Spatial records of species are commonly misidentified, which can change the predicted distribution of a species obtained from a species distribution model (SDM). Experiments were undertaken to predict the distribution of real and simulated species using MaxEnt and presence-only data "contaminated" with varying rates of misidentification error. Additionally, the difference between the niche of the target and contaminating species was varied. The results show that species misidentification errors may act to contract or expand the predicted distribution of a species while shifting the predicted distribution towards that of the contaminating species. Furthermore the magnitude of the effects was positively related to the ecological distance between the species' niches and the size of the error rates. Critically, the magnitude of the effects was substantial even when using small error rates, smaller than common average rates reported in the literature, which may go unnoticed while using a standard evaluation method, such as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Finally, the effects outlined were shown to impact negatively on practical applications that use SDMs to identify priority areas, commonly selected for various purposes such as management. The results highlight that species misidentification should not be neglected in species distribution modeling.


This essay, written for the symposium A Cross-Disciplinary Look at Scientific Truth, takes a close look at the two most significant structural problems with the use of expert evidence within the adversary system: partisanship and epistemic competence. Each of these has long been recognized as a central difficulty with our present system for using expert evidence. Because parties both select and pay their experts, there is an inevitable danger that the experts chosen are those specifically prepared to shape their testimony to please their employer. Because we permit experts precisely because their knowledge and insights go beyond that which a lay jury is expected to know without their assistance, there is an inevitable epistemic difficulty with asking a lay jury to assess competing claims by experts on opposing sides. Not only are these difficulties familiar, but so are a set of proposed solutions. To eliminate partisanship, many have called for court-appointed, or neutral, experts. To eliminate the problem of epistemic competence, many have called for expert juries or expert judges. In this essay, I attempt to show that even though these oft-lamented problems are indeed significant ones, these familiar (though rarely implemented) solutions offer less than meets the eye. The calls for neutral experts, I suggest, typically rely on a misunderstanding of the nature of many scientific disputes. In practice, neutral experts would often either reinscribe the same difficulty generated by competing experts (presenting multiple points of view among which a lay jury would not have a rational basis for distinguishing), or else would mask legitimate disagreement among the expert community. Making use of epistemically-competent decisionmakers also raises both practical and theoretical difficulties (for example, who is epistemically competent? Just how often could we ask, say, epidemiologists to be jurors? Would epistemically competent decisionmakers tend already to have made up their minds in advance of trial, or might they reduce diversity of the jury along numerous other dimensions separate from their epistemic competence?) In the end, I conclude that the real lesson is this: the best we can hope for is to manage imperfectly, rather than resolve, the deep structural tensions surrounding both partisanship and epistemic competence. This ought not to invite quiescence, but it does suggest the need for both realism and modesty about the use of expert evidence within our adversarial system.


Abstract A conodont-graptolite biostratigraphic study was carried out on the top strata of the San Juan, Las Chacritas and Las Aguaditas formations in the La Trampa Range, Precordillera of San Juan in western Argentina. Significant conodont records in the San Juan and Las Chacritas formations allow for the recognition of the Yangtzeplacognathus crassus, Eoplacognathus pseudoplanus (Microzarkodina hagetiana and M. ozarkodella subzones) and Eoplacognathus suecicus zones of Darriwilian age. Index species and co-occurrences of graptolites and conodonts were recorded in the Las Aguaditas Formation allowing the identification of the Nemagraptus gracilis and the Pygodus anserinus zones, which represent the Sandbian Stage. These data indicate a hiatus between the Las Chacritas and the Las Aguaditas formations, corresponding to the Pygodus serra Zone and the Pterograptus elegans and Hustedograptus teretiusculus zones (upper Darriwilian). A total of 7287 identifiable conodont elements were recorded from the study section. The species frequency registered for each zone shows that Periodon and Paroistodus are the most abundant taxa, which are indicative of open marine environments. The records of particular conodont taxa, such as Histiodella, Periodon, Microzarkodina, Eoplacognathus and Baltoniodus, allow a precise global correlation with other regions such as south-central China, Baltoscandia, North America, Great Britain, Southern Australia and New Zealand. The graptolite fauna identified here are recognized worldwide in equivalent strata in the Baltic region, Great Britain, North America, China, southern Australia and New Zealand. The presence of graptolites in the ribbon limestones of the Las Chacritas Formation is documented for the first time.


This paper reviews the applications of advanced technology such as CT, reverse engineering (RE), computer aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping (RP) in medicine. We described: 1) the use of RP and medical imaging in surgical planning; 2) the design process for the production of customized medical implants by rapid prototyping; and 3) the fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering of human liver. In order to examine the applicability and efficiency of the rapid prototyping technology, some case studies are presented, involving visualization and surgical planning; the design of custom implant for cranial reconstruction; and the use of RP in the production of tissue scaffold. From the results, it has been shown that RP can be applied with high level of accuracy in surgical planning, custom implant and tissue engineering.


BACKGROUND & AIMS
Kupffer cells are activated shortly after deposition of hepatocytes in liver sinusoids, with clearance of a significant fraction of transplanted cells, especially when cells are entrapped in portal spaces. We determined whether perturbation of Kupffer cells would improve transplanted cell engraftment.

METHODS
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient rats were used as recipients of syngeneic Fischer 344 rat hepatocytes. Kupffer cell function was analyzed by measuring phagocytic activity with carbon particle or (99m)Tc-sulfur colloid incorporation. Transplanted cell survival and integration in the liver parenchyma was determined by histochemical analysis of tissues. Transplanted cell proliferation was analyzed in rats conditioned with retrorsine and partial hepatectomy.

RESULTS
Gadolinium chloride significantly impaired Kupffer cell function, especially in periportal areas, where transplanted cells were localized. Transplanted cell survival increased by approximately 2-fold in animals treated with gadolinium chloride 24 hours before cell transplantation. In gadolinium-treated rats, more transplanted cells were observed in portal vein radicles, as well as in liver sinusoids, albeit integration of cells in the liver parenchyma was slower in gadolinium-treated rats and cells separated from other hepatocytes in portal vein radicles that failed to exhibit bile canalicular reconstitution. Finally, hepatocyte transplantation in rats primed with retrorsine and partial hepatectomy showed accelerated kinetics of liver repopulation in animals pretreated with gadolinium chloride.

CONCLUSIONS
Perturbation of Kupffer cell activity will benefit liver repopulation with cells and further analysis of clinically suitable approaches to exploit this mechanism will be appropriate.


SRMS (Src-related kinase lacking C-terminal regulatory tyrosine and N-terminal myristoylation sites), also known as PTK 70 (Protein tyrosine kinase 70), is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that belongs to the BRK family of kinases (BFKs). To date less is known about the cellular role of SRMS primarily because of the unidentified substrates or signaling intermediates regulated by the kinase. In this study, we used phosphotyrosine antibody-based immunoaffinity purification in large-scale label-free quantitative phosphoproteomics to identify novel candidate substrates of SRMS. Our analyses led to the identification of 1258 tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides which mapped to 663 phosphoproteins, exclusively from SRMS-expressing cells. DOK1, a previously characterized SRMS substrate, was also identified in our analyses. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that the candidate SRMS substrates were enriched in various biological processes including protein ubiquitination, mitotic cell cycle, energy metabolism and RNA processing, as well as Wnt and TNF signaling. Analyses of the sequence surrounding the phospho-sites in these proteins revealed novel candidate SRMS consensus substrate motifs. We utilized customized high-throughput peptide arrays to validate a subset of the candidate SRMS substrates identified in our MS-based analyses. Finally, we independently validated Vimentin and Sam68, as bona fide SRMS substrates through in vitro and in vivo assays. Overall, our study identified a number of novel and biologically relevant SRMS candidate substrates, which suggests the involvement of the kinase in a vast array of unexplored cellular functions.


In the ten years following the publication of Galileo Galilei's Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche intorno a due nuove scienze (1638), the new science of motion was intensely debated in Italy, France and northern Europe. Although Galileo's theories were interpreted and reworked in a variety of ways, it is possible to identify some crucial issues on which the attention of natural philosophers converged, namely the possibility of complementing Galileo's theory of natural acceleration with a physical explanation of gravity; the legitimacy of Galileo's methods of proof and of his theory of the composition of continuous magnitudes; and the adequacy of the experimental evidence in favor of his theory.Through his published works and his correspondence, Marin Mersenne contributed in a significant way to each of these discussions. In the following, I shall provide a sketch of Mersenne's multiple engagement with the new science of motion, while trying to account for his growing skepticism concerning Galileo's law of free fall. Whereas in the 1630s, Mersenne still firmly believed in the validity of this law and tried to devise experimental and mathematical proofs in its favor, in the 1640s he developed serious doubts regarding the possibility of constructing an exact science of motion. As we shall see, Mersenne's evolving attitude sheds an interesting light on his views concerning the relation between physics and mathematics.


Energy storage is a main component of any holistic consideration of smart grids, particularly when incorporating power derived from variable, distributed and renewable energy resources. Energy Storage for Smart Grids delves into detailed coverage of the entire spectrum of available and emerging storage technologies, presented in the context of economic and practical considerations. Featuring the latest research findings from the world's foremost energy storage experts, complete with data analysis, field tests, and simulation results, this book helps device manufacturers develop robust business cases for the inclusion of storage in grid applications. It also provides the comparisons and explanations grid planners and operators need to make informed decisions about which storage solutions will be most successful when implemented in operational grids. * Connects the latest research findings in energy storage with strategies for economical and practical implementation in grid systems* Brings together diverse knowledge resources in one comprehensive volume covering all major storage technologies, explained by experts from the world's leading research institutions* Includes detailed data analysis from field tests and simulations to help planners and engineers choose the storage method that will add the most value to their grid operations


Most existing power supplies for induction heating equipment produce voltage at a single (adjustable) frequency. Recently, however, induction heating power supplies that produce voltage at two (adjustable) frequencies have been researched and even commercialized. Dual-frequency power supplies are a significant development for heat-treating workpieces with uneven geometries, such as gears, since different portions of such workpieces are heated dissimilarly at a single frequency and so require a two step process using a single-frequency power supply. On the other hand, a dual-frequency power supply can achieve the desired result for such workpieces in a one step process. However, the existing approaches to dual-frequency voltage generation could be improved to achieve higher efficiency, improved control, reduced electromagnetic interference and greater reliability. This paper proposes the use of multilevel converters for providing induction heating power at two frequencies simultaneously. It also describes how the stepping angles for the desired output from this converter were determined. Furthermore, experimental results are presented as a verification of the analysis.


The Tempest: Critical Essays traces the history of Shakespeare's controversial late romance from its early reception (and adaptation) in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the present. The volume reprints influential criticism, and it also offers eight originalessays which study The Tempest from a variety of contemporary perspectives, including cultural materialism, feminism, deconstruction, performance theory, and postcolonial studies. Unlike recent anthologies about The Tempest which reprint contemporary articles along with a few new essays, this volume contains a mixture of old and new materials pertaining to the play's use in the theater and in literary history.


Providing health care for adopted children always has been a significant part of pediatric practice, and pediatricians have provided services in different areas of the adoption process for many years. Recent changes in adoption prompt a reevaluation of the pediatrician's role in managing the medical care of adopted children and their families.
 There has been a gradual shift from viewing adoption as a childless couple's opportunity to find an infant to focusing on the needs of the child first by placing children within families who can help them realize their fullest potential. Increasingly, adoption agencies work with older children and special needs children who have physical handicaps, emotional problems, or chronic medical illness. Private adoptions are often arranged outside of agencies, sometimes with open discussions between birth and adoptive parents. In addition, there are now more than 10 000 international adoptees entering this country each year. The pediatrician must be equipped to evaluate the special needs of all these children and to help their new families integrate them into the family unit.
 This statement addresses the initial medical evaluation of adoptive children who may have acute and long-term medical, psychological, and developmental problems because of their genetic, emotional, cultural, psychosocial, and/or medical backgrounds.
 Prior to adoption, or at the time of entry into the family, the pediatrician should begin a careful medical assessment of the child and should counsel the family appropriately regarding adoption issues. Pediatricians should be alert to the following potential problems:


Modern microprocessors are equipped with single instruction multiple data (SIMD) or vector instruction sets which allow compilers to exploit fine-grained data level parallelism. To exploit this parallelism, compilers employ auto-vectorization techniques to automatically convert scalar code into vector code. Larsen & Amarasinghe (2000) first introduced superword level parallelism (SLP) based vectorization, which is one form of vectorization popularly used by compilers. Current compilers employ hand-crafted heuristics and typically only follow one SLP vectorization strategy which can be suboptimal. Recently, Mendis & Amarasinghe (2018) formulated the instruction packing problem of SLP vectorization by leveraging an integer linear programming (ILP) solver, achieving superior runtime performance. In this work, we explore whether it is feasible to imitate optimal decisions made by their ILP solution by fitting a graph neural network policy. We show that the learnt policy produces a vectorization scheme which is better than industry standard compiler heuristics both in terms of static measures and runtime performance. More specifically, the learnt agent produces a vectorization scheme which has a 22.6% higher average reduction in cost compared to LLVM compiler when measured using its own cost model and achieves a geometric mean runtime speedup of 1.015× on the NAS benchmark suite when compared to LLVM's SLP vectorizer.


Since long there has been a dispute whether in the Netherlands there occur one or two species of green frogs of the genus Rana. There has never been any doubt concerning the presence of Rana esculenta Linnaeus, a species widely distributed throughout the country (Van de Bund, 1964, 1968). The first to mention Rana ridibunda ridibunda Pallas from the Netherlands were Van Kampen & Heimans ( 1927), who observed that they saw a specimen of Rana esculenta var. ridibunda from Den Horn in the province of Groningen. Unfortunately they did not state where the specimen was deposited and no such specimen could be found in the collections of the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie (RMNH) in Leiden or in the Instituut voor Taxonomische Zoologie in Amsterdam. Since that time there have been several additional records of the species. Van Wijk (1946, 1947, 1951) recorded the species from the provinces of Groningen, Zuid-Holland and Limburg. However, these data are not very reliable as they were based on field-observations by untrained people, mainly persons who keep reptiles and amphibians as pets. The material on which their observations were based was not available for examination, so the identifications could not be checked. Van Wijk (1947, 1951) also stated that he had received specimens from Groningen which he identified as R. ridibunda. As the characters he used to distinguish between the green frogs were correct, his identification probably was correct too. Unfortunately, also this material is not available for examination. The next author dealing with this problem is Van de Bund (1964), who gives more details concerning the localities of the specimens previously recorded by Van Wijk (1946, 1947, 1951): Groningen (Groningen, Haren, Eelde), Zuid-Holland (Sassenheim, Schiedam), Limburg (Meerssen). However, Van de Bund


This reply revisits the topic of syntactic satiation as first discussed in Snyder 2000. I argue that the satiation effect reported in Snyder 2000 is the result of a response strategy in which participants attempt to equalize the number of yes and no responses, a strategy enabled by the design features of Snyder's original experiment. Four predictions differentiate the response strategy from a true satiation effect. Nine experiments are presented to test these predictions. The results are discussed with respect to the nature of satiation, the stability of acceptability judgments, and the consequences for linguistic methodology.


We consider Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) applied to Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) and Partially Observable MDPs (POMDPs), and the well-known Upper Confidence bound for Trees (UCT) algorithm. In UCT, a tree with nodes (states) and edges (actions) is incrementally built by the expansion of nodes, and the values of nodes are updated through a backup strategy based on the average value of child nodes. However, it has been shown that with enough samples the maximum operator yields more accurate node value estimates than averaging. Instead of settling for one of these value estimates, we go a step further proposing a novel backup strategy which uses the power mean operator, which computes a value between the average and maximum value. We call our new approach Power-UCT, and argue how the use of the power mean operator helps to speed up the learning in MCTS. We theoretically analyze our method providing guarantees of convergence to the optimum. Finally, we empirically demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in well-known MDP and POMDP benchmarks, showing significant improvement in performance and convergence speed w.r.t. state of the art algorithms.


We study the problem of list-decodable linear regression, where an adversary can corrupt a majority of the examples. Specifically, we are given a set $T$ of labeled examples $(x, y) \in \mathbb{R}^d \times \mathbb{R}$ and a parameter $0<\alpha<1/2$ such that an $\alpha$-fraction of the points in $T$ are i.i.d. samples from a linear regression model with Gaussian covariates, and the remaining $(1-\alpha)$-fraction of the points are drawn from an arbitrary noise distribution. The goal is to output a small list of hypothesis vectors such that at least one of them is close to the target regression vector. Our main result is a Statistical Query (SQ) lower bound of $d^{\mathrm{poly}(1/\alpha)}$ for this problem. Our SQ lower bound qualitatively matches the performance of previously developed algorithms, providing evidence that current upper bounds for this task are nearly best possible.


Abstract:The results of Slovakia's 2002 elections can be said to mark the completion of a "second transition" to democracy. With the election of 2002, it became clear that Slovakia's nationalist-authoritarian experiment is effectively over. What remains to be seen is the extent and duration of its impact on Slovak political life. Today's leaders must contend not only with the legacies of communism but with the unique legacies of postcommunist authoritarianism also. Some of these legacies continue to hobble the country's democratic development, but others have actually helped inoculate Slovakia against another return to authoritarian leadership.


Education is important for every Muslim society as the Prophet made it incumbent on all Muslims. However, the issue of what category of knowledge is permitted for Muslims, the method for imparting this knowledge, and what to impart (content) are arguably the main challenges in Islamic education. Many Muslim scholars have looked at the concept of knowledge from various perspectives. In his monumental work, Ta'līm Al-Muta'allim, the classical Muslim scholar, Al-Zarnūjī, expounds the basic principles of education in Islam, which, indeed, have been used as the teaching methodology by many scholars throughout the Muslim world. Using content analysis, this article evaluates the concept of knowledge and its imperatives in Islam from the perspective of Al-Zarnūjī. It was found that Al-Zarnūjī classified knowledge into two main categories. One is perceived as the core of society's survival and is thus seen as binding on the entire society. This is known as farḍu kifāyah. The other is individually required and is called farḍu 'ayn. He argues that both should be guided by the Islamic religious values. Therefore, Al-Zarnūjī considers knowledge as a means for advancement and the perfection of the individual and the society both in this world and the hereafter. This makes his concept of knowledge inseparable from the Islamic ethical values. Al-Zarnuji's contribution to knowledge lies in the packaging and dissemination of the Islamic academic heritage, particularly, the methodology for teaching and learning which is relevant to all the levels of the education ladder.


The purpose of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of converting a general purpose traffic lane to an HOV lane on Interstate 90 between Issaquah and Bellevue Way. The research effort included consideration of vehicle occupancies, travel time, safety, and public support. A successful lane conversion would demonstrate the potential to save the cost of constructing new highway lanes when existing highway lanes were available for conversion. From an operational perspective, we can conclude that the HOV lane conversion did not have an adverse impact on travel speeds or travel time. Moreover, a reduction in speed variance was observed after the HOV lane conversion, which suggests a possible improvement in safety. Finally, an analysis of speed-flow relationships showed that the HOV lane had a significant impact, but the adverse consequences of this impact would be felt only in highly congested conditions. A relatively low HOV violation rate of 4.6% was observed, possibly indicating that the benefit gained from using the HOV lane may have been minimal. No change was noted in the average vehicle occupancy for the overall facility. The accident investigation was limited because of time constraints and hampered by outside factors; nearly half of the accidents were possibly attributable to unrelated construction. From a public opinion standpoint, the I-90 lane conversion in the Seattle area can be classified as a qualified success. While a slight majority of commuters oppose the conversion, public opinion for and against is surprisingly close. It appears that with effective marketing and careful implementation, lane conversions can be successfully undertaken. However, it is important to recognize that significant opposition may arise from young commuters, from higher income households with a high number of adults, from commuters with fixed work times, from regular HOV users, and from commuters who will be forced to make departure time changes. To reduce their opposition, commuters who fit this mold should be addressed through informational campaigns and other strategies.


The Ras superfamily of G-proteins are of great research interest for structure-function relationships among proteins as they act as molecular switches in the regulation of various biochemical reactions in the cell. They are regulated by protein-protein interactions targeted to the highly flexible switch regions. Mutations in G-proteins or their effectors may cause alterations in structure and/or function that can lead to overactivity. The Ras-related protein Cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) is important in regulating cellsignaling processes. The T35A mutation in Cdc42 leads to a decrease in flexibility of the Switch I region responsible for effector binding 3 . The kinetics of the intrinsic GTP hydrolysis reaction were compared for Cdc42 (WT and T35A) in the absence and presence of a peptide derivative of PAK21 activated kinase (PBD46). The mutation does not affect the intrinsic GTP hydrolysis rate of Cdc42, but binding with PBD46 is altered by the mutation; in the presence of PBD46, GTP hydrolysis is completely inhibited for Cdc42 WT while partial recovery of GTP hydrolysis for Cdc42 T35A was observed in the presence of PBD46. The data obtained lead us to propose two slowly interconverting conformational states of Cdc42 T35A, both able to hydrolyze GTP, but one that shows a weakened affinity for PBD46. Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) is a member of the Ras superfamily of proteins known to regulate cell growth and proliferation by signaling the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 protein (TSC2) regulates Rheb by functioning as a GTPase activating protein (GAP). At present, very little is known about the molecular features of the Rheb-TSC2 protein interaction. We present biochemical and biophysical data on the interaction of Rheb with TSC2 WT, using a shorter, 218 amino acid GTPase derivative of TSC2 (TSC2-218), as well as with the mutant TSC2-218 K114A, to characterize the TSC2-218 constructs and their GAP activity towards Rheb. A decrease in secondary structure as well as a loss of GAP activity is seen in the K114A mutant compared to WT.


This work is funded by CIEd - Research Centre on Education, projects UID/CED/1661/2013 and
UID/CED/1661/2016, Institute of Education, University of Minho, through national funds of FCT/MCTES-PT.


Constructed wetland is an effective wastewater treatment technology which is used
in worldwide. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of using this wastewater treatment is
depending on the selection of the type of design used and other factors. This research
was conduced to test the influence of media and vegetation subsurface flow
constructed wetlands, designed based on the first-order plug flow kinetics. In this
study, four horizontal subsurface flow wetlands (HSSF), each with dimensions of 1.3
m (L) × 0.5 m (W) ×0.4 m (D), were constructed at the Research Station of Tehran
University, located in Karaj, Iran. The study was carried out from April to
September, 2007. Gravel and zeoilte were used in this study as substrate. Gravelbeds
with and without plants, and gravel-beds mixed with 10% zeolite, with and
without plants were examined to investigate the feasibility of treating synthetic
wastewater which was specially produced and modified to imitate agricultural
wastewater. The average synthetic influent wastewater contained approximately 100 mg l-1 Nitrate (NO3-N), 10 mg l-1 total Phosphorous, 10 mg l-1 Zn (II), 2 mg l-1 Pb (II)
and 1 mg l-1 Cd (II), while the macrophytes selected were Phragmites Australis and
Juncus Inflexus in combine with each other. Water discharge was 65 l / day for each
cell, and retention time (HRT) was 1.4 d. The influent and effluent Zn, Pb, Cd, P and
NO3-N concentrations were monitored and analyzed every 15 days to assess the
performance of the wetland units for removal efficiencies based on the statistical
analyses. Two intermediate samples were also collected from each cell to evaluate
the values of pollutant concentrations, the parameters along the units, and the effect
of the HRT. At the end of the study, plants were harvested and analyzed for the
same factors (NO3, P, Zn, Pb and Cd).
The results derived indicated that the system had acceptable and optimal pollutant
removal efficiency, and that both plants were found tolerant under the tested
conditions. The wetland system could achieve the NO3-N removal of 79.19% in
vegetated cell with gravel and 10% zeolite as substrate, and 86.58% in an
unvegetated cell with gravel and 10% zeolite as substrate, and 82.39% in vegetated
cell with gravel as substrate, and finally 87.94% in unvegetated cell with gravel as
substrate. As for the P removal, the efficiencies of 93.12%, 89.47%, 81.76% and
76.65% were respectively achieved for the vegetated cell with gravel and zeolite as
substrate, the vegetated cell with gravel as substrate, unvegetated cell with gravel and
zeolite as substrate, and unvegetated cell with gravel as substrate. The outflow
concentrations of Pb and Cd were found to be under the detection limit; however, as
for Zn, the removal efficiencies of 99.9%, 99.76%, 99.71% and 99.52% were
concluded for the vegetated cell with gravel and zeolite, unvegetated cell with gravel
and zeolite, vegetated cell with gravel, and unvegetated cell with gravel, respectively.


This paper presents some ideas and debate on the open tertiary education in Australia. A truly open system of tertiary education requires that every person has the right to embark on any educational course or enter any career they wish at any time of life. In order to fulfil this goal, what is needed is a change of the historic pattern of trying to shape the demand for education to fit the supply determined by educational and political planners, a scheme that will plan the supply of education to match the demand. If tertiary education is to be open to all, and people enabled to resume their education at any stage they wish, we need a system of educational allowances, with proper provision for dependants, available for all levels of education beyond the level which would normally be obtained by the statutory leaving age. A system of universal paid study leave would allow people to develop their interests or embark on new careers and at the same time meet the need to share the benefits of increased productivity by reducing the length of the working life.
Contents:
1. Function, Ideology and Relevance (pg. 1)
2. Social Stratification and the Educated Community (pg. 10)
3. Selection and Opportunity (pg. 16)
4. Work, Education and Jobs (pg. 28)
5. Planning and Organisation (pg. 56)


As more and more vulnerabilities are found in the Mac OS X (Leopard) operating system, security researchers are realizing the importance of developing proof-of-concept exploits for those vulnerabilities. This unique tome is the first book to uncover the flaws in the Mac OS X operating systemand how to deal with them. Written by two white hat hackers, this book is aimed at making vital information known so that you can find ways to secure your Mac OS X systems, and examines the sorts of attacks that are prevented by Leopards security defenses, what attacks arent, and how to best handle those weaknesses.


— Morphological Image Processing is an important tool in the Digital Image processing, since that science can rigorously quantify many aspects of the geometrical structure of the way that agrees with the human intuition and perception. Morphologic image processing technology is based on geometry. It emphasizes on studying geometry structure of image. We can find relationship between each part of image. When processing image with morphological theory. Accordingly we can comprehend the structural character of image in the morphological approach an image is analyzed in terms of some predetermined geometric shape known as structuring element. Morphological processing is capable of removing noise and clutter as well as the ability to edit an image based on the size and shape of the objects of interest. Morphological Image Processing is used in the place of a Linear Image Processing, because it sometimes distort the underlying geometric form of an image, but in Morphological image Processing, the information of the image is not lost. In the Morphological Image Processing the original image can be reconstructed by using Dilation, Erosion, Opening and Closing operations for a finite no of times. The major objective of this paper is to reconstruct the class of such finite length Morphological Image Processing tool in a suitable mathematical structure using Java language. The Morphological Image Processing is implemented and successfully tested in FORENSICS: Fingerprint Enhancement and reduction of noise in finger print images.


Here is the first real look at the facts about Witchcraft and the religion of Wicca. As renowned author Scott Cunningham plainly states, the practice of magic is not supernatural or Satanic. Witches and folk magicians are only utilizing, through timeless rituals, natural energies found within the Earth and our bodies to enrich life by creating positive change. It's all revealed here in the easy-to-read, understandable style that was Scott Cunningham's trademark. Praise for The Truth about Witchcraft Today "A really good introduction to Witchcraft and Wicca. . . . I thought it was wonderful." -Marian Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon "… the first book I recommend to those seeking information about my religion." -Ellen Cannon Reed, The Witches' Tarot "One of the best introductory books about Witchcraft and folk magic." -The Broom Closet, BroomCloset.com


This project has provided a robust benchmark on the extent of human use of Ningaloo Marine Park during 2007. The data have high spatial and temporal resolution and are in a geo-referenced format which has allowed both assessment of spatio-temporal patterns as well as detailed understanding of recreational activities conducted in various areas of the park. The use of Ningaloo Marine Park is markedly seasonal with a clear increase in the number of users, and expansion of their spatial extent to cover most of the park, during the period April to October. In the off-season (November to March), people conducting activities in the park are fewer and largely concentrated in Coral Bay and around North West Cape. A wide range of extractive activities, such as recreational fishing, and non-extractive activities including snorkelling, surfing, sailing sports, relaxing on the beach and walking are conducted in the park. The demographic characteristics of people engaged in activities differed significantly between various areas and were related to road/track access, accommodation opportunities and tenure of the land adjacent to the park. Travel network analysis on how coastal roads, tracks and boat launching areas are utilised highlighted node-based patterns of use as well as rapid decay in use with distance from access points. The multivariate multiple regression model of environmental variables plus auto-correlative components explained about 54 % of the observed variation in recreational use with the major explanatory variables being sealed roads accessible by tourist buses and camping opportunities adjacent to the park. The results of the project provide a basis for enhanced management, readily measurable indicators for monitoring and are well-suited to systematic conservation planning for the next iteration of the Ningaloo Marine Park Management Plan.


Training designed to improve circumcision knowledge , attitude and practice was delivered over 5 days t o 34 traditional surgeons and 49 traditional nurses in t he Eastern Cape, South Africa. Training included th e following topics: initiation rites; statutory regulation of t raditional male circumcision and initiation into Ma nhood (TCIM); structure and function of the male sex organs; proc edure of safe circumcision, infection control; sexu ally transmitted infections (STIs); HIV/AIDS; infection control meas ures; aftercare of the initiate including after car e of the circumcision wound and initiate as a whole; detecti on and early management of common complications of circumcision; nutrition and fluid management; code of conduct and ethics; and sexual health education. The evaluation of the training consisted of a prospecti v assessment of knowledge and attitude immediately prior to and after training. Significant improvement in knowledg e and/or attitudes was observed in legal aspects, S TI, HIV and environmental aspects, attitudes in terms of improv ed collaboration with biomedical health care provid ers, normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology, sexually trans mitted infections and including HIV, circumcision p ractice and aftercare of initiates. We concluded that safer circumcision training can be successfully delivere d to traditional surgeons and nurses.


This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20th, 2020, 3 long-term care facilities in a metropolitan area of South Korea had reported cases of COVID-19. These facilities' employees were presumed to be the sources of infection. There were 2 nursing hospitals that did not report any additional cases. One nursing home had a total of 25 cases, with an attack rate of 51.4% (95% CI 35.6–67.0), and a fatality rate of 38.9% (95% CI 20.3–61.4) among residents. The results from this study suggest that early detection and maintenance of infection control minimizes the risk of rapid transmission.


With the rapid increase in the available data, it becomes computationally harder to extract useful information. Thus, several techniques like PCA were proposed to embed high-dimensional data into low-dimensional latent space. However, these techniques don't take the data relations into account. This motivated the development of other techniques like MDS and LLE which preserve the relations between the data instances. Nonetheless, all these techniques still use latent features, which are difficult for data analysts to understand and grasp the information encoded in them. In this work, a new embedding technique is proposed to mitigate the previous problems by projecting the data to a space described by few points (i.e, exemplars) which preserves the relations between the data points. The proposed method Exemplar-based Kernel Preserving (EBEK) embedding is shown theoretically to achieve the lowest reconstruction error of the kernel matrix. Using EBEK in approximate nearest neighbor task shows its ability to outperform related work by up to 60% in the recall while maintaining a good running time. In addition, our interpretability experiments show that EBEK's selected basis are more understandable than the latent basis in images datasets.


In 1974 Italy changed from being a country of emigrants to a country of immigrants. Thirty years on, immigrants are playing an ever more important role in the country. Facing the consequences of migratory phenomenon, the author seeks to show the relevance of an overall view that doesn't lose the concreteness of specific references. In the essay I try to analyze the new items that were introduced by the «pacchetto sicurezza», where the question of immigrants stops being a collection of laws regarding migration and starts being a question of public security. Instead, the case study of Roma communities allows us to grasp the limits of the multicultural model and the drift of the process of ethnogenesis. Moreover, the author tries to illustrate the increasing role of the mass media, which is no longer a dependent variable but a cobuilder of social reality, from such an analysis, no social science can escape. Finally, the consequences for "those who arrive in Italy" and for "those already in Italy" are understood from the perspective of the anthropology of violence: from the famous thesis by Hannah Arendt, to Pierre Bourdieu's petit malaise and Nancy ScheperHughes's continuum genocide.


Handbook of Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology, Volume 2 covers the evidence-based practices now identified for treating adults with a wide range of DSM disorders. Topics include fundamental issues, adult cognitive disorders, substance-related disorders, psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders, and sexual disorders. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of the evidence-based practice literature for each disorder and then covers several different treatment types for clinical implementation. Edited by the renowned Peter Sturmey and Michel Hersen and featuring contributions from experts in the field, this reference is ideal for academics, researchers, and libraries.


The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a promising option for future sustainable transportation. It offers better fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional vehicles. This thesis has developed a novel energy-optimal powertrain controller for PHEVs. The controller will be broadly applicable to all PHEV models; however, it will be fine-tuned to the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid for testing and validation. The controller will take advantage of advancements in vehicle intelligent and communications technologies, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), Geographic Information System (GIS), radar, and other on-board sensors, to provide look-ahead trip data. These data are critical to increasing fuel economy as well as driving safety.
This PhD research has developed three energy-optimal systems for PHEVs: Trip Planning module, Route-based Energy Management System (Route-based EMS), and Ecological Cruise (Eco-Cruise) Controller. The main objective of these energy-optimal systems is to minimize the total energy cost, including both electricity derived from the grid and fuel. The upper-level system is Trip Planning, using an algorithm designed to take advantage of previewed trip information to optimize State of Charge (SOC) profiles. The Route-based EMS optimally distributes propulsion power between the batteries and engine. Finally, the Eco-Cruise controller adjusts the speed considering upcoming trip data.
Real-time implementation has remained a major challenge in the design of complex control systems. To address this hurdle, simple and efficient models and fast optimization algorithms are developed for each energy-optimal strategy. A Real-time Cluster-based Optimization is developed to solve the Trip Planning problem in real-time. The Route-based EMS is developed based on Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS) to optimally distribute propulsion power between two energy sources. And, a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) is utilized to obtain optimum traction or regenerative torques in Eco-Cruise controller.
Model-in-the-Loop (MIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing are critical steps in control validation and in ensuring real-time implementation capability. The MIL results show that the novel energy-optimal powertrain controller can improve the total energy cost by up to %20 compare to benchmark rule-based controller. The HIL test results demonstrate that the computational time for energy-optimal strategies are less than the target sampling-time, and they can be implemented in real-time.


Abstract Giving feedback on the students' grammatical errors of their written assignments is an issue that received a lengthy debate. Several studies were conducted and produced contradictory results. A model was proposed (Hartshorn, et al, 2010) to overcome the theoretical and practical obstacles. This model is called Dynamic Written Corrective Feedback (DWCF). This paper introduces a critique of the DWCF model and it shows that DWCF has two main problems that make it unsuitable for the ESL classroom. These problems are related to its authenticity and practicality. Furthermore this paper presents a modified model of DWCF to overcome these problems. The modified model integrates two aspects; Peer feedback and Automated Essay Evaluation systems (AES) –s or so called Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE). The proposal is that peer feedback and AES will work as a filtration system that can solve the issues of authenticity and practicality that the original model has suffered from


From its foundation in the fourth century, to its fall to the Ottoman Turks in the fifteenth, 'Constantinople' not only identified a geographical location, but also summoned an idea. On the one hand, there was the fact of Constantinople, the city of brick and mortar that rose to preeminence as the capital of the Roman Empire on a hilly peninsula jutting into the waters at the confluence of the Sea of Marmora, the Golden Horn, and the Bosporos. On the other hand, there was the city of the imagination, the Constantinople that conjured a vision of wealth and splendor unrivalled by any of the great medieval cities, east or west. This Companion explores Constantinople from Late Antiquity until the early modern period. Examining its urban infrastructure and the administrative, social, religious, and cultural institutions that gave the city life, it also considers visitors' encounters with both its urban reality and its place in imagination.


history in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of head lice infestation among 3-6 years old children going to nursery schools in Kashan, Iran in 2009. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1200 children having the age range of 3-6 years old in February 2009. The infestation was confirmed by the presence of nit, nymph and adult species in the children's hair. The causing agent, Pediculus Capitis, was isolated by combing for 3-5 minutes or using manual lens. Then a questionnaire was completed and the data were categorized and compared using Fisher ' s exact test. Results: The results demonstrated that 8 children, (0.7%, out of 1200) were infected with the parasite. The prevalence rates of infestation among girls and boys were 1.14% and 0.17%, respectively. Infestation prevalence rates were 8.3% and 0.43% among children having unemployed and employed fathers; respectively �(P<0.001). About 2% of children who were living in family with five or more members were infected which was significantly higher than its proportion (0.4%) among children living in families with 3-4 member (P<0.031). Conclusions: The prevalence rate of head lice infestation was higher among children living in big families and also among children who had unemployed fathers. Appropriate parental education, weekly inspection of the nurseries in order to find the infected children and referring them to health centers, can decrease the incidence rate of head lice infestation.


Laminated composite materials are used in applications where light weight is a key requirement. However, minor delamination damage in composites can propagate and lead to the failure of components. Failure occurs because delamination reduces the local bending stiffness and increases bending stress, which leads to the propagation of damage and eventual failure. These failures may be avoided if the damage could be detected early and repaired. Although many damage detection methods have been investigated, none are in widespread use today to prevent the failure of composites. This paper describes the use of carbon nanotube sensor thread to monitor strain and damage in composite materials. Sensor thread was bonded onto an IM7-laminated composite coupon to measure surface strain in a quasi-static uniaxial tensile test. The sensor thread was calibrated against a strain gage, which was also mounted to the coupon. The sensor thread measured the average strain over the length of the sample and indicated when the strain exceeded a nominal safe level. Sensor thread was also bonded to the surface of laminated composite panels in different patterns and detected, located and partially characterized the damage caused by multiple impacts to the panel. The new findings in this paper can be summarized as; (1) carbon nanotube sensor thread was tested as a distributed sensor for the first time on IM7/977-3 composites; (2) the sensor thread was found to monitor strain and detect damage in the composites with a potential sensitivity down to the micro-crack level; (3) the sensor thread was barely visible on the composite and did not add significant mass or affect the integrity of the composite; (4) the data acquisition system developed was simple and reliable.


Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main contributor to the morbidity and mortality of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Chronic respiratory infections are rarely eradicated due to protection from CF mucus and the biofilm matrix. The composition of the biofilm matrix determines its viscoelastic properties and affects antibiotic efficacy. Nitric oxide (NO) can both disrupt the physical structure of the biofilm and eradicate interior colonies. The effects of a CF-like growth environment on P. aeruginosa biofilm susceptibility to NO were investigated using parallel plate macrorheology and particle tracking microrheology. Biofilms grown in the presence of mucins and DNA contained greater concentrations of DNA in the matrix and exhibited concomitantly larger viscoelastic moduli compared to those grown in nutrient broth. Greater viscoelastic moduli correlated with increased tolerance to tobramycin and colistin. Remarkably, NO-releasing cyclodextrins eradicated all biofilms at the same concentration. The capacity of NO-releasing cyclodextrins to eradicate P. aeruginosa biofilms irrespective of matrix composition suggests that NO-based therapies may be superior antibiofilm treatments compared to conventional antibiotics.


The CD40-CD40L (CD154) interaction plays a pivotal role in the effector mechanisms of allograft rejection. Blockade of the CD40/CD40L costimulatory pathway prevents the development of chronic allograft rejection in several animal transplant models. The relevance of in situ CD40 and CD40L expression in human liver allografts was assessed by immunohistochemistry during ductopenic chronic rejection (CR). In CR allograft specimens (n = 8), marked CD40L expression was detected on Kupffer cells (KCs) and sinusoidal macrophages with a unique centrilobular distribution (P <.001). The CD40L+ KCs and macrophages were shown to be CD68+ after immunohistochemical analysis of serial sections with anti-CD68 monoclonal antibody. Moderate staining of vascular and sinusoidal endothelial cells and mononuclear infiltrates was observed in some CR cases. These findings were in contrast to the absence of CD40L expression in controls (n = 11) consisting of stable liver allograft and normal liver tissue specimens. Only occasional CD40 expression in some cases of CR and controls was observed. In CR, CD40L (CD154) expression is manifested on KCs and macrophages. The present novel data show another important cellular source of CD40L expression and suggest a potential role of KCs/macrophages and CD40/CD40L costimulatory interactions in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection ductopenic liver allograft.


When darkness falls, storms rage, fog settles, or lights fail, pilots are forced to make "instrument landings," relying on technology and training to guide them through typically the most dangerous part of any flight. In this original study, Erik M. Conway recounts one of the most important stories in aviation history: the evolution of aircraft landing aids that make landing safe and routine in almost all weather conditions. Discussing technologies such as the Loth leader-cable system, the American National Bureau of Standards system, and, its descendants, the Instrument Landing System, the MIT-Army-Sperry Gyroscope microwave blind landing system, and the MIT Radiation Lab's radar-based Ground Controlled Approach system, Conway interweaves technological change, training innovation, and pilots' experiences to examine the evolution of blind landing technologies. He shows how systems originally intended to produce routine, all-weather blind landings gradually developed into routine instrument-guided approaches. Even so, after two decades of development and experience, pilots still did not want to place the most critical phase of flight, the landing, entirely in technology's invisible hand. By the end of World War II, the very concept of landing blind therefore had disappeared from the trade literature, a victim of human limitations.


The implementation of corporate environmental management system has become an essential part of running any business to attempt to achieve sustainable development. No previous studies in Saudi Arabia have been conducted to explore the use of environmental management systems. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the attitudes and levels of awareness of business managers towards their companies' environmental practices and to determine how far private Saudi companies are taking up environmental management. Different factors like the demographic features of the private Saudi companies, some important drivers and barriers that affect the levels of taking up corporate environmental policies and practices were explored and discussed.

Two studies, qualitative and quantitative studies, were conducted to bridge this gap of knowledge. The survey method was used for the quantitative study (N=176), while a semi-structured interview was developed to run the qualitative study for a sample of 18 representatives from six companies to confirm and elaborate on the findings of the quantitative study. The results of these two studies showed that some demographic features of the company may have an effect on the uptake of CEM. It also showed the significance of a number of themes (i.e. environmental initiatives, organizational support, environmental operations, and environmental responsibility) in the uptake of sound environmental practices and procedures.

The study also classified Saudi Arabian companies, according to the perception of their employees, in terms of their level of environmental performance into three categories; the Inactive/unaware, the Concerned-inactive, and Potentially proactive (ICP). Most of the companies investigated fell in the first category (51%) and second (27%) category which indicates that Saudi Arabia is still to begin developing in this area.

Overall, the perceived level of the CEM performance of Saudi private companies is low due to the lack of enforcement of environmental laws, the philosophy of top management, the absence of environmental protection societies and an organizational structure in companies that does not support implementation of an EMS.


Even in 2015, the North Carolina landscape is densely populated with Confederate monuments, appearing in more than half of the state's one hundred counties. The state has more monuments honoring the Civil War than any other event, with five Civil War monuments for every World War II monument. Most of these structures were erected between 1890 and 1930 and many are located on public property, commonly found in and around courthouses, town squares, graveyards, and University campuses. In July of 2015, North Carolina enacted the Heritage Protection Act ("HPA"). This law severely restricts the removal, relocation, or alteration of any monument located on public property. While neutral on its face, North Carolina's Heritage Protection Act was enacted for the purpose of protecting Confederate monuments. This Recent Development argues that the North Carolina Heritage Protection Act creates a lack of accountability on behalf of the N.C. General Assembly, usurps powers of local governments, and is amorphously vague as to what objects it applies to. Clarification of the statutory language by the General Assembly as well as a provision allowing for the erection of plaques that contextualize these monuments within local history is needed. Analysis proceeds in three parts. Part I of this Recent Development briefly sketches the propagation of Heritage Protection Acts across the South, outlines the North Carolina Heritage Protection Act, and highlights ways the North Carolina statute differs from other states. Part II discusses the confusing nature of this statute and analyzes legislative history to offer insight as to: (1) what role the North Carolina Historical Commission plays, if any, in deciding to permanently remove or relocate monuments; (2) whether this statute applies to county or city owned monuments; and (3) what constitutes a "display of permanent character." Finally, Part III argues that this statute is in need of clarification and a provision that provides for plaques that contextualize these monuments within their local history. A brief conclusion follows.


PIKfyve (FYVE domain-containing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase), the lipid kinase that phosphorylates PtdIns3P to PtdIns(3,5)P2, has been implicated in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. We investigated whether PIKfyve could also be involved in contraction/AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Incubation of rat epitrochlearis muscles with YM201636, a selective PIKfyve inhibitor, reduced contraction- and AICAriboside (5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside)-stimulated glucose uptake. Consistently, PIKfyve knockdown in C2C12 myotubes reduced AICAriboside-stimulated glucose transport. Furthermore, muscle contraction increased PtdIns(3,5)P2 levels and PIKfyve phosphorylation. AMPK phosphorylated PIKfyve at Ser307 both in vitro and in intact cells. Following subcellular fractionation, PIKfyve recovery in a crude intracellular membrane fraction was increased in contracting versus resting muscles. Also in opossum kidney cells, wild-type, but not S307A mutant, PIKfyve was recruited to endosomal vesicles in response to AMPK activation. We propose that PIKfyve activity is required for the stimulation of skeletal muscle glucose uptake by contraction/AMPK activation. PIKfyve is a new AMPK substrate whose phosphorylation at Ser307 could promote PIKfyve translocation to endosomes for PtdIns(3,5)P2 synthesis to facilitate GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) translocation.


Interest in conflict prevention blossomed throughout the 1990s, and so did the literature on the subject. Moreover, conflict prevention is rapidly becoming a prominent focus of the new global security and global governance agenda with advocacy of preventive policies by international and regional organizations and nongovernmental actors, and the implementation of conflict prevention within many long-term development and post-conflict assistance programs. Nevertheless, the question of how to move from the rhetoric of conflict prevention to one of institutionalized practice still remains the major concern. Following an overview of conflict prevention in historical and contemporary perspective, this article surveys some of the major themes currently found in the literature on conflict prevention. While there are still skeptical views on the viability, legality, and effectiveness of conflict prevention, some significant strides have already been taken in the direction of creating a new normative international climate that permits increasingly the implementation of preventive action.


Given the vast amount of information, including the numerous points-of-interest (POIs) and the various hotels, available on travel websites such as tripadvisor or booking, a recommender system would help users, who are planning their next trip, filter out unnecessary information based on their requirements. We improved our previous work on a recommendation system that was intended to facilitate the generation of daily travel itineraries. We used the X-Means clustering algorithm to divide all attraction sites and hotels into groups according to geographical location. Meanwhile, a Word2Vec model was trained using the Wikipedia text corpus to obtain similar tags of specific ones. A tag-based mapping algorithm was applied to create a list of candidate attractions that best match with the user's favorite spots. Finally, by taking into account the weather information, our recommender can further refine the list of candidate attractions and work out a daily itinerary that involves desirable hotels and attractions. The shortest itinerary (SI) and the itinerary with the highest performance/price ratio (MEI) will then be produced for user selection. The results of a series of experiments demonstrated that, compared to others, our personalized recommender for travel planning can provide a more appealing and detailed travel plan containing daily itineraries for users.


We present our data-driven supervised machine-learning (ML) model to predict heat load for buildings in a district heating system (DHS). Even though ML has been used as an approach to heat load prediction in literature, it is hard to select an approach that will qualify as a solution for our case as existing solutions are quite problem specific. For that reason, we compared and evaluated three ML algorithms within a framework on operational data from a DH system in order to generate the required prediction model. The algorithms examined are Support Vector Regression (SVR), Partial Least Square (PLS), and random forest (RF). We use the data collected from buildings at several locations for a period of 29 weeks. Concerning the accuracy of predicting the heat load, we evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms using mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and correlation coefficient. In order to determine which algorithm had the best accuracy, we conducted performance comparison among these ML algorithms. The comparison of the algorithms indicates that, for DH heat load prediction, SVR method presented in this paper is the most efficient one out of the three also compared to other methods found in the literature.


This study describes basic socioeconomic characteristics of new residents to North Dakota, the factors motivating their move, and their satisfaction with the North Dakota communities where they live. Data came from a 1997 survey of more than 700 new residents. New residents who responded to the survey were generally younger than the North Dakota population overall; about two-thirds were between 21 and 40 years old. The educational level of the migrants was also higher than that of the state's population overall; 47 percent of the new residents were college graduates and an additional 35 percent reported some college or post-secondary vocational/trade school attendance. About 48 percent of the new residents had previous ties to North Dakota. The new residents most often mentioned the following reasons for moving to North Dakota: looking for a safer place to live (59.5%), closer to relatives (50%), quality of the natural environment (49.5%), lower cost of living (48%), outdoor recreational opportunities (38%), and quality of local grade/high schools (35%). New job opportunities or transfers were central to many new residents' decisions to relocate. About 65 percent of the new resident households indicated that a new job or business opportunity, a transfer by a current employer, or a military transfer had been a key factor influencing their decision to move. Following their move to North Dakota, about 67 percent of respondents and 69 percent of their spouses or partners were employed full-time, while 12 percent of respondents and 11 percent of spouses were employed part-time. About 30 percent of the new residents moved to North Dakota alone, while 70 percent moved with others. About 66 percent moved with a spouse or partner and 40 percent moved with children. About 41 percent owned their current home, 45 percent rented, and 14 percent reported other housing arrangements. Household incomes covered a broad range, with about 30 percent reporting an income of $20,000 or less the first year after moving while 23 percent had incomes over $50,000. Most of the new residents had a number of telecommunications and computer-related capabilities available in their homes. Almost 99 percent had touch tone telephones, 96 percent had VCR players, 85 percent had telephone answering machines, 58 percent had personal computers, and 45 percent had computer modems. About 9 percent reported that the telephone service available to their home would limit the use of some telecommunications services or capabilities, and this percentage was more than twice as high in rural communities (15.5%) compared to urban centers (7%).


Rice is the most important economic crop in Vietnam's Mekong Delta (MD). It is the main source of employment and income for rural people in this region. Yearly estimates of rice growing areas and delineation of spatial distribution of rice crops are needed to devise agricultural economic plans and to ensure security of the food supply. The main objective of this study is to map rice cropping systems with respect to monitoring agricultural practices in the MD using time-series moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) 250-m data. These time-series NDVI data were derived from the 8-day MODIS 250-m data acquired in 2008. Various spatial and nonspatial data were also used for accuracy verification. The method used in this study consists of the following three main steps: 1. filtering noise from the time-series NDVI data using wavelet transformation (Coiflet 4); 2. classification of rice cropping systems using parametric and nonparametric classification algorithms: the maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) and support vector machines (SVMs); and 3. verification of classification results using ground truth data and government rice statistics. Good results can be found using wavelet transformation for cleaning rice signatures. The results of classification accuracy assessment showed that the SVMs outperformed the MLC. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient achieved by the SVMs were 89.7% and 0.86, respectively, while those achieved by the MLC were 76.2% and 0.68, respectively. Comparison of the MODIS-derived areas obtained by the SVMs with the government rice statistics at the provincial level also demonstrated that the results achieved by the SVMs (R2 = 0.95) were better than the MLC (R2 = 0.91). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using a nonparametric classification algorithm (SVMs) and time-series MODIS NVDI data for rice crop mapping in the Vietnamese MD.


The main object of this PhD. Thesis is the identification, characterization and study of new loss functions to address the so-called cost-sensitive classification. Many decision problems are intrinsically cost-sensitive. However, the dominating preference for cost-insensitive methods in the machine learning literature is a natural consequence of the fact that true costs in real applications are di fficult to evaluate. Since, in general, uncovering the correct class of the data is less costly than any decision error, designing low error decision systems is a reasonable (but suboptimal) approach. For instance, consider the classification of credit applicants as either being good customers (will pay back the credit) or bad customers (will fail to pay o part of the credit). The cost of classifying one risky borrower as good could be much higher than the cost of classifying a potentially good customer as bad. Our proposal relies on Bayes decision theory where the goal is to assign instances to the class with minimum expected cost. The decision is made involving both costs and posterior probabilities of the classes. Obtaining calibrated probability estimates at the classifier output requires a suitable learning machine, a large enough representative data set as well as an adequate loss function to be minimized during learning. The design of the loss function can be aided by the costs: classical decision theory shows that cost matrices de ne class boundaries determined by posterior class probability estimates. Strictly speaking, in order to make optimal decisions, accurate probability estimates are only required near the decision boundaries. It is key to point out that the election of the loss function becomes especially relevant when the prior knowledge about the problem is limited or the available training examples are somehow unsuitable. In those cases, different loss functions lead to dramatically different posterior probabilities estimates. We focus our study on the set of Bregman divergences. These divergences offer a rich family of proper losses that has recently become very popular in the machine learning community [Nock and Nielsen, 2009, Reid and Williamson, 2009a]. The first part of the Thesis deals with the development of a novel parametric family of multiclass Bregman divergences which captures the information in the cost matrix, so that the loss function is adapted to each specific problem. Multiclass costsensitive learning is one of the main challenges in cost-sensitive learning and, through this parametric family, we provide a natural framework to successfully overcome binary tasks. Following this idea, two lines are explored: Cost-sensitive supervised classification: We derive several asymptotic results. The first analysis guarantees that the proposed Bregman divergence has maximum sensitivity to changes at probability vectors near the decision regions. Further analysis shows that the optimization of this Bregman divergence becomes equivalent to minimizing the overall cost regret in non-separable problems, and to maximizing a margin in separable problems. Cost-sensitive semi-supervised classification: When labeled data is scarce but unlabeled data is widely available, semi-supervised learning is an useful tool to make the most of the unlabeled data. We discuss an optimization problem relying on the minimization of our parametric family of Bregman divergences, using both labeled and unlabeled data, based on what is called the Entropy Minimization principle. We propose the rst multiclass cost-sensitive semi-supervised algorithm, under the assumption that inter-class separation is stronger than intra-class separation. The second part of the Thesis deals with the transformation of this parametric family of Bregman divergences into a sequence of Bregman divergences. Work along this line can be further divided into two additional areas: Foundations of sequences of Bregman divergences: We generalize some previous results about the design and characterization of Bregman divergences that are suitable for learning and their relationship with convexity. In addition, we aim to broaden the subset of Bregman divergences that are interesting for cost-sensitive learning. Under very general conditions, we nd sequences of (cost-sensitive) Bregman divergences, whose minimization provides minimum (cost-sensitive) risk for non-separable problems and some type of maximum margin classifiers in separable cases. Learning with example-dependent costs: A strong assumption is widespread through most cost-sensitive learning algorithms: misclassification costs are the same for all examples. In many cases this statement is not true. We claim that using the example-dependent costs directly is more natural and will lead to the production of more accurate classifiers. For these reasons, we consider the extension of cost-sensitive sequences of Bregman losses to example-dependent cost scenarios to generate finely tuned posterior probability estimates.


Condition-based maintenance (CBM) of naval assets is preferred over scheduled maintenance because CBM provides a window into the future of each asset's performance, and recommends/schedules service only when needed. In practice, the asset's condition indicators must be reduced, transmitted (off-ship), and mined using shore-based predictive analytics. Real-Time Innovations (RTI), Inc. in collaboration with the University of South Carolina CBM Center is developing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary technology platform for advanced predictive analytics for the Navy's mechanical, electrical, and IT assets on-board ships. RTI is developing an open, extensible, data-centric bus architecture to integrate shipboard asset monitoring data with shore-based predictive analysis tools. The interoperability challenge is addressed using the Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) by transforming sensor data to rigorously specified standard data models. Our MDA process includes open standards such as the OMG Data Distribution Service (DDS) and Open System Architecture for Condition-Based Maintenance (OSA-CBM), both of which have enjoyed success in the Navy. Furthermore, the Navy's Information Assurance (IA) requirements are implemented using the OMG Secure-DDS standard. In summary, the technology will improve combat readiness using a truly interoperable data-bus for exchanging CBM data from ship-to-shore while reducing distractions to the sailors, standby inventory requirements, and decision time for analysts.


Objective: Topical hemostatic agents are used in a wide variety of surgical settings, and the evolution of this class of surgical tools is an interesting topic. We reviewed and outlined the historical progress of topical hemostats into present day surgery and urology, and highlight opportunities for future research. Materials and Methods: A MEDLINE search of all available literature concerning several classes of topical hemostatic agents was performed. Fibrins sealants, Gelatin sponge hemostatics, cyanoacrylate adhesives, oxidized regenerated cellulose, and microfibrillar collagen were included. References were chosen from a broad range of surgical literature. Results: Topical hemostatic agents have historically taken advantage of a wide variety of mechanisms for hemostasis. Fibrin sealants have a rich history and large potential for further applications. Gelatin sponge hemostatics have been widely used since their introduction, but have changed little. Cyanoacrylate adhesives have a unique mechanism and opportunity for novel applications of existing products. Oxidized cellulose was original in the use of plant-based components. Microfibrillar collagen hemostats have evolved to a wide variety of formats. Conclusions: A review of the evolution of topical hemostatic agents highlights opportunities for potential novel research. Fibrin sealants may have the most opportunity for advancement, and understanding the history of these products is useful. With the drive in urology for minimally invasive surgical techniques, adaptation of topical hemostatic agents to this surgical approach would be valuable and offers an opportunity for novel contributions.


This special section is about understanding the role of touch in medicine and clinical skill acquisition. three major areas of haptics in medicine and clinical skill acquisition are identified, and papers are presented on each of these topics in the special section: 1. Human haptic perception and motor performance as relevant to medical examinations and procedures. This includes characterization of the nature of haptic information, and how it is perceived, which is necessary to understand how medical professionals use haptics in medical examinations and interventions. 2. Haptic systems and the role of haptics in training and evaluating clinical skills. Haptic simulators address a growing need for effective training and evaluation of clinical skills. Such simulators can be applied in a wide variety of medical professions and disciplines, including surgery, interventional radiology, anaesthesiology, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and the allied health professions. These simulators rely on both technology development (devices, software, and systems) and an understanding of how humans use haptic feedback to perform established clinical skills or learn novel skills. 3. Using haptics to improve the performance of medical interventions. Current trends in interventional medicine remove direct contact between the patient and the clinician. Bilateral teleoperators and ?smart? instruments that use tactile sensing/display devices, sensory substitutions systems, and other methods to enhance haptic feedback to a clinician should improve the performance of interventions.


In this study, an in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay in combination with ultra performance liquid chromatography-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-orbitrap-MS) was developed for the rapid screening and identification of tyrosinase modulators from roots of Angelica keiskei. Of the 15 candidates considered, nine chalcones, xanthoangelols (1), B (2), D (3), E (4), G (5), H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), xanthokeismin B (8) and (2E)-1-[4-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-propanyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (9), five coumarins, umbelliferone (10), selinidin (11), isopimpinellin (12), phellopterin (13) and xanthyletin (14), and one other compound, ashitabaol A (15), were distinguished between the test samples and the controls with statistical significance, and the structure of each compound was determined by comparing with in-house standards and the literature. Among these, six compounds, xanthoangelol (1), xanthoangelol D (3), xanthoangelol H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), laserpitin (16) and isolaserpitin (17), were isolated from roots of A. keiskei. Of the compounds isolated, compounds 1, 7 and 16 were subjected to tyrosinase inhibitory assay, and the IC50 values were 15.87 ± 1.21, 60.14 ± 2.29 and >100 μM, respectively. The present study indicated that the combination of in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay coupled with UPLC-MS/MS could be widely applied to the rapid screening of active substances from various natural resources.


The successful performance of reclamation soil covers over saline‐sodic overburden associated with oil sands mining in northern Alberta, Canada, depends on the dynamics of water and salt migration within these covers. Subsurface flow exerts a significant control on the distribution of soil moisture and salts within reclaimed landscapes. A conceptual model for fracture‐dominated lateral subsurface flow and transport in a sloping clay‐rich reclamation soil cover over saline‐sodic shale overburden was developed based on an interpretation of field observations. This model was then verified through the use of numerical simulations. The conceptual model assumes that lateral subsurface flow is dominated by a preferential flow system and that chemical equilibration between fresh snowmelt water stored in the macropores and higher concentration pore water stored in the soil matrix is nearly instantaneous. Numerical modeling of subsurface flow indicated that the discharge rate and cumulative volume are controlled by the bulk saturated hydraulic conductivity and drainable fracture porosity, respectively. A drainable fracture porosity ranging from 3 to 4% yielded a simulated cumulative discharge similar to measured values. A pseudo‐equivalent porous medium transport model was used to simulate the Na+ concentration of collected subsurface flow with time. General agreement between measured and simulated values demonstrates that discharge concentrations increase as the depth of perched water diminishes with time and water drains through macropores associated with a matrix of higher solute concentrations lower in the cover profile.


Though there is no shortage of 17 century plantation sites in the Chesapeake archaeology enslaved African populations is incipient, but not yet flourishing. This may be a reflection of the result of those communities' underrepresentation in the archaeological and documentary records from that time period. Detailed analysis of archaeological sites where Africans were present can reveal the material residues of their lives, even when this material culture is inundated by European materials. This thesis marshals archaeological, historiographic, and ethnohistorical data to use the excavations at the Rich Neck Plantation as a window into the diversity of the 17 century Atlantic world. An interpretation that highlights the composite nature of captive African communities is produced and juxtaposed against interpretations of the same archaeological artifacts and features through the landscape features and material culture of the English land owners. Tandem analysis of the archaeological record through the perspectives of these groups provides insight into the ways their perceptions of their surroundings overlapped and diverged.


Human dignity represents one of the the main conquest of western humanism, recognizing an absolute and intrinsic value in each individual. It is also considered as he grounding of human rights (e.g. article 1 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the rule of law. Moreover, several contemporary issues, such as cloning, gender equality, euthanasia, torture, the free disposal of the body, are related to this value. Nonetheless, the importance of human dignity contrasts with the fact that very few studies try to analyze this notion correctly. Indeed, a vast majority of academic works consist in criticizing this idea because of its ambiguities, vagueness and ethnocentrism. Also, many writings are just interested in understanding this value from theological and religious perspectives. Those approaches are relevant but can not be exclusive. Indeed, they do not take into account other parameters that might help to understand human dignity, such as philosophy, anthropology and history. Thus, this brief paper considers that human dignity should be understood through the historical process of Modernity and the particular notion of individualism. Human dignity represents the base and the horizon of the political and legal orders of the modern western societies. This reality comes from a general rupture due to Modernity: it consists in the fact that ontology is now preceded by axiology.


A major goal of the 1996 federal welfare reform was to increase the labor market participation of welfare recipients. Some analysts have speculated that if the reform is successful, this increase in labor supply may exert downward pressure on wages and reduce the employment rate of other low-skilled workers in the labor market. The magnitude of these hypothetical labor market effects is uncertain because there have not been large changes in eligibility for federal welfare programs from which to draw inferences. This study treats the 1991 elimination of the General Assistance program in Michigan as a rough analog to the 1996 federal reform. In all, about 82,000 able-bodied adults lost benefits. Comparisons with other states indicate that employment in Michigan increased by two to four percentage points among high school dropouts, which corresponds to 25–50% of the original GA caseload. There is little evidence of wage or employment declines among other low-skilled workers.


Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are considered prebiotic compounds and are found in different vegetables and fruits but at low concentrations. FOS are produced by enzymat‐ ic transformation of sucrose using fructosyltransferase (FTase). Development of new production methods and search for FTase with high activity and stability for FOS production Is an actual research topic. In this article is discussed the most recent advances on FTase and its applications. Different microorganisms have been tested under various fermentation systems in order to identify and characterize new genes codifying for FTase. Some of these genes have been isolated from bacteria, fungi, and plants, with a wide range of percentages of identity but retaining the eight highly conserved motifs of the hydrolase family 32 glycoside. Therefore, this article presents an overview of the most recent advances on FTase and its applications.


"Objective: To examine the moderating effect of tibialis anterior muscle fatigue protocol on the relationships between rearfoot eversion, thigh muscle activation, and knee internal rotation during a single leg forward jump stop task. Subjects: 72 recreationally active healthy individuals (age = 23.8, ht = 168.9cm, and mass = 70.9kg) Methods: Subjects performed a single leg forward jump stop task before and after a tibialis anterior muscle (TA) fatiguing protocol. TA fatigue was induced through dorsiflexion exercise by lifting 5% of subject's body weight using a pulley system. During the jump stop task, kinematic and thigh muscle activation data were obtained using an electromagnetic tracking system and surface electromyography (sEMG). Knee internal rotation excursion (KIRexc), rearfoot eversion excursion at peak knee internal rotation (EVKIRexc), and sEMG percent RMS amplitudes of vastus lateraris (%VL), biceps femoris (%BF), and semitendinosus (%ST) 150ms before touch down were obtained during the jump stop task before and after the fatiguing protocol. Path analyses examined the extent to which EVKIRexc and thigh muscle activations predicted KIRexc in pre- and post-fatigue conditions. A paired sample t-test examined if TA fatigue would increase total rearfoot eversion (EVexc) and KIRexc in the post-fatigue condition as compared to the pre-fatigue condition. Results: TA fatigue did not increase EVexc or KIRexc. Path analyses revealed that although no relationships were found between EVKIRexc, %VL, BF, or ST and KIRexc in the pre-fatigue condition, %VL was significantly related with KIRexc in post-fatigue condition. Conclusions: The primary results revealed that TA fatigue did not change either rearfoot eversion or knee internal rotation motion, and the only association found was between post-fatigue quadriceps muscle activation and knee internal rotation motion. Considering the ACL injury mechanism, these findings support the importance of preventing excessive quadriceps contraction to prevent excessive knee internal rotation, but calls into question the theoretical connection between excessive rearfoot eversion, increased knee internal rotation, and ACL injury risk. However, these findings are limited to a single leg forward jump stop task, and the theoretical connections between rearfoot eversion, knee internal rotation and ACL injury risk during other functionally relevant dynamic tasks should be evaluated."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.


The recent availability of genomic data from humans has driven genome-wide scans for natural selection; these scans use several approaches based on comparative genetics and population genetics. Such studies have identified many possible occurrences of positive selection in the human genome, but the results should be interpreted with caution because false positives are unavoidable. Here, we review approaches for identifying positive selection in the human genome, and explain in detail an approach designed to detect recent positive selection; this approach is based on haplotype variation and linkage disequilibrium. Signatures of positive selection in the human genome offer clues on how biological features of humans have evolved and on how humans have genetically adapted to their environments and own lifestyles – including climate, diet and pathogens.

Key Concepts:

Comparative genetics approaches identify human-specific constraint or accelerated gene evolution, but have a methodological limitation.

Population genetics approaches based on haplotype variation effectively detect recent positive selection.

Genome-wide scans for selection have identified a number of candidate loci; these findings enable us to reconstruct the history of human genetic adaptation.

The results of scans for selection have to be interpreted with caution since the occurrence of false positives and false negatives is inevitable.

Further improvements in statistical analysis and establishment of functional analysis are required for future studies to validate variants associated with adaptive phenotypes.

Keywords:

natural selection;
genetic adaptation;
human genome;
genetic diversity;
selective sweep;
haplotype variation;
phenotypic difference;
selective pressure


Biomimetic tissue engineering aspires to develop bioinspired implantable devices that would positively interact with the host. Given that glycosaminoglycans are involved in many physiological processes, whereas their deprivation is associated with pathophysiologies, functionalization of implantable devices with natural and/or synthetic carbohydrate moieties is at the forefront of scientific research and industrial innovation. Herein, we venture to assess the influence of various concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, 1%) of hyaluronic acid and Ficoll on the structural, thermal, biomechanical and biological (human osteoblasts) properties of electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibers. The addition of hyaluronic acid and Ficoll reduced the fiber diameter, with the 1% hyaluronic acid exhibiting the smallest fibers diameter (p < 0.001). Neither the addition of hyaluronic acid nor the addition Ficoll significantly affected the onset and peak temperatures (p > 0.05). All hyaluronic acid and Ficoll treatments significantly reduced stress at break, strain at break and elastic modulus values (p < 0.001). Hyaluronic acid and Ficoll did not affect osteoblast viability and metabolic activity temperatures (p > 0.05); the 1% hyaluronic acid and Ficoll significantly increased (p < 0.001) osteoblast proliferation at day 21. By day 21, the 1% hyaluronic acid and 1% Ficoll fibers showed the highest alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. At day 21, osteocalcin was not detected, whereas osteopontin was detected on all samples. Collectively, our data clearly illustrate the biological benefit of nonsulfated polysaccharides as functionalization molecules.


In recent years there have been concerns in initial teacher education regarding the lack of attention given to developing students' attitudes and beliefs to prepare them for inclusive education. New Scottish initiatives, such as the Inclusive Practice Project (University of Aberdeen, 2011) have recently been carried out to address such issues and reform teacher education. Although, it is too soon to determine the extent to which these initiatives have been successful, observational evidence suggests that Newly Qualified Teachers' (NQTs) effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within their inclusive practices is mixed. Since both physical and virtual environments can convey affordances of educational exclusion, it is important that student teachers are prepared for inclusion using ICT. This paper describes a pilot survey which was conducted to develop a clear picture of student teachers' beliefs and attitudes towards inclusive education when using ICT. The findings from the survey suggest that student teachers' perceive their inclusive practices as not affected by the use of ICT. However, the findings also show that they are unsure about the extent to which ICT can affect inclusive pedagogies. Keywords : Student teachers; Attitudes and beliefs; Inclusive education and practice; E-learning; Digital divide.


This study aims to view an extended family locally connected to the Swedish city of Kalmar. The purpose is to analyse whether the extended Kreuger-family could be considered an upcoming elite, in spite of their foothold in trade, commerce and manufacturing. While these concepts would traditionally be associated with the bourgeois; the evolving times of primarily the nineteenth century creates a platform for social mobility and change that might have affected the Kreuger-family in ways that created a role for them in society that was no longer middle class, but instead a local form of an elite.The study analyses lifestyle and inventory of the estates of five generations of Kreugers, alongside marital alliances with members of the upper class within six generations of the extended family. Lastly the source material is viewed didactically for a teaching scenario. The source material include inventory of estates, personal letters and biographical material from the public archive of Kalmar Lans Museum.The result shows that the Kreuger-family could be considered as a rising elite in some respects. Advantageous marriages to members of the upper class increased from the first generation to the sixth culminating in six noble marriages in total. While income seemed to fluctuate, symbolic capital remained intact. Profession evolved from trade to commerce and manufacturing, resulting in a majority of success. The result shows a middling class family steadily rising higher on the social ladder, due to economical success. The extended Kreuger-family can be categorized as a new and modern elite, steadily rising from the year 1710 and onwards.


Byte addressable non-volatile memory (NVRAM) is likely to supplement, and perhaps eventually replace, DRAM. Applications can then persist data structures directly in memory instead of serializing them and storing them onto a durable block device. However, failures during execution can leave data structures in NVRAM unreachable or corrupt. In this paper, we present Makalu, a system that addresses non-volatile memory management. Makalu offers an integrated allocator and recovery-time garbage collector that maintains internal consistency, avoids NVRAM memory leaks, and is efficient, all in the face of failures. We show that a careful allocator design can support a less restrictive and a much more familiar programming model than existing persistent memory allocators. Our allocator significantly reduces the per allocation persistence overhead by lazily persisting non-essential metadata and by employing a post-failure recovery-time garbage collector. Experimental results show that the resulting online speed and scalability of our allocator are comparable to well-known transient allocators, and significantly better than state-of-the-art persistent allocators.


Public authorities, including the European Union and its Member States, are increasingly interested in exploiting behavioral insights through public action. They increasingly do so through choice architecture, i.e. the alteration of the environment of choice surrounding a particular decision making context in areas as diverse as energy consumption, tax collection and public health. In this regard, it is useful to distinguish between two situations. The first is that of a public authority which seeks to steer behaviour in the public interest, taking into account one or more mental shortcuts. Thus, a default enrollment for organ donation leverages on the power of inertia to enhance the overall prevalence organ donors. Placing an emoticon (sad face) or a set of information about average consumption on a prohibitive energy bill has the potential to nudge consumers towards less energy consumption. I call this pure public nudging. The second perspective is when public authorities react to exploitative uses of mental shortcuts by market forces by regulating private nudging. I call this 'counter-nudging'. Pure public nudging helps people correct mental shortcuts so as to achieve legitimate objectives (e.g. increased availability of organs, environmental protection, etc.), regardless of their exploitative use by market forces. It is against this proposed taxonomy that the 2nd AIM Lecture examines whether also private companies may nudge for good. Are corporations well-placed to nudge their customers towards societal objectives, such as the protection of the environment or the promotion of public health? This is what I call benign corporate nudging. Their record is far from being the most credible. Companies have used behavioural inspired interventions to maximize profits, what led them to sell more and in turn to induce citizens into more consumption. Yet corporate marketing need not always be self-interested. An incipient number of companies are using their brand, generally through their packaging and marketing efforts, to 'nudge for good'. By illustrating some actual examples, this lecture defines the conditions under which companies may genuinely and credibly nudge for good. It argues that benign corporate nudging may have – unlike dominant CSR efforts – a positive long-term, habit-forming effect that influences consumers' future behaviour 'for good'.


This Article presents steps that governments can take now to encourage the development, deployment, and use of automated road vehicles. After providing technical and legal context, it describes key administrative, legal, and community strategies. It concludes by urging policymakers to facilitate automated driving in part by expecting more from today's drivers and vehicles.