of poster presentation at Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada Meeting, Lake Mary and Sanford, Florida, August 18–21, 2008. The Use of Endophytic Turf Grass to Reduce Bird and Small Mammal Presence at Airports Theresa Kissane, Jeff Brawn, and Bruce Branham University of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Shelford Vivarium, 606 E. Healey, Champaign, IL 61820 USA Opportunities exist to develop airport environments that are unsuitable for wildlife and assist in long-term management of aircraft strike hazards. As part of a multiple year cooperative effort between the University of Illinois Center of Excellence in Airport Technology and the O'Hare Modernization Program, efforts are underway to design a wildlife unfriendly airport. One of the project elements is to consider vegetation selection. Some grasses contain endophytic fungi that produce toxic alkaloids. These alkaloids make the grass less palatable to both birds and mammals. To assess the utility of several grasses for wildlife control, fifteen field plots were established at the University of Illinois. These plots varied five turf grass species on soil types expected at O'Hare airport. Species included endophytic tall fescue and endophytic perennial ryegrass, along with two non-endophytic cool season turf grasses and one non-endophytic warm season grass. Studies were designed to assess the presence of both birds and small mammals on the field plots. Initial results show that Kentucky bluegrass has a higher number of bird visits than either of the endophytic turf grasses. Mixtures of endophytic turf grasses were also used in seeding of graded areas at O'Hare airport in 2007. Studies are also underway to compare wildlife utilization of these sites with other sites on the airport. The overall program uses small experimental plots to develop a better understanding of the effects of vegetation on wildlife and will use large scale plantings at O'Hare airport to assess how small scale experiments can be used to inform turf grass management at airports to discourage wildlife.


We present an integrated system that enables the capture and synthesis of 3D motions of small scale dynamic creatures, typically insects and arachnids, in order to drive computer generated models. The system consists of a number of stages, initially, the acquisition of a multi-view calibration scene and synchronised video footage of a subject performing some action is carried out. A user guided labelling process, that can be semi-automated using tracking techniques and a 3D point generating algorithm, then enables a full metric calibration and captures the motions of specific points on the subject. The 3D motions extracted, which often come from a limited number of frames of the original footage, are then extended to generate potentially infinitely long, characteristic motion sequences for multiple similar subjects. Finally a novel path following algorithm is used to find optimal path along with coherent motion for synthetic subjects. The result is a system that, from a potentially small number of original multi-view frames, can generate a whole 'swarm' of novel synthetic subjects all moving in a coherent and natural manner. The proposed system has two major advantages over existing systems, 1) that traditional motion capture techniques cannot in general be used for very small subjects and 2) minimal expense and user input is required to generate, complex, high quality, CG animation.


A novel general linearization topology called 'error-feedback' is presented and applied to the linearization of amplifiers. Error-feedback uses the difference/error between (linearly) scaled input and output signal in its feedback loop to reduce nonlinearity. It does not rely on main-amplifier gain for linearization as does traditional feedback. Instead an auxiliary amplifier is introduced into the feedback loop, leaving the main amplifier's linear gain unaffected. Results from theory, and simulation as well as measured results complement each other. They show that linearization takes place over a continuous band. The topology shows prospects for concurrent multi-band linearization. Internal delay and phase shifts influence design limits and overall performance.


Background: Peripheral vascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially affecting the elderly population. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the incidence of small arteriolar occlusive disease is common with more peripheral arteries being more commonly affected. The main non-invasive test now used commonly to assess the location of disease is duplex sonography. In practice the advent of duplex sonography has reduced the need for arteriography in the management of patients requiring an interventional procedure. Aim: To reflect the value of duplex sonography in evaluating patients with suspected peripheral vascular arterial disease in lower limb vessels. Materials and Methods: Sixty known diabetic patients with clinical suspicion of peripheral vascular disease were evaluated using SDU 1200, Diagnostic Ultrasound System from SHIMDZU with a 5-10 MHz linear array transducer. Using various transducer positions lower limb arteries were assessed for presence of plaques, luminal narrowing, intima media thickness and flow disturbances. Results: Sixty patients including both sexes were evaluated and all showed some degree of atherosclerotic disease. Dorsalis pedis artery most commonly showed luminal narrowing (in 36 % on right side & in 41% on left side) followed by anterior & posterior tibial arteries. Femoral artery was the most common artery involved by atherosclerotic plaques. Conclusion: Duplex sonography provides an effective non-invasive investigation for assessment of peripheral vascular system for presence of atherosclerotic disease


The chloroplast is a central part of plant cells, as this is the organelle where the photosynthesis, fixation of inorganic carbon, and other key functions related to fatty acid synthesis and amino acid synthesis occur. Since this organelle should be an integral part of any genome-scale metabolic model for a microalgae or a higher plant, it is of great interest to generate a detailed and standardized chloroplast model. Additionally, we see the need for a novel type of sub-model template, or organelle model, which could be incorporated into a larger, less specific genome-scale metabolic model, while allowing for minor differences between chloroplast-containing organisms. The result of this work is the very first standardized chloroplast model, iGR774, consisting of 788 reactions, 764 metabolites, and 774 genes. The model is currently able to run in three different modes, mimicking the chloroplast metabolism of three photosynthetic microalgae–Nannochloropsis gaditana, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. In addition to developing the chloroplast metabolic network reconstruction, we have developed multiple software tools for working with this novel type of sub-model in the COBRA Toolbox for MATLAB, including tools for connecting the chloroplast model to a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction in need of a chloroplast, for switching the model between running in different organism modes, and for expanding it by introducing more reactions either related to one of the current organisms included in the model, or to a new organism.


The Second Circuit's decision in NML Capital, Ltd. v. Republic of Argentina may have created a significant problem for any country that faces a need to restructure its outstanding debt, including countries in the Eurozone presently in crisis. By interpreting the pari passu clause of Argentina's defaulted debt contracts broadly, the court has tipped the balance of power toward creditors in restructuring negotiations, increasing the risk presented by holdout creditors. Thus, a case which involved the interpretation of a somewhat obscure boilerplate term found in most sovereign debt contracts will likely assume central importance in creating future sovereign debt restructuring plans. This paper argues that countries that foresee a need to restructure their debt should act quickly and proactively to ensure that the Second Circuit's interpretation of Argentina's pari passu clause will not unduly interfere with their ability to restructure should it become necessary.


This thesis addresses neuroscience research focusing on the brain's mechanisms underlying behavioral choice, or prioritization, and decision-making. The research has been conducted with Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly – a good model from both the behavioral and neural perspectives. This project specifically observes the co-regulation of sleep with two other behaviors – courtship and oviposition. The overlap between the sleep and courtship circuits in the brain should provide a good model for behavioral prioritization, and the interaction between sleep and ovipositional preference should provide a model for understanding the effects of sleep on decision-making. All three of these adaptive behaviors are well studied at the behavioral level among flies and humans, but not well understood at the neuronal levels. The data presented points toward a neurotransmitter called octopamine – the fly's homolog of the human neurotransmitter norepinephrine as key in the co-regulation between sleep and decision-making circuitry in the brain. Further research should delve into this pathway for a better understanding of such neural mechanisms.


In order to understand the transition from a life driven by emotions and desires (with particular attention to sexual ones) to a life driven by projects and values, we will use the frameworks of interpersonal motivational systems (IMSs), of which the sexuality is part, and of metacognitive functioning that allows for emotional knowledge, understanding and regulation. We will provide a central role to consciousness, as a uniquely human quality, which allows the development of motivations and intentions not otherwise replicable in the rest of the animal world and which permits us to guide our behaviors by choosing which motivational system to support, contain or manage and, above all, why.


Social protection programmes have emerged as one of the most important anti-poverty policy strategies in developing countries. Their effects on poverty and well-being have been widely studied. Yet, there is limited knowledge on how a transfer programme should respond to the dynamics of poverty. This paper contributes to the existing literature on social protection by providing an analysis of the implications of poverty dynamics for the graduation of beneficiaries of Mexico's Oportunidades programme. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides a framework for a generic graduation condition, to the extent that it can be applied to any other transfer programme with means tests or proxy-means tests. By estimating a Markovian transition model that accounts for unobserved heterogeneity, state dependence, and attrition, and using three rounds of the longitudinal Mexican Family Life Survey, we find that Oportunidades could 'graduate' only 28.9 and 26.7 per cent of beneficiary households in urban and rural areas, respectively. Our results also show that the 'recertification' or eligibility assessment of Oportunidades—which takes place every three years—could be optimized by conducting it every 3.5 and 4.1 years in urban and rural areas, respectively


We reviewed the availability of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for 2534 North American freshwater invertebrate genera in public databases (GenBank and Barcode of Life Data Systems) and assessed representation of genera commonly encountered in the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) database. COI sequence records were available for 61.2% of North American genera and 72.4% of Insecta genera in public databases. Mollusca (73.9%) and Nematoda (15.4%) were the best and worst represented groups, respectively. In CABIN, 85.4% of genera had COI sequence records, and 95.2% of genera occurring in >1% of samples were represented. Genera absent from CABIN tended to be uncommon or members of groups not routinely used for biomonitoring purposes. On average, 94.1% of genera in well-identified samples had associated sequence data. To leverage the full potential of genomics approaches, we must expand DNA-barcode reference libraries for poorly described components of freshwater food webs. Some genera appear to be well represented (e.g., Eukiefferiella), but deposited sequences represent few sampling localities or few species and lead to underestimation of sequence diversity at the genus level and reduced confidence in identifications. Public COI libraries are sufficiently populated to permit routine application of genomics tools in biomonitoring, and ongoing quality assurance/quality control should include re-evaluation as new COI reference sequences are added or taxonomic hierarchies change. Next, we must understand whether and how established biomonitoring approaches can capitalize on high-throughput sequencing tools. Biomonitoring approaches that use genomics data to facilitate structural and functional assessments are fertile ground for future investigation and will benefit from continued improvement of publicly available sequence libraries.


Summary:

This new report finds no evidence of discrimination or racial bias in the handling of complaints against doctors by the General Medical Council (GMC). However, there are still questions about the extent to which the disciplinary procedures of the GMC are consistent, transparent and fair to all doctors and all patients. The report is based on a two-year wide-ranging investigation and notes the many changes and improvements in process made by the GMC since earlier research by PSI published in 1996. It makes 18 recommendations for changes in the present GMC procedures for dealing with complaints, which the GMC has pledged to address urgently.

The report examines the reasons for the disproportionate appearance of overseas qualified doctors at the professional conduct committee of the GMC. One of the main reasons is that they are much more likely to be complained about by public bodies than by members of the public, and the GMC screeners regard complaints from public bodies as much more serious, regardless of country of qualification. However, the research also found evidence of marked differences in outcome between different GMC committees at later stages of the disciplinary procedures, and found this lack of consistency difficult to account for in the absence of a clear formal record of reasons for committee decisions.

The main recommendations of the report highlight the need for a commonly understood working definition of 'serious professional misconduct'; efficiency and speed in dealing with complaints which pose a risk to the public; clear protocols defining the types of cases which come within the jurisdiction of the GMC; a formal record of the reasons for all decisions; racial awarenes training for all staff and committee members; discussions with public bodies on the reasons why they are relatively more likely to complain to the GMC about overseas qualified doctors; and greater liaison between the GMC, the NHS and the Ombudsman so that complaints are made to the most appropriate body and dealt with speedily.


An attempt was made to investigate the effects of hyaluronidase on the morphology of the baboon outflow system. The eyes of six adult baboons provided the material for this histological study. For each animal the IOP in both eyes was maintained at 18 mm Hg, and 150 IU of testicular hyaluronidase were introduced into one eye and a control solution into the other. It was observed by light microscopy that the outer meshwork was more distended in the hyaluronidase-treated outflow system than in the corresponding controls. Further, it was found from a quantitative analysis that the incidence of giant vacuoles in the endothelium of Schlemm's canal was greater in the experimental than the control eye of each animal. The difference between the vacuole counts in the experimental and control eyes was significant in five of the six animals. These preliminary findings provide morphological evidence which indicates that there is a hyaluronidase-sensitive barrier to aqueous outflow in the baboon drainage system.


Abstract To date, none of the predictions that have been made about the emerging BIPV industry have really hit the target. The anticipated boom has so far stalled and despite developing and promoting a number of excellent systems and products, many producers around the world have been forced to quit on purely economic grounds. The authors believe that after this painful cleansing of the market, a massive counter trend will follow, enlivened and carried forward by more advanced PV technologies and ever-stricter climate policies designed to achieve energy neutrality in a cost-effective way. As a result, the need for BIPV products for use in construction will undergo first a gradual and then a massive increase. The planning of buildings with multifunctional, integrated roof and façade elements capable of fulfilling the technical and legal demands will become an essential, accepted part of the architectonic mainstream and will also contribute to an aesthetic valorisation. Until then, various barriers need to be overcome in order to facilitate and accelerate BIPV. Besides issues related to mere cost-efficiency ratio, psychological and social factors also play an evident role. The goal of energy change linked to greater use of renewables can be successfully achieved only when all aspects are taken into account and when visual appeal and energy efficiency thus no longer appear to be an oxymoron.


The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between perceived and actual physical competence in children with mild mental retardation (MMR). Participants were 54 males and 55 females, M age = 9.47. Pearson correlation indicated no significant relationship between perceived and actual physical competence in children with MMR. When the age factor was partialed out, the resulting partial correlations revealed a significant moderate relationship between the two variables for older children with MMR. A 6 × 2 (Age × Gender) MANOVA revealed a significant interaction between age and gender on perceived physical competence. No gender difference was found in younger children, whereas in older children, males had significantly higher perceived competence than females. A possible explanation for the nonsignificant correlation between perceived and actual physical competence in younger children may be insufficient cognitive functioning for making self-evaluations.


The past year has witnessed a renewed emphasis by US government agencies addressing the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In December 2009, the Obama Administration released its second presidential policy directive, a "National Strategy to Counter Biological Threats," which addressed the challenge of combating infectious diseases, regardless of whether they were natural or manmade. In February 2010, the Quadrennial Defense Review stressed how the proliferation of WMD "continues to undermine global security." In April, the Nuclear Posture Review was released for the first time as an unclassified document, along with a newly signed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, reducing the deployable number of Russian and US nuclear weapons. In May, representatives from across the globe met to renew the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which attempts to reduce (and eventually eliminate) the total number of nuclear-owning weapon states in the world. It has been a busy spring. During talks related to these initiatives, President Barack Obama directly connected the threat of nuclear terrorism to the success of nuclear proliferation efforts. He declared, "The greatest threat to US and global security is no longer a nuclear exchange between nations, but nuclear terrorism by violent extremists and nuclear proliferation to an increasing number of states." (1) The current focus on nonproliferation activities, however, does not stop terrorists from seeking and potentially obtaining nuclear and biological materials, technology, and devices. For that matter, the emphasis on combating terrorism has not resulted in a reduction of terrorist ambitions to obtain these materials, either. The US government, and the Department of Defense (DOD) in particular, needs to review its strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction. The combating WMD framework is based on a counterproliferation strategy developed in response to the threat of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons to military forces in the 1990s, however, its scope was broadened after September 2001 to address concerns relating to homeland security. For all the talk about "the most dangerous weapons in the hands of the most dangerous people," there has been little discussion on whether the combating WMD strategy is adequate against current and future threats. This article will review the development of the combating WMD strategy from its initiation in the 1990s, as a result of the post-conflict analysis of the Persian Gulf War in 1991. It will outline the creation of the combating WMD strategy during the George W. Bush Administration. The article focuses on challenges in interpretation, largely due to the thesis that terrorists were actively seeking WMD materials and technology from "rogue states" that had developed this capability (or were in the process of doing so). Last, it will offer suggestions on how to improve the framework, largely by defining the strategy to counter nation-state WMD programs as distinct from the strategy to counter terrorist pursuit of WMD. If the US government clearly articulates these two strategies as separate but related, as opposed to being one single strategy to counter WMD, the agencies responsible for executing these strategies will be much more effective. Genesis of DOD's Combating WMD Strategy In 1993, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) initiated a Defense Counterproliferation Initiative with the image of ill-prepared US forces facing Iraq's chemical and biological (CB) weapons still fresh in its mind. There was some initial concern by the nonproliferation community that DOD was attempting to usurp its role that a focus on developing offensive and defensive capabilities to counter adversarial use of CB weapons would come at the cost of reducing nonproliferation efforts. (2) After a few years of discussion, OSD tasked the Joint Staff in 1996 to develop a counterproliferation strategy, stating in Defense Planning Guidance that "all US forces must be prepared to conduct wartime operations against adversaries armed with chemical or biological weapons. …


In this research, a taxonomy is introduced to cover important considerations for human-robot interactions. As an application of passive human-robot interaction, two modalities for localizing humans based on sound source localization and infrared motion detection were developed and integrated with the face-tracker system of a humanoid ISAC (intelligent soft arm control), in order to direct ISACs attention and to prevent it from being quickly distracted. The sound source localization and passive infrared motion detection systems are used to provide the face-tracker system with candidate regions for finding a face. In order to avoid the situation where the robot appears to be "hyperactive" and cannot give sufficient attention to a newly discovered face, these sensing modules should not directly gain control of the tracking if the system has recently acquired a new face. Our goal is to allow a human to redirect the attention of the system but give the system a method to ignore the distraction if recently engaged.


Parturition in mammals occurs in the context of sensory, neurochemical, and endocrinological factors that are orchestrated and timed so that maternal behavior and the object of the behavior, the neonate, "emerge" almost simultaneously. Among the factors found to be important for the suppression of pain during delivery as well as for the emergence of caretaking behavior toward the young, are changes in endogenous opioid activity in the central nervous system. In most mammalian species, these changes are likely initiated by sensory events arising in the distended reproductive tract and abdominal musculature, and are modified by the parturitional endocrine milieu and substances ingested in amniotic fluid and placenta (e.g., Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor, or POEF). In addition, ingestion of afterbirth material may decrease the probability that the vaginal/cervical sensory stimulation arising during delivery will trigger pseudopregnancy, a condition that decreases, if not eliminates, the likelihood of fertilization in the postpartum estrus. The research described herein primarily focuses on elucidating the manner in which POEF modulates opioid antinociception, and otherwise participates in opioid-mediated parturitional events.


ABSTRACT From a public health perspective, there are growing concerns about the commercial arrangements between sports events and companies which sell ultra-processed food and drink. In particular, companies are accused of connecting products that are perceived as unhealthy with sport and physical activity that is perceived as healthy. This study examined the tensions and conflicts between health promotion policy and the marketing and consumption reality at the 2016 European Championship football tournament in France. This study is informed theoretically by a critical, political economy lens. Discourse analysis, semiotic analysis, venue analysis and participant observation were employed to gather data from relevant policy and event management plans, sponsor advertisements, site architecture, food and drink offerings and displays at stadia and fan zones. These sources were assessed for the way they encouraged healthy or unhealthy consumption behaviours. The analysis found that the health advice promoted by the French government and the tournament owners (Union of European Football Associations) differed markedly from the reality at the points of consumption. Unhealthy products dominated inside the stadia and fan zones sampled. In many instances, there were little or no healthy foods on display for customers. Despite a self-proclaimed status as having 'healthy stadia', a limited vision of health at Euro 2016 was promoted, which was largely restricted to the attempted provision of smoke-free spaces. This raises questions for sport mega events which are in receipt of public funding and which claim to promote health. This study encourages policy-makers, sports funders and consumers to critically evaluate health claims made by sport events and sponsors.


The north-west region of Tasmania encompasses a wide diversity of landscapes and karst environments.
Along a broad coastal hinterland between Devonport and Smithton, rolling hills with extensive basalt
soils comprises one of Tasmania's most richly productive agricultural regions. Within this region,
Ordovician limestones exposed in some valley floors and flanks show extensive karst development at
places such as Gunns Plains and Mole Creek, where three of Tasmania's four show caves are located.
Further south towards Cradle Mountain, the same Ordovician limestones outcrop in the highland Vale of
Belvoir whose unique moorland landscape is one of Tasmania's few alpine karsts. On the coast at Rocky
Cape, another type of cave is exemplified by raised sea caves of Last Interglacial age that were excavated
by wave action in quartzite coastal cliffs; these are significant for the evidence they contain of past
Aboriginal occupation of this landscape.


Ubiquitous connectivity in smart city and smart home scenarios gives rise to new uses cases for local distribution of data to multiple devices. In wireless local area networks, the common mode of data transport even for such scenarios is unicast, despite the broadcast nature of wireless medium. This is mainly due to lack of efficient mechanisms for high-throughput reliable multicast transmissions. In this paper we present an adaptive multicast rate control mechanism for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks, which can effectively improve the performance of multicast transfers while tolerating an adjustable level of packet loss at the MAC layer. Then we adapt and employ NORM as the transport layer protocol to complement the proposed multicast transmission rate control, as a proof of concept for cross-layer flexible handling of rate control and reliability. We compare the performance of this multicast approach to the common practice of TCP-based unicast data distribution as well as to the NORM-based multicast distribution at the basic transmission rate. The proposed approach is shown to scale well and improve data distribution performance for any given network topology and multicast receiver group size.


Prior studies on government budget expenditure and its impact on government performance have demonstrated mixed results. Improper or inappropriate budget allocations can lead to opportunistic attempts to utilize these resources; this type of opportunism is known as rent-seeking behaviour. The objective of the study is to examine the determinants of rent-seeking, including such factors as grants from central government, local original revenue, natural resources revenue, population size, political factors and audit of government financial statement.
While the majority of existing literature in this field surveys agency problems in the central government or at a national level, the current study contributes to the literature by investigating the agency problem in local government. In a decentralized government, where the authority is delegated to a local leader and local members of parliament, rent-seeking behaviour potentially arises as both of these parties have a conflict of interest. There is often a political motive when these parties run for election.
Rent-seeking may potentially have an adverse impact on local government performance, and auditing has been shown to be an effective tool in reducing the agency problem and minimising rent-seeking. The current study addresses this issue by examining the role of auditing in minimising rent-seeking.
This study employs the approach used by Park (2008), which is a revised model of the Katz and Rosenberg (1989) method, to measure potential rent-seeking. The data used in this study are the regional budget data (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah/APBD) for the years 2007 to 2012 and also the reports of local financial audits for the years 2006 to 2011.
The results of the study show there were some budget sectors that may have been regularly optimized for rent-seeking. In association with the determinants of the behaviour, there were some factors that influenced the potential rent-seeking significantly. The increase of local original revenue, natural resources and the election of legislative members are found to have a substantial impact on potential rent-seeking. However, the other result of this study shows that audit had an adverse effect on rent-seeking; this finding demonstrates the critical role of the audit to prevent the rent-seeking behaviour.
From the perspective of agency theory, the results of the study provide an indication that rent-seeking behaviour does exist in local governments, since the leader of the government and the members of parliament have particular interests in utilizing the budget. In line with this theory, one of the ways to limit agency costs is by conducting an intensive audit. It is essential for local governments to strengthen their auditing activity in order to prevent high levels of dissipation of local budgets.


In mobile ad hoc and sensor networks, since all nodes are mobile and there is no fixed infrastructure, the design of routing protocols becomes one of the most challenging issues. In recent years, geographic routing protocols have been widely used. Most of them, e.g., greedy-face-greedy routing protocols, need nodes to construct planar graphs as the underlying graphs. In this paper, we propose an edge constrained localized Delaunay graph, denoted by ECLDel, as the underlying graph for geographic routing. We prove that the ECLDel is a planar t-spanner of the unit-disk graph. Geographic routing on ECLDel is as efficient as on the previous work of PLDel in terms of path length (hop count). However, the construction of ECLDel graph is far more simple and it converges faster. This is due to the following two reasons: First, we significantly reduce the number of messages broadcast by each node from five rounds (each round may contain several messages) to only two messages; second, we define two new types of edges, the intersecting Gabriel (IG) edges and the unaware intersection (UI) edges, which are constrained in the ECLDel graph. These edges help significantly reduce the size of messages broadcast by each node. The decrease of both the number and the size of messages broadcast by each node reduces the communication cost, and saves the network bandwidth and node power, which are desirable for mobile ad hoc and sensor networks. Our simulation results show that the average number of messages and the average size of messages broadcast by each node are, respectively, 65 and 42 percent less in the construction of ECLDel than that in PLDel.


"A Heart so White" is the breathtaking international bestseller and IMPAC Award-winning masterpiece by Javier Marias, whose highly-anticipated new novel "The Infatuations" is published in 2013. This Penguin Modern Classics edition features a new Introduction by Jonathan Coe. "A Heart so White" begins as, In the middle of a family lunch Teresa, just married, goes to the bathroom, unbuttons her blouse and shoots herself in the heart. What made her kill herself immediately after her honeymoon? Years later, this mystery fascinates the young newlywed Juan, whose father was married to Teresa before he married Juan's mother. As Juan edges closer to the truth, he begins to question his own relationships, and whether he really wants to know what happened. Haunting and unsettling, "A Heart So White" is a breathtaking portrayal of two generations, two marriages, the relentless power of the past and the terrible price of knowledge.


Background. Previous studies suggest that prolonged sitting at work is a risk-factor for neck-shoulder pain (NSP). However, a majority of studies on the association between occupational sitting and NSP have relied on cross-sectional designs and self-reported measurements of sitting time. Our aim was to determine the extent to which occupational sitting time, assessed using accelerometry, is associated with the 1-year time course of NSP intensity among blue-collar workers.Methods. Our study included 494 Danish workers (female n=220) from three occupational sectors: cleaning (n=96), manufacturing (n=356) and transportation (n=42). At baseline, sitting was monitored continuously for several working days (mean (SD) wear time: 2.6 (0.9) days) using accelerometers attached to the thigh and trunk. During the following 12 months, data on self-reported NSP intensity (NRS scale, range 0-10) were collected on a monthly basis using SMS tracking. Repeated measures ANOVA adjusted for gender, occupational sector, seniority, and pain at baseline was used to examine the association between per cent time spent sitting (at work and leisure) and changes in NSP across time.Results. We found a significant interaction between occupational sitting at baseline and the time course of NSP (F(11,491)=6.37, p=0.01), which remained significant with adjustment for covariates (F(11,464)=6.64, p=0.01). We found no main effect of occupational sitting on NSP (p>0.05). Categorizing sitting time revealed that more sitting at work was accompanied by larger reductions in NSP over time. The effect of time on NSP was stronger in the high sitting group (F(11,162)=30.4, p 0.05).Discussion. In contrast to previous studies, our results indicate that prolonged sitting is associated with a favourable prognosis of NSP across one year in workers. The clinical significance of this result needs to be examined further


The belvedere as one of the most important elements of Iranian garden is that part of garden that you can look through it from an upper level towards the garden. This element, in Iran and India's gardens, seems very differently. In the Iranian garden, it is selection of a point for looking at the garden's landscape. In this case, viewer's look is completely referred to the garden's view and is tied up to its aesthetical elements. In the Indian garden, point of the belvedere is not that important. Moreover, the aim is various views in different areas of garden and showing the organized geometric system on its bed. This research attempts to study concept of the belvedere in two aspects, content and the body, in Indian samples to find the reasons of mentioned varieties. According to this article, despite of Iranian samples, the belvedere in Indian gardens not for the decorated and selected landscape comprehending in Main Street, but it is designed for a full domination on its various levels. Actually, the different perception that emerges from landscaping the Indian garden varies the concept of belvedere.


The article examines the Nigerian media coverage of the devastation and environmental impact of decades of oil spills in the Niger Delta. Using the agenda setting approach as a conceptual framework, the analysis aims to uncover the role played by the media in the environmental policy process. The article begins with a discussion of the modus operandi of various media outlets in reporting the nature and scope of oil spill. This is followed by a review of the national government's effort in managing and reducing the incidents of oil spill on the environment and the affected communities. On the basis of issues identified, the analysis offers some recommendations for all the actors involved in the environmental policy, and concludes by encouraging the media to continually publicize the causes and consequences of oil spill to mobilize the citizens to petition the federal government to enact good regulatory policies to contain environmental degradation of the Delta region.


Changes in density, biomass, Shannon-Wiener diversity and equitability of epiphytes on different parts of Trapa natans (lamina, petiole, stem and roots) are described during the life cycle of this floating-leaved aquatic plant in the shallow eutrophic lake, Lago di Candia, northern Italy. The seasonal standing crop of epiphyton paralleled that of water chestnut, although the maximum biomass of epiphyton preceded by one month that of the host plant. Epiphytic algal succession moved from prostrate chlorophytes and adnate diatoms towards basally attached species and later to filamentous cyanophytes. Epiphytic algal assemblages showed clear differences according to the different plant parts and depths. There was a decrease in the mean abundance, biomass and cell size of epiphytes from upper to lower parts of the plant and species succession in lower parts was delayed and shortened compared with that in the upper parts. There was a greater presence of filamentous green algae, desmids and filamentous N 2 -fixing cyanophytes on the lamina and petiole than on the stem and roots, where communities were mostly comprised of small diatoms and a filamentous cyanophyte. Species dynamics on stem and roots situated at the same depths were similar. Several factors accounted in determining the composition and abundance of epiphytic communities, such as plant architecture and age, and physicochemical variables, such as light within the Trapa belt.


Insight into the effect of diffraction on the coherence function associated with the wave field from an object can be gained through an inspection of the ambiguity and Wigner distribution functions associated with that wave field. Examples discussed include that of the wave field from an incoherent 3-D object.


Abstract. Comparison of geospatial databases presenting similar spatial extent might show substantial differences. This is the consequence of different factors, such as: accuracy, scale, data collection and processing methods, level-of-detail, data models – to name a few. The differences are reflected in the geometric structure of objects, location, topology and the accompanying information. Geometric discrepancies are emerging, and sometimes even contradictions exist between the various data sources. Thus, the demand for processes that enable alignment of different data sources while maintaining spatial consistency is growing. Global solution strategies, such as an affine transformation, are incomplete solutions since discrepancies are still likely to exist due to the inability of such a global solution to account for the remaining errors due to local distortions. In order to account for the resulting random distortions, e.g., geometric conflicts, a localized geometric alignment process is implemented in this research. During this process the distortions (deviations) are quantified locally via sets of specifically selected observation constraints, to assure the spatial consistency of the vector data. This strategy exploits local spatial topologic and geometric relationships between corresponding line-features prior to the implementation of Least Squares Adjustment for the alignment, and observes local distortions and ambiguities that might exist. The outcome presents a significant improvement of the initial state by resolving local geometric distortions and discrepancies, suggesting a reliable solution for the problem on a statistically sound basis.


Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was measured by a 3H cAMP method on the infranatant portion of the homogenate of adipocytes isolated from rat epididymal fat pads. DBcAMP (0.05 to 1.0 mM.) was found to progressively inhibit the PDE activity. The inhibition was not secondary to dilution of the 3H cAMP by cAMP derived from catabolism of the DBcAMP by deacylase activity in the homogenate. Adipocytes were prelabeled with radiocarbon adenine and the hydrolysis of radiocarbon cAMP was measured in the presence and absence of DBcAMP. Increasing concentrations of DBcAMP prevented the hydrolysis of the radiocarbon cAMP in a dosedependent manner with no breakdown occurring at 1.0 mM., correlating with the complete inhibition of the homogenate PDE activity at 1.0 mM. Kinetic analysis revealed the low Km of the PDE to be 0.8 μM., and this was shifted to 2.5 μM. by 0.05 mM. DBcAMP without a change in Vmax, indicating a competitive-type inhibition which was easily reversible upon removal of the DBcAMP. The cAMP levels were measured in extracts of DBcAMP-treated adipocytes by the protein kinase technic. DBcAMP and O2′ MBcAMP did not affect the assay system until 200 pmoles were present, while N6 MBcAMP was indistinguishable from cAMP in the assay system set for a standard curve of 0.5 to 10 pmoles. A procedure was devised to separate the cAMP from DBcAMP and O2′ MBcAMP such that they would always be at levels too low to interfere with the assay. N6 MBcAMP was shown not to be present in the assayed material since the material was susceptible to PDE digestion and N6 MBcAMP was not. Cellular cAMP levels increased as DBcAMP increased, reaching over fifty times the control at 1.0 mM. DBcAMP. This cAMP was shown to be over 90 per cent of endogenous origin and less than 10 per cent from breakdown of DBcAMP. Lipolysis was stimulated proportional to the increase in cAMP levels but was not maximal until the fiftyfold elevation of cAMP. This suggested that DBcAMP might compete with cAMP in activating the enzymes involved in lipolysis and that the large excess of cAMP is required to overcome this antagonism by DBcAMP.


The annual volume of foreclosure sale of real estate represents only a rather small share (a few percent) of the total annual sales volume of real estate in Austria. On the other hand, the availability and reliability of detailed information on the foreclosure sub-market is much more pronounced. Thus, the detailed analysis of this sub-market offers a rather unique perspective on market transparency, which even allows for drawing some conclusions on the development of the "free" market.The information available on the foreclosure sub-market is i.a. characterized by the following facts:• All real estate property subject to foreclosure has been valued by court approved experts.• Specific market aspects are considered by applying appropriate market adaption factors. • The highest bid reflects the actual price level at which buyers are willing to enter a given market segment.Since September 2007, SmartFacts Data Services collects - without any gap - all available data on foreclosure of real estate. Significant effort is undertaken to categorize and structure the data properly, e.g. each property is classified according to a list of currently 54 property sub-types, thus forming a sound base for the fine-grained analysis of data. The data base holds all relevant descriptive data on the property (up to about 70 attributes such as size, age and use of property), as well as the valuation report(s). All legally relevant data, the history of each foreclosure and all information on values – minimum bid, vadium (bid bond), appraisal value, etc. - is checked, analyzed and recorded. In case of a successful foreclosure sale, the buyer, the final bid and the relevant dates are recorded additionally.The standard dimensions available for analyszing these data are time, the geographic/political structure, the property type, the creditor and the buyer. Of course, all other attributes available can be used as additional criteria for data selection and analysis.The paper will report on the development of the Austrian foreclosure market within the past years regarding the market size and its structure. For a given region, a more detailed picture will be shown including typical indications on success and duration of the foreclosure process. Typical examples on successful applications of the data-base in the fields of valuation, risk management and optimization of the work-out of non-performing loans will demonstrate the capabilities of the data-base.


The emergence of antibiotic resistance among marine bacteria has both a direct and an indirect impact on human and animal health. An important part of the dispersal and evolution of antibiotic resistant microorganisms depends on and occurs in the water environments. In marine water, bacteria from different origins (human, animal and environmental) are able to mix and resistance consequently evolves as a result of unwanted yet spontaneous exchange and shuffling of genes, genetic platforms and genetic vectors. At the same time antibiotics, disinfectants, pesticides and heavy metals are released in marine environment and may ultimately exert selection pressures, as well as ecological damage in water communities, eventually resulting in increased antibiotic resistance. Preventative and management methods aimed at reducing resistant bacterial load in wastewaters, and the sheer amounts of antimicrobial agents originating, in most cases from hospitals and farms, include optimization of disinfection procedures and management of wastewater and manure. A policy for preventing mixing of bacteria originating from human and animal sources with environmental organisms seems advisable. This Chapter focuses on mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, research on antibiotic resistance in marine bacteria and routs of transmission of marine antibiotic resistant pathogens to human.


Flexible tactile sensors represent the key element for the development of highly conformable sensor platform that can be defined "artificial skin". In this work, we present the fabrication of a piezoelectric tactile sensor based on piezoelectric PVDF-TrFE film integrated with a lowtemperature polysilicon thin film transistor (LTPS TFT) in an extended gate configuration. The piezoelectric PVDFTrFE properties have been enhanced with a poling procedure, reaching a piezoelectric coefficient of about 25 pC/N. The device has been measured in a source-follower floating gate arrangement, showing an output signal of 0.5mV/N to a normal sinusoidal stimulus at 1Hz.


ABSTRACT This article analyzes the temporal variation in far-right violence by examining it as a series of interrelated attacks that are embedded within and arising out of a broader cycle of far-right mobilization. It argues that the changing nature of far-right violence occurs as a trial-and-error process – what Sidney Tarrow terms "tactical innovation" – within a mobilizational cycle. As we demonstrate below, far-right mobilization is characterized by innovation, experimentation, and selection of specific types of attacks and particular targets that are deemed likely to garner public support and increase pressure on state officials. Consequently, over the course of the mobilizational cycle, far-right violence employed more organized forms of violence and increasingly targeted ethnic minorities and migrants. We find empirical support for this argument in the case of Russia, using event analysis of a ten-year span of mass violent attacks and an in-depth examination of selected riots.


This paper was presented at the EurOMA Conference 2012 Why this paper might be of interest to Alliance Partners: The shift of manufacturers into services has been described as a process that involves the provision of services of increasing complexity. This paper analyses the characteristics of the suggested complexity. By assessing the multiple determinants that the business and management literature have proposed for service complexity from the perspectives of six servitized manufacturers from three different industrial sectors, the study develops insights into the concrete and practical features of complexity in the context of the service offerings of manufacturing firms. Results show that, while manufacturers deal with relevant complexity in their services, this complexity appears to be mainly related to service delivery issues that require the development of new and service-specific skills. Overall, manufacturers appear to be quite cautious about adding complexity to their service businesses. Finally, results indicate that the complexity of the product served and the context in which the services are offered can be more important determinants of complexity than the service itself. The study builds on previous work from the same authors, also included in the Cambridge Service Alliance monthly papers series (June 2012)


How much would mothers' educational expectations influence their children's actual school attainment in the rural setting of China? This study explores the impact of mothers' educational expectations on children's schooling by focusing on the discrepancy in expectations between mothers and children. Going beyond existing literature, this study pays special attention to the directions of mother-child discrepancy. I analyze Gansu Survey of Children and Families (GSCF), the longitudinal data, from rural Gansu, China. The analysis reveals that mother-child discrepancy in educational expectations is substantial. Children have a much better chance to stay in school when their mothers share with them the same college dream, or when mothers hold expectations higher than their own. Children at high risk of dropping out, that is those who are from impoverished families and those who struggle academically, benefit most from this positive impact. And mothers' influence becomes stronger as children advance in their schooling. Disciplines Education Comments Suggested Citation: Zhang, L. (2011). Mothers' Educational Expectations and Children's Enrollment: Evidence from Rural China (Working Paper). Gansu Survey of Children and Families. This working paper is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/gansu_papers/23


This paper considers the development of a brain driven car, which would be of great help to the physically disabled people. Since these cars will rely only on what the individual is thinking they will hence not require any physical movement on the part of the individual. The car integrates signals from a variety of sensors like video, weather monitor, anti-collision etc. it also has an automatic navigation system in case of emergency. The car works on the asynchronous mechanism of artificial intelligence. It's a great advance of technology which will make the disabled, abled.


In the current work, accurate quantification over 10 to 108 DNA copies has been successfully achieved for the first time by real-time electrochemical PCR. This has been made possible thanks to the combined use of a fully automated house-built electrochemical qPCR device, optimized for parallel heating and electrochemical monitoring of up to 48 PCR solutions, and the appropriate selection of a DNA intercalating redox probe retaining a strong affinity binding to ds-DNA at the PCR measurement temperature of 72 °C (corresponding to the PCR elongation step). This has also been achieved through the identification of the key parameters governing the onset electrochemical signal decrease and amplitude signal decrease as a function of the PCR cycle for a given DNA intercalating redox probe, thus allowing us to predict the electrochemical PCR kinetic plots from the values of the DNA affinity binding constant determined as a function of temperature. To the best of our knowledge, the analytical performances of the current electrochemical qPCR outperform all of those previously published, in terms of detection limit, dynamic range, reproducibility and melting curve analysis compared to that achieved on a commercialized bench-top fluorescence-based qPCR instrument.


A task-based specification methodology for expert system specification that is independent of the problem solving architecture, that can be applied to many expert system applications, that focuses on what the knowledge is, not how it is implemented, that introduces the major concepts involved gradually, and that supports verification and validation is discussed. To evaluate the methodology, a specification of R1/SOAR, an expert system that reimplements a major portion of the R1 expert system, was reverse engineered.<<ETX>>


This Comment tracks the development U.S. law, and international law, as it pertains to aviation crashes off the coast of the United States. Part I of this Comment details the vehicles for providing relief to the families of victims killed in aviation disasters. U.S. federal statutes, international agreements, maritime common law, and U.S. state law, depending on the circumstances, now may apply to actions for the recovery of damages for wrongful death. Part II discusses the recent initiatives proposed by the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to provide equitable treatment to the families of disaster victims. This part specifically concentrates on the Ford Act that was the interim solution ultimately adopted by the U.S. Legislature. Part III argues that the current system of recovery falls short of its purpose of providing equitable relief for the families of aviation accident victims and proposes new legislation that would remedy the situation.


Shadows cast by trees and buildings can limit the solar access of rooftop solar-energy systems, including photovoltaic panels and thermal collectors. This study characterizes rooftop shading in a residential neighborhood of San Jose, CA, one of four regions analyzed in a wider study of the solar access of California homes.High-resolution orthophotos and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) measurements of surface height were used to create a digital elevation model of all trees and buildings in a 4 km2 residential neighborhood. Hourly shading of roofing planes (the flat elements of roofs) was computed geometrically from the digital elevation model. Parcel boundaries were used to determine the extent to which roofing planes were shaded by trees and buildings in neighboring parcels.In the year in which surface heights were measured (2005), shadows from all sources ("total shading") reduced the insolation received by S-, SW-, and W-facing residential roofing planes in the study area by 13 - 16percent. Shadows cast by trees and buildings in neighboring parcels reduced insolation by no more than 2percent. After 30 years of simulated maximal tree growth, annual total shading increased to 19 - 22percent, and annual extraparcel shading increased to 3 - 4percent.


Despite continued efforts to improve biosecurity protocols, Campylobacter continues to be detected in the majority of commercial chicken flocks across Europe. Using an extensive data set of Campylobacter prevalence within a chicken breeder flock for over a year, multiple Bayesian models are presented to explore the dynamics of the spread of Campylobacter in response to seasonal variation, species-specificity, bird health, and total colonization prevalence. These models indicated that birds within the flock varied greatly in their response to bacterial challenge, and that this phenomenon had a large impact on the overall prevalence of different species of Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni appeared more frequently in the summer, while Campylobacter coli persisted for a longer duration, amplified by the most susceptible birds in the flock. Our study suggests that strains of Campylobacter that appear most frequently likely possess no demographic advantage, but are instead amplified due to the health of the birds that ingest it.


This study will focus on conflict within organisations in the attempt to gain clarity on this very common phenomenon and to link conflict to financial cost. By gaining a financial grip on conflict this study attempts to give the reader the tools with which to estimate parameters and calculate financial costs within their own conflict situations. The reader will also be able to motivate the need for management to invest in pre-emptive conflict resolution structures. The study will focus on a sample population from the mining sector in South Africa. A multiple case study approach is used in order to understand the intricacies that make conflict a variable, situation-dependant occurrence after which data is collected to calculate a preliminary estimate of the financial costs incurred by the organisation due to hostilities within the sample population. The results of the study indicate that the samples chosen experience different types of conflict and also manage the conflict in different ways. The calculations reflect that conflict impacts on the organisation in a fiscally prominent way. Each case has its own unique major contributors to monetary costs incurred due to conflict depending on case specific attributes. The results clearly show that the financial cost of conflict has a severe impact on an organisation. The structured analysis provided by the study gives the reader a method with which to calculate the costs of conflict within other cases where conflict is assumed to have a negative impact on performance. In this way it becomes easier for the practitioner to effectively motivate for preventative action. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za


type="main"> We present a model of standard setting and patent-pool formation. We study the effects of alternative standard-setting and pool-formation rules on technology choice, prices, and welfare. We find three main results. First, we show that allowing patent pools may reduce welfare when standards are negotiated and patent pools need to be ex post incentive compatible. Second, we show that ranking combinations of standard-setting and pool-formation rules in welfare terms when patent pools need to be ex post incentive compatible is not possible. Third, we show that allowing firms to sign ex ante agreements regarding pool participation dominates—in terms of welfare—any other policy rule. This policy does not require the standard-setting organization to have information on patent ownership, the terms of license agreements, or the value added of patents.


The central theme of this dissertation concerns the nature of (implicit) perceptual-motor sequence learning as studied in the serial reaction time (SRT) task. Convincing support exists in the literature for three forms of serial learning: perceptual learning (S-S associations), response-based learning (R-R associations) and response-effect learning (R-S associations). In fact, the strong evidence for these multiple forms of serial learning has gradually caused a shift away from a long held oppositional view (mainly between perceptual and response-based learning), towards the notion that sequence learning in the SRT task is a distributed, multi-level phenomenon. In Chapter 2 of the current dissertation, this multiple level notion was made more explicit by reviewing the relevant literature, and linking the notion to an existing framework for sequence learning that is referred to as the dual system model (Keele, Ivry,Mayr, Hazeltine & Heuer, 2003).
 Most of the empirical chapters (i.e., Chapters 3-6) were based upon the notion that sequence learning develops also at the stimulus level, either through perceptual (S-S) or response-effect (R-S) associations. In Chapter 3, the effect on sequence performance of changing seemingly task-irrelevant features of the visual display was explored, in order to determine possible context dependencies in sequence learning. Next, it was explored whether sequence learning can be guided by tactile as opposed to visual stimuli (i.e., Chapters 4 and 5), and whether sequence learning benefits from the availability of multiple, congruent response cues (i.e., Chapters 5 and 6). In Chapter 7, the final empirical chapter, the focus shifted from the stimulus to the response selection level of information processing. Through manipulating the stimulus-to-response (S-R) mapping, it aimed at further exploring the involvement of the response selection stage in (implicit) sequence learning. Finally, in chapter 8 it was explored to what extent findings on the SRT task may provide practical recommendations for the optimization of training programs for perceptual-motor skills.


Based on the non-relativistic QCD factorization scheme, we study the hadroproduction of the bottomonium states $\Upsilon(5S)$ and $\Upsilon(6S)$. We argue to search for them in the final states $\Upsilon(1S,2S,3S)\pi^+\pi^-$, which are found to have anomalously large production rates at $\Upsilon(5S)$. The enhanced rates for the dipionic transitions in the $\Upsilon(5S)$-energy region could, besides $\Upsilon(5S)$, be ascribed to $Y_b(10890)$, a state reported by the Belle collaboration, which may be interpreted as a tetraquark. The LHC/Tevatron measurements are capable of making a case in favor of or against the existence of $Y_b(10890)$, as demonstrated here. Dalitz analysis of the $\Upsilon(1S,2S,3S)\pi^+\pi^-$ states from the $\Upsilon(5S)/Y_b(10890)$ decays also impacts directly on the interpretation of the charged bottomonium-like states, $Z_b(10600)$ and $Z_b(10650)$, discovered by Belle in these puzzling decays.


Phosphate rock and phosphorus are listed by the European Union as the critical raw materials due to the risks of their shortage of supply and the impacts of a shortage on the economy are greater than those of most other raw materials. Although, high concentration of P in surface waters is the leading cause of eutrophication, which is a serious environmental problem in many countries of the world. Eutrophication of both freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems leads to a decrease in oxygen concentration and increases the abundance of toxic algae and aquatic plants. Discharge of untreated or semi-treated wastewater into the environment is one of the main causes of eutrophication; therefore, it is necessary to use effective wastewater treatment methods. One of the possibilities for the removal of P from wastewater is the use of biomaterial sorbents modified by iron oxohydroxide, which is an alternative to traditional wastewater treatment methods. As a prospective solution for P removal from wastewaters peat and other biomaterials has been suggested and tested. The obtained sorbents characterize high sorption capacities, fast sorption and relatively high sorbent saturation capacities and possibilities to run sorption process both in static and dynamic conditions. The results showed that P can be efficiently removed from wastewater by modified biomaterial sorbents; furthermore, after the purification process sorbents saturated with P can be recycled and used as fertilizers in agriculture. The saturated sorbents can be composted and transformed to a high value fertilizer considering significant amounts of phosphorus as well as presence of iron and nitrogen compounds. Further tests using domestic wastewaters were done and the presence of metals as well as toxicity of the sorbents were tested, proving application prospects. Thus biomaterial based sorbents can be a feasible approach for phosphorus removal from wastewaters and return of nutrient for agricultural applications as well as reduction of phosphorus load to waters.
This work was funded by the project "Sustainable Management of Phosphorus in Baltic countries" (InPhos) No. 17022 (2018-2019), that is financed by the EIT Raw Materials.


A novel approach to the determination of robot locations by common object shapes is proposed. Any object that has a polygon-shaped top and a lateral surface perpendicular to the top can be used for robot locations in the approach, as long as the top shape is known in advance. In addition, the solution provided by the approach can be computed analytically. These merits make the proposed approach more practical for general applications than other approaches using specially designed marks or requiring iterative computation. From a monocular image of an object, image processing and numerical analysis techniques are applied to extract the projection characteristics of the polygon corners on the object top surface, from which the position and the orientation parameters of a camera-mounted robot can be determined. Experimental results with location errors less than 5% prove the feasibility of the proposed approach. Error analysis that is useful for choosing better viewing angles to get more accurate location results is included. >


We present evidence that the 1674 Ma Bora°s Mafic Intrusion of the Swedish Eastern Segment experienced high-pressure metamorphism related to a Sveconorwegian subduction-exhumation cycle. Mg-rich staurolite is found as inclusions in garnet in metaluminous amphibolites. The inclusion assemblages include staurolite (XMg 0.34–0.40), kyanite, euhedral anorthite, clinozoisite and quartz. The thermodynamic packages winTWQ and Theriak-Domino were used to investigate the P-T conditions of the matrix and inclusion mineral parageneses. The bulk composition of the rock does not have a stability field for staurolite-bearing parageneses. In our samples minerals of an eclogite-facies paragenesis became isolated from the whole rock in the first stage as inclusions in garnet. High Zn levels in the staurolite (0.6–1 wt% ZnO) show that it must have formed as either chloritoid or staurolite, both of which concentrate Zn. Euhedral anorthite inclusions have trace-element compositions including high Sr and insignificant Eu anomalies, which support their interpretation as pseudomorphs after lawsonite in plagioclase-out conditions. Rutile lamellae in the garnet are also indicative of a high-pressure origin. Calculated phase diagrams show that the most likely original paragenesis was garnet þ clinopyroxene þ Mg-rich chloritoid þ lawsonite þ kyanite þ quartz, which has a stability field for the whole-rock composition at 600 °C and 2.23–2.45 GPa. These conditions correspond to depths greater than 75 km, thus the Bora°s Mafic Intrusion was situated in the mantle at that time, implying subduction of the crustal block in which it was situated. The minerals now observed in the inclusions and in the rock matrix formed under amphibolite-facies conditions at lower pressures of 0.6–0.9 GPa and slightly increased temperatures around 650 °C, reflecting rapid exhumation from the mantle. Sm-Nd dating of garnet gives 957.1 ° 9.4 Ma, consistent with less precise Lu-Hf data, and represents either garnet growth during subduction or resetting during exhumation. Our investigations of staurolite in amphibolites documented in the literature show that staurolite cannot form in equilibrium with amphibolitefacies parageneses in normal metabasic rocks, which always have metaluminous compositions. A two-stage process is required in which a peraluminous assemblage with kyanite and possibly chloritoid first forms, due to plagioclase-out reactions in eclogite-facies conditions. Staurolite forms in the second stage during exhumation as pressure decreases, in domains which are not in contact with the common amphibolite-facies assemblage, for example by hydration reactions involving kyanite and garnet or by breakdown of chloritoid at higher temperatures. The pressures estimated for garnet growth and the development of inclusions correspond to minimum depths of 75–83 km (for basaltic or granitic overburden) and the Bora°s Mafic Intrusion is an integral part of the Eastern Segment in which retrograde eclogite metabasic bodies occur within orthogneisses in at least four other localities. This implies that a major part of the Eastern Segment experienced a high-pressure metamorphic event and the entire block of continental crust was involved in a subduction-exhumation cycle during the Sveconorwegian orogeny.


The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of preparatory training for mentors and proteges with respect to relationship processes and outcomes. Specifically, it was proposed that training provided to mentors and their proteges should foster a high learning goal orientation and a low avoid goal orientation. The former is associated with learning for the sake of continuous improvement and the latter is associated with a willingness to be perceived by others as having failed at a task. It was hypothesized that mentors and proteges who received goal orientation training prior to beginning their formal mentoring sessions would engage in greater feedback-seeking and would be more willing to self-disclose potentially ego-threatening information. Moreover, it was expected that training would also lead participants to expect such behaviors from their partners and as a result respond more positively when the desired behaviors were demonstrated.
Eighty (i.e., first and second semester freshmen) were paired with eighty mentors (i.e., college juniors and seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0), resulting in a total of 160 study participants. All participants received one hour of preparatory training. A two by two factorial design was employed whereby mentors and proteges each received either goal orientation training or training simply designed to orient them to computer-mediated communication. After training, mentors and proteges met with one another using online chat for four, 30-minute weekly chat sessions. Results indicated that (a) proteges in a high state of avoid goal orientation felt they received less psychosocial support the more their mentor disclosed his/her own personal downfalls, (b) mentors who received goal orientation training felt they had provided greater career support the more their proteges sought feedback but the reverse was true for mentors who did not receive goal orientation training, (c) mentor self-disclosure was more strongly related to their protege's self-disclosure if the protege had received goal orientation training, and finally (d) mentor and protege perceptions of the psychosocial and career support that had been provided/received during online sessions were more strongly correlated if the two had received the same type of preparatory training (especially if both received goal orientation training).


We report four cocrystals of the antiepileptic drug, zonisamide (ZNS), which encounters half-life fluctuation when administered adjunctly with other antiepileptic drugs. Single crystals for two of the novel cocrystals of ZNS were successfully prepared from solvent evaporation experiments and their crystal structures were determined. Pharmaceutically acceptable cocrystals were analyzed for their dissolution rate, solubility and stability to draw conclusions on the impact of cocrystallization on the physicochemical properties of ZNS. It was found that the cocrystals showed lower solubility and dissolution rates and offer potential benefits in the development of sustained release formulations of ZNS which could address issues regarding its half-life fluctuation. Recent attempts to explore newer therapeutic applications have suggested ZNS as a potential drug for weight loss management. In this regard, the cocrystal of ZNS with caffeine, which has also been used in weight loss management, promises potential applications in the development of a novel fixed-dose combination drug which could offer synergistic therapeutic benefits in the treatment of obesity.


Low Impact Development (LID) and Water Sensitive Urban Design have as one of their tenets the use of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems to provide water for use on site. Historically implemented in arid or semi-arid regions, RWH has recently surged in popularity in more humid regions, such as the southeastern USA, due to increased interest in water conservation during severe drought conditions. An LID commercial site in Raleigh, NC, incorporated RWH with other stormwater control measures to mitigate runoff quantity and improve runoff quality. A 57,900-liter RWH tank used for landscape irrigation was monitored to determine influent and effluent water quality. Samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), nitrite-nitrate (NO X ), orthophosphate (Ortho-P) and total suspended solids (TSS). Low concentrations were observed for all pollutants monitored; for example, influent and effluent TP concentrations were 0.02 and 0.03 mg/L, respectively. Statistical testing showed significant increases in TAN and organic nitrogen (ON) concentrations by 33 and 38%, respectively, from inflow to outflow. NO X and TSS concentrations decreased significantly by 23 and 55%, respectively. Concentrations of all other pollutants were not significantly different between the inflow and outflow. Influent concentrations to the RWH tank were less than previously published rainfall pollutant concentrations, indicating potentially irreducible concentrations onsite. While a single case study, this RWH system appears to offer some pollutant mitigation, especially for TSS.


Major research challenges in discovering Web services include, provisioning of services across multiple or heterogeneous registries, differentiating between services that share similar functionalities, improving end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS), and enabling clients to customize the discovery process. Proliferation and interoperability of this multitude of Web services have lead to the emergence of new standards on how services can be published, discovered, or used (i.e. UDDI, WSDL, SOAP). Such standards can potentially provide many of these features and much more, however, there are technical challenges associated with existing standards. One of these challenges is the client.s ability to control the discovery process across accessible service registries for finding services of interest. This work proposes a solution to this problem and introduces the Web Service Relevancy Function (WsRF) used for measuring the relevancy ranking of a particular Web service based on QoS metrics and client preferences. We present experimental validation, results, and analysis of the presented ideas.


This paper describes a new termination, feeder and aerial distribution cable for the feeder and distribution sections of access networks. These cables have great advantages in terms of cost and installation workability that will enable us to realize fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). First, we describe the cable requirements with regard to cost reduction and installation. Based on the requirements, we investigated and optimized the structural design of these cables. We manufactured these cables according to the results and confirmed that their transmission and mechanical characteristics are sufficiently stable for them to be used in access networks for FTTH.


Growth of urban areas and impervious surfaces in the U.S. has increased the environmental impacts of stormwater runoff and the public's interest in regulation of those who discharge it. Growth of communities in the urban-wildland interface is an important reason why risks of wildfire have increased and government agencies have undertaken new collaborative efforts to reduce them. A bioretention cell is a space-saving method to manage stormwater runoff from streets and parking lots. Widespread use of this structural best management practice could expand the market for small-diameter woody material and might reduce risks of wildfire because processed residues from logging decks could be the source of organic material that the cell requires. The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the use of processed forest biomass in a bioretention cell at an industrial park in a developing area of South Carolina and evaluate the environmental performance and costs of this cell. A bioretention cell, approximately 25' wide, 75' long, and 4' deep with a 12" layer of chipped logging residue, was designed and installed at the Orangeburg County and City Industrial Park. The cell and the use of processed forest biomass in the cell were publicized in a newsletter of the state's environmental regulatory agency, are publicized by an on-site sign, and will be publicized by a magazine article for Clemson University. Aged chips of woody forest residues remove positive amounts of nitrate nitrogen, zinc, and copper from polluted solutions in laboratory tests, even though the removal efficiencies never exceed the efficiencies of at least one of the two commercial hardwood mulches. This chipped woody material does not add more phosphorous than the two commercial mulches. Although the level of total organic carbon decreases slightly over time as pine chips age, this type of processed forest biomass can serve as an adequate source of carbon for denitrification within the bottom iii chamber of a bioretention cell. In general, the bioretention cell in Orangeburg reduces the quantity of runoff to the existing storm sewer. Ninety four percent of the first inch of runoff enters and is treated by the cell. The cell apparently removes zinc and copper. Although the cell did not always remove phosphate and nitrate, removal of these pollutants improved as time passed. Concentrations of measured pollutants in the discharge were substantially below regulatory thresholds for water quality. The bioretention cell in Orangeburg cost $28,860. The largest portion of these costs was $23,500 for the contractor, his sub-contractor, and their materials. Unusually but justifiably large excavation and grading expense for innovative design, insufficient bid competition, and contractor inexperience are reasons why the costs per unit of water-quality volume were higher in this project than the average of others. Bioretention cells exhibit economies of water-quality size. If the volume of water that a cell treats for pollutants increases by one percent, the total costs of the cell increase by an estimated 0.765 percent in coastal areas of mid-Atlantic states, 0.734 percent in the Piedmont region, and 0.629 percent in the Sandhill region. Hence, costs per unit of water-quality volume decrease as the volume of water that a cell treats for pollutants increases. Regardless of region, a one percent increase in the hourly wage of engineers in the area where a cell is located leads to a 6.69 percent increase in the total costs of the cell. Meaningful comparisons of costs of bioretention cells and stormwater ponds are difficult, if not impossible, to make because stormwater ponds have been designed primarily to reduce stormwater runoff while most bioretention cells have been designed primarily to remove pollutants. Determination of the precise ranges of water-quality volumes and drainage areas over which bioretention cells are cheaper than stormwater ponds to meet regulatory standards for iv quality and quantity of stormwater runoff remains an important question for research. In August 2004 South Carolina had 803 industrial sites and 241 industrial parks that covered 189,605 undeveloped acres. If owners or tenants of these industrial parks and sites eventually develop all of the land, manage stormwater exclusively with bioretention cells, allocate an average of 0.0525 of each developed acre for the surface area of cells, and use one foot of chipped woody material in the cells, they would use 16.06 million yds3 or 4.553 million tons of this material. If the real cost were to remain $22 per delivered ton, then developers of these parks and sites would spend $100.2 million over time to use the material in bioretention cells.


The purpose of our scholarly work is to explore actual problems of harmonization of legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of environmental policy integration with EU law and development of proposals for the improvement of Ukrainian legislation. The state of environmental policy integration in Ukraine was assessed. Government strategies, programmes, concepts and plans in Ukraine and EU were analyzed. Based on comparison analysis differences and common problems of environmental policy integration in Ukraine and EU member states were determined and recommendations on the measures to be taken to ensure better integration of environmental policies in sectoral policies in Ukraine were made. Keywords: environmental policy integration, sustainable development, strategic environmental assessment


The fossil record of odontocetes (toothed cetaceans) is relatively scarce during the Oligocene and early Miocene compared with later in the Miocene and Pliocene; most of the odontocete families from these epochs are known by a limited number of species and specimens. Among those, Squalodelphinidae is a family of smallto medium-sized platanistoids with single-rooted teeth, which until now has included only four genera based on diagnostic material, from the early Miocene of Europe, Argentina, and North America. Recent field work in the Pisco-Ica desert, southern coast of Peru, has resulted in the discovery of several marine vertebrate-rich localities in various levels of the late Oligocene–early Miocene Chilcatay Formation. Based on three specimens from Ullujaya and Zamaca, including two well-preserved skulls with periotics, we describe a new squalodelphinid genus and species, Huaridelphis raimondii. This new species increases the early Miocene diversity of the family and is also its smallest known member. It further differs from other squalodelphinids by its thin antorbital process of the frontal, abruptly tapering rostrum, and higher tooth count. A more fragmentary skull, from Zamaca, is referred to Squalodelphinidae aff. H. raimondii. This skull provides information on the morphology of the tympanic, malleus, and incus, currently unknown in H. raimondii. Focusing on platanistoids with single-rooted teeth, our phylogenetic analysis suggests that Squalodelphinidae are monophyletic and confirms the sister-group relationship between the latter and Platanistidae. The relationships within Squalodelphinidae are not fully resolved, but H. raimondiimight be one of the earliest diverging taxa.


The IP-based broadband aeronautical satellite network will provide numerous new applications and services for both airspace system operations and passenger communications. Application of commercial off the shelf technologies and techniques has the potential to make network operations economically and technically realizable. However the performance of data communication protocols and applications over aeronautical satellite networks is degraded dramatically. For the satellite channel, the window based flow control algorithm may cause transient congestion. The flow control mechanisms with or without explicit feedback from the congested resource are limited in performance and not effective. We propose a hierarchical scheduler for satellite gateways. Different service disciplines are used for integrated services. A Random Early Detection Flow Control (REDFC) algorithm is proposed for best-effort traffic at the satellite gateways. In REDFC, each packet is transmitted with a probability that is a function of the queue length. If the packet is not transmitted successfully, it will be retransmitted after certain time interval. We also propose a virtual parallel queue structure as a new active queue management scheme for short life and long life web traffic. The new flow control and active queue management schemes will provide better performance for integrated services in aeronautical satellite networks.


Application of hydrological models for water resources management at large continental river basins is often limited by the scarcity of in situ meteorological forcing data. Remote sensing information provides an alternative to in situ data, with observations that are, in some cases, at higher spatial and temporal resolutions than those available from traditional ground sources. In this work, the water balance equation is solved using precipitation retrieved from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, water storage from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite data and ground discharge. Evapotranspiration (ET) is then computed as a residual term of the water balance. Satellite data are compared with ground data to understand to what extent remote sensing observations can be used to improve estimates of the terrestrial water balance at regional scale. ET estimates are also compared with the ET computed from a detailed distributed energy water balance model and with the ET product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Global Evapotranspiration Project. These analyses are performed for the Upper Yangtze River basin (China) in the framework of NRSCC-ESA DRAGON-2 Programme.


This paper deals with high resolution numerical weather prediction experiments for the recent Bangladesh Tropical Cyclone (April 1991). This devastating storm resulted in well over 100,000 deaths. The results from global model experiments carried out at a horizontal resolution of 213 waves (triangular truncation) and from a regional model at a horizontal resolution of 46km are presented. Recent improvements in the model's parameterization of cumulus convection, land surface parameterization (the specification of ground wetness), enhanced evaporation over low wind speed regions were included in the sensitivity studies reviewed here. The improvements to the model results were also contributed by two data sets, one a high resolution sea surface temperature over the Arabian Sea and the other a satellite based surface wind estimate from microwave radiometer. These appear to provide strong positive impact during the storm's landfall history. Overall we demonstrate the results of successful landfall experiments with the high resolution global and regional models where we have incorporated the aforementioned improvements, i.e. in the data sets and in the physical parameterizations.


Pain and pain-related interference with physical function have not been thoroughly studied in individuals who have undergone knee-disarticulation amputations. The principal aim of this study was to determine whether individuals with knee-disarticulation amputations have worse pain and pain-related interference with physical function than do individuals with transtibial or transfemoral amputations. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data provided by 42 adults with lower-limb amputations. These individuals consisted of 14 adults reporting knee-disarticulation amputation in one limb and best-matched cases (14 reporting transfemoral amputation and 14 reporting transtibial amputation) from a larger cross-sectional sample of 472 individuals. Participants were rigorously matched based on time since amputation, reason for amputation, age, sex, diabetes diagnosis, and pain before amputation. Continuous outcome variables were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Categorical outcomes were analyzed by Pearson chi-square statistic. Given the relatively small sample size and power concerns, mean differences were also described by estimated effect size (Cohen's d). Of the 42 participants, 83% were male. They ranged in age from 36 to 85 (median = 55.1, standard deviation = 11.0). Most amputations were of traumatic origin (74%), and participants were on average 12.4 years from their amputations at the time of the survey. Individuals with transtibial amputation reported significantly more prosthesis use than did individuals with knee-disarticulation amputation. Amputation levels did not significantly differ in phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, back pain, and pain-related interference with physical function. Estimates of effect size, however, indicated that participants with knee-disarticulation amputation reported less phantom limb pain, phantom limb pain-related interference with physical function, residual limb pain, residual limb pain-related interference with physical function, and back pain-related interference with physical function than did participants with transtibial or transfemoral amputations. This study demonstrated that patients with knee-disarticulation amputation used prostheses significantly less than did patients with transtibial amputation. However, no evidence was found that patients with knee-disarticulation amputation have worse outcomes in terms of pain and pain-related interference with physical function; in fact, they may have more favorable long-term outcomes.


The unfertilized egg of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster, has a second meiotic spindle at the animal pole and numerous cortical cytasters. After physiologically polyspermic fertilization, all sperm nuclei incorporated into the egg develop sperm asters, and the cortical cytasters change into bundles of cortical microtubules. The size of the sperm asters in the animal hemisphere is ∼5.6‐fold larger than that in the vegetal hemisphere. Only one sperm nucleus moves toward the center of the animal hemisphere to form a zygote nucleus with the egg nucleus. This movement is inhibited by nocodazole, but not by cytochalasin B. The centrosome in the zygote nucleus divides into two parts to form a bipolar spindle for the first cleavage synchronously with the nuclear cycle, but centrosomes of accessory sperm nuclei in the vegetal hemisphere remained to form monopolar interphase asters and subsequently degenerate around the first cleavage stage. The size of sperm asters in monospermically fertilized Xenopus eggs was ∼37‐fold larger than those in Cynops eggs. Since sperm asters that formed in polyspermically fertilized Xenopus eggs exclude each other, the formation of a zygote nucleus is inhibited. Cynops sperm nuclei form larger asters in Xenopus eggs, whereas Xenopus sperm nuclei form smaller asters in Cynops eggs compared with those in homologous eggs. Since there was no significant difference in the concentration of monomeric tubulin between those eggs, the size of sperm asters is probably regulated by a component(s) in egg cytoplasm. Smaller asters in physiologically polyspermic newt eggs might be useful for selecting only one sperm nucleus to move toward the egg nucleus. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 47:210–221, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The reactions of functional molecules like RNAs and proteins to mutation affect both host cell viability and biomolecular evolution. These molecules are considered robust if function is maintained alongside the mutation. RNAs and proteins have different structural and functional characteristics that affect their robustness, and to date, comparisons between them have been theoretical. In this work, we tested the relative mutational robustness of RNA and protein pairs using three approaches: evolutionary, structural, and functional. We compared the nucleotide diversities of functional RNAs with those of matched proteins. Across different levels of conservation, there were no differences in nucleotide-level variations between the biomolecules. We then directly tested the robustness of the RNA and protein pairs with in vitro and in silico mutagenesis of their respective genes. The in silico experiments showed that RNAs and proteins reacted similarly to point mutations and insertions or deletions. In vitro, mutated fluorescent RNAs retained greater levels of function than the proteins, but this may be because of differences in the robustness of the specific individual molecules rather than being indicative of a larger trend. In this first experimental comparison of proteins and RNAs, we found no consistent quantitative differences in mutational robustness. Future work on potential qualitative differences and other forms of robustness will give further insight into the evolution and functionality of biomolecules. Significance Statement The ability of functional RNAs and proteins to maintain function despite mutations in their respective genes is known as mutational robustness. Robustness impacts how molecules maintain and change phenotypes, which has a bearing on the evolution and the origin of life as well as influences modern biotechnology. Both RNA and protein have mechanisms that allow them to absorb DNA-level changes. Proteins have a redundant genetic code and non-coding RNAs can maintain structure through flexible base-pairing possibilities. The few theoretical treatments comparing RNA and protein robustness differ in their conclusions. In this experimental comparison of RNAs and proteins, we find that RNAs and proteins achieve remarkably similar degrees of overall genetic robustness.


At this juncture, the growth of handicraft business in the world is quite rapidly which marked by the hard competition increasingly of handicraft products between the district of regions Aceh, therefore the handicraft entrepreneurs from Aceh must show a high competitiveness to other regional products through conduct a good marketing strategy. "Y" generation is an important consumer market segment in future due to the rapid growth of this generation and is also a high-income community. Consequently, the "Y" generation has attracted various research groups and scientific discipline attention. The aim of this research is to identify the perception of "Y" generation regarding the Lhokseumawe handicraft product. Through the quantitative approach via questionnaire this research found that: marginally, the perception of The generation "Y" at Lhokseumawe city to local handicraft products is still sufficient with low quality and the relatively expensive price. The purchasing of local handicraft products is only a gift or souvenir to introduce Aceh region and still not become a culture that shows the love of local products.


As confidence in gas biofiltration efficacy grows, ever more complex malodorant and toxic molecules are ameliorated. In parallel, for many countries, emission control legislation becomes increasingly stringent to accommodate both public health and climate change imperatives. Effective gas biofiltration in biofilters and biotrickling filters depends on three key bioreactor variables: the support medium; gas molecule solubilization; and the catabolic population. Organic and inorganic support media, singly or in combination, have been employed and their key criteria are considered by critical appraisal of one, char. Catabolic species have included fungal and bacterial monocultures and, to a lesser extent, microbial communities. In the absence of organic support medium (soil, compost, sewage sludge, etc.) inoculum provision, a targeted enrichment and isolation program must be undertaken followed, possibly, by culture efficacy improvement. Microbial community process enhancement can then be gained by comprehensive characterization of the culturable and total populations. For all species, support medium attachment is critical and this is considered prior to filtration optimization by water content, pH, temperature, loadings, and nutrients manipulation. Finally, to negate discharge of fungal spores, and/or archaeal and/or bacterial cells, capture/destruction technologies are required to enable exploitation of the mineralization product CO(2).


In this paper we present the results of our analyses of multidiurnal low‐resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thermal data for coal fire‐related thermal anomaly detection. Results are presented for data of the Jharia coal mining region of India. We combine three relatively new approaches: first, we use low‐resolution MODIS data for coal fire area analyses, which has only been undertaken by a few authors. Second, we analyse data from four different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening and predawn) and for three different bands (MODIS bands 20, 32 and a ratio thereof); and third, we use an unbiased automated algorithm for thermal anomaly extraction of local thermal anomalies. The MODIS data analysed stem from the years 2001 and 2005. In 2001, MODIS data were only been available from the platform TERRA as morning and evening data (around 1030 and 2200 h). In 2005, MODIS data were available from this platform as well as from the platform AQUA as afternoon and predawn data (around 0130 and 0200 h). Our analyses indicate that MODIS multidiurnal data, and especially bands 20, 32 and ratio bands thereof, have a high potential for the detection of coal fire zones and coal fire hot spot zones, as well as for regular thermal monitoring activities. However, the data are not suitable for a quantitative coal fire analysis concerning fire outline, fire temperature or fire classification into surface and subsurface fires. We used higher‐resolution ASTER and LANDSAT data from 2005 and 2002 for general orientation and later comparison of thermal anomaly extraction results. We also used high‐resolution Quickbird data for the characterization of individual anomalous thermal clusters. Comparisons demonstrate that even low‐resolution thermal sensors such as MODIS can support coal fire detection and zonation into warm and very hot zones.