We develop a geometric approach to the study of $(s,ms-1)$-core and $(s,ms+1)$-core partitions through the associated $ms$-abaci. This perspective yields new proofs for results of H. Xiong and A. Straub (originally proposed by T. Amdeberhan) on the enumeration of $(s, s+1)$ and $(s,ms-1)$-core partitions with distinct parts. It also enumerates the $(s, ms+1)$-cores with distinct parts. Furthermore, we calculate the weight of the $(s, ms-1,ms+1)$-core partition with the largest number of parts. Finally we use 2-core partitions to enumerate self-conjugate core partitions with distinct parts. The central idea is that the $ms$-abaci of maximal $(s,ms\pm1)$-cores can be built up from $s$-abaci of $(s,s\pm 1)$-cores in an elegant way.


This paper addresses the previous criticism relating to Article 30 EEC (now, after amendment, 28 EC) and analyzes case law from Cassis de Dijon, Keck and Mithouard to Gourmet. The issue of "measures " on national restrictions created tensions between the Court of Justice and the national courts. A new taxonomy is introduced to classify these cases relating to Article 28 EC in this paper. The taxonomy is based on marketing methods of 4P (i.e. product, place, price, and promotion). We attempt to employ the 4P of marketing management as a matrix to classify cases relating to Article 30 EEC and to observe whether the judgments given by the Court have consistency. It is suggested that Article 28 EC should not be classified as selling arrangements. Introduction This article aims to examine why Cassis de Dijon and the resulting new forms of economic regulation and governance have succeeded in completing and maintaining the Internal Market when earlier techniques of economic integration seem to have failed. This article addresses the previous criticism relating to Article 30 EEC (now, after amendment, 28 EC). The article analyzes case law from Cassis de Dijon, Keck and Mithouard to Gourmet, and calls for a clearer taxonomy for Article 30 EEC. The following section will briefly introduce the facts and judgments of the cases relating to Article 30 EEC. A short discussion will then follow considering whether these cases belong to the Free Movement of Goods and Services. In the forth section, the issues relating to the interpretation of Article 30 EEC, such as obstacles to trade, non-discrimination, harmonization, justification, product characters, advertisement, and selling arrangements are critically discussed. In the fifth section, a new case taxonomy classified by marketing methods and markets is introduced and categorizes the cases discussed in the first section. This study concludes with suggestions in the final section. The Facts and Judgments of the Cases relating Article 30 EEC Case 120/78 Cassis de Dijon The case of Cassis de Dijon concerned a French businessman, who intended to import a kind of alcoholic beverage called "Cassis de Dijon", which was produced in France and was intended for sale in Germany. The applicant argued that a German regulation placed the imported products in a disadvantageous position in German markets, because it required that the minimum alcohol contents for marketing "Cassis de Dijon" be twenty-five percent. The same product was freely sold in France with an alcohol content between fifteen and twenty percent. Such a regulation, therefore, had an effect equivalent to a quantitative restriction on imported goods, which was contrary to Article 30 EEC. The German authority argued that this regulation related to both consumer protection and public health in order to resist unfair competition. The argument rested upon the contention that the lower alcohol content would obtain a competitive advantage over the higher alcohol content, since the latter was more expensive. Prohibition by national law may be justified, because of mandatory requirements, such as consumer protection, public health, environmental protection, and so on. However, the Court was not convinced and stated that "the consumer can obtain on the market an extremely wide range of weakly or moderately alcoholic products, and, furthermore, a large proportion of alcoholic beverages with a high alcohol content freely sold on the German market are generally consumed in a diluted form." The Court ruled that, since "they have been lawfully produced and marketed in one of the member states, alcoholic beverages should not be introduced into any other member state." Therefore, the minimum requirement of content for the sale of alcoholic beverages regulated by a single state established an obstacle to interstate trade, which was incompatible with Article 30 EEC. Case 286/81 Oosthoek In the case of Oosthoek, the Dutch company offered a dictionary, a universal atlas, or a small encyclopedia, which were produced in Belgium, as free gifts to all of its press subscribers. …


This book introduces the method of lower and upper solutions for ordinary differential equations. This method is known to be both easy and powerful to solve second order boundary value problems. Besides an extensive introduction to the method, the first half of the book describes some recent and more involved results on this subject. These concern the combined use of the method with degree theory, with variational methods and positive operators. The second half of the book concerns applications. This part exemplifies the method and provides the reader with a fairly large introduction to the problematic of boundary value problems. Although the book concerns mainly ordinary differential equations, some attention is given to other settings such as partial differential equations or functional differential equations. A detailed history of the problem is described in the introduction. · Presents the fundamental features of the method · Construction of lower and upper solutions in problems · Working applications and illustrated theorems by examples · Description of the history of the method and Bibliographical notes


The genus Longidorus constitutes a large group of approximately 170 species of plant-ectoparasitic nematodes that are polyphagous and distributed almost worldwide. Some of the species of this genus are vectors of plant viruses. Species discrimination in Longidorus is difficult because the morphology is very conservative, and morphometric characters often overlap, leading to potential misidentification. Integrative taxonomy, based on the combination of molecular analyses with morphology, is a useful and necessary approach in Longidorus species identification. In Spain from 2014 to 2017, we conducted nematode surveys among cultivated and wild plants, from which we identified 13 populations of Longidorus, two of which appeared to represent new species and are described herein as L. iliturgiensis sp. nov. and L. pacensis sp. nov., and 11 populations belonging to eight known species: L. africanus, L. baeticus, L. carpetanensis, L. fasciatus, L. nevesi, L. cf. olegi, L. pini, and L. vallensis. Three species are new geographical records for Spain (L. nevesi, L. cf. olegi, and L. africanus). We report molecular data for L. nevesi, L. cf. olegi,
L. carpetanensis and L. pini for the first time. Additionally, we describe the males of L. pini and the juveniles of L. cf. olegi.


Forest managers in the United States must respond to the need for climate-adaptive strategies in the face of observed and projected climatic changes. However, there is a lack of on-the-ground forest adaptation research to indicate what adaptation measures or tactics might be effective in preparing forest ecosystems to deal with climate change. Natural resource managers in many areas are also challenged by scant locally or regionally relevant information on climate projections and potential impacts. The Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) project was designed to respond to these barriers to operationalizing climate adaptation strategies by providing a multiregion network of replicated operational-scale research sites testing ecosystem-specific climate change adaptation treatments across a gradient of adaptive approaches, and introducing conceptual tools and processes to integrate climate change considerations into management and silvicultural decisionmaking. Here we present the framework of the ASCC project, highlight the implementation process at two of the study sites, and discuss the contributions of this collaborative science-management partnership.


A bacterial signaling molecule induces the dimerization and activation of a biofilm-promoting transcription factor. Biofilms are aggregates of bacteria on a surface often associated with increased resistance to antibiotics and stress. In Vibrio cholerae, the bacterial species that causes cholera, biofilm formation is promoted by the bacterial second messenger cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) and involves the transcription regulator VpsT. Krasteva et al. show that VpsT is itself a receptor for c-di-GMP and that binding of the small signaling molecule promotes VpsT dimerization, which is required for DNA recognition and transcriptional regulation. As well as activating components of the biofilm pathway, VpsT also down-regulates motility genes in a c-di-GMP–dependent manner. P. V. Krasteva, J. C. N. Fong, N. J. Shikuma, S. Beyhan, M. V. A. S. Navarro, F. H. Yildiz, H. Sondermann, Vibrio cholerae VpsT regulates matrix production and motility by directly sensing cyclic di-GMP. Science 327, 866–868 (2010). [Abstract] [Full Text]


Commodity operating system kernels isolate applications via separate memory address spaces provided by virtual memory management hardware. However, kernel memory is unified and mixes core kernel code with driver components of different provenance. Kernel-level malicious software exploits this lack of isolation between the kernel and its modules by illicitly modifying security-critical kernel data structures. In this paper, we design an access control policy and enforcement system that prevents kernel components with low trust from altering security-critical data used by the kernel to manage its own execution. Our policies are at the granularity of kernel variables and structure elements, and they can protect data structures dynamically allocated at runtime. Our hypervisor-based design uses memory page protection bits as part of its policy enforcement. The granularity difference between page-level protection and variable-level policies challenges the system's ability to remain performant. We develop kernel data-layout partitioning and reorganization techniques to maintain kernel performance in the presence of our protections. We show that our system can prevent malicious modifications to security-critical kernel data with small overhead. By offering protection for critical kernel data structures, we can detect unknown kernel-level malware and guarantee that security utilities relying on the integrity of kernel-level state remain accurate.


We study merger histories of dark-matter haloes in a suite of N-body simulations that span different cosmological models. The simulated cases include the up-to-date Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5 cosmology and other test cases based on the Einstein–deSitter cosmology with different power spectra. We provide a robust fitting function for the conditional mass function of progenitor haloes of a given halo. This fit is valid for the different cosmological models and for different halo masses and redshifts, and it is a significant improvement over earlier estimates. Based on this fit, we develop a simple and accurate technique for transforming the merger history of a given simulated halo into haloes of different mass, redshift and cosmology. Other statistics such as main-progenitor history and merger rates are accurately transformed as well. This method can serve as a useful tool for studying galaxy formation. It is less sensitive to the low accuracy of the fit at small time-steps, and it can thus replace the more elaborate task of construction Monte Carlo realizations. As an alternative approach, we confirm the earlier finding by Neistein & Dekel that the main-progenitor follows a log-normal distribution. This property of merger trees allows us to better capture their behaviour as a function of time and descendant mass, but a broader suite of simulations is required for evaluating the dependence of the log-normal parameters on the cosmological model.


A water-soluble cubic coordination cage (Hw) has been prepared, which is isostructural with a previously reported organic-soluble cage (H) apart from the hydroxy groups on the external surface which render it water-soluble. These two cages act as hosts for small organic molecules which bind via a combination of (i) hydrogen-bonding interactions with specific sites on the internal surface of the cages; (ii) non-polar interactions such as aromatic and van der Waals interactions between aromatic rings in the guest and the cage internal surface; and (iii) solvophobic interactions. By comparing ΔG° values for guest binding in water (using Hw) and MeCN (using H), and using pairs of related guests that differ in the presence or absence of an aromatic ring substituent, it is possible to construct thermodynamic cycles that allow quantification of the solvophobic contribution to binding. Specifically, this is the difference between the solvophobic contributions to ΔG° in water and MeCN associated with desolvation of both guest and the internal surface of the cage when complexation occurs. A highly consistent value of ca. −10 kJ mol−1 is determined for this solvophobic contribution to ΔG° associated with the aromatic ring in water compared to MeCN, which correlates very well with what would be expected based on the free energy changes associated with transfer of toluene from MeCN to water. Thus, all three contributions to guest binding listed above can be separately quantified. The ability to prepare related pairs of guests with the presence or absence of a wide range of substituents provides a potentially general way to quantify the solvophobic contributions to guest binding of these substituents.


Fatigue, boredom, pain, performance anxiety, and negative thoughts are challenges characteristic of competitive running. One psychological technique that is gaining support and has been successfully implemented in sport is the practice of mindfulness. Where conventional psychological skills training interventions aim to change dysfunctional thoughts and emotions, mindfulness focuses on altering the relationship to physiological and psychological states. This could help in dealing with the demands of distance running but this has yet to be examined. This article was focused on reviewing mindfulness interventions on performance and performance-based factors in long distance running, assessing (a) mindfulness scores, (b) physiological performance-related factors, (c) psychological performance-related factors, and (d) performance outcomes. A search of relevant electronic databases yielded seven studies which met the inclusion criteria. The review provided some tentative support for the use of mindfulness interventions regarding: reducing competitive anxiety, attenuating immune responses to high-intensity running, and increasing state mindfulness. However, due to the methodological weaknesses of studies more research is required using high-quality randomized controlled trial designs.


Cross-sectional imaging of the heart utilizing computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be superior for the evaluation of cardiac morphology and systolic function in humans compared to echocardiography. The purpose of this prospective study was to test the effects of two different anesthetic protocols on cardiac measurements in 10 healthy beagle dogs using 64-multidetector row computed tomographic angiography (64-MDCTA), 3T magnetic resonance (MRI) and standard awake echocardiography. Both anesthetic protocols used propofol for induction and isoflourane for anesthetic maintenance. In addition, protocol A used midazolam/fentanyl and protocol B used dexmedetomedine as premedication and constant rate infusion during the procedure. Significant elevations in systolic and mean blood pressure were present when using protocol B. There was overall good agreement between the variables of cardiac size and systolic function generated from the MDCTA and MRI exams and no significant difference was found when comparing the variables acquired using either anesthetic protocol within each modality. Systolic function variables generated using 64-MDCTA and 3T MRI were only able to predict the left ventricular end diastolic volume as measured during awake echocardiogram when using protocol B and 64-MDCTA. For all other systolic function variables, prediction of awake echocardiographic results was not possible (P = 1). Planar variables acquired using MDCTA or MRI did not allow prediction of the corresponding measurements generated using echocardiography in the awake patients (P = 1). Future studies are needed to validate this approach in a more varied population and clinically affected dogs.


Purpose: Aim at making a scheme for emergency spare parts the support problem when large equipment spare parts supply network faced with large-scale emergency events. Design/methodology/approach : In order to analyze the model, we establish the spare parts security model under network supply conditions to respond emergency in case of fuzzy demand. And in end of the paper, we adopt an improved genetic algorithms to solve the problem. Findings : Considering emergency spare parts support problem from three aspects including satisfaction of time, satisfaction of demand and emergency cost constraints, which makes decision-making process more accord with reality condition, we can get a more realistic solution for the decision makers. Originality/value: Considering the occurrence of emergency and adopting information entropy theory to order the weight of emergency maintenance station in priority sequence, this paper presented emergency response time and demand satisfaction function, which uses the time, demand satisfaction and the cost restrictor as main objective, we have constructed the spare parts support model under fuzzy demand to solve emergency events, having expanded the scope of solution.


This contribution is a follow-up to the topic of consumer behavior which is analyzed from the economic theory perspective on microeconomic as well as a macroeconomic level. The main objective of the article is to reveal the structure of college students' consumer basket determined according to disposable income and its changes. In this article, the methodology of a consumer basket was used. The division of it was done by Czech Statistical Office to calculate the inflation rate in the environment of the Czech Republic. In this article, the analysis of college students' consumer basket was done. The pressure on having a higher qualification in tertiary education is a typical trend across Europe, which is also one of strategic goals of EU Strategy 2020 and its concept. There is clear evidence of a growing segment of college students that represents a significant demand group on the product and service market. The knowledge of their consumer habits is definitely beneficial for companies regarding their competitive advantage and reaching higher incomes from the products offered. The market product consumption is dependent on the total disposable income mainly. That is fundamentally dependent on hours of paid work or other fund contributions. The current disposable income shows the differences regarding consumption expenditures of a consumer basket and its various categories. A lower disposable income is typical for flowing the highest consumer expenditures from class 1 (Food and non-alcoholic beverages) to class 4 (Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels) of a higher disposal income. If the current disposable income of college students increases, there would be higher consumption expenditures regarding classes 9, 3 and 5 (Recreation and culture; Clothing and footwear; Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance). On the contrary, a lower disposable income would mean lower expenditures regarding classes 3, 2 and 9 (Clothing and footwear; Alcoholic beverages and tobacco; Recreation and culture).


This article explores the concept of peer review in the practice of law. The article begins with an introduction to law partners' liability exposure for the acts or omissions of their law partners. The article explains how this exposure has traditionally been approached as vicarious liability and how the government is attempting to transform these issues into direct liability by using failure to monitor claims. Part I briefly reviews perspectives on the emergence, growth, and structure of law firms, then uses a matrix to show how firm culture and organizational structure affect internal and external controls on attorney conduct. Part II discusses the concept of law firm peer review and identifies its goals and purposes. Part III considers whether law firm principals have a legal duty to monitor their peers. Part IV summarizes the organized bar's initiative relating to peer review. Part V reviews types of law firm peer review. Part VI concludes by speculating on the future of peer review.


Taking as a starting point the challenge in finding ways of treating autoimmune disorders, this article constructs a hypothetical frame for enquiry that explores the connections between bioscience and, in a different register, the techniques of cultural memory. Putting the question of the long development and inheritance of immune functions (phylogenesis) in touch with that of cultural inheritance (epiphylogenesis), the article questions lines of continuity between somatic mutation, consciousness, technics, time, and media. For instance, drawing on a tradition that acknowledges Immanuel Kant, Edmund Husserl, Theodor Adorno, and Martin Heidegger, Bernard Stiegler's attempt to mobilize the structure of the trace in the philosophy of Jacques Derrida results in a profound challenge to a technics that can be regarded as a powerful complement to biological evolutionary inheritance. The article proposes a critical reading of these traditions that would be sensitive to the political and biological implications of the paradoxical structures of immunity in the current climate of global biopolitics.


Climate change has been estimated to increase the risk of storm damage in forests in Finland. There is a growing need for methods to obtain information on the extent and severity of storm damage after a storm occurrence. The first objective of this study was to test whether digital photographs taken from aircrafts flying at low-altitude can be utilized in locating storm-damaged areas and estimating the need for harvesting of wind-thrown trees. The second objective was to test the performance of selected estimators. Depending on distances between flight lines, plots on lines and the used estimator, the relative standard errors of storm area estimates varied between 7.7 and 48.7%. For the area for harvesting and volume of wind-thrown trees, the relative standard errors of estimates varied between 16.8 and 167.3%. Using forest area information from Multisource National Forest Inventory data improved the accuracy of the estimates. However, performance of a simple random sampling estimator and ratio estimator were quite similar. Lindeberg's method for variance estimation based on adjacent lines was sensitive to line directions in relation to possible trends in storm-damaged area locations. Our results showed that the tested method could be used in estimating storm-damaged area provided that the network of flight lines and photographs on lines are sufficiently dense. The developed model for simulations can be utilized also with forthcoming storms as model's parameters can be freely adjusted to meet, e.g., the intensity and extent of the storm.


Emergency medical service provides a variety of services for those in need of emergency care. One of the major challenges encountered by emergency service providers is selecting the appropriate locations for ambulance stations. Prior works measure spatial proximity under Euclidean space or static road network. In this paper, we focus on locating the ambulance stations by using the real traffic information so as to minimize the average travel-time to reach the emergency requests. To this end, we estimate the travel-time of road segments using real GPS trajectories and propose an efficient PAM-based refinement for the location problem. We conduct extensive experimental evaluations using real emergency requests collected from Tianjin, and the result shows that the proposed solution can reduce the travel-time to reach the emergency requests by 29.9% when compared to the original locations of ambulance stations.


This paper investigates the role of testing and age-composition in the Covid-19 epidemic. We augment a standard SIR epidemiological model with individual choices regarding how much time to spend working and consuming outside the house, both of which increase the risk of transmission. Individuals who have flu symptoms are unsure whether they caught Covid-19 or simply a common cold. Testing reduces the time of uncertainty. Individuals are heterogeneous with respect to age. Younger people are less likely to die, exacerbating their willingness to take risks and to impose externalities on the old. We explore heterogeneous policy responses in terms of testing, confinements, and selective mixing by age group.


The study analyses constructions of childhood within early childhood education pedagogy and policy in New Zealand. Constructions are evaluated against criteria for an education based on a concept of the "child as citizen" and children's rights. Qualitative research methods were used. Constructions of childhood in pedagogy were examined through analysis of pedagogical documentation and discussions of teachers who met together over a year within a teachers' network. The teachers' aims were to base their practice on notions of the "child as citizen" and extend their thinking and practice from this basis. Constructions of childhood in policy were studied within two arenas: focus groups of government officials and representatives of early childhood organisations who met to discuss key issues in early childhood education policy; and early childhood education policy documents and commentary produced during the period 2000-2007. The analytic approach enabled an evaluation to be made of how children were represented within policy and practice, and the implications of constructions of childhood which would lead to democratic citizenship. Constructions of childhood were found to be dominant influences on thinking about early childhood pedagogy and policy, and were associated with views about the purposes and breadth of early childhood education; the roles of teachers, children, families, community and the government; and favoured pedagogical and policy approaches. I argued that organisational cultures exert a pervasive influence on participants' assumptions and values. Three main areas where policy could be developed to better support democratic citizenship were identified. First, citizenry rights should be established as a predominant goal for policy as it is for pedagogy. Where policy and pedagogical goals are integrated, both can work together to reinforce each other. One contention is that the process of making meaning of beliefs and critiquing them within collective forums can enable participants to contemplate what the child as citizen means conceptually and in practice and policy, and in this way incorporate the beliefs into the ways children are treated in these domains. Secondly, I argued for inquiry into the nature of early childhood education provision that we want in New Zealand society and within communities. Institutional thinking can raise barriers to envisaging new forms of provision that cater well for all children, and contribute to a wide range of outcomes, including dispositions for participating in a democratic society, support for families, social cohesiveness and community building. A third challenge is for policy frameworks to support teaching and learning. Action research approaches with support from a professional development adviser were shown to enable teachers to explore the value base of their pedagogy and experiment with change. Although such approaches are being supported by some Ministry of Education initiatives in New Zealand, working conditions are not conducive to these approaches in many early childhood settings. I have argued that structures are needed to support debate in pedagogy and policy and enable all parties, including parents, to participate in it. A new debate could enable different voices to be heard and new possibilities constructed for early childhood services as sites for building a democratic society.


We provide a historical perspective focusing on Ziemba's experiences and research on the bond-stock earnings yield differential model (BSEYD) starting from when he first used it in Japan in 1988 through to the present in 2014. The model has called many but not all crashes. Those called have high interest rates in long term bonds relative to the trailing earnings to price ratio. In general, when the model is in the danger zone, almost always there will be a crash. The model predicted the crashes in China, Iceland and the US in the 2006-9 period. Iceland had a drop of fully 95%. For the US the call was on June 14, 2007 and the stock market fell 56.8%. A longer term study for the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, and UK shows that over long periods being in the stock market when the bond-stock signal is not in the danger zone and in cash when it is in the danger zone provides a final wealth about double buy and hold for each of these five countries. The best use of the model is for predicting crashes. Finally we compare Shiller's high PE ratio crash model to the BSEYD model for the US market from 1962-2012. While both models add value, the BSEYD model predicts crashes better.


The physiological role of the TNF receptor (TNFR) family member, RANK, was investigated by generating RANK-deficient mice. RANK(-/-) mice were characterized by profound osteopetrosis resulting from an apparent block in osteoclast differentiation. RANK expression was not required for the commitment, differentiation, and functional maturation of macrophages and dendritic cells from their myeloid precursors but provided a necessary and specific signal for the differentiation of myeloid-derived osteoclasts. RANK(-/-) mice also exhibited a marked deficiency of B cells in the spleen. RANK(-/-) mice retained mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues including Peyer's patches but completely lacked all other peripheral lymph nodes, highlighting an additional major role for RANK in lymph node formation. These experiments reveal that RANK provides critical signals necessary for lymph node organogenesis and osteoclast differentiation.


This research addresses the need for change in higher education pedagogy due to developments in technology and the proliferation of digital devices. Three main directions are identified as having the potential of instigating an educational paradigm shift; flexible pedagogy (Ryan and Tilbury, 2013); ubiquitous learning (Cope and Kalantzis, 2010) and agnostic instructional design as represented in the practical set of strategies for creating device neutral assignments (DNA) (Campo, 2013). All three have been combined to formulate the Flexible Ubiquitous Agnostic Design (FUAD) framework for instructional design. The principles of the framework have been expanded and modified based on the findings of empirical data collection. In this theory-driven evaluation research, FUAD was used to evaluate learning designs using the FUAD principles as evaluation criteria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with lecturers to discuss learning experiences from a variety of universities in different countries. The purpose of the evaluation was twofold: assessing learning designs as well as informing the FUAD framework. Findings are presented by providing example assignments for each FUAD principle. An additional category was added for technical and procedural assignments to show how they relate to the FUAD principles. Findings show that FUAD is a useful evaluation tool. It enabled the identification of successful elements as well as the diagnosis of problem areas in learning experiences. Through the use of the seven FUAD principles and the enablers iii and inhibitors of each learning experience, suggestions were presented to develop assignments and to overcome problem areas. Inhibitors are discussed collectively as pointers to possible issues that can restrict the adoption of the FUAD framework. The FUAD framework is significant because it supports agnostic and inclusive instructional design. It translates the theoretical concepts of new pedagogies into practical principles or procedures that could be incorporated into learning experiences. It functions as a framework for instructional design and as an evaluation tool for learning experiences in higher education.


The use of perceptual inputs is an emerging area within HCI that suggests a developing Perceptual User Interface (PUI) that may prove advantageous for those involved in mobile serious games and immersive social network environments. Since there are a large variety of input devices, software platforms, possible interactions, and myriad ways to combine all of the above elements in pursuit of a PUI, we propose in this paper a basic experimental framework that will be able to standardize study of the wide range of interactive applications for testing efficacy in learning or information retrieval and also suggest improvements to emerging PUI by enabling quick iteration. This rapid iteration will start to define a targeted range of interactions that will be intuitive and comfortable as perceptual inputs, and enhance learning and information retention in comparison to traditional GUI systems. The work focuses on the planning of the technical development of two scenarios.


Background Serum 14-3-3η is an RA diagnostic marker whose higher levels are associated with more severe disease. Extracelluar 14-3-3η has been reported to upregulate factors intimately linked to RA pathogenesis. Predictive biomarkers of RA therapy response are needed to assist with clinical management. Objectives This study sought to examine the relationship between 14-3-3η serum expression and DMARD remission at year 1 in an early RA cohort. Methods Serum 14-3-3η levels were measured in a cohort of 409 early RA patients; all patients were DMARD naïve at baseline and DAS at year 1 was available in 401 patients. Median patient age was 56 years and 73% were female. Response was defined by DAS remission at year 1, DAS-ESR<2.6. The relationship between serum 14-3-3η and response was investigated by univariate analysis using three 14-3-3η concentration cut-offs which were selected as follows: the reported manufacturer's (Augurex 14-3-3η ELISA) reference range ≥0.19 ng/ml as well as 2 and 4 times that level, namely ≥0.40 and ≥0.80 ng/ml. 14-3-3η's contribution to predicting response was analyzed by regression analysis controlling for baseline DAS. Multivariate stepwise regression assessed 14-3-3η positivity together with baseline DAS, disease duration, age and gender to identify independent predictors of remission. Results At baseline, 67% (n=275) of the early RA patients were 14-3-3η positive using the 0.19 ng/ml cut-off. At a cut-off of 0.40 and ≥0.80 ng/ml, 229 (56%) and 288 (46%) of the patients were positive for 14-3-3η. After 1 year, 130 (32%) of 401 patients achieved DAS remission. Patients who achieved DAS remission had higher median (IQR) baseline DAS, [5.3 (4.5-6.2) vs 4.7 (3.9-5.7), p=0.0005] TJC28 [7 (3-10) vs 4 (2-8), p=0.0006], patient global assessment [56 (38-74) vs 50 (36-65), p=0.013] and ESR [32 (17-48) vs 25 (13-40), p=0.0027]. Fisher exact testing revealed that patients who were negative for 14-3-3η at either the ≥0.4 or the ≥0.8 ng/ml cut-points had a higher likelihood of (LR) and odds (OR) of achieving DAS remission: LR=3.4 p=0.0407, OR=1.5 (95%CI 1.0-2.3) and LR=4.0 p=0.0290, OR=1.5 (95%CI 1.0-2.4), respectively. Regression analysis accounting for baseline DAS further confirmed that those patients who are negative for 14-3-3η's based on either ≥0.4 or the ≥0.8 ng/ml cut-points are more likely to achieve remission: LR=4.2 p=0.04 and LR=4.9 p=0.03. Independent predictors of DAS remission as determined by stepwise multivariate analysis were baseline DAS (LR=12.0 p=0.005), 14-3-3η negativity (LR=5.6 p=0.02), and male gender (LR=8.5 p=0.004). Conclusions 14-3-3η is a mechanistic biomarker that is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. This study demonstrates that early RA patients with 14-3-3η levels below 0.8 ng/ml are more likely to achieve DAS remission at year 1 in response to DMARD therapy. This may be in part explained by in vitro observations which demonstrates that 14-3-3η behaves as a more potent ligand with increasing concentrations that are well within the clinical biomarker expression range. Further studies are warranted to determine if this is a general phenomenon across all classes of therapy. Disclosure of Interest D. van Schaardenburg: None declared, W. Maksymowych Consultant for: Augurex Life Sciences Corp, A. Marotta Employee of: Augurex Life Sciences Corp DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4515


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve disaster management models, have an optimal distribution of assets, reduce human suffering in a crisis and find a good solution for warehouse locations, distribution points, inventory levels and costs, considering the uncertainty of a wide range of variables, to serve as a support model for decision making in real situations.

Design/methodology/approach
A model is developed based on the recent models. It includes structured and non-structured data (historical knowledge) from a humanitarian perspective. This model considers the uncertainty in a landslide and flood area and it is applied in a representative Peruvian city.

Findings
The proposed model can be used to determine humanitarian aid supply and its distribution with uncertainty, regarding the affected population and its resilience. This model presents a different point of view from the efficiency of the logistics perspective, to identify the level of trust between all the stakeholders (public, private and academic). The finding provides a new insight in disaster management to cover the gap between applied research and human behavior in crisis.

Research limitations/implications
In this study the access of reliable information is limited.

Practical implications
This paper provides an operation model with uncertainty in a humanitarian crisis and a decision-making tool with some recommendation for further public policies.

Originality/value
This study presents a model for decision makers in a low-income zone and highlights the importance of preparedness in the humanitarian system. This paper expands the discussion of how the mathematical models and human behaviors interact with different perspectives in a humanitarian crisis.


Some historians identify warfare in the North Island between settlers and Maori as the key to the abolition of New Zealand's provinces in 1876. This requires reconsideration. I suggest that warfare had notable but not dire consequences for provincialism, and that other issues were of greater significance. Although the central state gained powers during wartime, these rarely came at the expense of provincial powers. The botched implementation of the New Zealand Settlements Act, which has been cited as evidence of provincial failure, actually reflected poorly on both levels of government. The centralising impulse must be found elsewhere. Rather than being caused primarily by wartime expansion of the central state, major centralising reforms were more due to provincial mismanagement and reckless borrowing for public works that provoked a public desire for change. When settlers were presented with an alternative central vision of development, they embraced it and rejected the provinces. This article has been peer reviewed.


The habitat value of modified rack and bag, shellfish aquaculture gear (SAG) used for the grow-out phase of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), Zostera marina, and a shallow nonvegetated seabed (NVSB) was comparatively evaluated over a 1-year period in Pt. Judith Pond, a tidal estuary in Southern Rhode Island. Enclosure gear was used to sample the three ecotypes, and organisms (>5 mm) were identified, enumerated, and measured to the nearest millimeter. Abundances of marine organisms and species diversity indices were used as measures of the habitat value of these ecotypes within each season. Environmental and geological parameters were not significantly different between the habitats. Emergent surface area (cm 2 m �2 of seabed) within each ecotype was estimated, and used to evaluate its role in providing habitat. The SAG habitat had a significantly greater surface area than either the SAV or NVSB habitats during all seasons. The physical structure of the SAG habitat protects juvenile fish from predators and provides substrate for sessile invertebrates that serve as forage for fish and invertebrates. The SAG habitat supported a significantly higher abundance of organisms per m 2 of seabed throughout the year. Species richness was also significantly greater in the SAG habitat compared with the SAV and NVSB habitats. A 2-way ANOVA indicated significant differences in species diversity (Shannon-Weiner index) between habitats. Tukey's HSD test indicated that the SAG habitat had significantly higher species diversity than the NVSB habitat, but no significant difference in species diversity was found between the SAG and SAV habitats. These findings indicate that shellfish aquaculture gear provides habitat for many organisms throughout the year, and is especially beneficial to ecosystems that support native species of recreationally and commercially important fish and invertebrates in their early life history stages. Therefore, we conclude that shellfish aquaculture gear has substantially greater habitat value than a shallow nonvegetated seabed, and has habitat value at least equal to and possibly superior to submerged aquatic vegetation.


The corneal epithelium metabolizes arachidonic acid by a cytochrome P450-(CYP) mediated pathway to 12(R)hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatrienoic acid [12(R)-HETE] and 12(R)hydroxy-5,8,14-eicosatrienoic acid [12(R)-HETrE]. Both metabolites possess potent inflammatory properties with 12(R)-HETrE being a powerful angiogenic factor and assume the role of inflammatory mediators in hypoxia- and chemical-induced injury in the cornea, in vivo. We developed an in vitro model of corneal organ culture to characterize the biochemical and molecular events involved in the increased synthesis of these metabolites. These cultured corneas exhibit epithelial cytochrome P450 CYP-dependent 12(R)-HETE and 12(R)-HETrE synthesis as indicated by chiral analysis and by the ability of CYP enzyme inhibitors to repress their synthesis. Hypoxia greatly and selectively stimulated the synthesis of 12(R)-HETE (7-fold over control normoxic conditions) and 12(R)-HETrE. The bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide, also increased the synthesis of these eicosanoids, substantiating the notion that this activity may function as an inflammatory pathway. These metabolites were detected in the culture medium by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis and their levels significantly increased in hypoxia-treated corneas, further indicating their endogenous formation in response to injury. This in vitro model provides an excellent preparation for studying factors regulating the synthesis of these inflammatory eicosanoids and for isolating, identifying and characterizing the CYP protein responsible for their synthesis.


Background: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is complex and involves the contribution of genetic and environmental factors. Many patients with very early onset IBD are difficult to treat. The current antibiotic medication that targets gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria provides only moderate efficacy in subsets of patients with IBD. Methods: We report a case series of 5 children with a mean age of 1.6 years (range 6 months to 2.7 years) during IBD onset, who were previously refractory to standard treatments and who received oral vancomycin with or without gentamicin. Results: Four out of 5 children demonstrated substantial therapeutic effect, and the effect was sustained in 3 children over a follow-up period of 12-33 months. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with model systems and suggest that randomized trials are required to establish whether a change in therapeutic paradigm, that is, targeting gram-positive bacteria with nonabsorbable antibiotics, may have therapeutic benefits.


Botulinum toxin (BoTx) has been clinically used in the treatment of localized dystonic states such as blepharospasm, as well as in strabismus. Reported side effects have included primary excessive weakness of neighboring extraocular muscles. To evaluate possible involvement of the iris, we injected BoTx into the retrobular space of albino rats. Ipsilateral mydriasis with cholinomimetic supersensitivity developed in the treated animals. There was no apparent optic nerve dysfunction. The authors observed these effects using BoTx doses insufficient to cause clinical weakness or electrophysiological evidence of generalized neuromuscular dysfunction. The mydriasis disappeared spontaneously within 2-3 weeks. Higher BoTx doses resulted in severe neuromuscular paralysis and death. These findings were consistent with clinical botulism, which may include autonomic paralysis. The site of BoTx action could be the ciliary ganglion or cholinergic terminals in the iris. The authors concluded that side effects of BoTx were not necessarily limited to striated muscle weakness.


I. INTRODUCTION The current decade has brought revolutionary change to onceapartheid South Africa. Nelson Mandela, a political dissident imprisoned for twenty-seven years,1 was released from prison and led Black South Africans in their quest for equality and democracy. The realization of these ideals became possible when former President F.W. de Klerk and his National Party agreed to write a new interim constitution and to hold the first democratic elections in the nation's history.2 De Klerk and Mandela, the principal negotiators of the interim constitution, finalized it in 1993.3 The first elections took place in April 1994, and Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) garnered 62.7% of the popular vote.4 This percentage provided the ANC with a sufficient proportion of the National Assembly's seats to enable Mandela to become the nation's president5 De Klerk's National Party won 20.4% of the vote.6 A provision of the constitution allowed any party receiving more than twenty percent of the vote to name a deputy president, enabling de Klerk to retain an important position in the government.7 With a new constitution and democratic representation, South Africa exhibited the necessary political tools to become a major player in the global economy. Although South Africa always has been one of the most developed and richest nations in Africa, its infamous apartheid policies impeded its international status.8 The nation faced trade embargoes, a lack of foreign investment, denial of membership in the United Nations, and a reluctance among foreigners to travel within its borders.9 Once South Africa abolished apartheid, it expected its fortunes to change-which they did. The removal of apartheid's stigma opened borders, and the allure of a relatively untapped economic reservoir attracted foreign investment and the international community's desire to trade and interact with South Africa.10 Unfortunately, the transformation of a society once shielded from the outside world to a society permeable to extraneous influences has brought new problems, namely crime. South Africa's rising crime rate makes it one of the most disturbing and dangerous countries in the world. In particular, South Africa's murder rate ranks as the fourth highest in the world, and its overall violent crime rate is among the world's highest.11 Although general lawlessness existed under apartheid, democratization makes this lawlessness increasingly apparent.12 The crime of drug trafficking, however, is a new problem to South Africa, one borne out of its transformation into an open society. Drug trafficking has recently received widespread attention because it breeds murder, money laundering, and vigilante justice.13 South Africa needs to develop a strategy to combat its drug trafficking problem. Most, if not all, nations that are major production or consumption stops along trafficking routes have had such strategies in place for years.14 Moreover, in the last decade, nations have begun to realize that acting alone is not enough, and have internationalized the war on drugs through effective international cooperation and enforcement.15 The internationalization of the war on drugs utilizes three primary arrangements: (1) nations acting in accordance with a United Nations policy; (2) multilateral agreements, usually among nations within the same region of the world; and (3) bilateral agreements between the United States and another nation, usually a major narcotics producer.16 As stated, most nations also employ domestic policies that deal with the production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit drugs. First, this Note examines the current drug trafficking problem in South Africa. It then discusses the four common ways of prohibiting and fighting drug trafficking. Finally, this Note proposes a strategy that South Africa should employ to address the problems it faces. This proposed strategy borrows heavily from those already in place, and includes measures from each of the four methods by which countries are waging the war on drugs. …


For a long time, arbitration was the only game in town for parties who wanted more flexibility in the adjudication of their disputes. They faced a dichotomous choice between accepting the public court system and its attendant procedural rules or opting out entirely and resolving their disputes in arbitration. Private process, however, "has migrated in surprising ways into the public courts: despite public rules of procedure, judicial decisions increasingly are based on rules of procedure drafted by the parties . . . ." This sort of private procedural ordering gives parties the ability to unbundle the off-the-rack procedures applied in public courts and bargain about individual rules. Customized procedure, in short, offers parties much of the flexibility that once seemed the prerogative of arbitration while maintaining the advantages of public adjudication, including, most significantly, rights to appeal and public subsidization. While arbitration has arguably be-come more like litigation, litigation may be becoming more like arbitration. The promise of more flexible public adjudication presents parties with significant benefits. Yet, given the potential gains from finely tuned procedure, it is puzzling that current empirical evidence suggests that few parties explore the full range of customization theoretically available to them. Indeed, while the evidence we have is far from perfect, it seems to indicate that parties are doing precious little fine-tuning, at least ex ante. This Article evaluates this doctrinal explanation for the puzzle created by the gap between the potential gains of customized procedure and the apparent reality that parties do little of it, at least before a dispute arises. It concludes that a close look at the doctrine does not bear this story out. To the contrary, while express authorization for many forms of customized procedure does not exist, the current trend of doctrine could not be clearer: courts seem ready to enforce parties' autonomous procedural choices. Accordingly, there are minimal risks that a court will refuse to enforce or abide by a procedural customization so long as it does not suffer from some fundamental contract formation flaw, like unconscionability or fraud.


The development of atherosclerosis in the aorta is associated with low and oscillatory wall shear stress for normal patients. Moreover, localized differences in wall shear stress heterogeneity have been correlated with the presence of complex plaques in the descending aorta. While it is known that coarctation of the aorta can influence indices of wall shear stress, it is unclear how the degree of narrowing influences resulting patterns. We hypothesized that the degree of coarctation would have a strong influence on focal heterogeneity of wall shear stress. To test this hypothesis, we modeled the fluid dynamics in a patient-specific aorta with varied degrees of coarctation. We first validated a massively parallel computational model against experimental results for the patient geometry and then evaluated local shear stress patterns for a range of degrees of coarctation. Wall shear stress patterns at two cross sectional slices prone to develop atherosclerotic plaques were evaluated. Levels at different focal regions were compared to the conventional measure of average circumferential shear stress to enable localized quantification of coarctation-induced shear stress alteration. We find that the coarctation degree causes highly heterogeneous changes in wall shear stress.


The use of composite probability distributions (i.e. integrated from two different distributions, including inverted/mirrored distributions) is useful in case the data sample is drawn under changing external conditions, which frequently occurs. The use of composite distributions is not widespread, with the exception of the Laplace distribution. Also, software for the fitting of such distributions to data series, with the aim to obtain an impression of the frequency of occurrence under changing external conditions, is scarce. This article uses the software package CumFreqA, designed for that purpose, and explains how various well known distributions can be used to obtain composite ones. Simultaneously the software finds the optimal value of the separation point Q of the different distributions left and right of it. Another technique of CumFreqA is to raise the data to a power P, whose value can be optimized numerically using iterative procedures, to reach the condition of minimum sum of squares of deviations of the theoretical from the observed values. The transformation of data to obtain a better fit is not often done with the exception of the log-normal distribution which uses a logarithmic transformation of the data instead of an exponential, which offers more flexibility. Thus the distribution is generalized and made composite to enhance the goodness of fit. Further, the parameters of the distributions are found from transformations of the cumulative distribution function leading to linear equations where after a linear regression is applied, which simplifies the algorithm. The confidence belts of the cumulative distribution functions in CumFreqA, are constructed with the help of the binomial distribution. This leads to the possibility to construct confidence intervals of the return period as well. Various examples of distributions and confidence belts are given. CumFreqA offers the possibility to create histograms with intervals by choice and constructs the corresponding probability density functions, of which examples are given.


This is the only book focused on the complete aspects of RF Stealth design. It is the first book to present and explain first order methods for the design of active and passive stealth properties. Everything from Electronic Order of Battle to key component design is covered. The book is a 'How to' reference, allowing estimation of RCS, emitter interceptability, IR signature with speed, emitter footprints, terrain obscuration and target visibility, ambient spectra, ambient pulse density, detection performance, antenna, filter and pulse compression sidelobes, emitter location accuracy, stealthy pulse compression design, stealthy antenna design, signal processor performance, and more. Unique compilations of the leading parameters of many emitters and interceptors are included, as is analytical software for each chapter. Stealth was a major military breakthrough very much in today's news. Though the author has been pioneering modern stealth techniques since 1975, necessary requirements of security has kept this material from becoming widely known. The book's purpose is to provide a new generation of designers with a firm and proven basis for new developments and to allow buyers of stealth technology to separate the charlatans from serious engineers. Key features of this book include the fact that there is no competing title on the market; this will be the standard text for years to come. All analysis is presented on a first order basis: simplest approach, use of approximations, intuitive reasoning, many examples. The book's practical 'How to' approach incorporates recipes and examples for estimation of critical performance parameters. Includes 368 figures, 74 tables, 328 equations and 108 items of analytical software.


The problem of the crystallite size determination for nanomaterials from X-ray diffraction data obtained in asymmetrical GIXD geometry was analyzed. The studies were performed on nanocrystalline MgO powder prepared by sol-gel synthesis. The nanopowder was preliminary characterized from X-ray diffraction pattern registered in classical Bragg-Brentano geometry and electron microscope observation. The estimated crystallite size, calculated form Williamson-Hall method, equals to 5 nm whereas the lattice distortion is negligible (0.1%). The X-ray diffraction patterns were registered in 30-135º 2θ range using tunnel GIXD technique for the incident α angle: 0.25; 0.5; 1; 2.5 and 5 degrees, respectively. Additional broadening of diffraction lines originated from applied geometry was observed. The calculated crystallite size deviate significantly in comparison to results obtained from classical Bragg-Brentano data. Corrections for additional line broadening were determined, which should be applied for accurate crystallite size calculation in studies of thin nanocrystalline layers using GIXD technique.


The key problem facing markets today is information. Structured finance products are inherently complex and difficult to value. Hence, the marketplace is inherently opaque. Without adequate information, investors will not invest in either primary or secondary markets. In primary markets, such reluctance results in decreased lending. In secondary markets, such reluctance results in a steep lemons discount, arising because investors do not know the value of assets but are otherwise able to transact (which is not the same as a liquidity crunch, where investors know the value of investments but are nonetheless unable to transact). Regulators have done little to address the fundamental information problems that perpetuate the current crisis. The veracity of bond ratings has been called into question. The major Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs) have allowed their ratings to reflect different economic magnitudes of risk for different financial products. At the heart of these difficulties (particularly with respect to wide differences in the degree of economic risk attached to various ratings) are the conflicts of interest inherent in an issuer-pays ratings industry whose products are protected as opinions under the First Amendment.


Policy makers, academics, and media reports suggest that women could shrink the gender pay gap by negotiating more effectively for higher compensation. Yet women entering compensation negotiations face a dilemma: They have to weigh the benefits of negotiating against the social consequences of having negotiated. Research shows that women are penalized socially more than men for negotiating for higher pay. To address this dilemma, the authors test strategies to help women improve both their negotiation and social outcomes in compensation negotiations. In Study 1, communicating concern for organizational relationships improved female negotiators' social outcomes, and offering a legitimate account for compensation requests improved negotiation outcomes. However, neither strategy—alone or in combination—improved both women's social and negotiation outcomes. Study 2 tested two strategies devised to improve female negotiators' social and negotiation outcomes by explaining why a compensation request is legitimate in relational terms. Results showed that, although adherence to the feminine stereotype is insufficient, using these "relational accounts" can improve women's social and negotiation outcomes at the same time. Normative implications of conformity to gender stereotypes to reduce gender pay disparities are discussed.


Golfers are used extensively for equipment testing and development, however, they are
inconsistent in performance and they tire. Golf swing simulation devices overcome these
shortcomings producing consistent repeatable swings and are now intrinsic instruments
for golf research conducted by manufacturers governing bodies and academic institutes. The capability of artificial devices to perform human dynamic motions is undoubtedly improving; however, comparatively little scientific effort has been invested to ensure that the swing motions provided by these mechanical devices are representative of golfers' swings. An extensive 3D kinematic study of golfers' swings was undertaken to determine joint positions representative of a double pendulum model of the swing along with ball launch and shaft deflection data. A technique for generating golf robot motion
commands from the kinematic swing data was then developed using interpolation algorithms to increase the continuity of command derivatives. Six golfers' swings with distinctive swing performance characteristics were replicated using a commercially availablem odem golf robot and a bespokem otion control system. Quantitative data captured from 20 golfers were compared using gender and skill classifications. All golfers were found to perform consistent swing motions and the kinematic sequencing of joint segments supported the summation of speed principle.
Higher skill rated golfers were found to perform swings with greater consistency, faster clubhead speeds at impact, faster down swings and greater delayed wrist releases. The research has shown that the new robot control system in conjunction with 3D kinematic swing data and a feed-forward control enables in dividual golfer's swings to be replicated with both high levels of accuracy and repeatability. The capability for golfers' swings to be replicated accurately using a mechanical device provides new impetus for both
clubfitting methodologies and optimisation of swing technique. However, the boundary
constraint of the club at the robot's gripping mechanism was found to provide poor representation of golfers' grip, and consequently, the first bending mode of the club was excited during simulations and resultant shaft deflection and ball launch data correlated
less well with the golfers' data. Development of the club gripping mechanism has been identified as an area for future research as the benefits of the new robot control system will only be fully realised if this interface is improved.


The aim of a human resources management model in the function of regional development is to provide effective mediation in the labour market achieved by increasing the quality of service adjusted to the clients` needs, along with the development of knowledge, skills and abilities of everyone involved in human resources management. They should also continuously improve partnership relations with all the stakeholders in the labour market. A leading role in the development of the Croatian labour market, particularly when it comes to balancing the total labour supply and demand aimed at increasing employment is played by the Croatian Employment Service (CES). The CES follows the strategic goals of regional development. The Croatian Employment Service has the following strategic goals: - to develop the services provided by the Croatian Employment Service in order to stimulate workforce competition and address the labour market needs. - to develop human potential and administrative capacity of the Croatian Employment Service in creation and provision of new services in the labour market - to achieve a leading role of the Croatian Employment Service in the labour market by stimulating partnership and increasing its impact on adopting and realizing public policies. In the current economic crisis the Croatian Employment Service has reconfirmed its conviction that investment in human resources is the crucial measure aimed at increasing employability through acquiring knowledge and skills in demand on the labour market. The other side of this issue is the need to prevent the loss of skills resulting from long periods of unemployment. It is possible to notice three different approaches in raising and allocating resources for financing regional development, which is explained on the example of one of the economically most developed regional (local) selfgovernment units. In spite of having common development goals, local selfgovernments proceed differently in carrying out these tasks. Funding of public needs through public-private partnership (PPP) is motivated primarily by limited availability of public financing, together with the endeavours to improve the quality and efficiency of public services. Contracting projects by means of PPP should be seen as one of the possibilities if project characteristics allow for such a model, and if clear advantages and benefits can be demonstrated in comparison with traditional procurement methods. Furthermore, we should point out overcoming limitations in funding, involving private sector in the construction of public infrastructure and provision of public services, stimulating innovation in public services, and increasing consumer satisfaction. Public-private partnerships are very complex in terms of design, management and implementation, which indicates that everybody should be very cautious regarding this model, even though it could provide a range of advantages. Taking into account that these are normally long-term projects, there is a possibility that expected benefits are not realized. In view of this, special precautions should be taken when contracting such projects so as to avoid possible deterioration of public services. Within the international monetary system, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, together with their affiliates, are indispensable financial institutions that play a crucial role in handling financial problems in the world, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Some major goals of these institutions are establishing economic stability around the world, financing the members that have encountered different economic difficulties, and providing counselling in order to re-establish macroeconomic balance. The cooperation between these two institutions and Croatia takes place mostly through their granting different arrangements (usually stand-by arrangements), loans and donations.The European Union provides some other important sources of financing for the regional development, in particular through credit institutions, funds and non-monetary financial institutions.


Further to the failed efforts to create a European Union patent (ex Community patent), the European Union's legislator currently prepares the introduction of a "European patent with unitary effect" as a matter of enhanced cooperation among a majority of EU Member States. The paper analyses this ambiguous form of a unitary patent as part of the broader system of patent protection in Europe. More particularly, the concern of the paper is with the increasing complexity of the Union's multi-level system of patent protection, which will result from the co-existence and optional availability of purely national patents, of a territorially selective bundle of national patents granted by the European Patent Organization, and of the European patent with a territorially unitary effect. This complexity will be exacerbated, first, by the different multi-layer structures of the European patent proper and of the unitary patent respectively, and, second, by the ambiguous legal nature of the unitary patent (in part union law, in part national law, in part international law). In addition, both the European patent proper, as up-graded by an international "Agreement on a Unified Patent Court", and, more particularly, the unitary patent are characterized by systemic imbalances, and affected by serious doubts about their compatibility with European Union law. For all these reasons, the paper concludes that, instead of establishing a highly complex and asymmetric system of patents on unsafe legal ground, an entirely fresh approach to EU-wide patent protection is necessary. This would be all the more opportune as the European patent with unitary effect neither represents a real effort of advanced integration nor addresses any of the pressing issues of modernization of patent protection.


Research has been done into improving the means by which we organise and manage information. The usefulness of 2D versus 3D interfaces and environments has also been debated and evaluated. Human spatial abilities can be used to store more information about particular objects including their position in space. Our hypothesis states that as 3D objects contain more information about themselves and their relative position in space than 2D objects, although users take longer to process this information, they should be more accurate when searching and retrieving 3D objects.
 The evaluation study conducted compared spatial abilities between a 2D version of a memory game and an Augmented Reality (AR) version. Results showed that participants took significantly longer to complete the AR 3D version of the game than the 2D version, but did so with significantly fewer attempts i.e. they were more accurate. These results are specifically relevant for the design and development process of interfaces for AR applications.


We have measured azmuthal angle dependence of the optical second harmonic (SH) intensity from the self-organized Au nanowire arrays prepared by shadow deposition on the NaCl(110) template at the SH photon energy of 2ћω=2.33eV. The SH intensity pattern shows two lobes for the p-in/p-out and the s-in/p-out polarization configurations, and four lobes for the p-in/s-out polarization configuration. We suggest that the observed SH intensity patterns are characterized by the nonlinear susceptibility arising from a quasi- C2v symmetry of the Au nanowire arrays / NaCl(110) system.


Frozen semen quality is one of many factors that promote successfully of artificial insemination. Preservation at 5oC is one of the steps of semen freezing to obtain high fertility sperm after added with the extender. This study was aimed to determined the sperm quality (motility, viability, and membrane integrity), MDA level and DNA damage of post-thawed sperm after being preserved at 5oC for different duration. Bali cattle bull semen collected by artificial vagina. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of ejaculate was conducted first. Qualified semen was diluted in Tris Aminomethan-Egg yolk and then devided into two treatment group: preserved at 5oC for 4 hours (first group) and 22 hours (second group), and continued to processed into frozen semen, and stored overnight. Pre-freezing and post-thawed of semen analysis was conducted based on SNI: 48691:2017 of The National Standardization Agency of Indonesia. Measurement of levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) was conducted by spectrophotometry at 532 nm wavelength, meanwhile measurement of sperms DNA damage percentage was performed by Toluidine blue staining. The result of showed that quality of post-thawed sperm (motility, viability, and membrane integrity) was higher (P<0.05), and MDA level and DNA damage were lower (P<0.05) in preservation at 5°C for 22 hours compared to those of 4 hours. It could be concluded that preservation at 5°C longer (22 hours) means sperm had longer chance to adapt with the extender, this implies the higher quality and lower lipid peroxidation.


A hydrologic data collection metwork is considered to be a component of a communication channel conveying regional hydrologic information. A measure of the information transmission by the hydrologic network, in conjunction with spatial estimators, is derived using Shannon's information theory. The resulting measure confirms that the network information transmission is dependent upon the joint entropy of the network station output but independent of the spatial estimators. Maximum information transmission is proposed as a criterion for the selection of station locations for a permanent network. A numerical example, involving the selection of station locations for various sizes of optimal information transmission hydrologic networks, is given.


Today the modern Silk Road between Asia and Europe is increasingly well-travelled in both directions by students, academics and policy makers. Over the last decade the European Union (EU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been making more attempts to shape this route by creating an educational partnership through an inter-regional forum for regional cooperation and policy development: the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM). Beside economic and diplomatic relations, education has been receiving increasing attention since the 2000s and has become an important and strategic act of cooperation by ASEM education ministers. Higher education and lifelong learning are the main topics for the multi-level dialogues and exchanges of ideas between the two regions. This paper describes the emergence of this new inter-regional educational phenomenon and examines its characteristics by analysing the case of the 10-year-old ASEM Lifelong Learning Initiative. Furthermore, the paper argues that ASEM education cooperation carries characteristics of a cultural and associational process, an agenda-setting process, a policy transfer process, an instrument for intra-regional integration and building regional identity.


Flax/polypropylene needle - punched nonwovens (550 g /m 2 ) have been produced and then used as a preform for theproduction of composites. In this study, better infiltration of polypropylene melt into the flax fibres has been achieved byaltering the crystal structure of polypropylene in the preform. A modified sequence of production of composites is alsoproposed. The proposed method yields composite with 25, 98 and, 91% improvement in tensile, flexural and short beamstrength properties as compared to the conventional method of manufacturing.


Augmentation of soil available phosphorus (P) is often essential to reverse the acid infertility conditions of most tropical soils, especially when arable crop growers prefer tubers or grains to excessive vine and leaf production. As part of the ultimate goal to recommend fertilizer use for crop production on a medium acid (pH 5.8) luvisol/alfisol (Typic Paleustalf), this study sought to evaluate the effect of P fertilization on the dry matter (DM) production and biomass partitioning at successive growth periods of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) grown on the benchmark soil type. The plants were treated to three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha) of P using single super phosphate, SSP (9% P). The treatments were replicated three times to give a total of nine experimental field plots in randomised complete block design. The changes in DM contribution of the plant parts (vine, root, petiole, lamina and tuber) after 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 weeks of growth were evaluated. Lamina, tuber and vine contributed most of the crop's dry biomass at each of the P application levels and sampling periods while the seed stock contributed the least. The highest P contents in the lamina were recorded at the 5 th , 9 th and 7 th weeks after planting (WAP) for the P 0, 30 and 60 kg/ha treatments, respectively while DM production was at its respective peaks during the last sampling period (13 WAP). Maximum production of tuber and lamina was at P 30 and 60 kg/ha, respectively. The short- and long-term responses to SSP (compared with some other fertilizer materials) by selected cultivars of the crop need to be ascertained in future studies.


The passing into EU Law of a requirement that all companies domiciled in member states or listed on EU stock exchanges should publish a Report of Payments to Governments on the face of it is a victory for the civil society organizations long campaigning for the attendant increased transparency and accountability, a step towards better conditions and possibilities for many of the world's poor. But it cannot be taken for granted. It was passed with a condition that it be reviewed (at both member state level, where a review can feed into the federal level review, and at the level of the EU), which is an opportunity to better it or a threat to reverse positive potentialities. The UK Brexit vote adds some uncertainty regarding the future of the law in the UK. And studies of manifestations of practices such as accounting and auditing (often intersecting with the law) caution against too much optimism as to their straightforward effectiveness. With a view to understanding this particular law in practice, so that it be strengthened and better function in line with its intended aims, we explore processes of its construction and early adoption in the UK. In a preliminary analysis, we elaborate how interpretations of the Law within the Extractives Industry run counter to the spirit or substance of the law and give rise to different and apparently problematic translations of the law into practice. Reflecting on our analysis, we make some recommendations as to ways forward.


The importance of harmony perception in understanding tonal melodies has been extensively studied, but underlying processes of implied harmonic perception remain unexplored. This study explores how listeners perceive implied harmony in real-time while hearing tonal melodies by addressing two questions: How is each tone of a tonal melody harmonically interpreted and integrated into the previous tones? How do harmonic expectations of "what" chord will follow and "when" the chord change will occur affect the processing? Participants with music training listened to tonal melodies and responded to target tones by singing their pitches as quickly as possible. The target tones implied an expected or an unexpected chord; they occurred at expected or unexpected times. The results showed that sing-back reaction times (RTs) were shorter for: 1) tones implying an expected chord; and 2) chord changes occurring at expected times, suggesting that harmonic expectations facilitate the processing of tonal melodies. Also, RTs became shorter over the presentation of successive target tones implying the same chord, suggesting that implied harmony becomes clearer as more tones belonging to a single chord are presented.


The Effect of the Slope of the Psychometric Function on the Measurement of Speech Recognition Threshold Using a Male Talker Nujod Ali M Bakhsh Department of Communication Disorders, BYU Master of Science Speech audiometry is the aspect of audiology that provides critical information on how individuals hear one of the most important sounds of daily life: speech. The speech recognition threshold (SRT) is a measure of speech audiometry that is widely used to provide information on an individual's capacity to hear speech. Over time, researchers and clinicians have worked to improve the SRT by developing and modifying a variety of word lists to be used during testing. Eventually, spondaic words were selected as the best stimuli for the SRT. The spondaic words had to meet four criteria: familiarity, phonetic dissimilarity, normal sampling of English sounds, and homogeneity with respect to audibility. This study examined the aspect of homogeneity with regard to slope of the psychometric function. Specifically, whether slope of the psychometric function had an effect on the number of words used to obtain the SRT, and thus reduce test time, as well as whether slope had an effect on the relationship between the SRT and the pure-tone average (PTA). It was hypothesized that words with a steep slope would significantly reduce test time and yield a close SRT-PTA agreement. Three word lists (steep, medium, and shallow sloping words), all recorded by a male talker, were used to obtain the SRT on 40 participants (ages 18-30 years). Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the number of words to obtain the SRT and the SRT-PTA agreement. However, when the differences were examined from a clinical perspective, the results were negligible. When compared with words with medium and steep slopes, words with shallow slope required an average of four extra words to obtain the SRT, which does not result in a meaningful reduction in test time. For clinical purposes, it appears that the slope of the psychometric function does not need to be taken into consideration for the SRT. Clinicians may use a variety of words as long as they meet the original four criteria for selection of spondees.


Medical image registration is becoming a more and more useful component of a large number of applications. The presented method aims to enrich the ITK library. This method, called Morphon registration algorithm, computes a dense deformation field accepting inputs from different intensity contrasts. This article presents its implementation within the Insight Toolkit. In this paper, we provide a brief description of the algorithm, a presentation of the implementation, the justification of our modified classes and the results given by the algorithm. We demonstrate the algorithm in application of different images intesity constrasts and dimensions.


There is a strong need for stable frequency references with large tuning ranges in today"s communication systems. While the crystal oscillators assure good frequency stability, it is not possible to achieve a large frequency range by tuning the passive components attached to them. Frequency synthesizers are usually used for this purpose because of their ability to produce a variety of output frequencies. The Phase Locked Loop (PLL) based frequency synthesizer is the most preferred of all types of synthesizers available because of its additional features like programmability, low noise and low cost as well as high accuracy and stability. The main idea of this PLL-based synthesizer is to phase-lock its output signal with an input reference signal and to produce a synchronous output. It does this by generating an error signal to correct the oscillator frequency. This functionality is achieved by integrating a phase detector, charge pump, loop filter and voltage controlled oscillator block in series with a frequency divider in feedback. This thesis presents, in detail, the design of all the individual PLL blocks, the strategies employed in the design, issues faced in testing and the test data from simulation and measurement. All the above mentioned PLL blocks are designed in the 130 nm IBM-CMOS cmrf8sf process and optimized for low power consumption. PLLs are used in almost all kinds of communication systems, transmitters and receivers for applications such as carrier recovery, carrier generation, clock slew correction, frequency modulation and demodulation. This thesis is approved for Recommendation to the Graduate Council


BACKGROUND
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to all antimicrobials used to treat gonorrhoea, with even ceftriaxone being undermined. It is therefore important to examine any potential to redeploy older antimicrobials routinely used for other infections to treat ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal infections.

OBJECTIVES
We examined the susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to aztreonam, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, fosfomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam and rifampicin.

METHODS
N. gonorrhoeae isolates (n = 94) were selected to include a range of antimicrobial susceptibilities: 58 were collected in the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme; 17 were clinical isolates referred to the PHE reference laboratory; and 19 were control strains. MICs were determined by agar dilution for the six study antimicrobials and for ceftriaxone and azithromycin as comparators.

RESULTS
There was correlation between piperacillin/tazobactam and ceftriaxone MICs, but all five isolates with high ceftriaxone MICs (>0.5 mg/L) were inhibited by piperacillin/tazobactam at 0.06-0.5 mg/L. Aztreonam MICs for ceftriaxone-resistant isolates exceeded those of ceftriaxone. Among non-β-lactams, fosfomycin and co-trimoxazole had low, tightly clustered MICs, suggesting widespread susceptibility, rifampicin split the collection into highly susceptible and highly resistant groups and chloramphenicol had a wide MIC distribution.

CONCLUSIONS
Although unsuitable for empirical use, piperacillin/tazobactam, fosfomycin, co-trimoxazole, rifampicin and, possibly, chloramphenicol could be considered for individual patients with ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal infection once MICs are known. Wider surveillance of the susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to these agents is needed, along with clinical trials and the establishment of clinical breakpoints for N gonorrhoeae.


Effects of solidification range on macro- and microstructure of pure aluminium and binary Al–Cu alloys obtained under conditions of constant melt flow are studied experimentally. The solidification range of binary alloys was varied by changing the concentration of the alloying element. An electromagnetic pump with a specially designed melt-guiding system is used to organize controlled unidirectional melt flow along the solidification front. Temperature and melt flow velocity are controlled during the experiment. It is observed that the extent of solidification range changes the macro– and microstructure, affects width and deflection angle of columnar grains, and alters the dendrite arm spacing in the presence of melt flow. The melt flow itself is found to change the macro- and microstructure, e.g. the increase of melt flow velocity clearly decreases the dendrite arm spacing.


Citizens' participation in an open innovation process enables them to express their needs and wishes for new kinds of public services. However, the challenge for citizens' participation in the open innovation process is finding methods and ways of working that familiarize the participants with new complex concepts. Also, the challenge is to make the participants' tacit knowledge visible. Design games aim at creating a forum for the meeting of users and designers as well as providing tools for making the empirical tacit knowledge visible. This paper introduces the WeLive design game that aims to help participants in co-design workshops to innovate and develop more concrete and detailed digital service concepts that utilize open data. The WeLive design game was evaluated and used in eight workshops and in total 147 persons took part. The results highlight that design game is an excellent method to involve citizens to the open innovation process and ease their abilities to understand new concepts like open data and form coherent public digital service concepts.


Silver clusters were incorporated into the Y zeolite framework and used as a photocatalyst toward pirimicarb. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and low-temperature steady-state photoluminescence spectroscopic data indicate the formation of metallic silver as well as ionic clusters. The photodecomposition of the pirimicarb pesticide is enhanced in the presence of silver doped into zeolite Y; where the observed rate constant in the presence of the catalyst is 2.2 × 10 –2 min –1 compared to the rate constant of 7.0 × 10 –4 min –1 for the uncatalysed irradiated pirimicarb solution. GC-MS indicates that while pirimicarb alone was hydrolysed into N-N-dimethylcarbamic acid and 2-dimethylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-ol; the presence of AgY catalyst produced the selective oxidation product 4-dimethylcarbamoyloxy-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl-carbimic acid.


"The Renaissance" is a strikingly original and influential collection of essays in which Walker Pater gave memorable expression to an aesthetic view of life. It has never before been published in a scholarly edition. Donald L. Hill reproduces Pater's text of 1893, with a record of all verbal variations in other editions, from the early magazine versions to the Library Edition of 1910. Mr. Hill provides a full set of critical and explanatory notes on each of Pater's essays; headnotes outlining the story of its composition, publication, and reception; and an essay on the history of the book as a whole. Students of Pater and the Aesthetic Movement in England will find this new, annotated edition indispensable.


This paper analyzes alternative models for emerging sovereign ratings. Although a small number of economic fundamentals explain ratings reasonably well, variations in those economic fundamentals are themselves explained by a small number of world factors. On the other hand, global financial variables associated with risk aversion are additionally required in order to explain the significant spread compression at the end of 2006. To determine whether ratings matter for spreads, the paper compares results across different methodologies, in particular exploiting differences in opinion between rating agencies. The evidence from this and previous methodologies is that ratings do matter. Finally, the paper finds that global indicators of risk aversion have become less important for emerging market spreads and that the effect of sub-prime news is less than the effect of "average news" on emerging economy credit default swap (CDS) spreads.


Both visitor attractions and events play pivotal roles in the appeal of tourism destination regions to visitors by virtue of being the main motivator of tourist trips and determining consumers' choices. However, more recently visitor attractions have become more multifaceted, have proliferated and fragmented in terms of form, location, scale and style, and their role is undergoing major changes in a post-modern world as a result of consumer demands and competitive innovations. Visitor Attractions and Events for the first time theoretically and empirically explores the relations between events and attractions to offer new thinking of the role of space and place in shaping development, management practices and strategies in the sector as well as future implications. The book reveals how location is pivotal in the development, planning, and management of visitor attractions and events. Whereas the location of natural attractions is relatively fixed in space and their locations cannot be predetermined or relocated, human-made or contrived attractions are more influenced by the planning process in the context of the locational decision-making process. Competition and cooperation between visitor attractions and the aspects which shape these relations, including complementarities, compatibility, knowledge spill overs and diffusion of innovations, product similarities and spatial proximity remain largely ignored in the visitor attraction sector and thus are major elements in the focus of this book. Comparative examples ranging from small to major attractions in a wide variety of locations are included. This significant volume will appeal widely to all those interested in the visitor sector, such as tourism, events, leisure studies, destination management and sociology.


PURPOSE
We statistically evaluated the results of dosimetry quality assurance (DQA) measurements and derived local confidence limits for different treatment site to establish our institutional guideline for patient's treatment site specific QA procedure.

METHODS
104 patients were treated using IMRT and VMAT with head and neck (H&N) cancer (16 cases,15.4%), prostate or pelvis cancer (28 cases 26.9%), breast cancer (21 cases 20.2%), lung cancer (12 cases 11.5%) and brain tumor (27 cases, 26.0%) in which all H&N patients were treated using VMAT while others were treated with IMRT. All IMRT's composite-fields were measured with MapCHECK2 while 16 H&N VMAT plans were undertaken using MapCHECK2 with an isocentric setup holder. The Distance-to-Agreement (DTA) 3%3mm criteria were used to evaluate the QA plans. The mean DTA values and standard deviations were used to develop the local confidence for each treatment site. Local confidence limits (CL) were derived using concept confident limit of (100-mean)+1.96σ. T-test was used to compare DTA 3%/3mm between different treatment site.

RESULTS
The percentage of points passing the DTA 3%/3mm for different treatment site as follow: H&N cancer was 96.8±2.2%, Prostate or pelvis cancer was 98.0±2.6%, Lung cancer was 97.5±3.1%, Brain tumor was 98.4±2.4%, Breast cancer was 99.4±1.1%. The Results shows breast IMRT DTA passing rate is significantly higher than lung IMRT(p=0.020), prostate or pelvis IMRT(p=0.028) and H&N VMAT (p=0.00005). Brain IMRT DTA passing rate is significantly higher than H&N VMRT(p= 0.045). Confident limit for H&N site is 7.6% (92.4% passing), prostate or pelvis cancer is 7.1% (92.9% passing), Breast site is 2.8%(97.1% passing), lung cancer is 8.6% (91.4% passing)and brain tumor is 6.2% (93.8% passing).

CONCLUSION
This study indicates that different treatment site may have different degree of intensity modulation resulting different DTA passing rate. Different local confident limit may be needed for different treatment sites or techniques.


This paper reports on the design and testing of a novel class of ultrasonic/guided wave transducers for structural health monitoring. The transducers are particularly suited for harsh environments and remote monitoring of complex structural components. The design methodology takes advantage of the Fourier representation of the transducer and allows for smart patterning of the transducer inner shape, resulting in enhanced performance and reduced complexity of the devices. The design enables continuous beam steering and directional sensing which are achieved through proper selection of the excitation frequency (actuation mode), or through the detection of the dominant harmonic components in recorded signals (sensing mode). The design consists in a spiral geometry in the wavenumber domain, and thus is denoted as Wavenumber-Spiral Frequency Steerable Transducer (WS-FSAT). WS-FSATs are examples of a next generation of acoustic transducers that can significantly improve the practicality of guided-wave based sensors for structural health monitoring through embedded sensors in hard-to-reach areas.


Bioinspired design involves the use of concepts observed in natural biological materials in engineering design. The hope is that the leveraging of biological materials in the engineering domain can lead to many technological innovations and novel products. This work presents the initial material characterization of kinixys erosa tortoise shell using a combination of x-ray diffraction, optical/scanning electron microscopy and micro-mechanical testing. The results were used in the analytical/computational modelling of shell structures. The potential implications or the results were then discussed to give fundamental understanding of deformation and stress responses of shell structures


Recent research has suggested that eliciting
diadochokinetic (DDK) rate and accuracy in young
children is difficult [1], with analysis being timeconsuming.This paper details a new protocol for
assessing DDK in young children or children with
intellectual impairment (Down's syndrome) and a
method for calculating accuracy scores
automatically. Accuracy scores were calculated
from auditory and electropalatographic analyses
and found to correlate in some instances. The
children with Down's syndrome presented with
similar DDK rates to typically-developing children
but reduced accuracy.


Three candidate chemical ripeners showing exceptional activity in screening tests with plantlets were reevaluated in young-adult cane, 14 weeks of age, having fully-developed canopies and millable stems. Polaris, and CP 70139 (Monsanto Agricultural Products Co.) and PP 757 (ICI United States, Inc.) were readministered to the same variety identically propagated by sand culture. Two previously inactive mate rials, RH 1622 (Rohm and Haas Co.) and Ripenthol (Pennwalt Corp.), were also reexamined. Treatment interval was extended from 21 to 42 days. Polaris, CP 70139, and PP 757 again excelled in their effects on growth, tissue sugar and protein components, and enzyme behavior, while RH 1622 and Ripenthol produced little response. Juice quality was significantly improved by the three compounds. Early-adult responses closely conformed to those obtained with plantlets. Results are dis cussed in terms of an increased validity for ripener screening with plant lets. The young-adult cane is further discussed as a model for efficiency studies on successful candidate materials.