Lawrence Gostin, Visiting Professor of Global Health Law at the University of Sydney and the O'Neill Professor of Global Health Law at Georgetown University argues in The Australian that scarce swine flu immunization must go to the needy: The rapid global transmission of Influenza (A) H1N1 (swine flu) has sparked a worldwide race to develop an effective vaccine. Finding a technological solution to swine flu will be a major scientific advance, but vital questions of scarcity and fairness loom large. The swine flu vaccine will almost certainly be scarce, with manufacturers unable to meet the huge global demand. Governments face hard choices on how to ethically ration this scarce life-saving resource. Children and their caretakers should certainly be a high priority for swine flu vaccine because they rapidly spread the infection in day care and school. Yet privileging the elderly would be a mistake because they have contracted the new strain at the lowest rate and appear to have some immunity. Instead, government should assign top priority to the most vulnerable who have died at a disproportionate rate - those who have poor health such as heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. This is also the fairest way to allocate scarce vaccines because people with multiple health conditions also tend to be the most disadvantaged in society. It is vital that government makes allocation decisions fairly and transparently. The public has a right to know which groups will have priority access and why. One key problem, however, is that the private market is still likely to privilege the rich and politically connected in gaining access. Business culture is geared toward satisfying consumer demand, so the industry will charge what the market will bear for a scarce, valuable vaccine. Rich countries will face scarcity, but they will have much more ample supplies than poor countries. The pressure on governments to protect their own citizens will be intense during a pandemic. The vaccine industry is likely to supply markets that can afford to pay and in countries where they are located. More than 90% of the world's capacity to manufacture influenza vaccines is concentrated in Europe and North America. This leaves poor countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America much more vulnerable as the rich stockpile vaccines. Europe, and the United States are spending a fortune on vaccines and antiviral medication, but virtually none of these resources will benefit poor countries. Serious questions of global social justice arise when wealth, rather than need, becomes the primary allocation criterion. The mal-distribution of vaccines in the face of a global financial crisis will only widen the already yawning health gaps between the rich and the poor. Rich countries hoarding vaccines is also is a bad public health strategy because it allows the virus to circulate unchecked in highly populated developing countries. Even if it is not politically expedient, justice requires that scarce vaccines go to the most disadvantaged. Equitable access to a vaccine against swine influenza is not merely a moral imperative. It is also critically necessary to safeguard global health.


The use of continuation and bifurcation methods in the assessment of stability allows for a complete nonlinear stability picture to be gained and also allows for rapid exploration of a multi-parameter space which can be much more efficient than using traditional techniques. In recent years AgustaWestland, the University of Bristol and the Politecnico di Milano have jointly produced and validated interfaces between a well-validated off-the-shelf continuation and bifurcation tool and various in-house AgustaWestland aeroelasticity tools. One piece of software which has been successfully coupled to the tool is the Modern Aeroservoelastic State-Space Tools developed at the Politecnico di Milano. The Modern Aeroservoelastic State-Space Tool is a suite of tools developed in the Matlab/Simulink environment providing the ability to rapidly assemble a complex non-linear dynamic system in the state-space form allowing for the multi-disciplinary study of aeroservoelastic stability and control. The main focus of this paper is to demonstrate the maturity of the tool using as an example its first practical application which contributed evidence towards the latest Release-To-Service of the AW159/Wildcat. Whilst this study does not use the full potential of the continuation and bifurcation methods, it clearly demonstrates the maturity of a non-linear stability analysis capability at AgustaWestland allowing it to be integrated into the every-day suite of tools available to the dynamics engineers.


"Scenario Sismico" is a GIS tool designed and implemented by the authors for the simulation and the representation of real time damage scenarios in Liguria Region. The specific aim of the tool is to support local Civil Protection departments and government officials for the emergency management, during the first hours after an earthquake event. "Scenario Sismico" can be as well regarded as an useful tool to help formulating general strategies for earthquake mitigation and disaster response planning. Thanks to its user-friendly framework, implemented within ALOV Map/TMJava application, its use does not require any specific GIS expertise. Once the earthquake scenario is set (by specifying the epicentre position, the magnitude and the hypocentral depth) the expected hazard, the physical damage to buildings and the consequences to people, expressed in terms of possible range, are automatically obtained and displayed in terms of thematic maps and databases. The results of the vulnerability and of the exposure analyses for all the Liguria Region are as well provided in terms of maps and databases. This paper is addressed to the presentation and to the description of the software and of the methodological framework at the basis of the "Scenario Sismico" tool. The simulation of an earthquake event is moreover presented, in order to show the effectiveness of the real time damage assessment resulting from "Scenario Sismico" in supporting the emergency management.


Cooperation of Multiple Mobile Robot Systems (MMRS) have drawn increasing attention in recent years since these systems have the ability to perform complex tasks more efficiently compared to Single Mobile Robot Systems (SMRS). An implementation of a cooperative MMRS in a manufacturing environment can, for example, solve the issue of bottlenecks in a production line, whereas the limitations of a SMRS can lead to a lot of problems in terms of time wastage, loss of revenue, poor quality products and dissatisfied customers. The study of cooperation in heterogeneous robot teams has evolved due to the engineering and economic benefits attribute as well as the existence of diversities in homogeneous robot teams. The challenge of cooperation in these systems is a result of the task taxonomies and fundamental abilities of each robot in the team; there is therefore a need for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that processes these heterogeneities to facilitate robot cooperation. This dissertation focuses on the research, design and development of an artificial intelligence for a team of heterogeneous mobile robots. The application of the system was directed towards advanced manufacturing systems, however, it can be adapted to search and rescue tasks. An essential component of the AI design is the machine learning algorithm which was used to predict suitable goal destinations for each mobile robot, given a set of input parameters. Mobile robot autonomy was achieved through the development of an obstacle avoidance and navigation system. The AI was also interfaced to a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) which facilitates end-user interaction – a vital ingredient to manufacturing automation systems.


Background and Aim: Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy and major cause of death in women worldwide. Mammography is considered the most exact means to detect breast cancer in the earlier stage, which can reduce mortality of the disease. The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of an education program using the Theory of Planned Behavior on promoting of breast cancer control behavior among employed women aged 35 years and over.
Materials and Methods: This survey was a quasi-experimental study which evaluated the effectiveness of an education program to promote attitudinal factors associated with early detection of breast cancer in 220 women aged 35 years and over, who were working in Tehran pharmaceutical factories. Means of data collection was a questionnaire. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS statistical software (version 11.5) using non-parametrical tests (Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney, McNemar's, Wilcoxon); and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level.
Results: It was found that the mean score of knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control, intention and behavior in women regarding mammography in the case group significantly increased and the observed difference in the control group was not significant.
Conclusion: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior has an acceptable influence on promoting mammography behavior. It is, therefore, recommended that education programs apply the theory to promote mammography behavior (in women).


Professor Brian Tamanaha's recent book, Failing Law Schools, offers a damning critique of U.S. law schools from law students' economic perspective – especially students at non-elite law schools with diminishing access to corporate law jobs. According to Tamanaha, "the current economic barrier to a legal career is one of the most important social justice issues of our age." Yet U.S. law schools have bigger problems than the contraction of entry-level hiring by large law firms; and law school faculty, deans, and regulators have duties to other stakeholders, in addition to students. This review criticizes Tamanaha's analysis, and his prescriptions for reform going forward, as a dangerous diversion from a more ambitious and disruptive critique.


America. It has been an issue of debate and concern for the judiciary, as courtrooms across the country hear cases involving a majority of the 1.4 million annual DWI arrests. Since the early 1980s, concerned citizens have lobbied for and won considerable changes to the way these cases are approached from a public-policy perspective, often resulting in legislative initiatives and changes in criminal practice. Until now, however, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the implications of these system-wide changes for criminal justice professionals. In December 2002, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation—an independent road safety institute—released a report concerning the adjudication of DWI cases and the sanctioning of hard-core drinking drivers.1 Its findings were based on the views, insights, and opinions of more than 1,000 judges across the country. The report is part of a multiyear research initiative designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system by highlighting key problems in each segment of the system and recommending practical, costeffective solutions. Two earlier reports addressed problems in the detection and apprehension of hard-core drinking drivers,2 and the prosecution of these offenders.3 The foundation recently released the final report in July 2003, which addressed monitoring by probation and parole.4 In addition to funding provided by a charitable contribution from the Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., the involvement and participation of several thousand criminal justice professionals across the United States—representing law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and probation and parole officers—made this unique initiative possible. By identifying key problems and recommending practical solutions derived from prior research and validated by the experiences of thousands of professionals participating in the study, the initiative underscores the need for systemic improvements. As a starting point, this series of reports serves as a valuable sourcebook. It provides direction to criminal justice and traffic safety professionals at national and state levels. It also guides agencies in addressing concerns and in strategically reviewing existing policies. This research has received considerable support, cooperation, and interest from a wide variety of individuals as well as key national agencies. These groups include the Highway Safety Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Traffic Law Center of the American Prosecutors' Research Institute, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators, the Conference of State Court Administrators, the American Judges Association, the National Judicial College, the National Center for State Courts, the American Probation and Parole Association, and the National Criminal Justice Association.


Privatization of social services has become one of the most controversial issues in socioeconomic discourse in Israel. This chapter examines whether the statistical data supports this concern. The picture of the scope of social services that have been transferred is unclear: in the past decade there has been no significant change in the transfers from the government to the local authorities, the non-profits and the business sector, or in the relative contribution of public bodies involved in the provision of services. The numbers do not point to a trend of replacing internal activities with purchasing of services – something that would indicate a sharp transition from self-operation to outsourcing. Finally, employment data do not indicate a decline in the number of social service employees as a share of the total number of jobs in the Israeli economy (on the contrary, their share has increased). On the other hand, household contribution to the funding of services (especially health services) has increased, affecting equality. Israel's government must make improvement in service quality an overarching objective of its policy. Consumers of social services are often unable to assess the quality of the services they receive, and are unable to select a service provider of their choice. Thus, the key to privatization of social services is the existence of appropriate quality control. Where this is not possible, services ought to remain government-run. Too often privatization fails to improve the quality of services and also distorts resource allocations. ∗ Prof. Reuben Gronau, Department of Economics, Hebrew University and Policy Fellow, Taub Center Economic Policy Program. This article is based on a lecture at the "Israel 2021 Conference," September 2011. I am grateful to Avi Ben-Bassat, Momi Dahan, and Soli Peleg for their helpful comments.


A model of the galaxy is constructed and evolved in which the integrated influence of stellar and supernova nucleosynthesis on the composition of the interstellar gas is traced numerically. Our detailed assumptions concerning the character of the matter released from evolving stars and supernovae are guided by the results of recent stellar evolutionary calculations and hydrodynamic studies of supernova events. Stars of main sequence mass in the range 4 < M < 8 M e are assumed to give rise to supernova events, leaving remnants we identify with neutron stars and pulsars and forming both the carbon-to-iron nuclei and the r-process heavy elements in the explosive ejection of the core material. For more massive stars, we assume the core implosion will result in the formation of a Schwarzschild singularity, that is, a black hole or 'collapsar'. The straightforward assumptions (1) that the gas content of the galaxy decreases exponentially with time to its present level of ~ 5 % and (2) that the luminosity function characteristic of young clusters and the solar neighborhood is appropriate throughout galactic history, lead to the prediction that ^ 2 0 % of the unevolved stars of approximately one solar mass \MQ) in the galaxy today should have metal compositions Z< 0.1 Z 0 . As Schmidt has argued from similar reasoning, this is quite inconsistent with current observations; an early generation dominated by more massive stars which would by now have evolved is suggested by this difficulty. Many of these massive stars, according to our assumptions, will end their lives as collapsed black hole remnants. It is difficult to visualize an epoch of massive star formation in the collapsing gas cloud which formed our galaxy which would enrich the gas rapidly enough to account for the level of heavy element abundances in halo population stars; we have therefore proposed a stage of star formation which is entirely pregalactic in character. We suggest that the Jeans' length-sized initial condensations in the expanding universe discussed by Peebles and Dicke may provide the appropriate setting for this first generation of stars. Guided by these considerations, and by the need for a substantial quantity of 'unseen' mass to bind our local group of galaxies, we have constructed a model of the galaxy in which this violent early phase of massive star formation produces both (1) approximately 25 % of the level of heavy elements observed in the solar system and (2) an enormous unseen mass in the form of black holes. The implications of our model for other features of the galaxy, including supernova nucleosynthesis, the cosmic ray production of the light elements, and cosmochronology, are discussed in detail.


Technologies have been deeply influencing the lifestyle of the people in the modern world. They, on the one hand, allure people to get involved with all the new gadgets, yet, on the other hand, force them to focus on what is important and appropriate for their lives. In this sense, technology is a paradox, for it offers humans great possibilities and at the same time, it confines them in what they do and how they do it. For instance, new technologies in the form of websites and online channels enable people to access enormous loads of information. However, due to the lack of constraints on what sort of information and content is made available online, people constantly need to rely on their judgment to select what's relevant. This selection requires a certain degree of media literacy and self-discipline. Thus, given the reality of the paradox of technology, the liberal course in holistic life education gains an added significance. Holistic education is said to encompass a wide range of philosophical orientations and pedagogical practices, with a special emphasis on wholeness and integration. For many decades, Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan has been offering a core course on Philosophy of Life in training and graduating students with a holistic perspective on life. Yet, discerning the technological development and educational needs and mindsets of the current generation of students, Fu Jen has been trying to respond to the signs of the times by appropriately changing the holistic education curricula and methods of instruction to attain the goals of value-based education for life amid technology paradox. Therefore, this paper tried to elucidate the continued importance of holistic life education in the context of the paradox of technology with a special focus on the Philosophy of Life course at Fu Jen Catholic


Background/Objectives: To validate the Korea version of the emotional labor scale, an instrument widely used to understand how professionals working with people face emotional labor in hospitality organizations. Methods/Statistical analysis: The objective of this research was to translate and to test the reliability and validity of the 3 types ELS in Korea. An observational, cross-sectional and multicenter survey was used. Health care providers (n=205) completed the selfreported ELS. Data was gathered at 3 hospitals during Oct. 2013 after obtaining an informed consent. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)&Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were estimated in order to test the factors structure of the scale. The internal consistency coefficients from the three studies, ranging from .69 to .94, evidence the reliability of the 3 types ELS. Among them, ELS by Brotheridge and Lee4 revised 2011, the most appropriate in the results of EFA. The results of the CFA confirm a factor structure of the scale with two subscales. Conclusion/Application: Evidence was also provided for convergent and discriminant validity. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential applications of the scale.


Tree assessment methodologies, currently used to evaluate the structural stability of individual urban trees, usually involve a visual analysis followed by measurements of the internal soundness of wood using various instruments that are often invasive, expensive, or inadequate for use within the urban environment. Moreover, most conventional instruments do not provide an adequate evaluation of decay that occurs in the root system. The intent of this research was to evaluate the possibility of integrating conventional tools, currently used for assessments of decay in urban trees, with the electronic nose–a new innovative tool used in diverse fields and industries for various applications such as quality control in manufacturing, environmental monitoring, medical diagnoses, and perfumery. Electronic-nose (e-nose) technologies were tested for the capability of detecting differences in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by wood decay fungi and wood from healthy and decayed trees. Three e-noses, based on different types of operational technologies and analytical methods, were evaluated independently (not directly compared) to determine the feasibility of detecting incipient decays in artificially-inoculated wood. All three e-nose devices were capable of discriminating between healthy and artificially-inoculated, decayed wood with high levels of precision and confidence. The LibraNose quartz microbalance (QMB) e-nose generally provided higher levels of discrimination of sample unknowns, but not necessarily more accurate or effective detection than the AromaScan A32S conducting polymer and PEN3 metal-oxide (MOS) gas sensor e-noses for identifying and distinguishing woody samples containing different agents of wood decay. However, the conducting polymer e-nose had the greater advantage for identifying unknowns from diverse woody sample types due to the associated software capability of utilizing prior-developed, application-specific reference libraries with aroma pattern-recognition and neural-net training algorithms.


Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts. Robert L. Haig, Editor-in-chief. American Bar Association and West Group. 1998. To order, call 1800-328-9352. Six volumes. 6,435 pages. $480,15 percent discount to ABA members. Reviewed by Michael A. Pope of McDermott, Will & Emery, Chicago, a former president of the International Association of Defense Counsel. Legal publishers have long sought to encourage sales to busy lawyers with the admonition, "This is the only book you will need." With only a few caveats, it appears that this impressive six-volume set may have achieved that distinction. By comprehensively covering the entire spectrum of substantive. procedural and strategic issues likely to be faced by most lawyers handling commercial litigation in federal court, it rates a very special place in the library of today's litigator. A unique collaboration by the American Bar Association Section of Litigation and West Group has produced a valuable treatise of some 80 chapters, each authored by an experienced trial lawyer or judge. Robert L. Haig of Kelley Drye & Warren, New York City, served as editor-in-chief. This approach seems to have contributed to an usually well-written and practical presentation that actually makes for interesting reading. The wide range of subjects covered alone would recommend this treatise to most lawyers. Chapters on federal jurisdiction, removal, class action procedures, venue, pleading, and remedies provide broad coverage of these important topics. The chapters are written by a bevy of outstanding practitioners, and they not only describe the law but also provide insight into strategy. For example, practical issues such as selecting expert witnesses, developing a discovery plan, and constructing a case concept are handled with insight and clarity. Each chapter contains numerous examples of specific cases and, in many instances, actual forms for use in motions, pleadings, instructions or judgments. From agency to warranties The first three volumes are generally devoted to the filing of a lawsuit, the preparation of the case for trial, including discovery, and the trial itself. Volumes IV through VI contain some 28 chapters on substantive legal topics ranging from agency and antitrust to warranties, and virtually everything in between. This combination provides even the most experienced trial lawyer with a handy summary of case law and legal argument on procedural issues, along with in-depth discussions of virtually every substantive law issue likely to arise. While IADC members who try cases may find more value in the trial volumes, in-house counsel and our non-U.S. members may be more interested in the substantive law discussions. Nonetheless, all will benefit from the ready availability of both kinds of topics. These volumes are intended for real trial lawyers, and the subjects covered are real-- life issues. For example, former ABA President John Curtin, in his chapter "Trials" (Chapter 31) covers such practical issues as interacting with courtroom personnel, the effective presentation of stipulations and exhibits, and a discussion of how the trial of business cases differs from other trials. …


Abstract Identity construction can be very complex for refugee children, especially for Palestinian refugee children. For refugee children, organised violence and immigration are important parts of their life experience that can lead to trauma, which in turn influences how they construct their collective identity. Schools have to consider this specific experience as the development of a meaningful identity is an important factor in refugee students' well-being and school adjustment. School-based activities centred on creative expression can help refugee students in expressing trauma and in making sense of their identity and migration experience. This paper presents the case study of a 9-year-old Palestinian refugee boy in Canada and explores how he expressed and made sense of his multiple identities in his drawings. Many features of the boy's drawings evoked a wounded identity, especially spatial disorganisation and enmeshment. Data analysis revealed that the boy might have been experiencing collective identity trauma and that he used drawing and a peer as props to heal his wounded identity. Both drawing and the space offered by his teacher to safely explore and experiment with different identities contributed to the integration of his multiple identities into a meaningful whole, which contributed to his school adjustment.


Federal preemption of state law has been a contentious issue since 1819, when the Supreme Court upheld the right of the Federal Government to charter a national bank and preempted a state attempt to tax that institution. In 1863, the National Bank Act (NBA) established the national bank system, with the goal of having federally chartered institutions eventually supersede state banks. Efforts by the states to prevent this result and to enforce state laws on national banks led to a continuing debate over the preemptive effect of the National Bank Act over the next 150 years. More recently, those opposed to preemption charged that the preemption policies of national bank's federal regulator, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), contributed significantly to the risky mortgage lending practices that led to the financial crisis. This article finds that this hypothesis is without foundation. National banks were effectively prevented from engaging in predatory lending practices by federal regulatory actions. Further, the argument against preemption conflates predatory lending with subprime lending. The state anti-predatory lending laws were not aimed at 'responsible' subprime lending, which was encouraged by both the states and Federal Government as a means of increasing home ownership. Unfortunately, once housing prices began to collapse, these 'responsible subprime loans' began to massively default. Even with respect to subprime lending, the overwhelming majority of these loans were originated by state regulated entities, not subject to OCC preemption. In fact, financial holding companies that had national bank subsidiaries often used state regulated companies to originate subprime loans, thereby avoiding the more stringent underwriting standards imposed by the OCC. In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the NBA with respect to preemption. Some commentators argue that the Dodd-Frank Act changed the standard used to determine if a state law is preempted. They argue that state law is only preempted if the law 'actually prevents or significantly interferes' with a national bank power. This article reviews the statutory language and legislative history of the Dodd-Frank Act, and concludes that the legislation did not make any material change in the traditional and long-standing conflict preemption standard applicable to national banks as described by the Supreme Court in the case of Barnett Bank v. Nelson. The other changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act relating to national bank preemption are relatively minor. The Act provides that preemption does not apply to bank subsidiaries, but a national bank can merge the subsidiary into the bank and continue to engage in the activity under a uniform national standard. The Act states that a reviewing court shall apply a 'substantial evidence' test, rather than the 'arbitrary and capricious' test when reviewing OCC preemption determinations. But most courts would not view this as a meaningful difference. The courts are directed not to apply Chevron deference to OCC preemption determinations, but the OCC will continue to receive Chevron deference for opinions regarding the permissibility of national bank activities under the NBA. In addition, the OCC must act on a case-by-case basis when making preemption determinations, but this will not affect the precedential value of any OCC determination when a bank or a court is looking at an analogous state law. The article also discusses the OCC amendment to its 2004 preemption regulation. In 2011, the OCC removed the phrase 'impairs, obstructs or conditions' as a touchstone for preemption. However, the OCC left in place the categories of state laws described in the regulation as presumptively preempted. The deletion of the phrase 'impairs, obstructs or conditions' will require national banks to be careful about relying on past OCC precedents that solely relied on those deleted words, but in light of the fact that the categories of preempted state law remain in the regulation, the deletion of the phrase should have limited impact on national bank activities. In short, the Dodd-Frank Act preemption amendments effect relatively minor changes in the preemption area, and the concerns that the Act made significant changes to the preemption standard are, in reality, 'much ado about nothing.'


MIXING ENHANCEMENT BY DUAL SPEED ROTATING STIRRER by Arnaud Goullet Stirring is a well-known means of fluid mixing due to the emergence of complex patterns in the flow, even at low Reynolds numbers. In this work, we consider a stirrer rotating along a circular trajectory at constant speed. The fluid flow, considered incompressible, inviscid and two dimensional (in a circular container), is modeled by a point vortex model consisting of a vortex rotating in a circular container at constant angular speed. The mixing problem is addressed by considering the Hamiltonian form of the advection equations formulated in a frame of reference moving with the vortex. The dynamics of passive fluid particles is considered using dynamical systems theory. The bifurcation diagram reveals the presence of degenerate fixed points and homoclinic/heteroclinic orbits, whose nature varies for different parameter values. By considering an initially concentrated set of marker particles and using the various structures of the phase space in the bifurcation diagram, we produce a complex dynamics which, in turn, can generate efficient mixing. The latter is studied using both numerical simulations and physical experiments. A perturbation study for one particular structure for the phase space shows the presence of a transverse homoclinic orbit as well as resonances, or a set of closed trajectories. MIXING ENHANCEMENT BY DUAL SPEED ROTATING STIRRER


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tiagabine, a selective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reuptake inhibitor, in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

METHOD
This 8-week, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients with GAD (DSM-IV). Tiagabine was initiated at 4 mg/day and then flexibly dosed twice a day to a maximum dose of 16 mg/day. Study drug was tapered after week 8 in decrements of 2 mg every other day. Efficacy assessments included the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Sheehan Disability Scale. Adverse events, sexual functioning, and change in depressive symptoms were monitored. Data were collected from May 2003 to January 2004.

RESULTS
A total of 266 patients (tiagabine, N = 134; placebo, N = 132) were included in safety analyses; 260 patients (tiagabine N = 130; placebo N = 130) were included in efficacy analyses. Tiagabine reduced symptoms of GAD according to the observed case and mixed models repeated-measures (MMRM) analyses but not the primary last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) analysis. At final visit, the reduction from baseline in mean HAM-A total score was 11.8 for tiagabine, compared with 10.2 for placebo (LOCF analysis, p = .27). In a post hoc MMRM analysis, a significant difference in the mean reduction in HAM-A total score over the efficacy evaluation period was found, favoring tiagabine over placebo (p < .01). Tiagabine had an early onset of effect, as shown by significant reduction from baseline in mean HAM-A total score compared with placebo at week 1 (observed cases, p < .05). Tiagabine was generally well tolerated and not associated with changes in sexual functioning or depressive status. Symptoms of a discontinuation syndrome during taper were not observed.

CONCLUSION
The primary LOCF analysis was negative; however, results from the observed case and MMRM analyses suggest that tiagabine may be a useful treatment option for adult patients diagnosed with GAD. These findings warrant further evaluation in randomized clinical studies.


How do your students determine whether a mathematical statement is true? Do they rely on a teacher, a textbook or various examples? How can you encourage them to connect examples, extend their ideas to new situations that they have not yet considered and reason more generally? How much do you know...and how much do you need to know? Helping your students develop a robust understanding of mathematical reasoning requires that you understand this mathematics deeply. But what does that mean? This book focuses on essential knowledge for teachers about mathematical reasoning. It is organised around one big idea, supported by multiple smaller, interconnected ideas - essential understandings.Taking you beyond a simple introduction to mathematical reasoning, the book will broaden and deepen your mathematical understanding of one of the most challenging topics for students and teachers. It will help you engage your students, anticipate their perplexities, avoid pitfalls and dispel misconceptions. You will also learn to develop appropriate tasks, techniques and tools for assessing students' understanding of the topic. Focus on the ideas that you need to understand thoroughly to teach confidently.


Handwriting examination is one of the oldest kinds of the forensic examination. Its goal is identification of persons that wrote and signed documents. One of basic problems for handwriting expert is the solution of identification tasks. Identification tasks are solved by determination of person who wrote text and numerals, signed any documents, or if some documents are wrote or signed by the same person. This article looks into problems and experimental findings of identification examinations of the signature and nominal entry (name and surname, further will be called as nominal entry). With spreading widely and improving computer technique experts only from time to time meet with long hand written texts. Hand written text and entries now form about 15proc. of all received handwriting examinations. 85proc. investigated by examination objects are nominal entries and signatures or signatures alone. Such objects of examination occur in contracts, wills, loan papers and various financial documents and et al. In many cases the signature and nominal entry are one and only evidence that helps experts, prosecutors and judges to establish case circumstances after investigation. For this reason the topical problem is the investigation of research peculiarities, methods, comparison problems and evaluation of these objects – nominal entries and signatures. Nominal entries and signatures arise many problems, such as inter – comparisons, preparation of materials for investigation, quality of objects themselves. Besides identification tasks, handwriting experts solve diagnostic tasks too, so special methods (that help to solve diagnostic tasks: for example, whether person wrote and signed in conditions of stress, intoxication, illness and etc.) are applied. It must be noticed, that for the receiving more precise conclusions expert must take into account the informativness and quality of investigation object, to go deep into case circumstances (related with suspects, their education, their writing and subscription practice and possibilities, health conditions and etc.), to learn in what circumstances document was signed, and to apply special investigation methods accordingly. If several methods are applied in the investigation, first of all, investigation results obtained by the separate method are generalized and evaluated individually. Later results of all used methods are evaluated. In this article scientific basing and results of experiment are described, in which common and special signs of signature and nominal entry (name and surname) were compared. It was attempted to prove by this experiment that dependence of coincidences and disparities of common and special signs of signatures and nominal entries allows to make inter – comparison and the result of such comparison is additional information in the whole examined research signs. Inquired problem of this article showed that additional extended possibilities in comparative analysis must be examined and searched. Results of experiment allow for giving such conclusions: 1. Carried out experiment showed statistical dependence of coincidences and disparities of common and special signs of signatures and nominal entries. 2. During experiment we established that disparities of common signs (with the exception of developed handwriting in referred case) don't allow expert to make presumptions as if the signature and nominal entry belong to different person and on the contrary. 3. Results of experiment showed that for 26,75 proc. of searched signatures non–literal, additional elements and roll out can be compared with letters of nominal entries and its elements. 4. When objects are researched in examination practice, special methods must be applied for investigation of separate objects next to common methods of handwriting and signatures examination. Such special methods give additional information in the whole of signs.


Electronic Health Records (EHRs) with portability facility were first developed in the United States of America and France to (i) empower citizens for health, (ii) enrich health personnel for diagnosis and treatment, and (iii) making available EHR for the judiciary. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is the legislation adopted by the Government of India for uplifting the health standard of the citizens in the line with the developed countries. Each health institution/healthcare provider needs to adopt Medical Data Management System (MDMS) to enhance the quality of healthcare and quality teaching, and to increase research in healthcare as a part of NDHM. As India is adopting EHR under the National Digital Health Mission, this note discusses the requirements for adopting centralised EHR.


In the poem "The House-top" in his collection of Civil War poetry Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War, Herman Melville attempts to rewrite the climatic "Sleep No More" episode of Book 10 of William Wordsworth's Prelude to speak to the issues of post-Civil War America by revisiting the mix of violence and idealism Wordsworth encountered during the French Revolution. Hoping to escape Wordsworth's loss of faith in ideals in the face of violence, Melville deconstructs Wordsworth's use of language, stripping it of some of its timelessness for a greater time-full-ness to address the needs of the age rather than asking reality to conform to Romantic ideals, while also building on Wordsworth's courageous example. Melville reconstructs the American narrative by rousing it from the "sleep" of Romantic idealism and calls his nation to awake to a new day of vast possibility in which exuberance and restraint coexist by demanding that ideals serve society rather than society blindly (and sometimes self-destructively) follow those ideals.


Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) span an area of massive research and commercial interest. Modern systems offer a wide range of capabilities and parameters to adapt the analysis to the needs of the operator. If one deploys a NIDS in a high volume network environment (1Gbps or more) however, one notices that some capabilities are not usable as the available resources (CPU cycles and memory) of the NIDS are not sufficient for such detailed analysis. In this thesis, we target a thorough understanding of the dependencies and tradeoffs between NIDS resource usage and detection capabilities. We base this work on our operational experience with NIDS in three large research network environments, among them the Münchener Wissenschaftsnetz (MWN ), Germany. We demonstrate, that operational network intrusion detection in high-volume network environments raises a host of resource management issues. We explore tradeoffs between resource usage and analysis, that range from predictive to adaptive to retrospective. Predicting the resource usage of a NIDS is difficult. We set out to develop a performance model of a NIDS that allows to determine the appropriate analysis depth and parametrization of the system. The model can be used in two ways: First, to help determining a configuration of the NIDS based on the measured traffic characteristics of the network environment. Second, it can be used to predict the NIDS' resource usage based on a known or guessed trend of the network traffic development. Connection oriented NIDS do not analyze every connection the same. However the decision process of how to analyze a connection is rather hard-configured into the NIDS. This means, at run-time the NIDS cannot adapt the analysis per connection. We develop a framework for connection oriented NIDS to decide at run-time per connection what analysis to perform. We use this framework for dynamically performing the appropriate application layer protocol decoding. Using this enhancement, a NIDS is for example able to reliably detect applications not using their standard ports, do payload inspection of FTP data connections and to reliably detect IRC based botnet clients and servers. If a NIDS alerts in high volume environments, it does not have the possibility to provide a lot of context to the operator. For trading off disk space against forensic capability, we develop a NIDS-supplementary tool called "Time Machine". The tool records a prioritized yet comprehensive packet trace in high level environments. Our approach leverages the heavy tailed connection size distribution: it prioritizes small connections over large ones which greatly reduces the volume of traffic to record while retaining the largest fraction of the connections transferred. For our operational evaluation of the tradeoffs and the developed mechanisms, throughout this thesis, we use the open source NIDS Bro. Its design is targeted to maximum flexibility, which makes it an ideal platform for powerful extensions and for use in a wide range of experiments.


Summary and Discussion
In the present study, several methods for assaying the chemotherapeutic activity of drugs in experimental leishmaniasis have been investigated. This results indicate that these methods fall in the following order of decreasing sensitivity: culture of a) material obtained by splenic puncture, b) macerated spleen, c) macerated liver, d) intact spleen, the microscopic examination of e) splenic smears, and f) the culture of intact liver.
The fact that splenic cultures were regularly more sensitive than similar cultures of liver in detecting treatment failures may be attributed to the greater number of organisms in the spleen as well as their microscopically more uniform distribution. Splenic tissue in excess was found to inhibit the growth of the organisms; and in consequence, cultures of macerated spleen in which the final concentration of splenic tissue was 1:5,000 proved significantly more sensitive than similar cultures of macerated spleen containing 1 per cent splenic tissue. The small amount of spleen obtained by puncture and aspiration through a 20-gauge needle proved to be in the optimal range, and constituted a simple and reliable routine method of assay.
Although the organisms grew out more rapidly in culture at 31°C. and 26°C. than they did at 22°C., the organisms died after 21 days at the 2 higher temperatures; while at the lower temperature they continued to multiply for the entire period of observation (42 days), and progressively smaller inocula sufficed to give a positive culture. The method of cultivation which detected the smallest number of organisms proved to be 6 weeks' incubation at 22°C. Under those conditions there was no difference in the sensitivity of the two media tested (N.N.N. and Locke-blood-agar).
The proportion of inadequately treated hamsters giving positive splenic cultures was not significantly different whether the animals were tested 6 weeks, 3 months or 6 months after treatment. However, in the case of antimonials, the fact that the number of organisms in the spleen continues to decrease for as long as 32 days after treatment (4) makes it inadvisable to carry out the test of cure earlier than 6 weeks after treatment. A single negative culture of splenic tissue at that time was estimated to have an 80–85 per cent reliability as a criterion of cure in animals receiving marginal subcurative doses of pentavalent antimonials.
In the light of these data the routine method adopted for the evaluation of cure in experimental leishmaniasis consists of the cultivation on a suitable medium for 6 weeks at 22°C. of material aspirated from the surgically exposed spleen through a 20-gauge needle.


Oxidation reactions of sugars to their corresponding lactones and the selective oxidation of a secondary alcohol of sugar substrates to keto-sugars using transition metal catalysis were investigated.

Research results demonstrate that Shvo's hydrogen-transfer catalyst, [(η4-C4Ph4CO)(CO)2Ru]2, selectively oxidized unprotected sugars to δ-lactones under very mild conditions. This is the first method to synthesize δ-D-galactonolactone, the first oxidation product of the 3rd most abundant sugar. δ-D-Galactonolactone was fully characterized by conformational analysis through NMR experiments and computational methods. We propose that in aprotic,
anhydrous solvents the δ→γ lactone rearrangement mechanism proceeds via a bicyclic transition state.

The oxidation of alicyclic vicinal diols to α-hydroxy ketones was investigated as a model system for the selective oxidation of a secondary hydroxyl group in sugar substrates to keto-sugars. The challenge was to develop a method that allows selective oxidation, yet prevents over-oxidation to the dione or dicarboxylic acids products. Based on a mathematical model of consecutive bimolecular reactions,
the rate constants for the initial oxidation step k1(diol→α-OH ketone) and second oxidation step k2(α-OH ketone→dione) must be k1 > 10 k2 in order to obtain a synthetically useful method for α-hydroxy ketone synthesis.

The metal-ligand bifunctional hydrogen transfer reactions of Shvo's catalyst and Noyori's η6-arene N-tosyl-1,2-diaminoethane ruthenium(II) complexes were investigated with alcohol model systems and it was concluded that hydrogen transfer reactions are insufficient in the oxidation of vicinal diols due to a unfavourable position of the equilibrium. Under oxidizing conditions, the 16-electron ruthenium complexes of the Noyori systems compete with a
β-elimination process and thus new degradation resistant ligands were synthesized. The apparent slower oxidation of Noyori's η6-arene N-tosyl-1,2-diaminoethane ruthenium(II) complexes under oxidizing conditions, i.e. in acetone or cyclohexanone solvent, was investigated through NMR and IR
experiments finding no evidence of a kinetic inhibition by the solvent. We propose that the slower reactions depend on a relatively high energy barrier for the reaction of the 16-electron complex with a hydrogen donor and that a kinetic
model must account for two effectively different oxidation and reduction catalysts. In an alcohol/ketone equal-concentration experiment with Noyori-type ruthenium(II) complexes a linear relationship was found between the initial rate of alcohol consumption/production and ∆G°.

Reactions involving peroxides as the oxidant were investigated in order to avoid equilibrium processes. The oxidation of alcohol model systems with several Mo and W catalysts and peroxide sources indicated a deactivation of the Mo and W catalysts by formation of water or hydroxide complexes. The product distribution of the oxidation of trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol with the MoO2(acac)2/Na2CO3 x 1.5
H2O2 method was in agreement with the theoretical model, yet only had a k1 = 1.5 k2 rate ratio resulting in a maximum α-hydroxy cyclohexanone content of 45 %.

The NiBr2 mediated oxidation of alcohols and benzoylperoxide was investigated. The selective oxidation of vicinal diols was unsuccessful with this method. However, the oxidation reaction of mono-alcohol substrates was greatly improved using water in the reaction. The reaction mechanism was investigated and we propose that the actual oxidant in the NiBr2 mediated benzoylperoxide method is [Br+], which is generated by the hydrolysis product of benzoylhypobromite, hypobromic acid (HOBr).

Ishii's stoichiometric NaHSO3/NaBrO3 reagent selectively oxidized vicinal diols to α-OH ketone without overoxidation. This oxidation reaction was investigated with regards to substrate, concentration and pH. The reactivity and selectivity were studied and it was found that the oxidation mechanism is based on a multitude of comproportionation and disproportionation equilibria at low pH. A small but steadily replenished HOBr concentration is the source of the actual oxidant and effectively acts as a redox buffer. While the NaHSO3/NaBrO3 reagent demonstrated excellent selectivities with the alcohol model systems, the oxidation of sugar substrates failed due to side-reactions occurring at the required low pH.


Sustainable development and climate change is high on the agenda for most cities around the world today. Urban transport is at the heart of these changes. Increasingly, it is recognised that not only is the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases a problem, but also the detrimental effects of congestion and social exclusion. In order to address these issues, it will be necessary for cities to make strategic long term decisions regarding the future infrastructure and land use, not only in terms of what will be built, but also on measures that affect how these systems are used.This thesis is focused on the decision support tools that we need in order to make well informed decisions. Models that predict the performance of future scenarios, and appraisal frameworks that help evaluate whether these outcomes are desirable or not. The first two papers experiment with different ways of bringing some aspects of sustainability into the appraisal frameworks used to analyse long term strategies. Paper I addresses intergenerational fairness, and Paper II focuses on the emission of greenhouse gases. Paper III develops a model, Scapes, that can help us to better understand the daily travel behaviour, through an activity based approach. By explicitly modelling space-time constraints, and travel time uncertainty in a microeconomic framework, we can get a better understanding of how people can respond to, and value, changes in the transport system. Papers IV and V describe a new integrated land use and transport model, LandScapes.The policy implications from the studies in Papers I, II, and V are that it will be very difficult for Stockholm to reduce its emissions of CO2. Particularly, predicted economic and population growth will inevitably lead to more transport. It is likely that a range of different policies will be necessary to solve that problem. At the same time, we must not forget that decreasing CO2 emissions, although important, is not the only objective Stockholm has. To cope with the increasing travel demand from a growing population, it may well be necessary to build new infrastructure as well. This thesis does not prescribe any such relative valuation between conflicting objectives. It only helps bring them to the fore.


This report comprises 3 studies that delineate the development and validation of the Involuntary Musical Imagery Scale (IMIS) based on data from 2,646 individuals. This new self-report inventory measures individual differences in involuntary musical imagery ("INMI," commonly referred to as "earworms"). The first study involved exploratory factor analysis, leading to the identification of a 4-factor scale structure. The 4 factors are conceived as "Negative Valence," "Movement," "Personal Reflections," and "Help." The second study confirmed this factor structure on an independent sample and derived indices of internal validity and test–retest reliability. The third study reports on IMIS correlates with existing measures of thinking style, imagery abilities, and music-related behaviors. Results showed that the IMIS measures a unique construct compared with existing self-report inventories. Furthermore, significant correlations were found with a combination of self-reported musical behaviors on the one hand and tendencies to engage in task-unrelated thoughts on the other. Overall, these findings provide evidence that IMIS constitutes a reliable scale that captures individual differences in INMI and that its first application reveals previously uncaptured associations between INMI and certain cognitive and behavioral traits.


For the mother, lactation represents the final stage of an investment in her genetic material. Like any investment it is costly and, hence, it needs to be carefully controlled. To her offspring, lactation means survival, so it must happen at any cost. This apparent conflict is rationalized by the mother devolving some control to the offspring while retaining ultimate sanction herself. Part of this results from overt and more subtle influences of the presence of young on the mother's endocrine system, but an equally important part operates at each mammary gland to ensure that output is appropriate to the needs of the young, and no more. The young exert influence by removing milk, while the mother retains control by responding on an hour to hour basis to the presence of milk in the gland. Local control is inevitably most evident where secretion itself is concerned, but also operates to influence lactogenesis, gland development and, eventually, gland involution. This paper will review local control of mammary function, emphasising the important role played by an autocrine inhibitory protein, the feedback inhibitor of lactation.


About: Designing advances our understanding of design thinking through different analyses of a common set of data. The data comprises video recordings of design meetings taking place during the course of two very different design projects, both examples of the everyday practice of professional designers. Researchers from leading centres around the world were invited to analyse the material and apply their research expertise to show how analysing design meetings can increase our understanding of design as a social process. The twenty-one contributions to this book are the result of an extensive international collaboration. They draw on a rich variety of methodological positions, research backgrounds and design disciplines – including architecture, product design, engineering, applied linguistics, communication studies, cognitive psychology, and discourse studies.

Collectively these studies comprise a state-of-the-art overview of design thinking research. About: Designing will be of interest to design researchers at any level, as well as specialists in a broad range of design disciplines and social studies.


The parasitic mite Varroa destructor is one of the biggest health problems of the Western Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. It feeds from the bees' hemolymph and vectors several honey bee pathogens. V. destructor has also been reported to compromise honey bee immunity but available data are insufficient to support this claim. This study was designed to assess the effect of mite infestation on honey bee immune-gene expression during the biologically relevant host developmental stages. In my experiment, mites were manually introduced into honey bee larval cells at three different levels. Control groups were either left unmanipulated or wounded. Developing bees were collected with any retrievable mites daily from the experimental cells for ten days. Mite reproduction was assessed and bee hosts were analyzed for expression levels of ten immune genes using quantitative RT-PCR. This experiment showed effects of developmental time and experimental treatment on gene expression that generally contradict the previously hypothesized immunosuppression of bees by V. destructor. However, mites might temporarily suppress the honey bees' normal response to cuticle wounding based on reproductive timing. The artificial wounding group exhibited an increased viral load, suggesting that wounding may trigger or enable virus replication. Overall, my results indicate the importance of physical trauma caused by wounding and suggest complex temporal dynamics in the relationships between bee host, mite parasite, and vectored pathogens.


type="main"> This article engages ethnographic research on perceptions of disputation, justice and security in rural Solomon Islands to reflect on issues of agency, power and scale in areas of limited statehood. Set against widespread popular perceptions of state retreat in Solomon Islands, the authors situate their study within the literature which addresses engagements with conflict-affected and fragile countries and, in particular, literature with an interest in the spaces created by prolonged state absence as potential sites of innovation and transformation. The article examines the role of agency and power at different scales in the highly contested processes of state formation underway in post-conflict Solomon Islands. Taking issue with the presumed privileging by local actors of non-state over state forms that runs through much of the hybridity literature, the authors suggest that international 'state-building' interventions, such as that recently experienced in Solomon Islands, require a more nuanced and historically informed understanding of local agency vis-a-vis the state in fragile and conflict-affected settings.


With the depletion of natural resources and the deterioration of environment, natural fiber based biomaterials are attracting more and more attentions. Natural fibers are considered to be renewable, biodegradable, and ecofriendly, and have been applied to be used as alternative reinforcements to traditional glass fibers for polymer based composites (GFRP). Natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) composites have been found to be manufactured as secondary structures or interior parts of aircrafts or automobiles. In this paper, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) study was performed to demonstrate the possible advantages of ramie fiber on environmental impacts and to provide fundamental data for the further assessment of ramie fiber reinforced polymers (RFRP) and its structures. By collecting the material inventories of the production process of ramie fiber, the environmental impacts of ramie fiber (characterized by eight main impact categories, which are climate change, terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, human toxicity potential, ozone depletion, photochemical oxidant creation, freshwater ecotoxicity, and fossil depletion) were calculated and compared with that of glass fiber. Found if spinning process is ignored within the production of the ramie fiber, ramie fiber exhibits better ozone depletion and they have almost the same values of climate change and terrestrial acidification in terms of glass fiber. However, if the spinning process is included, ramie fiber only performs better in terms of ozone depletion. And degumming and carding and spinning processes are the processes that cause more pollution.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of copeptin in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to compare the diagnostic efficacy of copeptin with other cardiac markers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 160 cases were enrolled in the study. All were over 18 years of age, and consisted of 54 non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI), 54 ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), and 52 healthy subjects (controls). Serum troponin-I, CK-MB mass, copeptin and CRP levels were measured in each of the cases, and were compared between the three groups for statistical differences.

RESULTS
The copeptin levels in the STEMI (p < 0.001) and NSTEMI (p = 0.042) groups were found to be significantly higher than the control group. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the level of copeptin and the presence of AMI (r = 0.285, p < 0.001), CK-MB mass (r = 0.246, p = 0.002), and troponin-I (r = 0.199, p = 0.012). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values of the tests, according to ROC analysis performed for the diagnosis of AMI were; troponin-I > 0.1 ng/mL (71.0%, 100.0%, and 0.855); CK-MB mass > 3.59 ng/mL (77.8%, 92.3%, and 0.911); CRP > 6.37 mg/L (53.7%, 88.5%, and 0.769); and copeptin > 2.47 ng/mL (66.7%, 75.0%, and 0.676), respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac troponin remains the gold standard biomarker for the diagnostic evaluation of AMI. Copeptin can be used as a diagnostic marker in patients with suspected AMI in combination with other biomarkers, but, copeptin alone should not be considered as a single diagnostic marker in patients with suspected AMI.


The risk for falling increases in the older population, resulting in an increase in serious outcomes and associated health care costs. Incorporating a falls assessment measure into the routine clinical evaluation is important for early identification of elders who are at greater risk for falls and provide information that can guide interventions. This article reviews a sample of available falls assessment approaches that are targeted to community dwelling older adults, ranging from simple questionnaires to more functional-based assessments. Newer high-tech and laboratory-based procedures still under development also are discussed. Finally, additional factors related to older individuals, specifically cognition- and emotion-based features that can impact falls risk are discussed as related to their importance for consideration in routine falls assessments. This paper summarizes information to help guide the clinician in choosing the most appropriate currently available tool. As many of these measures are similar in their sensitivity and specificity, decisions on which approach to take in many cases may have to be informed also by the clinic setting and existing resources available to the clinician.


This study represents one of the first attempts to examine the process of adjustment within the farming and marketing sectors to the reform of agricultural markets in Egypt. Even though it is primarily based on rice sector data, it gives the following interesting insights into the initial responses to the reform process. First, farmers are reacting with higher output levels and marketed surplus, although the bulk of the expansion has taken place among farms larger than 5 feddans. Marketed surplus among smaller sized farms has hardly changed. Second, the reforms have brought about increased private sector participation in the distribution of foodgrains. However, the level of participation is significant only in terms of local trading. Third, private sector participation in the processing industry has increased in terms of milling capacity, due primarily to the large increase in the number of larger private sector mills. In terms of milled quantities, however, public millers still process the bulk of the output, and have even raised their milling share, while small private mills are losing market shares. Furthermore, millers continue to procure paddy rice and traders continue to process paddy rice, so that it would appear that specialization has not yet occurred in the two subsectors. Finally, concomitant to changes in output levels and marketing behavior are falling real farm foodgrain prices, except for wheat. At the same time, real farm wages and real fertilizer prices have also declined, offsetting some of the effect of falling output prices. Combined with the strong increase in output levels, this would suggest that farmers may be already gaining from the reforms, to the extent that changes in the other cost elements (land and equipment) do not exceed these gains.


This article concerns income taxation and commodity taxation in a multijurisdiction framework with transboundary environmental damage. The decision problem facing the government in each such jurisdiction is represented by a two-type model (with asymmetric information between the government and the private sector). We show how the possibility to influence the world market producer price adds mechanisms of relevance for redistribution and externality correction which, in turn, affect the domestic use of taxation. Finally, with the noncooperative Nash equilibrium as a reference case, we consider the welfare effects of policy coordination.


Abstract Objectives: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Few studies in Africa have evaluated CIMT and its associations in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study measured CIMT in a sample of mainly black South African patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and evaluated the association of demographic and clinical risk factors with CIMT. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Kafalong Hospital, a large community hospital in Pretoria that mainly serves an urban black community. Subjects: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Outcome measures: We evaluated clinical, biochemical and CIMT ultrasound measurements in a standardised fashion. Results: In 185 patients, the univariate significant predictors of mean far-wall CIMT were age [beta 0.007 (standard error 0.001)], systolic blood pressure [beta 0.001 (standard error 0.000)] and inverse serum creatinine [beta -8.15 (standard error 3.23)]. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B:A-1 ratio and apolipoprotein B:A-1 ratio > 1.2 all had p-values below 0.1, but above 0.05. Age had the largest R-squared (20%). The multivariate models did not explain more of the variation in CIMT than did age alone. Conclusion: Lipid parameters were related to CIMT in our study population. However, this did not reach statistical significance in this relatively small sample, and lipids added very little to the variability of CIMT compared with age alone.


Purpose: The main aim of this article is to consider the main trends observed in the labor market in the regional agricultural sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study uses the statistical method, the method of analogy and comparison, as well as the positive and normative approach. Findings: The study indicated that in the agricultural sector there are several problems associated with the formation of human resources. This is evidenced by the presence of negative trends that have been observed over the past 20 years. The main problems are the low educational level of workers, aging professional staff, and a reduction in the number of employees in all positions. Practical implications: The socio-economic problems considered in the article indicate the urgent need to develop a mechanism of state support for agricultural workers. Originality/Value: The authors define the concept of human capital and reveal the essence of the factors influencing its formation, revealing them from the perspective of the socioeconomic development of the region.


The article outlines a critical analysis of theoretical approaches to the development of the concept of foresight marketing on the basis of which the own definition of "foresight marketing" has been developed. Modern enterprises are interested in receiving reasonable foresight forecasts in marketing, which was not sufficiently distributed in the practical activity of the enterprise.Theoretical and practical aspects of the foresight framework are still explored insufficiently. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to improve the theoretical framework of foresight marketing and to create the conceptual model of foresight marketing.The following scientific methods have been used in this research: system analysis, content analysis, comparative method, method of logical generalization, morphological method, dialectics of the relationship between fundamental and applied knowledge.The analysis revealed imperfection of the theoretical apparatus of foresight marketing, thus, the modern approach to the interconnection and balance of foresight marketing and strategic marketing on the enterprises was suggested. To develop a conceptual model of foresight marketing, the authors have considered and described its major components. A conceptual model of foresight marketing is a systematic combination of certain elements, namely: conditions, barriers, and prerequisites; subject and object; methodology of foresight marketing; principles, tools, and categories.The article presents a generalized model of foresight marketing process, which shows the basic subjects and bases on four consecutive stages. The authors provide a new perspective as for the concept of foresight marketing and the basic prerequisites for the implementation of foresight in marketing management.


The main purpose of this paper is to identify and point out changes in the tax burden on farm income given the new tax legislation of 2016 according to which the farm income has the same tax treatment as the rest of the professionals. The paper initially presents the key determinants of tax burden through the latest tax legislation, like the new tax scales, and the relative tax rates of each scale. Furthermore, it presents a theoretical model regarding an indicative Gross Revenue and a Cost Index of a full-time farmer. By choosing to apply Monte Carlo Simulation with the Pert Distribution as analyzed below; we use @ Risk software to stress the tax parameter of Tax Scales, with intervals of ±10%, to identify how the parameter, has influenced the tax burden of farm income. From the findings we can conclude that tax scale has an abnormal effect to the tax burden of the Farm Income as the second and not the third scale has the most significant effect. As tax legislation evolves every one or two years it is important to point out that regarding farmers income the tax scale has a non-gradual – non-linear effect, which must be corrected to be more equal distributed along the income tax scales.


An instrumental variables (IV) identification strategy that exploits statutory class size caps shows significant achievement gains in smaller classes in Italian primary schools. Gains from small classes are driven mainly by schools in Southern Italy, suggesting a substantial return to class size reductions for residents of the Mezzogiorno. In addition to high unemployment and other social problems, however, the Mezzogiorno is distinguished by pervasive manipulation of standardized test scores, a finding revealed in a natural experiment that randomly assigns school monitors. IV estimates also show that small classes increase score manipulation. Dishonest scoring appears to be a consequence of teacher shirking in grade transcription, rather than cheating by either students or teachers. Estimates of a causal model for achievement with two endogenous variables, class size and score manipulation, suggest that the effects of class size on measured achievement are driven entirely by the relationship between class size and manipulation. These findings show how consequential score manipulation can arise even in assessment systems with few NCLB-style accountability concerns.


The importance of accurate blood pressure measurement cannot be overemphasised, and there is an overall understanding that validated blood pressure monitors are needed for reliable pressure measurement. However, some researchers have raised the question whether high altitude, mainly due to the lower atmospheric pressure, can affect the accuracy of automatic blood pressure monitors.1–3

In the current issue of the journal, Mingji et al present a systematic review about the accuracy of blood pressure measuring devices in the Tibetan areas of China.4 The authors conclude that oscillometric blood pressure monitors, which are validated at sea level, agree well with the mercury sphygmomanometer for diastolic blood pressure measured at high altitudes, but the degree of such accuracy for systolic blood pressure is not consistent.

However, the two studies that were included in the review and led to this conclusion show some significant differences in both material and methods between its performance at sea level and high altitude. Therefore, it should be questioned whether the obtained blood pressure differences can be ascribed to high altitude.

In most blood pressure measurement studies performed at high altitude, researchers question the accuracy of oscillometric devices but assume that the mercury sphygmomanometer is not affected by high altitude. However, for a good understanding of the technical aspects of blood pressure measurement at high altitude, two questions should be answered first:

1. Is it correct to assume that …


Coir pith as a by-product, remains in the soil for long time and results in the ground water pollution and erode the soil completely due to the leaching during Monsoon times. This implies the importance of lignin degradation in the coir pith using microbes at various concentration to increase the productivity of enzymes in a short duration of time. Enzymes are unstable proteins which promote chemical reaction in a process. Lignin is one of the major classes of compound that are present in the coir pith. Increased lignin content in the coir pith makes its natural degradation much slower due to the lignin-cellulose complex. It is very fortunate to imply the use of microbes in the degradation process. Lignin degrading enzymes released as a result of microbial action in the coir pith. The enzymes act as catalysts which are responsible for decomposition. This study helps in the detection of major enzymes as a result of lignin degradation ending in the usage of risk free, pollution free coir pith. This study aimed at the lignin degradation for the detection of lignin degrading enzymes using the fungi such as Phanerochaete and Trichoderma viride. The inoculum concentration of the microbe added in the coir pith was compared for the efficiency and the best treatment with the concentration of microbe was recorded. At the end of the research study, the higher concentration of the microbe produced higher enzyme release in shorter duration. Clostridium treated coir pith was better performing at all the concentrations than Rock phosphate.


textabstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is the 6th leading cause of Years Lost to Disability (YLD) at global level, accounting for 3% of total global YLDs. Knee OA is the most common joint disorder, and in the Netherlands approximately 17% of the population aged 45 years and over suffer from knee OA. It causes considerable pain and immobility, affects independence and psychosocial functioning, and in addition leads to financial losses. Many patients present with unicompartmental disease, and the medial compartment is almost 10 times more frequently involved than the lateral compartment. This thesis investigates both the non-operative and surgical treatment outcomes in active patients with symptomatic medial OA of the knee. The aim is to clarify indications for identified treatment modalities as controversy exists on how patient and/or intervention related factors affect the outcome of this disease. Furthermore, clearer indications will lead to better care, which may not only benefit the individual patient but also society as a whole because of expected savings in health care expenses and reduction of productivity losses.
Patients with OA of the medial compartment often have varus malalignment; the mechanical axis and load bearing passes through the medial compartment. Some report that malalignment may even have an impact on the development and progression of knee OA. Although many consider whole leg radiographs in standing position (mechanical axis measurement) as the gold standard to determine knee alignment, in clinical practice, knee alignment is often assessed on shorter anterior-posterior knee radiographs (anatomic axis measurement) to cut expenses and cumbersome procedures. Significant correlation between mechanical and anatomic axis angles has been reported. Some suggest using anatomic axis measurement in research and clinical settings. In Chapter 2 we compare two different methods of anatomic axis assessment in a group of patients with known mechanical varus alignment, and determine whether or not anatomic axis measurement on standard short knee views can be used in clinical settings.


This dissertation investigates the narrative strategies and performative devices of African-American politics in the post-civil rights era. My inquiry focuses on demagoguery--a term dating from classical antiquity--in order to implicate it in African-American political discourses, in particular those of Tavis Smiley's former State of the Black Union, 2000-2010. Indeed, I posit that Smiley's former annual event is an important site for thinking about modern black demagoguery and the aestheticization of black politics. Through close readings and original transcriptions of Louis Farrakhan (b. 1933), Cornel West (b. 1953), and Michael Eric Dyson (b. 1958), I show that the inevitable practice of demagoguery--what the dissertation theorizes as the "allegorical," "epideictic," and "polytropic" modes of emplotment--now threatens to undermine the political opportunities afforded by the success of the modern civil rights movement, even though it sustains the illusion, today, of an autochthonous black public sphere. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Africana Studies First Advisor Guthrie P. Ramsey


"Talkin Bout a Revolution" is a comprehensive guide to the relationship between American music and politics. Music expert Dick Weissman opens with the dawn of American history, then moves to the book's key focus: 20th-century music - songs by and about Native Americans, African-Americans, women, Spanish-speaking groups,and more. Unprecedented in its approach, the book offers a multidisciplinary discussion that is broad and diverse, and illuminates how social events impact music as well as how music impacts social events. Weissman delves deep, covering everything from current Native American music to music of hate - racist and neo-Nazi music - to the music of the Gulf wars, union songs, patriotic and antiwar songs, and beyond. A powerful tool for professors teaching classes about politics and music and a stimulating, accessible read for all kinds of appreciators, from casual music fans to social science lovers and devout music history buffs.


A great deal of research has been devoted to the effects of technical change on economic growth. Less attention has been given to the factors driving the growth of the technological innovators themselves. This paper examines the case of one of the central contributors to the IT revolution, the Microsoft Corporation. The company's sources of growth are estimated using the conventional Solow-Jorgenson-Griliches "residual" model, expanded to include investments in product research and development, sales and marketing, and organizational development (collectively termed the company's "intangible" capital). The picture of Microsoft that emerges from this analysis is a story about the successful use of knowledge inputs to produce knowledge outputs. It is also a story of the importance of product innovation, rather than process innovation, as a source of total factor productivity growth. The theoretical underpinnings of the empirical analysis are also examined, and a model is sketched in which the neoclassical growth accounting framework is linked to the theoretically messier world of the Schumpeterian competitor via the Berndt-Fuss theorem on capital utilization.


The Tribunal, concerned principally with the claims of US nationals against Iran, is the most important international claims tribunal to have sat in over half a century. Its jurisprudence is bound to make a uniquely important contribution to international law and, in particular, the law relating to aliens. The series is the only complete and fully indexed report of the decisions of this unique Tribunal. These Reports are essential for all practitioners in the field of international claims, academics in private and public international law, and comparative lawyers, as well as all governments and law libraries. Each volume contains a detailed consolidated index and tables of cases covering the whole series to date.


Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is now an important and pressing matter. Systems control theory, and in particular feedback control, can contribute to the design of policies that achieve sustainable levels of emissions of CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) while minimizing the impact on the economy, and at the same time explicitly addressing the high levels of uncertainty associated with predictions of future emissions. In this paper, preliminary results are described for an approach where economic Model Predictive Control (MPC) is applied to a Regional dynamic Integrated model of Climate and the Economy (RICE model) as a test bed to design savings rates and global carbon tax for greenhouse gas emissions. Using feedback control, the policies are updated on the basis of the observed emissions, rather than on the predicted level of emissions. The basic structure and principle of the RICE model is firstly introduced and some key equations are described. The idea of introducing feedback control is then explained and economic MPC is applied to design policies for CO2 emissions. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for two different scenarios. Feedback control design provides a degree of robustness against disturbances and model uncertainties, which is illustrated through a simulation study with two particular types of uncertainties. The results obtained in this paper illustrate the strength of the proposed design approach and form the basis for future research on using systems control theory to design optimal sustainable policies.


Numerous Classic and emerging applications uses graph processing as core component. NVIDIA proposed CUDA (Computed unified device architecture) which increases the computation substantially with power of GPU. Graph algorithm is simplest way to improve the graph processing performance. In spite of improve programmability of GPU, writing efficient and correct program is very difficult and the task become more challenging and complex in case of graph due to irregular structures and large size of graph data. We proposed few fundamental graph algorithms like BFS, shortest path algorithm which efficiently accelerate and optimized graph processing with GPGPU (general Purpose graphical processing unit) technique.


Current approaches to solving Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) are sensitive to the size of the MDP. When applied to real world problems though, MDPs exhibit considerable implicit redundancy, especially in the form of symmetries. Existing model minimization methods do not exploit this redundancy due to symmetries well. In this work, given such symmetries, we present a time-efficient algorithm to construct a functionally equivalent reduced model of the MDP. Further, we present a Real Time Dynamic Programming (RTDP) algorithm which obviates an explicit construction of the reduced model by integrating the given symmetries into it. The RTDP algorithm solves the reduced model, while working with parameters of the original model and the given symmetries. As RTDP uses its experience to determine which states to backup, it focuses on parts of the reduced state set that are most relevant. This results in significantly faster learning and a reduced overall execution time. The algorithms proposed are particularly effective in the case of structured automorphisms even when the reduced model does not have fewer features. We demonstrate the results empirically on several domains.


Land surface water cover (LSWC) PALSAR is obtained in this study by setting an inundated threshold using the interval estimation and Otsu's methods. By comparing the HH value (dB) obtained using these two methods along with image interpretation, the HH value with (μ + 3σ) is considered the most reasonable inundation threshold. After masking with μ + 3σ, LSWC of PALSAR was mapped and an exponential function with index NDFI (normalized difference frequent index) and NDPI (normalized difference polarization index) of AMSR-E corresponding to PALSAR LSWC was derived by applying the least squares method. It was found that the exponential regression curve could precisely represent the scatter points and the determination coefficient reached more than 0.8. Both NDFI and NDPI have a good fitting result with PALSAR LSWC. Spatial correspondence is finally discussed between AMER-E NDFI/NDPI LSWC and PALSAR LSWC. A high correspondence is shown between each map. It was also found that PALSAR slightly underestimated the inundated area because of the different PALSAR and AMSR-E mechanisms. Using more precise AMSR-E calibration by PALSAR, the availability and potential of AMSR-E LSWC for large scale flooding detection is indicated.


Species with extensive geographic ranges may interact with different species assemblages at distant locations, with the result that the nature of the interactions may vary spatially. Black-tailed prairie dogs Cynomys ludovicianus occur from Canada to Mexico in grasslands of the western Great Plains of North America. Black-tailed prairie dogs alter vegetation and dig extensive burrow systems that alter grassland habitats for plants and other animal species. These alterations of habitat justify the descriptor "ecological engineer," and the resulting changes in species composition have earned them status as a keystone species. We examined the impact of black-tailed prairie dogs on small mammal assemblages by trapping at on- and off-colony locations at eight study areas across the species' geographic range. We posed 2 nested hypotheses: 1) prairie dogs function as a keystone species for other rodent species; and 2) the keystone role varies spatially. Assuming that it does, we asked what are the sources of the variation?

Black-tailed prairie dogs consistently functioned as a keystone species in that there were strong statistically significant differences in community composition on versus off prairie dog colonies across the species range in prairie grassland. Small mammal species composition varied along both latitudinal and longitudinal gradients, and species richness varied from 4 to 11. Assemblages closer together were more similar; such correlations approximately doubled when including only on- or off-colony grids. Black-tailed prairie dogs had a significant effect on associated rodent assemblages that varied regionally, dependent upon the composition of the local rodent species pool. Over the range of the black-tailed prairie dog, on-colony rodent richness and evenness were less variable, and species composition was more consistent than off-colony assemblages.


Hume's gap divided two main types of propositions: is-propositions and ought-propositions. According to this we cannot argue for an ought-proposition by some is-propositions. The same is true vice versa by so called moralistic fallacy (or reverse naturalistic fallacy). Thus we cannot argue even for an is-proposition with some ought-propositions. The uncertainty can be defined as a state in which we are unable to say that X is the case (or should be the case) pointing out only factual propositions (or norms) and in strictly rational debate we should abstain from any conclusion made that way. But there are practical reasons in real life (e.g. cases of negligence) when this abstain is not acceptable. In these cases, we do not want to depart from ratio, thus we have to find means how to bypass the gap. In the cases where the problem of crossing from ought-propositions to is-propositions is considered, the possibility lies in adding the procedural rule which makes clear which party needs to reject the state of what should be the case by presenting contradicting facts. This can be done by placing a burden of proof. Thus in some examples the party without this burden can argue for an is-proposition by ought-propositions. E.g., in a court of law this is done by presumption of innocence. In a simplified way, the defender can use the argument that he has done Y because he should have done it. On the other hand, the prosecutor has to point out contradicting evidence. Much more complicated is the situation when there is a presumption of guilt.


The present study aimed to estimate the photosynthetically active radiation of tropical forage grasses in ten cutting dates, under irrigation. The following treatments were used: Brachiaria decumbens grass (Brachiaria decumbens cultivar Basilisk), Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu), Xaraes grass (Brachiaria brizantha, cultivar Xaraes), Mombaça grass (Panicum maximum cultivar Mombaça), Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum, cultivar Tanzania) and Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp cultivar Tifton 85). The weather parameters were collected by an automatic meteorological station installed in the location and used for irrigation management. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot completely randomized block design, considering the grasses as plots and cutting seasons as subplots, with four replications in a 6 × 10 factorial arrangement, six grasses and ten cutting seasons. The results indicated increased use of photosynthetically active radiation in the wet season, in relation to the dry-wet season transition. Basilisk presented the highest values of photosynthetically active radiation (1,648.9 mE). The variables studied were affected by photosynthetically active radiation. The grass cultivars presented different light interceptions. The values of 87; 90; 90; 88; 92 and 77% were found for grass cultivars Basilisk, Marandu, Mombaça, Tanzania, Xaraes and Tifton 85, respectively. Differences were observed in forage accumulation rates for the grass plants studied. The grasses with the best productive performance were Brachiaria decumbens cultivar Basilisk and B. brizantha cultivar Xaraes. The highest values of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were observed for Tifton 85. The use of photosynthetically active radiation was different among the grasses evaluated. There is a positive association between photosynthetically active radiation and dry matter production. Besides, photosynthetically active radiation indirectly affects crude protein and forage neutral detergent fiber.


he unfurling of global capitalism – and its attendant effects – has long been fertile intellectual terrain for geographers. But whilst studies of the processes and mechanisms of globalisation undoubtedly assume a talismanic importance in the discipline, geographers, with few exceptions, have left examinations of early economic liberalism to historians. One such critically important episode in the evolution of the liberal economic project was the repeal of the so-called 'Corn Laws' in 1846. Whilst the precise impact of the Manchester-based Anti-Corn Law League (ACLL) continues to be a matter of conjecture, Eric Sheppard has asserted that their particular take on political economy managed to assume a 'truth-like status' and worldwide universality. But the ACLL's campaign represents only one, albeit decisive, stage in the long intellectual and practical struggle between 'protectionists' and the disciples of free trade. Studies of the non-'Manchester' components have tended to focus squarely upon national politics. This paper examines a pivotal attempt in 1838 by Lord Melbourne's Government to experiment with the effective elimination of import duties on fresh fruit. Unlike most agricultural commodities, table fruit was produced in a tightly defined area, thus allowing the Government's experiment to play out, in theory, without national political fallout. Whilst the Government's clandestine actions left little time for a concerted opposition to develop, Kentish fruit growers soon organised. A formidable lobby was forged that drew wide local support yet also evolved beyond the original 'epistemic community'. Whilst the coalition failed in their efforts to reintroduce protective duties, their actions allow us to see how protectionist ideologies and policies were vivified through practices at many different spatial scales and to better understand the complex spatiality of protectionist takes on political economy. Their campaign also changed – at least in the short term – the course of British mercantile policy.


A novel supercapacitor electrode structure has been developed in which a uniform and conformal coating of nanostructured Ni(OH)2 flakes on carbon microfibers is deposited in situ by a simple chemical bath deposition process at room temperature. The microfibers conformally coated with Ni(OH)2 nanoflakes exhibit five times higher specific capacitance compared to planar (non-conformal) Ni(OH)2 nanoflake electrodes prepared by drop casting of Ni(OH)2 powder on the carbon microfibers (1416 F g−1vs. 275 F g−1). This improvement in supercapacitor performance can be ascribed to the preservation of the three-dimensional structure of the current collector, which is a fibrous carbon fabric, even after the conformal coating of Ni(OH)2 nanoflakes. The 3-D network morphology of the fibrous carbon fabric leads to more efficient electrolyte penetration into the conformal electrode, allowing the ions to have greater access to active reaction sites. Cyclic stability testing of the conformal and planar Ni(OH)2 nanoflake electrodes, respectively, reveals 34% and 62% drop in specific capacitance after 10 000 cycles. The present study demonstrates the crucial effect that electrolyte penetration plays in determining the pseudocapacitive properties of the supercapacitor electrodes.


On January 22, 2019, Health Canada unveiled the ninth version of Canada's Food Guide. This was a necessary overhaul as the previous version, Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide, hadn't been updated since 2007 (Health Canada, 2007). Canada's Food Guide is a tool developed by Health Canada to provide a basic tool to improve nutrition education and literacy in Canadians. The previous food guide received scrutiny from health professionals and the general public claiming it was outdated and influenced by the food industry, thereby adversely affecting its credibility (Health Canada, 2015). The newest version was produced in consultation with Canadians, including the general public, policy makers, and healthcare professionals and provides nutrition recommendations that align with the current nutrition research. The new Food Guide has many improvements; however, there are still some areas that lack inclusiveness for all Canadians.


Spatial equilibrium models rely on migration to arbitrage away differences in utility across locations net of moving costs, where remaining differences in wages and rents reflect the compensating differentials related to site-specific amenities. Recent refinements to the spatial equilibrium model focus upon the prospect of disequilibrium in amenity markets. Amenity market disequilibrium implies over- or under-compensation (incomplete compensation) across some locations, which suggests a role for these factors in subsequent migration. This paper follows the theoretical and empirical approach of Clark, Herrin, Knapp, and White (2003). An intercity wage regression is estimated where fixed effects capture the impact of site characteristics on wages. We then regress the fixed effects on a comprehensive vector of site attributes, where the residuals capture incomplete compensation in wages. The derived measures of incomplete compensation are included in a binary logit model of migration. The results provide further evidence that incomplete compensation for site characteristics is a significant factor in migration decisions, and the findings are consistent with tendencies toward spatial equilibrium.