On September 9, 1971, nearly 1,300 prisoners took over the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York to protest years of mistreatment. Holding guards and civilian employees hostage, the prisoners negotiated with officials for improved conditions during the four long days and nights that followed. On September 13, the state abruptly sent hundreds of heavily armed troopers and correction officers to retake the prison by force. Their gunfire killed thirty-nine men—hostages as well as prisoners—and severely wounded more than one hundred others. In the ensuing hours, weeks, and months, troopers and officers brutally retaliated against the prisoners. And, ultimately, New York State authorities prosecuted only the prisoners, never once bringing charges against the officials involved in the retaking and its aftermath and neglecting to provide support to the survivors and the families of the men who had been killed. Drawing from more than a decade of extensive research, historian Heather Ann Thompson sheds new light on every aspect of the uprising and its legacy, giving voice to all those who took part in this forty-five-year fight for justice: prisoners, former hostages, families of the victims, lawyers and judges, and state officials and members of law enforcement. Blood in the Water is the searing and indelible account of one of the most important civil rights stories of the last century.


One of the most frequently researched topics in the exporting literature is into the barriers and problems facing small internationalizing firms (see Miesenbock, 1988; Katsikeas, 1991; Leonidou, 1995, for comprehensive reviews of the literature). Typically and regardless of the location of the studies, most conclude that small firms face major problems in terms of the financial aspects of exporting (competitive pricing, delays in payment, foreign exchange risk, and so on). They also report difficulties in non-tariff barriers, import regulations, export documentation, obtaining suitable representation, modifying international product and/or communications strategies and overcoming cultural differences (Rabino, 1980; Bodur, 1986; Karafagliou, 1986; Bannock and Partners, 1987; Morgan, 1997; Crick and Chaudhry, 2000a; da Silva and da Rocha, 2001). However, the dominant use of positivist methodologies, a prevalence of single-country investigations and a general absence of qualitative triangulation mean that while the problems may have been adequately quantified, there is little real understanding of their context and nature, or of the underlying issues that need to be addressed. Thus, ensuing recommendations are often little more than vague attempts to provide guidance to small-firm decision-makers on alleviating current or anticipated export problems. They also tend to lack the depth of detail required by policy-makers in order to provide appropriate, adequate and timely support to such firms. Given these limitations, Easterby-Smith et al. (1994) suggest that mixed methodologies involving qualitative approaches can usefully be employed in conjunction with business surveys in...


On the one hand information wants to be expensive because it's so valuable. The right information in the right place just changes your life. On the other hand, information wants to be free, because the cost of getting it out is getting lower and lower all the time. So you have these two fighting against each other.'So said the influential technologist Stewart Brand at a 1984 hacker convention. Not only did his words evolve into a media business mantra that has shaped the internet as we know it today but the conflict which he predicted has led to a revolution in the way that our culture is disseminated and consumed. Over the last decade the traditional media - newspapers, music, television, films and books - have been systematically ransacked by digital organisations. Every media business has had to contend with the growing consumer demand for free online content. As it is currently configured, both technically and legally, the Internet allows technology companies to reduce the price of content to zero by letting them build businesses with content copyrighted by others. It's a very effective way to draw an audience. MySpace attracted a user base larger than the population of most European countries, in part by letting its audience stream music, then sold itself to News Corporation for $580 million. But what are the consequences for cultural businesses? Is the result simply mayhem and inevitable cultural impoverishment? Free Ride is the essential guide to a global marketplace in transition: where we are, how we got here and what we have to do to avoid cultural meltdown.


The present study investigates the antiglycating effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) in high fructose-fed rats in vivo and its potential to inhibit the process of glycation in vitro. In addition, the effect of LA on glucose utilisation in rat diaphragm was also studied. Rats fed a high fructose diet (60% total calories) were administered with 35 mg/kg b.w, lipoic acid (LA) intraperitoneally for 20 days. The effects of LA on plasma glucose, fructosamine, protein glycation and glycated haemoglobin in high fructose rats and on in vitro glycation were studied. In vitro utilization of glucose was carried out in normal rat diaphragm in the presence and absence of insulin in which LA was used as an additive. The contents of glucose, glycated protein, glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine were significantly lowered on LA administration to high fructose-fed rats. LA prevented in vitro glycation and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Further LA enhanced glucose utilization in the rat diaphragm. This effect was additive to that of insulin and did not interfere with the action of insulin. The findings provide evidence for the therapeutic utility of lipoic acid in diabetes and its complications.


With the increasingly prominent energy issues, regenerative shock absorber has attracted intensive attention in last two decades for the development of structure design. However, the researchers sometimes concentrate on conceptual designs without considering optimal parameter refinements. This paper proposes a regenerative shock absorber called the "hydraulic electric regenerative shock absorber (HERSA)" which includes an analytical regeneration performance parameters optimisation approach to promote the regeneration efficiency and regenerated power. The developed HERSA model is able to convert oscillatory motion into unidirectional rotary motion through the alteration of hydraulic flow while recovering power by a generator. The proposed model is also capable of obtaining the optimal parameters at certain condition, as well as providing the flexibility of different component combinations to match specific system need. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively decide the optimal parameters in the system, and also the recoverable power can achieve average power of 331 W at 1 Hz-25 mm sinusoidal excitation in the system, which is approximately 65% efficiency. This study can be further used to guide prototype design in future study.


Acetylation inactivates the transcription factor FoxO1 during nutrient starvation to promote metabolism of lipids over glucose. The FoxO family of transcription factors mediates changes in gene expression to metabolic status. The activity of FoxO1 is decreased by acetylation at at least 7 lysine residues, and acetylation of FoxO1 is decreased in fasted animals and increased in animals that are refed after fasting. Banks et al. generated knockin mice with recombinant Foxo1 alleles encoding mutants in which glutamine was substituted for lysine residues to mimic a constitutively acetylated FoxO1 (Foxo1KQ/KQ mice) or in which arginine was substituted for lysine residues to mimic a constitutively deacetylated FoxO1 (Foxo1KR/KR mice). Foxo1KQ/KQ embryos showed impaired vasculogenesis and died in utero. Foxo1KR/KR mice were viable and, compared with wild-type mice, showed impaired glucose metabolism, as indicated by increased glucose and insulin concentrations after fasting and refeeding and increased hepatic glucose production. In contrast, lipid metabolism was improved in Foxo1KR/KR mice, as indicated by decreased concentrations of plasma free fatty acids, triglyceride, and total cholesterol. Foxo1KR/KR mice showed increased expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in hepatic gluconeogenesis and a pattern of changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in lipid metabolism that suggested increased lipid oxidation. When fed a high-fat diet, Foxo1KR/KR mice gained more weight and fat mass compared with littermate controls and, when crossed with db/db mice (a model of obesity), weighed more than did controls. However, both sets of mice did not show decreased insulin resistance or a predisposition to developing diabetes. Analysis of respiratory exchanges, locomotor activity, and energy expenditure suggested that Foxo1KR/KR mice relied more heavily on lipids than on glucose as an energy source. Because other posttranslational modifications also inactivate FoxO1, the authors propose that acetylation may be a "fail-safe" mechanism to inactivate FoxO1 during prolonged fasting conditions that promotes lipid usage as an energy source. A. S. Banks, J. Y. Kim-Muller, T. L. Mastracci, N. M. Kofler, L. Qiang, R. A. Haeusler, M. J. Jurczak, D. Laznik, G. Heinrich, V. T. Samuel, G. I. Shulman, V. E. Papaioannou, D. Accili, Dissociation of the glucose and lipid regulatory functions of FoxO1 by targeted knockin of acetylation-defective alleles in mice. Cell Metab. 14, 587–597 (2011). [PubMed]


Market segmentation is one of the most important areas of knowledge-based marketing. When it comes to personal financial services in retail banks, it is really a challenging task as data bases are large and multidimensional. The conventional ways in customer segmentation are knowledge based and often get bias results. On the contrary, data mining can deal with mass of data and never overlook any important phenomena. In this paper, we choose the clustering ensemble method to do customer segmentation due to labeled data sets are not available. Through the experiments and tests in the real personal financial business, we can make a conclusion that our models reflect the true characteristics of various types of customers and can be used to find the investment orientations of customers.


In cultured cells, KP544 [2‐amino‐5‐(4‐chlorophenylethynyl)‐4‐(4‐trans‐hydroxycyclohexyl amino) pyrimidine] amplifies differentiation initiated by nerve growth factor (NGF) or cAMP. This report describes the pharmacokinetics, safety, and neuroprotective efficacy of KP544 in rats. After an oral dose of 10 mg/kg KP544 was 25% bioavailable with a plasma half‐life of 1.3 h and brain levels 6‐fold higher than plasma levels at 4 and 8 h post‐dose. In a safety study, daily oral dosing for 30 days at 10 and 100 mg/kg was well tolerated. The favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, together with its amplification of NGF in vitro, prompted evaluation of KP544 in two models involving NGF deficiencies. In the first model, brains were lesioned with intrastriatal injections of quinolinic acid. KP544 at oral doses of 0.02 to 1.0 mg/kg/day almost completely prevented the resulting learning deficits as evaluated using a radial‐arm‐water maze. At the lowest dose, there was a slower onset of functional improvement. These effects were accompanied by reductions (16–34%) in the striatal lesion size that were greatest at the highest dose and comparable to those seen with NGF therapy. The second model involved a peripheral neuropathy induced by taxol that is associated with decreases in NGF. KP544 at oral doses of 0.1–10 mg/kg/day decreased the severity of the neuropathy as measured by caudal nerve conduction velocities (30–70% return to control values). In both models, KP544 had a large therapeutic index suggesting its potential as a new approach for treating clinical disorders involving deficiencies in NGF. Drug Dev. Res. 62:60–70, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Child welfare systems internationally exhibit very large inequalities in a variety of dimensions of practice, for example, in rates of child protection plans or registrations and out-of-home care. Previous research in the midlands region of England (Bywaters; Bywaters et al.) has detailed key aspects of the relationship between levels of neighbourhood deprivation and intervention rates. This paper reports further evidence from the study examining the intersection of deprivation with aspects of identity: gender, disability, ethnicity and age. Key findings include a decreasing gender gap and a decreasing proportion of children in need reported to be disabled as deprivation increases. The data challenge the perception that black children are more likely than white to be in out-of-home care, a finding that only holds if the much higher level of deprivation among black children is not taken into account. Similarly, after controlling for deprivation and age, Asian children were found to be up to six times less likely to be in out-of-home care. The study requires replication and extension in order that observed inequalities are tested and explained. Urgent ethical, research, policy and practice issues are raised about child welfare systems.


This paper examines the determinants of inside spreads and their behaviour around corporate earning announcement dates, for a sample of UK firms over the period 1986-94. The paper finds that closing daily inside spreads are affected by order processing costs (proxied by trading volumes), inventory control costs (trading volumes and return variability) and asymmetric information (unusually high trading volumes). Inside spreads start to narrow 15 days before an earnings announcement, and narrow further by the end of the announcement day. We also identify a puzzling phenomenon. There is only a 'sluggish' recovery of spreads after the announcement: inside spreads continue to remain at relatively narrow levels, and take up to 90 days to recover to their pre-announcement width.


This research develops a low cost remote sensing system for use in agricultural applications. The important features of the system are that it monitors the near infrared and it incorporates position and attitude measuring equipment allowing for geo-rectified images to be produced without the use of ground control points. The equipment is designed to be hand held and hence requires no structural modification to the aircraft. The portable remote sensing system consists of an inertia measurement unit (IMU), which is accelerometer based, a low-cost GPS device and a small format false colour composite digital camera. The total cost of producing such a system is below GBP 3000, which is far cheaper than equivalent existing systems. The design of the portable remote sensing device has eliminated bore sight misalignment errors from the direct geo-referencing process. A new processing technique has been introduced for the data obtained from these low-cost devices, and it is found that using this technique the image can be matched (overlaid) onto Ordnance Survey Master Maps at an accuracy compatible with precision agriculture requirements. The direct geo-referencing has also been improved by introducing an algorithm capable of correcting oblique images directly. This algorithm alters the pixels value, hence it is advised that image analysis is performed before image georectification. The drawback of this research is that the low-cost GPS device experienced bad checksum errors, which resulted in missing data. The Wide Area Augmented System (WAAS) correction could not be employed because the satellites could not be locked onto whilst flying. The best GPS data were obtained from the Garmin eTrex (15 m kinematic and 2 m static) instruments which have a highsensitivity receiver with good lock on capability. The limitation of this GPS device is the inability to effectively receive the P-Code wavelength, which is needed to gain the best accuracy when undertaking differential GPS processing. Pairing the carrier phase L1 with the pseudorange C/A-Code received, in order to determine the image coordinates by the differential technique, is still under investigation. To improve the position accuracy, it is recommended that a GPS base station should be established near the survey area, instead of using a permanent GPS base station established by the Ordnance Survey.


The Eastern Orthodox tradition perceives nature as sacred in two distinct ways: as the manifestation of God's immanence and presence in creation, and as a transcendent unknowable being that can be sensed in the mystical encounter with creation. This paper illustrates how Orthodoxy expresses this paradoxical belief and outlines its potential resonance with our contemporary understanding of humankind's responsibilities towards the environment. It discusses the theological principles that inform the Orthodox' spiritual perception of the natural world including: the Holy Spirit as the source of the innate goodness and vitality of matter; Divine Wisdom, or 'Sophia', as the embodiment of this vitality on the Earth; the unique role assigned to humankind, as the link between the rest of creation and God's Divine Word, or Logos. These concepts are illustrated through expressions of the holy found in imagery taken from nature and used in prayers, hymns and icons; and in the physical presence of water, incense, fruit, and flowers in various rites and customs of Orthodox ritual. Faith in the sanctity— though never divinity— of nature is exemplified in the case of Balkan folk belief, which includes areas of overlap between Muslim and Christian worship, such as natural sites of grace, or 'barakah', like caves and springs. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the position on the environment taken by Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and honorary head of the Eastern Orthodox Church— also known to the press as "the green patriarch." The paper reflects His All Holiness' argument that Orthodoxy can make a valuable contribution to finding a solution to the environmental crisis facing us today, by modelling behaviour through the unique "liturgical and ascetical" ethos of this ancient faith.


This study aims to determine differences in learning results on environmental pollution materials after Work Sheets Experiments. Data retrieval was conducted in March 2017. The method used in this research is quasi experimental method. This research was conducted at SMA and MA of Trienggadeng Sub-district with sample of 42 students in every school. The instrument used is a test to assess learners' learning outcomes. Data analysis used indepenent sample t-test at significant level 0,05. The results showed that thitung> ttable is tcount 5,45> ttable 1,98. Conclusion there are differences in student learning outcomes applied Work Sheets Experiments and non experiments on environmental pollution materials in high school students Trienggadeng District Pidie Jaya District. Keywords: LKPD Experiments and Learning Outcomes.


Thanks to the medical revolutions of the past half century, we have attained a remarkable understanding of health and disease, of diagnosis and therapy. Future generations will undoubtedly be intensely interested in the men and women whose work produced these revolutions. The ability to record their thought processes through the techniques of "oral history" can provide invaluable insights. It is in this belief that Hospital Practice is presenting a series of interviews conducted by cardiologist Allen B. Weisse, Professor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School. They were originally published in 1984 as Conversations in Medicine: The Story of Twentieth-Century American Medicine in the Words of Those Who Created It (New York University Press, Washington Square, New York). Following is the interview with William Parry Murphy, conducted in the fall of 1979.


New and regenerated production were estimated from nitrate, ammonium and urea uptake in the highly productive North Water region (NOW, northern Baffin Bay) during the late summer bloom and its decline in early autumn 1999. Nitrogen uptake rates decreased due to a significant 4-fold reduction of the average irradiance in the euphotic zone between these 2 periods. Nitrate availability also regulated the relative uptake of nitrate (ratio of nitrate uptake to total nitrogen uptake, or f-ratio) over spatial scales in early autumn. Stations located along the Greenland coast, which had relatively warm (-0.5°C) and saline (32.5) waters, had higher nitrate concentrations (153 vs. 51 mmol N m -2 ) and f-ratios (0.36 vs. 0.16) than those of stations located on the Canadian side, where the euphotic zone was relatively colder (-1.4°C) and less saline (30.6). The f-ratios were also corrected for nitrogen uptake by heterotrophic bacteria using the results from experiments that employed specific metabolic inhibitors. The corrected f-ratio range of 0.24 to 0.41 considered only the fraction of the nitrogen uptake due to phytoplankton in order to obtain a more accurate estimate of new production. Based on this range, new production varied from 203 to 346 and 85 to 145 mg C m -2 d -1 in late summer and early autumn, respectively. For the entire sampling period, averaged new production was 132 to 228 mg C m -2 d -1 ; however, when the dissolved form was included, we estimated that new production may double to between 262 and 452 mg C m -2 d -1 . This estimate illustrates that dissolved forms can be significant and need to be considered. When combining our results with those from the literature, new production in the NOW in 1998 - 99 amounted to between 143 and 152 g C m -2 yr -1 , suggesting that 60% of the total annual primary production may potentially be exported from the euphotic zone. This study completes the first annual time series of new production in a high-latitude ecosystem.


The world is on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution that will considerably influence society and human life. Today human being is surrounded by technological advancement and every day we face new sophisticated technological systems that affect our daily lives. The business environment is being influenced by Industry 4.0 significantly and a massive transformation in labour market can be observed. The digital economy has become a disruptive factor in several sectors and it has shown a major impact on the logistic industry in terms of workforce transformation. The question that arises is that to what extent the logistic sector is ready for the digital transformation in Industry 4.0 and what factors should be considered by industry players, governments and multi-stakeholders in order to simplify workforce transformation. This study followed a qualitative approach using Grounded Theory to explain the phenomenon of workforce transformation within the logistic sector in Industry 4.0. Furthermore,  a literature review was used to explain the role of human resource management in simplification of this process .The findings show that there is a lack of adequate awareness about the impact of the digital transformation on labour. Furthermore, it discusses the role of human resource management as an agent of change in Industry 4.0. The current research presents recommendations for different stakeholders on how to prepare the current and future workforce for the upcoming changes.This study is significant in the sense that it will add to the existing literature and provide practitioners with vital information that can be used to simplify the digital transformation of logistic industry by preparing labor market.


The topic of marketing accountability is of great interest to marketing researchers and professionals. In this paper, we model the impact of customer-based brand equity on customer acquisition and customer retention which can be used as the basis for calculating customer equity. Using actual purchase data of 39 automobile brands sold in the US between 1999 and 2008 we derive customer acquisition and customer retention from first-order Markov brand-switching matrices. Brand equity is defined by customer mind-set measures for all 39 brands using annual survey data provided by Young & Rubicam which contains responses
from over 6,000 panel members. We consider competition by applying a market share attraction model and differentiating different degrees of loyalty. Our results indicate that customer-based brand equity is a predictor of both customer acquisition and customer retention. Furthermore, we can show that brand specific effects on acquisitions and retention can be explained by customer mind set metrics.


Stability-indicating reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of ezetimibe and glimepiride. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a Shimadzu's high performance liquid chromatograph and PhenomenexL1 analytical C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile:ammonium acetate buffer (30 mM):methanol (50:45:5 %, v/v/v). The flow rate was set at 1.5 ml/min and the detection wavelength was 232 nm. Quality by design approach was employed for optimization of method parameters like proportion of mobile phase, concentration of buffer and a model highlighting the design space was generated. This developed chromatographic method gave well resolved symmetric peaks. Ezetimibe and glimepiride were eluted at 6.7 and 4.4 min, respectively. This method was validated according to ICH Q2(R1) guideline. The method was linear in range of 50-400 µg/ml for ezetimibe and 5-40 µg/ml for glimepiride with r2=0.9999 and 0.9996, respectively. The sample recoveries were in good agreement with the respective label claim, which suggested non-interference from formulation additives in the estimation. Forced degradation studies were carried out and the stressed samples were analysed using the developed method.


Six numerical experiments have been performed with a general circulation model (GCM) to study the influence of high-level cirrus clouds and global sea surface temperature (SST) perturbations on climate and climate sensitivity. The GCM used in this investigation is the third-generation ECHAM3 model developed jointly by the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the University of Hamburg. It is shown that the model is able to reproduce many features of the observed cloud radiative forcing with considerable skill, such as the annual mean distribution, the response to seasonal forcing, and the response to observed SST variations in the equatorial Pacific. In addition to a reference experiment where the cirrus emissivity is computed as a function of the cloud water content, two sensitivity experiments have been performed in which the cirrus emissivity is either set to zero everywhere above 400 hPa ("transparent cirrus") or set to 1 ("black cirrus"). These three experiments are repeated identically, except for prescribing a globally uniform SST warming of 4 K. Similar to earlier GCM studies, the changed cloud radiative heating within the troposphere has a profound impact on the model climate. Since the initial radiative forcing introduced by the changed cirrus emissivity is much smaller than the convective or dynamical response, we conclude that the tropical circulation, in particular, is maintained through a positive feedback loop involving cirrus radiative heating, deep cumulus convection, and moisture supply through the large-scale dynamics. Since this interaction has been identified in at least two other GCMs employing different cumulus parameterizations, it does not crucially depend on the respective closure assumption. Moreover, the radiative-convective-dynamical coupling in the tropics is relevant also in the global warming experiment through the increase of cloud water and hence cirrus radiative heating in the warmer atmosphere. It is shown that the spin-up of the Walker circulation in both the global warming and the increased cirrus emissivity experiments is a result of a selection process which enhances the diabatic heat source through asymmetries of the circulation itself, and the extra differential heating feeds back positively on the circulation. It is also shown that cirrus clouds have a significant influence on the global climate sensitivity of the model. In the climate change experiment with the standard model, the climate sensitivity is 20% higher than in a clear-sky reference atmosphere because the increase of cirrus emissivity in the warmer atmosphere contributes substantially to the overall positive cloud feedback. In the transparent cirrus model the cloud feedback is negative, and the global sensitivity is reduced by 20% as compared to a clear-sky reference atmosphere.


This thesis was conducted inside the Smart Grids and Energy Markets (SGEM) project and as a
continuation of SGEM Task 6.11, which aims to investigate the utilization of AMRs for spatial
load analysis for long term load forecasting of households providing calculating mechanism of
hourly level appliance consumptions in the modelling of Demand Response.
The goals of this study are to disaggregate electrical loads of a sample of Finnish households to
load device groups. Subsequently to divide these loads into critical and non-critical loads, which
enables timely changes in operation, and as the final outcome, to present the Demand Response
Potential of these households.
Data for this study was obtained from a database consisting of hourly metered power
consumption (AMR) data from 1630 households from Kainuu (Finland) and background
information of those costumers. The final dataset is compound by 337 households from the
original data, those which have District Heating as their primary heating system.
Conditional Demand Analysis (CDA) is performed using regression analysis as a tool. The
analysis was computed with MATLAB and the used regression technique is the Stepwise
regression. The regression analysis consists of 24 independent equations multilinear regression
for different models and as outcome the daily load profiles of the appliances included in each
different model were obtained.
The obtained load profiles for different appliances and models are presented in the CDA results
and appendices, in both graphic and numeric format, this last in tables containing the obtained
estimated coefficients and the INMODEL matrix.
Subsequently, the obtained loads are divided into critical and non-critical loads, the latter ones
being ones to allow for timey changes in operation. Demand Response (DR) analysis is
performed defining the maximum allowed postponement in time of each load use within
different scenarios. Subsequently, the DR potential for each scenario are graphically presented,
according the defined time spans and seasons models and using the appliances load profiles
obtained from the CDA.
Finally, in the conclusions chapter, the main finding are summarized and the author's
conclusions are presented, not only regarding the CDA and DR studies, but also about
improvements in data collection and data analysis as well as further steps recommendations.


Summary Objectives. To evaluate the effects of ionising radiation and radiation limits, and measure radiation doses received by surgeons in theatre. Design. Thermoluminescent dosimeter measurements of accumulated dose to specific anatomical regions of a neurosurgeon, gastroenterologist and orthopaedic surgeon performing fluoroscopy on 39 patients undergoing treatment for back pain, 7 for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures, and 48 for orthopaedic operations respectively. Results. Radiation dose levels with the X-ray tube above the table during back pain procedures exceeded the occupational annual recommendation to the neurosurgeon's hands. The protocol regarding the orientation of the C-arm was changed. Convincing evidence of the importance and effectiveness of lead shielding was recorded. Conclusions. Constant revision of protocols should apply the as-low-as-reasonably-achievable principle in every unique setting. The ideal is to position the image intensifier above the theatre table. The longest possible distance from the source will lower radiation risk. Full-body protection of 0.35 mm lead equivalence during fluoroscopy is mandatory.


Many studies have indicated that the E-cadherin (E-CAD) expression loss is associated with the loss of cellular differentiation and increased cellular invasiveness and can be correlated with poor prognosis in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder. The aim of this study was to define the role of E-CAD mRNA expression on recurrence, progression and survival in UC of the urinary bladder over a long follow-up period. From 30 patients with bladder UC, enrolled in our previous study, 27 were selected for this study. All patients were re-analyzed in terms of clinical and tumor characteristics, tumor pathological analysis and tumor E-CAD mRNA expression. The data were correlated to 12-year follow-up results. Significant correlations between stage (p=0.002), grade (p=0.008) and E-CAD mRNA expression were reported. E-CAD did not show any correlation in predicting recurrence or progression in bladder UC. The survival analysis demonstrated a significant relationship (p=0.019) between patients with expressed E-CAD mRNA levels and cancer-specific survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that expression of E-CAD mRNA levels is an independent prognostic factor in terms of cancer-specific survival in UC of the urinary bladder (p=0.002). Our study is the first to demonstrate that mRNA extraction and Northen blot analysis is to be considered a reliable method to evaluate E-CAD mRNA levels for predicting survival rate in patients affected by urothelial bladder cancers. We stress that a long follow-up period is needed to evaluate the role of molecular factors in predicting prognosis in patients affected by bladder UC.


The fossil record of large-bodied, apex carnivorous theropod dinosaurs in Eastern Asia is now among the best understood in the world, thanks to new discoveries and reinterpretations of long-neglected fossils. Asia boasts the most complete record of Middle Jurassic theropods globally, as well as one of the best-studied Late Cretaceous theropod faunas, and new research is helping to fill what was previously a 60-million-year gap in the Early-mid Cretaceous fossil record of large Asian predators. In general, the bio-geographic affinities of large-bodied Asian theropods over time were intimately related to physical geography, and progressively more derived theropod clades evolved large body size and occupied the apex predator niche throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous. During the Middle Jurassic, largely endemic clades of basal tetanurans were prevalent in Asia, whereas during the Late Jurassic mid Cretaceous more derived "intermediate" tetanuran theropods with cosmopolitan affinities occupied the large predator role, including sinraptorids, spinosauris, and carcharodontosaurians. Finalli, during the final 20 million years of the Cretaceous, more derived, bird-like coelurosaurs attained large body size. Foremost among these were the tyrannosaurids, a radiation of northern (Asian and North American) megapredators whose ascent into the apex predator niche was a delayed event restricted to the Campanian-Masastrichian. As Asia is the focus of intense ongoing dinosaur fieldwork, our undestarnding of large-bodied theropod evolution will continue to be refined with future discoveries.


Evidence of late Pleistocene closed-basin conditions in equatorial African lakes has far-reaching implications for the history of the Nile River. There has been widespread acceptance that overflow of Lakes Victoria and Albert into the Nile occurred some time during the terminal Pleistocene, but recent suggestions that Lake Victoria remained a closed basin until ca. 7.2 ka imply a much longer period of greatly reduced White Nile discharge. This hypothesis has major consequences for current ideas about the river9s paleohydrology, early human exploitation of riverine resources, Nile delta sedimentation, and late Quaternary genesis of sapropels in the eastern Mediterranean. Here we resolve the timing of Lake Victoria9s overflow by using strontium isotopes as a tracer for water from the principal lakes and rivers of the Upper Nile. Our data demonstrate that overflow of Lakes Victoria and Albert into the Nile drainage network occurred no later than 11.5 14 C ka.


In this position paper the question of how location is employed in location based services (LBS) is considered. The importance of the notion of location is highlighted as a means of blurring the boundary between forms of experiences that are direct, and sensed in the environment, and those that are indirect, and learned from information. It is suggested that current methods for modeling location are limited by their lack of strong theoretical underpinning. To help bridge this gap the notions of Space, Place, and Region, from geographical theory, are proposed and implications of these for considering location in LBS outlined.


During the delivery of unleaded petrol to a Snax service station on the Southend Arterial Road a small fire occurred in the manhole chamber containing the underground offset fill pipes. The manhole involved has four fill pipes and is constructed from GRP with a metal frame at the top. The pipes are plastic but have a metal transition fitting for connection to the tanker hose. When not in use the fittings have an aluminium cap with an o-ring seal in place. It is understood that the delivery driver had two hoses connected to the offset fill points and was delivering the product. One delivery had finished and he opened up the cap of the next fill point to commence delivery to that tank. He then went to place the cap on the pipe of the tank to which he had completed the first delivery when the ignition occurred. The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt. Initially it was suspected that the probable cause of the ignition was static electricity igniting an uncommonly high concentration of petrol vapour. This is not an unreasonable assumption since the metal termination on the plastic pipe was ungrounded. In order for an ignition to occur at this point however there must be an electrostatic discharge between the cap and the termination fitting of sufficient energy to exceed the minimum ignition energy of the vapour mixture. Normally the caps made from aluminium are connected to the termination fitting by means of a short length of chain but in this case the chain was broken and consequently there was no electrical continuity between the fitting and the cap. It follows that electrostatic ignition would be reliant on either the fitting to be raised to high potential or the cap/delivery driver being raised to high potential.


The term "popular culture" is mostly used to describe either cultural practices or products that are widespread and available for mass consumption or those practices that belong to the cultural sphere of "ordinary" people. The use of this concept in scholarly research and debate, however, is far from concise and often lacks the analytical clarity needed for sound and convincing knowledge production. Lacking a precise and viable definition for this concept, this essay argues for abolishing it in favor of the concept of "culture", which in itself can be operationalized so as to accommodate all forms and practices that can be perceived as cultural. The central argument consists of a critique of the inherent classifications of culture through respective adjectives that inevitably lead to normative assumptions and presuppose specific research questions or methods.


The survival rate of implants placed in the maxillary molar area in a 2-stage procedure was evaluated. Between 1990 and 1997, 60 consecutive patients (32 females and 28 males, mean age 51 years) received 87 implants to replace missing maxillary molar teeth. Radiographs were evaluated preoperatively for bone quantity (mesiodistal width, potential implant length not compromising the integrity of adjacent vital structures). Second-stage surgery was performed in a mean of 7.9 months postimplantation. The 5-year cumulative implant survival rate and the influence of implant characteristics (type, length, diameter, and coating) on implant failure and complication rates (between the 2 stages of surgery) were evaluated. The total 5-year cumulative survival rate was 95.4% (4 implants were lost). There were a total of 17 "complications" (premature spontaneous implant exposure) in non-failing implants, 11 with high and 6 with flat cover screws, respectively. Implantation in the edentulous maxillary molar area is a predictable procedure with a considerably high survival rate. The type of implant cover screw used can affect the complication rate.


We assess the concentration and duration of zero tax liabilities and of transfer receipts, using data for households with ten to forty years of observations from the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics. We find that neither is strongly concentrated. Nearly 68% owe no federal tax in at least one year, approximately 78% receive some type of transfer in at least one year, and more than 58% receive transfers other than Social Security in at least one year. Of those who do not owe federal tax in any given year, 18% pay tax the following year, and 39% contribute within five years. Of those who receive transfers other than Social Security within a given year, nearly 44% stop receiving such transfers the next year, and more than 90% stop within ten years.


Binary rewriters are tools that are used to modify the functionality of binaries lacking source code. Binary rewriters can be used to rewrite binaries for a variety of purposes including optimization, hardening, and extraction of executable components. To rewrite a binary based on semantic criteria, an essential primitive to have is a machine-code synthesizer---a tool that synthesizes an instruction sequence from a specification of the desired behavior, often given as a formula in quantifier-free bit-vector logic (QFBV). However, state-of-the-art machine-code synthesizers such as McSynth++ employ naive search strategies for synthesis: McSynth++ merely enumerates candidates of increasing length without performing any form of prioritization. This inefficient search strategy is compounded by the huge number of unique instruction schemas in instruction sets (e.g., around 43,000 in Intel's IA-32) and the exponential cost inherent in enumeration. The effect is slow synthesis: even for relatively small specifications, McSynth++ might take several minutes or a few hours to find an implementation. In this paper, we describe how we use machine learning to make the search in McSynth++ smarter and potentially faster. We converted the linear search in McSynth++ into a best-first search over the space of instruction sequences. The cost heuristic for the best-first search comes from two models---used together---built from a corpus of 〈QFBV-formula, instruction-sequence〉 pairs: (i) a language model that favors useful instruction sequences, and (ii) a regression model that correlates features of instruction sequences with features of QFBV formulas, and favors instruction sequences that are more likely to implement the input formula. Our experiments for IA-32 showed that our model-assisted synthesizer enables synthesis of code for 6 out of 50 formulas on which McSynth++ times out, speeding up the synthesis time by at least 549X, and for the remaining formulas, speeds up synthesis by 4.55X.


The predictive accuracy of competing crude-oil price forecast densities is investigated for the 1994–2006 period. Moving beyond standard ARCH type models that rely exclusively on past returns, we examine the benefits of utilizing the forward-looking information that is embedded in the prices of derivative contracts. Risk-neutral densities, obtained from panels of crude-oil option prices, are adjusted to reflect real-world risks using either a parametric or a non-parametric calibration approach. The relative performance of the models is evaluated for the entire support of the density, as well as for regions and intervals that are of special interest for the economic agent. We find that non-parametric adjustments of risk-neutral density forecasts perform significantly better than their parametric counterparts. Goodness-of-fit tests and out-of-sample likelihood comparisons favor forecast densities obtained by option prices and non-parametric calibration methods over those constructed using historical returns and simulated ARCH processes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 31:727–754, 2011


Rainfed agriculture has potential to produce needed cereals for the growing populations of West and Central Asia even though rainfed agriculture is perceived as risky. The value of rainfed agriculture to produce competitively should be re-assessed. This requires the concerted efforts of farmers, researchers, and policy makers to work on the technical factors that determine agricultural production as well as to address the economic policy environment. Syria is a small country with a diversified rainfed and irrigated agriculture. Rainfed and supplemental irrigation technology has improved Syria's food self-reliance, however, the policy environment is not conducive to the sustainable use of natural resources. Supplemental irrigation technology to produce wheat is used to illustrate the need to address both the technical issues as well as the economic incentives to make agricultural production competitive. Kazakhstan is a large country with a predominantly rainfed agriculture. Farmers could benefit from rainfall probabilities to use fertilizer and improved wheat varieties under rainfed agriculture as Syria did during the eighties and nineties. Implicit taxation of farmers needs to be removed and access to markets must be ensured for farmers in Kazakhstan to benefit from international wheat prices. While it is important to improve production technology, the economic policy environment needs to be addressed first to create incentives for farmers to produce commodities competitively in water-scarce regions.


In the recent Court of Appeal decision Allianz Insurance Plc v. Tonicstar Limited [2018] EWCA Civ 434, the Court did not follow the previous interpretation of a standard contract term made by an unreported High Court judgment in 2000. Whilst the Court could lawfully not follow the unreported judgment given (1) the contractual interpretation was just a non-binding finding of fact and (2) the unreported judgment was made by a lower court, a critical reason why the Court did not follow it was because the Court considered the unreported status meant the interpretation was not well known. The meaning of the contract term thus has not been settled by the previous inconspicuous interpretation, which meant it was amenable to reinterpretation. This note suggests that practitioners should be mindful when relying on unreported judgments on contractual interpretation. Although the Court did not expressly and generally devalue any unreported judgment, the Court's reasoning may be understood to have diminished its precedential value on the interpretation of standard contract terms. It will also be argued that there would be more certainty if the Court had not made such a distinction based on the status of being reported and unreported when considering whether a clause has been given a settled meaning by a previous judgment.


Hematopoietic stem cell transplant was developed as a curative therapy to treat onco-hematological diseases (Schutt et al. 2007), and recently indications for this therapy have expanded to include solid tumors, hemoglobinopathies and other genetic diseases and disorders (Steward and Jarisch 2005). Two major types of hematopoietic stem cell transplant have been developed. Autologous transplants aim to deliver a massive dose of radiation and/or chemotherapy that is capable of ablating the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The patient is then "rescued" from this lethal dose of treatment by an infusion of their own hematopoietic stem cells. Allogeneic transplants are designed to either functionally replace a cell class, or an enzyme or biological function absent in the patient, or to consolidate a remission in a onco-hematological disease via the graftversus-tumor effect (Ofran and Ritz 2008). Two of the largest causes of non-relapse mortality from an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant are acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, in which immune cells derived from the graft recognize normal host tissue as foreign and attack these tissues. A host of biomarkers for acute graft versus host disease have been identified, but there is almost none for chronic graft versus host disease. Herein, a methodology to discover and validate a biomarker(s) for the most common organ system affected by chronic graft versus host disease is proposed.


Abstract This article provides a detailed ethnographic intervention to the phenomenon of value-added agriculture, a discourse that has attained several concrete forms in Australian wine industry policy, and which is routinely presented as a legitimate rural future in wider agricultural and social science research. The legal and policy architecture of 'Geographical Indications' purports to value the regional distinctiveness of agricultural areas, by creating legally-defined wine regions. Producers from these wine regions enjoy privileged access to the use of regional descriptors that apply to their products, and the constitution of such wine regions can also codify the relationships between this regional identity and concrete viticultural and winemaking practices. This article draws on ethnographic research within the Clare Valley region of South Australia, one of the first Australian wine regions to be formally constituted as a legal entity, to examine in close detail the relationships that this region's wine producers have with their own discrete areas of operation. These ethnographic illustrations highlight that the creation of economic value within the premium wine industry cannot be reduced to the technical aspects of viticulture and oenology, nor the legal and policy means by which relationships between products and land are codified. Rather, the nuanced social understandings of landscape that wine producers are consistently developing is a critical element of cultural and commercial infrastructure that affords any wine producer or grape grower the possibility of achieving monopolistic relationships over discrete vineyard areas and the wine that is produced from them. These social understandings have a specifically egalitarian character that acts as a hedge against the chronic uncertainties arising from the global economic environment in which premium wine industry is inescapably a part. This resistance to codification, I argue, is a productive space that constitutes a form of resilience against chronically unstable sets of commercial and environmental conditions. Keywords: monopoly, regional rents, occupational discourse, intellectual property, Geographic Indications, Australian agrarian futures


Determining whether the arts are beneficial to a student's education is a widely, and hotly debated topic every year in the United States, with many studies published each year demonstrating the impact that the arts have on various educational outcomes, from increased test scores to higher graduation rates. This paper examines previous research on the efficacy of incentives and how students' participation in extracurricular activities, from sports to the arts, could impact graduation rates. It also develops a model for analyzing the present value of a high school education to a student using a discounted present value analysis and conducts an empirical analysis of 77 high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District over 4 different school years to determine a relationship between the number of art classes offered and graduation rates. The results of the analysis do not support the hypothesis that an increase in the number of art classes offered per student will increase graduation rates, and actually suggests the opposite.


The main purpose of this paper is provide information relevant for  the formulation of new policies for the integration of technology in education from  the  discussion of research results that analyse computer skills and digital media uses among students (between 12 to 18 years old) from schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The schools surveyed were selected by a stratified random sample. The questionnaire allowed for statistical measurement of theoretical constructs employing non parametrical item response theory. The schools showed a homogeneous pattern with regard to the frequency of use and the ability of students to perform tasks on the computer. Most students use the computer and the Internet at home. The use of computers in schools is minimal and does not influence the students' ability. Even so, the use of a computer at school positively affects the frequency of use and suggests that schools can play a role in promoting digital inclusion. The availability of media resources at home, how long students have been using a computer and cultural practices during the students' free time had notable positive correlations with the student's abilities. The results suggest that the relation between age and abilities in the use of computer and internet was not significant, except in reference to school delays which were related to age and to students' grades, i.e., the more delayed a student is, the less able he/she will be.


Little research exists on effective ways to prepare secondary mathematics and science teachers to work with English language learners (ELLs) in mainstream mathematics and science (subsequently referred to as STEM) classrooms. Given the achievement gap that exists between ELLs and their native-speaking counterparts in STEM subjects, as well as the growing numbers of ELLs in US schools, this becomes a critical issue, as academic success for these students depends on the effectiveness of instruction they receive not only in English as a second language classes (ESL), but in mainstream classrooms as well. This article reports on the effects of a program restructuring that implemented coursework specifically designed to prepare pre-service and in-service mathematics, science, and ESL teachers to work with ELLs in their content and ESL classrooms through collaboration between mainstream STEM and ESL teachers, as well as effective content and language integration. We present findings on teachersΓCO attitudes and current practices related to the inclusion of ELLs in the secondary-level content classroom and their current level of knowledge and skills in collaborative practice. We further describe the rationale behind the development of the course, provide a description of the course and its requirements as they changed throughout its implementation during two semesters, and present findings from the participants enrolled. Additionally, we discuss the lessons learned; researchersΓCO innovative approaches to implementation of content-based instruction (CBI) and teacher collaboration, which we term two-way CBI (DelliCarpini & Alonso, 2013); and implications for teacher education programs.


INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
People with severe alcohol dependence and unstable housing are vulnerable to multiple harms related to drinking and homelessness. Managed Alcohol Programs (MAP) aim to reduce harms of severe alcohol use without expecting cessation of use. There is promising evidence that MAPs reduce acute and social harms associated with alcohol dependence. The aim of this paper is to describe MAPs in Canada including key dimensions and implementation issues.

DESIGN AND METHODS
Thirteen Canadian MAPs were identified through the Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study. Nine key informant interviews were conducted and analysed alongside program documents and reports to create individual case reports. Inductive content analysis and cross case comparisons were employed to identify six key dimensions of MAPs.

RESULTS
Community based MAPs have a common goal of preserving dignity and reducing harms of drinking while increasing access to housing, health and social services. MAPs are offered as both residential and day programs with differences in six key dimensions including program goals and eligibility, food and accomodation, alcohol dispensing and administration, funding and money management, primary care services and clinical monitoring, and social and cultural connections.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
MAPs consist of four pillars with the alcohol intervention provided alongside housing interventions, primary care services, social and cultural interventions. Availability of permanent housing and re-establishing social and cultural connections are central to recovery and healing goals of MAPs. Additional research regarding Indigenous and gendered approaches to program development as well as outcomes related to chronic harms and differences in alcohol management are needed.


The floating-roof tank has been the most widely used method of storage of volatile petroleum products since the first demonstration b Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CB&I) in 1923. There have been many changes and design improvements to that first pan-style-floating roof. A floating roof is a complex structure. It must be designed to remain buoyant even when exposed to combined loads from varying process, weather and product conditions. There is a continued demand for improved floating-roof tanks to store a wide range of petroleum and petrochemical products in compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. Floating roofs are used in open top tanks (EFRT), inside tanks with fixed roofs (IFRT), or in tanks that are totally closed where no product evaporative losses are permitted for release to the atmosphere. This very special type of installation is referred to as a zero emission storage tank (ZEST). Products that might have been stored in basic fixed roof tanks must now utilize a floating roof to limit evaporative emissions to the atmosphere. High vapor pressure condensate service and blended heavy crude oils also present new design challenges to the floating roof tank industry. This paper review the most prominent styles of floating roofs from 1923 to the present. Design and operating limits for current da floating-roof structures are presented. New trends in environmental regulations and the potential impact on the design and operation of floating-roof tanks will be presented. Current maintenance practices and the effect on Life Cycle Cost Management of the storage syste are also reviewed. developments and why they are important from a regulator compliance standpoint are presented. A basic life cycle cost analysis of typical floating roof tanks is presented. Floating-roof tanks remain the safest, most cost effective method of storing petroleum and many petrochemical products.


In the search for a commercially efficient technology for solving the problem of scrap tires, pyrolysis is accepted as an environmentally and economically attractive recycling method to recover useful products from scrap tire waste. Ireton International Waste Management is commercially developing an ultra fast pyrolysis technology called the Continuous Ablative Reactor (CAR) which can heat solid particles to a high temperature (500-600 °C) in under one second. The pyrolytic char obtained in this ultra fast pyrolysis process has been characterized and efforts were made to upgrade the product. EnerVision Inc. (Halifax) provided samples from their pilot unit. Initial investigations were focused on the char in its original form. The char contained inorganic compounds present in tires, along with the original carbon black and a substantial amount of condensed organic by-products formed during the pyrolysis process. The contaminants in the char were reflected in an oily appearance, specific odour and high ash content These contaminants can be eliminated, or significantly reduced. The economic feasibility of the process depends on the char quality and its usefulness in high value commercial applications. -- High temperature heat treatments (600-900 °C) and oxidation processes using various agents (i.e., air, H₂O₂, HNO₃) present an opportunity to elevate the char quality and improve its commercial value. In this study, it was demonstrated that the production of highly activated char is possible by activation using steam or carbon dioxide. The adsorption properties of the activated char so obtained were found to be comparable to those of the commercial active carbons. Hence, ultra fast pyrolysis may provide a recycling alternative for waste tires and for the production of new adsorbents from low-cost waste material. -- Analytical techniques used in characterizing the chars and activated chars (and described in this thesis) included flame atomic absorption, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Malvern particle size counting, Raman spectroscopy, FT- infrared spectroscopy, N₂ and CO₂ adsorption studies, and sequential pyrolysis GC-MS.


Objective To provide an up-to-date assessment of the effectiveness of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program on improving mental health knowledge, stigma and helping behaviour. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted in October 2017 to identify randomised controlled trials or controlled trials of the MHFA program. Eligible trials were in adults, used any comparison condition, and assessed one or more of the following outcomes: mental health first aid knowledge; recognition of mental disorders; treatment knowledge; stigma and social distance; confidence in or intentions to provide mental health first aid; provision of mental health first aid; mental health of trainees or recipients of mental health first aid. Risk of bias was assessed and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were pooled using a random effects model. Separate meta-analyses examined effects at post-training, up to 6 months post-training, and greater than 6 months post-training. Results A total of 18 trials (5936 participants) were included. Overall, effects were generally small-to-moderate post-training and up to 6 months later, with effects up to 12-months later unclear. MHFA training led to improved mental health first aid knowledge (ds 0.31–0.72), recognition of mental disorders (ds 0.22–0.52) and beliefs about effective treatments (ds 0.19–0.45). There were also small reductions in stigma (ds 0.08–0.14). Improvements were also observed in confidence in helping a person with a mental health problem (ds 0.21–0.58) and intentions to provide first aid (ds 0.26–0.75). There were small improvements in the amount of help provided to a person with a mental health problem at follow-up (d = 0.23) but changes in the quality of behaviours offered were unclear. Conclusion This review supports the effectiveness of MHFA training in improving mental health literacy and appropriate support for those with mental health problems up to 6 months after training. Trial registration PROSPERO (CRD42017060596)


This thesis presents observations of exoplanets orbiting very close to their parent star, with a particular focus on a novel technique for characterizing their atmospheres. This is based on the use of high-resolution spectroscopy from the ground. The first detection of the atmosphere of a non-transiting planet is presented, together with the determination of its mass and orbital inclination. Moreover, it is shown that high-dispersion spectroscopy is very effective in recognizing molecular species, measuring their relative abundances, and determining whether temperature increases or decreases with altitude in the observed planetary atmospheres. The method also led to the measurement of the rotational period of a transiting exoplanet, which was found to be tidally locked, in line with theoretical predictions. Finally, the evidence for the disintegration of a small, rocky planet candidate in the Kepler database is presented. This result was obtained by fitting the light curve of the object with a model of a trailing tail of dust.


The results of investigations of spent moulding sands taken from the mould at various distances from the surface of the produced casting, are presented in the paper. The casting mould was made with an application of the cooling system of the metal core in order to increase the cooling rate of the ladle casting. As temperature measurements in the mould indicated the heat flow from the metal did not create conditions for the complete burning of a moulding sand. The analysis was performed to find out changes of spent moulding sands caused by degradation and destruction processes of organic binders. Conditions occurring in the casting mould were discussed on the bases of testing: ignition losses, dusts contents, pH reactions and the surface morphology of the moulding sand samples. Factors limiting the effective mould degassing were pointed out. Operations, possible for realization, which can limit the reasons of a periodical occurrence of increased amounts of casting defects due to changing gas evolution rates being the result of the technological process, were also indicated.


Modern societies rely on mass mobility, in particular by private car. car numbers are growing worldwide due to economic and other factors. Nearly, all have engines that run on fossil fuels. use of fossil fuels contributes to climate change (via cO 2 -emissions) and local air pollution (primary NO x and PM 10 -emissions). both have profound environmental and health implications. The paper explores the technical and behavioural feasibility of zero-emission private car use in The Netherlands in 2030. base year is 2010. The following research questions are addressed: 1. how much cO 2 , NO x and PM 10 did passenger cars emit in 2010? 2. how much will this be in 2030? 3. What would these figures be if electric cars become mainstream in 2030? 4. What would the impact be of sustained urbanization on these emissions? 5. how would a greener power mix in electric power plants affect the emissions of cO 2 , NO x and PM 10 by electric cars? A simulation model was used to quantify a rich set of scenarios. Many car manufacturers aim to produce more (fully) electric vehicles (FEvs) in the coming years. More FEv translates into less (growth in) consumption of fossil fuels and emissions. The remaining emissions are still on the high side. urbanization may support a further reduction. It reduces car ownership and use and thereby the growth in car kilometres, fossil fuel consumption and emissions. growing production of renewable energy gradually makes the power mix greener. The most extreme combination of scenarios enables society to reduce cO 2 -emissions far beyond the −50% target in 2030 for the assumed car mobility scenario. The feasibility of this outcome is rather uncertain. An extension of decades of neoliberal, market-first transport policy would very likely slow down the pace of the transition.


Acid copolymers and ionomers are polymers that contain a small fraction of covalently bound acidic or ionic groups, respectively. For the specific case of polyethylene (PE), acid and ionic pendants enhance many of the physical properties such as toughness, adhesion and rheological properties. These improved properties result from microphase separated aggregates of the polar pendants in the non-polar PE matrix. Despite the widespread industrial use of these materials, rigorous chemical structure morphology property relationships remain elusive due to the inevitable structural heterogeneities in the historically-available acid copolymers and ionomers. Recently, precise acid copolymers and ionomers were successfully synthesized by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. These precise materials are linear, high molecular weight PEs with pendant acid or ionic functional groups separated by a precisely controlled number of carbon atoms. The morphologies of nine precise acid copolymers and eleven precise ionomers were investigated by X-ray scattering, solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For comparison, the morphologies of linear PEs with pseudo-random placement of the pendant groups were also studied. Previous studies of precise copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) found that the microstructural precision produces a new morphology in which PE crystals drive the acid aggregates into layers perpendicular to the chain axes and presumably at the interface between crystalline and amorphous phases. In this dissertation, a second new morphology for acid copolymers is identified in which the aggregates arrange on cubic lattices. The fist report of a cubic morphology was observed at room and elevated temperatures for a copolymer functionalized with two phosphonic acid (PA) groups on every 21st carbon atom. The cubic lattice has been identified as face-centered cubic (FCC). Overall, three morphology types have been identified for precise acid copolymers and ionomers at room temperature: (1) liquid-like order of aggregates dispersed throughout an amorphous PE matrix, (2) onedimensional long-range order of aggregates in layers coexisting with PE crystals, and (3) three-dimensional periodicity of aggregates in cubic lattices in a PE matrix featuring defective packing. The liquid-like morphology is a result of high content of acid or ionic substituents deterring PE crystallinity due to steric hindrance. The layered morphology occurs when the content of pendants is low and the PE segments are long enough to crystallize. The cubic morphologies occur in precise copolymers with geminal substitution of phosphonic acid (PA) groups and long, flexible PE segments. At temperatures above the thermal transitions of the PE matrix, all but one material present a liquid-like morphology. Those conditions are ideal to study the evolution of the interaggregate spacing (d*) in X-ray scattering as a function of PE segment length between pendants, pendant type and pendant architecture (specifically, mono or geminal substitution). Also at elevated temperatures, the morphologies of precise acrylic acid (AA) copolymers and ionomers were investigated further via atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulations complement X-ray scattering by providing real space visualization of the aggregates, demonstrating the occurrence of isolated, string-like and even percolated aggregate structures. This is the first dissertation completely devoted to the morphology of precise acid copolymers and precise ionomers. The complete analysis of the morphologies in these novel materials provides new insights into the This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/740 shapes of aggregates in acid copolymers and ionomers in general. A key aspect of this thesis is the complementary use of experimental and simulation methods to unlock a wealth of new understanding. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering First Advisor Karen I. Winey


The purpose of this paper is to explore the evolution of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in academia. The process of evolution is conceptualised to consist of diffusion and dynamics. Bibliometrics were applied for data collection and visualisation of the evolution of CSR. The findings show increasing complexity and progression in the research on the concept of CSR fuelled not only by the efforts for intellectual refinement in the field but also reflecting the changing priorities of society and businesses. The growth of this field of research both in number of publications (i.e. diffusion) and in terms of different fields in academic usage (i.e. dynamics), is an indicator for growing complexity and widening acceptance of the CSR concept across various academic disciplines in the future. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.


An Ion Doppler Spectrometer (IDS) was built for the purpose of toroidal ion flow velocity measurement in the STOR-M tokamak. Emission lines from carbon and oxygen ions CIII, OV and CVI were used for spectral profiles measurement. Based on the Doppler effect, the ion flow velocities were calculated from the spectral line shift. The IDS system was built based on a Czery-Turner spectrometer. A cylindrical rod lens was used to magnify the grating dispersion. The spectrum was recorded by a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector, whose output current was converted to voltage through a current preamplifier. The IDS achieved a time resolution of 0.1 ms defined by the RC time, and the ion flow velocity resolution is ±1 ∼ 2 km · s−1. Profile measurement shows the impurity emission lines at different ionization stage populated at different radial positions in the chamber. The flow velocities were measured with various operation modes. A flow velocity shear was discovered for different ion species. The ions in the edge region are flowing in the same direction as plasma current, while the ions in the plasma center are flowing in the anti-current direction. The impurity flow directions are inversed with inversed plasma current configuration. It was found that the impurity flow velocities can be changed by compact torus (CT) injection, resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) field, as well as rapid hydrogen puffing.


Many students from China in U.S. universities have revealed their difficulties in using English in both communicative and academic contexts. Their difficulties have been a concern in the fields of academic practices and research studies. Accordingly, the current study was developed, to understand and support Chinese students in the U.S. universities. It compared two unpublished exploratory case studies conducted in two universities, which investigated difficulties faced by Chinese students via interviews. Through multi-faceted analysis of participants' perceptions of their language issues, we argue that English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses or similar language courses should be more geared to academic writing and speaking for Chinese newcomers. The findings provide insights for reforming the curriculum of language courses in U.S. universities.


How can a person judge another individual's moral character? One way may be to look to their moral and immoral actions. However, should all actions be weighed equally, whether they occurred in the near or distant past? Moral actions do not occur in a temporal vacuum, yet relatively little research has examined the role of time in moral judgment. We expected that people would weigh a previous immoral act differently depending on when it occurred and on their beliefs about personal malleability. Individuals differ in their implicit theories about the degree to which human characteristics, such as moral character or personality, are malleable (Dweck, Chiu, & Hong, 1995). Entity theorists believe that personal characteristics remain stable and fixed throughout one's life, while incremental theorists believe that these characteristics can change over time. We predicted that incremental theorists would attenuate harsh moral judgments to a greater degree with the passage of time. We also expected that motivated reasoning could influence moral judgments, and examined this by varying race of the offender and assessing prejudice levels. Three studies were designed to examine how implicit theories about personal mutability, time, and offender race affect moral judgments. Participants read about an offender's past commission of a crime. In Study 1, incremental theorists were more forgiving of the offender and held less punitive beliefs regardless of time (3 or 10 years ago), and that modern racism predicted negative reactions to offenders perceived as Black (but not White), greater subjective recency, and a tendency to shift to a more entity perspective. Study 2 attempted to manipulate offender race, but was unable to do so effectively. In Study 3, offenders who committed crimes in the distant past (3 and 10 years) were judged more positively than those from the recent past (a few months ago), and preliminary evidence that incremental theorists are more positive towards the offender than entity theorists in the distant (but not TIME, IMPLICIT THEORIES, RACE, AND MORAL JUDGMENTS iii recent) condition. After using a more overt race manipulation, however, modern racism did not systematically predict judgments about a Black offender, nor did it predict shifts in implicit theories.


This paper shows the first application of in situ manipulation of discontinuous fibrous structure mid-print, within a 3D printed polymeric composite architecture. Currently, rapid prototyping methods (fused filament fabrication, stereolithography) are gaining increasing popularity within the engineering commnity to build structural components. Unfortunately, the full potential of these components is limited by the mechanical properties of the materials used. The aim of this study is to create and demonstrate a novel method to instantaneously orient micro-scale glass fibres within a selectively cured photocurable resin system, using ultrasonic forces to align the fibres in the desired 3D architecture. To achieve this we have mounted a switchable, focused laser module on the carriage of a three-axis 3D printing stage, above an in-house ultrasonic alignment rig containing a mixture of photocurable resin and discontinuous 14 μm diameter glass fibre reinforcement(50 μm length). In our study, a suitable print speed of 20 mm s was used, which is comparable to conventional additive layer techniques. We show the ability to construct in-plane orthogonally aligned sections printed side by side, where the precise orientation of the configurations is controlled by switching the ultrasonic standing wave profile mid-print. This approach permits the realisation of complex fibrous architectures within a 3D printed landscape. The versatile nature of the ultrasonic manipulation technique also permits a wide range of particle types (diameters, aspect ratios and functions) and architectures (in-plane, and out-plane) to be patterned, leading to the creation of a new generation of fibrous reinforced composites for 3D printing. S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/sms/25/02LT01/mmedia


Understanding how lateral airflow pathways develop in the unsaturated zone is important to address problems dealing with intrusion of contaminants in the form of vapor into buildings and subsurface structures. One of the key factors that contribute to the formation of these vapor pathways is the spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture saturation. The soil moisture in the unsaturated zone is expected to be affected by the mass and temperature boundary conditions at the land surface. We performed highly controlled laboratory experiments in an intermediate‐scale test tank to improve the basic understanding of the factors that contribute to development of such pathways. The tank was packed with different test sands in a layered configuration and the precipitation and thermal boundary conditions were controlled at the soil surface. A numerical model based on the COMSOL Multiphysics software was validated using the experimental data. This model was used to obtain insights into how the degree of subsurface heterogeneity affects air pathway development. The results showed that (i) soil moisture variations created by precipitation could significantly affect the development of dynamic airflow pathways, (ii) thermal flux at the soil surface does not significantly affect soil moisture deep in the formation and hence has a negligible effect on airflow pathways, and (iii) the capping effect created by water accumulating at soil layer interfaces results in more air of subsurface origin entering the building. Further study is needed, however, to examine the validity of these findings under more realistic soil and climate conditions.


The present article reviews some recent findings on the functional ecdysone† receptor which is a heterodimer of two proteins: ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle (USP). Emphasis is given to some unique aspects of this receptor, in particular to its dimerization, binding to DNA, and transactivation capabilities. The effects of ligands (ecdysone, juvenile hormone) on these functions are discussed. In addition, perspectives on future work on this receptor are outlined, which are shaped by recent progress in the nuclear receptor field in general. This preview part of the present article concerns mainly the 3-D structure of receptor domains, the formation of large supramolecular receptor complexes, their influence on chromatin remodelling, receptor phosphorylation, as well as inter- and intramolecular cross-talks of receptor domains.


Poor condition of Polish agriculture, clean soil environment and extensive methods of production make Poland particularly suitable for developing environmentally friendly forms of farming. In the last decade the number of people who have decided to convert from old, conventional farms to new, environmentally friendly ones, has markedly increased. The objective of this study was to find out what motivates farmers to convert to, or establish organic farms. We were particularly interested in the environmental aspect of their decisions. The study was conducted in the form of a questionnaire among organic farmers – compliance certificate holders – in the Malopolska Province, Poland. The results show that organic farmers' environmental knowledge is selective and focuses only on some areas of farming. Respondents' knowledge and environmental awareness and their education, age or sex were not related, however, their knowledge about nature goes hand-in-hand with their environmental awareness. The prevailing majority of organic farmers know the basic mechanisms of nature that are significant for agricultural production; they are also aware of threats from conventional farming and understand the need to propagate organic farming as its alternative. In their activity, organic farmers attain several objectives simultaneously, but their main motivation is not environmental.


The new smartphone era is challenging the leading position the European Union (EU) has been occupying in the mobile economy, falling behind other economies such as the United States and some countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The EU acknowledges the fragmented structure of the electronic communications market as being one of the main obstacles to LTE deployment. The EC argues that a main source of fragmentation is lack of harmonised conditions governing the use of radio spectrum across the EU. The EU member states have developed different and sometimes conflicting radio spectrum management practices through time. A consequent drawback is the impossibility of providing wireless broadband dervices across national borders and of deploying the necessary wireless networks and radio equipment. In consequence, on 11 September 2013, the European Commission put forward a new legislative package for a 'Connected Continent: Building a Telecoms Single Market' which contains several reforms directed to create a single telecommunications market. Some of the proposed reforms would partly modify the existing regulatory system of the radio spectrum, introducing harmonised conditions governing national assignment procedures. Through a document analysis and selected experts interviews the paper attempts to assess whether the EU is moving towards a strategic development of radio spectrum policy by looking at the EU initiatives on radio spectrum since the beginning in 1987. Then the focus is narrowed down to the Connected Continent legislative proposal, to value its contribution to the harmonisation of national assignment procedures. The historical overview of the EU radio spectrum policy shows that the EU has gradually acknowledged the negative implications of national fragmented and inconsistent radio spectrum governing rules. The EU has become aware of the need for a long-term strategy for the planning of the use of radio spectrum for the creation and functioning of the EU internal market. However, the paper also claims that in the arduous process of harmonisation of radio spectrum use much has still to be accomplished. Furthermore the paper draws the conclusions that the radio spectrum reforms contained the Connected Continent legislative proposal are probably not the means by which the harmonisation of radio spectrum use for the completion of the internal market can be enhanced. The EU and the EU member states have remarkably diverging and conflicting views on the content of the EC proposed reforms. The EU member states are unwilling to give up on their prerogatives on the radio spectrum by accepting too intrusive harmonised measures.


Background: Cardiac arrest is the final common step in the dying process. In the right context, resuscitation can reverse the dying process, yet success rates are low. However, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a highly invasive medical treatment, which, if applied in the wrong setting, can deprive the patient of dignified death. Do-not-attempt-cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions provide a mechanism to withhold CPR. Recent scientific and lay press reports suggest that the implementation of DNACPR decisions in NHS practice is problematic.

Aims and objectives: This project sought to identify reasons why conflict and complaints arise, identify inconsistencies in NHS trusts' implementation of national guidelines, understand health professionals' experience in relation to DNACPR, its process and ethical challenges, and explore the literature for evidence to improve DNACPR policy and practice.

Methods: A systematic review synthesised evidence of processes, barriers and facilitators related to DNACPR decision-making and implementation. Reports from NHS trusts, the National Reporting and Learning System, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Office of the Chief Coroner, trust resuscitation policies and telephone calls to a patient information line were reviewed. Multiple focus groups explored service-provider perspectives on DNACPR decisions. A stakeholder group discussed the research findings and identified priorities for future research.

Results: The literature review found evidence that structured discussions at admission to hospital or following deterioration improved patient involvement and decision-making. Linking DNACPR to overall treatment plans improved clarity about goals of care, aided communication and reduced harms. Standardised documentation improved the frequency and quality of recording decisions. Approximately 1500 DNACPR incidents are reported annually. One-third of these report harms, including some instances of death. Problems with communication and variation in trusts' implementation of national guidelines were common. Members of the public were concerned that their wishes with regard to resuscitation would not be respected. Clinicians felt that DNACPR decisions should be considered within the overall care of individual patients. Some clinicians avoid raising discussions about CPR for fear of conflict or complaint. A key theme across all focus groups, and reinforced by the literature review, was the negative impact on overall patient care of having a DNACPR decision and the conflation of 'do not resuscitate' with 'do not provide active treatment'.

Limitations: The variable quality of some data sources allows potential overstatement or understatement of findings. However, data source triangulation identified common issues.

Conclusion: There is evidence of variation and suboptimal practice in relation to DNACPR decisions across health-care settings. There were deficiencies in considering, discussing and implementing the decision, as well as unintended consequences of DNACPR decisions being made on other aspects of patient care.

Future work: Recommendations supported by the stakeholder group are standardising NHS policies and forms, ensuring cross-boundary recognition of DNACPR decisions, integrating decisions with overall treatment plans and developing tools and training strategies to support clinician and patient decision-making, including improving communication.

Study registration: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42012002669.

Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.


The study investigated university students' receptivity to peers with disabilities at two universities in Perth, Western Australia (Edith Cowan University and the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle), and two universities in India (The University of Kolkata, previously Calcutta, and the University of Jadavpur). Data were collected via a 60 item questionnaire (N=996) based on six aspects supporting receptivity to peers with disabilities: Academic, Interactive, Social, Personal, Professional and Supportive. The final questionnaire was composed of 30 stem-items each answered in two perspectives: (1) an ideal self-view (What I think I should do) and (2) their self-reported behaviour (what I actually do), making a total of 60 items. The questionnaire data were analysed with a Rasch computer program (RUMM 2020) in order to create a linear scale of University Students' Receptivity of Peers with Disabilities so that valid inferences could be made from the scale data. Four main inferences were drawn from the Raschcreated linear scale of Receptivity to Peers with Disabilities. One is that the ideal self-views (attitudes) are easier than the actual self-views (behaviours), for all items where both perspectives fit the measurement model. Two is that the students do make an effort to appreciate and recognise academic and non-academic achievements of peers with disabilities at university but find it moderately hard to do so. Three is that the students found it very hard to involve themselves in promoting optimal participation of peers with disabilities in quality higher education. Four is that Receptivity to Peers with Disabilities is significantly higher at the Universities of Calcutta and Jadavpur in India than at Edith Cowan University and the University of Notre Dame in Western Australia, and Receptivity is significantly higher at the University of Notre dame than at Edith Cowan University. The analysis helped to establish links between attitudes and behaviour.


A pot culture experiment was conducted using a Cu-spiked soil to compare the effects of the application of ethylenediamine-N,N′-tetraacetate (EDTA) and [S,S]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinate (EDDS), a biodegradable chelating agent, on the soil Cu distribution, Cu uptake by brown mustard and on the metabolic activity of the soil microorganisms for substrate utilization. Seedlings of brown mustard were planted in the pots fitted with hollow fibers for soil solution suction, and cultivated for 12 weeks. Solutions of chelating agents with pH 6.0 at a concentration of 1.0 mmol kg−1 soil were supplied on the 35, 43, and 51 d after transplanting (total 3.0 mmol kg−1). The addition of EDTA and EDDS enhanced plant Cu uptake by 2.9 and 1.8 times compared with the uptake of the control plants which were grown without chelating agent supply. However, EDTA addition caused a significant growth reduction compared with the control, while the application of EDDS did not reduce the dry matter yield of the plants. The concentrations of Cu and chelating agent in the soil solution of the EDTA-amended soil were much higher than those in the EDDS treatment during the cultivation, especially at the late stage. The results of sequential extraction of Cu in soil after cultivation showed that the addition of both EDTA and EDDS decreased the amount of Cu in the Mn oxide-occluded fraction and increased the amount in the water-soluble and exchangeable fractions significantly, compared with the control soil. The amount of Cu in the acid-soluble and organically bound fractions of the soil supplied with both chelating agents was also lower than that in the control soil, although the value was not significant for the EDDS treatment. Based on the values of the average well color development (AWCD) on the Biolog ECO MicroPlates, the activity of the soil microorganisms for substrate utilization in the EDTA treatment after cultivation was lower than that in the EDDS treatment. These results suggested that the environmental risks caused by the leaching of Cu and Cu-chelate and the influence on soil microbial activity were less pronounced in the case of EDDS addition than EDTA. Therefore, EDDS could replace EDTA for chelate-assisted phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Cu, although the amount of Cu taken up by the plants was lower than that required for efficient reduction of the soil Cu content.


The thesis argues that the love elegists show an
original approach to the aristocratic ideal of service
to the state and, more specifically, towards the subject
of moral decline.
in the first chapter the aristocratic ideal and
the traditional version of moral decline are outlined
from the epigraphic and literary evidence of pre-Augustan
times. It is concluded that the aristocratic
ideal centred on service to the state through the public
career and that the traditional concept of moral decline
involved dereliction of duty towards the state. A more
detailed analysis of this traditional concert based on
the study of moral terminology in the works of Sallust
and Livy is included in the form of an appendix. It is
strongly recommended that this be read immediately after
chapter one.
In chapter two there is an examination of the
terminology used by the love elegists to describe the
past, the ideal society and the causes and symptoms of
moral decline. Their treatment of specific vices and
virtues mentioned by the historians is also discussed
and some comment is made on the different usage of moral
terminology in the two genres. On the basis of this it
is suggested that the love elegists significantly re-shape
traditional aristocratic moral concepts, particularlv
concerning moral decline.
Next the treatment of the ideal society and the
past is discussed in more depth. Chapter three shows
how the love elegists reject the traditional aristocratic
view of the ideal society as an austere and warlike
community living in early Rome, replacing this with
assorted Utopias of their own, both past and present.
It is argued that they select many details from the
traditional version of the past, but re-share them both
for humorous effect and, more seriously, in protest ,
against war.
In chapter four the love elegists' treatment of
private morality is explored. It is shown that, in spite
of occasional signs of sympathy for the aristocratic
moral code (found mainly in the works of Propertius), the
love elegists borrow extensively from Roman comedy and
generally make fun of the aristocratic ideal and the
traditional concept of private moral decline.
The public career, which lies at the heart of the
aristocratic ideal, is discussed in chapter five. Here
it is suggested that, with rare exceptions, the love
elegists approach the subject of the public career in a
spirit either of antagonism or humour, which reflects their
opposition to the aristocratic ideal.
Finally, it is argued in chapter six that the
subjects of the aristocratic ideal and moral decline
have a variety of literary functions in love elegy.
It is concluded that the most important of these are
their functions as vehicles for humour and protest.
It is here that the real novelty of their treatment
lies.


SIMS depth profiles were measured using metal cluster complex ions of Ir4(CO)7+ as a primary ion beam in order to obtain high depth resolution. Depth resolution was evaluated as a function of primary ion species, energy and incident angle using a multiple boron delta-doped silicon sample. The depth resolution obtained using cluster ion bombardment was considerably better than that obtained by oxygen ion bombardment under the same bombardment condition due to reduction of atomic mixing in the depth. The best depth resolution was 0.9 nm under the bombardment condition of 5 keV, 45° with oxygen flooding, which approaches the value measured with state of the art SIMS analyses. However, depth resolution was not improved by decreasing the cluster ion energy (less than 5 keV), even though the roughness of the sputtered surface was suppressed. The limit of depth resolution improvement may be caused by a carbon cover-layer that prevents the formation of surface oxide that buffers atomic mixing. To overcome this issue, it will be necessary to eliminate carbon from the cluster ion.


Community Energy Systems (CESs) are localized systems that can generate, deliver, and/or store energy, which can come in different forms, including electricity, natural gas, and district heating. These can be operated in islanded mode or tied into the main grid, either continually or for backup purposes. Since CESs are by definition small-scale, even small deviations from forecasts can be much more costly to users as those costs of overbuilding or underbuilding are shared among a much smaller group of consumers (rather than the much larger pool across the larger system). Accurate peak load forecasts are very difficult, and they are especially difficult for CESs because inaccuracies cannot be smoothed across a larger base. Conservation and demand management can be efficient tools to smooth over inevitable deviations from forecasts. The conservation model proposed in this chapter would target conservation at the most elastic (price sensitive) consumers only during narrowly defined peak periods in order to increase utilization of fixed assets and drive down unit costs. This would reduce the overall capacity requirements of the system, and these savings would be saved among all users. The three main elements of this model are to (1) lower the peak in order to defer capacity expansions; (2) increase utilization in order to reduce unit costs and rates; and (3) target conservation efforts at the most elastic (price sensitive) consumers so that conservation is procured at the lowest possible cost. Conservation can be achieved through a combination of disincentives for consumption during very narrow peak periods and incentives for consumption during off-peak periods. Together, these have the effect of flattening the demand curve.