To evaluate the additive effect of moderate chronic renal failure to the abnormal dopamine generation and action observed in stable hypertension, we investigated 22 age-matched patients with a comparable degree of hypertension with and without chronic renal failure. Both groups were compared with each other and with an age-matched control group after a single oral dose of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) while cardiorenal responses and DOPA, dopamine, and their metabolites were measured. The hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure shared with their hypertensive counterparts without chronic renal failure an impaired DOPA decarboxylation to dopamine. However, patients with chronic renal failure had decreased hemodynamic and normal natriuretic responses compared with the hypernatriuresis of hypertensive patients with normal renal function; patients with chronic renal failure had elevated basal plasma concentrations of DOPA and dopamine sulfates as well as increased plasma and urinary DOPA sulfate but blunted urinary dopamine sulfate increases after DOPA administration; they presented augmented plasma atrial natriuretic factor concentrations. Thus, hypertensive patients with moderate chronic renal failure exhibit a decreased hemodynamic responsiveness to DOPA administration-induced dopamine elevation but with the natriuretic effect of dopamine maintained (possibly because of its permissive interaction with increased atrial natriuretic factor levels). Hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure have a heightened DOPA and dopamine sulfoconjugating propensity. Dopamine sulfate attenuates the biologic action of free dopamine. This may contribute (possibly via glomerular hypertension and hyperfiltration due to decreased postglomerular vasodilation) to progressive hypertensive renal damage, particularly in groups predisposed to dopamine deficiency, such as diabetics, blacks, and the elderly.


The research question of the thesis is "how does the stock market react to contract announcements by companies in the maritime industry listed on Oslo Stock Exchange?". This is answered using the event study methodology as described by MacKinlay (1997). The sample consists of 208 contract announcements by 28 companies in the maritime industry listed on Oslo Stock Exchange from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2017. The primary objective is to ascertain whether contract announcements lead to a cumulative average abnormal return that is significantly different from zero on the event day. In addition, the thesis will attempt identify the determinants of the stock market's response, investigate if there are signs of information leakage prior to the announcement, and examine if there are any post-event stock price drifts. The analysis finds cumulative average abnormal returns on the event day ranging from 2.47 % to 2.56 % using four different normal performance models. They are all significant at a 1 % level. There are no significant effects in the pre-event day window or the post-event day window. Given that no evidence of information leakage or post-event stock price drift is found, the market appears to be efficient on the semi-strong form according to the efficient market hypothesis. The cross-sectional analysis finds that, everything else equal, the cumulative abnormal return on average increases between 7.02 and 8.22 percentage points when relative contract size increases by 1. This is intuitive as larger contracts relative to the size of the company are stronger signals of increased future earnings than smaller contracts. Furthermore, Tobin's q is negative and significant as expected. This variable being negative is argued to be explained by the market being more surprised when low Tobin's q firms announce contracts as it is expected that they are less able to extract value out of their assets. No other variables are found to be significant in explaining event day cumulative abnormal returns in the cross-sectional analysis. Lastly, the results obtained in the analysis appear to be robust to the choice of significance test, normal performance model, and outliers. In addition, the assumptions of OLS does not seem to be violated to the degree that the general inference is altered.


The constituent parts of compound Chinese characters provide crucial semantic and phonetic information for deciphering the character as a whole. Exploring sub-character level processing may help improve our understanding of the mechanisms of Chinese vocabulary storage and retrieval, especially in foreign language learners. Yet, empirical research on adult Chinese-as-a-foreign-language (CFL) learners in this area remains limited. Do CFL learners use decomposition strategies in visual character recognition? If so, how does the combination of familiarity with an individual character and character frequency contribute to this process? How do CFL learners and Chinese native speakers differ? To explore these questions, a masked priming character decision task was used. Results show that CFL learners do not decompose familiar high-frequency characters nor unfamiliar low-frequency characters. However, there was evidence of decomposition for unfamiliar high-frequency characters and familiar low-frequency characters. In comparison, native speakers were found to process compound characters holistically.


We extend to the ultraviolet frequency-resolved optical gating a new method for measuring the intensity and phase evolution of an individual ultrashort pulse without assumption. Using frequency-resolved optical gating, we measure a 310-fs, 308-nm pulse, whose phase is approximately cubic in time. We show that this phase distortion probably results from self-phase modulation and amplifier detuning.


[1] The CloudSat Precipitation Radar, launched in 2006, provides vertical profiles of W-band (94 GHz) reflectivity and is sensitive to falling snow through all but the most intense precipitating cloud structures. Precipitation retrievals of falling snow are affected by a wide diversity of factors describing the medium, such as snow particle shape, size, and composition, which in turn are controlled by ambient factors including the environmental temperature and humidity. Because satellite-based radiometric sounders such as the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) operate without the benefit of coordinated space radar observations, microphysical descriptions of the snow particle medium derived from CloudSat or other radar observations are beneficial to passive microwave (PMW) radiometer-only snowfall retrieval methods. At the coarse scale of these PMW observations, the radiative signal due to the snow is relatively weak compared to the contributions from the atmosphere and the land surface emissivity. Using the C-band (5 GHz) polarization-agile King City radar (WKR) operated by Environment Canada, we examined the vertical structure of winter precipitation events from coordinated overpasses of CloudSat and NOAA 18 (MHS). Two-dimensional video disdrometer observations are used to limit (constrain) the range of the drop-size distribution parameters that are provided through a priori databases to dual-frequency (C/W-band) radar retrieval. Bayesian retrievals using the constrained database produce water content profiles that more closely replicate the observed radar reflectivity profiles and transition smoothly between the single-frequency (CloudSat only) and dual-frequency regions.


In this study, the long-term impact on family groups of the interactive science exhibits in Launch Pad (Science Museum, London) has been investigated and described both qualitatively and quantitatively. Having reviewed the literature, and sought the views of professionals working in interactive science centres, a series of research questions was evolved. It is argued that it is reasonable to use visitors' recollections of their visits in order to assess this long-term impact.
Altogether, 20 subjects were observed in Launch Pad, 396 were given an interview immediately after their visit, 208 responded to a follow-up questionnaire, and 79 were given an in-depth interview about 6 months later.
Various indicators have been defined in order to quantify the differences that exist between interactive exhibits, and the concept of exhibit profiles has been introduced as a way of graphically representing these differences. The exhibits were found to hold the attention of visitors, and there was little evidence of museum fatigue. Subjects reported almost unanimously that they had enjoyed their visit and that Launch Pad had made a large positive impact the effects of which lasted for at least six months.
Visitors were able to recall in vivid and clear detail their experiences in Launch Pad six months later. A new method of analysing their diverse and scattered recollections was evolved by the development of a network and coding strategies. Although 59% of the elaborated memory comments were found to be descriptive, there were nearly twice as many thoughts as feelings. Also, the data showed that visitors had reflected on their experiences and related them to existing knowledge or, for example, to programmes they saw on television. Evidence of subsequent cognitive processing suggests that a visitor embarks on a process of learning and understanding following an enjoyable, inspiring and thought-provoking visit.


Biosorption is an emerging technique for water treatment utilizing abundantly available biomaterials.The potential feasibility of magnetic peanut hulls particle for removal of cationic dye (methylene blue) from aqueous solution was investigated. The effects of various experimental parameters were examined and optimal experimental conditions were decided. Characterization of biosorbent was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analyzer. FT-IR analysis showedthe presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl groups which can involve in the biosorption process. The results in this study indicated that peanut hull was an attractive candidate for removing cationic dyes from dye wastewater. Different kinetic and equilibrium models were applied to the experimental data. Tempkin model was the most fitted isotherm as R 2 = 0.963. While the resulting data for the different parameters studied was suitable to be


The boundary value problems involving contact are of the great importance in industries related to mechanical and materials engineering. These mixed problems are challenging since a priori unknown deformed surface of the material contacting a rigid indenter is to be determined as a part of the solution. Anisotropic solids represent an important class of engineering materials including crystals, woods, bones, thin solid films, polymer composites, etc. Contact analysis of an anisotropic media, however, is more difficult and is developed less completely in the literature. In this work, both analytical and computational studies of the contact treatment of a semi-infinite orthotropic material indented by a rigid spherical indenter have been considered in two different sections. This approach can be applied to determine the interfacial contact area and pressure distribution for three-dimensional orthotropic materials, and can then be used to calculate the resulting stress and strain fields of the media. Results presented herein can serve as benchmarks with which to compare solutions obtained by ANSYS commercial package.


Ordered macroporous Sr0.5Sm0.5CoO3 structrures with an average pore size of 140 nm have been prepared using close-packed arrangement of monodispersed polystyrene spheres as templates. A fuel cell using ordered macroporous Sr0.5Sm0.5CoO3 as the cathode, gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) film as the electrolyte, and GDC–NiO as the anode generated maximum power densities of 150, 196 and 267 mW/cm2 at 500, 550 and 600 °C, respectively.


This paper seeks to examine the possibility of detecting deception across cultures. Individuals from different countries (functioned like mock judges) assessed the veracity of statements made by other individuals from different countries (functioned like mock suspects). Mock judges are divided in two groups: the first group watched the mock suspects' normal behavior pattern before watching them lying and telling the truth. The second group watched just the interrogation video with the mock suspects and assessed the veracity of their statements. The result shows that those who watched the video with the subject's normal behavior pattern and then watched the interrogation video could reveal more lie than those who just watched the interrogation video.


Background: Subgingival niche is one biofilm habitat containing rich microbiota, which plays an active role in maintaining the health of periodontal tissue and determining host response. As such, a study of changing subgingival biofilms is important for understanding the effect of a systemic condition. In this study, we compared the occurrence of six bacteria cohabiting in the subgingival area of periodontitis subjects, with (DP, n = 8) and without (NDP, n = 4) diabetes. Methods: The six genus and species of targeted bacteria were confirmed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on MinION nanopore platform. Descriptive statistic was used to describe the obtained data. Results: We found that the six genus and species of targeted bacteria were detected but in different quantities in either group's periodontal pocket. Our data showed that Tannerella forsythia was the most abundant species in subgingival biofilms of the DP group of the red complex bacteria. In contrast, Aggregatibacter sp., which belongs to the phylum of proteobacteria, was present at a relatively lower level. In contrast, Fusobacterium sp., which belongs to orange complex bacteria, showed relative similarities in subgingival biofilms of both groups tested, while Veillonella sp., were abundant in the DP groups.  Conclusions: Our data show that the diversity of classic periodontopathogens increased in the subgingival niche of periodontitis subjects with diabetes. It is the first study in Indonesia to apply MinION-based, full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in periodontitis patients with and without diabetes.


With the shrinking of device sizes, the issue of controlling gate critical dimension (CD) is becoming increasingly important. In particular, the ability to find systematic defects and use that information in the design, optical proximity correction (OPC), and mask creation phases is becoming critical to improving circuit yield. Current critical dimension electron scanning microscopes (CD-SEMs) and macro inspection systems, however, fail to address this area in a practically usable manner - with CD-SEMs limited by their low throughput, and macro inspection systems limited by their low resolution. The NGR2100 die-to-database verification system introduces high-throughput, wide field of view (FOV) electron beam scanning technology to allow for mass gate measurement and analysis. Using the collected data combined with layout data and statistical analysis, the NGR2100 system categorizes and outputs the systematic CD errors existing on a wafer, which can be fed back to the design, OPC, and mask creation phases for true design-for-manufacturing (DFM) realization. This paper provides an overview of the NGR2100, the process involved for gate CD error detection, and presents an actual case in which the NGR2100 was used to collect and analyze data for a memory device.


The enhancement of heat transfer from a discrete heat source in confined air jet impingement was experimentally investigated. A variety of pin-fin heat sinks were mounted on the heat source and the resulting enhancement studied, Average heat transfer coefficients are presented for a range of jet Reynolds numbers (8000/spl les/Re/spl les/45000) and orifice diameters (12.7/spl les/d/spl les/38.1 mm). A total fin effectiveness was computed for the pinned heat sinks relative to the unpinned ones, and was in the range of 2.4 to 9.2; the highest value was obtained for the largest nozzle diameter. Heat transfer rates from the bare heat source were increased by a factor of 7.5 to 72 due to the introduction of the heat sinks. Results for the average heat transfer coefficient were correlated in terms of Reynolds number, fluid properties and geometric parameters of the heat sinks.


ing, it is surprising that you have no interest in the mechanical gliding function and the erogenous sexual benefits of the foreskin. Dr. Taylor2 beautifully describes the anatomy, sex nerves, and physiology of the foreskin. The Health Care Financing Administration provides no room for debate about circumcision. Applying HCFA necessity criteria, circumcision requires a patientvoiced complaint, physical abnormality, and a pathologist's report documenting the pathology. Failing HCFA necessity criteria, circumcision is fraud and abuse. The treatment for infection is antibiotics, not amputation. Circumcision fails the Severity of Illness Intensity of Service criteria. The foreskin is not an "infectionfacilitative factor." Van Howe3 clearly elucidates the immunologic functions of the foreskin. Additionally, the neonatal foreskin is firmly adherent to the glans like a fingernail to its nail bed. It protects both mechanically and immunologically against infection. For scientific evidence, compare statistics with noncircumcising countries. Intact neonates, with a virgin foreskin never subjected to ripping retraction from the glans during their medical exams, fare better than either circumcised infants or uncircumcised infants subjected to ripping retraction. Parents need to know that the infant is born with the foreskin fused to the glans and must view ripping of the immature foreskin from the immature glans as a painful type of sexual abuse, as an invitation to infection, and as damage to the undeveloped erogenous sex nerves. Heuristics mandates that the child keep his foreskin and learn its mechanical and erogenous sexual benefits. The child is the owner of his foreskin. The child is the patient. Circumcision is not a matter of family choice. The circumciser needs the signed legal informed consent of the patient himself. Once he has enjoyed his god-given foreskin, he will not consent to


There is a great need for information technologies for developing and delivering quality, up-to-date educational materials that convey to all learners that knowledge is a dynamic continuum that stretches across disciplines. To address this need, an experimental, open-source/open-content initiative, called the Connexions Project, was initiated. The Connexions Project offers an alternative to the way textbooks and other learning materials are created, maintained, and used. By design, Connexions greatly impacts current modes of teaching and learning, and the development and sharing of knowledge. In combination with powerful software tools which consist of an XML language, Connexions gives learner free access to educational materials that can be readily manipulated to suit their individual learning styles as they explore links among concepts. The free software tools also foster the development, manipulation, and continuous refinement of educational material by diverse communities of authors and instructor. An overview of the philosophy and progress of the project is presented, with a particular emphasis on its application to the area of signal processing.


The NASA/SP-2015-3709, Human Systems Integration (HSI) Practitioner's Guide, also known as the "HSIPG," provides a tool for implementing HSI activities within the NASA systems engineering framework. The HSIPG is written to aid the HSI practitioner engaged in a program or project (P/P), and serves as a knowledge base to allow the practitioner to step into an HSI lead or team member role for NASA missions. Additionally, this HSIPG is written to address the role of HSI in the P/P management and systems engineering communities and aid their understanding of the value added by incorporating good HSI practices into their programs and projects. Through helping to build a community of knowledgeable HSI practitioners, this document also hopes to build advocacy across the Agency for establishing strong, consistent HSI policies and practices. Human Systems Integration (HSI) has been successfully adopted (and adapted) by several federal agencies-most notably the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-as a methodology for reducing system life cycle costs (LCCs). These cost savings manifest themselves due to reductions in required numbers of personnel, the practice of human-centered design, decreased reliance on specialized skills for operations, shortened training time, efficient logistics and maintenance, and fewer safety-related risks and mishaps due to unintended human/system interactions. The HSI process for NASA establishes how cost savings and mission success can be realized through systems engineering. Every program or project has unique attributes. This HSIPG is not intended to provide one-size-fits-all recommendations for HSI implementation. Rather, HSI processes should be tailored to the size, scope, and goals of individual situations. The instructions and processes identified here are best used as a starting point for implementing human-centered system concepts and designs across programs and projects of varying types, including manned and unmanned, human spaceflight, aviation, robotics, and environmental science missions. The practitioner using this guide should have expertise in Systems Engineering or other disciplines involved in producing systems with anticipated human interactions. (See section 1.6 of this guide for further discussion on HSI discipline domains.) The HSIPG provides an "HSI layer" to the NASA Systems Engineering Engine (SEE), detailed in NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 7123.1B, NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements, and further explained in NASA/SP-2007-6105, Systems Engineering Handbook (see HSIPG Table 2.2-1, NASA Documents with HSI Content, for specific references and document versions).


A multilayered camera network architecture with nodes as entry/exit points, cameras, and clusters of cameras at different layers is proposed. Unlike existing methods that used discrete events or appearance information to infer the network topology at a single level, this paper integrates face recognition that provides robustness to appearance changes and better models the time-varying traffic patterns in the network. The statistical dependence between the nodes, indicating the connectivity and traffic patterns of the camera network, is represented by a weighted directed graph and transition times that may have multimodal distributions. The traffic patterns and the network topology may be changing in the dynamic environment. We propose a Monte Carlo Expectation-Maximization algorithm-based continuous learning mechanism to capture the latent dynamically changing characteristics of the network topology. In the experiments, a nine-camera network with twenty-five nodes (at the lowest level) is analyzed both in simulation and in real-life experiments and compared with previous approaches.


The reaction of [(cymene)RuCl2](2) (1) with PCY3 was investigated using different stoichiometries and reaction conditions. Whereas a mixture of complex 1 and 2 equiv of PCy3 in methanol gave the known adduct [(cymene)Rucl(2)(PCy3)] (3) along with the phosphonium salt [PCy3(CH2OH)]Cl (4). prolonged heating of 1 and 4 equiv of PCy3 in methanol under argon resulted in the formation of complex [RuHCl(CO)(PCy3)(2)] (5). Dinuclear, chloro-bridged complexes were generated when 1 was reacted with only 1 equiv of PCy3]. In a mixture of THF and allyl alcohol. the carbonyl complex [(cymenc) Ru-(mu-cl)(3)Rucl(CO)(PCy3)](6) was formed. In dioxane, however, intramolecular C-H activation of the PCy3 ligand was observed. resulting in the formation of [(Cymene)R mu-Cl)(3)RuCl{PCy2(C6H9)}] (7). When the reaction was performed under an atmosphere of H-2,H- the dihydrogen complex [(cymene)Ru-(mu-Cl)(3)RuCl(H-2)(PCy3)] (8) could be isolated. An inert trinuclear cluster of the formula [RuCl2(PCy3)](3) (10) was formed when 1 was heated with 2 equiv of PCy3 in THF. Complexes 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 as well as the phosphorium salt 4 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis.


Purpose: The impact of decentralization on education systems requires the local government to develop local content curriculum to preserve regional characteristics and local uniqueness through education. Practice in the field revealed problems in terms of implementation so that the development of an evaluation model in accordance with the characteristics of the region is necessary. The purpose of this study was to produce an evaluation model for evaluating vocational skills programs on the local content curriculum. Method : This was a developmental study consisting of three phases: 1) The initial investigative phase was conducted by interviewing vice-principals and vocational skills programs teachers;2) The design phase was carried out by making an instrument, evaluation guide, evaluation procedure and the effectiveness of the model assessment sheet; 3) The trial phases were carried out by performing readability test, small-scale trial, and large-scale trial. Results: The results of the readability test indicated that evaluation instrument, evaluation guide, and evaluation procedure were feasible to use, and according to experts the model was very effective to evaluate vocational skills programs on the local content curriculum. The result of the small-scale trial showed that the 24 items developed were valid and reliable. Large-scale trial results indicated that the instrument had acceptable validity and reliability of the construct. Implications for Research and Practice: Evaluation models that have been developed, validated by experts, validated by practitioners and trials on the small and large-scale can contribute to improving vocational skills programs on the local content curriculum developed by local governments throughout Indonesia and even other countries.


This exploratory study looked into the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement among the Form Four students in the Kulim/Bandar Baharu District. Other aspects explored included the correlation between the five dimensions of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-regulations, motivation, empathy and social skills) with academic achievement; the investigation of whether there were any significant differences in the mean emotional intelligence score based
on the two demographic variables (gender and ethnicity); and the association between emotional intelligence and realism in vocational choice.
This research was a quantitative survey carried out on 341 respondents. There were two self-report instruments used to measure emotional intelligence - the EQI (Tapia, 1998) and the EQR (self-developed). Academic achievements were measured by the grades of the Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR) and the grades of the First Semester Examination. Vocational choice was indexed by using the Rothwell-Miller
Interest Blank.
Findings from the study showed that the two instruments were found to be reliable and valid. There was a significant correlation between emotional intelligence scores and grades of PMR and the grades of the First Semester Examination. All of the five dimensions (self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation and social skills) were found to have significant correlations with grades of the PMR and grades of the First Semester Examination. There were significant differences in the mean emotional intelligence scores when based on ethnic background. However, there was no significant difference in the mean emotional intelligence score according to gender. On realism in vocational choice, the findings were not consistent. The EQI showed an association between emotional intelligence and realism in vocational choice but
the EQR did not.


This research explores the potential of certain Future Studies techniques (Barbieri Masini, 1994) to provide insight into the question of how developing countries might best exploit Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for higher education.

First, three case studies were examined: the African Virtual University (AVU), the Arab Open University (AOU) and the Syrian Virtual University (SVU). From these accounts, key variables related to the research question were identified, the selection of variables validated by comparison with D–Antoni (2003). Globalisation is seen as a key change driver. Secondly, a model of 'ICT Strategy' was developed, elaborating the well-known concept of distance education 'generations', building on the work of Nipper (1989) and subsequent authors. A model of 'Student Learning' was also developed, drawing on Conole et al. (2004). These models were then coordinated to generate possible scenarios for how ICT strategy might influence student learning, making assumptions about 'typical' usage. There is no presumption of deriving ineluctable scenarios from unproblematic antecedent models; the aim rather was to explore the limitations of the best models currently available as generators of broad-brush scenarios, to try to understand the ways in which such models could be improved.

One interpretation is that if institutions, under pressure for globalisation, adopted 2nd generation technologies alone, the impact on Student Learning would be neglect of Social aspects. Meanwhile, although a mix of generations could in principle provide coverage of the whole Individual-Social dimension, if institutions adopted 3rd technologies alone, the impact on Student Learning would be neglect of Individual aspects. This provides support for the warning by Clegg et al (2003) that uncritical acceptance of pressures to adopt new ICT for education, under the rhetoric of 'student-centred learning', can in fact turn out to have negative consequences for students. Moreover, it should not be assumed that a move to using 5th and 6th generation technologies exclusively necessarily represents a progression. If the AVU chose this strategy without high bandwidth for online video conferencing, the analysis suggests that its students would miss out on Social aspects.

Nevertheless, it is also possible that a move straight to the fourth and subsequent generations could, in principle, provide coverage of the Individual-Social dimension, without the need for face-to-face tutorials or unreliable postal systems that feature in earlier generations.

 Four scenarios are discerned, distinguished by the balance between presentation of information and direct experience on the one hand, and the level of student autonomy on the other. None of the case study universities is yet clearly positioned in a single scenario.

Examination of the strength of the analysis suggests that although some testable hypotheses have been generated in relation to diverse pedagogical scenarios, a richer selection of variables, more sophisticated models, and more detailed institutional data would be of value.

References

Barbieri Masini, E. (1994) Why Futures Studies, Grey Seal, London.

Conole, G., Dyke, M., Oliver, M. & Seale, J.(2004). 'Mapping pedagogy and tools for effective learning design', Computers and Education, 43, 17-33.

D–Antoni, S. (Ed.) (2003) The Virtual University: Models and Messages, Lessons from Case Studies, UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning
Nipper, S. (1989) 'Third generation distance learning and computer conferencing' in Mason, R. and Kaye, A. (Eds.) Mindweave: Communication, Computers and Distance Education, Oxford: Pergamon.


Abstract. The LPJ-GUESS dynamic vegetation model uniquely combines an individual- and patch-based representation of vegetation dynamics with ecosystem biogeochemical cycling from regional to global scales. We present an updated version that includes plant and soil N dynamics, analysing the implications of accounting for C–N interactions on predictions and performance of the model. Stand structural dynamics and allometric scaling of tree growth suggested by global databases of forest stand structure and development were well reproduced by the model in comparison to an earlier multi-model study. Accounting for N cycle dynamics improved the goodness of fit for broadleaved forests. N limitation associated with low N-mineralisation rates reduces productivity of cold-climate and dry-climate ecosystems relative to mesic temperate and tropical ecosystems. In a model experiment emulating free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) treatment for forests globally, N limitation associated with low N-mineralisation rates of colder soils reduces CO2 enhancement of net primary production (NPP) for boreal forests, while some temperate and tropical forests exhibit increased NPP enhancement. Under a business-as-usual future climate and emissions scenario, ecosystem C storage globally was projected to increase by ca. 10%; additional N requirements to match this increasing ecosystem C were within the high N supply limit estimated on stoichiometric grounds in an earlier study. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for C–N interactions in studies of global terrestrial N cycling, and as a basis for understanding mechanisms on local scales and in different regional contexts.


The third observing run by LVC has brought the discovery of many compact binary coalescences. Following the detection of the first binary neutron star merger in this run (LIGO/Virgo S190425z), we performed a dedicated follow-up campaign with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and Palomar Gattini-IR telescopes. The initial skymap of this single-detector gravitational wave (GW) trigger spanned most of the sky observable from Palomar Observatory. Covering 8000 deg2 of the initial skymap over the next two nights, corresponding to 46% integrated probability, ZTF system achieved a depth of ≈21 mAB in g- and r-bands. Palomar Gattini-IR covered 2200 square degrees in J-band to a depth of 15.5 mag, including 32% integrated probability based on the initial skymap. The revised skymap issued the following day reduced these numbers to 21% for the ZTF and 19% for Palomar Gattini-IR. We narrowed 338,646 ZTF transient "alerts" over the first two nights of observations to 15 candidate counterparts. Two candidates, ZTF19aarykkb and ZTF19aarzaod, were particularly compelling given that their location, distance, and age were consistent with the GW event, and their early optical light curves were photometrically consistent with that of kilonovae. These two candidates were spectroscopically classified as young core-collapse supernovae. The remaining candidates were ruled out as supernovae. Palomar Gattini-IR did not identify any viable candidates with multiple detections only after merger time. We demonstrate that even with single-detector GW events localized to thousands of square degrees, systematic kilonova discovery is feasible.


Economic experiments report that individuals perform better under a piece rate payment scheme in comparison to a fixed payment scheme. The reason is straightforward: incentives motivate people, and without incentives they decrease their effort. Yet women are prone to choose a fixed payment over a piece rate payment scheme. We aim to find out if this gender effect is related to prenatal exposure to testosterone, which by nature is sexually dimorphic and has permanent effects on human brain development with an impact on cognitive and physical skills, as well as behavior. We investigate the effect of prenatal testosterone exposure on performance adjustment in a real effort task. Each subject is salaried under either a fixed rate or piece rate payment scheme for five periods and subsequently encounters the alternative payment method for another five periods. To observe the prenatal testosterone levels that the participants were exposed to during pregnancy, we use the so-called digit ratio as an indirect measurement method. It uses the length-ratio between the participants' index and ring fingers to infer about their in utero testosterone exposure. Our results confirm the previous findings indicating that individuals perform better when incentivized by a piece rate payment scheme. Subjects who are paid piece rate in the first half of the experiment immediately decrease their performance at the beginning of the second half when paid under a fixed payment scheme. In contrast, subjects increase their effort if the payment method is switched from fixed rate to piece rate in the second half of the experiment. Subjects who were exposed to higher levels of prenatal testosterone provide significantly lower effort when the payment scheme is switched from piece rate to fixed rate.


Triphenyltin (TPhT) is a biocide used worldwide in agriculture, especially in rice crop farming. The distribution and dissipation of TPhT in rice fields, as well as uptake of TPhT and other phenyltin compounds (monophenyltin, MPhT, and diphenyltin, DPhT) is still unknown at present. In this study, speciation analysis of phenyltin compounds was carried out in soil and water from a rice field where TPhT was applied during rice seeding according to legal application rates in Brazil. The results indicate the degradation of biocide and distribution of tin species into soil and water. To evaluate whether TPhT is taken up by plants, rice plants were exposed to three different TPhT application rates in a controlled mesocosm during 7 weeks. After this period, tin speciation was determined in soil, roots, leaves, and grains of rice. Degradation of TPhT was observed in soil, where DPhT and MPhT were detected. MPhT, DPhT, and TPhT were also detected in the roots of plants exposed to all TPhT application rates. Only TPhT was detected in leaves and at relatively low concentration, suggesting selective transport of TPhT in the xylem, in contrast to DPhT and MPhT. Concentration of phenyltin species in rice grains was lower than the limit of detection, suggesting that rice plants do not have the capability to take up TPhT from soil and transport it to the grains.


Abstract Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare extra nodal subtype (usually of B-cell origin) presenting with infiltration of large neoplastic lymphocytes into lumina of blood vessels, leading to vascular occlusion. The early diagnosis is very crucial, however it is usually diagnosed postmortem investigation in most of the cases. A 56-year-old female presented with elevated creatinine level, and anasarca-type edema that superimposed with hard, indurated, erythematous plaques extending to inguinal region, abdomen, anterior aspect of chest, and face. B-cell IVL was confirmed with skin biopsy. The patient had some degree of clinical improvement following chemotherapy. B-cell IVL presenting with anasarca edema was not previously reported in the literature. Even if its rarity, IVL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure with anasarca edema.


Objective This time series study aimed to examine the association between daily air temperature and cause-specific cardiovascular mortality in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Methods We obtained data from the cities Munich, Nuremberg and Augsburg and two adjacent administrative districts (Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg), for the period 1990–2006. Data included daily cause-specific cardiovascular death counts, mean daily meteorological variables and air pollution concentrations. In the first stage, data were analysed for Munich, Nuremberg and the Augsburg region separately using Poisson regression models combined with distributed lag non-linear models adjusting for long-term trend, calendar effects and meteorological factors. In a second stage, we combined city-specific exposure-response relationships through a multivariate meta-analysis framework. Results An increase in the 2-day average temperature from the 90th (20.0°C) to the 99th centiles (24.8°C) resulted in an increase of cardiovascular mortality by 10% (95% CI 5% to 15%) in the pooled analysis, while for a decrease from the 10th (−1.0°C) to the 1st centiles (−7.5°C) in the 15-day average temperature cardiovascular mortality increased by 8% (95% CI 2% to 14%). Strongest consistent risk estimates were seen for high 2-day average temperatures and mortality due to other heart diseases (including arrhythmias and heart failure) and cerebrovascular diseases, especially in the elderly. Conclusions Results indicate that, in addition to low temperatures, high temperatures increase cause-specific cardiovascular mortality in temperature climates. These findings may guide planning public health interventions to control and prevent the health effects of exposure to air temperature, especially for individuals at risk for mortality due to heart failure, arrhythmias or cerebrovascular diseases.


The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an independent
international organization for promotion of economic development in member
countries is concerned with both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of economic growth. The Environment Committee of OECD is assisted by a number of
delegate groups concerned with policy development in specific sectors of the
overall environmental problem. One of these groups is the Water Management
Sector Group, which in 1971 established a Steering Group on Eutrophication
Control to develop a series of cooperative projects for monitoring eulrophication
in inland waters. The overall objective of these projects was the achievement of comparability on nutrient budgets, chemical balances, and biological
productivity in water bodies.


Background: Antibodies to salivary gland protein 1 (SP1), carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6) and parotid secretory protein (PSP) were discovered in an animal model of Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Their expression was noted in patients with SS, especially those with lower focus scores on lip biopsies and those with early disease lacking antibodies to Ro and La. Objective: The current studies evaluated these autoantibodies in patients with long-standing SS expressing high levels of anti-Ro antibodies and in patients with Sjogren's syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Method: Sera were obtained from patients and evaluated by ELISA for IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies to SP1, CA6 and PSP. Results: IgA anti-CA6 antibodies were noted in 38% of these patients, but anti-SP1, CA6 and PSP IgM or IgG antibodies were identified only in a minority of patients. In patients with secondary SS, antibodies to SP1/CA6/PSP were more sensitive and specific than anti-Ro . Conclusion: While more studies are needed, antibodies to SP1, CA6 and PSP provide valuable markers for the diagnosis of primary and secondary SS, especially early in the course of the disease.


Abstract. This study assesses the usefulness of cartograms when visualizing extended Floating Car Data (xFCD). Cartograms deform regions in a map proportionally to assigned values. We apply this method for visualizing highresolution extended Floating Car Data (xFCD). Elaborating on this, we perform a case study in Mönchengladbach, Germany using 1.8 Million record points containing information about carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions based on an xFCD dataset. Utilizing a diffusion-based approach, we compute cartograms. Findings indicate a good suitability for identifying areas with a higher (or lower) average emission of CO2. We provide a documented workflow to compute cartograms based on parameters from an extended floating car dataset. The quality and spatial distribution of the basic dataset turns out to be important. Choosing the correct spatial subdivision of the research area as a basis for deforming areas is significant as it strongly influences the visual output.


Side-channel resilience is a crucial feature when assessing whether a postquantum cryptographic proposal is sufficiently mature to be deployed. In this paper, we propose a generic and efficient adaptive approach to improve the sample complexity (i.e., the required number of traces) of plaintext-checking (PC) oracle-based sidechannel attacks (SCAs), a major class of key recovery chosen-ciphertext SCAs on lattice-based key encapsulation mechanisms (KEMs). This new approach is preferable when the constructed PC oracle is imperfect, which is common in practice, and its basic idea is to design new detection codes that can determine erroneous positions in the initially recovered secret key. These secret entries are further corrected with a small number of additional traces. This work benefits from the generality of PC oracle and thus is applicable to various schemes and implementations.Our main target is Kyber since it has been selected by NIST as the KEM algorithm for standardization. We instantiated the proposed generic attack on Kyber512 and then conducted extensive computer simulations against Kyber512 and FireSaber. We further mounted an electromagnetic (EM) attack against an optimized implementation of Kyber512 in the pqm4 library running on an STM32F407G board with an ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller. These simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate that the newly proposed attack could greatly improve the state-of-the-art in terms of the required number of traces. For instance, the new attack requires only 41% of the EM traces needed in a majority-voting attack in our experiments, where the raw oracle accuracy is fixed.


Employing linear and non-linear techniques for assessing the relationship between ESG factors and future returns and risks on an out-of-sample basis, we find that the best and worst quintile portfolios ranked on their ESG scores were statistically significant in generating alpha and reducing beta for equities in Australia and the US, but not for those located in Europe and Japan. In the US corporate bond market, which has the largest available data-set, we can identify no statistically significant effects on alpha (in the CAPM sense), but ostensibly significant beta reduction benefits. Importantly, however, we demonstrate that better (worse) ESG scores are associated with superior (inferior) credit ratings, which is known to decrease (increase) beta. In order to investigate the marginal effect of ESG scores, we construct quintile-based portfolios with similar characteristics along the three major dimensions that affect a bond's risk and return profile, namely its credit rating, the issuer's industry and the time to maturity (or call). After equalising the industry, tenor and rating composition of the five portfolios, we find that ESG factors do not significantly contribute to positive alpha in the bond market. In fact, the best social quintile portfolio has statistically significant negative alpha; though given the non-monotonicity of the results and the multiple applications of confidence interval tests without multiplicity adjustments, we cannot conclude in favour or detriment to ESG effects on alpha. More importantly, however, once we adjust for credit rating and industry factors, we find that the previously observed beta-reduction benefits of ESG factors are no longer significant. In fact, the best environment and social quintiles have significantly higher beta, which is undesirable. In addition, better total ESG quintiles have betas that are nearly monotonically increasing and almost significant, which is again, undesirable. While ESG factor analysis is an important part of any investment process, participants need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of ESG scores. Future research should continue to explore these relationships as ESG measurement techniques improve.


Abstract

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worries. Recent research revealed impaired intracortical facilitation of bilateral motor cortices (M1) in GAD. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate whether M1 cortical activations could be a reliable and clinically-feasible biomarker for GAD. Forty GAD patients and twenty healthy control subjects were recruited. Bilateral M1 cortical activations in response to 4 different tasks, including finger tapping (FT), verbal fluency test (VFT), dual tasks with simultaneous FT and VFT (DT), and DT with pretreated pressure to enhance worries (DTp), were measured by multichannel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Task-induced total hemoglobin changes (Δ [Hb]) were used as the index of cortical activations. The quantitative Δ [Hb] results revealed that GAD had abnormally decreased Δ [Hb] over bilateral M1. Repeated-measure ANCOVA revealed a significant main effect of group on bilateral M1 Δ [Hb] results (left M1: F=11.026, p=0.002; right M1: F=9.843, p=0.003), indicating that GAD had significantly lowered M1 Δ [Hb] across all tasks. The ROC analysis revealed that M1 Δ [Hb] in response to VFT demonstrated good sensitivity/specificity in predicting a diagnosis of GAD. In conclusion, attenuated M1 cortical responsiveness to motor and cognitive tasks as a characteristic feature of GAD could have the diagnostic value in clinically settings.


This chapter contributes to the improvement of GPS-based travel surveying by introducing a combined method of GPS, GIS and web-based user interaction, which has been applied in large- scale fieldwork in the netherlands. With over 1000 participants, as far as we know, this is the first time that a GPS-based method that measures travel mode choice as well as the location and type of destinations that are visited has been used on such a large scale. The chapter focuses in particular on the identification of travel modes and destinations, which is still an under-researched issue. Our approach concentrates on the issue of deriving and validating the purpose of trip destinations and travel modes, while also allowing reliable multi-day data collection. The method consists of an interpretation process and a validation process. The interpretation process uses spatial data (e.g. railways, shops) and characteristics of the respondents (e.g. home address, possession of cars) to interpret data from the logs. The travel behaviour data that result from this interpretation round can be adjusted and added to by the respondents in a validation application. The link between both processes is interactive; when new individual characteristics (e.g. the address of a friend's house) are entered by the respondents, these characteristics will be used for further interpretation of the data. The remainder of this chapter is structured as follows. The following section gives an overview of the advantages and drawbacks of current GPS-based data collection methods that are suitable for measuring choice of travel mode and/or trip destinations. The subsequent section describes the GPS-based method that we developed and in section four the value of our method is evaluated by presenting the results of the fieldwork we recently undertook. The results are compared with results from an internet survey that was carried out at an earlier date and also with the Dutch Travel Survey (DTS) that uses paper diaries. The chapter ends with conclusions on the use of GPS-based methods for the collection of travel behaviour data and a discussion of future possibilities.


Lipid oxidation is one of the major modifications that affect meat products due to chemical composition, heat and grinding processes beyond the routine use of sodium chloride, a recognized catalyst of this reaction. Antioxidants are substances used to inhibit or retard oxidative rancidity. However the use of these compounds has been drawing the attention of consumers and regulatory agencies about the safety of synthetic additives consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the use of carotenoids bixin and norbixin as antioxidants in meat products by review of the chemical characteristics, methods of production, toxicity and technological applications. These pigments are extracted from annatto (Bixa orellana L.) using organic solvents, supercritical extraction or microwaves. In Brazil, the use of these substances is forecast by law as food colorant, however, this carotenoids show a large unsaturated carbon chains that allow the addition of free radicals and enable their use as antioxidant. The structural differences between bixin and norbixin result in distinct polarity, solubility and coloration, and consequently in different technological applications. At concentrations established by regulatory agencies, the use of these compounds is safe and, in addition to applications such as dyes, can be used by industries as natural antioxidants, which is an alternative capable of replace or minimize the use of synthetic additives in meat products.


Dose fractionation is utilized in clinical radiotherapy to allow normal tissue repair and increase tumor radiosensitivity through reoxygenation and redistribution to a relatively radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle. In this study, the cell cycle kinetics of a breast adenocarcinoma tumor and linear-quadratic dose-response were used to determine the TCP (tumor control probability) of different dose fractionation schedules employed in radiotherapy treatment of breast tumors. Results show that the simulated growth behavior of the tumor population exhibited similarities with the in vitro growth curve. Dose fractionation schedules of 45 Gy total dose, delivered over 3 weeks; and 30 Gy total dose, delivered over a week, show considerable fraction of tumor cell death that lead to a high TCP. In the case of 50 Gy total dose delivered over 5 weeks, net growth in relative tumor population was obtained, resulting in a small TCP. Based on the calculated TCPs, the dose per fraction and total treatment period are essential factors that determine the effectiveness of a dose fractionation regimen.


The principles of protein assembly A knowledge of protein structure greatly enhances our understanding of protein function. In many cases, function depends on oligomerization. Ahnert et al. used mass spectrometry data together with a large-scale analysis of structures of protein complexes to examine the fundamental steps of protein assembly. Systematically combining assembly steps revealed a large set of quaternary topologies that were organized into a periodic table. Based on this table, the authors accurately predicted the expected frequencies of quaternary structure topologies. Science, this issue p. 10.1126/science.aaa2245 Understanding the organizing principles allows exhaustive enumeration of possible protein quaternary structure topologies. INTRODUCTION The assembly of proteins into complexes is crucial for most biological processes. The three-dimensional structures of many thousands of homomeric and heteromeric protein complexes have now been determined, and this has had a broad impact on our understanding of biological function and evolution. Despite this, the organizing principles that underlie the great diversity of protein quaternary structures observed in nature remain poorly understood, particularly in comparison with protein folds, which have been extensively classified in terms of their architecture and evolutionary relationships. RATIONALE In this work, we sought a comprehensive understanding of the general principles underlying quaternary structure organization. Our approach was to consider protein complexes in terms of their assembly. Many protein complexes assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways in vitro, and these pathways have a strong tendency to be evolutionarily conserved. Furthermore, there are strong similarities between protein complex assembly and evolutionary pathways, with assembly pathways often being reflective of evolutionary histories, and vice versa. This suggests that it may be useful to consider the types of protein complexes that have evolved from the perspective of what assembly pathways are possible. RESULTS We first examined the fundamental steps by which protein complexes can assemble, using electrospray mass spectrometry experiments, literature-curated assembly data, and a large-scale analysis of protein complex structures. We found that most assembly steps can be classified into three basic types: dimerization, cyclization, and heteromeric subunit addition. By systematically combining different assembly steps in different ways, we were able to enumerate a large set of possible quaternary structure topologies, or patterns of key interfaces between the proteins within a complex. The vast majority of real protein complex structures lie within these topologies. This enables a natural organization of protein complexes into a "periodic table," because each heteromer can be related to a simpler symmetric homomer topology. Exceptions are mostly the result of quaternary structure assignment errors, or cases where sequence-identical subunits can have different interactions and thus introduce asymmetry. Many of these asymmetric complexes fit the paradigm of a periodic table when their assembly role is considered. Finally, we implemented a model based on the periodic table, which predicts the expected frequencies of each quaternary structure topology, including those not yet observed. Our model correctly predicts quaternary structure topologies of recent crystal and electron microscopy structures that are not included in our original data set. CONCLUSION This work explains much of the observed distribution of known protein complexes in quaternary structure space and provides a framework for understanding their evolution. In addition, it can contribute considerably to the prediction and modeling of quaternary structures by specifying which topologies are most likely to be adopted by a complex with a given stoichiometry, potentially providing constraints for multi-subunit docking and hybrid methods. Lastly, it could help in the bioengineering of protein complexes by identifying which topologies are most likely to be stable, and thus which types of essential interfaces need to be engineered. Protein assembly steps lead to a periodic table of protein complexes and can predict likely quaternary structure topologies. Three main assembly steps are possible: cyclization, dimerization, and subunit addition. By combining these in different ways, a large set of possible quaternary structure topologies can be generated. These can be arranged on a periodic table that describes most known complexes and that can predict previously unobserved topologies. Structural insights into protein complexes have had a broad impact on our understanding of biological function and evolution. In this work, we sought a comprehensive understanding of the general principles underlying quaternary structure organization in protein complexes. We first examined the fundamental steps by which protein complexes can assemble, using experimental and structure-based characterization of assembly pathways. Most assembly transitions can be classified into three basic types, which can then be used to exhaustively enumerate a large set of possible quaternary structure topologies. These topologies, which include the vast majority of observed protein complex structures, enable a natural organization of protein complexes into a periodic table. On the basis of this table, we can accurately predict the expected frequencies of quaternary structure topologies, including those not yet observed. These results have important implications for quaternary structure prediction, modeling, and engineering.


The theory of international law has a variety of problems, but none are more glaring than those present in customary international law (CIL). Though CIL is one of the two main sources of international law, it is both poorly understood and under-theorized. Attracted by this weakness, critics have sought to demonstrate that CIL is irrelevant or non-existent. This Article lays a solid theoretical foundation for CIL and responds to critics by showing that CIL can be a meaningful influence on state behavior. Consistent with much of the current writing on international law, including the strongest criticisms in both legal and political science scholarship, the Article makes standard rational choice assumptions about state behavior. It is assumed that states are self-interested and that they will comply with international law only when it is in their interest to do so. It is shown how, under these assumptions CIL can exist and can influence state behavior. What emerges is a robust and coherent theory of CIL. The theory is then used to examine the doctrine of CIL. Where existing views of CIL are consistent with the theory, the Article provides them with a stronger and more satisfying theoretical justification. For example, the theory provides a novel and more persuasive explanation for the persistent objector doctrine. Where existing perspectives are in conflict with the theoretical approach, the Article explains how and why current views should be adapted. For example, the Article argues that opinio juris should be at the center of our understanding of CIL, and that state practice, traditionally considered the second requirement for the establishment of a rule of CIL, should be viewed only as evidence of opinio juris rather than an independent requirement. In addition to the opinio juris and practice requirements, the article examines the most salient doctrinal issues in CIL, including the relationship between treaties and CIL formation, the persistent and subsequent objector doctrines, the role of new states, instant custom, regional or special custom, and the relationship between jus cogens norms and CIL.


Nanoparticles of ferric chloride doped ZnS has been synthesized by simple chemical precipitation method and characterized by XRD, SEM, UV-Vis analysis, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. XRD patterns of the samples reveal particle size, specific surface area and the formation of cubic structure. The SEM images show that the cauliflower likes structure. Optical band gap values have been obtained from UV-Vis absorption spectra. It has also been found that energy band gap (Eg) increases with the increase in molar concentration of reactant solution. Thermal analysis measurement of the prepared sample shows that the thermal stability of pure ZnS is decreased due to increase in ferric chloride concentration. Undoped ZnS is more thermal stable when compared to FeCl3 doped ZnS.


Abstract This article focuses on support in transition to adulthood for young people who have been in the child welfare system in Norway. By drawing upon interviews with young people and social workers in child welfare services and social services for adults, we explore differences between the support offered by these two services and how this support is experienced by the young people themselves. The interviews are analysed using the theory of institutional logics as an analytical framework. Institutional logics guide the focus of attention to those who are subject to the logics. The findings are systematised in light of the issues that are given most attention in the social workers' reasoning about aftercare. The foci of attention in child welfare and social services are compared to the experiences of the young people and how they perceived the support from the two services. We point out the following three dimensions, which seem to capture differences in foci in the services and the young people's experiences: (1) the extent to which care leavers were recognised as a distinct responsibility; (2) the extent to which the care leavers were perceived as young people or as young adults; and (3) which aim was seen as most relevant – independence or a gradual transition. The findings are discussed in light of legislation and the mandate of the services, thus pointing at different institutional logics.


Abstract In two studies published some 25 years ago (; 1988), I argued that the rise of social complexity on Cyprus during the late Middle to early Late Bronze Age involved the interplay of trade and external demand, the accumulation and reinvestment of wealth, and the division of labour into specialized production areas. In two follow-up papers (Knapp 1990a; 1993), I traced the 'incipient' stages in the emergence of socio-political complexity on Cyprus back to the Early and Middle Bronze Ages, arguing that gradual growth in metallurgical and agricultural production enabled emergent power groups to establish pre-eminence in the northern part of the island by at least 2000 BC. Nonetheless, I suggested that locally controlled exploitation of mineral, material and symbolic resources continued to characterize island society until c. 1700 BC, and that the 'transformation' then seen in Cyprus's material culture represented a gradual development of power differentials in society. Virtually all other scholars involved have adopted a similar, evolutionary stance — looking at gradual development over a period of at least a millennium or more — to consider the dramatic changes that took place between c. 1750/1700–1400 BC (ProBA 1). More recent publication of several Early–Middle Bronze Age sites and related materials necessitates a reassessment of the conclusions drawn concerning the gradual emergence of social complexity on Bronze Age Cyprus. The discussion assesses various viewpoints related to Cyprus's socio-political structure during and after this crucial transitional period, and in conclusion it is argued that none of the material correlates of a stratified complex society or emergent 'secondary state' appear together in the Cypriot archaeological record before about 1700 BC (MC III), i.e. at the very outset of the Protohistoric Bronze Age.


We use an agency model to analyze the impact of judicial review on the incentives of elected leaders to "posture" by enacting bold but ill-advised policies. We find that judicial review may exacerbate posturing by rescuing leaders from the consequences of unwise policies, but may also discourage posturing by alerting voters to unjustified government action. We further find that judges will defer to the decision of elected leaders unless posturing is sufficiently likely. We then show how judicial review affects voter welfare, both through its effect on policy choice and through its effect on the efficacy of the electoral process in selecting leaders. We also analyze how the desirability of judicial review is affected by characteristics of the leaders and the judges.


Peer-to-Peer (P2P) live video streaming over the Internet is becoming increasingly popular, but it is still plagued by problems of high playback latency and intermittent playback streams. This paper presents GLive, a distributed market-based solution that builds a mesh overlay for P2P live streaming. The mesh overlay is constructed such that (i) nodes with increasing upload bandwidth are located closer to the media source, and (ii) nodes with similar upload bandwidth become neighbours. We introduce a market-based approach that matches nodes willing and able to share the stream with one another. However, market-based approaches converge slowly on random overlay networks, and we improve the rate of convergence by adapting our market-based algorithm to exploit the clustering of nodes with similar upload bandwidths in our mesh overlay. We address the problem of free-riding through nodes preferentially uploading more of the stream to the best up loaders. We compare GLive with our previous tree-based streaming protocol, Sepidar, and New Cools treaming in simulation, and our results show significantly improved playback continuity and playback latency.


The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government-mandated shutdowns caused a historic shock to the U.S. economy and a disproportionate job loss concentrated among the working class. While an unprecedented social safety net policy response successfully offset earnings losses among lower-wage workers, the risk of continued and persistent unemployment remains higher among the working class. The key lesson from the Great Recession is that strong economic growth and a hot labor market do more to improve the economic well-being of the working class and historically disadvantaged groups than a slow recovery that relies on safety net policies to help replace lost earnings. Thus, the best way to prevent a "k-shaped" recovery is to ensure that safety net policies do not interfere with a return to the strong pre-pandemic economy once the health risk subsides and that progrowth policies that incentivize business investment and hiring are maintained.


This paper discusses the conflict between language policy and actual practice regarding loanword use in Japan. Localized appropriation of foreign words is nothing new to Japanese history; nevertheless, the Japanese government deems the current influx of loanwords to be "problematic". A 2007 report by the National Institute for Japanese Language (NIJLA), commissioned by the government, finds that numerous loanwords that appear in public discourse are not understood by the average Japanese person. NIJLA suggested that the most commonly non-understood foreign-language loanwords should be replaced with native Japanese or Sino-Japanese paraphrases instead. Despite the fact that it is the government that first "problematized" this situation, and one of its own institutions that has suggested the countermeasure, my comparative examination of loanword use in public resources reveals that it is primarily government administrators who introduce new loanwords, legitimize them, and treat them as established discourse. I argue that this apparent discrepancy is a conflict between two different forms of language ideology – NIJLA's (as well as the government's) essentialist notion of 'democratic language' versus actual language use, including the very 'third space' language practices of government officials that have arisen within the contexts of the transnational discourse of globalization and internationalism.


We show that cascaded diffusion models are capable of generating high fidelity images on the class-conditional ImageNet generation benchmark, without any assistance from auxiliary image classifiers to boost sample quality. A cascaded diffusion model comprises a pipeline of multiple diffusion models that generate images of increasing resolution, beginning with a standard diffusion model at the lowest resolution, followed by one or more super-resolution diffusion models that successively upsample the image and add higher resolution details. We find that the sample quality of a cascading pipeline relies crucially on conditioning augmentation, our proposed method of data augmentation of the lower resolution conditioning inputs to the super-resolution models. Our experiments show that conditioning augmentation prevents compounding error during sampling in a cascaded model, helping us to train cascading pipelines achieving FID scores of 1.48 at 64x64, 3.52 at 128x128 and 4.88 at 256x256 resolutions, outperforming BigGAN-deep, and classification accuracy scores of 63.02% (top-1) and 84.06% (top-5) at 256x256, outperforming VQ-VAE-2.


It has always been valuable to be able to make early decisions in thermal climate investigations. The development of virtual thermal manikins (VTM) and computer simulated persons (CSP) has become an important complement to traditional evaluation of the thermal environment. This paper describes how to build a VTM within a commercial computational fluid dynamics code (CFD). The methods are based on human experiments and real thermal manikin measurements. Unfortunately, too few of the theories behind thermal manikin simulations are available in the public domain. Many researchers and companies still use several in-house codes for all or essential parts of their calculations. This paper provides information on how to build the geometry of the manikin in three different commercial CFD codes (CFX (R), Star-CD (R) and Fluent (R)). More information and descriptions are also given on how to connect the VTM to the CFD calculations and make the system interact in real time throughout the full iteration process.


This timely book deploys new tools and measures to understand how global production networks change the nature of global economic interdependence, and how that in turn changes our understanding of which policies are appropriate in this new environment. Bringing to bear an array of the latest methods and data to study global value chains, this unique book assesses the evolution of global value chains at the firm level, and how this affects competitiveness in Asia.


Biology of Life: Biochemistry, Physiology and Philosophy provides foundational coverage of the field of biochemistry for a different angle to the traditional biochemistry text by focusing on human biochemistry and incorporating related elements of evolution to help further contextualize this dynamic space. This unique approach includes sections on early human development, what constitutes human life, and what makes it special. Additional coverage on the differences between the biochemistry of prokaryotes and eukaryotes is also included. The center of life in prokaryotes is considered to be photosynthesis and sugar generation, while the center of life in eukaryotes is sugar use and oxidative phosphorylation. This unique reference will inform specialized biochemistry courses and researchers in their understanding of the role biochemistry has in human life.Contextualizes the field of biochemistry and its role in human lifeIncludes dedicated sections on human reproduction and human brain developmentProvides extensive coverage on biochemical energetics, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, and carbon monoxide-acetate pathways


Although remote-controlled robots flying over the Middle East and Central Asia now dominate reports on new military technologies, robots that are capable of detecting, identifying, and killing enemies on their own are quietly but steadily moving from the theoretical to the practical. The enormous difficulty in assigning responsibilities to humans and states for the actions of these machines grows with their increasing autonomy. These developments implicate serious legal, ethical, and societal concerns. This Article focuses on the accountability of states and underlying human responsibilities for autonomous weapons under International Humanitarian Law or the Law of Armed Conflict. After reviewing the evolution of autonomous weapon systems and diminishing human involvement in these systems along a continuum of autonomy, this Article argues that the elusive search for individual culpability for the actions of autonomous weapons foreshadows fundamental problems in assigning responsibility to states for the actions of these machines. It further argues that the central legal requirement relevant to determining accountability (especially for violation of the most important international legal obligations protecting the civilian population in armed conflicts) is human judgment. Access to effective human judgment already appears to be emerging as the deciding factor in establishing practical restrictions and framing legal concerns with respect to the deployment of the most advanced autonomous weapons.


The present study aims to evaluate the wastewater management system in AlQurayyat, with primary focus on the efficacy of the treatment plant that was operated 30 years ago. One of the objectives of the study is to throw light on the environmental consequences of wastewater and suggest innovative, novel solutions to this problem. Approximately 4000000 m3 of wastewater comes from localities served by the sewerage system every year. About 6000000 m3 of the total wastewater comes from the localities lacking any sewerage system services. About 20% of the wastewater discharges from such localities is transferred by truck tankers and dumped directly into open fields nearby Kaf village. Approximately 95% of the total existing waste flow is treated by a single treatment plant acquiring a capacity of 300 m3/hour (8500 m3/day). The raw sewage arriving to the plant varies markedly according to the human consumption and seasonal rainfall. A mean value of 900 m3/hour was recorded during January 2015. In 2014, more than 5000000 cubic meters of the wastewater were dumped either into a man-made pond or an open field nearby Kaf village, 15 Km northern AlQurayyat. Successful and sustainable management of wastewater requires a composite of innovative projects, for example innovative financing of appropriate wastewater infrastructure (design, construction, operation, maintenance, and upgrading). Thinking to the long-term and creating solutions for smart wastewater management in the light of rapid global change is strongly recommended. Strategic planning in the water sector must be appropriate at the social, cultural, economic and environmental scales.


Plants, animals, bacteria, and Archaea all have evolved mechanisms to cope with environmental or cellular stress. Bacterial cells respond to the stress of DNA damage by activation of the SOS response, the canonical RecA/LexA-dependent signal transduction pathway that transcriptionally derepresses a multiplicity of genes–leading to transient arrest of cell division and initiation of DNA repair. Here we report the previously unsuspected role of E. coli endoribonuclease RNase E in regulation of the SOS response. We show that RNase E deletion or inactivation of temperature-sensitive RNase E protein precludes normal initiation of SOS. The ability of RNase E to regulate SOS is dynamic, as down regulation of RNase E following DNA damage by mitomycin C resulted in SOS termination and restoration of RNase E function leads to resumption of a previously aborted response. Overexpression of the RraA protein, which binds to the C-terminal region of RNase E and modulates the actions of degradosomes, recapitulated the effects of RNase E deficiency. Possible mechanisms for RNase E effects on SOS are discussed.


Wireless mesh networks are an emerging and versatile communication technology. The most common application of these networks is to provide access of any number of users to the world wide Internet. They can be set up by Internet service providers or even individuals joined in communities. Due to the wireless medium that is shared by all participants, e ects like short-time fading, or the multi-hop property of the network topology many issues are still in the focus of research. Testbeds are a powerful tool to study wireless mesh networks as close as possible to real world application scenarios. In this technical report we describe the design, architecture, and implementation of our work-in-progress wireless testbed at Freie Universität Berlin consisting of 100 mesh routers that span multiple buildings. The testbed is hybrid as it combines wireless mesh network routers with a wireless sensor network.


Residential child care is most often seen as a placement of last resort and not a placement of choice. The only time one hears of it is when something has gone wrong therefore, workers are seen in a poor light. The terms and conditions are poor and the work is challenging, both physically and emotionally. This being said there are dedicated, well qualified people entering then remaining in this field of work. This study sets out to understand not only how people got into the work but more importantly once they were in it why they decided to stay. This is an in-depth study based primarily on the life-story narratives of a small sample of participants plus the responses to a web-based questionnaire to add a second dimension. The work of Pierre Bourdieu and aspects of psychoanalytical theory have been used to examine both the sociological and psychological backgrounds of the participants giving a truly psycho-social account of their journeys. The study identified that the routes into the work were often complex and varied and that they played little part in the reasons people chose to remain in the work. Being disappointed with initial work choices, due to familial and social pressure, played a significant part in why the participants were looking for something in their lives. However, once in the work the participants not only enjoyed the work but were also able to meet familial and societal expectations by gaining qualifications, and for some status. More importantly, the work offered opportunities to be creative and feel of value as there was a 'fit' between the individual and the home. Significantly, the work allowed the participants to make reparation for real or imagined harm that they may have caused or had been done to them in early childhood. It is this combination of opportunity to meet familial and societal pressure whilst feeling good about oneself that has meant that for this sample they have remained working within the sector


Abstract English private international law generally gives a potential role, where appropriate, to foreign law, by allowing for the application of choice of law rules to determine its relevance. Yet in the context of anti-suit injunctions granted otherwise than in aid of a contractual right not to be sued, choice of law is conspicuously absent. In those cases, courts simply apply the lex fori without paying any regard to foreign law, although the notion of comity is taken into account in the final decision on whether to grant anti-suit relief. Clearer identification of the grounds for granting such relief should limit application of the lex fori to instances where the anti-suit injunction serves as a form of ancillary relief to protect the judicial processes of the forum, and in which comity plays no role. In all other cases, which ultimately concern private justice between the parties, comity is best understood as an expression of justice in cases involving foreign elements, and better reflected through choice of law rules, which might lead to the application of foreign law. This approach is preferable to invoking comity as a consideration relating to the manner in which the court regulates the grant of anti-suit relief, because courts tend to bestow rights, which parties may not otherwise have, under the cloak of comity. Understanding comity as the catalyst for taking account of foreign law assuages concerns about interfering with foreign courts, acts as a deterrent to remedy shopping, and provides greater certainty as regards the vindication of rights. The case for widening the application of choice of law in this context does not depend on Rome II, but if the principle is accepted, courts must follow the process which it specifies.


Plants respond to pathogen attack by recognizing molecular signals from the invaders and instigating their own cellular responses to limit damage. Shen et al. now show that two of the plant's defense systems themselves interact at the level of gene transcription. Studying barley's MLA proteins, part of one of the plant pathogen response pathways, the authors show how these proteins are localized to the nucleus, where they alter transcription of factors that regulate the other plant pathogen response pathway. The plant's response to pathogenic attack is thus coordinated and tuned to be appropriate to the challenge. Q.-H. Shen, Y. Saijo, S. Mauch, C. Biskup, S. Bieri, B. Keller, H. Seki, B. Ülker, I. E. Somssich, P. Schulze-Lefert, Nuclear activity of MLA immune receptors links isolate-specific and basal disease-resistance responses. Science 315, 1098-1103 (2007). [Abstract] [Full Text] J. L. Dangl, Nibbling at the plant cell nucleus. Science 315, 1088-1089 (2007). [Summary] [Full Text]


One of the most important steps in optimising the glass container forming process is the determination of the glass temperature. Knowledge of the temperature is necessary because of the strong temperature dependence of the glass properties important to the forming process, especially glass viscosity. During the forming process, a few degrees change in glass temperature can change the glass viscosity, thus significantly affecting the moulding process. This is especially true for narrow neck glass bottle containers where viscosity is critical in maintaining the shape of the parison (unshaped mass of glass before moulded into final form) during the transfer from the blank to the mould, and in determining the forming characteristics during the final blow. By monitoring the glass temperature, it is possible to optimise the glass forming process, thus increasing production rates and/or improving product quality.The current methods of temperature measurement which utilise handheld thermocouples are used to infer the parison's surface temperature by taking measurements of the blank mould. However, large errors are not uncommon due to inherent variability of operator's measurements, as well as the interference they introduce into the heat flow path. Also, the mould temperature measurement leads to assumptions about the parison temperature, which can be inaccurate. The use of thermal imaging technology to measure the temperature of parison offers an attractive alternative. This thesis describes a proposed method to monitor the temperature of the glass during the glass forming process by measuring the temperature of the parison. Temperature measurement is performed using machine vision technology and a high speed infrared camera providing real time temperature data to an operator to monitor and control the glass forming process.The system was developed and tested in a glass manufacturing plant. It is able to aid operators in optimising the I.S. machine by monitoring trend of the parison temperature. While the system is capable of providing temperature trend of the parisons, it is not able to provide reliable temperature reading of the parisons. This is due to the blurring artefact from the image captured, these undesirable artefact exist because of fast parison motion in relative to the speedof the IR camera response time. This limitation causes the system to be less robust when it is used purely for temperature reading. However, when it is used to monitor trend of the parison temperature, the system could be used to improve and detect faults on the I.S machine. Faults in forming process are detected when the parison temperature starts to decrease or increase beyond a control limit. This information helps operator troubleshoot the I.S. machine and increase productivity.


Pronouns are frequently omitted in pro-drop languages, such as Chinese, generally leading to significant challenges with respect to the production of complete translations. To date, very little attention has been paid to the dropped pronoun (DP) problem within neural machine translation (NMT). In this work, we propose a novel reconstruction-based approach to alleviating DP translation problems for NMT models. Firstly, DPs within all source sentences are automatically annotated with parallel information extracted from the bilingual training corpus. Next, the annotated source sentence is reconstructed from hidden representations in the NMT model. With auxiliary training objectives, in the terms of reconstruction scores, the parameters associated with the NMT model are guided to produce enhanced hidden representations that are encouraged as much as possible to embed annotated DP information. Experimental results on both Chinese-English and Japanese-English dialogue translation tasks show that the proposed approach significantly and consistently improves translation performance over a strong NMT baseline, which is directly built on the training data annotated with DPs.


print layout, paste-up, floorplanning, genetic algorithm, self-organising documents, BICAS The increasing quantity of data held by organizations about individuals, and the recent development of digital press capable of one-off printing at a quality rivalling offset machines, have created a demand for a method to automatically generate page layouts. The present solutions to this are either to use skilled labour to hand-design each page, or constrain the design tightly by fitting everything to a template, both of which have significant drawbacks. This thesis describes a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that automatically generates page layouts, without the need for costly and time-consuming human design, and with considerably more flexibility than a template-based approach. The GA is based on related work in VLSI floorplanning, which is described and adapted for the print context. This method was found to produce attractive layouts with a relatively small number of iterations, even though the only explicit goal in the program was to minimize wasted space. Visual representations of the layout are presented and discussed, together with an analysis of the search space and the speed with which the GA finds a solution. The range of document types for which this method produces attractive layouts is considered, and finally suggestions are made for future work, which would make the system into a more complete layout generation tool. The key novel ideas in this thesis are summarised in a patent application entitled 'Page composition' submitted by Hewlett-Packard to the UK Patent Office on Friday 30th August 2002.


In this article, a team from the University of Minnesota presents the findings of their recent study of first-year students' use of academic library resources and their learning outcomes. By examining student-reported feedback about library use (checking out books, using electronic resources, engaging in reference services, etc.) and about high-level learning outcomes (critical thinking and analytical skills, writing skills, and reading comprehension), the authors argue that the use of library resources does play a role in students' development of learning outcomes.


The function, seasonality and hormonal control of aggression among male conspecifics have been well studied in many taxa. In most cases, female-female intraspecific aggression has been less well studied. Male song sparrows are aggressive all year in resident populations, but levels of testosterone correlate with aggression only during periods of social instability. The seasonal pattern and possible hormonal correlates of female aggression are unknown. Female-female aggressive responses are similar to males' and include flights, threat vocalizations, wing waving and posturing. Possible functions, seasonal differences and hormonal underpinnings were tested with a series of field and laboratory experiments. To investigate function and hormonal control of female-female aggression, at two field sites in Western Washington, either a live caged female song sparrow and playback of female calls, or the control, a Rufous-sided Towhee mount and Towhee vocalizations, were presented to females on their territories in the spring prior to breeding, while the female was incubating, or in the fall following the molt. Females responded more to simulated song sparrow intrusion than to towhee presentations in all seasons. Female-female aggression was highest in spring and decreased across the breeding and post-molt (fall) seasons. Female-female aggression appeared to function to protect a female's monogamous status and access to paternal care, food and nest sites on the territory. At one site, females removals suggested that there were few female floaters. Blood samples taken following the simulated female intrusions were compared to those taken from passively netted females during the same season. Passively netted females had significantly higher levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone than females experiencing simulated female song sparrow intrusions in the field. There were no significant differences in circulating estradiol, progesterone or corticosterone. To test possible hormonal control of female-female aggression directly, captive females were ovariectomized and given hormone implants then behaviorally tested in single aviaries. There were no significant differences in behavioral response to simulated female intrusion in captive females given either an empty, estradiol or testosterone filled implant. These data suggest that androgens do not activate female-female aggression in song sparrows. Comparisons to data on male song sparrows are discussed.


We develop a general equilibrium model of vertical innovation in which multiple firms compete monopolistically in the quality space. The model features many firms, each of which holds the monopoly to produce a unique quality level of an otherwise homogenous good, and consumers who are heterogeneous in their valuation of the good's quality. If the marginal cost of production is convex with respect to quality, multiple firms coexist, and their equilibrium markups are determined by the degree of convexity and the density of quality-competition. To endogenize the latter, we nest this industry setup in a Schumpeterian model of endogenous growth. Each firm enters the industry as the technology leader and successively transits through the product cycle as it is superseded by further innovations. The intrinsic reason that innovation happens in our economy is not one of displacing the incumbent; rather, innovation is a means to differentiate oneself from existing firms and target new consumers. Aggregate growth arises if, on the one hand, increasingly wealthy consumers are willing to pay for higher quality and, on the other hand, private firms' innovation generates income growth by enlarging the set of available technologies. Because the frequency of innovation determines the toughness of product market competition, in our framework, the relation between growth and competition is reversed compared to the standard Schumpeterian framework. Our setup does not feature business stealing in the sense that already marginal innovations grant non-negligible profits. Rather, innovators sell to a set of consumers that was served relatively poorly by pre-existing firms. Nevertheless, "creative destruction" prevails as new entrants make the set of available goods more differentiated, thereby exerting a pro-competitive effect on the entire industry.


Abstract: A new compilation of deep seismic reflection data, in combination with the results of recent geological and isotopic investigations, provides the basis for significantly refined structural and evolutionary models of the Middle Urals. Many of the major structural boundaries observed at the surface (e.g. Main Uralian Thrust, Main Uralian Normal Fault, Serov–Mauk Fault, Prianitchnikova Shear Zone) can be followed on the seismic reflection data to depths of 8–15 km. Only a few features can be traced through the horizontal to shallow dipping zones of middle-crustal reflectivity that extend beneath much of the Middle Urals. Exceptions might be the Deevo Thrust and a newly discovered deep band of moderately dipping reflections beneath the West Siberian Basin that may represent the remnants of an ancient subduction zone. The reflectivity of the lower crust and Moho are similar beneath the hinterland of the Urals and below the western part of the West Siberian Basin, suggesting that in both places they have the same extensional origin. Accretion of various exotic terranes to the eastern margin of Baltica during Late Palaeozoic time involved considerable shortening of the continental margin. The accreted terranes (e.g. Tagil, Petrokamensk and Alapaevsk Arc Complexes) consist mostly of island-arc material formed during Mid- and Late Palaeozoic time. Closely associated with the island arcs are several high-grade metamorphic complexes (e.g. Salda and Murzinka–Adui Complexes) that were exhumed during and after Late Palaeozoic convergence. Towards the end of the orogeny, several north–south-trending strike-slip faults (e.g. Sisert Fault) were active. After the orogeny, major periods of tectonism and magmatism in the Middle Urals resulted in the extrusion of the Siberian trap basalts, crustal stretching and/or underplating, and the formation of the West Siberian Basin, the planet's largest intracontinental sedimentary basin. Finally, a period of renewed thrust faulting, often reactivating older faults, led to the inversion of the Mesozoic basins.


Manifest Destiny, as a term for westward expansion, was not used until the 1840s. Its predecessor was the Doctrine of Discovery, a legal tradition by which Europeans and Americans laid legal claim to the land of the indigenous people that they discovered. In the United States, the British colonists who had recently become Americans were competing with the English, French, and Spanish for control of lands west of the Mississippi. Who would be the discoverers of the Indians and their lands, the United States or the European countries? We know the answer, of course, but in this book, Miller explains for the first time exactly how the United States achieved victory, not only on the ground, but also in the developing legal thought of the day. The American effort began with Thomas Jefferson's authorization of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, which set out in 1803 to lay claim to the West. Lewis and Clark had several charges, among them the discovery of a Northwest Passage-a land route across the continent-in order to establish an American fur trade with China. In addition, the Corps of Northwestern Discovery, as the expedition was called, cataloged new plant and animal life, and performed detailed ethnographic research on the Indians they encountered. This fascinating book lays out how that ethnographic research became the legal basis for Indian removal practices implemented decades later, explaining how the Doctrine of Discovery became part of American law, as it still is today.


Peter Steiner's convincing and meticulous analysis of Julius Fucik'sReportage brings to my mind memories that are not particularly enjoyable. For me and those of my contemporaries who shared my political convictions in the early 1950s, the Fucik cult-for he had become the object of an officially enforced cult-was highly unpleasant, if not downright disgusting. There were many anti-Nazi resistance heroes like him, people who, unlike him, had been ready to die if they could take one or two of the enemy with them. But-through no fault of Fucik's-the others, mostly nonCommunist, such as Czechoslovak fighter pilots in the Battle ofBritain or the Czech and Slovak parachutists who killed Heydrich, have been hushed up and eliminated from Czech history. Fortunately not forever. Yet the Communists treated Fucik not just like a primus inter pares, but-so it seemed to us-as the only anti-Nazi fighter worth talking about When I eventually became acquainted with his Reportage during my military service, under curious circumstances described below, the main elements of the book were quoted ad nauseam not only by politruks (officers in charge of political indoctrination) but also by kultprops (officers in charge of cultural activities). This in spite of the claim that Reportage is not a novel and ostensibly is not based on any formula.