In order to solve the problem that the parameters of cloud model are difficult to get and the weight of performance index is difficult to obtain when adopt single objective optimization algorithm. A new design of cloud model controller based on multi-objective optimization is proposed. In the first stage, set the system overshoot, settling time, and ITAE index as the optimization objectives, then a fast non-dominating sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is employed to optimize its output parameters kup, kui, kud and characteristic parameters Ex, En, He. In the subsequent stage, the decision-maker can choose the satisfactory solution from the Pareto optimal solution set according to actual needs. The validity and superiority of the proposed method are supported by simulation results.


Economic structuralists use a broad, systemwide approach to understanding development, and this textbook assumes a structuralist perspective in its investigation of why a host of developing countries have failed to grow at 2 percent or more since 1960. Sensitive to the wide range of factors that affect an economy's strength and stability, the authors identify the problems that have long frustrated growth in many parts of the developing world while suggesting new strategies and policies to help improve standards of living. After a survey of structuralist methods and post-World War II trends of global economic growth, the authors discuss the role that patterns in productivity, production structures, and capital accumulation play in the growth dynamics of developing countries. Next, it outlines the evolution of trade patterns and the effect of the terms of trade on economic performance, especially for countries that depend on commodity exports. The authors acknowledge the structural limits of macroeconomic policy, highlighting the negative effects of financial volatility and certain financial structures while recommending policies to better manage external shocks. These policies are then further developed through a discussion of growth and structural improvements, and are evaluated according to which policy options-macro, industrial, or commercial--best fit within different kinds of developing economies.


Inflation targeting and price-level targeting have excited economists for decades. This column reviews a survey on the merits of price-level targeting. The latter could potentially help monetary policy deal with the zero bound on nominal interest rates. Such beneficial effects depend on rational expectations and a New Keynesian structure of the economy.


Interactions between myosin and β‐casein with lipids at lipid–water interfaces were studied by solid‐state 2H NMR using dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine with the four hydrogens at α‐ and β‐positions (DMPC‐d4) and the nine protons at the γ‐position substituted by deuterium (DMPC‐d9). Quadrupole splittings and spin–lattice relaxation times were used to describe the amplitude and rate of molecular motion of the choline segment, respectively, in liposomes made of pure labeled dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine or admixed with non‐labeled dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) in a 1:1 mole ratio. No changes were observed in these NMR parameters for the deuterons when increasing amounts of myosin were added to liposomes exclusively made of DMPC‐d9 or DMPC‐d4. However, when DMPG was present, myosin was found to interact electrostatically with the liposomes, and both the quadrupolar splittings and spin–lattice relaxation times of all head‐group segments were affected, demonstrating that DMPG was necessary in the liposomes for the interaction to occur. The results suggest that positively charged lysine residues located at the tail domain of myosin provided the necessary sites for the lipid–protein interaction, leaving free the head domain for further structural interaction. On the other hand, β‐casein was found to interact both with the charged (with DMPG) and neutral, zwitterionic (DMPC only) liposomes, although this interaction was more pronounced in the charged lipids. In the interaction with charged liposomes, β‐casein was able to affect the lineshape of the NMR spectra from DMPC‐d9 deuterons, even at low protein concentration (lipid/protein mole ratio=30000:1), indicating its ability to locate at emulsion interfaces. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


We propose a methodology to model the information structure for its extraction from any medical text. We experiment this extraction in a corpus that represents the information system of a specific professional activity in the hospital pharmacy. the information structure represent how the meaning of a sentence is specified by the constraints of the information flow. But the information structure is systematically recognized and interpreted in the context of a text: it's also the last object of the information system. Then we consider the text as a contextual frame to model the recognition and the extraction of the information structure. A text can't be considered only as a linguistic object in a professional and information context: it's an implemented (or externalised following situated and distributed cognition) ontology. The updated text articulates the ontology of the patient body and the referential dimension of the information. The model of the information structure presupposes we know what are the constraints of the information system on the symbolic entities (in a way to distinguish the information structure to any sentence description). In a way to determine these constraints, we propose to model the information process by the information flow: we represent in this way how any fact in the body of the patient is symbolised, conveyed and represented into a text. The information flow characterizes only the constraints of the information on the linguistic entities and structures. But the information is linguistically a referential semantic object: it's the representation at distance of a new fact in the world in the frame of a text that accepts this information. Then the model of At last, The information flow allows the articulation of an ontology and a semantic precisely on the question of the information structure. We unify the model of the information structure by the definition of five primitives. A sign representation allows both the characterisation of the structure and of each of its components.


This book contains the Proceedings of the 21st IFIP TC-11 International Information Security Conference (IFIP/SEC 2006) on Security and Privacy in Dynamic Environments held in May 2224 2006 in Karlstad, Sweden. The first IFIP/SEC conference was arranged in May 1983 in Stockholm, Sweden, one year before TC-11 was founded, with the active participation of the Swedish IT Security Community. The IFIP/SEC conferences have since then become the flagship events of TC-11.We are very pleased that we succeeded with our bid to after 23 years hold the IFIP/SEC conference again in Sweden. The IT environment now includes novel, dynamic approaches such as mobility, wearability, ubiquity, ad hoc use, mind/body orientation, and business/market orientation. This modern environment challenges the whole information security research community to focus on interdisciplinary and holistic approaches whilst retaining the benefit of previous research efforts. Papers offering research contributions focusing on dynamic environments in addition to other aspects of computer security and privacy were solicited for submission to IFIP/SEC 2006. We received 141 submissions which were all reviewed by at least three members of the international program committee. At a one-day program committee meeting, the submitted papers were discussed, and 35 papers were selected for presentation at the conference, which means an acceptance rate of 24.8%. A special emphasis of IFIP/SEC 2006 is on Privacy and Privacy Enhancing Technologies, which is addressed by 9 of the 35 accepted papers. Further topics addressed include security in mobile and ad hoc networks, access control for dynamic environments, new forms of attacks, security awareness, intrusion detection and network forensics.These Proceedings also include the papers of the following two workshops that are associated with SEC 2006: the workshop on Security Culture organized by IFIP Working Group 11.1/11.8 as well as the I-NetSec06 workshop on Privacy and Anonymity Issues in Networked and Distributed Systems organized by IFIP Working Group 11.4. Both workshops were organized autonomously by the respective IFIP Working Groups. They had their own call for papers, program committees, and selection processes with acceptance rates of papers similar to the one of the main IFIP/SEC 2006 conference.IFIP/SEC 2006 is organized in cooperation with Karlstad University, SIG Security, and Dataforeningen i Sverige. We would like to thank Microsoft AB, Karlstads kommun, SAAB AB, and TietoEnator, who are sponsoring IFIP/SEC 2006. Furthermore, we gratefully thank all authors, members of the program committees, and additional reviewers for their contributions to the scientific quality of this conference and the two workshops. Last but not least, we owe thanks to the organizing committee, and especially to its chair Dr. Albin Zuccato, for all the efforts and dedication in preparing this conference


Emergency response systems can be improved by investigating the motives and manner in which people share information during an active shooter crisis. This article analyzed survey data collected from undergraduate participants at The University of Texas at Austin who were enrolled during the fall of 2010 when an active shooter event occurred on campus. Our findings indicated that distance from a threat predicts an individual's perception of message credibility. Additional findings suggested innovativeness is a strong driving factor in individuals' reliance on social and personal media to contact others who need safety updates. Finally, perceptions of mortality and experience to negative media portrayals were positively related to active information sharing during this event. Limitations and suggestions for future research are offered.


This study was aimed at assessing dental habits among 16-year-old schoolchildren A total of 116 16-year-old schoolchildren took part in this survey, which was part of a larger study to assess dental fluorosis occurrence among the respondents. A questionnaire was given to each respondent prior to getting written consent from the parents. They were asked three categories of questions pertaining to habits of oral hygiene, firstly the number of tooth-brushings per day, then the quantity of toothpaste used per brushing, and lastly the number of visits to the dentist per year. From 116 respondents, 32 (27.6%) were males and 84 (72.4%) were females. On the first question, 100 respondents (86.2%) used fluoridated toothpastes while the remaining 16 (13.8%) used non-fluoridated toothpastes For the second question, 8 respondents (6.8%) brushed their teeth once per day, 59 (51.0%) twice per day, 35 (30.1%) three times per day and 14 (12.1%) 4 times per day About the question on quantity of toothpaste used for brushing (question 3), 25 respondents (21.5%) used ½ pea size, 66 (56.8%) used 1 pea-size, 24 (20.9%) used 2 pea-size and 1 (0.8%) used 3 pea-size. For the final question (question 4), 43 (37.1%) had never had any dental visits all their life, 33 (28.4%) had one dental visit per year, 30 (25.9%) had twice-a-year visit, 4 (3.4%) had 3 visit, 3 (2.6%) had 4 times-a-year visit and 3 (2.6%) had more than 4 times-a-year visit. This study concluded that more oral health education programs should be organized to improve the understanding of oral hygiene and the importance of dental visits in order to sustain a healthy oral life for a lifetime especially for the respondents.


A B Jull

Dr A B Jull, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; firstname.lastname@example.com

Does topical honey improve rate of healing of acute and chronic wounds?

Included studies compared topical honey, alone or in combination with other dressing components, with dressings or other topical agents for healing acute wounds (burns, lacerations, and other traumatic wounds) and chronic wounds (venous or pressure ulcers and infected wounds healing by secondary intention), and reported data for ⩾1 primary outcome. Primary outcomes were time to complete wound healing and proportion of patients with completely healed wounds.

Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (May 2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( Cochrane Library , Issue 2, 2008), …


Last month, thousands of workers at the Yue Yuen shoe factory in Dongguan in Southern China—a supplier to Adidas and other Western brands—walked off the job in a dispute with management over wages and benefits, clashing with police and jamming production. A few years ago, such a major strike at a factory on mainland China might have been international news. But these days, such uprisings are part of the daily rhythms of working life in China, pulsating with growing labor militancy. The Yue Yuen protest was both spontaneous and strategic, targeted at what workers saw as their employer's failure to hold up their end of the social contract. Since their grievances are driven by social policy as well as their employer's alleged exploitation, these strikes represent the sharp edge of a deeper undercurrent of social strife . According to New York-based China Labor Watch (CLW), the workers moved quickly to strike, before their demands were fully formulated, and it appears that the dispute remains at an impasse. The action was triggered by the company's announced plans to restructure by merging two local plants, which many feared would lead to unilaterally breaking their contracts and slashing jobs. Workers were also angry over the company's reportedly unexplained cuts to their annual bonus , which makes up a major part of a worker's yearly income. CLW reported that "During the strike, the company union collected demands from participating workers to present to management," but Yue Yuen contended that "the merger would only apply to the office staff" and a plants logistics unit, not production workers. One worker told CLW that workers remained defiant, since they "perceive this change as a progressive step toward movement of Yue Yuen operations out of Dongguan toward Southeast Asia. Workers expect that the downsizing in the Dongguan operations will only continue, and most workers want to resign now with a payout of their housing fund." The strike was a reprise of an historic mass strike last year , involving tens of thousands of Yue Yuen workers. Though that uprising Are These Strikes a Sign of Growing Militancy Among China's Workers? http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/newscast/461


In 2009, the Israeli High Court of Justice held that private prisons are unconstitutional. This was more than a domestic constitutional issue. The court anchored its decision in a carefully reasoned opinion arguing that the state has a monopoly on the administration of punishment, and thus private prisons violate basic principles of modern democratic governance. This position was immediately elaborated upon by a number of leading legal philosophers, and the expanded argument has reverberated among legal philosophers, global constitutionalists, and public officials around the world. Private prisons are a global phenomenon, and this argument now stands as the definitive principled statement opposing them. In this Article, I argue that the state monopoly theory against privatization is fundamentally flawed. The Article challenges the historical record and philosophy of the state on which the theory is based, and then explores two other issues the theory wholly ignores: private custodial arrangements in other settings that are widely regarded as acceptable if not exemplary and third-party state arrangements that are universally hailed as exemplary. The Article presents first-of-its-kind empirical data on private prisons in Australia, discusses the implications of readily available information on juvenile facilities, and explores interstate compacts on prisoner transfers. The Article maintains that the state monopoly theory erroneously asserts that privatization is inconsistent with the modern state, and concludes with a call for policymakers and judges to imbue their future privatization decisions with local knowledge and time-honored pragmatism.


Abstract. Hydrogen isotope ratios of biomarkers have been shown to reflect water isotope ratios, and in some cases correlate significantly with salinity. The δ2H-salinity relationship is best studied for long-chain alkenones, biomarkers for haptophyte algae, and is known to be influenced by a number of different environmental parameters. It is not fully known why δ2H ratios of lipids retain a correlation to salinity, and whether this is a general feature for other lipids produced by haptophyte algae. Here, we analyzed δ2H ratios of three fatty acids, brassicasterol, long-chain C37 alkenones and phytol from three different haptophyte species grown over a range of salinities. Lipids synthesized in the cytosol, or relying on precursors of cytosolic origin, show a correlation between their δ2H ratios and salinity. In contrast, biosynthesis in the chloroplast, or utilizing precursors created in the chloroplast, yields lipids that do not show a correlation between δ2H ratios and salinity. This leads to the conclusion that location of metabolism is the first-order control on the salinity signal retained in δ2H ratios of certain lipids. Additionally, we found that δ2H ratios of alkenones from batch cultures of the Group II haptophyte species Tisochrysis lutea correlate positively with temperature, contrary to findings from cultures of Group III haptophytes, but retain a similar response to nutrient availability in line with other Group III haptophytes.


International Journal of Role-playing Issue 4 -- Full Issue
Table of Contents
J. Tuomas Harviainen -- "Editorial -- Special issue: Role-Playing in Games"
This special issue contains five articles chosen from amongst those presented at the Role-Playing in Games seminar at the University of Tampere, Finland, April 10-11, 2012. Several others from that seminar will be appearing in future issues of this journal. Read the full editorial here
Sarah Lynne Bowman -- "Social Conflict in Role-Playing Communities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study"
Much of the current research in the field of role-playing studies focuses upon the positive impact that games can have on the lives of participants. This research describes potential problems within role-playing communities.
Angelina Ilieva -- "Cultural Languages of Role-Playing"
Role-play interaction in live role- playing games is also language interaction. Role-playing language is different from everyday language, because the worlds created in role-play are not just a reflection or extension of everyday life.
David Jara -- "A Closer Look at the (Rule-) Books: Framings and Paratexts in Tabletop Role-playing Games"
As texts which are based on collaborative and interactive narration, tabletop – also known as "pen and paper" – role- playing games (TRPGs) are distinct in their technological simplicity.
Michał Mochocki -- "Edu-Larp as Revision of Subject-Matter Knowledge"
The paper presents theoretical foundations of the author's approach to the design of edu- larps. It is deliberately steering away from cross-disciplinary teaching, artistic education or soft skills training in order to advocate larps tailored to single school subjects, focused on integration and consolidation of curricular knowledge.
Jaakko Stenros -- "Between Game Facilitation and Performance: Interactive Actors and Non- Player Characters in Larps"
The challenge of combining narrative and gameplay in live action role-playing games (larps) has been successfully negotiated with the use of runtime game mastering and interactive actors (ractors) performing non-player characters (NPC).


A new point-of-use (POU) technology using porous ceramic filters with a ferric-iron coating was used to achieve simultaneous arsenic (III) and (V) removal along with filtrative disinfection. The surface modified ceramic filters (SMCF) were produced using standard ceramic filter methods with combustible materials to create a porous ceramic during firing, followed by coating with a ferric oxide surface coating. A majority of the testing was conducted using 2.0-cm thick, 1.3-cm diameter ceramic plugs to simulate full-scale filters in column studies. The SMCF was capable of filtering arsenic for long periods of time with essentially no As breakthrough. As in source water was reduced from 250 μg/L to less than the 10 μg/L WHO guideline for arsenic for 875 and 1,618 bed volumes (or 360 and 666 effective filter runs) with 0.51 and 2 M iron-coated filters, respectively. There was no significant difference in As(V) or As(III) removal performance over a pH range of 6 to 9. Filtration of lake water containing natural organic matter at 5 mg/L as C reduced performance of As(III) and As(V) removal approximately 34 to 38%, respectively. Other metals including cadmium, copper and chromate were also readily adsorbed by the SMCF while selenate was not.


Background & Objective: Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care unit of open heart surgery (ICUOH) is often stressful for patients' family carers. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the informational support on anxiety among families of patients undergone open heart surgery. Methods & Materials: In this double-group randomized clinical trial, 64 family carers of patients undergone open heart surgery were selected using convenience sampling method and were randomly allocated into two intervention or control groups. The informational support consistedof holding the ICU orientation tours and educational sessions, and providing educational pamphlets and booklets. The members of the control group received routin information. The anxiety of the family carers was measured using the trait Spielberger anxiety questionnaire before surgery and in the day of discharge from the ICU. Independent and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: According to the findings, there were no significant difference between the two groups regarding demographic charachteristics. At the baseline, the mean of anxiety scores were 47.9±11.5 and 49.2±11.5 in the control and intervetion groups, respectively. The anxiety scores diminished in both groups after the surgery, however, the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups ( P =0.18). Conclusion : For effective control of anxiety among family members of patients, both informational support and other supportive techniques such as psychological support and meeting other family needs should be considered.


Four hive types (Kenya top bars hive with flight entrance on the floor (KF), Kenya top bars hive with flight entrance on the wall (KW), Kenya top bars hive with flight entrance on the floor and the wall (KFW) and Tanzania top bars with flight entrance on the floor and the wall (TFW)) were constructed and baited by smearing 30 g bee wax on their flight entrance, top bars, inner surface of the wall and floor on 17th April 2008. Colonization, colony development and pest infestation were monitored over a period of 16 weeks. Hive type did not significantly (P>0.05) affect colonization period. All hive types were colonized with 100% colonization in TFW and KF. KW and KFW had 66.67% colonization. The least mean colonization period was 3.67 days after hive installation and was observed in KF, while the longest colonization period of 7 days was observed in KFW. Hive type did not affect weight gain ranged from 0.3 kg (TFW at 2 weeks after colonization) to 2.5 kg (KF at 8 weeks after colonization). Bee population was significantly affected by hive type and was lowest in TFW which was the only hive type that was heavily (2/3 of the replicates) infested by Galleria mellonella, hence the reason for its lowest weight and bee population. Aethina tumida was encountered in KT and KF. Both pests were observed in colonized hives. The only intruder that was observed in uncolonized hive was Gryllus bimaculatus and was encountered in KFW. With 100% colonization and least mean colonization period of 3.67 days post installation of baited hives in Kenya top bar with flight entrance on the floor (KF), KF is recommended for areas where the risk of accidental rain water into hive is not paramount.


Acute and chronic water scarcity impacts four billion people, a number likely to climb with population growth and increasing demand for food and energy production. Chronic water insecurity and long-term trends are well studied at the global and regional level; however, there have not been adequate systems in place for routinely monitoring acute water scarcity. To address this gap, we developed a monthly monitoring system that computes annual water availability per capita based on hydrologic data from the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS) and gridded population data from WorldPop. The monitoring system yields maps of acute water scarcity using monthly Falkenmark classifications and departures from the long-term mean classification. These maps are designed to serve FEWS NET monitoring objectives; however, the underlying data are publicly available and can support research on the roles of population and hydrologic change on water scarcity at sub-annual and sub-national scales.


Sedentary time (ST) is an important risk factor for a variety of health outcomes in older adults. Consensus is needed on future research directions so that collaborative and timely efforts can be made globally to address this modifiable risk factor. In this review, we examined current literature to identify gaps and inform future research priorities on ST and healthy ageing. We reviewed three primary topics:(1) the validity/reliability of self-report measurement tools, (2) the consequences of prolonged ST on geriatric-relevant health outcomes (physical function, cognitive function, mental health, incontinence and quality of life) and(3) the effectiveness of interventions to reduce ST in older adults. Methods A trained librarian created a search strategy that was peer reviewed for completeness. Results Self-report assessment of the context and type of ST is important but the tools tend to underestimate total ST. There appears to be an association between ST and geriatric-relevant health outcomes, although there is insufficient longitudinal evidence to determine a dose–response relationship or a threshold for clinically relevant risk. The type of ST may also affect health; some cognitively engaging sedentary behaviours appear to benefit health, while time spent in more passive activities may be detrimental. Short-term feasibility studies of individual-level ST interventions have been conducted; however, few studies have appropriately assessed the impact of these interventions on geriatric-relevant health outcomes, nor have they addressed organisation or environment level changes. Research is specifically needed to inform evidence-based interventions that help maintain functional autonomy among older adults. This consensus statement has been endorsed by the following societies: Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Exercise & Sports Science Australia, Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.


The pathogenic clinical strain NCTC11168 was the first Campylobacter jejuni strain to be sequenced and has been a widely used laboratory model for studying C. jejuni pathogenesis. However, continuous passaging of C. jejuni NCTC11168 has been shown to dramatically affect its colonisation potential. Glycan array analysis was performed on C. jejuni NCTC11168 using the frequently passaged, non-colonising, genome sequenced (11168-GS) and the infrequently passaged, original, virulent (11168-O) isolates grown or maintained under various conditions. Glycan structures recognised and bound by C. jejuni included terminal mannose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, galactose and fucose. Significantly, it was found that only when challenged with normal oxygen at room temperature did 11168-O consistently bind to sialic acid or terminal mannose structures, while 11168-GS bound these structures regardless of growth/maintenance conditions. Further, binding of un-capped galactose and fucosylated structures was significantly reduced when C. jejuni was maintained at 25°C under atmospheric oxygen conditions. These binding differences identified through glycan array analysis were confirmed by the ability of specific lectins to competitively inhibit the adherence of C. jejuni to a Caco-2 intestinal cell line. Our data suggests that the binding of mannose and/or N-acetylneuraminic acid may provide the initial interactions important for colonisation following environmental exposure.


"Basic Neurochemistry: Principles of Molecular, Cellular, and Medical Neurobiology", the outstanding and comprehensive classic text on neurochemistry, is now newly updated and revised in its Eighth Edition. For more than forty years, this text has been the worldwide standard for information on the biochemistry of the nervous system, serving as a resource for postgraduate trainees and teachers in neurology, psychiatry, and basic neuroscience, as well as for medical, graduate, and postgraduate students and instructors in the neurosciences. The text has evolved, as intended, with the science. It is also an excellent source of current information on basic biochemical and cellular processes in brain function and neurological diseases for continuing medical education and qualifying examinations. This text continues to be the standard reference and textbook for exploring the translational nature of neuroscience, bringing basic and clinical neuroscience together in one authoritative volume. Our book title reflects the expanded attention to these links between neurochemistry and neurologic disease. This new edition continues to cover the basics of neurochemistry as in the earlier editions, along with expanded and additional coverage of new research from: Intracellular trafficking; Stem cells, adult neurogenesis, regeneration; Lipid messengers; Expanded coverage of all major neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders; Neurochemistry of addiction; Neurochemistry of pain; Neurochemistry of hearing and balance; Neurobiology of learning and memory; Sleep; Myelin structure, development, and disease; Autism; and Neuroimmunology. The new edition features: completely updated text with new authors and material, and many entirely new chapters; over 400 fully revised figures in splendid color; 61 chapters covering the range of cellular, molecular and medical neuroscience; and, translational science boxes emphasizing the connections between basic and clinical neuroscience.


Oxygen and carbon isotope measurements were carried out on tests of planktic foraminifers N. pachyderma (sin.) from eight sediment cores taken from the eastern Arctic Ocean, the Fram Strait, and the leeland Sea, in order to reconstruct Arctic Ocean and Norwegian-Greenland Sea circulation patterns and ice covers during the last 130,000 years. In addition, the influence of ice, temperature and salinity effects on the isotopic signal was quantified. Isotope measurements on foraminifers from sediment surface sampies were used to elucidate the ecology of N. pachyderma (sin.). Changes in the oxygen and carbon isotope composition of N. pachyderma (sin.) from sediment surface sampies document the horizontal and vertical changes of water mass boundaries controlled by water temperature and salinity, because N. pachyderma (sin.) shows drastic changes in depth habitats, depending on the water mass properties. It was able to be shown that in the investigated areas a regional and spatial apparent increase of the ice effect occurred. This happened especially during the termination I by direct advection of meltwaters from nearby continents or during the termination and in interglacials by supply of isotopically light water from rivers. A northwardly proceeding overprint of the "global" ice effect, increasing from the Norwegian-Greenland Sea to the Arctic Ocean, was not able to be demonstrated. By means of a model the influence of temperature and salinity on the global ice volume signal during the last 130.000 years was recorded. In combination with the results of this study, the model was the basis for a reconstruction of the paleoceanographic development of the Arctic Ocean and the Norwegian-Greenland Sea during this time interval. The conception of a relatively thick and permanent sea ice cover in the Nordic Seas during glacial times should be replaced by the model of a seasonally and regionally highly variable ice cover. Only during isotope stage 5e may there have been a local deep water formation in the Fram Strait.


Phosphine complexes of cobalt halide salts activated by diethylaluminum chloride are shown to yield highly active catalysts in the hydrovinylation of styrene, with unprecedented high selectivity to the desired product 3-phenyl-1-butene (3P1B). Double-bond isomerization, a common problem in codimerization reactions, only occurs after full conversion with these catalyst systems, even at elevated temperature. The most active catalysts are based on cobalt halide species combined with either C1- or C2-bridged diphosphines, heterodonor P,N or P,O ligands, flexible bidentate phosphine ligands or monodentate phosphine ligands. Kinetic investigations show an order >1 in catalyst, which indicates either the involvement of dinuclear species in the catalytic cycle or partial catalyst decomposition via a bimolecular pathway.


We propose a distributed connectivity maintenance protocol that explicitly accounts for the probabilistic nature of wireless communication links. The proposed protocol is simple to implement and it achieves a given target communication quality between nodes, which is quantified by the minimum packet delivery rate between any pair of nodes in the network. We demonstrate the robustness of the proposed protocol against random node failures, inaccuracy of node locations, and imperfect time synchronization of nodes using extensive simulations. We extend our connectivity protocol to provide probabilistic coverage as well, where the sensing ranges of sensors follow probabilistic models. Because it employs both probabilistic communication and sensing models, the proposed protocol is more suitable for real sensor network environments than other protocols in the literature that assume a simple disk model for communication and sensing. We compare our protocol against others in the literature and show that it activates fewer number of nodes, consumes much less energy, and significantly prolongs the network lifetime.


The publication of a dictionary is regarded as the result of a lexicographic process. Three subtypes of a lexicographic process have been noted, namely the primary comprehensive, the secondary comprehensive and the dictionary specific lexicographic processes. In South Africa, the three lexicography processes correspond to the respective mandates of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the National Lexicography Units (NLUs) and the editorial teams involved in the compilation of the specific dictionaries. This hierarchical arrangement of the lexico- graphic practice is supported by the government within the country's national multilingual policy which was lauded in linguistic and lexicographic circles as a triumph for cultural democracy. It is almost a decade since these planned lexicographic processes have been in place. It seems the right time to consider the products of these South African lexicographic processes which are envied by many foreign lexicographers, especially in Africa. Accordingly, the article evaluates these lexico- graphic processes with special reference to the Tshivend√English T√/Dictionary. Specifi- cally, it addresses the question: To what extent does this dictionary represent lexicographic devel- opment in the indigenous South African languages which were marginalised before the establish- ment of the NLUs? A few insights are drawn from modern lexicographic theories for the general improvement of future lexicographic practice in languages with limited lexicographic tools such as Venda.


We report on a numerical and experimental study of a multimode EDFA suitable for mode division multiplexing. This EDFA is designed to equally amplify LP11 and LP21 modes with a gain close to 20 dB, which is confirmed by experimental and numerical results. This behavior is obtained by tailoring the erbium spatial distribution within the fiber core.


Monte Hermoso (SW Atlantic, Argentina) is a coastal ecosystem highly modulated by wind forcing. Ofshore winds have historically played a leading role in the tourist influx as they are associated with the occurrence of the endemic stinging medusa Olindias sambaquiensis. This species is closely related to warm summers but it could be favored by low temperatures in previous winters. Since summer 2013, a change in the wind pattern was locally perceived coincidently with the absence of the medusa in coastal waters. This work aimed at analyzing if wind pattern and sea surface temperature (SST) showed a measurable change along 2008-2015 and evaluating if this change can be associated to the observed variations in the occurrence pattern of O. sambaquiensis. Winds and SST data were analyzed in periods of high (2008-2012) and low (2013-2015) medusae occurrence, based on media and own observations. A significant change in the wind pattern in Monte Hermoso was detected. Wind speed decreased from 6.3 m s-1 in 2008 to 2.4 m s-1 in 2015 and calms and light winds increased by more than 44.2 and 7.5 %, respectively. This change implied an impediment of coastal upwelling, which is the physical process by which medusae reach the coast, and is associated with persistent (10 h or more) WNW to ENE winds blowing at ≥ 3.3 m s-1. Accordingly, in summer 2008 (period of high medusae occurrence), 45 coastal upwelling-days were detected in contrast to only 8 days in summer 2015 (period of absence of medusae). Also, positive SST anomalies were found over the 8-yr period, suggesting an increasing trend of 0.4 °C. Higher temperatures than normal during recent winters probably afect negatively the polyp reproduction. Our results demonstrate an environmental change in the ecosystem of Monte Hermoso and may explain, in part, the low occurrence of O. sambaquiensis in recent summers. The knowledge of the factors that regulate the occurrence of O. sambaquiensis is fundamental for developing a coastal management plan and/or for determining the first adaptation strategies.


USAID supports the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Colombia through the Recruitment Prevention and Reintegration (RPR) Program. The RPR Program provides institutional strengthening for the Government of Colombia (GOC) to support legal, social and economic reintegration services to demobilized adults and disengaged children, as well as to prevent new recruitment.
 The GOC supports demobilized adults through its Colombian Reintegration Agency (ACR). The DDR initiatives of the ACR aim to fulfill the following objectives: 1) Create conditions for demobilized ex-combatants to become independent citizens, 2) Strengthen socio-economic conditions in receptor communities, and 3) Promote reconciliation.
 Children and adolescents who disengage from illegal armed groups, recognized as victims, receive special attention through programs and policies led by the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) through its Specialized Assistance Program, which aims to reestablish and guarantee rights with special emphasis on protection, education and health.


Cancer is the second most common cause of death among humans in the world, exceeded only by heart disease. One of the promising modalities for the treatment of cancer is photodynamic therapy (PDT). It is based on the concept that (1) certain light-sensitive compounds (photosensitizers) can be localized in neoplastic tissue, and (2) subsequently, these photosensitizers can be activated at an appropriate wavelength of light to generate reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals and singlet oxygen that are toxic for cells and tissues. Despite the wide acknowledgement of the susceptibility of proteins to oxidation, a thorough understanding of the involvement of protein oxidation in PDT-induced apoptosis is severely lacking. In this thesis we studied the effects of PDT on human cancer cells, with the emphasis on identification of PDT-oxidized proteins and uncovering their role in PDT-induced apoptosis. Two types of oxidative modifications, i.e. carbonylation and oxidation of protein thiols, are of particular interest. Carbonylation, i.e. the formation of carbonyl groups as a result of oxidative modifications of lysyl, arginyl, and prolyl residues, is an irreversible modification and usually serves as a marker of oxidative damage. In contrast, cysteine thiols, the most reactive natural amino acids, can be oxidized both reversibly and irreversibly. In this thesis we described the first application of a sensitive proteomic approach for identification of both carbonylated and oxidized thiol proteins in one system. We showed that subjection of tumor cells to PDT led to oxidative modifications of more than 300 cellular proteins, including cytosolic, nuclear, ER, mitochondrial, and other proteins. A large fraction of the identified proteins (281) underwent reversible thiol oxidation. At the same time, only 119 proteins were heavily oxidized with the formation of carbonyl groups. Hsp90, a protein that in response to PDT undergoes both carbonylation and oxidation of thiols, is of particular interest. It is overexpressed in many human tumors and functions by stabilizing and activating a set of diverse pro-survival proteins. We showed that PDT induces Hsp90 monomers to cross-link covalently with the formation of dimers, thereby disrupting the interactions between Hsp90 and Cdc37, Hsp90's kinase targeting factor. Although an immediate PDT-induced disruption of Hsp90/Cdc37 complexes prevents the activation of newly synthesized anti-apoptotic substrates of Hsp90, we suggest that PDT-induced disruption of Hsp90/Cdc37 does not drastically contribute to the apoptotic cell death in vitro. The reason for that is a very fast nature of PDT-mediated apoptosis, which occurs within a time too short to significantly down-regulate Hsp90 substrates. This suggestion is in line with our observation that pre-incubation of cells with Hsp90 inhibitor, which decreases the levels of pro-survival Hsp90 clients, such as Akt and Raf-1, followed by a subsequent subjection of these cells to PDT, dramatically increased the apoptotic rates. Taken together, our data provide clear evidence that combination with Hsp90 inhibitors increases PDT-mediated apoptotic responses in vitro and may represent the general strategy for enhancing the efficiency of PDT cancer therapy as well as various other cancer treatment modalities in vivo.


Emergence of antimicrobial resistance is turning to be a life threatening problem in the treatment of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Many organisms display a multidrug resistant (MDR) pattern, which limits the treatment options. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of pathogens including the resistant types causing severe sepsis and septic shock as well as their antimicrobial resistance patterns. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study conducted at emergency department of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 293 bacterial isolates obtained during April 2015-16 inclusive, from severe sepsis and septic shock patients underwent susceptibility testing. Results: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Candida non-albicans were the most common organisms.With respect to the specimen source, majority of the isolates (38.6%) were obtained from urine specimens followed by blood (27%), skin/soft tissue specimen (16.4%) and respiratory specimen (15%). Escherichia coli showed good susceptibility to amikacin, meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed high rates of resistance to all the tested antimicrobials except colistin. The MDR phenotype occurred in 24.6% Escherichia coli, 30.4% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 56.4% Klebsiella pneumoniae and 87.5% Acinetobacter baumannii. No resistance was seen among fungal isolates. Conclusion: Our results highlight the high prevalence of gram negative organisms among severe sepsis and septic shock patients in south India. Strict implementation of sepsis guidelines, right antibiotic selection and dosage will help in preventing the development of resistance. Key words: Antimicrobials, Gram negative, Gram positive, Resistance, Septic shock, Severe sepsis.


Within the International Campus at the University of Vic over 30 courses are taught in English. This relatively new CLIL (content and language integrated learning) context has provided teachers with an opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration. This paper describes how collaboration, via an introductory CLIL course, tutorials, a working group and a digital platform, has raised common CLIL-specific classroom issues across disciplines: greater differentiation among students (language and content knowledge), covering a smaller volume of work and students' shorter attention span.


The proliferation of free trade agreements around the world has accentuated the role of preferential rules of origin (RoO) in global companies? sourcing and investment decisions. However, there are few theoretical and practically no empirical analyses on the effects of RoO on foreign direct investment (FDI). This paper strives to shed light on the relationship between RoO and FDI. We put forth a set of hypotheses on the impact of RoO on FDI, and perform an empirical exercise on the effects of RoO of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on FDI in 122 Mexican manufacturing industries 1994-2000. The findings indicate that NAFTA RoO have played a central role in foreign investors' cost assessments of locating production to Mexico, and that FDI in post-NAFTA Mexico has flowed in sectors with flexible RoO. This suggests that NAFTA-era investment in Mexican final and intermediate goods industries has been made by efficient, globally competitive firms that thrive on flexible RoO.


We proposed an optical true time-delay (TTD) feeder for X-band linear phased array antennas (PAAs), which possesses high-speed beam scan capability by selecting different lengths of fiber delay lines with fast 2/spl times/2 optical microelectromechanical system switches. For proof of concept, a 3-bit optical TTD has been built for a 10-GHz linear PAA composed of two antenna elements. Experimental results show that the maximum time-delay error is less than 0.2 ps, corresponding to a radiation angle error of less than 0.84/spl deg/, which is within the equipment resolution. We have also designed a 10-GHz linear PAA composed of eight microstrip patch antenna elements driven by the proposed TTD. The radiation patterns of this PAA have been obtained by simulation.


Purpose: Parental decisions to vaccinate their children may be impacted by the advice of health care providers practicing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Available literature suggests an association between vaccine delay or refusal and CAM use, decreased vaccination status of naturopathic patients, and increased vaccine hesitancy among naturopathic students. Some naturopathic physicians state that their approach towards discussions about childhood vaccinations may support families in choosing partial vaccination over complete refusal, ultimately contributing to an overall increase in vaccinations. Methods: Using a modified Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, this online survey of naturopathic physicians assessed childhood vaccine-related perceptions and practices. The survey instrument was developed through an iterative process using surveys from previous research, adapted by expert opinion and input from focus group participants. Results: Surveys were completed between October and November 2014 by 145 naturopathic physicians (response rate 28.7%) licensed and practicing in Vermont or Oregon State. The vast majority of respondents (93%) discuss childhood vaccines with their patients, and discussions may include numerous topics focused on assessing individualized risk factors and providing information to parents. Most (70%) assist parents in creating a customized vaccine schedule for their children, which may delay the start of vaccination until a later age, give select vaccines only, and/or spread out the vaccine schedule (as compared to the CDC-ACIP recommended schedule). Vaccinespecific safety concerns are highly prevalent ( 67% ), vary by vaccine, and include concerns regarding vaccine schedule, necessity, risk for potential adverse effects, and safety of vaccine ingredients. The majority of respondents use a variety of approaches intended to reduce adverse effects of vaccination (91 % ) and to make childhood vaccination safer and more effective (93%). Finally, most respondents are in agreement with each other on key vaccination beliefs underscoring both concerns and the importance of childhood vaccinations. Conclusions: Results highlight an individualized approach towards childhood vaccinations by naturopathic physicians, often including a customized schedule and indepth conversations with parents. The impact of this approach on parental vaccine choice and public health remains unknown. Results may promote further understanding of the various therapeutic recommendations and safety concerns regarding childhood vaccinations held by naturopathic physicians and can potentially foster more effective communication among all healthcare providers on this important public health issue.


Clients attending a London voluntary sector counselling centre completed assessments pre- and post-psychodynamic counselling and at follow-up. Although there was a very high attrition rate following initial assessment, this did not appear to affect adversely the representativeness of the sample completing the later assessments. Clients were found to improve in terms of psychological well-being, control and various other aspects of their lives, and attributed many of the changes to counselling. Counsellors also rated the counselling as effective with most clients, and particularly those who were inner directed, had expectancies favourable towards psychotherapy, had greater perceived control over their lives, attended more sessions, and with whom an interaction/transference approach was taken. Clients with more severe problems showed less improvement in other areas of their lives. There was no difference in the outcome of clients seen by qualified and trainee counsellors.


Calculations of low free energy structures of gold clusters with a few hundred to a few thousand atoms have been performed. For the study to be computationally feasible, a systematic scheme for generating low energy atomic structures with a given structural motif and a chosen size is used. Comparison of the relative stability of clusters with the decahedral and FCC motifs reveals periodic windows of stability for asymmetric, open-shell FCC clusters while the stability of the decahedral structural motif shows a smoother variation in stability with cluster size. As a result, the FCC structural motif is most stable for clusters with around 440, 610, 800, 1050… atoms, while the decahedral motif is more stable for atomic numbers of around 525, 705, 925, 1175… These new 'magic numbers' represent regions around which a number of asymmetric, open shell clusters of a given motif are most stable, in contrast to the discrete set of highly symmetric magic size structures that are commonly cited. As temperature is raised, the decahedral motif gains stability over the FCC motif. These results help explain reported experimental observations and can guide future laboratory preparations of shape selected clusters.

publisher-specific, author manuscript: http://rsc.li/journals-terms-of-use


This paper reports our investigation on the problem of belief update in Bayesian networks (BN) using uncertain evidence. We focus on two types of uncertain evidences, virtual evidence (represented as likelihood ratios) and soft evidence (represented as probability distributions). We review three existing belief update methods with uncertain evidences: virtual evidence method, Jeffrey's rule, and IPFP (iterative proportional fitting procedure), and analyze the relations between these methods. This in-depth understanding leads us to propose two algorithms for belief update with multiple soft evidences. Both of these algorithms can be seen as integrating the techniques of virtual evidence method, IPFP and traditional BN evidential inference, and they have clear computational and practical advantages over the methods proposed by others in the past


Ratoon stunting disease (RSD), caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp xyli, is well established in most sugarcane growing regions of the world and is considered to cause more yield losses worldwide than any other sugarcane disease (Hughes, 1974). In South Africa, field trials have demonstrated that yield reductions under rainfed conditions can exceed 40% in highly susceptible varieties (Bailey and Bechet, 1986). When cane is grown under irrigation, yield losses are less noticeable but still significant in many varieties (Bailey and Bechet, 1995). It is estimated that RSD currently results in a one percent reduction in industrial production in South Africa and between 10 and 20% in other African countries where South African varieties are grown (Bailey and McFarlane, 1999; Rutherford et al., 2003). For many years, the reaction of different sugarcane varieties to RSD has been based on large, replicated yield loss trials grown over a number of years under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Although these trials provide valuable information, they are time-consuming and require large areas of uniform land. . . They are therefore not suitable for incorporation into a routine disease screening programme in which large numbers of genotypes are assessed for their reactions to the important diseases occurring in the industry. As a result, the susceptibility of new commercial varieties to RSD is only known several years after release to the growers. The main objective of this study was to establish a suitable method to reliably evaluate sugarcane genotypes for RSD resistance as part of the plant breeding and selection programme. Emphasis was placed on the use of the tissue blot immunoassay (TBlA) developed by Harrison and Davis (1988) and modified by Davis et al (1994), in relation to the more traditional methods of variety assessment, such as the rate of spread of RSD in the field at harvest and yield loss trials. Although the immunoassay protocol was not altered, slight modifications to the blotting procedure resulted in clearer blots that were easier to interpret. Internode position and the age of the cane were shown to have a marked effect on the extent of colonisation and ultimately the RSD resistance rating. A trial investigating the effect of the extent of colonisation on the rate of spread of RSD at harvest was conducted and showed that the relationship between spread and


This paper studies the relationship between venture capital (VC) and innovation using a self-collected dataset containing 119 innovative, VC-funded firms and 164,486 controls that operate in Spain. Probit model estimates indicate that firms that have applied for at least one patent are significantly more likely to obtain VC investments. However, when implementing a matching approach to correct for selectivity, no evidence is found of a significant impact of VC on firms' patenting activity. Rather, evidence is found of a positive effect of VC on the sales growth of funded firms. These results suggest that, rather than having an impact on innovation activities, venture capitalists (VCs) focus on the commercialization of existing products. A finer breakdown by ownership and investment stage also provides evidence that private VCs and early stage investments are notably more effective at stimulating sales than public VCs and late stage investments respectively.


Developing an accurate forecast model for the amount of power consumed will include
such factors as time of day, day of the year, the weather, among many others. Based upon
these given factors, current models use a neural network approach to forecast in the very near
future. For the purpose of business operations, this model should be accurate for predicting
power usage at least six months into the future. Using regression with time series analysis,
the goal is to build a model that re°ects systematic movements in the data and predict them
so errors would be more or less random and minimized.


Alpacas are a domestic species of South American camelids (SAC), which are internationally appreciated because they have a high-quality fibre. Toluidine Blue (TB) is a cationic stain that binds to DNA permitting differentiation between sperm heads according to the degree of chromatin decondensation. This technique was used to evaluate sperm chromatin in alpacas, determine chromatin condensation patterns in alpacas and determine if it is possible to use dithiothreitol (DTT) as a positive control for the stain. A total of 15 ejaculates were collected from 9 alpacas using electroejaculation. TB stain was carried out according to Carretero et al. (2009) on smears of raw semen. Spermatozoa were classified according to the degree of chromatin decondensation. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance for evaluating male differences were performed. Three patterns of staining with TB were observed in alpaca sperm: light blue (negative, without alteration of chromatin condensation), light violet (intermediate, some degree of decondensation), dark blue-violet (positive, high degree of decondensation). The percentages observed were (mean ± SD): TB positive 7.55 ± 5.22, TB intermediate 21.67 ± 6.81 and TB negative 70.78 ± 10.80. In the spermatozoa incubated with 1% DTT, 2 main categories were observed: reacted (positive with TB) and non-reacted (negative with TB). In reacted sperm, 3 sub-categories were observed according to sperm head morphology and presence of vacuoles. Variability between males was observed for positive (P = 0.03) but not for intermediate TB stained sperm. It is possible to use TB to evaluate the degree of chromatin decondensation in alpaca spermatozoa, showing the same TB patterns as in other SAC; also 1% DTT can be used as a positive control for this technique.


This work is a comprehensive investigation to find to what extent simple laboratory tests e.g. Los Angeles abrasion and micro-Deval might be suitable for predicting real railway ballast performance with respect to deformation and degradation. A number of tests to measure essential properties of ballast aggregate have been performed in addition to advanced material testing. Large cyclic triaxial loading test and full scale railway track model test were employed to simulate the effects of train loading and tamping, and to study settlement, stiffness and degradation of a range of ballast materials. The testing programme included both wet and dry testing conditions. All the rock types tested were mainly composed of combinations of principal rock-forming silicate minerals. They represent all together a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and consolidated/metamorphosed sedimentary rocks mainly fine to very fine grained.Mechanical propertiesChange in the ballast grading proved to affect the ballast breakage development over time. However, the abrasion property expressed by the micro-Deval value did not show any association with the degradation of ballast under repeated load testing. Simulation of repeated tamping seemed to be the main source of ballast breakage.Most rocks showed high frost resistance after long term impact, but samples with high content of amphibole were less frost resistant. The rocks' mechanical strength in terms of the Los Angeles abrasion or micro-Deval value did not show any correlation with either the amount of microcracks or the rocks' average mineral grain size. A new method to measure the amount of microcracks based on luminescence measurements was developed. It is suggested that micro-cracks represent open channels for water to penetrate into the aggregate, which was confirmed by good correlation between water absorption and the amount of micro-cracks.Moisture had generally a negative effect on rocks' mechanical strength according to Los Angeles abrasion and Point Load strength results. On the other hand, dry and wet triaxial tests with cyclic loadings did not confirm this effect. Neither did mineral grain size distribution show any correlation with mechanical strength, but the range of coefficient of conformity (Cu = D60/D10) was probably too narrow to obtain a reliable conclusion. A new method to quantify the mineral grain size distribution was developed under these test series.Functional propertiesBoth resilient modulus of the ballast layer and the stiffness of the track were governed by the materials' grading curve and specific density. A possible relation between the amount of microcracks in the aggregate and resilient modulus as well as ballast breakage is suggested. The permanent vertical strain during repeated load testing was affected by both the micro-Deval value, the grading curve of the ballast and the aggregate's content of soft minerals.Improvements of test methods The Los Angeles abrasion test distinguished clearly between the superior quality material and the very poor material. The Los Angeles abrasion value is, however, a poor parameter to indicate how the intermediate material will behave in service regarding ballast breakage.This study proposes to improve the ranking of ballast materials by introducing two additional methods. One which is able to measure some rocks' ability to recover mechanical strength after repeated crushing, and one which measures the production of fines (0/0.125 mm) during crushing.Saturation of ballast material before micro-Deval testing did not have any significant effect on degradation. Neither did the use of 1 % sodium-chloride solution have any effect.


This study was based on Chelladurai's (1978, 2001, 2007) Multidimensional Model of Leadership and was designed to determine whether athletes' preferred coaching behavior would vary as a function of their psychological characteristics. Study participants (N = 195 collegiate athletes) completed questionnaires to assess their sport anxiety (SAS), motivational orientation (SMS), as well as their preferred coaching styles (LSS) and feedback patterns (CFQ). Canonical correlation procedures revealed that athletes who were high in self-determined forms of motivation and in somatic trait anxiety preferred coaches who exhibited a democratic leadership style and who provided high amounts of training, social support, and positive and informational feedback while athletes who were high in amotivation indicated a preference for coaches who exhibited an autocratic style and who provided high amounts of punishment-oriented feedback. In addition, high cognitive sport anxiety was linked to greater preference for high frequ...


Although fossils have provided some of the most important evidence for evolution, the discipline of paleontology has not always had a central place in evolutionary biology. Beginning in Darwin's day, and for much of the twentieth century, paleontologists were often regarded as mere fossil collectors by many evolutionary biologists, their attempts to contribute to evolutionary theory ignored or regarded with scorn. In the 1950s, however, paleontologists began mounting a counter-movement that insisted on the valid, important, and original contribution of paleontology to evolutionary theory. This movement, called "paleobiology" by its proponents, advocated for an approach to the fossil record that was theoretical, quantitative, and oriented towards explaining the broad patterns of evolution and extinction in the history of life. "Rereading the Fossil Record" provides, as never before, a historical account of the origin, rise, and importance of paleobiology, from the mid-nineteenth century to the late 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, David Sepkoski shows how the movement was conceived and promoted by a small but influential group of paleontologists - including Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge, among others - and examines the intellectual, disciplinary, and political dynamics involved in the ascendancy of paleobiology. By emphasizing the close relationship between paleobiology and other evolutionary disciplines, this book writes a new chapter in the history of evolutionary biology, while also offering insights into the dynamics of disciplinary change in modern science.


Premise of the study:  Like many other flowering plants, members of the Compositae (Asteraceae) have a polyploid ancestry. Previous analyses found evidence for an ancient duplication or possibly triplication in the early evolutionary history of the family. We sought to better place this paleopolyploidy in the phylogeny and assess its nature. Methods:  We sequenced new transcriptomes for  Barnadesia  , the lineage sister to all other Compositae, and four representatives of closely related families. Using a recently developed algorithm, MAPS, we analyzed nuclear gene family phylogenies for evidence of paleopolyploidy. Key results:  We found that the previously recognized Compositae paleopolyploidy is also in the ancestry of the Calyceraceae. Our phylogenomic analyses uncovered evidence for a successive second round of genome duplication among all sampled Compositae except Barnadesia  . Conclusions:  Our analyses of new samples with new tools provide a revised view of paleopolyploidy in the Compositae. Together with results from a high density  Lactuca  linkage map, our results suggest that the Compositae and Calyceraceae have a common paleotetraploid ancestor and most Compositae are descendants of a paleohexaploid. Although paleohexaploids have been previously identified, this is the first example where the paleotetraploid and paleohexaploid lineages have survived over tens of millions of years. The complex polyploidy in the ancestry of the Compositae and Calyceraceae represents a unique


Abstract Eocene dykes extending over 50 km along the southern margin of the Ladakh batholith (NW India) fall into two main groups showing different orientations, as well as different isotope and trace element geochemistry. Both dyke families formed in the same tectonic setting over a time span of approximately 4 Ma. However, each family is far from monolithic, and therefore we tested several statistical approaches to identify geochemical subgroups from rare earth element (REE) data and relate them to magmatogenetic processes. Hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling calculate similarities/dissimilarities among individuals of a population. Both statistical tools, when applied to the Ladakh dykes, reflect the east–west dichotomy. However, detailed quantification of the resulting grouping varies according to input data. Normalization to chondrites yields slightly different groupings from unnormalized concentration data. Population internal REE normalization provides the most accurate grouping, as revealed by the fact that multiple samples from the same dyke are assigned the closest relatedness. Independently from normalization, east–west dichotomy is mirrored by marked differences in the degree of crustal assimilation and magma evolution, pointing to kilometre-scale geological heterogeneity. Finally, dykes intruding the Ladakh batholith 150 km SE of the present samples are geochemically similar, but cluster as a distinct group.


Composite surface (0 to 0.15 m) soil samples were collected from vegetable growing fields in mid-hills subhumid
and high-hills wet-temperate sub-agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh. The soils in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh were more acidic (pH 5.2 to 6.8) in contrast to soils in mid–hills subhumid zone (pH 5.8 to 7.5) sandy loam to clay loam in texture, medium to high in organic carbon content. Soils were medium in available-N, low to medium in available-P and medium to high in available-K. In -1 sub-humid zone, the DTPA-extractable micronutrients ranged between 0.64 to 11.0 mg kg for Zn, 0.14 to -1 -1 -1 2.80 mg kg for Cu, 10.6 to 70.8 mg kg for Fe and 2.1 to 34.9 mg kg for Mn, while in wet-temperate zone -1 -1 -1 between 0.44 to 2.06 mg kg forZn, 0.02 to 3.60 mg kg for Cu, 22.8 to 96.6 mg kg for Fe and 2.5 to 40.0 mg -1 kg for Mn. Soils in some parts of wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh are inherently low in DTPA extractable Zn (19%), Cu (13%) and Mn (6%) while parts of sub humid zone are low in DTPA-extractable Cu (16%) and Mn (5%). All the DTPA micronutrients showed positive correlation with organic carbon. DTPA-Fe and Mn showed a negative correlation with soil pH. Among mechanical separates, the availability of DTPA-Cu and Mn was higher with finer soil fractions and decreased with coarser ones and reverse relation was observed with DTPA-Zn.


The rock-dwelling cichlids, or mbuna, of Lake Malawi are exceptionally diverse. Explanations of this diversity have used limited dispersal by the mbuna as the basis for allopatric models of speciation. However, there have been no studies that have attempted to define the extent and rates of dispersal of mbuna populations in the field. The present work took advantage of some translocations in which several species of mbuna were introduced to the Cape Maclear region of Lake Malawi from elsewhere in the lake. A detailed series of transects involving observations at four depths was undertaken at Thumbi West Island to define the distribution of the introduced species. There are large differences between species in the extent to which they have spread. Some species are now present all round the island while others have dispersed only a limited distance from the site of the initial introductions. This survey provides the first comprehensive data set on the distribution of the introduced species and it raises a number of important questions regarding their dispersal ability and their likely impact on the endemic community.


This paper presents a broad perspective on traffic flow modeling at a spectrum of four scales. Modeling objectives and model properties at each scale are discussed and existing efforts are reviewed. In order to ensure modeling consistency and provide a microscopic basis for macroscopic models, it is critical to address the coupling among models at different scales, i.e. how less detailed models are derived from more detailed models and, conversely, how more detailed models are aggregated to less detailed models. With this understanding, a consistent modeling approach is proposed based on field theory and modeling strategies at each of the four scales are discussed. In addition, a special case is formulated at both microscopic and macroscopic scales. Numerical and empirical results suggest that these special cases perform satisfactorily and aggregate to realistic macroscopic behavior. By ensuring model coupling and modeling consistency, the proposed approach is able to establish the theoretical foundation for traffic modeling and simulation at multiple scales seamlessly within a single system.


Pavements are the most unusual structures designed by civil engineers. Water flows through their tops, bottoms and sides but because pavements are relatively flat, flows out again very slowly unless they are well drained under their full width. Without highly permeable drainage layers—as under most pavements in the U.S.—damage from traffic and environment can reduce the life of undrained pavements to a third or less of that for well drained pavements. Yet in the U.S., concern over water in pavements has been largely ignored over the past 30-40 years. Most designers feel that if they make pavements strong there is no need for fast drainage out of structural sections. Key features of well drained pavements include 1) a layer of very high permeability material under the full width of traffic lanes; 2) a suitable filter of subbase on the subgrade to prevent soil from working upward into the open-graded drainage layer; 3) collector pipes along lower edges; 4) well marked outlet pipes. The open-graded layer, which should pass 10,000 to 100,000 ft/day, costs the same or less than compacted aggregates.


Palliative care is unusual as a specialty within health care in that it has its own philosophy, which is summarised in the WHO definition of palliative care. This philosophy has influenced clinical practice so that specialist palliative care differs significantly from other aspects of health care. The thesis is a critique of that philosophy. It examines the moral problems inherent in implementing the philosophy in clinical practice. It concludes with suggestions for improvements which could be made to the philosophy statement so as to influence clinical care for the better.

Thesis 1 is that decisions regarding the use of treatment to control symptoms or prolong life did not need to depend on complex doctrines such as double effect, but instead ought to be based on weighing up the benefits, harms and risks of treatment.

Thesis 2 is that the relatives should not be an equal part of the remit of care. It is argued that whilst there is a special relationship, founded on an implicit promise and associated with specific obligations, between patients and health care professionals, this special relationship should not be extended to relatives of the patient.

Thesis 3 is that quality of life as a global concept should not be used. Since quality of life depends on many incommensurable factors, and it is not possible to construct a coherent account of quality of life from our everyday notions of what it means, it is not possible to construct a quality of life scale.

Thesis 4 is that there are constraints of expertise and propriety on attempts to influence the patient's psychological, social and spiritual well-being.

Thesis 5 is that within health care there ought to be a just distribution of resources to specialist palliative care, and then among terminally ill patients regardless of their illness.


The images of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and of the Silent Revolution in Eastern Europe have become symbols of political transformation. Over the last decades, attempts have also been made in other regions of the world to transform authoritarian regimes and planned economies into market-based democracies. Managing this change is one of the greatest political challenges of our time. The experiences of the last twenty years, however, constitute a vast body of knowledge for leaders who will confront similar challenges in the future. The Bertelsmann Foundation, in cooperation with prominent scholars, has developed criteria for evaluating development and transformation processes, aiming to offer strategic guidance for future change. The book presents criteria for the evaluation of the transformation processes toward democracy and a market economy, with comparative country surveys of the transformation processes in Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Uruguay. The authors also provide criteria for evaluating development processes such as overcoming structural underdevelopment, strengthening the rule of law, and creating a civil society; with related surveys of Bolivia, Mali, and Mauritius.


Diesel engines being self-contained power plants are the most promising energy sources in transport from the point of view of saving natural resources. In order to improve the fuel efficiency and power density of diesel engines for further development of transport energy, requires using energy-saving technologies. Such technologies to create diesel engines are based on a comprehensive improvement and optimization of operating cycle and its comprising processes. Special attention is paid to ensuring the effective combustion of fuel within the constraints imposed by the emission of harmful substances in the exhausting gases and the thermo-mechanical loaded parts. In order to evidence-based selection, method of management of combustion process on the basis of analysis of physical and chemical characteristics of processes developed intracylinder refined mathematical model of combustion of fuel in diesel engines. The basis of determining efficiency of selection and management of combustion process is a differentiated approach to the assessment of the control actions. According to the results of computational and experimental synthesis cycle in diesel engines, basic principles of fuel control combustion process were developed. Implementation of the developed guidelines and best management practices during the combustion process of fuel improves technical level and competitiveness of diesel engines, improves fuel efficiency by 5 ... 7%, reduces thermo-mechanical loading, maximum temperature and pressure of gas in Energy Production and Management in the 21st Century, Vol. 1 677 www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) WIT Transactions on Ecology and The Environment, Vol 190, © 2014 WIT Press doi:10.2495/EQ140641 cylinder by 5 ... 6% and emissions including – particulate matter (soot) – 25 ... 30% and nitrogen oxides – 18 ... 20%, common and high levels noise of operating diesel reduces by 2 ... 2.5% and by 5 ... 7%, respectively.


The investigation reported below involves experimental work dealing with the occurrence and type of seed dormancy exhibited by a number of plants collected at high altitudes in Colorado. The objectives of the work include contributing to an understanding of the autecology of the species studied, as well as aiding in an evaluation of the ecological significance of seed dormancy itself. Collections were made during July and August of 1953 at two localities in Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory north of Gunnison in the Elk Mountains of south-central Colorado (Gunnison County) ; and near the former University of Colorado Science Lodge, now the Arctic-Alpine Institute, west of Boulder in the Front Range of Colorado (Boulder County). These localities will be referred to below as R.M.B.L. and Alpine Institute, respectively. The altitudes at which collections were made ranged within what is usually considered to be climatically "subalpine" in Colorado, the lowest collection being at 9200 feet and the highest at 10,000 feet elevation.


Copolymer films of N-methylpyrrole (N-MPy) and N-methylcarbazole (N-MCz) were synthesized electrochemically onto single carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs). Deposition conditions on the carbon fiber, influence of the monomer concentrations on the copolymerization of P[N-methylpyrrole-co-N-methylcarbazole] P[N-MPy-co-N-MCz], and the electrochemistry of the resulting homopolymer and copolymers were studied using cyclic voltammetry, FTIR-ATR, in-situ spectroelectrochemistry, a UV-vis spectrophotometer, and a 4-point probe conductometer. The effects of current density, supporting electrolyte type, temperature, and monomer concentrations on the formation of the film were studied. Redox parameters and stability of charged films were obtained by cyclic voltammetry. The most stable copolymer was obtained in lithium perchlorate-acetonitrile electrolytic solution (LiClO4/ ACN).


Binding affinity of biomolecular interactions can be directly extracted from measured surface plasmon resonance biosensor sensorgrams by fitting the data to the appropriate model equations. The conventional method for affinity estimation uses a series of analytes and buffers that are injected serially to a single immobilized ligand on the sensing surface, including a regeneration step between each injection, to generate information about the binding behavior. We present an alternative method to estimate the affinity using a single analyte concentration injected to multiple ligand densities in a microarray format. This parameter estimation method eliminates the need for multiple analyte injections and surface regeneration steps, which can be important for applications where there is limited analyte serum, fragile ligand-surface attachment, or the detection of multiple biomolecule interactions. The single analyte injection approach for binding affinity estimation has been demonstrated for two different interactant pairs, β2 microglobulin/anti-β2 microglobulin (β2M) and human IgG/Fab fragments of anti-human IgG (hIgG), where the ligands are printed in a microarray format. Quantitative comparisons between the estimated binding affinities measured with the conventional method are β2M: KD = 1.48 ± 0.28 nM and hIgG: KD = 12.6 ± 0.2 nM and for the single injection method are β2M: KD = 1.52 ± 0.22 nM and hIgG: KD = 12.5 ± 0.6 nM, which are in good agreement in both cases.


The past history of medicine has furnished many and diverse anomalies in the line of methods of treatment, and the present day has brought many queer practices to light. By an odd coincidence most of the modern vagaries have for their basis a religious idea or thought. They endeavor to supplant material treatment by a spiritual or religious agency. At least, the advocates of these methods endeavor to use the Bible as their text-book on modern medicine. An effort is made to substitute the Word of God for the efforts of man, and hence the very natural conclusion that the agency of man is entirely unnecessary and even presumptuous. It is a great mistake on the part of the medical profession to ignore these peculiar people. It is equally unwise to abuse or uselessly antagonize them. Some of them are honest in their beliefs, and it should therefore be the


Introduction: We evaluated treatment patterns of elderly patients with stage IIIA (N2) non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for patients with stage IIIA (T1-T3N2M0) NSCLC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database from 2004 to 2007 was analyzed. Treatment variability was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model that included treatment, patient, tumor, and census track variables. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier approach and Cox proportional hazard models. Results: The most common treatments for 2958 patients with stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC were radiation with chemotherapy (n = 1065, 36%), no treatment (n = 534, 18%), and radiation alone (n = 383, 13%). Surgery was performed in 709 patients (24%): 235 patients (8%) had surgery alone, 40 patients (1%) had surgery with radiation, 222 patients had surgery with chemotherapy (8%), and 212 patients (7%) had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Younger age (p < 0.0001), lower T-status (p < 0.0001), female sex (p = 0.04), and living in a census track with a higher median income (p = 0.03) predicted surgery use. Older age (p < 0.0001) was the only factor that predicted that patients did not get any therapy. The 3-year overall survival was 21.8 ± 1.5% for all patients, 42.1 ± 3.8% for patients that had surgery, and 15.4 ± 1.5% for patients that did not have surgery. Increasing age, higher T-stage and Charlson Comorbidity Index, and not having surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy were all risk factors for worse survival (all p values < 0.001). Conclusions: Treatment of elderly patients with stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC is highly variable and varies not only with specific patient and tumor characteristics but also with regional income level.


SMEs have been recognised as important actors of commercial activity most specifically since the second half of the 20th century. Although understanding its customer potential has been named a top priority among many sectors, there is a limited body of knowledge regarding the buying behaviour of SME's. Many studies and industry practices frame the context within corporate or individual buying behaviour, however few researchers mention SME's. When mentioned they tend to tie with elitist attributes and consider them as small versions of big enterprises. Studies and industry practices are conformist and assume that SME's buying behaviour consists of nothing but -ignoring impulsive tendencies- 'normative' or 'conservative' typologies. However, the lack of application makes this dichotomy untested.

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; therefore, other possible (unknown) typologies may affect stakeholders that behave with this incomplete knowledge set. Behavioural researchers can suffer from moving further in the wrong direction and can lose the base of the study. Marketers can suffer from not acknowledging the SME segment in full, so they cannot technically address its needs in a navigated way, and can lose money. SMEs themselves can suffer from being unaware about their buying practices, and therefore do not question their approach that may jeopardise their business.

After an extensive literature review, this study led to the adoption of Wilson's Cube, a model that rejects the distinction between individual and business customers. The cube comes with a positive correlation (which led to a combined hypothesis) among x (Purchase Significance: Exceptional – Routine), y (Need Driver: Professional – Leisure) and z (Buying Attitude: Aversion – Enjoyment) axes. Quantitative research was conducted with 270 participants for 12 products/services. The tested (and validated with 10 SMEs) hypothesis proved that SMEs also buy within the leisure-routine axes of the cube, particularly some tangible products, e.g. popular technology and vehicle, and when they do, they spend more (enjoyment axis) like individual consumers. Supporting this, even in economic crisis scenario, SMEs compromise less for the same group of products. In the end, according to contextualised framework, 'non-normative' presence is about 70% and the current practice based on their miscategorisation is not supported.

To scrutinise the prevalence of this abnormal presence, a risk impact map was derived from the percentage breakdown of responses and risk factors. By converting the calculated figures to a cumulative distribution, a risk score (16%-20%) was introduced for Turkey, as well as a risk grade, BBB, which is only a grade higher than the high-risk area. Knowing that SMEs are 50% player in Turkey's €500B GDP, whereas its 40% refers to import, the impacted economic value can be estimated with up to ten billions of euros.

Following the final framework that consists of buying behaviour typologies in Turkey, a proposal was suggested to researchers, marketers to SMEs, as well as SMEs themselves, in terms of strategic improvements within a timeline view.


This paper examines the microfoundations of the determinants of international competitiveness. It does so within the broader "technology gap" perspective whereby wide technological and organizational differences ultimately shape the patterns of trade within sectors across countries and their dynamics. First, we take stock of the incumbent evidence on the relation between cost-related and technological competition at country and sectoral level. The overall picture indeed suggests that the countries' sectoral market shares are mainly shaped by technological factors while cost advantages/disadvantages do not seem to play any significant role. But within any sector, within any country, firms widely differ. Hence the question: does this property apply also at a micro level? Here, we first propose a heuristic model based on a generalized Polya urn process yielding such a property and, then, empirically attempt to identify the underlying dynamics at the firm level using a large panel of Italian firms, over nearly two decades. Results show that also at micro level in most sectors investments and patents correlate positively both with the probability of being an exporter and with the capacity to acquire and to increase exports, whereas labour costs show a negative effect only in some sectors. The result is reinforced when separating the short- and long-run effects, highlighting the predominant impact of technological proxies and basically the irrelevance of wage costs.


Objective The objective of this article is to describe real-world treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with platinum-refractory/resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer (PRROC) in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Methods/Materials Physicians retrospectively reviewed medical records of women aged 18 years or older who were diagnosed with PRROC between January 2010 and June 2014. Patient characteristics, initial PRROC therapy, and health care utilization were assessed; progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods. Results Data were obtained on 392 US, 296 UK, and 82 Canadian patients. At initial ovarian cancer diagnosis, 65.8% (United States), 93.3% (United Kingdom), and 82.9% (Canada) of patients had stage III/IV disease; 43.6%, 73.7%, and 56.1%, respectively, had high-grade tumors. At PRROC diagnosis, mean age was 57.2 years (United States), 59.2 years (United Kingdom), and 57.4 years (Canada). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0/1 at PRROC diagnosis for 57.7% (United States), 80.1% (United Kingdom), and 36.6% (Canada) of patients. Most patients initiated systemic treatment after PRROC diagnosis (United States, 71.4%; United Kingdom, 83.1%; Canada, 81.7%). The most common initial PRROC therapy was pegylated liposomal doxorubicin monotherapy (United States, 18.6%; United Kingdom, 50.0%; Canada, 34.3%). During initial PRROC treatment, 80.7%, 59.8%, and 44.8% of patients had 1 office visit or more and 17.5%, 10.2%, and 14.9% of patients had 1 hospitalization or more in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, respectively. Treatment toxicity was the most common reason for hospitalization (United States, 75.5%; United Kingdom, 64.0%; Canada, 80.0%). Median (95% confidence interval) PFS was 5.6 (4.9–6.2), 8.0 (6.8–9.2), and 6.4 (5.4–9.3) months in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that stage III/IV, high-grade tumors, and poorer performance status were associated with shorter survival. Conclusions Current treatments for PRROC yield limited PFS and frequent hospitalizations reported to be related to toxicities or procedural complications, suggesting a continued unmet need for more effective and tolerable therapeutic strategies for PRROC.


The effects of Cd on the expression of specific proteins and transcripts have been examined in Cd-resistant (Cd300) and Cd-sensitive cultures of Datura innoxia. 2D PAGE analysis of the soluble fraction of D. innoxia protein proved problematic. Proteins precipitated on the surface of lEF gels. This was overcome by loading the samples in the gel mixture prior to polymerisation. Polymerisation of gels containing protein extracted from Cd-exposed cells only occurred when PCs, Cd and other components were resolved from the proteins eluting in the void volume following fractionation by gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G50). Two peptides, designated Cd-1 and Cd-2, were detected in the Cd300 cells only after exposure to Cd. Cd-1 and Cd-2 were also both detected following exposure of the Cd300 cells to 125 piM Cu or Zn, or HS (42 ˚C 4 h). Neither Cd-1 nor Cd-2 were observed in protein extracts from WDI cells exposed to 125 μM Cd for 8 h. Both Cd-1 and Cd-2 proved refractory to Edman degradation while the N-terminal 30 amino acids of a third, constitutively expressed protein, designated Protein-3, were determined using equivalent procedures. This protein showed sequence similarity to PR proteins. Although cleavage of Cd-1 and Cd-2 generated polypeptides which were not terminally blocked, no sequence information was obtained from these polypeptides, even following purification using standard techniques. Oligonucleotide primers designed from the amino acid sequence of Protein-3 were successfully used to amplify, from cDNA, a fragment which was cloned, sequenced and shown to encode the characterised protein. A longer fragment was also amplified from cDNA by RACE PGR. However, this product was not cloned. In order to identify cDNA sequences encoding Cd-1 and Cd-2 an expression cDNA library was prepared and antibodies raised against the two peptides. However, no antigenicity could be detected when antisera raised against Cd-1 or Cd-2, or the purified IgG fractions, were used to probe western blots. The XZAP cDNA (Cd-exposed) library was "differentially screened" in order to isolate clones corresponding to Cd-induced genes. This led to the isolation of two Cd- induced clones designated Cd-6 (949 bp) and Cd-8 (659 bp). Both clones hybridised to transcripts of approximately 900 bp. Transcripts were also detected in RNA samples extracted from D. innoxia exposed to HS (42 ˚C 4 h), however no transcripts were detected in WDI cells exposed to Cd. Southern blots revealed hybridisation to multiple bands, possibly indicating the presence of a gene family. A motif, C-C-X-C-C, found in the a-domain of metallothioneins, was identified in Cd-6. This may represent a putative metal binding site in Cd-6.


The Music Fairies desperately need Rachel's and Kirsty's help! Jack Frost and his naughty goblins have stolen the fairies' Magical Musical Instruments, which means that music is being ruined for everyone! Jack Frost plans to use the instruments to help him win a national talent competition in the human world, and with the help of the enchanted instruments, he's bound to win. If this happens, humans will find out about Fairyland and then all the fairies will be in danger! Ellie the Guitar Fairy needs Rachel's and Kirsty's help to find her Magic Guitar. They must come up with a plan to to take it back from the sneaky goblins...


Abstract This study provides empirical evidence for habitat selection by North American species of stiletto flies (Diptera: Therevidae), based on local distributions of adults and immatures, and the first hypothesis of community assemblages proposed for a stiletto fly community. Sites at three localities within the Guadalupe-Nipomo dune system were sampled for stiletto flies in 1997 and 2001 by sifting sand, malaise trapping, and hand netting. Nine species were collected from four ecological zones and three intermediate ecological zones: Acrosathe novella (Coquillett), Brachylinga baccata (Loew), Nebritus powelli (Webb and Irwin), Ozodiceromyia sp., Pherocera sp., Tabudamima melanophleba (Loew), Thereva comata Loew, Thereva elizabethae Holston and Irwin, and Thereva fucata Loew. Species associations of adults and larvae with habitats and ecological zones were consistent among sites, suggesting that local distributions of coastal dune stiletto fly species are influenced by differences in habitat selection. In habitats dominated by the arroyo willow,Salix lasiolepsis, stiletto fly larvae of three species were collected in local sympatry, demonstrating that S. lasiolepsis stands along stabilized dune ridges can provide an intermediate ecological zone linking active dune and riparian habitat in the Guadalupe-Nipomo dune system. Sites dominated by European beach grass, Ammophilia arenaria, blue gum, Eucalyptus globulus, and Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa, are considered unsuitable for stiletto flies, which emphasizes the importance of terrestrial habitats with native vegetation for stiletto fly species. The local distributions of stiletto fly species at the Guadalupe-Nipomo dune system allow the community to be divided into three assemblages; active dune, pioneer scrub, and scrub-riparian. These assemblages may be applicable to other coastal dune stiletto fly communities, and may have particular relevance to stiletto fly species collected in European coastal dunes. The results from this study provide a descriptive framework for studies testing habitat selection in coastal dune stiletto fly species and inform conservation of threatened dune insects.


Abstract The Archaean Jiaodong Terrane is located in the southern segment of the Palaeoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, which separates the Eastern Block of the North China Craton into the Longgang and Langrim blocks. Controversy has long surrounded the issue of whether the Jiaodong Terrane is part of the North China Craton or an exotic terrane. This study presents new zircon U–Pb ages for the major lithologies of the Jiaodong Terrane, and the results indicate that the terrane underwent two main magmatic events at ~2.89 Ga and 2.62–2.56 Ga and two metamorphic events at ~2.5 Ga and 1.9–1.8 Ga. These ages are consistent with those of other metamorphic complexes in the Eastern Block, suggesting that the Jiaodong Terrane was part of the Neoarchaean basement of the Eastern Block, which was reworked at 1.9–1.8 Ga in association with the development of the Palaeoproterozoic Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt.


Model checkers for concurrent probabilistic systems have become very popular within the last decade. The study of long-run average behavior has however received only scant attention in this area, at least from the implementation perspective. This paper studies the problem of how to efficiently realize an algorithm for computing optimal long-run average reward values for concurrent probabilistic systems. At its core is a variation of Howard and Veinott's algorithm for Markov decision processes, where symbolic and non-symbolic representations are intertwined in an effective manner: the state space is represented using binary decision diagrams, while the linear equation systems which have to be solved for the induced Markov chains to improve the current scheduler are solved using an explicit state representation. In order to keep the latter small, we apply a symbolic bisimulation minimization algorithm to the induced Markov chain. The scheduler improvement step itself is again performed on symbolic data structures. Practical evidence shows that the implementation is effective, and sometimes uses considerably less memory than a fully explicit implementation.