At least one still-undescribed Trypanosoma species was also detected in this study. The detection of T. cruzi TcI and TcIV (the ones associated with Chagas disease in Amazon biome) demonstrates the putative importance of these mammal hosts in the epidemiology of the disease in the Acre State.


Importance
The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) in the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is hotly debated. There have been recommendations to discontinue these medications, which are essential in the treatment of several chronic disease conditions, while, in the absence of clinical evidence, professional societies have advocated their continued use.

Objective
To study the association between use of ACEIs/ARBs with the likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 and to study outcome data in subsets of patients taking ACEIs/ARBs who tested positive with severity of clinical outcomes of COVID-19 (eg, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and requirement for mechanical ventilation).

Design, Setting, and Participants
Retrospective cohort study with overlap propensity score weighting was conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Health System in Ohio and Florida. All patients tested for COVID-19 between March 8 and April 12, 2020, were included.

Exposures
History of taking ACEIs or ARBs at the time of COVID-19 testing.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Results of COVID-19 testing in the entire cohort, number of patients requiring hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and mechanical ventilation among those who tested positive.

Results
A total of 18 472 patients tested for COVID-19. The mean (SD) age was 49 (21) years, 7384 (40%) were male, and 12 725 (69%) were white. Of 18 472 patients who underwent COVID-19 testing, 2285 (12.4%) were taking either ACEIs or ARBs. A positive COVID-19 test result was observed in 1735 of 18 472 patients (9.4%). Among patients who tested positive, 421 (24.3%) were admitted to the hospital, 161 (9.3%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 111 (6.4%) required mechanical ventilation. Overlap propensity score weighting showed no significant association of ACEI and/or ARB use with COVID-19 test positivity (overlap propensity score-weighted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.81-1.15).

Conclusions and Relevance
This study found no association between ACEI or ARB use and COVID-19 test positivity. These clinical data support current professional society guidelines to not discontinue ACEIs or ARBs in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, further study in larger numbers of hospitalized patients receiving ACEI and ARB therapy is needed to determine the association with clinical measures of COVID-19 severity.


The primordial inflation dilutes all matter except the quantum fluctuations which we see in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. Therefore the last phases of inflation must be embedded within a beyond the Standard Model (SM) sector where the inflaton can directly excite the SM quarks and leptons. In this paper we consider two inflaton candidates LLe and udd whose decay can naturally excite all the relevant degrees of freedom besides thermalizing the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) during and after reheating. In particular, we present the regions of the parameter space which can yield successful inflation with the right temperature anisotropy in the CMB, the observed relic density for the neutralino LSP, and the recent Higgs mass constraints from LHC within the MSSM with non-universal Higgs masses -- referred to as the NUHM2 model. We found that in most scenarios, the LSP seems strongly mass degenerated with the next to lightest LSP (NLSP) and the branching ratio B_s -> mu^+ mu^- very close to the present bound, thus leading to falsifiable predictions. Also the dark matter interactions with XENON nuclei would fall within the projected range for the XENON1T experiment. In the case of a positive signal of low scale supersymmetry at the LHC, one would be able to potentially pin down the inflaton mass by using the associated values for the mass of the stau, the stop and the neutralino.


Abstract This investigation compared the acceptability of three methods for assessing reading (i.e., norm-referenced assessment, curriculum-based assessment, brief experimental analysis), and explored how a new assessment methodology can gain acceptance as a useful and appropriate approach. Given that brief experimental analysis is a relatively new methodology, it is important to understand not only how it compares to other assessment methods, but also how level of training and use are related to acceptability of assessment methods. A total of 188 members of the National Association of School Psychologists participated, and were randomly assigned to one of the three assessment conditions. Participants read the case description for their assigned condition, and completed the Assessment Rating Profile-Revised (ARP-R; Eckert, Hintze, & Shapiro, 1999). Overall, the results of the study indicated that participating school psychologists rated curriculum-based assessment as more acceptable that either brief experimental analysis or norm-referenced assessment. In particular, participants highly endorsed curriculum-based assessment as helpful in the development of intervention strategies. Although acceptability ratings for brief experimental analysis and norm-referenced were lower and were not significantly different from each other, it should be noted that participants reported significantly less training in brief experimental analysis. For all conditions, reported training and use were significantly correlated. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.


Crowdfunding is commonly defined as raising small amounts of capital from a large number of people over the internet. To avoid the expense of securities regulation, companies often crowdfund by giving away rewards (like a free t-shirt) instead of selling stock or other securities. In April 2012, Title III of the JOBS Act sought to change this status quo by directing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to facilitate securities-based crowdfunding through websites like Kickstarter. Congress and the President believed this would broaden access to sidelined capital and help companies grow and hire. But this "retail crowdfunding" exemption, open to all investors, was not the only means of crowdfunding in the bill. A last minute compromise, which has been largely over-looked, expanded the ability of issuers to use the private placement exemption, as revised in new Rule 506(c), to crowdfund from accredited investors. This "accredited crowdfunding" exemption provides a less regulated alternative to retail crowdfunding that is available to the same companies and more.This article is the first to examine the impact that accredited crowdfunding will have on retail crowdfunding. It claims that accredited crowdfunding is likely to dominate and, depending on SEC action, could render retail crowdfunding superfluous or a market for lemons. But it also claims that accredited crowdfunding – when compared to traditional private placements – may face a similar lemons problem over the longer term on account of rules that discourage investors from fending for themselves. These potential problems threaten to undermine the social welfare goals of the JOBS Act: increasing access to capital, spurring business growth, and creating jobs. But the SEC can minimize these problems and promote social welfare by strengthening the bargaining incentives of accredited investors and encouraging retail investors to piggyback off of their work. The normative part of this article provides targeted recommendations that balance the need for capital formation against a novel incentives-based theory of investor protection.


A Smartphone is not only a mobile device that is used for communication but is also integrated with a personal digital assistant (PDA) and other technological capabilities such as built-in acceleration, magnetic and light sensors, microphone, camera and Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. This handheld device has become very popular with the younger generation. The price of the device has also dropped as demand has increased and the latest model released. Therefore, Smartphone technology has the potential to serve as an excellent tool for students to conduct scientific investigation and learn scientific concepts. In this study, the research aim is to develop a hands-on activity for the determination of the speed of sound using a Smartphone device.


Comparison of eight iron experiments shows that maximum Chl a, the maximum DIC removal, and the overall DIC/Fe efficiency all scale inversely with depth of the wind mixed layer (WML) defining the light environment. Moreover, lateral patch dilution, sea surface irradiance, temperature, and grazing play additional roles. The Southern Ocean experiments were most influenced by very deep WMLs. In contrast, light conditions were most favorable during SEEDS and SERIES as well as during IronEx-2. The two extreme experiments, EisenEx and SEEDS, can be linked via EisenEx bottle incubations with shallower simulated WML depth. Large diatoms always benefit the most from Fe addition, where a remarkably small group of thriving diatom species is dominated by universal response of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Significant response of these moderate (10–30 μm), medium (30–60 μm), and large (>60 μm) diatoms is consistent with growth physiology determined for single species in natural seawater. The minimum level of "dissolved" Fe (filtrate < 0.2 μm) maintained during an experiment determines the dominant diatom size class. However, this is further complicated by continuous transfer of original truly dissolved reduced Fe(II) into the colloidal pool, which may constitute some 75% of the "dissolved" pool. Depth integration of carbon inventory changes partly compensates the adverse effects of a deep WML due to its greater integration depths, decreasing the differences in responses between the eight experiments. About half of depth-integrated overall primary productivity is reflected in a decrease of DIC. The overall C/Fe efficiency of DIC uptake is DIC/Fe ∼ 5600 for all eight experiments. The increase of particulate organic carbon is about a quarter of the primary production, suggesting food web losses for the other three quarters. Replenishment of DIC by air/sea exchange tends to be a minor few percent of primary CO2 fixation but will continue well after observations have stopped. Export of carbon into deeper waters is difficult to assess and is until now firmly proven and quite modest in only two experiments.


Lifting line vortex models have been widely used to predict flow fields around wind turbine rotors. Such models are known to be deficient in modelling flow fields close to the blades due to the assumption that blade vorticity is concentrated on a line and consequently the influences of blade geometry are not well captured. The present study thoroughly assessed the errors arising from this approximation by prescribing the bound circulation as a boundary condition on the flow using a lifting line free-wake vortex approach. The bound circulation prescribed to free-wake vortex model was calculated from two independent sources using (1) experimental results from SPIV and (2) data generated from a 3D panel free-wake vortex approach, where the blade geometry is fully modelled. The axial and tangential flow fields around the blades from the lifting line vortex model were then compared with those directly produced by SPIV and the 3D panel model. The comparison was carried out for different radial locations across the blade span. The study revealed the cumulative probability error distributions in lifting line model estimations for the local aerofoil flow field under both 3D rotating and 2D non-rotating conditions. It was found that the errors in a 3D rotating environment are considerably larger than those for a wing of infinite span in 2D flow. Finally, a method based on the Cassini ovals theory is presented for defining regions around rotating blades for which the lifting line model is unreliable for estimating the flow fields.


Eating junk food and fast food is a great all-American passion. American kids and grownups love their candy bars, Big Macs and supersized fries, Doritos, Twinkies, and Good Humor ice cream bars. The disastrous health effects from the enormous appetite for these processed fat- and sugar-loaded foods are well publicized now. This was particularly dramatically evidenced by Super Size Me (2004), filmmaker Morgan Spurlock's 30-day all-McDonald's diet in which his liver suffered the same poisoning as if he had been on an extended alcohol binge. Through increased globalization, American popular food culture is being increasingly emulated elsewhere in the world, such as China, with the potential for similar disastrous consequences. This A-to-Z reference is the first to focus on the junk food and fast food phenomena from a multitude of angles in addition to health and diet concerns. More than 250 essay entries objectively explore the scope of the topics to illuminate the American way through products, corporations and entrepreneurs, social history, popular culture, organizations, issues, politics, commercialism and consumerism, and much more. Interest in these topics is high. This informative and fascinating work, with entries on current controversies such as mad cow disease and factory farming, the food pyramid, movie tie-ins, and marketing to children, will be highly useful for reports, research, and browsing. It takes readers behind the scenes, examining the significance of such things as uniforms, training, packaging, and franchising. Readers of every age will also enjoy the nostalgia factor, learning about the background of iconic drive-ins, the story behind the mascots, facts about their favorite candy bar, and collectables. Each entry ends with suggested reading. Besides an introduction, a timeline, glossary, bibliography, resource guide, and photos enhance the text. Sample entries: AW Advertising; Automobiles; Ben & Jerry's; Burger King; Carhops; Center for Science in the Public Interest; Christmas; Cola Wars; Employment; Fair Food; Fast Food Nation; Hershey, Milton; Hollywood; Injury; Krispy Kreme; Lobbying; Nabisco; Obesity; PepsiCo; Salt; Soda Fountain; Teen Hangouts; Vegetarianism; White Castle; Yum! Brands, Inc.


Abstract A large number of observations of phase velocity of Love and Rayleigh waves have been used in order to determine the crust-mantle structure of the Mediterranean Sea. These velocities have been measured by using records from the Standard Stations located in the Mediterranean borders. The empirical dispersion curves have been compared with those of several models computed for this purpose. Travel-time curves of body waves for paths crossing the Mediterranean region, making use of all possible coastal stations and local earthquakes, have been found to substantiate the results from the surface wave dispersion. Also the value of the Bouguer anomaly in different points of the region was considered in the determination of the crustal thickness, as well as some measurements of group velocity from clear observations of higher modes. The crust-mantle structure under the Mediterranean Sea was found to be formed by two clearly distinct zones which correspond roughly to the areas to the west and east of Italy. The western zone, between Italy and Spain, is of oceanic type with a thin crust (about 14 km) and a low-velocity channel in the Upper Mantle. In the eastern zone, south of Greece, the crust (some 23 km thick) shows a great thickness of the uppermost sedimentary layers, which gives rise to very low velocities of short-period surface waves in that region. Love waves with group velocities smaller than those of Rayleigh have been clearly observed in a large number of earthquakes in this region. The surface wave dispersion as well as the travel-time curves of P and S waves of this zone indicate the existence of a low-velocity channel in the Upper Mantle.


Abstract A sub-channels-inserted porous evaporator is proposed as a heat removal device of the divertor with a heat load exceeding 10 MW/m2. The porous medium is made by sintering copper particles of micro size in diameter and has several sub-channels to enhance discharge of generated vapor outside the porous medium. This porous cooling devise is attached onto the backside of the divertor and remove the heat by evaporating water passing through the porous medium against the heat flow. In order to prove the effect of the sub-channels, the heat transfer characteristics of this porous device are evaluated experimentally using a plasma arcjet as a high heat flux source. The result shows that the heat transfer performance of copper-particles-sintered porous medium with the sub-channels enables to remove much higher heat flux under lower flow rate and lower wall superheat conditions, compared with the normal porous media. The removal heat flux, 8.1 MW/m2, is 1.8 times as higher than that of the normal porous medium at a wall superheat of 50 degrees (the heat transfer coefficient, 1.6 × 105 W/m2/K, is 2.4 times as higher). The removal heat flux reaches almost 10 MW/m2 although the wall superheat exceeds 100 degrees (The wall temperature is approximately 220 degrees C. still in a fully developed boiling regime). In addition, the removal heat flux exceeds 20 MW/m2 by increasing the number of the sub-channels under lower wall superheat conditions, which proves high potential of the sub-channels-inserted porous evaporator.


This paper presents the analysis of an original design of small hybrid solar plant using Organic Rankine Cycles with hermetic scroll expander- generators. The hot supply is provided from vacuumed collector tubes along the focal line of solar concentrators made of mirror bands fixed on a plane surface (CEP). The plant is integrated with a cogeneration Diesel engine unit to ensure power availability independently from the variations of solar radiation. It is primarily intended for isolated sites in developing countries. Measurements on the power unit of 13 kWel show an excellent behavior over a broad range of parameters with an efficiency of the order of 18% (50% exergetic efficiency), which is very promising, particularly when considering that the concept of superposed cycles will allow operations at higher supply temperatures with further technological developments.


As a part of ASSISIbf project, with a final goal of forming a collective adaptive bio-hybrid society of animals and robots, an artificial neural network based on LSTM architecture was designed and trained for bee density estimation. During experiments, the bees are placed inside a plastic arena covered with wax, where they interact with and adapt to specialized static robotic units, CASUs, designed specially for this project. In order to interact with honeybees, the CASUs require the capability i) to produce and perceive the stimuli, i.e., environmental cues, that are relevant to honeybee behaviour, and ii) to sense the honeybees presence. The second requirement is implemented through 6 proximity sensors mounted on the upper part of CASU. In this paper we present estimation of honeybees (moving agents) density in 2D space (experimental arena) that is based on LSTM neural network. When compared to previous work done in this field, experiments demonstrate satisfactory results in estimating sizes of bee groups placed in the arena within a larger scope of outputs. Two different approaches were tested: regression and classification, with classification yielding higher accuracy.


Free movement has been at the heart of the Brexit debate, with the government grappling between satisfying public and business demands for restrictive and liberal approaches to immigration respectively. In response the government have advocated temporary migration as a potential solution, including an expanded UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) modelled on the current T5 YMS on the assumption that YMS migrants undertake low-skilled jobs. Little is known about this visa or the labour market activity of YMS migrants. Drawing on policy analysis alongside survey and interview data from Australian YMS migrants, this paper seeks to bridge some of these knowledge gaps, arguing that an expanded EU YMS will not attract significant EU migrants, and is far from a remedy for free movement ending.


In this work we compare and contrast the stability of retained austenite during tensile testing of Nb-Mo-Al transformation-induced plasticity steel subjected to different thermomechanical processing schedules. The obtained microstructures were characterised using optical metallography, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The transformation of retained austenite to martensite under tensile loading was observed by in-situ high energy X-ray diffraction at 1ID / APS. It has been shown that the variations in the microstructure of the steel, such as volume fractions of present phases, their morphology and dimensions, play a critical role in the strain-induced transition of retained austenite to martensite.