BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is given in various conditioning regimens for children and young adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA non-identical donors in order to reduce the risks of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and rejection after the transplant. The aim of this study was to define the effect of in vitro T-cell depletion in addition to ATG on the reconstitution of T-cell-mediated immunity.

DESIGN AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the engraftment kinetics and clinical performance of 134 patients (median age 5.80 years) who received ATG during myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning, and either in vitro T-cell-depleted or unmanipulated grafts.

RESULTS
T-cell reconstitution was significantly delayed after T-cell-depleted grafts, irrespectively of the conditioning intensity (p<0.001). The incidence of fatal viral and fungal infections was higher in recipients of T-cell-depleted grafts than in those receiving unmanipulated grafts (26.6-29% versus <or=13%). The rejection rate was likewise higher in recipients of T-cell-depleted grafts whether following myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning (37% and 18%, associated with recipient chimerism or non-engraftment, respectively) versus <or=4% without graft T-cell depletion. Grades 3 and 4 acute GvHD (CI+/-SE <or=0.11+/-0.03) and severe Epstein-Barr virus lymphoproliferative disease (1.49% fatal) were rare.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
A combination of ex vivo and in vivo T-cell depletion, although inhibiting GvHD, prolongs the interval of T cell deficiency after HSCT and favors rejection and infections, implying that the requirement for this type of extensive T-cell depletion should be carefully re-evaluated.


This policy letter provides evidence for the crucial importance of the initial regulatory treatment for the further development of financial innovations by exploring the emergence and initial legal framing of off-balance-sheet leasing in Germany. Due to a missing legal framework, lease contracts occurred as an innovative social practice of off-balance-sheet financing. However, this lacking legal framing impeded the development of this financial innovation as it also created legal uncertainties. This was about to change after the initial legal framing of leasing in the 1970's which eliminated those legal uncertainties and off-balance-sheet leasing entered into a stunning period of growth while laying the foundation of a regulatory resiliency against efforts that seek to abandon the off-balance-sheet treatment of leases. As the initial legal framing is crucial for the further development of a financial innovation, we propose the French approach for the initial vindication of new financial products in which the principles-based rules are aligned with the capabilities of regulators to intervene, even when a financial innovation complies with the letter of the law. In this way, regulators could regulate the frontier of financial innovations and weed out those which are entirely or mainly driven by regulatory arbitrage considerations while maintaining the beneficial elements of those products.


In print for twenty-seven years, A Map of Misreading serves as a companion volume to Bloom's other seminal work, The Anxiety of Influence. In this finely crafted text, Bloom offers instruction in how to read a poem, using his theory that patterns of imagery in poems represent both a response to and a defense against the influence of precursor poems. Influence, as Bloom conceives it, means that there are no texts, but only relationships between texts. Bloom discusses British and American poets including Milton, Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Browning, Whitman, Dickinson, Stevens, Warren, Ammons and Ashbery. A full-scale reading of one poem, Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came," represents this struggle between one poet and his precursors, the poem serving as a map for readers through the many versions of influence from Milton to modern poets. For the first time, in a new preface, Bloom will consider the map of misreading drawn by contemporary poets such as Ann Carson and Henri Cole. Bloom's new exploration of contemporary poetry over the last twenty years will illuminate how modern texts relate to previous texts, and contribute to the literary legacy of their predecessors.


Given an ensemble of images, we consider a method for the extraction of optimal features that are invariant under two-dimensional rotations. Our method consists of first identifying some characteristics of the optimal basis functions and then applying the Karhunen–Loeve algorithm to determine them completely. We perform a few classification experiments with the invariant features, using a neural network as a classifier. The new method is compared with the Zernike moments method.


According to the Focus Projection theory, a focused word projects its focus to a larger syntactic constituent. When a Verb Phrase (VP) has two arguments (e.g., gave a boy a book), focus on the verb-final argument licenses focus on the VP. According to the Information Packaging theory of focus applied to Korean, focus on a theme argument licenses focus on the VP. However, production data of Korean focus support neither theory. Results show that in Korean a VP-initial argument is the most prominent in a sentence with VP focus regardless of the order or the type of the arguments, but is still not as prominent as the VPinitial word receiving narrow focus.


The Fifth Amendment's Just Compensation Clause is a revealing reflection of the Framers' vigilance in preserving property rights and maintaining a balance of power between citizen and state, especially in the specific context of eminent domain. The principle that the state should be generally forbidden from taking private property for public use without just compensation is a leading motif in the definition of a political culture that underpins the emergence and maintenance of a prosperous capitalist society. In this Comment, Kraig Odabashian critiques the U.S. Supreme Court's use of the landowner's investment-backed expectations as the primary standard under which the Court has evaluated cases of government takings requiring just compensation. The author posits that the concept of "expectation," whether subjective or objective in perspective, is not the proper tool with which to analyze constitutional questions of this sort. Rather, this is a role more properly assigned to objective hermeneutics in the process of judicial epistemology. In his central thesis, the author contends that the Just Compensation Clause ought to be reattached to its philosophical and historical origins, more specifically, that the Supreme Court ought to adopt a historical baseline test for regulatory takings in order to pursue this more abstract goal. En route to establishing this thesis, he also examines the methodological failures which have led to the intellectually weak formulation currently applied by the Court to most just compensation claims. The author concludes by assessing the overall value of a historical baseline test in terms of its ability to generate a specific jurisprudence which is both cogent and practically operative. He approaches this task by both applying the historical baseline test to the Court's major just compensation cases and considering it in view of the specific language of the clause and the central themes of the Constitution as they are textually presented in the document itself, as well as in the Constitution's historical and philosophical animation.


"What does it mean to be a United Methodist?" The answer to this question, says Kenneth H. Carter, Jr., is to live a particular way of life and follow a particular form of discipleship. The distinctive aspects of that way of discipleship are contained in what has recently come to be known as "the practices." Christian practices are things done together, over time, in response to God's grace. They constitute an extended argument against some harmful alternative in the culture; they address and define a fundamental human need; they come to focus in worship; and they add up to a way of life. Carter contends that there are 6 essential practices in the United Methodist tradition: (1) searching the scriptures, (2) generosity with the poor, (3) testimony, (4) singing, (5) Holy Communion, and (6) Christian conferencing. Written primarily for those who lead in United Methodist congregations, this book will give the reader not only an understanding of what the central United Methodist practices are, but also how they can be taught. Being formed in and by these practices does not happen overnight; it happens across a lifetime of observing the practices in others and trying them out oneself. Neglecting the Christian practices--failing to attend to them--can mean a life devoid of much of the purpose and power that life in the Spirit can hold.


We articulate a need for the representation of temporal objects reflecting dynamic, short-lived mapping connections instantiated from a template, in tools for designing and using interactive media systems. A list of requirements is compiled from an examination of existing tools, practical use cases, and abstract considerations of node connectivity and information propagation within a graph of connected devices. We validate the concept through implementation in the open source software libmapper, and explore its application by integration with existing controller/synthesizer software and hardware.


A previously developed in vitro method for studying the phagocytosis of bacteria and particles by human neutrophils was used to investigate the influence of different glucose levels on phagocytosis. It was found that high glucose levels (200, 400, and 800 mg of glucose/100 ml) significantly depressed the phagocytosis of Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, and Escherichia coli. At very low glucose levels, a somewhat decreased phagocytic activity was noted. The strongest phagocytic activity occurred at glucose concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/100 ml. A second effect noted at the higher (200, 400 and 800 mg/100 ml) glucose concentrations was a decreased adhesiveness of the neutrophils to solid surfaces. The mechanism of the decrease in phagocytosis and in neutrophil adhesiveness at higher glucose levels is unknown, but it is not linked to increased osmotic pressures due to the presence of glucose, as ethanol, at the same and even higher osmolal concentrations, had no effect on the phagocytosis. These results show that not only the phagocytic activity of those neutrophils that do adhere to a solid surface is diminished at higher glucose concentrations but also that fewer neutrophils adhere to solid surfaces at higher glucose levels. These two phenomena combined may provide at least part of the explanation for the well-known decrease in resistance to bacterial infections of diabetics.


The Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae (Gould) is an endemic species to the grassy woodlands of
tropical northern Australia. In recent decades it has undergone a substantial decline, both in
abundance and distribution. The cause of the decline remains unclear, however, habitat alteration
from inappropriate fire regimes and or grazing by cattle, trapping for the avicultural market, disease
and parasitism have all been suggested to be involved.
In 1987, the respiratory system inhabiting mite Stemostoma tracheacolum Lawrence was
discovered in wild populations of the Gouldian Finch. This mite is known to be pathogenic in
captive birds, particularly the Gouldian Finch. The prevalence and intensity of infection in wild
Gouldian Finches was thought to be high and its presence was found to be associated with
respiratory disease (Tidemann et al. 1992). Unfortunately, little was known of the biology of S.
tracheacolum or any of the respiratory system inhabiting mites of vertebrates. Furthermore, little
was understood of the parasite-host relationship of these mite groups.
In order to appreciate the potential role of S. tracheacolum in the decline of the Gouldian Finch the
present study undertook to improve the knowledge of the biology of the parasite and the parasitehost
relationship. The investigation involved studies of both naturally infected wild birds and
experimentally infected captive reared birds.
The life stages of S. tracheacolum from the wild Gouldian Finch are identified and described. The
Morphology of specimens from the Gouldian Finch is compared with that of specimens described
from other wild Australian host species and both captive and wild host species overseas. Significant
morphological differences between specimens coming from psittaciform and passeriform hosts are
described.
The life history, patterns of infection and the mode of transmission of S. tracheacolum are
described. The study indicates the following sequence: arrhenotoky, ovoviviparity, egg laying in the
lung with subsequent development in the posterior airsacs and a rapid progress from the egg to the
adult stage. The stage responsible for transmission is identified as the adult female (non-gravid,
non-gorged). Observational data on behaviour and longevity of the infective stage indicates direct
transmission via the nares of the host.
S. tracheacolum infrapopulation biology is described in captive reared Gouldian Finches.
Following initial infection there was an exponential growth rate and maximum infrapopulation size
commonly exceeded 200 mites. In birds that survive these levels of infection there was a subsequent decline in the size of the infrapopulation until long term infections (i.e. up to two years
duration) contain few mites. The mortality rate of mites increases with duration of infection and the
transmission rate positively correlates with the size of the infrapopulation. Mite generations are
continuous and overlapping with no evidence of synchronisation of reproduction or transmission
with host biology.
Gross pathology associated with S. tracheacolum infection is described, for individual birds killed
at three monthly intervals, over 12 months following initial infection. Occlusion of respiratory
passages (trachea, syrinx and primary bronchi) and or secondary pyrogenic infections were a
common cause of death in heavily infected birds.
Haematological values (Haemoglobin, Packed Cell Volume, Mean Corpuscular Value, Red Blood
Cell count, White Blood Cell count, Thrombocyte count and differential leucocyte counts) of
Gouldian Finches infected with S. tracheacolum (taken 3, 6, 9 and 12 months following
experimental infection) and Canaries (taken 6 months following experimental infection) were not
statistically dissimilar to those values obtained from non-infected birds. Cellular haematology is
therefore considered to be of limited value in the study of S. tracheacolum infection.
The clinical signs of S. tracheacolum infection are described over time for Gouldian Finches of
known infection size and duration. Infected birds were found to throat clear, sneeze, wheeze(±
clicking and gurgling), bill wipe and head shake more often and preen, vocalise, sing, and fly less
often than uninfected birds. Infected birds were significantly less able to maintain flight than their
uninfected counterparts. The severity of clinical signs was found to be related to the duration and
the size of the infection. Some clinical signs are considered to enhance transmission while others
have the potential to increase both direct and indirect mortality in wild host populations.
A survey of the intra-nasal mite fauna of wild Gouldian Finches, Masked Finches Poephila
personata, Pictorella Mannikins Heteromunia pectoralis, Long-tailed Finches P. acuticauda,
Double-barred Finches Taeniopygia bichenovii, Zebra Finches T. guttata and Budgerigars
Melopsittacus undulatus from the Northern Territory, Australia revealed twelve new host records
for rhinonyssid and kytoditid mites. The prevalence of rhinonyssid infection in these host species
ranged from 16.2 to 60.8%, with a corresponding range in the intensity of infection from 1.6 to 26.7
mites per host and a range in the mean parasite burden from 0.26 to 12.7 mites per individual bird.
S. tracheacolum was found to infect the Gouldian Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Masked Finch and
Budgerigar at a prevalence of 47% (n = 19), 34% (n = 74), 1.4% (n = 85) and 16% (n = 86) and an
intensity of27, 10, 1 and 1.6 mites per host for each species respectively. Both the prevalence and
intensity of infection in the Gouldian Finch and the Pictorella Mannikin were significantly higher
than that found in the Masked Finch and the Budgerigar. The prevalence and intensity of infection in the Gouldian Finch and the Pictorella Mannikin were not significantly different. The frequency
distribution of mites S. tracheacolum in the Gouldian Finch sample was significantly different from
the frequency distributions in the Budgerigar and the Masked Finch samples but not significantly
different from that in the Pictorella Mannikin sample.
Captive reared Gouldian Finches and Canaries were successfully infected with S. tracheacolum
obtained from wild Gouldian Finches using an experimental infection technique. Captive reared
Budgerigars and wild caught Masked Finches could not be infected by the same technique. The
results suggest that Budgerigars are not susceptible (or are resistant) to S. tracheacolum mites
coming from the wild Gouldian Finch, providing further evidence for sub-specific separation of the
two forms. Examination of S. tracheacolum mites reared in captive Gouldian Finches and Canaries
at 6 months and at 12 months following experimental infection indicated no significant change in
external morphology. The data support the proposition that, in the short term, the host does not
affect morphological expression in S. tracheacolum mites and that observed differences in mites
from passerine and psittacid hosts are genetic rather than environmental.
Ivermectin oral dosing is found to be an effective treatment for the control or complete elimination
of S. tracheacolum infection in captive reared Gouldian Finches. Single dose treatment with
ivermectin (i.e. Ivomec®, 0.8 gil ivermectin) at rates as high as 3.5 J.l.Vg b.w. were administered to
both captive reared and wild caught Gouldian Finches without obvious signs of toxicity. The mean
percentage of mites killed by the drug increased with increase in the quantity of ivermectin in the
oral dose. Complete elimination was achieved at doses above 2.0 J.l.Vg b.w. S. tracheacolum eggs
can continue development within the carcase of ivermectin killed female mites and stages from
larva to adult male have been found within the mother's carcase. The potential for reinfection of the
host from mites that have developed in this manner is not known.
The influence of S. tracheacolum on mortality and fecundity in the captive reared Gouldian Finch
is examined. Groups of experimentally infected birds showed higher mortality rates than uninfected
birds and infected birds layed significantly less eggs per number of surviving females over 200 days
of infection (for birds initially infected at the beginning of the breeding period) than their
uninfected counterparts.
In view of the results of the present study, S. tracheacolum is considered to have the potential for
significant impact on the population dynamics of the wild Gouldian Finch.


While struggling to succeed in today's complex market environment and provide better customer experience and services, enterprises encompass digital transformation as a means for reaching competitiveness and foster value creation. A digital transformation process consists of information technology implementation projects, as well as organizational factors such as top management support, digital transformation strategy, and organizational changes. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is little evidence about digital transformation endeavors in organizations and how they perceive it – is it only about digital technologies adoption or a true organizational shift is needed? In order to address this issue and as the first step in our research project, a literature review is conducted. The analysis included case study papers from Scopus and Web of Science databases. The following attributes are considered for classification and analysis of papers: time component; country of case origin; case industry and; digital transformation concept comprehension, i.e. focus. Research showed that organizations – public, as well as private ones, are aware of change necessity and employ digital transformation projects. Also, the changes concerning digital transformation affect both manufacturing and service-based industries. Furthermore, we discovered that organizations understand that besides technologies implementation, organizational changes must also be adopted. However, with only 29 relevant papers identified, research positioned digital transformation as an unexplored and emerging phenomenon in information systems research. The scarcity of evidence-based papers calls for further examination of this topic on cases from practice. Keywords—Digital strategy, digital technologies, digital transformation, literature review.


In this paper, we formulate a dynamic general equilibrium model with staggered nominal contracts, in which households and firms use optimal filtering to disentangle persistent and transitory shifts in the monetary policy rule. The calibrated model accounts quite well for the dynamics of output and inflation during the Volcker disinflation, and implies a sacrifice ratio very close to the estimated value. Our approach indicates that inflation persistence and substantial costs of disinflation can be generated in an optimizing-agent framework, without relaxing the assumption of rational expectations or relying on arbitrary modifications to the aggregate supply relation.


Received: December 2016, Accepted: February 2017 Background: Musculoskeletal pain accompanied by psychological problems leads to reduced health efficiency. On the other hand, work-related anxiety and depression is another important factor that could result in reduced productivity in organizations and physical and mental problems in personnel. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational health problems that have high costs and lead to productivity loss in military personnel. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of anxiety and depression with MSDs among military personnel in 2016. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 military personnel in July 2016 through convenience sampling method. The data collection tools used were the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) and Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, and ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: The highest prevalence of MSDs was observed in the back (48%), thoracic spine (41%), and shoulder (37%). The Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale scores showed that anxiety and depression were at a medium level. The Pearson correlation test showed a significant correlation between anxiety (P = 0.01) (r = 0.79) and depression (P = 0.01) (r = 0.76), and MSDs; with increase in anxiety and depression, MSDs also increased. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that anxiety and depression have a direct relationship with MSDs. Therefore, interventions must be carried out for MSDs prevention such as reducing physical and psychological job demands, and reducing anxiety and depression level among military personnel.


To determine the science development level, we should depart from a specific stage of the society development. The construction material science has achieved a certain success in creation of composites which ensure safety of buildings and structures including a protection thereof against certain natural and technogenic impacts. A new stage in the construction material science provides for a technology of creation of composites that would be comfortable for a particular individual. For implementation of the above, it is necessary to generate a new paradigm for design and synthesis of construction materials using a new raw materials base. Optimization of the "man-material-habitat" system is a complex task requiring transdisciplinary approaches for its solution. In terms of this line, the concept of technogenic metasomatosis in the construction material science was formed, as well as the law of affinity of structures, a possibility of creation of composites that respond to operational loads by "self-healing" of defects were formed. Examples of implementation of the stated concept are given. It is concluded that the monodisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches in the construction material science contributed to the development of a wide range of building composites used in construction of strong and durable structures. Selection of materials for construction must primarily be determined by a wide array of personality characteristics, geography of construction, ecology, etc.


This commentary presents an overview of the place of Lourens Lourenszoon's account of his captivity among the Arocouros (Palikur) Indians in relation to other contemporary sources on the native peoples of Guyana. In particular the claims as to witnessing of both cannibalism as well as the capture of a 'headless-man' provide a rich context in which to situate broader issues of ethnographic epistemology and eye-witness observation. Such marvels and monstrosities are closely associated with early wring on the Americas and in this way the account of Lourens Lourenszoon is an important addition to the debates on interpretation of historical documents across cultural space. This new translation also provides important demographic and geographical information on the situation of the native population of the Cassipore River and region of Amapa (Brazil) in the early seventeenth century that can inform further archaeological, ethnohistorical and ethnographic investigation.


A Drosophila model of fragile X syndrome enables high-throughput in vivo drug screening for the disease. Spurring drug development for FXS Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an autistic intellectual disability disorder caused by loss of the RNA binding protein FMRP. Treating FXS has been challenging because of the lack of a reliable in vivo drug screening model. Kashima et al. found that the hyperactive locomotion observed in a fly model of FXS was a reliable behavioral marker for the neurological abnormalities underlying the disease. The kinase LIMK1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of FXS, and high-throughput (rapid, quantitative, and time- and cost-effective) drug screening in the fly FXS model confirmed that LIMK1 inhibitors ameliorated both the neurological and behavioral phenotypes of this model. LIMK1 inhibitors also reduced hyperactivity in a mouse model of FXS. Thus, this method may aid in future drug development for FXS patients. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of heritable intellectual disability and autism and affects ~1 in 4000 males and 1 in 8000 females. The discovery of effective treatments for FXS has been hampered by the lack of effective animal models and phenotypic readouts for drug screening. FXS ensues from the epigenetic silencing or loss-of-function mutation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, which encodes an RNA binding protein that associates with and represses the translation of target mRNAs. We previously found that the activation of LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) downstream of augmented synthesis of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type 2 receptor (BMPR2) promotes aberrant synaptic development in mouse and Drosophila models of FXS and that these molecular and cellular markers were correlated in patients with FXS. We report that larval locomotion is augmented in a Drosophila FXS model. Genetic or pharmacological intervention on the BMPR2-LIMK pathway ameliorated the synaptic abnormality and locomotion phenotypes of FXS larvae, as well as hyperactivity in an FXS mouse model. Our study demonstrates that (i) the BMPR2-LIMK pathway is a promising therapeutic target for FXS and (ii) the locomotion phenotype of FXS larvae is a quantitative functional readout for the neuromorphological phenotype associated with FXS and is amenable to the screening novel FXS therapeutics.


This research examines the intellectual leadership behaviours of senior academics at professoriate level, and the influences of institutional support practices, climate and communication in universities as main organizational features on these behaviours. To explore relations among research variables, qualitative data were collected by interviews with Australian senior academics, and analysed by using content and descriptive analysis techniques. According to senior academics, major professorial leadership behaviours are creating new knowledge, keeping up standards in disciplinary publications, helping younger researchers' academic development, obtaining competitive grants, raising the reputation of their institutions and using their expertize to influence public debates. In addition, senior academics confirmed that institutional resources contribute generally to their productivity within scholarly leadership, and organizational climate strongly affects their motivation and academic performance. Furthermore, they affirmed that organizational communication has greater impact on their intellectual leadership by its reflections on climate and institutional facilities in universities than its direct effects.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a cognitive behavioural training programme and a physical activity programme for patients with stress-related illnesses.

DESIGN
In a randomized controlled study, patients were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 groups, where group 1 participated in a cognitive behavioural training programme, group 2 participated in a physical activity programme, and group 3, the control group, was offered usual care for the course of the study.

SUBJECTS
A total of 75 patients participated in the study. They had been on sick leave for at least 50% of the time for between 1 month and 2 years due to stress-related illnesses.

METHODS
Measurements of autonomic activity, pressure-pain thresholds and subjective ratings of health and behaviour were made before and after a 10-week intervention period, and at 6 and 12 months after the intervention.

RESULTS
Minor differences in autonomic activity and pressure-pain thresholds were found between the groups immediately after the intervention. At the 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments, the differences were no longer present. Patients in the cognitive behavioural training group improved their ratings of general health compared with the physical activity group throughout the study.

CONCLUSION
The study showed little difference in the effect of cognitive behavioural training and physical activity, compared with usual care, for patients with stress-related illnesses.


Summary form only given. In the paper, we review our work on heterogeneous integration of InP photonic devices on silicon. We elaborate on two integration technologies that have been widely explored in the Photonics Research group, i.e. the relatively mature adhesive bonding based integration scheme and a newly demonstrated buffer-less epitaxial growth approach. Based on these techniques, we describe a broad range of photonic devices including mode-locked lasers, high speed directly modulated distributed feedback lasers, electro-absorption modulators, photodetectors, super-luminescent light emitting diodes, etc.


With 40% new material the new edition of Advanced Wireless Networks provides a comprehensive representation of the key issues in 4G wireless networks. Focussing on cognitive, cooperative and opportunistic paradigms to provide further increase in network efficiency, the book explores and addresses issues in wireless internet, mobile cellular and WLAN, as well as sensor, ad hoc, bio-inspired, active and cognitive networks. It examines the problem of cross-layer optimisation and network information theory as well as adaptability and reconfigurability in wireless networks. This book is an integral description of future wireless networks and the interconnection between their elements. The information is presented in a logical order within each chapter making it ideal for all levels of reader including researchers involved in modelling and analysis of future networks as well as engineers working in the area. Each chapter starts with introductory material and gradually includes more sophisticated models and mathematical tools concluding with a comprehensive list of references. Fully updated throughout with five new chapters on Opportunistic Communications; Relaying and Mesh Networks; Topology Control; Network Optimization; and Cognitive Radio Resource Management Unifies the latest research on cognitive, cooperative and opportunistic paradigms in wireless communications Provides efficient analytical tools for network analysis Discusses security issues, an essential element of working with wireless networks Supports advanced university and training courses in the field Companion website containing extra appendix on Queuing theory


This thesis is concerned primarily with the investigation, both analytically and numerically, of instabilities in reverse- and forward-roll and slot coating flows. Consideration is restricted to Newtonian, incompressible fluids in the absence of inertial forces.

The onset of the ribbing instability in inlet flooded, reverse roll coating is examined first by applying linear stability theory to a base flow formulated using lubrication theory. Regions of instability are established and found to be in accord with experimental observation. These results are then compared with predictions from a stability hypothesis based on a two-dimensional force balance argument. This simple criterion shows that the effect of various parameters on the stability of the downstream free surface can be ascertained by examining their influence on the pressure gradient and meniscus location. The stability hypothesis is shown to underpredict the critical capillary number and so is only sufficient for predicting stability. Results are also compared to ones obtained numerically by applying linear stability theory to finite element solutions for the entire flow field, the principal difference being that the analytical approach overpredicts the critical capillary number for the onset of instability.

A variation of inlet flooded, reverse roll coating is then studied in which the nip is fed from above by a large reservoir of fluid (i.e. a hydrostatic head). The influence of this head on the base flow (obtained using lubrication theory) and its stability is then investigated.

An improved model of the dynamic contact line, developed by Shikhmurzaev [1993a] is described in which the dynamic contact angle is no longer kept constant, but is a function of various fluid and geometrical parameters. The limit of this theory for small capillary number is incorporated into the analytical model from which its effect on the base flow and stability is examined.

Instabilities in forward roll coating are then investigated. The inlet flooded case is studied using linear stability analysis, a stability hypothesis and the finite element method. As in reverse roll coating, the stability hypothesis at the downstream free surface is sufficient for predicting stability only. The finite element method, on the other hand, leads to solutions that are in close agreement with linear stability theory, unlike the reverse roll case.

Inlet starved forward roll coating is examined next and, as with the inlet flooded case, the ribbing instability can still manifest at the downstream free surface. The presence of an instability known as bead break, noted experimentally by Malone [1992] and Gaskell et al [1998], is verified analytically using linear stability theory. It is then shown that a stability hypothesis applied at the upstream free surface gives an accurate description of stability (unlike at the downstream free surface).

Finally, the slot coating geometry is explored. A geometrically flexible finite element code is described for which it is possible to use various lip shapes and a roll of variable radius and location (with respect to the slot). Initially, as has always been the case in previous work reported in the literature, the numerical mesh incorporates a downstream wetting line pinned at the lip edge and the effect of the various fluid and geometrical parameters on the resultant pressure profile and upstream meniscus location is examined. These numerical results are seen to compare favourably with predictions obtained analytically using a model based on lubrication theory.

However, Sartor [1990] showed that the downstream wetting line does not always remain pinned, but can climb up the die shoulder or regress into the coating gap. This has been confirmed experimentally by Kapur [1998] who also notes that ribs only appear when operating in the unpinned regime. Hence, the case in which the downstream, static contact line has retreated from the lip edge towards the inlet is studied. Pressure profiles and meniscus locations are compared with those for the case of a pinned downstream wetting line and the numerical linear stability analysis used to determine the effect of the fluid and geometrical parameters on the stability of the downstream free surface.


The Association Product is a photosensitive coating for continuous -tone litho plates (It can also be used as a plate coating for halftone printing). It consists of phenolic resin and poly (ethylene oxide) and is photosensitized by a water soluble sensitizer. Continuous-tone lithography has better quality potential than the halftone process. Because the halftone process converts the continuous -tone image of the original into small dots of varying sizes, it thus inherently degrades the image quality and adds time and material costs in screening. The water soluble sensitizer converts the hydrophilic Association Product to an oleophilic state in direct proportion to exposing energy, which makes the Association Product become a single-phase plate, and thus simplifies the processing procedure. The curing property of phenolic resin makes the Association Product hardened simply by applying heat, and thus gives a long-run plate. A significant problem of the Association Product printing plate is that the contrast is too high (gamma equal to 3-0 or higher) . This study investigated possibilities of lowering the contrast of Association Product printing plates by physical ways such as varying the baking time and the thickness of the photosensitive layer, and a factorial experiment was designed. It was found that the thinner the coating, the lower the contrast; the less the baking time, the lower the contrast. In the best combination of conditions in this experiment (proofs printed by an Association Product plate which was coated by a coating solution containing 1000 ml of DMF and without baking), the gamma value was 1.4, which was much better than it is usually. Baking hardened the Association Product printing plate, so after-process baking was used to get a long-run plate. Although after-process baking lowered the density of non-image area, the contrast was increased from 1.4 to 2.7· Julius L. Silver Abstrast approved: __________________ __ , thesis advisor 2 ~~J1.i14, title and department kr,/~;jh-, date CHAPTER


State governments have devised a new means to evade the Constitution. Their new means is to enact tort statutes that, in effect, ban constitutionally protected conduct. In particular, some states have made the provision of an abortion a tort for which there can be no defense and no cap on the amount of liability. These states have made performing an abortion essentially illegal. Yet, because tort statutes are enforced through private litigation, rather than public prosecution, a number of courts have held that they lack jurisdiction to review these laws. Federal courts have concluded that standing doctrine and state sovereign immunity bar judicial review of any privately enforced tort legislation. These courts have refused to recognize that this new breed of tort statute attempts to "privatize" the government's restriction of constitutional rights. States have taken a law that would clearly be unconstitutional were it properly treated as "public" law, and immunized it as "private" tort law. Courts have refused to disallow this manipulation of the public/private distinction embedded in our system of law. This Article proposes a novel method for analyzing tort legislation that violates fundamental rights. It provides a framework for understanding how state legislatures are attempting to privatize governmental regulation. It then proposes a new solution that satisfies the requirements for federal court jurisdiction, but also ensures that state legislatures do not cloak deprivations of fundamental rights under the veil of private rights of action.


Abstract Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare prevalence of substance use, high-risk sexual behaviors, and depression symptoms between homeless youth with and without a history of foster care placement. Background: Approximately 26,000 young persons exit foster care annually in the United States. Once they 'age out' of foster care, however, many young persons do not have access to comprehensive health care. They also are at risk for substance abuse, homelessness, or mental illness. Because persons with a history of foster care are at risk for negative psycho-social outcomes, it is unclear if these young people might be different than homeless youth without this history. Design: The design is descriptive and cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 156 homeless young persons, of whom 44 had a history of foster care placement, were recruited from a drop-in center that caters to homeless youth and young adults. Results: The sample was majority male and white; ages were 16–25. Significantly higher proportion of homeless former foster youth used methamphetamine within the last six months compared to non-fostered homeless youth p = 0.03). Homeless former foster youth were significantly older (p = 0.02) and less educated (p = 0.02) than their homeless counterparts without a history of foster care placement. Prevalence of using tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine were similar for both groups. Although not significant, a higher proportion of homeless former foster youth reported trading sex for money or drugs compared to non-fostered, homeless youth (19% versus 12% [trading sex for money], and 26% versus 14% [trading sex for drugs], respectively. Conclusions: Findings from this study show that, in general, homelessness is a negative outcome, irrespective of having a foster care history. However, those with that history need continued support when transitioning to independent living, such as access to health care, and encouragement to further their education. Relevance to clinical practice: It is important that nurses, who serve homeless youth populations, conduct a risk assessment profile, in order to ascertain a history of foster care placement, link former foster youth to social service agencies that provide risk reduction/health promotion education, and advocate for stable housing.


To the Editor:—It has recently come to our attention that the etiology and suitability of fresh frozen plasma with a marked green color are not well understood by a significant number of anesthesia providers. We reviewed the issue of "green plasma" after a unit with a striking green color (fig. 1) appeared in our operating room. Because of the contrast with the typical yellow appearance of plasma, the anesthesiologist refused to accept the unit. Although the blood bank assured him that the unit was safe, the anesthesiologist decided to take the more conservative approach and returned the unit to the blood bank for disposal. We shared the picture below with more than 30 members of our departments and other departments, including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, internists, intensivists, and surgeons. With one exception, no clinician identified the green color of the plasma as a possible normal variant for the color of fresh frozen plasma, and all suggested infection or bacterial contamination as the most likely reason for the green color. The vast majority concurred with the anesthesiologist's decision to refuse the unit. We could find no reports on green plasma in the past 40 yr in either the surgical or the anesthesia literature, which perhaps explains the lack of knowledge on the part of today's clinicians. However, we found several articles dating back to the 1960s. At that time, green plasma was appearing in blood banks in fairly significant numbers (as many as 1% of all plasma units in large blood bank centers in England). Discoloration of plasma units by gram-negative cryophilic contaminants such as the Pseudomonas species was still a concern at that time but was increasingly less likely in the antibiotic age and did not explain the relatively sudden increase in the number of green units. An additional etiology was therefore sought. The yellow color of plasma is due to the presence of the yellow pigments bilirubin, carotenoids, hemoglobin, and iron transferrin. A previous report had noted the green appearance of sera obtained from donors with rheumatoid arthritis and had identified a corresponding decrease in the yellow pigments of these sera, especially in patients with disease duration of more than 10 yr. However, Tovey and Lathe reported hundreds of units of strikingly green plasma subsequently identified to be from a second cohort of donors (young married women) who did not have rheumatoid arthritis and whose sera had normal levels of yellow pigments. They were unsuccessful in extracting a green pigment from the green plasma; however, they found an unexpected blue precipitate. This pigment was subsequently identified as ceruloplasmin. Ceruloplasmin is a normal plasma glycoprotein, 2 globulin, that functions as a carrier for copper and also acts as an acute phase reactant. The level of ceruloplasmin can be elevated with elevated copper levels, in rheumatoid arthritis, and in high-estrogen states such as pregnancy and oral contraceptive use. Tovey and Lathe were able to confirm elevated ceruloplasmin levels in the green plasma units in their study. A subsequent study by Wolf et al. also found high normal or elevated ceruloplasmin levels in 15 donors, all of whom were taking oral contraceptives and all of whom had extremely green plasma. The authors suggested oral contraceptives, which were just then gaining wide clinical use, as the most likely cause of the increase in the number of green plasma units. They also noted that more modern techniques of blood collection (use of large-bore needles etc.) had resulted in less hemolysis at the time of donation, and consequently there were no longer large amounts of yellow pigments from free hemoglobin in the sera. The unit of green plasma that reached our operating room was cleared as a normal color variant by both regional and hospital blood bank staff using a visual inspection standard published by the American Red Cross and last updated in 2006. This can be viewed online.* As part of our post hoc review, we sought the ceruloplasmin level of this unit of plasma; however, the refused unit had already been discarded. Blood bank records showed that the donor was a 27-yr-old female graduate student in excellent health, absent all medical conditions and medications, except for a 5-yr history of oral contraceptive use. Currently, approximately 0.3% of the inventory of fresh frozen plasma in our region is greenish in color. The American Association of Blood Banks is pursuing strategies to reduce the number of blood donors known to be at risk for leukocyte alloimmunization (pregnant females) as part of their plan to reduce the number of transfusion-related acute lung injury. Whether this strategy will make green plasma of only historical interest is doubtful. Blood banks will not be able to exclude pregnant women or women on birth control pills altogether as plasma donors because they simply will not be able to meet the needs of the country. Anesthesia providers should be aware of variations in physical properties of blood products and Support was provided solely from institutional and/or departmental sources. * Available at: www.redcross.org/visualinspectionguide. Accessed December 7, 2007. Fig. 1. The green plasma unit on the right, shown with a typical yellow unit. 764 CORRESPONDENCE


This paper asks how far it is possible to make reliable reconstructions of Proto Trans New Guinea (pTNG), the putative ancestor of more than 400 Papuan languages of New Guinea. In order to make such an assessment we need to answer a number of more specific questions, including: (1) Are there trustworthy criteria for determining membership in TNG? (2) Can a clear-cut determination be made for every language? (3) Can we determine whether a particular reconstructed etymon should be attributed to pTNG or to a later stage? That is to say, is the high order subgrouping of TNG well established? (4) Are the available cognate sets sufficient in number and quality, and widely enough distributed, to arrive at reliable reconstructions of pTNG phonology, lexicon and morphology? TNG is a valid family in that there is a large set of languages that share features clearly indicating common origin. However, the precise membership and high-order subgrouping of the family remain uncertain and the lexical residues of common origin to which the Comparative Method can be applied are sparse. Furthermore, New Guinea is an area where there has been a great deal of bilingualism, leading to lexical and structural borrowing. Consideration of such factors led several commentators in the 1970s and 80s to conclude that trustworthy reconstructions of pTNG are unattainable using topdown methods, i.e. by searching for systematic agreements between languages belonging to distantly related subgroups. Contrary to this view, I argue that using a top-down strategy has been essential to achieving initial breakthroughs in reconstructing pTNG. But it is clear that gaining a more complete and finergrained understanding of the history of the family will require the integration of top-down with bottom-up reconstructive work.


The diagnosed cases of Breast cancer is increasing annually and unfortunately getting converted into a high mortality rate. Cancer, at the early stages, is hard to detect because the malicious cells show similar properties (density) as shown by the non-malicious cells. The mortality ratio could have been minimized if the breast cancer could have been detected in its early stages. But the current systems have not been able to achieve a fully automatic system which is not just capable of detecting the breast cancer but also can detect the stage of it. Estimation of malignancy grading is important in diagnosing the degree of growth of malicious cells as well as in selecting a proper therapy for the patient. Therefore, a complete and efficient clinical decision support system is proposed which is capable of achieving breast cancer malignancy grading scheme very efficiently. The system is based on Image processing and machine learning domains. Classification Imbalance problem, a machine learning problem, occurs when instances of one class is much higher than the instances of the other class resulting in an inefficient classification of samples and hence a bad decision support system. Therefore EUSBoost, ensemble based classifier is proposed which is efficient and is able to outperform other classifiers as it takes the benefits of both-boosting algorithm with Random Undersampling techniques. Also comparison of EUSBoost with other techniques is shown in the paper.


We present a semiparametric method to estimate group-level dispersion, which is particularly effective in the presence of censored data. We apply this procedure to obtain measures of occupation-specific wage dispersion using top-coded administrative wage data from the German IAB Employment Sample (IABS). We then relate these robust measures of earnings risk to the risk attitudes of individuals working in these occupations. We find that willingness to take risk is positively correlated with the wage dispersion of an individual's occupation.


Films on art have provided audiences with new ways of apprehending art since the early part of the twentieth century. Yet, the film on art did not remain a strictly didactic tool since there have always been film directors to blur the boundary between a film on art and an art film. Jacques Giraldeau is one of these film directors. This thesis looks at three of Giraldeau's films: La forme des choses, Les fleurs c'est pour Rosemont and Bozarts. The first film is an abstract look at the works shown at the first international sculpture symposium in 1964 in Montreal. It is a deliberate collage of images of the sculptures interspersed with images of the landscape in which they were exposed. The second film is a bleak look at an architectural project started by a group of recent university graduates to revamp an alleyway in an impoverished district of Montreal. The film showcases the residents's disillusionment and frustration with their plight. It provides ground for a discussion on class disenfranchisement. The last film is a survey of the art scene in Quebec in the late 1960s. It takes note of the various actors's opinions, such as gallery owners, museum directors, art critics and artists. Coupled with the views of the lay public and their incomprehension of the hermetic art world.


"One Soldier s War" is a visceral and unflinching memoir of a young Russian soldier s experience in the Chechen wars that brilliantly captures the fear, drudgery, chaos, and brutality of modern combat. An excerpt of the book was hailed by Tibor Fisher in the "Guardian" as right up there with "Catch-22" and Michael Herr s "Dispatches," and the book won Russia s inaugural Debut Prize, which recognizes authors who write despite, not because of, their life circumstances. In 1995, Arkady Babchenko was an eighteen-year-old law student in Moscow when he was drafted into the Russian army and sent to Chechnya. It was the beginning of a torturous journey from naive conscript to hardened soldier that took Babchenko from the front lines of the first Chechen War in 1995 to the second in 1999. He fought in major cities and tiny hamlets, from the bombed-out streets of Grozny to anonymous mountain villages. Babchenko takes the raw and mundane realities of warthe constant cold, hunger, exhaustion, filth, and terrorand twists it into compelling, haunting, and eerily elegant prose. Acclaimed by reviewers around the world, this is a devastating first-person account of war by an extraordinary storyteller."


How do participants engage in at-home air monitoring in the midst of uncertain exposures to airborne emissions associated with unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) activities? We investigate residents' experiences with the "Speck" particulate matter sensor with an emerging environmental health resource center called the Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (EHP).  In response to the gaps in knowledge about the health impacts of UNGD and the growth citizen science tools, participatory environmental monitoring (PEM) projects have taken off in shale gas communities. Using interview and survey data from residents, advocates, and activists we show that residents use the Speck as: 1) "environmental health thermometers" to make real time decisions based on readings; 2) real-time tools of exposure-validation to immediately validate or invalidate suspicions of exposure; 3) "epistemic objects" or tools manipulated in exploratory ways to understand their efficacy in monitoring UNGD; and 4) passively by those who chose to rarely interact with the monitors and rather waited for overall analysis of results.  While PEM's have been critiqued for potentially passing the burden of monitoring onto communities, our research shows PEM, when connected with research and public health organizations like EHP, can both empower individuals by increasing their perceived and actual agency and build collective knowledge by producing novel scientific findings. The modes of participation identified here each imply individual and community-level outcomes. When connected with an organization like EHP, Speck monitoring enabled participating individual the latitude to develop their own research and make immediate use of the data, while also creating data useful for aggregated scientific analyses that provoke new questions about the health risks associated with UNGD.


It is very likely that differential access to income and accumulated wealth are both mechanisms that promote growing inequalities between individuals and families in Australia. If this proposition is true, it is important to know the extent to which this differential access impact on the health and wellbeing of the Australian population. While closely related, it is clear that income and wealth are by no means perfectly correlated. It is plausible that inequalities in wealth are increasing at an even greater rate than inequalities in income and that inequalities in wealth pose the greatest risk to social division and future economic development. Economic strain which is associated with economic insecurity, is a significant life stress that is a cause of many poor health outcomes. Furthermore, it is disturbing that despite the economic progress Australia has enjoyed in recent decades, many indicators of health and wellbeing outcomes are exhibiting adverse trends e.g. higher rates of overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and substance abuse. McEwen and Gianaros (2010)review extensive literature that shows that economic strain can lead to poor health and wellbeing across the life course. It is thus critical to uncover whether, and the extent to which, access to income and wealth in fact alleviate economic related stress and promote health and wellbeing.


From the author of the million-selling Angela's Ashes -- the most keenly anticipated sequel of the decade. Angela's Ashes was a publishing phenomenon. Frank McCourt's critically acclaimed, lyrical memoir of his Limerick childhood won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics' Circle Award, the Royal Society of Literature Award and the Los Angeles Times Award amongst others, and rapidly became a word-of-mouth bestseller topping all charts worldwide for over two years. It left readers and critics alike eager to hear more about Frank McCourt's incredible, poignant life. 'Tis is the story of Frank's American journey from impoverished immigrant with rotten teeth, infected eyes and no formal education to brilliant raconteur and schoolteacher. Saved first by a straying priest, then by the Democratic party, then by the United States Army, then by New York University -- which admitted him on a trial basis though he had no high school diploma -- Frank had the same vulnerable but invincible spirit at nineteen that he had at eight and still has today. And 'Tis is a tale of survival as vivid, harrowing, and often hilarious as Angela's Ashes. Yet again, it is through the power of storytelling that Frank finds a life for himself. 'It is only the best storyteller who can so beguile his readers that he leaves them wanting more when he's done...McCourt proves himself one of the very best' (Newsweek). 'Tis blesses readers with another chapter of McCourt's story, but as it closes, they will want still more.


Rhodium N-(dodecylbenzenesulfonyl)prolinate [(Rh2(S-DOSP)4 (1)]-catalyzed decomposition of diazobutenoates in the presence of vinyl ethers results in highly diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis of donor/acceptor-substituted vinylcyclopropanes. Diethylaluminum chloride-induced rearrangement of these vinylcyclopropanes results in the formation of cyclopentenes with excellent control of diastereoselectivity and for the fused cyclopentenes good control of absolute stereochemistry. This study illustrates the synthetic utility of Rh2(S-DOSP)4 as a chiral catalyst for vinylcarbenoid cyclopropanations and the remarkable diastereocontrol that is possible in the diethylaluminum chloride-induced ring expansion of donor/acceptor-substituted vinylcyclopropanes.


Against a backdrop of union amalgamations and declining union density, this paper explores discrete elements of (dis) satisfaction that Australian unionists' have with aspects of their union's performance. Previous studies into union satisfaction [principally from the U.S. and Sweden], have focused on two major categories of independent union satisfaction variables: relationship and 'bread and butter' issues. The existing explanations of union satisfaction suggest that most importantly, a union's somewhat intangible resources of time, patience, and availability may be the key to a member's satisfaction with union representation. And, and important, but less so, are members' satisfaction with traditional union 'bread and butter' issues. The findings of this paper concur that relationship issues are quite important in accounting for union satisfaction, but not so for 'bread and butter issues'. From an Australian perspective, it appears that other variables such union performance at an individual workplace, as well as the provision of better union services post-amalgamation best explain the union-member satisfaction conundrum.


One challenge for dialogue modelling, as well as other aspects of artificial intelligence, is the fact that human reasoning is non-monotonic. Among other things this reflects the fact that we usually do not have access to all information regarding an issue or that we have access to information and principles of reasoning which are in fact incompatible. We suggest that rather than default rules of logic, we use rhetorical rules of thumb – topoi – to underpin our nonlogical arguments, which in rhetoric are referred to as enthymemes. Enthymemes and topoi are defeasible and a set of topoi accessed by one individual may be inconsistent. A rhetorical perspective highlights the importance of individual agents' point of view and goals in interaction, and in order to account for dialogue participants' individual takes on the interaction we model their information states during the course of a reasoning dialogue in Type Theory with Records.


The global trading eco-system has seen a rapid proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements(RTAs) in recent years. With the ever increasing expansion of RTAs, countries are now witnessing an intensified competitiveness in world markets. While on the one hand, RTAs are seen as providing much better mechanisms for trading access in foreign countries with inbuilt flexibilities in rule formation and compliance, on the other, it is also said to be subverting the authority of the global trading body i.e. the World Trade Organization. The present article aims to analyse the critical legal bases of proliferating RTAs. To this end, it will offer an examination of the scope of RTAs and the key provisions under the WTO, which support the legal edifice of RTAs.


BACKGROUND
Children of parents with cancer are at risk of developing mental disorders. RESULTS from divorce research also reveal that sibling relationships can protect the mental health of children in difficult times.

OBJECTIVE
Does having a sibling help to cope with an oncological disease of a parent and thus act as a protective factor?

METHODS
A group of 271 children were examined in a multicenter study. 54 % made use of the offered psychosocial support. Only children (N = 89) and children with siblings (N = 182) were compared with respect to their mental health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ, parental and self-assessment).

RESULTS
The group comparison between only children and siblings showed no significant differences in the SDQ (assessed by healthy/ill parent). In the self-assessment 2 % of the only children and 9 % of the siblings showed significant results on the SDQ. The group comparison between only children and children with siblings failed to reveal any important differences in mental health. The study indicates that a negative relationship quality (Sibling Relationship Questionnaire, SRQ) is associated with increased problems in the peer group.

CONCLUSIONS
The existence of a sibling is not per se a protective factor. Only children do not show more signs of emotional stress than children with siblings.


This paper explores the implications of social navigation used to assist online learning communities. It presents an experiment in social navigation employing a treasure map, comparing the behavior of users provided with social navigation cues and the behavior of those with no such cues. The experiment suggests that social navigation may cause poor decision-making in its users in two distinct ways. Some users may follow the actions of others (even poor ones), while others may actively try to behave differently. Neither strategy is useful at all times. The paper goes on to discuss approaches to limiting the dangers of such systems.


This article answers calls for better characterizations of impact sourcing given its potential to create social impacts in conjunction with global sourcing. It introduces a conceptual framework consisting of four dimensions drawn from entrepreneurship literature: primary mission, success criteria, resource mobilization and innovation approach – that characterize entrepreneurial impact sourcing service providers. These four dimensions are anchored across ideal types of social and commercial institutional logics to explicitly account for and capture the dual social and commercial value orientations of impact sourcing service providers as acknowledged in the literature. We evaluate the utility of this framework by using it to assess a US‐based business process outsourcing social enterprise that focuses on the underserved workforce of military veterans and spouses of military personnel. We found that this firm used social logic for both the firm's primary mission and the firm's resource mobilization; it used commercial logic for its success criteria, and it used both logics for its innovation. Our analysis of the case substantiates the applicability of the framework for capturing variation in how impact sourcing providers may selectively draw upon different logics across the four dimensions. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd


Non-player character diversity enriches game environments increasing their replay value. We propose a method for obtaining character behavior diversity based on the diversity of plans enacted by characters, and demonstrate this method in a scenario in which characters have multiple choices. Using case-based planning techniques, we reuse plans for varied character behavior, which simulate different personality traits.


Recent radiations are important to evolutionary biologists, because they provide an opportunity to study the mechanisms that link micro- and macroevolution. The role of ecological speciation during adaptive radiation has been intensively studied, but radiations can arise from a diversity of evolutionary processes; in particular, on large continental landmasses where allopatric speciation might frequently precede ecological differentiation. It is therefore important to establish a phylogenetic and ecological framework for recent continental-scale radiations that are species-rich and ecologically diverse. Here, we use a genomic (approx. 1 200 loci, exon capture) approach to fit branch lengths on a summary-coalescent species tree and generate a time-calibrated phylogeny for a recent and ecologically diverse radiation of Australian scincid lizards; the genus Cryptoblepharus. We then combine the phylogeny with a comprehensive phenotypic dataset for over 800 individuals across the 26 species, and use comparative methods to test whether habitat specialization can explain current patterns of phenotypic variation in ecologically relevant traits. We find significant differences in morphology between species that occur in distinct environments and convergence in ecomorphology with repeated habitat shifts across the continent. These results suggest that isolated analogous habitats have provided parallel ecological opportunity and have repeatedly promoted adaptive diversification. By contrast, speciation processes within the same habitat have resulted in distinct lineages with relatively limited morphological variation. Overall, our study illustrates how alternative diversification processes might have jointly stimulated species proliferation across the continent and generated a remarkably diverse group of Australian lizards.


In February 2014, Uganda became the latest in a series of African countries to enact harsh anti-gay legislation. American conservative advocacy groups played a significant and well-publicized role in crafting and building support for this legislation. A large literature documents cases in which progressive transnational networks of advocates have been able to take advantage of the mechanisms of acculturation to promote domestic and global change. Over the last two decades, however, new international networks have emerged that are not dedicated to advancing the international rights agenda. Rather than linking transnational and national allies to promote human rights compliance, these organizations focus on helping domestic partners build up domestic resistance to shifting transnational norms. Domestically, these groups have raised and relied upon arguments based on American sovereignty and democracy in order to undermine the legitimacy of the international human rights regime and increase the cost to American judges and policymakers of invoking international and comparative law. Internationally, conservative legal activists and their network partners in churches, governments, and the NGO sector have adopted strategies that mimic those deployed in the U.S., working to erode the credibility of U.N. institutions and their interpretation of the human right treaties and to reshape national and subnational legal regimes to make them more resistant to influence by international human rights norms. This Article documents and describes the emergence of these networks, and examines their impact on both the theory and practice of transnational human rights advocacy.


This study attempted to examine the validity of the Italian version of the Career Factors Inventory (CFI), a psychometric tool widely used in the assessment of cognitive and personal–emotional dimensions of career indecision, among a sample of 2,060 Italian students attending high school and university. Recurring to both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the original four-factor structure was confirmed and returned, in line with the literature, satisfactory reliability indices; moreover, CFI subscales showed intercorrelations consistent with previous studies, albeit lower in some cases. Subsequently, convergent validity between the four CFI subscales and other scales via zero-order correlation was tested, confirming previous evidence except for need for career information. In conclusion, consistent with previous studies, the Italian version of the CFI showed to be a valid and reliable instrument for the evaluation of dimensions of career indecision.


Excavation can be considered one of the most unstructured problems in the construction environment. On one hand, many technologies have been developed in the past to build shelters using earth. On the other hand, the combinations of encountered soil characteristics are almost infinite and may vary significantly within the range of one meter. Rocks, boulders, and electric cables are buried in the ground, endangering the lifes of human operators and disabling excavation equipment. Efforts to optimize the energy used per volume of excavated soil is generally a futile undertaking. Although early lunar excavators will not have to worry about electric cables in the ground, the desire to robotize this operation, while also minimizing the consumption of energy, provides a challenging task to researchers familiar with the problem of cutting soil. Although control models exist to handle the dynamic relationship between a robot and its environment, the modeling of soil tool interaction is very difficult. This paper will first present an approach to understanding the principles of path and motion control, which is based on scaled modeling and experimentation with different soil types and soil conditions. Second, it will discuss the effect of explosive loosening on the amount of force and energy needed to excavate along a given path. This analysis will be based on experimental research using lunar simulant.


State of the art visual SLAM systems have recently been presented which are capable of accurate, large-scale and real-time performance, but most of these require stereo vision. Important application areas in robotics and beyond open up if similar performance can be demonstrated using monocular vision, since a single camera will always be cheaper, more compact and easier to calibrate than a multi-camera rig. With high quality estimation, a single camera moving through a static scene of course effectively provides its own stereo geometry via frames distributed over time. However, a classic issue with monocular visual SLAM is that due to the purely projective nature of a single camera, motion estimates and map structure can only be recovered up to scale. Without the known inter-camera distance of a stereo rig to serve as an anchor, the scale of locally constructed map portions and the corresponding motion estimates is therefore liable to drift over time. In this paper we describe a new near real-time visual SLAM system which adopts the continuous keyframe optimisation approach of the best current stereo systems, but accounts for the additional challenges presented by monocular input. In particular, we present a new pose-graph optimisation technique which allows for the efficient correction of rotation, translation and scale drift at loop closures. Especially, we describe the Lie group of similarity transformations and its relation to the corresponding Lie algebra. We also present in detail the system's new image processing front-end which is able accurately to track hundreds of features per frame, and a filter-based approach for feature initialisation within keyframe-based SLAM. Our approach is proven via large-scale simulation and real-world experiments where a camera completes large looped trajectories.


Consider a government that auctions a franchise for, e.g., an airport, telecommunication network, or utility. Consider an "incumbent bidder" that owns a complement or substitute. With an auction on the transfer (i.e. payment) to the government, the incumbent is advantaged. If the government regulates the market with an auction on the price asked to consumers, it depends who is advantaged. With complements, the incumbent is advantaged: it can set a lower price on the new franchise, as this increases the profit of the other. With substitutes, the incumbent is disadvantaged. In many settings, the advantage bidder always wins.


On a sunny morning in May 1939 a phalanx of 800 women - housewives, doctors, opera singers, politicians, prostitutes - were marched through the woods fifty miles north of Berlin, driven on past a shining lake, then herded through giant gates. Whipping and kicking them were scores of German women guards. Their destination was Ravensbruck, a concentration camp designed specifically for women by Heinrich Himmler, prime architect of the Nazi genocide. For decades the story of Ravensbruck was hidden behind the Iron Curtain and today is still little known. Using testimony unearthed since the end of the Cold War, and interviews with survivors who have never spoken before, Helm has ventured into the heart of the camp, demonstrating for the reader in riveting detail how easily and quickly the unthinkable horror evolved.


Quaternary ammonium persulfates as free-radical initiators for high-tem- perature polymerization are synthesized and their shelf-life stability investigated. These initiators do not have gaseous byproducts and are therefore ideal for frontal polymerization, a process in which polymeric materials are produced via a thermal front that propagates through the unreacted monomer/initiator solution. Quaternary ammonium persulfate initiators offer additional qualities such as high solubility in organic media and low volatility, which are desirable for frontal polymerization. The initiators are synthesized using two procedures, and the initiating efficacy of the respective products is compared to a peroxide initiator in the frontal polymerization of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate. Of all the quartenary ammonium persulfates synthesized, tricaprylmethylammonium (Aliquat) persulfate (APSO) is the best initiator for frontal polymerization because it is soluble in organic media, is very reactive, and does not produce volatile byproducts under decomposition. A study of the decomposition kinetics of APSO is performed, and frontal polymerization is proposed as a quicker analytical technique to assay the purity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3984 -3990, 2000


Gravitational waves from the inspiral and coalescence of supermassive black-hole (SMBH) binaries with masses m1 ∼ m2 ∼ 106M⊙ are likely to be among the strongest sources for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). We describe a three-stage data-analysis pipeline designed to search for and measure the parameters of SMBH binaries in LISA data. The first stage uses a time–frequency track-search method to search for inspiral signals and provide a coarse estimate of the black-hole masses m1, m2 and the coalescence time of the binary tc. The second stage uses a sequence of matched-filter template banks, seeded by the first stage, to improve the measurement accuracy of the masses and coalescence time. Finally, a Markov chain Monte Carlo search is used to estimate all nine physical parameters of the binary (masses, coalescence time, distance, initial phase, sky position and orientation). Using results from the second stage substantially shortens the Markov chain burn-in time and allows us to determine the number of SMBH-binary signals in the data before starting parameter estimation. We demonstrate our analysis pipeline using simulated data from the first Mock LISA Data Challenge. We discuss our plan for improving this pipeline and the challenges that will be faced in real LISA data analysis.


Kendal museum received Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) funding to digitise three important collections one herbarium and two mineral collections in a two-year project. In the first year, the collections were digitised, preserving them for future generations. The second year of the project focused on sharing the collections in different ways, including a website, touring exhibition, family activities, art workshops, and lectures. The main aim of the project was to make the collections accessible, recognising the value of Kendal museum as a library of information to study Cumbria's botanical biodiversity, as well as illustrating the mining industry and rich geology of Cumbria.


The purpose of this paper is to studying nonlinear k-e turbulence models and its a dvantages in internal combustion engines, since the standard k-e model is incapable of representing the anisotropy of turbulence intensities and fails to express the Reynolds stresses adequately in rotating flows. Therefore, this model is not only incapable of expressing the anisotropy of turbulence in an engine cylinder, but also is unable to provide good performance when computing the swirling and tumbling flows is important in engine cylinders. Thus, in this paper, the results of nonlinear k-e model are compared with those of the linear one. Results of diesel engine simulation with linear and nonlinear k-e models in comparison show that turbulence intensity in the nonlinear model simulation is higher than that of the linear model; also, nonlinear k-e models predict the second peak value because of the bowl shape in expansion stroke for turbulence intensity. Gas injection results show that nonlinear turbulence models predict spray penetration accurately because of correctly turbulence intensities predicting. Also, the results demonstrate that, for high pressure gas injection, turbulence intensity is high and predicted accurately using nonlinear models. Then, its spray penetration length is predicted accurately in comparison to experimental data's. Although CPU time spending in the nonlinear model is more than that of the linear one, the non-linear stress model is found to increase computation time by 19%.


This thesis is a theoretical study, using both finite element and boundary element methods, of the behaviour of single-piles and pile groups under vertical and lateral loading. It offers an improved understanding of the soil-structure interaction that occurs in pile groups, particularly closely spaced piles subjected to lateral loads. The potential of a two- dimensional idealisation of what is a three-dimensional problem is demonstrated by achieving real insight into the complex nature of pile-soil and pile-soil-pile interaction in pile groups.

A new load transfer mechanism is presented for a rigid, axially loaded vertical pile. From this an improvement is then derived to the analytical solution for pile head settlement given by Randolph and Wroth (1978). The improved mechanism has the further merit that it can be applied also to solutions for flexible piles and pile groups.

The improved analytical solution is further adapted in the development of two correcting layers specifically for vertically loaded piles to model infinite boundaries in the finite element model. The correcting layers help in establishing superiority of the finite element method over the boundary element method.

To model pile-soil interaction, a purely cohesive interface element is developed and then validated by performing various two-dimensional test problems, including stability analysis of flat surface footings. Footing-soil interface tension is successfully modelled in this way - an outcome that entails a significant modification to the Hansen (1970) bearing capacity solution. Stability analysis is also carried out of conical footings using a three-dimensional finite element model: the results help to explain the applicability of the existing bearing capacity theories to conical footings.

The ultimate lateral soil reaction is determined and various pile loading stages are investigated through parametric studies. Study of the stage immediately following pile installation (i.e. the consolidation stage) highlights the need to develop an effective stress analysis for laterally loaded piles. Pile-soil interaction is studied using the cohesive interface element presented earlier, which proves to be quite successful in smoothing out the stress discontinuities around the pile.

A new material model for frictional soils is presented, and validated by using it to model an extension test: it captures well post-peak behaviour and takes care of the effects of dilation on the response of laterally loaded piles.

Finally, mechanisms of interaction in closely spaced pile groups are studied. Simple analytical expressions are derived which quantify the effects of interaction. A new method of analysis is presented for single-piles and pile groups which offers a considerable degree of reliability without having to do either impossibly expensive full scale field tests or prohibitively expensive full three-dimensional analysis using the currently available computers.


We examine formal firm behavior in response to regional favoritism by top-ranked politicians using a balanced panel of 444 rural districts (yearly observations) in Vietnam during 2000 to 2011 and census microdata of firms, politicians' home towns, and climate and population microdata. The study finds that the number of firms and aggregated employment of firms increase in the home town districts of politicians after they resume office. The findings suggest that regional favoritism in a single–party system maintains the continuous development of firms in politicians' home town districts and widens the gaps among rural districts.


The magnetic properties of nanometre-scale structures are of fundamental scientific
interest and have the potential to play a major role in future data storage technologies.
In particular, arrays of small magnetic elements, also called bit-patterned media, are one
of the most promising candidates for the future generation of data storage devices.
In this thesis we study potential bit patterned element geometries which are below 1
micrometre in size. Their magnetic behaviour is hard to predict using analytical methods
and computer simulations are the principal tool for in-depth analysis. The relevant micromagnetic
equations are solved using the combined Finite Element/Boundary Element
method, and finite differences.
Patterned media are (quasi) periodic arrangements of identical objects, with each
object typically representing one bit. While one or some of these objects can be simulated
with today's simulation capabilities, the investigation of arrays with hundreds of objects
requires novel simulation methods.
To deal with such large arrays we introduce and evaluate the new "macro geometry"
approach. In most real samples this is superior to using conventional periodic boundary
conditions as it takes account of the macroscopic shape of the sample.
The micromagnetic simulation package Nmag developed at Southampton has been
extended to provide the macro geometry capabilities, and subsequently used to study
demagnetising effects between the elements of triangular ring arrays. We find that in a
square array of 50-nm size triangular elements these effects are governed by the first and
second nearest neighbours and can be considered negligible when the spacing between the
rings is larger than 30 nm.
We also study the transport properties via the Anisotropic Magneto Resistance (AMR)
signal of connected rings arrays using the multi-physics features of Nmag. The simulations
use a self-consistent approach to determine the AMR values, a technique able to explain
experimental AMR measurements of real structures. We also show how the spatially
varying current distribution affects the computation of the AMR values and found that the
uniform current model, sometimes used in the study of AMR effects, is a very inaccurate
approximation and can easily lead to qualitatively wrong results.


Introduction Degenerative aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a chronic progressive disease that resembles atherosclerosis development. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is reportedly associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. This study aimed to examine the development of AS in patients with myeloperoxidase-AAV (MPO-AAV) with renal involvement at more than 1 year after the onset of vasculitis. Methods We performed a retrospective review of clinical records of MPO-AAV patients with renal involvement without AS at the onset of vasculitis who were treated in three hospitals and three dialysis clinics. Results The study included 97 MPO-AAV patients with renal involvement and 230 control patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among them, 64 patients had AS. The prevalence rates of AS were 28.9% and 15.7% in MPO-AAV and control patients, respectively (p = 0.006). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that MPO-AAV, dialysis dependence, and hypertension were independently associated factors for AS. In MPO-AAV patients, systolic blood pressure was positively significantly associated with AS, whereas glucocorticoid dose of induction therapy was negatively significantly associated. The use of cyclophosphamide tended to be negatively associated with AS. The survival rate was significantly lower for patients with AS than for those without AS. Conclusions The AS prevalence rate was significantly higher in MPO-AAV patients at more than 1 year after the onset of vasculitis than in control CKD patients. Therefore, regular monitoring of echocardiography during MPO-AAV treatment is suggested.


Understanding how altered hydrodynamics related to climate change and anthropogenic modifications affect ecosystem integrity of shallow coastal soft-sediment environments requires a sound integration of how species populations influence ecosystem functioning across heterogeneous spatial scales. Here, we hindcasted how intertidal habitat loss and altered hydrodynamic regimes between 1955 and 2010 associated with geomorphological change to accommodate expansion in anthropogenic activities in the Western Scheldt altered spatial patterns and basin-wide estimates of ecosystem functioning. To this end we combined an empirically derived metabolic model for the effect of the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor on sediment biogeochemistry (measured as sediment oxygen uptake) with a hydrodynamic and population biomass distribution model. Our integrative modeling approach predicted an overall decrease by 304 tons in ragworm biomass between 1955 and 2010, accounting for a reduction by 28% in stimulated sediment oxygen uptake at the landscape scale. Local gains or losses in habitat suitability and ecosystem functioning were primarily driven by changes in maximal current velocities and inundation regimes resulting from deepening, dredging and disposal practices. By looking into the past, we have demonstrated how hydro- and morphodynamic changes affect soft-sediment ecology and highlight the applicability of the integrative framework to upscale anticipated population effects on ecosystem functioning.


This inquiry provides a basic assessment of the impact of three potential determinants of racial discrimination cases in the U.S. Supreme Court since 1954. The research design provides two improved methods of explicating this issue. First, the model allows for a comparison of basic Hamiltonian institutionalism (i.e., the bulwark thesis), majoritarianism, and attitudinalism in a single test, as opposed to previous studies that tended to examine only two theoretical approaches at a time. Second, the majoritarian approach is given more careful consideration through the use of theoretical and empirical evidence, which allows the subtleties of public opinion in this area to be assessed. The findings show some support for the basic bulwark prediction over majoritarianismdecisions fail to reflect majority opinion trends. The bulwark thesis fails to receive full support, however, since the ideologies of the Justices also display a significant influence on outcomes. Introduction The assessment of the determinants of U.S. Supreme Court decisionmaking remains an intensely controversial aspect of judicial studies. Advocates of several broad approaches continue to debate which is the principal impetus of outcomes both in general and in specific legal fields.1 My inquiry offers one perspective to help untangle this controversy in the domain of racial discrimination cases in the post-Brown v. Board of Education (1954) period. Although the findings will not end the long-standing debate over what determines decisional outcomes, they do provide a clarified picture of the racial discrimination subfield and a suggestion for studying other specialized areas. My basic approach and specific research design are premised on the assertion that a clear understanding of decisionmaking is obscured by previous studies (both general and particularized) that tend to inflate the influence of majority preferences (thus discrediting institutionalism to an unwarranted extent) and also fail to provide a full account by focusing only on two competing explanations at a time. The strategy for systematically interpreting outcomes in this area rests on two novel tactics. The first tactic is to expand consideration of the potential role played by majority opinion. (I furnish a complete description and justification of this approach later.) This tactic offers an improved test of the majoritarian thesis. The second approach of this inquiry allows for the explication of three potential determinants of decisionsthe rules and structure of the institution itself, majority public preference, and the ideological predilections of the Justices. It thus provides a core comparison of these broad categories rather bluntly defined, as opposed to an exhaustive assessment of all potentially meaningful determinants. Since such a basic measure of outcomes in this field has yet to be undertaken, however, this is a necessary first step. The results of this investigation of constitutional challenges to racial discrimination suggest that even though the Supreme Court is insulated from majority preferences, its decisions are influenced by Justices' ideological leanings. More specifically, although white Americans (who in this area represent the majority, as opposed to the African American minority) are much more amenable to government action designed to end blatantly discriminatory laws and practices (de jure discrimination) than to the eradication of entrenched patterns of inequity (de facto discrimination), this distinction is not reflected in the decision record. Whether a case represents a challenge to de jure or de facto discrimination does not significantly influence its outcome. Furthermore, fluctuations in the general ideological temper of the nation also fail to affect rulings. However, although distancing itself from majority influences, the Court is not consistently protective of minority rights. The ideological composition of the Court displays a significant influence on verdicts; thus, when the Court is relatively more conservative, cases are less likely to be decided in the minority interest. …


Quantity of seed stored in the canopy of 5 co-occurring Banksia species varied by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. The 3 species which resprout vegetatively after fire, produced less seeds and retained smaller seed banks than 2 non-sprouting species. Contiguous patches of scrub-heath were burned in spring and autumn. The spring fire was cooler, and both sets of seed released subsequently did not germinate until the following (common) winter. Rate of seed release was higher after the autumn fire. The non-sprouting species released more seeds after each fire and yielded more seedlings per parent than the resprouting species. Percentage (field) germination of the non-sprouters was not consistently different from that of the resprouters. Seeds exposed on the soil surface during summer soon lost viability compared with buried seeds. The large number of seedlings established up to 8 months after the spring fire resulted from many seeds escaping exposure by dispersal into litter-covered "safe' sites. Although litter microsites covered only 30% of the ground surface after the spring burn, they accounted for 80% of seedlings both before and after the summer drought. Litter microsites covered only 14% of the autumn-burned site but accounted for 60% of seedlings before summer and 40% after summer, suggesting density-dependent thinning of seedlings. The autumn-burned site supported more than twice the density of seedlings than the spring-burned site by the end of the 1st winter. Summer mortality of seedlings was 32% in the spring-burned site and 65% in the autumn-burned site, equalizing the seedling:parent ratio at both sites. Net recruitment of 1-yr-old seedlings varied from 0 for 2 resprouters to >100 per parent for a non-sprouter.


Addressing the theme of the Second Alcala Conference on Public Service Interpreting and Translation, "translation as mediation", this paper discusses whether and how the notion of mediation applies, or should be applied, to interpreting. The semantic and terminological complexities involved in the view of interpreting as mediation are illustrated with two 'case studies' — two versions, one German and one Italian, of 'linguistic mediation'. As a result of the conceptual analysis 'mediation' is modeled in its three inherent dimensions: cognitive (mediating conceptual relations); cultural/linguistic (mediating intercultural relations); and contractual (mediating social relations). Based on this tripartite model it is argued that characterizing interpreting as mediation carries a considerable risk of ambiguity and misunderstanding and may play a role in the very practical difficulties that appear to hamper the professionalization of community interpreting in many countries. It is therefore suggested to distinguish as clearly as possible between the professional function of cross-cultural mediation (in the contractual, conciliatory sense) and that of interpreting in community-based settings, considering that there is ample scope for the professionalization of either.


Predator-prey interactions are a primary structuring force vital to the resilience of marine communities and sustainability of the world's oceans. Human influences on marine ecosystems mediate changes in species interactions. This generality is evinced by the cascading effects of overharvesting top predators on the structure and function of marine ecosystems. It follows that ecological forecasting, ecosystem management, and marine spatial planning require a better understanding of food web relationships. Characterising and scaling predator-prey interactions for use in tactical and strategic tools (i.e. multi-species management and ecosystem models) are paramount in this effort. Here, we explore what issues are involved and must be considered to advance the use of predator-prey theory in the context of marine fisheries science. We address pertinent contemporary ecological issues including (1) the approaches and complexities of evaluating predator responses in marine systems; (2) the 'scaling up' of predator-prey interactions to the population, community, and ecosystem level; (3) the role of predator-prey theory in contemporary fisheries and ecosystem modelling approaches; and (4) directions for the future. Our intent is to point out needed research directions that will improve our understanding of predator-prey interactions in the context of the sustainable marine fisheries and ecosystem management.