Purpose of the article: The aim of the paper is to uncover ways of managing service offering provided by electrical equipment manufactures in the Czech Republic. The segment is extremely important for Czech industry nowadays, especially because of many companies being subcontractors for the car industry and mechanical engineering. The producers of electric equipment comply with the Czech industry classification CZ-NACE 27.
Methodology/methods: The questionnaire in the form of the Likert scale was prepared to gather information about customer services. The respondents were usually directors or managers, e.g. employees with high competencies of knowing customer services in this particular market. The total of 22 companies were included in the survey. Research was focused on the following industries classifications belonging to CZ-NACE 27: CZ-NACE 27, CZ-NACE 271 and CZ-NACE 273. According to Czech Statistical Office the total number of companies belonging to these 3 segments is 136. It means 16,2% companies belonging to CZ-NACE 27 participated in our research. Basic statistical methods were used to analyse the complete database.
Scientific aim: The paper deals with the problem of service offering provided by today's manufacturers. Global understanding of services that manufacturers really develop, sell, deliver and manage is still limited.
Findings: Managing service offering provided by today's manufacturers shows that 1) Manufacturers not offer only tangible products, but also wide range of services and even information and support. 2) New products are not designed only according to company technicians, but also according to their customers. Their products and services are developed, tested and improved according to their needs. 3) Services provide complex customer care from time product selection to its end.
Conclusions: Manufacturers of tangible products need to enlarge their product offering to be able to satisfy customers. Therefore companies often focus on customer services. Adding services to the products to extend the total offering through services are possible ways of acting to eroding product margins. Customer services are able to help to extend life cycles, develop long-term relationship that lock out competitors, increase revenue, etc


The article problematizes the interpretation of three ancient Greek particles, te , kai and de , which represent the most common 'and' coordination devices in Archaic and Classical Greek. They show a considerable degree of variation in occurrence, combination, function and meaning across time and in different genres. Such a variation calls for the consideration of discourse phenomena that transcend syntactic distinctions.


On 2 December 1999, the magnetometer stations in northern Finland registered structured Pc1 activity simultaneously in three distinct frequency bands. Using simultaneous EISCAT radar measurements of the high-latitude ionosphere, we have studied the ionospheric resonator properties during this multiband Pc1 event. The frequencies of the three structured Pc1 bands were found to closely correspond to the second, third and fourth harmonic of the calculated fundamental frequency of the ionospheric Alfven resonator (IAR). In addition, those frequencies of the three pearl bands that were closest to the exact IAR harmonics were found to have the strongest intensities. The results demonstrate that the resonator can have an important role on ground-based Pc1 activity over a notably large frequency range, favoring transmission of waves with frequencies close to the resonator's eigenfrequencies. Since the frequencies of all three bands correspond to the maximum rather than the minimum of the transmission coefficient, the traditional bouncing wave packet model needs to be revised. Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionosphere magnetosphere interactions; wave propagation)


We report the development of a technique for adaptive selection of polarization ellipse tilt and ellipticity angles such that the target separation from clutter is maximized. From the radar scattering matrix [S] and its complex components, in phase and quadrature phase, the elements of the Mueller matrix are obtained. Then, by means of polarization synthesis, the radar cross section of the radar scatters are obtained at different transmitting and receiving polarization states. By designing a maximum average correlation height filter, we derive a target versus clutter distance measure as a function of four transmit and receive polarization state angles. The results of applying this method on real synthetic aperture radar imagery indicate a set of four transmit and receive angles that lead to maximum target versus clutter discrimination. These optimum angles are different for different targets. Hence, by adaptive control of the state of polarization of polarimetric radar, one can noticeably improve the discrimination of targets from clutter.


If radiocarbon measurements are to be used at all for chronological purposes, we have to use statistical methods for calibration. The most widely used method of calibration can be seen as a simple application of Bayesian statistics, which uses both the information from the new measurement and information from the 14C calibration curve. In most dating applications, however, we have larger numbers of 14C measurements and we wish to relate those to events in the past. Bayesian statistics provides a coherent framework in which such analysis can be performed and is becoming a core element in many 14C dating projects. This article gives an overview of the main model components used in chronological analysis, their mathematical formulation, and examples of how such analyses can be performed using the latest version of the OxCal software (v4). Many such models can be put together, in a modular fashion, from simple elements, with defined constraints and groupings. In other cases, the commonly used "uniform phase" models might not be appropriate, and ramped, exponential, or normal distributions of events might be more useful. When considering analyses of these kinds, it is useful to be able run simulations on synthetic data. Methods for performing such tests are discussed here along with other methods of diagnosing possible problems with statistical models of this kind.


Abstract According to the Human Development Report 2007/2008 there are 1.577 billion people in the world without electricity, from which 1.569 billion are from developing countries (UNDP, 2007). It raises a question: Should they use fossil fuels for their electricity needs as the developed world did in 19th century or could they leapfrog to renewable energy technologies? The majority of developed countries understands the problem of carbon emission and issue of climate change. One of the adaptation options according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Chage (2007) AR4 report is the usage of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy. The purpose of this article is to estimate the type and size of the wind energy system suitable for an unelectrified community of approximately 200 homes. To reach the final purpose the following tasks were set: to examine the latest reports on the condition of wind energy systems development; to create a model of appliances set required for a single house; to estimate the total required output power of the system considering both the needs of single homes and the community as the whole; to explore the wind power systems manufacturers market; to identify the companies manufacturing the products that meet the demands of the community; to study the economic and social impact of an electrification program. However, an analysis of the market for wind turbines exhibits a serious gap in the market. The market for wind turbines has evolved in two opposing directions: small and large. Small systems in the 1–2 kW size are readily available for individual households in the developed world. Conversely, as the size of utility scale turbines have increased with advanced technology, the mid-sized portion of the market has been left behind. As such, we conclude that a substantial potential market exists as described herein.


This report provides a comprehensive overview of the outlook for Alberta crude oil and bitumen production and an assessment of the economic attractiveness and feasibility of exporting oil to countries in the Asia-Pacific region instead of solely to markets in the United States. It also describes the extent of the new oil pipeline infrastructure that would be needed to allow oil exports to Asia-Pacific region under two scenarios: 1. no increase in oil sands bitumen production capacity from a base-case forecast; and 2. bitumen production capacity increased from that in the base case to supply Asian markets after 2026. The likely gross employment and overall economic (GDP) benefits from construction and operation of the required facilities are also discussed.The report also examines unnecessary regulatory and other barriers that are inhibiting the development of the pipelines and port facilities required to ship crude oil, raw bitumen and synthetic crude oil (i.e., upgraded bitumen) to the west coast and on to oil refineries in Japan, Korea, China, India and other countries in Asia that are increasingly becoming dependent on oil imports.Finally, we suggest a number of policy reforms that, if implemented, would resolve, or at least help to overcome, the obstacles that stand in the way of infrastructure development and therefore threaten to prevent Canada from taking full advantage of opportunities to develop markets for crude oil in southeast Asia. The overriding objective is to ensure that Alberta's conventional crude oil and oil sands resources are developed expeditiously and efficiently in view of current market conditions, legitimate environmental concerns, and global investment opportunities in order that Canadians may benefit, both directly and indirectly, from the employment and income opportunities that such development will bring.


1. Growth hormone secretion was assessed in nine control subjects and nine patients with Huntington's chorea. 2. Early-morning fasting plasma samples from patients with Huntington's chorea contained abnormally high concentrations of growth hormone. 3. The suppression of growth hormone after oral glucose in choreic patients, unlike the control subjects, occufzed at irregular intervals after the glucose was given and was followed, again at irregular intervals, by an exaggerated rebound phase. 4. The response to intravenous insulin was not markedly abnormal in choreic patients. However, there was a signiscant increase in the rate of rise of growth hormone concentration in the first half an hour after the insulin injection when compared with control subjects.


The contemporary social and environmental influences on infectious diseases can be better understood by exploring the long historical procession of disease risks, as human culture has evolved from early hunter-gatherer days. The main features of today's world that contribute to the increased probability of emergence and spread of infectious diseases in humans are shown in a table. Social-cultural factors are of great importance in influencing the contemporary changes in patterns of new and spreading infectious disease. Further, social circumstances are also a basic determinant of susceptibility to infection. The emergence of a zoonotic disease in humans requires a novel type or amount of contact between humans and the existing animal reservoir for the infectious agent. It is necessary to understand the particular circumstances that favor the "emergence" of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and prions in response to these social and environmental changes. It is also forcibly reminded of the unpredictability and irrepressibility of infectious disease mobility and mutability by the devastating ongoing pandemic of HIV/AIDS since it emerged in the 1980s. Many infectious diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions, particularly insect-borne infections and infections that are spread person-to-person via contaminated food and water. Natural climatic variations and events can influence infectious disease emergence. Each of these infectious diseases is maintained, at least in part, in wild birds. Several recent scientific reports suggest that recent climate change has already begun to influence some infectious diseases.


Most Americans die without executing a will, thereby allowing testamentary freedom to lapse and property owned at death to pass by default rules of intestacy rather than the decedent's expressed intent. This is problematic because most individuals without a will neither intend to die intestate and nor understand the significant undesirable consequences of intestacy. Prior intestacy scholarship evaluated the fairness, efficiency and social consequences of the current rules of heirship, but implicitly accepted the high rate of intestacy as a fait accompli. This Article rejects the assumption that the high rate of intestacy is insusceptible to legal reform. Scholars have traditionally explained the high long-term rate of intestacy as the product of psychological fears regarding mortality and the unwillingness to contemplate matters relating to death. But this explanation seems implausible. Even though humans commonly harbor fears about death, they are psychologically capable of contemplating the succession of property as demonstrated by the widespread use of non-testamentary transfers such as life insurance and jointly titled property with survivorship rights. This Article proposes an alternative explanation for testamentary procrastination, ascribing blame on the relative inaccessibility of the will-making process because of its obscurity, complexity, and cost. To simplify and promote lay access to the will-making process, this Article proposes a theory of lay testation and advocates for renewed consideration of statutory form wills with several important innovations. The most notable proposal is the creation of a "testamentary schedule," an optional form will attached to the state individual income tax return that could be prepared and filed electronically. By integrating the income tax and estate planning processes, the testamentary schedule would discourage testamentary procrastination by interacting with the testator annually at the optimal moment, when she is required to prepare legally significant tax documents that in many cases take into account considerations relevant to estate planning (e.g., potential beneficiaries and the nature and extent of property). The Appendix includes a sample testamentary schedule and revocation form.


The migration of household members is potentially an attractive pathway out of poverty for many rural households in developing countries. Such households face the challenge of maintaining or improving their livelihoods in the presence of capital market imperfections, vulnerability to climate and macroeconomic shocks, and inaccessibility to credit. For many such households, labor is their main productive asset. Access to opportunities in distant labor markets through migration can increase the earning potential of members of such households (Harris and Todaro 1970). Furthermore, if migration takes place as part of a household decision making strategy, it can help the source household reduce income risks (Stark 1991, Azam and Gubert 2006), at the very least, and potentially improve the well being of the entire household (de Brauw and Harigaya 2007). From the former perspective, households can diversify income risk preemptively by allocating labor spatially to areas where risks to income are not correlated with rural income shocks (Rosenzweig and Stark 1989).


Aim The aim was to evaluate the influence of the cervical margin relocation (CMR) and the adhesive system on the microleakage of indirect composite restorations with proximal margins located below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ).

Materials and methods Standardized MOD cavities with proximal margins located 1 mm below CEJ were prepared in 20 human molars and divided into 2 groups. Mesial margins in both groups were elevated with a flowable composite. Distal margins were not elevated. Composite CAD/CAM overlays were cemented with a resin composite; in Group 1 in combination with a universal adhesive in selective enamel etch mode, whereas in Group 2 with a three-step total-etch adhesive. Differences in leakage either at mesial or distal adhesive interface were evaluated for statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Results In Group 1 statistically significant differences emerged in microleakage scores between CMR and non-CMR sites; higher scores were present at CMR sites. In Group 2 no statistically significant differences existed between CMR and non-CMR margins. When the non-CMR sites were compared between the two groups, significantly lower scores were observed in Group 1 compared to Group 2.

Conclusion The CMR technique and the adhesive system employed for luting indirect restorations might represent a significant factor affecting microleakage at the interface below CEJ.


Experimental studies of positron and positronium decay in dense fluids suggest that these particles are capable of forming self-trapped states in some fluids in a broad region of temperature and density surrounding the liquid-vapor critical point. A central question in understanding the phenomena is whether the light particle (lp) actively creates a static potential well in the fluid in which it localizes, or randomly visits statistically favorable fluctuations. The fact that the experimental measurements yield a single, well defined, decay rate for each decay mode suggest that the environment of the lp is static. Earlier mean field theories could not shed much light on this question. However, two recent applications of Path Integral Monte Carlo show that substantial fluctuations occur in the lp environment. In this report, the two applications of path integration to lifetime studies are reviewed. The quantitative distribution of fluctuations in the decay rate for each particle (positron and positronium atom) is presented. It is shown that the apparent conflict between theory and experiment is resolved for positronium (but not positron) decay when the time scale for the relaxation of fluctuations in the environment is taken into account. Finally, recent results concerning the ability of the analytic reference interaction site model (RISM) polaron theory to reproduce the exact PIMC calculations are described


Objective: The worldwide incidence of pregnancy for women living with perinatal HIV infection is increasing. Subsequently, there is growing risk of second-generation mother-to-child HIV transmission. The infant clinical outcomes for such a phenomenon have yet to be described. Design: As part of a wider observational study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, six infants with in-utero HIV infection were identified as being born to mothers with perinatal HIV infection. Methods: Blood results and clinical data were collected in the first 3 years of life. In two cases, sample availability allowed confirmation by phylogenetic analysis of grandmother-to-mother-to-child HIV transmission. Results: Outcomes were poor in all six cases. All six mothers had difficulty administering twice daily combination antiretroviral therapy to their infants due to difficulties with acceptance, disclosure, poor health and being themselves long-term nonprogressors. Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant virus was detected in all mothers tested. None of the infants maintained suppression of viraemia on combination antiretroviral therapy. One infant died, and another was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: As the numbers of second-generation mother-to-child transmissions increase, it is important to highlight that this mother–infant dyad represents an extremely vulnerable group. In order for them to survive and thrive, these infants' mothers require their specific needs to be addressed and given intensive support.


Abstract This paper describes a scenario of transition from laminar to turbulent flow in a spatially developing boundary layer over a flat plate. The base flow is the Blasius non-parallel flow solution; it is perturbed by optimal disturbances yielding the largest energy growth over a short time interval. Such perturbations are computed by a nonlinear global optimization approach based on a Lagrange multiplier technique. The results show that nonlinear optimal perturbations are characterized by a localized basic building block, called the minimal seed, defined as the smallest flow structure which maximizes the energy growth over short times. It is formed by vortices inclined in the streamwise direction surrounding a region of intense streamwise disturbance velocity. Such a basic structure appears to be a robust feature of the base flow since it is practically invariant with respect to the initial energy of the perturbation, the target time, the Reynolds number and the dimensions of the computational domain. The minimal seed grows very rapidly in time while spreading, and it triggers nonlinear effects which bring the flow to turbulence in a very efficient manner, through the formation of a turbulence spot. This evolution of the initial optimal disturbance has been studied in detail by direct numerical simulations. Using a perturbative formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations, each linear and nonlinear convective term of the equations has been analysed. The results show the fundamental role of the streamwise inclination of the vortices in the process. The nonlinear coupling of the finite amplitude disturbances is crucial to sustain such streamwise inclination, as well as to generate dislocations within the flow structures, and local inflectional velocity distributions. The analysis provides a picture of the transition process characterized by a sequence of structures appearing successively in the flow, namely, $ \mrm{\Lambda} $ vortices, hairpin vortices and streamwise streaks. Finally, a disturbance regeneration cycle is conceived, initiated by the fast nonlinear amplification of the minimal seed, providing a possible scenario for the continuous regeneration of the same fundamental flow structures at smaller space and time scales.


Machine translation systems should improve with feedback from post-editors, but none do beyond the very localized benefit of adding the corrected translation to parallel training data (for statistical and example-base MTS) or a memory data base. Rule based systems to date improve only via manual debugging. In contrast, we introduce a largely automated method for capturing more information from the human post-editor, so that corrections may be performed automatically to translation grammar rules and lexical entries. This paper focuses on the information capture phase and reports on an experiment with English-Spanish translation.


Abstract. In this paper, a method is presented to improve the MLS platform's trajectory for GNSS denied areas. The method comprises two major steps. The first step is based on a 2D image registration technique described in our previous publication. Internally, this registration technique first performs aerial to aerial image matching, this issues correspondences which enable to compute the 3D tie points by multiview triangulation. Similarly, it registers the rasterized Mobile Laser Scanning Point Cloud (MLSPC) patches with the multiple related aerial image patches. The later registration provides the correspondence between the aerial to aerial tie points and the MLSPC's 3D points. In the second step, which is described in this paper, a procedure utilizes three kinds of observations to improve the MLS platform's trajectory. The first type of observation is the set of 3D tie points computed automatically in the previous step (and are already available), the second type of observation is based on IMU readings and the third type of observation is soft-constraint over related pose parameters. In this situation, the 3D tie points are considered accurate and precise observations, since they provide both locally and globally strict constraints, whereas the IMU observations and soft-constraints only provide locally precise constraints. For 6DOF trajectory representation, first, the pose [R, t] parameters are converted to 6 B-spline functions over time. Then for the trajectory adjustment, the coefficients of B-splines are updated from the established observations. We tested our method on an MLS data set acquired at a test area in Rotterdam, and verified the trajectory improvement by evaluation with independently and manually measured GCPs. After the adjustment, the trajectory has achieved the accuracy of RMSE X = 9 cm, Y = 14 cm and Z = 14 cm. Analysing the error in the updated trajectory suggests that our procedure is effective at adjusting the 6DOF trajectory and to regenerate a reliable MLSPC product.


A granular flow is a two-component flow with an assembly of discrete solid particles dispersed in a fluid. Because of the similarity between the random motion of particles in a granular flow and the motion of molecules in a gas, the dense-gas kinetic theory has been broadly employed to analyze granular flows. However, most research only discusses aspects of momentum transport; three issues have received less attention: the diffusion process, the heat transfer problem, and the behavior of binary mixtures. The current research emphasizes these aspects.

A granular flow diffusion experiment was conducted in a vertical channel to investigate the effects that result in mixing of the material. The mean velocities, the longitudinal fluctuating velocities, and the mixing-layer thickness were measured. A simple analysis based on the diffusion equation shows that the thickness of the mixing layer increases with the square-root of downstream distance and depends on the magnitude of the velocity fluctuations relative to the mean velocity. The experimental velocity profiles were also compared with profiles calculated from theoretical analysis based on kinetic theory.

The analytical relations were developed for the flow-induced particle diffusivity and the thermal conductivity based on dense-gas kinetic theory. The two coefficients were found to increase with the square-root of the granular temperature, a term that quantifies the specific kinetic energy of the flow. The theoretical particle diffusivity was used to compare with the current experimental measurements involving the granular flow mixing layer. The analytical expression for the effective thermal conductivity was also compared with experimental measurements. The differences between the predictions and the measurements suggest limitations in some of the underlying kinetic-theory assumptions.

The constitutive relations were presented for a binary-mixture of granular materials as derived from the revised Enskog theory. The current research focuses on the process of granular thermal diffusion - a diffusion process resulting from the granular temperature gradient. A granular flow of binary-mixtures in an oscillatory no-flow system, in a sheared system, and in a vertical channel were examined, and indicated a complete segregation when granular thermal diffusion effect was sufficiently large.


OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not HMG-CoA Inhibitors (Statins) are an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three English language randomized controlled trials published between 2011-2013. DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing the effects of statins on erectile function found using the PubMed database. OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured included erectile function, assessed using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction Questionnaire (IIEF) in all three studies and Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) in one study, and male ED-quality of life using the MED-QoL Questionnaire. RESULTS: Two studies in the review show an insignificant improvement in erectile function of participants taking a statin vs. a placebo. However, one study showed a statistically significant difference in erectile function in participants taking a statin vs. no medication at all. Additionally, one of the studies showed a significant improvement in MED-quality of life in men taking a statin vs. a placebo. Although two of these studies showed no statistically significant improvement in erectile function with use of a statin, they both showed potential in statin use with a larger improvement for men with more severe ED compared to men with a lesser degree of ED. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these studies, the use of statins for treatment for ED cannot be justified. Trivedi and colleagues, as well as Masttalir and colleagues, both showed no significant difference in erectile function in participants with use of statins. However, Gokce et al showed statin use in men with ED does in fact improve their erectile function compared to men taking no medication at all. Although two studies showed no significant improvement in erectile function they both showed a larger improvement in men with more severe ED and one study showed a significant improvement in male EDquality of life. Further investigation should continue as this proves there is lead way for the use of statins for their effect in erectile function.


Conversational interfaces can facilitate human-computer interactions. Whether or not conversational interfaces can improve worker experience and work quality in crowdsourcing marketplaces has remained unanswered. We investigate the suitability of text-based conversational interfaces for microtask crowdsourcing. We designed a rigorous experimental campaign aimed at gauging the interest and acceptance by crowdworkers for this type of work interface. We compared Web and conversational interfaces for five common microtask types and measured the execution time, quality of work, and the perceived satisfaction of 316 workers recruited from the FigureEight platform. We show that conversational interfaces can be used effectively for crowdsourcing microtasks, resulting in a high satisfaction from workers, and without having a negative impact on task execution time or work quality.


The protection and improvement of natural resources especially for desert vegetation need a comprehensive recognition of natural resources and relationship on Soil characteristics. One of the most important species growing in sabzevar desert is Stipagrostis pennata and in the current research the relationship between the physicochemical properties of the soils and growth characteristics of the S. pennanta including density, canopy cover and amount elements of soil have been studied in the land. A random systematic design has been applied in 4 sites called A, B, C, and D within a distincthabitat of S. pennanta. Soil samples have been taken from 2 depths (0 30 cm) and 30-60 and prop Hon of clay, silt and sand content, amount of N, P, K, C, Na, Ca and Mg have been determined in a soil lab. The soil physico– chemical and plant growth data have been analyzed through statistical methods using the SPSS software. Further finding of this study show that the growth characteristics of S. pennanta such as density, canopy cover and forage production rarely depend on soil chemical properties but there is a statistically significant positive correlation between the canopy cover and amount of Ca. This has been shown by higher canopy cover in site B which has higher Ca..The results show that there is direct relationship between the amount of nitrogen and growth properties off of Stipagrostis pennata and other elements of the soil was not


This document is intended to be read along with RFC 1176 and the most
recent IMAP4 specification (RFC 2060) to assist implementors in
creating an IMAP4 implementation to interoperate with implementations
that conform to earlier specifications. This memo provides information
for the Internet community. This memo does not specify an Internet
standard of any kind.


During spring vacation, a previously healthy 4-year-old girl visited western Nebraska, where she and her family spent time along a river bank in a wooded area. After 4 days, her mother noticed 3 engorged ticks embedded in the child's scalp. The ticks were immediately removed and burned. The child also had a marble-sized swelling on the right side of her neck. Over the next few days, the child had temperatures that spiked to 39.4C (103F), with chills, generalized malaise, and weakness. There was no history of cough, myalgias, or headache.


The climate targets defined under the Paris agreement of limiting global temperature increase below 1.5 or 2°C require massive deployment of low-carbon options in the energy mix, which is currently dominated by fossil fuels. Scenarios suggest that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) might play a central role in this transformation, but CCS deployment is stagnating and doubts remain about its techno-economic feasibility. In this article, we carry out a throughout assessment of the role of CCS electricity for a variety of temperature targets, from 1.5 to above 4°C, with particular attention to the lower end of this range. We collect the latest data on CCS economic and technological future prospects to accurately represent several types of CCS plants in the WITCH energy-economy model, We capture uncertainties by means of extensive sensitivity analysis in parameters regarding plants technical aspects, as well as costs and technological progress. Our research suggests that stringent temperature scenarios constrain fossil fuel CCS based deployment, which is maximum for medium policy targets. On the other hand, Biomass CCS, along with renewables, increases with the temperature stringency. Moreover, the relative importance of cost and performance parameters change with the climate target. Cost uncertainty matters in less stringent policy cases, whereas performance matters for lower temperature targets.


We compare the post-merger financial performance of acquiring firms that have well-connected (central) boards with the performance of less-connected (non-central) boards and find that central boards are associated with better performing acquisitions as evidenced by larger post-merger buy-and-hold abnormal returns, stronger improvements in the ROA, and a 7-12% annual abnormal return based on calendar time portfolios. Central firms are more likely to use cash, to make an acquisition, and to be acquired. Our results suggest that board networks affect the decision to acquire, the choice of target, the method of payment, and ultimately the financial performance of the firm around the merger.


Porphyrins are organic heterocyclic macrocycles with photophysical properties well-suited for clinical phototherapy and cancer imaging. However, their wider application in the clinical management of disease is barred by poor aqueous solubility, bioavailability, tumour accumulation and skin phototoxicity. These limitations instigated the development of supramolecular platforms that improved porphyrin pharmacokinetics and tumour-homing. The supramolecular formulation of porphyrins also facilitates single agent-mediated deeper tissue photoactivation, extended imaging and theranostic multimodality, and synergistic application of multiple therapies. Supramolecular porphyrin structures can overcome additional limitations of porphyrin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), including low depths of tissue penetration that restrict PDT to superficial lesions, inability to treat hypoxic tumours, and incomplete tumour damage. In this review, we discuss the photophysical properties of porphyrins, and overview the clinically-relevant advantages and challenges arising from their incorporation within supramolecular platforms. Specifically, fundamentals underlying the ability of these platforms to ameliorate passive and active porphyrin delivery to tumours, achieve deeper tissue PDT via red-shifted porphyrin Q-bands, energy transfer and sonodynamic effects, and enable new porphyrin-mediated theranostics and synergistic therapeutic capabilities will be explained and exemplified with seminal and cutting-edge in vivo studies.


ABSTRACT The sawmill industry is a very important link in the Mozambique forest products value chain, but the industry is characterized by undeveloped processing technology and high-volume export of almost unrefined logs. The low volume yield of sawn timber has been identified as a critical gap in the technological development of the industry. To improve the profitability of the industry, there is thus a need to develop methods and techniques that improve the yield. In this paper, different positioning of logs prior to sawing and the possibility of increasing the volume yield of crooked logs by bucking the logs before sawing have been studied. A computer simulation was used to study the cant-sawing and through-and-through sawing of the logs to determine the volume yield of sawn timber from the jambirre (Millettia stuhlmannii Taub.) and umbila (Pterocarpus angolensis DC.) species. The optimal position, i.e. the position of the log before sawing that gives the highest volume yield of sawn timber for a given sawing pattern when the positioning parameters, offset, skew and rotation, are considered gave a considerable higher volume yield than the horns-down position. By bucking very crooked logs and using the horns-down positioning before sawing, the volume yield can be of the same magnitude as that obtained by optimal positioning on full-length (un-bucked) logs. The bucking reduces the crook of the logs and hence increases the volume yield of sawn timber.


1. Introduction to Statistics 1-1 Review and Preview 1-2 Statistical Thinking 1-3 Types of Data 1-4 Critical Thinking 1-5 Design of Experiments 2. Summarizing and Graphing Data 2-1 Review and Preview 2-2 Frequency Distributions 2-3 Histograms 2-4 Statistical Graphics 2-5 Critical Thinking: Bad Graphs 3. Statistics for Describing, Exploring, and Comparing Data 3-1 Review and Preview 3-2 Measures of Center 3-3 Measures of Variation 3-4 Measures of Relative Standing and Boxplots 4. Probability 4-1 Review and Preview 4-2 Fundamentals 4-3 Addition Rule 4-4 Multiplication Rule: Basics 4-5 Multiplication Rule: Complements and Conditional Probability 4-6 Probabilities Through Simulations 4-7 Counting 4-8 Bayes' Theorem (on CD-ROM) 5. Discrete Probability Distributions 5-1 Review and Preview 5-2 Random Variables 5-3 Binomial Probability Distributions 5-4 Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation for the Binomial Distribution 5-5 The Poisson Distribution 6. Normal Probability Distributions 6-1 Review and Preview 6-2 The Standard Normal Distribution 6-3 Applications of Normal Distributions 6-4 Sampling Distributions and Estimators 6-5 The Central Limit Theorem 6-6 Normal as Approximation to Binomial 6-7 Assessing Normality 7. Estimates and Sample Sizes 7-1 Review and Preview 7-2 Estimating at Population Proportion 7-3 Estimating Population Mean: ? Known 7-4 Estimating a Population Mean: ? Not Known 7-5 Estimating a Population Variance 8. Hypothesis Testing 8-1 Review and Preview 8-2 Basics of Hypothesis Testing 8-3 Testing a Claim About a Proportion 8-4 Testing a Claim About a Mean: ? Known 8-5 Testing a Claim About a Mean: ? Not Known 8-6 Testing a Claim About Variation 9. Inferences from Two Samples 9-1 Review and Preview 9-2 Inferences About Two Proportions 9-3 Inferences About Two Means: Independent Samples 9-4 Inferences from Matched Pairs 9-5 Comparing Variation in Two Samples 10. Correlation and Regression 10-1 Review and Preview 10-2 Correlation 10-3 Contingency Tables 10-4 Variation and Prediction Intervals 10-5 Multiple Regression 10-6 Modeling 11. Goodness-of-Fit and Contingency Tables 11-1 Review and Preview 11-2 Goodness-of-Fit 11-3 Contingency Tables 11-4 McNemar's Test for Matched Pairs 12. Analysis of Variance 12-1 Review and Preview 12-2 One-Way ANOVA 12-3 Two-Way ANOVA 13. Nonparametric Statistics 13-1 Review and Preview 13-2 Sign Test 13-3 Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for Matched Pairs 13-4 Wilcoxon Ranked-Sum Test for Two Independent Samples 13-5 Kruskal-Wallis Test 13-6 Rank Correlation 13-7 Runs Test for Randomness 14. Statistics Process Control 14-1 Review and Preview 14-2 Control Charts for Variation and Mean 14-3 Control Charts for Attributes 15. Projects, Procedures, Perspectives 15-1 Projects 15-2 Procedure 15-3 Perspective Appendices Appendix A: Tables Appendix B: Data Sets Appendix C: Bibliography of Books and Websites Appendix D: Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises (and All Review Exercises and All Cumulative Review Exercises) Credits Index


How do journalists working for different state-funded international news organizations legitimize their relationship to the governments which support them? In what circumstances might such journalists resist the diplomatic strategies of their funding states? We address these questions through a comparative study of journalists working for international news organizations funded by the Chinese, US, UK and Qatari governments. Using 52 interviews with journalists covering humanitarian issues, we explain how they minimized tensions between their diplomatic role and dominant norms of journalistic autonomy by drawing on three – broadly shared – legitimizing narratives, involving different kinds of boundary-work. In the first 'exclusionary' narrative, journalists differentiated their 'truthful' news reporting from the 'false' state 'propaganda' of a common Other, the Russian-funded network, RT. In the second 'fuzzifying' narrative, journalists deployed the ambiguous notion of 'soft power' as an ambivalent 'boundary concept', to defuse conflicts between journalistic and diplomatic agendas. In the final 'inversion' narrative, journalists argued that, paradoxically, their dependence on funding states gave them greater 'operational autonomy'. Even when journalists did resist their funding states, this was hidden or partial, and prompted less by journalists' concerns about the political effects of their work, than by serious threats to their personal cultural capital.


IS CELL THERAPY COMMERCIALLY VIABLE? Cell therapies have huge potential for the treatment of a range of human diseases including cancer, metabolic disorders, tissue degradation and immune deficiencies. Before these therapies can be effectively commercialized for widespread and cost-effective clinical use, however, there is a need to find robust, repeatable and scalable ways to generate large volumes of cells and test to ensure they are a safe and effective therapy. There are difficulties in commercializing these products so that they are available at an affordable cost to a great number of patients because of the fragile and individualistic nature of cell therapies. There are two inter-related key requirements: the ability to generate huge quantities of cells (millions, even billions) and the ability to produce small numbers of personalized cells at scale – automating current complex and manually intensive processes.


People pay for some health care themselves out of income and savings. In Britain, out of a total expenditure on health care of all kinds of £ 13,700 million in 1981 it is estimated that some 3.0 per cent was paid for in this way, partly for non-prescription medicines. They also claim health care insurance. In 1981, BUPA and other health insurance agencies paid out almost £205 million, or 1.5 per cent of the total expenditure. A small part of health care is paid for by the national insurance fund, to cover some of the costs of road accidents. In other European countries, the compulsory national insurance or social security funds provide the bulk of the costs of medical care, as was the case in Britain before 1948. Since then, however, the bulk of health care costs have been carried by the National Health Service - s o m e £13,100 million in 1981, or 95.5 per cent of the total. The United Kingdom and now Italy are very much the odd men out in Europe, because so much of this health care falls directly on the taxpayer, and because the health care - the hospitals, the doctors, the ambulances- is predominantly provided by the state in the same way that the police and the army are. Moreover, the service is for the most part free of direct charge to the patient. Elsewhere there is much more of an insurance element in the payment for services, and the services are themselves provided by churches, charities, companies, trade unions, as well as by the state. The fact that for over a third of a century the British have gone down a different path, and have not been followed, except by Italy, is explicable in several ways. In Roman Catholic countries, like the Republic of Ireland, the church has been wary of direct state involvement in medical care, as it has been of direct state involvement in education. In many countries, the medical profession has been deeply sceptical of 'socialist' control of their work. And, historically, from Bismark's time on, the provision of health care has been linked to the social security system, and the idea of social insurance, with benefits on what seems to the British a lavish scale, has been a powerful tradition in Germany and the countries associated with it. In general, a distinction may be drawn between centralised payment for health care and its centralised provision. The result of these differences of payment and provision seems to have surprisingly little effect on the outcomes, mortality and morbidity rates, or the take-up of medical care. But it has deeply affected the style of provision, the attitudes of the public, and the remuneration of the doctors. Of course some differences arise because some countries are richer than others. Germany's wealth is reflected in its gleaming hospitals. But the differences go beyond that. In what follows there is a brief description of the finance and the provision of health care in the countries of the European Community, including Spain but excluding Greece and Portugal, which are too poor for valid comparisons. The paper also tries to attach some numbers to the indications of cost and provision. Finally, it raises some questions for the organisation of health care in Britain.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an insidious progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting in impaired cognition, dementia, and eventual death. At the earliest stages of the disease, decline in multiple cognitive domains including speech and eye movements occurs, and worsens with disease progression. Therefore, investigating speech and eye movements is promising as a non-invasive method for early classification of AD. While related work has investigated AD classification using speech collected during spontaneous speech tasks, no prior research has studied the utility of eye movements and their combination with speech for this classification task. In this paper, we present classification experiments with speech and eye movement data collected from 68 memory clinic patients (with a diagnosis of AD, mixed dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or subjective memory complaints) and © 2020 O. Barral*, H. Jang*, S. Newton-Mason, S. Shajan, T. Soroski, G. Carenini, C. Conati & T. Field. Non-Invasive Classification of Alzheimer's Disease Using Eye Tracking and Language 73 healthy volunteers completing the Cookie Theft picture description task. We show that eye tracking data is predictive of AD in a patient versus control classification task (AUC = .73). Furthermore, we show that using eye tracking data for this predictive task is complementary to using speech alone, as combining both modalities yields to the best classification performance (AUC=.80). Our results suggest that eye tracking is a useful modality for classification of AD, most promising when considered as an additional noninvasive modality to speech-based classification.


After a decade of continuous growth, the UK economy is facing a recession of exceptional severity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a 2.8 per cent contraction in UK Gross Domestic Product over 2009, and fears that the world economy could shrink for the first time since the 1930s.

In Scotland, the economy is projected to experience its worst recession since 1980, shrinking by 0.4 per cent in 2009, before growing again by 1.5 per cent in 2010. At the heart of this recession is the collapse of the financial services industry, with bank failures and nationalisations on a scale not seen for decades. New, tighter regulations on financial institutions are being imposed worldwide in response.

But these finance and business service industries were central to the UK's relative prosperity, fuelling economic growth and providing hundreds of thousands of jobs. From 2000 to 2007, financial services added 15 per cent to annual GDP growth.

But finance will not save us in the future. The challenge facing the UK economy is now to find the new sources of growth that will drive prosperity over the coming years. The knock-on effects of the global financial crisis are hitting Britain's non-financial businesses hard. Reduced business lending and lower spending is hitting British industry, sparking a chain reaction of distress, with industries from car manufacturers to shoe-makers seeking government help.

The Scottish Government has identified long-term challenges to Scotland's economy and society. These include boosting Scotland's growth, productivity, population and participation, and in delivering on the desired characteristics of growth - solidarity, cohesion and sustainability.Sitting idly by in the face of the worst recession of modern times is not an option. But bailing out industries piecemeal is no better.

A coordinated approach is clearly preferable. The trouble, however, is that 'industrial policy' carries with it a heavy history. It is redolent of failed attempts to boost post-war British manufacturing, a process of 'picking winners' that rarely came good.

NESTA argues that there is a better option.


Payout policies based on share repurchase programs provide greater flexibility than do those based on cash dividends. We develop and test an empirical model in which strongly-governed companies outperform weakly-governed companies after announcing share repurchase programs. Our findings include positive associations between strong governance and both post-announcement adjusted operating performance and abnormal stock returns. The results are robust to sample selection bias, different sample criteria, governance measurement, and various control variables. In addition, governance strength is associated with larger post-announcement changes in CEO incentive compensation and merger and acquisition activity, both of which we argue are consistent with strongly-governed companies using the financial flexibility derived from choosing share repurchases over cash dividends to drive better performance. Consistent with current literature on attenuation of former anomalies, the associations we find between governance and post-announcement performance tend to disappear in the latter half of our sample period.


A step-by-step tutorial on AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT basics AutoCAD is the leading drawing software, used by design and drafting professionals to create 2D and 3D technical drawings. This tutorial is aimed at AutoCAD novices and provides you with the essentials you need so you can acquire the necessary skills to work in AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT immediately. You'll begin with the basics and gradually progress to more advanced topics and features, such as grouping, elevations, hatches, and using text in drawings. Concise explanations, focused examples, and step-by-step instructions round out this hands-on tutorial. Begins with the basics of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, the leading 2D and 3D drawing software Progresses to more advanced topics and skill sets and covers grouping, hatches, and text in drawings Introduces dimensioning, external references, layouts and printing, and using 3D Contains helpful examples and step-by-step instructions so you can get started using AutoCAD immediately Featuring the most up-to-date techniques, tactics, industry standards, and methods, this tutorial will get you started using AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT right away.


Why do humans menstruate while most mammals do not? Here, we present our answer to this long-debated question, arguing that (i) menstruation occurs as a mechanistic consequence of hormone-induced differentiation of the endometrium (referred to as spontaneous decidualization, or SD); (ii) SD evolved because of maternal-fetal conflict; and (iii) SD evolved by genetic assimilation of the decidualization reaction, which is induced by the fetus in non-menstruating species. The idea that menstruation occurs as a consequence of SD has been proposed in the past, but here we present a novel hypothesis on how SD evolved. We argue that decidualization became genetically stabilized in menstruating lineages, allowing females to prepare for pregnancy without any signal from the fetus. We present three models for the evolution of SD by genetic assimilation, based on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of endometrial differentiation and implantation. Testing these models will ultimately shed light on the evolutionary significance of menstruation, as well as on the etiology of human reproductive disorders like endometriosis and recurrent pregnancy loss.


In the present article both at theoretical and practical level the limitations on economic rights of authors for teaching, scientific research and information purposes which have been provided in Copyright and Related Rights Law of the Republic of Lithuania are being analysed. Legal origin of these limitations, conditions and features of their application, including application characteristics in digital environment are examined. These issues have not yet been discussed in the Lithuanian legal literature, therefore, the current article first of all presents the concept of the limitations on economic rights and their importance for combining the interests of the authors and the public. International agreements and the EU legal norms greatly impact legal regulation of this field. With regard to this aspect legal norms that are in force in Lithuania are analysed together with international and regional legal norms of this area. Although the Lithuanian judicial practice in this field is not abundant, the analysis made in this article leads us to a conclusion that there are some loopholes and problems of application of legal norms in terms of the legal regulation of the limitations on economic rights for teaching, scientific research and information purposes.


This policy report identifies strategies to promote political empowerment for female immigrants in the European Union. Migrants lack access to participation in formal government structures; therefore, policies are made for and about them without their input. Although certain forms of political participation are reserved for citizens, immigrants find alternative ways of exercising their political agency by practicing their human rights to freedoms of association, assembly, and expression. Female migrant leaders play a central role in establishing immigrant women's associations, through which migrant women are empowered as political actors. Governments and the local and national levels should promote the political empowerment of female migrants by putting in place policies that facilitate the creation and sustainability of migrant women's associations and establishing platforms for those associations to dialogue with the broader community and government.


Ever since Aristotle suggested that females are incomplete males, the study of sex determination has been a persistent reiteration of this notion. Thus, the scientific study of sex determination has centred male specific single factors to explain this phenomenon. These single factors include testes, testosterone, the Y chromosome, H-Y antigen and, finally, a recently cloned gene called ZFY. It is evident that such an androcentric bias is incapable of explaining sex determination.


Each spring, smoke particles from fires over the Yucatan Peninsula and south Mexico cross over the Gulf of Mexico into the United States (US) under the control of moist oceanic air flow from the southwestern branch of the subtropical (Bermuda) high. Smoke can be transported deep into the south central US, where dry lines and warm conveyor belts are frequently formed and cause deep convection and severe weather. Lyons et al (1998 Science 282 77–80) and Murray et al (2000 Geophys. Res. Lett. 27 2249–52) noticed a ∼50% increase of lightning along the smoke transport path over the south central US during the May 1998 Central American smoke episode. Here we present a conceptual model of coherent microphysical and meteorological mechanisms through which smoke may impact convective clouds and subsequently result in more severe weather over the south central US. The conceptual model depicts a chain of processes in which smoke particles are first activated as cloud condensation nuclei when they are entrained into the warm conveyor belt, a convective zone formed over the south central US as a result of the encounter between the mid-latitude trough and the subtropical Bermuda high. As the convection continues with deepening of the mid-latitude trough, the greater concentration of water cloud condensation nuclei delays the warm rain processes, enhances the development of ice clouds, and invigorates the updrafts, all of which contribute to the formation of severe weather such as hail and lightning. The conceptual model is based on the reasoning of physical mechanisms revealed in previous studies (over the tropical biomass region), and is supported here through the analysis of satellite data, ground observations, aerosol transport model results, and idealized cloud resolving simulations of a day in May 2003 when record tornado events occurred over the south central US. Further assessment of this conceptual model is discussed for future investigations.


Abstract. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are derived from particles emitted directly into the atmosphere (primary emissions) or from the growth of nanometer-sized particles nucleated in the atmosphere. It is important to separate these two sources because they respond in different ways to gas and particle emission control strategies and environmental changes. Here, we use a global aerosol microphysics model to quantify the contribution of primary and nucleated particles to global CCN. The model considers primary emissions of sea spray, sulfate and carbonaceous particles, and nucleation processes appropriate for the free troposphere and boundary layer. We estimate that 45% of global low-level cloud CCN at 0.2% supersaturation are secondary aerosol derived from nucleation (ranging between 31–49% taking into account uncertainties in primary emissions and nucleation rates), with the remainder from primary emissions. The model suggests that 35% of CCN (0.2%) in global low-level clouds were created in the free and upper troposphere. In the marine boundary layer 55% of CCN (0.2%) are from nucleation, with 45% entrained from the free troposphere and 10% nucleated directly in the boundary layer. Combinations of model runs show that primary and nucleated CCN are non-linearly coupled. In particular, boundary layer nucleated CCN are strongly suppressed by both primary emissions and entrainment of particles nucleated in the free troposphere. Elimination of all primary emissions reduces global CCN (0.2%) by only 20% and elimination of upper tropospheric nucleation reduces CCN (0.2%) by only 12% because of the increased contribution from boundary layer nucleation.


As pension plans in the United States and other countries shift from defined-benefit to defined-contribution plans, employees are being asked to bear investment risk formally borne by employers and/or governments. Using a simulation model, the authors examine the performance of alternative investment strategies and products over the working life of a hypothetical employee. The results illustrate the uncertainty inherent in standard investment products and suggest the need for new products that would help employees manage investment risk. The authors explore the performance of investment products that provide a floor on the value of the worker's investment over some period of time, say, five years, and also provide some share of the upside of the equity market. These products appear to work well; for example, workers who invest their annual retirement contributions in a series of five-year insured products appear to have a higher chance of achieving their retirement income target than if they were to invest the same amount in the S&P 500 index.


IZA DP No. 14372 MAY 2021 Women, Violence and Work: Threat of Sexual Violence and Women's Decision to Work The stagnancy of women's workforce participation in urban India is alarming and puzzling, considering the pace of economic development experienced in the previous decade. We investigate the extent to which the low workforce participation of women can be explained by growing instances of officially reported crimes against women. We employ a fixed effects strategy using district-level panel data between 2004-2012. To address additional concerns of endogeneity, we exploit state-level regulations in alcohol sale and consumption and provide estimates from two different strategies – an instrumental variable approach and a border-analysis. Our findings indicate that a one standard deviation increase in sexual crimes per 1000 women reduces the probability that a woman is employed outside her home by 9.4%. While we find some evidence of heterogeneity across regions and religions, overall, the deterrent effect seems to affect women equally across all economic, demographic and social groups. JEL Classification: E24, J08, J16, J18


Ongoing network activity often manifests as irregular fluctuations in local field potentials (LFPs), a complex mixture of multicellular synaptic currents of varying locations and extensions. Among other conditions, for synchronously firing presynaptic units to generate sizable postsynaptic LFPs, their axonal territories should overlap. We have taken advantage of anatomical regularity of the rat hippocampus and combined multiple linear recordings and spatial discrimination techniques to separate pathway-specific LFPs with enough spatial resolution to discriminate postsynaptic regions of varying activation, and to investigate their presynaptic origin, chemical nature, and spatial extension. We identified 6 main excitatory and inhibitory LFP generators with different synaptic territories in principal cells and hippocampal subfields matching anatomical pathways. Some recognized pathways did not contribute notably to LFPs. Each showed different septo-temporal spatial modules over which the field potential fluctuations were synchronous. These modules were explained by either the strong overlap of synaptic territories of coactivated afferent neurons (e.g., CA3 clusters for CA1 Schaffer LFPs), or widespread coalescence of postsynaptic territories (granule cell somatic inhibition). We also show evidence that distinct modes of afferent synchronization generate stereotyped spatial patterns of synchronous LFPs in one pathway. Thus, studying spatial coherence of pathway-specific LFPs provides remote access to the dynamics of afferent populations.


This essay examines the existing variation in democratization trajectories in African states since the early 1990s. In particular, it shows that variations are tightly correlated with the quality of legislative elections. Evidence presented suggests a potential mechanism to explain the "democratization through elections" hypothesis. African states with clean legislative elections also exhibit a trend toward greater democratization. A brief presentation of the cases of Cameroon and Zambia show that legislative empowerment is key to democratization.


Like mammals, Drosophila develop tolerance to alcohol: A fly exposed to ethanol a second time needs to absorb more ethanol before it loses postural control than does a naïve fly. Scholz et al. screened mutant flies for aberrant tolerance to ethanol and identified a strain, AE10, that showed a normal response to the initial exposure to ethanol but decreased ability to develop tolerance. The phenotype resulted from disruption of a new gene, hangover (hang), which was expressed in neurons throughout the nervous system and encoded a nuclear zinc finger protein with a predicted calcium-binding EF hand. Having previously shown that flies that do not synthesize the neuromodulator octopamine (Tbh flies) also exhibit decreased ethanol tolerance, the authors investigated the effect on ethanol tolerance of the combined loss of octopamine and HANG. Tbh hangAE10 double mutants completely lost ethanol tolerance, which suggests that octopamine and HANG function in parallel pathways. Moreover, heat stress induced cross-tolerance to ethanol in wild-type flies, an effect that was substantially reduced in hangAE10 flies but not in Tbh flies. hangAE10 flies but not Tbh flies were also more sensitive than wild-type flies to oxidative stress (determined by survival following exposure to different concentrations of paraquat). Thus, the authors conclude that HANG defines a cellular stress pathway involved in the development of tolerance to ethanol that functions in parallel with the tolerance pathway involving octopamine, which is independent of cellular stress. H. Scholz, M. Franz, U. Heberlein, The hangover gene defines a stress pathway required for ethanol tolerance development. Nature 436, 845-847 (2005). [PubMed]


This article studies the impact on CO2 emissions of electrical storage systems in power systems with high penetrations of wind generation. Using the Irish All-Island power system as a case-study, data on the observed dispatch of each large generator for the years 2008 to 2012 was used to estimate a marginal emissions factor of 0.547 kgCO2/kWh. Selected storage operation scenarios were used to estimate storage emissions factors – the carbon emissions impact associated with each unit of storage energy used. The results show that carbon emissions increase in the short-run for all storage technologies when consistently operated in 'peak shaving and trough filling' modes, and indicate that this should also be true for the GB and US power systems. Carbon emissions increase when storage is operated in 'wind balancing' mode, but reduce when storage is operated to reduce wind power curtailment, as in this case wind power operates on the margin. For power systems where wind is curtailed to maintain system stability, the results show that energy storage technologies that provide synthetic inertia achieve considerably greater carbon reductions. The results highlight a tension for policy makers and investors in storage, as scenarios based on the operation of storage for economic gains increase emissions, while those that decrease emissions are unlikely to be economically favourable. While some scenarios indicate storage increases emissions in the short-run, these should be considered alongside long-run assessments, which indicate that energy storage is essential to the secure operation of a fossil fuel-free grid.


Reducing CO2 emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change is now an international imperative. The built environment is responsible for nearly half of all CO2 emissions in the UK. Therefore, the reduction of carbon emissions from the products and processes involved in a building's lifecycle are of paramount importance in meeting national and global emissions reduction targets. The energy used and consequent carbon emissions associated with construction materials and processes are usually calculated using the concept of embodied energy, albeit with significant variations in methodology. In general, the embodied energy of a building is considered to account for less than one-fifth of its whole-life energy use. However, as energy efficiency for new-build improves towards the zero carbon target in 2016, the embodied energy will assume an increasingly greater proportion, approaching 100% of the lifetime energy use and emissions. The research reported here is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the aspects of embodied energy of new-build UK houses (in particular, the focus is on the accuracy of various calculation procedures) that are often simplified to a few building types via a generalised and frequently non- UK, representation of the construction process. The need for a more standardised calculation method for embodied energy and resulting CO2 emissions is therefore discussed. Although considered in relation to the house building industry, this research is also applicable to the wider construction industry, as well as manufacturing.


The reef communities of the Florida coral reef tract play a major role in supporting the regional economy but are threatened by increased exploitation and environmental factors. Coral reef ecosystem services are vital to the economy of SE Florida where revenue and jobs depend on the status of reef resources. Here, we used an extensive, reef monitoring database collected by the Florida Reef Resilience (FRRP, 2003–2011) and the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA, 1997–2011) programs to evaluate percent recent mortality (PRM) as a robust ecological indicator of coral colony and coral reef status. PRM, the proportion of a coral colony that has experienced recent tissue mortality so that corallite structures in the non-living parts of the coral are still intact and identifiable to species, can be attributed to disturbances taking place within days to a few months preceding the surveys. Based on data from >50,000 colonies from 11 coral species and nearly 1400 sites, we propose a benchmark level of <1% PRM and <5% prevalence of partial mortality for Florida reefs during periods of background, low-stress environmental conditions. PRM levels >1.0% and prevalence levels >5% can be used as early warning indicators of degrading conditions. Average PRM values >2% are indicative of increasingly stressful conditions as those experienced during temperature anomalies and major hurricanes. Finally, PRM values considerably >2% are reflective of significantly stressful conditions and warning signals of potential major coral mortality as evidenced by mean PRM levels of >10% recorded in Florida as a consequence of the 2010 extreme cold-water event. PRM and prevalence values from Florida reefs compared favorably with those recorded in the Caribbean and the Mesoamerican region where a benchmark of 2% for background levels of PRM under low-level, chronic stress was proposed. The status of this indicator can be easily communicated to stakeholders and will benefit managers by providing: (1) a baseline to assess the status of coral populations; and (2) early-warning indicators of unfavorable conditions that may trigger management actions such as temporary closures or the establishment of more ch as permanent protection su


Autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) have been shown to mediate the hyperthyroidism associated with Graves' disease (GD). A number of hypotheses have been proposed which link an infectious agent to the mechanism(s) involved in the induction of GD. Several studies have suggested that the development of GD may be linked to infection with the enteric pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica. We have recently identified two low molecular weight (5.5 and 8 kDa) envelope proteins of Y. enterocolitica that are cross-reactive with the extracellular domain of human TSHR (ETSHR). In this study, we have purified these ETSHR-crossreactive Yersinia proteins (TSHR-CRP) and have further characterized their immunoreactivity. Both the 5.5 and 8 kDa TSHR-CRPs were shown to be mitogenic for mouse spleen cells. This mitogenic activity was specific for B cells and was not due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination. TSHR-CRPs were mitogenic for LPS-non-responsive spleen cells obtained from C3H/Hej mice, and polymyxin B did not inhibit the mitogenic activity of the TSHR-CRPs. TSHR-CRPs also induced high levels of IL-6 production in B cells and induced production and secretion of significant levels of IgG and IgM. Finally, culture supernatants from TSHR-CRP-stimulated spleen cells were shown by Western blot analysis to contain antibodies that recognized the ETSHR These results identify for the first time two envelope proteins of Yersinia that have mitogenic activity and therefore could represent important proteins involved in the pathogenesis of Yersinia infections. Because these mitogenic proteins also contain epitopes crossreactive with the TSHR, they are potentially important for advancing our understanding of the role molecular mimicry plays in the induction of autoimmunity to the TSHR.


Electoral studies consistently show a substantive difference between selfreported turnout, on one side, and validated turnout and official results, on the other side. As any inaccurate data, misreported voter turnout in surveys may lead to erroneous substantive conclusions. Extant efforts to reduce this source of bias focus mainly on the reduction of misreporting in surveys by manipulating question wording. We propose a new approach to attenuate the impacts of misreported voter turnout in surveys based on multiple overimputation (MO), a method for handling of data with measurement error proposed by Blackwell, Honaker and King. We propose multiple overimputation of the selfreported turnout (MOST) using information obtained from extant surveys of the same population. We test our method in a Monte Carlo (MC) study as well as by comparing it to the validated turnout present in the American National Election Studies (ANES). We take the turnout as a response variable, compare the results produced by the selfreported, validated, and multiply overimputed turnout, and test if our approach reduces the bias produced by misreporting in the selfreported vote. MC evidence suggests that MOST improves the estimates even under conditions of relatively high volatility of population models of turnout and overreporting. In the field test MOST reduces the coefficient bias and Type I error rate. We discuss how our approach can be improved with hierarchical Bayesian modeling and mixtures. Prepared for the 70th Annual MPSA Conference.


This survey provides a comprehensive overview of the landscape of crowdsourcing research, targeted at the machine learning community. We begin with an overview of the ways in which crowdsourcing can be used to advance machine learning research, focusing on four application areas: 1) data generation, 2) evaluation and debugging of models, 3) hybrid intelligence systems that leverage the complementary strengths of humans and machines to expand the capabilities of AI, and 4) crowdsourced behavioral experiments that improve our understanding of how humans interact with machine learning systems and technology more broadly. We next review the extensive literature on the behavior of crowdworkers themselves. This research, which explores the prevalence of dishonesty among crowdworkers, how workers respond to both monetary incentives and intrinsic forms of motivation, and how crowdworkers interact with each other, has immediate implications that we distill into best practices that researchers should follow when using crowdsourcing in their own research. We conclude with a discussion of additional tips and best practices that are crucial to the success of any project that uses crowdsourcing, but rarely mentioned in the literature.


This study explores initiatives in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia to eliminate transboundary "haze" in Southeast Asia and the fires in Indonesia that are its major cause. It outlines reforms and technical programs to improve fire management and reduce smoke pollution and examines the scope for cooperation and conflict among these parties to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The study analyzes how changing administrative structures affect success of fire management and pollution control programs and explains how developing the effective fire management in Indonesia necessary to eliminate transboundary haze will depend on a combination of political will, legal reform, and administrative coordination. Although the ASEAN Haze Agreement lacks enforceable mandatory provisions, it remains a useful vehicle for international pressure and regional cooperation to eliminate transboundary pollution.


This chapter describes a pilot initiative in a Creative Arts and an Engineering program in a regional Australian University. We integrated Connectedness Pedagogies into institutional program review and enhancement processes and enabled wider institutional connections by including Careers and Employability staff. We used a qualitative social constructionist approach to review the effectiveness of this process and the experiences of select stakeholders. Findings highlighted the benefits of integrating connectedness learning into existing curriculum review and enhancement processes including the identification of relevant strengths, gaps and opportunities, the foregrounding of teaching and learning approaches, and the potential for conception change related to perceived curriculum and teacher roles. Challenges that emerged as a result of the way the integration process was implemented in each School highlighted the importance of balancing top-down visioning and cohesion with collaborative, inclusive review and design activities. Furthermore, whilst there were tangible benefits on both sides to Careers and Employability staff involvement, more work is needed to formalise their role in the program review and enhancement process.


Drosophila ovarian cysts arise through a series of four synchronous incomplete mitotic divisions. After each round of mitosis, a membranous organelle, the fusome, grows along the cleavage furrow and the remnants of the mitotic spindle to connect all cystocytes in a cyst. The fusome is essential for the pattern and synchrony of the mitotic cyst divisions as well as oocyte differentiation. Using live cell imaging, green fluorescent protein-tagged proteins, and photobleaching techniques, we demonstrate that fusomal endomembranes are part of a single continuous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is shared by all cystocytes in dividing ovarian cysts. Membrane and lumenal proteins of the common ER freely and rapidly diffuse between cystocytes. The fusomal ER mediates intercellular ER connectivity by linking the cytoplasmic ER membranes of all cystocytes within a cyst. Before entry into meiosis and onset of oocyte differentiation (between region 1 and region 2A), ER continuity between cystocytes is lost. Furthermore, analyses of hts and Dhc64c mutants indicate that intercellular ER continuity within dividing ovarian cysts requires the fusome cytoskeletal component and suggest a possible role for the common ER in synchronizing mitotic cyst divisions.


Optical Lever Measurement Accuracy for Off-Resonance Atomic Force Microscopy by R. Parker Eason This research evaluates measurement accuracy in optical lever-based atomic force microscopy (AFM) for off-resonance conditions and parameter variations. Under controlled conditions and correct calibration, AFM provides researchers with the ability to accurately observe and manipulate matter on the microand nano-scale. Accuracy of imaging and nano-manipulation operations are directly correlated to the accuracy with which the displacement of the probe is measured. The optical lever method, a common displacement measurement technique employed in AFM, calculates probe displacement based on a calibration that assumes a consistent response profile throughout operation. Off-resonance excitation and tip-sample interaction forces during intermittent contact mode AFM can alter this response profile. Standard tapping-mode operation at the fundamental frequency is observed to be robust to changes in effective stiffness, maintaining accurate measurements for all laser spot positions considered. A nominal laser spot position between Xp = 0.5 and 0.6 is determined to most accurately predict displacement for off-resonance excitation during both free response and intermittent contact condit ions. Measurement accuracy for off-resonance tappingmode is more directly correlated to changes introduced to the interaction force profile than choice of spot position.


The Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis, Growth Analysis, was commissioned by the government to map and analyse changes in company ownership. The commission also included making comparisons between generation changes and other kinds of change in ownership that are not age-related and analyse the possibility to follow up companies' ownership changes and dynamics over time. In October 2013, Growth Analysis submitted an interim report comprising both a survey of the age structure in the country's companies and an in-depth analysis of ownership changes. The present report covers the final part of the commission, i.e. further development of the documentation of underlying data to identify changes in ownership.Growth Analysis commissioned Statistics Sweden to investigate whether it would be possible to better identify changes in ownership by integrating and checking for matches in the complementary data concerning part-owners in close companies that can be obtained from the Tax Agency with existing information about company dynamics, which can be found in the Company and Workplace Dynamics register and the register-based labour market statistics at Statistics Sweden. In order to accomplish this, a study was made of the companies' ownership changes between 2010 and 2011. The commission also includes describing the purpose, methodology and content of the Company and Workplace Dynamics register.Some 80 percent of all companies survived between 2010 and 2011 regardless of the type of company. The remainder underwent some kind of change. Companies close and new ones start up as part of the structural change. We also see that many companies and workplaces change owners. Trade and industry shows significant dynamics and this covers many different kinds of change.The processing of the data shows that by using Statistics Sweden's and the Tax Agency's registers, it is possible to adequately monitor and compile information about changes in company ownership. This applies to both close companies, where it is possible to follow individual ownership, and other corporate entities where changes in corporate identity number, which is an indication of new ownership circumstances, can be traced. The analysis shows that the Tax Agency's registers complement Statistics Sweden's registers well and provide additional information. The linking and matching of the data yields more information than can be obtained from each source separately. It is also possible to link in other information about employees, turnover and various measures of profitability from other registers.Growth Analysis' recommendation is therefore that Statistics Sweden should be given access to the Tax Agency's registers concerning shares of ownership for a longer period than merely the years studied. This is to be able to compile a database that enables better and more exact analyses of various dimensions of dynamics in trade and industry and ownership changes to be made. It would also be desirable for this database to be made accessible for research and studies that increase knowledge of different dimensions of structural change in trade and industry.


ATANASOV, V., Y. STAIKOV and G. NIKOLOV, 2006. Sperm diluent VKA-3 for artificial propagation of carps (Cyprinus carpio L.). Bulg. J. Agric. Sci.,12: 176-184 Experiments were carried out with several world known sperm activating media for artificial insemination of eggs from freshwater fishes. It was found that extender VKA-3 increasing the ejaculate volume, does not activate the Cyprinus carpio L. spermatozoa and does not have negative effect on the gametes. VKA-3 protects carp spermatozoa from destructive changes of the membranes - fact marked by low cholesterol level in seminal plasma. Medium VKA-2 have the best sperm activating effect and may use along with diluent VKA-3 for artificial insemination of carp's eggs and multiply of genetic-esteemed fish males. The obtained reproductive effect was more 22% by using of sperm activator VKA-2 - single or along with extender VKA-3. The application of that media will be optimized the carp's propagation processes.


Due to progresses constantly being made in veterinary medicine combined with increasing knowledge in pet owners, the dogs of today gets older than before. The population of geriatric dogs is there for constantly growing, which makes them an important group of patients on small animal clinics and hospitals.

As dogs age, so do their interior organs. Geriatric dogs are prone to several diseases and in this text the author has decided to focus on three of the most common: Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), cancer and osteoarthritis (AO). All of these illnesses are incurable in dogs, but it is important to remember that they are still treatable.

Cancer and osteoarthritis are known to be very painful, still they are two of the most disregarded and forgotten diseases when it comes to pain control. CDS is relatively unknown to the public, leading to a great deal of dogs suffering in silence without their owners knowing there is help to get.

Managing pain is the most important aspect of cancer nursing. Dogs suffering from OA needs painkillers as well, but there is a lot that can be done by the owner to make life more comfortable for the ill dog. For example weight loss, comfortable soft places to rest and ramps to avoid jumping are relatively easy things for owners to execute. Also massage and other forms of physiotherapy are proven very effective in managing pain.

Dogs suffering from CDS are very sensitive of sudden changes in their home environment. They need structure and routines to avoid unhealthy stress. This demands a lot from owners of dogs with CDS. Ill dogs require more frequent walks and some can't handle new people in their homes. This may affect the owners working hours, social life and so on.

An increase in knowledge of these diseases, and most importantly what you can do at home to help your dog, will give many geriatric dogs a happier and more comfortable life.


To investigate the relationship between thermal and non-thermal components in merger galaxy clusters, we present deep JVLA and Chandra observations of the HST Frontier Fields cluster MACS J0717.5+3745. The Chandra image shows a complex merger event, with at least four components belonging to different merging subclusters. Northwest of the cluster, ∼0.7 Mpc from the center, there is a ram-pressure-stripped core that appears to have traversed the densest parts of the cluster after entering the intracluster medium (ICM) from the direction of a galaxy filament to the southeast. We detect a density discontinuity north-northeast of this core, which we speculate is associated with a cold front. Our radio images reveal new details for the complex radio relic and radio halo in this cluster. In addition, we discover several new filamentary radio sources with sizes of 100–300 kpc. A few of these seem to be connected to the main radio relic, while others are either embedded within the radio halo or projected onto it. A narrow-angled-tailed (NAT) radio galaxy, a cluster member, is located at the center of the radio relic. The steep spectrum tails of this active galactic nucleus lead into the large radio relic where the radio spectrum flattens again. This morphological connection between the NAT radio galaxy and relic provides evidence for re-acceleration (revival) of fossil electrons. The presence of hot ≳20 keV ICM gas detected by Chandra near the relic location provides additional support for this re-acceleration scenario.


The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a pneumatic compression device (PCD) compared to a continuously-worn compression sleeve (CS) during a five-day recovery period from delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the elbow flexors. Eight college-aged students participated in this crossover design study. The muscle-damage protocol consisted of four sets of 25 repetitions of isokinetic concentric elbow flexion followed by eccentric elbow extension at 60°/second. Immediately following the muscle-damage protocol, subjects either wore a CS continually for five days or completed daily, 20-minute PCD treatments for five days. Swelling, range of motion (ROM), and pain were measured daily during the five-day recovery period. Subjects rested for seven additional days before completing another muscle-damage protocol and the remaining treatment. Treatment order was randomized and balanced. Muscle swelling, assessed via changes in upper arm circumference, was significantly lower in the PCD treatment (1.7 vs. 2.0 cm in CS, p = 0.012), however there was no difference in lower arm circumference (p = 0.091). ROM disturbances during the PCD treatment were lower (mean peak reduction in ROM −9.04 degrees in PCD compared to −17.25 degrees in CS, p < 0.05) and peak pain was lower by 39% (27.5 mm in PCD compared to 45.2 mm in CS, p < 0.05) when compared to the CS treatment. These findings suggest that daily treatments using a PCD further reduce peak disturbance and recovery time from DOMS of the elbow flexors when compared to a continuously-worn CS.


This study develops an analytical framework to account for sources of rapid economic growth in China. The traditional Solow approach includes only two sources, i.e. increased use of inputs and technical change. We expanded the approach to include a third source of economic growth-structural change. The empirical results show that structural change has contributed to growth significantly by reallocating resources from low productivity to high productivity sectors, especially by moving labor from agricultural production to rural enterprises. We also found that the returns to capital investment in both agricultural production and rural enterprises are much higher than those in urban sectors, indicating underinvestment in rural areas. On the other hand, labor productivity in the agricultural sector remains low, a result of the still large surpluses of labor in the sector. Therefore, the further development of rural enterprises and increase in labor flow among sectors and across regions are key to improvements in overall economic efficiency.


A face recognition system must recognize a face from a novel image despite the variations between images of the same face. A common approach to overcoming image variations because of changes in the illumination conditions is to use image representations that are relatively insensitive to these variations. Examples of such representations are edge maps, image intensity derivatives, and images convolved with 2D Gabor-like filters. Here we present an empirical study that evaluates the sensitivity of these representations to changes in illumination, as well as viewpoint and facial expression. Our findings indicated that none of the representations considered is sufficient by itself to overcome image variations because of a change in the direction of illumination. Similar results were obtained for changes due to viewpoint and expression. Image representations that emphasized the horizontal features were found to be less sensitive to changes in the direction of illumination. However, systems based only on such representations failed to recognize up to 20 percent of the faces in our database. Humans performed considerably better under the same conditions. We discuss possible reasons for this superiority and alternative methods for overcoming illumination effects in recognition.


In the current climate of policy change regarding cannabis (i.e., decriminalization, medicalization, and legalization), various stakeholders have a strong interest in determining the associations between cannabis use and important outcomes. The present study sought to quantify the association between indicators of cannabis use and the experience of cannabis-related negative consequences. We found 19 unique studies that examined the associations between cannabis use and negative consequences as measured by 1 of 4 measures: the Marijuana Problems Scale, the Rutgers Marijuana Problem Index, the Cannabis Problems Questionnaire, or the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire. We used random effects meta-analytic techniques to estimate the average strength of association between cannabis use and negative consequences, determine the level of heterogeneity in effect sizes, and examine possible moderators of these associations (measure of consequences, gender/sex distribution). We found that cannabis use had a medium-sized association with consequences, rw = .367, with high levels of heterogeneity that depended to some extent on the specific consequence measure used. Similar to a meta-analytic integration of the alcohol use–consequences association, we found that most of the variance in cannabis-related negative consequences was not explained by any single indicator of cannabis use, pointing to the fact that additional factors need to be examined to explain the experience of negative consequences from cannabis use and that additional indicators of cannabis use may be needed.


High-temperature superconductors (HTSs) including HTS bulks and tapes have potential applications in linear motion drive and magnetic levitation/suspension systems generating substantial advantages over conventional ones. When an HTS linear motor is integrated with an HTS magnetic suspension subsystem, it can inherit both merits of HTS linear motion drive and HTS magnetic suspension simultaneously and can be applied into various fields, such as the maglev and electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALSs). Based on different HTS aspects and arrangements, three modes of HTS linear synchronous motor (HTSLSM) integrated with HTS magnetic suspension subsystems have been proposed in this paper. To verify the modes for the design of a practical HTSLSM, the structural features of these systems are described, the magnetization characteristics to obtain HTS bulk magnets, the trapped-field attenuation characteristics of the HTS bulk magnet exposed to external traveling field, and the magnetic field distribution characteristics for different permanent-magnet guideways have been studied with experimental verification. Based on the study, a demonstration prototype of a single-sided HTSLSM integrated with HTS magnetic suspension subsystems has been developed. Its performance and thrust characteristics have been obtained by experimental measurements and compared with theoretical results. With regard to practical applications, two modes of double-sided HTSLSM integrated with HTS magnetic suspension subsystems have been designed for the maglev and EMALS, respectively, and then, the 2-D finite-element-analysis models for the HTSLSMs were built to analyze their performance characteristics. The comprehensive simulations and experimental results constitute a framework for the structural and electromagnetic design of the HTSLSM integrated with HTS magnetic suspension for practical applications.


A new process for the removal of nitrogen from wastewater is introduced. The process involves three steps: (1) partial nitrification of NH4+ to NO2−; (2) partial anoxic reduction of NO2− to N2O; and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy recovery by either catalytic decomposition to N2 and O2 or use of N2O to oxidize biogas CH4. Steps 1 and 3 have been previously established at full-scale. Accordingly, bench-scale experiments focused on step 2. Two strategies were evaluated and found to be effective: in the first, Fe(II) was used to abiotically reduce NO2− to N2O; in the second, COD stored as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was used as the electron donor for partial heterotrophic reduction of NO2− to N2O. For abiotic reduction with Fe(II), the efficiency of conversion of NO2− to N2O was over 90% with 98% nitrogen removal from water. For partial heterotrophic denitrification, different selection conditions were imposed on acetate- and nitrite-fed communities initially derived from waste activated sludge. No N2O was detected when acetate and nitrite were supplied continuously, but N2O was produced when acetate and nitrite were added as pulses. N2O conversion efficiency was dependent upon the method of addition of acetate and nitrite. When acetate and nitrite were added together (coupled feeding), the N2O conversion efficiency was 9–12%, but when acetate and nitrite additions were decoupled, the N2O conversion efficiency was 60–65%. Decoupled substrate addition selected for a microbial community that accumulated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) during an anaerobic period after acetate addition then consumed PHB and reduced NO2− during the subsequent anoxic period. The biological N removal efficiency from the water was 98% over more than 200 cycles. This indicates that decoupled operation can sustain significant long-term N2O production. Compared to conventional nitrogen removal, the three-step process, referred to here as Coupled Aerobic–anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO), is expected to decrease oxygen requirements, decrease biomass production, increase organic matter available for recovery as biogas methane, and enable energy recovery from nitrogen, but pilot-scale studies are needed.