PURPOSE
VMAT employs a multi-parameter modulation methodology. It tends to perform less reliably than the one-dimensional IMRT. Therefore, setting a suitable leaf positioning tolerance on the machine is crucial. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the leaf tolerance and the dose delivery accuracy for VMAT SBRT lung plans. The goal was to determine the optimal leaf tolerance for daily VMAT SBRT treatments.

METHODS
The study was performed on a VMAT-enabled Trilogy LINAC. To minimize the systematic bias in leaf and gantry speeds, all the VMAT SBRT plans had a prescription dose of 1800 cGy × 3. Prior to each plan delivery, the leaf positioning tolerance was reset to a new value in Machine Hardware Configuration in Treatment Administration. Upon completion of the plan delivery, the Dynalog Files and, more importantly, the Treatment Log File, i.e., the Dlog File, were saved and exported for post-processing. For our initial investigation, we tested leaf tolerance values of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm, respectively.

RESULTS
We found that when the leaf tolerance was set to a tighter value, such as 1, 2, and 3 mm, a good delivery accuracy was preserved without any MLC interlock occurrences. However, when the leaf tolerance was increased to be greater than a threshold value, such as 3 mm in this case, the delivery accuracy deteriorated almost linearly beyond that point. We also found that except for the leaf tolerance = 1 mm, the gantry angle accuracy virtually remained unchanged as the leaf tolerance was increased, indicating a decoupling between the leaf tolerance and the gantry angle uncertainty.

CONCLUSION
We recommend that for VMAT SBRT lung plans with a prescription dose of 1800 cGy × 3, the optimal leaf tolerance should be set to 3 mm.


We present a unifying framework for information theoretic feature selection, bringing almost two decades of research on heuristic filter criteria under a single theoretical interpretation. This is in response to the question: "what are the implicit statistical assumptions of feature selection criteria based on mutual information?". To answer this, we adopt a different strategy than is usual in the feature selection literature--instead of trying to define a criterion, we derive one, directly from a clearly specified objective function: the conditional likelihood of the training labels. While many hand-designed heuristic criteria try to optimize a definition of feature 'relevancy' and 'redundancy', our approach leads to a probabilistic framework which naturally incorporates these concepts. As a result we can unify the numerous criteria published over the last two decades, and show them to be low-order approximations to the exact (but intractable) optimisation problem. The primary contribution is to show that common heuristics for information based feature selection (including Markov Blanket algorithms as a special case) are approximate iterative maximisers of the conditional likelihood. A large empirical study provides strong evidence to favour certain classes of criteria, in particular those that balance the relative size of the relevancy/redundancy terms. Overall we conclude that the JMI criterion (Yang and Moody, 1999; Meyer et al., 2008) provides the best tradeoff in terms of accuracy, stability, and flexibility with small data samples.


In this paper, we investigate how smartphone applications, in particular web browsers, are used on mobile phones. Using a publicly available widget for smart phones, we recorded app usage and the phones' acceleration and orientation from 1,330 devices. Combining app usage and sensor data we derive the device's typical posture while different apps are used. Analyzing motion data shows that devices are moved more while messaging and navigation apps are used as opposed to browser and other common applications. The time distribution between landscape and portrait depicts that most of the landscape mode time is used for burst interaction (e.g., text entry), except for Media apps, which are mostly used in landscape mode. Additionally, we found that over 31% of our users use more than one web browser. Our analysis reveals that the duration of mobile browser sessions is longer by a factor of 1.5 when browsers are explicitly started through the system's launcher in comparison to being launched from within another app. Further, users switch back and forth between apps and web browsers, which suggest that a tight and smooth integration of web browsers with native apps can improve the overall usability. From our findings we derive design guidelines for app developers.


The polarized partitioning of proteins in cells underlies asymmetric cell division, which is an important driver of development and cellular diversity. Like most cells, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae divides asymmetrically to give two distinct daughter cells. This asymmetry mimics that seen in metazoans and the key regulatory proteins are conserved from yeast to human. A well-known example of an asymmetric protein is the transcription factor Ace2, which localizes specifically to the daughter nucleus, where it drives a daughter-specific transcriptional network. We performed a reverse genetic screen to look for regulators of asymmetry based on the Ace2 localization phenotype. We screened a collection of essential genes in order to analyze the effect of core cellular processes in asymmetric cell division. This identified a large number of mutations that are known to affect progression through the cell cycle, suggesting that cell cycle delay is sufficient to disrupt Ace2 asymmetry. To test this model we blocked cells from progressing through mitosis and found that prolonged cell cycle arrest is sufficient to disrupt Ace2 asymmetry after release. We also demonstrate that members of the evolutionary conserved FACT chromatin-remodeling complex are required for both asymmetric and cell cycle-regulated localization of Ace2.


This paper not only determines why individual firms use foreign currency derivative but investigates also what effects this derivatives usage has on the foreign exchange risk exposure of 471 European non-financial firms. We find strong evidence in favor of the existence of economies of scale in hedging and show that European firms engage in hedging programs in response to tax convexity. Results tend to support financial distress motives to hedge, but no evidence is found in favor of agency costs related motives. Whereas the degree of international involvement strongly determines the magnitude and significance of a firm's exchange rate exposure, it appears that large firms benefit from the diversification of their foreign operations and are to a greater extent capable of implementing operational hedging strategies. Our findings show furthermore that European firms use FCDs to hedge - and not to speculate -. The statistically weak effects these hedging strategies have on firms' currency exposures reveal, however, that European companies are hedging only a small proportion of the currency risk they are facing.


Cyberspace is widely acknowledged as a fundamental fact of daily life in today's world. Until recently, its political impact was thought to be a matter of low politics--background conditions and routine processes and decisions. Now, however, experts have begun to recognize its effect on high politics--national security, core institutions, and critical decision processes. In this book, Nazli Choucri investigates the implications of this new cyberpolitical reality for international relations theory, policy, and practice. The ubiquity, fluidity, and anonymity of cyberspace have already challenged such concepts as leverage and influence, national security and diplomacy, and borders and boundaries in the traditionally state-centric arena of international relations. Choucri grapples with fundamental questions of how we can take explicit account of cyberspace in the analysis of world politics and how we can integrate the traditional international system with its cyber venues. After establishing the theoretical and empirical terrain, Choucri examines modes of cyber conflict and cyber cooperation in international relations; the potential for the gradual convergence of cyberspace and sustainability, in both substantive and policy terms; and the emergent synergy of cyberspace and international efforts toward sustainable development. Choucri's discussion is theoretically driven and empirically grounded, drawing on recent data and analyzing the dynamics of cyberpolitics at individual, state, international, and global levels.


Recently I noticed with surprise, during extracapsular cataract surgery, that cortex was retreating from the anterior port of my simcoe cannula during aspiration, instead of being drawn towards it.

On closely examining the cannula, I discovered that the infusion entering the luer connection was plumbed to exit at the anterior port, while the syringe was vigorously aspirating anything near the large side port; iris, anterior capsule, even posterior capsule; certainly not what I was expecting!

I discussed this by email with the supplier, who apologised:

"I packed Reverse Simcoe in error!" and offered a replacement.

I find that the 'Reverse' Simcoe is a frequent visitor to extracapsular cataract sets. The surgeon, keen to get in among the cortex, often does not notice he is using one until the outcome of his operation has been affected because the wrong structure has been sucked into the cannula.

It is important for the surgeon to recognise the reverse simcoe. This can be done as follows:

Preoperatively, examine each simcoe cannula before use. Check that the luer port which receives the solution giving set, allows outflow via the larger side-port, and the smaller anterior port is connected to the narrow pipe which accepts the pvc tubing and aspiration syringe (Figure (Figure1)1) and not the other way round (Figure (Figure22).

Fig. 1.

Normal simcoe cannula

Fig. 2.

Reverse simcoe cannula

At operation, before entering the eye, run the drip, and observe the outflow of the irrigating solution: If it arcs down and forwards, this is likely to be a normal simcoe (Figure (Figure3).3). If however the outflow goes straight up before curving down (Figure (Figure4),4), then you are about to use a reverse simcoe!

Fig. 3.

Normal simcoe flow

Fig. 4.

Reverse simcoe flow

When operating, observe which port appears to be sucking in the cortex. This should be the smaller anterior port, while the anterior chamber is maintained by the flow from the larger side port.

Inadvertent aspiration through the larger side port of a reverse simcoe, while irrigating through the smaller anterior port, can cause unexpected shallowing of the anterior chamber.


The verb שכלל never appears as the sole verb of a creative process in Targum Neofiti—a practice unique to TgNeof among the Palestinian Targums. Rather, the authors exclusively reserve שכלל for the final position of Aramaic verbal doublets and triplets that complete a creative action initiated by a prior Hebrew verb. This article examines each use of שכלל in TgNeof and demonstrates how its consistent usage—designated as the 'Rule of Creative Completion' by the author—can inform contested interpretations elsewhere within the text, and notably its presence in the extant text of TgNeof Gen. 1.1, as well as offer further evidence for an established Aramaic scribal style employed during the composition of Palestinian Targums.


Abstract. The life cycle of the tropical cyclone Madi in the southwestern Bay of Bengal (BoB) during 6th to 12th December 2013 was studied using a suite of ocean and atmospheric data. Madi formed as a depression on 6th December and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm by 8th December. What was distinct about Madi was its (1) swift weakening from very severe cyclone to a severe cyclone while moving towards north on 9th, (2) abrupt track reversal close to 180-degree in a southwestward direction on 10th, and (3) rapid decay in the open ocean by 12th December while still moving southwestward. Using both in situ and remote sensing data, we show that oceanic cyclonic eddies played a leading role in the ensuing series of events that followed its genesis. The sudden weakening of the cyclone before its track reversal was facilitated by the oceanic cyclonic (cold-core) eddy, which reduced the ocean heat content and cooled the upper ocean through upward eddy-pumping of subsurface waters. When Madi moved over cyclonic eddy-core, its further northward movement was arrested. Subsequently, the prevailing northeasterly winds assisted the slow moving system to change its track to a southwesterly path. While travelling towards southwestward direction, the system rapidly decayed when it passed over the regions of cyclonic eddies located near the western boundary of the BoB. Though Madi was a category-2 cyclone, it had a profound impact on the physical and biogeochemical state of the upper ocean. Cyclone-induced enhancement in the chlorophyll a ranged from 5 to 7-fold, while increase in the net primary productivity ranged from 2.5 to 8-fold. Similarly, the CO2 out-gassing into the atmosphere showed a 3.7-fold increase compared to the pre-cyclone values. Our study points to the crucial role oceanic eddies play in the life cycle of cyclone in the BoB. Eddies being ubiquitous and tropical cyclones occur twice a year in the BoB, there is an urgent need to incorporate them in the models for the better prediction of the cyclone track and intensity.


1. Angiotensin II receptor binding was studied in specific regions of rat brain at different ages from birth to 14 weeks. 2. The number of specific angiotensin II receptors increased in all regions during the first 2 weeks of life and then decreased to adult levels. Peak numbers of receptors were up to 10 times the adult numbers. 3. The midbrain and thalamus-hypothalamus had maximum numbers of angiotensin II receptors at 2 weeks of age, whereas the rest of the brain regions had maximum number at 1 week. 4. Saralasin-infusion experiments suggested that circulating angiotensin-related peptides could reach brain angiotensin II receptors in 2 week old rats, but not in 6 week old rats. 5. It is postulated that the centrally mediated actions of circulating angiotensin II may be particularly important in the newborn.


'"Season of Migration to the North" is an Arabian Nights in reverse, enclosing a pithy moral about international misconceptions and delusions. The brilliant student of an earlier generation returns to his Sudanese village; obsession with the mysterious West and a desire to bite the hand that has half-fed him, has led him to London and the beds of women with similar obsessions about the mysterious East. He kills them at the point of ecstasy and the Occident, in its turn, destroys him. Powerfully and poetically written and splendidly translated by Denys Johnson-Davies' - "Observer".


This paper, prepared for The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics and the Law, discusses the partnership form of business association as a type of standard form contract. It analyzes the role of partnership statutory provisions in supplying default contract terms, the economic rationales for specific default rules on management, fiduciary duties, exit and other matters, and the relationship between partnerships and other types of business associations.


Recent advances in our understanding of the biological olfactory system have led to the development of new types of artificial olfactory devices. Inspired by the concept of nasal chromatography (odour components being separated by the olfactory epithelium), the artificial olfactory mucosa or e-mucosa has been conceived. However, the data generated by this device are of a class not encountered in traditional field of artificial olfaction before, due to its spatio-temporal characteristics. A novel processing approach is required to exploit fully the information rich nature of this data. Here a novel convolution based signal processing method is proposed. It is shown how the convolution integral can be applied successfully to different odour data-sets and thus further the development of the artificial or e-mucosa for medical application.


Consumer studies have a long tradition of incorporating non-homothetic preferences in their models, whereas this has been a very uncommon procedure in studies of international trade. We use a model from Mitra and Trindade (2005) to set up a gravity model in which we include income distribution measures as explanatory variables for the exporting as well as for the importing countries. Our results indicate that non-homothetic preferences significantly affect both exports and imports.


Events in the Middle East have rushed forward so dizzyingly since mid-2000 that even close observers could be pardoned for losing track, not to mention hope. In this book, 107 contributors offer individual perspectives on the deepening crisis in Israel-Palestine, providing a ground-level understanding, from every angle, of the collapse of peace. "Peace Fire" aligns the chronology of recent history with personal diaries alongside thoughtful analyses - some passionate, others disinterested (and a few that have already been proved wrong) - and weaves together the intemperate opinions, anger, hatred and confusion of the crisis. It spreads out from personal experiences of tragedy, conflict and hope at the epicentre to touch on the alarming global ripple effects, with contributors ranging from those on both sides directly affected to expert observers around the world. "Peace Fire" is a collective diary of the Israel-Palestine conflict in its greatest crisis for 35 years. The recent maelstrom on the West Bank has dominated the world's newspapers but left people feeling powerless and uncomprehending. This book shows what is driving the crisis and whether there's a way out of the abyss.


Soil and water assessment Tool is used to model the hydrology of a mountainous catchment in tropical Africa. Land cover and soil characteristics for the catchment were used to determine initial model parameters that were later adjusted during a calibration process. The model was calibrated and validated against measured stream flow. Although the model performed satisfactorily for simulating monthly river flows based on SWAT model calibration guidelines, it fell short of capturing daily peak flows. Average error on prediction of daily peak flows was -19.8%, while the median error was 10.8%.Overall, the average simulated daily peak flow was 2.6cms less than the corresponding observed daily peak flow, indicating a model tendency to under predict the magnitude of peak events. The inability of the model to capture peak flows was found to be the main limiting factor for its performance.


For more than two centuries, the Copyright Act has eschewed the task of defining authorship. However, with the decoupling of the act of creation from the act of fixation and the dramatic advance of technology, the issue of authorship has gained renewed relevance in recent years, as questions of authorship have permeated numerous high-profile legal controversies. To cite a few examples, the metaphysics of authorship lay at the heart of copyright squabbles involving Naruto (the crested macaque who famously took a selfie), Cindy Lee Garcia (the actress who received death threats for her appearance in the controversial movie The Innocence of Muslims), and, less obviously, Terry Bollea (the wrestler professionally known as Hulk Hogan who bankrupted Gawker Media with a sex-tape lawsuit).
With its exegesis of the Garcia v. Google decisions (both Judge Kozinski's original opinion and the Ninth Circuit's resounding reversal en banc), its reconsideration of the Supreme Court's seminal decision in Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony, and its analysis of authorial inquiries raised by interviews, drone and surveillance footage, bootleg recordings, paparazzi photographs and classroom note-taking, this Article identifies and critiques the problematic juridical conflation of copyright's authorship and fixation requirements. As the Article argues, copyright's authorship-as-fixation regime rests on a faulty premise, betrays copyright law's role in recognizing and rewarding creativity and denies copyright interests to the very individuals who have provided significant, if not the most important, original contributions to works within copyright's traditional subject matter. As a result, the Article calls for a fundamental reconsideration of the concept of authorship, including the issue of performer copyrights, in order to better align copyright law with its utilitarian goals, the realities of the creative process and broader public policy.


A frequency divider is an essential building block and one of the major sources of power dissipation in widely-used frequency synthesizers. As the output frequency of the synthesizer increases, the trade-off between the speed and power dissipation of dividers becomes more critical. Narrow-band injection-locked frequency dividers (ILFD) dissipate a fraction of the energy stored in the tank, which is determined by the quality factor, Q, of the resonator, in every cycle. Therefore, they have fundamentally lower power dissipation than wide-band dividers. Due to their narrow-band nature, ILFDs work in a limited frequency range (locking range). In this paper, shunt-peaking is used as an approach to increase the locking range and lower the power dissipation at higher frequencies.


According to established models of language contact, communication between incoming settlers and indigenous populations leads to the survival of place-names, whose role as labels means that they can easily be transferred between groups of speakers without understanding of semantic content. The paucity of pre-Norse place-names in the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland, like the paucity of pre-Anglo-Saxon place-names in southern Britain, has therefore been taken to reflect a lack of continuity of settlement that is at odds with the archaeological and historical record. This chapter argues that, during the Anglo-Saxon and Viking Ages, place-names served functional purposes, where semantic content was important. This may account for the loss of place-names that were semantically opaque to incoming settlers.


A novel adaptive watermarking algorithm in discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based on quantization index modulation (QIM) technique is presented. The host image is decomposed into wavelet subbands, and then the approximation subband is divided into non-overlapping small embedding blocks. The secret watermark bit is embedded into singular value vector of each embedding block by applying QIM. To improve the invisibility and robustness of watermarking system, the quantization step for each embedding block is set by combining statistical model with particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm not only preserves the high perceptual quality, but also effectively stands against joint photographic experts group (JPEG) compression, low-pass filtering, noise addition, scaling, and cropping attacks, etc. The comparison analysis demonstrates that our scheme has better performance than the previously reported watermarking algorithms.


Industry and Community Project Units (ICPU) are a work-integrated learning (WIL) initiative designed to provide an interdisciplinary, project-based experience for students based on real-world industry problems. With any new program, reflecting on the course delivery is essential for future quality improvement. Brookfield (2017) has suggested many student-centred approaches through which we can reflect on teaching practice, including Letters to Successors, whereby current students reflect on their experience and provide guidance for surviving and thriving the course, in a letter to future students. This study aimed to analyse the anonymous Letters to Successors penned by four separate ICPU cohorts, to understand students' perceptions of undertaking interdisciplinary, industry-based projects. The text within the Letters to Successors was analysed adopting a thematic analysis, using a realist and inductive approach. Four key themes were identified in the letters: working with others, focusing on tasks, having fun, and the unique experience. The students were overwhelmingly positive in describing their experience and were grateful for the opportunity to participate in a unit unlike others in their degree programs. Many of the skills and behaviours the students attributed to success align with the transferable skills required to develop their employability; this demonstrates the value of this non-placement WIL initiative as an alternative for traditionally lengthy placements or internships that can be burdensome for both student and industry. Further research to expand our findings, or to alternatively explore the views of staff and industry partners, would be valuable in ongoing evaluations of interdisciplinary, industry-based projects as an alternative model of WIL.


The simulation of global illumination is one of the most fundamental problems in computer graphics, with applications in a wide variety of areas. This problem studies the light energy transfer between reflective surfaces in an environment. Initially derived from the field of thermal engineering, radiosity has emerged over the past several years as one of the most promising solution methods.
Despite having produced some of the most realistic-looking computer generated images to date, radiosity methods have not yet met with widespread acceptance. The main obstacle has been their need for very careful and time consuming user intervention, without which, current techniques are prone to generating a wide range of annoying visual artifacts. These artifacts are generally due to poor surface meshing, resulting in insufficient sampling density and ineffective sample placement.
This thesis investigates the roots of this problem by taking a step back from the traditional finite element formulation of radiosity and examining the more general integral equation formulation. An analysis of the radiance functions described by this equation shows how umbra and penumbra boundaries as well as other sharp changes in illumination actually correspond to discontinuities in the radiance function and its derivatives. The results of this analysis have led to the concept of discontinuity meshing, whereby accurate approximations to the radiance functions are computed by explicitly representing their discontinuities as boundaries in the mesh.
This concept has been applied to the design of a discontinuity meshing algorithm for polyhedral environments. The algorithm is embedded in a progressive refinement radiosity system and uses piecewise quadratic interpolation to reconstruct a smooth radiance function while preserving discontinuities where appropriate.
The radiosity solutions produced by the new algorithm are compared against a photograph of a physical environment, an analytical solution, and a conventional, yet state-of-the-art, radiosity system, and its performance on architectural models of medium complexity is measured. The results are remarkably accurate both numerically and visually. The new discontinuity meshing algorithm drastically reduces, and in many cases eliminates, many of the annoying artifacts typical of conventional radiosity meshes, producing images of previously unattained quality. Moreover, the meshing is completely automatic and produces solutions that are highly view-independent.


Abstract. Building Information Modelling (BIM) technique has been widely utilized in heritage documentation and comes to a general term Historical/Heritage BIM (HBIM). The current HBIM project mostly employs the scan-to-BIM process to manually create the geometric model from the point cloud. This paper explains how it is possible to shape from the mesh geometry with reduced human involvement during the modelling process. Aiming at unbuilt heritage, two case studies are handled in this study, including a ruined Roman stone architectural and a severely damaged abbey. The pipeline consists of solid element modelling based on documentation data using Autodesk Revit, a common BIM platform, and the successive modelling from these geometric primitives using Autodesk Dynamo, a visual programming built-in plugin tool in Revit. The BIM-based reconstruction enriches the classic visual model from computer graphics approaches with measurement, semantic and additional information. Dynamo is used to develop a semi-automated function to reduce the manual process, which builds the final BIM model from segmented parametric elements directly. The level of detail (LoD) of the final models is dramatically relevant with the manual involvement in the element creation. The proposed outline also presents two potential issues in the ongoing work: combining the ontology semantics with the parametric BIM model, and introducing the proposed pipeline into the as-built HBIM process.


This paper discusses a method of collecting and analysing multimodal data during classroom-based digital literacy research. Drawing on reflections from two studies, the authors discuss theoretical and methodological implications encountered in the collection, transcription and presentation of such data. Following an ethnomethodological framework that co-develops theory and methodology, the studies capture digital literacy activities as real-time screen recordings, with embedded video recordings of participants' movements and vocalisations around the tasks during writing. The result is a multimodal rendition of digital literacy events on- and off-screen, allowing linguistic and multimodal transcriptions to capture the complexity of the data in a format amenable to analysis. Acquiring such data allowed for the development of detailed analyses of digital literacy events in the classroom, including interaction that would otherwise have escaped standard ethnography and video analysis, through sensibilities that approach social and material items without  a priori  hierarchies. This leads us to a 'performative' notion of digital literacies and an analytic methodology that is useful for researchers paying greater attention to the sociomaterial assemblages in which digital literacy events unfold. Keywords:  digital literacies; multimodality; video analysis; screen capture; literacy studies; actor-network theory (Published: 31 January 2014) Citation : Research in Learning Technology 2014,  21:  21281 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v21.21281


The control of moisture and temperature fluctuations within masonry walls is critical for conservation of architectural heritage and especially for fragmentary walls within archaeological sites. Exposed compound walls traditionally have been protected by hard cappings of lime, cement, and modified soil mortars. However, hard capping has been found to be inadequate in addressing the long-term management of moisture ingress and thermal movement that will continue to stress and damage the wall. Instead of protecting the wall as initially designed, hard capping can actually accelerate deterioration over time. In order to counter such problems posed by hard capping, a procedure called 'soft capping' has been introduced in recent years at several archaeological sites in England, Turkey and elsewhere. Soft capping replaces hard caps with vegetation planted on top of layers of soil, gravel, and geosynthetics. The idea is to prevent water penetration and to reduce thermal fluctuations by taking advantage of plants' abilities to utilize the water and provide a protective barrier on the wall top. The concept is very similar to green roof technology that has gained increased popularity in recent years. This paper will present laboratory and field-based research conducted on the performance characteristics of soft capping for the exposed masonry walls at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. Wall movement, moisture and temperature as well as environmental conditions were monitored to evaluate the effects of hard and soft capping on the test walls. Comments A Thesis in Historic Preservation, Graduate School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, 2009 Prepared in co-operation with the National Park Service/USDI through the Colorado Plateau Collaborative Ecological Study Unit (CP-CESU) and Mesa Verde National Park This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/123 Soft Capping of Archaeological Masonry Walls Far View House Mesa Verde National Park Alex Byungwook Lim A Thesis in Historic Preservation Graduate School of Design University of Pennsylvania 2009 Faculty Advisor: Frank G. Matero Professor of Architecture Reader: Michael C. Henry, PE, AIA Adjunct Professor of Architecture Prepared in co-operation with the National Park Service/USDI through the Colorado Plateau Collaborative Ecological Study Unit (CP-CESU) and Mesa Verde National Park


We study the information contained in surnames on the socioeconomic status of people in Spain. We find that people bearing uncommon surnames tend to enjoy a higher socioeconomic status than people bearing more common surnames. This bias is statistically very significant and robust to different measures of socioeconomic status, and it holds at the national aggregate level as well as at the regional level. The paper offers an explanation of a significant part of such bias as being generated by a signaling behavior by successful dynasties and a low degree of social mobility.


A finite element algorithm was developed to simulate wave propagation and near-source ground motion of propagating rupture fault. The modified 'split-node' technique of Melosh and Raefsky was employed to simulate the equivalent body forces system for a double couple without moment. Synthetic seismograms were computed for a suite of dip-slip faultings with various slip directions, and rupture velocities to illustrate the ground motion and coseismic deformation variations. Results from this study showed that, for a thrust fault with infinite rupture velocity or down going propagating ruptures, the hanging wall has a stronger ground motion than the foot wall; in contrast, for up going or bi-lateral ruptures, the hanging wall has a weaker shacking than foot wail. For the propagating rupture faults, the 'starting' and 'stopping' phases were numerically reproduced using the finite element method. In addition, observation at the surface, the duration pulse of S-waves were significantly changed between both sides of the fault for the rupture directivity.


The goal of this thesis is to implement an automated trading system able to outperform the benchmark uniform buy-and-hold strategy. Performance is measured in term of multiple risk and return measures. A comprehensive signal processing framework is built to facilitate rapid development and testing of multiple candidate trading systems. A subset of the most promising trading systems, 14 in total, are presented in this thesis. The trading systems are not only designed to function as decision support systems for human trader, but also to function as autonomous traders in their own right. They are built to be applicable in real life, any academic value is a welcomed side effect. Many of the trading systems are heavily influenced by machine learning methods, with a special focus on time series prediction. Support vector machines (SVM), artificial neural networks (ANN), and regression are the primary methods applied for low level machine learning. Evolutionary algorithms are applied as high level meta-parameter tuning. In addition to machine learning methods, classical portfolio optimization methods using modern portfolio theory are applied, some in combination with machine learning methods. The trading systems are tested by means of simulation on data from two stock markets -- the OBX index on Oslo stock exchange and Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow). Results indicate that the Dow index is highly efficient. No trading system was able to outperform the benchmark when using transaction costs. Results on the OBX index indicate some inefficiencies with potential for exploitation. Many trading systems manage to generate higher return than the benchmark. Some achieve excess return with the same level of risk. The efficient portfolio trading system yields highest return given the same level of risk as the buy-and-hold portfolio. In general results tend to support the efficient market hypothesis. Given the same risk level, experiments from this thesis finds that efficient portfolios can outperform uniform ones in inefficient markets as these are not efficient enough in themselves as in the case of OBX. No strategy was found that can substantially outperform an efficient portfolio. Support Vector Machines are identified to be the best time series predictors among the machine learning techniques used. Evolution is found to be a powerful tool in identifying and training trading systems. Future work will focus on evolution as an integral part of the trading systems.


Since 2001, Lao PDR tourism sector ranked second in terms of foreign exchange earnings after the mining and quarrying sector. Over two million international tourists visited the country in 2010, generating US$313million tourism receipts (LNTA, 2010). The tourism sector is regarded as one of the fastest growing sector economies in the country. Despite its importance, there has been no in-depth analysis of tourism's contribution to the economy. This study investigates the economic impacts of tourism on the Lao PDR economy. Using a visitors' expenditure survey and input-output models, the tourism sector was disaggregated from rest of the economy. The economic multipliers and inter-industry linkages of the 14 economic sectors for 2003 and 2008 were analyzed using SimSIP SAM Software. Tourism stakeholders' perceptions of the country's tourism were also analyzed. The results revealed that tourism is the leading sector in the country impacting positively on the economy during 2003-2008. Tourism contributed 7.5 percent to the national GDP and one in every seven people depended on tourism related businesses as their major employment in 2008. The multiplier results showed tourism contributes significantly to the economy in terms of generating output, value added and employment. However, the income multiplier was insignificant indicating high imports and relatively low income from tourism. The results further indicated that the indirect and induced impacts grew faster than the direct impacts of the tourism sector indicating tourism's secondary impacts are potentially important to the economy. The tourism normal and ratio multipliers are among the top three economic sectors demonstrating tourism substantial contribution on the economy. The higher average backward and forward linkages of the tourism sector compared with other economic sectors during 2003-2008 imply the sector's greater dependency on the domestic economy. Inter-industry linkages analysis showed tourism is a key sector in creating demand and stimulating production within the sector as well as other sectors of the economy. Tourism stakeholders also perceived that tourism was a catalyst in expanding businesses and generated


Abstract. At the Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator (LACIS) experiments investigating homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of ice (particularly immersion freezing in the latter case) have been carried out. Here both the physical LACIS setup and the numerical model developed to design experiments at LACIS and interpret their results are presented in detail. Combining results from the numerical model with experimental data, it was found that for the experimental parameter space considered, classical homogeneous ice nucleation theory is able to predict the freezing behavior of highly diluted ammonium sulfate solution droplets, while classical heterogeneous ice nucleation theory, together with the assumption of a constant contact angle, fails to predict the immersion freezing behavior of surrogate mineral dust particles (Arizona Test Dust, ATD). The main reason for this failure is the compared to experimental data apparently overly strong temperature dependence of the nucleation rate coefficient. Assuming, in the numerical model, Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT) for homogeneous ice nucleation and a CNT-based parameterization for the nucleation rate coefficient in the immersion freezing mode, recently published by our group, it was found that even for a relatively effective ice nucleating agent such as pure ATD, there is a temperature range where homogeneous ice nucleation is dominant. The main explanation is the apparently different temperature dependencies of the two freezing mechanisms. Finally, reviewing the assumptions made during the derivation of the CNT-based parameterization for immersion freezing, it was found that the assumption of constant temperature during ice nucleation and the chosen ice nucleation time were justified, underlining the applicability of the method to determine the fitting coefficients in the parameterization equation.


Summary. In teeth with periapical lesions and defective root canal seals non-surgical retretment is usually preferred. Sometimes, howeve, such treatment may not be feasible and periapical surgery must be performed. The present study investigated a technique of retrograde root canal treatment as an alternative to the more conventional types of surgical procedure. The material consisted of 35 teeth whose root canals contained posts. In 77 percent of the cases it was possible to instrument and obturate the root canal up to the post. Following treatment the periapical tissues, as evaluated clinically and radiographically, showed evidence of having healed in 71 per cent of cases.


The development of infrastructure facilities can negatively impact critical habitat and essential ecosystems. There are a variety of techniques available to avoid, minimize, and mitigate negative impacts of existing infrastructure as well as future infrastructure development. However, such techniques may not always provide the greatest environmental benefit or may do very little to promote ecosystem sustainability. Concern for ecosystem protection, along with legislation and policy initiatives aimed at fostering an ecosystem-based approach, led an Interagency Steering Team to collaborate over a three-year period to write Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects. The Steering Team shared a vision of an enhanced and sustainable natural environment combined with the view that necessary infrastructure can be developed in ways that are more sensitive to terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Eco-Logical encourages all partners involved in infrastructure planning, design, review, and construction to use existing flexibility in regulatory processes. The Eco-Logical publication puts forth a conceptual framework for integrating plans across agency boundaries and endorses ecosystem-based mitigation – an innovative method of mitigating infrastructure impacts in today's changing environment. To test the concepts presented in Eco-Logical, the Federal Highway Administration"s (FHWA) Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty initiated a grant program in 2007. Of the 40 applications from across the country, FHWA funded 14 cooperative agreements and 1 interagency agreement, totaling approximately $1.4 million. The number and diversity of applications indicate a changing climate in the field of transportation with a shift to more ecologically sensitive planning. The selected grant projects incorporate tools and techniques ranging from the integration of environmental considerations in the transportation planning process to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and public involvement to integrate infrastructure and conservation plans. For example, one project tests and demonstrates how interagency partnerships and a willingness to adapt existing processes can enhance cultural and environmental stewardship in the long-range transportation planning process. The grant recipients represent state and local departments of transportation, federal and state resource agencies, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and one university. Initial findings from the grant program indicate a successful integration of ecologically sensitive principles into infrastructure planning and project development. By creating and using data-driven tools and processes, the Eco- Logical grant projects show that partnering with resource agencies and stakeholders early in the planning and project development processes enhances the preservation of high-functioning ecosystems.


Author(s): Gallagher, George R.; Holloway, Catherine H.; Williams, Kelly L.; Ellenburg, Robyn Y.; Saylors, Brianna M.; Van Der Heiden, Lara; Peters, Sunday O. | Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the importance of visual verification in the behavioral response of white-tailed deer to an auditory alert recording. We utilized a portable, remote-controlled sound system to play recordings of the white-tailed deer alert "blow." In Phase I, the sound treatment was administered from a single location in a 1.3-ha grass lawn surrounded by wooded areas and roads with limited visibility, to free-ranging white-tailed deer on the Berry College campus during day and night hours. In Phase II, sound treatments were administered from varying locations in open lawn and hay fields. Recordings of deer activity were obtained from a digital camcorder and a FLIR thermal imagery camera. Behavior of white-tailed deer in response to the audio recording was classified as Passive (no altered behavior), Alert (actively observing and/or listening toward the recorded sound), Active (slow to moderate intentional movement toward or away from the recorded sound), or Flight (running away from the recorded sound). Six 10-sec periods of activity were evaluated. The pretreatment period (Pre Treat) began one minute prior to activation of the alert sound. The next four time periods [Sound (T1-T3)] represent the four consecutive 10-sec time frames from initiation of the sound treatment. A post-treatment (Post Trt) period was approximately 60 sec following the T3 period. In both phases, deer exhibited decreased Passive Behavior and increased Alert Behavior and Active Behavior following administration of the sound treatment. In the more confined area (Phase I) at night, deer tended to exhibit Alert and Active Behaviors longer than during the day. In the more open areas (Phase II), the degree of Active Behavior was diminished, with deer in the day tending to seek out the location of the sound. The results indicate that the use of visual verification to the auditory alert influenced behavioral response of white-tailed deer, and may be more critical in the areas where that process is limited compared to more open landscapes.


The ability to read and write is one of the most important skills a child will learn. Success or failure in this will have a profound effect on the child's future. Is the role of preschool to teach children to read and write, or prepare them to become literate? This thesis investigates relationships between factors identified as having significant impact on reading and writing success. Foundation prerequisite skills and demographic data of 329 preschool children in Darwin, Palmerston and the surrounding rural area of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia are examined. Three standardised instruments were used to measure a range of skills associated with literacy acquisition. As expected, age was a significant factor in all sub-test mean scores. Children achieved higher mean raw scores as age increased. The majority of children performed at or above expected age-adjusted mean score levels in most subtests, although would not be expected to be able to read even with these age appropriate skills. Many children also achieved low scores in some sub-tests, reflecting the diversity of childhood experiences prior to preschool entry. Few children scored below average in more than 5 of the 17 sub tests. Parent socio-demographic features, for example the number of years the child's mother spent at high school, had a significant influence on sub-test scores: child demographic features such as handedness and Indigenous status however did not. The interconnectedness of skills is also seen in the significant associations between sub-tests. Prerequisite skills central to reading and writing acquisition and the role these skills play in preparing children for formal and explicit teaching are discussed, as is the importance of this range of skills to be included in quality early childhood programs.


This thesis describes DesignTag, a system which can be used to identify electronic design intellectual property (IP) within operating integrated circuits (ICs). The ability to accurately identify IP within ICs has several important applications, including IP theft detection, identifying unmarked ICs and detecting counterfeit devices. Current and proposed methods for identifying IP within ICs are either inadequate for many applications, or are expensive, time consuming and difficult to use. In contrast, the DesignTag system is useful for a wide range of applications, is easy to use, and allows inexpensive and fast detection of IP. The DesignTag system consists of a small "tag" circuit which is added to a piece of IP and a tag detection sub-system which is used to detect signals transmitted by on-chip tags. These signals are transmitted using a thermal side channel, a novel approach in which information is communicated by varying the temperature of an IC package. In addition to discussing the DesignTag system as a whole, this thesis focuses on the development of the tag detection sub-system, adapting concepts from CDMA wireless communications to enable the detection of thermally transmitted tag signals.


The discovery of heavy hitters (most frequent items) in user-generated data streams drives improvements in the app and web ecosystems, but can incur substantial privacy risks if not done with care. To address these risks, we propose a distributed and privacy-preserving algorithm for discovering the heavy hitters in a population of user-generated data streams. We leverage the sampling property of our distributed algorithm to prove that it is inherently differentially private, without requiring additional noise. We also examine the trade-off between privacy and utility, and show that our algorithm provides excellent utility while also achieving strong privacy guarantees. A significant advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need to centralize raw data while also avoiding the significant loss in utility incurred by local differential privacy. We validate our findings both theoretically, using worst-case analyses, and practically, using a Twitter dataset with 1.6M tweets and over 650k users. Finally, we carefully compare our approach to Apple's local differential privacy method for discovering heavy hitters.


Abstract. Open biomass burning is a significant source of primary air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG). However, the physical and chemical atmospheric processing of these emissions during transport is poorly understood. Atmospheric transformations of biomass burning emissions have been investigated in environmental chambers, but there have been limited opportunities to investigate these transformations in the atmosphere. In this study, we deployed a suite of real-time instrumentation on a Twin Otter aircraft to sample smoke from prescribed fires in South Carolina, conducting measurements at both the source and downwind to characterize smoke evolution with atmospheric aging. Organic aerosol (OA) within the smoke plumes was quantified using an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS); refractory black carbon (rBC) was quantified using a single-particle soot photometer, and carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured using a cavity ring-down spectrometer. During the two fires for which we were able to obtain aerosol aging data, normalized excess mixing ratios and "export factors" of conserved species (rBC, CO, CO2) suggested that changes in emissions at the source did not account for most of the differences observed in samples of increasing age. An investigation of AMS mass fragments indicated that the in-plume fractional contribution (fm/z) to OA of the primary fragment (m/z 60) decreased downwind, while the fractional contribution of the secondary fragment (m/z 44) increased. Increases in f44 are typically interpreted as indicating chemical aging of OA. Likewise, we observed an increase in the O : C elemental ratio downwind, which is usually associated with aerosol aging. However, the rapid mixing of these plumes into the background air suggests that these chemical transformations may be attributable to the different volatilities of the compounds that fragment to these m/z in the AMS. The gas–particle partitioning behavior of the bulk OA observed during the study was consistent with the predictions from a parameterization developed for open biomass burning emissions in the laboratory. Furthermore, we observed no statistically significant increase in total organic mass with atmospheric transport. Hence, our results suggest that dilution-driven evaporation likely dominated over the chemical production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) within our smoke plumes, presumably due to the fast dilution and limited aging times (


The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is the strongest current in the ocean and has a pivotal impact on ocean stratification, heat content, and carbon content. The circumpolar volume transport is relatively insensitive to surface wind forcing in models that resolve turbulent ocean eddies, a process termed "eddy saturation." Here a simple model is presented that explains the physics of eddy saturation with three ingredients: a momentum budget, a relation between the eddy form stress and eddy energy, and an eddy energy budget. The model explains both the insensitivity of circumpolar volume transport to surface wind stress and the increase of eddy energy with wind stress. The model further predicts that circumpolar transport increases with increased bottom friction, a counterintuitive result that is confirmed in eddy‐permitting calculations. These results suggest an unexpected and important impact of eddy energy dissipation, through bottom drag or lee wave generation, on ocean stratification, ocean heat content, and potentially atmospheric CO2.


Abstract. Heavy tailed random variables (rvs) have proven to be an essential element in modeling a wide variety of natural and human induced processes, and the sums of heavy tailed rvs represent a particularly important construct in such models. Oriented toward both geophysical and statistical audiences, this paper discusses the appearance of the Pareto law in seismology and addresses the problem of the statistical approximation for the sums of independent rvs with common Pareto distribution F (x) = 1 − x−α for 1/2 < α < 2. Such variables have infinite second moment which prevents one from using the Central Limit Theorem to solve the problem. This paper presents five approximation techniques for the Pareto sums and discusses their respective accuracy. The main focus is on the median and the upper and lower quantiles of the sum's distribution. Two of the proposed approximations are based on the Generalized Central Limit Theorem, which establishes the general limit for the sums of independent identically distributed rvs in terms of stable distributions; these approximations work well for large numbers of summands. Another approximation, which replaces the sum with its maximal summand, has less than 10% relative error for the upper quantiles when α < 1. A more elaborate approach considers the two largest observations separately from the rest of the observations, and yields a relative error under 1% for the upper quantiles and less than 5% for the median. The last approximation is specially tailored for the lower quantiles, and involves reducing the non-Gaussian problem to its Gaussian equivalent; it too yields errors less than 1%. Approximation of the observed cumulative seismic moment


Introduction: Diabetes is a complex and chronic disease associated with patients' quality of life. Previous studies have considered self-care as an important and necessary parameter for changing personal lifestyle and influencing the control of diabetes. The purpose of present study was to examine the relationship between self care activities of type 2 diabetic patients' and glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) as well as their perceived diabetes-related quality of life. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study 100 (60 females and 40 males, aged 40 to 70 years) type 2 diabetic out-patients visiting the Labbafinejad hospital in 2012. Measures of data collection included demographic, anthropometric and clinical questionnaires, the short scale for self-care activities and the diabetes-related quality of life. Blood tests were performed to obtain HbA1c levels and other laboratory measures related to the study. Results: Pearson's correlation coefficients showed a significant association between better reported self-care activities and lower HbA1c levels along with better perceived diabetes-dependent quality of life. Results of regression analyses, after control of age indicated that self-care activities explained 40% of HbA1c variance and 58% of quality of life. Conclusions: Based on the present data, diabetes-related self care predicted HbA1c levels and diabetes-dependent perceived quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes, results that draw attention to the psychological factors effective in the prevention of diabetes complications and hence help in the conceptualization, planning and design of treatment policies for more effective control of type 2 diabetes.


This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that structurally similar PAHs induce similar gene expression profiles. THP-1 cells were exposed to a series of 12 selected PAHs at 50 µM for 24 hours and gene expressions profiles were analyzed using both unsupervised and supervised methods. Clustering analysis of gene expression profiles revealed that the 12 tested chemicals were grouped into five clusters. Within each cluster, the gene expression profiles are more similar to each other than to the ones outside the cluster. One-methylanthracene and 1-methylfluorene were found to have the most similar profiles; dibenzothiophene and dibenzofuran were found to share common profiles with fluorine. As expression pattern comparisons were expanded, similarity in genomic fingerprint dropped off dramatically. Prediction analysis of microarrays (PAM) based on the clustering pattern generated 49 predictor genes that can be used for sample discrimination. Moreover, a significant analysis of Microarrays (SAM) identified 598 genes being modulated by tested chemicals with a variety of biological processes, such as cell cycle, metabolism, and protein binding and KEGG pathways being significantly (p < 0.05) affected. It is feasible to distinguish structurally different PAHs based on their genomic fingerprints, which are mechanism based.


Purpose: The association between deafness and ocular abnormalities is well established; however the nature and prevalence of these problems are diverse across the globe. Methods: A team of optometrists and social worker visited one hundred fifty eight deaf boy students at their schools and those who needed more detailed evaluation were referred to the Farabi Eye Hospital's strabismus clinic. These students in selected schools underwent detailed visual acuity testing, refraction, binocular examination, color vision and fundoscopy. Results: The percentage of ocular abnormalities in the deaf boys included in this study was 52.8%. The frequency of refractive errors in the present study was 39.9%. Astigmatism was the leading refractive anomaly (31%). Hypermetropia was found in 13.2% of the children and myopia was found in 12.6%. Anisometropia was detected in thirty children (19%) and amblyopia was found in 22 children (13.9%). A disturbance of ocular motility was present in 18 cases (11.3%). In 44 (28%) cases stereopsis was reduced, and in six (3.8%) cases it was absent. Majority of the students (89.9%) had congenital hearing loss. 6.3% children had color vision deficiency. Seventy four deaf boys (46.8%) had a normal eye examination, while 84 (53.2%) cases had ocular problems, and 20 (12.65%) of them had more than one problem. The prevalence of refractive error, amblyopia, and strabismus was found to be significantly increased compared to the general population. In addition, the prevalence of ocular abnormalities generally increased with the severity of the hearing loss. Conclusion: We recommended that screening for ocular abnormalities should be made mandatory in hearing-impaired children and parents must be aware of high prevalence of ocular abnormalities in deaf children, as they need appropriate visual sense to compensate their poor auditory sense.


Process development of the synthesis of the orally active poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitor niraparib is described. Two new asymmetric routes are reported, which converge on a high-yielding, regioselective, copper-catalyzed N-arylation of an indazole derivative as the late-stage fragment coupling step. Novel transaminase-mediated dynamic kinetic resolutions of racemic aldehyde surrogates provided enantioselective syntheses of the 3-aryl-piperidine coupling partner. Conversion of the C–N cross-coupling product to the final API was achieved by deprotection and salt metathesis to isolate the desired crystalline salt form.


Motoneurons differ in the behaviors they control and their vulnerability to disease and aging. For example, brain stem motoneurons such as hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) are involved in licking, suckling, swallowing, respiration, and vocalization. In contrast, spinal motoneurons (SMs) innervating the limbs are involved in postural and locomotor tasks requiring higher loads and lower movement velocities. Surprisingly, the properties of these two motoneuron pools have not been directly compared, even though studies on HMs predominate in the literature compared with SMs, especially for adult animals. Here we used whole cell patch-clamp recording to compare the electrophysiological properties of HMs and SMs in age-matched neonatal mice (P7-P10). Passive membrane properties were remarkably similar in HMs and SMs, and afterhyperpolarization properties did not differ markedly between the two populations. HMs had narrower action potentials (APs) and a faster upstroke on their APs compared with SMs. Furthermore, HMs discharged APs at higher frequencies in response to both step and ramp current injection than SMs. Therefore, while HMs and SMs have similar passive properties, they differ in their response to similar levels of depolarizing current. This suggests that each population possesses differing suites of ion channels that allow them to discharge at rates matched to the different mechanical properties of the muscle fibers that drive their distinct motor functions.


Magna International, Inc., a Canadian-based automotive parts manufacturer, is considering whether and how to unwind its dual-class ownership structure. A family trust controlled by the founder owns a 0.65% economic interest in the company but has 66% of the votes via a super-voting class of shares. Officers of the company are considering how to fashion a transaction that will end the family's control and win the approval of both classes of shareholders. The Magna (A) case asks the students to weigh the costs and benefits of dual-class ownership and the best way to convert to single-class. The Magna (B) case describes the proposal that Magna's board put to a shareholder vote. Students are asked to evaluate it and decide whether they would approve it.Learning Objective: The Magna (A) and (B) cases are intended to support a general discussion of the costs and benefits of dual-class ownership structures, which are common in many countries. In the specific case of Magna, students are asked to quantify the potential benefits of unwinding a dual-class structure that has been in place for more than 30 years, and to consider how the value created should be divided between two classes of shareholders.


This paper presents a single case-study of a longitudinal shared reading programme that took place in Dutch kindergartens with first language speakers of 4 to 6 years old. As will be shown, children participate both in a traditional instructional structure and in a participation framework characterised by a more or less free discussion. These structures establish an optimal learning environment both together and in relationship to each other. Our case study demonstrates how the teacher and the pupils participate in these successive frameworks and how this supports the construction of conceptual knowledge. It will be shown that participation during shared reading of picture books at kindergarten is directly linked to interactional learning opportunities.


SUMMARY Genetic variation in feed efficiency may have a significant impact on sheep production in integrated crop livestock farming systems in dry areas, where the shortage and poor quality of feed is widespread. Thus, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of sheep genotype and feed source on liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and dry matter (DM) intake in feedlot lambs finished on diets based on low-cost forages or a high-cost concentrated feed as a means of assessing the efficiency of this feeding system. Early weaned lambs of the purebred fat-tailed Akkaraman breed were compared with synthetic Anatolian Merino (0·80 German Mutton Merino×0·20 Native Akkaraman) breed. The lambs were kept in individual pens for 8 weeks and fed four diets: daily harvested forages of triticale (T), Hungarian vetch (HV), a triticale-Hungarian vetch mixture (T+HV), and a concentrate-based feed (CF). Lamb liveweight gain (LWG) was monitored during the early (18 April–16 May) and late (17 May–13 June) spring periods. Diet×period and diet×breed interactions were detected in LWG of the lambs. Lambs from both genotypes on the concentrate-based diet had higher liveweight gains, DM intakes and better feed conversion ratios compared with lambs finished on the forage-based diets. The LWG of lambs offered triticale forage decreased from 177 g/head/day in the early spring to 95 g/head/day in the late spring period, as plant maturity increased. Liveweight gains did not change for the other forage rations during the same period. The LWG of Akkaraman lambs were similar for both the early (189 g/head/day) and the late (183 g/head/day) spring periods, whereas Anatolian Merino lambs gained 41 g/head/day less LW and had 3·8 higher feed conversion rate for the late spring period compared with the early spring period. The present study showed that fat-tailed Akkaraman lambs were better able to utilize forages with low nutritive value compared to Anatolian Merino lambs, and may be better suited to semi-arid areas, where crop and livestock are highly integrated in the farming system.


Our ability to sense chemistry and biology in challenging scenarios, such as implantable devices for monitoring our health, or the quality of water in rivers and lakes has not advanced significantly since the fundamental breakthroughs in chem/bio-sensors of the 1970's and 1980's. It is becoming clear that in order to meet challenging performance specifications in terms of price and performance, these devices will have to be much more sophisticated, and in particular, adopt bio-inspired strategies to deliver platforms that can function autonomously for years. For example, many sensing platforms employ fluidic systems, and increasingly microfluidic systems to integrate functions such as sample transport, reagent addition, filtering, and detection. In the future, these fluidic systems will have a more active role in monitoring, reporting and maintaining the overall functionality of the platform. Like our own blood circulation system, fluidics in chem/bio-sensing devices will contain micro/nano-vessels and in-channel active components (e.g. integrated soft-polymer valves) capable of detecting damage, leaks, fouling, channel blockage etc., and furthermore, undertake appropriate remedial action (detect leak location & perform repairs, open blocked channels or provide alternative fluidic pathway) in order to dramatically extend the functional lifetime of the platform.
Access to 3D additive technologies, in combination with directed polymer self-assembly, now enables such soft polymer actuators to be created with nano-scale resolution inside microfluidic channels for fluid control, or to provide channels with switchable characteristics such as surface roughness [1], or controlled uptake and release of molecular guests. In addition, fluidic coatings can optically report their condition (e.g. whether they are in binding or passive form, or molecular guests are bound) reflecting the chemical status along the entire length of the fluidic system, rather than at a localised detector [2]. The same characteristics can be integrated into micro-vehicles such as droplets, beads and vesicles, or microrobots that can also move spontaneously or be externally directed to specific locations, where they can perform these and other tasks [3, 4]. In this paper, we will present routes through which these exciting concepts can be practically realized.


AbStrACt It is well-known that speckle is a multiplicative noise that degrades image quality and the visual evaluation in ultrasound imaging. This necessitates the need for robust despeckling techniques for both routine clinical practice and teleconsultation. The goal for this book is to introduce the theoretical background (equations), the algorithmic steps, and the MATLAB ™ code for the following group of despeckle filters: linear filtering, nonlinear filtering, anisotropic diffusion filtering and wavelet filtering. The book proposes a comparative evaluation framework of these despeckle filters based on texture analysis, image quality evaluation metrics, and visual evaluation by medical experts, in the assessment of cardiovascular ultrasound images recorded from the carotid artery. The results of our work presented in this book, suggest that the linear local statistics filter dsflsmv, gave the best performance, followed by the nonlinear geometric filter dsfgf4d, and the linear homogeneous mask area filter dsflsminsc. These filters improved the class separation between the asymptomatic and the symptomatic classes (of ultrasound images recorded from the carotid artery for the assessment of stroke) based on the statistics of the extracted texture features, gave only a marginal improvement in the classification success rate, and improved the visual assessment carried out by two medical experts. A despeckle filtering analysis and evaluation framework is proposed for selecting the most appropriate filter or filters for the images under investigation. These filters can be further developed and evaluated at a larger scale and in clinical practice in the automated image and video segmentation, texture analysis, and classification not only for medical ultrasound but for other modalities as well, such as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. To my family Constantinos S. Pattichis " Show thyself in all things an example of good works, in teaching, in integrity and dignity; let thy speech be sound and blameless, so that anyone opposing may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say for us. Exhort slaves to obey their masters, pleasing them in all things and not opposing them. " Titus 2: 7–9 v Dedication vii Speckle is a multiplicative noise that degrades image quality and the visual evaluation in ultra-sound and SAR imaging. This necessitates the need for robust despeckling techniques in a wide spectrum of the aforementioned imaging applications. Despeckle filtering applications has been a rapidly emerging research area in recent years. The goal for this book is to introduce the theoretical background (equations), the algorithmic steps, …


Starting from 2008, the organization committee members, Dr. Hui-Huang Hsu, Dr. Tun-Wen Pai, Dr. Oliver Ray, and Dr. Hao-Teng Chang, yearly held the International Workshop on Intelligent Informatics in Biology and Medicine (IIBM), which is used to be held in conjugation with International Conference on Complex, Intelligent, and Software Intensive Systems (CISIS). The main purpose for establishing this forum is to gather scientists from multidisciplinary fields including biology, medicine, computer science, statistics, and informatics to discuss how to face the new big data era and how to employ the hundreds of thousands of biological datasets including gene expression profiles, genetic information, proteomes, metabolomes, and even molecular imaging in clinical medicine. So many genomes from various species have been sequenced in quick succession. One important reason to conduct these genome projects is to translate useful and relevant information to biomedical research as well as therapeutic strategy development. From bench to bedside, bioinformatics researches have been provided strong and powerful tools to accelerate the analyses of complicated datasets.

In the past seven years, IIBM successfully brought together computer scientists, medical doctors, biologists, statisticians, and chemists to present and discuss current topics on genomics, epigenomics, GWAS/PheWAS, imaging processing, healthcare information, big data analyses, and so on. On the platform of IIBM, the scientists share their know-how and research experiences on processing the complexity and volume of experimental data from next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry technologies. Many various sophisticated computational methodologies have been designed and developed to support the new detection techniques which can effectively improve the quality of healthcare. Intelligent information technologies indeed facilitate and accelerate researches from basic to clinical investigation in terms of translational medicine.

To record the discoveries of talents and gather more contributions to these fields, this special issue was launched and supported by this journal. This special issue focuses on addressing the questions of biomedical sciences through computational technologies. It also describes the information processes employed, with an emphasis on forthcoming high throughput technologies and biomedical systems, which provides opportunities to discuss recent hot topics and progresses in the area of biomedicine for the academic and industrial societies. This special issue received 19 submissions from which 9 papers were selected for publication. These papers address the data-analytical method design, algorithm development, mathematical modeling, and computational simulation techniques of some translational medical applications.

In "Computational Biophysical, Biochemical, and Evolutionary Signature of Human R-Spondin Family Proteins, the Member of Canonical Wnt/s-Catenin Signaling Pathway," A. R. Sharma et al. applied biophysical, biochemical, and molecular evolutionary approaches to investigate human R-spondins protein family which is involved in cell growth and disease development and has been noticed as a potential therapeutic target. This bioinformatics study could be applied to the further investigation of Wnt/s-catenin-System.

In "Detecting Epistatic Interactions in Metagenome-Wide Association Studies by metaBOOST," M. Wu and R. Jiang proposed a method called metaBOOST to detect epistatic interactions between such metagenomic biomarkers as microbial genus and high-level functional KEGG orthologs. They performed comprehensive simulations to evaluate metaBOOST and applied the method to analyze two real genome-wide datasets for pathological mechanisms of microbial communities in human complex diseases.

In "Predicting Flavin and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide-Binding Sites in Proteins Using the Fragment Transformation Method," C.-H. Lu et al. utilized fragment transformation methods to predict flavin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-binding sites. The proposed method presents 68.4% and 67.1% true-positive rates for FAD and NAD binding site prediction under the false-positive rate at 5%, employing BioLiP dataset.

In "A Survey on the Computational Approaches to Identify Drug Targets in the Postgenomic Era," Y.-F. Dai and X.-M. Zhao made a survey on the recent progress being made on computational methodologies that have been developed to predict drug targets based on different kinds of omics data and drug properties. This information could be utilized to improve prediction accuracy when developing new methodologies in the future.

In "Identification of Gene and MicroRNA Signatures for Oral Cancer Developed from Oral Leukoplakia," G. Zhu et al. presented a new pipeline to identify oral cancer related genes and microRNAs by integrating both gene and miRNA expression profiles. They found some network modules as well as their miRNA regulators that play important roles in the development of oral leukoplakia to oral cancer. Among these network modules, 91.67% of genes and 37.5% of miRNAs have been previously reported to be related to oral cancer in literature.

In "A Heparan Sulfate-Binding Cell Penetrating Peptide for Tumor Targeting and Migration Inhibition," C.-J. Chen et al. analyzed a set of heparan sulfate-binding cell penetrating peptides derived from natural proteins. In addition to cellular binding and internalization, these peptides demonstrated multiple functions including strong binding activities to tumor cell surface, significant inhibitory effects on cancer cell migration, and suppression of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

In "A Large-Scale Structural Classification of Antimicrobial Peptides," C.-C. Lee et al. presented a database of antimicrobial peptides (abbreviated as ADAM) which contains 7,007 unique sequences and 759 structures. ADAM systematically establishes comprehensive associations between AMP sequences and structures through structural folds and provides an easy access to view their relationships. Thirty distinct AMP structural fold clusters were detected and reported. According to ADAM, AMP structural folds are limited, only covering about 3% of the overall protein fold space.

In "Predict Metabolic Gene Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Disease by an Integrated Network-Based Approach," W. Tian et al. utilized Met-express method to predict key enzyme-coding genes in both Parkinson's and Huntington diseases. They found that the predicted genes might be involved in some common pathogenic metabolic pathways and had significant functional association with known disease genes. The predicted genes could be used as novel biomarkers for potential therapeutic treatments.

In "The TF-miRNA Coregulation Network in Oral Lichen Planus," Y.-L. Zuo et al. employed the gene regulatory networks derived from transcriptomic and miRNA datasets to identify OLP related gene modules. In particular, they found that the gene modules were regulated by both transcription factors and miRNAs played important roles in the pathogenesis of OLP. Some of the genes in the modules have been reported to be related to the disease.

This special issue presents a broad spectrum of computational methodologies, biological investigation, and bioinformatics prediction. The papers included in this special issue provide useful messages of intelligent informatics for translational medicine applications. This issue illustrates that bioinformatics approaches can often be used by life scientists as a first step in the investigation of various disease mechanisms.


Type error reports provide programmers with a description of type errors which exist in their code. Such descriptions are frequently of poor quality, as they often present just one point in the program, rather than all locations in the code which contribute to that type error. Skalpel is a type error report system for the Standard ML language which tackles this problem, by presenting all and only the locations in the program which contribute to the type error. While the original Skalpel gives substantially better error reports than comparable systems, it has a number of limitations such as a lack of support for language features and poor efficiency. In this research we have made a number of contributions, including a full critique of both the Skalpel core theoretical system and its extensions, support for the remaining features of Standard ML, an analysis and improvements to the efficiency, and an investigation for the first time on Skalpel's theoretical properties.


Abstract. Large eddy simulations (LESs) with bin microphysics are used here to study cloud fields' sensitivity to changes in aerosol loading and the time evolution of this response. Similarly to the known response of a single cloud, we show that the mean field properties change in a non-monotonic trend, with an optimum aerosol concentration for which the field reaches its maximal water mass or rain yield. This trend is a result of competition between processes that encourage cloud development versus those that suppress it. However, another layer of complexity is added when considering clouds' impact on the field's thermodynamic properties and how this is dependent on aerosol loading. Under polluted conditions, rain is suppressed and the non-precipitating clouds act to increase atmospheric instability. This results in warming of the lower part of the cloudy layer (in which there is net condensation) and cooling of the upper part (net evaporation). Evaporation at the upper part of the cloudy layer in the polluted simulations raises humidity at these levels and thus amplifies the development of the next generation of clouds (preconditioning effect). On the other hand, under clean conditions, the precipitating clouds drive net warming of the cloudy layer and net cooling of the sub-cloud layer due to rain evaporation. These two effects act to stabilize the atmospheric boundary layer with time (consumption of the instability). The evolution of the field's thermodynamic properties affects the cloud properties in return, as shown by the migration of the optimal aerosol concentration toward higher values.


Gaining an understanding of China's long and sometimes bloody history can help to shed light on China's ascent to global power. Many of China's imperial dynasties were established as the result of battle, from the chariot warfare of ancient times to the battles of the Guomindang (KMT) and Communist regimes of the twentieth century. China's ability to sustain complex warfare on a very large scale was not emulated in other parts of the world until the Industrial Age, despite the fact that the country is only now rising to economic dominance. In A Military History of China, Updated Edition, David A. Graff and Robin Higham bring together leading scholars to offer a basic introduction to the military history of China from the first millennium B.C.E. to the present. Focusing on recurring patterns of conflict rather than traditional campaign narratives, this volume reaches farther back into China's military history than similar studies. It also offers insightful comparisons between Chinese and Western approaches to war. This edition brings the volume up to date, including discussions of the Chinese military's latest developments and the country's most recent foreign conflicts.


Is there a correlation between star size, and the number of planets that star is likely to support? This paper goes in depth to discover any correlation there is between planets and their stars. We hypothesize that exoplanets are affected by their host stars' stellar classifications, and that these classifications impact the number of exoplanets that a star can support. We will analyze a dataset in the NASA Exoplanet Archive from August 2017, using a sample size of around 3,500 planets, and mathematical statistics to determine if these correlations are present in real star systems. Different elements of exoplanetary star systems were studied. First, we performed an analysis of all planetary systems in the database and identified how many planets were in those systems. Next, we analyzed the systems by stellar class, first considering individual planets regardless of multi-planet systems, then the number of these multi-planet systems per stellar class. In every case, we found, with high confidence, that there is a significant correlation between stellar class and the number of individual planets supported. Furthermore, there is a correlation between stellar class and multi-planet systems. Finally, we performed an analysis to determine the probability of planets existing in the habitable zone around their star. We found, with high confidence, that around 6% of all planets in our galaxy are in these habitable zones.


The deep sea is the largest habitat on earth. Its three great faunal environments – the twilight mesopelagic zone, the dark bathypelagic zone and the vast flat expanses of the benthic habitat – are home to a rich fauna of vertebrates and invertebrates. In the mesopelagic zone (150–1000 m), the down‐welling daylight creates an extended scene that becomes increasingly dimmer and bluer with depth. The available daylight also originates increasingly from vertically above, and bioluminescent point‐source flashes, well contrasted against the dim background daylight, become increasingly visible. In the bathypelagic zone below 1000 m no daylight remains, and the scene becomes entirely dominated by point‐like bioluminescence. This changing nature of visual scenes with depth – from extended source to point source – has had a profound effect on the designs of deep‐sea eyes, both optically and neurally, a fact that until recently was not fully appreciated. Recent measurements of the sensitivity and spatial resolution of deep‐sea eyes – particularly from the camera eyes of fishes and cephalopods and the compound eyes of crustaceans – reveal that ocular designs are well matched to the nature of the visual scene at any given depth. This match between eye design and visual scene is the subject of this review. The greatest variation in eye design is found in the mesopelagic zone, where dim down‐welling daylight and bioluminescent point sources may be visible simultaneously. Some mesopelagic eyes rely on spatial and temporal summation to increase sensitivity to a dim extended scene, while others sacrifice this sensitivity to localise pinpoints of bright bioluminescence. Yet other eyes have retinal regions separately specialised for each type of light. In the bathypelagic zone, eyes generally get smaller and therefore less sensitive to point sources with increasing depth. In fishes, this insensitivity, combined with surprisingly high spatial resolution, is very well adapted to the detection and localisation of point‐source bioluminescence at ecologically meaningful distances. At all depths, the eyes of animals active on and over the nutrient‐rich sea floor are generally larger than the eyes of pelagic species. In fishes, the retinal ganglion cells are also frequently arranged in a horizontal visual streak, an adaptation for viewing the wide flat horizon of the sea floor, and all animals living there. These and many other aspects of light and vision in the deep sea are reviewed in support of the following conclusion: it is not only the intensity of light at different depths, but also its distribution in space, which has been a major force in the evolution of deep‐sea vision.


Political satire can be considered a significant part of popular culture, but has been systematically neglected by theorists of popular culture. This study discusses how popular culture and political satire reflect their counter-hegemonic project against the Fascist hegemony of Mussolini. All the necessary elements are put into practice in order to eliminate the Fascist power, overthrow the regime, and, most importantly, resist the Fascist standardisation of late modernity. The paper will start with an account of the role of popular culture and its relation to hegemony. Examples and illustrations will facilitate our understanding of political satire as a significant contributor to resistance, change, and the formation of political consciousness.


While robot mapping has seen massive strides recently, higher level abstractions in map representation are still not widespread. Maps containing semantic concepts such as objects and labels are essential for many tasks in manmade environments as well as for human-robot interaction and map communication. In keeping with this aim, we present a model for places using objects as the basic unit of representation. Our model is a 3D extension of the constellation object model, popular in computer vision, in which the objects are modeled by their appearance and shape. The 3D location of each object is maintained in a coordinate frame local to the place. The individual object models are learned in a supervised manner using roughly segmented and labeled training images. Stereo range data is used to compute 3D locations of the objects. We use the Swendsen-Wang algorithm, a cluster MCMC method, to solve the correspondence problem between image features and objects during inference. We provide a technique for building panoramic place models from multiple views of a location. An algorithm for place recognition by comparing models is also provided. Results are presented in the form of place models inferred in an indoor environment.We envision the use of our place model as a building block towards a complete object-based semantic mapping system.


Norms concerning family formation are generally based on ideals of coupled love and the two-parent-family, however, family practices frequently go beyond these norms. Families consisting of more than two parents that are co-parenting have only been studied to a small extent. Analysing Swedish newspaper and magazine articles on more-than-two-parent families between 1992 and 2016 we ask: How are more-than-two-parent families displayed in Swedish media stories? Are they portrayed as legitimate families, and if so, how is this legitimacy discursively constructed? What role does recognition play in the media stories and how is it negotiated in the narratives? We use the concepts display (Finch 2007) and recognition/redistribution (Fraser 1998; 2003) in exploring the significance that recognition and legitimacy have for the depiction of families with more than two parents in the media material. The display of more-than-two-parent families in the Swedish media stories analysed is generally characterised by repertoires of modern family life, of love and intimacy and responsible and successful parenting. These repertoires are used to display the families as normal, modern, and legitimate. In addition to the repertoires mentioned, there are repertoires of importance of geographical location, of strategies and of critique of current legislation that further emphasise the legitimacy of the more-than-two-parent families in contrast to an outdated legislation that forces these legitimate families to strategise their intimate relationships. Despite several of the people interviewed being described as polyamorous or gay/lesbian, there are no tendencies in the empirical


Since the inception of the South Africa Government Housing Subsidy Scheme to solve the countries housing problem for the disadvantaged and low income groups, there is limited information available to ascertain the beneficiaries experience since they have been living in the subsidized housing units. This paper presents an evaluation of the post occupancy experience of Housing Subsidy beneficiaries in the Gauteng province of South Africa. It is an evaluation of the occupant's experience since the inception of the policy to date, which is born out of the lack of POE monitoring. The paper present finding on the Socioeconomic/demographic profile of the occupants since the housing units were allocated to them. Also, an evaluation of the right to housing is done, to ascertain if the right to housing as contained in the South Africa Constitution is being realized through the subsidized housing units. Others includes the level of beneficiaries' satisfaction/dissatisfaction, beneficiaries' home usage and the effect of the housing subsidy scheme on the present demand of housing in the country, since the government has approved housing subsidies for 3.1 million households and constructed over one and a half million housing units. Descriptive statistics were carried out on the data obtained through the use of occupant survey. Findings from the survey revealed that the original intended use of the houses by the government (private residential usage) is what the subsidized houses are being used for. The result of the socio-demographic profiles of the respondents revealed that the needs of the marginalized and the disadvantaged groups are being met, as all respondents were South Africa citizens. Also, beneficiaries were satisfied with their overall housing situation, but had complaints about certain aspects of the housing unit. However, the beneficiaries felt that most of their housing expectations were not met. In contrast, beneficiaries' indicated that the subsidized houses had changed their lives and given them more comfort than previously experienced. POE studies help to avoid mistake previously made, save money, ensure proper construction of houses, and create a feedback system between dwellers and the Department of Human Settlement. The paper contributes to this body of knowledge. It is recommended that a wider systematic coverage of the subject through investigative and diagnostic POE and occupants need assessment should be carried in housing subsidy schemes in South Africa.


Reduction in the proportion of undernourished people worldwide has been achieved despite global population increase. However, the achievement of reducing undernourishment globally was uneven; sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular has the least progress. In SSA, agriculture is only slowly changing with actual well below potential yields. Failures in agricultural policies, weak institutions, and poor governance are the root of growth stagnation. Agriculture contributes a significant share to the SSA economy and a majority of the population derives their livelihood from this sector. It is justifiable to assume that for sustainable growth of the African economy, significant investment and creative innovation in agriculture are needed. However, several factors such as growth of the farming population, loss of soil fertility, climate change, water scarcity, post-harvest losses, and limited market access could challenge such expectation. On the other hand, new policy reforms and initiatives, and appropriate investment that directly or indirectly support agricultural innovation and growth are emerging. This chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities to advance agricultural growth and food systems in Africa and makes recommendations for solutions. Keywords: Africa, food systems, agriculture, agricultural research, agricultural investment


The classification of income from cloud computing activities, according to the substance-over-form doctrine, is fundamental to the application of the correct taxation source test. The designation of IaaS, PaaS and SaaS, the three main cloud computing service models, clearly denotes the form of cloud computing activities as that of a service. However, the nature of cloud computing inherently raises the question of whether or not cloud computing income should not rather be classified as income from leasing activities or the imparting of know-how. In fact, the findings of this study suggest the classification would not necessarily always be that of a service. The possible classification as lease income can be either income from the lease of tangible computer hardware and/or of intellectual property (royalty income). The aim of this study was to formulate guidelines to assist in the correct classification of income from cloud computing activities. This was achieved by performing doctrinal research based on the South African and international literature.


Abstract The 2020–2021 avian influenza epidemic with a total of 3,777 reported highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections and approximately 22,900,000 affected poultry birds in 31 European Countries appears to be one of the largest HPAI epidemics that has ever occurred in Europe. Between 15 May and 15 September 2021, 162 HPAI virus detections were reported in 17 EU/EEA countries and the UK in poultry (51), in wild (91) and captive birds (20). The detections in poultry were mainly reported by Kosovo (20), Poland (17) and Albania (6). HPAI virus was detected during the summer months in resident wild bird populations mainly in northern Europe. The data presented in this report indicates that HPAI virus is still circulating in domestic and wild bird populations in some European countries and that the epidemic is not over yet. Based on these observations, it appears that the persistence of HPAI A(H5) in Europe continues to pose a risk of further virus incursions in domestic bird populations. Furthermore, during summer, HPAI viruses were detected in poultry and several wild bird species in areas in Russia that are linked to key migration areas of wild waterbirds; this is of concern due to the possible introduction and spread of novel virus strains via wild birds migrating to the EU countries during the autumn from the eastern breeding to the overwintering sites. Nineteen different virus genotypes have been identified so far in Europe and Central Asia since July 2020, confirming a high propensity for this virus to undergo reassortment events. Since the last report, 15 human infections due to A(H5N6) HPAI and five human cases due to A(H9N2) low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus have been reported from China. Some of these cases were caused by a virus with an HA gene closely related to the A(H5) viruses circulating in Europe. The viruses characterised to date retain a preference for avian‐type receptors; however, the reports of transmission events of A(H5) viruses to mammals and humans in Russia, as well as the recent A(H5N6) human cases in China may indicate a continuous risk of these viruses adapting to mammals. The risk of infection for the general population in the EU/EEA is assessed as very low, and for occupationally exposed people low, with large uncertainty due to the high diversity of circulating viruses in the bird populations.