There is a need to understand how anthropogenic influences affect urban and periurban forest diversity at the regional scale. This study aims to compare urban and periurban tree composition along a geographic gradient, and test hypotheses about species composition and ecological homogeneity. We paired urban forest (UF) data from eight cities across the southeastern US with periurban forest (PF) data from the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program. We found that tree diversity, as well as both observed and estimated species richness values were greater in UF versus PF. Community size structure analysis also indicated a greater proportion of large trees and greater numbers of non-native, invasive, and unclassified tree species in the UF versus the PF, regardless of location. Both forest type and ecological province had a significant effect on community species composition, with forests closer together in space being more similar to each other than those more distant. While land use change and management has been associated with ecological homogenization in human dominated landscapes, we found that species composition was more dissimilar along latitudinal lines than compared to between forest types, refuting this hypothesis, at least in terms of tree diversity.


Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is described by a disruption in the normal function of the brain due to an injury following a trauma, which can potentially cause severe physical, cognitive, and emotional impairment. The use of human stem cells and self-assembling peptide scaffolds suggest huge potential for application in the treatment of TBI. In the present study, we surveyed the beneficial effects of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), human epileptic neural stem cells (hENSCs), and PuraMatrix hydrogel (PM) in an acute brain injury model of mild TBI using 3 months rats. hADSCs and hENSCs were transplanted with or without scaffolds into rats brain and the electroencephalography were compared. Modified neurologic severity score (mNSS) tests were performed to measure behavioral outcomes. PM scaffold increased the retention of hENSCs in the lesion site and limited its distribution at the transplanted region. Significantly more hENSCs were detected in the brain when transplanted with PM scaffold. The results showed PM scaffold also efficiently improved cell survival in vivo, resulting in better neural functional recovery. We hypothesized that PM scaffold would improve early engraftment and support the survival of grafted cells and functional recovery post-transplantation.


Competitive anxiety is a pivotal inhibitor of student-athletes achievement. However, not many theoretical models which incorporate perceptual factors of self, events in the environment, and other people in an integrative manner in explaining the anxiety. This study aims to investigate the role of self-change awareness, response to change-events, and social comparison in predicting the dimensions of competitive anxiety in student-athletes actively engaging in sports games and academics. The dimensions of the anxiety are somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption. The design of this study is predictive correlational. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to analyze the data. A total of 83 student-athletes (55 males, 28 females; mean of age = 20.45 years old, standard deviation of age = 1.50 years) who actively competed in sports, domiciled in Greater Area of Jakarta, Indonesia were recruited through purposive sampling technique. The result showed that the three predictors can predict two out of three dimensions of competitive anxiety. The results of this study have implications in the field of sport psychology to prevent competitive anxiety among student-athletes.


The highest photoelectric conversion efficiency (9.61%) for a quasi-solid-state DSSC (QS-DSSC) based on a low molecular mass organogelator (LMOG) is achieved using N,N′-1,5-pentanediylbis-dodecanamide as a LMOG in conjunction with a TiO2 photoanode of sub-microspheres sensitized with a high-absorptivity Ru complex (C101). The competition of interfacial kinetic processes between the recombination of the dye cations with photoinjected electrons and the regeneration of the dye cations by I− is investigated by transient adsorption measurements. The data revealed that there is an efficient interfacial charge separation at the TiO2 photoelectrode/electrolyte interface and the dye is rapidly regenerated, which contributes to the high photocurrent. Furthermore, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and controlled intensity modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy (IMPS/IMVS), it is determined that the negative shift of TiO2 conduction band edge of the QS-DSSC contributes to the high Voc. Moreover, the QS-DSSC exhibits significantly improved stability during the accelerated thermal and light-soaking test. During the accelerated aging test, there is almost no change in the short-circuit current density (Jsc) in the QS-DSSC, while the Jsc of the liquid electrolyte based DSSC decreases sharply. These results are very important for the application and commercialization of DSSCs.


While the introduction compares the Heidelberg Catechism's theologically framed concept of sin with similar and opposing secular views of the past (e.g., Plautus, Quintilian, Hobbes), the main part uses contemporary scientific studies to challenge the Catechism's view that (after alienation from God in the Fall) all human individuals by birth are wicked: incapable of loving others. Studies discovered remarkable capacities of empathy and altruism already in young children of different cultures as well as in primates, suggesting that altruism is deep-rooted in common ancestors of humans and primates. However, humans encounter limits of their capacity for altruism especially when dealing with outsiders not belonging to their own group. Culture, especially religion, is needed to advance a systematic, and not just spontaneous, altruism reaching beyond one's group boundaries. Concluding remarks, using Paul, roughly sketch what a modern harmatiology would have to emphasize if it is not moral corruptness.


The centerpiece of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 is the reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated the net revenue loss from the tax overhaul at $1 trillion over the next decade. The underlying premise of the legislation is that lower corporate taxes will spur growth, with trickle-down wage benefits that spread the resulting economic gains. This approach, however, risks increasing inequality in income distribution, potentially leaving those in the lower income groups worse off than before. Two factors contribute to this risk. First, the personal tax cuts expire after 2025 whereas the corporate tax cuts are permanent. Second, there will be a sizable loss of revenue, and compensating cuts in federal expenditures could wind up being concentrated on benefits received by lower-income groups. This Brief uses the estimates of the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) to examine the distributional impact of the tax bill. It then considers the further changes that would occur if there were regressive expenditure cuts applied to make up for the revenue loss (as illustrated using the distributional profile of Medicaid spending). The broad result is that the direct effect of the legislation on income inequality is relatively minor, but the overall effect could be much more unequal if induced spending cuts were concentrated on programs oriented toward low-income groups.


Abstract Schools of education (SOEs) are experiencing increased pressure to prepare teacher candidates for the effective and innovative integration of technologies. Lack of both ubiquitous on-campus access and effective modeling by SOE faculty are two of en-cited barriers to reaching this goal. The Academic Technology Initiative (ATI) at a large Northeastern university provided laptops and support for all preservice teachers and faculty in an attempt to address these barriers. Using a grounded theory, ethnographic approach, this study examines how the removal of access and infrastructure barriers affects technology integration and faculty technology modeling. Our findings may help inform new technology strategies at both this and other universities designing such programs. We expect to identify new barriers and limitations that hold important implications for the future of the ATI and teacher preparation programs in general.


Drinkers subsidise non-drinkers by £6.5bn each year This study estimates the direct costs of alcohol use to the government in England, including the NHS, police, criminal justice system and welfare system. Taken together, they amount to a gross cost of £3.9 billion per annum (in 2015 prices). Revenues from alcohol taxation in England amount to £10.4 billion, leaving an annual net benefit to the government of £6.5 billion. The estimated cost of alcohol-related violent crime is nearly £1 billion per annum. Other alcohol-related crimes, including drink-driving, add a further £627 million, leaving a total cost to the police and criminal justice system of £1.6 billion. The estimated cost of alcohol-related health problems is £1.9 billion. Half of this results from alcohol-related hospital admissions (£984 million). A further £530 million is due to ambulance and Accident and Emergency attendances. Welfare payments given to people who are unable to work because of mental or physical ill health problems that are attributable to alcohol consumption incur a further cost of £289 million. This study uses the most recent health, crime and drinking data to build on previous cost-of-alcohol studies. Cost-of-alcohol studies are plagued by a shortage of reliable data in several areas. This study is no exception and its estimates should be regarded as being at the top end of the plausible range. The gross cost of £3.9 billion is more likely to be an over-estimate than an under-estimate. It is important to distinguish between social and economic costs (most of which are paid by individuals and businesses) and the costs to government departments (i.e. the 'cost to the taxpayer'). Intangible costs, internal costs and societal costs are often misrepresented as being costs to taxpayers. This is the first study to have looked at the total net cost of alcohol consumption to the government in England. Our estimates suggest that the net cost of alcohol to the state is minus £6.5 billion pounds, which is to say that drinkers subsidise non-drinkers to the order of £6.5 billion pounds a year. The government could halve all forms of alcohol duty and still receive more in tax than it spends dealing with alcohol-related problems.


SUMMARY: Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder in which CD20 is expressed on tumor cells from most patients. Several small studies have suggested a benefit from the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan, MabThera) in patients with WM. In this retrospective study, we examined the outcome of 30 previously unreported patients with WM who received treatment with single-agent rituximab (median age 60; range 32-83 years old). The median number of prior treatments for these patients was 1 (range 0-6), and 14 patients (47%) received a nucleoside analogue before rituximab therapy. Patients received a median of 4.0 (1-11.3) infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m2). Three patients received steroids with their infusions for prophylaxis of rituximab-related infusion syndrome. Overall, treatment was well tolerated. Median immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels for all patients declined from 2,403 mg/dL (range 720-7639 mg/dL) to 1,525 mg/dL (range 177-5,063 mg/dL) after rituximab therapy (p = 0.001), with 8 of 30 (27%) and 18 of 30 (60%) patients demonstrating >50% and >25% decline in IgM, respectively. Median bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic (BM LPC) cell involvement declined from 60% (range 5-90%) to 15% (range 0-80%) for 17 patients for whom pre-and post-BM biopsies were performed (p < 0.001). Moreover, 19 of 30 (63%) and 15 of 30 (50%) patients had an increase in their hematocrit (HCT) and platelet (PLT) counts, respectively. Before rituximab therapy, 7 of 30 (23.3%) patients were either transfusion or erythropoietin dependent, whereas only 1/30 (3.3%) patients required transfusions (no erythropoietin) after rituximab. Overall responses after treatment with rituximab were as follows: 8 (27%) and 10 (33%) of the patients achieved a partial (PR) and a minor (MR) response, respectively, and an additional 9 (30%) of patients demonstrated stable disease (SD). No patients attained a complete response. The median time to treatment failure for responding (PR and MR) patients was 8.0 months (mean 8.4; range 3-20+ months), and 5.0 months (mean 6.1; range 3-12+ months) for patients with SD. These studies therefore demonstrate that rituximab is an active agent in WM. Marked increases in HCT and PLT counts were noted for most patients, including patients with WM who had MR or SD. A prospective clinical trial to more completely define the benefit of single-agent rituximab in patients with WM has been initiated by many of our centers.


The goal of rendering in computer graphics is the synthesis of photorealistic images from abstract virtual scene descriptions. Among the many rendering methods, path tracing along with physically accurate material modeling has emerged as the industry standard for photorealistic image synthesis. Path tracing is, however a computationally expensive operation. Moreover, physically accurate material modeling requires iterative parameter tuning and visualization using path tracing. This quickly becomes a bottleneck for the tuning of a large number of parameters found in most physically accurate material models, and artists end up spending a lot of time waiting for path tracing to converge. This dissertation proposes to leverage the learning power of neural networks to plausibly approximate path tracing for: (a) quick material visualization while editing, (b) out-of-the box material recovery using inverse rendering. The traditional workflow for tuning material parameters and visualization is typically followed by modifications to lighting for better understanding the behaviour of the material. We thus incorporate the ability to modify the environment lighting in our neural material visualization framework. This significantly aids in understanding the behaviour of the material thus aiding the process of parameter tuning, which we demonstrate with a user study. Most real-world materials are spatially varying, which is that their behaviour varies across the surface of the geometry. While previous works in this area dealt with uniform materials, we propose improvements for handling spatially varying materials. We design our neural network architecture to be light-weight, having 10× lesser trainable parameters than the state-of-the-art, while also producing better visualizations. We also build a tool to demonstrate real-time parameter tuning and visualization of materials. Finally, we extend the above work to handle general 3D scenes in specific lighting scenarios. This is done by training a small fully connected neural network on a simple scene in the local tangent frame. Training in the local tangent frame decouples geometric complexity from training which implies that the network generalizes to any geometry. We embed this network in a standard path tracer to evaluate direct illumination at each path vertex. We thus not only obtain noise free direct illumination but also out-of-the box gradients of the rendering process, which can be used for inverse rendering. We show that these gradients can be used for plausibly recovering the material of a target scene. We conclude by discussing various practical aspects of our method.


I am vegan. This means I eschew animal products (such as meat, dairy and eggs) for ethical reasons. Academic interest in animal advocacy is expanding, as evidenced in the emerging field of Critical Animal Studies (Taylor and Twine, 2014). However, concurrent with a 'criminalization' of legitimate protest since 9/11 (Gilmore, 2013), empirical research suggests a tendency for mainstream media sources to ridicule, misrepresent and discredit vegans (Cole and Morgan, 2011). I examine the events and experiences that have been significant in shaping the biographies of vegan animal advocates. I use biographical interviews with twelve (12) vegans alongside visual methods, and autoethnography. Participants created comics -the narrative juxtaposition of words and images- about their lives, and I created an 'autoethnographic' comic about my biography as a vegan researcher, thus examining animal advocacy from a reflexive, situated vegan perspective. I found that vegan identity is often subject to normalizing processes (Foucault, 1977), and is necessarily fluid across social situations (as evidenced in descriptions of 'coming out' vegan). Vegan identity is performed and achieved in various embodied ways. These processes intersect with other social structures such as gender and sexuality. Access to cultural narratives about veganism is also significant in the experience of participants. The project contributes to the diverse fields of Biographical Research and Critical Animal Studies, adding rich biographical and visual data to existing empirical evidence around animal advocacy. It sets a precedent for the potential use of comics in research, particularly in connection with queer methodological approaches that challenge existing representational forms and focus on fluidity. It also offers novel applications for autoethnographic and visual biographical approaches.


Given that oceanic basalts form by partial melting of mantle peridotites that rise below mid-ocean ridges, peridotite and basalt should have identical Sr and Nd isotope ratios. We tested this concept on parallel sets of peridotites and basalts sampled from an exposed section of lithosphere representing 20 m.y. of accretion at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The 143Nd/144Nd ratios of the basaltic glasses stay constant, whereas those of the peridotitic clinopyroxenes extend both higher and lower than the basalt ratios, suggesting that the constant isotopic composition of the basalts results from mixing of melts released by peridotites from a broad region of the subridge mantle. The degree of melting undergone by the peridotites correlates inversely with their 143Nd/144Nd ratios. Small-scale isotopic heterogeneity of the peridotites may result from variable premelting metasomatism in the mantle, mostly during periodic, dynamic, subridge upwelling, possibly superimposed upon time-integrated radioactive decay of ancient heterogeneities.


Reconciliation in a divided society, like the South African one, is in dire need of a new moral discourse and praxis. This article argues that this moral discourse must also be conducted on an often forgotten level, namely in the worshipping praxis of the Church. The article describes the renewed interest of ethicists and liturgists in the relationship between liturgy and ethics and especially the role of rituals.  The article then focuses on the renewal of basic Cristian rituals like preaching and sacraments, prayer and praise to serve this much needed moral discourse.


Focusing on the expanding realm of international adjudication, this paper approaches justice from the domain of the empirical and shows - through a careful, interview-based case-study analysis in the WTO-EU context - that justice in the transnational context is not only a contested concept, but also a multi-faceted one, deeply embedded in notions such as the rule of law, fairness, equality, transformation, and cooperation. Whereas in the past, the primary, if not the sole role of international courts was that of settling disputes, in their modern legalized reincarnation these empowered international institutions have come to be seen primarily as enforcement mechanisms; mechanisms that have been put in place by states in order to give effect to their originally negotiated commitments and to hold states (or other entities) accountable for the international rules agreed-upon. Within this common enforcement-centered discourse of international courts, in turn, the natural tendency has so far been to think of 'justice' mainly through its 'legal' or 'rule of law' dimension. This paper challenges this enforcement-centered discourse. Focusing on the vibrant WTO dispute settlement system (DSS) and the rich experience of the EU in that system, the paper argues that the current enforcement-oriented debate of international courts, and the WTO DSS in particular, is lacking in several fundamental aspects. First, it brushes aside other important roles served by the DSS, and consequently overshadows the manifold social outcomes - beyond rule-compliance - produced by this system. Second, the prevalent rule-enforcement discourse further works, in turn, as to mask the multiple challenges of justice encapsulated in international disputes reaching the DSS's docket, and obstructs the need to explore other conceptions of justice - beyond its formal legalprocedural meaning - such as global distributive, corrective, or transformative justice, through which the outcomes generated by this international adjudicatory system may (and should) be evaluated. Against this backdrop, the paper puts forwards a broad multifunctional account of the WTO DSS, which goes beyond the prevalent view of the system as primarily an enforcement mechanism, portraying it instead as a system of multiple, competing, and shifting roles. Among them, and at the center of the paper, the role of providing an orderly mechanism of renegotiation, redistribution, and settlement, that essentially allows WTO Members to readjust their original WTO commitments and reallocate their burdens and benefits of international cooperation, and thereby to arrive at new - at times not fully legally-compliant - but not necessarily 'unjust' cooperative and sustainable social outcomes. This discussion paper is part of a series of contributions to the conference "Towards a Grammar of Justice in EU Law', which took place on 6-7 November 2014 at VU University Amsterdam, sponsored by ACCESS EUROPE Amsterdam, VU Centre for European Legal Studies and the Dutch Research Council VENI grant.


OBJECTIVES
Spiral ganglion (SG) counting is used in experimental studies conducted on age-, noise-, and drug-induced sensorineural hearing loss, as well as in the assessment of cochlear implant performances. Different methods of counting have been reported, but no definite standardization of such procedure has been published. The aim of our study is to identify the best method to count human spiral ganglions (SGs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
By identification of nuclei or nucleoli as described by Schucknect, seven researchers with different experience levels counted SGs in 123 human temporal bones (TBs). Data on time of post-mortem bone removal post-mortem, methods of specimen's fixation, decalcification, and coloration were collected to test their possible influence on human tissue. Percentage, two-tailed t-test, Spearman's test, and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS
Nucleoli were identified in 61% of cases, whereas nuclei were recognized in 100% of cases (p<0.005). Nucleoli presence in all four segments in the same temporal bone (TB) was observed in 69 cases (92%), whereas nuclei were identified in all four segments in 103 cases (83.7%) (p<0.001). The junior investigators requested a double check by the seniors in 25 (20.3%) cases for identifying and counting nucleoli, whereas the senior researchers showed no doubts in their identification and count. The only parameter positively affecting nucleoli identification in tissue preparation was bone removal for <12 h with respect to longer post-mortem time (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
We suggest counting nuclei, rather than nucleoli, for spiral ganglion computation because of easier recognition of nuclei, especially in case of investigator's limited experience.


Secondary sexual characters have been hypothesized to signal male quality and should demonstrate a negative relationship between the size of the trait and degree of fluctuating asymmetry because they are costly to produce. We collected morphometric and antler data from 439 white–tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Oklahoma, USA, in order to determine whether measures of antler asymmetry follow the patterns predicted for sexually selected characters. Relative fluctuating asymmetry was negatively related to antler size for all deer and within age groups up to five and a half years of age. We did not detect an association between asymmetry and antler size among deer that were six and a half years or older. When categorizing deer by antler size, we found that deer with small antlers (≤ 33rd percentile) had greater levels of relative asymmetry than deer with large antlers (≤ 67th percentile). The relative asymmetry of antlers was negatively related to age and was greatest in deer that were one and a half years old. Relative asymmetry was also negatively related to carcass mass, inside spread, skull length and body length. These data suggest that asymmetry in the antlers of white–tailed deer may be a reliable signal of quality and, as such, may be important in maintaining honesty in intrasexual advertisements during the breeding season.


Two new species of terrestrial ostracods are described from Australia: Mesocypris australiensis n.sp., mainly recorded from near the east and south coast of eastern Australia, and M. tasmaniensis from south-west Tasmania. An additional species Scottia audax is also recorded from Queensland and New South Wales. Ecological notes on M. australiensis are given and the distribution of the terrestrial ostracods found only in the southern hemisphere is discussed.


Abstract Observations of discordant ages, meaning that an age given by one mineral geochronometer is different from the age given by another geochronometer from the same rock, began in the early days of geochronology. In the late 1950s and 1960s, discordant U-Pb zircon ages were unquestioningly attributed to Pb diffusion at high temperature. Later, the mineralogical properties and the petrogenesis of the zircon crystals being dated was recognized as a key factor in obtaining concordant U-Pb ages. Advances in analytical methods allowed the analysis of smaller and smaller zircon multigrain fractions, then the analysis of individual grains, and even pieces of grains, with higher degrees of concordancy. Further advances allowed a higher analytical precision, a clearer perception of accuracy, and a better statistical resolution of age discordance. As for understanding the cause(s) of discordance, belief revision followed the coupling of imaging, cathodoluminescence (CL), and backscattered electrons (BSE), to in situ dating by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) or by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Discordant zircon and other accessory minerals (e.g., monazite, apatite, etc.) often consist of young rims accreted onto/into older cores. Age gradients are sharp, and no Pb diffusion gradients are observed. As U-Pb discordance in crystalline, non-radiation damaged grains is caused by diachronous, heterochemical mineral generations, interpretations of mineral ages, based on the exclusive role of diffusion, are superseded, and closure temperatures of zircon and monazite are irrelevant in geological reality. Other isotopic systems (Rb-Sr, K-Ar) were believed, since the 1960s, to be similarly controlled by the diffusivity of radiogenic daughters. When zircon and monazite discordance were recognized as zone accretion/reaction with sharp boundaries that showed little or no high-temperature diffusive re-equilibration, the other chronometric systems were left behind, and interpretations of mineral ages based on the exclusive role of diffusion survived. The evidence from textural-petrologic imaging (CL, BSE) and element mapping by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) or high spatial resolution SIMS or LA-ICP-MS provides the decisive constraints. All microcline and mica geochronometers that have been characterized in detail document patchy textures and evidence for mineral replacement reactions. It is important not to confuse causes and effects; heterochemical microstructures are not the cause of Ar and Sr loss; rather, they follow it. Ar and Sr loss by dissolution of the older mineral generation occurs first, heterochemical textures form later, when the replacive assemblage recrystallizes. Heterochemical mineral generations are identified and dated by their Ca/Cl/K systematics in 39Ar-40Ar. Replacive reactions adding or removing Cl, such as, e.g., sericite overgrowths on K-feldspar, retrograde muscovite intergrowths with phengite, etc. are detected by Cl/K vs. Ar/K isotope correlation diagrams. Ca-poor reaction products, such as, e.g., young biotite intergrown with older amphibole, adularia replacing microcline, etc., can be easily identified by Ca/K vs. Ar/K diagrams supported by EPMA analyses. Mixed mineral generations are observed to be the cause of discordant, staircase-shaped age spectra, while step-heating of crystals with age gradients produces concordant plateaus. Age gradients are therefore unrelated to staircase age spectra. There is a profound analogy between the U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and K-Ar systems. Pb and Ar diffusion rates are both much slower than mineral replacement rates for all T < 750 °C. Patchy retrogression textures are always associated with heterochemical signatures (U/Th ratios, REE patterns, Ca/Cl/K ratios). As a rule, single-generation minerals with low amounts of radiation damage give concordant ages, whereas discordance is caused by mixtures of heterochemical, resolvably diachronous, mineral generations in petrologic disequilibrium. This can also include (sub-)grains that have accumulated significant amounts of radiation damage. For accurate geochronology the petrologic characterization with the appropriate technique(s) of the minerals to be dated, and the petrologic context at large, are as essential as the mass spectrometric analyses.


Front:
Text describes action on various war fronts: Italy, Yugoslavia, Air offensive, Southwest Pacific, Russia.

Maps show military activities in Eurasia and New Guinea near Salamaua with boxed text highlighting action.

Photograph: A story of blood [American soldier receives a transfusion while lying on the street in Santa Agata, Sicily while townspeople look on].

Back:
Something money can't buy - United States Army tradition! Illustration shows service ribbons of service medals. Text describes the purpose and conditions of award of service medals.


In Modernizing Jewish Education in Nineteenth Century Eastern Europe Mordechai Zalkin portrays the impact of the modern Enlightened private Jewish schools on the the cultural transformation of the traditional Jewish society.


Dune sand obtained in the vicinity of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been investigated to be used as partial cement replacement materials for concrete. Physical and chemical properties of dune sand were evaluated and it was found that it has potential to be processed and used as partial cement replacement due to the high silica content of about 93.4%. However, dune sand is inert and chemically inactive under normal condition. Results show that the strength decreases with the increase of cement replacement by dune sand under normal condition. Therefore, different methods have been developed to enhance the reactivity of dune sand. Three ways were used to improve the pozzolanic reactivity including chemical activation, mechanical activation and thermal activation. For chemical activation, four inexpensive materials which are NaCl, Na2SO4, CaSO4·2H2O and CaCl2·2H2O were chosen for this study. Results showed that the addition of chemical activators did not demonstrate an obvious effect on the strength development of the cement. In the mechanical activation, the dune sand with prolonged grinding was investigated to study the effect of using different particle size on the dune sand reactivity. However, it did not result in substantial improvements to strength. For thermal activation, two different techniques were used which are calcination (heat treatment) and autoclave curing. The calcination process was done to activate the raw material of dune sand at temperature ranging from 400oC to 1000°C. Experimental results indicated that the ultimate strength of cement pastes decreased with increasing calcination temperature. The autoclave curing increased the pozzolanic activity of dune sand with significant improvement in strength. The maximum compressive strength was found at 30% replacement of cement by dune sand. The final products obtained were further analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to investigate the mechanism that caused the increase in the compressive strength. Elimination of Ca(OH)2 peaks in the XRD analysis clearly proved that crystalline SiO2 in dune sand can quickly react with Ca(OH)2 that are formed from cement hydration to form a new type C-S-H hydrate (tobermorite) which improve the strength and concrete structure under autoclave curing. The compressive strength of autoclaved concrete containing 30% dune sand as partial cement replacement increased by 28% compared to concrete that have been subjected to the standard curing after 154 days. Free Ca(OH)2 content was reduced from 26% in control paste under standard curing to about 3% in autoclaved cement paste containing 30% dune sand as partial cement replacement which experienced a reduction of about 89%. DTA results are also in good agreement with findings by TGA showing lower content of free Ca(OH)2 in autoclaved products compared to the standard curing. In general, SEM investigation revealed that the utilization of concrete containing 30% dune sand as partial cement replacement subjected to autoclave curing produced more compact microstructure compared to those cured under normal curing.


Rapid mapping and monitoring with remote sensing techniques is an important source of information for decision-makers faced with large scaled disasters. In August 2005 several regions in central Switzerland were affected by severe
flooding. The "National Emergency Operations Centre" (NEOC) of Switzerland invoked the International Charter on "Space and Major Disasters", requesting support by remote-sensing data for disaster-management. In this paper, a SPOT-5
and a RADARSAT-1 satellite-scene acquired a few days after the flood-peak are described and processed to map the affected area with object-based methods. The main difficulties with optical images are the small extent of the Swiss landscape, the large height-differences in the relief, shadows, clouds and snow covered areas. Comparing different approaches, it was found that beside the NIR and SWIR band the application of a DEM and a VISNIR water index showed the
most promising results for a fast discrimination of the affected areas. The object-based classification is mainly dependent on threshold-values and Boolean operators. As investigations show, the spatial resolution of the acquired radar dataset in this case is not sufficient to map the affected areas. The results of the classification based on SPOT-5 scenes are up-to-date maps of flooded areas. We
show that maps for decision-makers can be produced using auxiliary topographical and land use data. Aerial infrared images acquired from SWISSTOPO after the flooding were used to test the accuracy of the result.
Procedures for rapid mapping applications in future disaster cases are discussed.


Background: Type 1 diabetes is one of the chronic metabolic disorders among children and adolescents. Peers are also important units in diabetes management through adolescence. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-based intervention in managing type 1 diabetes mellitus among children and adolescents. Methods: Searching articles published prior to December 2013 in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Science Direct, Google scholar, CINAHL and Scopus, we found 8,548 publications. The first reviewer critically appraised the retrieved articles, using the CONSORT and the TREND checklists and then the second-assessor checked them. All abstracts were screened, and only eight full text articles remained for evaluation based on inclusion criteria Results: Eight studies, including five randomized controlled trials, one controlled trial, and two pre-post trials were critically appraised based on CONSORT and the TREND checklists. The outcomes of these studies were as follows: knowledge (three studies), attitude (two studies), performance (one study), clinical parameters— exclusively HbA1c—(four studies), and psychosocial parameters—such as quality of life, coping, self-care, selfconfidence, satisfaction with the perceived social support, social skills, and diabetes-related conflicts Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review revealed that peer-based interventions could help to manage diabetes. While there is a lack of professional or family-based interventions and education, peers can be involved in the process of patient education. As there are few studies in the area of peer-based diabetes management, conducting further interventional studies with robust methodology is highly recommended.


Drugs raise blood glucose concentrations via two broad mechanisms: By reducing insulin biosynthesis or secretion, or by reducing tissue sensitivity to insulin. Until date, there have been very few reported cases of isoniazid induced diabetes. We are presenting a case report of 6-year-old child with isoniazid induced diabetes who was misdiagnosed initially as a case of type 1 diabetes mellitus. We hereby stress that before diagnosing a patient with diabetes-type 1 or 2, a detailed history of drug intake for any such drugs, which can cause hyperglycemia has to be taken. Clear cut knowledge/cognizance of all such culprit drugs is therefore required.


Five physical models of the ionosphere were compared with each other and with data obtained at the Millstone Hill Observatory. Two of the models were self-consistent ionosphere- thermosphere models, while for the other ionospheric models the thermospheric parameters were provided by empirical inputs. The comparisons were restricted to midlatitudes and low geomagnetic activity, but four geophysical cases were considered that covered both the summer and winter solstices at solar maximum and minimum. The original motivation of the study was to determine why several physical models consistently underestimated the F region peak electron density, by up to a factor of 2, in the midlatitude, daytime ionosphere at solar maximum. This problem was resolved, but the resolution did not identify a lack of physics in any of the models. Instead, various chemical reaction rates, photoionization processes, and diffusion coefficients had to be adjusted, with the main one being the adoption of the Burnside factor of 1.7 for the diffusion coefficients. The subsequent comparisons of the models and data were for "standard" simulations in which uncertain inputs or processes were not adjusted to get better agreement with the data. For these comparisons, the five models displayed diurnal variations that, in general, agreed with the measurements. However, each one of the five models exhibited a clear deficiency in at least one of the four geophysical cases that was not common to the other models. Therefore, contrary to expectations, the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere models were not found to be superior to the uncoupled ionospheric models for the cases considered. The spread in NmF 2 calculated by the five models was typically less than a factor of 2 during the day but was as large as a factor of 10 at certain local times during the night. The latter problem was traced to insufficient nocturnal maintenance processes in two of the uncoupled ionospheric models. The general findings of this study have important implications for the National Space Weather Program.


Background: Cyathula prostrata (Blume) L. from the family Amaranthaceae has been used traditionally for rheumatism, dysentery, wounds and urethral discharges in the tropical regions of the world. Aim: The present study was undertaken to perform quality control standardization and to evaluate antioxidant activity of the leaf, stem, root and the whole plant of Cyathula prostrata. Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were carried out on the plant using standard procedures. Powdered sample of the leaf was evaluated with various organic solvents for fluorescence. The chloroform, ethyl-acetate and methanolic extracts of the leaf, stem, root and whole plant were subjected to various pharmacognostic analyses and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH assay.Further, thin layer chromatoghraphy was used to evaluate the chloroform extract. Results: Important epidermal features in the plant include: coastal cells, unbranched, uniseriate, multicellular and non-glandular trichomes. Leaves are amphistomatic showing mostly anomocytic and actinocytic stomata. Starch grains are restricted to the adaxial surface. Vascular bundles are mainly collateral and well-developed bundle sheath. The transverse section of stem is circular, hypodermis (1-3 layers). Cross section of the root is described in detail for the plant. Cortex has angular cells. Fluorescence studies showed different colours. Physico-chemical results are comparable with standards. The TLC profile showed presence of at least seven compounds in the leaf, root and the whole plant extracts, while nine components were obtained from the stem extract. The ethyl acetate extract of the root and ethanol extract of the stem gave the highest phenolic contents (30.09±3.768 mg GAE/g) and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (87.0 ± 0.208), respectively. Conclusion: The distinctive features established in this study are steps in identification, standardization and quality control of this medicinal plant.


Staphylococcal alpha-toxin targets several cell types which are important components of cardiac vegetations in endocarditis, including platelets, erythrocytes, and endothelial cells. We evaluated the in vivo role of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin in experimental endocarditis by using isogenic strains differing in the capacity to produce functional alpha-toxin, including 8325-4 (wild-type strain), DU-1090 (a mutant strain with allelic replacement of the alpha-toxin gene [hla]), DU1090(pH35L) (a mutant strain producing a target cell-binding but nonlytic toxin), DU1090(pDU1212) (a variant of DU1090 carrying the cloned hla gene on a multicopy plasmid), and DU1090(pCL84::hla) (a variant of DU1090 with a single copy of the hla gene cloned into the chromosomal lipase locus). In vitro, wild-type alpha-toxin (from parental strain 8325-4) extensively lysed both erythrocytes and platelets. In contrast, mutant alpha-toxin [from strain DU1090(pH35L)] lysed neither cell type. Following exposure to the wild-type alpha-toxin, platelet lysates were found to contain microbicidal activity against Bacillus subtilis (but not against Micrococcus luteus), as well as against the parental and alpha-toxin variant S. aureus strains noted above. Furthermore, lysate microbicidal activity was heat stable, neutralized by polyanionic filters or compounds, and recoverable from anionic filter membranes by hypertonic saline elution. These characteristics are consistent with those of cationic platelet microbicidal proteins (PMPs). Reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of three distinct PMPs (1, 2, and 3) in platelet lysates. In experimental endocarditis, the two variant staphylococcal strains producing either minimal alpha-toxin or nonlytic alpha-toxin in vitro [strains DU1090 and DU1090(pH35L), respectively] exhibited significantly lower virulence in vivo than the parental strain (decreased intravegetation staphylococcal densities). Paradoxically, the two variant staphylococcal strains producing alpha-toxin at supraparental levels in vitro [strains DU1090(p1212) and DU1090(pCL84::hla)] also exhibited significantly decreased induction rates and intravegetation staphylococcal densities in experimental endocarditis versus the parental strain. The reduced in vivo virulence of the latter variant staphylococcal strains could not be explained by differences in bacteremic clearance or initial adherence to sterile vegetations (compared to the parental strain). These findings suggest that the reduced virulence exhibited by the variant staphylococcal strains in this model was related to pathogenetic events subsequent to bacterial adherence to the damaged endocardium. Excess intravegetation secretion of alpha-toxin, leading to increased PMP release (secondary to either increased platelet secretion or lysis), may well explain the reduced virulence observed in experimental endocarditis.


The study objective was to determine the relationship between strategy implementation of McKinsey's 7S Framework and performance of large supermarkets in Nairobi. Out of twenty one questionnaires administered, eighteen were received representing a response rate of 86. % and was considered adequate for further analysis. The finding of the study was a correlation coefficient of .868 when the relationship between McKinsey's 7S and firm performance was tested. This depicts a strong relationship between performance by the firm and the independent variables. The coefficient of determination (R2) was .753. Therefore, McKinsey's 7S dimensions account for 75.3% of the variations in firm performance. The study sought to assess the influence of Mckinsey's 7S framework, strategy adoption, barriers to strategy implementation, drivers to strategy implementation and firm performance. The results revealed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.921 which show a strong relationship between performance by the firm and independent variables. The results showed a R2 of 0.848 was established. The results suggest that strategy adoption, McKinsey 7S framework, drivers to strategy implementation and barriers to strategy implementation account for 84.8% of the variation in firm performance. Factor analysis found that cross-functionality of the strategy adoption, McKinsey 7S framework, drivers to strategy implementation and barriers to strategy implementation as the critical success factors for firm performance.  The study concluded that the adoption of Mckinsey's 7S framework would lead to improved firm performance. Future research work should assess the moderating and intervening effects and incorporate subjective and objective measures of performance.


Introduction The aim of this study is to compare the clinical features, mortality and causes of death of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients in four large multicentre registries. Methods Patients seen at least once in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study (ASCS) (n = 1714), the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) (n = 1628), the European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) Network (n = 13,996) and the Systemic Sclerosis Cohort in Singapore (SCORE) (n = 500) before August 2016 were included. Clinical manifestations and survival in cohorts and disease subtypes were compared. Results Among 17,838 SSc patients, most were female (86.1%), Caucasian (84.6%) and had the limited cutaneous subtype (lcSSc) (65.0%). The anti-centromere autoantibody was the most prevalent (37.6%). More patients in SCORE had the diffuse subtype (dcSSc) (49.3%) and Scl-70 autoantibody (38.8%) (p<0.001). Patients with dcSSc were more likely to be younger and male (p<0.001) and have shorter disease duration, more calcinosis, tendon friction rubs and synovitis (all p<0.001). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurred more frequently in dcSSc but prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was similar in both subtypes. More deaths occurred among SCORE patients who had the shortest median survival (p<0.001). The survival of patients with early disease, males and those with dcSSc was shorter than that of patients with prevalent disease, female gender and lcSSc, respectively. SSc-related complications accounted for more than 50% of deaths, with PAH and ILD being the most common. Conclusions This meta-cohort of SSc patients, the largest reported to date, provides insights into the impact of race and sex on disease manifestations and survival and confirms the early mortality in this disease.


The role of African technologies and agricultural knowledge in the development of rice farming in the Americas has drawn considerable scholarly attention in the last decade. That Africans might have contributed not just their labor to the tidal rice-farming systems of the South Carolina Low Country but also essential knowledge of the techniques needed to grow rice in that challenging environment is highly appealing. It gives agency to enslaved Africans and recognizes the sophistication of West African riziculture. The most recent expression of this idea has been Judith Carney's Black Rice.1 Carney's work has been challenged by David Eltis, Philip Morgan, and David Richardson, who have argued that the number of slaves coming to South Carolina from rice-growing areas of Africa is too small to explain the development of American rice farming.2 Edda Fields-Black's new book contributes to this debate primarily by adding to our knowledge of the coastal rice-farming systems of Guinea and Sierra Leone, where rice-farming techniques most closely resemble the tidal irrigation systems of the South Carolina Low Country. In this part of Sierra Leone, farmers clear mangrove swamps and, through careful control of the movement of fresh water through the fields, drain and desalinate the soil. This is a process that can take years and that can be reversed almost instantly if embankments built to keep salt water out are breached. Managing the water supply to these fields requires careful harnessing of tides in the river estuaries so that salt water is kept out but fresh water is allowed in. Early observers of this system assumed that the stateless societies of the coast were unlikely to have created so complex a technology and that it must have been introduced either by Europeans or by Africans from the states of the interior. Focusing on the Rio Nunez region, Fields-Black examines the evolution of this system, tracing out a description of the region's inhabitants going back to the second millennium BCE. The earliest inhabitants were not farmers at all, but their exploitation of the coastal environment as foragers created a body of knowledge about the highly saline soils and environmental niches that would later be used by farmers to grow rice and other crops in this area. Between 500 and 1000 CE these coastal communities developed the fundamental technologies and techniques that would characterize tidal rice cultivation. In an argument that consciously parallels


Plants have been used as medicine in ancient. Now day's Pharmaceutical companies start processing of medicinal and aromatic plants in their formulation by using extraction of active components. Extraction of plant components like volatile, Essential or ethereal oils and mixtures composed of volatile liquid and solid compounds depend upon their composition and their boiling point. Now days there are several processes like distillation, enfleurage, maceration, expression, solvent extraction and fluid extraction are available for extraction of plant components. This review also summarizes the characters of phytoconstituents, choice of solvents, influence of solvents, extraction strategy, procedures for extraction of herbal drugs and treatment of drug residue after extraction.


Early studies have been conducted to test various inbred and outbred strains of mice as colonization and disease models. The infecting strain of Campylobacter jejuni will influence the outcome of infection even in inbred mice. Therefore, C. jejuni strain and history in the laboratory should be taken into consideration. Murine models of colonization and enteritis induced by primary oral C. jejuni challenge have long been needed to explore the genetics of resistance to this pathogen and the genetics of virulence of the pathogen; however, the basis for why most immunocompetent mice are refractory to C. jejuni induced disease is still unknown. Typhlocolitis is the main pathological lesion that can be observed by either gross or histopathological examination, although inflammation is observed in other GI tissues, including the stomach and liver. Severe combined immunodeficient mice have been tested for colonization and enteritis induced by C. jejuni. Researchers showed that wild-type C3H mice with normal enteric flora were colonized inconsistently and inefficiently by C. jejuni 81-176. Models for C. jejuni vaccine development are dependent on animals capable of expressing disease after challenge and mounting an adaptive immune response after vaccination. The greater the volume of feces that is cultured, the higher the probability will be that an accurate identification of colonization status is made. Despite progress in development of tractable murine models for study of C. jejuni colonization and enteritis, gaps in model development still exist.


Econophysics, statistical mechanics, and financial mathematics are interdisciplinary study that combines economics, statistical physics, stochastic analysis, stochastic processes, optimization, numerical methods, and quantitative finance. This special issue presents five high-quality researches in this interdisciplinary area. A. Ishikawa et al. analytically show that the logarithmic average sales of firms first follow power-law growth and subsequently follow exponential growth, if the growth-rate distributions of the sales obey the extended-Gibrat's property and law. They analytically show that the parameter of the extended-Gibrat's property is identical to the powerlaw growth exponent and that it decides the parameter of the exponential growth. Y. H. Shin and H.-S. Lee propose a regime switching model of schooling choice as a job search process. They adopt a two-state Markov process and the derived coupled Bellman equations and suggest some numerical examples in this framework. D.-L. Sheng focuses on a reserve process with dynamic income to study the reinsurance-investment problem for an insurer under Vasicek stochastic interest rate model. C. Nie and X. Jin effectively predict the long-term time series data to schedule an investment strategy and obtain higher profit, considering that a stock price is a typical but complex type of time series data. They argue that their prediction method on the longterm stock price dynamics can be more precise and prevent the development of cumulative errors compared to the other methodologies. C. Xie et al. test the existence of systematic risk contagion within the Chinese interbank market with a particular data set from 2005 to 2013. By building the networks of the Chinese interbank market for each year and using the measure of mutual information, they quantitatively detect the changes of interbankmarket networks and observe that the correlations between banks become increasingly tighter in recent years. By compiling these interdisciplinary and quantitative papers, the editors hope to enrich the readers and academic researchers knowledge with respect to the econophysics, statistical mechanics, and quantitative economics and finance.


ABSTRACT Background: Despite the advances in treatment, fatigue is a common symptom experienced by many patients undergoing hemodialysis, and is associated with poor health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of foot massage with chamomile oil and almond oil on the severity of fatigue and quality of life of Hemodialysis patients. Methods: In these four parallel groups controlled clinical trial, 120 male patients under hemodialysis were randomly assigned to foot massage groups and control (30 in each group) from June 2016 to April 2017 in Urmia, Iran. foot massage using either chamomile oil, almond oil or no oils was provided to patients undergoing hemodialysis for two months. The primary outcome measures were the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and secondary outcomes included quality of life using the Short-Form Quality of Life for Renal Patients questionnaire (KDQOL-SF). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's and paired t-test in SPSS the (Version 16) at the significance level P<0.05. Results: The mean FSS scores after the implementation of foot massage in all intervention groups were significantly lower than the control group (P=0.005). Mean KDQOL-SF scores after the intervention in all intervention groups increased compared to the control group, but this increase was not statistically significant (P=0.34). Conclusion: Foot massage appears to be effective in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Further studies are needed to confirm and extend these results. Furthermore, involvement of patients' companions as family caregivers in massage therapy can lead to continuation of this effective intervention at home. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2016121731438N1.


This draft is Chapter Two of a book entitled, "A Theory of Just Punishment." One initial premise of the book is that current punishment theory is misguided in two respects. First, ordinary punishment theory tries to provide moral justifications for legal punishment, instead of trying to describe just norms for punishment. This is to work in the wrong direction. A moral justification for punishment will not provide us with a description of norms for just punishment. It will not tell us how to formulate self defense, why provocation manslaughter is a partial defense instead of an offense, or whether negligence is a kind of criminal fault. But to describe just norms for punishment does tell us how legal punishment is morally justified. Second, ordinary punishment theory tries to provide a moral justification by reference to punishment's functions – principally, deterrence and retribution. But legal punishment manifestly serves a large number of functions simultaneously. The functionalist approach makes it necessary to order these many functions, bringing them into conflict, placing one over the other, or denying one or another of them. This war is both pointless and incoherent. Therefore, "A Theory of Just Punishment" takes a fresh start on the problem, attempting to describe just punishment norms. Explaining this fresh start requires a bit of metatheory at the beginning. Chapter Two's contribution to this task is to explain several kinds of normative punishment theory, focusing on implicitly normative punishment theory.


Traffic simulation has been extensively used as a decision support tool for efficient traffic management in daily life. During disasters and incidents, traffic simulation can further help rescue teams to understand the current traffic state and the possible impacts of proposed strategies and then to make proper decisions. At this point, the changes in traffic demand should also be considered in the simulation to reflect the latest traffic state. In this paper, a demand-oriented traffic management system for disasters and incidents with a web-based portal is introduced. In this system, not only the real-time data from loop and wireless detectors but also traffic simulation are used for reconstructing and predicting the traffic state. Furthermore, four traffic demand categories for disasters and incidents are proposed in the system. Some respective demand characteristics are collected according to historical cases, such as departure pattern and people's perception about evacuation. Such characteristics will be used in the system, since they have a great influence on the simulated traffic state and the effectiveness of applied strategies. Finally, the approach how to generate the respective special demands for disasters and incidents with consideration of the normal traffic demand is proposed as well.


This thesis is a study of the Glasgow novel from its
beginnings in the early nineteenth century till the present
day. After a brief look at the issues raised by Scottish
industrial fiction in general we go on to approach the
Glasgow genre in the light of the themes and groupings
it has thrown up, and in doing so a chronological history
emerges indirectly. We find no all embracing theory, but
a number of significant points are raised. Foremost stands
a continuing split between a vision of the city as an
industrial centre and, conversely, as a centre of culture.
Chapter One shows the novelist's view of materialism and
ambition in the Victorian city and how this changes as we
enter the twentieth century. The next Chapter examines
the Glasgow examples of kailyard fiction. Chapter Three
then traces the increasing awareness of lower life in the
novel and the technical approaches it involves, and the
next Chapter looks in detail at an offshoot of this - the
gang novel. Chapter Five, on politics, gives the lie to
the myth of Red Clyde si d e, and confirms the split approach
to the city. Chapter Six views the Glasgow novel through
its. apprehension of religion and its replacement as the
genre ages by an interest in the individual, Chapter Seven
looks at the many different manifestations of pride associated
with the city, while Eight and Nine deal with the peculiar
contributions of respectively women and children, Chapter Ten shows how the city's past has evoked various responses
- some superficial others strongly felt - and Chapters
Eleven and Twelve give a detailed look at the two most
important writers to have worked on the city. Finally
the Glasgow genre is set in context - against the wider
background of both Scottish and English regional fiction.


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generic user mapping hints in a supplemental data handshake message
defined in RFC 4680. One such mapping hint is defined in an
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Many cell functions are regulated through changes in the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]I). Often, stimuli that cause release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores later cause influx of Ca2+ through channels in the plasma membrane. However, the identity of these so-called store-operated channels (SOCs) in the plasma membrane and the mechanisms by which they are coupled to emptying of intracellular stores has remained unclear. Ma et al. took advantage of a new inhibitor of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptors to show that the IP3 receptor channels (which mediate release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores) are required for both activation and maintained conductance of SOCs in the plasma membrane. The effects of the IP3 channel inhibitor are not the result of alterations in Ca2+ release. The results also distinguish the SOCs from TRP channels, which have been considered to be another candidate to mediate Ca2+ influx after depletion of intracellular stores. Ma, H.-T., Patterson, R.L., Van Rossum, D.B., Birnbaumer, L., Mikoshiba, K., and Gill, D.L. (2000) Requirement of the inositol trisphosphate receptor for activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels. Science 287: 1647-1651. [Abstract] [Full Text]


In a search model, prospects encounter salespeople who can try to persuade them. Persuasive messages can increase the utility of buying or increase the cost of not buying. The latter reduces welfare. Equilibria where only some salespeople make a persuasive effort often exist. Salespeople vary in their empathy, and choose their jobs accordingly. When all prospects are persuadable, a negative correlation between empathy and sales suggests that persuasion increases the cost of not buying. When only some are, messages that increase the utility of purchasing can reduce welfare. They can also lead to a negative correlation between empathy and sales.


Many proponents of intellectual property law seek refuge in a personality theory of property associated with G.W.F. Hegel. This theory seems to protect intellectual property from potential attacks by a utilitarian analysis that would recognizes property only contingently insofar as it furthers society's goals of utility or wealth maximization. Personality theory, in contrast, supposedly offers a principled argument that intellectual property right must be recognized by a just state, regardless of efficiency considerations. Personality theory also seems to protect intellectual property from assault by critics who maintain that it is not a form of "true" property at all. Finally, personality theory has also been used to support an argument for heightened protection of intellectual property beyond that given to other forms of property - the Continental "moral" right of artists in their creations is an example. Unfortunately, references to Hegel by personality theorists are almost always incorrect. Prof. Schroeder seeks to save Hegel from the misperceptions of his well-meaning proponents. It is true that Hegel thinks that a modern constitutional state should establish a minimal private property regime because property plays a role in the constitution of personality. It is not true, however, that Hegel thought that society is required to respect any specific type of property or any specific claim of ownership. It is also true that Hegel thought that intellectual property could be analyzed as a form of "true" property and not as a sui generis right that is merely analogous to property. However, it is not true that Hegel ascribes any special role to intellectual property. As such, Hegel's theory can not be used to support the proposition that the state must recognize intellectual property claims, only that it may do so. Moreover, the Continental moral right of artists is inconsistent with an Hegelian analysis of property. In contrast to a widespread misconception, Hegel completely rejects any concept of natural law generally, and any natural right of property, specifically. Indeed, Hegel considers the expression "natural rights" to be an oxymoron. To Hegel, nature is unfree and legal rights are artificial constructs created as a means of actualizing freedom by escaping the causal chains of nature. Consequently, rights are not merely not natural, they are unnatural. Having no recourse to nature, Hegel justifies the concept of property on purely functional grounds - the role it plays in the modern state. Specifically, property is necessary for the development of one limited aspect of personality that I call "legal subjectivity." Legal subjectivity is the mere capacity to respect the rule of law - nothing more. This is a precondition to the liberal state which is supposed to be governed by the rule of law, not the rule of men, as the feudal state was. Hegel's property analysis does not directly relate to any other aspect of personality - and certainly not to what Margaret Jane Radin calls "human flourishing." Hegel calls this regime of property and contract "abstract" right precisely because, it is a necessary but insufficient part of modern society. The subjectivity created by abstract right only provides the form of personality. Content is only added to personality through more complex interrelationships among people at the higher levels of morality and ethical life. It follows from the fact that the subjectivity created by abstract right is purely formal, that it is only the form of property, and not its content that is relevant to Hegel's analysis. This means that if copyright can serve property's function in the production of legal subjectivity, it is not because of any affirmative, concrete content that the creator pours into the object she creates. Hegel argues that copyright can serve as property because of its formal characteristics, despite its unique content. A Hegelian property analysis has two important implications for intellectual property law. First, if society decides to adopt an intellectual property law regime, then it is logically coherent to analyze the regime as a form of "true" property. Indeed, Prof. Schroeder shows that a Hegelian understanding of property solves many of the "problems" of intellectual property doctrine that seem baffling from a traditional property analysis. Consequently, a Hegelian property analysis can aid legislators and judges in formulating a more internally consistent and predictable positive law. But, unfortunately for most personality theory proponents, Hegel's logic has absolutely nothing to say on the issue as to whether society should adopt a positive law of intellectual property. The question as to what positive laws society should adopt is purely a matter of practical reasoning.


In the mid-1600s, Manchu bannermen spearheaded the military force that conquered China and founded the Qing Empire, which endured until 1912. By the end of the Taiping War in 1864, however, the descendants of these conquering people were coming to terms with a loss of legal definition, an ever-steeper decline in living standards, and a sense of abandonment by the Qing court. Focusing on three generations of a Manchu family (from 1750 to the 1930s), Orphan Warriors is the first attempt to understand the social and cultural life of the bannermen within the context of the decay of the Qing regime. The book reveals that the Manchus were not "sinicized," but that they were growing in consciousness of their separate ethnicity in response to changes in their own position and in Chinese attitudes toward them. Pamela Kyle Crossley's treatment of the Suwan Guwalgiya family of Hangzhou is hinged upon Jinliang (1878-1962), who was viewed at various times as a progressive reformer, a promising scholar, a bureaucratic hack, a traitor, and a relic. The author sees reflected in the ambiguities of his persona much of the plight of other Manchus as they were transformed from a conquering caste to an ethnic minority. Throughout Crossley explores the relationships between cultural decline and cultural survival, polity and identity, ethnicity and the disintegration of empires, all of which frame much of our understanding of the origins of the modern world.


The ability to construct functional polymeric hybrid nanomaterials is critically important for many applications. In this thesis I present the synthesis of amphiphilic polymers of various compositions including insulating coil-coil, semiconducting rod-coil, semiconducting brush-coil, and bioconjugated rod-coil polymers. The self-assembly of these polymers is presented along with methodologies for controlling the organization of nanomaterials and polymers towards the construction of functional hybrid materials with controllable structures and properties. In this thesis, an analysis of the conditions necessary to stabilize the cooperative self-assembly of nanoparticles and amphiphilic block copolymers into a unique cavity-like structure is presented. This work reveals the mechanism behind the formation of the structure and presents experimental and theoretical phase maps that show the conditions required to stabilize this structure for a range of nanoparticle sizes. These self-assembly guidelines provide an essential foundation for the generation of functional composites with predesigned structures and properties. A high-yield click chemistry synthesis of an amphiphilic conjugated block copolymer with systematic block lengths that self-assembles into well-defined nanofibers whose length can be effectively controlled by varying the relative block-lengths is also presented. Furthermore, superstructures of bundled and branched nanofibers with tunable shapes, lengths, and densities were fabricated through hierarchical self-assembly. This work demonstrates that complex superstructures of organic semiconductors can be fabricated via bottom-up selfassembly approach using preformed nanofibers as building blocks. The solution phase self-assembly of an amphiphilic conjugated brush copolymer into an elongated nanoribbon structure is also reported. The subtle effects of hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking interactions were investigated and found to be critical in the formation of this unusual structure which has not been reported for amphiphilic conjugated block copolymers and is important because it could offer insight into how internal packing structures affect the electronic properties of the polymer. The synthesis and self-assembly of a bio-conjugated rod-coil block copolymer into distinct nanostructures is also presented. These functional bio-conjugated polymers combine the optoelectronic properties of semiconducting polymers with the bio-recognition properties of DNA and is important because it offers a new approach to forming semiconducting nanostructures with controllable geometries by self-assembly and to interface with biological molecules. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Chemistry This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/648 First Advisor So-Jung Park Second Advisor Mike Fryd


Abstract In this study, the microstructural and densification behavior of titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium carbonitride (TiCN) reinforced Ti-6Al-4V were investigated under an applied pressure of 50 MPa, sintering temperatures of 1000–1100 °C, heating rate of 100 °C/min and dwell time of 10–20 min through spark plasma sintering technique. Results show that the microstructural transformation of the titanium matrix composite comprises of a mixture of lamellar colonies with β grain boundaries and nanoparticles with an average grain size range of 4.5–6.0 μm. Furthermore, an addition of nanoceramics TiN/TiCN resulted in microstructural transformation, uniform particle distribution within the metal matrix and along the grain boundary. However, the sintered relative density of the composites decreased with the percentage increase in TiCN, while fully dense composites were obtained at a sintering temperature of 1100 °C. Microhardness values of the sintered composites reach a greater level in comparison to Ti-6Al-4V alloy while fracture morphology of the sintered composites with addition of nanoceramics (TiN/TiCN) displayed a transgranular transformation within the matrix accompanied with fine dimple features.


Measurements of river and lake water levels from space-borne radar altimeters (past missions include ERS, Envisat, Jason, Topex) are useful for calibration and validation of large-scale hydrological models in poorly gauged river basins. Altimetry data availability over the downstream reaches of the Brahmaputra is excellent (17 high-quality virtual stations from ERS-2, 6 from Topex and 10 from Envisat are available for the Brahmaputra). In this study, altimetry data are used to update a large-scale Budyko-type hydrological model of the Brahmaputra river basin in real time. Altimetry measurements are converted to discharge using rating curves of simulated discharge versus observed altimetry. This approach makes it possible to use altimetry data from river cross sections where both in-situ rating curves and accurate river cross section geometry are not available. Model updating based on radar altimetry improved model performance considerably. The Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency increased from 0.77 to 0.83. Real-time river basin modelling using radar altimetry has the potential to improve the predictive capability of large-scale hydrological models elsewhere on the planet.


Responding to suggestions that the "fair use" defence in US copyright law should be exported to other jurisdictions, this article scrutinises the different ways in which the defence has been applied in decisional law. Fair use cases fall into two broad categories. First, the defence has been applied to ensure that the exercise of the copyright monopoly does not significantly fetter downstream creativity by other authors. Here, the prevailing doctrine requires that the defendant's use be genuinely "transformative", which, at the very least, requires the defendant to be using the plaintiff's work in new and creative ways – transforming it into something new. Secondly, fair use has been applied to new technological innovations – such as digital search engines – that do not themselves transform the underlying works, but instead often provide new ways of disseminating copyright-protected material. The paper argues that only the first use of the fair use defence is consistent with traditional fair use doctrine. Accordingly, if policy makers anticipate that fair use should be applied in a way that shields technological entrepreneurship from copyright litigation, they ought to make that clear. Even if that approach were adopted, however, it is questionable whether fair use litigation is an appropriate vehicle for facilitating technological development. The final part of the article explores some of the problems that might arise through this kind of "economic regulation through litigation."


Can the structure of asset markets change the way monetary policy should be conducted? Following a linear-quadratic approach, the present paper addresses this question in a New Keynesian small open economy framework. Our results reveal that the configuration of asset markets significantly affects optimal monetary policy and the performance of standard policy rules. In particular, when comparing complete and incomplete markets, the ranking of policy rules is entirely reversed, and so are the policy prescriptions regarding the optimal level of exchange rate volatility.


We consider how data is produced and used in cities. We draw on our experiences working with city authorities, along with twenty interviews across four cities to understand the role that data plays in city government. Following the development and deployment of innovative data-driven technology projects in the cities, we look in particular at collaborations around open and crowdsourced data, issues with the politicisation of data, and problems in innovating within the highly regulated public sphere. We discuss what this means for cities, citizens, innovators, and for visions of big data in the smart city as a whole.


Future of dentistry has become one of the most unique resources and providers of this oral systemic approach. In determining the patient's unique needs, it is becoming increasingly important for the dentist to work with other cutting-edge, integrative practitioners to fully assess the individual requirements of the patient before, during, and after dental care. Witnessing the beginning of truly groundbreaking advances in technology is a rare opportunity. Skepticism is a natural reaction when we are presented with a radically new method and its potential uses. Skepticism helps us filter the valuable from the worthless, the permanent from the ephemeral, and the rational from the preposterous. The present article describes a brief review on some of the breakthrough advances in dentistry regarding tissue engineering, nanodentistry and ozone therapy.

 Key words: Nanodentistry, ozone therapy, tissue engineering.


Phytochemicals and micronutrients represent a growing theme in antimicrobial defense; however, little is known about their anti-borreliae effects of reciprocal cooperation with antibiotics. A better understanding of this aspect could advance our knowledge and help improve the efficacy of current approaches towards Borrelia sp. In this study, phytochemicals and micronutrients such as baicalein, luteolin, 10-HAD, iodine, rosmarinic acid, and monolaurin, as well as, vitamins D3 and C were tested in a combinations with doxycycline for their in vitro effectiveness against vegetative (spirochetes) and latent (rounded bodies, biofilm) forms of Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia garinii. Anti-borreliae effects were evaluated according to checkerboard assays and supported by statistical analysis. The results showed that combination of doxycycline with flavones such as baicalein and luteolin exhibited additive effects against all morphological forms of studied Borrelia sp. Doxycycline combined with iodine demonstrated additive effects against spirochetes and biofilm, whereas with fatty acids such as monolaurin and 10-HAD it produced FICIs of indifference. Additive anti-spirochetal effects were also observed when doxycycline was used with rosmarinic acid and both vitamins D3 and C. Antagonism was not observed in any of the cases. This data revealed the intrinsic anti-borreliae activity of doxycycline with tested phytochemicals and micronutrients indicating that their addition may enhance efficacy of this antibiotic in combating Borrelia sp. Especially the addition of flavones balcalein and luteolin to a doxycycline regimen could be explored further in defining more effective treatments against these bacteria.


The preparation of well-defined core cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles is reported, utilizing multi-functional dendritic cross-linkers that allow for the effective stabilization of supramolecular polymer assemblies and the simultaneous introduction of reactive groups within the core domain. Amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(styrene) (PAA-b-PS) that contained alkynyl functionality, partially incorporated throughout the hydrophobic PS block segment, were utilized as Click-readied precursors for the formation of polymer micelles. Divergently-grown dendrimers of the zero, first, second and third generations, having increasing numbers of azide terminating groups ((N3)2-[G-0], (N3)4-[G-1], (N3)8-[G-2], and (N3)16-[G-3], respectively), were investigated as cross-linkers via Click reactions with the polymer alkynyl groups to form covalent linkages throughout the micellar core domains, thus forming core cross-linked nanoparticles. All four generations of dendrimers were found to cross-link the micelle core effectively and afford robust nanostructures, whilst simultaneously introducing Click-readied functionalities throughout the hydrophobic domain, which are proposed to be readily available for further chemical modification.


Views expressed do not necessarily reflect official positions of the Federal Reserve System. Since the financial crisis began in mid-2007, media sources and academics alike have scrutinized data from the banking sector to understand how lending to consumers and firms has changed. "Total loans and leases" by commercial banks are the sum of real estate loans, individual loans, commercial and industrial loans, and other loans. This measure is part of the H.8 data, which provide weekly aggregate balance sheet data for commercial banks with a charter in the United States. If considered over the past three decades, the series appears approximately on trend but slightly erratic during the current recession; total loans and leases remains fairly constant until the end of 2008:Q3, when it increases sharply and then declines. If our goal is to understand changes in lending dynamics, particularly over the past few quarters, does this series imply that commercial bank lending increased in the last few months of 2008 and then bank lending to the public contracted? Not quite. Several reasons suggest reading such data with extreme care.1 First, existing loans and leases at each point in time are equilibrium quantities that depend on the interaction between the supply and demand of credit. Whether the observed decrease in the series is caused by banks restricting their lending or by borrowers demanding less credit during a major recession remains unclear. Second, commercial banks are responsible for only a fraction (about 35 percent) of financial intermediation in the U.S. economy. The H.8 release does not include the loans of other intermediaries (thrifts and non-depository institutions); therefore, just because we do not observe a large contraction in this volume of total loans and leases does not mean that a contraction in the overall economy has not occurred. In fact, evidence suggests that other credit markets have been severely strained.2 Third, since the onset of the crisis, several financial services companies and thrifts that made loans to consumers and firms (but whose loans were not included in the H.8 release) have either become commercial banks or have been acquired by commercial banks. When a commercial bank acquires a thrift, an insurance company, or another financial firm, the loans of the target (acquired) company suddenly appear as additional commercial bank loans even though no real change in credit took place in the economy. Many such transactions have occurred since the crisis began, creating an upward shift to the series that cannot be interpreted as an increase in lending. (Take, for example, the acquisition of the banking operations of Washington Mutual by JPMorgan Chase on September 25, 2008.) Fourth, evidence indicates that firms and individuals are taking advantage of their previously unused (but committed) bank credit lines, just as they did in previous periods of credit contraction.3 If banks grant only a handful of new loans but borrowers continue to draw from existing lines of credit available at commercial banks, the end result would appear to be an increase in lending. At the same time, commercial banks may be withdrawing part of their commitments, which would not be recorded in balance sheet and H.8 data. Finally, this series may be affected by the programs implemented by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve (for example, the Troubled Asset Relief Program or the Term Auction Facility) and may have been very different without these interventions. These caveats indicate that caution is necessary when making inferences based solely on aggregate loans data.


Research Findings: In this study, 75 Spanish-speaking preschoolers (M age = 41.43 months, SD = 10.78 months; 30 girls) attending a Migrant Head Start program were randomly assigned to receive the Storytelling for the Home Enrichment of Language and Literacy Skills (SHELLS) in addition to their Head Start services (n = 32) or to continue to receive their typical Head Start services (n = 43). Mothers' language-supporting behavior and home language and literacy environment as well as children's total number of words and total number of different words used during a shared narrative were assessed before and after the intervention. Mothers in the SHELLS group, compared with mothers in the comparison group, were significantly more likely to increase their use of language elicitation strategies and the quality of their home language and literacy environment. Children in the SHELLS group, compared with children in the comparison group, were significantly more likely to increase the number of total words and different words in the shared narratives from pretest to posttest. Practice or Policy: These results suggest that this culturally sensitive, strengths-based family intervention can be successful in supporting children's language and literacy with families who face multiple challenges related to poverty, language, and migration.


Abstract. The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) has 26 different Campi in several cities in the Parana State, Brazil; in total are 11 million m2 of area, with 500 thousand m2 of constructed area and 316 buildings. UFPR has more than 6000 employees – staff and administrative – about 50,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students. A great part of this academic community does not know completely the space where they work and study. If we consider the external public who has access to the UFPR these figures are even bigger. The unfamiliarity with space and its characteristics has direct impacts in several issues, such as management of resources (humans and materials), Campi infrastructure management, not only of the exterior but also of the interior of the buildings, security, and other issues that can be supported by the use of geoinformation. From this perspective, we have started a Project named UFPR CampusMap (UCM) whose main goal is to implement a Geographic Information System with information from the indoor and outdoor environments. Its main purpose is to provide an up-to-date database on the structure of the campus. Among its features is the search and definition of routes between points of interest. The study area is the Campus Centro Politécnico (Curitiba City). In this research we decided to use the cartographic representation in two different aspects: the floor plan that presents the building and rooms and a schematic map, when the visualization scale is bigger, to present the position of a room and the corridors. The schematic representation is also used as a basis for the routing algorithm. Both cartographic representations were derived from a database obtained in a vector file, which details such as doors, windows, stairs, and text. We used QGIS to edit and create the floor plan that has the geometry of the building and rooms. The schematic map construction is a time consuming task, since involves reducing the complexity of map details, while at the same time preserving the important characteristics (especially topology). In this research, the final goal is to produce a schematic map from floor plans, using a semiautomatic process. In this process, we have used both computational algorithms and manual processes. The schematic map is formed by the transition points – which represent the transition between corridors and rooms, stairs, and bathrooms, for example – and the lines connecting them. The position of the transition points is defined by the following rule: if the transition is a door, the point is placed in the middle of its length, and if the transition is a corridor, for example, a turning point, the point is placed at the end of one line and the beginning of the other. The lines representing the corridors were created manually, using QGIS software, by drawing the central line of the corridor's polygon. It was verified in this process the need to create a tool to automatize the processes o edition and creation of the schematic map. Thus, we propose the development of a Python QGIS Plugin to perform the schematization process. The plugin consists of four distinct interfaces, each one with one task:First, the centroids of each entrance space (room, for instance) are automatically created;Second, the "skeleton" line of the polygon referring to the corridor layer are created;Third, it is created a line calculated by the smallest distance between the centroid of the room to the centerlinegenerated in the previous stepFourth, this shorter line and the corridor are joined, turning this layer into a single layer.Figure 1 presents this process.After the process of schematization the layer is verified in order to correct topology errors, and to insert the room and corridors attributes. After this, the layer is inserted in a PostGIS database.


Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal cancers. Known risk factors for this disease are currently insufficient in predicting mortality. In order to better prognosticate patients with PDAC, we identified 20 genes by utilizing publically available high-throughput transcriptomic data from GEO, TCGA and ICGC which are associated with overall survival and event-free survival. A score generated based on the expression matrix of these genes was validated in two independent cohorts. We find that this "Pancreatic cancer prognostic score 20 –PPS20" is independent of the confounding factors in multivariate analyses, is dramatically elevated in metastatic tissue compared to primary tumor, and is higher in primary tumors compared to normal pancreatic tissue. Transcriptomic analyses show that tumors with low PPS20 have overall more immune cell infiltration and a higher CD8 T cell/Treg ratio when compared to those with high PPS20. Analyses of proteomic data from TCGA PAAD indicated higher levels of Cyclin B1, RAD51, EGFR and a lower E-cadherin/Fibronectin ratio in tumors with high PPS20. The PPS20 score defines not only prognostic and biological sub-groups but can predict response to targeted therapy as well. Overall, PPS20 is a stronger and more robust transcriptomic signature when compared to similar, previously published gene lists.


For intellectual property law and policy, the impact that patent rights may have on the ability of small companies to compete in the smartphone market is a critically important issue for continued robust innovation. Open and competitive markets provide vitality for the development of smartphone technologies. Nevertheless, the impact of patent rights on the smartphone industry is an unexplored area of empirical research. Thus, this Article seeks to show how patent rights affect the ability of small participants to enter, compete, and exit smartphone markets. The study collected and used comprehensive empirical data on patent grants, venture funding, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, patent litigation, and marketing research data. This Article shows empirically that small participants succeed in the market when they have a low and specific critical mass of patents and that this success exceeds the general norms in the startup world. Surprisingly, the analysis demonstrates that the level of financing and market success do not increase with larger patent portfolios. Lastly, despite the controversies over patent trolls, this Article demonstrates that patent litigation, whether from operating companies or NPEs, does not appear to be a significant concern for small players and does not appear to pose barriers to entry. The Article concludes by arguing that patent rights are providing incentives for innovation among small industry players and that contrary to some expectations, patent rights support competitiveness in the smartphone industry for small market players.


Colon and rectal cancer are increasingly common and regularly require surgical excision of the malignant tissue and joining together the two ends of the gastrointestinal track. The latter part of the operation is called anastomosis. A postoperative leakage where the anastomosis was fashioned is a not uncommon condition with very serious consequences. Several studies report technological advances aiming to prevent or to assess the risk of a leakage, or to heal a leakage once it has been detected. The authors also propose a new methodology to detect leakages during the operation. However, there is still a lack of a systematic and reliable procedure to entirely solve the leakage problem. The aim of this paper is to review the technology associated with the prevention, the detection and the treatment of an anastomotic leakage.


An existing model was modified in recognition of new geohydrologic interpretations and adjusted to simulate hydrographs in well fields in the Los Alamos area. Hydraulic-head drawdowns at the Buckman well field resulting from two projected ground-water-withdrawal alternatives were estimated with the modified model. The Chaquehui formation (informal usage) is the main new feature of recent hydrologic interpretations for the Los Alamos area. The Chaquehui occupies a "channel" that was eroded or faulted into the Tesuque Formation, and the Chaquehui is more permeable than the Tesuque. The Chaquehui is a major producing zone in the Pajarito Mesa well field and to a lesser extent in the Guaje well field. Model modification included splitting the four layers of the McAda-Wasiolek model (McAda, D.P., and Wasiolek, Maryann, 1988, Simulation of the regional geohydrology of the Tesuque aquifer system near Santa Fe, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4056, 71 p.) into eight layers to better simulate vertical ground-water movement. Other model modifications were limited as much as possible to the area of interest near Los Alamos and consisted mainly of adjusting hydraulic-conductivity values representing the Tesuque Formation, Chaquehui formation (informal usage), and Puye Formation, and adjusting simulated recharge along the Pajarito Fault Zone west of Los Alamos. Adjustments were based mainly on simulation of fluctuations in measured hydraulic heads near Los Alamos. Two possible alternative plans for replacing Guaje well field production were suggested by Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the first plan (Guaje alternative), the Guaje field would be renewed with four new wells replacing the existing production wells in the Guaje field. In the second plan (Pajarito-Otowi alternative), the Guaje well field would be retired and its former production would be made up by additional withdrawals from the Pajarito Mesa and Otowi well fields. A projection for each of these alternatives was made through 2012 using the new eightlayer model. In the Guaje field, projected hydraulic heads at the end of 2012 were as much as 50 feet lower with the Guaje alternative; in the Pajarito Mesa field, hydraulic heads were as much as 12 feet higher with the Guaje alternative. At the western end of the Los Alamos well field, projected hydraulic heads were about 20 feet higher with the Guaje alternative; at the eastern end of the Los Alamos field, the difference between alternatives was much less. At the Buckman field, projected hydraulic heads were about 2 feet higher with the Guaje alternative because the Buckman field is closer to the Pajarito Mesa field than to the Guaje field. Ways of improving the understanding of the flow system include developing a more accurate representation of the structure and extent of the Tesuque Formation, Chaquehui formation, and Puye Formation of the Santa Fe Group and obtaining more detailed geologic and hydrologic data for the Chaquehui and Puye. Data that describe water chemistry, hydraulic head, and degree of saturation would be valuable for determining the location and quantity of recharge on the Pajarito Plateau, especially along the west side of the Plateau and in canyon bottoms. Chloride concentrations in soil at the top of the Bandelier Tuff could be used to verify the concept that evapotranspiration accounts for nearly all precipitation over a large area of the plateau.