It is known that vergence allows the brain to perceive depth. Although convergence (inward turning of the eyes) and divergence (outward turning of the eyes) movements utilize the same extraocular muscles and visual field, emerging evidence supports that they are different neural control systems. Both adapt (the system's ability to alter its dynamics) and are correlated to phoria (the resting state of the visual system); however the behavior is different depending upon the system. This review discusses the classical and new tools used to analyze vergence movements, the neural control of each system, and its interaction with version. A review of the current models shows that new models are needed to explain these recent behavior studies which will facilitate the understanding of vergence dysfunctions. Eye movement from far to near (convergent movement) or from near to far (divergent movement) are performed quickly and accurately. The convergence and divergence movements appear to be mediated by different neural control processes. For example, while divergence can be faster at near, convergence can be faster at far. The vergence resting level adapts to sustained stimuli and this adaptation can influence the dynamics of both systems. Movement dynamics can also adapt as repetitive movements and alter the peak velocity of each system. However, typical vergence movements in daily living rarely consist of pure symmetrical vergence movements but exhibit a combination of version and vergence movements. Reviewing recent models shows that none adequately describe the influence of phoria, adaptation, the differences between convergence and divergence control and its interaction with version. The development of a new model is needed to describe the neural control of convergence and divergence taking into account the influence of adaptation, phoria and its interaction with the version system. Once this model is developed, it can yield more insight into abnormalities of the vergence system such as convergence and divergence insufficiencies or excess which can develop from numerous neurological dysfunctions.


Developing a collision avoidance system that can meet safety standards required of commercial aviation is challenging. A dynamic programming approach to collision avoidance has been developed to optimize and generate logics that are robust to the complex dynamics of the national airspace. The current approach represents the aircraft avoidance problem as Markov Decision Processes and independently optimizes a horizontal and vertical maneuver avoidance logics. This is a result of the current memory requirements for each logic, simply combining the logics will result in a significantly larger representation. The "curse of dimensionality" makes it computationally inefficient and infeasible to optimize this larger representation. However, existing and future collision avoidance systems have mostly defined the decision process by hand. In response, a simulation-based framework was built to better understand how each potential state quantifies the aircraft avoidance problem with regards to safety and operational components. The framework leverages recent advances in signals processing and database, while enabling the highest fidelity analysis of Monte Carlo aircraft encounter simulations to date. This framework enabled the calculation of how well each state of the decision process quantifies the collision risk and the associated memory requirements. Using this analysis, a collision avoidance logic that leverages both horizontal and vertical actions was built and optimized using this simulation-based approach.


This paper describes the growth of open access repositories and journals as reported by monitoring initiatives such as ROAR (Registry of Open Access Repositories), Open DOAR (Open Directory of Open Access Repositories), DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), Directory of Web Ranking of World Repositories by the Cybermetrics Laboratory in Spain and published literature. The performance of Malaysian OA repositories and journals is highlighted. The strength of OA channels in increasing visibility and citations are evidenced by research findings. It is proposed that libraries can champion OA initiatives by making university or institutional governance aware; encouraging institutional journal publishers to adopt OA platform; collaborating with research groups to jumpstart OA institutional initiatives and to embed OA awareness into user and researcher education programmes. By actively involved, libraries will be free of permission, licensing and archiving barriers usually imposed in traditional publishing situation.


The computer-assisted modeling of re-entrant production lines, and, in particular, simulation scalability, is attracting a lot of attention due to the importance of such lines in semiconductor manufacturing. Re-entrant flows lead to competition for processing capacity among the items produced, which significantly impacts their throughput time (TPT). Such production models naturally exhibit two time scales: a short one, characteristic of single items processed through individual machines, and a longer one, characteristic of the response time of the entire factory. Coarse-grained partial differential equations for the spatio-temporal evolution of a ''phase density'' were obtained through a kinetic theory approach in Armbruster and Ringhofer [Thermalized kinetic and fluid models for re-entrant supply chains, SIAM J. Multiscale Modeling Simul. 3(4) (2005) 782–800.] We take advantage of the time scale separation to directly solve such coarse-grained equations, even when we cannot derive them explicitly, through an equation-free computational approach. Short bursts of appropriately initialized stochastic fine-scale simulation are used to perform coarse projective integration on the phase density. The key step in this process is lifting: the construction of fine-scale, discrete realizations consistent with a given coarse-grained phase density field. We achieve this through computational evaluation of conditional distributions of a ''phase velocity'' at the limit of large item influxes. r 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Advanced optical modulation formats have become a key ingredient to the design of modern wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optically routed networks. In this paper, we review the generation and detection of multigigabit/second intensity- and phase-modulated formats and highlight their resilience to key impairments found in optical networking, such as optical amplifier noise, chromatic dispersion, polarization-mode dispersion, WDM crosstalk, concatenated optical filtering, and fiber nonlinearity


Behavioral Adjustment of Children with Life Threatening Illness By E. Joseph Becher, Jr. This study investigated factors that affect adjustment in children with life-threatening illness from the viewpoint of the parents/caregivers. The data were collected from parents/caregivers whose children have a life threatening diagnosis. Parents/caregivers were interviewed and asked to complete the Parent Request Questionnaire (PRQ) which was given to them after the in-person interview. This newly developed PRQ was utilized into prior research to predict the levels of adjustment in children. It includes age, whether the child has been informed of the diagnosis, whether the child engages in ageappropriate activities, the child's prior experience with death, the child's family's involvement in treatment, and the child's belief in an after-life. Prior literature suggests associations between these factors and the child's ability to adjust to the diagnosis. This study examined these factors revealed by the parents/caregivers and any similarities were noted. There has been limited research conducted on behavioral adjustment in children with life threatening illness. This qualitative study utilized an open-ended interview process to gather information about the factors that promote behavioral adjustment and whether or not the factors already researched in quantitative studies applied. The interviewees were participants in independent support groups benefiting the caregivers/parents of the children with life threatening illness. Participants were also recruited by word-of-mouth after calling such groups and individuals in California. The PRQ was distributed after the interview as an additional measure. The interview revealed factors as noted by the caregivers and indicated the emergent themes of: isolation, fear, inquisitiveness, age-appropriate activities, diagnoses shared, and support systems. The interview and the PRQ were used to analyze child adjustment reported during the interview sessions. The participants in this study were all parents/caregivers. Instrumentation was a structured interview and a demographic questionnaire (PRQ). The texts were transcribed and analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Narratives of their life experience with the child having life-threatening illness were examined. Emergent themes, previously mentioned, were elicited from the interview material in hopes of providing additional support services needed as voiced by the parents/caregivers. "The electronic version of the dissertation is accessible at the Ohiolink ETD center http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/ ".


Abstract. The Antarctic Peninsula has seen rapid and widespread changes in the extent of its ice shelves in recent decades, including the collapse of the Larsen A and B ice shelves in 1995 and 2002, respectively. In 2017 the Larsen C Ice Shelf (LCIS) lost around 10 % of its area by calving one of the largest icebergs ever recorded (A68). This has raised questions about the structural integrity of the shelf and the impact of any changes in its extent on the flow of its tributary glaciers.
In this work, we used an ice flow model to study the instantaneous impact of changes in the thickness and extent of the LCIS on ice dynamics and in particular on changes in the grounding line flux (GLF).
We initialised the model to a pre-A68 calving state and first replicated the calving of the A68 iceberg. We found that there was a limited instantaneous impact on upstream flow – with speeds increasing by less than 10 % across almost all of the shelf – and a 0.28 % increase in GLF. This result is supported by observations of ice velocity made before and after the calving event.
We then perturbed the ice-shelf geometry through a series of instantaneous, idealised calving and thinning experiments of increasing magnitude. We found that significant changes to the geometry of the ice shelf, through both calving and thinning, resulted in limited instantaneous changes in GLF. For example, to produce a doubling of GLF from calving, the new calving front needed to be moved to 5 km from the grounding line, removing almost the entire ice shelf. For thinning, over 200 m of the ice-shelf thickness had to be removed across the whole shelf to produce a doubling of GLF.
Calculating the instantaneous increase in GLF (607 %) after removing the entire ice shelf allowed us to quantify the total amount of buttressing provided by the LCIS. From this, we identified that the region of the ice shelf in the first 5 km downstream of the grounding line provided over 80 % of the buttressing capacity of the shelf. This is due to the large resistive stresses generated in the narrow, local embayments downstream of the largest tributary glaciers.


Patients with complex nocturnal behaviors (parasomnia, sleepwalking) can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from those with epilepsy.The differential diagnosis includes identifying abnormalities on electroencephalography (EEG) that are specific for epilepsy - epileptiform discharges. Although these are rarely seen in individuals without epilepsy, and unknown to be associated with sleep disorders, we unexpectedly identified focal epileptiform abnormalities among multiple patients who presented with clinical features suggestive of parasomnia rather than epilepsy—they did not have a history of epileptic seizures or risk factors for epilepsy. The individual history of each patient and the type of abnormality are discussed in the context of any potential for increased cortical irritability.


Without assuming any particular operational scenario, possible threats to military transport aircraft include hits from small arms, high explosive incendiary projectiles with impact or proximity fuzes, frangible armour piercing discarding sabot (APDS) rounds, and small warheads from man-portable anti-aircraft missiles or medium-to-large anti-aircraft warheads. This paper briefly describes each of these threats and their potential effect on aircraft. The hit density as a function of distance is schematically presented whereby high hit densities lead to different synergistic effects. The principal function of radar proximity sensors is briefly described, as well as the prediction of the initial velocities of fragments and their decrease in the ambient atmosphere. Some tests are proposed to define quantitatively the blast/fragmenting loads on aircraft skins with cost-effective individual fragment tests and with fragment generators for high hit densities.


Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is a special concrete which is highly flowable, non- segregating and by its own weight spread into place, completely fill the formwork even in the presence of dense reinforcement and then encapsulate the rebar without the need of any additional compaction. Similar with other cement-based materials, SCC also has a brittle characteristic. This research conducted to evaluate the effects of polypropylene fiber addition on fresh state characteristics of SCC mixes, and investigate the effects of polypropylene fiber on some hardened properties of SCC. In this research, concrete mixes were added with polypropylene fiber of 0%, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% volume fraction. Fresh characteristics were evaluated based on its passing ability, flowability, viscosity, and segregation resistance using J-ring, Slump flow, and Sieve Segregation Resistance tests. After 28 days of curing, compressive, splitting tensile strength, and drop-weight impact resistance were tested. Tests results indicate that polypropylene fibers tend to reduce the flowability and passing ability but will increase viscosity and segregation resistance of SCC. Furthermore, it can be concluded that polypropylene fiber reduce deformability of SCC in the fresh state. After 28 days of curing, concrete specimens' tests indicate that polypropylene fiber addition up to 0.10% of volume fraction tend to improve the compressive strength, tensile strength, and impact resistance of hardened SCC. It also can be suggested that polypropylene fibers allowed to be added into SCC mixes up to 0.10% by volume of concrete.


Some physics textbooks state that the equation for the collinear Doppler effect applies only to a reference frame fixed on the medium, while several textbooks ignore this limitation. The wavelength recorded by a moving observer can be transformed by the textbook Doppler equation in terms of only the source's frequency and velocity, which demonstrates the textbook equation is inaccurate with a stationary source. The equation for the Doppler effect in textbooks approximates the observer's frequency, even when the observer's velocity is much less than the propagation velocity through the medium. The generalized Doppler equations for an observer are derived using infinite series for the moving observer in any inertial frame. The inaccuracy of the textbook equation is due to the false assumption that the observed wavelength in the observer's frame is the same transmitted wavelength in the frame of the medium. It is also shown for sound that a moving source and moving observer with identical velocities through still air is the equivalent of having a stationary source and stationary observer with a wind of opposite velocity. This particular example also demonstrates that moving interferometers preserve wavelengths. These newly derived Doppler equations for the observer will add more precision with wave phenomena.


The Perceptive Workbench enables a spontaneous, natural and unimpeded interface between the physical and virtual worlds. It uses vision-based methods for interaction that eliminate the need for wired input devices and wired tracking. Objects are recognized and tracked when placed on the display surface. Through the use of multiple light sources, the object's 3D shape can be captured and inserted into the virtual interface. This ability permits spontaneity since either preloaded objects or those objects selected on-the-spot by the user can become physical icons. Integrated into the same vision-based interface is the ability to identify 3D hand position, pointing direction and sweeping arm gestures. Such gestures can enhance selection, manipulation and navigation tasks. In this paper, the Perceptive Workbench is used for augmented reality gaming and terrain navigation applications, which demonstrate the utility and capability of the interface.


Because of the tremendous information content, single-molecule detection with a vibrational spectroscopic technique is a goal well worth pursuing. The vibrational technique most suitable for single-molecule detection is surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). For example, Kneipp et al. recently demonstrated detection of 100 molecules of rhodamine 6G using surface-enhanced resonance Raman. Van Duyne and co-workers have recently detected just 10 molecules of pyridine using SERS and Raman microscopy. The key to sensitive detection using SERS lies in optimization of the enhancing surface. For excitation with easily accessible wavelengths, as well as ease of preparation and nearly ideal surface characteristics, Ag is often the metal of choice. SERS-active Ag has been prepared in a variety of ways, such as Ag colloids, vapor-deposited thin films, electrochemically roughened electrodes, nitric-acid-etched foils, thin films from the Tollens reaction, lithographically produced islands on Si posts, and, recently, vapor-deposition of Ag over a monolayer (or double layer) of nanospheres, followed by removal of the nanospheres. Each of the methods mentioned for the generation of SERS-active surfaces has advantages and limitations; i.e., there is still room for improvement and optimization of SERS-active surfaces.


Abstract. After the deep solar minimum at the end of the solar cycle 23, a small magnetic storm occurred on 20–26 January 2010. The Dst (disturbance storm time) index reached the minimum of −38 nT on 20 January and the prolonged recovery that followed the main phase that lasted for about 6 days. In this study, we concentrate on three substorms that took place (1) just prior to the storm, (2) during the main phase of the storm, and (3) at the end of the recovery of the storm. We analyse the solar wind conditions from the solar wind monitoring spacecraft, the duration and intensity of the substorm events as well as the behaviour of the electrojet currents from the ground magnetometer measurements. We compare the precipitation characteristics of the three substorms. The results show that the F-region electron density enhancements and dominant green and red auroral emission of the substorm activity during the storm recovery resembles average isolated substorm precipitation. However, the energy dissipated, even at the very end of a prolonged storm recovery, is very large compared to the typical energy content of isolated substorms. In the case studied here, the dissipation of the excess energy is observed over a 3-h long period of several consecutive substorm intensifications. Our findings suggest that the substorm energy dissipation varies between the storm phases.


Objective: To study the view of life in dementia. The view of life of an individual is defined as a conception of reality, a central system of values and a basic emotional attitude. Method: Interviews with persons (N = 21) with mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The interview data were interpreted with a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Results: Despite their cognitive deterioration it was possible to understand the view of life of the participants in the frame of their life story. Their view of life seemed to guide them towards selecting mainly emotionally powerful and value-oriented memories. No exceptional characteristics that could be traced to their dementia disease were found in the participants' views of life. Conclusions: The view of life of the participants with mild to moderate dementia was vital for their life story and was not erased by dementia. Implications: In order to respect people with dementia as persons, caregivers should strive for gaining some knowledge of their view of life.


A decade after the outbreak of the Arab revolutions, what remains of the political promise of "cameras everywhere" to permit activists and protesters in the region revived forms of agency, self-expression, and connectivity? This Special Section aims to provide a better understanding of what the opportunities and constraints are for practices of grassroots digital image activism within today's political struggles in the Arab world. Together, the articles track the current conditions of possibility for Arab digital image activism to actualize counterdominant practices of capturing, mobilizing, and archiving visual documentation of people's struggles for justice in the region. Where traditional media studies tend to focus on insurgent image making as content rather than as embodied and embedded practices, the contributions here feature a range of concrete, contextual, and innovative repertoires of activist video and photography practices. They specifically detail the struggle between resistance and control, between efforts to maintain the radical potential of grassroots forms and practices image-making in the region, and the renewed hegemonic threats and pressures of co-optation, commodification, and censorship.


Background:Human variations related to immune response and disease susceptibility is well-documented in Ayurveda. Prakriti (body constitution) is the basic constitution of an individual established at the time of birth and distinguishes variations, into three broad phenotype categories such as vata, pitta and kapha. Variation in immune response is often attributed to and measured from the difference in cluster differentiation (CD) markers expressed in lymphocytes. Currently, there are no reports available on the expression of CD markers related to prakriti. Objective: This is a pilot study performed to evaluate a panel of lymphocyte subset CD markers in dominant prakriti individuals. Materials and Methods: Immunophenotyping was carried out using whole blood from a total of healthy 222 subjects, who are grouped into kapha (n = 95), pitta (n = 57) and vata (n = 70) prakritis. CD markers such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD25, CD56, CD69, CD71 and HLA-DR were analyzed using flow cytometry method. Differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparisons between groups were performed by Bonferroni or Mann-Whitney U test with corrections for type I error respectively. Significance was evaluated by ANOVA and Pearson′s correlation. Results: We observed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the expression of CD markers such as CD14 (monocytes), CD25 (activated B cells) and CD56 (Natural killer cells) between different prakriti groups. CD25 and CD56 expression was significantly higher in kapha prakriti samples than other prakriti groups. Similarly, slightly higher levels of CD14 were observed in pitta prakriti samples. Conclusion: Significant difference in the expression of CD14, CD25 and CD56 markers between three different prakriti is demonstrated. The increased level of CD25 and CD56 in kapha prakriti may indicate ability to elicit better immune response, which is in conformity with textual references in Ayurveda.


Objective With an elderly population that is set to more than double by 2050 worldwide, there will be an increased demand for elderly care. This poses several impediments in the delivery of high-quality health and social care. Socially assistive robot (SAR) technology could assume new roles in health and social care to meet this higher demand. This review qualitatively examines the literature on the use of SAR in elderly care and aims to establish the roles this technology may play in the future. Design Scoping review. Data sources Search of CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Scopus databases was conducted, complemented with a free search using Google Scholar and reference harvesting. All publications went through a selection process, which involved sequentially reviewing the title, abstract and full text of the publication. No limitations regarding date of publication were imposed, and only English publications were taken into account. The main search was conducted in March 2016, and the latest search was conducted in September 2017. Eligibility criteria The inclusion criteria consist of elderly participants, any elderly healthcare facility, humanoid and pet robots and all social interaction types with the robot. Exclusions were acceptability studies, technical reports of robots and publications surrounding physically or surgically assistive robots. Results In total, 61 final publications were included in the review, describing 33 studies and including 1574 participants and 11 robots. 28 of the 33 papers report positive findings. Five roles of SAR were identified: affective therapy, cognitive training, social facilitator, companionship and physiological therapy. Conclusions Although many positive outcomes were reported, a large proportion of the studies have methodological issues, which limit the utility of the results. Nonetheless, the reported value of SAR in elderly care does warrant further investigation. Future studies should endeavour to validate the roles demonstrated in this review. Systematic review registration NIHR 58672.


Under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), schools serving sufficiently high-poverty populations may enroll their entire student bodies in free lunch and breakfast programs, extending free meals to some students who would not qualify individually and potentially decreasing the stigma associated with free meals. We examine whether CEP affects disciplinary outcomes, focusing on the use of suspensions. We use school discipline measures from the Civil Rights Data Collection and rely on the timing of pilot implementation of CEP across states to assess how disciplinary infractions evolve within a school as it adopts CEP. We find modest reductions in suspension rates among elementary and middle but not high school students. While we are unable to observe how the expansion of free school meals affects the dietary intake of students in our national sample, we do observe that for younger students, these reductions are concentrated in areas with higher levels of estimated child food insecurity. Our findings suggest that the impact of school-based child nutrition services extends beyond the academic gains identified in some of the existing literature.


Climate change and variability are key challenges facing the planet and humanity, particularly in South Africa. The complexity of climate as an interconnected system, including earth and socio-ecological systems and 'deeper' thinking, requires critical enquiry as well as reflexive and transformative education approaches. This paper provides a synoptic overview of three emerging South African cases of teacher education materials development, high school material design, and the design and implementation of a new tertiary-degree offering centred on teaching and learning for climate change. A mixed-methods approach was used in all cases, with a central focus being climate change content knowledge and examples of teaching and curriculum design opportunities that can begin a 'transformative' learning journey for climate change action. Educators and facilitators, in most cases, noted that the approaches used enabled a more expansive understanding of climate change content knowledge, and, in some cases, although not tested in detail, seemed to also inspire action for climate change (deeper levels of learning). The paper is predicated on enabling improved understanding of climate change as a complex 'system' requiring a range of responses. Probing what may be required to begin a much 'deeper' understanding and appreciation of the implications of climate change both now and in the future, is also examined.


In this paper, a FPGAs-based real-time adaptively modulated 256/64/16QAM-encoded base-band OFDM transceiver with a high spectral efficiency up to 5.76bit/s/Hz is successfully developed, and experimentally demonstrated in a simple intensity-modulated direct-detection optical communication system. Experimental results show that it is feasible to transmit a raw signal bit rate of 7.19Gbps adaptively modulated real-time optical OFDM signal over 20km and 50km single mode fibers (SMFs). The performance comparison between real-time and off-line digital signal processing is performed, and the results show that there is a negligible power penalty. In addition, to obtain the best transmission performance, direct-current (DC) bias voltage for MZM and launch power into optical fiber links are explored in the real-time optical OFDM systems.


Making a theoretical case linking genre trajectory with artistic legitimation struggles, this paper seeks to explain the development of the American science fiction magazine. Across the fifty-plus years analyzed, science fiction emerged from its lowbrow pulp fiction origins into a highly successful, critically acclaimed genre across multiple mediums. This empirical trend is then modeled using predictors adopted from theories of cultural legitmation, which conceptualize the process as both movement induced and historically shaped. Employing standard time-series regression techniques, the results suggest a sequential story underlying the trajectory of American science fiction magazines: popular science initially created a legitimate discursive space for the nascent genre, while growing cohesive networks among science fiction authors sustained the cultural form in the post-war period. The paper, then, contributes significantly to the growing study of the dynamics of classificatory schemes.


This article analyses the empirical relationship between crime and legitimacy. Using data obtained from a sample of 3 258 South Africans involved in an empirical study conducted in 1997, the author attempts to assess the impact of crime on political legitimacy. Legitimacy is operationalised as specific support (support for political authorities) and diffuse support (the reservoir of goodwill citizens have toward their government, measured here as compliance with the law).
The findings indicate that perceptions of crime is not based on personal experience with crime but rather on popular knowledge. Surprisingly, the findings show that whites are more positive toward the police than the other race groups. Furthermore there is no universal support for the rule of law although attitudes differ across race groups. Africans show a much higher level of confidence in the legal system as compared to whites and Indians, while whites and coloureds support greater powers for the police to deal with crime.
With regard to the relationship between crime and legitimacy, the findings show a high correlation between perceptions of policing and specific support for the police, but a low correlation between perceptions of policing and compliance. Crime has a greater impact on specific support than on diffuse support which may affect legitimacy negatively. Low levels of legitimacy threaten the consolidation of democracy.


Marine phytoplankton ecophysiological state and primary production measurements have typically been controversial due to potential impacts of measurement techniques. Advances in chl-a fluorescence techniques have provided a means for rapid, non-invasive measurement of electron transport through photosystem 2 (PSII) in dilute phytoplankton suspensions. While studies on higher plants have outlined a close relationship between PSII electron transport and carbon fixation, results from studies on microalgae reveal significant variations in the relationship.

Three species of phytoplankton representing three major taxonomic groups of the marine phytoplankton were used in this study: (1) Chaetoceros muelleri CS176 Lemmermann (Bacillariophyta), (2) Isochrysis galbana CS177 Parke (Haptophyta) and, (3) Nannochloropsis oculata CS179 (Droop) Hibberd (Ochrophyta, eustigmatophyte). Each species was cultured in semicontinuous culture and primary production was estimated using oxygen evolution and carbon fixation techniques and compared against predictions based on chl-a fluorescence measurements. It was found that predicted values of primary production both under-estimated and overestimated actual carbon fixation measured via radioisotope (14C) techniques. This variation was primarily explained by probable errors in the assumed values for PSII density. The relationship between oxygen evolution or carbon fixation with chl-a fluorescence-derived measures was commonly linear below the light saturation parameter, with a departure from linearity occurring at higher irradiances. This departure from linearity was greatest in cultures adapted to low light conditions. At higher light intensities alternative electron pathways such as the Mehler reaction and/or chlororespiration are likely to be more active in low light-adapted cultures, leading to this greater non-linearity.

Chl-a fluorescence measurements were also found to be a useful in characterising ecophysiology using photosynthesis-versus irradiance curves. However, an important caveat on this is the measurement of PSII density ([eta]PSII) rather than use of an assumed value as changes in [eta]PSII can have a profound impact on light curve parameters.

A field study in Fremantle Harbour found a healthy (negligible nutrient starvation), diatom dominated, phytoplankton community. Results suggest that phytoplankton are able to begin boosting photosynthetic capability just prior to morning twilight. Waters in the harbour were well mixed via tidal motion and substantial midday photoinhibition was not observed. Data suggest levels of primary production at the mouth of the harbour are similar to those of coastal waters in the plume of the Ocean Reef wastewater outfall.


Cause-and-effect relations are one of the most valuable types of knowledge sought after throughout the data-driven sciences since they translate into stable and generalizable explanations as well as efficient and robust decision-making capabilities. Inferring these relations from data, however, is a challenging task. Two of the most common barriers to this goal are known as confounding and selection biases. The former stems from the systematic bias introduced during the treatment assignment, while the latter comes from the systematic bias during the collection of units into the sample. In this paper, we consider the problem of identifiability of causal effects when both confounding and selection biases are simultaneously present. We first investigate the problem of identifiability when all the available data is biased. We prove that the algorithm proposed by [Bareinboim and Tian, 2015] is, in fact, complete, namely, whenever the algorithm returns a failure condition, no identifiability claim about the causal relation can be made by any other method. We then generalize this setting to when, in addition to the biased data, another piece of external data is available, without bias. It may be the case that a subset of the covariates could be measured without bias (e.g., from census). We examine the problem of identifiability when a combination of biased and unbiased data is available. We propose a new algorithm that subsumes the current state-of-the-art method based on the back-door criterion.


Background: Engineering is well ahead of many other disciplines in terms of establishing strong and evidence-based research and practice relating to employability. Despite this, there are high rates of student and graduate attrition in many countries. One possible reason for this is that students enter engineering study without a sense of motivation and commitment, and without understanding the realities of either their degree program or engineering work. Purpose: Educational institutions provide the learning foundation upon which competence for a professional engineering career is established; however, understanding how students position learning in relation to their future careers is a neglected area of research. Working with engineering students in their first semester of study, this research aimed to extend current understanding of students' thinking about competencies, identity, self-efficacy, motivation, career preview, and both career aspirations and fears. Study Design: Twelve hundred first-year engineering students at an Australian university participated in in-class workshops in which they considered their future lives and work. Responses were coded using the Engineers Australia (EA) graduate competencies as a framework. In this paper we report findings from the first cohort of students (n=260), of whom 49% were international students with English as their second language. Results: Students most frequently characterised engineers in line with the EA competency Professional and Personal Attributes. Striking differences emerged between international and local (domestic) students' perceptions of difference between the characteristics of engineers and their own attributes. These extended to Engineering Application Ability, Knowledge and Skill Base, and characteristics of engineers that are not EA competencies. Conclusions: Implications for engineering education include changes to the information that guides course and career choice; the role and impact of foundation-year, including career-oriented learning; and the structure and delivery of pedagogical approaches that explore engineering identity. In considering these implications, language and cultural diversity warrant further attention.


The SIMP approach is one of the most frequently used methods for topology optimization of structures. In this method, the relative density is expressed as a function of coordinates and varies from 0 to 1 within the design domain. Relative densities of 0 and 1 are associated to the existence and non-existence of the material, respectively. The finite element approach is usually utilized to analyze the problem while considering a constant relative density within each element. As a result, relative densities of the elements are assumed as the design variables. A common deficiency of such an approach is the introduction of the so-called checkerboard pattern, which is an indication of numerical instability. In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed to overcome this source of instability which is based on the concept of stress and strain smoothing. Benchmarks and practical problems are simulated and discussed in order to verify the proposed approach and to assess its performance.The native strain of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was able to grow on the media that contain up to 250 mg/L molybdenum while pyrite was an additional source of energy. This caused approximately three times more molybdenum uptake than those reported in the literatures for Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.


Cocoa flavanols and procyanidins possess wide-ranging biological activities. The present study investigated the stability of the cocoa monomers, (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, and the dimers, epicatechin-(4beta-8)-epicatechin (Dimer B2) and epicatechin-(4beta- 6)-epicatechin (Dimer B5), in simulated gastric and intestinal juice and at different pH values. The dimers were less stable than the monomers at both acidic and alkaline pH. Incubation of Dimer B2 and Dimer B5 in simulated gastric juice (pH 1.8) or acidic pH resulted in degradation to epicatechin and isomerization to Dimer B5 and Dimer B2, respectively. When incubated in simulated intestinal juice or at alkaline pH, all four compounds degraded almost completely within several hours. These results suggest that the amount, and type, of flavanols and procyanidins in the gastrointestinal tract following the consumption of cocoa can be influenced by the stability of these compounds in both acidic and alkaline environments.


The existence of financial identity theft in the United States, and its (gradual) spread to other areas of the world, increases the need to understand how identity theft occurs and how perpetrators of the crime manage to take advantage of developments within contemporary society. This book aims to provide such an understanding through an in-depth comparative analysis which illustrates how states, financial service providers, consumers, and others facilitate the occurrence of financial identity theft in the United States and the Netherlands.


Outdoor Education (OE) is an important learning area taught in many Western Australian (WA) schools. However, very little is known about its nature and scope, and how its delivery may differ between school sectors. Given the valuable contribution of OE to the holistic development of children and adolescents, it appears to be an under-resourced and undervalued learning area. The primary aim of this study was to gather data regarding where and how OE was being taught in secondary schools in WA and to compare the findings to similar studies undertaken in Victoria, South Australia (SA), New Zealand and Singapore. This research used survey methodology and proceeded in three phases. In Phase 1, the main survey tool was developed by piloting the tool with nine secondary school OE teachers, with three from each school sector (Government, Catholic and Independent). The final version of the survey comprised 114 questions, with the opportunity for open-ended qualitative responses in some areas. Phase 2, which was undertaken in 2007, involved the implementation of the survey. It was completed by OE teachers in 51 secondary schools across WA. The responses enabled the identification of where OE was being taught within the school sectors (Government, Catholic and Independent), by whom (including position title, academic qualifications and skill-based certifications), the diversity of programmes offered, the desired outcomes, and the barriers to (and enablers for) programme delivery. In addition, the respondents indicated their intention to deliver the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Outdoor Education course, which was introduced in 2008 by the Curriculum Council of WA (CCWA), now the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). In Phase 3, longitudinal data on the uptake of the OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN WA SECONDARY SCHOOLS xviii WACE Outdoor Education course from 2008 to 2013 were obtained from the SCSA. The delivery of these programmes was tracked to examine how the factors identified in Phase 2 affected the delivery of OE in the school sectors. The Phase 2 results showed that regardless of sector differences, the key learning outcomes associated with OE related to the 'self and others' domain, with improved physical fitness being of least importance in all sectors. The nature and scope of OE varied between school sectors, with underpinning structural, financial and curriculum differences. Significant findings were as follows: 1) The teachers' academic qualifications and skills-based certifications varied between school sectors; 2) Independent schools offered more compulsory, sequentially developed OE programmes, which were often linked to other curriculum areas; 3) In Government and Catholic schools, OE was taught predominantly as an elective; 4) Key barriers to delivery included competition with other curriculum areas and the time required for teacher training/qualifications; 5) Teachers perceived the value of professional associations as being moderately important, with notable differences in membership existing between school sectors; and 6) All sectors identified the need for support via professional development (PD), resources and increased budget to aid in the delivery of OE. In Phase 3, the delivery of the WACE Outdoor Education course revealed a major point of difference between the sectors, with over half of the Independent schools not intending to deliver the course. Fewer schools in all sectors planned to implement Stages PA/PB, 2A/2B and 3A/3B, opting instead for the intended transition from the current OE syllabus to the entry-level Stages 1A/1B and 1C/1D. The overall findings showed that: 1) Government and Catholic schools generally met or increased their intentions to deliver the course; 2) Independent schools delivered OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN WA SECONDARY SCHOOLS xix fewer stages of the course than they had intended; 3) Stages PA/PB were the least delivered stages; 4) Stage 1 had the most participation; 5) Participation in Stage 2A/2B was approximately half that for Stages 1C/1D; and 6) Participation in Stages 3A/3B was approximately half that for Stages 2A/2B. The nature and scope of OE varied between school sectors, mainly because of structural, financial and curriculum differences. These factors were amplified by the level of teachers' existing OE qualifications and certifications, which were affected by the existing barriers. The WACE Outdoor Education course provided an avenue for OE to remain as an elective in Government and Catholic schools and Stages 2A/2B and 3A/3B attracted small numbers, allowing students to use OE to contribute to their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for university entry. Independent schools continued to deliver compulsory OE programmes that were sequentially developed across multiple year groups. These results have provided baseline data regarding the delivery of OE in WA schools and may contribute to the future development and advancement of OE in this state. OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN WA SECONDARY SCHOOLS xx


The soybean plants need a phosphorus in a great quantity for growth and production. Phosporus is one of essential nutrients for plants, but its availability in soil is tended to decrease. Therefore, the effective step to increase soybean production is using the soybean varieties with high productivity that can survive in the poor soil of nutrients P. This study aimed to examine the effect of fertilizer P to P uptake, growth and soybean varieties production. The eksperiment was conducted in an experiment station of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Riau lasted for 6 month started on April 2013 to August 2013. Four soybean varieties are Anjasmoro, Grobogan, Argomulyo and Burangrang planted with three level of dosage of fertilizers, there are 0 kg P 2 O 5 /ha, 25 kg P 2 O 5 /ha, 50 kg P 2 O 5 /ha. The parameter of observation include the phosphorus uptake, height plant, days of flowering, days of harvesting, weight of 100 seeds, number of seed per plant and result per m 2 . This study result indicate that the best P uptake are Anjasmoro and Argomulyo on 25 kg/ha fertilizer P but Grobogan and Burangrang on fertilizer P as much as 50 kg/ha. Giving the fertilizer P can increasing the growth and production on a certain varieties, while another varieties can't showed the effect of giving fertilizer. Keyword s : soybean varieties, fertilizer P, nutrients, component result


Within the academic and popular discussion of neogeography, it is routinely argued that the process of producing and using geographical information has been fundamentally democratised. Neogeography, in contrast to 'established geography', especially uses the argument that it is for anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Similar arguments have been used to praise the growth in Web GIS since the mid-1990s and seem to be persistent in the conceptualisation of these technologies. However, what is the nature of this democracy, and to what extent do the technologies that are used in neogeography fulfil this democratisation promise? In this contribution the framework offered by Andrew Feenberg in his critical theory of technology, and especially his call for 'deep democratisation', is used to provide a critique of these assertions of the nature of neogeography. The analysis shows that, unlike early critical GIS and the literature on participatory GIS, the analysis of neogeography adopted an instrumentalist interpretation of the technology and its applications. This view claims that technology is value free and that there is a separation between means and ends. This type of argument ignores and disguises the values that are integrated inexorably in advanced technologies. Once the values are exposed and discussed, neogeography becomes far less exciting and transformative. It becomes clear that there is a separation between a technological elite and a wider group of uninformed, labouring participants who are not empowered through the use of the technology. There are also multiple obstacles that limit the democratic potential of neogeography. The analysis progresses by considering the hierarchy of hacking, understood here as the ability to alter and change the meaning and use of a specific technological system. This hierarchy further explains the democratisation potentialities and limits of neogeography. Because of the reduced barriers, neogeography does offer some increased level of democratisation but, to fulfil this potential, it requires careful implementation that takes into account social and political aspects.


In this work we propose a novel model-based deep convolutional autoencoder that addresses the highly challenging problem of reconstructing a 3D human face from a single in-the-wild color image. To this end, we combine a convolutional encoder network with an expert-designed generative model that serves as decoder. The core innovation is the differentiable parametric decoder that encapsulates image formation analytically based on a generative model. Our decoder takes as input a code vector with exactly defined semantic meaning that encodes detailed face pose, shape, expression, skin reflectance and scene illumination. Due to this new way of combining CNN-based with model-based face reconstruction, the CNN-based encoder learns to extract semantically meaningful parameters from a single monocular input image. For the first time, a CNN encoder and an expert-designed generative model can be trained end-to-end in an unsupervised manner, which renders training on very large (unlabeled) real world data feasible. The obtained reconstructions compare favorably to current state-of-the-art approaches in terms of quality and richness of representation.


THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER David Mitchell's novels have captivated critics and readers alike, as his Man Booker shortlistings and Richard & Judy Book of the Year award attest. Now he has written a masterpiece. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the kind of book that comes along once in a decade - enthralling in its storytelling, imagination and scope. Set at a turning point in history on a tiny island attached to mainland Japan, David Mitchell's tale of power, passion and integrity transports us to a world that is at once exotic and familiar: an extraordinary place and an era when news from abroad took months to arrive, yet when people behaved as they always do - loving, lusting and yearning, cheating, fighting and killing. Bringing to vivid life a tectonic shift between East and West, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is dramatic, funny, heartbreaking, enlightening and thought-provoking. Reading it is an unforgettable experience.


Author(s): Harley-Trochimczyk, Anna Claire | Advisor(s): Maboudian, Roya | Abstract: Gas sensors can provide information about the presence of dangerous gases in industrial and residential sites, allowing for improved environmental protection and human health and safety. In order to enable ubiquitous wireless monitoring of combustible and toxic gases, sensor elements with low power consumption are required. Two common types of gas sensors, namely calorimetric and conductometric sensors, rely on heated sensor elements to activate the appropriate reactions with the gas of interest, resulting in high power requirements to maintain the necessary operating temperatures. Miniaturized gas sensors made with microfabricated heater platforms and nanoscale sensing materials can lead to low power sensor elements with high performance. The minimization of the power consumption cannot be at the expense of the sensor's ability to detect dangerous combustible and toxic gases. The sensing performance is impacted by the properties of both the microheater and the sensing material, as well as the integration of the two elements, creating significant opportunity for research and development to improve the performance parameters, such as sensitivity, detectable concentration range, selectivity, response and recovery time, stability, size, manufacturability, and cost, as well as power consumption. The development approach described in the following thesis relies on an optimized microheater platform as well as novel sensing materials. The design, fabrication, and characterization of a low-power microheater platform is described, with polycrystalline silicon as the heater material for moderate temperature and polycrystalline silicon carbide for improved reliability at high temperature operation. A small, isolated heated area decreases the required power consumption and a closed membrane facilitates easier deposition of sensing materials. Sensing materials for combustible and toxic gas detection have been developed based on ultra high surface area aerogels. For combustible gas sensing, graphene or boron nitride aerogel acts as a scaffold for catalytic platinum or palladium nanoparticles. Bare graphene aerogel and graphene aerogel coated with single to few-layer molybdenum disulfide sheets are used for toxic gas detection. The microheater platform with fast response and recovery times provides opportunities for localized, in-situ synthesis of high surface area sensing materials. The use of the microheater platform for localized growth of a nanocrystalline tin oxide sensing film is described. The fast thermal response of the microheater leads to rapid heating of the precursor, creating a highly porous film that is proven beneficial for toxic gas sensing.


Resolving Disputes: Theory, Practice, and Law, Second Edition, prepares the reader to represent clients in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. Drawing on the authors' experience in teaching and practice, vivid examples throughout the text illustrate the role of the attorney and the perspective of the client. Class-tested exercises in each area of dispute resolution develop skills, knowledge, and confidence in ADR processes. Timely and teachable, Resolving Disputes: Theory, Practice, and Law, Second Edition, features: a logical 4-part organization that focuses on negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and hybrid approaches diverse excerpts from leading authors that eliminates the need for additional or supplemental readings. examples taken from headline cases, literature, and ADR practice a detailed Teacher's Manual with: - sample syllabi - complete teaching notes - stimulating discussion points - highly effective exercises and role plays linked to the text integrated coverage of law and ethics a DVD of ADR role playing available at no charge With additional exercises, practice problems, and discussion questions throughout, the revised and updated Second Edition provides: expanded coverage of negotiation techniques new exercises that illustrate how lawyers can use and shape the mediation process, for example, when selecting mediators and dealing with positional bargainers games and role-play exercises to develop arbitration skills writing and discussion problems that focus on drafting an arbitration agreement, selecting arbitrators, writing an arbitration award, and more Resolving Disputes: Theory, Practice, and Law, Second Edition, combines cutting-edge scholarship with dynamic teaching materials that will give your students a firm grasp of the theory and practice of dispute resolution. This is the choice that puts it all within their reach.


Industry has been heavily pushing for new methods of human-computer interaction in the last several years and this has seen many different technologies move into the mainstream, from infrared sensors[1] and z-cameras[2] to touch screens[3]. Because touch screens are a more mature and developed technology they provide an ideal platform for mainstream technology development, but their level of interactiveness is limited, and these limitations must be overcome or compensated for with clever interface design. In this thesis, a solution to these inherent limitations in touch screen interface design is proposed by augmenting the touch screens interaction capabilities with one or two cameras to enable a near touch user experience on top of the standard touch screen. This offers flexibility in system design (the near touch is implemented as an extra layer, and can be activated only if present) as well as providing an inexpensive solution. Several Image processing algorithms relevant to this task are also discussed and their implementation evaluated.


Corporate scandals in Enron, WorldCom and Countrywide Financial have raised global attention towards the need for companies to be transparent. Managers' misbehavior and false evaluation are resulted from the information asymmetry that exists between managers and other stakeholders. KPMG had conducted a survey on fraud,
bribery and corruption in Malaysia and found that one of the factors is due to insufficient disclosure, which provided rooms for managers to act illegally. Towards promoting
transparency among companies in Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia has introduced CD Guide in 2012 to guide companies in providing high quality and standard information. Objective of this study are to investigate the level of information disclosure among Malaysian public listed companies, to examine whether CD Guide does make changes in the level of information disclosed and also to examine the relationship between the level of
information dislosure and companies' financial performance. This study is motivated by the inconclusive results from previous studies. Companies' performance are indirectly affected by the need for greater information disclosure. As companies grow, they require huge funds. By disclosing greater information, it enables investors, bankers and other financial institutions to understand the activities, operations and performance of the companies, as well as evaluating the management's accountability towards financial reporting before approving any fundings. A total of 106 listed companies in Bursa Malaysia have been selected, 318 annuals reports have been reviewed and all data have been analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Information disclosure indices are extracted from the annual reports whereas the financial performance's components are extracted from Datastream or Thomson Reuters. The results reported that majority of the public
listed companies in Malaysia have a high level of information disclosure score and are providing continuous efforts to disclose more after the introduction of the CD Guide by Bursa Malaysia. On top of that, the level of information disclosure is found to have a positive relationship towards companies' financial performance in terms of their ability in creating value for shareholders on the equity invested and ability to compete in the financial market. However, no relationship is found on the ability to increase earnings and efficiency in managing assets. This study not only provides feedback to Bursa Malaysia on the effectiveness of the CD Guide introduction, but also creates awareness among companies towards the need for greater information disclosure.


THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF REASONS for wanting to know what Aristotle means by "good" ([TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.]). For students of Aristotle, understanding his conception of goodness would provide an authentic Nicomachean metaethics, so to speak, a clearer view of his natural teleology, and a great deal of help in making sense of his cosmology and his metaphysics, especially the theological bits. For the less historically minded, the rebirth of virtue ethics makes the relation between nature and norm an important problem, with implications not only for ethics proper but also for social philosophy and the foundations of the social sciences. Epistemology and the philosophy of science finally have begun to take questions of value more seriously, and therefore they ought also to be interested in possible connections between knowledge of nature and the apprehension of value. Aristotle's conception of goodness is relevant to all these questions. In the following pages I shall sketch, therefore, as concisely as possible while staying close to the texts, the most prominent outlines of Aristotle's understanding of goodness. My conclusion is that goodness for Aristotle is simply actuality, considered as a standard and goal for all being. Although I am not aware of any careful argument for this thesis, I should note that it was suggested in passing by Allan Gotthelf in an essay published almost fifteen years ago. (1) More recently, Edward Halper has implied the same conclusion by using the account of substance in Metaphysics 7-8, together with the distinction between first and second actuality, to illuminate Aristotle's account of the good for individuals and states. (2) Moving back a few centuries, Thomas Aquinas was clearly aware that Aristotle identified goodness with actuality, a position that he himself also adopted. (3) In any case, a more thorough and systematic investigation will improve not only the evidence in hand that this is, indeed, Aristotle's view, but also our understanding of the view itself. My argument proceeds in four stages. In section 1, I shall consider Aristotle's identification of the good with that for the sake of which. By the end of this section, we shall already have reason to think that Aristotle understands goodness in terms of actuality. In section 2, in order to enrich the conception of goodness with which the previous section leaves us, I shall turn briefly to the relations between goodness, beauty, order, and nature. Then, resuming in section 3 the main thread of the argument, we shall consider the texts in which Aristotle associates goodness with being. Finally, in section 4 we shall see that the identification of goodness with actuality gives us a unified account of Aristotle's claims about what counts as good and why. Through the use of pros hen homonymy and analogy, the various senses of "good" are united around a core meaning in typically Aristotelian fashion. I Many of Aristotle's best known statements concerning the good have to do with its causal role in nature as that for the sake of which ([TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII.]). In Metaphysics 12.10, criticizing previous treatments of the good's causal role, he indicates how seriously he takes this identification of end and good--not just in human action, as in Nicomachean Ethics 1, but across the board: "In all things the good, especially, is a principle." (4) In the following paragraphs I shall examine the good as a causal principle, beginning by considering it as an end or that for the sake of which. Because Aristotle holds that end and form often coincide, we shall next consider his identification of the good, in many cases at least, with form. Finally, returning to the good as that for the sake of which, we shall look at cases in which the good is something other than form by examining Aristotle's endorsement in Ethics 1.1 of the adage that "the good is that at which all things aim." (5) By the end of this section we shall have on the table, ready for further discussion, the thesis that Aristotle understands goodness in terms of actuality. …


Understanding and imaging the real seismo-tectonic of SW-Cairo zone are essential to eliminate the risk of this hazardous seismic zone which is surrounded by the highest condense population province in Egypt. In this study, up to date earthquake catalogue and aeromagnetic data of the area under study were analyzed for tracing active subsurface faults that are responsible of earthquakes activity. Using 2D-power spectrum techniques, depth of structures (faults) was estimated and a shallow intrusion was detected at 550 m. The tectonic framework of SW-Cairo was evaluated and discussed in view of seismicity, surface geology, subsurface structures from RTP maps and boreholes information and the active faults were traced at shallow and deep depths.


The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sperm morphometry and sperm competition in local goats. Forty bucks were used in this study, consisted of 4 breeds namely Ettawa Grade Goat (EGG), Kejobong Goat (KJG), Kacang Goat (KCG), and Jawarandu Goat (JWG), each breeds consisted of 10 bucks. GLM, REG and DISRCRIM procedures of SAS were used to compute all data observed. UPGMA of MEGA 5 was used to illustrate the genetic distance among breeds. The result showed that there were differences in the sperm morphometry among 4 breeds of goats (P<0.05). Sperm length positively related to the level of sperm competition in all local goats (P<0.05) although the value of coefficient of determinant was low (r2= 0.0043). Within breed analysis showed that there was no positive relationship between sperm length and level of sperm competition in EGG and JWG goats. Midpiece area positively related to the principal piece (P<0.05). Sperm morphometry had a significant positive relation to sperm competition in local goats of Central Java.


A growing class of smartphone applications are tasking applications that run continuously, process data from sensors to determine the user's context (such as location) and activity, and optionally trigger certain actions when the right conditions occur. Many such tasking applications also involve coordination between multiple users or devices. Example tasking applications include location-based reminders, changing the ring-mode of a phone automatically depending on location, notifying when friends are nearby, disabling WiFi in favor of cellular data when moving at more than a certain speed outdoors, automatically tracking and storing movement tracks when driving, and inferring the number of steps walked each day. Today, these applications are non-trivial to develop, although they are often trivial for end users to state. Additionally, simple implementations can consume excessive amounts of energy. This paper proposes Code in the Air (CITA), a system which simplifies the rapid development of tasking applications. It enables non-expert end users to easily express simple tasks on their phone, and more sophisticated developers to write code for complex tasks by writing purely server-side scripts. CITA provides a task execution framework to automatically distribute and coordinate tasks, energy-efficient modules to infer user activities and compose them, and a push communication service for mobile devices that overcomes some shortcomings in existing push services.


The electronic age has increased the range of human capabilities to such an extent that the expectations about appropriate empirical linguistic analysis are changing. A hundred years ago, linguistics was largely an empirical manual process that produced information intended for humans. Today, the world is different as inexpensive computing power and the prevalence of information in electronic format encourages that, whenever possible, information be processed by automated and scalable means and the results be usable and understandable by computers. Creating sustainable and usable observations is best achieved through a standards-based approach that meets long term persistence and usability goals. This thesis presents a scalable architecture for creating linguistic observations in the form of string frequencies measurements and instantiates those measurements in a machine-readable standards-based format called Resource Descriptive Framework (RDF).


In the China Heart Congress 2014, Annals of Translational Medicine (ATM) has the honor to interview Dr. Steven F. Bolling (Figure 1), a renowned professor of Cardiac Surgery whose expertise in mitral valve repair continues to result in a large volume of referrals for mitral valve reconstruction. Dr. Steven F. Bolling's innovative approach to mitral valve repair in patients with end-stage left ventricular failure and outstanding ability to repair even the most challenging mitral valve abnormalities have received wide spread international acclaim. He continues to run a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded basic science laboratory.


NORTHERN FLINT, SOUTHERN ROOTS: A DIACHRONIC ANALYSIS OF PALEOETHNOBOTANICAL REMAINS AND MAIZE RACE AT THE AZTALAN SITE (47-JE-0001) by Jennifer L. Picard The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2013 Under the Supervision of John D. Richards, Ph.D. Located in Southeast Wisconsin on the west bank of the Crawfish River, the Aztalan site was first settled by horticultural Late Woodland peoples. By the mideleventh century A.D., Middle Mississippian migrants arrived from the south. The site was eventually transformed into a fortified village with three platform mounds. During the later component, Middle Mississippian and Late Woodland peoples appear to have coexisted. This thesis consists of a diachronic comparison of floral subsistence remains and maize race at the site. The results of the analysis indicate that while the Late Woodland inhabitants grew maize, food production involving maize and native cultigens was intensified following the appearance of Mississippian traits. The transformation of the site into a fortified agricultural village may have related to intergroup hostility within the region and territorial circumscription. The analysis also identified a possible early Mississippian feasting context. Maize race data indicate both an Eastern Great Lakes connection tied to collared Late Woodland pottery, and a southern, likely American Bottom, connection. This thesis also explores environmental and social explanations for differences between the Aztalan floral assemblage and Late Woodland and Oneota subsistence within the region.


Rendezvous in cognitive radio networks is the process that cognitive users meet and establish a communication link on a commonly available channel, so that consequent information exchange and data communications can be accomplished on the channel. In this study, we propose two ring-walk (RW) rendezvous algorithms to solve the problem of blind rendezvous, i.e., rendezvous without the help of any central controller and dedicated common control channel. Our basic idea is to represent each channel as a vertex in a ring. Cognitive users "walk" on the ring by visiting vertices of channels with different velocities. Rendezvous is achievable since the user with lower velocity will be eventually "caught" by the user with higher velocity. Compared with the existing solutions, our algorithms provide guaranteed rendezvous without the need of time-synchronization and are applicable to rendezvous of the multi-user and multi-hop scenario. We derive upper bounds on the time-to-rendezvous (TTR) and the expected TTR of our algorithms in both 2-user and multi-user scenarios. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of our algorithms.


Abstract Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on clinical findings, disease activity, functional status and quality of life in patients with axial involvement in Turkey. Methods Patients with PsA who met the CASPAR classification criteria were enrolled consequently in this cohort. Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR)-Network was formed with the participation of 25 centres. The demographic variables, fatigue, diagnostic delay, the beginning of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis and spine involvement, inflammatory low back pain, BASFI, HAQ, HAQ-s, visual analogue scale-pain (VAS-pain), anxiety, depression and disease activity parameters (ESR, DAS28, BASDAI) were recorded. Axial involvement was assessed according to clinical and radiological data according to modified New York (MNYC) or Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria. Results A total of 1018 patients with PsA were included in this study. Of the 373 patients with axial involvement, 150 were male (40.2%) and 223 (59.8%) were female. Spondylitis was detected in 14,7% of men and 21,9% of women in all patients. Pain score (VAS) (p < .002), fatigue (p < .001), ESR (p < .001), DAS28 (p < .001), BASDAI score (p < .001), PsAQoL (p < .001), HAQ score (p < ,01), HAQ-S score (p < .001), anxiety (p < .001), depression (p < .024), FACIT (p < .001) and FiRST (p < .001) scores were statistically significantly worse in women than males with axial PsA. However, quality of life was better (p < .001) and PASI score (p < .005) were statistically worse in male patients than in female patients with axial involvement. Conclusion This study has shown that the burden of disease in axial PsA has significant difference between genders. Disease activity, physical disability, functional limitation, depression and anxiety scores were higher in female patients, while quality of life were better and PASI score were higher in male patients. Therefore, we suggest that new strategies should be developed for more effective treatment of axial PsA in female patients.


Ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (CP-ABE) has been a preferred encryption technology to solve the challenging problem of secure data sharing in cloud computing. The shared data files generally have the characteristic of multilevel hierarchy, particularly in the area of healthcare and the military. However, the hierarchy structure of shared files has not been explored in CP-ABE. In this paper, an efficient file hierarchy attribute-based encryption scheme is proposed in cloud computing. The layered access structures are integrated into a single access structure, and then, the hierarchical files are encrypted with the integrated access structure. The ciphertext components related to attributes could be shared by the files. Therefore, both ciphertext storage and time cost of encryption are saved. Moreover, the proposed scheme is proved to be secure under the standard assumption. Experimental simulation shows that the proposed scheme is highly efficient in terms of encryption and decryption. With the number of the files increasing, the advantages of our scheme become more and more conspicuous.


Introduction The Internet is a vast multinational framework comprised of more than 150,000 individual networks and used by more than 304 million people around the globe. The Internet's commercial as well as individual consumer use has skyrocketed since 1995. During these last six years, the Internet has spurred the development of new businesses, products, services, and enabled unprecedented innovation as well as new and less expensive methods for research and communication. For individuals, the Internet provides access to a virtually limitless amount of unfiltered information, consumer choices, and communication. The Internet has also opened a new (cyber) world of business--electronic commerce--for both consumers and businesses. For purposes of this report, "e-commerce," as defined in the Internet Tax Freedom Act, includes "any transaction conducted over the Internet or through Internet access, comprising the sale, lease, license, offer, or delivery of property, goods, services, or information, whether or not for consideration, and includes the provision of Internet access." (Internet Tax Freedom Act 47 USC [section] 151 section 1004 (3), 1998). One of the greatest potential impediments to the future of e-commerce is the debate and uncertainty over taxation. The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) estimates sales tax losses from remote sales to be as high as $20 billion in the year 2003, or about 8% of all sales tax collected. The report, titled Sales Taxes: Electronic Commerce Growth Presents Challenges; Revenue Losses are Uncertain (Government Accounting Office, 2000) examined all remote sales, including Internet-based and other forms of remote selling. While the estimates vary the impact on state and local governments, which raise revenue via sales and use taxes, is staggering. Currently in the United States there are approximately 7,500 governmental bodies (state, country, city) that levy some form of sales and use tax. Across these agencies there is no uniform method for determining the amount of tax levied and no standardized method for the registration, collection, and payment of the taxes. Additionally, there has been an extensive legal debate over what is taxable, how much tax is owed, and what determines the legal obligations of businesses to charge tax to their customers. These issues have led to many companies being excluded or ignoring sales and use tax. As e-commerce grows this potential source of lost income increases as the existing revenue base decreases (as a result of the shifting economy and sales diverted to on-line sellers). As a result, state and local governments are striving to insure a key source of revenue does not disappear. This paper explores the issues and potential solutions surrounding the e-commerce tax dilemma. It provides a current assessment of the taxation environment for individuals and organizations impacted by the tax debate. Those individuals and organizations might include online business customers, remote sellers both traditional (mail order) and online, tax equity organizations, and governmental bodies. The paper is organized as follows. An examination of sales and use taxes opens the paper. Next, based on court cases, sales tax nexus (what determines if a company is responsible for charging tax) is discussed. The tax nexus discussion is extended to include global issues and the determination of what is taxable--an issue critical when considering digital downloads. A review of potential solutions to the e-commerce tax dilemma, within the current tax regime, is undertaken, followed by an examination of the value added tax scheme--a widely used procedure and potential replacement for the current system. Sales Tax Basics Sales taxes are "consumption-type" taxes designed to generate revenue. In general, these taxes are calculated and collected by businesses at the point of sale and remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities. Sales taxes have been levied throughout history, and became more widely applied in the United States beginning with the Great Depression. …


This policy brief explores future avenues for EU-Georgia relations going beyond the Eastern Partnership (EaP) but short of full EU membership. Enlargement fatigue coupled with economic and migration crises and the resultant rise of far-right groups puts additional pressure on the EU's relations with its Eastern Partners. Georgia's longtime goal of joining the EU is off the table, and the gap in expectations between what Georgia aspires to and what the EU is capable of offering is growing. However, the history of EU relations with third countries offers a number of creative solutions that go beyond the exhausted framework of the EaP initiative but stop short of full membership. This policy brief focuses on such intermediate solutions for enhanced integration that may guide EU-Georgia relations through the uncharted waters of the post-EaP era. The brief concentrates on three core areas of EU-Georgia relations: democracy and rule of law; economic integration; and security and military affairs. It is argued here that, whereas democratic consolidation is a precondition for further deepening of relations with the EU, Georgia's government and society should temper their expectations regarding full membership in the Union anytime soon and instead concentrate on more immediate goals such as: completing Georgia's integration into the EU single market by implementing labor mobility with the EU; and establishing and deepening institutional relationships with EU military and security structures.


Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is a major cause of reduced athletic function and retirement in equine performers. For this reason, regenerative therapies for DJD have gained increasing interest. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from a 6-year-old donor horse. MSCs were either used in their native state or after chondrogenic induction. In an initial study, 20 horses with naturally occurring DJD in the fetlock joint were divided in 4 groups and injected with the following: 1) PRP; 2) MSCs; 3) MSCs and PRP; or 4) chondrogenic induced MSCs and PRP. The horses were then evaluated by means of a clinical scoring system after 6 weeks (T1), 12 weeks (T2), 6 months (T3) and 12 months (T4) post injection. In a second study, 30 horses with the same medical background were randomly assigned to one of the two combination therapies and evaluated at T1. The protein expression profile of native MSCs was found to be negative for major histocompatibility (MHC) II and p63, low in MHC I and positive for Ki67, collagen type II (Col II) and Vimentin. Chondrogenic induction resulted in increased mRNA expression of aggrecan, Col II and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) as well as in increased protein expression of p63 and glycosaminoglycan, but in decreased protein expression of Ki67. The combined use of PRP and MSCs significantly improved the functionality and sustainability of damaged joints from 6 weeks until 12 months after treatment, compared to PRP treatment alone. The highest short-term clinical evolution scores were obtained with chondrogenic induced MSCs and PRP. This study reports successful in vitro chondrogenic induction of equine MSCs. In vivo application of (induced) MSCs together with PRP in horses suffering from DJD in the fetlock joint resulted in a significant clinical improvement until 12 months after treatment.


Thirteen species of Echinoderes with nearly identical spine/tube patterns, and apparently similar tergal extensions were re-examined and compared. Based on this, redescriptions and/or emended species diagnoses are provided for Echinoderes aureus, E. dujardinii, E. gerardi, E. imperforatus, E. pacificus, E. pilosus, E. sensibilis, E. sublicarum and E. worthingi, and new details about cuticular structures are added for E. kozloffi and E. gizoensis. The new information derived from the redescriptions, and the subsequent comparative studies revealed that: 1) the holotype of Echinoderes lanceolatus is identical with the types of Echinoderes aureus, and E. lanceolatus is thus a junior synonym of E. aureus; other potentially synonymous species that should be addressed further in the future include: E. dujardinii + E. gerardi; E. imperforatus + E. sensibilis, and E. pacificus + E. sublicarum; 2) the paratypes of E. lanceolatus represented a different yet undescribed species, here described as E. songae Sørensen & Chang sp. nov.; 3) a comparison with literature information about E. ehlersi showed that the species is so insufficiently described that a redescription of topotype material is required before the species should be considered for taxonomic comparison; 4) specimens from the Andaman Islands, India, that previously have been reported as Echinoderes cf. ehlersi represent two different undescribed species, of which one is described as E. chandrasekharai Sørensen & Chatterjee sp. nov. and the other is left undescribed due to the limited material available; 5) out of a total of fifteen addressed species, it is proposed that eleven represent a putatively monophyletic group that is named the Echinoderes dujardinii group. The group includes following species: E. dujardinii, E. ehlersi, E. gerardi, E. imperforatus, E. kozloffi, E. sensibilis, E. pacificus, E. sublicarum, E. songae Sørensen & Chang sp. nov., E. chandrasekharai Sørensen & Chatterjee sp. nov., and Echinoderes sp. from the Andaman Islands, and is supported by a similar spine/tube pattern (except for variation regarding the presence of lateral accessory tubes on segment 8); generally short middorsal spines, especially on segments 4 to 6; glandular cell outlets type 1 always present in middorsal positions on segments 1 to 3, and in subdorsal positions on segments 4 to 9; glandular cell outlets type 2 always present in laterodorsal or midlateral positions on segment 8, and sometimes in same positions on segment 9 but never at any other segments or positions; female papillae always present on sternal plates of segments 7 and 8, and occasionally also on segment 6; tergal extensions well-spaced, triangular, gradually tapered cones, and pectinate fringes of sternal extensions are differentiated into seta-like tufts. The comparisons furthermore showed potential taxonomic significance of two echinoderid character traits that previously have been slightly neglected as diagnostic traits, namely the presence and appearance of female papillae, and the dorsal pattern of glandular cell outlets type 1. Female papillae may occur on the sternal plates of segments 6 to 8, but the positions may differ from ventrolateral to ventromedial, and the morphology of the intracuticular substructure also differ at species level. Information about position and morphology of female papillae proved helpful for species recognition, but it might also provide information of phylogenetic importance. Analyses of glandular cell outlet type 1 patterns on the dorsal sides of segments 1 to 9 in species of Echinoderidae, revealed several apparently unique or rare patterns, but also three distinct patterns that applied to larger groups of species. One pattern is the one present in all species of the E. dujardinii group, whereas the other two common patterns included 1) middorsal outlets on segments 1 to 3, and paradorsal outlets on segments 4 to 9 (found in 27 species), and 2) middorsal outlets on segments 1 to 3, 5 and 7, and paradorsal outlets on segments 4, 6 and 8 to 9 (found in 27 species)


In June 2010, the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports for scientific journals during the previous 2 years were released. The Journal of Athletic Training (JAT ) scored 2.478! What does a 2.478 mean, and why is it important? The score means that, on average, each article published in JAT in 2007 and 2008 was cited in other scientific journals approximately 2.5 times in 2009. But what does 2.478 really mean? This score reflects the advancement of research in athletic training, the evolution of JAT into a highly regarded scientific journal, and, ultimately, the growth of athletic training as a leading health care profession. We were first exposed to Athletic Training: The Journal of the National Athletic Trainers' Association early in our careers. Our predecessors worked hard to develop a journal that was informative and relevant to the members of the association. Today, only 9 sports science journals of the 73 in this category worldwide have higher impact factors, and JAT looks very different than it did even 20 years ago. In those 20 years, JAT has been included in many indexes, including MEDLINE, and has become the official journal of the Taiwan Athletic Trainers' Society and the Japan Athletic Trainers' Organization. These changes reflect the globalization of our profession. Until 2008, JAT was published quarterly. Today, we review and publish more articles than at any time in our history. Despite being more selective than ever before in accepting articles for publication, we fill 6 issues annually, approximately 80 articles per year. However, the impact factor does not rise with the publication of more articles but rather with the publication of higher-quality articles. We can be proud of this growth in both quantity and quality, which is a testament to our scholarly community. More athletic trainers are engaged in the research essential to advancing athletic training than ever before. The quality of their work is reflected in the success of JAT. The progress of the journal is also due to the work of the largest editorial team in the history of JAT, a team that includes editors, an editorial board, and hundreds of reviewers. To all, we say thank you! Although it is important to recognize the work of everyone who has contributed to making JAT a leading journal, we also need to take a moment and consider what JAT contributes to our athletic training community. A profession's journal is its window to the world. Broadcast and print media coverage of reports published in JAT educates the public and other health care professionals, recognizes the unique expertise of the athletic trainer, and demonstrates the profession's ongoing commitment to research. Thanks in large part to advances in information technology, patients and providers from all medical disciplines and in all parts of the globe can find the information they seek in JAT. Increasingly, authors from around the world seek to publish their research findings in JAT. We have no stronger vehicle than JAT to promote athletic training and to help others understand the role of the athletic trainer in protecting the health of our patients and encouraging healthy living through exercise. Not every athletic trainer will publish in JAT, but what is published in JAT affects every athletic trainer. It may be just a number—2.478—but it's a number that every member of the NATA should be proud of and celebrate.


Sri Lanka has recently contributed to the growing significance of seaweed farming in the globe. This study attempted to assess the financial feasibility, employment generation, perceived importance, social acceptability and major constraints associated with seaweed farming in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. The study sample included 160 seaweed farmers from the area. A questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data and information. Descriptive analytical, investment evaluation and constraint analysis techniques were employed in data analysis. Both the economic viability indicators and employment generation were estimated for an average of 25 seaweed rafts. The estimated net present value (at a 20% discount rate) was US $ 253 (implying an Internal rate of return [IRR] = 43%), while the benefit-cost ratio was 1.19. The employment generation of seaweed farming at the study area has been estimated at 3,392 man days (1,280 man days plus 2,112 woman days) per annum. Among the prevailing livelihood activities, seaweed farming received the second highest perceived importance of the farmers followed by fishing. The constraint analysis disclosed poor quality of planting materials, distortions in the market, improper aquatic environments, and poor post-harvest handling as major constraints of seaweed farming. The results established considerable financial feasibility and social acceptance of seaweed farming, allowing it to identify as a sustainable livelihood option for Northern coastal communities. Furthermore, the study leads to recommend seaweed farming as a system to replicate in other potential areas in the country. It also suggests making adjustments in the cultivation season, offering problem related extension and training programs, introducing a flexible purchasing mechanism, and establishing more collaborative actions among key stakeholders as solutions for the identified constraints.


DNA microarray studies provided evidence that biotin supplementation increases the abundance of mRNA encoding cytochrome P(450) 1B1 (CYP1B1) in human lymphocytes. CYP1B1 hydroxylates procarcinogens, generating electrophilic mutagens. Here, we sought to identify the signaling pathways that increase the expression of CYP1B1 in biotin-supplemented human T (Jurkat) cells and to determine whether activation of the CYP1B1 gene is associated with increased occurrence of single-stranded DNA breaks. Jurkat cells were cultured in biotin-deficient (0.025 nmol/L) and biotin-supplemented (10 nmol/L) media. The transcriptional activity of a CYP1B1 reporter gene construct was 24% greater in biotin-supplemented compared with biotin-deficient cells (P < 0.01). Similarly, the abundance of CYP1B1 mRNA was 72% greater in biotin-supplemented than in biotin-deficient cells (P < 0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays suggested that Sp1 sites in the regulatory region of the CYP1B1 gene play important roles in transcriptional activation by biotin. The abundance of CYP1B1 protein and activity of CYP1B1 were 124 and 35% greater, respectively, in biotin-supplemented compared with biotin-deficient cells (P < 0.05). The increased expression of CYP1B1 in biotin-supplemented cells was associated with an increase in the occurrence of single-stranded DNA breaks compared with biotin-deficient cells; synthetic inhibitors of CYP1B1 prevented strand breaks, suggesting that the effects of biotin were specific for CYP1B1. These studies provide evidence that transcription factors with an affinity for Sp1 sites mediate transcriptional activation of the CYP1B1 gene in biotin-supplemented T cells, increasing the occurrence of single-stranded DNA breaks.


New technologies continually arise, offering repeated opportunities to artists in search of the technologically novel. Stephen Jones calls this phenomenon the "rolling new," and in Synthetics he describes how artists in Australia used new technologies in their art, from the early days of digital computing in the 1950s to a landmark exhibition in 1975. Jones looks at not only the artists and the artworks they produced but also at the evolution of computing technologies and video displays as these new forms of media developed into tools that artists could use. He also examines the collaborations that sprang up between artists and the technologists who taught them how to use these new devices. The process, he finds, was reciprocal: the offerings of the engineer could inspire the artist as much as the needs of the artist could inspire the engineer. Jones discusses the constraints imposed by the limitations of new technologies as they developed and shows that different types of output and display technologies made for the production of very different kinds of images. [He explores the development of computer graphics, the use by artists of such new conceptual paradigms as post-object art, and the emergence of video art in the late 1960s and early 1970s.] By 1975, the art and technology movement in Australia reached something of a watershed. The work itself became established as an art form just as funding dwindled and a popular and supportive left-wing government left office. And yet, Jones writes, the early electronic artists laid the foundation for today's burgeoning culture of new media art in Australia.


The reversible modification of cysteine residues through thioester formation with palmitate (protein S-palmitoylation) is a prevalent chemical modification that regulates the function, localization, and stability of many proteins. Current methods for monitoring the "erasers" of S-palmitoylation, acyl-protein thioesterases (APTs), rely on destructive proteomic methods or "turn-on" probes, precluding deployment in heterogeneous samples such as primary tissues. To address these challenges, we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of Ratiometric Depalmitoylation Probes (RDPs). RDPs respond to APTs with a robust ratiometric change in fluorescent signal both in vitro and in live cells. Moreover, RDPs can monitor endogenous APT activities in heterogeneous primary human tissues such as colon organoids, presaging the utility of these molecules in uncovering novel roles for APTs in metabolic regulation.