The southern African region is in close proximity to the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region between Africa and South America where the geomagnetic field is significantly weaker than at other comparable latitudes and is decreasing strongly. Between 2005 and 2009 very dense annual magnetic repeat station surveys were conducted in southern Africa within the framework of COMPASS (Comprehensive Magnetic Processes under the African Southern Sub-continent). This project aims at studying the regional geomagnetic field and particularly its evolutionary behaviour as part of the Inkaba yeAfrica cooperative project between Germany and South-Africa. We have modelled the magnetic field and its secular variation by means of two different techniques, one based on surface polynomials, the other on harmonic splines. Both approaches succeed in describing the characteristic time variations of the magnetic field components in this area. The rapid changes observed in the declination and vertical component during the period of investigation and revealed by the modelling results are of particular interest. Secular variation changes observed in the time-series of the Hermanus and the recently established Keetmanshoop magnetic observatories reveal the occurrence of a geomagnetic jerk in 2007.


This paper attempts to explain how technological innovation can soften pressure and enlarge opportunity to gain the benefit of free market competition. The free market operation becomes uncertain in relation to the domestic affairs and global circumstances. The accelerated process of moving toward free market under a domestically worsening economic situation may backfire, while slowing it down becomes backward under the globally progressing free market circumstances. In dealing with the complexity of building up competitiveness under the pressure of free market competition, we propose a model; the so-called 'adaptive innovation policy'. The model is drawn from the metaphor of living system and its environment. The adaptive innovation is continuous enrichment of technology as the nutrition of living economic system to evolve in gaining the benefit of free market competition. The simulation results from the model imply that: i) dealing with the complexity of free market competition requires understanding the behavior of multiple feedback inside the complex economic system; ii) spurring the economic growth by capital investment beyond the carrying capacity of market could bring about economic instability; iii) enlarging the carrying capacity of market needs to increasing the added-value of marketed goods through technological innovation; iv) developing countries require innovator as well as seriously need investor in facing the free market competition, and; v) a clear design of industrial and technology policy for the promotion of innovative activities are still relevant to ensure that developing countries will participate in global market economy.


Nicaragua is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographic, social, economic and environmental conditions. Increased temperature, fluctuation of precipitation patterns, and sea-level rise pose significant impacts for agricultural productivity, water resources availability and the risk of extreme disaster. Consequently, some crops may lose their suitability in current growing areas. This study provides a vulnerability assessment based on the results for exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and includes present and projected future climatic conditions and hazards, crop suitability analyses and socio-economic assessments at a district scale. In addition, a case study is presented in three municipalities: Waslala, Rancho Grande and El Cuá, focusing on coffee and cocoa systems, which are essential to the Nicaraguan rural economy, where there has been a significant reduction in climate suitability. The case study shows opportunities, economic trade-offs and barriers of the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices for adaptation to progressive climate change.


Galvanic isolation, generally just referred to as isolation, is a means of preventing DC and unwanted AC currents and avoiding a direct conduction path between two sections of a system while still allowing signal and/or power transfer between those two sections. Semiconductor devices that offer galvanic isolation are referred to as isolators. Optocouplers are one of the first isolators to be introduced in the semiconductor industry and have dominated the industry for several decades as an exclusive isolation technology. With semiconductor technological advances in the last couple decades, there are many other isolation technologies, like capacitive and magnetic isolation, that offer similar functionality as optocouplers with better overall performance. Among the competing technologies, TI's silicon dioxide (SiO 2 )-based digital isolation technology offers superior performance, especially on high voltage rating, electrical characteristics, switching characteristics and reliability. This white paper compares TI digital isolators to some of the commonly available optocouplers with respect to various performance parameters. To compare TI digital isolators to optocouplers in standard interface circuits, please refer to the application brief, How to Replace Optocouplers with Digital Isolators in Standard Interface Circuits.


Global markets express a new vision of market research and of marketing research, consistent with the information needs of complex organisations (generally network-based) working with several decision-making points (characterised by high-level delegations and responsibilities) and with very brief action-reaction times. Marketing research and market research represent two distinct information support domains for corporate management, with well-defined theoretical and practical limits. Market research concerns, on the one hand, uncontrollable environmental phenomena (such as demographic and social composition and trends). On the other, it regards influenceable environmental phenomena (e.g. overall product consumption trends, degree of competition, distribution channels, etc.). On the contrary, marketing research tends to develop when increased competition obliges a company to perform analysis of market opportunities and threats. In general terms, marketing research can be defined as the systematic collection and analysis of relevant quantitative and qualitative data and information for a specific marketing situation that a company must face for product, price, place and promotion.


Durian (DuriO zibethinus Murr) is a popular seasonal fruit grown in many
parts of South-East Asia. Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are major producers of
this fruit in the world. Today, durians are not only planted in home garden but also
grown commercially in large-scale plantation to meet the local and export demands.
Normally, durians are eaten shortly after harvest in fresh form as it quickly turns sour
and rancid due to some chemical changes that follow. To a lesser extend, durian is
also processed into products like lempuk (durian cake) and tempoyak (fermented
durian), two traditional products widely consumed in Malaysia and Indonesia.
However, these product are not commercially produced in large quantities.
Meanwhile, fruit leather, a product prepared by dehydration of fruit puree, is an
established product particularly in the North American and European markets;
however it is relatively unknown product in Malaysia. Therefore, the development of a new fruit leather from durian could be an alternative to increase the commercial
value of durian.
Four aspects in the development of durian leather were conducted in this
study. These were preliminary study on the development of durian leather,
optimization of formulation and drying conditions of durian leather, product stability
during storage and determination of the retention of its flavouring components during
processing and storage. fu the preliminary study, the results showed that processing
of durian leather was feasible to diversifY the use of durian. Proximate composition of
the leather was comparable to other fruit leathers in the market. The product was
relatively stable and showed low mould counts and organoleptically acceptable in all
attnlmtes studied during three months storage.Optimizations of ingredient formulation and drying conditions were carried
out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique. The results based on
sensory evaluation showed that the most acceptable formulation was an ingredient
combination of 10% glucose syrup solid, 5% sucrose, 2.67% hydrogenated palm oil
and 0.45% soy-lecithin added into durian aril for the preparation of durian leather.
Optimum drying conditions were 50°C for 12.6 h for oven-dried leather, and 52.5°C
for 10 h for cabinet-dried leather.
A storage study on the optimum formulation and processing conditions
indicated that durian leather was a stable product up to 12 weeks storage. All samples
packed in four different types of packaging materials i. e. laminated aluminium foil (LAF), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and
polypropylene (PP), were shown to be organoleptically acceptable by the panelists.
LAF, however, was proven to be the finest packaging material in maintaining the
stability of durian leather during storage.


The substantive contours of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been largely worked out for quite some time. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, opponents of Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service decisions from both the industry and the environmental group corners realized that the methodological contours of the ESA were not nearly as settled as their substantive kin. Thus a frenzy of ESA methodology debate materialized in the late 1990s and has been going strong since then, reflecting the realization industry and environmental interests must have made - that how these methodological rules get worked out could revolutionize the ESA for decades to come. This Article explores the breadth and depth of the ensuing battle over ESA methodology. It begins by laying out a framework for evaluating decisionmaking methodologies. One basis on which we might choose how to go about making decisions is what level of confidence we wish decisions to enjoy. Also, how we frame the hypotheses to be tested will influence who favors which methodology. And methodology selection also has much to do with aversion to mistaken conclusions about whether the hypothesis is true.Because methodology selection depends so much on how hypotheses are stated and the risk aversion bias of different interest groups, the Article next provides some background on the ESA and its numerous decisionmaking nodes - the points at which a choice among the three methodologies must be made using one or more of the frameworks discussed above. Three features of the ESA make its decisionmaking context particularly susceptible to fights over methodology. First, many decisions the agencies must make involve questions of biological science for which the available scientific database is either sparse or inconclusive. Second, these biological evaluations often arise in legal contexts that present a poor fit between science and policy. Finally, ESA decisions are characterized by the intense involvement of viciously combative interest groups willing to sue each other and the agencies with what appears to be gleeful abandon. Where the opportunity presents itself to shape ESA methodology, the opposed interest groups seem happy to litigate to a pitched battle in short order.Next the Article frames and assesses the battle positions, which fall into three competing methodological camps I call the Professional Judgment Method, which is the default rule for the ESA, and its two postulated alternatives, the Scientific Method and the Precautionary Principle Method. These three methodologies incorporate starkly different approaches to management of risk relating to species conservation. Yet, close examination reveals neither of the postulated alternatives to the Professional Judgment Method finds support in the statutory framework of the ESA.Nevertheless, there are times when the Scientific Method and the Precautionary Principle Method have a role to play under the ESA, sometimes even hand-in-hand. The challenge is to design a framework that both gives them a role and keeps them under control. The final section of the Article outlines a proposal to create a procedure under which FWS and NMFS could elect to adopt the precautionary principle in discrete decisionmaking instances based on a finding that a significant risk of error with severe consequences exists in connection with a decision not to extend protection to a species. Any interested person could then require the agency to obtain a rigorous scientific peer review of the basis for the agency's decision as means of checking against irrational precaution. Conversely, the proposal would also establish a process under which any interested person could petition a standing committee of scientists to decide whether require a scientific peer review upon finding that the agency may have failed to elect the precautionary principle when it should have under reasonable precautionary guidelines. To guard against overuse of either procedure, the results and findings of the peer review would be entitled to great deference in any judicial review proceeding of the agency's final decision. This would leave the Professional Judgment Method in its appropriate position as the default methodology for ESA decisions, but allow the Scientific Method and Precautionary Principle Method a role in difficult cases.


Gaussian Process bandit optimization has emerged as a powerful tool for optimizing noisy black box functions. One example in machine learning is hyper-parameter optimization where each evaluation of the target function may require training a model which may involve days or even weeks of computation. Most methods for this so-called "Bayesian optimization" only allow sequential exploration of the parameter space. However, it is often desirable to propose batches or sets of parameter values to explore simultaneously, especially when there are large parallel processing facilities at our disposal. Batch methods require modeling the interaction between the different evaluations in the batch, which can be expensive in complex scenarios. In this paper, we propose a new approach for parallelizing Bayesian optimization by modeling the diversity of a batch via Determinantal point processes (DPPs) whose kernels are learned automatically. This allows us to generalize a previous result as well as prove better regret bounds based on DPP sampling. Our experiments on a variety of synthetic and real-world robotics and hyper-parameter optimization tasks indicate that our DPP-based methods, especially those based on DPP sampling, outperform state-of-the-art methods.


Now more than ever, indigenous peoples' interests in their cultural heritage are in the spotlight. Yet, there is very little literature that comprehensively discusses how existing laws can and cannot be used to address indigenous peoples' interests. This book assesses how intangible aspects of indigenous cultural heritage (and the tangible objects that hold them) can be protected, within the realm of a broad range of existing legal orders, including intellectual property and related rights, consumer protection law, common law and equitable doctrines, and human rights. It does so by focusing on the New Zealand Māori. The book also looks to the future, analyzing the long-awaited Wai 262 report, released in New Zealand by the Waitangi Tribunal in response to allegations that the government had failed in its duty to ensure that the Māori retain chieftainship over their tangible and intangible treasures, as required by the Treaty of Waitangi, signed between the Māori and the British Crown in 1840.


Background: Self medication practice especially using antibiotics has tremendously increased in the society that leads to unwanted consequences such as drug resistance. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the self-medication practices with antibiotics among the second year medical students of Government Medical College, Raigarh. Materials & Methods: It was a questionnaire based descriptive study. A prevalidated questionnaire, which contained both open & close ended questions were given to the second year medical students. Data were analyzed using Excel sheet & results were expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Females outnumber males in this study, 27 versus 20. The most common indication for which self-medication was opted was fever with cough and cold. The information about the antibiotic was obtained from a past prescription from a physician. The most common antibiotic that was used by most of students was azithromycin. Conclusion: There was a high level of self-medication with antibiotics in our study, but this high level of self-prescription seen is also having some disadvantages, as improper duration of use might lead to development of resistance.


Crusaders and Muslims each applied to their conflict in the Latin East a doctrine of holy war. Although so ideological a stance toward each other would seem to preclude peacemaking efforts, some 120 treaties were signed between parties to the conflict during the two-century Latin presence in the Holy Land (1097–1291). Explored here is how each party overcame this incongruity between ideology and praxis and sought a "small peace," which is temporary and practical, rather than "great peace," which is a final settlement. Features of these peacemaking efforts examined here include the temporal nature of the treaties, the need for a pretext for making peace, gestural language and public ceremonies, gift giving, meal sharing, and oath taking that demonstrate familiarity with one's opponent's beliefs. Also considered is the interplay between state and nonstate entities in peacemaking endeavors and how it reflected the balance of power in the medieval Latin arena. The article concludes with a brief consideration of the shifting historical circumstances that ended medieval peacemaking in the East.


The author revises the Classical tradition on pharaoh Bocchoris (Wahkare Bakenranef of the XIVth dynasty) as the most accomplished Egyptian lawgiver. The evidence of Diodorus, on which this tradition mostly rests, is scrutinized and compared with Egyptian sources. It is argued that Egyptian legal documents do not confirm, and occasionally contradict, Diodorus' account, which should be thus treated with care. The author suggests that Bocchoris' codification may have never taken place and the tradition of his alleged accomplishments can be explained in terms of political propaganda of the early XXVIth dynasty rulers. This tradition was subsequently used by the Greeks to explain Solonic reform as borrowed from or inspired by "the wisdom of Egypt."


This paper studies the symbol error rate performance of cognitive radio transmissions in the presence of imperfect sensing decisions. Two different transmission schemes, namely sensing-based spectrum sharing (SSS) and opportunistic spectrum access (OSA), are considered. In both schemes, secondary users first perform channel sensing, albeit with possible errors. In SSS, depending on the sensing decisions, they adapt the transmission power level and coexist with primary users in the channel. On the other hand, in OSA, secondary users are allowed to transmit only when the primary user activity is not detected. Initially, for both transmission schemes, general formulations for the optimal decision rule and error probabilities are provided for arbitrary modulation schemes under the assumptions that the receiver is equipped with the sensing decision and perfect knowledge of the channel fading, and the primary user's received faded signals at the secondary receiver has a Gaussian mixture distribution. Subsequently, the general approach is specialized to rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). More specifically, the optimal decision rule is characterized for rectangular QAM, and closed-form expressions for the average symbol error probability attained with the optimal detector are derived under both transmit power and interference constraints. The effects of imperfect channel sensing decisions, interference from the primary user and its Gaussian mixture model, and the transmit power and interference constraints on the error rate performance of cognitive transmissions are analyzed.


Background In 2015, Amsterdam became part of the WHO Age Friendly City community, thereby accepting the responsibility to work towards a more age friendly Amsterdam. To study senior citizens' needs and wishes concerning the age friendliness of their neighbourhood, the municipality asked the Amsterdam University of Applied Science to set up two pilot projects in two neighbourhoods. Aim was to 1) gain insight in seniors' views and wishes regarding an age friendly city, and 2) reflect on the experiences with working with senior co-researchers. Methodology The study followed a Participatory Action Research approach with research teams consisting of seniors as co-researchers and professional researchers. We chose two neighbourhoods with distinct characteristics: the Indische Buurt which is centrally located, vibrant, multicultural, and strongly gentrifying, and Buitenveldert, a suburban and spacious neighbourhood, with less facilities and a dominance of well-to-do senior citizens. In both areas, we recruited senior co-researchers to form the research teams. They generally lived in, or close to, the pilot neighbourhood, and varied in age and ethnical background. The aim was to put the co-researchers in the lead during the entire research process. However, it differed between the neighbourhoods which type of researcher was in the lead. As a team, they formulated the main research question, constructed a topic list for interviews with older citizens, convened the interviews, analysed the data, wrote the report, and presented the results. During the entire process, they were supported by professional researchers. Both research teams interviewed 40 senior citizens, who were recruited through the co-researchers' networks, professional care organisations, neighbourhood communities, and local media. We intended to gather a sample representative for the neighbourhood population. In the Indische Buurt, this proved to be difficult, since the relatively large Turkish and Moroccan communities were difficult to get into contact with, and it was hard to find co-researchers from those communities who could have provided a way in. Process and outcomes We will share some of the results, but we will mainly reflect on the research process. Process Regarding the process, we found some differences between the two neighbourhoods. In the Indische Buurt, it took much effort to find co-researchers, since the seniors we encountered said to be too busy with other neighbourhood activities. We did recruit a small group of four co-researchers of different ethnical background, but sadly lacking Turkish and Moroccan seniors. They started with a very limited research experience and experienced ownership, which greatly increased during the process. At the finalisation of the project, the group ceased to be, but the outcomes were followed up by existing groups and organisations in the neighbourhood. In Buitenveldert, a large group of co-researchers was recruited in no-time, bearing more resemblance to an action group than a research group. They were generally highly educated and some already had research experience. The group proved to be pro-active, had a strong feeling of ownership, and worked in constant collaboration with the 'professional' researchers, respecting each other's knowledge and skills. At the finalisation of the project, the group remained active as partner of the local government. Outcomes Concerning the content of the outcomes, we found some expected differences and unexpected similarities. For instance, we expected to find different outcomes concerning housing and facilities between the neighbourhoods. Indeed, in Buitenveldert, housing was already age friendly whereas facilities were scarce and geographically far apart. Yet, in the Indische Buurt, housing was poorly equipped for physically impaired seniors, but facilities were abundant and close by. We also found that, in both neighbourhoods, senior citizens were reluctant to share their limitations and ask for support, despite differences in neighbourhood, ethnicity, age etc. Of course, this can be expected of seniors from the 'silent generation'. However, they seemingly shared these emotions more easily with their peers than with professional researchers. Conclusion The social-cultural context of the neighbourhood impacts the research process. Overall, co-research appears to be a fruitful method to involve senior citizens in decisions concerning the improvement of their neighbourhood. Aims and content of the workshop We aim to: • present our reflections on the participative process of working with senior co-researchers in Amsterdam • exchange and discuss with the participants of the workshop the lessons learned on how to facilitate citizens' participation in the community • discuss similar and future projects and possibilities for collaboration among the participants of the workshop Content of the workshop • Presentation • Exchange and discussion in small groups • Plenary discussion on possible collaboration projects aiming to enhance citizens' participation in the community


Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate total phenolic content of the prepared plant extracts and investigation of phenolic compounds present in the extract. Background: The method was done to evaluate the phenolic compounds and finding the components presence. Methods: The extraction was carried out using methanol as the solvent. Plants used in this analysis were Acalypha indica, Azadirachta indica, Lawsonia inermis and Murraya konegii. Qualitative estimation of total phenol content was done using FolinCiocalteu method in with gallic acid was used as standard. HPLC analysis was done to reveal the nature of phenolic compounds, C18 column was used. Antibacterial activity was carried out using agar diffusion method. Antioxidant studies were done using DPPH assay. Results: Antibacterial assay revels Lawsonia inermis showed highest zone of inhibition on Proteus sps. The high amount of phenolic content was obtained in Lawsonia inermis (5.2 μg/ml) and the lowest was Murraya konegii (2.3 μg/ml). HPLC of various extracts revel the presence of simple phenols, catechins, anthocyanins, aglycons, anthraquinones, glycosides form of flavones, flavonols, isoflavones and flavanones. DPPH assay revels that Lawsonia inermis has good antioxidant properties compared to other extracts.


Electro-optic phase
modulation can be used to generate high repetition rate optical frequency
combs. The optical frequency comb (OFC) has garnered much attention upon its
inception, acting as a crucial component in applications ranging from metrology
and spectroscopy, to optical communications. Electro-optic frequency combs (EO
combs) can be generated by concatenating an intensity modulator and phase
modulator together. The first part of this work focuses on broadening the
modest bandwidth inherent to the EO combs. This is achieved by propagation in a
nonlinear medium, specifically propagation in a nonlinear optical loop mirror
(NOLM). This allows for broadening the EO frequency comb spectrum to a
bandwidth of 40 nm with a spectral power variation
of < 10 dB. This spectrally broadened EO comb is then used in dual comb
interferometry measurements to characterize the single soliton generated in an
anomalous dispersion silicone-nitride microresonator. This measurement allows
for rapid characterization with low average power. Finally, electro-optic phase
modulation is used in a technique to prove frequency-bin entanglement. A
quantum network based on optical fiber will require the ability to perform
phase modulation independent of photon polarization due to propagation in
optical fiber scrambling the polarization of input light. Commercially
available phase modulators are inherently dependent on the polarization state
of input light making them unsuited to be used in such a depolarized
environment. This limitation is overcome by implementing a polarization
diversity scheme to measure frequency-bin entanglement for arbitrary
orientations of co- and cross- polarized frequency-bin entangled photon pairs.


The book takes up the (post-)operaist concept of immaterial labour (cf. Maurizio Lazzarato: 1998, Toni Negri, Michael Hardt: 2000) and relates it to spatial processes and architectural projects from the 1960s. The book's title is the hypotheses of its investigation. It allows to be exemplified with the following questions: Do we find, parallel to a dominant cultural practice of immaterial labour new forms and orders of architecture? Which forms does it take on? Or does workplace architecture disappear at all parallel to the blurring of the formerly clearly marked spaces of the factory?


Date: June 10, 2011 Level: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, 15 credits. Authors: Erica Halvarsson Caroline Lundberg Moa Rydbeck Supervisor: Peter Selegard Title: A comparison between a traditional and a new bank – from a leadership perspective Problem: The study focuses how different organizational structures and leadership styles appear in a traditional bank compared to a young bank. The questions we asked ourselves in this study is whether there is any differences? Purpose: The purpose of the study is to from a leadership perspective see if there are any differences between organizational structures, leadership and communication depending on whether it is a traditional or a new bank. Method: In this study, primary and secondary data was used to best obtain comprehensive information, which was analyzed on the basis of a set of question. In order to obtain our raw data, interviews with staff from Swedbank and IKANO bank were conducted. The secondary data is written material such as literature and articles from previous studies in leadership, management, organization and communication. Result: The result of the study shows that there are differences but also similarities between the companies. No organization is identical, from a leadership perspective there are more differences in a


Battlers poetry (dagong shige 打工詩歌), a genre whose name has mostly been rendered in English as "migrant worker poetry" to date, presents an important development in Chinese literature since the 2000s. Written by members of a new precariat that plays a key role in China's economic growth, this poetry speaks to the plight of its constituency. Xu Lizhi 許立志 (1990–2014) is one of its best-known authors, whose rise to fame was triggered if not caused by his suicide. While it is impossible to conduct a real discussion of Xu's work without referring to his suicide and the story of the migrant workers, his status as a figurehead of battlers poetry at large raises questions because what he wrote is arguably not very representative of the genre at all. These observations lead to a discussion of the way battlers poetry has been framed in Chinese critical discourse, where it is often said to have high social significance but low aesthetic value. This convenient dyad is unsatisfying in that it simplifies the text's relation to reality—which is more highly charged for battlers poetry than for many other literary genres.


Analysis of the mean annual cycle of the observed water budget based on radiosonde data for the 20 year period 1973–1992 reveals a negative bias in the atmospheric estimate of mean moisture flux convergence over the central United States when compared to mean river discharge for the same period. Several possible sources of this bias are examined through the analysis of radiosonde, wind profiler, and river discharge data as well as water budget estimates from NCEP's mesoscale Eta Model. The analysis suggests that 20 years of radiosonde observations are sufficient to get stable mean water vapor flux convergence estimates. The analysis also shows that the bias between averaged vapor flux convergence and river discharge likely does not depend on changes in the locations of upper-air observations or on changes in the radiosondes observational technique. Components of the atmospheric water budget diurnal cycle are estimated from hourly wind profiler data and from 3-hourly Eta Model output. The analyses show that monthly mean atmospheric water budget quantities calculated from twice a day sampling, on average, significantly underestimate magnitudes of these quantities compared to estimates based on hourly or 3-hourly analyses. The magnitude of the underestimation is more than 60% of the difference between mean observed terrestrial and atmospheric components of the hydrological cycle over the central United States, in agreement with earlier studies suggesting that temporal sampling may account for part of this bias. The effect of spatial sampling was evaluated using differences between atmospheric water budget terms from the Eta Model at its full 48 km resolution compared to Eta Model water budget estimates sampled at the radiosonde spatial resolution. These analyses show that the magnitude of the effect of spatial resolution is about 40% of the magnitude of the mean bias between the average moisture flux convergence and river discharge. The combined effect of temporal and spatial undersampling by radiosondes over the central United States is estimated to be 0.44 mm d−1. This value is within 8% of the estimated mean difference between river discharge and moisture flux convergence for the central United States.


Background:Mechanisms of anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness remain poorly understood. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging allows investigating whole-brain connectivity changes during pharmacological modulation of the level of consciousness. Methods:Low-frequency spontaneous blood oxygen level-dependent fluctuations were measured in 19 healthy volunteers during wakefulness, mild sedation, deep sedation with clinical unconsciousness, and subsequent recovery of consciousness. Results:Propofol-induced decrease in consciousness linearly correlates with decreased corticocortical and thalamocortical connectivity in frontoparietal networks (i.e., default- and executive-control networks). Furthermore, during propofol-induced unconsciousness, a negative correlation was identified between thalamic and cortical activity in these networks. Finally, negative correlations between default network and lateral frontoparietal cortices activity, present during wakefulness, decreased proportionally to propofol-induced loss of consciousness. In contrast, connectivity was globally preserved in low-level sensory cortices, (i.e., in auditory and visual networks across sedation stages). This was paired with preserved thalamocortical connectivity in these networks. Rather, waning of consciousness was associated with a loss of cross-modal interactions between visual and auditory networks. Conclusions:Our results shed light on the functional significance of spontaneous brain activity fluctuations observed in functional magnetic resonance imaging. They suggest that propofol-induced unconsciousness could be linked to a breakdown of cerebral temporal architecture that modifies both within- and between-network connectivity and thus prevents communication between low-level sensory and higher-order frontoparietal cortices, thought to be necessary for perception of external stimuli. They emphasize the importance of thalamocortical connectivity in higher-order cognitive brain networks in the genesis of conscious perception.


This paper develops a novel bootstrap procedure to obtain robust bias-corrected confidence intervals in regression discontinuity (RD) designs using the uniform kernel. The procedure uses a residual bootstrap from a second order local polynomial to estimate the bias of the local linear RD estimator; the bias is then subtracted from the original estimator. The bias-corrected estimator is then bootstrapped itself to generate valid confidence intervals. The confidence intervals generated by this procedure are valid under conditions similar to Calonico, Cattaneo and Titiunik's (2014, Econometrica) analytical correction---i.e. when the bias of the naive regression discontinuity estimator would otherwise prevent valid inference.This paper also provides simulation evidence that our method is as accurate as the analytical corrections and we demonstrate its use through a reanalysis of Ludwig and Miller's (2008) Head Start dataset.


Literature reflects that neonatal clinical practices are increasingly infant-driven, and promote, developmentally based care. Particularly, in the area of oral feeding, practitioners are moving away from traditional gestational age criteria for the initiation of oral feeding, or progressing feedings based on volume, instead they are trending toward feeding protocols that are based on developmental maturity. A statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2008), made the attainment of independent oral feeding one of the critical criteria for hospital discharge of preterm infants. This statement not only reflected the increased research attention on oral feeding acquisition and outcomes, it caused neonatal clinicians to seriously reconsider their methods for feeding premature infants, so that premature infants could safely acquire oral feeding prior to going home. This paper reviews and summarizes the principles and benefits of cue-based feeding that have been presented in the literature. Cue-based feeding is an outgrowth of developmentally-based care. Being increasingly used in feeding plans for premature infants, cue-based feeding is a feeding method, where, the infant directs how and when it will eat, by displaying behavioral cues and eating reflexes.


Herein, we report a simplified method for the synthesis of Triphos homologs H3CC(CH2X)n(CH2Y)3-n (X = SPh, Y = PPh2, n = 0-3). The multidentate compounds were tested for their potential to coordinate metals such as Ni, Fe, and Mo under the same experimental conditions. Cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemical IR investigations as well as DFT calculations were used to examine the electronic alterations in a series of [{H3CC(CH2X)n(CH2Y)3-n}Mo(CO)3] complexes and to evaluate their potential to open coordination sites or to release CO upon oxidation or in the presence of different solvents. In addition, we demonstrate that the catalytic hydrosilylation of N,N-dimethylbenzamide to N,N-dimethylbenzylamine is influenced by the applied tripodal ligand. Our investigations show the high potential of such manipulations to selectively alter the dynamics of the binding properties of Triphos-metal complexes and their reactivity.


Background: Q-wave myocardial infarction (QMI) has higher mortality and lower myocardial viability than non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQMI), suggesting the existence of pathological Q waves reflects the worse ventricular function. The aim of the study is to determine difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between QMI and NQMI. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional analysis conducted in patients with AMI that were hospitalized and undergone echocardiography in Abdul Wahab Sjahranie County General Hospital Samarinda during February 2014 to March 2015. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded at presentation, 1 day and 2 days after the onset of AMI as well as using the classical criteria for pathological Q wave. LVEF assessment was performed using echocardiography after the second day since the onset of AMI. Independent-T test was used to determine difference in LVEF using PSPPIRE 0.8.4. Results: There were 34 subjects comprising 16 QMI patients and 18 NQMI patients.  QMI had a lower LVEF (42±13%) compared to NQMI (60±11%, p<0.001). The presence of pathological Q waves was associated with LVEF ≤40% (p=0.002). Conclusion: QMI had a lower LVEF than NQMI, provides information about the role of pathological Q wave as an indicator of LVEF.


As qualitative research has evolved, researchers now often combine interviews with the production of photographs, artefacts, collages, maps or drawings and the like. However, in practice, the artefacts produced are used to eliciting experiences and stimulating conversations rather than as data, per se, which is often due to the lack of guidelines for how to deal with the artefacts as data in a systematic analytical process. In this article, we present the Systematic Visuo-Textual Analysis, a framework developed to provide much-needed support for qualitative researchers in analysing artefacts in combination with interviews. Drawing on existing frameworks for visual and textual analysis the focus of this framework is to analyse visual and textual datasets separately and in conjunction with one another through several levels of interpretation from noticing descriptive elements and focussing on specific linguistic and artistic elements through to developing conceptual themes. Drawing on examples from our own research, we will demonstrate the practical application of the Systematic Visuo-Textual Analysis.


"People are dangerous. If they're able to involve themselves in issues that matter, they may change the distribution of power, to the detriment of those who are rich and privileged."--Noam Chomsky Noam Chomsky has been praised by the likes of Bono and Hugo Chavez and attacked by the likes of Tom Wolfe and Alan Dershowitz. Groundbreaking linguist and outspoken political dissenter--voted "most important public intellectual in the world today" in a 2005 magazine poll--Chomsky inspires fanatical devotion and fierce vituperation. In The Chomsky Effect, Chomsky biographer Robert Barsky examines Chomsky's positions on a number of highly charged issues--Chomsky's signature issues, including Vietnam, Israel, East Timor, and his work in linguistics---that illustrate not only "the Chomsky effect" but also "the Chomsky approach." Chomsky, writes Barsky, is an inspiration and a catalyst. Not just an analyst or advocate, he encourages people to become engaged--to be "dangerous" and challenge power and privilege. The actions and reactions of Chomsky supporters and detractors and the attending contentiousness can be thought of as "the Chomsky effect." Barsky discusses Chomsky's work in such areas as language studies, media, education, law, and politics, and identifies Chomsky's intellectual and political precursors. He charts anti-Chomsky sentiments as expressed from various standpoints, including contemporary Zionism, mainstream politics, and scholarly communities. He discusses Chomsky's popular appeal--his unlikely status as a punk and rock hero (Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is one of many rock and roll Chomskyites)--and offers in-depth analyses of the controversies surrounding Chomsky's roles in the "Faurisson Affair" and the "Pol Pot Affair." Finally, Barsky considers the role of the public intellectual in order to assess why Noam Chomsky has come to mean so much to so many--and what he may mean to generations to come. Robert F. Barsky is Professor of English, Comparative Literature, French, and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University. He is the author of Noam Chomsky: A Life of Dissent (MIT Press), Constructing a Productive Other, Introduction a la theorie litteraire, and Arguing and Justifying. He is currently completing a book on Zellig Harris, for The MIT Press.


A recent study comparing functional MRI activity in rhesus macaques evoked by distinguishing between round and rectilinear shapes strongly suggests that there exists a network of cortical areas selective for curvature processing. Additionally, these curvature-based areas partially overlap with the well-studied face-processing areas. However, further research is required to ascertain: 1) whether there are equivalent human homologues of monkey curvature-biased cortical areas; 2) if so, is there an anatomical relationship between the curvature-processing areas and the face-processing cortical areas in the human brain. FMRI was acquired in a 7T SIEMENS scanner (1.43 mm voxels) in response to visual presentation of different round vs. rectilinear shapes matched to those used in monkey fMRI. Stimuli included: 1) images of round and rectilinear real world objects, 2) computer-generated arrays of 3D shapes (e.g. spheres or pyramids). The independent runs were included to localize the known cortical areas, such as the face-selective, object-selective, scene-selective, and early visual areas. Our preliminary results reveal significant fMRI biases in the ventral visual pathway to round vs. rectilinear shapes; however, the rectilinear-biased areas are solely confined to bilateral parahippocampal gyrus. These results are consistent with those observed in macaques. Areas biased to round shapes include human V4, OFA, FFA1, EBA, and possibly V8. Curvature-biased areas in the human V4 correspond to the posterior curvature-biased patches in monkeys. The OFA, which has been shown to encode round shapes, seems to be the homologue of middle curvature-biased patches in monkeys. However, it remains unclear from the preliminary data where the human homologue of the monkey anterior curvature-biased patches is. The close proximity of curvature-biased areas and face-processing areas in human visual cortex is consistent with results collected from monkey fMRI experiments, suggesting a functional link between face and curvature processing in both human and non-human primates. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the efficacy of isolated limb infusion (ILI) in limb preservation for patients with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcomas and nonmelanoma cutaneous malignant neoplasms.

BACKGROUND
Locally advanced nonmelanoma cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms, including soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities, can pose significant treatment challenges. We report our experience, including responses and limb preservation rates, using ILI in cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms.

METHODS
We identified 22 patients with cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms who underwent 26 ILIs with melphalan and dactinomycin from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2009, from 5 institutions. Outcome measures included limb preservation and in-field response rates. Regional toxic effects were measured using the Wieberdink scale and serum creatinine phosphokinase levels.

RESULTS
The median age was 70 years (range, 19-92 years), and 12 patients (55%) were women. Fourteen patients (64%) had sarcomas, 7 (32%) had Merkel cell carcinoma, and 1 (5%) had squamous cell carcinoma. The median length of stay was 5.5 days (interquartile range, 4-8 days). Twenty-five of the 26 ILIs (96%) resulted in Wieberdink grade III or less toxicity, and 1 patient (4%) developed grade IV toxicity. The median serum creatinine phosphokinase level was 127 U/L for upper extremity ILIs and 93 U/L for lower extremity ILIs. Nineteen of 22 patients (86%) underwent successful limb preservation. The 3-month in-field response rate was 79% (21% complete and 58% partial), and the median follow-up was 8.6 months (range, 1-63 months). Five patients underwent resection of disease after an ILI, of whom 80% are disease free at a median of 8.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS
Isolated limb infusion provides an attractive alternative therapy for regional disease control and limb preservation in patients with limb-threatening cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms. Short-term response rates appear encouraging, yet durability of response is unknown.


It turns out that SystemVerilog != Verilog. OK, we all figured that out a few years ago as we started to build verification environments using IEEE 1800 Sys temVerilog. While it did add design features like new ways to interface code, it also had verificatio n features like classes, dynamic data types, and randomization that have no analog (pardon the pun) in the IEEE 1364 Verilog language. But the syntax was a reasonable extension, many more designs neede d advanced verification, and we had the Open Verification Methodology (OVM) followed by the stan dardized Accellera Systems Initiative Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) so thousands of engi eers got trained on object-oriented programming. Architectures were created, templates were followed , and the verification IP components were built. Then they were integrated and the simulation speed took a nose dive. Yikes, why did that happen?


Synaptic vesicles (SVs) are essential organelles for the transfer of information between a pre-synaptic nerve terminal and a post-synaptic target. SVs release their neurotransmitter content into the synaptic cleft in a tightly regulated process, requiring the orchestrated interaction of a number of proteins involved in exocytosis, endocytosis and vesicular recycling. While the molecular anatomy of brain SV is known, the molecular profile of SVs of sensory systems, such as the retina, is not well understood. The major reason is the unavailability of reliable and efficient isolation protocol for SVs with low amounts of starting material.
 In this study, establishment of a modified isolation protocol resulted in successfully purifying highly pure SVs from retina that formed the basis for a reliable determination of its absolute proteome quantification and molecular composition. Remarkably, this protocol allowed recovery of microgram quantities of highly pure and functional SVs from as low as eight bovine retinas. Maximal vesicle recovery was achieved by the introduction of a harsh homogenization step (powdering the tissue in liquid nitrogen using mortar and pestle and subsequent homogenization using Ultra-turrax) followed by subcellular fractionation. Notably, after fractionation by differential and rate-zonal centrifugation, performing an immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody against synatophysin greatly improved the purity and yield of SVs from retina. The purity of the preparation was ensured by western blotting, electron microscopy and mass spectrometry.
The data derived from the iBAQ-MS based absolute quantification of proteins in purified bovine brain and retina SVs from frozen starting materials showed that the copies of SV-integral proteins such as synaptotagmin, SCAMP5, VGlut1 and synaptophysin were similar, if not identical, in bovine brain and retina SVs. Interestingly, however, the copies of v-SNARE protein VAMP2 and tetraspanin protein synaptogyrin-1 were drastically reduced; ~ 6 and 2 fold, respectively, in retina as compared to brain. On the other hand, surprisingly, a three to four fold increase in the copy number of the membrane glycoprotein SV2 were quantified in retina as compared to brain. In addition to differences observed in SV integral proteins, intriguing observations also surfaced when SV associated proteins were quantified. Three copies of the ribbon synapse specific protein syntaxin-3 were found associated to the purified retina SVs, however its brain-specific isoform syntaxin1A/B was totally absent. In addition, the brain-specific Rab3a and synapsin were not quantifiable in our pure retina SVs, suggesting the preparation of SVs to be of majorly ribbon in origin.
These striking differences in the retina SV proteome to that of brain highlights the specialized functionality of retina synapses. Although the molecular profile of synaptic proteins in transverse sections of retina is reported in literature, this is the first study where retina and brain SV proteome have been compared in terms of absolute copies. The findings put forward in this study provides a basis for detailed functional analysis in the future.
In parallel, highly pure rat brain synaptosomes were quantified by iBAQ mass spectrometry in an aim to characterize the average number of presynaptic proteins. As a further validation of the obtained results, a battery of quantitative western blots was run for a selected group of proteins. These results, in combination with additional biophysical and biochemical data, were used to build a three-dimensional model of an average synaptic nerve terminal.
As an independent project, the temporal turnover of synaptic proteins in nerve terminals of the brain and retina were analyzed using a modified version of the SILAC mice approach. To our knowledge this is the first study where a lysine6 diet has been used for labelling proteins over various timeframes to determine protein turnover in vivo. The mice were fed with lysine6 diet for 5, 14 and 21 days and its incorporation in the proteins of brain and retina were analysed by quantitative mass spectrometry. The data shows that the turnover of synaptic proteins in retina is faster than in brain. Strikingly, the turnover of proteins that are involved in similar SV-recycling pathways, correlated well with their respective copy numbers. Future work should be focussed on elucidating the physiological meaning of these interesting observations.


Numerous stepped spillways were built during the last decades. In particular, a stepped spillway may be integrated economically into the downstream face of a RCC gravity dam, or on valley flanks besides embankment or rockfill dams, where slope changes may naturally be implemented due to topography and economic reasons. This paper presents and discusses preliminary results on the air entrainment in the vicinity of an abrupt change chute slope, namely the air concentration distribution and the mean air concentration. A significant influence was observed on the air entrainment pattern, with a decrease of the mean air concentration immediately upstream of the slope change, followed by a marked increase immediately downstream, and a subsequent decrease further down the flatter chute, approaching a practically constant value. Considerable larger air entrainment was observed shortly downstream of the slope change cross-section, in comparison with that found upstream, in the quasi-uniform flow.


In the face of an increasingly complex business environment such as currently requirred method of performance measurement that can assess the company's performance accurately and comprehensively. In this case the method can be used is the Balance Scorecard. Balance Scorecard is a performance measurement tool that combines measures of financial and non financial performance. Balance Scorecard measures the performance from four perspective, namely learnig and growth perspective, internal business process perspective, customer perspective, and financial perspective. The research was conducted by using data in 2005-2006 at PT Astra Honda Motor to analyze the financial perspective, while for other perspectives analyzed through calculation questionnaire. The population in this study is to customers and employees of PT Astra Honda Motor, whereas samples taken each is 100 respondents for the employees and the 100 respondents to the customer. Questionnaire have been tested for validity and reliability. Indicator used in this study consisted of ROI, profit margin, operating ratio, customer satisfaction, innovation, and employee satisfaction. From the results of the analysis conducted, it is known that the performance of PT Astra Honda Motor is pretty good overall. In the financial perspective indicators ROI, profit margin, and operating ratio has shown considerable performance. For the customer perspective showed a good performance in the presence of customer satisfaction that is quite satisfactory. On the internal business perspective, companies can already do agood innovation. And for learning and growth perspective shows the level of employee satisfaction that is quite satisfactory. From the study's data can be concludeed that by using the Balance Scorecard to provide a more structured and comprehensive.


Existence of extended spectrum B-lactamase (ESBL) genes plays an important role in causing Blactam antibiotic resistance in the producing strains of these anzymes. The resistance of gramnegative bacteria, such as klebsiella pneumonia, to different antimicrobial agents, especially Blactam and carbapenem, has increasingly been reported. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of NDM-1 beta-lactamases in klebsiella pneumonia isolates through PCR method. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 120 klebsiella pneumonia isolates collected from patients with Lung infection and UTI were subjected to bacteriological tests. The samples were cultured and identified according to standard methods. Then, frequency of the strains producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases was determined with Disk diffusion method. Using kite method, DNA was extracted and examined for the existence of NDM-1 gene by PCR. Result: out of the 120 klebsiella pneumonia isolates, 13 (10.83 %) isolates were ESBL positive, 7.5 % of which were positive for NDM-1 B-lactamases resistance gene. Conclusion: considering the increasing rate of the ESBLs producing strains, using the appropriate treatment protocol based on the antibiogram pattern of the strains is highly recommended.


Monte Carlo methods are often necessary for the implementation of optimal Bayesian estimators. A fundamental technique that can be used to generate samples from virtually any target probability distribution is the so-called rejection sampling method, which generates candidate samples from a proposal distribution and then accepts them or not by testing the ratio of the target and proposal densities. The class of adaptive rejection sampling (ARS) algorithms is particularly interesting because they can achieve high acceptance rates. However, the standard ARS method can only be used with log-concave target densities. For this reason, many generalizations have been proposed.
In this work, we investigate two different adaptive schemes that can be used to draw exactly from a large family of univariate probability density functions (pdf's), not necessarily log-concave, possibly multimodal and with tails of arbitrary concavity. These techniques are adaptive in the sense that every time a candidate sample is rejected, the acceptance rate is improved. The two proposed algorithms can work properly when the target pdf is multimodal, with first and second derivatives analytically intractable, and when the tails are log-convex in a infinite domain. Therefore, they can be applied in a number of scenarios in which the other generalizations of the standard ARS fail. Two illustrative numerical examples are shown.


Aim and objective: This ex vivo study evaluated the efficiency of an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) at different pulse energy levels to remove the smear layer with or without chelators from the middle and apical third of mesial roots. Materials and methods: Thirty-four mesial root canals of first mandibular molars (type II Vertucci) were divided into four groups of eight teeth each. Each group consisted of two subgroups each (A and B), regarding the irrigation protocol. In subgroup A, teeth were rinsed only by distilled water whereas, in subgroup B, teeth were rinsed by 5 mL 17% EDTA for 60 seconds, 5 mL 5% NaOCL, and 5 mL distilled water. The rest two teeth were used as control groups. After coronal access, all teeth were instrumented up to size F3 (30/0.09) and, then, the experimental groups were irradiated by an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm). Four different pulse energy values were tested, namely 30, 50, 70, and 80 mJ to irradiate the roots in group I, group II, group III, and group IV, respectively. The control group ( n = 2) was instrumented and rinsed as experimental groups (subgroup B) but not irradiated. Teeth were observed under SEM. Results were statistically analyzed with the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: There is a statistically significant difference between groups irrigated with chelators and groups with distilled water before laser irradiation in the apical third. Group IB (0.75 W) showed a statistically significant outcome in the apical part. The results showed no statistical difference between subgroup B and the control group. Conclusion: The presence of a chelating factor may play an important role in the laser mechanism of smear layer removal from the apical part of narrow and curved root canals.


This thesis examines selected legal issues of copyright law in respect of the internet. The thesis focuses on Malaysian and UK Copyright law concerning; accessing web pages; linking; framing and caching. Since the internet is in use globally, law at an international, regional and national level have been examined in order to find solutions to these selective issues. At the regional level, European Union law is analysed. The Information Society Directive covers two of the selected issues (accessing web pages and caching). However there are still gaps in the Information Society Directive regarding the two other issues of framing and linking. In UK Copyright law, since the UK has implemented the Information Society Directive, a new section has been added to the Amendment Act, which covers accessing web pages and caching, but the UK Statutes do not expressly cover framing and linking. However, linking may be allowed under the general rule of implied licence. The Malaysian Copyright (Amendment) Act of 1997 has provided for the internet where a new section has been created that is the right to control the communication of copyright works to the public. However, there is no specific legislative provision on transient copies (accessing web page and caching) under this Act. However, accessing web pages may be covered under another provision which permits copies to be made in any form or version. Caching however is provided for under another provision. In the USA, provision on safe harbour provides the ISP with protection against action of infringement. The US Copyright law covers all the selected issues except framing. The conclusion reached in this thesis is that Malaysian law provides legislative solutions only for some of the selected copyright issues in respect of the internet but, in general, it is still inadequate and needs to be improved.


Malawi went through a curriculum review from 1989 to 1991. During this period, new learning materials in all the primary school subjects were developed and are in use now. From the theoretical point of view, the English language course is comparable to many of the communicative era materials. There is an emphasis on collaborative learning and functional use of language. The introduction to the Teachers' Guides points out that the key word in the course is ""activity"". A child only learns a language by doing things with the language. Since the new curriculum was launched in 1991, not much has been done to monitor the effectiveness of the new materials. The immediate question that arises, therefore, is: Are the language lessons indeed activity based? This paper examines the extent to which class teachers use the collaborative strategies advocated in the new materials.


Since his beginning as a filmmaker in Britain, Alfred Hitchcock has become a household name not only in Britain and, later, the United States, but also internationally. Hitchcock's unique auteur style has made his name recognizable even if one has not personally viewed one of his many films. How is it, then, that Hitchcock has accumulated such a distinct and well-known style? Using examples from his films, the research of other Hitchcock experts, and cinematic technique and terminology resources, this article illustrates the way Hitchcock's visual techniques have contributed to the creation of this auteur style. The visual techniques examined include lighting, camera movement, and visual story-telling technique, each demonstrated using specific examples from one or more of Hitchcock's films. While Hitchcock's audiences may be diverse in spoken and cultural language, visual communication is universal. The visual techniques Hitchcock employed are what made him the internationally recognized auteur that he is credited as today.


In the last few years academic libraries in the United States embraced the new Commons model, where each of these commons, such as learning commons, research commons, subject and format commons, etc., has its own specific characteristics and role within the library. However, this new trend mainly has been the result of increased reliance on electronic collections and increased need for collaborative work. Users want continuous access to all resources in a variety of locations, which is not always feasible due to resource and staffing limitations. To adapt to this new model, library spaces have been transformed to accommodate the needs for collaborative work. Additionally, staff skills and duties have also been transforming with librarians and support staff becoming partners in the research process as opposed to being transmitters of information. We will briefly discuss different commons models and give examples of challenges and successful space transformations. We will explore the skillsets of the new workforce needed for this new reality and the new positions in Libraries that are advertised. Like academic libraries, iSchools will have to adapt as well since this is where new members of the workforce are cultivated and educated. At the same time, professional development in the libraries is an important component of bringing current staff up to speed in the changing environment. We will also share our experience with implementing library commons and discuss the different commons that exist at the University of Maryland Libraries, such as the Terrapin Learning Commons, Research Commons and its subsidiaries Research Commons @ EPSL (Engineering and Physical Sciences Library) and Research Commons @ MSPAL (Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library), and Media Commons.


Driving laser jitter is one of the main factors affecting the attosecond streaking measurement. The effect of carrier-envelope phase (CEP) jitter and the pulse energy jitter on the attosecond pulse characterization is studied in this paper. We have theoretically calculated and experimentally confirmed that CEP jitter could result in a symmetry trace in the streaking spectrogram, while the intensity jitter could result in a slight shift and broadening of the trace. Both of them can lead to an underestimate of the retrieved attosecond pulse duration.


The impact of humic acid fouling on the membrane transport of two pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) namely carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole in forward osmosis (FO) was investigated. Deposition of humic acid onto the membrane surface was promoted by the complexation with calcium ions in the feed solution and the increase in ionic strength at the membrane surface due to the reverse transport of NaCl draw solute. The increase in the humic acid deposition on the membrane surface led to a substantial decrease in the membrane salt (NaCl) permeability coefficient but did not result in a significant decrease in the membrane pure water permeability coefficient. As the deposition of humic acid increased, the permeation of carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole decreased, which correlated well with the decrease in the membrane salt (NaCl) permeability coefficient. It is hypothesized that the hydrated humic acid fouling layer hindered solute diffusion through the membrane pore and enhanced solute rejection by steric hindrance, but not the permeation of water molecules. The membrane water and salt (NaCl) permeability coefficients were fully restored by physical cleaning of the membrane, suggesting that humic acid did not penetrate into the membrane pores.


The naturally hypercoagulable state occurring during pregnancy and anatomical changes and changes in the plasma volume are the main reasons for the increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy and puerperium. This risk is par‐ ticularly enhanced in the presence of thrombophilia and a previous history of VTE. The cornerstone for treating and preventing VTE is low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). There is currently no consensus on the dosing and the need for monitoring treatment with LMWH, and varying protocols are used in different clinics. The risk models used to stratify the risk for recurrence are based on the presence of factors such as previous VTE, familial history and thrombophilia and lead to decisions on the dosing and the duration of thromboprophylaxis. Treatment with LMWH is considered safe and effective, with low incidence of adverse effects (bleeding, osteoporosis, etc.) and recurrence of VTE. The use of direct oral anticoagulants is currently not recommended in this setting, but case series have not indicated increased embryopathy. The lack of international guidelines and large studies underlines the need for collaboration in order to further improve out‐ comes and patient safety.


This paper presents a machine vision system for real-time computation of distance and angle of a camera from a set of reference points located on a target board. Three different smart camera architectures were explored to compare performance parameters such as power consumption, frame speed and latency. Architecture 1 consists of hardware machine vision modules modeled at Register Transfer (RT) level and a soft-core processor on a single FPGA chip. Architecture 2 is commercially available software based smart camera, Matrox Iris GT. Architecture 3 is a two-chip solution composed of hardware machine vision modules on FPGA and an external microcontroller. Results from a performance comparison show that Architecture 2 has higher latency and consumes much more power than Architecture 1 and 3. However, Architecture 2 benefits from an easy programming model. Smart camera system with FPGA and external microcontroller has lower latency and consumes less power as compared to single FPGA chip having hardware modules and soft-core processor.


Distinguished playwright David Edgar examines the mechanisms and techniques which dramatists throughout the ages have employed to structure their plays and to express their meaning. Written for playwrights and playgoers alike, Edgar's analysis starts with the building blocks of whole plays - plot, character creation, genre and structure - and moves on to scenes and devices. He shows how plays share a common architecture without which the uniqueness of their authors' vision would be invisible. What does King Lear have in common with Cinderella? What does Jaws owe to Ibsen? From Aeschylus to Alan Ayckbourn, from Chekhov to Caryl Churchill, are there common principles by which all plays work? "How Plays Work" is a masterclass for playwrights and playmakers and a fascinating guide to the anatomy of drama.


Good requirements structure can greatly facilitate the construction of formal models of systems. This paper describes an approach to requirements structuring for control systems that aims to facilitate refinement-based formalisation. In addition to the well-known monitored and controlled phenomena used to analyse control systems, we also identify commanded phenomenon reflecting the special role that an operator plays in system control. These system phenomena guide the structure of the requirements analysis and documentation as well as the structure of the formal models. We model systems using the Event-B formalism, making use of refinement to support layering of requirements. The structuring provided by the system phenomena and by the refinement layers supports clear traceability and validation between requirements and formal models. As a worked example, we structured the requirements of an automotive lane departure warning system using this approach. We found missing requirements through this process and we evolved the requirement document through domain experts' feedback and formal modelling.


625 adult unfed I. ricinus ticks from three recreational areas located near Munich and Passau, 275 adult engorged I. ricinus ticks from dogs of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg and 25 adult engorged I. ricinus ticks from cattle of an area in Switzerland, which is endemic for bovine granulocytic ehrlichiosis, were collected over a specific period (3/2003-3/2004). The ticks were examined for an infection with B. burgdorferi sensu lato spp., A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms by the use of Real-Time PCR and nested PCR. In addition RFLP analysis and sequencing were chosen for the differentiation of the species and OspA types of B. burgdorferi sensu lato.

The examination of unfed ticks resulted in a prevalence of 35,4% for B. burgdorferi sensu lato, 4,5% for A. phagocytophilum and 1,3% for piroplasms. There was no significant difference for the infection rates of B. burgdorferi sensu lato between the different sampling areas, whereas A. phagocytophilum showed a significantly higher prevalence in one sampling side in Munich and a significantly lower prevalence in Passau. Apart from infections with only one pathogen, coinfections with B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum could be detected in 1,1% of the unfed ticks, with a local cluster in one area in Munich and 0,3% of the unfed ticks showed a coinfection with B. burgdorferi sensu lato and piroplasms.
Prevalence rates of 8,4%, 4,7% and 5,1% were identified for B. burgdorferi sensu lato, A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms respectively in engorged ticks from dogs, 0,7% of these ticks were coinfected with B. burgdorferi sensu lato and A. phagocytophilum.
The examination of engorged ticks from cattle revealed in a prevalence rate of 8,0% for B. burgdorferi sensu lato and 60,0% for A. phagocytophilum. The high infection rate of A. phagocytophilum probably resulted from an infection of the cattle with this pathogen.
The difference in the prevalence rate of B. burgdorferi sensu lato in unfed and engorged ticks might be caused by their distinct geographical origin, the degree of blood uptake and different factors in the blood of the different host species which are able to protect the host from being infected with Borrelia.
The differentiation of B. burgdorferi sensu lato into the species and OspA types showed that the clinically relevant species B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii, in which B. garinii was represented by the OspA types 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 could be detected. Additionally, B. valaisiana, a species which is suspected of being pathogenic to humans and the recently described new Borrelia genospecies, B. spielmanii (previously A14S), were detected. Alltogether a broad heterogeneity for Borrelia species and subspecies (classified by OspA types) could be observed in unfed ticks, above all in one sampling side in Munich. Ticks engorgd from dogs and cattle showed a less heterogeneous pattern of distribution.


Mitochondrial dynamics, a cellular process describing continuous change of shape and location of mitochondria, has drawn much attention recently due to its involvement in cell injury and human pathologies. Mitochondrial fission and fusion are the major processes that alter mitochondrial morphology. Molecular machineries for mitochondrial fission and fusion include proteins of dynamin family large GTPases that remodel biological membranes. Mutations in these proteins cause hereditary diseases or death in human, indicating that mitochondrial fission and fusion are important cellular processes. Identification of additional factors participating in mitochondrial fission and fusion still continues. Recent studies demonstrate that mitochondrial fission/fusion process is under tight regulation through cellular signalling networks and functional states of mitochondria. This information suggests that cellular cues both extrinsic and intrinsic to mitochondria regulate mitochondrial fission and fusion, indicating an important role of mitochondrial fission and fusion in controlling mitochondrial functionality. Many additional pathologies are associated with aberrant mitochondrial fission and fusion, and defining the form–function relationship of mitochondria will be the key for understanding disease aetiology and therapeutic application.

Key Concepts:

Mitochondria take a variety of shapes depending on cell types and activities.

Fission and fusion of mitochondria are the main processes changing their morphology.

Dynamin-related proteins (DRPs) remodel mitochondrial membranes for fission and fusion.

Additional proteins and factors including signal-induced protein modifications participate in mitochondrial fission and fusion.

Mutations in genes in mitochondrial fission and fusion are detrimental to human health.

Many diseases such as neurodegeneration, metabolic diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart diseases, and aging are directly and indirectly associated with dysregulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion.

Keywords:

mitochondria;
mitochondrial dynamics;
fission;
fusion;
dynamin;
dynamin-related proteins;
apoptosis;
pathology;
neurodegeneration


Recent years have been marked by an enormous growth of wireless communication networks and an extensive use of wireless applications. In return, this phenomenal expansion is inducing more concerns about the privacy and the security of the users. For many years, the security challenge has been mainly addressed at the application layer using cryptographic techniques. However, with the emergence of ad-hoc and decentralised networks and the deployment of 5G and beyond wireless communication systems, the need for less complex securing techniques had become a necessity. It is mainly for this reason that wireless physical layer security has gained much attention from the research community. What distinguishes information-theoretic security compared to other high-layer cryptographic techniques is that it exploits the randomness and the fluctuations of the wireless channel to achieve security at a remarkably reduced computational complexity. However, these technical virtues rely heavily on perhaps idealistic channel state information assumptions. In this chapter, we look at the physical layer security paradigm from the channel uncertainty perspective. In particular, we discuss the ergodic secrecy capacity of wiretap channels when the transmitter is hampered by the imperfect knowledge of the channel state information (CSI).


Thresholds for the perception of red and green or for blue and yellow, presented in two-color mixtures, were measured at exposure durations of 20, 50, 100, and 300 msec at the fovea and 6° above the fovea, at a constant luminance of 0.12 ft-L. Median foveal thresholds for red and green were constant from 300 to 50 msec and decreased slightly at 20 msec; at 6°, sensitivity to both red and green declined with decreasing exposure time. Median thresholds for blue deteriorated as exposure time decreased from 300 to 100 msec, but improved with further reductions in stimulus duration. The median yellow thresholds declined as exposure time was reduced below 100 msec. The results are compared with previous data obtained as a function of retinal position and luminance and with similar thresholds measured under conditions of constant brightness. The results are also discussed in relation to various estimates of the "risetimes" of different colors.


Deep-sea bamboo corals (order Gorgonacea, family Isididae) are known to record changes in water mass chemistry over decades to centuries. These corals are composed of a two-part skeleton of calcite internodes segmented by gorgonin organic nodes. We examine the spatial variability of bamboo coral organic node 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N from 13 bamboo coral specimens sampled along the California margin (37–32° N, 792–2136 m depth). Radiocarbon analyses of the organic nodes show the presence of the anthropogenic bomb spike, indicating the corals utilize a surface-derived food source (pre-bomb D 14 C values of ∼−100‰, post-bomb values up to 82‰). Carbon and nitrogen isotope data from the organic nodes (δ 13 C = −15.9‰ to −19.2‰; δ 15 N = 13.8‰ to 19.4‰) suggest selective feeding on surface-derived organic matter or zooplankton. A strong relationship between coral δ 15 N and habitat depth indicates a potential archive of changing carbon export, with decreased δ 15 N values reflecting reduced microbial degradation (increased carbon flux) at shallower depths. Using four multi-centennial-length coral records, we interpret long-term δ 15 N stability in the California Current. Organic node δ 15 C values record differences in carbon isotope fractionation dictated by nearshore vs. offshore primary production. These findings imply strong coupling between primary production, pelagic food webs, and deep-sea benthic communities.


In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph. "All of a sudden, on Christmas Eve, my old dog Prince decided to die. Me and my dad found him the next day stretched out in front of his doghouse with his leash all twisted around the old Chestnut tree. My dad said that he probably died of a broken heart because be couldn't catch Santa Claus and his reindeer (he thought I still believed in him). But I once heard that when dogs get old they sometimes die of mistemper. Besides, old Prince never would have noticed Santa, because as my dad used to say, "He's deaf in one ear and can't hear a thing out of the other," and he was getting kind of blind too. He was real old, old Prince was. He and I were the same people age, nine, but in dog's age he was a lot older, older than my grandmother who used to stay in bed all the time and cry every time me and my dad went to see her. Old Prince didn't Stay in bed though, and he never cried, except for one time when my big brother hit him in the side with a football. But, as I said, old Prince died, so me and my dad scraped away some snow, dug a hole, and buried him. We even put a wooden cross on his grave." Cover Page Footnote Appeared in the issue: Volume 9, Spring, 1964. This prose is available in The Angle: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/angle/vol1964/iss1/7


NOTE: Before purchasing, check with your instructor to ensure you select the correct ISBN. Several versions of Pearson's MyLab & Mastering products exist for each title, and registrations are not transferable. To register for and use Pearson's MyLab & Mastering products, you may also need a Course ID, which your instructor will provide. Used books, rentals, and purchases made outside of Pearson If purchasing or renting from companies other than Pearson, the access codes for Pearson's MyLab & Mastering products may not be included, may be incorrect, or may be previously redeemed. Check with the seller before completing your purchase. For undergraduate Introductory Management Information Systems courses. This package includes MyMISLab TM . Helping Readers Succeed in Management Information Systems As technology continues to change the way organizations do business, knowledge of MIS is critical. Using MIS shows readers how organizations use information systems to solve business problems every day. Illustrative cases, exercises, projects, and other aids ensure your readers connect concepts to everyday life. Unique guides in each chapter highlight themes in ethics, security, and other timely topics. The 2026? feature hypothesizes how the concepts, technology, and systems will change over the next decade to help readers anticipate changes in technology and think about how those affect business. Every year brings important new technology to organizations and the Ninth Edition reflects these trends, providing the latest MIS content available, keeping your readers up to date and knowledgeable on how to apply emerging technologies to better achieve their organizations strategies. Personalize Learning with MyMISLab MyMISLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them better absorb course material and understand difficult concepts. 0134473671 / 9780134473673 Using MIS Plus MyMISLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package Package consists of: 0134106784 / 9780134106786 Using MIS 013412409X / 9780134124094 MyMISLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card -- for Using MIS


User preference modeling in recommendation system aims to improve customer experience through discovering users' intrinsic preference based on prior user behavior data. This is a challenging issue because user preferences usually have complicated structure, such as inter-user preference similarity and intra-user preference diversity. Among them, inter-user similarity indicates different users may share similar preference, while intra-user diversity indicates one user may have several preferences. In literatures, deep generative models have been successfully applied in recommendation systems due to its flexibility on statistical distributions and strong ability for non-linear representation learning. However, they suffer from the simple generative process when handling complex user preferences. Meanwhile, the latent representations learned by deep generative models are usually entangled, and may range from observed-level ones that dominate the complex correlations between users, to latent-level ones that characterize a user's preference, which makes the deep model hard to explain and unfriendly for recommendation. Thus, in this paper, we propose an Interpretable Deep Generative Recommendation Model (InDGRM) to characterize inter-user preference similarity and intra-user preference diversity, which will simultaneously disentangle the learned representation from observed-level and latent-level. In InDGRM, the observed-level disentanglement on users is achieved by modeling the user-cluster structure (i.e., inter-user preference similarity) in a rich multimodal space, so that users with similar preferences are assigned into the same cluster. The observed-level disentanglement on items is achieved by modeling the intra-user preference diversity in a prototype learning strategy, where different user intentions are captured by item groups (one group refers to one intention). To promote disentangled latent representations, InDGRM adopts structure and sparsity-inducing penalty and integrates them into the generative procedure, which has ability to enforce each latent factor focus on a limited subset of items (e.g., one item group) and benefit latent-level disentanglement. Meanwhile, it can be efficiently inferred by minimizing its penalized upper bound with the aid of local variational optimization technique. Theoretically, we analyze the generalization error bound of InDGRM to ∗. Corresponding author. c ©2021 Huafeng Liu, Liping Jing, Jingxuan Wen, Pengyu Xu, Jiaqi Wang, Jian Yu and Michael K. Ng. License: CC-BY 4.0, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Attribution requirements are provided at http://jmlr.org/papers/v22/20-1098.html. Liu, Jing, Wen, Xu, Wang, Yu and Ng guarantee its performance. A series of experimental results on four widely-used benchmark datasets demonstrates the superiority of InDGRM on recommendation performance and interpretability.


This thesis is an examination of the careers of women in
medicine in Britain from the 1860s to the 1970s. It begins with an analysis of some of the sociological literature on the medical profession and argues that much of this has been guided by inappropriate assumptions concerning the history and present position of women within the British medical profession. An analysis of statistical evidence on the numbers of women doctors follows which shows that the number of women within the profession has often been underestimated. The trends in women's entry to medical schools in Britain are examined in detail, showing
fluctuation in their entry over the past century and the changing pattern of segregation into particular medical schools. This section includes a brief consideration of the development and significance of the practice of reserving 'quotas' of places for women in medical schools from 1947 to 1975.

Part Two consists of an historical analysis of the careers of women in medicine in successive periods over the past century. It begins with an analysis of the campaign for women's access to medical education in the late-nineteenth century, in relation to the contemporary women's movement and the professionalization of medicine. The following two chapters examine in detail the education and careers of women entering medicine before the First World War. The implications of the limitations of medical women's practice to women and children only are explored in relation to the contemporary organization of medical care. This limitation
persisted until the First World War which brought about a marked increase in the numbers of women entering medicine, and wider opportunities for women to practise medicine, at least in the short-term. The subsequent reaction within medical schools and the profession is then analysed, as is the significance of the increasing state involvement in health service provision. The final chapter considers the implications of the development of the National Health Service for medical women's careers.


In order to demonstrate some theories of mathematical expectation applied under uncertain environment, we need to study properties of expected value. Based on uncertainty theory, some properties and theorems of expected value are investigated. Furthermore, the concept of sublinear expectation is obtained, which is a special case of uncertain expectation.


Long-term smart-sensing technologies are emerging as valuable solutions to the increasing need for persistent sensor-based surveillance, that deliver enhanced performance when sensor fields are employed with intelligence implemented at the sensor node. We have developed a baseline technology of movement and seismic detection for perimeter intrusion. The sensor technology system employs computational and signal analysis algorithms with a degree of low power operation, wireless communication, and incident-driven sensor awakening. Although the developed system is equipped with functions to achieve longer life, power-efficiency, load-sharing and rules-based functions to create a more mature security system, it is required to expand its power and lifetime capability through the use of analog CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) VLSI (very large scale integrated circuits) processing units operating in the sub-threshold regime design technique at the front-end level where the power consumption is static. The proposed work helps alleviate maintenance costs and time of man power in patrolling the secure perimeter by increasing the life time of the sensors. The front-end consumes about 8nW of power and such ideas can be implemented in other devices where battery life is of crucial importance.


This chapter consists of two main parts. The first deals with the phenomenon of biological fractionation of stable isotopes as a contribution to isotopic fractionation in geological processes. The second deals with biological roles of natural radioisotopes. We briefly address kinetic, thermodynamic, and magnetic isotope effects. Fractionation of stable isotopes of some biogenic elements (H, C, O, N, Mg, S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn) in the human body is discussed. In particular, we consider (a) the natural isotopic composition of human tissues, fluids, and gases including the temporal dynamics of those isotopic compositions; (b) impacts of diet and geographical peculiarities on human isotopic composition; and (c) dependence of human isotope ratios on the state of health and age. We suppose that each living organism and each of its systems can be characterized by a typical isotopic composition, "an isotopic signature", which is related to the environment. In the signature, typical isotope ratios may fluctuate supporting the state of isotopic homeostasis, a part of the general homeostasis of the organism. There are also sharp changes in typical isotope ratios exceeding the ranges of such fluctuations. Sharp isotope shifts may be used as natural internal markers of pathological processes. Finally, we address biological effects of natural radioisotopes and their role in speciation and biological evolution. Experimental studies testify that natural background radiation is an important factor for the vital activity of organisms. Paleontological data suggest that dramatic periods of speciation and diversification have regularly occurred in periods of high natural radioactivity of the environment associated with the deposition of uranium-rich sediments. Within the East African Rift, a combined impact of regional geological processes has formed a zone of increased natural radiation that is suggested to have played a principal role in the origin of Homo sapiens. Possible mutagenic effects of the cosmic radiation increased during geomagnetic reversals and excursions are also discussed. We suggest that natural low dose ionizing radiation may be deleterious to individuals but beneficial for the population being one of the key factors generating variations that are acted upon by natural selection. Emlen V. Sobotovich, Igor V. Florinsky, Olga B. Lysenko et al. 34


The Munzur and Pulumur streams are essential water supplies of the Tunceli Province (Turkey). Chromite bearing ultramafic rocks and Zn-Cu mineral- ization products are possible causes of the toxic elements enrichment in the streams. Sediment and soil samples were collected along these streams to deter- mine the level of toxic element enrichment. Multi-element normalized patterns of the samples with respect to the upper crust display enrichments in Cr, Ni, Co, Cs, W, Pb, As, Sb, Au, Hg and Cr, Ni, Co, W, for the Munzur and Pulumur streams, respectively. Also, the calculated Igeo index values show the pres- ence of contaminations of Cr, Ni, As, Hg, Cd and Cr, Ni, As in the Munzur and Pulumur streams, respectively. Elemental grouping in the samples indicates two different effects related to the ultramafic host rocks and mineralization products in the study area. Additionally, mineralogical XRD analyses exhibit the presence of chrysotile, plagioclase, quartz and calcite. The fibrous chrysotile and heavy metal contaminations must be considered as a threat for public health.


Objectives: To identify latent subgroups of women in late life who are alike in terms of their mental health trajectories. Method: Longitudinal data are for 9683 participants in the 1921–1926 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who completed at least two surveys between 1999 (aged 73–78 years) and 2008 (aged 82–87 years). Mental health was measured using the five-item mental health inventory (MHI-5). Latent profile analysis uncovered patterns of change in MHI-5 scores. Results: Three patterns of change were identified for women who were still alive in 2008 (n = 7061), and three similar patterns for deceased women (n = 2622): (1) 'poor mental health' representing women with low MHI-5 scores, (2) 'good mental health' and (3) 'excellent' mental health, where scores remained very high. Deceased women had lower mental health scores for each class. Remote areas of residence, higher education, single marital status, higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and falls were the covariates associated with mental health in the survivor group. For the deceased group, education, BMI and falls were significant. Arthritis, stroke, heart disease, bronchitis/emphysema, diabetes and osteoporosis were associated with worse mental health for both groups, while asthma increased these odds significantly for the survivor group only. Hypertension and cancer were not significant predictors of poor mental health. Conclusion: The results show associations between chronic disease and level of mental health in older age, but no evidence of a large decline in mental health in the period prior to death.


The current research examines the relationship between personal financial knowledge (both objective and subjective), financial satisfaction, and selected demographic variables in terms of best practice financial behavior. Data are taken from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA) National Financial Capability Study, a nationally representative sample of 1,488 participants and are analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Findings suggest that both objective and subjective financial knowledge influence financial behavior, with subjective knowledge having a larger relative impact. Other variables that have a significant impact on financial behavior include financial satisfaction, income, education, age, race, and ethnicity.


We have determined limits of detection (LODs) of DNA hybridization using an optical detection by two different method, i.e., surface plasmon fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and optical waveguide fluorescence spectroscopy (OWFS), however, an identical sensor. Both techniques have a similar detection principle using the enhanced electromagnetic field to excite fluorophores and to monitor DNA hybridization in real-time with high sensitivity. Firstly, the detection of DNA hybridization was conducted by SPFS and the LOD value was found to be 2.0 pM (2.0 $\times$ 10$^{-12}$ mol/L). The same study was further conducted by OWFS, and a LOD of 170 fM (1.7 $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ mol/L) and 100 fM (1 $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ mol/L) was achieved for TM$_1$ and TE$_0$ modes, respectively, indicating that an improvement of the LOD of one order of magnitude is possible with OWFS. Furthermore, the photonic mode density at resonance of each mode was calculated, and these values are reflected in the LOD values. The present study illustrates the potential of OWFS as biosensor applications being able to detect in real-time even trace amounts of analyte.


Abstract Tree canopy cover data from aerial photographs and building energy simulations were applied to estimate energy savings from existing trees and new plantings in California. There are approximately 177.3 million energy-conserving trees in California communities and 241.6 million empty planting sites. Existing trees are projected to reduce annual air conditioning energy use by 2.5% with a wholesale value of $ 485.8 million. Peak load reduction by existing trees saves utilities 10% valued at approximately $778.5 million annually, or $ 4.39/tree. Planting 50 million trees to shade east and west walls of residential buildings is projected to reduce cooling by 1.1% and peak load demand by 4.5% over a 15-year period. The present wholesale value of annual cooling reductions for the 15-year period is $ 3.6 billion ($ 71/tree planted). Assuming total planting and stewardship costs of $ 2.5 billion ($ 50/tree), the cost of peak load reduction is $ 63/kW, considerably less than the $ 150/kW benchmark for cost-effectiveness. Influences of tree location near buildings and regional climate differences on potential energy savings are discussed.