Recent years witnessed a growing interest in non-standard epistemic logics of knowing whether, knowing how, knowing what, knowing why and so on. The new epistemic modalities introduced in those logics all share, in their semantics, the general schema of $\exists x \Box \phi$, e.g., knowing how to achieve $\phi$ roughly means that there exists a way such that you know that it is a way to ensure that $\phi$. Moreover, the resulting logics are decidable. Inspired by those particular logics, in this work, we propose a very general and powerful framework based on quantifier-free predicate language extended by a new modality $\Box^x$, which packs exactly $\exists x \Box$ together. We show that the resulting language, though much more expressive, shares many good properties of the basic propositional modal logic over arbitrary models, such as finite-tree-model property and van Benthem-like characterization w.r.t.\ first-order modal logic. We axiomatize the logic over S5 frames with intuitive axioms to capture the interaction between $\Box^x$ and know-that operator in an epistemic setting.


We report two early Tertiary U-Pb zircon ages for pegmatite from the Black Mountains of Death Valley, California. These ages, 54.7 ± 0.6 Ma and 56 ± 3 Ma, are unique for much of southeastern California. The samples belong to a pegmatite suite that occupies part of the footwall of the Badwater turtleback, a late Tertiary extensional feature; similar but undated pegmatite intrudes the footwalls of the Copper Canyon and Mormon Point turtlebacks farther south. The pegmatite suite demonstrates that fabric development on the turtlebacks was at least a two-stage process. Fabrics cut by these pegmatites likely formed during the Mesozoic, whereas those that involve them formed during late Tertiary extension.


The observation of an ergodic Markov chain asymptotically allows perfect identification of the transition matrix. In this paper we determine the rate of the information contained in the first n observations, provided the unknown transition matrix belongs to a known finite set. As an essential tool we prove new refinements of the large deviation theory of the empirical pair measure of finite Markov chains. Keywords: Markov Chain, Entropy, Bayes risk, Large Deviations.


In the current study, real normal mode manifold approach is used to determine the nonlinear normal modes of the cantilever beam governed by a cubic order geometric and inertial nonlinearity. The system of governing partial differential equations are discretized by expanding the beam displacement using a series of modes which are the Eigenfunctions satisfying the linear beam equation along with the boundary conditions for a cantilever beam. The nonlinear normal modes are then determined by rewriting the discretized system of equation as two first order system of equations in terms of displacement and velocity. The method of multiple scales is adapted as solution procedure to derive the two first-order nonlinear ordinary-differential equations governing the modulation of the amplitudes and phases of the interacting modes of a cantilevered beam. The numerical results show how energy imparted to the first mode get exchanged with other modes through the nonlinear interactions. The bar chart of the logarithmic of generalized coordinate is analyzed for the first ten modes. The nonlinear frequency response diagrams of the cantilever beam for the primary resonance are obtained. The stable and unstable portions of each frequencyresponse curves are then determined. The influences of excitation level and nonlinearity on the nonlinear frequency response curves have been inspected.


We present a leverage theory of reputation building with co-branding. We show that under certain conditions, co-branding that links unknown firms in a new sector with established firms in a mature sector allows the unknown firms to signal a high product quality and establish their own reputation. We compare this situation with a benchmark in which both sectors are new and firms signal their quality only with prices. We investigate how this comparison is affected by the nature of the technology linking the two sectors and a cross-sector inference problem that consumers might face in identifying the true cause of product failure. We find that co-branding facilitates the process in which a Þrm in the new sector to signal its product quality only if the co-branding sectors produce complementary inputs and consumers face a cross-sector inference problem. We apply our insight to economics of superstars, multinational firms and co-authorship.


With the proper management, knowledge-based resources (human capital, relational capital, structural capital) aim to contribute to the creation of a competitive advantage not only for companies and institutions, but also for nations and economic regions. Intellectual Capital Strategy Management for Knowledge-Based Organizations brings together new perspectives on the knowledge- based view of strategy management as it considers the role of companies, organizations, and nations in the storage and measurement of their knowledge. This book is useful for industry leaders, practitioners, academics and scholars interested in emerging aspects of knowledge management and industry services.


Multiple system-level analyses provide insights into the regulatory events that underlie differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Control of cell fate is an example of a complex biological regulatory system in which changes in just one or a few components can propagate through a regulatory network to cause profound and permanent changes in the fundamental properties of a cell and how it functions. Lu et al. addressed the challenging task of characterizing, at a broad or "systems" scale, the events that underlie the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). They treated ESCs with short hairpin RNA designed to deplete cells of mRNA encoding Nanog, a transcription factor that has an important role in maintaining ESCs in a pluripotent state, thus initiating differentiation. They then used large-scale assays to measure the response of cells over the next several days: Changes in chromatin structure were monitored by chromatin immunoprecipitation and microarray analysis of histone acetylation. Localization of RNA polymerase II after chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to monitor transcription. Microarrays were used to monitor mRNA abundance. And, finally, mass spectrometry was used to measure changes in abundance of proteins in the nucleus. By comparing the responses of genes, mRNAs, and proteins over time, the authors could interpret whether primary regulation of a protein occurred by a transcriptional or posttranscriptional mechanism. Some intriguing properties could be noted: Changes in the abundance of many nuclear proteins were not accompanied by changes in mRNA abundance, emphasizing the role of translational and posttranslational regulation in cell fate decisions. Of genes that showed changes in transcriptional activity, only about half showed corresponding changes in protein abundance. Among the latter were several genes encoding essential ESC factors that function to retain pluripotency. Analysis of the timing of various changes also revealed insights into the direction of information flow in the network. The authors note that their manipulation of the cells (depletion of Nanog) is not a normal physiological event but argue that it nevertheless provides a system in which the dynamic complexity of cell fate decisions can be understood in terms of alterations in multiple layers of regulatory events. R. Lu, F. Markowetz, R. D. Unwin, J. T. Leek, E. M. Airoldi, B. D. MacArthur, A. Lachmann, R. Rozov, A. Ma'ayan, L. A. Boyer, O. G. Troyanskaya, A. D. Whetton, I. R. Lemischka, Systems-level dynamic analyses of fate change in murine embryonic stem cells. Nature 462, 358–362 (2009). [PubMed]


The data multiplex system (DMS), AN/USQ-82(V), first installed in the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers DDGs 51-78, is a multi-protocol shipwide area network specifically intended for real-time control system communications. Conceived as a redundant coaxial cable system supporting Navy-specific interfaces and communications protocols over a circuit-switched infrastructure, DMS allows the intercommunication of major ship systems. DMS has evolved to incorporate and support open architecture, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products. The DMS backbone network was updated to a redundant fiber optic ring system and became the fiber optic data multiplex system (FODMS). Installed or planned for installation in most of the Flight IIA ships of this class (DDGs 79-110), FODMS introduced fiber optics and packet switching. The Gigabit Ethernet data multiplex system (GEDMS), which is the next iteration beyond FODMS, is planned for DDG 111 and follow, as well as being a DMS replacement for DDGs 51-78. GEDMS upgrades the backbone network to a 1 Gb/s redundant Ethernet mesh, bringing enhanced multimedia capability to the ships. This paper traces the evolution of the DMS family of networks, as well as the growing roles of these shipwide networks, as Navy combatants become more network-centric


Do prices respond to macro shocks? Does the mere presence of international frontiers hinder trade? We revisit these questions by studying a dataset of online book prices for a number of US and Canadian retailers. We believe our dataset is well suited to this task for a number of reasons: (1) data for multiple retailers are available; (2) the products sold are identical across retailers; (3) the sample spans a period of large fluctuations in the bilateral exchange rate; (4) the nature of the industry is such that physical distance is irrelevant beyond shipping costs which are observable; (5) nominal frictions in the form of menu costs are arguably minimal; and (6) proxies for sales are available for most retailers. Given the unique nature of our dataset, the first objective of the paper is to document the degree of price rigidity and price dispersion. Our main findings are: online book prices display significant stickiness; there is a large degree of heterogeneity across retailers in terms of price rigidity and pricing strategy; price dispersion is high both within and across borders. Also, price levels do not appear to respond to exchange rate fluctuations. Building on the predictions from a simple two-country, multi-firm model and by exploiting information contained both in prices and quantities, we show that market segmentation is probably behind this disconnect .


Abstract Proposed by Linnaeus in 1753, Phlox ovata was a name of long-standing use until Reveal et al. established that an illustration cited in the Linnaean protologue and designated as the type of the species by a later monographer was based on a species from a different family, seemingly rendering P. ovata L. invalid and making P. latifolia Michx. the proper name. The issue was processed through a series of taxonomic papers that resolved the typification issue and ultimately ruled in favor of retaining P. ovata, but floristic and ecological workers have mostly used P. latifolia for this species since 1982. The correct name for the Allegheny phlox is Phlox ovata.


Summary
In this work, Trypanosoma ariarii, n. sp., has been described. This human parasite, found in the River Ariari Valley, Colombia, is characterized by an average size of 31 microns (in blood films), a nucleus anterior to the equator of the body, and a round, small, subterminal kinetoplast. T. ariarii shows division stages in the peripheral blood. Until now we have not found evolutionary forms in the viscera or tissues of experimental animals. Cebus fatuellus and the domestic dog have also been found naturally infected with T. ariarii. R. prolixus is experimentally infected quite easily with this protozoon. Also T. ariarii is cultivated in vitro without difficulty.
So far, using parasites grown in cultures, we have only succeeded in infecting a few baby mice, two opossums (Didelphys paraguayensis paraguayensis), one rhesus monkey and human volunteers. During the period of observation (11 and 15 months) the experimental infection followed an asymptomatic course in the two volunteers in whom the infection was established.
The frequency of human cases infected with T. ariarii in the Ariari Valley seems to be high. Out of 183 persons examined by blood cultures, 67 showed trypanosomes. It was possible to study completely the parasites isolated from 27 of these 67 infected people. The results were: 1 case with a mixed infection of both T. cruzi and T. ariarii, and 26 cases with single T. ariarii infections.


BACKGROUND
Sub-optimal management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients is widespread in primary and secondary care, with risk factors frequently unrecorded or untreated.

AIM
To investigate the effectiveness of educational interventions developed in primary care, on recording, prescribing and control of risk factors among all patients recorded by their general practitioner as having CVD.

DESIGN OF STUDY
Factorial, duster-randomised controlled trial.

SETTING
Primary care teams representing the range of practice development in a geographically defined area in inner London.

METHOD
Participating practices were randomly allocated to one of the four intervention groups: information, evidence, both or neither. Interventions were tailored to suit individual practice needs. At a mean of 19 months after baseline, and three months after the end of intervention, practices carried out the follow-up assessment of recording, treatment, and control of risk factors in the same CVD patients.

RESULTS
Adequate recording of all three risk factors, found inapproximately a third of patients at baseline, increased non-significantly by 10.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.9 to 24.9) in the information (versus not information) group and by 6.6% (95% [CI] = 8.9 to 22.0) in the evidence (versus not evidence) group. Factorial improvements in prescribing and control of risk factors tended not to be significant. Adequate recording of an three risk factors showed the greatest improvement in the information plus evidence group (19.9% increase, P for heterogeneity across the four groups < or = 0.001). Mean change from baseline to follow-up within the four intervention groups suggested improvements in the combined information plus evidence group in cholesterol recording (22.5% increase), prescribing of lipid lowering drugs (4.4% increase) and mean cholesterol (0.7 mmol/l decrease).

CONCLUSIONS
Adequate risk factor recording did not differ between the information (versus not information) or the evidence (versus not evidence) intervention groups. Combined training in information systems and evidence-based medicine should be considered in the design of future interventions, to improve secondary prevention of CVD.


This study aim was to analyze the differences in the sensory assessment of the rainbow cake with the addition of 30% sago starch and 100% rainbow cake using wheat flour. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two treatments and eight replication thus obtained 16 experimental units. The treatments were TS1 (100% wheat flour, 0% sago starch) and TS2 (70% wheat flour, 30% sago starch). The parameters observed were descriptive test which includes assessing the attributes of tenderness, softness, cake flavor, colour brightness and sweetness. The results of this study indicated that rainbow cake with TS1 treatment (100% wheat flour, 0% sago starch) and rainbow cake with TS2 treatment (70% wheat flour, 30% sago starch) had no significant difference on tenderness, flavor cake, colour brightness and sweetness but significant effect softness of rainbow cake. Keyword : sago starch, wheat flour, rainbow cake, sensori


Three helioseismic instruments on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory have observed the Sun almost continuously since early 1996. This has led to detailed study of the biases induced by the instruments that measure intensity or Doppler velocity variation. Photospheric turbulence hardly influences the tiny signature of conditions in the energy-generating core in the low-order modes, which are therefore very informative. We use sound-speed and density profiles inferred from GOLF and MDI data including these modes, together with recent improvements to stellar model computations, to build a spherically symmetric seismically adjusted model in agreement with the observations. The model is in hydrostatic and thermal balance and produces the present observed luminosity. In constructing the model, we adopt the best physics available, although we adjust some fundamental ingredients, well within the commonly estimated errors, such as the p-p reaction rate (+1%) and the heavy-element abundance (+3.5%); we also examine the sensitivity of the density profile to the nuclear reaction rates. Then, we deduce the corresponding emitted neutrino fluxes and consequently demonstrate that it is unlikely that the deficit of the neutrino fluxes measured on Earth can be explained by a spherically symmetric classical model without neutrino flavor transitions. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our results and future developments.


The oxygen concentration of the atmosphere likely increased substantially in the late
Neoproterozoic. Although several studies have presented compelling geochemical evidence
for this stepwise oxygenation, few have addressed the mechanisms behind it. Recently it was
hypothesized that the advent of eukaryotic life on land, and the associated increase in soil
respiration, led to a transient reduction in the supply of oxygen for rock weathering, temporarily
reducing oxidative weathering rates, allowing atmospheric oxygen levels to rise to
restore the oxygen supply. To evaluate this hypothesis quantitatively, we developed a simple
one-dimensional diffusion-reaction soil model that reduces the many oxygen weathering sinks
to one, pyrite, given that it is the dominant sink at low oxygen concentrations. In simulations
with no biological respiration, pyrite weathering rates become oxygen independent at an
atmospheric oxygen concentration between 10 –6 × the present-day atmospheric level (PAL)
and 1 PAL. On the other hand, when biological respiration is considered, pyrite weathering
remains oxygen dependent even at modern oxygen levels. Constrained by modern weathering
profiles and soil respiration rates, we find that the atmospheric oxygen level may have
increased by up to two orders of magnitude as biotic soil respiration increased. This may be
sufficient to explain the second rise in atmospheric oxygen inferred for the Neoproterozoic.


Property-based random testing (PBRT) is widely used in the functional programming and verification communities. For testing simple properties, PBRT tools such as QuickCheck can automatically generate random inputs of a given type. But for more complex properties, effective testing often demands generators for random inputs that belong to a given type and satisfy some logical condition. QuickCheck provides a library of combinators for building such generators by hand, but this can be tedious for simple conditions and error prone for more complex ones. Fortunately, the process can often be automated. The most prominent method, narrowing, works by traversing the structure of the condition, lazily instantiating parts of the data structure as constraints involving them are met. We show how to use ideas from narrowing to compile a large subclass of Coq's inductive relations into efficient generators, avoiding the interpretive overhead of previous implementations. More importantly, the same compilation technique allows us to produce proof terms certifying that each derived generator is good---i.e., sound and complete with respect to the inductive relation it was derived from. We implement our algorithm as an extension of QuickChick, an existing tool for property-based testing in Coq. We evaluate our method by automatically deriving good generators for the majority of the specifications in Software Foundations, a formalized textbook on programming language foundations.


One of the fundamental rules for the protection of health-care personnel in any circumstance, including contexts of armed conflicts, provides for a prohibition on punishing medical professionals who merely act in accordance with medical ethics. However, although the reasons for this prohibition may seem obvious, in contexts of non-international armed conflicts the provision of medical care to wounded and sick members of non-state armed groups can expose medical personnel to accusations of participation in criminal activities. Based on the Colombian domestic legislation and jurisprudence on the matter, this article aims to propose elements of analysis on the apparent contradiction that exists between, on the one hand, the prohibition against punishing medical personnel for merely providing health care to the wounded and sick who need it, and on the other, the prerogative of the state authorities to restore order and security within their territory through the imposition of criminal sanctions on members of non-state armed groups or their aiders and abettors.


This article will describe and discuss how tactile language might develop in a child who is congenitally deafblind (cdb), based on a real world enquiry of a five-year-old boy. This article is based on the RuG Master Thesis LET ME JOIN YOUR ATTENTION (Brede, 2008). It will draw attention to and give examples on how it looks like, when a teacher sees the child's communicative skills and acts to and answer the child's utterances, accepting it as language. Language development in seeing and hearing children normally happens very fast and is usually uncomplicated. The joint attention and perception of a tactile sign language is much more complicated, and the cdb children's natural gestural manner of being in the world can seem complicated to their communication partners. The children with cdb need competent partners, who need knowledge about features in the early processes to support the development. In this article, video capturing and analyses are presented as a research methodology. The results of this study describe ten steps within a period of 16 months where bodily experiences led to a shared meaningful sign. They describe and discuss joint attention in tactile language development. They also present an interesting path for meaning making, leading to linguistic units, which are influenced both by the culture and by the child himself. The results from a single case study of a boy with cdb may be of interest to the community of deafblindness, and to the augmentative and alternative communication community.


This work describes a simple technique for the safe removal of the midline parietal bone with the synostotic sagittal suture in infants with sagittal synostosis to avoid dural tearing and bleeding from the superior sagittal sinus. The technique consists of stepwise removal of the midline parietal bone in three pieces instead of one piece, starting with the anterior one-third midline bone being safely freed from the underlying dural sinus and then transversely cut using a craniotome. The step is repeated twice for the middle and distal one-third of the bone respectively. Once the midline bone is bilaterally cut along its entire length, the stepwise elevation of the superior sagittal sinus dura using an elevator and removal of the midline bone in three pieces allows a safer, controlled procedure minimizing the risk of tearing the underlying dural sinus and preventing sinus bleeding in infants with sagittal synostosis.


Many statistical models are given in the form of non-normalized densities with an intractable normalization constant. Since maximum likelihood estimation is computationally intensive for these models, several estimation methods have been developed which do not require explicit computation of the normalization constant, such as noise contrastive estimation (NCE) and score matching. However, model selection methods for general non-normalized models have not been proposed so far. In this study, we develop information criteria for non-normalized models estimated by NCE or score matching. They are derived as approximately unbiased estimators of discrepancy measures for non-normalized models. Simulation results and application to natural image and RNAseq data demonstrate that the proposed criteria enable selection of the appropriate non-normalized model in a data-driven manner. Extension to a finite mixture of non-normalized models is also discussed.


Amy Ross is national organiser for Aotearoa New Zealand's largest union, the Public Service Association (PSA) Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. She is also founder and organiser of the Social Work Action Network (SWAN), which is a network within the PSA that aims to unify and advocate for social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In this podcast Amy Ross shares her experience of what she describes as the remarkable strategic victory of bringing about the first step in gender pay equity to social workers in this country. In conversation with Deb Stanfield she celebrates the courage of the original claimants, and the genuine partnership between the union and Oranga Tamariki (Aotearoa New Zealand's child protection agency). Amy applies a critical lens to this significant historic event for women and for the profession of social work – an event she describes as taking us to a 'whole new level of discourse.'


This chapter investigates the use and development of dislocations in oral productions by Swedish learners of French L2. Dislocations are highly frequent in French oral speech and play an essential role in building utterances. L2 users of French must therefore acquire the grammatical means necessary to build this structure as well as the pragmatic principles underlying its use. The study is empirical, and based on a corpus of oral productions from a wide range of non-native speakers (NNS), from beginners studying at university to L2 users who have spent many years in France. The corpus also includes oral productions from a control group of native speakers (NS). The aim is to determine how the different forms and functions of dislocations develop in French L2. Furthermore, the study examines the influence of tasks on the use of dislocations, by analysing two tasks which place very different demands on the informants in terms of cognitive effort, namely interviews and retellings.


This book begins with the creation of the colony of the Philippines in 1898 and ends with national independence in 1946. However, the book does not center upon either; instead, it focuses on the economic, political, and legal struggles of Filipino immigrants in the United States. The book is organized chronologically, although there is some overlap of periods across chapters. The first chapter deals with the racial politics of empire and the establishment of the Philippines as a colony of the United States. This lays the groundwork for the analysis of the political economy of Filipino immigration (1900s–1920s) in the second chapter. The next chapter deals more specifically with social and legal barriers that Filipinos confronted during the first three decades of the century. Chapter Four is a study of violence directed against Filipinos in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Finally, last two chapters deal with the political negotiations for independence, the participation of Filipinos in the Second World War, and the consequences for immigrants in the United States. The colonization of the Philippines resulted in the creation of a new legal category: the U.S. national, that is, those persons owing allegiance to the United States because they were at the same time citizens of one of its colonies. However ''nationals'' were not full-fledged citizens of the United States, and this initially led to considerable confusion about their rights to entry and to work. This ambiguous political status set the stage for the immigration of Filipinos who came to work in agri-business, first in Hawaii and then to the western and southwestern states. Later, Filipinos would also find work in service and industrial sectors. The first generation of Filipino immigrants struggled for and soon (in 1906) attained the right, as U.S. nationals, to unlimited entry into the United States. The author skillfully shows how Filipinos were clearly agents, and not merely victims, in this process: they were active in both class struggles, to obtain better wages and conditions, and legal battles, to achieve right of entry into the United States. Even though they gained the right to unrestricted immigration, Filipinos confronted other legal barriers regarding interracial marriage, property rights, and naturalization as U.S. citizens. In addition, local governments also attempted to police the color line by passing laws enforcing social segregation. In general, the legal issues were complicated by two principal factors. First, the laws were not always created with Filipinos in mind and the existing racial categories did not easily apply. Indeed, part of the strategy of Filipinos was to argue that they were outside of the laws that were erected explicitly against Afro-Americans, Mexicans, and ''Asiatics,'' namely, Chinese and Japanese. Second, the interests of local ''nativists'' often conflicted with those in agribusiness or the federal government. On the one hand, the nativists sought to preserve white privilege, dominance, and the color line; they opposed Filipino immigration. On the other hand, agricultural enterprises were in favor of Filipino workers, although they also sought ways to divide and conquer them whenever workers organized and pressed for better working conditions. In addition, the federal government was obliged to concede some degree of legal and naturalization rights to Filipinos. In the international sphere, it was not good politics to simply exclude them as ''aliens'' in U.S. society. Especially interesting is the analysis of the diverse and often contradictory positions of the local nativists in towns, counties, and states, the economic interests of agribusiness in the region, and the laws and policies of the federal government. In addition, the full range of actions and strategies of Filipinos on different fronts is fully explained.


In order to develop excellent photonic devices, we have to fully understand the physics behind operations of photonic devices. This book thoroughly teaches the fundamental physics currently applied to the development of photonics devices such as energy bands of semiconductors, optical transitions, optical waveguides, and semiconductor junctions. The book also reviews the characteristics of laser diodes, optical filters, and optical functional devices, which have been developed based on the above physics. These photonic devices have been demonstrated in system applications, and several experimental results are described.


We present a particle method for the simulation of three dimensional compressible hydrodynamics based on a hybrid Particle-Mesh discretization of the governing equations. The method is rooted on the regularization of particle locations as in remeshed Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (rSPH). The rSPH method was recently introduced to remedy problems associated with the distortion of computational elements in SPH, by periodically re-initializing the particle positions and by using high order interpolation kernels. In the PMH formulation, the particles solely handle the convective part of the compressible Euler equations. The particle quantities are then interpolated onto a mesh, where the pressure terms are computed. PMH, like SPH, is free of the convection CFL condition while at the same time it is more efficient as derivatives are computed on a mesh rather than particle-particle interactions. PMH does not detract from the adaptive character of SPH and allows for control of its accuracy. We present simulations of a benchmark astrophysics problem demonstrating the capabilities of this approach.


The aim of this study was to determine and compare the expression levels of IgA genes and associated cytokines IL-5, IL-6 and TGF-β in the intestinal mucosa of clinically healthy baby alpaca, that were orally vaccinated with a clostridial antigen. Ten unvaccinated baby alpacas (control) and 15 vaccinated (two doses with a seven-day interval) were used. Sampling was done seven days after the second dose. Likewise, two age subgroups (15-28 and 35-56 days of age at the time of sampling) were considered. Intestinal segments of 2 cm in length were taken from the middle portion of the jejunum and stored at -196 °C. Total RNA extraction was performed and the complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized by reverse transcription. Subsequently, real-time PCR was run using specific primers for IL-5, IL-6, TGF-β and exon 3 of IgA. Relative expression evaluation was performed using the 2-ΔΔACt method. Vaccinated animals with clostridial antigen had a greater expression of IgA (control: 275.3 fold, vaccinated: 710.2 fold more than the calibrator) (p = 0.005). The vaccinated alpacas of the 15-28 day subgroup expressed IL-5, IL-6 and TGF-β at 1.96, 4.78 and 2.87 fold higher than the calibrator, respectively, with a significant difference with the control group (p<0.05). It is concluded that the administration of clostridial antigen as an oral vaccine in baby alpacas in the first 14 days of age promotes a greater expression of the IL-5, IL-6, TGF-β and IgA genes at the intestinal mucosa level.


Written and richly illustrated by the Derby-born artist Ernest Ellis Clark (1869–1932), this guide was originally published in 1904 to demonstrate the decorative possibilities of certain plants, mainly English wild flowers, to art students sitting examinations in plant drawing and design. Clark emphasises the importance of retaining a certain amount of botanical accuracy and provides examples of the ornamental possibilities of selected plants in various stages of their development. The language employed in describing the plants is not rigorously scientific and may be understood by those with little familiarity with botanical terms (a brief glossary is also provided). By focusing primarily on accurate renderings of the plants, rather than decorative applications, Clark allows the student's originality to remain unaffected by his personal preferences, and in so doing he allows students to adapt his teachings to their particular tastes and styles.


Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise intensity and feasibility of recreational ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Seven persons with MS participated in 2 one-hour dance sessions per week for 6 weeks. Dance types included rumba, foxtrot, waltz, and push-pull. Six other persons with MS comprised a control group that did not dance. Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during the sessions. Outcomes included: quality of life, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite comprising 9-hole peg test, 25-ft walk test, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), a cognitive test. Results: Heart rates and RPE indicated that ballroom dance for persons with MS can provide a light to moderate exercise intensity. After the dance program, quality of life and PASAT improved as did the MS Functional Composite Score. No changes were noted in the control group. Conclusions: Recreational ballroom dance is feasible and can provide an exercise stimulus sufficient to help meet exercise recommendations for persons with multiple sclerosis as well as improve quality of life and cognition in persons with MS. Implications for rehabilitation Exercise or physical activity is important for the health and wellness of persons with multiple sclerosis. Persons with multiple sclerosis often seek information about non-traditional low-impact physical activity. In a small controlled sample, partnered recreational ballroom or social dance for persons with multiple sclerosis has been shown to be feasible and of recommended exercise intensity. Further, partnered recreational ballroom dance for persons with multiple sclerosis can improve measures of quality of life and cognitive function.


The period of industrialization after the second World War in Europe released SO2 and NOx by combustion of fossil fuels and contributed the formation of S and N compounds in the forest ecosystem. The Swedish forest soil systems were influenced by emissions of SO2 followed by H2SO4 deposition, consequently the pool of SO42- had increased in the forest ecosystem. This thesis studied SO42- adsorption in a podzolic Bs horizon soils taken from a Swedish forest soil system. The soil samples from five different sampling sites were collected and the results revealed different amounts of adsorbed SO42- in response to changes in equilibrium concentration and pH. This study found that the amount of adsorbed SO42- (mmol/kg) increased with an added equilibrium concentration of SO42- (mmol/l) and with a decreasing pH. This was determined by equilibration experiments. Based on the results a Freundlich-based model was developed to predict the pool of adsorbed SO42- in the soil samples. The model predicted the pool of adsorbed SO42- (mmol/kg) as a function of pH and the equilibrium concentration of SO42- (mmol/l) in the soil solution system. The extended Freundlich model was optimized in three different ways: by use of unconstrained, constrained and simplified two-point calibration. The results showed that the adsorption of sulfate in the Kloten Bs1 and Risbergshojden B soils was higher as compared to the Tarnsjo B, Osterstrom B, and Risfallet B soils. The coefficient of determination (R2) determined from an unconstrained fit of the extended Freundlich model (with three adjustable parameters) for Risbergshojden B and Kloten Bs1 were R2 =0.998 and R2=0.993. Nearly as good fits were found in a constrained fit with two adjustable parameters when it was assumed that nearly 2 protons (2 H+) are co-adsorbed with one SO42- ion (Risbergshojden B; R2=0.997 and Kloten Bs; R2=0.992). The simplified two-point calibration with two adjustable parameters showed similar parameter values for all most soils and was considered the best optimization method of extended Freundlich model, especially as it requires only limited input data.


Abstract Objective: To describe the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel; P + C) in metastatic, squamous, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in the US. Methods: A model comparing P + C versus C alone is developed utilizing partitioned survival analysis. Primary clinical efficacy, treatment utilization, health utility and safety data are derived from the KEYNOTE-407 trial and projected over 20 years. Costs for drugs and non-drug disease management are also incorporated. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of P + C vs. pembrolizumab monotherapy (P) is evaluated via an indirect treatment comparison, for patient subgroups with PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥ 50% and 1–49%. Results: Overall, P + C is projected to increase life expectancy by 1.95 years vs. C (3.86 versus 1.91). The resultant ICER is $86,293/QALY. In patients with PD-L1 ≥ 50%, 1–49% and <1 the corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) are $99,777/QALY, $85,986/QALY and $87,507/QALY, respectively. Versus P, in the PD-L1 ≥ 50% subgroup, P + C appears cost saving; however, this result should be interpreted with caution as there is considerable uncertainty in the relative efficacy of these comparators. Conclusions: Across all eligible patients, the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy is projected to approximately double life expectancy, yielding an extension to a point not previously seen in metastatic squamous NSCLC. Overall, and within all relevant PD-L1 subgroups, use of P + C yields an ICER below $100,000/QALY, and can be a cost-effective first-line treatment for eligible metastatic squamous NSCLC patients for whom chemotherapy is currently administered. In the PD-L1 ≥ 50% subgroup, additional follow-up within trials of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and pembrolizumab monotherapy are needed to better define cost-effectiveness between these comparators.


Abstract:Adverse political developments in both established and newer democracies, especially the abdication by the United States of its traditional leadership role, have cast international democracy support into doubt. Yet international action on behalf of democracy globally remains necessary and possible. Moreover, some important elements of continuity remain, including overall Western spending on democracy assistance. Democracy support must adapt to its changed circumstances by doing more to take new geopolitical realities into account; effacing the boundary between support for democracy in new and in established democracies; strengthening the economic dimension of democracy assistance; and moving technological issues to the forefront.


Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) nanofibers were isolated from unbleached and bleached pulp by a combination of chemical and mechanical treatments. The chemical methods were based on NaOH-AQ (anthraquinone) and three-stage bleaching (DEpD) processes, whereas the mechanical techniques involved refining, cryo-crushing, and high-pressure homogenization. The size and morphology of the obtained fibers were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the studies showed that the isolated nanofibers from unbleached and bleached pulp had diameters between 10-90 nm, while their length was in the micrometer range. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the content of lignin and hemicellulose decreased in the pulping process and that lignin was almost completely removed during bleaching. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that both pulp types as well as the nanofibers displayed a superior thermal stability as compared to the raw kenaf. Finally, X-ray analyses showed that the chemo-mechanical treatments altered the crystallinity of the pulp and the nanofibers: the bleached pulp had a higher crystallinity than its unbleached counterpart, and the bleached nanofibers presented the highest crystallinity of all the investigated materials.


Since the early 2000s, the NHS has improved according to most measures of quality and performance. Survival rates for major diseases have increased, waiting lists have been shortened, and the prevalence of hospital infections has been reduced. This improvement has come from a very low base so that the performance of the NHS is still poor in international terms. For example, the UK ranks 20th out of 24 developed countries for cancer survival and 19th out of 23 for mortality amenable to healthcare. In league tables, the UK consistently ranks close to the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe rather than to Western European countries. If the UK drew level with the 10th best-performing country in terms of mortality amenable to healthcare (Spain), at least 16 unnecessary deaths for every 100,000 inhabitants could be avoided each year – i.e. a total of about 10,000 deaths. The recent Commonwealth Fund study, which ranked the NHS well, has its merits, but it is structurally designed to favour an NHSstyle model of healthcare. The study's limitations are perhaps best, albeit unintentionally, captured by The Guardian's coverage of the report which stated: 'The only serious black mark against the NHS was its poor record on keeping people alive.' The UK comes 24th out of 30 high- and upper/middle-income countries for efficiency of the healthcare system. If the UK reached the efficiency level of the 5th best-performing country (Japan), life expectancy in the UK could be increased by more than two years without any additional healthcare spending and without people adopting healthier lifestyles. The reforms of the early 21st century gave well-performing hospitals more independence and introduced competition through a 'payment by results' formula. These reforms improved the service but they did not go far enough and have since stalled. The introduction of patient choice did lead patients to discriminate in favour of hospitals that had a better record. For example, postreform, a given increase in mortality after heart bypass operations led to a loss of market share for a hospital that was ten times greater than would have happened pre-reform. Scotland did not pursue the same healthcare reforms as England. The evidence shows that Scotland spends more per capita than England; it has larger numbers of hospital, dental, nursing, midwifery, health visiting, hospital management and support staff; and it has higher numbers of hospital beds and inpatient admissions. At the same time, Scotland has longer waiting times for inpatient and outpatient appointments, and longer ambulance response times. Scotland fares worse on outcome measures across the board. The intention of the reforms of the 2000s was that almost all healthcare spending would be channelled through the payment by results scheme and that the vast majority of hospitals would be Foundation Trusts. This has not materialised and the reforms need to be reinvigorated. Although non-NHS providers now account for around 9 per cent of the secondary care budget this still comes nowhere near the level of provider plurality observed in Continental European systems. For example, in Germany, the voluntary not-for-profit sector accounts for more than a third of all hospital beds, and the private for-profit sector for almost a fifth. The private sector also accounts for 38 per cent of all hospital beds in France and 30 per cent in Austria. As well as reinvigorating the reform programme of the early 21st century, in order to promote greater efficiency and quality of care, a number of second generation reforms are required: – Patients should be able to choose between different primary care providers and commissioners. They should be able to do this not just on the basis of where they live. Instead, they may, for example, choose a chain which runs branches near their place of work, or an 'identity group' based on a civil society or religious organisation. There is evidence that this approach will improve care. – Care commissioners and primary care providers should be able to vertically integrate with secondary and tertiary care providers such as hospitals. – Hospitals and other provider organisations must be allowed to go bankrupt. – Ultimately, the health service should allow complete freedom of choice so that people can choose private providers and private commissioners without restraint at all stages of healthcare. A funding system will be needed that compensates providers and commissioners according to the costs and risks that apply to different types of patients in order to prevent 'cherry picking'. Such mechanisms have long been used in other countries, and could easily be transferred to the UK.


Background: Occupational lead poisoning is common in workers of some industries, but lead hepatotoxicity has rarely been reported. Several animal studies have revealed lead induced liver damage but clinical studies concerning the manifestations of lead induced liver toxicity in humans are scares. This study was designed to investigate the clinical manifestations and pathological parameters of hepatic dysfunction and its relationship with blood and urine lead concentrations in a car battery-manufacturing workers. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Mashhad, Iran, during April-June 2011. One hundred and twelve workers underwent blood and urine sampling for determination of lead concentrations and liver function tests. Clinical signs and symptoms of possible lead hepatotoxicity were investigated. Results: Mean (±SD) age of the workers was 28.78 (±5.17) yr with a daytime work of 8.67 (±1.41) h and mean work duration of 3.89 (±2.40) yr. Mean blood lead concentration (BLC) and urine lead concentration (ULC) were 398.95 (±177.41) µg/l and 83.67(±50) μg/l, respectively. We found no correlation between the clinical findings and BLC or ULC. A weak correlation (R: 0.27, P=0.087) between serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and BLC was obtained. No significant relationship was found between other liver function tests and BLC or ULC. Conclusion: We found no specific clinical and laboratory abnormalities of liver in the workers of car battery manufacturer who had chronic lead toxicity. Further investigations with more specific laboratory tests such as LDH5 and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as novel biomarkers of metal induced hepatotoxicity might be helpful in evaluating lead hepatotoxicity.


This workshop is for those of you who, having read about Big Data and seen some of its results in academic studies and the commercial world, would like to get a sense of what actually working with Big Data entails.The workshop will provide an overview of key technologies for the handling and analysis of large scale datasets, including Hadoop/MapReduce, the RHadoop package, other R packages used for large scale analysis, and Big Data handling environments such as Cloudera, Hortonworks, Tessera, and Amazon Web Services. We will also discuss a few of the primary challenges in successfully completing analysis of large scale data, such as integrating and structuring heterogenous data, handling sparse matrices, and devising effective analytical routines using parallel processing and splitting data. Participants will work with a live demonstration environment that provides a realistic introduction to Big Data Analytics using scripts that will run both on a scaled-down demonstration dataset and on truly large scale data.


This study was carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Back Group project, in a Porto Alegre's Basic Health Unit. We evaluated and re-evaluated 29 users before and after the participated in a Back Group. It's were used the Visual Analogue Scale to assess pain, the Oswestry Disability Index to assess the functionality, and the questionnaire Item Short-Form Health Survey-SF-36 to assess the quality of life. The results, obtained from the Wilcoxon test (a=0.05),  demonstrated the effectiveness of the Back Group in the  improvement of the intensity of musculoskeletal pain (p<0.05), in the physical functioning (p=0.005), in the quality of life in the functional capacity (p=0.001), by the physical limitations (p=0.001), pain (p=0.001), vitality (p=0.004), emotional limitation (p=0.026) and mental health (p=0.010) dominions. It is concluded that the Back Group was effectiveness in the improved of the pain, function and quality of life's users.


Orientation: Quality education is dependent on the well-being, engagement, performance and retention of teachers. Meaningful work might affect these employee and organisational outcomes. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate antecedents and outcomes of meaningful work among school teachers. Motivation for the study: Meaningful work underpins people's motivation and affects their well-being and job satisfaction. Furthermore, it is a significant pathway to healthy and authentic organisations. However, a research gap exists regarding the effects of different antecedents and outcomes of meaningful work. Research approach, design and method: A cross-sectional survey was used with a convenience sample of 513 teachers. The Work-Life Questionnaire, Revised Job Diagnostic Survey, Co-worker Relations Scale, Work and Meaning Inventory, Personal Resources Scale, Work Engagement Scale, Turnover Intention Scale and a measure of self-rated performance were administered. Main findings: A calling orientation, job design and co-worker relations were associated with meaningful work. A low calling orientation and poor co-worker relationships predicted burnout. A calling orientation, a well-designed job, good co-worker relationships and meaningful work predicted work engagement. Job design was moderately associated with self-ratings of performance. The absence of a calling orientation predicted teachers' intention to leave the organisation. Practical/managerial implications: Educational managers should consider implementing interventions to affect teachers' calling orientation (through job crafting), perceptions of the nature of their jobs (by allowing autonomy) and co-worker relations (through teambuilding) to promote perceptions of meaningful work. Promoting perceptions of meaningful work might contribute to lower burnout, higher work engagement, better self-ratings of performance and retention of teachers. Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to scientific knowledge regarding the effects of three antecedents, namely a calling orientation, job design and co-worker relationships on meaningful work. It also contributed to knowledge about the effects of meaningful work on employee and organisational outcomes.


The issue of justice is crucial to Dostoevsky's oeuvre. The Russian writer depicts the gruesomeness of being a law onto oneself and at the same time the inherent futility of holding any individual totally responsible for his deeds. This aspect, makes Dostoevsky one of the favorite authors of Western intellectuals. Dostoevsky is thus is read by Nietzsche, Freud, Gide, many American writers as well as by a filmmaker ‒ Woody Allen. Allen in his Crimes and Misdemeanors and Match Point presents a very nihilistic reading of Dostoevsky, which again is typical of the Western perception of this writer. In the New Yorker's films we see individuals who faced with difficult moral choices discover that social justice is just a facade that imperfectly covers the cruelty and indifference of the world. Eventually Allen's protagonists loose their moral illusions but gain a kind of Nietzscheanistic perspective that enables them to succeed. The question remain open whether, it is a perspective of the last man or of the superhuman? One can even suspect a certain cycle of corruption occurs in passing from the second position to the first. In short, Allen is fascinated with Dostoevsky's radical destruction of the notion of individual justice. Superficially, this destruction is tantamount to total nihilism and that is what many Western intellectuals and Allen seem to suggest. But there is a certain political theology in Dostoevsky's works. This theology is not clearly visible to Westerners because it is collectivistic, imperial and Gnostic. Those motives are an inherent part of the political experience of the East (although they can be also found in some Western ideological movements), which was observed by Eric Voegelin. Nevertheless, what Allen and many other Western readers of Dostoevsky seem to ignore is that the objective of both religious and secular law is not to prevent all crime on a cosmic scale but to recognize certain standards of inter-human and human-God relations. Simply making the notion of justice a matter of convention does not free the human but enslaves her/him, because it makes the law a matter of a purely arbitrary decision of the political authority. This dilemma is clearly visible in Dostoevsky's work, and I call it the "Grand Inquisitor's trap." Not seeing this problem is a serious misreading of Dostoevsky. Allen's characters endure only slight metaphysical pangs on occasion of their misdeeds and live in a secure world of modern consumerism, which seems to develop without any moral code. An important argument raised in Crimes and Misdemeanors is that believing in individual justice is hardly possible after Hitler's death camps. A historically conscious reader of Dostoevsky, however, could argue that on the contrary; XXth century has shown us how dangerous the collectivistic morality is (this is also the morality of Dostoevsky, himself). In conclusion, the notions of individual crime and punishment, although imperfect, are the only notions that can offer some protection from the Voegelinian, dark Gnosticism and preserve the liberties of the individual.


Phxtelemproc is a C/C++ based telemetry processing program that processes SFDU telemetry packets from the Telemetry Data System (TDS). It generates Experiment Data Records (EDRs) for several instruments including surface stereo imager (SSI); robotic arm camera (RAC); robotic arm (RA); microscopy, electrochemistry, and conductivity analyzer (MECA); and the optical microscope (OM). It processes both uncompressed and compressed telemetry, and incorporates unique subroutines for the following compression algorithms: JPEG Arithmetic, JPEG Huffman, Rice, LUT3, RA, and SX4. This program was in the critical path for the daily command cycle of the Phoenix mission. The products generated by this program were part of the RA commanding process, as well as the SSI, RAC, OM, and MECA image and science analysis process. Its output products were used to advance science of the near polar regions of Mars, and were used to prove that water is found in abundance there. Phxtelemproc is part of the MIPL (Multi-mission Image Processing Laboratory) system. This software produced Level 1 products used to analyze images returned by in situ spacecraft. It ultimately assisted in operations, planning, commanding, science, and outreach.


Background:  In the last decade, social media users across the world have crossed 1 billion, making it one of the fastest growing sources of big data. Also, people needing healthcare continue to increase in every society. Through accessibility, communication and interaction between health practitioners and patients, this type of ever-growing, social media subscriber–based platform can be of significant use in improving healthcare delivery to society. However, users encounter serious challenges in their attempts to make use of social media and big data for health-related services. The challenges are primarily caused by factors such as integration, complexity, security and privacy. The challenges are mainly owing to the sensitive nature of the healthcare environment, as a result of personalisation and privacy of information. Objectives:  The objectives of the study were to examine and gain a better understanding of the complexities that are associated with the use of social media and healthcare big data, through influencing factors, and to develop a framework that can be used to improve health-related services to the patients. Methods:  The interpretivist approach was employed, within which qualitative data were collected. This included documents and existing literature in the areas of social media and healthcare big data. To have a good spread of both previous and current state of events within the phenomena being studied, literature published between 2006 and 2016 were gathered. The data were interpretively analysed. Results:  Based on the analysis of the data, factors of influence were found, which were used to develop a model. The model illustrates how the factors of influence can enable and at the same time constrain the use of social media for healthcare services. The factors were interpreted from which a framework was developed. The framework is intended to guide integration of social media with healthcare big data through which service delivery to patients can be improved. Conclusion:  This study can be used to guide integration of social media with healthcare big data by health facilities in the communities. The study contributes to healthcare workers' awareness on how social media can possibly be used to improve the services that they provide to the needy. Also, the study will benefit information systems and technologies and academic domains, particularly from the health services' perspective.


Internet Information Literacy (IIL) is the ability to critically evaluate the content, structure and type of information found on the Internet, and presumes the basic operational skills needed for computer and Internet literacy. IIL is embedded in modern school curriculum and standards based education. Having been taught technology-based information-seeking skills in school, students develop confidence in their ability to find information using computers and/or the Internet. Senior adults, however, had no computers or instruction in how to find information on the Internet during their schooling, and may have difficulty learning to do so.
Senior adults who wish to learn how to use the Internet as a source of information may take an Internet course. Those who take these courses may have age-related physical difficulties while interacting with a computer, or other special needs when in a training situation. Yet they are motivated to learn and have information needs to fulfill.
The value of information skills instruction and its effectiveness in providing school students with skills for lifelong learning and information literacy (including IIL) has been validated by research. This study focused on senior adults taking introductory Internet courses: the skills being taught, the motivational strategies used to enhance information skills instruction, and how these skills align with established information skills models and contribute to IIL. Physical interactions with computers and how these impact the ability to conduct Internet research are also reported.
Data for this multi-method study were collected through observational field notes, pre- and post-course questionnaires, document analysis and interviews. Content analysis of data identified computer, Internet and information literacy skills, human computer interaction and age-related issues, and motivational strategies used to enhance instruction.
The study contributes to the field of Internet information literacy by identifying components from computer, Internet and information literacy that are needed in order to teach older adults how to effectively meet their information needs by using computers and the Internet.


The digital age brings with it increasing varieties of products that are costly to produce but arguably vulnerable to cheap and rapid copying. An absence of legal protection acts as a disincentive to investment in the development of such products. Since patent law protects only nonobvious advances in applied functionality and traditional copyright law abjures the protection of function, products of human intellectual activity falling outside these two primary regimes of protection have been left to their fate under trade secret and unfair competition law or to the vagaries of the free market. A third general paradigm can be constructed that better balances creation incentives against free use and efficient development by analyzing the problem under the term: misappropriation. Vulnerability to misappropriation is where competitive products can cheaply and rapidly be brought into production after the original appears on the market. A focus on methods of copying better directs us toward appropriate regulatory goals in cases of market failure than other approaches. Neither strong similarity nor even complete identity of the final products leads to a finding of infringement of the antimisappropriation right. Rather, infringement determinations must be based on misappropriative methods of copying that, if permitted, would too severely undercut the incentives to create products vulnerable to such methods. This article uses functionality as the dividing line between the traditional universes of patent and copyright subject matter and explains how market failure can result from this traditional division of labor. It also explains how those market failures inhere in unfair methods of copying, as opposed to the nature of the products copied. It also considers the possibility of extending copyright to cover future market failures relating to software, without adopting a full-blown new paradigm. Additionally, it outlines the primary issues involved in creating a third intellectual property paradigm based on the concept of misappropriation.


Background We investigated the associations between mineral metabolism parameters and mortality to identify optimal targets in Korean hemodialysis patients. Methods Among hemodialysis patients registered in the end-stage renal disease registry of the Korean Society of Nephrology between March 2012 and June 2017, those with serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) measured at enrollment were included. Association of serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iPTH with all-cause mortality was analyzed. Results Among 21,433 enrolled patients, 3,135 (14.6%) died during 24.8 ± 14.5 months of follow-up. After multivariable adjustment, patients in the first quintile of corrected calcium were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.71–0.99; P = 0.003), while those in the fifth quintile were associated with higher mortality (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.20–1.61; P < 0.001) compared with those in the third quintile. For phosphorus, only the lowest quintile was significantly associated with increased mortality (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08–1.43; P = 0.003). The lowest (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02–1.36; P = 0.026) and highest quintiles of iPTH (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05–1.46; P = 0.013) were associated with increased mortality. For target counts achieved according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guideline, patients who did not achieve any mineral parameter targets hadhigher mortality than those who achieved all three targets (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.12–1.67; P = 0.003). Conclusion In Korean hemodialysis patients, high serum calcium, low phosphorus, and high and low iPTH levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality.


Background Transgender and non-binary people are disproportionately burdened by barriers to quality healthcare, mental health challenges, and economic hardship. This study examined the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent control measures on gender-affirming care, mental health, and economic stability among transgender and non-binary people globally. Methods We collected global cross-sectional data from 964 transgender and non-binary adult users of the Hornet and Her apps from April to August 2020 to characterize changes in gender-affirming care, mental health, and economic stability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted Poisson regression models to assess if access to gender-affirming care and ability to live according to one's gender were related to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and changes in suicidal ideation. Results Individuals resided in 76 countries, including Turkey (27.4%,n=264/964) and Thailand (20.6%,n=205). A majority were non-binary (66.8%,n=644) or transfeminine (29.4%,n=283). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 55.0% (n=320/582) reported reduced access to gender-affirming resources, and 38.0% (n=327/860) reported reduced time lived according to their gender. About half screened positive for depression (50.4%,442/877) and anxiety (45.8%,n=392/856). One in six (17.0%,n=112/659) expected losses of health insurance, and 77.0% (n=724/940) expected income reductions. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and increased suicidal ideation were 1.63 (95% CI: 1.36-1.97), 1.61 (95% CI: 1.31-1.97), and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.07-2.82) times higher for individuals whose access to gender-affirming resources was reduced versus not. Discussion The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced access to gender-affirming resources and the ability of transgender and non-binary people to live according to their gender worldwide. These reductions may drive the increased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidal ideation reported in this sample. To improve transgender and non-binary health globally, increased access to gender-affirming resources should be achieved through policies (e.g., digital prescriptions), flexible interventions (e.g., telehealth), and support for existing transgender health initiatives.


This study investigates the role of values in the actions of social heroes, which previous research has suggested may play a role in motivating principled challenges to authority. Kelman and Hamilton's (1989) orientation to authority framework was used to identify when valueoriented challenges to authority – suggestive of later social heroism – first emerged in their lives, and the values associated with those behaviors. Analyses of archival interviews with 15 leaders of a social activist group found that all participants acted on a value orientation to authority, and they considered these actions to be important experiences in their development as social heroes. The values most associated with these actions were self-direction, universalism, power and achievement. Four participants made value-oriented challenges to authority in childhood; 14 by late adolescence; and all by young adulthood. The early emergence of this behavior suggests that a value orientation to authority is a core element of their identity, and value-oriented challenges to authority were critical experiences in their developmental trajectories as social heroes.


Dynamic adaptations of one's behavior by means of performance monitoring are a central function of the human executive system, that underlies considerable interindividual variation. Converging evidence from electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies in both animals and humans hints at the importance of the dopaminergic system for the regulation of performance monitoring. Here, we studied the impact of two polymorphisms affecting dopaminergic functioning in the prefrontal cortex [catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val108/158Met and dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-521] on neurophysiological correlates of performance monitoring. We applied a modified version of a standard flanker task with an embedded stop-signal task to tap into the different functions involved, particularly error monitoring, conflict detection and inhibitory processes. Participants homozygous for the DRD4 T allele produced an increased error-related negativity after both choice errors and failed inhibitions compared with C-homozygotes. This was associated with pronounced compensatory behavior reflected in higher post-error slowing. No group differences were seen in the incompatibility N2, suggesting distinct effects of the DRD4 polymorphism on error monitoring processes. Additionally, participants homozygous for the COMT Val allele, with a thereby diminished prefrontal dopaminergic level, revealed increased prefrontal processing related to inhibitory functions, reflected in the enhanced stop-signal-related components N2 and P3a. The results extend previous findings from mainly behavioral and neuroimaging data on the relationship between dopaminergic genes and executive functions and present possible underlying mechanisms for the previously suggested association between these dopaminergic polymorphisms and psychiatric disorders as schizophrenia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.


Background Yokukan-san, a Japanese traditional herbal (Kampo) prescription, has recently gathered increasing attention due to accumulating reports showing its remarkable efficacy in treating a wide variety of diseases refractory to conventional medicine as well as the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. As yokukan-san has become broadly integrated with conventional medicine, augmentation therapy with other Kampo prescriptions has become necessary when the yokukan-san has been only partially efficacious. In this paper, we report three cases in which the addition of orengedoku-to, another Kampo formula, to yokukan-san was remarkably effective. Cases Case 1 was an 85-year-old man with Alzheimer-type dementia who had become aggressive during the past 2 years. Three milligrams of aripiprazole completely suppressed his problematic behaviors but had to be stopped because of extrapyramidal symptoms. In the second case, a 44-year-old man with methamphetamine-induced psychosis had suffered from serious tardive dystonia for 2 years. No conventional approach had improved his tardive dystonia. The third case was a 29-year-old engineer who often failed to resist aggressive impulses and was diagnosed with intermittent explosive disorder. He was prescribed 5 mg of olanzapine, which did not suppress his extraordinary anger and caused somnolence even though the dose was low. Interventions and outcomes Yokukan-san was complementarily added to the patients' regular medication and exerted a definitive but partial effect in all cases. The addition of orengedoku-to to yokukan-san exerted the same efficacy as aripiprazole in controlling aggressiveness in Case 1, improved the tardive dystonia by 80% in Case 2, and was completely effective in controlling the patient's aggressive impulses in Case 3. Conclusion Together with empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of both yokukansan and orengedoku-to in reducing irritability, impulsivity, and aggression, these three cases suggest that orengedoku-to augmentation can be an effective option in cases that are partially responsive to yokukan-san treatment.


Near-surface geophysical "targets" include unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines, cavities (including tunnels and underground facilities), contaminant plumes, utilities (including underground storage tanks, pipelines, etc.), archaeological artifacts, graves, forensic evidence, structural foundation investigations for new and existing structures, and assessing the condition of engineered structures (e.g., bridges, dams, levees, roads, airfields, buildings). Application of near-surface geophysics to detect and characterize any of these "targets" is in the public interest, and many applications are clearly and directly related to public safety. While the detection of these targets in a geologic background can often be challenging, the discrimination of the desired target signatures or expressions from "false alarm" target signatures can be an even greater challenge. The discrimination challenge can be as simple as a "go/no-go" decision on the target, or the properties of the target may need to be further characterized after the decision. There is near unanimity among geophysicists (a rare thing) that multimethod, collocated complementary geophysical data enhance not only target detection but also the capability for discrimination and characterization. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) conducted a multiyear research and development effort that resulted in complementary, collocated simultaneous geophysical survey capabilities for near-surface targets.


This article explores the lives of tawaifs, baijis or courtesans (the terms used interchangeably) in a contentious space marked by the location of Congress House in Bombay/Mumbai through the 20th century. The tawaifs' kothas are interestingly in the vicinity of Congress House, which was the hub of the Indian nationalist struggle from the 1930s onwards, the two sites coming into existence almost simultaneously and coexisting for many decades as this article demonstrates. However, there were various efforts during the last decades of 20th century to remove the presence of tawaifs from this neighbourhood, through the heightened interest of real-estate players in urban gentrification, and increased surveillance by the police and the citizens' forum. Given this contemporary situation, the attempt of this article is (i) to historicise the performance of mujra in Bombay and explore the contribution of courtesans to the enrichment of Hindustani 'classical' music and (ii) to spatialise the presence of tawaifs in the nationalist hub of Bombay and reflect on the politics of their economic and cultural deprivation. This article, thus, reflects on the contested meanings of the space inhabited by the courtesans with its continued devaluing, disciplining and restructuring as well as the increased stigmatisation, criminalisation and marginalisation of the women. It also reads into newer modalities of regulation and the hegemonic processes of urban renewal.


The purpose of this article is to offer an analysis of the nature of contemporary legal power over the ending of human life in medical contexts. Drawing on Michel Foucault's characterisations of power relations in the sphere of life and death in The History of Sexuality, Vol. I, it is argued that, in its current regulation of the ending of human life in this area, law displays elements of two of those modes, or forms, of power identified by Foucault – the juridical and the disciplinary. This argument is illustrated by reference to two recent cases – Re A (Children) and Re B (an adult: refusal of medical treatment) – and set against a background of shifting modes of governmentality (here, the movement from medicalisation to legalisation). Through an analysis of the forms of legal power in this particular context, the article also has a broader purpose – to advance an alternative approach to the question of power within the academic medical law field. Specifically, unlike the standard form of legal academic inquiry in this area – that is, one which is driven mainly by a concern for ethics and resolving ethical dilemmas – it is suggested that an appreciation of the importance that institutional context(s) and requirements play in medical law is necessary if we are to understand fully both the factors constitutive of legal power and the subtle, and often controversial, effects that flow from the manner in which it is exercised and asserted.


ABSTRACT Objective: The study sought to examine the psychological distress of Israeli pregnant women during the worldwide spread of COVID-19. As Israel has a diverse cultural-religious population, the sample included both Jewish and Arab women, allowing us to explore the differences between them. Furthermore, we examined the contribution of personal resources, both internal (self-mastery and resilience) and external (perceived social support), as well as the level of infection-related anxiety to the women's psychological distress. Method: A convenience sample of 403 Israeli women (233 Jewish and 170 Arab) was recruited through social media. Results: Arab women reported significantly higher infection-related anxiety and psychological distress than Jewish women. In addition, Jewish women reported significantly higher self-mastery than Arab pregnant women. Finally, poorer health, being an Arab woman, and lower levels of self-mastery, resilience, and perceived social support, as well as a higher level of infection-related anxiety, contributed significantly to greater psychological distress. Conclusions: The findings show that pregnant women in general may be at risk of psychological distress in times of crisis, and that minority populations in particular may be at greater risk than others. Moreover, the results highlight the contribution of women's personal and environmental resources in the face of crisis, an understanding that may be used in targeted interventions to reduce distress in vulnerable populations.


Designing systems that merge the advantages of heterogeneous catalysis, enzymology, and molecular catalysis represents the next major goal for sustainable chemistry. Cross-linked enzyme crystals display most of these essential assets (well-designed mesoporous support, protein selectivity, and molecular recognition of substrates). Nevertheless, a lack of reaction diversity, particularly in the field of oxidation, remains a constraint for their increased use in the field. Here, thanks to the design of cross-linked artificial nonheme iron oxygenase crystals, we filled this gap by developing biobased heterogeneous catalysts capable of oxidizing carbon-carbon double bonds. First, reductive O2 activation induces selective oxidative cleavage, revealing the indestructible character of the solid catalyst (at least 30 000 turnover numbers without any loss of activity). Second, the use of 2-electron oxidants allows selective and high-efficiency hydroxychlorination with thousands of turnover numbers. This new technology by far outperforms catalysis using the inorganic complexes alone, or even the artificial enzymes in solution. The combination of easy catalyst synthesis, the improvement of "omic" technologies, and automation of protein crystallization makes this strategy a real opportunity for the future of (bio)catalysis.


Title of Document: CONSTRUCTING A DISABLED IDENTITY: THE INFLUENCE OF IMPAIRMENT, SOCIAL FACTORS AND REFLECTED APPRAISALS Heather Ridolfo, Ph.D., 2010 Directed By: Dr. Melissa Milkie, Department of Sociology The claiming of an identity as disabled has important implications for impaired individuals' interpersonal interactions and well-being, however not all impaired individuals claim a disabled identity. In this dissertation I build upon social and medical models of disability by extending the work in two key ways using multimethods. First, using a symbolic interactionist frame, I examine how individuals' experiences are mediated through self processes in shaping their identity claims. Second, I assess how the identification process is influenced by individuals' social statuses. Data used in this study is from the 1994-1995 National Health Interview Survey on Disability, a large nationally representative sample of individuals with impairments. In addition, I supplement this analysis with data from 30 qualitative interviews. Results underscore prior research showing that not all individuals who experience impairment identify as disabled. The qualitative interviews illuminated a third group not obvious in the quantitative analysis those in the process of negotiating a disabled identity. Experiences of socially constructed barriers have important implications for claiming an identity as disabled; however experiences of impairment also have strong effects on identity claims. In depth interviews also showed social barriers, but not environmental barriers, and impairment affect impaired persons' identity claims as disabled. Self-processes perform an important role in helping impaired individuals understand their positioning in society and verify their identity claims. Reflected appraisals of being disabled increased the likelihood of claiming a disabled identity and these appraisals mediated the relationship between the experiences of socially constructed barriers, impairment and the self. In the qualitative analyses, social comparisons and self presentations were also found to be an agentic tool used by individuals to assert their identities as disabled/not disabled and in shaping others' views of them. Finally, social statuses have important implications for the construction or rejection an identity as disabled. Those with higher social statuses were MORE likely to claim disabled identity, all things equal. In the qualitative analyses, women's disabled identity claims were often disregarded, perhaps underscoring their more difficult experience verifying their identity claims. Consistent with this, interactions between social statuses and the social and medical models were identified. CONSTRUCTING A DISABLED IDENTITY: THE INFLUENCE OF IMPAIRMENT, SOCIAL FACTORS AND REFLECTED APPRAISALS


Field studies and geophysical imaging indicate that granitic and non-granitic plutons have both very variable and comparable shapes and sizes. We simulated numerically intrusion of partially molten mantle rocks from a sub-lithospheric magmatic source region (SMSR). Our systematic numerical modelling results show that intrusion typically spans a few hundred kyr spanning three stages: (1) magmatic channel spreading, (2) emplacement and (3) post-intrusive subsidence and cooling. The duration of each of these stages strongly depends on the viscosity of ascending magma. Upward magma transport from sublithospheric depth is driven by the positive buoyancy of the partially-molten rocks with respect to the overriding colder mantle lithosphere. By systematically varying the model parameters we document variations in intrusion dynamics and geometry that range from funnel- and finger-shaped bodies (pipes, dikes) to deep seated balloon-shaped intrusions and flattened shallow magmatic sills. Relatively cold elasto-plastic crust (T Moho = 400 degrees C) promotes a strong upward propagation of magma due to the significant decrease of plastic strength of the crust with decreasing confining pressure. Warmer crust (T Moho = 600 degrees C) triggers lateral spreading of magma above the Moho.


Independent evaluations of the current European Neighbourhood Policy are highly critical, and have not been dissipated by a recent review of the policy. At the same time, however, a new reality has emerged, which might be called the Wider European Economic Area (WEEA). The core area covers the EU, EEA/EFTA states, the Balkans, and the East European states that now have Association Agreements (and DCFTAs) with the EU. This comprehensive map of all of Europe, except for the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, already has a growing and impressive array of common economic instruments at its disposal. A few South Mediterranean states also participate in some areas. This paper argues that this seemingly endogenous process deserves to be advanced more explicitly by the EU in a WEEA initiative, which could be launched by a 'green paper' from the EU institutions and supported by soft institutionalisation with a policy forum. Further possible extensions of the process are also discussed, notably the conditions under which there might be cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, and linkages to the Chinese-sponsored new Silk Road. A WEEA initiative could well complement current thinking about giving renewed impetus to the EU's own integration, including ideas under the broad heading of a multi-speed Europe.


Africa Reunite or Perish is a daring and timely book that explores the essence and nefariousness of neocolonialism in a purportedly independent Africa. The book shows how Africa spends billions of dollars in pseudo threats among African countries due to colonially-entrenched fear and war mongering. The book is emphatic on deconstruction and decolonisation as a categorical imperative for the reunification of Africa beyond the narrow confines of current nation states. Mhango takes a diagnostic-cum-prognostic approach in discussing Africa?s predicaments, and in identifying and proposing solutions to problems confronting Africans. The book ascertains Africa?s untapped potentials by proving how Africa can live without the infamy of excruciating dependency and beggarliness. It makes a compelling case for African unity beyond the tokenism of officialdom. It prescribes a truly pan-African driven reunification of Africa as the only means of reclaiming the glory she used to enjoy before she was savagely partitioned.


Spectroscopic studies on the liquid phase dynamics and Interactions of acetonitrile. Microwave and far-infrared spectra were used to study the angular motion of CH(_3)CN molecules in the pure liquid and in the non-polar solvents carbon tetrachloride, benzene and n-heptane. The spectral data were analysed to give information on the static angular structure of the liquid and the rates of reorlentational motion of the CH(_3)CN molecules. The use of these two experimental techniques enabled the short and long time parts of the angular motion to be studied together using Fourier transform analysis of the combined microwave/far-Infrared spectrum. Band moment analysis was performed on the microwave/far-infrared band In order to obtain Information on Intermolecular torques. Gordon's sum rule was applied to the spectra In an attempt to estimate what proportion of the band is due to the presence of collision Induced dipoles In the CH(_3)CN molecules. The reorientational relaxation rates and static angular correlation factors obtained from the microwave/far-infrared spectra were compared with literature data on similar solutions obtained by depolarised light scattering experiments. The model for reorientational motion developed by Evans on the Mori formalism was fitted to the experimental spectrum of the pure liquid and the results discussed in terms of the parameters of the model. The V(_1) vibrational band of CH(_3)CN was analysed when the molecule was subject to hydrogen bonding' Interactions with methanol. An attempt was made to elucidate the processes which cause the vibrational band to be broadened in these solutions. The vibrational line shapes were analysed using the Kubo line shape theory for the rapid modulation limit.


The global regulatory governance of goods has become increasingly complex and "polycentric." This article explores how standard setting bodies have ensured their continued rulemaking roles both despite and because of their evolving and dynamic environment. This study focuses on two areas of goods in particular, namely forestry and food safety, and two standard setting bodies that have assumed a prominent regulatory role within these domains, GlobalG.A.P. and the Forest Stewardship Council ("FSC"). These standard setting bodies have demonstrated an adaptive capacity to dynamically respond to challenges and threats to their legitimacy from within and outside their organization. Alongside innate features of standard setting bodies that can explain this adaptive capacity, it is important to consider how much of an organization's evolution is attributable to contextual elements. This article proposes a taxonomy of four contextual elements and corresponding factors that drive change within standard setting bodies and contribute to their success and survival over time, as found in the existing literature through an examination of theoretical perspectives and empirical case studies by experts in the field. These contextual elements and dynamics are unique for each organization and should thus be examined empirically and on a case-by-case basis. This article provides hypotheses for future research related to the interaction between these elements at critical moments when a standard setting body experiences a legitimacy crisis. These hypotheses focus on how conditions prevalent during exogenous shocks and regulatory disasters affect a standard setting body's margin of autonomy to make decisions to legitimate its activities, possibly alleviating constraints and opening up opportunities for these bodies to assert their right to rule.


Light Detection Ranging (Lidar) is an efficient tool to gather points reflected from a terrain and store them in a xyz coordinate system, allowing the generation of 3D data sets to manage geoinformation. Translation of these coordinates, from an arbitrary system into a geographical base, makes data feasible and useful to calculate volumes and define topographic characteristics at different scales. Lidar technological advancement in topographic mapping enables the generation of highly accurate and densely sampled elevation models, which are in high demand by many industries like construction, mining and forestry. This study merges terrestrial and aerial Lidar data to evaluate the effectiveness of these tools assessing volumetric changes after a hurricane event of riverbeds and scour bridges The resulted information could be an optimal approach to improve hydrological and hydraulic models, to aid authorities in proper to decision making in construction, urban planning, and homeland security.


Research on earthquake triggering and stress transfer is important for understanding earthquake occurrence. Based on the work of Chinnery (1963), Rybicki (1973), Yamashina (1978), and Das and Scholz (1981), numerous studies have been made in this direction after Stein and Lisowski (1983) introduced the concept of Coulomb failure stress change, Δ CFS ( e.g. , Oppenheimer et al. 1988; Reasenberg and Simpson 1992; King et al. 1994; Harris et al. 1995; Parsons et al. 2008; Toda et al. 2008). All the existing work has been based on the dislocation theory in a uniform isotropic elastic half-space ( e.g. , Okada 1992).

Active plate boundaries are often composed of highly heterogeneous crust ( e.g. , McNamara and Walter 2001). In the interior of a plate, the crust may also be heterogeneous ( e.g. , McNamara and Walter 2001). For example, the lateral velocity variation in the crustal velocity of P waves in South Australia ranges from 5.9 to 6.5 km s–1 (Clifford et al. 2007). All these crustal heterogeneities will affect the redistribution of stresses after a large earthquake. Zhao et al. (2004) showed that high aftershock activity following the 2000 Tottori earthquake ( M 7.3) in Japan was associated with areas of high P -wave velocity.

Progress in the study of the effect of crustal heterogeneity on earthquake triggering and stress transfer has been slow, partly because the dislocation theory cannot include crustal heterogeneity in its calculation. Wang et al. (1980, 1983) first investigated earthquake risk and stress transfer among the multiple faults in North China. Wang and Cai (1997) investigated the response of the complex fault system in the San Francisco Bay area to small changes in the regional stresses. Freed and Lin (1998) studied the stress transfer in a vertically layered crust. These studies, however, …


The purpose of this course is to explore the many dimensions of new venture creation and growth and to foster innovation and new business formations in independent and corporate settings. This course uses and integrates many of the disciplines in the MBA curriculum. This course appeals to individuals who have a strong desire to become an entrepreneur, or work in a startup, early stage or entrepreneurial minded company that may be pursued now or later in their careers. It also is for those individuals who are considering obtaining jobs in consulting, venture capital, or investment banking where they are dealing with new or relatively new ventures. This special section of Foundations of Entrepreneurship will focus on social entrepreneurship. We define social entrepreneurship as the process of using business skills to create innovative approaches to societal problems. These nonprofit and for profit ventures have a social mission and aim to be financially self-sustainable or profitable. This section is designed to teach students about all aspects of the traditional business planning process, with particular attention paid to the challenges of social venture creation. Topics will include opportunity assessment, business models in the social sector, acquiring the necessary resources to grow a new venture, and the tradeoffs between social and financial returns on investment. Students are expected to complete a semester long project (a social venture plan or case study) to be evaluated by classmates, faculty and an outside panel of practitioners. Students will also be expected to attend one outside class session during the semester. These field trips provide the opportunity for students to learn from experienced practitioners in the field.


Benthic macroinvertebrates are often used bio-indicators of pollution as they readily respond to changes in their environment. However, within estuaries natural variation in macrofaunal assemblages can be extensive, inhibiting our ability to detect changes that occur as a result of human impact. For effective management of threats and for developing cost effective monitoring programs a clear understanding of both natural and anthropogenic factors affecting macrofaunal communities is required. In this study natural variation in macrofaunal assemblages and that which can be attributed to anthropogenic disturbance is examined in twelve Tasmanian estuaries. Two common geomorphologically different estuarine types (seven mesotidal river dominated estuaries and five permanently open barrier estuaries) were surveyed on one occasion in November 2008. The first aim of this study is to gain a greater understanding of the natural processes driving macrofaunal assemblages in both estuarine types, to assess how similar or dissimilar they are and whether these patterns are dependent on the location of sampling. This information is important as it provides information on biogeographical patterns in the distribution of macrofaunal assemblages and the mechanisms that drive these patterns. This information can also be used to ascertain whether the same or separate management strategies can be implemented for the two different estuarine types. To assess changes in the composition of macrofaunal assemblages along natural gradients each estuary was divided into upper, mid and a lower location that were broadly comparable across estuaries. This allowed a comparison of similar locations across estuaries, reducing the effects of natural variation within each estuary. At each location, a suite of variables commonly used in monitoring programs were collected, which included macroinvertebrates, seagrass extent, dissolved oxygen in the water column, pore water salinity, sediment nutrients (total nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment for particle size analysis, stable isotope analysis (used only in the second data chapter) and microphytobenthos. Using the same macrofauna and environmental data the second aim of this study investigated the effects of anthropogenic impacts in mesotidal river estuaries, anthropogenic loads of nitrogen, a similar pattern was observed in the sediment signature of δ15N, where elevated signatures were detected in the upper and mid locations of estuaries with highest nutrient loads. In contrast, the results indicated that the lower locations were predominantly influenced by marine processes or by processes not measured in this study. The low sediment signatures of δ15N at the lower location provide further support to this argument.
Overall, this study demonstrates that dividing the estuaries into locations was essential in capturing and explaining the natural variability in the distribution of macrofauna, and allowed a comprehensive investigation into the relationships between nutrient loads and macrofaunal assemblages. This has direct application to the design of cost effective monitoring programs that use macrofauna as an indicator of anthropogenic change. This information is useful in determining if similar management strategies and monitoring programs can be applied to both estuarine types.