Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an invaluable functional brain imaging technique that provides direct, real-time monitoring of neuronal activity necessary for gaining insight into dynamic cortical networks. Our intentions with this book are to cover the richness and transdisciplinary nature of the MEG field, make it more accessible to newcomers and experienced researchers and to stimulate growth in the MEG area. The book presents a comprehensive overview of MEG basics and the latest developments in methodological, empirical and clinical research, directed toward master and doctoral students, as well as researchers. There are three levels of contributions: 1) tutorials on instrumentation, measurements, modeling, and experimental design; 2) topical reviews providing extensive coverage of relevant research topics; and 3) short contributions on open, challenging issues, future developments and novel applications. The topics range from neuromagnetic measurements, signal processing and source localization techniques to dynamic functional networks underlying perception and cognition in both health and disease. Topical reviews cover, among others: development on SQUID-based and novel sensors, multi-modal integration (low field MRI and MEG; EEG and fMRI), Bayesian approaches to multi-modal integration, direct neuronal imaging, novel noise reduction methods, source-space functional analysis, decoding of brain states, dynamic brain connectivity, sensory-motor integration, MEG studies on perception and cognition, thalamocortical oscillations, fetal and neonatal MEG, pediatric MEG studies, cognitive development, clinical applications of MEG in epilepsy, pre-surgical mapping, stroke, schizophrenia, stuttering, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, autism, aging and neurodegeneration, MEG applications in cognitive neuropharmacology and an overview of the major open-source analysis tools.


We monitored water nutrient concentrations, periphyton biomass, and periphyton cellular nutrient concentrations in run and riffle habitats at sites representative of headwater, mid-catchment and lowland valley segments of a grassland river for two years, and community composition on four occasions during this period, to determine how these communities varied spatially and temporally as a function of downstream changes in hydraulic conditions, flood disturbance regimes and enrichment. Predictions of community biomass and structure were tested under a proposed habitat matrix conceptual model for periphyton. Discharge increased and valley segment slope decreased in a downstream direction as expected from geomorphic models of catchment processes. However, site-specific depths and velocities did not change systematically down the river. Water nutrient concentrations suggested a change from nitrogen limitation of primary production at the headwater site to phosphorus limitation at the lowland site. This was associated with a downstream increase in stream nitrate concentrations, but not phosphorus. However, cellular nutrient concentrations and instream nutrient bioassays suggested either N limitation, or weak N and P limitation, at all sites. In runs, mean monthly chlorophyll-a did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among the three sites, but it did in riffles. The differences in community biomass between run and riffle habitats were more significant than differences among sites. Periphyton community structure in the runs was similar among valley segments during a period of frequent flood disturbances, but during a period of infrequent disturbances communities in the headwater sites were dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria whereas in the mid-catchment and lowland sites they were dominated by nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and diatoms. Major differences in community structure occurred in riffles among the sites. Riffle communities at the headwater site were dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria and diatoms, whereas at the mid-catchment and lowland sites filamentous green algae and diatoms were dominant, possibly a result of increased nitrate concentrations progressing downstream. Overall; a downstream gradient in nitrate enrichment appeared to control biomass and community composition of the riffle communities, but not the run communities. Strong grazer activity in runs during more hydrologically stable periods at the lowland site appeared to override any response to nutrients and maintained biomass at low levels. Periphyton biomass and community composition was predicted more accurately from the habitat matrix conceptual model based on local habitat factors than by expected downstream gradients in hydraulic conditions and enrichment.


Water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of gross primary productivity and evapotranspiration at the ecosystem scale, is a critical variable linking the carbon and water cycles. Incorporating a dependency on vapor pressure deficit, apparent underlying WUE (uWUE) provides a better indicator of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to environmental changes than other WUE formulations. Here we used 20th century simulations from four terrestrial biosphere models to develop a novel variance decomposition method. With this method, we attributed variations in apparent uWUE to both the trend and interannual variation of environmental drivers. The secular increase in atmospheric CO2 explained a clear majority of total variation (66 ± 32%: mean ± one standard deviation), followed by positive trends in nitrogen deposition and climate, as well as a negative trend in land use change. In contrast, interannual variation was mostly driven by interannual climate variability. To analyze the mechanism of the CO2 effect, we partitioned the apparent uWUE into the transpiration ratio (transpiration over evapotranspiration) and potential uWUE. The relative increase in potential uWUE parallels that of CO2, but this direct CO2 effect was offset by 20 ± 4% by changes in ecosystem structure, that is, leaf area index for different vegetation types. However, the decrease in transpiration due to stomatal closure with rising CO2 was reduced by 84% by an increase in leaf area index, resulting in small changes in the transpiration ratio. CO2 concentration thus plays a dominant role in driving apparent uWUE variations over time, but its role differs for the two constituent components: potential uWUE and transpiration.


We report on a query compilation technique that enables the construction of alternative efficient query providers for Microsoft's Language Integrated Query (LINQ) framework. LINQ programs are mapped into an intermediate algebraic form, suitable for execution on any SQL:1999-capable relational database system. This compilation technique leads to query providers that (1) faithfully preserve list order and nesting, both being core features of the LINQ data model, (2) support the complete family of LINQ's Standard Query Operators, (3) bring database support to LINQ to XML where the original provider performs in-memory query evaluation, and, most importantly, (4) emit SQL statement sequences whose size is only determined by the input query's result type (and thus independent of the database size). A sample query scenario uses this LINQ provider to marry database-resident TPC-H and XMark data---resulting in a unique query experience that exhibits quite promising performance characteristics, especially for large data instances.


This study examined the reliability, factorial validity, and measurement equivalence of the Noctcaelador Inventory (NI) among three ethnic groups of college students. Participants included 200 Whites, 200 African Americans, and 200 Latino/Hispanics. The results indicated that although the African American sample scored slightly lower than the White and Hispanic samples, the internal consistencies were identical for all three samples. Factor structures were consistently unidimensional and accounted for a similar percentage of variance for all groups as well. It was concluded that the NI is suitably valid, reliable, and equivalent for White, African American, and Latino/Hispanic college students. ********** A recent survey found that 17.8% of college students endorsed viewing the night-sky at least once a night (Kelly, Kelly, & Batey, 2006). Research has also found that students with an interest in night-sky watching were apt to make certain life-decisions and allocate their time and energy to increase opportunities to view the night-sky (Kelly, 2004a; Kelly et al., 2006). Given that a substantial number of students obviously place some importance on night-sky watching, it might be beneficial for educational researchers to better understand individual differences of this segment of the student population. Noctcaelador and its Measurement Factor analytic studies have found that a single factor, or construct, accounted for the majority of the variance in students' night-sky watching attitudes, interests, and self-reported behaviors (Kelly, 2003, 2006a; Kelly & Kelly, 2003). Using Latin word parts, Kelly (2003) termed this construct noctcaelador, tentatively defined as an "emotional attachment to, or adoration of, the night-sky" (p. 196). The primary instrument used to measure noctcaelador has been the Noctcaelador Inventory (NI; Kelly, 2004a). The NI appears to tap several aspects of night-sky related psychological phenomena, such as behavior, attitudes, attachment, and coping (Kelly, 2006a; Kelly & Daughtry, 2007). Previous studies examining noctcaelador have found the NI to correlate with two primary clusters of variables in student samples: 1) a curious, rational cognitive style (i.e., Kelly, 2004b, 2005a, 2005b) and 2) openness to unusual, novel experiences and thought processes (Kelly & Daughtry, 2005; Kelly, 2006b, 2007). Assessment and Ethnodiversity An important element of understanding a construct is its measurement (Anastasi & Urbina, 1997). In a multicultural environment it is especially important to ensure that measurement devices be reliable, valid, and demonstrate measurement equivalence across diverse ethnic groups (American Psychological Association, 2002). Despite the need for culturally equivalent measures, several instruments have been developed using relatively homogeneous samples (i.e., a measure of forgiveness by McCullough et al., 1998), or with no indication of the ethnic makeup of the samples (i.e., the Perceived Stress Scale by Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983; the Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale by Thorson & Powell, 1993). The NI is another such instrument. The ethnic distribution of the sample was not reported in the article that described the development of the measure (Kelly, 2004a). An examination of the original data, however, revealed that 80% (119) of the 150 participant sample used to develop the NI was White, 17% (25) were African American, and less than 1% (1) Hispanic. These are three of the largest, current and projected for the next 50 years, ethnic groups in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004). However, they are not well represented in the sample used to develop the NI. The Current Study As previously noted, when using an assessment instrument with diverse populations, it is important to ensure that the measure is equally valid for different ethnic groups. …


Abstract On 21 January 2017, the day after a bitterly contested presidential inauguration, nearly 5 million women and men marched and protested in 673 places across the globe – under the banner of the Women's March. The March exceeded and expanded expectations on many levels, from organizational projections to media classifications to scholarly analysis. One aspect of the March – and its ongoing repercussions – that has eluded attention is its latent links to and alliances with women-led agrarian movements underway in the United States and internationally. Rendering the March merely urban does a disservice to the subtle ways agricultural politics and even agrarian resistance permeated its political messages. I argue that a feminist political ecology analysis – particularly a postcolonial, intersectional one rooted in anti-racism and anti-classism and following the lead of Black agrarian womanism – helps elucidate the latent alignments between and among the Women's March and transnational women-led agrarian movements, such as those of La Via Campesina. As such, the burgeoning field of feminist political ecology is well-equipped to help connect the applied intersectional visions at work in the Women's March with those of agrarian feminist movements, even as this task provides an important intellectual opportunity for political ecology itself.


The article explores the static spatial meaning of basic prepositions in Hieroglyphic Ancient Egyptian, as compared to eight modern target languages. The tertium comparationis is the typological-linguistic tool of the Topological Relations Picture Series. The author identifies as the basic meanings of some Egyptian prepositions: m IN and FROM; r ATTACHED, CLOSE_TO, and TO; ḥr SUPERIOR (i.e. VERT_ON + ABOVE) and AT; and ẖr INFERIOR (i.e. UNDER + BELOW); as well as m ẖnw INSIDE and WITHIN, and IN_THE_MIDDLE; dp (trad. tp) head.LOC, AT_TOP, and AHEAD; ḥr dp ON_TOP and ABOVE. Further, he highlights the case of the conflation of the meanings BEHIND and AROUND in ḥA, as well as the phenomenon of a 'Paradoxical Figure–Ground Reversal' as exemplified by Egyptian wrrt m dp (lit. great_crown IN head) 'the Great Crown on the head'. Finally, the author suggests decomposing the dynamic meanings of prepositions as well as the dynamic meanings of verbs. He supports the analysis that, in contrast to e.g. English, in dynamic contexts, Egyptian prepositions often only encode the static source or goal configuration, but not the path proper.


In this paper we present an outcrop example of coarse-grained sediment waves generated by hyperpycnal discharges at the toe of Miocene clinoform systems exposed in the northeast Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. An individual set of these sediment waves is formed during the waxing and waning phases of the hyperpycnal discharge. During the waxing phase, accumulation of coarse-grained sediments with generation and migration of dune bedforms occurs at the base of the clinoforms. These deposits show transitions of tractive sedimentary structures with evidence of bedload transport, and a continuous reworking by the overpassing hyperpycnal flow. The continued erosion and reworking during the waxing phase affect mainly the top and the stoss side of the dunes, resulting in isolated lenses having upcurrent aggradation structures. During the waning phase, these isolated lenses are covered by fine-grained heterolithic strata that are thicker on the stoss side than on the lee side, constituting a differential draping. The pulsating and sustained character of the hyperpycnal flows and the steep depositional slope clinoforms controlled the stacking pattern of the coarse-grained sediment waves during successive hyperpycnal events. In this way, small-scale, coarse-grained sediment waves, with wavelengths of 10–40 m and up to 5 m amplitude, and a stacking pattern showing an up-current growth, are generated by high-density hyperpycnal flows on slopes having steep gradients.


This study emerged from a study of the Book of Revelation
originally undertaken in the Bible study programme of a
local Baptist Church congregation in Kingston, Jamaica.
Soon, dissatisfaction was felt by the writer, who had
conducted the study, concerning the methodological
procedure adopted and the practical relevance achieved.
Insights gained from the Theology of Liberation, its own
methodological procedure in general and hermeneutical
approach in particular, showed up the inadequacies of the
approach that had been adopted and also suggested
possibilities which have become the basis of this present
study. There resulted a heightened appreciation of the
book including fresh awareness of its significance for
the contemporary world, particularly the so-called Third
World.

There seems to be a certain structural correlation and
correspondence of experience between the context and
people of the book's focus and the context and peoples of
Today's Third World. The context was one of oppression
and the. experience one of struggle and endurance. The
Book represents reflection on engagement in solidarity
and struggle against oppression, on the part of its
writer and his fellow-believers. The reflection took
place in the light of the Word of God, the book being
greatly influenced by the Old Testament in particular,
without it being quoted and by the inspiration of the
Spirit. Self-Conscious Contextual orientation, practical
commitment, prophetic consciousness, political
sensitivity, ecclesial framework of action and witness
and liberative hope soteriologically grounded and
eschatologically focussed are significant features of the
reflection. These features which are themselves
anticipatory of certain insights of the theology of
liberation give the Book very powerful meaning and
effective relevance particularly for the Third World
experience.

The book's significance is, however, not exhausted by
the particular contextual relevance emphasised. It
combines remarkably the contextual and cosmic, thus
indicating quite instructively that the contextual and
universal are not necessarily mutually exclusive realms
for theological reflection that is self consciously
contextual.


This paper measures changes in electricity generation costs caused by the introduction of market mechanisms to determine output decisions in service areas that were previously using command-and-control-type operations. I use the staggered transition to markets from 1999- 2012 to evaluate the causal impact of liberalization using a nationwide panel of hourly data on electricity demand and unit-level costs, capacities, and output. To address the potentially confounding effects of unrelated fuel price changes, I use machine learning methods to predict the allocation of output to generating units in the absence of markets for counterfactual production patterns. I find that markets reduce production costs by $3B per year by reallocating output among existing power plants: Gains from trade across service areas increase by 20% based on a 10% increase in traded electricity, and costs from using uneconomical units fall 20% from a 10% reduction in their operation.


We present a weak-lensing analysis of the z ≃ 1.4 galaxy cluster XMMU J2235.3 − 2557, based on deep Advanced Camera for Surveys images. Despite the observational challenge set by the high redshift of the lens, we detect a substantial lensing signal at the ≳8σ level. This clear detection is enabled in part by the high mass of the cluster, which is verified by our both parametric and non-parametric estimation of the cluster mass. Assuming that the cluster follows a Navarro–Frenk–White mass profile, we estimate that the projected mass of the cluster within r = 1 Mpc is (8.5 ± 1.7) × 1014 M☉, where the error bar includes the statistical uncertainty of the shear profile, the effect of possible interloping background structures, the scatter in concentration parameter, and the error in our estimation of the mean redshift of the background galaxies. The high X-ray temperature 8.6+1.3−1.2 keV of the cluster recently measured with Chandra is consistent with this high lensing mass. When we adopt the 1σ lower limit as a mass threshold and use the cosmological parameters favored by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5-year (WMAP5) result, the expected number of similarly massive clusters at z ≳ 1.4 in the 11 square degree survey is N ∼ 5 × 10−3. Therefore, the discovery of the cluster within the survey volume is a rare event with a probability ≲1% and may open new scenarios in our current understanding of cluster formation within the standard cosmological model.


Raycasting is the most common target pointing technique in virtual reality environments. However, performance on small and distant targets is impacted by the accuracy of the pointing device and the user's motor skills. Current pointing facilitation techniques are currently only applied in the context of the virtual hand, i.e. for targets within reach. We propose enhancements to Raycasting: filtering the ray, and adding a controllable cursor on the ray to select the nearest target. We describe a series of studies for the design of the visual feedforward, filtering technique, as well as a comparative study between different 3D pointing techniques. Our results show that highlighting the nearest target is one of the most efficient visual feedforward technique. We also show that filtering the ray reduces error rate in a drastic way. Finally we show the benefits of RayCursor compared to Raycasting and another technique from the literature.


The present study was motivated by the paucity of reports on cellular internalization of ingested titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (nano‐TiO2). The model invertebrate (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea) was exposed to food dosed with nano‐TiO2 containing 100, 1,000, 3,000, or 5,000 µg nano‐TiO2 per gram of food. After 14 d of exposure, the amount of Ti in the entire body was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses of tissue cross sections were performed by particle induced X‐ray emission. In addition, a series of toxicological markers including feeding parameters, weight change, and survival, as well as cytotoxic effects such as digestive gland cell membrane stability, were monitored. Internalization of ingested nano‐TiO2 by the isopod's digestive gland epithelial cells was shown to depend on cell membrane integrity. Cell membranes were found to be destabilized by TiO2 particles, and at higher extracellular concentrations of nano‐TiO2, the nanoparticles were internalized. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1083–1090. © 2012 SETAC


Recently, thyroid diseases are more and more spread worldwide. In Romania, for example, one of eight women suffers from hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer. Various research studies estimate that about 30% of Romanians are diagnosed with endemic goiter. Factors that affect the thyroid function are: stress, infection, trauma, toxins, low-calorie diet, certain medication etc. It is very important to prevent such diseases rather than cure them, because the majority of treatments consist in long term medication or in chirurgical intervention. The current study refers to thyroid disease classification in two of the most common thyroid dysfunctions (hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) among the population. The authors analyzed and compared four classification models: Naive Bayes, Decision Tree, Multilayer Perceptron and Radial Basis Function Network. The results indicate a significant accuracy for all the classification models mentioned above, the best classification rate being that of the Decision Tree model. The data set used to build and to validate the classifier was provided by UCI machine learning repository and by a website with Romanian data. The framework for building and testing the classification models was KNIME Analytics Platform and Weka, two data mining software.


Recent studies of active matter have stimulated interest in the driven self-assembly of complex structures. Phenomenological modeling of particular examples has yielded insight, but general thermodynamic principles unifying the rich diversity of behaviors observed have been elusive. Here, we study the stochastic search of a toy chemical space by a collection of reacting Brownian particles subject to periodic forcing. We observe the emergence of an adaptive resonance in the system matched to the drive frequency, and show that the increased work absorption by these resonant structures is key to their stabilization. Our findings are consistent with a recently proposed thermodynamic mechanism for far-from-equilibrium self-organization.


Level sets have been established as highly versatile implicit surface representations, with widespread use in graphics applications including modeling and dynamic simulation. Nevertheless, level sets are often presumed to be limited, compared to explicit meshes, in their ability to represent domains with thin topological features (e.g. narrow slits and gaps) or, even worse, material overlap. Geometries with such features may arise from modeling tools that tolerate occasional self-intersections, fracture modeling algorithms that create narrow or zero-width cuts by design, or as transient states in collision processing pipelines for deformable objects. Converting such models to level sets can alter their topology if thin features are not resolved by the grid size. We argue that this ostensible limitation is not an inherent defect of the implicit surface concept, but a collateral consequence of the standard Cartesian lattice used to store the level set values. We propose storing signed distance values on a regular hexahedral mesh which can have multiple collocated cubic elements and non-manifold bifurcation to accommodate non-trivial topology. We show how such non-manifold level sets can be systematically generated from convenient alternative geometric representations. Finally we demonstrate how this representation can facilitate fast and robust treatment of self-collision in simulations of volumetric elastic deformable bodies.


Pushing-up and torque slip tests were performed using model propeller boss (AlBC3), tiller boss of steering gear (SC410) and shaft (SF440A) to investigate friction behavior of the keyless tapered surfaces and to find out a clue of countermeasures of torque slip problem. As the results of experiments, (1) The coefficients of friction of propeller including pushing-up and torque slip tests are 0.15-0.20 under dry condition. On the other hand, the coefficients of steering gear in dry fit shows higher than 0.20 due to strong adhesion of similar metals. (2) MoS2 lubricant and anti-rust agent NP-19at the contact surfaces predominantly decrease friction and easily cause torque slip. (3) The coefficients of friction in elastoplastic deformation of boss is slightly higher than those in elastic one. From the practical aspect, it is proposed that boss is pushed up into shaft nearly to the upper limit of an allowable pushing-up distance in order to prevent an accident of torque slip.


1. Fish of the family Galaxiidae are restricted to the southern hemisphere where they occupy a
diverse array of habitats ranging from over 2000m in elevation to sea level. Some species are
diadromous and, hence, freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats are used during their life-cycle;
other species complete their entire life-cycles in freshwater environments.
2. Tasmania has a diverse galaxiid fauna that accounts for 64% of native freshwater fish species
found on the island. The Tasmanian galaxiid fauna is characterized by high species richness
(5 genera and 16 species), endemism (11 species), restricted distributions, and non-diadromous life
histories (11 species).
3. The galaxiid fauna of Tasmania has significant conservation status with 69% of species
considered 'threatened'. The conservation status of the fauna is recognized at State, national and
international levels.
4. The key threats to galaxiids in Tasmania are exotic species, hydrological manipulations,
restricted distributions, general habitat degradation and exploitation of stocks.
5. Although work has recently been undertaken to conserve and manage Tasmanian galaxiid
populations, the fauna is still thought to be imperilled. Knowledge gaps that need to be addressed
include the biology and ecology of most species (e.g. reproductive biology, life histories, habitat use
and requirements) and impacts of habitat manipulations, as well as mechanisms and impacts of
interactions with exotic species. Techniques to monitor accurately the status of galaxiid species and
their populations need to be developed and the coexistence of some galaxiids with introduced
salmonids should also be examined.


We develop a Bayesian approach to learning from sequential data by using Gaussian processes (GPs) with so-called signature kernels as covariance functions. This allows to make sequences of different length comparable and to rely on strong theoretical results from stochastic analysis. Signatures capture sequential structure with tensors that can scale unfavourably in sequence length and state space dimension. To deal with this, we introduce a sparse variational approach with inducing tensors. We then combine the resulting GP with LSTMs and GRUs to build larger models that leverage the strengths of each of these approaches and benchmark the resulting GPs on multivariate time series (TS) classification datasets. Code available at this https URL.


The use of historical data has become a standard tool in economics, serving three main purposes: to examine the influence of the past on current economic outcomes; to use unique natural experiments to test modern economic theories; and to use modern economic theories to refine our understanding of important historical events. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the types of historical data most commonly used in economic research and discuss a variety of issues that they raise, such as the constant change in national and administrative borders; the reshuffling of ethnic groups due to migration, colonialism, natural disasters, and many other forces. We also point out which methodological advances allow economists to overcome or minimize these problems.


Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of oil from Calophyllum inophyllum Linn seeds was studied and the effects of four factors (extraction time, ultrasound power, extraction temperature, and liquid to solid (L/S) ratio) on the oil yield were optimised by using a statistical tool. Specifically, the optimisation was carried out by employing a BoxBehnken statistical experimental design. The experimental data were fitted to a quadratic model using multiple regression analysis giving high determination coefficient value (R) of 0.984. The predicted oil yield was optimum (56.2%) when the extraction were conducted for 21 min, 210 W ultrasound power, 42°C extraction temperature and 21 ml/g L/S ratio. Based on the model summary statistics, the experimental values agreed closely with the predicted values, indicating an excellent fit of the model used. The results indicated that Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was effective for optimising the UAE conditions of oil from C. inophyllum seeds.


Humankind, in its technological development, is increasingly utilizing both mineral resources from Earth's interior and developing the rock mass as a resource in itself. In this paper we review the types of anthropogenic intrusion, at different depth ranges, that can modify the physical structure and chemistry of the subsurface. Using examples from across the world, but with emphasis on the UK, and physical models of the induced modifications, we predict what kind of subsurface signatures a geologist of the future might recognize as anthropogenic, including boreholes, tunnels and caverns, waste and resource storage facilities, mineral workings and military test traces. The potential of these anthropogenic signatures to be discriminated from natural analogues is discussed against known or modelled processes of deterioration and transformation over geological timescales of millennia or longer.


Modern communication networks have fueled the creation of massive volumes of data that may be valued as relevant information for business activities. In this paper, we review technologies for enabling and empowering business activities, leveraging the content of this big data. We distinguish between data- and user-related technologies, and study the parallel brought by the overlap of these categories. We show how the trend of Big Data is related to data security and user privacy. We then investigate automated ways of performing data analysis for Business Intelligence. We finally review how groups of users may be seen as a workforce in business through the notion of human computation or crowdsourcing, associated with the notions of trust and reputation. We conclude by discussing emerging trends in the domain.


Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. These cells possess the ability to differentiate into all cell types of the three germ-layers and to proliferate indefinitely. In defined conditions ES cells are committed to the mesodermal lineage and differentiate, amongst other cell types, into cardiomyocytes (CMs). The processes underlying mesodermal and subsequent cardiac differentiation are yet only partially understood. Catecholamine release is well known to modulate heart rate and force in adult mammals. Despite first evidence, only little is known about an involvement of catecholamines during embryonic heart development. Therefore the work aimed to investigate in more detail whether catecholamines are involved in the process of ES cell cardiac differentiation in vitro.
 Effects of catecholamine depletion induced by reserpine were investigated during murine D3 PIG44 ES cell differentiation. Reserpine is a drug blocking vesicular storage of monoamines, and as a result depletes cells of the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. Cardiac differentiation was assessed by quantification of beating clusters, immunocytochemistry, molecular biology, flowcytometry and pharmacological approaches. Proliferation and cytotoxicity was evaluated by embryoid body cross-section measurements and impedance monitoring, while functional characterization of CMs was performed using extracellular field potential (FP) recordings with microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Involvement of -adrenoceptor signaling was studied differentiating ES cells in the presence of reserpine and isoproterenol. To further discriminate between drug-specific effects of reserpine and catecholamine action via adrenergic receptors we applied the unspecific α- and β-receptor antagonists phentolamine and propranolol during differentiation.
 Reserpine treatment led to a remarkable reduction of beating cardiac clusters, down-regulation of cardiac proteins actinin and troponinT and delayed mesodermal and cardiac gene expression. In more detail, the average ratio of ~40% spontaneously beating control clusters was significantly reduced by 100%, 91.1% and 20.0% on days 10, 12, and 14, respectively. In line, significant reduction by 71.6% (n=11) of eGFP expressing CMs after reserpine treatment was revealed by flowcytometry. Reserpine neither reduced EB size nor acted cytotoxic on CMs, while an increased numbers of neuronal cells were observed. MEA measurements with reserpine-treated EBs showed lower FP frequencies and weak responsiveness to adrenergic and muscarinic stimulation. Co-application of isoproterenol and reserpine during differentiation partially rescued cardiac development. The developmental inhibition after α- and β-adrenergic blocker application mimicked developmental changes with reserpine and proved an involvement of adrenergic receptors in the process. We conclude that catecholamines and adrenergic signaling play a critical role during cardiac development in ES cells.
 Since we experienced the ES cell/MEA model as useful for pharmacological approaches, we wondered as a next step whether pluripotent ES cell-derived CMs could be used for safety pharmacological drug screening with cardio-active compounds. Concentration/response was tested in rhesus monkey and human ES cell- and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs (rESCMs, hESCMs and, hiPSCMs, respectively) for different drugs at increasing concentrations.
 Empirical observation under physiologic positive and negative chronotropic drug-stimulation showed negative correlations of FP duration (FPDur) and beating frequency (negative FP/f correlation). Negative FP/f correlation persisted independent of cell lines in hESCMs and hiPSCMs. In contrast, FP/f correlations changed to positive values in the presence of E4031 and sotalol in a concentration-dependent manner.
 Therefore, it was concluded that safety pharmacological drug-screening is feasible using ES cell-derived CMs and MEAs independent of cell lines and species origin. Furthermore a novel method to qualitatively evaluate QT-time/repolarization prolonging drug effects based on FP/f correlations is sugested. The results may help to reduce cost-intensive clinical trials and, above all, to reduce the number of animal experiments.


Purpose of reviewImmunodeficient mice that lack all lymphocyte subsets and have phagocytic cells that are tolerant of human cells can be stably xenografted with human hematopoietic stem cell as well as other human tissues (fetal liver and thymus) creating 'human immune system' (HIS) mice. HIS mice develop all major human lymphocyte classes (B, T, natural killer, and innate lymphoid cell) and their specialized subsets as well as a variety of myeloid cells (dendritic cell, monocytes, and macrophages) thereby providing a small animal model in which to interrogate human immune responses to infection. Recent findingsHIS mouse models have been successfully used to study several aspects of HIV-1 biology, including viral life cycle (entry, restriction, replication, and spread) as well as virus-induced immunopathology (CD4+ T-cell depletion, immune activation, and mucosal inflammation). Recent work has shown that HIV reservoirs can be established in HIV-infected HIS mice after treatment with combinations of antiretroviral drugs thereby providing a model to test new approaches to eliminate latently infected cells. SummaryHIS mice provide cost-effective preclinical platform to assess combination immunotherapies that can target HIV reservoirs. Therapeutic strategies validated in HIS mice should be considered in designing the roadmap toward HIV 'cure'.


The optical Kerr effect was measured with 130-fs laser pulses for a variety of metal-doped silicate glasses, including pairs of glasses with comparable refractive index and Abbe number but different dopant cations. The nonlinear response appeared to be instantaneous within the resolution of the experiment, matching the measured autocorrelation function of the incident laser pulses, and therefore potentially useful in ultrafast photonic switching applications. We explain the absence of any detectable slow nuclear components through a detailed time-domain analysis of the contributions to an optical Kerr effect measurement made with ultrashort pulses. This analysis describes nonresonant vibrational contributions that are temporally indistinguishable from electronic contributions. The measured third-order susceptibilities of the Ti-, Nb-, and La-doped glasses were significantly overestimated by semiempirical models based on linear material parameters, such as the model developed by Lines [J. Appl. Phys.69, 6876 (1991)] and the equation given by Boling–Glass–Owyoung [IEEE J. Quantum Electron.QE-14, 601 (1978)].


The communication in Mobile Adhoc Networks play a vital role in situations like natural calamities or military operations, but due to the dynamic nature of the adhoc networks, it is very important to take care of the security issues, one of the major security issues is the detection of compromised node. The calculation of trust values on the neighboring nodes can significantly solve this problem. This paper presents the calculation of trust values based on the threshold value, if trust value of a node goes beyond the predefined threshold, it is considered to be malicious. The trust value of a node is calculated by taking average of all the trust values for the node. The proposed scheme will be able to detect and isolate the compromised node from the network.


Is there a small group of juveniles responsible for a large proportion of juvenile crime? Is it possible to identify the most persistent young offenders? How does the criminal justice system cope with them? This book explores the findings of the first British study of persistent young offenders. Based on a sample of several hundred young people who had been arrested three times or more in one year, it considers the nature and extent of their offending and examines their experiences of the criminal justice system. In addition, different methods of identifying the most persistent offenders are assessed. The backgrounds, criminal histories, educational experiences, contact with welfare and the use of drugs and alcohol by these young offenders are all considered, and the results are used to evaluate current proposals for dealing with the problem of persistent offending by young people.


A citric acid producing yeast strain Saccharomycopsis lipolytic 5054 formerly known as Candida lipolytica was used throughout the study.
The strain was obtained from Thailand Institute of Scientific and
Technological Research (TISTR). A preliminary study on the development for
the optimization of the fermentation process was conducted. The experiments included the effect of medium contents such as CaC03 and initial glucose
concentrations, inoculum size, agitation rates, KLa (volumetric oxygen transfer
coefficient) and dissolved oxygen concentrations.
From the preliminary experiments, Medium I (l0% glucose, 0.1% yeast
extract, 0.1% MgS04.7H20, 0.2% NH4CI, 0.1% KH2PO, 1% CaC03, pH 6.6)
was selected as the fermentation medium throughout the study. The optimum
growth temperature and inoculum size was 30°C and 10%, respectively. 1%
CaC03 (w/v) was selected as the optimum concentration. The highest KLa
obtained was 29.6 hour-I at the agitation rate of 700 rpm using the Rushton
turbine impeller. This impeller speed was employed during the studies on
optimum dissolved oxygen concentration, where the highest citric acid
production obtained was 11.6 giL during fermentation at 50% (20 mg/L)
dissolved oxygen concentration. The optimum fermentation period was 50
hours where the exponential phase ended and the stationary phase started.


There is widespread discussion about the need to develop and enhance the career prospects of PhD graduates, and many Canadian universities are seeking to provide professional development programs and mentorship specifically for doctoral students. This paper considers doctoral career preparation from thedepartment level through an in-depth examination of how Canadian political science departments approach the issue, drawing on a survey of department chairs. We find that departments are supportive of professional development; while departments are not in the position to provide extensive programs andstruggle to integrate efforts systematically, they are well-positioned to participate in collaborative approaches and welcome improved communication and coordination. We argue that graduate faculties should consult with departments and engage them in professional development program design, perhapstailoring to specific disciplines as needed, and that departments should look for opportunities to work with graduate faculties before initiating their own programs.


The ac field dependence of dielectric response of sol-gel derived Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thin films is presented. The analysis of amplitude and phase angle of first and third harmonic of the polarization at subswitching fields shows that a description of the dielectric nonlinearity by the classical polynomial approximation is inadequate. A qualitatively better description of many features of the experimental data is obtained using the Rayleigh relationship, indicating that the nonlinear behavior is associated with the pinning of domain walls on randomly distributed pinning centers.


The book of Isaiah is complex when one considers the reconstruction of the processes of its formation and transmission. If these complexities are examined more closely, it is apparent that there is a multiplicity of dimensions to the book. In order to discover the distinctive and unique characteristics of the book of Isaiah, we are forced to see the book within the wider context of other Hebrew literature. In this article, I examine one specific aspect of this book, namely some of the parallels that exist between the figure of Moses and its eponymous prophet. The deuteronomic depiction of Moses as the first prophet amidst the wilderness generation provided a major thematic force inspiring the redactors of the Book of Isaiah in their presentation of the prophet Isaiah. We get to know Isaiah as a prophet who, in his own historical context, continues the teachings of Moses, which enhances his authority. His words (Is 1:2−3) contain references to words spoken by Moses in Deuteronomy (Dt 32), and his call (Is 6) echoes that of Moses. The Torah of Moses is thus continued in the words and teaching of Isaiah.


Freehand gestural interaction, that is gestures performed mid air without holding an input device or wearing markers for tracking, are increasingly being used as an interaction technique for a range of devices and applications. Unlike traditional point-and-click interfaces, gestural interfaces typically provide the user with different freehand gestures for different tasks. For example, whereas opening a music player, selecting a song and moving forward in a playlist are typically accomplished using a series of mouse clicks in a desktop environment, gestural interfaces might provide the user with different freehand gestures for open, play and move forward. Therefore one of the challenges for designers, and users, is the need to support the learning of potentially large sets of freehand gestures. However, it is unclear whether a learnt freehand gesture, designed for a particular task on a particular device or application, can be transferred by the user to perform analogous tasks on different, and potentially unknown, devices and applications. In this thesis we address this challenge answering the research question, "how can we support the transfer of learning of freehand gestures across different devices and applications"? Where transfer of learning is the application of knowledge learnt in one context to a new context, for example, performing previously learnt freehand gestures to interact with different devices and applications. Drawing on previous work we develop an understanding of how designers can support the transfer of learning of freehand gestures. In particular, two mechanisms are investigated which, if supported, can facilitate transfer of learning: learning new material to automaticity and mindful abstraction, i.e. gaining an understanding of the underlying principle, technique, strategy, etc. The literature suggests that supporting both of these mechanisms can improve both the learning and the transfer of learning of freehand gestures. Building on this understanding, a series of related studies are designed and conducted. The results of these studies inform recommendations for designers on (i) how to support both mechanisms of transfer of learning for new users of freehand gestures and (ii) the effects that supporting these mechanisms are likely to have on the transfer of learning of freehand gestures. Additionally, the results of these studies provide metrics which allow designers to predict and evaluate both the ease of learning and the ease of transfer of learning of freehand gestures.


Problem statement: Various methods are used to counter the population of Cyperus iria in rice fields and among the most common method are chemical approaches. Chemical control methods are preferred by rice farmers due to their efficacy, speed, ease of storage and affordable cost. The concern of chemical herbicides is on its effects on the environment. Less attention had been given to biological control methods. Limitations such as host specificity, formulations and storage requirements are some of the obstacles that have to be overcome before implementation. Although it is environmentally friendly, a total shift from chemical control methods to biological seems unreasonable. Therefore incorporation of biological control with reduced chemical herbicides is expected to produce a better and sustainable control of weeds. Approach: A study was conducted to determine the potential of using Exserohilum rostratum as a biocontrol agent (incorporated with chemical herbicide, bentazone) to control Cyperus iria. The biocontrol agent (E. rostratum) was confirmed to be pathogenic to C. iria by applying Koch's postulates. Preliminary laboratory experiments were carried out to ensure the interactions within the mixture was not inhibitory. Results: Bentazone was confirmed to be compatible with E. rostratum with an ED50 value of 22064570.0 µgai mL-1. In order to determine the efficacy of the incorporations, several mixtures were tested in a greenhouse environment. It was found that the mixtures of E. rostratum (106 spores mL-1) with bentazone (0.4 kgai ha-1) was significantly a better control of Cyperus iria compared to the usage of bentazone alone (0.4 kgai ha-1) and spores alone (106 spores mL-1). It was significantly more effective than the mixture of RBD palm oil (10%), Tween 80 (5%) and spores (106 spores mL-1) which acted as the conventional bioherbicide approach. Synergistic effects were exhibited with 50% less herbicide concentrations from the recommended rates. The mixture exhibited 50% disease severity in 3.5 days compare to bentazone alone which requires 4.9 days and the conventional bioherbicide mixture was relatively less effective requiring 4.7 days. The mixture of spores alone required 7.6 days to achieve 50% disease severity. This suggests that the mixture can save 50% of the cost on bentazone while providing a faster control. Conclusion: The incorporations were confirmed to be successful in providing a better and environmentally friendlier method than the conventional methods of weed control.


We have obtained room-temperature transient infrared difference spectra of the M412 photoproduct of bacteriorhodopsin (bR) by using a "rapid-sweep" Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) technique that permits the collection of an entire spectrum (extending from 1000 to 2000 cm-1 with 8-cm-1 resolution) in 5 ms. These spectra exhibit less than 10(-4) absorbance unit of noise, even utilizing wet samples containing approximately 10 pmol of bR in the measuring beam. The bR----M transient difference spectrum is similar to FT-IR difference spectra previously obtained under conditions where M decay was blocked (low temperature or low humidity). In particular, the transient spectrum exhibits a set of vibrational difference bands that were previously attributed to protonation changes of several tyrosine residues on the basis of isotopic derivative spectra of M at low temperature. Our rapid-sweep FT-IR spectra demonstrate that these tyrosine/tyrosinate bands are also present under more physiological conditions. Despite the overall similarity to the low-temperature and low-humidity spectra, the room-temperature bR----M transient difference spectrum shows significant additional features in the amide I and amide II regions. These features' presence suggests that a small alteration of the protein backbone accompanies M formation under physiological conditions and that this conformational change is inhibited in the absence of liquid water.


This practice-based PhD takes the institution of the archive as its primary locus, and the position of the photograph within it. This approach opens up an interdisciplinary and post-representational investigation into the photographic image and its relationship to the companion descriptive text, as well as instigating a consideration of the structure and the management of both objects and descriptions in an archive situation. More specifically, the model of the visual content-based archive description is taken out of the confines of the institution and into visual practice. Different kinds of sets and collections of photographs are examined here, as well as traditional archives, but all through techniques of archival description, listing and organisation. The restricted institutional language structure becomes a conceptual writing technique when employed within this archive-related art practice. Positioned outside of the field of hermeneutical image analysis, this writing system is a form of information management, and, following archival conventions, does not attempt to assign meaning to the objects with which it engages. The practice predominantly takes the form of moving image or performance, always with text present (written or spoken). The image itself, paralleling a common archival situation, is often hidden or obscured, and the description allows a novel exploration of the image to take place and to be discussed. The largely decontextualised type of visual content-based description used emphasises the discrete and atemporal nature of the photograph and the synchrony of the moment of capture. It is acknowledged though, that the message and meaning of the single image is located outside of this moment of capture, and so may be subject to some speculation. The spatiotemporal context of the image, denied by the visual contentbased description, is brought back through 'reading' the archived image in its natural habitat, the archive list or catalogue. This relational situation reveals the fixed associations between images themselves and between images and their wider organisational structures. The description is ultimately identified as a 'narrative pause' (Fowler: 1991, p.25), and is celebrated as such. Inside the indexical and diachronic arrangement of the archive, images and descriptions are viewed through something other than a narrative gaze, as lists, and the juxtapositions therein, expose the acutely shallow time and non-chronological advancement of the archive.


Today marks the release of the much-anticipated report by the African Union's (AU) High Level Panel on Darfur. The Panel, led by former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, was convened earlier this year to examine the situation in Darfur and to come up with recommendations to address issues of accountability, combating impunity, and bringing about healing and reconciliation for the people of Darfur. I am attending a special session of AU Peace and Security Council in Abuja, Nigeria, where a number of African heads of state are reviewing the Panel's findings. We welcome the release of this report and applaud the efforts of the AU, President Mbeki, and his panel of experts. We will study the Panel's results and recommendations closely. It is critical that we begin laying the groundwork for peace, justice, and reconciliation in Sudan. As articulated in the United States policy on Sudan, accountability for the genocide and atrocities in Darfur is fundamental and necessary for reconciliation and lasting peace. As such, we will continue to work with the AU, Darfuri armed movements, Darfuri civil society, the Government of Sudan, and the international community to address these critical issues and to bring peace, justice, and reconciliation to Sudan. We will also continue to be supportive of finding a way forward that is deemed credible and unbiased by the standards of international justice and that enjoys the confidence of the people of Darfur.


This thesis is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on developing a better method for the detection of C reactive protein (CRP) from whole blood. CRP plays a key role in determining the risks associated with various cardiovascular diseases. However, detecting this protein is a challenge since it accounts for < 1% of all known blood proteins. This protein can be detected by using a sandwich ELISA inside of a microfluidic chip made from Polydimethyl Siloxane (PDMS). PDMS chips are created that will first remove blood cells and platelets from whole blood. For the removal of blood cells, different filter papers that specialize in blood separation are tested based on the volume of filtrate recovered, amount of blood cells filtered out and whether the cells rupture or not. From these tests, it was determined that the Vivid Plasma Membranes GX and GR from the Pall Company was the most suitable filter based on blood cell removal and quality of filtrate. To further compliment this, these chips need to extract high abundance plasma proteins (HAP) including human IgG antibody and human serum albumin. These experiments focused on using protein A as a method for the removal of IgG due to its high affinity with the antibody. This will be then coupled with IgG that has been preattached to Protein A specifically modified to attach to Human Albumin. Experiments were conducted in order to obtain the appropriate incubation time needed for removal of antibody/protein as well as the effects on surface concentration and amount of incubation reservoirs. The final step was to combine these two aspects in order to create a microfluidic chip that accurately detects CRP by filtering out blood cells and removing high abundance proteins. This resulted in a microfluidic chip that was able to detect CRP from whole blood while filtering out blood cells and removing the bulk of the high abundant plasma proteins in order to obtain a high signal. This was performed by the addition of multiple incubation areas for high abundance protein removal embedded on the chip. Detection was carried out via fiber optic cables and a standard curve was created that associated a specific CRP blood concentration to an intensity found via fiber optics. By use of this method, a correlation between the concentration of CRP in a sample of blood, as well as a limit of detection for the system could be obtained. The second section focuses on identifying an antibody fragment as a biomarker against tau protein. Tau protein is a known to play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This is due to the rapid addition of multiple phosphate groups attaching to the protein. This section focuses on the identification of antibody fragments that detect a normal form of tau and one affected by the addition of phosphate groups. These fragments are recombinant antibody fragments created via phage display. Antibody phage is inserted into a well, in which the phage that is able to bind to tau will bind to it. These phages are then injected into an E. coli culture which will produce antibodies known as single-chain variable fragments (scFvs). These antibodies are extracted and tested on whether or not they attach to the specific tau antigens. After performing these experiments, two scFvs have been found that attach to both forms of tau: one with phosphate groups and one without. Titration curves and DNA sequences for both antibodies were also created. With these antibodies, they can be used as an effective biomarker into the early treatment of Alzheimer's disease.


A pneumatic fractionator was assessed as a lint cleaning device for ginned lint. Results from a test that used two line pressures and three fractionation times showed that higher line pressure and longer fractionation time produced fiber that was shorter in staple length, contained more neps, and had less dust, trash, and visible foreign matter (including leaf). Short fiber content was not different among fractionator treatments, and all treatments had varying degrees of classer prep calls. The fractionator was effective in removing foreign matter. Overall, the least aggressive treatment had the best fiber properties, and the most aggressive fractionator treatment did the most cleaning. Results from a lint cleaning test that compared the least and most aggressive fractionator treatments with a conventional saw-type lint cleaner showed that the fractionator did not preserve fiber length any better than conventional lint cleaning. The most aggressive fractionator treatment was more effective in removing foreign matter, but had considerably more neps than conventional lint cleaning. The fractionator treatments received prep calls and the conventional lint cleaner treatments did not. The most aggressive fractionator treatment was more harmful to fiber than conventional lint cleaning, and the least aggressive treatment had fiber properties similar to one saw-type lint cleaner. The most aggressive fractionator treatment had the highest cleaning efficiency, largest amount of lint cleaner waste, and lowest bale value. The highest bale value was achieved with either no lint cleaning or with the least aggressive fractionator treatment. Further work is needed to determine the interactions of the fractionator with different cultivars and cottons of varying foreign matter content as well as determine any effects of the fractionator on spinning performance. I


A conceptual model was developed which describes a series of pathways or transition sequences which a seed or seedling may follow during the initial wet-dry-wet periods after planting. Associated with each pathway is an occurrence probability related to the plant's response to a wet or dry environment and the relative lengths of the initial wet and dry periods. In most instances, the most probable response pathway can be determined from the relative seedling counts at selected times during a set of short-term experiments, which include a wet-dry watering sequence and an everyday wet watering sequence. The model was validated using data collected in greenhouse and field studies evaluating seedling establishment characteristics of selected warm season range grasses.


Search is not just a box and ten blue links. Search is a journey: an exploration where what we encounter along the way changes what we seek. But in order to guide people along this journey, designers must understand both the art and science of search.In Designing the Search Experience, authors Tony Russell-Rose and Tyler Tate weave together the theories of information seeking with the practice of user interface design.

Understand how people search, and how the concepts of information seeking, information foraging, and sensemaking underpin the search process.

Apply the principles of user-centered design to the search box, search results, faceted navigation, mobile interfaces, social search, and much more.

Design the cross-channel search experiences of tomorrow that span desktop, tablet, mobile, and other devices.

Table of Contents

PART 1 A Framework for Search and Discovery

Chapter 1 The User

Chapter 2 Information Seeking

Chapter 3 Context

Chapter 4 Modes of Search and Discovery

PART 2 Design Solutions

Chapter 5 Formulating the Query

Chapter 6 Displaying and Manipulating Results

Chapter 7 Faceted Search

Chapter 8 Mobile Search

Chapter 9 Social Search

Part 3 Designing the Future

Chapter 10 Cross-Channel Information Interaction


Cryptographic protocols that are established as secure in the Universally Composable (UC) model of security provide strong security assurances even when run in complex environments. Unfortunately, in order to achieve such strong security properties, UC protocols are often impractical, and most non-trivial two-party protocols cannot be secure in the UC model without some sort of external capability (or "setup assumption") being introduced. Recent work by Hofheinz et al provided an important breakthrough in designing realistic universally composable two party protocols, in which they use trusted, tamper proof hardware as a special type of helping functionality which they call a catalyst. Hofheinz et al. use government issued signature cards as a catalyst to design universally composable protocols for zero-knowledge proofs and commitments, but did not give a complete security proof for either protocol. In this thesis, we consider another form of security hardware, Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), which are more widespread than signature cards and are currently shipped as a part of almost every business laptop or desktop. Trusted Module Platforms are tamper evident devices which support cryptographic functionalities including digital signatures, but have a different key management model from signature cards. In this thesis we consider TPMs as catalysts and describe a universally composable zero knowledge protocol using Trusted Platform Modules. We also present a complete security proof for both the Hofheinz's universally composable zero knowledge protocol from signature cards and our universally composable zero knowledge protocol using TPMs as a catalyst.


In this paper we discuss the problem of signal reconstruction from spectral magnitude or phase using group delay functions. We define two separate group delay functions for a signal, one is derived from the magnitude and the other from the phase of the Fourier transform of the signal. The group delay functions offer insight into the problem of signal reconstruction and suggest methods for reconstructing signals from partial information such as spectral magnitude or phase. We examine the problem of signal reconstruction from spectral magnitude or phase on the basis of these two group delay functions and derive the conditions for signal reconstruction. Based on existing iterative and noniterative algorithms for signal reconstruction, we propose new algorithms for some special classes of signals. The algorithms are illustrated with several examples. Our study shows that the relative importance of spectral magnitude and phase depends on the nature of signals. Speech signals are used to illustrate the importance of spectral magnitude and picture signals are used to illustrate the importance of phase in signal reconstruction problems. Using the group delay functions, we explain the convergence behavior of the existing iterative algorithms for signal reconstruction.


Traditionally, scholars investigating prehispanic Andean polities and sociopolitical organization have worked from cross-cultural models of complex societies underlain by concepts of political hierarchy and centralized control. Recently, however, some archaeologists, drawing from ethnohistorical and ethnographic sources, have argued that late prehispanic polities in various parts of the Andes were organized around principles very different from those that underlie traditional constructs of complex societies. This ethnohistoric evidence raises the possibility that the models of political organization often used by archaeologists are not adequate to account for the development and dynamics of all prehispanic Andean polities.Ethnohistoric sources portray the structure and dynamics of the "ethnic kingdoms" as rooted in still poorly understood indigenous principles of organization featuring nested, dual socio-territorial units (ayllus), decentralized political leadership, and confederation as the basis of hierarchy. To date, there has been very little study of what these polities would look like archeologically, or how the supposedly different principles of organization would manifest themselves in a regional settlement structure, wealth and status differentiation, or production and exchange patterns. Ethnohistoric documentation for the existence of ayllu polities in the Cinti region, southern Bolivia, made this area a prime setting for exploration of the archaeological ramifications of traditional and ayllu-based models. Full-scale regional survey and excavation generated data on the long-term evolution of sociopolitical structure and economic processes in the Cinti Valley. The investigation was organized around identifying strategies (economic and social) associated with political leadership, and their role in politico-economic centralization and social differentiation. The research revealed the emergence, by AD 800, of a strongly integrated, regional polity, characterized by a traditional settlement hierarchy, and elite residence at a dominant center. Catchment zone analysis indicated that increasing agricultural production was most closely linked to strategies of political leadership and status differentiation. The Cinti Valley investigation served to refine our understanding of the ayllu polity both as an archaeological model, and as a form of prehispanic political organization. Highlighting the convergence and divergence between emic constructs and empirical regional patterns should contribute to a better understanding of the nature and variability of southern Bolivian prehispanic societies, and how they should be archaeologically approached.


Dielectric elastomers are widely investigated as soft electromechanically active polymers (EAPs) for actuators, stretch/force sensors, and mechanical energy harvesters to generate electricity. Although the performance of such devices is limited by the dielectric strength of the constitutive material, the electrical breakdown of soft elastomers for electromechanical transduction is still scarcely studied. Here, we describe a custom-made setup to measure electrical breakdown of soft EAPs, and we present data for a widely studied acrylic elastomer (VHB 4905 from 3M). The elastomer was electrically stimulated via a planar and a hemispherical metal electrode. The breakdown was characterized under different conditions to investigate the effects of the radius of curvature and applied force of the hemispherical electrode. With a given radius of curvature, the breakdown field increased by about 50% for a nearly 10-fold increase of the applied mechanical stress, while with a given mechanical stress the breakdown field increased by about 20% for an approximately twofold increase of the radius of curvature. These results indicate that the breakdown field is highly dependent on the boundary conditions, suggesting the need for reporting breakdown data always in close association with the measurement conditions. These findings might help future investigations in elucidating the ultimate breakdown mechanism/s of soft elastomers.


The boron-to-carbon ratio is usually used to investigate cosmic ray transport processes. However, the results based on the boron-to-carbon ratio remains unclear. In this work, we employ other
secondary-to-primary ratios including the deuteron-to-helium 4 ratio, the helium 3-to-helium 4 ratio and the antiproton-to-proton ratio measured by recent experiments to constrain cosmic ray propagation models. Statistical tools are interfaced with the GALPROP package to perform the analysis. Both the force-field approximation and a time-, charge-, and rigidity-dependent solar
modulation model are considered to better explore the systematic uncertainties caused by solar effect. The estimated propagation parameters are compared with those derived by using the boronto-
carbon ratio to help us further understand the cosmic ray propagation mechanisms.


This study investigates the consequences of Asian women's intermarriage-whether it is associated with higher social standing and lower ethnic identity, using data on Asian women (N = 589) from the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS). The socioeconomic status of partners of women who intermarried and partners of women who married men of the same ethnicity are compared. The potential associations between intermarriage and two subjective measures-ethnic identity and perceived social standing-are explored. The study rejects the hypothesis based on the conventional belief that Asian women in the United States find "better" partners with higher socioeconomic status from other racial or ethnic groups. The findings support the view that marital assimilation leads to identificational assimilation and demonstrate that intermarriage is not associated with higher perceived social standing. The results suggest that educational and occupational endogamy plays a larger role in Asian women's intermarriage than social exchange. Key Words: cultural/racial/ethnic, marriage, survey research. Historical stereotypes and Western media portrayals of Asian women often fall into two categories: the submissive, obethent, and servile "lotus blossom babies," "China dolls," and "geisha girls" or the aggressive, cunning "dragon ladies" and opportunistic, materialistic "gold diggers' ' who rely on their feminine wiles (E. N. Chow, 1987; Hofstede, 1996; Prasso, 2005). The submissive image is believed to contribute to the popularity of Asian women in the multiracial marriage market in the United States. Nemoto (2009) maintained that the stereotypes of Asian women and intermarriage were produced by the discourse on military brides and mail-order brides, the "model ethnic minority' ' myth, and globally circulated images of Asians and Whites. The oriental stereotypes of Asian women are often internalized by partners in Asian women -White men relationships and affect their decision to marry. In her popular e-book, Secrets of Asian Women, Tai (2009) revealed that many contemporary American men pursued Asian American women, particularly East Asian women (including those who had recently immigrated), because they wanted to return to a noncompetitive, obethent life partner after a difficult day in the workplace. The "submissive Asian woman" stereotype is also evoked in the commercial matchmaking market for transnational marriages in Asian countries: Asian women are represented as faithful wives, self-sacrificing mothers, and sensuous lovers. Matchmaking agencies and Web brokers maintain that Western men are attracted to Asian women because they have "oriental characteristics": they are submissive, caring, and family centered. Social standing is an important factor in determining the choice of a life partner. This may be particularly true among women, who show a greater tendency to "marry up" (Hitsch, Hortacsu, & Ariely, 2006; Schoen & Wooldredge, 1989). Promises of higher socioeconomic status and a better quality of life are, therefore, used to attract Asian women in advertisements for interracial and transnational marriages. Marrying a husband in the United States is portrayed as a means to a glorious life of wealth, spacious housing, luxurious cars, clean air, and a pampered lifestyle that is not even imaginable in most Asian countries. Some commercial international education agencies promote themselves by maintaining that the U.S. marriage market is more promising for single, educated Asian women: The probability of finding a partner with high socioeconomic status who appreciates Asian women is much higher in the United States than, for instance, in China, where living standards, on average, are relatively low and a patriarchal culture is still dominant (Pimentel, 2000). To what extent are these conventional beliefs about Asian women and intermarriage true? In this study, the term "Asian women" refers to both Asian immigrants and U. …


Background: Drug promotional literature (DPLs) is an integral part of pharmaceutical marketing strategy. This marketing approach influences, a physician to prescribe definite variety of medicine from a particular company. Many physicians bank on exclusively in DPLs. This research was intended to appraise the DPLs available in Bangladesh for accuracy, consistency, and validity of the information in accordance with the WHO rules and regulations. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study was conducted in Uttara Adhunik Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh after collecting DPLs from the different outpatient department. The data was analyzed Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: None of the national and multinational DPLs fulfilled all the WHO criteria. Among the national and multinational DPLs, 94.7% and 100% presented with claims respectively. Out of 284 national and multinational DPLs references citation were presented in 82.04% and 100% respectively. Among the DPLs of national and multinational companies' relevant, irrelevant, and partially relevant pictures were presented in 48.79%, 24.65%, 26.76% and 31.58%, 26.32%, and 42.11%, respectively. Conclusion: DPLs of Bangladesh did not comply with the WHO guidelines while promoting their products. Evidence provided in those DPLs were mostly biased and persuasive since it is focusing mainly on the positive aspect of drug therapy. Accordingly, studied DPLs were principally aiming to maximizes industries' financial benefit rather than fulfill the educational aspects. The Government of Bangladesh should develop very stringent policy and practices regarding DPLs based on science and the WHO guideline as the literature very often act as a primary source of information among medical doctors.


Objective: The high mortality rate found on infectious patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) calls for sepsis identification tools. Sepsis consensus introduced Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. This study aimed at comparing the accuracy and quality to discriminate among the SIRS, qSOFA score, and SOFA score for predicting mortality among patients at risk of sepsis admitted to the ICU. Design: This study used the analytic observational method with retrospective cohort approach to a sample of 73 qualified medical record data. The data regarding the SIRS, qSOFA, and SOFA criteria were applied after 24 hours . of ICU admission. Setting: ICU of Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung from January to December 2017. Measurements and results: The results of this study showed the SOFA score as being the most accurate and having a good quality to discriminate, with the value of area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) 0.866 (95% CI 0.782-0.95; p=0.00); the qSOFA score had AUROC of 0.707 (95% CI 0.588-0.826; p=0.002) while SIRS criteria were not significant. Conclusions: The conclusion of this study is that in patients with suspected sepsis admitted to an ICU, the SOFA score is the most accurate to predict mortality, whereas qSOFA could be considered and the SIRS criteria is not recommended.


This thesis examines the theory and practice of comedy in Lina Wertmuller's film The Seduction of Mimi (1972), as well as emphasizing its social and historical context, with a special focus on its depiction of the Sicilian mafia. The author seeks to provide a framework for understanding the different registers of the film's meaning by drawing from works of social and political history, as well as film history and criticism. The first chapter serves as an introduction, discussing previous interpretations of the film and suggesting new areas of exploration. The second chapter examines the implications of the film's title and enumerates the film's major themes. The third, fourth and fifth chapters explore the social and political background of the film's Sicilian setting. The sixth and seventh chapters detail the interrelation between social and sexual politics as exemplified in Wertmuller's film. The eighth chapter deals with the film's depiction of the Sicilian mafia and its influence on society. And, finally, the ninth, tenth and eleventh chapters delve into the film's complex use of stereotype and caricature.


In the field of synthetic biology, highly interdisciplinary approaches for the
design and modelling of functional molecules using computer-assisted methods
have become established in recent decades. These computer-assisted methods are
mainly used when experimental approaches reach their limits, as computer models
are able to e.g., elucidate the temporal behaviour of nucleic acid polymers or
proteins by single-molecule simulations, as well as to illustrate the functional
relationship of amino acid residues or nucleotides to each other. The knowledge
raised by computer modelling can be used continuously to influence the further
experimental process (screening), and also shape or function
(rational design) of the considered molecule. Such an optimization of the
biomolecules carried out by humans is often necessary, since the observed
substrates for the biocatalysts and enzymes are usually synthetic (``man-made
materials'', such as PET) and the evolution had no time to provide efficient
biocatalysts.

With regard to the computer-aided design of single-molecules, two fundamental paradigms
share the supremacy in the field of synthetic biology. On the one hand,
probabilistic experimental methods (e.g., evolutionary design processes such as
directed evolution) are used in combination with High-Throughput
Screening (HTS), on the other hand, rational, computer-aided single-molecule design
methods are applied.
For both topics, computer models/concepts were developed, evaluated and
published.

The first contribution in this thesis describes a computer-aided design approach
of the Fusarium Solanie Cutinase (FsC). The activity loss of the enzyme during a
longer incubation period was investigated in detail (molecular) with PET. For
this purpose, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of the spatial structure of
FsC and a water-soluble degradation product of the
synthetic substrate PET (ethylene glycol) were computed. The existing model was
extended by combining it with Reduced Models. This simulation study has
identified certain areas of FsC which interact very
strongly with PET (ethylene glycol) and thus have a significant influence on the
flexibility and structure of the enzyme.

The subsequent original publication establishes a new method for the selection
of High-Throughput assays for the use in protein chemistry. The selection is
made via a meta-optimization of the assays to be analyzed. For this purpose,
control reactions are carried out for the respective assay. The distance of the
control distributions is evaluated using classical static methods such as the
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. A performance is then assigned to each assay. The
described control experiments are performed before the actual experiment
(screening), and the assay with the highest performance is used for further
screening. By applying this generic method, high success rates can be achieved.
We were able to demonstrate this experimentally using
lipases and esterases as an example.

In the area of green chemistry, the above-mentioned processes can be useful for finding
enzymes for the degradation of synthetic materials more quickly or modifying
 enzymes that occur naturally in such a way that these enzymes can
efficiently convert synthetic substrates after successful optimization. For this
purpose, the experimental effort (consumption of materials) is kept to a minimum
during the practical implementation. Especially for large-scale screenings, a
prior consideration or restriction of the possible sequence-space can contribute significantly to
maximizing the success rate of screenings and minimizing the total
time they require.

In addition to classical methods such as MD simulations in combination with
reduced models, new graph-based methods for the presentation and analysis of MD
simulations have been developed. For this purpose, simulations were converted
into distance-dependent dynamic graphs. Based on this reduced representation,
efficient algorithms for analysis were developed and tested. In particular,
network motifs were investigated to determine whether this type of
semantics is more suitable for describing molecular structures and interactions
within MD simulations than spatial coordinates. This concept was evaluated for
various MD simulations of molecules, such as water, synthetic pores, proteins,
peptides and RNA structures. It has been shown that this novel form of semantics
is an excellent way to describe (bio)molecular structures and their dynamics.
Furthermore, an algorithm (StreAM-Tg) has been developed for the creation of
motif-based Markov models, especially for the analysis of single molecule
simulations of nucleic acids. This algorithm is used for the design of RNAs. The
insights obtained from the analysis with StreAM-Tg (Markov models) can
provide useful design recommendations for the (re)design of functional RNA.

In this context, a new method was developed to quantify the environment (i.e.
water; solvent context) and its influence on biomolecules in MD simulations. For
this purpose, three vertex motifs were used to describe the structure of the
individual water molecules. This new method offers many advantages. With this
method, the structure and dynamics of water can be accurately described. For
example, we were able to reproduce the thermodynamic entropy of water in the
liquid and vapor phase along the vapor-liquid equilibrium curve from the
triple point to the critical point.

Another major field covered in this thesis is the development of new
computer-aided approaches for HTS for the design of
functional RNA. For the production of functional RNA (e.g., aptamers and riboswitches), an experimental,
round-based HTS (like SELEX) is typically used. By using
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in combination with the SELEX process,
this design process can be studied at the nucleotide and secondary structure
levels for the first time. The special feature of small RNA molecules compared
to proteins is that the secondary structure (topology), with a minimum free
energy, can be determined directly from the nucleotide sequence, with a high
degree of certainty.

Using the combination of M. Zuker's algorithm, NGS and the SELEX method, it was
possible to quantify the structural diversity of individual RNA molecules under
consideration of the genetic context. This combination of methods allowed the
prediction of rounds in which the first ciprofloxacin-riboswitch emerged.

In this example, only a simple structural comparison was made for the
quantification (Levenshtein distance) of the diversity of each round.
To improve this, a new representation of the RNA structure as a directed graph
was modeled, which was then compared with a probabilistic subgraph isomorphism.

Finally, the NGS dataset (ciprofloxacin-riboswitch) was modeled as a dynamic
graph and analyzed after the occurrence of defined seven-vertex motifs. For this
purpose, motif-based semantics were integrated into HTS
for RNA molecules for the first time. The identified motifs could be assigned to
secondary structural elements that were identified experimentally in the
ciprofloxacin aptamer R10k6.

Finally, all the algorithms presented were integrated into an R library,
published and made available to scientists from all over the world.


I. INTRODUCTION In the business of debt and securities rating, the reliability of the agency rating is all important. Of the numerous rating agencies which exist,(1) only a hallowed few have a reputation for virtually unabridged reliability. But even these agencies make mistakes.(2) The largest of these have begun to branch out into the international financial markets as the companies they rate explore an increasingly global economy. Coupled with the international expansion of rating agencies and a growing potential for mistakes in foreign venues come disparate classes of liability in different jurisdictions. The globalization of national economies and the resulting development of international financial rating services is, in part, brought about by ever-increasing economic and political activity within the recently completed European Economic Area and border-free European Community,(3) as well as boom economies in the so-called "little dragons" of east Asia. In contributing to the discussion of economic globalization, we address the legal relationships between and the accountability of corporate raters to those rated and those who rely upon ratings and other kinds of rating agency communication. We take as our focus in this Article certain European Community jurisdictions and the United States not simply because they may be the venues for rating contracts and the sites where debt and securities rating liabilities will be determined, but further because the legal systems on both sides of the Atlantic will play a major role in influencing rating contracts and future liabilities of raters in Europe, America, and the world.(4) In establishing what the liabilities of rating agencies are and where those liabilities might expand, we look primarily at the duty of care of debt raters in England and the United States in two settings. First, we deal with a rating agency's duty of care to use reasonable skill where there is no contract with the injured party. Secondly, we look at possible defamation liability and defenses of rating agencies who falsely underrate the creditworthiness or securities offering of a company. In addition, we touch upon government influence over rating agencies in France and rating agency liability generally in Germany.(5) A. The Business of Rating Rating agencies are, simply put, predictors of a company's or even a government's ability to meet the financial obligations of its debt and its bond issues as they accrue. An agency's rating performs, according to one rater's definition, the isolated task of "credit risk evaluation."(6) In reality, the effect and influence of both the rater and its rating go far beyond this modest suggestion. Rating agencies rate everything from corporate public utilities and multinational corporations to municipal issuers and national governments as well as both foreign and English companies. Raters seek to remain independent from these issuers by refraining from direct investment in the companies they rate. The securities issuers sell bonds with varying degrees of security pledges and seniority and issue debt that is insured, structured, or otherwise complex. In the words of one rater, the rating of these varied types of debt and debt instruments provides "a single scale to compare among this array of different debt instruments."(7) In the case of American and British raters, rating agencies operate with no governmental mandate, subpoena powers or official authority. In France, the situation is somewhat different.(8) Raters consider themselves, at least in the case of the large American agencies, to be members of the media and thereby shielded from the usual liabilities, such as libel, by the substantial protections of the First Amendment.(9) Ratings, or credit risk evaluations, appear most often in the form of letter and/or number symbols.(10) From the rating agency perspective, a rating should be only one in a number of factors in the formation of an investment decision. …


Conjugates of phenols with biological thiols have recently received increasing interest because of their peculiar properties in most cases enhanced or significantly modified with respect to the parent phenols.
Main focus of the research activity developed in this PhD work was the chemistry of thioalkyl conjugates of catechols, among these cysteinyldopas, mainly the 5S and 2S isomers, that are produced by epidermal melanocytes of man and other mammals and are involved in the biosynthesis of pheomelanins, the characteristic pigments of red hair, commonly implicated in the abnormal susceptibility of red haired fair complexioned individuals to sunburn and skin cancer. Overall the results of this work have greatly contributed to the definition of the structure, biosynthesis and functional significance of pheomelanins.
Traditionally pheomelanins have been regarded to arise primarily via the oxidative polymerization of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5SCD). Yet, it was observed that, in addition to 5SCD, 2-S-cysteinyldopa (2SCD) is an important building block of red human hair pigments. By an improved analytical procedure, allowing simultaneous determination of benzothiazole markers, BTCA and 2-BTCA, originating from oxidative degradation of 5SCD- and 2SCD-derived units respectively, evidence was obtained that the pigment suffers extensive degradation during hair growth affecting mainly the 5SCD-derived components, whereas the 2SCD-derived units remain largely unaffected. Model studies suggested that structural degradation occurs during hair growth probably as a result of oxidative processes related in part to sun exposure.
Detailed studies on the properties of synthetic pheomelanin from 5SCD showed that the pigment is an efficient redox cycler, promoting oxygen-dependent polycatechol(amine) formation and deposition of eumelanin-like antioxidant coatings. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with chemical analysis of the material revealed a eumelanin-like coating completely masking the pheomelanin component. The system provides a new explanation to the origin of the casing architecture of human melanin.
The benzothiazoles BTCA and 2-BTCA turned out to be important and selective markers for pheomelanin quantitation in tissues and identification of red-haired individuals at high risk for skin cancer. A straightforward synthetic procedure for large scale preparation of these compounds was developed which might allow their use for routine population screenings, and for genetic and epidemiologic correlations studies.
The presence of benzothiazole compounds was also investigated in the urine of patients with melanoma with or without diffuse melanosis, a rare condition which may occur in metastasizing melanoma and is associated with a very poor prognosis. The urinary BTCAs were found to be highly associated with melanosis. Moreover, analysis of the pigmented fraction of urine after oxidative degradation provided evidence for the presence of pheomelanins at high levels in patients with melanosis. This finding provided for the first time a direct evidence that benzothiazoles are pheomelanin metabolites, whose formation is associated with advanced stages of melanoma.
Due to the unfavourable chemical and physical properties of pheomelanins, their structure is still mainly unknown. Biomimetic oxidation of the pheomelanin precursor 5SCD led to the isolation of two unprecedented benzothiazolylthiazinodihydroisoquinoline dimers. Although the existence of isoquiniline-containing structural motifs in pheomelanins has long been postulated, this study was the first to demonstrate their presence in red hair and to uncover possible precursor compounds and formation mechanism.
As part of studies on thiol-quinone coupling as a viable biomimetic access to novel bioactive compounds for practical applications, the reaction of dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), a strong endogenous antioxidant, with p-naphtoquinones was examined, leading to the identification of novel dithiepines arising from ring expansion of an unstable spirocyclic dithiane. In addition new conjugates of DHLA with naturally occurring polyphenols, such as hydroxytyrosol, caffeic acid and piceatannol, were prepared, which showed higher antioxidant power than the parent catechol, as evidenced by the higher H-donating ability and the tendency to oxidation at physiological pHs.


Visual Dialogue task requires an agent to be engaged in a conversation with human about an image. The ability of generating detailed and non-repetitive responses is crucial for the agent to achieve human-like conversation. In this paper, we propose a novel generative decoding architecture to generate high-quality responses, which moves away from decoding the whole encoded semantics towards the design that advocates both transparency and flexibility. In this architecture, word generation is decomposed into a series of attention-based information selection steps, performed by the novel recurrent Deliberation, Abandon and Memory (DAM) module. Each DAM module performs an adaptive combination of the response-level semantics captured from the encoder and the word-level semantics specifically selected for generating each word. Therefore, the responses contain more detailed and non-repetitive descriptions while maintaining the semantic accuracy. Furthermore, DAM is flexible to cooperate with existing visual dialogue encoders and adaptive to the encoder structures by constraining the information selection mode in DAM. We apply DAM to three typical encoders and verify the performance on the VisDial v1.0 dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed models achieve new state-of-the-art performance with high-quality responses. The code is available at https://github.com/JXZe/DAM.


The back-reflection of emitted laser beam (optical feedback, also know as selfmixing) from various external interfaces are sufficient to cause instability, and prohibiting its use in various fields such as communication, spectroscopy, imaging to name a few. So it is desirable to study the laser dynamics and the conditions causing it to be stable in spite of strong optical feedback. With the aid of mathematical formulation, simulation and backed by experimental evidences, it is demonstrated that the frequency deviation of the laser emission due to current (intensity) modulation alters the dynamic state and boundary conditions of the system such that even under large optical feedback strength, the laser may attain stability and retain single modal state. The frequency deviation resulting from former is shown to modify the phase of the system in opposite direction to that induced by the later, showing that there exists an optimal modulation current which compensates the effect of optical feedback and may be used to retain the laser in single modal stationary state. The method thus provides a methodology to avoid optical feedback-induced instability in semiconductor lasers by using the proper amplitude of current (intensity) modulation.


In a continued effort to develop an active Robotic Capsule Endoscope (RCE), research is
being conducted on the motion of the RCE through the small and large bowel. One of the factors
in
uencing the motion of the RCE is the adhesion of the RCE's micropatterned treated wheels to
the inner lumen of bowel tissue. While adhesion is needed to generate traction, too much adhesion
can also cause malfunctioning of the device, reduce autonomy and damage the tissue. This study
is focused on the characterization of adhesion as a function of three critical RCE design parameters
(Pre-load, Dwell Time and Separation Rate).
In this work, a method for adhesion characterization is detailed and a complete model for
the adhesion between a cylindrical probe with a smooth polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) surface
and synthetic tissue is presented. An explicit nondimensional model for the adhesive response is
constructed with an R2 value of 0.9996 and a maximum relative error less than 5.6%. In addition,
physical meaning of the proposed mathematical model is experimentally verified. Accurate models
for the maximum stress supported by the tissue (R2 = 0:9895, maximum error = 2:04%), effective
adhesion energy consumed in the separation (R2 = 0:9936, maximum error = 3:23%) and the
total probe displacement from the beginning of the adhesion region to the point where complete
separation occurs (R2 = 0:9964, maximum error = 1:47%) as a function of critical design parameters
are obtained. Finally, a qualitative approach to the extrapolation of these models when varying
the substrate stiffness and probe area is presented.