Unless it is repealed, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 promises to increase state government obligations for Medicaid by expanding Medicaid eligibility and introducing an individual health insurance mandate for all U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. Once PPACA becomes fully effective in 2014, the Medicaid benefits of those who become newly eligible and enroll into Medicaid will be almost fully covered by the federal government through 2019, with federal financial support expected to be extended thereafter. But PPACA provides states with no additional federal financial support for new enrollees among those eligible for Medicaid under the old laws. That makes increased state Medicaid spending from higher enrollments by "old-eligibles" virtually certain as they enroll in Medicaid in response to the individual mandate to purchase health insurance.This study estimates and compares potential increases in Medicaid expenditures from PPACA by the five most populous states: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas. State Medicaid spending is projected to increase considerably even without PPACA in California, Florida, and Texas, with smaller increases in Illinois and New York. With PPACA, projected spending is actually reduced for California, while spending increases are positive and large for Florida and Texas. Both Illinois and New York have the potential for considerably higher enrollments and increased expenditures.My estimates of the states' PPACA Medicaid burdens are considerably larger than those reported elsewhere, such as in the Kaiser Family Foundation's study, which appears to have used fixed enrollment rates for new- and old-eligibles based on 2007 data. In this study, the individual mandate's impact depends on historical enrollment trends — stronger where enrollment rates were low or declining, weaker where they were high and increasing. Thus, methodological differences may underlie the sizable differences in estimates of states' additional costs from PPACA.


Safety and health professionals from all sectors of industry recognize that training is a critical element of an effective safety and health program. A major concern in the mining industry today is how to train the present aging workforce plus the expected influx of new and less experienced miners and mine operators as the cohort of older workers retire. This paper defines the problem, offers a model to structure the inquiry, and presents the key issues a multi-disciplinary team of NIOSH researchers identified, based on an extensive review of the current literature in relevant areas. Issues include differences between cohorts, such as the newer workers (Generation M), and present workers (Boomers) with respect to their physical, social, psychological, and cultural characteristics, their learning styles and work expectations. Specific issues for an aging workforce are discussed. Some preliminary recommendations are offered on the type of training needed.


We present a novel approach to legged locomotion over rough terrain that is thoroughly rooted in optimization. This approach relies on a hierarchy of fast, anytime algorithms to plan a set of footholds, along with the dynamic body motions required to execute them. Components within the planning framework coordinate to exchange plans, cost-to-go estimates, and "certificates" that ensure the output of an abstract high-level planner can be realized by deeper layers of the hierarchy. The burden of careful engineering of cost functions to achieve desired performance is substantially mitigated by a simple inverse optimal control technique. Robustness is achieved by real-time re-planning of the full trajectory, augmented by reflexes and feedback control. We demonstrate the successful application of our approach in guiding the LittleDog quadruped robot over a variety of rough terrains.


The paper discusses the conditions under which new markets are created, and tries to identify them by an empirical case study of Japan's silver market. It starts from the perspective that the source of competitive advantage under fundamental uncertainty lies in the integration of objective and subjective opportunities that derive from economic, socio-political, and cognitive conditions. The authors argue that the promise of the eventual size of the silver market is insufficient as an explanation for market creation because of the uncertainties involved. Moreover, cultural traditions are much more varied than stereotypes may suggest and explain rather little. The supply and diffusion of information by various state organs, business associations and firms is conspicuous. The role of the state is a helpful one, though 'hard' regulation is less important than elsewhere. The emerging market can profit from well-established core competences like manufacturing expertise and from the contribution of well-established, large enterprises and wide inter-firm networks. The authors conclude that Japanese firms do not have an inbuilt inability to create novelty as is sometimes suggested, particularly in cases where established enterprises can utilise their peculiar resource endowment. The plasticity of available institutions and technologies should not be underestimated, and a helpful mechanism to overcome cognitive path dependencies is soft regulation.


In patients with spinal cord injury, the primary or mechanical trauma seldom causes total transection, even though the functional loss may be complete. In addition, biochemical and pathological changes in the cord may worsen after injury. To explain these phenomena, the concept of the secondary injury has evolved for which numerous pathophysiological mechanisms have been postulated. This paper reviews the concept of secondary injury with special emphasis on vascular mechanisms. Evidence is presented to support the theory of secondary injury and the hypothesis that a key mechanism is posttraumatic ischemia with resultant infarction of the spinal cord. Evidence for the role of vascular mechanisms has been obtained from a variety of models of acute spinal cord injury in several species. Many different angiographic methods have been used for assessing microcirculation of the cord and for measuring spinal cord blood flow after trauma. With these techniques, the major systemic and local vascular effects of acute spinal cord injury have been identified and implicated in the etiology of secondary injury. The systemic effects of acute spinal cord injury include hypotension and reduced cardiac output. The local effects include loss of autoregulation in the injured segment of the spinal cord and a marked reduction of the microcirculation in both gray and white matter, especially in hemorrhagic regions and in adjacent zones. The microcirculatory loss extends for a considerable distance proximal and distal to the site of injury. Many studies have shown a dose-dependent reduction of spinal cord blood flow varying with the severity of injury, and a reduction of spinal cord blood flow which worsens with time after injury. The functional deficits due to acute spinal cord injury have been measured electrophysiologically with techniques such as motor and somatosensory evoked potentials and have been found proportional to the degree of posttraumatic ischemia. The histological effects include early hemorrhagic necrosis leading to major infarction at the injury site. These posttraumatic vascular effects can be treated. Systemic normotension can be restored with volume expansion or vasopressors, and spinal cord blood flow can be improved with dopamine, steroids, nimodipine, or volume expansion. The combination of nimodipine and volume expansion improves posttraumatic spinal cord blood flow and spinal cord function measured by evoked potentials. These results provide strong evidence that posttraumatic ischemia is an important secondary mechanism of injury, and that it can be counteracted.


Superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrobaculum aerophilum (a facultative aerobe) has been cloned and expressed in a mesophilic host (Escherichia coli) as a soluble tetrameric apoprotein. The purified apoprotein can be reconstituted with either Mn or Fe by heating the protein with the appropriate metal salt at an elevated temperature (95 °C). Both Mn- and Fe-reconstituted P. aerophilum SOD exhibit superoxide dismutase activity, with the Mn-containing enzyme having the higher activity. P. aerophilum SOD is extremely thermostable and the reconstitution with Mn(II) can be performed in an autoclave (122 °C, 18 psi). The Mn(III) optical absorption spectrum of Mn-reconstituted P. aerophilum SOD is distinct from that of most other MnSODs and is unchanged upon addition of NaN3. The optical absorption spectrum of Fe-reconstituted P. aerophilum SOD is typical of Fe-substituted MnSODs and authentic Fe- SOD and exhibits a pH-dependent transition with an effective pKa value higher than that found for Fe-substituted MnSOD from either E. coli or Thermus spp. Amino acid sequence analysis shows that the P. aerophilum SOD is closely related to SODs from other hyperthermophilic archaea (Aeropyrum pernix and Sulfolobus spp.), forming a family of enzymes distinct from the hyperthermophilic bacterial SOD from Aquifex pyrophilus and from mesophilic SODs.


This study aims to gain insight into the motivations that underlie one's workplace behaviour, using regulatory focus theory. Given that males and females act differently in the workplace, the question of whether gender moderated this association was also considered. Workplace behaviour is modelled in this study by the contrasting actions of organisational deviance, a means of harming the organisation and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) – conscientiousness, a means of enhancing the organisation. Regulatory focus theory indicates that different means or foci can be used to achieve the same goal, either by approaching a match to the desired goal or by avoiding a mismatch to the required goal, known as promotion or prevention, respectively. A total of 108 students from an Asian campus of a Western university were primed for either one of these foci. Participants were then administered a questionnaire to determine their willingness to exhibit conscientiousness and organisational deviance. The results show that prevention primed individuals were more willing to demonstrate conscientiousness, consistent with theory. However, instead of a direct relationship between one's regulatory focus and their willingness to demonstrate organisational deviance, it was found that gender moderates the relationship between one's regulatory focus and the willingness to perform organisational deviance, but does not moderate the relationship between regulatory focus and the willingness to perform conscientiousness. The paper explains the results and examines opportunities for future research.


Audience This scenario was developed to educate junior and senior emergency medicine (EM) residents. Introduction EM Model of Practice recommends that the residents are able to manage patients in a critical condition from massive hemoptysis. Mild to moderate hemoptysis can be self-limiting and often can be managed with conservative measures; however, massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening emergency that needs to be managed promptly. Mortality from massive hemoptysis is about 13%–18%.1 There are several causes for hemoptysis ranging from pulmonary to vascular causes. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) causes hemoptysis only 0.2% which makes it a very rare but devastating disease.2 Hemoptysis from DAH can present a significant challenge to an EM physician since it can present in various ways including chest pain, shortness of breath or hemoptysis. Up to 40% of the patients can present without hemoptysis which makes it a diagnostic dilemma.3 Patients presenting with massive hemoptysis from DAH require management for hypovolemic shock, hypoxic respiratory arrest and potential cardiac arrest. The physicians also need to perform adequate ventilator management to help with alveolar recruitment. This simulation case can help discuss some of the nuances of the management of hemoptysis and DAH. Objectives By the end of this simulation session, learners will be able to: (1) recognize worsening respiratory status of a patient with hemoptysis and intervene appropriately, (2) manage a patient with severe hemoptysis and perform appropriate ventilator management, (3) manage sinus tachycardia with QT prolongation on the ECG caused by cocaine and hypomagnesemia, (4) address various etiologies of hemoptysis, (5) discuss the causes of massive hemoptysis and management options, and (6) review ventilation strategies in an intubated hypoxic patient. Educational Methods This session was conducted using high-fidelity simulation, which was immediately followed by an in-depth debriefing session. Each session had 3 EM residents from various levels of training on the team and 7 observers. There was 1 simulation instructor running the session and 1 simulation technician who acted as a nurse. Research Methods After the simulation and debriefing session was complete, an online survey was sent via surveymonkey.com to all the participants. The survey collected responses to the following questions: (1) the case was believable, (2) the case had right amount of complexity, (3) the case helped in improving medical knowledge and patient care, (4) the simulation environment gave me a real-life experience and, (5) the debriefing session after simulation helped improve my knowledge. A Likert scale was used to collect the responses. Results Seven learners responded to the survey. One hundred percent of them either agreed or strongly agreed that the case was beneficial in learning and improving patient care. They also agreed that it helped in improving medical knowledge. The post-session debrief was found to be very helpful by all the learners. Discussion High-fidelity simulation was a cost-effective yet realistic way to manage severe hemoptysis, PEA (pulseless electrical activity), and persistent hypoxia in patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Starting the case with severe hypoxia that quickly progresses to PEA helps the learner to manage the patient quickly and effectively. Overall, learners enjoyed managing the patient, followed by discussing the various management strategies. Topics Hemoptysis, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, medical simulation, respiratory.


This article will focus on teaching with digital humanities (DH) methods and tools as they relate to their practicability in the context of the classroom. It will concentrate on the specific challenges that the teaching of computational methods pose to educators who are experts in their discipline but might feel that they lack the technical know-how to steer their students towards DH. In particular, the article will introduce a number of tools that allow school students and educators to access digital approaches and to start appreciating their relevance for research. These include online resources for literary analysis, simple programs that may be used for research into media, and archival projects that stem from the collaboration of students and staff and bring neglected histories to an outside audience. While these tools do not demand any practical programming knowledge, I will also present resources that teach widely used coding languages such as Python and R on a step-by-step basis. The third and final part of the article will introduce a number of methods and services that empower educators to create a digital classroom with quantitative approaches and distant learning as their primary characteristics. Teaching these methods might prove challenging at first.; yet the hands-on, collaborative, quality of DH also leads to classroom situations in which students and staff become co-learners, and therefore leads to a democratizing effect.


In the present paper, the effect of some major nuclides on the reactivity of nuclear fuel for fuel pin cell in the Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) was calculated using MCNP5_RSICC, 1.2 and WIMSD-5B codes. In order to assess our capabilities, the credit criticality Benchmark for infinite arrays of PWR MOX Fuel Pin Cells were calculated using two different codes and two different cross section libraries. Results were compared with similar published results by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA) Expert Group on Burn-up Credit. Good agreement was found for the value of keff with the corresponding codes and the reference mean solutions. The reactivity worth due to uranium, plutonium and curium isotopes was determined. The discrepancies between the present results and the reference mean results are within the range of the discrepancies for the participants with the reference mean results. The spread in the keff results with the mean results varies from -0.246 to 0.276 and from 0.05 to 0.793 for MCNP5 and WIMSD-5B respectively.


Background Health technology assessment (HTA) has become an important policy tool for its ability to inform policy makers regarding the optimal allocation of increasingly limited resources and to ensure evidence-based decision processes. Existing definitions of HTA emphasise its multidisciplinary character, its required robustness as a scientific process and its link with health policy. Objective The objective of this thesis is to investigate the variations in HTA processes and outcomes across jurisdictions, with a focus on oncology versus non-oncology medicines and on Poland, a country with limited resources. Methods We studied the cross-jurisdictional variations in HTA of new medicines and attempted to disentangle these variations by exploring some of their possible determinants. We investigated HTA processes, outcomes and timelines for new drugs across jurisdictions included in our research, as well as differences between HTA for oncology and non-oncology drugs, and the impact of regulatory conditional versus standard pathways on HTA and access, finally focussing on HTA in Poland in the context of a changing HTA environment in a country with limited resources. We also explored the access gap, or the time between regulatory approvals and HTA recommendations for oncology and non-oncology drugs. In our research, HTA processes were mapped and based on in-depth understanding of each jurisdiction's characteristics and a trichotomous classification of HTA recommendations, positive, positive with restrictions and negative was also developed to enable international comparison of HTA recommendations across jurisdictions. The specific focus of our research was to develop a robust methodology to enable comparative benchmarking across HTA agencies. Results Overall, almost 40% of all HTA recommendations were negative, while over 60% were positive and positive with restrictions across jurisdictions included in our study. However, when this is viewed at a jurisdictional level, about half of HTA recommendations in Scotland, Germany and France were negative. Our study results showed that EU jurisdictions vary substantially in their approach to oncology and non-oncology drugs, with Germany issuing more positive recommendations for oncology drugs and England issuing more positive recommendations for non-oncology drugs. The Netherlands was the only studied jurisdiction with recommendations that were consistent across oncology and non-oncology drugs. This research showed that access gap differs considerably across European jurisdictions, with a median time of less than four months in Germany and over 1.5 years in Poland. Conclusions HTA processes and outcomes vary across jurisdictions, impacting the timely access to new medicines for patients. There are many possible determinants for these variations. Variations in HTA processes and outcomes can be explained by jurisdiction- and agency-specific determinants such as health priorities in a given jurisdiction, a legal framework, the engagement of stakeholders, the use of cost-effectiveness criteria, the assessment of added clinical value, HTA guidelines and evidence required from a pharmaceutical company. Variations can also be explained by drug- and disease-specific determinants such as therapeutic field, available versus required evidence and the magnitude of effect size). We further concluded that both HTA outcomes and timelines can only be interpreted with in-depth understanding of jurisdiction-specific HTA processes.


1. INTRODUCTION AND THESIS The efficient use of electricity is a moral and environmental concern of contested economic validity. Opponents argue that the pursuit of energy efficiency is the pursuit of economic inefficiency. Proponents counter that the pursuit of economic efficiency in the electricity sector is an environmental disaster due to market failures caused by environmental externalities and transaction costs. In the interests of brevity, this paper focuses solely on end-use efficiency, not generation or distribution efficiency. This paper takes the position that there is merit in the pursuit of end-use energy efficiency measures in the electricity sector. Those measures are often called demand side management or DSM. Energy efficiency measures can be effective tools to correct market failures and achieve environmental goals, both in regulated and deregulated markets. Although they are useful tools, energy efficiency measures are certainly not the only tools needed to correct these failures and achieve environmental goals. This paper also explores the effect of the new deregulatory era on the achievement of energy efficiency, arguing that this worthwhile goal can and should be kept. The new deregulated environment has created a different market for electricity, but one that still has problems from an environmental and an economic point of view. An effective policy must provide incentives to the actors who are best suited to overcome market failures in the new regulatory environment. Those incentives must be developed in a way that harmonizes energy efficiency policy with new environmental policies, particularly the development of emissions trading markets and renewable portfolio standards. Part Two of this paper defines energy efficiency. Although there are multiple, conflicting definitions of energy efficiency, here the term is used in a hybrid economic and environmental sense. That is, energy efficiency policies aim at setting social use of electricity at the level that would be set by consumers in a perfect market where price reflects the true social cost of electricity. Since that price does not exist, and cannot be ascertained precisely, energy efficiency measures seek to approximate it. Part Three identifies the relevant features of the regulated and deregulated eras. "Deregulation" does not signal the end of regulation in the electricity sector. It instead represents a new regulatory regime that requires an end to vertically integrated electric monopolies to allow a greater degree of competition, particularly in electricity generation. Distribution is still monopolized, often operated by a regulated non-profit corporation. Retail supply is also monopolized in most American jurisdictions. Thus, there is a substantial role for regulators in a deregulated electricity sector. However, energy efficiency measures developed in the regulated past of the electricity industry require re-examination and change during the new era of deregulation. After establishing what energy efficiency, regulation, and deregulation mean, Part Four examines the policy justifications for energy efficiency regulations. The underlying assumption of this section is that there has always been a role for environmental policy in the regulation of the electricity sector. Determining the optimal way to provide electricity has always been treated by our society as a multi-criteria problem because it is a political problem. The interests of capitalists, consumers, and those affected by the environmental disruption of electricity production are in conflict. Environmental considerations have always been, and will always be, a part of electricity policy. Most justifications for energy efficiency involve market imperfections, although energy security is often mentioned. The core question of any electricity policy in a capitalistic society is the optimal price for electricity. In both a regulated and deregulated market, private actors will step in, where there is sufficient profit, to pursue energy efficiency measures. …


Introduction Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was a remarkable woman, a "first" in many fields. At a time when few women wrote, Hildegard, known as "Sybil of the Rhine", produced major works of theology and visionary writings. When few women were accorded respect, she was consulted by and advised bishops, popes, and kings. She used the curative powers of natural objects for healing, and wrote treatises about natural history and medicinal uses of plants, animals, trees and stones. She is the first composer whose biography is known. She founded a vibrant convent, where her musical plays were performed. Although not yet canonized, Hildegard has been beatified, and is frequently referred to as St. Hildegard. Revival of interest in this extraordinary woman of the middle ages was initiated by musicologists and historians of science and religion. Less fortunately, Hildegard's visions and music had been hijacked by the New Age movement, whose music bears some resemblance to Hildegard's ethereal airs. Her story is important to all students of medieval history and culture and an inspirational account of an irresisible spirit and vibrant intellect overcoming social, physical, cultural, gender barriers to achieve timeless transcendence.


Worldwide, in 2008, an estimated 430 000 [240 000–610 000] new infections due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurred in children, of which 90% were acquired through motherto-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Of the 430 000 new infections, between 280 000 and 360 000 were acquired during labour and in the pre-partum period. Of the remaining new infections, the majority were acquired during breastfeeding.
In infantsi who acquire HIV around the time of delivery, disease progression occurs very rapidly in the first few months of life, often leading to death. To enable antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis to be given to infants as soon as possible after birth, all infants should have their HIV exposure status known at birth. As not all mothers are given HIV tests, very few HIV-exposed infants are
identified and very few infants are known to be gaining access to early diagnosis, the necessary prerequisite to 'timely' initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Currently, only an estimated 15% of HIV-exposed infants needing testing are tested in the first two months of life.
Recently published data confirming dramatic survival benefits for infants started on ART as early as possible after the diagnosis of HIV, prompted a review of the World Health Organization(WHO) paediatric treatment guidelines. In June 2008, new guidance was issued, which recommends prompt initiation of ART in infants diagnosed with HIV infection. In order to identify those infants who will need immediate ART, early confirmation of HIV infection is required. In November 2008, a meeting was convened to review recommendations by WHO for the diagnostic testing of HIV infection in infants and children. The meeting brought together the guideline review group that had developed the initial recommendations in 2005.
The guideline review group followed the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach in reviewing the recommendations for early detection of HIV infection according to the current WHO Guidelines for Guidelines. This document contains the new recommendations. The full document, including GRADE evidence profiles and the factors that have been taken into account in the group's decision-making with respect to the strength of the recommendations, is available in annexes which are posted online at http://www.who.int/
hiv/topics/paediatric/en/


Availability of safe drinking water is considered a key challenge in the coastal region of Bangladesh. High concentrations of salinity, iron and arsenic, and the unavailability of suitable aquifers, have deterred the exploitation of groundwater resources. In addition the cyclonic storm surge is a major threat to this system. Cyclones accompanied by storm surges in the coastal area cause significant deterioration of drinking water supply and sanitation. Water professionals have launched some initiatives to promote small-scale, alternative safe water sources (e.g. rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters and piped water techniques) to provide sustainable solutions to the problem. However, a systematic evaluation of the alternatives that considers social, technical and economic criteria has not been carried out so far. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the alternative options for drinking water supply in a cyclone-prone area. The authors conducted a multi-criteria analysis and reached the conclusion that rainwater harvesting is the most suitable option for the area. Moreover, the final result was shared with the users to obtain their feedback to ensure sustainability of the water source.


This paper asserts that the universe operates in a binary manner that is limited in measurability by the information processing ability of the observer in all dimensions: universally, at the large scale, at the small scale, and through time. This has interesting consequences such as increasing the speed limit of the universe to √2c, doing away with the need for a space-time fabric, applying parsimonious uses to dark matter and dark energy, and accounting for theories such as MOND. The assertion is arrived at on the basis of an original cosmology and mathematical representations of universal rudiments and gravity. Newton's gravitational constant is given a range of 0.869G – G that should be used at long distances.


Abstract. Diffuse and severe slope instabilities affected the whole Veneto region (north-eastern Italy) between 31 October and 2 November 2010, following a period of heavy and persistent rainfall. In this context, on 4 November 2010 a large detrital mass detached from the cover of the Mt. Rotolon deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD), located in the upper Agno River valley, channelizing within the Rotolon Creek riverbed and evolving into a highly mobile debris flow. The latter phenomena damaged many hydraulic works, also threatening bridges, local roads, and the residents of the Maltaure, Turcati, and Parlati villages located along the creek banks and the town of Recoaro Terme. From the beginning of the emergency phase, the civil protection system was activated, involving the National Civil Protection Department, Veneto Region, and local administrations' personnel and technicians, as well as scientific institutions. On 8 December 2010 a local-scale monitoring system, based on a ground-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (GB-InSAR), was implemented in order to evaluate the slope deformation pattern evolution in correspondence of the debris flow detachment sector, with the final aim of assessing the landslide residual risk and managing the emergency phase. This paper describes the results of a 2-year GB-InSAR monitoring campaign (December 2010–December 2012) and its application for monitoring, mapping, and emergency management activities in order to provide a rapid and easy communication of the results to the involved technicians and civil protection personnel, for a better understanding of the landslide phenomena and the decision-making process in a critical landslide scenario.


This forum includes essays by six leading experts on the Vietnam War discussing the recent book by James G. Hershberg, Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2012), which recounts the various secret efforts mediated by East European governments to foster peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam that would bring an end to the war. All of the commentators praise the book and the scope of Hershberg's research, but most of them do not share Hershberg's belief that a major chance for peace was genuinely "lost." All the commentators agree that Hershberg provides a rich, nuanced analysis and has performed a valuable service in outlining future directions for research on the topic. The forum ends with a reply by Hershberg to the six contributors.


Statistical data about Internet users indicates that Russia ranks first in Europe in terms of its number of Internet users. Young people prevail among Russia's Internet users. Internet dependence behaviour is given a definition. The behavioural peculiarities of Internet addicts are considered. Time perception is a background for psychical processes. The time focus of the human psyche reveals itself in the speed and duration of perception, impression, memory, thought and emotions peculiar to people with a certain temperament and of a certain age, sex and group. Time perception is an integral part of our mental processes. A human being is inclined to consider all events and processes taking place around him as a process which takes time. The time perception of every person is always specific, and it is reflected in his or her thought and behaviour. The results of studying higher mental functions and time perception in internet-addicted teenagers are given. The obtained results have revealed distraction at the end of the study due to the high exhaustiveness of the neuro-dynamic component of mental activity, as well as the poorer ability of Internet addicts to be conscious of themselves in time. Given the absence of a clear pattern of their roles in real life, Internet addicts may often find that their addiction results in mental conflicts and self-aggression. In turn, it may result in impulsion, confusion, certain problems with explaining personal actions, wishes and motives. Internetaddicted teenagers have a more pessimistic attitude towards their time and life activity. When running into hardship, their behavioural performance and incentives to overcome barriers may be limited.


When people with long term health issues transition from illness to health, or move from hospital to home after an exacerbation they feel vulnerable, unsafe, uncertain, lost, and unsupported. Transitions are life experiences that result in change. Telehealth gives easier access to care and increases patient involvement and self-awareness for self-care and improved outcomes. The purpose of our research was to explore how telehealth tools and processes lend themselves to nursing of patients through transitions.

METHODS
A multimethod study with before and after questionnaires consisting of validated questionnaires. These were triangulated with nurse field notes, nurse assessment of each participant, exit interviews with participants, and questionnaire for referring clinicians about their experience of the service. Twenty patients, their five doctors, and two telehealth nurses, participated.

RESULTS
PACIC questions revealed that participants felt more involved in decision making, self-care planning, referrals to other services, and understood more clearly their health issues. The Quality of Life questions showed improvement, and their health issues bothered them less after telehealth. The Perceived Health Competence questions showed an improvement in how they rated their health, and their ability to influence their health. Clinicians indicated that the service worked well, was appropriate and useful, and should continue. The interviews revealed that participants learned how to do self-care with insight, made the transition from hospital to home and from illness to a new way of being well, and referred the service to others like them.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
We conclude that our experienced nurses used the tools of telehealth (monitoring of self-care and videoconferencing) to coach, supervise, guide, and accompany patients through an organizational transition for half our participants (from hospital to home) and all the participants through an illness to a new way of being well.


The success of any project depends upon accurate and timely information, and most
construction related companies utilize computer systems for this purpose. However, these
systems fail to provide a link to the physical movements of materials. Effective materials
management is vital because of the contribution of materials' elements to the total cost of a
construction project. Despite this the construction industry has a poor record in materials
management. The reasons for this include delays in the delivery of materials to site and
poor identification of materials on site. The severity of these problems and their impact on
the construction industry highlighted the need for research in this area.
At the initial stage, the research studied the clljTent systems of materials management in the
manufacturing and construction industries. It was concluded that Automatic Identification
offered advantages over other systems for controlling the physical movements of materials
and related information. The traditional flow of materials and related information in the
construction industry was examined and schematic diagrams were developed. The typical
process of materials management through the life cycle of a typical project was determined.
Automatic Identification technologies were reviewed with particular emphasis on bar
coding techniques. These are widely used in other industries and provide significant
benefits. Furthermore, they have greater flexibility over other Automatic Identification
techniques. The potential applications of bar coding techniques in construction were
identified as a result of a pilot study conducted with a local company.
In order to determine the current status of bar coding techniques in the construction
industry a questionnaire survey was undertaken. This survey revealed a high degree of
interest from the respondents in implementing these techniques for applications such as
material identification, stock control and delivery ticket automation. The research developed
a generic barcoded delivery ticket, a goods received note and a standard bar code label for
product identification.
To investigate the feasibility of using bar coding techniques in construction, a case study
was conducted with a local company to monitor and control pre-cast concrete beams from
production through to delivery to the customer site. The study findings showed
considerable benefits could be gained from the implementation of these techniques. To
realize the full benefits of bar coding techniques, electronic data interchange, (EDI), was
also considered. The proposed integration of these techniques produced in an improved
methodology for materials management. This methodology was validated by a series of
interviews, and evaluated during trials with the collaboration of a local company.
The main outcomes of the research are:
• A concepmal framework for an improved methodology for managing construction
materials using automatic identification and in particularly bar coding techniques.
• An understanding of the problems and benefits of the design, implementation, and
verification of an Automatic Identification system.
• An examination of how Automatic Identification and Electronic Data Interchange
(EDI) could be linked to improve the flow of materials information.
• A generic bar code standard format for Delivery Ticket and Goods Received Notes.
• A generic bar code standard label for product identification throughout the supply
chain.
• The identification of potential applications of bar coding techniques in construction.


This Comment synthesizes current United States religious freedom jurisprudence and argues that it is inadequate for protecting religious practice. As currently applied, the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act do not sufficiently consider the perspective of the burdened religion. Religious freedom laws exist to navigate between the needs of society and the needs of religious participants. An evaluation of any prospective law should therefore consider both sides' needs. This Comment presents a framework for considering the severity of the burden that a law places on a religion and argues that the severity of the burden should be a factor in determining whether a secular law should be upheld.


Research in organizational learning has demonstrated processes and occasionally performance implications of acquisition of declarative (know-what) and procedural (know-how) knowledge. However, considerably less attention has been paid to learned characteristics of relationships that affect the decision to seek information from other people. Based on a review of the social network, information processing, and organizational learning literatures, along with the results of a previous qualitative study, we propose a formal model of information seeking in which the probability of seeking information from another person is a function of (1) knowing what that person knows; (2) valuing what that person knows; (3) being able to gain timely access to that person's thinking; and (4) perceiving that seeking information from that person would not be too costly. We also hypothesize that the knowing, access, and cost variables mediate the relationship between physical proximity and information seeking. The model is tested using two separate research sites to provide replication. The results indicate strong support for the model and the mediation hypothesis (with the exception of the cost variable). Implications are drawn for the study of both transactive memory and organizational learning, as well as for management practice.


This article is an essay about the possibility of doing anthropology of science considering the alterity and self-reference debate. Is an own-scientific community study, analyzed in relation with the American academic context of social anthropology grade, because is where this discussion has a significant development. There's an exam of professional and context foundations oriented to consider how the recent educational processes were studied by the Argentinean and Latin American ethnography. Also it's considered the professional  vulnerability  of anthropologists in the educational field according with the institutional limitations as discipline; and the theoretical and methodological contributions that allows the ethnography of education to strength outside the university walls.


A central problem to understanding intelligence is the concept of generalisation. This allows previously learnt structure to be exploited to solve tasks in novel situations differing in their particularities. We take inspiration from neuroscience, specifically the hippocampal-entorhinal system known to be important for generalisation. We propose that to generalise structural knowledge, the representations of the structure of the world, i.e. how entities in the world relate to each other, need to be separated from representations of the entities themselves. We show, under these principles, artificial neural networks embedded with hierarchy and fast Hebbian memory, can learn the statistics of memories and generalise structural knowledge. Spatial neuronal representations mirroring those found in the brain emerge, suggesting spatial cognition is an instance of more general organising principles. We further unify many entorhinal cell types as basis functions for constructing transition graphs, and show these representations effectively utilise memories. We experimentally support model assumptions, showing a preserved relationship between entorhinal grid and hippocampal place cells across environments.


Abstract The hydrozoan species Nemalecium lighti (Hargitt, 1924) is widely distributed in tropical marine waters around the world. Here we report the complete linear mitochondrial genome of N. lighti from Sint Eustatius (Lesser Antilles). The mitochondrial genome with a length of 14,320 bp encodes for 13 protein-coding genes, two tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. Gene arrangement differs from that found in other species of the same taxonomic order and a phylogenetic analysis shows that based on mitochondrial genes, N. lighti clusters outside of the Leptothecata, rendering the order paraphyletic.


Ethnic and religious differentials in labour market outcomes within many countries have been remarkably persistent. Yet one very well-known differential – the Catholic/Protestant unemployment differential in Northern Ireland – has largely (although not completely) disappeared. This paper charts its decline since the mid-1980s and examines potential explanations using Census data from 1991, 2001 and 2011 together with annual survey data. These data span the ending of The Troubles, the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the introduction of fair employment legislation, growth in hidden unemployment, and major structural changes in Northern Ireland. We assess the relative contributions of these changes.


This paper is concerned with the design, modeling, and simulation and testing procedure of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) fitted with SAS, which is used in BAJA SAEINDIA standards. Using CATIA V5, the model is created, which is fulfilling the guidelines of BAJA SAEINDIA rules. ATV is having the two different pairs of quarter car models of suspensions where dampers filled with MR Fluid (SAS) in front and rear wheels. In front SLA wishbone and rear McPherson Strut are fixed. The physical representation of the ATV is converted into the mathematical modeling and it is imported in MATLAB SIMULINK software and analyzed for ATV's performance. The ATV is analyzed for its vertical, pitch and roll motions which include total number of 7 Degrees of Freedom. The road excitation modeling also incorporated with the equations. This paper, elaborates the approaching of simulation method only. The virtual model of ATV has involving greater significance of reducing the cost involved in real time testing as well as the results are replica of experimental results.


The emerging open cloud computing model will provide users with great freedom to dynamically migrate virtualized computing services to, from, and between clouds over the wide-area. While this freedom leads to many potential benefits, the running services must be minimally disrupted by the migration. Unfortunately, current solutions for wide-area migration incur too much disruption as they will significantly slow down storage I/O operations during migration. The resulting increase in service latency could be very costly to a business. This paper presents a novel storage migration scheduling algorithm that can greatly improve storage I/O performance during wide-area migration. Our algorithm is unique in that it considers individual virtual machine's storage I/O workload such as temporal locality, spatial locality and popularity characteristics to compute an efficient data transfer schedule. Using a fully implemented system on KVM and a trace-driven framework, we show that our algorithm provides large performance benefits across a wide range of popular virtual machine workloads.


Do large firm dynamics drive the business cycle? We answer this question by developing a quantitative theory of aggregate fluctuations caused by firm-level disturbances alone. We show that a standard heterogeneous firm dynamics setup already contains in it a theory of the business cycle, without appealing to aggregate shocks. We offer a complete analytical characterization of the law of motion of the aggregate state in this class of models – the firm size distribution – and show that the resulting closed form solutions for aggregate output and productivity dynamics display: (i) persistence, (ii) volatility and (iii) time-varying second moments. We explore the key role of moments of the firm size distribution – and, in particular, the role of large firm dynamics – in shaping aggregate fluctuations, theoretically, quantitatively and in the data.


The Mediation of Power investigates how those in positions of power use and are influenced by media in their everyday activities. Each chapter examines this theme through an exploration of some of the key topics and debates in the field, including theories of media and power, media policy and the economics of information, news production and journalistic practice, public relations and media management, culture and power, political communication and mediated politics, new and alternative media, interest group communications, media audiences and effects.

The debates are enlivened by first-hand accounts taken from over 200 high-profile interviews with politicians, journalists, public officials, spin doctors, campaigners and captains of industry. Tim Bell, David Blunkett, Iain Duncan Smith, Simon Heffer, David Hill, Simon Hughes, Trevor Kavanagh, Neil Kinnock, Peter Riddell, Polly Toynbee, Michael White and Ann Widdecombe are some of those cited.


An unusual postharvest spotting disease of the commercial mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, which was observed on a commercial mushroom farm in Ontario, was found to be caused by a novel pathovar of Pseudomonas tolaasii. Isolations from the discoloured lesions, on the mushroom pilei, revealed the presence of several different bacterial and fungal genera. The most frequently isolated genus being Pseudomonas bacteria. The most frequently isolated fungal genus was Penicillium. Of the bacteria and fungi assayed for pathogenicity to mushrooms, only Pseudomonas tolaasii was able to reproduce the postharvest spotting symptom. This symptom was typically reproduced 1 to 7 days postharvest, when mushroom pilei were inoculated with 101 to 105 cfu. Of the fungi tested for pathogenicity only a Penicillium sp. and Verticillium fungicola were shown to be pathogenic, however, neither produced the postharvest spotting symptom. The Pseudomonas tolaasii strain isolated from the postharvest lesions differed from a type culture (Pseudomonas tolaasii ATCC 33618) in the symptoms it produced on Agaricus bisporus pilei under the same conditions and at the same inoculum concentration. It was therefore designated a pathovar. This strain also differed from the type culture in its cellular protein profile. Neither the type culture, nor the mushroom pathogen was found to contain plasmid DNA. The presence of plasmid DNA is therefore not responsible for the difference in pathogenicity between the two strains.


The term "immunological synapse" refers to the areas of contact between two or more closely apposed immune cells. These contact points have a high concentration of signaling and adhesion-promoting proteins that are tethered within discrete lipid rafts located on plasma membranes. Hakomori summarizes existing data and hypothesizes the existence and biological function of glycosynapses--clusters of glycosylated proteins that mediate adhesion and signaling--on the surface of cells that can alter signaling and adhesion, leading to changes in cell phenotype. Three types of glycosynapses may exist: (i) glycosphingolipid clusters that contain signaling proteins and are involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction; (ii) O-linked mucin-bearing clusters with signaling proteins all contained within cholesterol-rich domains; and (iii) clusters of N-glycosylated adhesion receptor proteins with tetraspanins and gangliosides. The author discusses the different biological effects that each of these glycosynapse types might have on cell physiology and morphology during development and differentiation. S-i. Hakomori, The glycosynapse. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99, 225-232 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text]


Certain hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are implicated as occupational respiratory carcinogens. Cr(VI) induces a broad spectrum of DNA damage, but Cr(VI)-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) have not been reported. Previously we found that Cr(VI) activates the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase. ATM is activated specifically in response to DSBs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate DSB induction by Cr(VI) exposure with the overarching hypothesis that S phase-dependent DSBs are produced by Cr(VI) exposure. To test this hypothesis, normal human fibroblasts were treated with either Cr(VI) or neocarzinostatin (NCS). DSBs were analyzed by both comet assay under neutral conditions, which detects primarily DNA DSBs, and phosphorylation of histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX) and the resultant formation of nuclear foci, which are considered to be indicative of DSBs. Induction of DSBs was observed after Cr(VI) exposure, however, the Cr(VI)-induced DSBs were abrogated by G(1) synchronization. Furthermore, our data showed that Cr(VI)-induced DSBs were only observed in the S phase population, whereas no significant DSBs were observed in Cr(VI)-treated G(1) synchronized cells. In contrast, NCS-induced DSBs were equally distributed in all cell cycle phases in both asynchronous and G(1) synchronized cells. Moreover, Cr(VI)-induced gamma-H2AX foci formation was restricted to PCNA-positive cells, whereas NCS-induced gamma-H2AX foci formed in both PCNA-positive and PCNA-negative cells. These results indicate that Cr(VI)-induced DSBs are S phase-dependent. Finally, our data showed that Cr(VI)-induced gamma-H2AX production was significantly decreased in ATM(-/-) cells compared with ATM(+/+) cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Cr(VI)-induced activation of ATM involves the formation of S phase-dependent DSBs. Examining the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced DSBs will aid in understanding the interrelated mechanisms of Cr(VI) toxicity and carcinogenesis.


Social media has become a popular method of communication among people from all over the world. It is used as a platform for everyday interaction, content creation, marketing, selling, buying, etc. On a social media environment, people build relationships. Trust in social media plays a significant role in building and sustaining relationships. Trust determines how information will flow among members of a particular social community. This book focuses on the linkage of social media and trust. It brings together the theory and research of social media and trust and how trust can influence the use of social media among the users. This book is divided into two parts: theory and research. Part 1 includes four chapters and focuses mainly on concepts, ideas, and functions regarding social media and trust. Part 2 includes five chapters centering on research regarding social media and trust. A concluding chapter provides reflections and thoughts about social media and trust.


In this paper, the dynamic behavior of laser induced optical breakdown in impure water was studied by using a pumpprobe technique. The plasma was induced by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser pulse (with pulse duration ~10 ns) in distilled water with two types of impurities: (I) a solution (highly diluted salt water as a conductor) and (II) a colloidal (TiO2 in colloidal nanoparticle form as a dielectric); and finally the results were compared. The results show that, for both liquids, the probe beam transmission is reduced with pump laser intensity. Our results also show that, impurity size and type of conductivity can influence on plasma time evolution and transmissivity.


Cyclin-dependent kinases trigger and coordinate transitions between different phases the cell division cycle (CDK1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7). They
also play a role in apoptosis (CDK2), in neuronal cells (CDK5) and in the control of transcription
(CDK 7, 8, 9). Intensive screening has lead to the recent identification of a series of chemical inhibitors of CDKs: olomoucine, roscovitine, purvalanol, CVT -313, flavopiridol, y butyrolactone, indirubins, paullones and staurosporine. Some of these compounds display remarkable selectivities and efficiencies (IC5o < 25 nM). Many have been co-crystallised with CDK2 and their interactions with the kinase have been analysed in atomic detail. These inhibitors all act by competing with ATP for binding at the catalytic site. Most inhibitors present a flat heterocyclic ring system that occupies the purine binding pocket as well as form 2 or 3 hydrogen bonds with Glu-81 and Leu-83. The binding modes of these inhibitors are reviewed in this article. Knowledge of the CDK/inhibitor interactions will be of great help to design inhibitors with improved selectivity our potency as well as to generate affinity chromatography matrices for the purification and identification of their cellular targets. The potential use of CDK inhibitors is being extensively evaluated in cancer chemotherapy and other fields such as the cardiovascular domain (restenosis), dermatology (psoriasis), nephrology (glomerulonephritis) parasitology (unicellular parasites such as Plasmodium, Trypanosomes, Toxoplasm,...etc.), neurology (Alzheimer's disease) and viral infections (cytomegalovirus, H.I.V., herpes).


Lin and Zhao's theorem on loop formulas states that in the propositional case the stable model semantics of a logic program can be completely characterized by propositional loop formulas, but this result does not fully carry over to the first-order case. We investigate the precise relationship between the first-order stable model semantics and first-order loop formulas, and study conditions under which the former can be represented by the latter. In order to facilitate the comparison, we extend the definition of a first-order loop formula which was limited to a nondisjunctive program, to a disjunctive program and to an arbitrary first-order theory. Based on the studied relationship we extend the syntax of a logic program with explicit quantifiers, which allows us to do reasoning involving non-Herbrand stable models using first-order reasoners. Such programs can be viewed as a special class of first-order theories under the stable model semantics, which yields more succinct loop formulas than the general language due to their restricted syntax.


A signaling pathway is traced through which exercise enhances density of blood vessels in muscle. One of the benefits to fitness derived from regular exercise is enhanced circulation in the limbs. On the flip side, a sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in the genesis of peripheral artery disease. Chinsomboon et al. explored a signaling pathway by which exercise promotes generation of new blood vessels in muscle. They focused on PGC-1α (PPARγ coactivator 1α), which promotes angiogenesis in muscle. PGC-1α is so named because it acts as a transcriptional coactivator with the nuclear receptors known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate lipid and glucose metabolism. Mice provided with a running wheel will do some serious voluntary endurance training, running as much as 8 kilometers a day. Such exercise was correlated with increased vascularization of the quadriceps muscle. However, in mice genetically engineered to lack expression of PGC-1α in muscle, the beneficial effect of exercise on angiogenesis was nearly absent. The PGC-1α gene has an alternative promoter upstream of the proximal promoter that results in a slightly different PGC-1α protein with a few extra N-terminal amino acids. Expression of mRNA from this promoter was enhanced 100-fold after exercise, whereas the transcription from the proximal promoter remained the same. It is not clear whether the slight alteration of the protein affects its function or whether the alternative promoter (found only in muscle and adipose tissue) serves primarily to confer tissue-specific regulation. Signaling by β-adrenergic receptors increases expression of PGC-1α mRNA, and pharmacological inhibition of such signaling prevented most of the effect of exercise on expression of PGC-1α. Treatment of animals with a β-adrenergic receptor agonist also promoted expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important component of the angiogenic response, and this effect was blocked in the animals lacking PGC-1α in muscle tissue. PGC-1α works together with the nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) to regulate expression of the VEGF gene, and in ERR–/– mice, exercise failed to induce angiogenesis. The authors thus propose that an exercise-induced increase in β-adrenergic signaling promotes expression of PGC-1α through a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element in its alternative promoter. PGC-1α then works with ERRα to increase production of VEGF and promote angiogenesis. This is likely not the only pathway at work, but the authors note that it is independent of hypoxia-induced signaling or metabolic sensing by the AMP-activated protein kinase, two mechanisms proposed earlier but lacking in strong experimental support. Clinical implications include the possibility that the pathway could be targeted for therapies aimed at increasing vascularity and the cautionary note that antagonist of β-adrenergic signaling commonly prescribed for patients with coronary artery disease may have the unwanted side effect of inhibiting one of the beneficial effects of exercise in those patients. J. Chinsomboon, J. Ruas, R. K. Gupta, R. Thom, J. Shoag, G. C. Rowe, N. Sawada, S. Raghuram, Z. Arany, The transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α mediates exercise-induced angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 106, 21401–21406 (2009). [Abstract][Full Text]


This book critically examines the environmental hazards posed by global warming with regard to future food security, which will depend on a combination of stresses, both biotic and abiotic, imposed by climate change; variability of weather within a growing season; and the development of cultivars that are more sensitive to different ambient conditions. Furthermore, the ability to develop effective adaptive strategies which allow these cultivars to express their genetic potential under changing climate conditions will be essential. In turn, the book investigates those plant species which are very closely related to field crops and have the potential to contribute beneficial traits for crop improvement, e.g. resistance to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses, enriching the gene pool, and ultimately leading to enhanced plant yield, known as "Crop Wild Relatives" (CWRs). CWRs hold tremendous potential to sustain and enhance global food security, contributing to human well-being. Accordingly, their development, characterization and conservation in crop breeding programs have assumed great practical importance. Professor Kodoth Prabhakaran Nair is an internationally acclaimed agricultural scientist, with over three decades of experience in Europe, Africa and Asia, holding some of the most prestigious academic positions, including the National Chair of the Science Foundation, The Royal Society, Belgium. A Senior Fellow of the world renowned Alexander von Humboldt Research Foundation of The Federal Republic of Germany, he is best known, globally, for having developed a revolutionary soil management technique, known as "The Nutrient Buffer Power Concept", which, while questioning the scientific fallacies of the highly soil extractive farming, euphemistically known as the "green revolution", has opened up an alternative path for sensible and scientific soil management


The accurate, reliable and efficient solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for complex industrial applications is an ongoing challenge in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In the last decade higher order methods have become an attractive alternative to the established finite volume methods. In particular, discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods are very attractive due to the fact that they can be viewed alternatively as an extended finite volume method or as finite element technique.
However, solution strategies for DG methods are so far inferior when compared with those established for finite volume methods. Several approaches use an explicit (pseudo-)time-stepping based on
a Runge-Kutta method (RKDG), but the associated effort becomes prohibitive for high resolution computations on finer meshes. Efficient solution methods for DG methods are usually implemented considering a stabilized Newton or implicit Euler method requiring the exact derivative of the residual function, but this typically yields ill-conditioned linear systems that are hard to solve. Convergence can be accelerated using a so-called p-multigrid, in which the multigrid idea is established via reducing the order of the method while keeping the same computational mesh. Unfortunately, experience has shown that this kind of multigrid is rather limited and does not show the same desired effects as a geometric multigrid, in particular if applied to stiff problems arising from highly stretched meshes, high Reynolds numbers and turbulence models.
On the other hand, also for second order finite volume methods for unstructured meshes, where an agglomerated multigrid in combination with a rediscretization on the coarse meshes is used, often a loss of reliability of the multigrid algorithm can be observed, in particular when the agglomerated meshes become very coarse. However, with a reduced depth of the coarse meshes the convergence rate achieved via the multigrid procedure degenerates more or less to a single-grid iteration. Recently, the rediscretization process has been exchanged by a Galerkin type projection method. With this modification the reliability for an agglomerated multigrid in the context of finite volume methods could be
significantly improved, such that even for turbulent flows with high Reynolds number multigrid algorithms with more or less arbitrary cycle depth can be applied successfully and the full power of multigrid can be exploited.
Guided by the wish to incorporate also a geometric multigrid component for DG methods, the idea of a modified multigrid was successfully carried over to higher order methods. Similar to the fact, that the agglomerated multigrid by Galerkin projection uses a discretization only on the finest mesh, also for DG methods the evaluation of the discrete flow equations is only required on the finest mesh and therefore the quadrature rules necessary for a DG code are well defined also on the coarse meshes. This is usually not the case if a discretization is performed directly on the coarse meshes which consist of polyhedral elements. As DG methods employ upwind schemes where the high order function representation is achieved through individual unknowns, not via reconstruction, a rediscretization on the coarse levels with an integration over the fine mesh elements and inter-element faces is equivalent to a Galerkin projection of the fine mesh equations for convective terms and thus for the Euler equations.
Remaining differences between DG and finite volume methods may be found in the formulation of the implicit relaxation scheme in the multigrid algorithm. As the order of the scheme does not influence the number of unknowns in the finite volume case, an approximate derivative usually corresponding to a first order discretization can be used as smoother. This is not possible in the DG context, where the full derivative is required. However, the use of an exact linearization can be expected to yield improved convergence rates, which might help to compensate the additional computational complexity.
We will show for both the finite volume and the DG method numerical results which highlight the significant improvements achieved by a modified agglomerated multigrid using only fine-level evaluations of the discretization. We demonstrate on some basic test cases that the design orders of both methods are reached. Moreover, in the DG case we demonstrate improvements when compared with the established p-multigrid ansatz and furthermore highlight that curvilinear meshes are necessary in order to reach the design order of the schemes. On standard straight-sided meshes the accuracy of DG methods even falls behind unstructured second order finite volume methods on the same mesh. Furthermore, convergence when analyzing the entropy error versus the equivalent mesh size. Furthermore, the nomalized timings of the solution process show a nearly linear scaling with the number of unknowns.


This article describes the lived experiences of domestic violence victims among a convenience sample of 21 low-income Indian women. The experiences of abuse are drawn from in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted in Mumbai, India. The qualitative analysis describes four major categories of their lived experiences: (a) types of abuse, (b) family involvement in abuse, (c) treatment of children, and (d) abandonment. Domestic violence in Indian culture includes violence from the husband as well as the in-laws. Women are expected to endure violence for fear of bringing shame to their families. Social and financial support for abused woman is lacking.


The purpose of this paper is to analyze value of innovation as the role mediating in the relationship between NPD Innovation and NPD Performance. We proposed value of innovation basis on shariah as mediating role in this study developed from diffusion of innovations theory. The questionnaires will be given to only the managers of the board of shariah micro finance in Pekalongan and Banyumas, Indonesia with total 171 responden from 27 LKMS (Baitul Maal wa Tamwil, Baitul Tamwil, Kospin Jasa Shariah, and KSPP Shariah). Value of innovation basis on shariah significantly affect to marketing performance. Research limited in first order, future research can examined in second order research. LKMS adapted value of innovation basis on shariah to get product launch easily. Value of innovation basis on shariah as the new variable and theory concept. Indirect, NPD Innovation positive significantly affect to marketing performance with value of innovation basis on shariah and product launch success are as mediating role.


Dark marks in the rings of white spruce less than 50 yr old in Yukon, Canada, are correlated with the number of stems browsed by snowshoe hares. The frequency of these marks is positively correlated with the density of hares in the same region. The frequency of marks in trees germinating between 1751 and 1983 is positively correlated with the hare fur records of the Hudson Bay Company. Both tree marks and hare numbers are correlated with sunspot numbers, and there is a 10-yr periodicity in the correlograms. Phase analysis shows that tree marks and sunspot numbers have periods of nearly constant phase difference during the years 1751-1787, 1838-1870, and 1948 to the present, and these periods coincide with those of high sunspot maxima. The nearly constant phase relations between the annual net snow accumulation on Mount Logan and (1) tree mark ratios, (2) hare fur records before about 1895, and (3) sunspot number during periods of high amplitude in the cycles suggest there is a solar cycle-climate-hare population and tree mark link. We suggest four ways of testing this hypothesis.


Fraud present an immense problem for health insurance companies and the only way to fight fraud is by using specialized fraud management systems. The current research community focussed great efforts on different fraud detection techniques while neglecting other also important activities of fraud management. We propose a holistic approach that focuses on all 6 activities of fraud management, namely, (1) deterrence, (2) prevention, (3) detection, (4) investigation, (5) sanction and redress, and (6) monitoring. The main contribution of the paper are 15 key characteristics of a fraud management system, which enable construction of a fraud management system that provides effective and efficient support to all fraud management activities. We base our research on literature review, interviews with experts from different fields, and a case study. The case study provides additional confirmation to expert opinions, as it puts our holistic framework into practice.


Due to its cost and power performance, Zigbee is widely used and can be applied to railway systems. This paper deals with the performance of a Zigbee (IEEE.802.15.4) RF signal, according to several criteria; this analysis is based on an experimental approach and specially on power measurements in an anechoic chamber taken into account reflection on metal wall effects on wave propagation. As a first step, the experiments are realized on a laboratory reduced scale railways system which is also described in the paper. The signal strength is measured at several distances and analyzed according to the modulation and the polarization of antennas. Then, Zigbee modules are integrated into the wagons of the laboratory platform. The impact of the metallic walls of the wagons is analyzed and evaluated by an experimental approach and validated with a theoretical model This analysis can then be used as a first approach to optimize communication between ZigBee modules put into two wagons with metallic walls.


The role of subprime mortgage lending in the U.S. housing boom of the 2000s is hotly debated in academic literature. One prevailing narrative ascribes the unprecedented home price growth during the mid-2000s to an expansion in mortgage lending to subprime borrowers. This post, based on our recent working paper, "Villains or Scapegoats? The Role of Subprime Borrowers in Driving the U.S. Housing Boom," presents evidence that is inconsistent with conventional wisdom. In particular, we show that the housing boom and the subprime boom occurred in different places.


Whether an institution is a highly ranked Research I public university, a relatively well-endowed private liberal arts college, or an expanding community college, the current recession has negatively affected revenues. While Moody's Investors Service (1) noted in January 2010 that some of the most urgent financial pressures facing private and public colleges have receded as their investment income improved during the latter part of 2009 (Inside Higher Ed 2010), significant and fundamental challenges remain, including uncertainty over future state funding, enrollments, and net tuition revenue; liquidity to institutional debt ratios; and levels of endowment returns (2) and private donations. (3) In response to revenue shortfalls, private and public colleges and universities of all sizes are actively pursuing short-term strategies with the goals of enhancing revenues and reducing facilities operating costs. These strategies include deferring or downsizing planned construction projects, using existing instructional space more intensively, reducing facilities operating costs by closing facilities, improving campus sustainability, and reducing information technology (IT) expenses. Another economic-driven initiative involves the recent increase in the acquisition of distressed properties by colleges and universities. Additionally, institutional mergers and partnerships are being developed to expand academic program offerings, extend geographic reach, improve diversity, improve student services, and reduce overhead costs. (4) A review of ongoing campus facilities planning projects, coupled with a review of more than 30 recent campus master planning requests for proposals and the relevant literature, indicates that colleges and universities are finding innovative ways to do more with less in response to this challenging economic environment. The following discussion focuses on five economic-driven facilities planning and management strategies that have emerged in the current recession (see figure 1). I. Defer Capital Expenditures and Reduce Facilities Operating Costs Colleges and universities have revisited their campus capital improvement and facilities operating budgets during the recession to realign them with reduced funding resources. While new construction costs have been declining (5) for those institutions able to fund "shovel-ready" projects, others have experienced tighter credit markets and lower debt ceilings for their new projects. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (2009b) survey (6) of 284 member institutions revealed that over 50 percent had slowed down or stopped construction/ renovation projects. According to the February 2010 national survey conducted by the journal College Planning & Management, the total reported U.S. higher education renovation/new construction volume completed in 2009 fell almost 30 percent from the 2006 peak of $15 billion to $10.7 billion, the lowest since 2001 (Abramson 2009). Projected 2010 and 2011 completed projects are anticipated to be significantly lower still due to the prolonged financial crisis that has diminished the number of campus projects in the construction pipeline. Colleges and universities are finding viable ways to address pressing program needs despite postponing, or even avoiding, new construction altogether. For example, focusing resources on less costly renewal and renovation projects or phasing construction of new buildings over time reduces annual capital expenditures while still addressing pressing program and facilities renewal needs. Institutions with current and flexible campus master plans are using them to re-evaluate and navigate alternative campus development scenarios. Several examples recently seen by this campus planner illustrate how institutions are exploring new planning approaches in response to recent economic challenges and, in the process, discovering opportunities. …


This innovation provides the user with autonomous on-screen monitoring, embedded computations, and tabulated output for two new processes. The software was originally written for the Continuous Lunar Water Separation Process (CLWSP), but was found to be general enough to be applicable to the Lunar Greenhouse Amplifier (LGA) as well, with minor alterations. The resultant program should have general applicability to many laboratory processes (see figure). The objective for these programs was to create a software application that would provide both autonomous monitoring and data storage, along with manual manipulation. The software also allows operators the ability to input experimental changes and comments in real time without modifying the code itself. Common process elements, such as thermocouples, pressure transducers, and relative humidity sensors, are easily incorporated into the program in various configurations, along with specialized devices such as photodiode sensors. The goal of the CLWSP research project is to design, build, and test a new method to continuously separate, capture, and quantify water from a gas stream. The application is any In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) process that desires to extract or produce water from lunar or planetary regolith. The present work is aimed at circumventing current problems and ultimately producing a system capable of continuous operation at moderate temperatures that can be scaled over a large capacity range depending on the ISRU process. The goal of the LGA research project is to design, build, and test a new type of greenhouse that could be used on the moon or Mars. The LGA uses super greenhouse gases (SGGs) to absorb long-wavelength radiation, thus creating a highly efficient greenhouse at a future lunar or Mars outpost. Silica-based glass, although highly efficient at trapping heat, is heavy, fragile, and not suitable for space greenhouse applications. Plastics are much lighter and resilient, but are not efficient for absorbing longwavelength infrared radiation and therefore will lose more heat to the environment compared to glass. The LGA unit uses a transparent polymer antechamber that surrounds part of the greenhouse and encases the SGGs, thereby minimizing infrared losses through the plastic windows. With ambient temperatures at the lunar poles at 50 C, the LGA should provide a substantial enhancement to currently conceived lunar greenhouses. Positive results obtained from this project could lead to a future large-scale system capable of running autonomously on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The software for both applications needs to run the entire units and all subprocesses; however, throughout testing, many variables and parameters need to be changed as more is learned about the system operation. The software provides the versatility to permit the software operation to change as the user requirements evolve.


Abstract. Capturing the fine details on the surface of small objects is a real challenge to many conventional surveying methods. Our paper discusses the investigation of several data acquisition technologies, such as arm scanner, structured light scanner, terrestrial laser scanner, object line-scanner, DSLR camera, and mobile phone camera. A palm-sized embossed sculpture reproduction was used as a test object; it has been surveyed by all the instruments. The result point clouds and meshes were then analyzed, using the arm scanner's dataset as reference. In addition to general statistics, the results have been evaluated based both on 3D deviation maps and 2D deviation graphs; the latter allows even more accurate analysis of the characteristics of the different data acquisition approaches. Additionally, own-developed local minimum maps were created that nicely visualize the potential level of detail provided by the applied technologies. Besides the usual geometric assessment, the paper discusses the different resource needs (cost, time, expertise) of the discussed techniques. Our results proved that even amateur sensors operated by amateur users can provide high quality datasets that enable engineering analysis. Based on the results, the paper contains an outlook to potential future investigations in this field.


The current study assesses the impact on appetite and food intake of a novel co-processed ingredient containing a viscous fibre and whole-grain high-amylose corn flour, a source of type 1 and type 2 resistant starch (HAM-RS). Ninety adults completed a crossover, placebo-controlled study comparing two doses of the ingredient (20 and 30 g) to a maltodextrin control in a fruit-based smoothie served with breakfast. Ad libitum food intake was measured over the day and visual analogue scales were used to assess subjective appetite sensations. Subjects consumed 7% less energy intake at dinner following the 30 g dose (p = 0.02) compared to control. In addition, a trend for lower lunch intake (5% less weight of food) was observed for the 20 g dose (p = 0.10). Reductions were also observed for the two meals combined, with 3% lower energy intake for the 20 g dose (p = 0.04) and 5% less weight of food consumed for the 30 g dose (p = 0.04). Lower ratings of hunger were reported at 3 h after breakfast for both doses and also at 2 and 3 h after lunch for the 30 g dose. With ratings combined to compute an overall appetite score, a trend for lower appetite scores at 3 h after breakfast was found for both doses. Consistent with this, significant reductions in AUC hunger and prospective consumption were identified in the 30 g condition. A similar pattern of results was observed for fullness and desire to eat. The results of this study show that a new composite satiety ingredient comprised of a viscous fibre and whole-grain corn flour can affect acute satiety responses in men and women.


Abstract Soil gas surveys have been carried out at research sites in Great Britain and Italy to test soil gas geochemistry as a site investigation technique for the detection of faults and discontinuities. At a site on Oxford Clay in Gloucestershire, soil gas anomalies of high He, Rn and CO2 and low O2 were shown to correspond to the outcrop of a fault, identified by drilling and geophysics. Other apparently random anomalies remained unexplained and lateral migration of gas through superficial horizons complicated interpretation. Using three parallel sample lines at the same distance apart as the sample spacing it has proved not only possible statistically to remove spurious anomalies, but also to enhance and concentrate clusters of high values resulting from gas migration. This method was used to investigate a fault in Neogene clay at Narni in Italy where a gas pathway permeable to Rn and CO2 was identified, corresponding to a geoelectrical anomaly indicating displaced strata. Further work was carried out over a fault revealed by trenching in the Caithness Flags in Scotland. For each three-line traverse an integrated gas anomaly map was produced to aid interpretation by allowing both sharp and diffuse anomalies to be more easily identified.


Biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation are both important societal goals demanding increasing international attention. While they may seem to be unrelated, the international policy frameworks that guide action to address them make an explicit assumption that conserving biodiversity will help to tackle global poverty. Part of the Conservation Science and Practice Series published with the Zoological Society of London, this book explores the validity of that assumption. The book addresses a number of critical questions: Which aspects of biodiversity are of value to the poor? Does the relationship between biodiversity and poverty differ according to particular ecological conditions? How do different conservation interventions vary in their poverty impacts? How do distributional and institutional issues affect the poverty impacts of interventions? How do broader issues such as climate change and the global economic system affect the biodiversity - poverty relationship at different scales? This volume will be of interest to policy-makers, practitioners and researchers concerned with understanding the potential - and limitations - of integrated approaches to biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation.


In this working paper I present an outLine (1) for a sociology of self-knowledge concerned with the study of how the investigator's own self-knowledges and world-historical social structures constitute one another. The outline is built upon critical assimilation of contributions made in three seemingly independent traditions in sociology: 1-Sociology of Knowledge; 2-Social Psychology (broadly defined); and 3World-Systems/Historical Studies. Location Sociology of knowledge historically challenged the conventional interpretations of "objectivity" in the methodological foundations of science by insisting on the social relationality of all knowledge, especially that held by the investigator. Social psychology historically questioned reified sociological theorizing by incorporating the study of individual selves and lives of social actors into broader sociological inquiries. World-systems studies moved beyond the logico-deductive constructions of our understanding of the modern world based on narrow national or civilizational models, insisting on the value of inductive historical investigations of singular longterm large-scale processes of social change in an increasingly world-historical framework. Research in the sociology of selfknowledge cannot be fruitfully carried out unless the conceptual tools and frameworks within each and every one of its three constitutive intellectual sources are taken as variables, subjected to critical investigation and not assumed as givens. The sociology of self-knowledge may be considered as a sub-field in the scholarly tradition of sociology of knowledge which has historically been concerned with the study of the relationship between knowledge and social existence. However, it does not necessarily follow or confine itself to either the classical methodological assumptions or the theoretical frameworks and historical preoccupations of its parent sociological field. The literary environment which the sociology of self-knowledge draws upon is not limited to only those sources which use the rubric "sociology of knowledge" to define themselves. It is the content relevance that matters rather than common semantics and labels. Therefore, contemporary literature in the socalled cultural studies, postmodernism, discourses on poststructuralism, postcolonialism, and deconstructionism, the literature on methodological individualism and psychologism, controversies over determinism and reductivism, and the classical or more contemporary scientific, philosophical and epistemological literature on dialectics and dialectical logic, are as much a part of the literary environment of the sociology of selfknowledge as those specifically labeled as "sociology of knowledge." Sociology of Self-Knowledge and the Sociological Imagination The sociology of self-knowledge has close affinities with what C. Wright Mills has coined as the sociological imagination, but is also different from and goes beyond its classic formulation. In Mills's view, the legacy of sociology may best be served through the development of a sociological imagination that is able to comprehend the relationship between personal troubles and broader public issues. Mills was quite clear about the elements of what constituted his sociological imagination as a whole: 1. An awareness of the structure of society in which the individual presently lives; 2. A world-historical awareness of the spatiotemporal position and peculiarity of the given society in the context of human history as a whole; 3. The kinds of "human nature" associated with that society, and the nature of troubles commonly experienced by men and women living in that society as compared with those in other worldhistorical spacetimes. (Mills, 1959, 6-7) Of particular interest in Mills's formulation was that of distinguishing not only the private troubles and public issues from one another, but specificily contrasting on one hand (at the macro level) of the contemporary social awareness with the worldhistorical contexts in which the person finds her/himself, and on the other hand (at the micro level) of the inner life of the person with the variously stated "external career," (1) "the range of his immediate relations with others," (2) or "local environments of the individual. …


Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells with universal expansion in nearly all inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the accumulation of MDSC in chronic inflammation and tolerance of obesity-related fatty liver disease. We found that the expansion of MDSC, specifically associated with the monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC): CD11b+Gr-1intLy6G-Ly6Chigh in the liver of B6 mice fed a high-fat diet contributes to liver inflammation and tolerance. M-MDSCs isolated from the liver of obese mice are more easily activated by way of Toll-like receptor (TLR4) stimulation resulting in inflammatory cytokine expression, and were functional MDSCs, readily inhibiting T cell proliferation in vitro dependent on cell-cell contact between MDSCs and T cells. The rapid accumulation of M-MDSC also contributed to delayed ConA tolerance in obesity-related fatty liver disease. M-MDSCs isolated from the liver of obese mice developed with ConA tolerance induce less liver regulatory T (Treg) cell expansion and less suppressing T cell proliferation in vitro. Experiments using mice depleted of Gr-1, or M- MDSC adoptive transfer demonstrated the important role of M-MDSC in liver inflammation and tolerance. These data unveil that M-MDSCs play an essential negative feedback function in liver immune homeostasis.


We present computational methods addressing three key challenges in the quest to construct a more complete picture of protein signaling pathways, namely, confident identification of proteins in a sample, functional classification of large-scale proteomics data, and characterization of the dynamic conformational changes in protein structures.

First, we develop a probabilistic protocol for identification of short peptide fragments characterized by tandem mass-spectromety (MS/MS). A machine learning procedure for correctly matching peptides with mass spectra was constructed. Further, using a probabilistic framework, a method for protein identification based on the peptide predictions was proposed and tested.

Second, a genome-wide functional classification protocol for identifying dual-specificity membrane- and protein-binding domains was developed. We demonstrate that reversible membrane binding is a key component in spatially regulation protein interaction networks and further propose a mechanistic classification of dual-specificity binding. As an extension of this model, we build a knowledge-mining procedure for learning the general mechanisms of membrane-binding, using C1, C2, and PH domains as test-beds.

Last, we present a method for modeling the changes in single molecule dynamics induced by a signaling event as a discrete state Markov Chain model. Specifically, we use the partial unfolding of so-called mechanical proteins by way of steered molecular dynamics to demonstrate how the protein energy landscape is altered when different external mechanical forces are applied.


This study assessed growth and survival of juvenile blacklip pearl oysters (Pinctada margaritifera) in a number of intermediate culture systems: lantern nets, panel nets, perforated plastic trays, and attached to ropes enclosed by mesh, Juveniles with initial dorsoventral measurements of 8.3 to 51.5-mm increased in size by 20.4 to 24.8-mm in 3 months, and 30.7 to 36.5-mm in 5 months. Growth rates of juvenile P. margaritifera cultured in the open reef systems of the Solomon Islands compared favorably with those reported from the established pearl culture operations in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. Initial experiments showed that survival of oysters in lantern nets in shallow reef areas was poor as a result of predation by fish and invertebrates. Siting of culture systems in deeper water decreased mortality by fish, although predation by invertebrates that recruited from plankton was still a potential problem. In general, there were no significant differences in growth or survival between juveniles held in lantern nets and panel nets; however, lantern nets were more difficult to clean and inspect for predators. Juvenile growth and survival did not differ significantly (p > .05) between panel nets and trays after 5 months, although the rigid trays were easier to clean of fouling organisms. Juveniles placed loosely into trays tended to aggregate, and rates of growth and survival of oysters glued separately into trays were significantly greater (p < .05) than those for oysters placed loosely into trays. There was no significant difference in growth between oysters glued into trays and those glued onto ropes and enclosed behind plastic mesh. Overall, this study shows that important criteria of the growout units needed for the intermediate culture of P. margaritifera in the Western Pacific include ease of cleaning and access for regular inspection and removal of predators.


The naevus profile was examined in a Swedish cohort of 8-9-year-old children; 524/545 individuals (96%) were examined (279 boys and 245 girls). There was a wide variation in the total number of naevi (0-79) and boys had more naevi than girls (median 9 and 7, respectively, p<0.01). No dysplastic naevi were found. Overall, 15/ 524 (3%) had at least one lesion clinically diagnosed as a congenital melanocytic naevus. Boys had more naevi on the face (median 1) and trunk (median 5) than girls (median 0 and 3, respectively, p<0.001). There was no difference in the number of naevi on the legs between the two sexes. The highest counts per unit surface area for both sexes were found on the back, chest and the lateral aspect of the arms, areas intermittently sun-exposed. Children with fair skin and light eye colours had significantly more naevi than those with darker colours but children with red hair had very few naevi. Children with one or more naevi on the buttocks (25%), dorsal surfaces of the feet (11%) or on the scalp (7%) had twice as many naevi in total compared with those without naevi in these regions. Children with naevi in all three regions (0.8%) had four times as many naevi in total. A relationship between total counts and counts on the back or lateral aspect of the arms was found (r2 = 0.59). Either of these two areas might be suitable for predicting total naevus counts.


This article looks at the potential of using an online self-completing inventory that measures leadership consciousness awareness. The Consciousness Quotient inventory (CQ-i) has been developed to encourage leaders to be more conscious of their ability to be accountable and responsible for their leadership practice. The CQ-i as a method for researching leadership is piloted here between a university academic and a primary headteacher in the context of a school–university partnership. Pilot outcomes reveal that the inventory can be used as an evaluation of partnership work and ways of thinking about leadership on two levels: the personal and the partnership. The method is somewhat limited by a lack of distinctive criteria for personal domain statements and the absence of an overall profile outcome for the CQ score. Its strength lies in the way the outcomes of the inventory can be used as a starting point for personal reflection on leadership and as a vehicle for discussing a range of different ways of leadership working within different settings, such as school and university contexts.


Industrial robots have been more and more involved in the automation industry due to their capability to perform precise tasks, with an accuracy in sub-millimeters, tasks such as welding and drilling where a successful cooperation between the robots and the machine vision is necessary to end tasks within a demanded accuracy and in less execution time. The feedback from the machine visionsis used for enhancing the efficiency of detection, tracking and control of the robot motion by utilizing their visual information. The feedback, therefore, improves the safety of the system by preventing the robots from being damaged and operators from being injured which, in turn, saves the production time. Robotic welding tasks is one of important applications for industrial robots where high temperatures can limit the ability of welding workers to monitor and control the process around the close proximity of the welding area. Here the use of vision sensors could significantly aid in terms of protecting the welded area and provide safety to the operators. Similarly for the drilling tasks where robots are widely used, visions systems has significantly improved their performance to achieve desired accuracy. This paper targets these application areas and presents a review of the state-of-the-art equipment, methodologies and practices used within the associated research areas of robotic systems in the context of vision systems. It also examines the recent contributions of the vision systems in robotic tasks and highlights on their performance, the use of algorithms for image processing and calibration procedures adopted, and their contribution towards the effectiveness of robotic positioning resolution and accuracy.